Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2013

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

School Psychology

Major Professor

Sherry K. Bain

Committee Members

Christopher H. Skinner, Jeannine R. Studer, John W. Lounsbury

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation study was to explore the interrelationships between stress appraisal, self-efficacy, and psychosocial outcomes (i.e., resilience and self-concept) within the context of negative life events among college students. Participants (n = 220) were undergraduate students enrolled at a large southeastern university. Study participants completed the Life Experiences Survey (Sarason et al., 1978), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (Sherer et al., 1982), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (Connor & Davidson, 2003), the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale (Fleming & Courtney, 1984), and the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983). Two hypothesized models of multiple mediation were proposed to explain the relationships between these variables. Model 1 examined the relationship between negative life change and resilience as mediated by stress appraisal and self-efficacy. Model 2 examined the mediating relationship between negative life change and self-concept through stress appraisal and self-efficacy. The path coefficients for the models were estimated through Ordinary Least Squares regression using the INDIRECT SPSS macro with bootstrapping procedures (Preacher & Hayes, 2008). Significant indirect effects were found for stress appraisal and self-efficacy in both models. Results support a mediating relationship between negative life change and psychosocial outcomes through stress appraisal and self-efficacy. Future research recommendations and implications including potential interventions are discussed.

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