Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
College of Education and Human Services
Department
Learning Sciences and Human Development
Committee Chair
Jessica Troilo
Committee Co-Chair
Amy Root
Committee Member
Laurie Theeke
Committee Member
Jessica Troilo
Abstract
Peer acceptance has been shown to influence the overall social development of an individual and physical appearance has been shown to be heavily influential in the overall peer acceptance of an individual. This study considered how appearing as if undergoing treatment for cancer impacted peer acceptance. A sample of 182 emerging adults (79% female; 21% male) evaluated four types of hypothetical emerging adult peers (a healthy male, a healthy female, a male who appears to be undergoing chemotherapy, and a female who appears to be undergoing chemotherapy. Results showed that the healthy female model had significantly higher peer acceptance scores compared to the healthy and chemotherapy male models. A positive association between microsystem exposure to cancer and peer acceptance ratings was also found. Clinical applications to foster more microsystem influences and future directions, such as use of video vignettes, are provided.
Recommended Citation
Samples, Megan E., "The Role of Physical Appearance in the Peer Acceptance of Emerging Adults Undergoing Chemotherapy" (2014). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 464.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/464