Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The stress-mental health relationship: social support and physical activity as moderators in adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Scott, Haleigh Morgan

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between stress and mental health in both the general population and individuals with intellectual disability (ID). In the general population social support and physical activity have both been shown to have an ameliorating effect upon this relationship, but little research has addressed this topic in adults with ID or examined the gender differences that may be present in social support. This study examines the effects of social support, gender, and physical activity on the stress-mental health relationship in adults with ID. A nationally representative sample from a preexisting dataset, the National Core Indicators was used to examine these factors. Mental health was conceptualized as both mental illness and behavior problems, as both play an important role in the overall health and wellness of individuals with ID. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the predictive power of social support, gender and physical activity on both mental illness and severity of behavior problems. Stress was a significant predictor of both mental illness and severity of behavior problems, with each additional stressor increasing the odds of poor mental health by 20%. This relationship held, even after controlling for level of ID, gender and place of residence. Though a lack of social support was a strong predictor of having a mental illness, individuals who lacked social support were twice as likely to have a mental illness, it was not a predictor of behavior problems nor did gender affect social support. Physical activity was a predictor of behavior problems but not a predictor of mental illness. The results of this study suggest that stress is an important variable that should be considered a part of the assessment of both mental illness and behavior problems. This study also suggests that while both mental illness and behavior problems are similarly impacted by stress, social support may play a different role in each of these factors. Implications for treatment and assessment of mental health concerns are discussed and directions for future research suggested.
Susan M. Havercamp, PhD (Advisor)
Betsey A. Benson, PhD (Committee Member)
Marc J. Tasse, PhD (Committee Member)
58 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Scott, H. M. (2012). The stress-mental health relationship: social support and physical activity as moderators in adults with Intellectual Disabilities [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343228319

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Scott, Haleigh. The stress-mental health relationship: social support and physical activity as moderators in adults with Intellectual Disabilities. 2012. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343228319.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Scott, Haleigh. "The stress-mental health relationship: social support and physical activity as moderators in adults with Intellectual Disabilities." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1343228319

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)