Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Alan M. Gross
Second Advisor
Michael Allen
Third Advisor
Barbara Combs
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
High stress levels can have profound physical and emotional effects. Several coping mechanisms have been shown to decrease levels of stress. Values, a form of coping, have been implicated in reducing psychological and physiological indicators of stress. The behavioral component, committed action has also demonstrated treatment efficacy in ACT treatments of depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. However, few studies have examined the effects of values and committed action on acute responses (e.g., cardiovascular reactivity) to stress. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between values, committed action, and physiological responses to stress. Participants were 107 students from a public university in the southeastern region of the United States. The sample consisted of 33 males and 74 females ranging in age from 18 to 53 years. It was hypothesized that in the prediction of overall stress, committed action would account for variance beyond that of values. Similarly, in the prediction of both overall depression and anxiety levels, committed action would account for variance beyond that accounted for by values. Lastly, it was also expected that in the prediction of short-term changes in blood pressure and heart rate following a stress manipulation, committed action would account for variance beyond that accounted for by values. A series of hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted. As expected, committed action accounted for variance beyond values in the prediction of overall stress, depression levels, blood pressure (systolic), and heart rate. Contrary to expectations, in the prediction of anxiety levels, committed action did not account for variance beyond values. Results and implications of findings are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Crudup, Bianca Marie, "The Associations Between Values, Committed Action, And Cardiovascular Reactivity" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 830.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/830
Concentration/Emphasis
Emphasis: Clinical Psychology