EFFECTS OF SELF-COHERENCE, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND COPING ACTIONS ON ADAPTIVE PROCESSES AMONG INFERTILE WOMEN.
Contributors: Case Western Reserve University.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 199
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.
Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among self-coherence, social support, and coping and the effects of these factors on adaptation; assessed by quality of life satisfaction and changes in social, sexual, and marital functioning. To accomplish this purpose, a causal model was developed based upon Caplan's (1964) conceptualizations on social support, Lazarus's (1981) conceptualizations on coping and adaptation, and on Budd's (1985) theoretical formulation of self-coherence.

A random sample (n = 69) comprised predominately of caucasian, middle-class, professional women in their early to late thirties diagnosed as having a primary infertility problem and who had been involved in treatment ranging anywhere from six months to more than 5 years were utilized in the testing of the model. Subjects were required to complete eight structured questionnaires: the Demographic Data Questionnaire, the shortened version of the Self-Coherence Survey (SCS), the Personal Resource Questionnaire-Part II (PRQ-Part II), the Coping Scale, the generic version of the Quality of Life Index (QLI), the Relationship Change Scale (RCS), and Family and Friends Subscale of the Infertility Problem Inventory (IPI), and the Intimate Relationship Scale (IRS). Measurements of central tendency and internal consistency reliability estimates were computed on all instruments.

Data was analyzed by pearson product moment correlation techniques and by path analysis, implementing multiple regression procedures. Results indicated that individuals who possessed self-coherence also possessed strong support systems. Individuals with self-coherence also experienced less disruption in their interpersonal interactions with family members, close friends, and spouse and more satisfaction in their personal life. Individuals with strong social support systems expressed satisfaction with their present situation and with interpersonal interactions with their spouse.

Individuals with self-coherence were more likely to employ problem oriented coping methods in dealing with the stressors associated with their infertility; while individuals with strong social support utilized more affective oriented coping actions. Coping actions had an impact on the social and marital interactions of the infertile women. No relationship, however, was supported between coping actions and life satisfaction and coping actions and sexual functioning.

Comparison of findings between two subsample groups, based upon time spent in treatment, revealed that self-coherence had more of a pervasive influence on the adaptive functioning of women who had been involved in treatment for three years or less.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-03, Section: B, page: 0904.

Thesis (PH.D.)--CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (HEALTH SCIENCES), 1988.

School code: 0499.