The Relationship between Coping Mechanisms and Life Satisfaction
Faculty Sponsor
Matthew Ringenberg
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Social Work
ORCID Identifier(s)
0000-0003-4482-6624, 0000-0003-0739-2986,0000-0003-4070-0557
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-23-2016
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of coping mechanisms used by undergraduate college students throughout academic years and compare an individual’s level of life satisfaction. Approximately 100 college students at Valparaiso University were surveyed using a questionnaire filled with a Likert Scale to rank how often the student participated in coping mechanisms listed by the research group. Erikson and the System’s Theory perspectives were intertwined in the previous studies regarding how interactions, such as human relationships, could make a positive effect in developmental growth and coping, and how effective the environment played a role in an individual's life. Researchers were interested on how the multiple regression determined which coping mechanisms were used most frequently in the different academic years tested (freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors). In addition, researchers were curious to how specific coping mechanisms were related to the individual’s level of life satisfaction, which was dependent on the scale measurement featured on the questionnaire as well.
Recommended Citation
Heisey, Ashley; McCarver, Meagan; and Standiford, Timothy, "The Relationship between Coping Mechanisms and Life Satisfaction" (2016). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 542.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/542
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Ashley Heisey, Meagan McCarver, and Tim Standiford are all social work majors at Valparaiso University. They had an interest in coping mechanisms among college students at the university. Additionally, they wanted to see how happy these students are with their coping. All three have had previous experience working with individuals and coping mechanisms in internships through the department such as in elementary school social work, behavior modification clinics, and day services for clients with dementia, respectfully. Future goals for the entire group include graduate school to become master level social workers.