The vast majority of theses in this collection are open access and freely available. There are a small number of theses that have access restricted to the WWU campus. For off-campus access to a thesis labeled "Campus Only Access," please log in here with your WWU universal ID, or talk to your librarian about requesting the restricted thesis through interlibrary loan.

Date Permissions Signed

7-17-2016

Date of Award

Summer 2016

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

McLean, Kate C.

Second Advisor

Lehman, Barbara J.

Third Advisor

Hyman, Ira E.

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to broaden research on how narrative processes relate to well-being by examining narratives of an ongoing challenge in a novel context - living with a chronic health problem- as narrative researchers have focused primarily on discrete past events. By studying self-defining illness memories of a sample of midlife adults living with chronic health problems, I was able to examine the relation between narrative processes and well-being in the context of an ongoing event. Results indicate, as hypothesized, that both positive resolution and agency were associated with well-being. However, in contrast to my hypothesis, the narrative processes did not mediate the relation between physical health and well-being. These findings have implications both for the study of narrative processes as well as for individuals living with chronic health problems.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/rfas-7m95

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

953833691

Subject – LCSH

Narrative inquiry (Research method); Narrative therapy; Identity (Psychology); Chronic diseases--Psychological aspects; Well-being--Psychological aspects

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS