STRESS AND PERSONALITY HARDINESS AS RELATED TO GENDER IN STUDENT SELECTION OF A COLLEGE MAJOR.
Item
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Title
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STRESS AND PERSONALITY HARDINESS AS RELATED TO GENDER IN STUDENT SELECTION OF A COLLEGE MAJOR.
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Identifier
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AAI8713767
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identifier
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8713767
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Creator
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KASH, KATHRYN M.
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Contributor
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Morton Bard
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Date
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1987
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Education, Educational Psychology
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Abstract
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The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between stressful life events, hardiness and psychological impairment in college sophomores and juniors who chose majors that are considered typical (traditional) or atypical (non-traditional) for their gender. 163 males and females were administered a questionnaire which obtained demographic information and included measures of stressful life events, hardiness, anxiety and depression.;The data were analyzed according to the sex and major of the subject as well as whether their major was gender typical or atypical. Although significant correlations were found between stressful life events and psychological impairment, confirming earlier research, ANOVA failed to show a significant main effect between these variables. However, a significant main effect of hardiness on psychological impairment was found. Regression analyses revealed a significant interaction between stressful life events, hardiness and one measure of depression. This last finding supports previous work indicating that hardiness acts as a stress-resistance factor in the stress-illness process.;While there were no significant main effects for major or gender on hardiness there was a significant interaction effect between major and gender. Overall, students who chose gender atypical majors were significantly hardier than students who major in traditional fields. When looking at major and gender and psychological impairment, an ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of gender on psychological impairment. Females who major in gender typical areas were significantly more depressed and anxious than was any other group.;The theoretical significance of these results are discussed from the existentialist point of view in terms of sex-role stereotype behavior and how these factors influence vocational choice. References are made to theories regarding depression in women with particular emphasis on those women who chose traditional paths. Directions for future research include investigations of (1) personality hardiness with the cognitive style of field dependence-field independence, (2) hardiness and achievement, (3) individual and categorical stressful life events for gender typical and atypical majors, and (4) the developmental process of hardiness from high school through college.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
