Thesis Title: Sociotropy-Autonomy and Psychological Distress among Students Living in Hostels
Author Name: Tehreem Javed
Supervisor: Afsheen Masood
Year: 2017
Degree: BS
Department: Institute of Applied Psychology
University: Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
Abstract
The present research was conducted to investigate the relationship between sociotropy-autonomy and psychological distress in students living in hostels. It was hypothesized that sociotropy-autonomy was likely to have significant relationship with psychological distress. Also, it was further hypothesized that sociotropy-autonomy was likely to predict psychological distress. Cross-sectional research design was used. The sample consisted of hostel based students (N = 300), selected from different universities of Lahore using non-probability purposive sampling technique. The age range of the student was 18 years to 21 years (M =19.80, SD = 1.03). In addition to demographic information sheet, Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale SAS (Clark & Beck, 1991), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983) and Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck & Mermelstein, 1983) were used for assessment. The data was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Multiple and Linear Regression analysis using SPSS version20. The results showed that sociotropy emerged as significant predictor of stress, depression and anxiety while autonomy was significant predictor of depression. There were significant gender differences in reported psychological distress implying the need to have better counseling services for the hostel based students so that they can focus efficiently into their studies.
Keywords:
Sociotropy-autonomy, psychological distress.
