Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes both ASU Theses and Dissertations, submitted by graduate students, and the Barrett, Honors College theses submitted by undergraduate students.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2
Filtering by
- All Subjects: Social Support
Description
Spousal loss is a common, significant life event that can negatively affect multiple facets of individual health and psychological adjustment. Social support is one factor that is shown to improve adjustment following spousal loss, but much less is known regarding which facet of social support is most predictive of positive adjustment outcomes following spousal loss. This study examined the course of changes in mental health and well-being following spousal loss and which facets of social support are associated with better outcomes following spousal loss. Latent growth curve modeling was applied to data from 265 widowed individuals, ages 65 and older, across four assessments (baseline, and 6-, 18-, and 48- months following spousal loss). I examined the following research questions: (1) adjustment following spousal loss will follow a trajectory of an increase in depressive symptoms and anxiety and decrease in well-being with a leveling-off over time, with between-person differences, and (2) emotional support and instrumental support given will lead to more positive adjustment outcomes over time. Depressive symptoms followed the hypothesized trajectory but anxiety and well-being showed relative stability before and after spousal loss. Instrumental support was the most beneficial facet of social support, such that receiving more instrumental support was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety 6-months following spousal loss. Giving more instrumental support led to an increase in well-being following spousal loss. Instrumental support given and received led to increases in well-being as a function of spousal loss. The discussion focuses on whether and how these findings can help to identify ways through which support and help can be given to individuals to improve adjustment to spousal loss and fully recover.
ContributorsSullivan, Colleen Elizabeth (Author) / Infurna, Frank (Thesis director) / Luthar, Suniya (Committee member) / Davis, Mary (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
The purpose of this thesis is to propose and make a case for conducting a study at Arizona State University examining survivors’ perceptions and recommendations for the University’s response to sexual assault. The first part of this thesis provides a comprehensive review of existing research and literature related to sexual assault in college, survivors’ help-seeking decisions, available support resources and services, and universities’ responses to sexual assault.
The second part of this thesis presents a proposed research study that uses qualitative research methods to examine ASU student-survivors’ views and perceptions of ASU’s sexual assault response and its effectiveness in order to develop survivor-informed recommendations for improving the University’s response to sexual assault. The second part of this thesis includes the methodology, recruitment materials, informed consent form for study participants, survey questions, semi-structured interview questions, general project timeline, and estimated project budget for the proposed study.
This proposed study has two primary aims. The first aim is to examine how ASU students, who have had an unwanted sexual experience, view campus support resources and their effectiveness and how they decide whether or not to utilize them. The second aim is to better understand survivors’ needs and help-seeking experiences in the aftermath of sexual assault to address ways the University’s response and resources can be improved based on survivor-informed recommendations.
ContributorsFanti, Christina (Author) / Boyd, Monica (Thesis director) / Robbins, Deborah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Arts, Media and Engineering Sch T (Contributor)
Created2022-05