Contact Disturbances, Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction of University Students: A Structural Equation Modelling Study

Year 2016, Volume: 16 Issue: 62, 0 - 0, 15.02.2016

Ozlem Tagay

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.
Key Words: Gestalt, contact disturbances, self-esteem, life satisfaction.