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Dissertation
Social problem-solving as a moderator of explanatory style and health
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
May 2000
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00009571
Abstract
There is a considerable amount of research supporting a relationship between explanatory style (ES) and health outcomes. While this relationship is significant, the correlations are moderate at best, suggesting the likelihood of additional variables of influence. One potential moderating variable is problem-solving ability (Peterson & Seligman, 1987). Social problem-solving (SPS) is a construct that has been shown to be important in various clinical and theoretical areas such as depression, obesity, and cancer (Nezu, Nezu & Perri, 1989; Nezu, Nezu, Houts, Faddis, & Friedman, 1998). It has also been shown to have a moderating effect on negative attributional style and depression (Nezu, Kalmar, Ronan, & Clavijo 1986). Given Peterson and Seligman's proposed relationship of problem-solving ability to ES and health and the finding of SPS as a moderator of negative attributional style and depression, it is worth investigating the relationships among SPS, ES, and health. It is hypothesized that SPS will serve as a moderating variable of ES and health. The potential benefits from this research could lead to programs aimed at improving problem-solving abilities and to gain a more positive ES, therefore potentially increasing general health and decreasing the incidence and duration of illness. Eighty-three subjects completed measures of attributional style, social problem-solving ability, depression, stress, mood, and cold/flu symptoms over an 8-week period. Analyses of these data do not support a relationship among SPS, ES, and health. The variables that accounted for the greatest amount of variance in cold/flu symptoms were stress and mood. Given the correlational nature of the study, conclusions from these data are limited, but indicate that further research investigating the impact of psychosocial variables to physical health is warranted.
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Details
- Title
- Social problem-solving as a moderator of explanatory style and health
- Creators
- Joseph J. Trunzo
- Contributors
- Arthur M. Nezu (Advisor) - Drexel University, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002)
- Awarding Institution
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- x, 121 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University (1993-1996, 1998-2002); Clinical and Health Psychology [Historical]; School of Health Professions (1998-2000)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888741304721