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Stress And Coping Experiences Of Women In Transition: From Welfare To Work, William Jesse Gill

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Welfare reform and the consequent emphasis on employment represent a stressful sequence of events in the lives of women who are already facing the chronic stressors associated with single parenting and poverty. The current study assessed the levels of distress, factors contributing to distress, and coping resources utilized among a sample of 60 mothers who were making the transition from welfare to work. Ninety percent of the women were single or separated, and 71 percent were African American. All were receiving public assistance from two neighboring social services agencies in Virginia.

Psychological distress was measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory …

A Longitudinal Study Examining The Stability Of Occupational Stressors Identified By Nursing Home Administrators, Gay Lynne Andrucci-Armstrong

Health Services Research Dissertations

As a result of the ever changing and expanding role of the nursing home administrator in conjunction with the stricter legislation governing nursing facilities over the past decade and the graying of America, a study specific to this population was warranted. The purpose of this study is to determine the relative change in the self-reported occupational stressors of nursing home administrators over a five year period (December 1994 to June 1999) secondary to the increased regulatory climate of the nursing home industry.

This study was carried out in three phases and included all practicing nursing home administrators in Virginia. Phase …

Chronic Restraint Stress Enhances Radial Arm Maze Performance In Female Rats, Rachel E. Bowman, Mark C. Zrull, Victoria N. Luine

Psychology Faculty Publications

Effects of chronic restraint stress (21 and 28 days) on physiological and behavioral parameters in female rats were examined. Total (bound and free) and free corticosterone (CORT) levels were measured at different time points during the stress period. Higher total CORT levels were observed in stressed rats during the stress period but returned to baseline at 15 days poststress. Additionally, free CORT levels decreased across the stress period. Estrous cyclicity was monitored daily in all animals. Stress had no apparent effects on estrous cyclicity, in rats with either normal length or elongated estrous cycles, but stressed females gained less weight …

Individual Differences In Rat Locomotor Activity Are Diminished By Nicotine Through Stimulation Of Central Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, Rick A. Bevins, Joyce Besheer

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

An increasing body of research has focused on isolating factors that predict or alter individual differences in the behavioral and neural processes mediating the effects of abused drugs. Within this framework, the current report assessed individual differences and the locomotor effect of nicotine. Rats were screened for activity induced by a novel environment. Rats, which were more active to initial environment exposure, remained more active even after seven additional 30-min exposures to the same environment. Treatment with nicotine-di-D tartrate (1 mg/kg, sc) disrupted this effect. This nicotine disruption of individual differences occurred whether nicotine suppressed locomotor activity (initial administration) or …

Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Coping Style Inventory In A College Sample, Christopher Garth Bellah

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of the Coping Style Inventory (CSI). A comprehensive review of the history of stress and coping research was provided, along with a presentation of suggestions for future research that have indicated a need for a melding of both theory-driven and empirically-driven methodology in coping assessment. Pursuant to this need, a pilot study was conducted to explore the factor structure and psychometric properties of the CSI (N = 560). Results of pilot work using a principle components extraction and a parallel analysis criterion for factor retention indicated that six primary factors were …

History Of Stressful Life Events And Perception Of Controllability As Predictors Of Psychophysiological And Subjective Responses To A Laboratory Stressor, Jessica White Plume

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Coping Strategies And Stress Levels Of Parents Of Children With Autism, Tammy L Neil

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to assess stress levels and coping strategies of parents with children with autism. The goal is to identify the resources and support systems which parents use for coping with their stress and to assess whether the support systems differ between mothers and fathers. This study will also investigate differences in coping strategies used by parents of children with autism and parents of typically developing children; Subjects in this study included thirty parents of children with autism, and thirty parents of typically developing children. All participants were recruited from the Eastern, Midwest, and Western part …

Precipitating And Prophylactic Factors Contributing To Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology In Maltreated Children, Lisa Marie Linning

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study examined mediating factors that lead to, or buffer against, development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after child maltreatment. Fifty-five children aged 8--17 years voluntarily completed self-report questionnaires and a structured diagnostic interview. It was hypothesized that (1) chronicity and severity of abuse amplify PTSD risk when a child has limited support networks, ineffective coping, external locus of control, affect dysregulation, and a dysfunctional family; (2) key family and victim characteristics would help to ameliorate effects of traumatic abuse; (3) the combination of precipitating and prophylactic factors would determine the effectiveness of managing traumatic maltreatment. Results suggest that dysthymia, …

Stress In 1st-Year Women Teachers: The Context Of Social Support And Coping, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

The effects of adverse work environments were examined in the context of other risk/protective factors in this extension of a short-term longitudinal study involving 184 newly appointed women teachers. Regression analyses revealed that, adjusting for preemployment levels of the outcomes and negative affectivity, social support and adversity in the fall work environment were among the factors that affected spring depressive symptoms, self-esteem, job satisfaction, and motivation to teach. Support from nonwork sources was directly related to future improved symptom levels and self-esteem; supervisor and colleague support were directly related to future job satisfaction. Effects of occupational coping, professional …

The Relationship Of Person-Organization Congruence To Occupational Stress Symptoms And Perception Of Violations Of The Psychological Contract, Carol C. Bocchino

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Use Of Support Systems By Pastors Of The International Pentecostal Holiness Church As A Means Of Maintaining Spiritual Well-Being And Coping With Burnout, Ervin L. Shirey Jr.

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Acculturative Stress Appraisal And Acculturation Attitudes, Thomas Wojcicki

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Part One : The term acculturation describes an array of cultural changes that occur when culturally different groups come into continuous, first hand contact (Redfield, Linton, & Herskovits, 1936). Acculturative stress describes a multitude of psychological or social problems that are often encountered by individuals experiencing acculturation (Berry, 1994). This article reviews the empirical literature on acculturation and factors influencing the outcomes of the acculturation experience from the perspective of the research framework proposed by Berry (1974, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990). Methodological issues relevant to advancing this area of research are also addressed. In particular the influence of attitudes to …

Children's Stress Behaviors And Developmentally Appropriate Practice In Family Child Care Homes, Chih-Ying Chang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated and qualitatively compared differences in children's stress reactions across two levels of developmentally appropriate practice in family child care homes. Data were collected through observations.

Six children, five boys and one girl from six different family child care homes, between the ages of 36 and 60 months, were observed for the type and frequency of stress behaviors. The six family child care homes were divided into two groups based on more or less use of appropriate practices, and they were observed for the use of appropriate practices. Three one-hour observations were held in each family child care …

Anxiety, Depression, And Coping In The Elderly, Sara Fairchild-Ollivierre

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Controlling Crises In Sickle Cell Anemia: A Biopsychosocial Perspective, Cynthia Harris Alexander, Denita Sherri Grant

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Secondary Traumatic Stress In Law Enforcement Personnel, William Carl Heusler

Theses

This study was designed to add to the body of empirical knowledge about law enforcement occupational stress utilizing the compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction model developed by Figley and Stamm. The predictions that intimate contact with trauma victims will increase the risk for compassion fatigue and burnout was evaluated yielding results that established no difference between law enforcement personnel with direct contact and those that had little or no contact with trauma victims. The suggestion that secondary trauma has a cumulative effect on persons exposed over time was also investigated showing that in this population of police officers, a cumulative impact did …

Stress Experienced By Respite Care Workers And Family Caregivers When Caring For Alzheimer's Patients, Monica D. Minewiser

Theses & Dissertations

Changing demographics and cost containment in health care in caring for the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patient has given birth to a growing need for respite care workers. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the stress level of a respite care worker who works with an AD patient in a noninstitutionalized setting on a daily basis will be significantly less than that of a family caregiver when caring for an AD patient. The Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (RMBPC) was the instrument used to measure stress. This is a questionnaire consisting of 24 questions and allows 5 …

Factors Of Job-Related Stress As Perceived By Middle School Principals In Virginia, Teresa I. Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted among middle school principals in Virginia to determine their perceptions of job-related stress factors. The entire population of middle school principals (grades 6, 7, 8) was selected to participate in the study. The Administrative Stress Index was used to assess factors that cause principals stress on the job and to measure their stress levels. A demographic data form was used to collect data on the variables of age, gender, administrative experience, assistant principal support, student enrollment, adults supervised, percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch, location of school, type of school, experience as a middle …

Work-Life Role Integration: A Construct Validation Study, Tonya Alicia Miller

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Two studies were conducted to define and validate the theoretical construct, role integration. Study 1 focused on producing a theoretical definition and a psychometrically sound measure. Content, convergent, and discriminant validity evidence was collected. Study 2 provided further validity evidence for the role integration construct by testing a conceptual model and refining the role integration measure. Study 1 and Study 2 established a psychometrically sound 12-item, two-factor role integration measure. The first factor focused on knowledge, skills, and experiences (KSE). The second factor focused on values, beliefs, and attitudes (VBA).

The conceptual model in Study 2 added the role integration …

When Bad Leads To Good: Airplane Crashes And The Political Psychology Of Stress, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article begins a series on research presented at the 1999 Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. The article suggests some of the complexities in the construct of stress and applies them to research on the psychological aftermath of surviving an airplane crash.

A Model Of Stress And Burnout In Male High School Athletic Directors, Jeffrey J. Martin, Betty Kelley, Robert C. Eklund

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

No abstract provided.

Stress, Stress Utilization, And Creativity, Lisa M. Kobe

Student Work

This study investigated the effects of stress on creative problem solving. It was predicted that individuals in a stressful condition would perform worse on creative problem solving tasks than individuals in a relaxed condition and worse than individuals in a stressful condition where they successfully coped with the incident. It was also predicted that when in a stressful experience, individuals who are able to acknowledge and to advantageously use the information obtained from a stressful situation (high stress utilization) would perform better on creative problem solving tasks than individuals who are not able to acknowledge and use this information (low …

The Relationship Of Principal Leadership Styles And School-Site Conditions To Stress Levels Of Elementary School Teachers, Mark Nicholas Remy Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if principal leadership styles and school-site conditions were associated with elementary teachers' stress levels. The study focused on the relationship between the independent variables of principal leadership styles and school-site conditions and the dependent variables of teacher stress levels. A survey composed of the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ), Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI) and a demographic information sheet was administered to 585 teachers from 28 elementary schools. Tins study was conducted in the San Diego Unified School District during the 1998–1999 school year. The LBDQ measured two dimensions of leadership: Consideration and …

The Roles Of Appraisal And Coping As Mediators Between Hardiness And Self-Reported Physical And Psychological Health Outcomes, William M. Musser

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Among Older And Younger Caregivers Of Physically Disabled Adults And Their Ability To Handle Stress, Traynette Jenkins-Reese

Theses

This study was designed to determine if there was a significant relationship in the level of caregiver burden and age. Participants consisted of thirty-three individuals who considered themselves to be the primary caregiver for a physically disabled or elderly family member. These thirty-three volunteer caregivers were drawn from those who had a disabled or frail family member receiving services from a local agency. The subjects were asked to complete Zarit's Caregiver Interview Questionnaire. The findings in the study did not produce significant levels to justify rejecting the null hypothesis or to show that there is a relationship between the caregiver's …

The Use Of A Habit Reversal Treatment For Chronic Facial Pain In A Minimal Therapist Contact Format, Donald R. Townsend

Theses and Dissertations

The temporomandibular disorders (TMD) diminish quality of life and can be costly for both individuals and the health care system. Stress from a variety of factors, including daily hassles and maladaptive thought patterns, has been commonly cited as a contributing factor in TMD. Support for this hypothesis comes from research demonstrating masseter muscle hyperactivity in response to experimental stressors, such as painful or frustrating stimuli. Many believe the link between stress and increased masseter muscle pain is parafunctional oral habits, including teeth clenching, grinding, and lip biting. Habit reversal has been used effectively to treat parafunctional oral behaviors and facial …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Hidden Epidemic And Its Effect On Society, Donald Phelan Stewart

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a debilitating and sometimes disabling mental disorder, is emerging as one that is costly to society from many perspectives. PTSD sufferers commonly experience an inability to function normally within the workplace or within their social and family relationships. The disorder triggers strong emotional responses, changes social interaction and precipitates primary and secondary deviant behavior. This work focuses on non war related civilian incidence of the disorder. It examines the causes, circumstances and processes leading to the onset of the disorder and explores societal reaction to PTSD sufferers. Central to the work are the individual case studies …

Toward Reversing Pastoral Burnout Through A Program To Restore Balanced Living, Steven Anton Gerig

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Politics Of Stress Management: The Newest Opiate Of The Masses, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article posits a politically exploitive agenda underlying the theory, research, and practice of stress management.

Basics Of Research (Part 12): Qualitative Research, Cheryl Thompson, B. Lee Walker

Journal Articles: College of Nursing

Although both the assumptions and methods of qualitative and quantitative approaches in nursing research are different, both have the goal of furthering the scientific basis for practice. A variety of qualitative approaches are available, and which approach to use depends on the purpose of the research. In general, qualitative investigations address broad questions related to description, discovery, or theory building, and, as a consequence, the researcher is concerned with the entire context surrounding the phenomenon of interest rather than concentrating on specific variables thought to influence that phenomenon. The type of data collected and the methods of analysis differ, but …