Browsing by Subject "Adjustment (Psychology)"

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Effectiveness and use of coping strategies in threat and challenge situations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 1988) Foster, Helen Marguerite
The present study aimed to investigate the perceived effectiveness and reported use of three coping strategies in threat and challenge situations. Eighty psychology students were given false feedback following a test, in either threat or challenge conditions. Subjects were given one of three cognitive coping strategies (fatalism, perseverance, or rational action) or no strategy, prior to a second test. The results revealed fatalism to be perceived as significantly less effective than perseverance and rational action. Repeated measures of pulse rate indicated the effectiveness of the threat and challenge manipulation, but the results for appraisal revealed those in the threat condition found the situation more challenging than threatening. Subjective measures of eight emotions showed changes over time and suggested that positive affect was more evident than negative affect. It was concluded that there are differences between coping strategies and that threat and challenge can be classified either as subjective or objective variables.
The effects of received social support on posttraumatic stress symptoms and social adjustment of New Zealand and Philippine emergency responders : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2019) Guilaran, Johnrev Barello
Emergency response work is associated with a wide range of psychological outcomes. One of the most commonly observed psychological consequences is posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). In addition, traumatic exposure of these types are also seen to affect social adjustment, which may take the form of changes in satisfaction with social relationships and performance of social and occupational roles. In these highly stressful conditions, social support, behaviours and social interactions that provide actual assistance and embed people in loving and caring social networks (Hobfoll & Stokes, 1988), has been shown to be associated with favourable consequences. This research was conducted to test the effects of social support on PTSS and social adjustment in emergency responders – those who are mandated to protect and preserve life, property, and the environment (Prati & Pietrantoni, 2010) in the aftermath of emergencies and disasters. This thesis specifically focusses on received social support, which is the situational-environmental facet of social support. The first two manuscripts are meta-analyses on the associations of social support on psychological outcomes, to chart the topography of research in the area. Manuscript One is a systematic review and meta-analysis on the associations of social support on various psychological outcomes in emergency responders working in disasters. Manuscript Two is a meta-analysis on the influence of social support on posttraumatic stress symptoms in emergency responders, in general. In both meta-analyses, differential effects of social support were found, but there was a domination of studies on perceived social support and a scarcity of literature on received social support. Manuscripts Three through Five, which cover the results, then focussed on the association of received social support in 223 emergency responders from New Zealand (n = 195) and the Philippines (n = 28). Manuscript Three tested the main and moderating effects of received social support on PTSS while Manuscript Four tested its effect on social adjustment. For both studies, the effects of the different sources (i.e., family, peers, supervisor) and forms (i.e., emotional, tangible, informational) of received social support were also tested. Furthermore, to understand the protective assistance process between received and perceived social support, Manuscript Five tested the mediating effects of social support effectiveness and negative consequences on the relationship between received and perceived social support. The results of these studies highlight three key points. First, received social support is consistently shown to have main effects on PTSS and social adjustment. Second, reverse buffering effects were observed only in received supervisor support on PTSS. Third, support effectiveness and negative consequences do not mediate the link between received and perceived support in emergency responders. These findings suggest the limits of the effectiveness of social support on psychological outcomes, but at the same time, also suggest the potential of this naturally-occurring intervention element to enhance positive outcomes.
The impact of locus of control and control on performance during painful stimulation : an experimental investigation : a dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 1999) Manderson, Matthew David
Pain interrupts cognitive processing, is hard to ignore and demands priority attention (Crombez, Baeyens & Eelen, 1994). Focusing on the effect of pain on attention, the primary task paradigm was used to investigate the effect pain had on the task performance of 59 psychology undergraduate students assessed for their locus of control (LOC) beliefs using Rotters (1964) LOC Scale. In a mixed experimental design, participants were required to discrimination between 250 and 750 MHz tones while being exposed to the experimental pain stimulus potassium iontophoresis, a control stimulus of an old man's face and tone only baseline trials. A control manipulation gave all participants both control and no control over the presentation of three levels of pain; high, medium and low pain. The results show that pain interfered with the accuracy of tone discriminations but not reaction times (RT). Additionally, the interference effect from painful stimulation was greater at 250 ms after the onset of the tone compared to the 750 ms onset. A signalling/warning effect is discussed as an explanation for this finding. The external LOC group performed worse when they had control over pain compared to no control. The internal LOC group showed less task degradation overall during the pain condition compared to the external group. These results are discussed in relation with current theories of attention, the effects of control and LOC beliefs.
The impact of self-efficacy and cognitive appraisal on coping adaptability in military recruits : a test of a model and its impact on organisational outcomes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 2008) Loughran, Bethany
The present research aimed to test a model of adaptation in RNZAF recruits which was similar in structure to transactional models of stress such as Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) model. Using a longitudinal design and dispositional measures the study assessed the impact of general self-efficacy and cognitive appraisal at the start of recruit training on coping adaptability at the end of training. These variables were also assessed as to their impact on organisationally relevant variables including organisational commitment, perceived performance improvement and readiness for next career phase. Overall the study had two broad aims. The first was to confirm the relationships between appraisal, coping adaptability and outcomes as previously shown in transactional models of stress and coping. The second aim was to discover how self-efficacy impacted on the model, more specifically, whether it acted as a moderator, mediator or antecedent to the appraisal – coping relationship. The results confirmed that challenge appraisal was associated with better organisational outcomes, this relationship was fully mediated by coping adaptability. Self-efficacy was strongly correlated with challenge appraisal however did not moderate the appraisal – coping relationship nor did it mediate the appraisal – coping adaptability relationship. The direct relationship between self-efficacy and coping adaptability was however, fully mediated by challenge appraisal. Threat appraisal did not demonstrate strong relationships with the remaining variables in this sample. Additionally, general self-efficacy, challenge appraisal and coping adaptability were associated with organisational commitment and readiness but not with performance improvement.
In search of self : the hospitalisation experiences of children with cancer : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 2001) Rochecouste, Véronique
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in children in the Western world. The diagnosis and treatment process is painful and distressing, and is carried out in the hospital environment. This environment is foreign to most children, and influences children's coping with the experience of having cancer. Research in this area has focussed on assessing coping responses, and designing interventions for the pain, distress and anxiety associated with the medical procedures. There have also been studies which have measured the prevalence of emotional and behavioural difficulties in children with cancer. No studies have been conducted into children's experiences of hospital expressed in their own terms. The aim of the present study was to elicit the hospital experiences of children with cancer. Interviews were conducted with seven children, aged 5 - 15 years, who had completed treatment for cancer within the previous two years. An interpretive phenomenological design was utilised in order to gain and analyse accounts of the participants' perceptions and experiences. Findings suggest that the experiences can be interpreted in terms of two themes underlying the experiences of children with cancer, and their coping responses. The first theme is 'Retaining a sense of self-as-normal', which describes efforts to 'Maintain links with familiar people' and 'Becoming 'at home' in hospital'. The second theme is 'Incorporating multiple selves', which are 'Self-as-body-in-pain', 'Self-as-confined', 'Self-as-patient' and 'Self-as-survivor-living-with-cancer'. Success in retaining a sense of self-as-normal both affects, and is influenced by, the incorporation of multiple selves. Implications of these themes for practice in terms of the assessment of coping responses, design of interventions, and the measurement of outcomes, are suggested.
An investigation of the stability of the sense of coherence for those attending a three-week rehabilitation programme : a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Rehabilitation at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University. School of Health Sciences, 2005) Hocquard, Toni Jacqueline
Those with chronic illnesses or disabilities face numerous obstacles and issues as they come to terms with and manage the realities of their situation. How well health care providers and funders understand this can determine the types and quality of services offered. Antonovsky (1993) has developed the Sense of Coherence (SOC) concept, which introduces a salutogenic (health promotion) model of health. This challenges the pathogenic model (origins of disease) that dominates health care. A relationship between the SOC and coping has been established in the literature. Currently, the SOC is widely viewed as a stable personality trait, but emerging evidence suggests that the SOC may be amenable to change. The purpose of the study was essentially to investigate the stability of the SOC in relation to an intervention over time. The study was conducted using a time series design (Pre-admission (T1), admission(T2), discharge (T3), 6-month follow up(T4)). A convenience sample of 120 participants (93 women, 27 men) was recruited for the study. The instruments used as dependant measures were the SOC-29, the Acceptance of Disability Scale ADM (modified) and the SF-36. Analysis of the SOC-29 revealed a significant change over time (p= .05), with the follow up analysis indicating that this change occurred following the intervention. This same finding was also true of the ADM scores (p=0.0005). This was not sustained at 6-month follow up for either the SOC or the ADM. Analyses of the SF-36 scores showed a significant improvement from admission to the 6-month follow up on all scores except general health. Only 72 participants completed at the 6-month follow up and this reduced the power of the study to yield a statistically significant result. Furthermore, a post-hoc analysis revealed that over 93% of the participants had medium to high SOC scores at the beginning of the study and this may have impacted on the outcome. There were significant correlations between the scores on the SOC-29 and the ADM and all scales of the SF-36 except physical function. As the significant change in SOC-29 scores was not sustained at the six-month follow up it could suggest that the SOC is indeed a stable trait. However, there were other factors identified, related to the characteristics of the sample and to wider factors that could have had an impact on the outcome of this study. In particular it is possible that a 3-week programme is not long enough to effect a lasting change in the SOC and this raises questions about health care delivery for those who have chronic illness or disability.
Local-expatriate contact, cultural contrasts, and their role in expatriate adjustment in Malaysia : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 2010) Hooks, Rachel Anna
The aim was to examine Turner's (1985) self-categorization theory and contact theory (Stephans, 1987) among expatriates working alongside host country nationals in Malaysia. Meta-contrast ratios are differences between self (expatriate) and others (Malaysian host country nationals) compared with the difference between self and less "exotic" others (fellow expatriates). Do they mediate between social contact and expatriate adjustment? Ninety-three expatriates from one expatriate community were surveyed about their level of social contact with (i) host country nationals and (ii) fellow expatriates. To assess metacontrast, participants made comparisons on socio-cultural and psychological variables between themselves and fellow expatriates and between themselves and local hosts. This was then tested as a mediator between expatriates (i) level of social contact with host country nationals and fellow expatriates, and (ii) their overall expatriate adjustment. Fellow expatriates were consistently perceived as more similar to participants on sociocultural and psychological indicators than host country nationals (F(l6,77) = 15.13,p < 0.000, partial η2= 0.832). Mediation was not supported. Instead social contact and metacontrast had direct effects on socio-cultural adaptation. Expatriates who perceived more similarity between themselves and host country nationals had better adjustment. This research has implications for both theory and practice. The operationalization of Turner's (1985) concept of meta-contrast provided a useful integrative measure of the competition for socialization between expatriate and local communities, with consequences for adjustment. A significant percentage of expatriates had no social contact with host country nationals, suggesting employers might enable more social contact with host national communities, especially during the orientation phase.
Mitigating distress in New Zealand police officers exposed to children's accounts of traumatic experiences : emotion-solving versus problem-solving : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masterate of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Turitea Campus
(Massey University, 2006) Neilson, Dianne Edna
Working with children who have been abused can be deleterious. This study examined the impact on state affect after exposure to a child's statement of abuse, assessed which type of solving approach led to less recall of distressing information, and examined which risk factors impacted on state affect and short-term memory tasks. Forty North Island police officers, including a specialised group of forensic interviewers who are trained to interview children who have been abused, participated in this study. Participants showed a decrease in positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA), measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988), after exposure to one scenario of child abuse. No significant differences on PA and NA were found in relation to whether the scenario of abuse was physical or sexual. Furthermore, no significant differences on the amount of distressing information recalled from the child's statement of abuse were found in those participants who used an emotion-solving approach versus a problem-solving approach. The uniqueness of police work is highlighted, particularly in relation to how they may process distressing information by considering the quality of evidence required to prosecute offenders and recalling details of abuse using criminal offence categories. Limitations of this study are described as well as suggestions for future research directions. Implications for police and forensic interviewing practice are discussed.
Personality styles and coping strategies : the relationships between sociotropy/autonomy, coping, and mood : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 2000) Parkhill, Gillian Mary
Beck's (1983) personality-event congruence hypothesis proposes that individuals high in the personality constructs of sociotropy and autonomy are vulnerable to the development of depression when facing stressful life events that are congruent with their personality dimension. The present study investigated if the stronger empirical support for Beck's hypothesis for sociotropy, than for autonomy, is due to differences in coping strategies used by sociotropic and autonomous people. Using a cross-sectional retrospective research design, with a non-clinical student sample, the present study tested the hypotheses that people with different levels of sociotropy/autonomy use different coping strategies, and that coping mediates the relationship between sociotropy/autonomy and mood in the face of stressful events. The roles of gender and social support in that relationship were also explored. While sociotropy/autonomy levels did not affect coping patterns found between interpersonal and achievement events, sociotropy/autonomy was found to influence coping in general. Participants with low levels of sociotropy and autonomy showed decreased use of self-control, accepting responsibility, and escape-avoidance coping. The coping strategies of self-control and escape-avoidance mediated the relationship between sociotropy/autonomy and positive affect, while escape-avoidance mediated the relationship between sociotropy/autonomy and negative affect. Women had higher sociotropy scores than men, and although participants low in both sociotropy and autonomy reported higher levels of social support, no gender differences in social support were found. Social support had a positive influence on positive affect and a negative influence on negative affect. Men used more planful problem-solving than women, but the gender differences in coping were unrelated to coping differences found between the different sociotropy and autonomy levels. These findings are discussed within the framework of the personality-event congruence hypothesis.
Re-entry adjustment of high school exchange students to New Zealand : cross-cultural transition within a loss and grief framework : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 1998) Soeterik, Sonja Marieke
While it is generally assumed re-entry into a person's own culture after life abroad can be problematic, little attention has been given in the theory or research to the re-entry life of sojourners, and even less to adolescent sojourners. The aim of the present study was to examine a new conceptual framework for the readjustment process using existing loss and grief models. This study examined nine variables associated with the grieving process (Despair, Anger/Hostility, Guilt, Social Isolation, Loss of Control, Rumination, Depersonalization, Death Anxiety and Somatization) and applied them to the cross-cultural transition of American Field Service (AFS) high school exchange students back into New Zealand after one year abroad. 207 sojourners responded to mail-in questionnaires measuring grief (Grief Experience Inventory; GEI) and psychological adjustment (the short form of the Profile of Mood States; POMS-SF). Their responses on the POMS-SF were compared to that of a home based control of high school students while responses on the GEI were compared with three reference groups and a control group from the GEI manual. Results suggest sojourners are more similar to people grieving after a death than people experiencing loss by divorce. While sojourners were typically satisfied with their exchange, 61% noted re-entry was problematic. Further support for the results came from the unsolicited qualitative information participants provided. The theoretical basis of the present study proved useful and it is suggested that future research could develop this methodology further.
The relationship between self-construal and psychological and socio-cultural adjustment of Asian Indian international students studying in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North
(Massey University, 2015) Cooper, Mary Christine
New Zealand has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of Asian Indian international students undertaking study in this country in recent years, with the majority choosing a Polytechnic Institute to pursue their tertiary education. This phenomenon is part of a global trend which has encouraged a large body of literature describing international students’ acculturation and adjustment experiences. However, as little research centres on Indian students, this study seeks to address in some way that gap by exploring the association between self-construal and socio-cultural and psychological adjustment of Indian international students to life in New Zealand. A total of 39 Indian students, studying at Waiariki Institute of Technology, 63% of whom were males, completed an online survey. The survey comprised of a number of measures investigating the four hypotheses which explore student self-construal and adjustment and those factors that predict and mediate the adjustment of Indian students. The findings of this study show that in spite of India being described as a collectivist and traditional family-centred culture, Indian students adopt a bicultural approach as early as six months after their arrival in New Zealand. They show positive levels of adjustment, with social connectedness and English language fluency having a partial mediating effect on the relationship between the horizontal-relational dimension of self-construal and psychological adjustment. While there are a number of limitations to this study, the findings are encouraging and suggest that Indian students possess a number of attributes that facilitate their adjustment. The influence of the horizontal-collective dimension of self-construal on Indian students’ adjustment highlights the importance of on-campus strategies to encourage the development of meaningful relationships among students which support ongoing adjustment to academic study and life in New Zealand.
Relationships among work adjustment variables : a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 1993) Skinner, Monica Jessie
In the context of changing patterns of work and a growing trend for individuals to occupy more than one position during their working life, knowledge about the factors affecting work adjustment becomes increasingly important to employee and employer alike. The present research investigated the application of aspects of a dominant but relatively unchallenged psychological theory of work adjustment (and its instrumentation) of Dawis and Lofquist ( 1 984). The aspects of particular interest in this area of Occupational , Industrial/Organisational and Vocational Psychology, were the effect of work need correspondence (as moderated by satisfactoriness) on job satisfaction and tenure and the use of the adjustment styles of active, reactive, perseverance and flexibility. A critical evaluation of the theory raised concerns about possible omissions of important variables, about inconsistencies (such as having the key variables of j ob satisfaction and satisfactoriness act mutually as moderators yet be relatively independent of each other) and about the apparent failure of an orthogonal model to represent the relationships among work need factors accurately. The underlying factor structure of work needs was explored using confirmatory factor analytic techniques and the linear structural relations model (LISREL) . Dawis and Lofquist's work need factor analyses were reworked in an empirical study and as part of a meta-analysis . The work adjustment theory was expanded to take account of relationships among constructs with a more cognitive component (such as subjective wellbeing, self-efficacy and locus of control), among social constructs (such as social support and social reference group influences) and among non-work variables (such as satisfaction with quality of life domains) . Vocational issues such as the relationship between occupational fantasy and actual position taken up were explored. The study was of a two-stage longitudinal design with questionnaires administered to a relatively homogeneous group of 377 volunteers from a range of academic disciplines in a New Zealand university towards the last third of their final year of study, prior to graduation and to the 288 remaining in the study sample a year later, the majority of whom were in work. Data about the characteristics of the respondent group including information about their parents and individual work expectations were gathered at stage one. Stage two repeated measures of self-efficacy, locus of control and subjective well-being and sought information to evaluate aspects of work adjustment theory, non-work factors and the work/non-work relationship. The psychological instruments in addition to those of work adjustment theory used were Holland's (1965) Vocational Preference Instrument, The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (Hansen, 1985) and the measures used by Campbell, Converse and Rodgers (1976) of happiness, subjective well-being and personal competence. The criticisms of the theory appeared valid and the expanded model outlined fitted the data better than the original of Dawis and Lofquist with the additional variables performing as well or better in the prediction of tenure. Job satisfaction was found to be a better predictor of work adjustment than expected tenure. Job attachment explained more of the variance in the work adjustment model than did expected length of tenure itself. Although correspondence between work needs and work reinforcers usually occurred, only certain work needs when reinforced affected job satisfaction. The factor structure of work needs was found to be hierarchical with two second order factors. One second order factor was interpreted as being intrinsic and involving personal development and growth aspects while the other was more extrinsic in nature involving the work setting, management and working conditions. Just as the first level factors correlated so did the second order factors to produce a single, general work need factor. Not all work needs may need to be reinforced for job satisfaction to occur and perhaps as few as five need to be measured. Adjustment style did not moderate correspondence between all work needs and their reinforcers. The social reference group and the degree of social support were found to be an important influence on the subjective wellbeing of respondents. When taken together a greater amount of variance in subjective wellbeing was accounted for by leisure satisfaction and social support than by job satisfaction. Perceived job satisfactoriness was a better predictor of tenure than job satisfaction. Non-work factors and the relative importance of work and job/lifestyle compatibility were found to be of importance to work adjustment. The implications of the apparent limitations of Dawis and Lofquist's theory of work adjustment are discussed along with the effect of the emergence of a different work need factor structure on the theory's instrumentation.
The role of bridge employment in the relationship between personality and retirement adjustment : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Masters of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2019) Kuriger, Aaron
New Zealand’s older population is increasing, meaning that increased research needs to be undertaken to consider older individual’s needs. The present study uses the resource-based dynamic perspective postulated by Wang, Henkens and van Solinge (2011) to examine the relationship between bridge employment, personality and retirement adjustment. It was hypothesised that personality traits (as represented by the Five-Factor Model (FFM)) would be positively related to engagement in bridge employment; and that they would also influence wellbeing in retirement (retirement adjustment). The study also explored whether bridge employment mediated the relationship between personality and retirement adjustment. This study used longitudinal data from the New Zealand Aotearoa Health, Work and Retirement (HWR) study and focused on older adults aged of 55-70. The HWR postal survey included questions about socio-demographics, personality, employment and well-being. Results in the present study show that bridge employment was not significantly related to personality. The traits of neuroticism and conscientiousness were found to significantly relate to retirement adjustment in a hierarchical regression model. Economic standard of living, age and time spent in retirement were also found to be associated with retirement adjustment in the same model. Bridge employment was not found to mediate the relationship between personality and retirement adjustment. The findings indicate that individual’s personality traits have no bearing on whether they decide to engage in bridge employment. Individuals high in conscientiousness appear to adjust to retirement more easily compared to individuals low in conscientiousness. Similarly, individuals with high neuroticism appear to find it more difficult to adjust to retirement than individuals with low neuroticism. The findings also indicate that individuals find it easier to adjust to retirement with higher socioeconomic status; indicating the importance of access to resources in retirement. Additionally, the present study provides evidence that the longer that individuals spend in retirement, the more likely it is that they will adjust to the retirement process. Implications for future research are discussed with an emphasis on motivations and reasons for bridge employment, and other variables to consider in the fields of bridge employment and retirement adjustment.
Social support, automatic thought processes and coping style as predictors of compliance with treatment among adult diabetes patients in Northland : a dissertation presented to the School of Psychology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters Degree of Psychology
(Massey University, 2004) Goosen, Tanya
Little research has examined the relationship of automatic negative thought patterns, coping styles and depression to compliance with treatment for diabetes. A questionnaire consisting of demographic questions, the Ways of Coping Checklist, the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, a depression inventory and a compliance rating scale was completed by 114 adult diabetes patients attending the Northland Health retinopathy clinic. There were equal numbers of men and women, whose median age was 59 years (M = 59.2, SD = 14.9). Clinicians who were responsible for one or more of the patients independently completed a separate compliance rating scale for their respective patient(s). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that there were no significant overall difference for gender and ethnic identity on any of the variables. Automatic negative thoughts, avoidance and blaming coping styles were positively related to depression, and negatively related to patients' ratings of compliance. A problem focus coping style correlated positively with patients' ratings of compliance. Patients tended to rate their own compliance as better than the staff ratings. According to staff ratings, Maori patients who identified less strongly with their culture, were also less likely to comply with treatment than the other ethnic groups. Staff and patients seemed to differ on what 'compliance' meant. Staff appeared to see compliance as how well the patients followed the treatment instructions. Patients were concerned about their thought content (i.e. positive or negative thinking) and their ability to act or decide for themselves. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that negative thought patterns and problem focused coping were significant predictors of patients' compliance ratings, while negative thought patterns and depression were significant predictors of staff's compliance ratings. The findings were discussed in terms of risk factors for lack of compliance and psychosocial treatment options for diabetes patients.
Subjective stress, coping and subjective well-being in women before and after the birth of their first child: a longitudinal case-study approach : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 1987) Mason, Edward John
A longitudinal case-study approach was adopted to explore the changes in subjective stress, coping and subjective well-being in women before and after the birth of their first child. Subjects were 16 women due to have their first baby. It was planned to see· them at ten weeks, six weeks and two weeks before the expected date of birth of their baby, and two weeks, six weeks and ten weeks after the actual date of birth. Demographic information was collected in the first session. At each contact semi-structured interviews were conducted and subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to measure subjective stress, coping, appraisals, and subjective well-being. The specific approach was descriptive, and the specific aim was to look for patterns and themes. However, while there were no well-defined hypotheses, it was expected that subjective stress would decrease before the birth, increase in the first month to six weeks after and decrease again towards the end of the study period. The use of coping strategies were expected to follow a similar pattern to that of subjective stress. Subjective well-being was expected to follow the opposite pattern to subjective stress and coping. It was felt that making specific predictions about appraisal emotions would not be productive since it was expected that emotional liability would cloud the data and general patterns would not emerge. Results showed that subjective stress generally decreased as the expected date of birth neared, except for those women who experienced a specific stressor unrelated to the pregnancy as such. It increased dramatically immediately after the birth and decreased gradually as the final contact approached. The predictions about coping and subjective well-being were also generally fulfilled. As expected there were no obvious general patterns for appraisal emotions. Empirical, theoretical, methodological and policy implications were discussed, and suggestions for future research were made.
A theoretical and methodological analysis of social support, life events 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, 1985) Grainger, Jocelyn
This thesis presents a theoretical and methodological analysis of social support, life events and subjective well-being. Theoretical developments and conceptualizations are presented for each area along with an examination of the various measures available, many of which are found to be confounded with outcome measures. Particular attention is paid to the controversial 'buffering hypothesis' of social support. A life-span perspective for viewing life events and social support is highlighted. Methodology is discussed in terms of direct effects, additive effects and interactions. Among the studies examined problems which emerged as particularly relevant included confusing theoretical conceptualizations, confounded and inadequate measures and incomplete reporting of results. Strategies for future research methodology are recommended. These include the need for longitudinal studies and consensus as to appropriate analysis with more use being made of subjective well-being as an outcome measure. Studies would be improved by using both objective and subjective scales to measure all variables while clearly indentifying each as such. It is suggested that life events and social support should be examined in a life-span developmental context. The need for theoretical and conceptual clarity is emphasised, particularly in the area of social support where a new definition is presented. It is recommended that social support be further examined as a variable in its own right rather than as a buffer.
Vulnerable parent, vulnerable child : parenting of a subsequent child following the loss of an infant to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2003) Maclean, Barbara Lois
The aim of the present study was to investigate evidence of replacement child and vulnerable child pathology in the caregiving relationship between caregivers who had lost a previous infant to SIDS, and their subsequent children, who were now 2-3 years of age. To assess the possible traumatic disruption to the parent-child caregiving system arising from unresolved parental grieving, 20 mothers of 2-3-year-old subsequent children participated in an attachment-based clinical interview, the Working Model of the Child Interview (WMCI). Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were examined for content themes showing mothers' replacement feelings toward the subsequent child. The interview was then rated on a formal scoring system for the WMCI and the parents' representations of the child were classified into one of three categories: balanced, disengaged, or distorted. In addition, a modified version of the Reaction to Diagnosis Classification System (RTDSC) was used to classify the interview transcripts as Resolved or Unresolved with respect to the trauma to the caregiving system arising from the loss. To look for specific evidence of the Vulnerable Child Syndrome, the 20 mothers and a control group of 100 non-bereaved mothers of children of a similar age also completed three questionnaires: (a) the Vulnerable Child Scale (VCS) to assess parental perceptions of the child's vulnerability, (b) the Parent Protection Scale (PPS) to assess parental protective behaviours, and (c) the Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 2-3 years (CBCL/2-3) to assess behaviour and personality problems in the child. Results of the questionnaires showed that in comparison to the control group, mothers of subsequent children perceived their children as significantly more vulnerable and reported higher levels of protective behaviours. Subsequent children, in turn, experienced significantly higher levels of sleep problems and destructive externalising behaviours. Interview data showed that 70% of mothers were Unresolved with respect to the loss regardless of the time since the death, but the children were not regarded as replacements for the dead siblings. Only 25% of interviews were categorised as balanced and the majority were characterised by ongoing fears for the child's safety, and a significant level of emotional distancing from the child.
Women’s everyday resistance to intimate partner violence : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Master of Science in Health Psychology at Massey University, Aotearoa
(Massey University, 2018) Black, Alice
Aotearoa’s rate of reported intimate partner violence (IPV) is among the highest in the OECD. Surviving IPV requires considerable strength and resilience. There is a large body of work exploring women’s resistance to violence. However, this is often framed within a victim and agent dichotomy, which can obscure the variability of women’s everyday experiences. In addition to understanding the more overt forms of resistance women enact against IPV, there is a need to focus on the everyday ways in which violence manifests and the subtle, imperfect ways in which women respond as they carry out their daily routines and practices. This thesis draws on both feminist research and literature on the conduct of everyday life from social psychology to explore how women navigate their daily lives and reproduce gendered relations within the constraints of IPV. Particular attention is paid to moments of adaptation, agency and resistance. Working with the support of Te Whakakruruhau (Māori Women’s Refuge), I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight women, four staff members and four former clients, to explore their experiences of day-to-day IPV. My participants’ experiences revealed how deeply enmeshed IPV can become within everyday practices, from making breakfast to going to the toilet. While my participants' lives were characterised by chronic anxiety and constraint, they adopted novel tactics to get through dangerous everyday situations such as going to bed or doing the dishes. They drew on simple routines such as making coffee or working in the garden in order to create a sense of routine that aided them in ‘getting by’. Further, they demonstrated remarkable creativity, flexibility and agency in creating novel enclaves of care within otherwise inhospitable settings. These findings have implications for how IPV is characterised and how agencies can identify and support women within the constraints of violent relationships.
Work-role transition : from staff nurse to clinical nurse educator : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2006) Manning, Elizabeth
There is an imperative for health professionals today to maintain competence in clinical practice, which for registered nurses in New Zealand requires current experience of practice, continued professional development and education. In many organizations in New Zealand today, practice based clinical education for nurses is delivered by clinical nurse educators (CNEs). The purpose of this study was to explore the opinions and perceptions of CNEs as they transitioned from a staff nurse position to the CNE role, a designated senior position within the District Health Board (DHB) involved in this study. The aim of the study was to describe the experiences of CNEs in their first year in the role to gain a clearer understanding of the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the role. This understanding will enable a smoother and more satisfactory transition into the role and provide targets for career development for nurses aspiring to become CNEs. Qualitative description, using a general inductive approach was the methodology chosen to underpin this study. A sample group of eight CNEs from a New Zealand DHB were interviewed about their experiences using a semi structured interviewing technique. The results of the data analysis have been presented using Bridges (2003, 2004) transition theory as the theoretical framework. The data chapters are titled endings, neutral zone and beginnings. The main themes were; entering transition, getting started, chaos and turmoil, overwhelmed and opening doors. The themes present the feelings and perceptions of the CNEs using their own words. The CNEs experienced the journey through transition and discovered the role they had undertaken was much larger than expected. In addition information and shared understandings of the role were limited and orientation to the role, minimal. The CNEs experienced a variety of emotions and challenges while moving through this transition period. By sharing their stories and insights they have given the opportunity for learning to occur, which will enable improved succession planning, orientation and transition periods for future CNEs.
Work-role transition : from staff nurse to clinical nurse educator : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University
(Massey University, 2006) Manning, Elizabeth
There is an imperative for health professionals today to maintain competence in clinical practice, which for registered nurses in New Zealand requires current experience of practice, continued professional development and education. In many organizations in New Zealand today, practice based clinical education for nurses is delivered by clinical nurse educators (CNEs). The purpose of this study was to explore the opinions and perceptions of CNEs as they transitioned from a staff nurse position to the CNE role, a designated senior position within the District Health Board (DHB) involved in this study. The aim of the study was to describe the experiences of CNEs in their first year in the role to gain a clearer understanding of the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the role. This understanding will enable a smoother and more satisfactory transition into the role and provide targets for career development for nurses aspiring to become CNEs. Qualitative description, using a general inductive approach was the methodology chosen to underpin this study. A sample group of eight CNEs from a New Zealand DHB were interviewed about their experiences using a semi structured interviewing technique. The results of the data analysis have been presented using Bridges (2003, 2004) transition theory as the theoretical framework. The data chapters are titled endings, neutral zone and beginnings. The main themes were; entering transition, getting started, chaos and turmoil, overwhelmed and opening doors. The themes present the feelings and perceptions of the CNEs using their own words. The CNEs experienced the journey through transition and discovered the role they had undertaken was much larger than expected. In addition information and shared understandings of the role were limited and orientation to the role, minimal. The CNEs experienced a variety of emotions and challenges while moving through this transition period. By sharing their stories and insights they have given the opportunity for learning to occur, which will enable improved succession planning, orientation and transition periods for future CNEs.