Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• ARMAS-CARDONA, REGINA

Titel

ANGLO AND RAZA YOUNG WOMEN: A STUDY OF SELF-ESTEEM, PSYCHIC DISTRESS AND LOCUS OF CONTROL

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

1985

Link zum Volltext

• ProQuest

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This study is a cross-cultural investigation of young Anglo and Raza women, focusing on self-concept, self-esteem, psychic distress and locus of control. A probability sample of 336 women between the ages of 18-24 was selected, using a random digit dialing procedure. Sample-to-population comparisons were done on socio-economic status and age, in order to test the adequacy of the sample. A number of hypotheses were tested that challenge some of the stereotypes prevalent in the literature about women in general and Raza women in particular. Based on the literature, it was predicted that significant differences would be found between the two groups of women on (a) self-reported personality traits, (b) self-esteem, and (c) psychic distress. Also it was predicted that for both groups of women, significant relationships would be found between locus of control and each of the principal measures. It was found that approximately 50% of the Raza sample was of mixed heritage, i.e., one parent was Raza and the other was Anglo. The sample then was divided into three groups: Anglo, half Raza and full Raza women. The hypotheses were tested on the three groups, using one way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficients. Contrary to the hypotheses, virtually no differences were found among the three groups on any of the principal measures; however, the half Raza women did report having significantly higher levels of somatic complaints than did the other two groups. Greater differences among the three groups emerged when the relationship of locus of control to the principal variables was examined. Among the Anglo women, locus of control correlated significantly with self-reported personality traits, psychic distress, and, to a lesser extent, self-esteem. Among the half Raza women, locus of control correlated significantly only with the dependency dimension of self-perceived personality traits and with the depression dimension for psychic distress. For the full Raza women, virtually no significant relationships were found between locus of control and any of the principal measures. Few hypotheses were confirmed, contrary to the prevailing literature. Interpretations of the findings are presented, based on the socio-political history of each group.