This study compares the counselor credibility of therapists who use problem-focused with those who use solution-focused language. Participants from two undergraduate classes at a southeastern state university were assigned to one of two eight-minute videotapes of a role-played family therapy session: problem-focused or solution-focused. This study is a posttest only quasi-experimental design. One group (N=35) viewed a videotape of a session that used solution-focused language. Another group (N=38) viewed a videotape of a session that used problem-focused language. The same therapist conducted both sessions and the same actors were used as the client couple. After viewing the videotape, participants rated the therapist's credibility (as measured by the Counselor Rating Form - Short Version), completed a Demographic Questionnaire and answered three open-ended questions. Two research questions were examined in this study: (1) Do potential clients perceive a therapist using solution-focused language as more attractive, experienced, trustworthy, and more credible than the same therapist using problem-focused language? (2) What other variables affect potential clients' view of the therapist? No significant differences in counselor credibility were found between the two groups. Three categories were discovered in the analysis of the open-ended questions: therapist characteristics, actions/skills of therapist, and other. When asked what they liked the most about the therapist, the majority of the participants' (86 percent) responses fell into the category of actions and skills of the therapist. When asked what they liked the least about the therapist, the majority of the participants' (64 percent) responses fell into the category of therapist characteristics. / Master of Science

abstract: There are some factors that have been used to explain why the presence of a calling (i.e., “an approach to work that reflects the belief that one's career is a central part of a broader sense of purpose and meaning in life and is used to help others or advance the greater good in some fashion” (Duffy & Dik, 2013, p. 429) reduces work stress and its potential negative outcomes, such as absenteeism, job performance and productivity, work-related accidents and overall employee health. The effect of problem-focused coping, however, remains largely untested as a potential mediator in this relation. The present study was conducted to quantitatively test whether problem-focused coping would mediate the relation between having a calling to work and perceived work stress in zookeepers. Participants were recruited through an online survey. They responded to questionnaires regarding calling, problem-focused coping, and work stress. Using hierarchical regression analyses, it was found that problem-focused coping partially mediated the relation between presence of a calling and perceived work stress. Specifically, having the presence of a calling to work predicted greater problem-focused style of coping, which, in turn, led to lower perceived work stress. Future directions for research were discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine general life stressors and emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies as prospective predictors of psychological distress in a sample of 209, low-income, urban, HIV-positive, African-American women. A secondary aim was to determine whether coping strategies mediated the relationship between life stressors and psychological distress. This study involved a secondary data analysis from a longitudinal National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded, randomized, family therapy efficacy study (Structural Ecosystems Therapy [SET]; Szapocznik et al., 2004). Participants completed self-report measures, including the Brief Symptom Inventory, Brief Cope (adapted), and Difficult Life Circumstances, as measures of psychological distress, problem-focused and emotion-focused coping, and general life stressors, respectively. These measures were completed at baseline, and at 3, 6, 9, and 18-month follow-up assessments. Results from longitudinal, cross-lagged, path model analyses provided some modest support regarding the hypothesis relating amount of life stressors to subsequent level of psychological distress symptoms. Results of the coping path models failed to support the hypotheses relating problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping to subsequent distress (Hypotheses 2 and 3). Furthermore, the lack of direct associations between coping strategies and distress prohibited the examination of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies as possible mediators in the relationship between life stressors and psychological distress. Results and implications are discussed.

This study investigated the relationship between coping style and academic satisfaction, as well as the role each plays in overall life satisfaction. Further, this study examined the potential utility of coping style within Lent and Brown’s (2006) social cognitive career theory (SCCT) model of work satisfaction. A sample of students in a university setting took a measure to assess coping style, academic satisfaction, life satisfaction, self-efficacy, and goal progress. Results indicated that both problem-focused and avoidance coping styles predicted academic satisfaction individually. Only for problem-focused coping was this relation strong enough for academic satisfaction to partially mediate the direct effect on life satisfaction. Coping styles did not explain variance above and beyond the SCCT variables of goal progress and self-efficacy. This study supports the existing model of work satisfaction in SCCT, and offers preliminary evidence for full mediation of coping styles’ effects on satisfaction by stress and goal progress.

Stressors resulting from one's work life including work conditions, job characteristics, and relationships with others at work have been shown to impact employee health outcomes at both psychological and physical levels (Le Blanc, Jonge, & Schaufeli, 2008; Spector, Dwyer, & Jex, 1988). Interpersonal conflict is one prevalent workplace stressor that has been associated with poor work-related outcomes and psychological states. A cross-sectional design with multi-source data collection methods was used to measure conflict, perceptions of control, coping strategies, and both psychological and physical well-being. Overall, findings suggested that the success of coping efforts hinges on the combination of the nature of the stressor (conflict with supervisors vs. with a co-worker), perceptions of control over that stressor (high or low control), and coping strategy used (problem-focused or emotion-focused coping). This may explain at least to a certain extent why previous efforts to document the moderating effects of coping have been inconsistent, especially pertaining to emotion-focused coping.

This dissertation contributes to research on social isolation in older adults aged 65 years and above through three essays that expand our understanding of the social determinants of health and identify the social and interpersonal factors that contribute to elderly wellbeing. This dissertation examines the significant factors contributing to the problem of social isolation, and how the availability of interest-based, low-cost engagement resources in the community can alleviate social isolation and foster healthy aging. Essay 1 is a systematic literature review with implications for future research that explores how technological skills and training based on user intention and availability of resources can alleviate social isolation. Essay 2 is a qualitative study that evaluates the effectiveness of a unique community-based senior exercise program in fostering social integration and in reducing social isolation. Essay 3 is a quantitative study that examines the magnitude and direction of the correlated relationships among the determinants of social inclusion and the impact of social and interpersonal processes on senior wellbeing. These three essays provide insight into the social isolation phenomenon that negatively impacts senior wellbeing and recommends solutions derived from a data driven examination of the problem that is especially applicable to economically disadvantaged senior communities. Moreover, this research provides community partners and gatekeepers a foundation for future research on the social isolation phenomenon and strategies for developing digital confidence and mobility program strategies that foster social inclusion and reduce social isolation for older adults.

Recent trauma research argues trauma results in distinct positive and negative consequences, however; many trauma variables positively correlate with both outcomes. This study examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as positive and negative trauma outcomes. Behavioral, cognitive, and demographic correlates and predictors were assessed to help clarify differences between the two outcomes. While several behavioral factors were common to both PTG and PTSD symptoms, centrality of event and problem focused coping were the strongest PTG predictors, whereas centrality of event and avoidant coping were the strongest PTSD predictors. These findings indicate while greater incorporation of a trauma/stressful event into one’s identity is a key component of both PTG and PTSD development, behavioral response may be a determining factor between growth or debilitation.

Terrorattentat orsakar ofta massförstörelse med civila offer, det sprider rädsla och leder till allvarliga konsekvenser för de som drabbas. För att hantera rädslan använder människor olika strategier. Syftet med studien var således att bidra till en nyanserad bild av människors rädsla för terrorattentat och hur de hanterar rädslan. Detta undersöktes genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer där frågorna baserades utifrån tre frågeställningar, “Hur beskriver människor sin rädsla för terrorattentat och vilka känslor beskrivs i relation till rädslan?”, “Varför upplever människor rädsla för terrorattentat?” och “Hur använder människor copingstrategier för att hantera rädslan för terrorattentat?” För att besvara dessa intervjuades tre kvinnor och tre män mellan åldrarna 21 och 29. Resultaten visade att rädslan dels innefattade indirekt och direkt utsatthet samt känslor som sårbarhet och ångest. Rädslan var också kopplad till särskilda platser och situationer. Vidare identifierades också att deltagarna använde sig av känslo- och problemfokuserad coping samt undvikande beteende för att hantera rädslan. Dessa resultat bekräftas i stort av tidigare forskning. / Terrorist attacks often causes mass destruction with civilian casualties, it spreads fear and leads to severe consequences for those who are victimized. To handle the fear, people use different strategies. The aim of this study was therefore to contribute to a nuanced depiction of people’s fear of terrorist attacks and how they handle the fear. This was examined through semi-structured interviews based on three issues; “How do people describe their fear of terrorist attacks and what emotions are described in relation to the fear?”, “Why do people experience fear of terrorist attacks?” and “Which coping strategies are being used to handle the fear of terrorist attacks?” To answer these, three women and three men between the ages 21 and 29 were interviewed. The results showed that fear partially included indirect and direct victimization as well as vulnerability and anxiety. Fear was also linked to specific places and situations. Furthermore, was also identified that the participants used emotion- and problem focused coping as well as avoidance behaviour to handle the fear. These results are mostly confirmed by previous research.

Thesis (M. A. (Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2017. / This study endeavours to identify and describe the stress experiences of South African Police Personnel (SAPS) in a specific municipal area. The components of stress and related coping mechanisms are of particular interest in policing as much research indicates that officers suffer from stress related illnesses. The research was thus undertaken to determine what type of stressors affect police officers in the Greater Tzaneen Municipal Area, Limpopo Province, and what type of coping strategies they use. A quantitative approach utilising a cross sectional survey design was used for the investigation. Stratified random sampling was used to draw the sample of SAPS officers from the different police stations in Greater Tzaneen Municipal Area. Data was collected by means of questionnaires namely the Police Stress Inventory (PSI) and the Coping Inventory (COPE). Ethical considerations, as required by the University of Limpopo, were followed. Results included the fact that of the top ten stressors five were organisational stressors. This finding suggests that the South African Police Services in this area must provide interventions that reduce the effects of work related stressors. They should also recruit more female officers as the gender disparity is a notable one. Results suggest that no matter what age, religion, language, gender, marital status and rank, all respondents are alike in terms of the use of Avoidant Coping strategies. These are used to some degree however; the majority of respondents use Problem Focused Coping strategies together with Emotionally Focused Coping strategies. This suggests that the sample was able to handle negative stressors in a positive manner. It was concluded that a police force that reflects the general demographic of the area is more likely to provide a community driven workforce

In this study the researcher set out to determine the levels and the causes of workplace stress, as well as the consequences of stress in terms of witnessed and experienced aggression in the workplace, anxiety, depression, and worry for a sample of 205 subjects. To achieve this, the following tests were used: 1) Experience of Work and Life Circumstances Questionnaire, 2) the Aggression in the Workplace Questionnaire, 3) the IPAT Anxiety Scale,4) the Beck Depression Inventory, and 5) the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. The subjects’ ability to cope withexperienced stressors in relation to social problem solving was examined with the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised. The raw data were analysed by means of the usual descriptivestatistics. In addition, inferential statistics including z-tests, t-tests, analysis of variance and posthoc analyses (Scheffé) were conducted for the following groups: total group, gender, marital status, age, organizational type, qualification and position level. Results indicate that most of the subjects in the sample experienced normal levels of stress, indicating that the participants generally experienced their circumstances within or outside the workplace as satisfactory. Generally, the results also indicated that their expectations regarding their work situation were met. With reference to the consequences of stress, the total sample reported low levels of witnessing and experiencing workplace aggression, normal levels of anxiety, low levels of depression and worry. Good overall social problem solving suggests the ability to cope with demands and stressors within and outside the workplace. Generally, Pearson correlations indicated significant relationships between a) levels of stress as experienced by subjects and b) witnessed and experienced workplace aggression, c) anxiety, d) depression, e) worry and f) social problem solving. That most of the subjects in this sample were able to deal effectively with the demands and stressors placed on them, from within and outside the workplace suggests the ability to use effective problem-focused coping involving social problem solving which for most participants, was due to a positive problem orientation and effective rational problem solving skills. These findings may be useful as part of a stress management programme to help employees deal with stress proactively by becoming more effective problem-solvers. In terms of a salutogenic paradigm, and consistent with recent developments in positive psychology, the findings indicate that more attention should be paid to possible reasons why some employees appear to cope with stress more effectively than others. / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / PhD / unrestricted