Browsing by Author "Zika, Sheryl Corinne"

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    Personality as a modifier of the relationship between stressors and subjective well-being : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1984) Zika, Sheryl Corinne
    An investigation was undertaken to explore the function of locus of control, meaning in life and assertiveness as moderating variables between chronic daily stressors and subjective well-being. Subjects were 120 adults drawn from randomly selected areas of the community and 161 extramural students. Respondents completed a questionnaire containing measures of well-being, personality, stressors, and social desirability, as well as demographic information. The hypotheses predicted that each of the personality variables (locus of control, meaning in life, assertiveness) would interact with stressors, to moderate between stressors and well-being; and that the combined personality variables would explain a greater proportion of the variance of well-being than any single personality variable. The results of the analyses revealed that stressors failed to consistently interact with any of the personality variables to effect subjective well-being. However, the main effects of personality and stressors showed substantial independent relationships to well-being. The personality variables jointly accounted for a greater proportion of the variance in well-being than any single variable, as predicted, although meaning in life was found to have the strongest relationship to well-being. The findings indicated that locus of control, meaning in life, and assertiveness each have an additive rather than interactive relationship with stressors in moderating well-being. Evidence suggests that the three personality variables constitute a personality style which predisposes an individual towards a sense of well-being. Support was found for the view that positive and negative factors independently contribute to the structure of well-being, and the implications for this were discussed.
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    Psychosocial correlates of the short term course of multiple sclerosis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Zika, Sheryl Corinne
    The present investigation developed and tested a theoretical model, which attempted to depict some of the complex relations among the psychosocial and physical health experiences of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The model is comprised of five constructs: psychological well-being, physical health status, stressors, disposition and social support. The pivotal aspect of the model is psychological well-being, through which all other factors exert their influence. The study consisted of a cross-sectional and a longitudinal phase. Participants in the cross-sectional phase were a convenience sample of 45 people diagnosed with MS. The longitudinal phase involved a subsample of 12 people for an additional six months. In the cross-sectional phase, one structured interview was conducted at the participant's home. The longitudinal participants completed (six) monthly structured interviews and physical examinations (by a physician) at the rehabilitation unit of the local hospital. Four strategies were used to analyze and interpret the data. Firstly, the cross-sectional data was analyzed using conventional between-subject regressions to examine aggregate relations at a single point in time. Secondly, the longitudinal data was analyzed using within-subject regressions to examine aggregate associations among changes in the variables. Thirdly, the longitudinal data was analyzed to examine intraindividual patterns. Lastly, a qualitative case study approach was used to interpret the factors preceding and following an exacerbation in one participant. Results of the cross-sectional analysis revealed that disposition and stressors were both related to psychological well-being but, unexpectedly, physical health status and social support had no associations with well-being. Stressors demonstrated an association with physical health status, and disposition was related to social support. The within-subject regressions suggested that disposition and social support moderate how changes in stressors impact on changes in psychological well-being, and how changes in emotional states impact on changes in physical health status. An association was found between stressors and physical health status. The intraindividual findings revealed that, in general, the variables within each major construct related to one another in line with conceptual expectations. When examining associations between constructs, aggregate findings, for the most part, could not be replicated at the individual level. The case study suggested that changes in stressors and psychological well-being precede and follow a relapse in the disease. Overall, the findings provided mixed support for the theoretical model. However, the quantitative findings, in combination with contextual information and observational evidence, contributed valuable insights regarding the MS illness process. During relatively stable periods of the disease, in general, psychological functioning does not appear to influence physical functioning, or vice versa. Persons with MS appear to use denial and other defence mechanisms to help them cope with their illness. The appropriateness of the methodological approaches used are discussed, and some of the difficulties in conducting research with MS patients are highlighted. Finally, limitations of the present study are noted and suggestions are made for future research.