SOCIAL SUPPORT AND WELLNESS AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

Abstract

In the present study, the prediction capacity of family and friends support, and wellness (spirituality self-direction, leisure, friendship, and love) on psychological symptoms (somatization, depression, anxiety, hostility) of university students were examined. A sample of 254 university students (208 female, 46 male) involved in this study. Brief Symptoms Inventory – Turkish Form (KSE), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), The Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle (WEL) – Turkish Form (HÖ) were used to collect the data in this study. The data were analyzed by Regression technique. According to Regression analysis results family support was found to be the best predictor for somatization followed by self-direction and love. Depression symptoms were best predicted by selfdirection, then by family support and friendship variables. The best variables for prediction of the anxiety symptoms were found to be self-direction, followed by family support. For hostility symptoms, the family support and the self-direction variables were observed to be the most significant predictors.

Keywords

• -

Psikolojik Belirtilerin Yordayıcısı Olarak Sosyal Destek ve İyilik Hali

Abstract

Bu çalısmada, aile ve arkadastan algılanan sosyal destek ve iyilik halinin boyutları olan maneviyat, kendini yönetme, serbest-zaman, arkadaslık ve sevgi degiskenlerinin üniversite ögrencilerinin psikolojik belirtilerini (somatizasyon, depresyon, anksiyete, öfke/saldırganlık) ne derecede yordadıgı incelenmistir. Çalısmaya üniversitede okuyan 208 kız, 46 erkek olmak üzere toplam 254 ögrenci katılmıstır. Veri toplama araçları olarak Kısa Semptom Envanteri (KSE), Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçegi (ASDÖ) ile yilik Hali Ölçegi (HÖ) kullanılmıstır. Veriler Regresyon teknigi ile analiz edilmistir. Regresyon analizine göre, somatizasyon belirtilerini en iyi yordayan degisken aile destegi, ikinci yordayıcı degisken kendini yönetme ve üçüncü degisken ise sevgidir. Depresyon belirtilerini birinci sırada kendini yönetme, ikinci sırada aile destegi ve üçüncü sırada arkadaslık degiskenleri yordamaktadır. Anksiyete belirtilerini en iyi yordayan degisken kendini yönetme, ikinci degisken ise aile destegidir. Öfke/saldırganlık belirtilerini ise birinci olarak aile destegi ikinci olarak kendini yönetme degiskenleri anlamlı olarak yordamaktadır.

Keywords

• -

References

1. Aydın, G. (1993). Olumlu kişilik özelliklerinin sağ- lık sorunlarının sıklığını yordamadaki rolü. Psikiyatri, Psikolojik ve Psikofarmokoloj Dergisi, 1(4), 313-325.
2. Badurova, R. (2005). Life events, perceived social support, somatic difficulties and diseases during pregnancy as predictors of prenatal maternal anxiety and depression. Ceskoslovenska Psychologie, 49(5), 399-411.
3. Bayram, D. (1999). Bir grup gençte ruhsal belirti ile sosyal destek ilişkisi. Yayınlanmamış Doktora Tezi, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi, İzmir.
4. Bree, VMBM., Passchier, J. ve Emmen, H.H. (1990). Influence of quality of life and stress coping behaviour on headaches in adolescent male students: an explorative study. Headache, 30(3), 165-168.
5. Brugha, T.S., Bebbington, P.E., Stretch, D.D., MacCarthy, B. ve Wykes, T. (1997) Predicting the short-term outcome of first episodes and recurrences of clinical depression: A prospective study of life events, difficulties, and social support networks. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 7, 298-306.
6. Brylinksy, J. ve Hoadley, M. (1991). A comporative analysis of wellness attitudes of “suicidal” and “at risk” college students. Wellness Persperectives, 7(2), 59-72.
7. Burke, R.J. ve Weir, T. (1978). Sex difference in adolescent life stress, social support, and well-being. The Journal of Psychology, 98, 277-278.
8. Canetti, L. ve Bachar, E. (1997). Parental bonding and mental health in adolescence. Adolescence, 32(126), 381-394.

9. Cheng, S.K. ve Lam, D.J. (1997). Relationships among life stress, problem solving, self-esteem, and dysphoria in Hong Kong adolescents: test of a model. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 16(3), 343- 355.
10. Chou, K-L. (1999). Social support and subjective well-being among Hong Kong Chinese young adults. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 160(3), 319-331.
11. Clark, A.A. ve Hovanitz, C.A. (1989). Dimensions of coping that contribute to psychopathology. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 28-36.
12. Cramer, S.R., Nieman, D.C. ve Lee, J.W. (1991) The effects of moderate exercise training on psychological well-being and mood state in women. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 35(4-5), 437-449.
13. Dağ, İ. (1990). Kontrol odağı, stresle başa çıkma stratejileri ve psikolojik belirti gösterme ilişkileri. Yayın- lanmamış Doktora Tezi, Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara.
14. Degges-White, S., Myers, J.E., Adelman, J.U. ve Pastoor, D.D. (2003) Examining counseling needs of headache patients: an exploratory study of wellness and perceived stress. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 25(4), 271-290.
15. Doğan, T. (2004). Üniversite öğrencilerinin iyilik halinin incelenmesi. Yayınlanmamış Doktora tezi, Ha- cettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara.
16. Dreikurs, R.R. (1953). Fundamentals of Adlerian Psycholgy. Chicago Alfred Adler Institute.
17. Eisengart, S.P., Singer, L.T., Fulton, S. ve Baley, J:E. (2003) Coping and psychological distress in mother of very low birth weight young children. Parenting Science and Practice, 3(1), 49-72.
18. Elliott, T. ve Marmarosh, C.L. (1994). Problem- solving appraisal, health complaints, and health-related expectancies. Journal of Counseling & Development, 72(5): 531-537.
19. Epstein, J.A., Griffin, K.W. ve Gilbert, J.B. (2002). Positive impact of competence skills and psychological wellness in protecting inner-city adolescents from alcohol use. Prevention Science, 3(2), 95-104.
20. Erol, N., Kılıç, C., Ulusoy, M., Keçeci, M. ve Şim- şek, Z. (1998). Türkiye Ruh Sağlığı Profili Raporu. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Temel Sağlık Hizmetleri Genel müdürlüğü. Ankara.
21. Franco, N. ve Levitt, M.J. (1998). The social ecology of middle childhood: family support, friendship quality, and self-esteem. Family Relations, 47(1), 315- 322.
22. Güngör, D. (1996). Turkish university students’ relationships with their friends and families: social support, satisfaction and loneliness. Yayınlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Ankara.
23. Hirschfeld, R.M.A., Russell, J.M., Delgado, P.L, Fawcett, J., Friedman, R.A., Harrison, W.M. ve ark. (1998). Predictors of response to acute treatment of chronic and double depression with sertraline or imipramine. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 12, 669- 675.
24. İmamoğlu, E. ve Yasak-Gültekin, Y. (1993). Öne- rilen dengelenmiş toplumsal birey modeli ışığında üni- versite gençliğinin sorunları:1982-92 döneminde yayın- lanan araştırmalara ilişkin bir değerlendirme, yorum ve öneriler. Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, 8(30), 27-41.
25. Jampol, R.C. (1989). Coping stress: the role locus control, appraisal and coping responses in adjusting to college. Dissertation Abstract International. 49a (10), 4545-B.
26. Jou, Y.H. ve Fukada, H. (1995). Effect of social support from various sources on the adjustment of Chinese students in Japan. Journal of Social Psychology, 135(3), 305-311.
27. Juang, L.P. ve Silbereisen, R.K. (1999). Supportive parenting and adolescent adjusment across time in former East and West Germany. Journal of Adolescence, 22(6), 719-736.
28. Kenney, J. ve Bhattacharjee, A. (2000). Interactive model of women’s stressors, personality traits and health problems. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32(1), 249-258.
29. Kuehner, C. ve Buerger, C. (2005). Determinants of subjective quality of life in depressed patients: The role of self-esteem, response styles, and social support. Journal of Affective Disorders, 86, 205-213.
30. Kuyken, W. ve Brewin, C.R. (1994). Stress and coping in depresssed women. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 18(5), 404-412.
31. Lackovic-Grgin K. ve Dekovic, M. (1994). Pubertal status, interaction with significant other, and self-esteem of adolescent girls. Adolescents, 29(115), 691-700.
32. Leech, S.L., Larkby, C.A., Day, R. ve Day, N.L. (2006). Predictors and correlates of high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms among children at age 10. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychiatry, 45(2), 223-230.
33. Lefcourt, H.M. (2002). Humor. (Ed.: C.R. SNYDER ve S.J. LOPEZ) Handbook of Positive Psychology, New York. Oxford University Press, s. 619-632.
34. Meehan, M.P., Durlak, J.A. ve Braynt, F.B. (1993). The relationship of social support to perceived control and subjective mental health in adolescents. Journal of Community Psychology, 21, 49-55.
35. McLewin, L.A. ve Muller, R.T (2006), Attachment and social support in the prediction of psychopathology among young adults with and without a history of physical maltreatment. Child Abuse&Neglect, 30, 171- 191.
36. Modrcin-Talbott, M.A., Pullen, L., Zandstra, K., Ehrenberger, H. ve Muenchen, B. (1998). A study of self-esteem among well adolescents: Seeking a new direction. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 21, 229-241.
37. Mosher, C.E., Prelow, H.M., Chen, W.W. ve Yackel, M.E. (2006). Coping and social support as mediators of the relation of optimism to depressive symptoms among black college students. Journal of Black Psychology, 32, 72-86.
38. Myers, J.E., Sweeney, T.J. ve Witmer, J.M. (2000). The wheel of wellness counseling for wellness: a holistic model for treatment planning. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78(3), 251-266.
39. Özgüven, H.D., Soykan, Ç., Haran, S. ve Gençöz, T. (2003). İntihar girişiminde depresyon ve kaygı belir- tileri ile problem çözme becerileri ve algılanan sosyal desteğin önem. Türk Psikoloji Dergisi, 18(52), 1-11.
40. Palombi, B.J. (1991). Psychometric properties of wellness instruments. Journal of Counseling and Development, 71(2), 221-225.
41. Paykel, E.S. (1994). Life eventsi social support and depression. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Supplement, 89(377), 50-58.
42. Pitkanen, T. (1999). Problem drinking and psycological well-being: a five-year follow-up study from adolescence to young adulthood. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 40, 197-207.
43. Rahl, R. (2003). Some sceptical comments on the relationship between social support and well-being. Leisure Studies, 22(4), 357-368.
44. Rosenfeld, L.R. ve Richman, J.M. (1998). Low social support among at-risk adolescents. Social Work in Education, 20(4), 245-260.
45. Sweeney, T.J. ve Witmer, J.M. (1991). Beyond social interest: striving toward optimum health and wellness. Individual Psychology, 47(4), 527-540.
46. Szabo, A. (2003). The acute effects of humor and exercise on mood and ankxiety. Journal of Leisure Research, 35(2), 152-162.
47. Şahin, N.H. ve Durak, A. (1994). Kısa Semptom Envanteri: Türk gençleri için uyarlaması. Psikoloji Dergisi, 9(31), 44-56.
48. Thompson, C.S. (2002). The Role of Control in Adaptive Functioning (Ed.: C.R. SNYDER ve S.J. LOPEZ) Handbook of Positive Psychology, New York. Oxford University Press, s. 202-213
49. Wentzel, K. (1998). Social relationship and motivation in middle school: the role of parents, teacher, and peers. Journal Of Educational Psychology, 90(2), 202-207.
50. Willls, T.A., Duhamel, K. ve Vaccaro, D. (1995). Activity and mood temperament as predictors of adolescent substance use: test of a self-regulation mediational model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68(5), 901-91.
51. Witmer, J.M. ve Sweeney, T.J. (1992). A holistic model for wellness and prevention over life span. Journal of Counseling & Development, 71(2), 140-148.
52. Yıldırım, İ. (1997). Algılanan sosyal destek ölçe- ğinin geliştirilmesi, güvenirliği ve geçerliliği. Hacettepe Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 13, 147-157. Vol: III No: 30
53. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal
54. SOCIAL SUPPORT AND WELLNESS AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS Türkan DOĞAN*
55. The above works introduce a theoretical framework which suggests that psychological
56. healthiness/unhealthiness is related to multiple factors,
57. however, there are no studies which investigate the
58. relation between social support and wellness. This
59. study inquires whether the level of support from family
60. and friends and wellness (spirituality, self-direction,
61. leisure, friendship, and love) predict the psychological
62. symptoms (somatization, depression, anxiety, hostility)
63. of university students.
64. The sample of the study consisted of 254 university students (208 female, 46 male) from Baskent University. The “Brief Symptoms Inventory–Turkish Form (KSE)”, The “Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS)”, The “Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle (WEL)–Turkish Form (İHÖ)” were used to collect data. The data were analyzed by Regression analysis.
65. According to the results of the regression analysis family support was found to be the best predictor for somatization followed by self-direction and love. Depression symptoms were best predicted by self- direction, then by family support and friendship variables. The best variables for prediction of the anxiety symptoms were found to be self-direction, followed by family support. For hostility symptoms, the family support and the self-direction variables were observed the most significant predictors.
66. Regression analysis has shown that “family support” is an important variable in predicting the psychological symptoms. This result is consistent with the results from studies of İmamoğlu and Yasak- Gültekin (1993), Güngör (1996), Canetti and Bachar (1997), Wentzel (1998) and Bayram (1999). There are also other studies in the literature (Chou, 1999; Juang and Silbereisen, 1999) which show significant relation between depression and support from family and friends further corroborating the results of this study.