It has been suggested that personality may affect the adjustment to residential care for those with dementia. However, many theorists have stated that personality changes due to dementia. Therefore this study investigates personality modes (namely autonomy and sociotropy) believed to be stable over time, irrespective of dementia. The personality modes are predicted to negatively affect adjusting to residential care. However the measure developed to investigate these modes (Sociotropy-Autonomy Scales) has not been validated with an older adult (dementia) population. The present aims of the study are: 1) Examine the SAS in relation to an older adult (dementia) population 2) To explore the stability of the personality modes 3) to investigate the affect of personality on adjustment to residential care. PARTICIPANTS AND MEASURES - An interview with 63 families of residents and key-workers, was followed by a two-hour direct observation. Measures used include: SAS, CAPE-CASIBRS, BASOLL-mood, Cornell, RAID, CBS and CBOS. RESULTS - The SAS was able to discriminate personality modes in an older adult (dementia) population. The autonomous and sociotropic modes showed stability, irrespective of dementia. There was an association found between personality modes and adjustment (in terms of problematic behaviour and mood problems). CONCLUSION - There are aspects of personality that are unaffected by dementia and that influence the difficulty of adjusting to residential care.

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No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This research details a series of questionnaire and experimental studies investigating the structure of unassertiveness and the link between unassertiveness and depression. Seven studies with sample sizes greater than 100, were carried out. Study one focused on the design and validation of a questionnaire to measure understanding of assertive rights and assertive responsibilities. Test retest, reliability, split half reliability, internal consistency, construct validity and content validity were found to be adequate. Study two validated an amended version of the above scale. Changes in scoring method resulted in increased reliability and validity. Study three replicated and expanded Chan's (1993) study and investigated the construct of assertion in a British population, the relationship between assertiveness and assertion related rights and responsibilities and how all of these factors related to emotional disorder. Levels of understanding of assertiveness rights and assertiveness responsibilities were correlated with depression, state and trait anxiety. A step-wise regression revealed the four factors of assertion related to high levels of depression and high levels of state and trait anxiety. Study four determined the factors of depression and their predictive ability of a lack of assertiveness. Depression was factor analysed and a step wide regression demonstrated that only cognitive factors were predictive of a lack of assertiveness. Study five focused on the design and psychometric testing of a scale to measure the presence of cognitive distortions. The data collected was used to demonstrate the same forms of validity and reliability found in study one and two. Study six considered the possibility that the cognitive components of depression proposed in the literature are also present in those who lack assertiveness. Both experimental and questionnaire techniques are implemented. Stroop testing was utilised to assess attention biasing, computerised free recall memory tasks were used to assess memory biasing and cognitive depressive aetiology were assess by questionnaire. Comparisons were made between a high depression group, a low depression group a high assertion group and a low assertion group. The results demonstrate that episodes of unassertiveness are generated by an interaction between continual unassertive specific life experiences and a critical unassertive related incident. The continual presentation of negative assertion related incidents throughout life generates the activation of dysfunctional assertion related attitudes, which in turn generate and are maintained by a negative cognitive triad. Study 7 is a clinical trial, which looked at the components of study 6 in a population of 30 individuals who had been diagnosed unassertive by a clinician and were participating in an assertion training class. In this study the participants were tested before and after an assertion training course, to assess the changes that occur as a result. of assertion training. These finding corroborate that the factors found in study six generalise to a clinical population. These studies have highlighted that unassertiveness has a greater cognitive emphasis than previously thought. As a consequence of these findings a cognitive model of unassertiveness is presented.

This action research based thesis focuses on work-related psychological trauma and its management, within the context of the British police service. A case study on one force facilitates detailed exploration of ways in which police occupational culture may impede the provision and acceptance of trauma management schemes. A national questionnaire-based survey of United Kingdom police forces establishes the scope and nature of their trauma management provisions and identifies strengths and weaknesses. Few trauma research studies have concentrated upon the affective domain of the British police service and there is limited understanding of how personal emotions are managed in the police organisation, or how its culture can affect the individual's experience of work-related trauma in an unhelpful way. The study aims to increase knowledge and understanding in this area and to assist British police forces in their attempts to reduce police sickness absences and ill health retirements, which may result from exposure to workrelated trauma. Two main study concerns are addressed by different means. The thesis is arranged as an introduction that includes discussion of the methodological approach adopted, seven chapters, conclusions and recommendations. Chapter one sets the scene by scrutinising the police service as a modern work organisation. Having clarified the basic principles of British policing, it outlines how the service has developed, exploring the difficulties and tensions police officers at all levels experience in trying to fulfil their current roles and responsibilities. Chapter two looks at the nature and potential effects of 'critical' incidents and traces the history of trauma recognition and critical incident debriefing, discussing the current debate on the efficacy of the latter and its value for police personnel. Chapter three examines current national and local police trauma management provisions and chapter four focuses on the identification and management of key risks posed to the police organisation, arising from work-related trauma. Chapter five explores police officers' experiences of trauma through descriptions of three 'service' roles and critical incident scenarios and by focusing on how certain aspects of police culture may intensify and prolong their initial distress. Chapter six shows the ways in which the police organisation seeks to manage its members' emotions through its selection, training and socialisation processes and how its success in doing so can impede the delivery and takeup of trauma management services. Chapter seven then outlines the main theoretical concepts underpinning the thesis, explaining why the police organisation requires officers to manage their emotions in particular ways and outlining mechanisms it has adopted as corporate defences against anxiety. A summary of conclusions follows and the thesis ends with recommendations to effect improvements to the quality and consistency of services being offered.

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No description available.