Date of Award

Fall 12-1-1979

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational and School Psychology

First Advisor

Reece Chaney

Second Advisor

Walter Sullins

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between adjustment to life-event stressors and selected psycho-social variables. Recent research has consistently identified an etiological link between stressful life-events and physical and/or emotional disorders. It has often been noted, however, that exposure to seemingly identical stressors results in varying levels of adjustment among individuals. Lazarus (1966, 1967, 1971, 1974) has proposed that variations in stress responses are attributable to differences relative to the implicated individual's appraised threat from the stressor. Based on this conceptualization, adjustment to stressful life-events was selected as the dependent variable for the study. Five independent variables--psychophysiological strain, locus of control, social support, self-esteem, and irrational beliefs--were selected for evaluation. These independent variables were examined, both individually and in combination, in an attempt to determine the most effective set of predictors of adjustment. The sample consisted of 102 female volunteers. These women were between 18 and 25 years of age, and were enrolled in graduate and undergraduate courses in education at Indiana State University. Although the sample was screened according to age, sex, and college experience, it represented'a diverse group of women in terms of occupation, marital status, and ethnic background. Procedurally, the researcher met with separate class sections. Following a brief presentation of the rationale of the study, a questionnaire, consisting of measures of all variables, was administered to qualified volunteers. From a descriptive viewpoint, the results of the questionnaire indicated that the typical sample member had experienced a moderate number of stressful life events, and that the adjustment required by those events was within the upper limits of the moderate range. She typically seemed to be neither rational nor irrational in her thoughts and beliefs about herself, but was somewhat external in her locus of control. Her levels of social support and selfesteem were high, as was her level of psychophysiological strain. One of the five independent variables, psychophysiological strain, was identified as significantly (p < .01) correlated with adjustment to stressful life-events. All variables examined in linear combination exhibited a significant correlation with adjustment (R = .54; p < .00). Stepwise multiple regression analysis generated four sets of predictor variables. Four of the five independent variables-psychophysiological strain, self-esteem, locus of control, and social support--were identified by the SPSS analysis as the most effective predictors of adjustment. This set of predictors yielded a multiple correlation of .54 (p < .00). It was concluded that psychophysiological strain may be the best predictor of adjustment to life-event stressors. Although the study provided support for previous research which identified relationships between stress, reactions and the remaining independent variables, it was further concluded that those variables may be insufficient as predictors of adjustment. It was also noted that a considerable conceptual overlap exists among those variables, and that further elaboration of the components of Lazarus• appraisal paradigm is needed. Suggestions for future research included replication with different subject populations, inclusion of additional independent variables, and investigations directed towards defining the relationships between psychophysiological responses and psycho-social variables.

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