Anxiety and depression are among the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence (Costello, Egger, & Angold, 2005). Although the parental environment appears to play a role in the development of emotional disorders (e.g., Abramson & Alloy, 2006), cognitive styles within the families of adolescents with internalising disorders have received little attention. The main aim of this thesis was to increase the understanding of maternal cognitions in relation to internalising disorders experienced by adolescents. Specifically, maternal attributional style, catastrophic worries, selective attention and perceptions of adolescents' social competence were examined through a combination of cross-sectional, correlational and experimental designs in the programme of five studies conducted with a clinical sample. Three groups of adolescents and their mothers participated in the studies: adolescents with clinical internalising disorders, adolescents with clinical externalising disorders and a non-referred group of school-children along with their mothers. In support of the hypotheses, mothers of adolescents with clinical internalising disorders had more negative attributional biases than the mothers in the two control groups. When parental attributions were examined from the child's perspective, adolescents in the clinical internalising group perceived that their parents had more negative attributions than both control groups. Examination of maternal evaluations of adolescents' social skills, revealed that even though adolescents did not have social deficits according to objective ratings, mothers of adolescents with internalising disorders underestimated the performance of their children compared to the non-referred control group. Significant relationships were found between maternal and adolescent attributions and perceptions of social competence, suggesting a link between maternal and adolescent cognitive style. Furthermore, mothers of the clinical internalising group produced a greater number of worries which were more catastrophic in content than mothers in the control groups. Contrary to predictions, mothers of adolescents with clinical internalising disorders did not selectively attend to threatening information related to adolescents' behaviours. Analyses using combined data from the four studies that showed significant relationships provided evidence that different cognitions in mothers and their children are interrelated, highlighting the importance of interactions between various cognitions within the family. Additionally, attributional style, catastrophic worries and negative perceptions were found to discriminate families with adolescents with internalising disorders from those with adolescents with externalising disorders or non-referred adolescents. The studies included in this thesis extend the current literature on maternal cognitions and adolescent internalising disorders and suggest that mothers of adolescents with internalising disorders are characterised by cognitive biases that should be taken into consideration in both research and clinical practice.

Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests that women may experience disrupted adjustment during the months following the end of adjuvant breast cancer treatment, in part due to the loss of a "safety net" associated with regular treatment coupled with uncertainty regarding cancer status. The present study examined distress and quality of life, as well as behavioral and cognitive predictors of adjustment, during the three months following adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Participants were 89 women with breast cancer who completed measures of distress, quality of life, health behavior, behavior changes, and common-sense beliefs about cancer at three time points: toward the end of adjuvant treatment, 3 weeks following the end of treatment, and 3 months post-treatment. Findings indicated that breast cancer survivors were remarkably well-adjusted following treatment: participants reported low levels of anxiety and depression and good health-related quality of life. Nonetheless, women acknowledged significant concerns about ongoing physical symptoms, potential recurrence, and the process of returning to or building a "new normal." Results further suggested that behavior changes were quite common after the end of treatment, particularly positive changes in health practices. Although good health practices were associated with better adjustment, making positive changes in the same behaviors often predicted greater distress. Women's common-sense beliefs about breast cancer provided insight into whether women decided to make behavior changes and what behaviors they decided to change. Women who perceived greater control over their cancer, saw their cancer as an acute rather than chronic condition, and attributed cancer to controllable causes or believed that behavioral or psychological factors could prevent recurrence were more likely to make behavior changes and engage in positive health practices. Although it was predicted that beliefs and behavior changes would interact to predict distress, no consistent pattern of interactions was found. In sum, breast cancer patients actively attempt to create a "new normal" following treatment, and changes in health practices appear to be an important part of this process. Assessing women's beliefs about their cancer and providing psychoeducational interventions addressing post-treatment behavior changes may assist in promoting breast cancer survivors' psychological and physical well-being.

Prior research has attempted to develop a model of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) and counterproductive work behaviors (CWB), but limited testing remains a problem. The purpose of the current study is to examine OCB and CWB from a job stressor-strain approach. The sample consisted of 235 employees throughout the United States and their supervisors. Results of the study suggested OCB and CWB are affected by stressors (including interpersonal conflict, low interactional justice, job demands, and organizational constraints). Additionally, trait emotion and attributional styles affect the amount of stressors perceived. The implications as well as limitations of the study are discussed.

This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study examined the nature of, and association between, causal attributions and current smoking behavior in cervical cancer survivors who were smokers at cancer diagnosis (n=50). As a whole, participants’ beliefs about smoking as a risk factor or cause of cervical cancer in general (i.e., global attribution) and/or their own cervical cancer (i.e., personal attribution) reflected far greater endorsement of global than personal attributions. Data collection involved a quantitative survey and an optional semi-structured interview to assess key variables (i.e., smoking behavior and causal attributions). Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and inferential tests, all of which illustrated greater endorsement of global smoking-related causal attributions versus personal attributions within the sample. In conclusion, the results of this formative study highlights the potential role of causal attributions in understanding the smoking behavior of cervical cancer survivors, the results of which aids understanding of how cancer survivors think about, and make changes in, their smoking behavior.

Parent cognitions, including parent attributions for and perceptions of children's behaviors , are related to negative parent-child interactions and have been hypothesized to negatively affect treatment outcome in parent training studies. Specifically, parents who attribute children's disruptive behaviors to internal, stable, uncontrollable, and global causes and believe that they are not personally responsible for their children's behavior are less likely to engage in positive interactions with their children and successfully manage child behavior. Additionally, parents who expect their children to demonstrate aversive behavior and perceive their children's neutral behaviors as aversive are less likely to engage in positive interactions with their children and successfully manage child behavior. Parent well-being and child behavior have been examined in relation to parent attributions and perceptions, with previous studies generally indicating that decreased parent well being and increased child behavior problems are associated with more negative parent attributions and perceptions. Though parent attributions and perceptions have been investigated in previous studies, there are gaps and inconsistencies within the literature. Specifically, previous studies have not consistently considered both maternal and paternal attributions for and perceptions of child and parent behaviors, and the relationship between parent-rated and researcher-rated child behaviors has not consistently been examined. This study examined parent attributions and parent perceptions related to child and parent behaviors within the parent-child interactions of 25 mothers, 15 fathers, and their children. The results of this study provide support for relationships between parents' attributions and parent-reported child behavior problems and parent well being. Additionally, significant relationships were found between parent perceptions of parent and child behaviors and parent-reported child behavior problems and parent well being. Furthermore, this study identified differences in parent attributions and parent-child interactions between mothers and fathers, with mothers viewing themselves as more responsible for compliant and noncompliant child behaviors and mothers sharing both more positive and negative interactions with children than fathers . Conclusions and clinical implications of these findings are provided.

<p>Introduction: </p><p>A job interview is for both the candidate and the company involved, an important</p><p>situation. It might be tempting for the candidate to adjust the answers to the job in question or what he</p><p>or she thinks the recruiter wants to hear. This behaviour is a part of what socialpsychology would call</p><p>impression management. This term means that you try to control the impressions you send out and</p><p>accordingly adjust your behaviour for the current situation.</p><p>Purpose: </p><p>Candidates usage of impression management is a widely debated subject where the</p><p>research mainly has focused on the candidates, their strategies and the efficiency of impression</p><p>management. Our purpose with this thesis is therefore to see how recruiters experience candidates</p><p>impression management in a job interview, how they handle it and what level of acceptance they have</p><p>for it.</p><p>Theoretical perspectives: </p><p>The theories and previous research used as models for explanation and</p><p>basis for discussion is mainly Erving Goffman´s (1974) dramaturgical perspective and thoughts about</p><p>impression management and Mark R Leary´s (1995) theories concerning impression management</p><p>tactics. In addition to these we also used more specific research concerning attribution, selfdescription</p><p>and problems with applicants use of impression management.</p><p>Methodology: </p><p>We carried out six qualitative semistructured interviews with recruiters from two</p><p>marketleading Swedish companies. The empirical foundation was analyzed through the method</p><p>concentration of meaning and thereafter put in relation to relevant theories and previous research.</p><p>Finally the empirical foundation was discussed on the basis of the thesis purpose.</p><p>Empirical foundation: The empirical foundation is mainly a description of the recruiters experiences</p><p>of different impression management tactics and their coping strategies. The result shows that there is</p><p>many different experiences of the various tactics and whether they are seen positive or negative is</p><p>dependent on which job it is and the candidates impression in general. The empirical foundation also</p><p>describes the recruiters thoughts about how a candidate carries out a successful interview and what</p><p>their interviewsituation looks like. The chapter ends with a description of which importance the</p><p>recruiters ascribe candidates usage of impression management.</p><p>Conclusions: </p><p>Our main conclusion is that even if the recruiters on direct questions concerning</p><p>different impression management tactics describe it as negative, the result shows that it often is seen</p><p>as a relevant social skill and something that is expected of a good candidate. We also think that the</p><p>recruiters are “unconciously aware” of the different impression management tactics. At first they show</p><p>no awarness concerning the tactics but after further discussions we found that they had several coping</p><p>strategies for them.</p>

Introduction: A job interview is for both the candidate and the company involved, an important situation. It might be tempting for the candidate to adjust the answers to the job in question or what he or she thinks the recruiter wants to hear. This behaviour is a part of what socialpsychology would call impression management. This term means that you try to control the impressions you send out and accordingly adjust your behaviour for the current situation. Purpose: Candidates usage of impression management is a widely debated subject where the research mainly has focused on the candidates, their strategies and the efficiency of impression management. Our purpose with this thesis is therefore to see how recruiters experience candidates impression management in a job interview, how they handle it and what level of acceptance they have for it. Theoretical perspectives: The theories and previous research used as models for explanation and basis for discussion is mainly Erving Goffman´s (1974) dramaturgical perspective and thoughts about impression management and Mark R Leary´s (1995) theories concerning impression management tactics. In addition to these we also used more specific research concerning attribution, selfdescription and problems with applicants use of impression management. Methodology: We carried out six qualitative semistructured interviews with recruiters from two marketleading Swedish companies. The empirical foundation was analyzed through the method concentration of meaning and thereafter put in relation to relevant theories and previous research. Finally the empirical foundation was discussed on the basis of the thesis purpose. Empirical foundation: The empirical foundation is mainly a description of the recruiters experiences of different impression management tactics and their coping strategies. The result shows that there is many different experiences of the various tactics and whether they are seen positive or negative is dependent on which job it is and the candidates impression in general. The empirical foundation also describes the recruiters thoughts about how a candidate carries out a successful interview and what their interviewsituation looks like. The chapter ends with a description of which importance the recruiters ascribe candidates usage of impression management. Conclusions: Our main conclusion is that even if the recruiters on direct questions concerning different impression management tactics describe it as negative, the result shows that it often is seen as a relevant social skill and something that is expected of a good candidate. We also think that the recruiters are “unconciously aware” of the different impression management tactics. At first they show no awarness concerning the tactics but after further discussions we found that they had several coping strategies for them.

This thesis, comprising two studies, investigated whether negative expectations and self-perceptions relating to the aging process are associated with less physical activity (Study 1), and whether less active adults are likely to report age as a cause for physical activity failure than more active adults (Study 2). Using Sarkisian et al.’s (2002) Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-38) survey, Study 1 first developed reliable and valid sub-factors for constructs relating to general aging expectations (GAE) and aging self-perceptions (ASP) by conducting exploratory factor analyses on 167 adults (M age = 59.5). Results revealed three acceptable GAE sub-factors relating to satisfaction/contentment, physical function and cognitive function, and three ASP sub-factors pertaining to functional, social, and sexual health. Subsequent MANOVA analyses showed that active adults reported higher GAE for satisfaction/contentment and cognitive function than less active adults. Regression analyses revealed that physical activity levels positively predicted satisfaction/contentment and physical function expectations among 45-54 yr olds. In Study 2, 177 adults (M age = 60.1) completed our Causal Dimension Scale for Aging (CDSA) and a survey asking whether age was a likely cause of failure in various physical activity contexts. Responses on the CDSA were used to validate ‘General Attributions towards Age’ (GATA), a measure which captured how adults view the aging effects. Subsequent analyses of variance determined that GATA interacted with physical activity status (active, less active) to influence the reported likelihood of age as a cause for failure. Less active adults with stable/uncontrollable GATA reported greater likelihood of age as a cause for failure than all other groups in gym, recreational/community program, and unstructured/spontaneous activity settings. Separate age group analyses indicated that these trends were pronounced in an unstructured/spontaneous activity setting for 45-54 yr olds, and in a generally recently inactive scenario for 55-64 yrs.

This thesis, comprising two studies, investigated whether negative expectations and self-perceptions relating to the aging process are associated with less physical activity (Study 1), and whether less active adults are likely to report age as a cause for physical activity failure than more active adults (Study 2). Using Sarkisian et al.’s (2002) Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-38) survey, Study 1 first developed reliable and valid sub-factors for constructs relating to general aging expectations (GAE) and aging self-perceptions (ASP) by conducting exploratory factor analyses on 167 adults (M age = 59.5). Results revealed three acceptable GAE sub-factors relating to satisfaction/contentment, physical function and cognitive function, and three ASP sub-factors pertaining to functional, social, and sexual health. Subsequent MANOVA analyses showed that active adults reported higher GAE for satisfaction/contentment and cognitive function than less active adults. Regression analyses revealed that physical activity levels positively predicted satisfaction/contentment and physical function expectations among 45-54 yr olds. In Study 2, 177 adults (M age = 60.1) completed our Causal Dimension Scale for Aging (CDSA) and a survey asking whether age was a likely cause of failure in various physical activity contexts. Responses on the CDSA were used to validate ‘General Attributions towards Age’ (GATA), a measure which captured how adults view the aging effects. Subsequent analyses of variance determined that GATA interacted with physical activity status (active, less active) to influence the reported likelihood of age as a cause for failure. Less active adults with stable/uncontrollable GATA reported greater likelihood of age as a cause for failure than all other groups in gym, recreational/community program, and unstructured/spontaneous activity settings. Separate age group analyses indicated that these trends were pronounced in an unstructured/spontaneous activity setting for 45-54 yr olds, and in a generally recently inactive scenario for 55-64 yrs.

Obesity is an epidemic that causes physical, emotional, and financial tolls for both individuals and communities. The United States experienced a dramatic increase in obesity rate from 1990-2010 (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden, & Curtin, 2010), with more than one-third of adults and 17% of children in the United States now considered obese (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2012). Although most people agree obesity is a problem (Oliver & Lee, 2005), it is a disease with multiple causes (Wake & Reeves, 2012) and no straightforward solution (Phil & Heuer, 2009). Informed by theory and research on agency and attributions, the current study examined effects of explicit arguments and linguistic agency assignment on attributions of responsibility for obesity and support for public obesity policies. Participants (N = 211) were randomly assigned to read one of six versions of a health flyer defined by a 3 x 2 (Explicit Argument x Agency Assignment) factorial design and thereafter completed a questionnaire derived from previous research. Respondents across conditions agreed that obesity is a serious health threat, but differed in how they attributed responsibility for the illness. Those who read a message that consistently assigned agency to the disease (e.g., Obesity causes health problems) endorsed genetics as the cause to a greater degree than others who read a different version assigning agency to humans (e.g., Obese people develop health problems). In contrast, the human agency version prompted higher attributions of individual responsibility and greater support for upstream public policies aimed at reducing obesity (e.g., a snack tax on junk food, eliminating soft drinks from public schools, adding warning labels to foods with high sugar content). Results suggest explicit arguments are less effective in shifting perceptions of a stigmatized health threat than the implicit arguments created by linguistic agency assignment. The findings demonstrate specific message features that affect social attributions of illness (Heider, 1958; Weiner, 2006) and perceptions of responsibility for the onset and solution of health problems (Barry, Brescoll, Brownell, & Schlesigner, 2009; Niederdeppe, Shapiro, & Porticella, 2011). Theoretical implications, practical applications, and future research directions are discussed. / text