Year
2008
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Arts in General Psychology (MAGP)
Department
Psychology
Department Chair
Dr. L.A. Foley
College Dean
Dr. Barbara Hedrick
Abstract
The present study investigated factors related to social connectedness and social support in a college population. Participants in the study were 486 volunteer students at the University of North Florida. All data were collected through a world wide web surveying program that allowed each participant to complete surveys on computers from any location. The surveys administered were the Social Connectedness Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Perceived Stress Scale 10, the Patient Health Questionnaire 15 (PHQ15), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale- Revised (CESD-R) along with a demographics questionnaire. Results show that participants in the ethnic majority group report greater social connectedness and social support than minority participants. Social connectedness is associated with perceived stress and health symptoms, even when controlling for other related factors. The impact of social connectedness on perceived stress explains the health effects of social connectedness, as perceived stress mediates the relationship between social connectedness and stress.
Suggested Citation
Whittaker, Sanya Sholetta, "Investigation of Social Connectedness in a College Population and its Relationship to Perceived Stress and Health Symptoms" (2008). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 314.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/314