Cette recherche traite de l'ajustement d'enfants de 6 à 11 ans vivant daps des families reconstituées au Canada. L'objectif est de déterminer si des attributs de l'enfant, des interactions entre le parent et l'enfant, des attributs parentaux et familiaux permettent de prédire l'ajustement des enfants. Les données proviennent de l'Enquête longitudinale nationale sur les enfants et les jeunes (ELNEJ; Statistique Canada, 1995). Quatre groupes d'enfants forment l'échantillon (N = 1671): Groupe 1 (n = 279) avec parents biologiques, families reconstituées; Groupe 2 (n = 672) avec mère et conjoint; Groupe 3 (n = 99) avec père et conjointe; Groupe 4 (n = 621) dans families nonreconstituées, groupe de comparaison. Le modèle proximo-distal proposé comprend six variables critères et onze variables de prédiction (quatre niveaux ou blocs). Le niveau 0, "Critères de l'ajustement des enfants" englobe les comportements agressifs, hyperactifs, anxieux, et prosociaux, les relations sociales et le rendement scolaire. Le niveau 1, "Attributs de l'enfant", le plus proximal à l'ajustement, comprend l'âge et le sexe de l'enfant. Le niveau 2 "Pratiques parentales" inclut les interactions positives, les pratiques parentales hostiles-inefficaces et la constance. Le niveau 3 "Attribute du parent" comprend le sexe du répondant, les tendances dépressives et le soutien social. Le niveau 4 "Attributs de la famine", le plus éloigné de l'ajustement, comprend le type d'union conjugate (marié ou union libre), le fonctionnement familial et le revenu du ménage. L'hypothèse multivariée, testée par des analyses de régression, a permis d'identifier quels blocs et quelles variables spécifiques prédisent l'ajustement des enfants. Les résultats suggèrent que les trois premiers niveaux du modèle proximodistal (attributs de l'enfant, pratiques parentales et attributs du parent) contribuent à prédire l'ajustement. Les variables de prédiction statistiquement significatives parmi ces groupes sont le sexe de l'enfant, les interactions positives, les pratiques parentales hostiles-inefficaces et les tendances dépressives du répondant. Le pouvoir de prédiction varie selon l'aspect mesuré et selon le groupe d'enfants. La deuxième hypothèse confirme que les variables âge et sexe de l'enfant ne modèrent pas les relations entre les pratiques parentales et les critères de l'ajustement des enfants. Les limites, contributions et implications de cette recherche sont présentées.

More than 30 years ago, Edmonds recognized the need for a couples measure of biased responding. Like other categories of self-report instruments, marital measures are believed to be highly susceptible to distortion. Edmonds developed the Marital Conventionalization Scale (MCS) to measure overly positive appraisal of one's marriage. Subsequent research, however, has failed to confirm that the MCS is a valid measure of socially desirable responding. In keeping with this observation, the current study set out to develop a new couples measure of biased responding. An extended pool of items included statements from the existing MCS, additional items from Edmonds' original validation study as well as items written specifically for this study. The scoring protocol for the revised measure was also changed from a true/false, forced choice format to a 7-point, Likert-type scale to increase measurement sensitivity. Item analyses were performed among a random subgrouping of older adults ( n = 200). Various a priori inclusion criteria were applied from which a set of 18 items was selected. Three phases of validation research establish the reliability and validity of this measure among an international sample of older married adults (n = 350). The concurrent and discriminant validity of this scale is demonstrated relative to separate measures of biased responding, marital satisfaction, and psychological well-being respectively. Indices of internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's alpha range from alpha = .84 to alpha = .87. Test-retest reliability over an average interval of 43 days is calculated as r(102) = .75. This coefficient compares favourably to those obtained for other indices of biased responding among these same participants. Consistent with existing research, it is proposed that the new instrument henceforth be known as the Marital Aggrandizement Scale (MAS). The challenge remains to identify factors associated with the etiology and maintenance of marital aggrandizement. Is this construct particular to older adults within long-term relationships or common to all stages of romantic relationships irrespective of duration? Subsequent research is required to identify correlates and predictors of marital aggrandizement across populations, over time.

Cette etude d'orientation qualitative tente de comprendre l'experience vecue d'un couple ayant un enfant atteint d'un trouble envahissant du developpement (T.E.D.). Un couple marie depuis 23 ans ayant un enfant de 20 ans atteint de ce trouble participe a cette recherche ou l'approche phenomenologique est preconisee. Plus precisement, nous utilisons la methode d'analyse en quatre etapes de Giorgi pour arriver a l'essence de cette experience vecue. Nous faisons l'analyse systematique de l'experience subjective decrite par le couple jusqu'a l'obtention de la structure relative. Comme entree en matiere, nous presentons une revue de la litterature au sujet du trouble envahissant du developpement et des etudes empiriques au sujet des effets de ce trouble et de divers handicaps sur les parents et les couples. Ensuite, nous expliquons l'approche phenomenologique ainsi que ses particularites et nous retracons le parcours scientifique de cette these, c'est-a-dire la methodologie de recherche ou nous presentons la demarche effectuee pour arriver a la structure relative de l'experience. Par la suite nous presentons les resultats. Nous remarquons que l'experience est vecue a trois moments: (1) avant la naissance de l'enfant; (2) pendant qu'une distance s'installe dans le couple et (3) apres avoir pris la decision de reconstruire la relation et d'atteindre un etat d'equilibre. Nous trouvons egalement une structure relative pour chaque membre du couple et une pour le couple lui-meme. Ces dernieres permettent de comprendre l'experience vecue du couple selon trois perspectives. Des themes psychologiques qui caracterisent l'experience particuliere de ce couple emergent et sont presentes en synthese par des figures. Finalement, une discussion des resultats est faite en lien avec la litterature concernant l'experience conjugale d'avoir un enfant atteint de ce trouble et d'autres handicaps (mental ou physique). L'etude contribue a la comprehension de l'experience vecue du couple dans son ensemble.

Un programme d'intervention preventive centre sur les habiletes sociales de l'enfant a ete evalue en comparaison a un programme centre sur les habiletes de gestion de comportement des enseignants quant a la promotion de l'adaptation psychosociale des enfants au niveau prescolaire. Au total 42 enfants ages entre 3 ans et 10 mois et 5 ans et 2 mois, repartis dans quatre centres educatifs, ont participe a l'etude. Les programmes etaient offerts a tous les enfants d'un meme centre. Les programmes d'intervention preventive ont ete administres en deux temps et dans un ordre aleatoire. Lors de la premiere administration, les centres ont ete assignes a l'une ou l'autre des trois conditions suivantes: (1) "Programme d'entrai nement aux habiletes des enseignants"; (2) "Programme d'entrai nement aux habiletes sociales de l'enfant" et (3) "liste d'attente" ou groupe controle. Lors de la deuxieme administration, les centres ont ete assignes a la condition qui correspond au programme d'intervention preventive auquel ils n'avaient pas encore participe. Sous la condition 1, le programme d'entrai nement aux habiletes des enseignants comportait un atelier de discussion sur le renforcement positif mene par un psychologue professionnel. A la condition 2, le programme d'entrai nement aux habiletes sociales de l'enfant comprenait une combinaison de methodes d'intervention, soit un enregistrement video, des discussions et des jeux de roles. Finalement, pour la condition 3 ou "liste d'attente", aucune intervention n'a eu lieu avant la fin de la cueillette de donnees, soit a la fin de l'annee. Des donnees observationnelles et sociometriques ont ete recueillies avant et apres chaque administration des programmes d'intervention preventive. Un an plus tard, les enfants identifies "a risque" (n = 11) ont ete suivis dans leur nouvel environnement scolaire et les enseignants ont complete un questionnaire mesurant le degre de competence sociale de chacun des enfants, ainsi qu'un nouveau groupe controle (n = 12). Considerant, a priori, que les enfants "a risque" sont ceux qui necessitent le plus une intervention, les analyses presentees visent a demontrer l'efficacite des programmes parmi ces enfants. Toutefois, afin d'eviter de les etiqueter en les retirant de leurs groupes pour recevoir l'intervention, les programmes ont ete offerts a tous les enfants d'un meme centre. Or, des analyses secondaires de comparaison en fonction de l'ensemble de la population sont egalement presentees. Dans l'ensemble, les resultats suggerent que le programme d'intervention preventive centre sur l'enfant permet une ameli ration, du moins a court terme, des interactions sociales chez les enfants "a risque" d'age prescolaire, mais pas sur tous les indices disponibles. Finalement, lors du suivi dans un nouvel environnement scolaire, les comportements des enfants "a risque" etaient percus, par les enseignants, comme etant mal adaptes comparativement a un nouveau groupe d'enfants de comparaison choisi de maniere aleatoire dans les nouvelles classes.

This study tested the hypotheses that mothers of chronically ill children who reported high use of normalization by their families had higher levels of perceived social support. Additionally, the internal reliability of the Normalization Scale (Murphy, 1992) was determined. A non-probability purposive sample of thirty-three mothers of chronically ill school-aged children was recruited from a medical day unit of a regional pediatric tertiary health setting. Employing the Family Management Style Model (Knafl & Deatrick, 1990) as a conceptual framework, the study used a descriptive correlational design. Data were collected from mothers using the Normalization Scale (Murphy, 1994), the Personal Resource Questionnaire, (Weinert, 1987) and a demographic questionnaire. Mothers' reported use of normalization by their families was found to be associated with perceived social support and their satisfaction with help received from their social support network. The relationship between mothers' reported use of normalization and the size of the social support network was not significant. The study demonstrated that family and friends are the sources of support that mothers most frequently cite as helpful. This investigation also confirmed the importance of health care professionals in the family's process of normalizing their child's illness and their family life. Support groups were not perceived as helpful by these mothers. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Significant improvements in medical and neurosurgical interventions have resulted in a substantial increase in the number of persons surviving traumatic head injury. Consequently, more survivors and their families find themselves having to learn to cope and live with the impairments that accompany head injury. While the nature and degree of recovery is often difficult to pre-determine, most individuals require a comprehensive spectrum of medical, rehabilitative and supportive services to facilitate and maintain the recovery process. The complex nature of family life involving shared living-space, time and history, and the multiplicity of sequelae which impact on family life following traumatic head injury, challenge traditional research methods. In response, recent research studies, which centre on the alterations to family life following head injury, have endeavoured to include qualitative dimensions along with quantitative measures in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of the difficulties faced by families. These studies also fall short of investigating the deeper dimensions of family life, namely the intersubjective realm. Using an existential-phenomenological research approach, we have undertaken an indepth investigation of one family whose young adult son sustained a traumatic head injury resulting in severe impairment including loss of communication and movement. Applying an adapted version of Giorgi's systematized phenomenological method, our investigation revealed a temporal unfolding of three phases through which the family moved in its experience of living with a traumatically head-injured person: a pre-accident life-world, a phase of living with the immediate experience of the accident and a readjusting phase where family members worked to recreate and regain a sense of familial wholeness. As well, the disruption and disconnection experienced by family members following the accident was shown to originate from a deeper disruption at the foundational level of human existence. The structural matrix of themes that constituted our research family's life-world following this tragic accident was dominated by the themes of brokenness and disconnection, a restricted life-world, a disparity between inner and outer family life and a call to care. The Heideggerian theme of care was the family's existential response to the "broken" existence and near loss of their family member. It emerged as the underlying theme which held together and guided the reconfigured familial structure.

Interpersonal theories of depression have been proposed to explain the negativity that characterizes the relationships of depressed persons. However, past tests of these theories have been limited by their focus on brief contacts between strangers, and the operationalization of negativity on the part of others in terms of interpersonal rejection. The present study examined Coyne's (1976a) interactional model and that of Swann and his colleagues (Swann, Wenzlaff, Krull, & Pelham, 1992). Whereas Coyne postulates that depressed persons are rejected by their partners because they engage in excessive reassurance seeking, Swann et al. argue that depressed persons elicit rejection because they attempt to bring their partner's appraisal of them into congruence with their own self-view. Yet neither of these two perspectives emphasizes the characteristics of the partner that may influence their attitude toward the depressed patient. The work of Nolen-Hoeksema can be seen as a way of understanding how partners' efforts to manage the effect of the patient's depression on them may contribute to their overall negative attitude. Namely, partners who ruminate rather than distract themselves from the patient's depression may develop a more negative attitude toward them. The present study examined the utility of these three theories in predicting the negative attitudes of partners toward depressed patients. Subjects were drawn from outpatient clinics that specialized in mood disorders. Ninety patients (n = 32 male patients, n = 58 female patients) and their partners participated in the study and were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID; First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 1995) to assess for major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. Gender differences were explored for both patient and partner variables, but few differences were found. Each model was tested in a conventional manner against the null hypothesis of no relations between the predictors specified by these theories and two measures of partner attitudes: Support and tolerance, and expressed emotion. Next, in a series of exploratory analyses, the models were subjected to a more stringent test by examining whether the effects of these theoretical variables persisted after partner marital adjustment was taken into account. Consistent with Coyne's interactional model, patient and partner mood were correlated, and patient reassurance seeking and partner depressed mood contributed to negative partner attitudes. Contradicting Swann et al.'s theory of self-verification, patient-partner discrepancy in evaluation of the patient did not predict a negative partner attitude. Partial support was found for a formulation based on Nolen-Hoeksema's theory of coping in that ruminative, but not distractive coping was related to negative attitudes toward patients. Overall, each model obtained some support, but the strength of that support depended on the dependent variable examined, and support for the models decreased after controlling for marital adjustment. The consistently strong relation between partner marital adjustment and partner attitudes toward the depressed patient underscores the importance of taking overall marital adjustment into account in efforts to explain the interpersonal dynamics associated with depression among married persons. Results are discussed in terms of the difficulties moving from theories grounded in the study of fleeting contacts between strangers to interpersonal processes occurring in enduring close relationships.

The purpose of the present study is to examine men's and women's reactions to burglary over time. More specifically, the goal is to determine whether or not there is a gender difference in the extent to which reactions to a non-gender-specific crime, such as burglary, emerge and endure. In order to do so, 20 male and 20 female victims of burglary from the City of Ottawa were interviewed about their experiences with and their reactions to this criminal event. Both short- and long-term reactions were studied. Data were collected on two separate occasions from each subject; the first interview was scheduled at varying points in time after the burglary, thus making the data both longitudinal and cross-sectional in nature. With regards to victims' immediate reactions to burglary, the results are similar to those of previous studies in the area. Women are more likely to express feelings of shock, fear, and upset than their male counterparts. However, contrary to prior research, no gender differences were found with regards to feelings of anger in the immediate stages of victimization. A slight gender difference was found in the long-term effects of burglary on its victims, with women expressing greater numbers of adverse reactions, particularly emotional ones, for a longer period of time than men (up to 40 weeks following the event). Overall, the results of the present study indicate that burglary has much more long-ranging consequences for its victims than was originally believed. Although the scope of the present study does not allow for me to extrapolate these results to the general population, they do serve to indicate areas that should receive more attention in future research endeavours.

This study investigated the structure of social self-concept in preadolescent children at school. Subjects were 227 male and female grade three students from eight schools in a metropolitan area. A multidimensional, hierarchical model of social self-concept was proposed and tested using confirmatory factor analytic procedures within the framework of the analysis of covariance structures. The hypothesized model was based upon the theoretical model of self-concept first proposed by Shavelson, Hubner, and Stanton (1976). Subjects were given two self-report instruments designed to measure self-concept in the areas of social relations with classmates, other children at school, and teachers. Additionally, a teacher rating scale and a peer sociometric instrument were used as measures of the child's actual social behaviour. Data were collected at two time points, in the fall and the spring of the same academic year. The hypothesized and counterhypothesized models provided a poor fit to the data. Analyses then continued in an exploratory mode. Of all models tested, the best-fitting model of social self-concept was found to be a four-factor model with general self-concept as the first factor, self-concept of popularity as the second factor, social self-concept in general and in regard to school and classmates as the third factor, and social self-concept in regard to teachers as the fourth factor. Because the facets of social self-concept were found to be less differentiated than hypothesized it was not possible to investigate the proposed hierarchical structure of the construct. Partial support was found for the hypothesis that social self-concept can be differentiated from social behaviour as measured by peers and teachers. Social behaviour with teachers, in particular, was found to be very different from self-reports of social behaviour. Social behaviour with peers and self-reports of social behaviour with peers were found to be associated moderately, indicating that self and other ratings were referring to the same, or similar, behaviours, but each from their own unique perspective. Analysis of the second time point data did not support the stability of social self-concept over a six month period, indicating the necessity of replicating these results before conclusions can be more than tentative. This study presented an important possible revision to the Shavelson et al. (1976) model of self-concept. The study demonstrated the salience of popularity in the child's conception of his or her own social relations. It demonstrated, further, that the child's perspective regarding social relations differs from that of peers or of teachers.

Personnel evaluation reports are an important tool in the work place. Unfortunately, much research suggests not only that performance evaluations themselves are often not accurate, but also that the results may be distorted and feedback delayed. Research has focused on many possible determinants of accuracy in performance ratings. Landy and Farr (1980) have suggested that focusing on the techniques of evaluation is not sufficient; we need to have a better understanding of the processes involved in appraisal in order to advance in this area. If the factors that influence inaccurate evaluations could be isolated, then proactive measures could be taken to circumvent or reduce the likelihood of their occurring. Benedict and Levine (1988), examined a group of business students and found that females have more difficulty with negative feedback than do males, positively distorting results more and further delaying feedback. Building upon this work, the purpose of this research is to further examine the relation between sex, gender or sex-typing, effectance motivation, and delay and distortion in personnel evaluations. It was hypothesized that it is the sex-typing or gender of the supervisors, and not their biological sex per se, that influences the extent to which they delay and distort. It was expected that in comparison with instrumental supervisors, expressive supervisors would positively distort and delay more on the feedback of poor performance results, and that female supervisors would also have lower levels of self-efficacy expectancy, outcome expectancy, and outcome value for the delivery of prompt and accurate negative feedback. Attribution factors, supervisory concern factors, and the impact of training were also considered. For the most, results did not support the hypotheses, with almost no significant differences between sexes or between sex-types on the variables examined. The findings are significant because they set limits on the results of Benedict and Levine (1988). Using a sample of supervisors from the Federal Service, no significant sex differences were found, suggesting that, within their work context, these individuals act as supervisors first and as males and females second. Interestingly, there was nonetheless a high level of distortion of negative performance results on the part of all supervisors. Training appeared to have little impact on the extent to which supervisors delayed or distorted, and only minimal impact on motivational factors. There was some suggestion that sex-type, as opposed to biological sex, could account for some previously measured sex differences in performance evaluations.