Plater, Sharon Ann2024-08-152024-08-1519821982https://hdl.handle.net/1828/19320Research indicates that many variables influence physiological and psychological responses to stress. Two such variables, type of stressor and cognitive processes were the focus of this study. One purpose of the study was to determine the degree of relationship between major and minor life events and the respective ability of each to account for variance in physical and psychological reactions to stress. A second purpose was to ascertain the role of self-statements in the relationship between stress and symptomology. In a similar view, a third purpose involved assessing the degree to which coping strategies discriminate between adaptive and maladaptive reactions to stress. The fourth and final purpose of the study was to determine the degree of rela­tionship between self-statements and coping strategies. Sixty-two female subjects ranging in age from 17 to 60 were recruited from five education and support oriented community groups . Subjects completed four questionnaires: The Life Experiences Survey, The Hassles Scale, Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the Physical Concerns Scale. In addition, information regarding stressful occurrences, self-talk patterns and coping strategies was obtained through written journal entries. In general, it was found that major and minor life (hassles) events were significantly related. Hassles accounted for a greater proportion of variance in adapta­tional outcomes, and most of the variance due to major life events was subsumed under that related to hassles. Several aspects of self-statements and coping strategies were found to be significantly related. Only two of five coping strategies exerted a significant effect on the stress-symptomology relationship. In no instance did self­-statements discriminate significantly between individuals who effectively or ineffectively handled stressful encounters.182 pagesAvailable to the World Wide WebThesis