This study explored how personal strivings constructs of Goal Conflict and
Complementarity and primary appraisal dimensions of Motivational Relevance
and Congruence (separately and in combination), related across time to
immediate and long-term effects of a stressful transaction. The study was
located within the transactional model of stress and integrated aspects of
motivational theory, focusing on the theoretical position that within the stressful
transaction the relationship between motivational factors and the individual
response to an event is mediated by cognitive processes, including appraisal.
Advances in transactional theory highlight the role of motivational factors (such
as personal strivings) as linked to primary appraisal in the form of Motivational
Relevance and Congruence. The utility of personal strivings in exploring the role
of motivational factors in the stress process were highlighted. Despite an
increasing theoretical focus on motivation and appraisal, research in the area is
limited. Data was collected for the study through the administration of
questionnaires to university students (N=152) prior to (time 1) and into (time 2)
an examination period. The questionnaires used a range of self-report
measures. Correlations, partial correlations and ANOVAs were used to analyze
the data. The findings indicated that Goal Complementarity and Conflict directly
influenced primary appraisal processes but not affective and wellbeing outcomes.
It was proposed that primary appraisal processes were the conduit through which
the impact of Goal Complementarity and Conflict were expressed within the
stressful transaction. The results also suggested the impact of anticipatory
Motivational Relevance which seemed to imply a highly “loaded” event with
negative affective and long-term consequences into the event. Subjects entering
the event wit h an “optimistic” demeanour indicated by high anticipatory
Congruence and positive affect had increased Congruence into the event with
consequent amplified positive emotions and dampened negative effects.
Subjects with high anticipatory Relevance and low Congruence across the event
had relatively higher scores on negative outcomes. High anticipatory Relevance
and Congruence was associated with negative immediate and long-term
outcomes into the event. High Relevance Congruence was generally associated
with a strong emotional response, which also elicited strong positive emotion as
the event unfolded. Subjects with low Relevance did not seem to hold as strong
an investment in the event and reported reduced emotions and symptomology.
These findings were discussed in relation to the stress, appraisal and motivation
literature and their limitations and implications were explored.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/5912 |
| Date | 24 December 2008 |
| Creators | Leibowitz-Levy, Stacey |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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