Advisor(s)

Barbara F. Okun

Contributor(s)

Deborah F. Greenwald, Martin LaRoche

Date of Award

2008

Date Accepted

1-2008

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department or Academic Unit

Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Department of Counseling and Applied Educational Psychology.

Keywords

Psychology, Rural United States, Worldview

Subject Categories

Rural health services--Maine, Individuality--Maine, Collectivism--Maine

Disciplines

Psychiatry and Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of individualistic and collectivist influences within a rural sample population in northern Maine. There is not a significant amount of research on the mental health needs of rural populations in the United States. Moreover, no current studies have assessed worldview variables in relation to rural American populations. Worldview variables may be significant factors in the way that people understand who they are and who others are. In addition, worldview may connect to behaviors that may ultimately influence mental health. The values of specific interest in this research were individualism (a self-orientation with focus on the individual) and collectivism (a self-orientation with focus on relationships with others). Individuals tend to have a prevalence of one orientation over another, even while having tendencies towards both. A total of 114 Maine residents responded to a survey, obtained through solicitation of various means in rural communities. The survey consisted of: 1) assessing demographic information, 2) two measures examining worldview variables of individualism and collectivism. Of the total number of respondents, 88 adults met all selection criteria in order to be included in the final sample. Results indicated that this sample reported lower levels of idiocentrism than normative comparisons, and no statistically significant findings involving allocentrism. No significant correlation was found among variables of egocentrism (individualistic indicator) or sociocentrism (collectivistic indicator). Among demographic variables, there were no overriding patterns found with regard to worldview orientation, although certain variables did hold stronger relationships with individualism and collectivism. The findings of this study and its implications for the field of psychology are discussed through an ecological lens.

Document Type

Dissertation

Rights Holder

Stephanie Helena Poplock


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