Affective and aggressive behavioral reactions to ostracism: the roles of socioeconomic status and perceived primary and secondary control
| dc.contributor.author | Petsnik, Corey | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Bailis, Daniel (Psychology) | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Cameron, Jessica (Psychology) | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Caza, Brianna (Psychology) | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Neel, Rebecca (University of Toronto) | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Vorauer, Jacquie | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-07-31T14:52:02Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-07-31T14:52:02Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-07-11 | |
| dc.date.submitted | 2024-07-11T20:09:56Z | en_US |
| dc.date.submitted | 2024-07-31T14:02:51Z | en_US |
| dc.degree.discipline | Psychology | |
| dc.degree.level | Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | |
| dc.description.abstract | Canadians are increasingly reporting feeling lonely, socially isolated, or ostracized. Yet, instances of ostracism and its deleterious effects may not be equally distributed across the population. Many segments of society, including those with low socioeconomic status (SES), may be both more likely to experience ostracism and more reactive to it. Thus, they may be especially susceptible to experiencing its detrimental psychological and physical effects. According to theory on the relationship between SES and perceived control this heightened reactivity may result because individuals with low SES (LSES) may possess a limited reserve of perceived primary control that is directly targeted ostracism. Alternative perspectives, such as the shift-and-persist model, suggest that LSES may actually be less negatively affected by ostracism as a result of relying on perceived secondary control. These competing predictions were tested in a series of six online studies (N = 4420). While direct evidence of divergent affective reactions did not emerge, ostracism indirectly predicted increases in negative affect and hurt feelings among LSES. Evidence of aggressive behavioral reactions was also minimal. However, tentative findings suggested that LSES may react aggressively if certain factors exacerbate the threat posed by ostracism. Contrary to hypotheses, this enhanced reactivity appeared to be driven by reductions in perceptions of secondary control. Notably, behavioral responses characterized by escape and perhaps centred on restoring secondary control through sense making are suggestive of adaptive coping that may ultimately fuel resilience. This complex pattern of findings underscores the importance of directly addressing factors that contribute to the exclusion and devaluation of LSES and suggests that social policy efforts aimed at combating increasing feelings of loneliness, isolation, and ostracism and maintaining the well-being of Canadians need to be attentive to the socioeconomic position of their targets and their unique motivations. | |
| dc.description.note | October 2024 | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Canadian Psychological Association Student Research and Knowledge Mobilization Grant University of Manitoba Tri-Council Top-Up Award University of Manitoba Dr. Richard Douglas Oatway Memorial Fellowship University of Manitoba Faculty of Arts J. G. Fletcher Graduate Research Award University of Manitoba Faculty of Graduate Studies Research Completion Scholarship | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/38344 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.subject | ostracism | |
| dc.subject | socioeconomic status | |
| dc.subject | control | |
| dc.subject | affect | |
| dc.subject | aggression | |
| dc.title | Affective and aggressive behavioral reactions to ostracism: the roles of socioeconomic status and perceived primary and secondary control | |
| local.subject.manitoba | no | |
| oaire.awardNumber | 767-2018-2044 | |
| oaire.awardTitle | Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program—Doctoral Scholarships | |
| oaire.awardURI | https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PG-CS/CGSD-BESCD_eng.asp#a3 | |
| project.funder.identifier | https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000155 | |
| project.funder.name | Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada |