The Role of Physical Appearance in the Peer Acceptance of Emerging Adults Undergoing Chemotherapy

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Learning Sciences and Human Development

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Samples, Megan E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jessica Troilo
• Amy Root
• Laurie Theeke

• Social psychology
• Developmental psychology

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/464

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1467