Effects of signal control gender and self-efficacy on perceived control signal utility and biofeedback-mediated relaxation levels
Year: 1995
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The Effects of Signal Control, Gender, and Self-Efficacy on Perceived Control, Signal Utility, and Biofeedback-Mediated Relaxation Levels (98 pp.) EMG-biofeedback (EMG-BF) relaxation therapy has been challenged as more expensive and no more clinically effective than other relaxation methods.Proponents acknowledge that other techniques may be effective but argue that EMG-BF is a valuable tool in their therapeutic repertoire.Research indicates that benefits of BF reflect cognitive changes rather than direct effects of somatic changes via lowered EMG.Control and mastery expectations may be related to relaxation success.Studies suggest that actual and perceived control over the intensity of aversive stimuli increases tolerance of aversive stimuli, but instrument control in non-aversive situations has not been well studied.This study examined the effects of providing; Ss with control over the EMG signal.In a 3 x 2 between-within blocked design, male and female university students (N = 144) assessed as high or low in self-efficacy for self-regulation (SESR) were assigned to one of three BF conditions (control over the presence or absence of the signal, intermittent signal, continuous signal).Repeated-measures ANOVAs were conducted on the dependent variables (EMG and subjective relaxation, SESR, efficacy expectations, and perceived control) with pre-test SESR, gender, and feedback condition as independent variables.A two-way ANOVA was conducted on post-test perceived signal utility.It was hypothesized that Ss in the high SESR/signal-control condition would experience the highest relaxation levels, perceived signal utility, and perceived control.Significant differences were found for subjective relaxation and perceived utility,, with signal-control Ss reporting both the highest levels of relaxation and appreciation for the utility of the EMG signal.No main effect of condition on EMG was found although, as a group, Ss significantly lowered their EMGs from pre to post.Interactions were noted involving gender and confidence, with female Ss and less confident Ss making greater gains in SESR and perceived signal utility than males and high confidence Ss.Males' perceived control was highest in the signal-control group and lowest in the intermittent-signal group, whereas females exhibited an opposite pattern.Cultural explanations are offered for this gender-specific reaction to an experimenter-controlled signal.
Source: The Mathematics Enthusiast
Author: David E. Brown
Institution: University of Montana
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2466701703