STRUCTURED OBSERVATION OF THE DECISION-MAKING ENVIRONMENT: A RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY ASSESSMENT

Information analysts gather and interpret information regarding organizational decision making. One source of information is the physical environment of the decision maker. A system for structured observation of the environment (STROBE) was developed and was used to gather information on administrators and medical directors of regional blood service organizations in the United States and Canada. Our results suggest that the reliability of STROBE is high and validity is acceptable, suggesting that STROBE may be useful in gathering data usually obtained through interviewing or observing behavior of decision makers.     

The Longitudinal Influence of Self‐Efficacy,Communication, and Parenting on Spontaneous Adolescent Disclosure

This study involving 463 adolescents examined the impact of parent, teen, and parent–teen interaction processes on spontaneous disclosure to mothers. High openness in communication and stronger disclosure self‐efficacy beliefs were associated with more disclosure at follow‐up. Although a positive relationship was also found for maternal warmth/responsiveness when it was considered together with other parenting attributes, its unique contribution to the disclosure process was attenuated once openness and self‐efficacy beliefs were taken into account. Domain‐specific predictors of disclosure were also explored. Open communication was important for disclosure across all domains, while self‐efficacy beliefs were critical for revealing difficult information. These findings underscore the importance of fostering an open environment in families that nurtures adolescents' confidence to engage in disclosure with parents.     

Editorial

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations -     

Building Solidarity with Subjects and Audience in Sociology and Documentary Photography

This article is part of a panel discussion addressing the sociological relevance of Sebastião Salgado’s work as well as documentary photography in general. ²     

Broadening gender self-categorization development to include transgender identities

Research on gender in psychology has increasingly affirmed diversity in gender, with recognition of binary and nonbinary transgender experiences. However, gender has been presumed to be cisgender (congruent with sex) and binary (either male or female) in classical developmental theories. In response, this review engages in a critical analysis of classical gender development theory informed by findings about gender from research on transgender identities. Under analysis was the concept of gender self-categorization in classical theories of gender development including cognitive developmental theory, developmental gender schema theory, and social cognitive theory. Novel theoretical approaches are then outlined to situate recent advancements alongside classical theory. Conclusions are then drawn with brief recommendations for research methods that aim to include binary and nonbinary transgender participants. Drawing on the findings of this review it has been shown that gender self-categorization is often implicitly presumed to be cisgender identification. To overcome this bias, it is suggested that greater attention to specific gender self-categorization mechanisms are needed to open opportunities to include transgender experiences.     

Proactive Screening for Health Needs in United Way's 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service

ABSTRACT

Cancer disproportionately affects the underserved. United Way 2-1-1 is an information and referral system that links underserved populations to community services. This study explores the feasibility of integrating proactive screening and referral to health services into 2-1-1. A cancer risk assessment was administered to callers (n = 297), measuring their need for 6 cancer control services. A subset of respondents was randomized to receive generic or tailored referrals to needed services. Nearly all participants (85%) needed at least one of the services. Those who received tailored referrals were more likely to make appointments. Future research will explore approaches to address and eliminate health disparities through 2-1-1.     

The Role of Perceived Friendship Self‐efficacy as a Protective Factor against the Negative Effects of Social Victimization

This study examined perceived friendship self‐efficacy as a protective factor against the negative effects associated with social victimization in adolescents. The sample consisted of 1218 participants (557 males, age range 12–17 years). Perceived friendship self‐efficacy was associated with lower internalizing scores irrespective of adolescents' social victimization level and with lower externalizing scores at low, but not high, levels of social victimization. Furthermore, the relationship between perceived friendship self‐efficacy and all forms of adjustment did not differ between boys and girls, or between adolescents in both reciprocated and unilateral very best friendships. The role of perceived friendship self‐efficacy as a protective factor amenable to intervention in social bullying at school is discussed.     

The mediating role of coping self‐efficacy beliefs on the relationship between parental conflict and child psychological adjustment

The effect of parental conflict on children's psychological adjustment is variable. Coping self‐efficacy refers to a person's perceived ability to self‐motivate and access the required cognitive resources to take control of, or exert their coping efforts in a stressful situation. This study investigated the mediating role of children's coping self‐efficacy beliefs between parental conflict and children's psychological adjustment (internalizing, externalizing, anxiety, and prosocial behavior). The participants were 663 school students in grade 5 (M = 10.17 years, SD = .53) and grade 7 (M = 12.11 years, SD = .52). The ethnic composition of the sample was approximately 72% White, 20% Asian, 4% Middle Eastern, and 4% from other ethnic groups. Coping self‐efficacy for avoiding maladaptive cognitions mediated the effect of parental conflict on children's internalizing symptoms longitudinally. The higher the level of parental conflict, the lower the level of children's coping self‐efficacy for avoiding maladaptive cognitions and in turn the higher their levels of internalizing. These findings support the mediational role of children's coping self‐efficacy beliefs in the context of parental conflict. It is proposed that these beliefs should be considered in designing and implementing preventative interventions for children in the context of parental conflict.     

Body Image Disturbances and Predictors of Body Dissatisfaction Among Hispanic and White Preadolescents

This study assessed ethnic and gender differences in ideal body size, body dissatisfaction (BD), and the relationship between BD and various predictors (e.g., body composition indicators and cardiorespiratory fitness). The sample consisted of 190 White and Hispanic preadolescents aged 10–13 years. Demographic, percent body fat (%BF), body mass index (BMI), body image variables, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were examined. A significant Gender × Ethnicity interaction was found for ideal body size (p < .05), with Hispanic girls preferring the thinnest figures and Hispanic boys the largest figures, compared to their counterparts. No significant gender or ethnic differences in BD were observed. After controlling for demographic and cultural variables, increased %BF and BMI scores predicted greater BD, whereas CRF did not.     

The TUC,foreign labour and the labour government 1945–1951

In the early period of the Labour Government of 1945–1951, the British economy underwent a serious crisis, one dimension of which was a severe labour shortage in sectors identified as essential to national economic recovery. In an attempt to resolve this problem, the Labour Government recruited foreign labour from a number of different European sources, but was also required to gain the consent and co‐operation of the trade union movement for this initiative. This paper documents and explains the evolution of the policy of the Trades Union Congress towards this initiative, and the opposition that this stimulated within the trade union movement.