Showing papers in "Sensoria: A Journal of Mind, Brain and Culture in 2005"

The Return of Subjectivity: From a Multiplicity of Selves to the Dialogical Self

Abstract: Psychology has been increasingly recognizing the multiplicity of the self. However, this recognition raises the problem of explaining how a sense of self-identity is achieved within a multiplicity of selves. Two theoretical orientations playing a major role in the study of the plurality of the self: the social-cognitive perspective, in which self is studied as an information-processing device, and the social constructionist framework, in which self is understood as a matter of social and linguistic negotiation. Nevertheless, it is argued that these orientations are still trapped in several epistemological problems and the final result leaves no space for subjectivity. Dialogism and the dialogical view of the self are presented as possible solutions for those problems. Conceiving self as a result of the dialogicality, unity and multiplicity appear as two contrasting, but united poles of a dialogical and (inter)subjective self.

Comparison of the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour in the Prediction of Dieting and Fasting Behaviour.

Abstract: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Health Belief Model (HBM), and a modified HBM including intention were compared in their ability to predict dieting and fasting. Female university students (n = 373) completed a survey assessing variables from the TPB and the HBM. Three months later, a subsample reported subsequent weight loss behaviors. The TPB predictor model explained 35% of the variance in follow-up dieting and 67% in intention. The HBM model explained 29% of the variance in follow-up dieting and the modified HBM model explained 38% of the variance in follow-up dieting and 57% in intention.. The TPB model for fasting explained 14.5% of the variance in follow-up fasting and 58% in intention. The modified HBM model explained 19% of the variance in follow-up fasting and 41% in intention. Results show all models were able to predict a significant portion in the variance of dieting and fasting follow-up behavior; however the variance explained in follow-up fasting increased when intention was added to the HBM model. Attitude measures were the strongest predictors of behavioural intention and intention was the strongest predictor of follow-up dieting and fasting in the TPB and modified HBM models. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Emotional Intelligence and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale: Relationships with Empathy, Attributional Complexity, Self-control, and Responses to Interpersonal Conflict

Abstract: According to Salovey and Mayer (1990), the construct of emotional intelligence refers to individual differences in the ability to process and utilize emotional information related to key areas of effective functioning in everyday life. In the current study, 170 participants completed measures of empathy, attributional complexity, self-control, and emotional intelligence (Trait Meta-Mood Scale; Salovey, Mayer, Golman, Turvey & Palfai, 1995). Participants’ responses to a recalled episode of interpersonal conflict were also coded as functional or dysfunctional. Empathy, attributional complexity and self-control were positively associated with aspects of the TMMS, and TMMS scores were negatively related to dysfunctional responses to interpersonal conflict. However, TMMS scores were not positively associated with functional responses to conflict. The findings are discussed in relation to the theoretical basis of emotional intelligence and the validity of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale.

Adolescent and Parental Perceptions of Interparental Conflict

Abstract: Research indicates adolescent adjustment problems are associated with high levels of interparental conflict. This study examined parents’ and adolescents’ perceptions of interparental conflict and the relationship of these perceptions to adolescent adjustment through a survey of adolescent secondary students and their parents. Sixty-two adolescents and 62 parents participated in the study. Adolescents completed three self-report measures of psychological adjustment, a demographic questionnaire and the Consensus and Cohesion subscales of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). Parents completed the same subscales of the DAS and a demographic questionnaire. There were no significant differences between the levels of interparental conflict perceived by adolescents and parents. However, adolescent perceptions of interparental conflict were a better predictor of adolescent psychological adjustment when compared to parental perceptions of conflict. The results of this study emphasise the importance of adolescent perceptions of interparental conflict, and provide support for both parental and adolescent reports of family functioning to be taken into account in future clinical studies.

Stress coping congruence: a tripartite conceptual framework for exploring the health consequences of effective and ineffective coping

Abstract: A tripartite model of relational (R), individual (I) and collective(C) self-aspects was applied to the process of coping with stress. Self-aspects, current sources of stress, preferred coping styles and two health outcomes, well-being and ill-being, were examined in a sample of 237 Australians. As predicted, self-aspects were found to guide preferences for particular styles of coping, but not sources of current stress. The match or mismatch between type of current stress and type of preferred coping differentially predicted health outcomes. When self-guided R, I and C coping styles were applied to corresponding R, I and C sources of stress, the congruence between stress source and coping style was associated with greater well-being. In contrast, the use of coping styles which were incongruent with sources of current stress appeared to be less effective. Mismatched stress and coping (e.g., the use of individual coping to deal with relational stress) was associated with greater ill-being. Separating sources of stress and styles of coping into individual, relational and collective domains appears to provide a promising new framework for exploring the health consequences of effective and ineffective coping.

Narcolepsy and disruption to social functioning

Abstract: This study sought to create an in depth understanding of the impact of living with narcolepsy (a disorder of excessive daytime sleepiness) through qualitative research. The study used an essentially phenomenological methodology. Twenty- seven participants (18 females, 9 males, Mean age = 54.30, range = 26-90 years) were recruited from medical files in Canada and the narcolepsy support group in Australia. Data were collected via an open-ended narrative inviting the informant to focus on the impact of the disorder and analysed thematically. The issue of social context emerged as a key theme in understanding perceptions of the impact of living with narcolepsy. A secondary theme was that narcolepsy was experienced as an invisible illness. Thus the impact of living with narcolepsy is embedded in the need to maintain acceptable social functioning (within family, friendship and work relationships) and, related to this, cognitive functioning. This is complicated by the often indistinguishable nature of the symptoms from behaviors that people without narcolepsy experience. Health professionals need to understand that narcolepsy differs from other illnesses in that its key impact is a disruption to normal social functioning.

An Exploration of the Impact of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Implications for Psychological Service Provision.

Abstract: Modern medical systems are changing to integrate a wider range of health professionals who can work together to manage total patient care. Health care is becoming increasingly based on the biopsychosocial model and incorporating greater focus on the psychological as well as the physical health of the patient. These changes in health care systems mean a larger role for psychologists and counsellors in the provision of holistic patient care. In the past, patients suffering from chronic illness received mostly biomedical interventions in their treatment programs. Increasingly however, patients with chronic illnesses who present to the medical community are referred for counselling and psychological treatment. This study focused on one chronic illness: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The study examined the psychological and physical impact of CFS on sufferers and on identifying which aspects of the illness impact most on patient’s coping mechanisms. Seventeen participants were recruited in a randomised recruitment procedure and given a semi-structured interview that focused on key events, significant illness effects and their impact. The results demonstrated that there are particular aspects of CFS illness that can undermine and overwhelm patients’ normal coping strategies and support systems. The implications for the provision of psychological services for CFS patients are discussed. A common goal of health research is to enhance health care provider’s knowledge of vulnerable populations in order to improve the quality of care provided to them (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1995). For example, women’s healthcare has been identified as an area underserved by the health care industry (Morse, 1995) and practitioners are advocating for holistic, biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual approaches to respond to women’s health care needs (Wallace & Tuck, 2000). Research indicates that women’s total well-being is influenced by all aspects of their lives and that women highly value engaging with health providers on a personal and sensitive level (Kettel, 1996; Morse, 1995; Trippet & Bryson, 1995). This research investigated the role and impact of counselling as part of primary care services and identified important issues for consideration when counselling individuals with chronic fatigue illnesses or other illnesses which have physical symptoms that are not externally evident. Due to the complexity of these illnesses, the external invisibility of symptoms and the fact they predominantly affect women (Donahue & Siegel, 1996) sufferers are considered to be at high risk for psychological distress.

Attachment and Perceived Rejection: Findings from studies of hurt feelings and the adoption experience

Abstract: Psychological theory and research suggest that human beings have a basic need to belong, and that perceived rejection is a highly aversive experience. This paper proposes that attachment theory offers a useful perspective on the nature and consequences of perceived rejection. Supporting evidence is provided from recent studies of hurt feelings in couple relationships, and of the relational concerns of adults who were adopted as infants. Studies of psychological hurt indicate that hurtful events commonly entail threat to positive mental models of attachment, as well as perceptions of rejection. Further, attachment dimensions are important predictors of the ongoing consequences of hurtful events for victims and for couple relationships. Perceptions of rejection are also thought to be important to the adoption experience, and to underlie the ongoing fear of rejection that many adoptees report. Data from our laboratory suggest that attachment insecurity is more prevalent in adult adoptees than in the general population, and that insecurity is linked to the perception that close relationships involve risk and hurt. Together, the findings support the argument that attachment principles shed light on the nature of perceived rejection: Attachment theory highlights the vital functions of human bonding across the lifespan, helps explain individual differences in responses to perceived rejection, and has implications for programs of intervention.

Critiquing the Requirement of Oneness over Multiplicity: An Examination of Dissociative Identity (Disorder) in Five Clinical Texts

Abstract: In the health professions there is widespread agreement that dissociative identity is dysfunctional and needs to be cured. This position is based on the assumption that the healthy self is unitary and therefore multiplicity must be disordered. The cure, a requirement of oneness, is integration: the multiple selves must be unified into a single, integrated personality. To uncover themes and assumptions of this dominant approach to dissociative identity, five main texts were examined. From the many discourses identified, two central discourses were selected for further exploration. This paper explores how the identified discourses construct individuals with dissociative identity and how they inform and limit psychological theory and practice. Being exploratory, this paper offers a platform for further in-depth deconstruction and critical evaluation of the underlying assumptions and implications.

Psychological distress and responses to blocked and random presentation of emotional Stroop stimuli : an online experiment

Abstract: There is an extensive amount of literature utilising the emotional Stroop task (EST) to investigate attentional processes underlying a range of psychological conditions. Relatively fewer studies have specifically examined the impact of different Stroop stimuli presentation methods (i.e., blocked or mixed presentation of words). The aim of this study was to directly investigate this issue using an online version of the task. After an initial practice trial, 117 Psychology students (19 Male, 98 Female) were randomly allocated to either a random or counterbalanced blocked condition. Demographic information and level of psychological distress (K10) were also collected. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between blocked and random conditions on attentional interference. Further analysis indicated that random presentation produced significantly higher levels of response latencies to emotional words in participants with high levels of psychological distress. These data add to the methodological debate surrounding the use of blocked vs. random presentation of Stroop stimuli. Implications of these results for assessing control and clinical groups using the EST are discussed.