Contact Disturbances, Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction of University Students: A Structural Equation Modelling Study
Abstract
Problem
Statement: A
literature analysis revealed that contact disturbances, self-esteem and life
satisfaction have been examined in different studies separately. In particular,
the researchers observed that the studies conducted on Gestalt contact
disturbances are limited in number. In this study, the variables of contact
disturbances, self-esteem and life satisfaction have been examined all
together, and their correlations with one another will be examined though path
analysis in the structural equality model.
Purpose of Study: The aim of
the study is to test the model developed in order to determine whether there is
a causal relationship among contact disturbances, self-esteem and life
satisfaction of university students.
Method: This study
utilised a qualitative and relational model to examine the correlations among
variables. Data for the study was collected through the Gestalt Contact
Disturbances Scale, the Short Form of Coopersmith’s Self-Esteem Inventory and
the Life Satisfaction Scale. The data were analysed using SPSS and LISREL
programs. Students in the research group were composed of a total of 414
students (290 females and 124 males) studying in various departments of the
faculty of education of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University.
Findings: The
standardised path values were found to be 0.18 and 0.75 between the contact
disturbances potential variables and self-esteem, and 0.61 between the
self-esteem potential variable and the life satisfaction potential variable.
When the model was tested it was observed that statistically significant
correlations were present between contact level and self-esteem (t = -3.42,
p<.05), full contact level and self-esteem (t = -8.96, p<.05), dependent
contact level and self-esteem (t = 3.14, p<.05), post-contact level and
self-esteem (t = 2.35, p<.05), and self-esteem and life satisfaction (t =
8.81, p<.05).
Conclusion and
Suggestions: The
structural model developed based on the causal correlations between contact
disturbances, self-esteem and life satisfaction was verified. The researcher
also observed that the fit indices of the structural model developed generally
met the acceptance value conditions; t values of correlations among all values
were significant. Researchers can develop models by using Gestalt contact
disturbances and different concepts and can carry out comparative studies by
examining Gestalt contact disturbances of different ages and professional
groups. Furthermore, psychological counsellors who apply Gestalt therapy can
use the Gestalt contact disturbances scale in their studies.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
-
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
April 15, 2015
Submission Date
April 15, 2015
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2015 Volume: 15 Number: 59