This study empirically examined physiological, social, and emotional variables in order to extend the understanding of the vulnerability-stress interaction in relation to adolescent problem gambling behaviour. Specifically, the relationship between coping styles, life stress, depressive symptomatology, dissociative states, drug and alcohol use, and youth gambling problems were investigated from the framework of Jacobs' General Theory of Addictions . The current study also examined several potential protective factors (socioeconomic status, social support, and adaptive coping styles) that are believed to buffer against possible negative outcomes associated with youth gambling behaviour. Students consisted of 2,156 students in grades 7 to 12 (ages 11 to 19) recruited from various elementary and high schools in Ontario, Canada. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding gambling activities, social support, dissociation, drug and alcohol use (GAQ), gambling severity (DSM-IV-MR-J), arousal (AISS), stressful life events (APES), depressive symptomatology (RADS), and coping styles (CISS). Socioeconomic status was based on parental level of education and occupation. With respect to gambling severity as assessed by the DSM-IV-MR-J gambling screen, 2.7% of adolescents were found to be probable pathological gamblers, and 6.6% at-risk gamblers. Problem gamblers demonstrated significantly higher scores on measures of arousal, dissociation, and drug and alcohol use. Emotionally, they demonstrated increased problems related to depression, suicide ideation and attempts, and emotion-focused coping. This study expanded on Jacobs' General Theory of Addictions by investigating several protective factors thought to mediate between different types of life stressors and potential gambling problems. This study also sought to identify a set of predictor variables that would increase risk for youth gambling difficulties, including intensity seeking behaviour,

Although there has been increased understanding of the dynamics of intense perfectionism and self-criticism, studies need to address more directly the mechanisms or processes through which perfectionism has its ill effects. The present research examined the roles of daily stress, coping, and perceived social support in the relation between two different perfectionism dimensions and distress symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, negative affect, low positive affect). In two studies, confirmatory factor analysis supported the existence of two perfectionism factors, which were referred to as evaluative concerns perfectionism and personal standards perfectionism. In Study One, university students (136 men; 307 women) completed measures of perfectionism, hassles, coping, perceived social support, depression, and anxiety. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the measurement model used in this study. Structural equation modeling indicated that hassles, avoidant coping, and perceived social support were each unique mediators which together fully explained the strong relation between evaluative concerns perfectionism and distress. Personal standards perfectionism had a unique association with active coping only. Hassles and social support also moderated the relation between both dimensions of perfectionism and distress. Study Two examined daily event appraisals, avoidant coping, and perceived social support as trait mediators in the relation between the evaluative concerns dimension of perfectionism and high negative affect and low positive affect. University students (66 men; 104 women) completed questionnaires at the end of the day for seven consecutive days. Trait influences were found in the daily reports of event appraisals, coping styles, and social support. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the construct validity of the perfectionism and aggregated daily measures. Structural equation modeling indicated that avoidant coping fully explained the relation between

This thesis attempts to integrate the divorce outcome data concerning children within the stress and coping mechanisms paradigm. The effects of divorce on children are reviewed, as are the major constructs of stress-coping theory. A study is conducted to demonstrate the empirical utility of the theoretical integration of the two domains. The coping resources, styles and efforts of 71 elementary school children from divorced and intact homes were investigated. Data analyses demonstrated that children from divorced homes had lower levels of psychological coping resources, and less effective coping styles and efforts, thus sustaining the theoretical integration. Other significant results revealed developmental trends for some aspects of coping resources and coping styles, and correlations between coping resources and efforts, thereby supporting important conceptualizations in stress-coping theory. Speculations concerning the long-term effects of divorce, differential effects of divorce on boys and girls and recommendations for future investigations are made.

This study investigates the coping methods, styles and strategies of 35 homosexual men who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but remain asymptomatic. Subjects were recruited from a Montreal AIDS clinic and support groups for men with HIV. The effectiveness of the coping mechanisms were evaluated by correlating these to measures of depression, state and trait anxiety, psychosomatic symptomatology, perceived social support and global health. Data analyses revealed that men with HIV infection were generally well-adjusted and employed a variety of coping techniques. Cognitive attempts at coping were the most frequently used and were related to elevated levels of state and trait anxiety and poorer global health. Perceived social support proved to be an important determinant of global health, and a buffer for anxiety. Religious identity was related to an enhanced perception of social support, while individuals who had sought counselling were reported to be more anxious and in poorer health. Finally, education level was related to the development of effective and diverse coping methods, styles and strategies. The implication of these results and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Research has demonstrated that self-reported relationship commitment is positively associated with behaviours that help to maintain relationships. One of these, accommodation, refers to an individual's willingness to respond constructively, rather than destructively, to his or her partner's transgressions. Until now, commitment has been measured using mainly self-report methods. This study sought to show that cognitive accessibility of commitment may also be able to predict the relationship maintenance behaviour of accommodation. Participants either encountered the relationship threat of an attractive opposite-sex confederate or encountered no threat. They then complete measures of the accessibility of commitment and accommodation. Results revealed that for women only, the accessibility of commitment was a significant predictor of accommodation in both conditions, independent of self-reported commitment. The implications for understanding relationship maintenance processes and commitment, as well as the study of romantic relationships are discussed.

The existing literature on adaptation to childhood cancer is integrated within the stress and coping paradigm (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) to demonstrate its functional utility. The coping resources (i.e. psychological and social resources) and coping efforts of 21 children (9 male, 12 female) diagnosed with cancer were assessed and compared with standardized norms. Within-group differences were explored as the cancer sample was subdivided by stage of therapy (i) newly diagnosed, (ii) currently in treatment, and (iii) off treatment. Results suggest that children with cancer differed significantly from typical children on measures of coping effort (Coping Inventory) in that they demonstrated relatively more adaptive and efficient coping behavior as compared to their normative peers. Children with cancer differed slightly from typical children on measures of psychological resources (Assessment of Coping Style) such that they utilized a slightly more restrictive style of coping. Children with cancer did not differ significantly from normative children on measures of social resources (Social Support Scale for Children). The data are analyzed and discussed with reference to mediating factors including developmental stage, gender, and stage of illness.

The relationships among intra-individual vulnerability, stress, and adjustment were assessed within a sample of 621 young adolescents from a predominantly affluent suburban area. Also considered was the extent to which gender and family structure influenced the prevalence of these three conditions. Vulnerable teenagers were distinguished from their peers based on their inability to effectively manage the developmental task of individuation. The components of the individuation process considered included ego and cognitive autonomy, and parent and peer relatedness. Stress was measured based on self-reported exposure to conditions of threat, demand, or structural constraint. Indices of depression, problem behaviors, school performance, school absences, and teacher perceived risk were utilized to assess adjustment. Consonant with hypotheses that pronounced difficulty resolving a developmental task is characteristic of vulnerable individuals and that exposure to numerous psychosocial stressors puts individuals at-risk for maladjustment, adolescents who were either poorly individuated or highly stressed exhibited greater dysfunction than their peers. Also individuated or highly stressed exhibited greater dysfunction than their peers. Also consistent with expectations, the poorest overall adjustment was exhibited by vulnerable adolescents who were exposed to multiple stressors. Gender and family structure affected the incidence of vulnerability, elevated exposure to stress, and maladjustment. However, the impact of gender was inconsistent with hypotheses, as girls were found to be at lower risk for dysfunction than boys.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, Aug., 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 87 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.