The relationship between defeat and entrapment and adolescent mental health and well-being

Maher, David (2018) The relationship between defeat and entrapment and adolescent mental health and well-being. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Objective: Perceptions of defeat and entrapment are becoming increasingly important psychological constructs within research and clinical work that is focused on understanding the aetiology of mental health and promotion of well-being. Defeat and entrapment have been shown to be associated with depression, anxiety and suicidal behaviour within adult populations. Within the research literature, there is an ongoing debate as to whether defeat and entrapment should be considered as separate or single constructs. This study sought to bridge two gaps in the literature, by investigating the extent to which defeat and entrapment are associated with mental health and well-being measures within an adolescent non-clinical population and to which extent they are best conceptualised as separate or single constructs.

Method:
In total, 280 secondary school pupils aged 14 to 17 years old (M=14.83, SD=0.7) took part in this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Participants completed the study at their respective schools within North Lanarkshire Council, Scotland and participation remained anonymous. Participants completed the defeat and entrapment scale along with a variety of mental health and well-being measures including depression, anxiety, suicidal and self-harm thoughts and behaviour, frequency of alcohol and drug use, stress, self-esteem, optimism and overall life satisfaction.

Results:
Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that defeat and entrapment show a better fit with a two-factor model indicating that they are separate but highly related constructs. Female participants and those who previously attended mental health services had significantly higher defeat and entrapment scores. Multivariate hierarchical regression analyses reveal that perceptions of defeat were associated with anxiety, depression and stress symptomology and inversely associated with optimism, however these relationships were not significant after controlling for entrapment suggesting mediation. Entrapment was associated with depression, anxiety, deliberate self-harm ideation, stress and inversely associated with life satisfaction.

Conclusion:
This research has been novel in exploring the conceptual relationship of defeat and entrapment and adolescent mental health and well-being. Strengths, limitations and clinical implications are discussed.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Defeat, entrapment, adolescent, well-being, mental health.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Rory, Prof. O'Connor
• Date of Award: 2018
• Depositing User: Mr David Maher
• Unique ID: glathesis:2018-30832
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Oct 2018 15:41
• Last Modified: 23 Jan 2019 13:34
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/30832