Moderator Variables in Life Stress and Illness Relationship

Abstract

The relationship between life stress and physical illness was examined for the effects of potential moderator variables: The Sensation-Seeking Scale, health Locus of Control Scale, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The Sensation-Seeking Scale proved to be a moderator with high sensation seekers (highest quartile) showing no significant correlations between life change and illness, while low sensation seekers (lowest quartile) showed a significant correlation. The Health Locus of Control Scale failed to differentiate between correlation levels for Internals and Externals. The Myers-Briggs provided several moderator variables. Introverts, Thinking and Sensing types showed larger correlations than their Extrovert, Feeling and Intuitive counterparts. The magnitudes and significance levels of these correlations suggest that the Myers-Briggs may have further usefulness in exploring the relationship between life change and illness.

Psychological and spiritual well‐being in college students

“…Rahe (1979) suggested that the presence of personal-modifying factors might reduce negative responses to stress induced by life change. Researchers have isolated such modifying factors as social sup-port, coping abilities, physical vigor, and locus of control (Jenkins, 1979;Lloyd, 1980;Cooley & Keesey, 1981). Lloyd (1980) pointed out the need for further research to investigate the relationship between life-change scores and indices of depression, as well as to identify factors that mediate this relationship.…”

Life Events, Social Support, and Illness

“…Social support may be one of the most important of these. Other researchers have found links between social variables, illness, and birth complications (22)(23)(24). Other researchers have found links between social variables, illness, and birth complications (22)(23)(24).…”

Quality of life and its correlates in a community population in a Japanese rural area

“…For example, when feeling upset, depressed, or anxious, people may see their health as poor, their life as unsatisfactory, 34,35 and themselves as less confident. It is also feasible that these are, to some extent, personality traits 36–38 . Their origin may date back to childhood experience, as well as to the present mental state.…”

“…It is also feasible that these are, to some extent, personality traits. [36][37][38] Their origin may date back to childhood experience, as well as to the present mental state. Thus, the second aim of the present study was to investigate correlates of each of these concepts in terms of: (i) present mental state, (ii) personality, and (iii) childhood experiences.…”