Thesis (M. Psych. Sport. & Ex.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

No description available.

Med den här studien har jag velat fördjupa mig i unga kvinnors livssituation och vad som upplevs som de största stressfaktorerna. Syftet var att se hur unga kvinnors psykiska hälsa och självbild påverkas av förväntningar och krav, samhälleliga strukturer och förhållanden samt eventuella konsekvenser av detta. Jag ville även titta närmare på hur kvinnors livsvillkor ser ut, och vad det är i just deras situation som gör att deras psykiska hälsa blir drabbad. Det empiriska material jag använt mig av består av resultatet av skriftliga undersökningar som gjorts av fem stycken kvinnor i ålder 25-30 år, där de bland annat ombads reflektera över vad som gör dem stressade, vilka krav de upplever i samband med stress och vilka eventuella skillnader det finns mellan manlig och kvinnlig stress. De slutsatser jag kunnat dra utifrån min undersökning är att kvinnor blir stressade på grund av alla de olika förväntningar och krav som ställs på dem, vilket gör att de olika bilderna (som är konstruktioner) av hur en kvinna bör vara kolliderar. Således verkar den kanske största stressen för kvinnor idag vara att inte veta vilken som är deras roll, och därför måste de istället vara duktiga på allt. Konsekvenserna av stressen blir bland annat att kvinnor ständigt går runt och känner sig otillräckliga – i sin yrkesroll, i sina relationer och i kontrollen av den egna kroppen. När det gäller stress ur ett jämställdhetsperspektiv så brukar man tala om att man går in i väggen, men när det gäller jämställdhetsutvecklingen idag så verkar det istället som om att många kvinnor snarare slår huvudet i det berömda taket i sin iver att bli jämställda med männen. Kvinnor blir stressade för att jämställdhet inte råder i dagens samhälle, men de verkar bli ännu mer stressade av sin iver att försöka bli jämställda.

No description available.

Research has consistently shown an association between the personality trait of perfectionism and a variety of emotional, psychological, and interpersonal difficulties. Using a longitudinal design, the present investigation aimed to examine the validity of a diathesis-stress model linking perfectionism to specific psychopathological symptoms in a large sample of university students. The specific stress processes of stress enhancement and stress generation were examined as potential mechanisms linking perfectionism with emotional maladjustment (see Hewitt & Flett, 2002). In addition, two different frameworks for conceptualizing perfectionism were tested: (1) a multidimensional framework by Hewitt and Flett (1991) which posits that perfectionistic tendencies and behaviours are influenced both by intrapersonal and interpersonal factors, and (2) a adaptive-maladaptive perfectionism typology (Frost et al., 1993) which posits the existence of both a positive and a negative form of perfectionism. Results of this investigation indicated that particular dimensions of perfectionism were directly predictive of stress enhancement. In addition, particular dimensions of perfectionism were also predictive of stress generation, albeit indirectly via the experience of general negative affect. Finally, perfectionism was indeed predictive of increases in emotional maladjustment over time. More specifically, particular perfectionism dimensions were directly predictive of psychopathological symptoms, while other dimensions were only predictive of symptoms via their interactions with relevant measures of life stress (i.e., via a diathesis-stress interaction). The results of the present investigation do not support the adaptive-maladaptive perfectionism typology in that the measure of adaptive perfectionism used was predictive of both stress and psychopathological symptoms. The results of this study are more consistent with the perfectionism framework highlighting intrapersonal-interpersonal dimensions. Overall, the results of this study suggest that a diathesis-stress model provides a fruitful framework from which to investigate perfectionism and its relation to psychopathology. / Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2007-10-10 20:09:19.604

Policing is widely recognized as a stressful occupation due to the long and unpredictable hours, potential for violence and danger involved in regular patrol duties, as well as the demanding nature of the organization. All of these factors can place extreme levels of stress on officers and test their ability to cope. The main goal of the present study was to explore the experiences of Canadian officers and their spouses concerning policing stress and how they manage that stress, both individually and as a couple through the lens of their relationship. Using a qualitative narrative approach, couples were interviewed together to share their perspectives on the most stressful aspects of policing, as well as the positive (healthy) and negative (unhealthy) coping strategies used individually and jointly by officers and their intimate partners to manage work-related stress. A wide variety of sources of policing stress were discussed by the couples. Both individual and family-oriented stress management strategies were identified. Recommendations for future research and for policy and practice based on the findings from the present study were also discussed.

The central aim of the thesis is to examine and resolve some of the fundamental theoretical and methodological problems in stress research. Two interdependent means of realising this aim are adopted. The first involves a critical analysis of research practices, the building of a theoretical framework, and the development of methodologies. The second assesses these methodologies by using them to explore affect and symptom reporting in computer-supported work. In order to perform a critical analysis of stress research the key variables are reviewed. Methodological problems encountered in the measurement of each variable are examined, and theory implicit in their measurement is discussed. Existing explicit theories of stress are considered and found to be inadequate. A rational approach to theory building, which takes account of the complexity of stress phenomena is adopted. A theoretical framework of Adaptive Action Control is presented, synthesized from a number of theories, including action theory and motivational control theory. The meaning and measurement of variables within this framework is discussed. Three empirical studies are reported, and their results considered both in terms of their research findings, and wider implications for methodology. The first study is exploratory, using cross-sectional questionnaire methodology typical of much stress research. Several variables were found to be associated with symptom reporting, but the nature of these methodologies make interpretation of the results difficult. In contrast, the next two studies use theory-based diary methodologies and measures of hassles and affect. Different patterns of associations between variables were found for different dimensions of affect and types of hassles. Few effects of computer use were found. The diary methodologies were shown to be useful, and provided indirect support for the theoretical framework. Future development of the framework and its implications for stress research and the relationships between theory and methodology are discussed.

No description available.