Browsing by Subject "Coping"
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Item Adolescent social media use: Coping or avoidance?(2017-03-13) Harmon, Jennifer Marie; Venta, Amanda; Henderson, Craig; Crosby, JamesThe growing frequency of social media site use raises concerns regarding its psychological effects on users, particularly adolescents. The current study examined the moderating roles of social media coping and experiential avoidance within the relation between frequency of social media use and internalizing/externalizing symptoms of psychopathology in a sample of 334 college students between 17-19 years of age. It was found that neither social media coping nor experiential avoidance appeared to be related to internalizing or externalizing symptoms in the present sample.Item Beyond balance : examining work-family interface, role negotiation, and coping strategies for female caregivers in STEM(2016-08) Reilly, Erin Dawna; Awad, Germine H.; Rochlen, Aaron B.; Cokley, Kevin O; McCarthy, Christopher J; Walkow, Janet CThough the retention of female caregivers in STEM fields has become increasingly discussed, there is a lack of research investigating the major factors impacting their successful negotiation of work and family responsibilities and roles. This body of research examined the impact of societal roles, external support structures, and coping resources on work-family satisfaction and psychological well-being. In particular, this study investigated the following: (1) the relationships among work support, family support, coping, and satisfaction; (2) the relationship between family- and occupational-support, work-family conflict, and satisfaction; (3) coping resources as a mediator of the relationship between work-family conflict and work and family satisfaction, and; (4) the impact of internalizations of competing societal myths (i.e., the ideal worker myth and motherhood myth) as moderating the impact of work-family conflict on interpersonal guilt. Participants included 204 women in STEM fields who also reported caregiving responsibilities. The majority of the recruited sample identified as mothers, and reported approximately equal amounts of time spent on occupational responsibilities and caretaking work. Results indicate that women who reported higher levels of family support and occupational support tended to have higher levels work and family satisfaction, as well as greater perceived internal coping resources. In addition, women with greater perceived abilities to identify, predict, and plan for demands and possible stressors tended to have greater levels of family and work satisfaction. In terms of modeling work-family interface, women who reported higher levels of familial and career-climate support tended to also report greater perceived coping resources and abilities. However, the hypothesis that work-to-family and family-to-work conflict would significantly predict lower work satisfaction and family satisfaction was not supported when modeled alongside other variables (external support and coping). On the other hand, the hypothesis that the relationship between family-to-work conflict and work satisfaction was mediated by perceived coping resources was supported. Finally, results suggest that greater internalization of the motherhood myth, the ideal worker myth, and the presence of work-to-family conflict are associated with higher levels of guilt for female caregivers in STEM fields. Limitations, future research areas, and practical implications of these findings are discussed.Item Beyond sports : a guidebook for potential collegiate female student-athletes(2013-05) Bauerkemper, Paige Elizabeth; Tharinger, Deborah J.Female student-athletes are a growing population on most college campuses. While incorporated into a historically male model, their experiences and outcomes are unique. This report guides potential female student-athletes in the process of deciding to participate by providing information about the female student-athlete experience. Issues to be explored include decision-making, academics, health, and stress. Sports can be a rewarding experience despite the challenge of balancing academics with athletic commitments.Item Cancer bloggers' styles of humor while coping with cancer(2014-05) Anderson, Allison Gray; Donovan-Kicken, Erin E.This study explores the use of humor among bloggers coping with cancer. Framed by health communication literature on stress and coping and literature on humor styles, I analyzed the use of humor by individuals coping with various types of cancer. Using content analysis, I investigated 600 blog posts from 85 cancer bloggers for humor use. I adapted the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ), a scale assessing four different uses of humor, into a codebook to use for content analysis within the blog posts. The different styles of humor included affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating. Individually, I tested the relationships between the style of humor a blogger used and the blogger’s gender, age, type of cancer, and point in the cancer trajectory. I also tested the relationships between the frequency of humor use within each blog post and the blogger’s gender, age, type of cancer, and point in the cancer trajectory. Every humorous remark was categorized into at least one of the four humor style categories. Overall, I found no significant relationships among the variables tested. However, each of the humor styles was used multiple times throughout the sample. This study provides future researchers with a new way to operationalize humor use based on the HSQ and with relevant examples from cancer blogs. The findings also suggest that humor is a common communicative device among those coping with cancer, and further research into how humor is used among more specific samples of cancer patients may provide more significant results.Item Chronic stress and obesity in children(2011-08) Ferran Alexander, Mari-Ann; Horner, Sharon D.; Brown, Adama; Delville, Yvon; Fredland, Nina; Kintner, EileenChildhood obesity has been prevalent for a number of years despite programs designed to educate children and families on healthy diets and activities. Multiple disciplines have reported chronic stress can interfere with normal neuroendocrine functions in the body which include energy balance. Research into alternate mechanisms contributing to childhood obesity is just beginning to include psychosocial factors’ and their influence on biology. Healthy coping strategies can reduce the effects of stress and influence perceptions of what is stressful. Warm, secure relationships with parents, family connectedness, and a secure stable environment all contribute to the buffering of chronic stress as well as promote the ability to cope with stress. Through the years, changes in the family environment through divorce, single parenthood, and cohabitation may play a role in the child’s ability to cope with stress. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore relationships between the child’s perceptions of chronic stress, coping strategies, family connectedness, family characteristics, and weight in 4th and 5th grade children. This study used a cross sectional and correlational design. The conceptual framework guiding this study was the Bio-Psycho-Social Model for Health integrating the three dimensions (biological, psychological, and sociological) as they relate to obesity in children. Well established instruments were used to measure chronic stress, coping, family connectedness, and weight. Results did not reveal a relationship between chronic stress and children’s weights. The ‘frequency the family sat down to eat dinner together’ was significantly related to weight: the more dinners together the lower the body mass indices and accounted for 14.7% variance in children’s body mass indices. Frequency of family meals was also correlated with the frequency of cooking dinner and negative trending of both ‘frequency’ and ‘helpfulness’ of coping strategies: possibly suggesting less need for the coping strategies. Parents’ education was positively correlated with more sleep on school nights for children. The findings suggest the importance of family time together is related to lower body mass indices in children.Item Communication apprehension in the workplance and its effects on employee job satisfaction(2005-05) Byron, Amber Lynne; Roach, Kenneth D.; Olaniran, Bolanle A.; Stewart, Robert A.This research study looks at communication apprehension in the workplace and how it relates to an employee’s level of job satisfaction. For this study, 210 employees who worked for subsidiary companies of FairMount Minerals completed a series of surveys that asked them demographic questions, as well as measured the total level of communication apprehension (PRCA), their level of job satisfaction (JDI), and their level of situational communication apprehension (SCAM). Participants came from several different locations including Fresno, Texas, Bridgman, Oklahoma, Troygrove, Illinois, and Roff, Michigan. When the surveys were completed and returned, the data was entered into SPSS for analysis. Several tests were run on the data, and significant findings were present. I found that as an employee’s level of communication apprehension rose, their level of job satisfaction fell. I also found that as an employee’s level of communication apprehension went up, so did their level of situational apprehension. The results and data are discussed in depth within this report. There are also several limitations as well as future research implications at the end of this research study. While there have been a few studies tying communication apprehension into job satisfaction, more research needs to be done in this area. Many of the communication apprehension studies to date have only looked at communication apprehension in the classroom, or when dealing with stage fright. Studies like this are very important when assessing the types of individuals that are working for a company. As you will see from the information provided in this report, this type of information can tell a company why they have a high rate of turnover, or why employees keep putting in for a job change.Item Communication apprehension in the workplance and its effects on employee job satisfaction(Texas Tech University, 2005-05) Byron, Amber Lynne; Roach, Kenneth D.; Olaniran, Bolanle A.; Stewart, Robert A.This research study looks at communication apprehension in the workplace and how it relates to an employee’s level of job satisfaction. For this study, 210 employees who worked for subsidiary companies of FairMount Minerals completed a series of surveys that asked them demographic questions, as well as measured the total level of communication apprehension (PRCA), their level of job satisfaction (JDI), and their level of situational communication apprehension (SCAM). Participants came from several different locations including Fresno, Texas, Bridgman, Oklahoma, Troygrove, Illinois, and Roff, Michigan. When the surveys were completed and returned, the data was entered into SPSS for analysis. Several tests were run on the data, and significant findings were present. I found that as an employee’s level of communication apprehension rose, their level of job satisfaction fell. I also found that as an employee’s level of communication apprehension went up, so did their level of situational apprehension. The results and data are discussed in depth within this report. There are also several limitations as well as future research implications at the end of this research study. While there have been a few studies tying communication apprehension into job satisfaction, more research needs to be done in this area. Many of the communication apprehension studies to date have only looked at communication apprehension in the classroom, or when dealing with stage fright. Studies like this are very important when assessing the types of individuals that are working for a company. As you will see from the information provided in this report, this type of information can tell a company why they have a high rate of turnover, or why employees keep putting in for a job change.Item Coping strategies among Mexican American women living with HIV(2010-12) Rodríguez-Escobar, Yolanda 1954-; Pomeroy, Elizabeth Cheney, 1955-The literature has documented the disproportionate rate of HIV infection among women of color, mainly, African American women and Latinas. The current trend shows that the number of cases affecting these sub-populations will continue to increase. A gap exists in the literature in understanding the coping strategies of Mexican American women living with HIV. Using an ethnographic approach, this research answers the central question of how Mexican American women live with and make meaning of their HIV status. This researcher used a sample of 15 Mexican American women living with HIV who had participated in the Mujeres Unidas support group in San Antonio, Texas. The most common theme found was how the role of faith was central to their lives. It was clear that this belief served as their primary source of strength. The findings suggest the need for social workers to examine new paradigms, strategies, and interventions that focus on the broad social, economic, and community factors that put Mexican American women disproportionately at risk for HIV. These factors include poverty, income and wealth inequality, poor quality of life, racism, sexism, and low socioeconomic status, which are all major risk factors for ill health and health disparities. This research demands that social workers and other researchers examining coping skills address the issues of resiliency and strengths perspective in understanding the ways in which the life journey unfolds for Mexican American women living with HIV. Although, this study focused on Mexican American women, future research is needed to compare this group to other women living with HIV as there may be cultural differences that exist. Additional research is needed in studying the role that religion plays in the lives of Mexican American women living with HIV as many of the participants revealed that they left things up to “God’s will.” Among the unexpected findings, the theme of viewing their situation from the perspective of “Un dia a la vez” (One day at a time) suggests that the belief that the course of their lives is not necessarily under their control which could be related to fatalism (fatalism).Item Coping with cancer: Associations among religiousness, religious coping, health locurs of control, and psychological functioning(2012-08) Moore, Lindsey; Cook, Stephen W.; Hendrick, Susan S.; Morgan, Robert D.; Richards, StevenCancer patients have many sources of stress compared to healthy people and people with other illnesses (Lin & Bauer-Wu, 2003). Effectively coping with the psychological distress associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment is important in maintaining mental health. Recent reviews (for examples, see Lin & Bauer-WU, 2003; Thuné-Boyle, Stygall, Keshtgar, & Newman, 2005) provide evidence for positive associations between aspects of religious coping and quality of life, adjustment, and well-being among cancer patients. However, null and negative associations among these variables have been reported as well. Therefore, the effectiveness of using religious coping with cancer was unclear and needed future research (Kendrick & Koenig, 2000). The current study examined how one’s religiousness may be used during a cancer patient’s coping experience. More specifically, the current study researched the relationships among religiousness, religious coping, health locus of control, and psychological functioning among cancer patients. Results indicated associations among religiousness, religious coping, and health locus of control beliefs, as expected. Results also indicated that religiousness and God health locus of control were associated with increased satisfaction with life and greater positive affect. Collaborative religious coping was also found to be associated with increased satisfaction with life. Several hypothesized relationships were not supported. For example, there was no evidence that religiousness was negatively associated with negative affect. Active surrender religious coping, internal health locus of control, and God health locus of control were not found to be associated with enhanced psychological functioning. Pleading religious coping and chance health locus of control were not found to be associated with diminished psychological functioning. Finally, none of the mediating and moderating relationships hypothesized in this study were supported. In summary, results indicate that religion, Christianity in particular, tends to be important to cancer patients in the Southwestern United States, and is used in their coping process. Since religiousness and religious coping have been associated with well-being in this study, it can be argued that it would be beneficial for helping professionals to initiate conversations with cancer patients about religious issues. The discussion includes directions for future research as well as implications for mental health professionals, religious counselors, and medical staff in a position to offer support to cancer patients.Item Coping with Depression: Examining How Exercise, Social Support, and Other Strategies Relate to Depressive Symptoms(2011-08) Dempsey, Cynthia J. W.; Richards, C. Steven; Hendrick, Susan S.; Hendrick, Clyde A.; Cohen, Lee M.Research indicates young adults (ages 18 - 25) are at a high risk of developing depressive symptoms (Richards & Perri, 2002). This population exhibits poor utilization of mental health reatment services (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008). Research has suggested implementing self-help strategies for dealing with one's depressive symptoms is better than doing nothing, and these strategies are most effective with milder levels of depression (Menchola, Arkowitz, & Burke, 2007). The current study examined the relationships between depressive symptoms, coping strategies, exercise, and social support in young adults not participating in mental health treatment. One hundred and twenty -one introductory to psychology students completed the study. Avoidant coping, exercise, positive social support, and negative social support were found to be related to current depressive levels. Specifically, avoidant coping and negative social support were related to more depressive symptoms, while exercise and positive social support were related to fewer symptoms. Avoidant coping was also found to be the strongest predictor of depressive level and had the most influence on change in depressive level. Moreover, positive and negative social support were found to be independently related to depressive symptoms, with negative social support being the stronger of these two. Finally, positive social support from friends was found to be more predictive of current depressive level than positive support from family. The implications of these results will be discussed.Item Coping with perceived future stressors : the effects of a proactive coping writing intervention(2010-08) Kenney, Brent Allen; Holahan, Charles J.The present study proposed an integrated coping framework that included both personal and social resources and explored the interaction of these constructs with future-oriented, proactive coping processes. Expressive writing was utilized as a cost-effective and minimally intrusive intervention to encourage individuals to facilitate proactive coping in cognitive and behavioral domains. One-hundred and eighty five participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) Proactive Writing (N = 63) to facilitate processing of a significant future stressor that is anticipated but is not certain to occur in the immediate future, 2) Expressive Writing (N = 53) to facilitate processing of the most difficult problem or situation experienced in the previous twelve months, or 3) Control Writing (N = 69) regarding time management as a credible placebo condition. The current study had three empirical aims. First, the current study experimentally tested whether implementing expressive writing as a proactive coping intervention increased proactive coping. Second, the current study tested whether proactive coping was positively related to adaptive functioning. Third, the current study vii examined reactive coping and perceived social support as mediators of the proactive coping to adaptive functioning relationship. Findings indicated that proactive coping and cognitive and behavioral coping efforts were associated with several clinical outcomes in the domains of psychological affect, life satisfaction, and physical health. Significant group differences in days per week of exercise and overeating behavior were present following the intervention, with a marginally significant trend found for social network size. Percentage of approach-oriented cognitive and behavioral coping towards anticipated and extant stressors, and perceptions of available support, enacted support, and satisfaction with one's social network were examined for mediational properties. Overall findings did not support the proposed mediation model of proactive coping. Implications of findings, limitations and future directions are discussed.Item Coping with weight-related discrepancy and potential impacts on future self-regulation of weight loss behavior : development of the WEIGHT-COPE(2011-12) Faries, Mark Daniel; Bartholomew, John B.; Kohl, Harold W.; Loukas, Alexandra; Pasch, Keryn; Tyler, DianeThe purpose of this dissertation was to develop a reliable and valid measure to assess coping responses to weight-related discrepancy in women. The decision to create such a measure stemmed from the difficulties individuals have with initiation and consistent regulation of weight-related behavior. When salient, perceived discrepancies with one’s weight or body can be emotionally laden, producing negative affective responses and discontent, labeled here as dissatisfaction. The individual must then find ways to cope. However, not all coping responses are equal, and are theorized to have varied impacts on future regulation of weight loss efforts. The present research addressed these issues by developing a theoretically-based measure, labeled the WEIGHT-COPE. The WEIGHT-COPE originally sought to capture healthy and unhealthy problem-focused coping efforts to lose weight, as well as approach and avoidance coping efforts theorized as more distal influences on problem-focused efforts. The WEIGHT-COPE and other relevant measures were completed by 470 females ages 18-35 years. Results of an exploratory factor analysis revealed a 38-item measure consisting of eight coping factors: Exercise/Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, Cutting Calories/Appetite Suppression, Supplement Use, Monitor/Planning, Disengage/Denial, Camouflage, and Acceptance/Positive Reframing. All factors were internally consistent ( = 0.71 to 0.89), and converged with other pertinent measures of weight satisfaction, weight controllability/changeability, social physique anxiety, self-esteem, weight loss efficacy, physical activity level, dietary intake and objectified body consciousness. To test theoretical implications on future self-regulation of weight loss behavior, a structural regression model was run utilizing the WEIGHT-COPE factors. The factors were associated in a theoretically-driven pattern, illustrating that coping responses to weight-related discrepancy have varied impact on weight loss behavior choice. Thus, the present findings provide preliminary support for the WEIGHT-COPE and suggest that individuals cope with weight-related discrepancy in different ways, which may then have various impacts future self-regulation of weight loss behavior.Item Dyadic coping, relationship satisfaction, and parenting stress among parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: The role of the couple relationship(2012-08) Brown, Matt; Whiting, Jason B.; Springer, Nicole P.; Smith, Douglas B.; Reifman, AlanThe prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has seen a sharp rise, with 1 in 110 people receiving a diagnosis compared to 1 in 2,000 before the 1980s. The challenges associated with a child’s ASD diagnosis place emotional and financial strains on parents. Extant literature has identified how the stress of caring for a child with ASD affects parents on an individual and couple relational level. Yet, little is known about how these couples cope with this stress, and what impact that coping has on their couple relationships and levels of parenting stress—questions that are more clinically relevant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dyadic coping (i.e., coping that draws upon the couple relationship to manage the stress involved with caring for a child with ASD), relationship satisfaction, and parenting stress. Data from 38 married couples was utilized to conduct both quantitative and qualitative analysis aimed at examining these relationships. Results showed that dyadic coping was positively related to relationship satisfaction and negatively related to parenting stress. Relationship satisfaction was also negatively associated with parenting stress. The majority of the relationships between dyadic coping variables and parenting stress were mediated by relationship satisfaction. Qualitative data indicated that parents experience a range of emotions related to parenting their child, and that parenting stress has mixed impacts on their couple relationship. Couples also described a range of coping behaviors that were facilitated through the couple relationship. Implications for clinicians and future research are discussed.Item From Substitution to Coping: Developing and Testing a Leisure Constraints-Based Coping Model(2010-01-14) Tseng, Yung-PingThe conceptualization of leisure constraints is dependent on negotiating a hierarchy of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural leisure constraints. It has become a recognizable and distinct subfield within leisure studies. Research has shown that the leisure constraints should not be necessarily viewed as insurmountable obstacles. Individuals can negotiate constraints by applying an array of coping mechanisms. Recently, Iwasaki and Schneider (2003) and Schneider and Stanis (2007) proposed that constraints negotiation and coping with stress share much in common. Leisure constraints are considered elements of stress, whereas constraint negotiation appears to share commonalities with ways of coping with stress. The distinction between negotiation and coping is that negotiation is something people have engaged in prior to participating in the activity, whereas coping involves strategies people more typically engage in during active participation (in response to unwanted or unanticipated situations). Based on past literature, I constructed a constraints-coping model to extend our understanding of constraints negotiation by integrating an understanding of coping mechanisms into leisure constraints-negotiation models. In order to broaden the scope of a constraints-coping framework, I integrated additional social indicators (e.g., commitment, motivation, place attachment, and frequency of participation) into my hypothesized model. First, my testing of the constraints-coping model provided empirical support for Iwasaki and his colleagues' suggestion that coping strategies can be potentially integrated into models of constraints-negotiation processes. Second, I confirmed that the three types of onsite constraints continue to have relevance for active participants. The three types of constraining factors directly influence subsequent aspects of leisure engagement for recreationists already participating. Third, I confirmed that recreationists are more likely to cope with constraints by employing an array of problem-focused coping strategies, rather than to simply adjust cognitively. However, my findings illustrate that recreationists' coping responses vary in response to different types of constraints encountered (e.g., intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural). The experience of constraints did not universally result in the increased use of coping. Fourth, my results confirm that motivation is an immediate antecedent of constraints as well as a potential trigger for encouraging more problem-focused coping strategies. Last, four selected key variables (e.g., place attachment, commitment motivation, and frequency of participation) demonstrated different effects on influencing active participants' perceived constraints and subsequent coping strategies. Future investigations of coping strategies should continue to explore how active participants cope with onsite constraints based on a constraints-coping model in different settings.Item Homeless young adults : an exploratory study examining resiliency and coping(2012-05) Lippman, Angela Del Prado; Thompson, Sanna J.; Springer, David W.This dissertation study sought to explore the hidden resilience among a homeless young adult population (ages 18-24). The majority of research conducted on homeless young adults remains limited to examining their multiple challenges and risk factors. While the high rates of substance use issues, mental health problems and trauma implicit in their lives warrant attention, research on the unconventional resilience of this group may enable service providers to better understand their unique needs. Recently researchers have begun to address the strengths and unique personal capabilities of this population. This dissertation follows this trend and utilizes the social estrangement model as a conceptual framework to examine predictors of resilience. Variables were examined within the context of four domains implicit in the social estrangement model that represent the amount of estrangement that exists in the lives of homeless young adults. The four domains explored within this conceptual framework included, institutional disaffiliation, psychological functioning, human capital and identification with the homeless culture. Findings from this study revealed that homeless young adults' self-esteem and optimistic perspectives of the future predicted higher resiliency, while drug dependency predicted lower resiliency. Additionally, homeless young adults' coping served as a mediating variable between their levels of self-esteem and optimistic perspectives of the future with resiliency. Implications for professionals working with a homeless young adult population include developing and strengthening substance preventions programs tailored to uniquely address their resiliency needs. Additionally, social workers and other direct service providers may incorporate intervention strategies that focus on improving self-esteem and increasing young adults' optimistic perspectives of the future. Homeless young adults will benefit from working with professionals who have a better understanding of their lives on streets and the unique coping strategies and survival skills that enable them to persist in a dangerous environment. Recognizing the strengths and resilience that homeless young adults are capable of, and incorporating strength-based perspectives in work with this group may empower these young adults to make positive choices and increase the likelihood of transitioning out of homelessness.Item “I can’t imagine what it’s like to not have hope” : preliminary results from a qualitative study of stress and coping in young adults with chronic pain(2016-12) Murphy, Susan Laura; McCarthy, Christopher J.The current study aims to investigate the stress experiences and coping resources of young adults with chronic pain. Participants between the ages of 18 and 35 with a variety of chronic pain conditions will participate in a semi-structured interview about their experiences with pain. These interviews will be transcribed and coded using consensual qualitative research methodology. Preliminary results are presented from a subsample of participants.Item Minority group status, perceived discrimination, and emotion-focused coping(2014-05) Vassilliere, Christa (Christa Theresa); Holahan, Charles J.In two studies, this thesis depicts the relationship between minority group status in the United States, perceived discrimination, and coping with stress. Past literature on coping and its types – problem-focused versus emotion-focused – is inconsistent in terms of differences between minority status groups and majority groups. It remains unknown whether or why Black Americans and lesbian or gay Americans may demonstrate coping patterns that differ from White Americans and heterosexual Americans, respectively. What is altogether absent from the literature is the possible mediating factor of perceived discrimination experienced by these minority groups. That is, differences in internal, stable coping processes that manage stress may have been molded by one’s experience with discrimination. Study 1 examines the relationship between race (Black versus White) and coping, mediated by perceived discrimination. Study 2 examines the relationship between sexual orientation (lesbian or gay versus heterosexual) and coping, mediated by perceived discrimination. Both studies confirm the thesis that minority group members exhibit maladaptive, emotion-focused coping more than majority group members – but that this difference is explained by the minority group members’ perceived discrimination. Historical and political relevance, social implications, and possible limitations in design and interpretation are discussed.Item The multidimensional influences of positive emotions on stress, coping, resilience, wellness, and work engagement(2013-05) Gloria, Christian Tolentino, 1981-; Steinhardt, MaryAccording to Fredrickson's broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, positive emotions -- such as joy, contentment, and love -- help individuals cope with stress, maintain well-being, and flourish in life. Guided by this theory, this dissertation project conducted three studies which explored the multidimensional influences of positive emotions on stress, coping strategies, resilience, trait anxiety, depressive symptoms, and work engagement. Study 1 examined the mediating role of coping strategies on the link between positive emotions and resilience; in addition, the moderating effect of resilience on the influence of stress toward trait anxiety and depressive symptoms was tested. Study 2 investigated if one's positivity would distinguish differences in their levels of stress, trait anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Finally, Study 3 examined whether stress and positive emotions would account for the variance in work engagement, over and above what has been explained by known predictors -- specifically, work meaningfulness and supervisor support. Path analysis, interaction analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used to test the different models within these studies. A sample of 200 postdoctoral fellows completed the survey (38% response rate). Results showed that a) coping strategies partially mediated the link between positive emotions and resilience; b) resilience moderated the effect of stress on trait anxiety and depressive symptoms; c) the different categories of positivity distinguished differences in experienced stress, trait anxiety, and depressive symptoms; d) stress and positive emotions accounted for additional variance in work engagement, above what is already explained by work meaningfulness and supervisor support; and e) positive emotions completely mediated the relationship between supervisor support and work engagement. Findings support the broaden-and-build theory's hypotheses that positive emotions enhance adaptive coping strategies and fuel resilience. The data also demonstrated that resilience protected postdocs from experiencing heightened levels of trait anxiety and depressive symptoms by diminishing their relationships with stress. One strategy to optimize health would be to increase opportunities for postdocs to experience positive emotions, which would subsequently spark the upward spiral toward improved coping, greater resilience, and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. To promote work engagement, it is important for supervisors to not only be mindful of assigning meaningful work to their employees (or help employees find meaning in their work), but supervisors should also be a supportive leader within a positive workplace environment.Item Pain management experiences in adults living with HIV/AIDS(2011-08) Mikan, Sabrina Quintanilla; Carter, Patricia A.; Acton, Gayle; Fredholm, Leigh; Garcia, Alexandra; Volker, DeborahEven though pain is common and often chronic in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the management of pain is complicated and frequently woefully inadequate. Many factors influence the way PLWHA experience and communicate their pain. These factors can be categorized as both physiological and emotional. PLWHA often resort to self-care activities to control their pain because of the pervasive lack of adequate pain management by health care providers. The purposes of this study were to increase understanding of the pain management experiences in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who report chronic pain and to elucidate the factors that influence this experience. Recruitment was conducted at 3 locations in Central Texas, USA; serving over 3,000 clients/year. A cross-sectional descriptive design and open-ended questions were used to explore PLWHA experiences in reporting chronic pain needs for at least 3 months and to describe pain management choices (self-care and/or seeking care activities) and communication with health care providers. Variables of interest were assessed with paper-pencil surveys (HIV-Self Efficacy Questionnaire, Coping Inventory for Pain in Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire) and open-ended questions. Interviews ranged from 7-35 minutes each. One hundred PLWHA participated in the study, 53% African-American, 21% Hispanic and 25% Caucasian. They were primarily male (66%), 34% female, reported a mean age of 48 years and a mean of 13 years living with HIV. 83% of the participants rated their pain as consistently moderate to high levels; 82% rated they are likely to “tolerate the pain.” A majority of the participants (63%) reported they exercise or walk as a way of self-managing their pain. There was a significant association between use of pain management choices (self-care and/or seeking care activities) and confidence in performing life activities (r= 0.344, p<0.05). These findings indicate a need for health care providers to move beyond quantitative measures for this complex problem. Clinicians can use this information to understand the coping strategies used by PLWHA to manage pain. Future implications will be to develop appropriate pain management approaches (behavioral and pharmacological) for health care providers to improve control of chronic pain in PLWHA. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore the causative relationships between pain management choices (self-care and/or seeking care activities) and functional outcomes in PLWHA.