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Social Psychology
Abstracts & Posters
Gender Role Stress, Self-Esteem, and the Unequal Division of Domestic Labour During COVID-19
Hannah Dupuis & Danu Stinson
COVID-19 has rapidly exacerbated pre-existing gender inequality in society (Collins et al., 2020; Alon et al., 2020). As women navigate changing roles as parents and employees during COVID-19, feelings of inadequacy may arise. Stressors during the pandemic have the potential to increase Gender Role Stress (GRS): The discomfort one feels for occupying a role incongruent with the socially determined ideal for their gender (Eisler et al., 1988). Further, those with low Self-Esteem (SE) respond to stressors by fostering partner dependence (Murray et al. 1009). Based on past research, I predict that women in relationships with men who experience heightened Gender Role Stress will engage in increased domestic labour relative to their lower-stress counterparts, and I expect this association will be stronger for those with low Self-Esteem. I recruited women who were married to men (N=293) from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants gave their demographic information (Mage = 40, 7% bisexual, 93% heterosexual) and completed self-report surveys evaluating perceived Gender Role Stress, Self-Esteem (Robins et al., 2001), and Feminine and Masculine Domestic Labour (DL) engagement. As predicted, results from the hierarchical linear regression found women with both high and low SE reported doing more Masculine DL as feelings of GRS increased, but this association was stronger for women with low SE. Overall, women reported an unequal distribution of DL for the majority of ongoing household tasks. This research may help explain why the wage gap appears to be entrenched in society and demonstrates the need for accessible childcare to support working women during COVID-19 and beyond.
COVID-19 has rapidly exacerbated pre-existing gender inequality in society (Collins et al., 2020; Alon et al., 2020). As women navigate changing roles as parents and employees during COVID-19, feelings of inadequacy may arise. Stressors during the pandemic have the potential to increase Gender Role Stress (GRS): The discomfort one feels for occupying a role incongruent with the socially determined ideal for their gender (Eisler et al., 1988). Further, those with low Self-Esteem (SE) respond to stressors by fostering partner dependence (Murray et al. 1009). Based on past research, I predict that women in relationships with men who experience heightened Gender Role Stress will engage in increased domestic labour relative to their lower-stress counterparts, and I expect this association will be stronger for those with low Self-Esteem. I recruited women who were married to men (N=293) from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants gave their demographic information (Mage = 40, 7% bisexual, 93% heterosexual) and completed self-report surveys evaluating perceived Gender Role Stress, Self-Esteem (Robins et al., 2001), and Feminine and Masculine Domestic Labour (DL) engagement. As predicted, results from the hierarchical linear regression found women with both high and low SE reported doing more Masculine DL as feelings of GRS increased, but this association was stronger for women with low SE. Overall, women reported an unequal distribution of DL for the majority of ongoing household tasks. This research may help explain why the wage gap appears to be entrenched in society and demonstrates the need for accessible childcare to support working women during COVID-19 and beyond.
Place attachment: The effects of relationship dissolution and coping strategies
Julie Archibald & Dr. Robert Gifford
This study sought to investigate how the dissolution of a romantic relationship affects an individual's place attachment, and whether coping through avoidance was related to lower place attachment intensity. We conducted an online survey using the Place Attachment Intensity scale, the Impact of Event – Revised scale, and a modified form of the Children's Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction scale. Sample size was N = 152, with 45 % female and 55 % male, and an average age of 37. Results indicated that experiencing a break-up does not predict place attachment intensity, while use of avoidance coping is related to increased place attachment intensity. Overall, it may be beneficial to conduct a replication study with a directional hypothesis, and to investigate potential beneficial effects of place attachment during stressful social experiences.
This study sought to investigate how the dissolution of a romantic relationship affects an individual's place attachment, and whether coping through avoidance was related to lower place attachment intensity. We conducted an online survey using the Place Attachment Intensity scale, the Impact of Event – Revised scale, and a modified form of the Children's Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction scale. Sample size was N = 152, with 45 % female and 55 % male, and an average age of 37. Results indicated that experiencing a break-up does not predict place attachment intensity, while use of avoidance coping is related to increased place attachment intensity. Overall, it may be beneficial to conduct a replication study with a directional hypothesis, and to investigate potential beneficial effects of place attachment during stressful social experiences.
Examining The Process of Recovery from Internalized Disability Stigma.
Kelby S. Mullin & Danu Anthony Stinson, Ph.D.
It is no secret that people with disabilities are often heavily stigmatized. Stigma researchers have a long tradition of focusing on populations with ‘unusual’ conditions - primarily disabled people. However, even though disability and stigma are intertwined, there is virtually no research looking at internalized disability stigma and its consequences (Silván-Ferrero, 2020). There is even less research examining the processes of management and recovery from internalized stigma (Meisenbach, 2010).
Internalized disability stigma occurs when a disabled person comes to believe negative cultural attitudes and stereotypes about their disability. This research will examine how different self-processes and dimensions of identity (such as belongingness, group-identification, and embodiment) help or hinder individuals with disabilities in their efforts to recover from internalized stigma.
University of Victoria students (n = 80), ages 19 and above (M = 23), who self-identified as having disabilities were recruited for this study. Participants completed a survey with a mix of closed and open questions examining: their identity and self-processes, perceived and experienced stigma, group identification, and methods used to facilitate internalized stigma recovery.
Because there is almost no existing research on this topic, the goals of this pilot research study were to answer the exploratory questions, “how do public and internalized stigma relate to psychological well-being?” and “how does stigma relate to embodiment?”.
Correlational analysis found that both forms of public stigma we examined were related to internalized disability stigma, and that internalized disability stigma had a strong negative correlation with self-compassion, embodiment, and general belongingness. A mediation model shows how public stigma only affects embodiment via internalized disability stigma.
It is no secret that people with disabilities are often heavily stigmatized. Stigma researchers have a long tradition of focusing on populations with ‘unusual’ conditions - primarily disabled people. However, even though disability and stigma are intertwined, there is virtually no research looking at internalized disability stigma and its consequences (Silván-Ferrero, 2020). There is even less research examining the processes of management and recovery from internalized stigma (Meisenbach, 2010).
Internalized disability stigma occurs when a disabled person comes to believe negative cultural attitudes and stereotypes about their disability. This research will examine how different self-processes and dimensions of identity (such as belongingness, group-identification, and embodiment) help or hinder individuals with disabilities in their efforts to recover from internalized stigma.
University of Victoria students (n = 80), ages 19 and above (M = 23), who self-identified as having disabilities were recruited for this study. Participants completed a survey with a mix of closed and open questions examining: their identity and self-processes, perceived and experienced stigma, group identification, and methods used to facilitate internalized stigma recovery.
Because there is almost no existing research on this topic, the goals of this pilot research study were to answer the exploratory questions, “how do public and internalized stigma relate to psychological well-being?” and “how does stigma relate to embodiment?”.
Correlational analysis found that both forms of public stigma we examined were related to internalized disability stigma, and that internalized disability stigma had a strong negative correlation with self-compassion, embodiment, and general belongingness. A mediation model shows how public stigma only affects embodiment via internalized disability stigma.
Generosity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Relative Autonomous Motivation in the Relationship Between Generosity and Well-being
Anisa Nasseri & Frederick M.E. Grouzet
Generous behaviour, although intended to benefit others, often has a profoundly positive impact on the giver themselves and has been shown to improve well-being in a variety of settings and diverse cultural contexts (Aknin et al., 2013; Chancellor et al., 2018). However, less is known about whether everyone can benefit to the same extent when engaging in generous behaviors. Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) posits that when individuals act based on autonomous (vs. controlled) motivation, they experience higher levels of well-being. Therefore, we hypothesized that the giver’s relative autonomous motivation would moderate the relationship between their generosity and well-being. University students (N=296) completed a survey on the number of generous acts performed in the month of December, their relative autonomous motivation towards generosity, and their well-being. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the moderation hypothesis. We found that both generosity and relative autonomous motivation predicted well-being, but that relative autonomous motivation did not moderate the relationship between generosity and well-being. This study contributes to our understanding of how well-being can be improved amidst a global pandemic when wellness has been declining due to isolation, stress, and anxiety (Dozois & Mental Health Research Canada, 2020).
Keywords: generosity, well-being, relative autonomous motivation, Self-Determination Theory, prosocial behaviour , COVID-19
Generous behaviour, although intended to benefit others, often has a profoundly positive impact on the giver themselves and has been shown to improve well-being in a variety of settings and diverse cultural contexts (Aknin et al., 2013; Chancellor et al., 2018). However, less is known about whether everyone can benefit to the same extent when engaging in generous behaviors. Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) posits that when individuals act based on autonomous (vs. controlled) motivation, they experience higher levels of well-being. Therefore, we hypothesized that the giver’s relative autonomous motivation would moderate the relationship between their generosity and well-being. University students (N=296) completed a survey on the number of generous acts performed in the month of December, their relative autonomous motivation towards generosity, and their well-being. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the moderation hypothesis. We found that both generosity and relative autonomous motivation predicted well-being, but that relative autonomous motivation did not moderate the relationship between generosity and well-being. This study contributes to our understanding of how well-being can be improved amidst a global pandemic when wellness has been declining due to isolation, stress, and anxiety (Dozois & Mental Health Research Canada, 2020).
Keywords: generosity, well-being, relative autonomous motivation, Self-Determination Theory, prosocial behaviour , COVID-19
The Transition from University to Post Grad Life: How Romantic Relationships Influence Adjustment
Kelsey Thompson and Dr. Kelci Harris
Stress Buffering Hypothesis posits social support as a factor that alleviates perceived stress, and thus, enhances personal wellbeing (Cohen, 2004). The present study investigates how social support from a romantic partner can mitigate the negative effects associated with the transition from university to life after graduation. Due to the well-established connection between romantic relationship involvement and wellbeing in the literature, and the central nature of romantic partners as a source of social support in emerging adulthood, our hypotheses treat romantic relationship involvement as a beneficial factor that will facilitate one’s ability to adjust after university graduation (Buhl et al., 2017; Li et al., 2014). Participants were senior undergraduate students at a Midwestern American university. In total, 231 participants completed both waves of the survey with wave two data collection occurring 6-9 months after university graduation. Participants were grouped into five relationship status categories based on their romantic relationship status at wave 1 and wave 2 of data collection. Post-transition adjustment was measured by comparing participants change in stress and wellbeing across the transition. We used linear mixed modelling to compare the participants adjustment trajectory for each relationship status category across the transition. Results indicated that wellbeing decreased for participants who experienced a breakup across the university to post graduation transition. Findings for the other relationship categories were not significant, perhaps because there is a plethora of factors beyond romantic partner social support that contribute to levels stress and wellbeing after graduation.
Stress Buffering Hypothesis posits social support as a factor that alleviates perceived stress, and thus, enhances personal wellbeing (Cohen, 2004). The present study investigates how social support from a romantic partner can mitigate the negative effects associated with the transition from university to life after graduation. Due to the well-established connection between romantic relationship involvement and wellbeing in the literature, and the central nature of romantic partners as a source of social support in emerging adulthood, our hypotheses treat romantic relationship involvement as a beneficial factor that will facilitate one’s ability to adjust after university graduation (Buhl et al., 2017; Li et al., 2014). Participants were senior undergraduate students at a Midwestern American university. In total, 231 participants completed both waves of the survey with wave two data collection occurring 6-9 months after university graduation. Participants were grouped into five relationship status categories based on their romantic relationship status at wave 1 and wave 2 of data collection. Post-transition adjustment was measured by comparing participants change in stress and wellbeing across the transition. We used linear mixed modelling to compare the participants adjustment trajectory for each relationship status category across the transition. Results indicated that wellbeing decreased for participants who experienced a breakup across the university to post graduation transition. Findings for the other relationship categories were not significant, perhaps because there is a plethora of factors beyond romantic partner social support that contribute to levels stress and wellbeing after graduation.
Seeking Advice From Parental Figures in Early Adulthood
Nicole Shisko & Dr. Catherine Costigan
Previous cross-cultural research reveals that the stage of emerging adulthood is prevalent across cultures, however, experiences during this time are culturally nuanced. Parental figures are a key support system during this period in many cultures. To our knowledge, our research is among the first to evaluate the relationship between values, advice seeking behaviours, and cultural background. Data from 256 participants between the ages of 18 and 29 living in Canada and the United States were analyzed. Participants provided cultural demographic information, recounted their most recent advice seeking behaviours regarding school, romantic relationship, career, and social relationship concerns, and completed the Cultural Values Survey. The more participants valued family, the higher their levels of advice seeking frequency, helpfulness, and advice implementation for school, romantic relationship, career, and social relationship matters. There was also evidence that stage of emerging adulthood related to the frequency of advice seeking regarding career matters. Finally, the value of conscience was found to be a better predictor of advice seeking frequency regarding career matters than cultural background. This research demonstrates that personal values underlie advice seeking behaviours; future research should be conducted to assess these relationships across a wider range of cultures.
Previous cross-cultural research reveals that the stage of emerging adulthood is prevalent across cultures, however, experiences during this time are culturally nuanced. Parental figures are a key support system during this period in many cultures. To our knowledge, our research is among the first to evaluate the relationship between values, advice seeking behaviours, and cultural background. Data from 256 participants between the ages of 18 and 29 living in Canada and the United States were analyzed. Participants provided cultural demographic information, recounted their most recent advice seeking behaviours regarding school, romantic relationship, career, and social relationship concerns, and completed the Cultural Values Survey. The more participants valued family, the higher their levels of advice seeking frequency, helpfulness, and advice implementation for school, romantic relationship, career, and social relationship matters. There was also evidence that stage of emerging adulthood related to the frequency of advice seeking regarding career matters. Finally, the value of conscience was found to be a better predictor of advice seeking frequency regarding career matters than cultural background. This research demonstrates that personal values underlie advice seeking behaviours; future research should be conducted to assess these relationships across a wider range of cultures.
D-Conform: Exploring the relationship between disgust and conformity
Evan Riggs, Tomiko Yoneda, & Mauricio Garcia-Barrera
Background: This pilot project will investigate the relationship between disgust sensitivity and conformity. Disgust is the primary emotional response underlying the behavioral immune system (BIS), which is a suite of psychological functions that have theoretically evolved as an adaptive response aimed at preventing transmission of pathogens. Based on the mechanisms underlying the BIS, we predict that disgust sensitivity will be positively associated with a tendency to act in conformist ways.
Methods: Participants will be administered the Disgust Scale-Revised and the Three Domain Disgust Scale. Conformity will be assessed through an online abstract art judgement task which will be accompanied by a placebo likeability score intended to elicit in-group bias. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) we will construct a latent variable of Base Disgust we will establish a measurement model intending to identify a latent variable of Base Disgust based on items from three of the disgust subscales. If the CFA indicates that the items appropriately reflect the disgust latent variable, we will use structural equation modelling to predict the conformity score derived from the art evaluation task. Participants will be recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk system (approximate N=300, age range=18-60). Our ethics application is currently under review at UVic’s Human Research Ethics Board.
Results: To Be Determined
Discussion: This research will serve to advance the understanding of disgust sensitivity on in-group conformist behavior. As most of the literature investigating disgust sensitivity and the BIS focuses on the inclination of individuals to demonstrate dislike and distrust towards outgroups members, this project addresses a prominent gap in existing literature.
KEYWORDS: Conformity, Disgust, Behavioral Immune System, Pathogen Stress Theory
Background: This pilot project will investigate the relationship between disgust sensitivity and conformity. Disgust is the primary emotional response underlying the behavioral immune system (BIS), which is a suite of psychological functions that have theoretically evolved as an adaptive response aimed at preventing transmission of pathogens. Based on the mechanisms underlying the BIS, we predict that disgust sensitivity will be positively associated with a tendency to act in conformist ways.
Methods: Participants will be administered the Disgust Scale-Revised and the Three Domain Disgust Scale. Conformity will be assessed through an online abstract art judgement task which will be accompanied by a placebo likeability score intended to elicit in-group bias. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) we will construct a latent variable of Base Disgust we will establish a measurement model intending to identify a latent variable of Base Disgust based on items from three of the disgust subscales. If the CFA indicates that the items appropriately reflect the disgust latent variable, we will use structural equation modelling to predict the conformity score derived from the art evaluation task. Participants will be recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk system (approximate N=300, age range=18-60). Our ethics application is currently under review at UVic’s Human Research Ethics Board.
Results: To Be Determined
Discussion: This research will serve to advance the understanding of disgust sensitivity on in-group conformist behavior. As most of the literature investigating disgust sensitivity and the BIS focuses on the inclination of individuals to demonstrate dislike and distrust towards outgroups members, this project addresses a prominent gap in existing literature.
KEYWORDS: Conformity, Disgust, Behavioral Immune System, Pathogen Stress Theory
Do Friends Help or Hurt? The Dyadic Effects of Friendship Networks on Romantic Relationship Maintenance and Satisfaction
Sandra Zhou & Dr. Kelci Harris
While romantic relationships are often examined in isolation, couples are embedded in social networks that can influence them in a number of ways. The emotional and tangible resources that friendships provide may influence couples’ behaviors. This study explores the impact that friendship networks have on romantic relationships by taking a dyadic approach to examine the association between the quality and size of couples’ respective friendship networks, perceived partner relationship maintenance, and relationship satisfaction. It was hypothesized that the quality and quantity of participant’s friendships would negatively moderate the actor and partner effects of romantic relationship maintenance behaviors on relationship satisfaction. A sample of 153 heterosexual couples and 150 queer couples in the United States and Canada completed paired online surveys. Mixed moderator actor-partner interdependence models were analyzed through multilevel modelling.
Results revealed that friendship quality and quantity does moderate the association between perceived partner maintenance behaviors and relationship satisfaction in some circumstances. Friendship quality was not a significant moderator for heterosexual couples. However, friendship quality had significant moderating effects for queer couples, suggesting that when perceived maintenance is low, an individual’s high quality friends can act as a buffer and promote relationship satisfaction. The impact of partner friendship quality varied depending on whether perceived partner maintenance was high or low. Friendship quantity also had similar patterns of significant interactions with relationship maintenance for both heterosexual and queer couples. These findings underscore the impacts of friendship in the lives of coupled adults. In particular, the discovery that queer couples are influenced by bothfriendship quantity and quality suggests that there may be differences in the ways sexual minority members construe and make use of their friendships.
While romantic relationships are often examined in isolation, couples are embedded in social networks that can influence them in a number of ways. The emotional and tangible resources that friendships provide may influence couples’ behaviors. This study explores the impact that friendship networks have on romantic relationships by taking a dyadic approach to examine the association between the quality and size of couples’ respective friendship networks, perceived partner relationship maintenance, and relationship satisfaction. It was hypothesized that the quality and quantity of participant’s friendships would negatively moderate the actor and partner effects of romantic relationship maintenance behaviors on relationship satisfaction. A sample of 153 heterosexual couples and 150 queer couples in the United States and Canada completed paired online surveys. Mixed moderator actor-partner interdependence models were analyzed through multilevel modelling.
Results revealed that friendship quality and quantity does moderate the association between perceived partner maintenance behaviors and relationship satisfaction in some circumstances. Friendship quality was not a significant moderator for heterosexual couples. However, friendship quality had significant moderating effects for queer couples, suggesting that when perceived maintenance is low, an individual’s high quality friends can act as a buffer and promote relationship satisfaction. The impact of partner friendship quality varied depending on whether perceived partner maintenance was high or low. Friendship quantity also had similar patterns of significant interactions with relationship maintenance for both heterosexual and queer couples. These findings underscore the impacts of friendship in the lives of coupled adults. In particular, the discovery that queer couples are influenced by bothfriendship quantity and quality suggests that there may be differences in the ways sexual minority members construe and make use of their friendships.
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