Predictors of Psychological Flexibility as a Proxy for Mental Health in a Sample of College Students of Color and Clinical Implications for Disordered Eating

Abstract

This dissertation exploresconstituents of mental health within a sample of college students of color. Through the useof a positive psychology lens that is informed by a Thomistic virtue theory and Christian ethics, the present dissertation adds to the literature theoretical and empirical knowledge rooted in psychological, philosophical, and theological works that support a synthetic conception of the human person as it relates to mental health. This dissertation draws upon empirically-supported constructs of mental health and philosophical notions of virtue and character development to further understand human flourishing. Specifically, hope, mindfulness, and internal locus of control as well as related virtues and relevant individual differences, such as race, ethnicity, spirituality, and religion are discussed. In addition, the dissertation offers insight regarding one particular aspect of mental health, namely eating attitudes and behavior. Thus, examples of theoretical concepts and treatment implications for disordered eating are noted throughout the overarching discussion of mental health. Furthermore, the empirical component of the dissertation focuses on how certain factors that are known to influence health outcomes are predictive of psychological flexibility – a construct within the literature that is arguably a proxy for mental health. Stepwise regression analysissupported the hypothesis thathope, mindfulness, and internal locus of control are predictive of psychological flexibility for college students( R 2 = .40, p = .000). Moreover, correlational analyses showed an inverse relationship between psychological flexibility and disordered eating attitudes and behavior ( r xy = .24, p = .015) such that greater psychological flexibility was associated with fewer self-reported symptoms of disordered eating. Recommendations for future research, limitations of the current study, and clinical implications for the treatment and prevention of disordered eating are discussed. Finally, in light of the present empirical findings and the multidisciplinary conceptualization of mental health, this dissertation concludes with a proposed treatment modelfor persons struggling with disordered eating. The model describes how to cultivate the aforementioned aspects of mental health – within a clinical context – to become more psychologically flexible and simultaneously freer to pursue goals oriented toward human flourishing.