Year

2015

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)

Department

School of Psychology

Abstract

Research on adolescent coping suggests that the link between stressors and adolescent psychopathology lies in the coping style employed (Dumont & Provost, 1999; Lazarus & Folkman, 1987; Seiffge-Krenke, 2000). Psychological flexibility (PF) is a construct that is a form of coping and is increasingly being seen as an emotion regulation construct and a psychological vulnerability in the development of a range of psychological disorders (Boulanger, Hayes, & Pistorello, 2010; Kashdan, Barrios, Forsyth, & Steger, 2006). High PF employs mindfulness/acceptance strategies in the service of value-consistent behaviours. On the other end of the continuum, low PF involves avoidance/suppression strategies in the regulation of emotions, cognitions, and behaviour (Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999). Low levels of PF have been shown to be significantly associated with psychological distress, deficits in functioning, and deficits in relating towards oneself and others (Berrocal, Pennato, & Bernini, 2009). Various emotion regulation strategies used by adolescents can be conceptualized to involve processes inherent in PF (Hughes & Gullone, 2011; Neumann, van Lier, Gratz, & Koot, 2010; Silk, Steinberg, & Morris, 2003). Psychological flexibility is particularly relevant during adolescence since it is a period when adolescents are prone to experience high levels of negative emotions, low levels of positive emotions, and significant changes in their social support network (Helsen, Vollebergh, & Meeus, 2000; Henker, Whalen, Jamner, & Delfino, 2002). Decreases in PF have the potential to adversely influence the experience of negative and positive emotions and perceptions of social support. Reciprocal relationships between PF, specific emotions, and perceived social support (PSS) have not been investigated longitudinally before. The longitudinal relationship between these variables has the potential to contribute to a better understanding of precursors in the development and maintenance of psychological disorders in adolescence. This thesis examines the relationship between PF and specific emotions and between PF and PSS in adolescents in a two-wave longitudinal study and explores the temporal relationship between these variables.

Participants were 884 adolescents drawn from an on-going longitudinal study investigating social and emotional well-being. Students were surveyed in the second term of their third and fourth years (Year 9 and Year 10) of high school. The variables assessed in this study included PF, five specific emotions (fear, hostility, sadness, shame, and joy), and perceived quality and quantity of social support (PSS). Structural equation modelling (SEM) analyses were used to assess the measurement structure of the variables and a SEM cross-lagged design was used to determine the antecedent, consequence, or reciprocal relationships between (i) PF and each emotion and (ii) PF and quality and quantity of social support.

FoR codes (2008)

1701 PSYCHOLOGY, 170102 Developmental Psychology and Ageing, 170105 Gender Psychology, 170113 Social and Community Psychology

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.