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    Social cognition and mood: relationships between depression, self-esteem, and evaluations of other people : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in psychology, Massey University
    (Massey University, 1990) Conway, Les
    This study examined the relationships between depression, self-esteem, and evaluations of other people. Three major hypotheses were addressed. The first hypothesis involves the extent to which people with low self ratings give low ratings to others. Secondly, the hypothesis that depressed men perceive women as more competent and powerful than men is investigated. Thirdly, the hypothesis that self-esteem mediates the relation between depression and social cognition is explored. Additional issues addressed were first, whether the evaluations of other people made by depressed subjects differ as a function of the sex of others and secondly, whether there is utility in differentiating components of self-esteem in studies of depression and social cognition. 262 non-student subjects, aged 16 to 'over 60' years responded to a questionnaire incorporating three forms (self, female others, and male others) of an evaluation rating scale. Limited support was obtained for the first two hypotheses. Mediator variable analysis refutes the hypothesis of a strong mediating effect of either self-acceptance or social confidence in the relationship between social cognition and depression. Implications of these findings for social comparison processes, studies of stereotypic biases, and further research on depression are discussed.
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    Self-esteem, anxiety and assertiveness : a theoretical and empirical approach to the effects of assertion training : submitted as part of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology)
    (Massey University, 1980) Smee, Juliana Majella
    This study was conducted as a tentative investigation of the effect of Assertiveness Training on "normal to pre-clinical" outpatients attending a small psychological clinic. A full evaluation using an acceptable research design had been planned, however particular difficulties arose to obstruct this aim. Employing data from the subjects who had already been tested, further modifications of the major testing instruments (the Gambrill and Richey [1975] Assertion Inventory and Kelly's [1955] Role Construct Repertory Grid) were made as part of the present study. Since an extensive literature survey had indicated that structured theoretical or empirical reports are dwarfed by "popular" publications in the Assertion Training area, it was decided to use the data obtained through further testing to produce a theoretical paper based on the quasi- evaluation that remained. Three levels of subjects, two being sub-samples of the major sample, were put forward to structure the data analysis which then proceeded in three stages to test five basic hypotheses. Comparative and correlational procedures were used in Stages I and II to examine the data firstly on 110 and then on 50 sets of pre-tests. Subjects at Stage III (N = 36) belonged to two training groups and a waiting-list control group. At this level, the experimenter was interested to ascertain whether or not there were significant changes between pre and post-test in subjects' scores on three main variables (Self-Esteem, Discomfort/Interpersonal Anxiety, and Response Probability) . Such changes were found but only for subjects in the training groups and, in particular, the Discomfort variable appeared to take an important part in this preliminary "training effect". Whereas self-esteem and response probability ratings remained relatively consistent on average across the short testing interval, anxiety/discomfort levels decreased significantly among the trainees. This pointed to the benefit of AT as an anxiety-reducing procedure and stimulated comments on the importance of client/patient-oriented diagnostic and therapeutic media. In brief, the results provided some interesting catalysts for theoretical integration and, in addition, a discussion of the testing instruments and their prospects for future use supplied a functional approach to round off the study.
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    The quality of life, risk of abuse, and self-esteem of older adults in the Manawatu : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1997) McDonald-Smith, Patricia Bridget
    The aim of this study was to explore and investigate levels of quality of life, levels of self-esteem and risk for abuse in elderly New Zealanders, either living the community or in rest homes. Subjects were 50 individuals, aged 64 to 99 years, half of which were drawn by random sample from either private dwellings and city council accommodation in the community, or by convenience sample from the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind. The other half was drawn by convenience sample from seven preselected rest homes in the region. Each subject was individually and personally interviewed by the researcher, and measures of quality of life using Cummins' Comprehensive Quality of Life questionnaire (ComQol-4; Cummins, 1993), of self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (Bachman, O'Malley & Johnston, 1978), and of risk for abuse using the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test H/S-EAST (Neale, Hwalek, Scott, Sengstock & Stahl, 1991) were administered. Analysis of the results revealed that quality of life of Manawatu elders was found to be at a medium level. Satisfaction with quality of life was similar to Australian older adults, and elders were satisfied with all life areas studied, being most satisfied with interpersonal relationships and least satisfied with health. The level of self-esteem of elders was found to be low. The overall level of risk for abuse was found to be less than levels in overseas abused and comparison groups. Elderly persons living in the community had better objective quality of life than those living in rest homes. However, there were no differences between these two groups on perceived satisfaction with and importance of the various areas or domains contributing to quality of life, on self-esteem, or on risk for abuse. Implications of the results, methodological issues and future directions for New Zealand research were discussed.
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    Psychological aspects of unemployment : attributions about the causes of success and failure in job seeking : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey Universit
    (Massey University, 1982) Hesketh, Beryl Lilian
    The validity of applying Kelley's covariation attribution model to understanding the perceived causes of success and failure of job seekers was tested on 168 psychology students using hypothetical case descriptions in a laboratory study. The same model was also tested on the self attributions of 82 newly registered unemployed in a field study. Results from the laboratory study provided support for Kelley's predictions for ability and luck attributions. Mixed support was obtained for task difficulty/ease attributions, partly because of the influence of order effects and the bias against attributing success to task ease. Little support was obtained for effort attributions, with only distinctiveness demonstrating the predicted significant main effect. In the field study, where self attributions were obtained for a previous success in job seeking and for currently being unemployed, support for Kelley's covariation model was weak with only distinctiveness relating significantly to lack of ability and consistency to bad luck. Possible reasons offered for the lack of support for the theory in the field study include the influence of group identity, individual differences in the perception of the stability and locus of causes, and the greater realism of the field setting. The fundamental attribution error and the success failure bias were tested in the laboratory setting for other attributions and in the field study for self attributions. More support was obtained for the predicted relationships involving attributions about others' behaviour in the laboratory study than for self attribution in the field study. For both self and other attribution, internal factors were stressed more than external factors. In the field study the combined influence of self-esteem and locus of control on the perceived causes for being unemployed was examined. Those with high self-esteem and an internal locus of control attributed success to ability and failure to lack of effort as predicted. Those with low self-esteem and an external locus of control did not attribute failure to lack of ability, but they did attribute success to unstable factors. Of the 82 unemployed, 51 were followed up one month later when 24 had jobs while 27 remained unemployed. Those with jobs had, at the first interview, made stronger task difficulty attributions for being unemployed and stronger effort attributions for a previous success than had those who remained unemployed. It appeared that the successful group externalised their difficulty while taking credit for success. In the group as a whole lower G.H.Q. scores (fewer negative mental health symptoms) were obtained among those who made strong lack of effort attributions for failure. The G.H.Q. correlated positively and significantly with the number of job interviews attended and with age. The dilemma of an active job search strategy which was associated with lower well-being as well as a greater likelihood of obtaining work is discussed. Supplementary analyses, including detailed case descriptions, were used to explore the relationship between personality variables, demographic variables, work importance and measures of well-being. Recommendations arising out of the research are offered and the importance of perceived skill level (distinctiveness) in influencing the extent to which blame attaches to the unemployed themselves for being out of work is stressed.
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    Feasibility study of the effects of art as a creative engagement intervention during stroke rehabilitation on improvement of psychosocial outcomes: Study protocol for a single blind randomized controlled trial: the ACES study
    (BioMed Central, 2014) Morris JH; Kelly C; Toma M; Kroll T; Joice S; Mead G; Donnan P; Williams B
    Background: Benefits of art participation after stroke are becoming increasingly recognized. Qualitative studies suggest that participation in visual arts creative engagement interventions (CEIs) during rehabilitation after stroke may improve mood, self-esteem, hope and some aspects of physical recovery. This study examines the feasibility of undertaking a randomized controlled trial of a CEI delivered by artists within in-patient stroke rehabilitation to test effectiveness. Methods/Design: This trial is a two arm, single-blind, randomized controlled feasibility trial within in-patient stroke rehabilitation. We will recruit 80 patients receiving stroke rehabilitation in two stroke units in a health board area of Scotland (40 patients in each arm). Intervention arm participants will receive a visual-arts based CEI facilitated by experienced artists. Artists will follow an intervention protocol with specific components that enable participants to set, achieve and review artistic goals. Participants will receive up to eight intervention sessions, four within a group and four one-to-one with the artist. Control group participants will receive usual care only. Data collection will occur at baseline, post-intervention and three-month follow-up. Stroke-related health status is the primary outcome; mood, self-esteem, self-efficacy, perceived recovery control and hope are secondary outcomes. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with purposively selected patients, artists and healthcare staff to elicit views and experiences of the intervention and feasibility and acceptability of trial processes. Recruitment rates, retention rates and patient preference for art participation will also be collected. Data will indicate, with confidence intervals, the proportion of patients choosing or refusing participation in the CEI and will allow calculation of recruitment rates for a future definitive trial. Summary data will indicate potential variability, magnitude and direction of difference between groups. Findings will inform sample size calculations for a definitive trial. Thematic analysis of qualitative data will be managed using the Framework Approach. Framework is an analytical approach for qualitative data, commonly used in policy and medical research. Discussion: If shown to demonstrate effects, this intervention has the potential to address aspects of stroke recovery previously. Not routinely addressed in rehabilitation. Trial registration: Registered with Clinical Trials.Gov: NCT02085226 on 6th March 2014.