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Dissertation - Fawn Walter.pdf (796.36 KB)

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Self-Compassion, Health Behaviors, and Cardiovascular Health

Walter, Fawn Autumn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent152741659353965

Abstract Details

2019, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for approximately 70% of all deaths worldwide [World Health Organization (WHO), 2017]. Specifically, cardiovascular and other preventable diseases account for 81% of deaths, and factors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and tobacco use are considered the most deleterious contributing behaviors (WHO, 2017). Health behaviors in emerging adults are particularly crucial, as lifelong patterns of health behaviors are frequently established during college-aged years (Goldstein, Xie, Hawkins & Hughes, 2015). Recently, some models of health behavior patterns for emerging adults, such as the self-regulation resource model (SRRM), have incorporated the influence of self-compassion (Sirois, 2015). The current study sought to elucidate the associations among self-compassion, health behaviors, and cardiovascular health biomarkers in emerging adults. It was hypothesized that self-compassion would be associated with healthier lifestyle behaviors, including increased engagement in physical activity, healthier dietary habits, less smoking, and better sleep quality. Additionally, it was predicted that self-compassion would have positive direct and indirect effects on cardiovascular health biomarkers. The current study was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional, observational study which included students recruited from Kent State University. Structural equation modeling, which included self-compassion, health behaviors, and cardiovascular outcomes, was initially used to test associations, such that self-compassion directly affected health behaviors and indirectly affected cardiovascular health biomarkers. However, the proposed partially latent structural equation model did not converge, and primary hypotheses were tested using six path analysis models. Results suggested that three of the final models adequately fit the data, but alternate models testing the null hypothesis also indicated adequate fit to the data. As such, the final path analysis models testing primary hypotheses were not retained. Future work should better elucidate the direction of associations via use of experimental designs implementing self-compassion interventions and longitudinal studies.
Joel Hughes, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Jennifer Taber, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jeffrey Ciesla, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Melissa Zullo, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
79 p.
Psychology
Self-compassion, heart rate variability

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Walter, F. A. (2019). Self-Compassion, Health Behaviors, and Cardiovascular Health [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent152741659353965

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Walter, Fawn. Self-Compassion, Health Behaviors, and Cardiovascular Health. 2019. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent152741659353965.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Walter, Fawn. "Self-Compassion, Health Behaviors, and Cardiovascular Health." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent152741659353965

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent152741659353965
516
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.