Dissertation
Serious illness, coping, and quality of life: the roles of personality and sense of control
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Autumn 2022
DOI: 10.25820/etd.006781
Abstract
Prior research indicates that coping resources (i.e., personality traits and perceptions of personal control) alter the coping strategies utilized by seriously ill individuals and, ultimately, their quality of life (QOL) perceptions. However, none of the previous research has considered the potential moderating effect of sense of control on the relationship between personality traits and style of coping. Additionally, sense of control has not been considered as a confounding influence of the relationship between coping style and seriously ill individuals’ perceptions of QOL. Using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), this cross-sectional study examined the complex relationships among coping resources (i.e., personality traits and sense of control), coping styles (i.e., problem- and emotion-focused coping), and the QOL perceptions among a national sample of 333 seriously ill individuals living in the United States. It builds on the literature on coping in the context of serious illness by examining 1) the associations between personalities and seriously ill individuals’ style of coping, including the potential moderating effect of sense of control on the above relationships; and 2) the association between style of coping and QOL perceptions of seriously ill individuals as well as the potential mediating role of sense of control as the explanatory mechanism within the relationship.
Findings indicate that among seriously ill individuals, those who scored higher on personality traits of conscientiousness and openness to experienced used significantly more problem-focused coping. Problem-focused coping was also more frequently used when individuals had higher perceptions of control. Sense of control moderated the relationships between conscientiousness and neuroticism and utilization of problem-focused coping strategies. Concerning emotion-focused coping, neuroticism was the only personality trait that was significantly associated with increased use of emotion-focused coping. Sense of control did not moderate the relationships between any personality trait and the use of emotion-focused coping.
Regarding the second research question, problem-focused coping had significant positive relationships with both sense of control as well as QOL perceptions. Whereas emotion-focused coping demonstrated significant negative relationships with both perceptions of personal control as well as QOL. The findings suggested that sense of control fully mediates the relationships between coping style and QOL among individuals with serious illnesses.
Future studies examining the relationships between coping resources, strategies, and perceptions of QOL using a more culturally diverse sample are warranted, particularly in relation to the interactive effects of sense of control among individuals with neurotic personality traits. Additional insights related to factors interacting with openness personality trait to increase its utilization of adaptive coping responses would serve to expand the evidence. The current study’s findings also identify a potential point of interaction to enhance seriously ill individual’s sense of QOL. Through a comprehensive assessment of a seriously ill individuals’ coping resources, interventions targeting their perceptions of personal control can be initiated.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Serious illness, coping, and quality of life: the roles of personality and sense of control
- Creators
- Amy L. Lemke
- Contributors
- Man Guo (Advisor)Mercedes Bern-Klug (Committee Member)Shelly Campo (Committee Member)Keela Herr (Committee Member)Sara Sanders (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Social Work
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2022
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.006781
- Number of pages
- viii, 120 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2022 Amy L. Lemke
- Language
- English
- Description illustrations
- Charts, graphs, tables
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 104-117).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
Serious illnesses create challenges in individuals’ lives. It is not clear what is the best way to address these challenges and protect one’s sense of quality of life (QOL). Sometimes taking direct action is the most effective strategy. At other times, trying to reduce the emotional distress of a stressor is the most effective.
This study examined which coping responses helped maintain a sense of QOL. It also examined if personality and an individual’s sense of personal control predicted coping responses. The study also investigated if an individual’s sense of control explained the effect of the coping strategy on their QOL perception.
In this study, seriously ill individuals who were conscientious (i.e., organized, hard-working) or open to experiences (i.e., flexible, creative) used coping strategies that directly addressed a stressor. Individuals who were more emotional (i.e., neurotic) used strategies to reduce the emotional distress created by the stressor. Seriously ill individuals who felt they could address a challenge made plans of action or tried to see things in a different light. Individuals who did not feel empowered used strategies like venting their feelings or avoidance. When sense of control was average (or higher) in conscientious individuals, active coping increased. Sense of control did not affect use of emotional-focused strategies. However, taking direct action to resolve a stressor was associated with higher levels of personal control and, ultimately, higher QOL. But when emotion-focused coping strategies were used, individuals’ sense of control was lower and their QOL also suffered.
- Academic Unit
- School of Social Work
- Record Identifier
- 9984363058302771
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