Browsing by Subject "Social support"
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Item Access to resources and maternal well-being : examining the role of educational attainment in the relationship between social support and maternal parenting stress at one year postpartum(2009-05) Sampson, Maud McClain; Padilla, Yolanda C.; Osborne, Cynthia Anne, 1969-The transition to motherhood requires adjustments to new roles and growing demands on time and financial resources. Consequently, this transition can be a time of emotional upheaval and can often lead to increased levels of maternal stress. Research on parenting stress has identified social support as an important resource for coping with the demands of parenting, but, empirical studies also show that access to social support is likely to differ based on one’s socioeconomic status. Consequently, levels and effects of support may differ by maternal educational level. The primary purpose of the current study is to investigate the associations between four types of perceived support, maternal educational attainment and maternal parenting stress. The study sample is drawn from the first year follow-up wave of the Fragile Families and Child Well-being dataset (n=2412) and includes only mothers who were involved with the father of the child at the time of the child’s birth. Fragile Families is a nationally based, longitudinal birth cohort study of approximately 4,800 mothers and their children. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression modeling to investigate direct effects of perceived support and education on maternal stress as well as testing a moderating effect of education on the association between perceived support and maternal stress. The results showed that perceived support from one’s partner significantly lowers maternal stress regardless of the level or type of support (emotional, mothering or instrumental) that the partner provides. Expected support from kin or friends does not have an effect on maternal stress. The effect of perceived support differs by education level for two types of partner support: support of mothering practices and instrumental support. Increased symptoms of depression and fussy child temperament each increase maternal stress levels. Investigation of the direct effect of various types of perceived support on maternal stress indicate that partner support is critical during the first year of motherhood. Results reveal that not all types of perceived support affect maternal stress with the same magnitude. Thus, special attention should be given to the context within a mother is functioning.Item Benefits of Internet use in supporting rural life : managing social networks and exchanging social support in a rural area(2010-05) Park, Namsu; Strover, Sharon; Straubhaar, Joseph; Stein, Laura; Tyner, Kathleen; Lasorsa, DominicThe purpose of this study was (1) to examine rural residents’ perceived social support from Internet use for communication and (2) to understand the meanings associated with rural Internet users’ social media use, particularly with respect to mediating diverse social ties and exchanging different types of social support. To assess how Internet use affects rural residents’ sense of social support, this study investigated dynamic relationships between online communication and perceived social support by looking at interaction effects relative to extroversion, size of social networks, broadband use, and length of time using the Internet. To explore how social media are situated in a rural area, the present study investigated how rural residents use social network sites (SNSs) to maintain social contacts and exchange social support with members of their networks.Item Bystander intervention in cyberbullying(2013-08) Brody, Nicholas Paul; Vangelisti, Anita L.Cyberbullying incidents often occur in the presence of other bystanders. The inaction of bystanders can augment the deleterious effects of bullying on a victim. However, bystanders can often take action to stop a cyberbullying incident or offer support to the victim. Two studies examined the association between several variables which were expected to influence the propensity for a bystander to take action in cyberbullying incidents -- the number of bystanders, the depersonalization/anonymity of the bystander, and the relational closeness between the bystander and the victim. Moreover, the first study addressed the need for more descriptive research into cyberbullying by examining the strategies and topics used by perpetrators. Results of both Study 1 and Study 2 provided support for the diffusion of responsibility effect. Specifically, a higher number of bystanders was negatively associated with a bystander's propensity to intervene and stop the incident. In Study 2, this effect was moderated by both depersonalization and closeness. That is, individuals were most likely to intervene when they did not feel depersonalized, the victim was a close friend, and there were a low number of bystanders. Moreover, in both Study 1 and Study 2 the perceived anonymity of bystanders negatively related to their propensity to intervene, and closeness with the victim was associated with a higher likelihood to intervene and support the victim. Finally, descriptive data illustrated the types and strategies of cyberbullying episodes which occur in a college-aged sample. Altogether, the results shed light on the interplay of context, relationships, and technology in the behavior of bystanders to a cyberbullying episode.Item Comparing "models": The best fit for social predictors of bulimic pathology(2006-08) Whittaker, Aimee E.; Robitschek, Christine; Clopton, James R.; Hendrick, Susan S.; Hardin, Erin E.The number and variety of theories and research on bulimia nervosa (BN) and its related symptoms indicate that using a multidimensional approach when examining the etiology and risk factors of the disorder is paramount because no single factor seems to be predictive of who will and will not develop BN. More specifically, approaches differentiating among biological, psychological, and social components are often considered when attempting to determine the etiology of BN (Stieger & Seguin, 1999). With respect to social components, different aspects of interactions with the environment (and the people within it) may serve as contributors to bulimic pathology. Although much research has focused on a few specific dimensions of social interactions involved in eating pathology, little research has examined a wide range of social interactions in the prediction of bulimic behaviors and attitudes. Therefore, one purpose of this study was to comprehensively examine the relationships of a wide variety of social interactions with eating pathology, specifically, BN. The social variables included as predictors of bulimic pathology in this study are related to sociocultural encouragement of the thin-ideal, family functioning, and social support. Questionnaires, which also included three measures of bulimic pathology were completed by 289 European American female college students. The main data analysis was structural equation modeling. This analysis determined if the predictors fit into higher order factor structures differentiating between types of social interactions and sources of social interactions. Two models were tested to establish the best fit in regard to predicting bulimic symptoms. Model A (see Figure 1) investigated the prediction of bulimic symptoms according to types of social interactions. Model B (See Figure 2) investigated the prediction of bulimic symptoms according to sources of social interactions. In sum, the current study examined whether the social variables included in this study were better predictors of bulimic pathology when grouped according to types of social interactions (such as social reinforcement, family functioning, and social support), or when grouped according to sources of social interactions (the media, family, and peers). Results regarding differences in model fit are discussed, and implications for theory, research, and practice are explored.Item Comparing "models": the best fit for social predictors of bulimic pathology(Texas Tech University, 2006-08) Whittaker, Aimee E.; Robitschek, Christine; Hardin, Erin E.; Clopton, James R.; Hendrick, Susan S.The number and variety of theories and research on bulimia nervosa (BN) and its related symptoms indicate that using a multidimensional approach when examining the etiology and risk factors of the disorder is paramount because no single factor seems to be predictive of who will and will not develop BN. More specifically, approaches differentiating among biological, psychological, and social components are often considered when attempting to determine the etiology of BN (Stieger & Seguin, 1999). With respect to social components, different aspects of interactions with the environment (and the people within it) may serve as contributors to bulimic pathology. Although much research has focused on a few specific dimensions of social interactions involved in eating pathology, little research has examined a wide range of social interactions in the prediction of bulimic behaviors and attitudes. Therefore, one purpose of this study was to comprehensively examine the relationships of a wide variety of social interactions with eating pathology, specifically, BN. The social variables included as predictors of bulimic pathology in this study are related to sociocultural encouragement of the thin-ideal, family functioning, and social support. Questionnaires, which also included three measures of bulimic pathology were completed by 289 European American female college students. The main data analysis was structural equation modeling. This analysis determined if the predictors fit into higher order factor structures differentiating between types of social interactions and sources of social interactions. Two models were tested to establish the best fit in regard to predicting bulimic symptoms. Model A (see Figure 1) investigated the prediction of bulimic symptoms according to types of social interactions. Model B (See Figure 2) investigated the prediction of bulimic symptoms according to sources of social interactions. In sum, the current study examined whether the social variables included in this study were better predictors of bulimic pathology when grouped according to types of social interactions (such as social reinforcement, family functioning, and social support), or when grouped according to sources of social interactions (the media, family, and peers). Results regarding differences in model fit are discussed, and implications for theory, research, and practice are explored.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 Developing a better understanding of daily support transactions across a major life transition : the role that locus of control plays in the process(2014-08) Ryon, Holly Smith; Gleason, Marci Elizabeth JoyWhile much research has shown that being in a supportive relationship can buffer individuals from both the physical and psychological effects of stressful life events (House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988; Uchino, 2004), research concerning actual support exchanges, specifically receiving support, has been associated with negative effects (Gleason, Iida, Bolger, & Shrout, 2003; Gleason, Iida, Shrout, & Bolger, 2008). Understanding the differential effects of this process on mood and health is the focus of this study. The current paper adds to the existing literature by first, theoretically replicating previously established support transaction patterns and their effects on mood within committed couples and second, investigating the role that personality (i.e., perceived control) plays in moderating the effects of support on mood and health outcomes. In a daily diary study of 78 couples expecting their first child, I investigate the within and between-person associations between control, support, mood, and health. Couples were asked to independently complete three weeks of daily diaries at three different time points (i.e., during their third trimester, infancy, and toddlerhood). With the exception of women in their third trimester of pregnancy, we theoretically replicate previous support patterns and the effects on mood and find both state- and trait- level control to be important in this process such that the greater an individual's sense of control, the more he or she is buffered from negative influence of support transactions. Hypotheses concerning support and health are only partially supported in that receiving support and negative health symptoms are positively associated.Item Examining relationships between supportive resources and psychological well-being at a single-gender school(2014-05) Coffee, Katherine Learned; Steinhardt, MaryGuided by the positive youth development (PYD) framework and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, this dissertation project involved the performance of two studies that were designed to explore the multifaceted aspects of personal and environmental sources of support, positive emotions, stress, depressive symptoms, and resilience. Examined in Study I was the question of whether one's positivity would differentiate levels of personal and environmental resources. Examined in Study II were the association, if any, between stress and resilience on depressive symptoms and whether resilience would exhibit a moderating effect of stress on depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis of covariance and hierarchical multiple regression were used to test the different models in these studies. A sample of 510 students at an all-girl public middle and high school completed the survey (75% response rate). Results showed that (a) the different categories of positivity distinguished levels of personal and environmental resources, (b) stress had a significant positive direct effect on depressive symptoms, (c) resilience had a significant negative direct effect on depressive symptoms, and (d) the interaction between stress and resilience had a significant buffering effect on depressive symptoms. While adolescence is a challenging time in particular for girls, findings from the present study support PYD and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions as advantageous frameworks for developing empirically based interventions. Strategies that increase students' positive emotions in schools, which in turn broaden their thinking, coping, and social interactions, would be efficacious. Further, the results from Study II suggest that students with higher levels of resiliency were protected from the impact of stress, thus potentially explaining their lower scores for depressive symptoms compared to those students with lower levels of reported resilience. This supports the significant role of individual resiliency as a personal resource against depressive symptoms when experiencing higher levels of stress. Given the seriousness of declining psychological well-being in young girls as a major public health concern, coupled with the compounding effects later into life, programs that provide opportunities for young girls to cultivated resiliency will be, theoretically, highly effective.Item Facebook me : the utility of social networking sites in increasing social support for exercise programs(2010-08) McCallum, Kim Gibson; Bartholomew, John B.; Kohl, Harold W.The purpose of this report is to evaluate the potential utility of online social networking in enhancing participation in, and maintenance of, a university-based exercise program through the provision of social support. Ninety-one employees previously enrolled in an exercise program were surveyed. Participants were asked about their online social networking habits and their opinions on the possible use of online social networks to increase social support for and adherence to an exercise program. Respondents already belonging to a social networking site (SNS) (79%) were optimistic about the utility, particularly after their exercise program, while those who do not belong to an SNS were less positive. The findings imply that using online social networking to add social support both during and after an exercise program could be effective.Item Individual differences in stress physiology : understanding person by situation influences(2011-05) Evans, Jacqueline Josephine; Josephs, Robert A.; Delville, Yvon; Beevers, Christopher G.; Loving, Timothy J.Do person by situation effects influence physiological stress response? Despite being relatively uncontested since being theorized nearly 80 years ago, the fight-or-flight model of stress response has suffered criticism for its one-size-fits-all approach in light of the historical gender bias in the literature. In contrast, the tend-and-befriend model of stress response argues that females are driven to care for their offspring (tend) and band together with others (befriend) in response to stress. Despite evidence suggesting the importance individual differences in the effect of affiliation and social support on stress, past research has generally overlooked markers of individual difference and personality. The major aim of this dissertation was to identify and examine potential person by situation effects on stress physiology, illuminating under what conditions and for whom affiliation and social support may buffer against the stress response and aid recovery in the wake of a stressor. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the role of individual difference factors of gender and personality (i.e., person effects) and the availability of affiliation with a similar other (study 1) or a trusted friend (study 2) compared with no available affiliation (i.e., social situation effects) on stress response and recovery. Study 1 revealed that availability of affiliation with a similar other did not have a protective influence on stress physiology in general. However, personality (openness to experience) and gender together, along with availability of affiliation, were important predictors of stress physiology over time. Study 2 indicated that the availability of affiliation with a trusted friend had a protective effect on stress physiology across each time point. Further, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness to experience each appear to be important predictors of the influence of availability of affiliation with a close friend on stress physiology over time. In sum, this dissertation found evidence of person by situation effects on stress physiology across two studies. In both studies, the effect of the availability of affiliation differed based on individual difference factors of personality, not on gender. As such, tend-and-befriend may be better conceptualized not as a uniquely female response, but rather a stress response that depends on individual difference characteristics of personality. Further, future stress response models and research should consider personality as an important marker of individual difference in physiological stress response.Item Mother, father, teacher, and peer support and their links with adolescent psychosocial outcomes(2016-08) Shand, Latoya G.; Gershoff, Elizabeth T.; Kim, Su Yeong; Benner, Aprile; Gleason, Marci; Crosnoe, RobertUsing data from a nationally representative study on adolescent health (Add Health), this study examined the direct and interrelated associations of emotional support from four key providers (mother, father, teacher, and peers) and adolescent psychosocial outcomes. These associations were examined at three time points, following participants from early adolescence to early adulthood. The study also explored how the influences of various support relationships change during the transition from early adolescence to early adulthood and how such changes affect outcomes. Support from mother, father, teacher and peers were linked to improvements in different domains of adolescent outcomes, with the exception of peer supports’ link with increased delinquent behavior. The perceived support from the sources examined was also predictive of psychosocial functioning across time. This study also found fathers’ perceived support to be predictive of more of the psychosocial domains examined than mothers, indicating that father support has more substantial influence than previously thought. Further, the positive associations among adolescent outcomes and teacher support were not found to be as domain-specific for adolescents as espoused in the literature. In addition, when multi-group models were used to examine age differences in associations between perceived support and adolescent outcomes, middle adolescence appeared to be the period when adolescents are most receptive to all the support relationships examined. Adolescents’ psychosocial functioning was also found to be predictive of different sources of perceived support.Item Parental contributions to perfectionism, depressive symptoms, and perceived social support in Asian American adolescents : investigation, intervention, and evaluation(2011-08) Wan, Judith T.; Borich, Gary D.; Cawthon, Stephanie W.The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of parental contributions to perfectionism on depressive symptoms for Asian American adolescents and whether perceived parental support and/or social support may buffer/moderate the relationship. Perceived support from parents and peers may serve as protective factors from experiencing distress associated with the high pressures experienced by Asian Americans to succeed academically and be perfect in school. Asian American adolescents will fill out self-report measures for dimensions of perfectionism, depressive symptoms, and perceived parental and social support. Multiple regressions will be used to test the hypothesis of this study. Implications for the proposed study suggested the development of an intervention to help cultivate coping skills related to parent-driven stress for Asian American adolescents.Item Perceived effectiveness of grief comforting messages moderated by closeness(2015-08) Knapp, Jessica Amy; Dailey, René M.; Donovan, Erin; Vangelisti, Anita; Ballard, Dawna; McDougall, GrahamAs helpful as social support can be, the reality is that some attempts to offer support are more helpful than others. In trying to be supportive, we can make things better, but we can also make things worse (Brashers et al., 2004; Burleson & Samter, 1985; Goldsmith, Lindholm, & Bute, 2006; Goldsmith & Fitch, 1997). In everyday situations, simply bringing up a sensitive topic may cause negative emotions for a conversational partner or remind them of a topic that they are trying not to think about. In addition, it is possible to say something that makes a person feel worse about the way they are handling a delicate situation. This dissertation applies Burleson and Samter’s (1985) social support framework, a model of Verbal Person Centeredness (VPC), to the context of grief. This dissertation examines what types of grief support are most effective, and looks at whether, in some instances, more sophisticated message are not the most comforting. This dissertation will examine whether closeness operates as a moderator, making moderately sophisticated messages of support more effective than highly sophisticated ones in some situations, such as instances in which the person offering support is less close to the bereaved. It is hypothesized that this will happen due to threats to the bereaved’s sense of independence or autonomy (Brown & Levinson, 1987). Hence, in some instances, it may be more helpful for people offering support to use moderately sophisticated messages. Although experimental data from this dissertation did not support an interaction between closeness of target and helper and perceived effectiveness of support message, data from open-ended questions did suggest that individuals prefer moderately sophisticated messages from less close others (e.g., coworkers). Other themes from open-ended questions provide additional details about the type of support people in grief might desire.Item Post-deployment social support and social conflict in female military veterans(2010-08) Nayback-Beebe, Ann Marie; Yoder, Linda H.; Carter, Patricia A.; Harrison, Tracie C.; Angel, Jacqueline L.; Gaylord, Kathryn M.BACKGROUND: There have been prevailing gender differences in negative mental health outcomes for U.S. female service members (FSMs) returning from combat deployments with rates of depression and post-traumatic stress nearly twice that of their male peers. AIM: The aim of this research study was to examine the extent to which the absence or presence of social support, social conflict, and stressful life events either facilitated or hindered optimal mental health during the post-deployment period and shaped FSMs’ mental health in the context of the post-deployment experience. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What was the nature of the relationship between social support, social conflict, and stressful life events and mental health symptoms (PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) in FSMs after deployment to Iraq? And was the degree of social support or the degree of social conflict more highly associated with negative mental health symptoms (greater PTSD symptoms, greater depression symptoms, greater anxiety symptoms, and greater alcohol abuse symptoms) in FSMs after deployment to Iraq? THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: The theoretical framework for this study was derived from Vaux’s theory of social support (Vaux, 1988) and from a model developed by Berkman and Glass (2000) that hypothesized how social support and social networks have direct effects on an individual’s physical, mental, and social health. These two frameworks were viewed from a feminist standpoint perspective. METHODS: This descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design used a convenience sample of 150 active duty FSMs who were 6-12 months post-deployment from Iraq and stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. FINDINGS: During preliminary exploratory data analyses and statistical assumption testing, significant between group differences were found between the officer and enlisted FSMs on four variables: annual household income, stressful life events, education, and prior exposure to violence (physical assault, sexual assault, or domestic violence). Additionally, significant differences emerged in bivariate correlations between the predictor and outcome variables when the 13 officer FSMs were separated out from the original sample during statistical analyses. These findings suggested these were two distinct populations; therefore, the sample was divided into two groups based on rank. For the officer FSMs, there were no significant bivariate correlations between social support, social conflict, or post-deployment stressful life events and any of the mental health outcomes although a one-tailed analysis was conducted due to low sample size (n = 13). In contrast, the two-tailed analysis of the enlisted FSMs (n = 137) showed significant positive bivariate correlations (p < .01) between social conflict and stressful life events and the outcome variables depression, PTSD, and anxiety symptom severity. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between social support and the outcome variables depression, PTSD, and anxiety symptom severity. Hierarchical linear regression of the enlisted FSM group showed that depression symptom severity was best explained by the presence of comorbid PTSD symptoms and the absence of social support. The presence of social conflict was excluded in the final model, and stressful life events were not found to be significant in explaining depression symptom severity. Overall, comorbid PTSD symptom severity and the absence of social support accounted for 71% of the variance in depression symptom severity in this group of enlisted FSMs. In contrast, greater PTSD symptom severity in the post-deployment period was best explained by greater comorbid depression symptom severity, the presence of social conflict, and greater stressful life events. The absence of social support did not significantly contribute to the model for PTSD symptom severity. Comorbid depression symptom severity, stressful life events, and the presence of social conflict, which were entered in three steps, accounted for 74% of the variance in PTSD symptom severity reported by this group of enlisted FSMs. And finally, greater anxiety symptom severity was best explained by greater comorbid depression symptom severity, the presence of social conflict, and the absence of social support. The presence of social conflict had a stronger relationship with anxiety symptom severity than the absence of social support in the final model. In addition, the presence of more stressful life events did not significantly contribute to the overall variance in anxiety symptom severity. Comorbid depression symptom severity, the absence of social support, and the presence of social conflict accounted for 68% of the variance in anxiety symptoms reported by this group of enlisted FSMs. The implications and recommendations based on these findings span strategic planning for the military, nursing practice, and future research.Item The protective effect of social support on student engagement for high school students experiencing dating abuse(2011-12) Walker, Kimberly Marie; Sander, Janay Boswell; Tharinger, DeborahThe purpose of this study is to examine the role of social support as a moderator between dating abuse and student engagement. Informed by the positive youth development perspective and the stress-buffering model, this study will examine the effects of dating abuse victimization on student engagement and the buffering role of social support in that relationship. Specifically, this study will use self-report measures from a rural/semi-rural, high school sample and multiple regression analysis to determine the effect of dating abuse on student engagement. If a significant relationship is found between dating abuse and student engagement, this study will then use multiple regression analysis to determine the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between dating abuse and student engagement. Research on the protective effects of social support on student engagement is critical to the design and implementation of interventions which have the potential to significantly improve the health, mental health, social, and education outcomes for adolescents who have experienced dating abuse.Item Psychosocial predictors of self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: analysis of social support, self-efficacy, and depression(Texas Tech University, 2006-08) Skarbek, Edyta Anna; Richards, StevenDiabetes mellitus is a chronic medical illness presenting a potential risk for multiple life-threatening medical complications, including blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, heart disease, and stroke. Empirical literature suggests that tight metabolic control achieved through the adequate execution of self-care behaviors on part of diabetes patients can significantly reduce the risk of developing such complications. Consequently, gaining a greater understanding of factors that influence diabetes self-care practices is of vital importance. In addition, there has been a growing interest in recent years in factors that may determine the psychological adjustment status of type diabetes mellitus patients. The empirical literature suggests that self-efficacy and social support are two significant variables determining the functioning of diabetes patients in terms of psychological adjustment (i.e., depressive symptomatology) and self-care. However, the specific mechanisms through which self-efficacy and social support influence depressive symptoms and self-care in diabetes mellitus patients have not been fully understood. Furthermore, empirical research is not always consistent in identifying which aspects of the social support system may facilitate or impede diabetes self-management or have an impact on depressive symptoms in the diabetes mellitus population. The purpose of the present study was to examine mechanisms through which self-efficacy, social support, and depression influence self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The current study also explored which aspects of social support have the greatest impact in terms of diabetes self-management and depressive symptoms in a type 2 diabetes mellitus patient population. The sample consisted of 80 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who were recruited through the Texas Tech University Health Science Center Internal Medicine Clinic. Participants completed measures of social support, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and diabetes self-management. The data were analyzed cross-sectionally using linear regression analyses. Results indicate that negative social support concerning the patients’ self-management (i.e., arguing and criticizing patient’s self-care) is a stronger and more significant predictor of depressive symptoms than positive social support provided by family and friends. Depressive symptoms, in turn, predict poorer diabetes self-management, including worse diet and exercise practices. In terms of positive social support, the results suggest that collaborative behaviors concerning patient’s self-care on the part of significant others predict better exercise self-care directly and indirectly, through their effects on self-efficacy judgments. Positive social support also enhances diet self-care among diabetes mellitus patients. However, the hypothesis that negative social support moderates the relationship between depressive symptomatology and self-care in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, was not supported. Finally, the results of the present study suggest that psychiatric and medical comorbidity are two major challenges facing type 2 diabetes mellitus patient population. Over 41% of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients met possible criteria for significant depressive symptoms, and nearly 59% reported being diagnosed with another chronic illness. The clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.Item Psychosocial predictors of self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Analysis of social support, self-efficacy, and depression(2005-12) Skarbek, Edyta A.; Richards, Steven; Cohen, Lee M.; Harter, Stephanie; Hendrick, Susan S.Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical illness presenting a potential risk for multiple life-threatening medical complications, including blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, heart disease, and stroke. Empirical literature suggests that tight metabolic control achieved through the adequate execution of self-care behaviors on part of diabetes patients can significantly reduce the risk of developing such complications. Consequently, gaining a greater understanding of factors that influence diabetes self-care practices is of vital importance. In addition, there has been a growing interest in recent years in factors that may determine the psychological adjustment status of type diabetes mellitus patients. The empirical literature suggests that self-efficacy and social support are two significant variables determining the functioning of diabetes patients in terms of psychological adjustment (i.e., depressive symptomatology) and self-care. However, the specific mechanisms through which self-efficacy and social support influence depressive symptoms and self-care in diabetes mellitus patients have not been fully understood. Furthermore, empirical research is not always consistent in identifying which aspects of the social support system may facilitate or impede diabetes self-management or have an impact on depressive symptoms in the diabetes mellitus population. The purpose of the present study was to examine mechanisms through which self-efficacy, social support, and depression influence self-care behaviors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The current study also explored which aspects of social support have the greatest impact in terms of diabetes self-management and depressive symptoms in a type 2 diabetes mellitus patient population. The sample consisted of 80 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who were recruited through the Texas Tech University Health Science Center Internal Medicine Clinic. Participants completed measures of social support, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and diabetes self-management. The data were analyzed cross-sectionally using linear regression analyses. Results indicate that negative social support concerning the patients’ self-management (i.e., arguing and criticizing patient’s self-care) is a stronger and more significant predictor of depressive symptoms than positive social support provided by family and friends. Depressive symptoms, in turn, predict poorer diabetes self-management, including worse diet and exercise practices. In terms of positive social support, the results suggest that collaborative behaviors concerning patient’s self-care on the part of significant others predict better exercise self-care directly and indirectly, through their effects on self-efficacy judgments. Positive social support also enhances diet self-care among diabetes mellitus patients. However, the hypothesis that negative social support moderates the relationship between depressive symptomatology and self-care in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, was not supported. Finally, the results of the present study suggest that psychiatric and medical comorbidity are two major challenges facing type 2 diabetes mellitus patient population. Over 41% of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients met possible criteria for significant depressive symptoms, and nearly 59% reported being diagnosed with another chronic illness. The clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.Item Relation of acculturation, perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy, social support, and beliefs about physical activity to physical activity levels of college-aged Hispanic and non-Hispanic women(2011-05) Velasquez, Katherine Elizabeth Serna, 1961-; Holahan, Carole K.; Bartholomew, John; Loukas, Alexandra; Beretvas, Susan N.; Harrison, Tracie C.Two overall national health goals are to increase the quality and years of healthy life and to eliminate health disparities. Physical inactivity is a leading cause of disability and death due to its relationship with overweight and chronic disease. Hispanic women are less physically active than Hispanic men and Anglo women in leisure time physical activity and recommended levels of physical activity (PA). From a developmental perspective, understanding prevalence and correlates of PA in emerging adulthood may make a significant contribution to increasing PA as women move into full adulthood. The Health Promotion Model (HPM) advanced by Pender provided the framework for examining beliefs about PA and other correlates of PA. This study also developed and tested a scale measuring beliefs about PA (BPA) that tried to access cultural differences between non-Hispanic and Hispanic women. The study was carried out by electronic solicitation to randomly selected non-Hispanic and Hispanic students from 3 southwestern universities and yielded 237 complete online surveys. Instruments comprising the survey included the Short-version of the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ), Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS), Self-Efficacy for Exercise (SEE), Social Support for Exercise Survey for Family and Friends (SSFA, SSFR), BPA, the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA II), and questions about SES. Statistical procedures included factor analysis, t-tests, and multi-sample path analysis. Respondents included 80 non-Hispanic and 157 Hispanic women, aged 18-27. Factor analysis of the BPA produced 7 subscales accounting for 68% of the explained variance (spirituality, role enhancement, socialization preferences, personal benefits, cultural beliefs, exercise difficulty, and women’s roles). Independent sample t-tests indicated group means for spirituality and cultural beliefs significantly differed, as did total BPA, acculturation, & SES. Path analysis provided evidence for a model with good fit for both groups. Significant path coefficients to vigorous PA included benefits, SE, and SSFA. Total indirect effects for SES to vigorous PA through SE and SSFA were significant. Acculturation, SES, SSFR, and BPA were not significant predictors of vigorous PA.Item Social networks and support for abstinence within a collegiate recovery community(2006-05) Herbert, Richard Emerson; Cleveland, H. Harrington; Fischer, Judith L.; Mulsow, MiriamAdolescents and young adults are the fastest growing populations in substance use treatment programs. After leaving treatment, many of these young people are faced with the challenge of negotiating the abstinence hostile environment of higher education. To meet the needs of this population, Texas Tech University has the Collegiate Recovery Community, which is the only one of its kind in the country. Members of this recovery community were surveyed during the spring 2004 academic term. Using the data collected, three hypotheses were tested. No support was found for the hypothesis that males would have higher scores on measures of risk for relapse than females. No support was found for the hypothesis that length of recovery would be positively associated with scores on measures of support for abstinence and negatively associated with measures of risk for relapse. Exploratory analyses of differences in network support and risk revealed possible directions for future research and investigation.