The postwar occupational adjustment of emotionally disturbed soldiers.

2 assumptions regarding personnel policy in this area were tested on data of premature separations during World War II and a matched control group. Greater unemployment existed for men with history of psychosis. A downward shift in occupational level was present for neurotic histories but was not found for employed "psychotics." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An examination of crossover and spillover effects of spousal and expatriate cross-cultural adjustment on expatriate outcomes.

Integrating work-family and cross-cultural adjustment literatures, the researchers proposed and tested a spillover and crossover model of expatriates' cross-cultural adjustment with reciprocal relationships. Spillover effects refer to the influence that expatriate attitudes in a particular domain (e.g., work) have on attitudes in other domains (e.g., nonwork), whereas crossover effects refer to the influence of expatriate attitudes on the spouse's attitudes (and vice versa). Data collected from Japanese expatriates, their spouses, and their superiors strongly supported both spillover and crossover effects between expatriate and spousal cross-cultural adjustment. In addition, expatriates' cross-cultural adjustment was found to be related to satisfaction, which, in turn, was found to be negatively related to expatriates' intention to return to their homeland early. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social functioning and adjustment in Canadian-born children with Chinese and European backgrounds.

The purpose of the study was to examine social functioning and adjustment in peer context in Chinese Canadian and European Canadian children. A sample of elementary school children participated in the study. Data on social functioning, peer acceptance and rejection, and victimization were collected from peer assessments and sociometric nominations. The results indicated that Chinese Canadian children were viewed by peers as less aggressive-disruptive than European Canadian children. Chinese Canadian girls, but not boys, were more shy-sensitive than their European Canadian counterparts. Sociability was associated with peer acceptance, whereas aggression was associated with peer rejection and victimization. Shyness was associated with peer relationship difficulties more evidently in European Canadian children than in Chinese Canadian children. These results indicate the relevance of ethnic background to children's peer social experiences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Gender characteristics and adjustment: A longitudinal study": Addendum.

Reports an error in "Gender characteristics and adjustment: A longitudinal study" by Jennifer Aubé and Richard Koestner (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1992[Sep], Vol 63[3], 485-493). The authors would like to acknowledge that the age 41 longitudinal data used in their study were collected by David McClelland, Carol Franz, Joel Weinberger, Richard Koestner, and Joseph Healy. This data collection was supported by a grant from the Seaver Institute. The data are currently being archived at the Henry Murray Research Center of Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1993-01033-001.) Used a prospective longitudinal design to investigate the long-term developmental implications of gender-related interests and traits. Archival data were available for Ss in the R. R. Sears et al (1957) study. Men, who at age 12 yrs endorsed interests and undesirable traits more typically associated with women, had poorer social–personal adjustment at ages 31 and 41 yrs. No effects were found for women. Feminine expressive traits at age 31 yrs did not impact on 41-yr-old adjustment for either men or women, whereas masculine instrumental traits were positively related for both. These findings support a multidimensional view of gender and indicate that harsher consequences follow when adolescent boys endorse nontraditional gender-related interests and undesirable traits than when girls do so. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A factor analytic study of perceived occupational similarity.

Job perceptions and "occupational stereotypes" play leading roles in many current theories of occupational choice. Case II of Andrews' A-technique was used to explore the dimensions by which occupations are perceived. Factor analysis of perceived similarity among 22 occupational stimuli yielded results corresponding directly to 5 second-order factors obtained in an earlier study which had employed different Ss, a different procedure, and different occupational stimuli. Results also shed light on college students' perceptions of popular vocational objectives and on the relationship between job perceptions and interest factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social competence: The action-thought parameter and vicariousness in normal and pathological behavior.

A developmental conceptualization of behavior suggests that as maturation proceeds there follows a shift from action to thought. This action-thought dimension was hypothesized to be reflected in an individual's occupational choice as well as in his symptom formation and in premorbid level of adjustment (as measured by a "social competence" index [Zigler and Phillips, 1960]). Patients with symptoms in the ideational an verbal sphere were found to have a better premorbid level of adjustment and a higher level of vocational status. Atypical patterns of behavioral orientation and vocational and social adjustment were also explored. The findings are related to concepts within a developmental psychology content. From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4JP37P. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Role of Social and Dispositional Variables Associated With Emotional Processing in Adjustment to Breast Cancer: An Internet-Based Study.

Cognitive and emotional processing is seen as critical to successful adjustment to traumatic experiences, such as breast cancer. Cognitive and emotional processing can be facilitated by dispositional and social environmental factors. Emotional intelligence is a dispositional characteristic defined as the ability to understand, accurately perceive, express, and regulate emotions (J. D. Mayer & P. Salovey. 1997). This study investigated psychological adjustment as a function of emotional intelligence, social support, and social constraints in 210 patients recruited via postings to Internet-based breast cancer support groups. Regression analyses indicated high social constraints and low emotional intelligence were associated with greater distress. Evidence suggested high emotional intelligence could buffer against the negative impact of a toxic social environment. Results support a social-cognitive processing model of adaptation to traumatic events and suggest consideration of emotional intelligence may broaden this model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social and psychological variables in learning Hebrew.

Attitudes towards the social group employing the language, reason for studying the language, and intelligence were posited as parameters affecting the learning of a 2nd language. The investigation focused on Jewish 8th- and 9th-grade students learning Hebrew. The results indicated that ability and attitude facilitated learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social constraints, cognitive processing, and adjustment to breast cancer.

This cross-sectional study of 70 breast cancer survivors examined relationships among social constraints, behavioral and self-report indicators of cognitive processing, depression, and well-being. On the basis of a social-cognitive processing (SCP) model, it was predicted that social constraints would inhibit cognitive processing of the cancer experience, leading to poorer adjustment. Constraints were positively associated with intrusions, avoidance, and linguistic uncertainty in cancer narratives. Greater uncertainty, intrusions, and avoidance, as well as less talking about cancer were associated with greater depression and less well-being. Intrusions partially mediated the positive constraints-depression relationship. Talking about cancer partially mediated the inverse avoidance-well-being relationship. Findings support the SCP model and the importance of using behavioral indicators of cognitive processing to predict positive and negative psychosocial outcomes of cancer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Union and management trainees: A comparative study of personality and occupational choice.

How is personality related to occupational entry? 40 management and 40 union trainees were compared. "The Sims SCI Occupational Rating Scale, the Allport-Vernon-Lindzey Study of Values, the California Psychological Inventory, and a custom-built, trait-centered Biographical Inventory were employed and 15 hypotheses were formulated." Differences between and within groups were found. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor analytic definitions of vocational motivation.

3 self-report inventories pertaining to vocational motivation, the Occupational Attitude Rating Scales, the Work Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Job Incentive Rankings, were administered to students in an introductory course in psychology. The 11 variables of the combined scales were subjected to a factor analysis. "These factors appeared to provide a comprehensive survey of the dimensions of vocational motivation usually mentioned in theories of occupational choice and vocational adjustment." From Psyc Abstracts 36:05:5LH30C. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological adjustment and the worker role: An analysis of occupational differences.

How does the place of worker role on his personal adjustment vary from nonmanual to manual type of employment? "301 Ss, all between the ages of 55 and 65, were divided into two occupational statuses, nonmanual and manual workers. The former status included 116 of the managerial, supervisory, professional-technical, and clerical-sales personnel of a Midwestern oil refinery, while the latter status contained 185 of that company's skilled, semiskilled, and unskilled laborers. Both groups were then treated as separate populations in an analysis of the worker role as it related to personal adjustment, social adjustment, and job satisfaction… . the personal adjustment of nonmanual employees was not significantly related with their work-role competency, while the personal adjustment of manual employees showed a significant correlation with the worker role variable… . It was therefore concluded that the degree to which personal adjustment is related with the worker role depends to some extent upon an employee's occupational status." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multimethod, multi-informant, and multidimensional perspective on psychosocial adjustment in preadolescents with spina bifida.

This study examined the psychosocial adjustment of preadolescents with spina bifida in relation to a comparison sample of able-bodied preadolescents (8- and 9-year-olds; n = 68 in each sample). The study also examined the potential clinical utility of a narrowband multimethod, multi-informant, and multidimensional perspective on the assessment of psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents with pediatric conditions. Findings revealed that children with spina bifida tended to be socially immature and passive, less likely to have social contacts outside of school, more dependent on adults for guidance, less competent scholastically, less physically active, less likely to make independent decisions, and more likely to exhibit attention and concentration difficulties. No group differences were found for externalizing symptoms, affective functioning, or global self-worth, suggesting resilience in these domains for the spina bifida sample. Findings also suggest that low socioeconomic status and the presence of a physical disability may be additive risk factors for certain psychosocial adjustment difficulties. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prospective relationships between drug problems and work adjustment in a community sample of adults.

The prospective relationships between drug problems and work adjustment (e.g., job instability, job satisfaction) were examined in a community sample of 470 adults. Polydrug problems (alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine problem drug use) were both predictors and consequences of work adjustment. In partial support of the impaired functioning theory, polydrug problems predicted reduced job satisfaction 4 years later. Supporting the work-related strain theory, early job instability predicted polydrug problems 4 years later. In support of the theory of general deviance, low social conformity predicted later job instability. Finally, supporting social support theory, early support for drug problems reduced polydrug problems and increased job satisfaction 4 years later. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Siblings' differential experiences of marital conflict and differences in psychological adjustment.

The present study examined whether siblings experience marital conflict differently and whether such differences, if present, were associated with differences in their adjustment. Self-report data about marital conflict, children's depressed mood, behavioral conduct, and externalizing problems were obtained from 122 sibling pairs (mean ages = 10 and 12 years) and their parents. Results indicated that siblings were significantly different in exposure to and appraisals of marital conflict. Differences in siblings' exposure to marital conflict were significantly correlated with differences in their depressed mood, behavioral conduct, and externalizing problems. Differences in siblings' feelings of self-blame for marital conflict were significantly correlated with differences in their depressed mood and behavioral conduct. Children who experienced more marital conflict than their siblings had more adjustment problems than their siblings. These results highlight the importance of studying siblings' unique experiences of marital conflict to better understand its impact on children's adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Understanding children's coping.

Reviews the book, A handbook of children's coping: Linking theory and intervention by Sharlene A. Wolchik and Irwin N. Sandler (1997). The aim of the editors was to bring together "some of the best thinking" in the field, and to facilitate the development and evaluation of theory-based interventions directed at building resilience in youth. A major achievement of the volume is the comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge in the field. The contributors followed guidelines that required them to (a) assess the number of children experiencing the stressor in a given field; (b) evaluate critically the short- or long-term effects of the stress on mental health outcomes; (c) discuss the effect of the most stressful component on coping; (d) reflect on social environmental resources; and (e) consider coping and children's adjustment. Each contributor also reviewed the literature on preventive interventions. This volume provides a major resource for the student or researcher who is interested in youth, and for practitioners in a wide range of health and educational settings. The chapters will appeal selectively, according to the readers' areas of interest. Practitioners should use the chapters as building blocks with which they can enhance their practice rather than expect a how-to manual. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An exploration of young adolescents' social achievement goals and social adjustment in middle school.

Two studies investigated the proposition that social achievement goals (different orientations toward social competence) are an important aspect of young adolescents' social motivation. Study 1 (N=153 6th-grade students) established that different orientations toward developing or demonstrating social competence can be seen in young adolescents' responses to open-ended questions about their social goals and social competence. Study 2 (N=217 6th-grade students) evaluated a new survey measure of social achievement goals for young adolescents. Exploratory factor analyses indicated a 3-factor model (social development, demonstration-approach, and demonstration-avoid goals). Different social achievement goals were associated with distinct patterns of subsequent self- and teacher-reported social adjustment (prosocial, aggressive, and anxious solitary behaviors, as well as social worry, best-friend quality, and perceived popularity). Effects for social achievement goals were independent of perceived social competence and gender. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Maternal adjustment and infant outcome in medically defined high-risk pregnancy.

Biological and psychosocial risk factors in high-risk pregnancy and their relation to infant developmental outcomes were explored in a sample of 153 pregnant Israeli women who had pregestational diabetes melfitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, or were nondiabetic. Questionnaires on coping and resources as well as well-being and distress during the 2nd trimester were administered. Estimates of maternal fuels (HbAlc and fructosamine) were obtained throughout pregnancy. At 1 year, offspring were administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and mother-infant interactions were observed. Infants of mothers in the diabetic groups scored lower on the Bayley Scales and revealed fewer positive and more negative behaviors than did infants of mothers in the nondiabetic group. Infant outcomes in the maternal diabetic groups were associated with maternal metabolism. Maternal coping and resources differed in the 3 groups and differentially predicted infant development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Organizational and cultural entry: A new type of orientation program for multiple boundary crossings.

A longitudinal field experiment was designed to test the efficacy of a new type of orientation program in facilitating sojourners' organizational and cultural entry. Focused on stress coping, this new approach to orientation has the following features: (a) a thorough needs assessment identified the major stressors from both organizational and cultural entry, (b) sojourners were provided with realistic information regarding their future tasks and environment, and (c) sojourners were taught various coping skills to handle the major stressors. Seventy-two new graduate students from Asia entering a large midwestern public university in the United States were randomly assigned to either a traditional orientation program or the new program. The participants were assessed immediately after the orientation, as well as at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months post-entry. Results show that participants in the new orientation program had lower pre-entry expectations, felt less stressed, and reported higher levels of academic and interaction adjustment at 6 and 9 months post-entry than participants in the traditional orientation program. Many of the beneficial effects from the new orientation experience were not immediately apparent; rather, they emerged over time. Sojourner stress was found to mediate some of the treatment effects, as predicted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children and social change: Social and behavioral problems: Section introduction.

This article introduces a special section on children and social change. The articles in this section will present topics concerning the effects of rapid social change on social and behavioral problems in children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)