The psychological impact of resource gains and losses in an ageing population from the perspective of conservation of resources theory : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at at Massey University, Palmerston North
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Date
2015
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Massey University
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Abstract
The aim of the current study was to examine a series of hypotheses and questions
derived from Hobfoll’s (1988) conservation of resources theory (COR) using existing
longitudinal data from 1,119 55-70 year-old participants of the Health, Work and
Retirement Study parent study (Alpass, 2009). The years from mid-life through
retirement into older adulthood are signified by change and adjustment. COR
theory predicts these years are also a time of significant stress as personal and
material resources are depleted. This main hypothesis of this study predicted that
losses in valued resources over time would result in loss of psychological wellbeing
over the same period. Additionally, other central COR principles were examined
such as the potential role of resource gain in alleviating the impact of other
resource losses, and the potential for resource losses or gains to spiral. Hobfoll’s
suggestion that losses and gains increase respective vulnerabilities and
opportunities for further losses and gains were also explored, as was his idea that
resources correlate or travel together as a “caravan”. Analyses: Chi-square and
logistic regression were used as the general strategy for testing all hypothesized
main and interaction effects as well as for exploring research questions. Resources
examined for the potential impact of changing levels on psychological wellbeing
were economic standard of living, physical health, and social support. Results:
Losses in economic standard of living were associated with clinically significant
loss in psychological wellbeing, with large losses associated with increased odds of
loss in psychological wellbeing at a rate over four times that of participants who did
not experience such loss. Gains in economic standard of living were also
associated with gains in psychological wellbeing, but to a lesser degree. Similarly,
loss of social support over the same period was associated with loss of psychological
wellbeing. However gains were not associated with gains in psychological
wellbeing. Anomalously, no association was found for losses or gains of physical
health on psychological wellbeing. In support of COR, there was evidence that
losses impacted psychological wellbeing to a greater degree than sustained low
levels of resource ownership, indicating resource loss may have greater impact than
sustained “poverty”. Gains in physical health were also found to alleviate the
impact of loss of other resources as predicted by COR. No support was found for
predominance of loss or gain spirals. Resource ownership levels were far more
likely to oscillate than to spiral up or down. Correlations of resources with each
other were moderate, providing some evidence of Hobfoll’s resources traveling
together. Significance: Results suggested provisional support for the central
principles of COR theory linking loss and gain of valued resources to psychological
wellbeing. Economic standard of living emerged as a critical and valued resource
linked to the relative psychological impact of losses and gains of this resource. This
research highlighted limitations in COR theory, in particular an absence of
consideration of the differential values resources may have, and the different roles
resources might play in maintaining psychological wellbeing. Questions were also
raised about the refutability of COR theory. Implications for future research,
theory and for the psychological wellbeing of older adults are discussed.
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Keywords
Older people, Elderly, Psychology, Well-being, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Psychology