Utilizing longitudinal panel data from Youth In Transition Project, the Person-Environment fit (P-E Fit) theory and its specific application to the area of delinquency and aggression was investigated longitudinally. Analysis of Covariance Structure Technique (LISREL) was used to address the issues of multi-dimensionality, stability, measurement of total P-E fit and to test the proposed delinquency model. The relationships between P-E fit, psychological strain, and delinquency were tested both cross-sectionally and longitudinally . The student sub-group (those respondents who stayed in school after high school) and the working sub-group (those who went to work after high school) were tested separately. P-E fit had significant negative effect on both psychological strain and delinquency in most of the cross-sectional models. Similar results were obtained in three of the longitudinal models also . The evidence from longitudinal models tended to support the idea that the causal flow of the relationship between P-E fit, psychological strain and delinquency to be from P-E fit to both psychological strain and delinquency. The longitudinal and cross sectional relationship between P-E fit, psychological strain, and delinquency were more pronounced among the working sub-group than the student sub-group of the sample population. P-E fit tended to be quite stable during the high school years and subject to noticeable change when the transition was made to work or college environments.

This research is a detailed look at intercultural competence, an issue showing escalating importance in today's higher education and the society at large. In this study, intercultural competence was defined in light of the concept of culture and the contact hypothesis. Person-environment interaction theory and college impact theories were incorporated as theoretical foundations for the operationalization of this research. The development of students' intercultural competence was examined from two perspectives--intercultural competence is viewed both as a desirable outcome of college education and as an active environment component that exerts important influence on students' self-reported gains. Findings of this study evidenced that a variety of college activities, especially those emphasizing cooperative and associated learning, play important role in students' intercultural competence development. Intercultural competence, in turn, has substantially positive effect in student gains in multiple realms. The intrinsic influences of student characteristics were also examined. In the end, previous research was drawn upon to scrutinize the findings of this study. Implications to future practice and policy as well as the values and limitations of this study were also presented. / Ph. D.

This longitudinal multiple methods study used an ethnographic approach to examine the development of early adolescents' psychology during pubertal and school transitions. It explored potential associations between attitudes to school, perceptions of school life and transfer, home and peer relations, and puberty over the course of a school year. It compared two groups of UK 11 and 12 year olds (Year 7), one in a middle school (age range 8-13 years) without transfer at age 11, and the other in a secondary school (11-16 years) where transfer from primary school had just occurred. Pupil attitudes to school were surveyed across the Year 7 cohort in each school at the beginning (N=252) and end (N=262) of the school year. The initial survey facilitated selection of two matched groups of target pupils (N=20) who were engaged in an active participation method designed to improve validity. Data on perceptions of school and growing up were gathered in 80 interviews, 40 audio diaries, 42 hours of participant observation and by 63 targeted observations across three school terms. An end of year survey assessed the attitudes of the target pupils and their year groups. Qualitative data were analysed inductively using grounded theory coding procedures which uncovered early adolescent needs that mismatched with many design features of secondary schooling. Of particular developmental offence were impersonal teachers and lessons that were non-practical, without opportunity for independent learning and unsupervised skills building and that were irrelevant to adolescents' career identities. Analysis of the quantitative survey data using multivariate procedures identified attitudinal factors congruent with previous research. Overall attitude to school was best predicted by perceptions of teachers and enjoyment of lessons rather than by adolescent developmental factors. Cluster analysis identified four pupil types validated by the target pupil findings. Of these the autonomy seekers had the most freedom outside of school and the greatest decline in attitudes across the year. The findings assisted generation of new theory incorporating concepts of maturity status markers and focal contexts. School transfer was found to impel an ecological transition across multiple developmental contexts which increased pupils' maturity self-perceptions, yielding mixed developmental implications. Using Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological systems framework as an analytical tool facilitated interpretation of the emergent themes in relation to Eccles & Midgley's (1989) US-based theory of 'Stage-Environment Fit'. The findings support the application of a modified Stage-Environment Fit theory in English schools.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to develop a way of identifying resilient and non-resilient middle-adolescent learners, by means of an instrument or otherwise, in a former Model C-school. The research paradigm is pragmatism and a methodology of mixed methods was used. A questionnaire was developed and qualitative interviews were conducted to verify the results of the questionnaire. The theoretical framework of resilience as well as the developmental phase of middle-adolescence were studied. After conducting a pilot study, the necessary changes were made and an experimental version of the questionnaire was compiled on the basis of Kumpfer’s Transactional Model. This framework includes both processes and outcomes and six main constructs were specified, viz. stressors or challenges, the environmental context, person-environment-transactional process, internal resilience factors, resilience processes and outcomes or means of reintegration. Focus was placed on internal resilience factors. The “Veerkragtigheidsvraelys vir Middel-adolessente (toets)” (VVM-A(t)) (Resilience Questionnaire for Middleadolescents (test)), was compiled consisting of forty two self-evaluation questions using a continuum scale. This self-evaluation scale gives the respondent the opportunity to respond on a continuum line between not like me at all and exactly like me. The place of research, a secondary school in an area reflecting the diversity of the South-African population, was selected by means of convenience sampling and all the grade 8 and 9 learners (294 participants) completed the VVM-A(t). Two factors were identified by means of factor analysis viz. internal locus of control and external locus of control. The VVM-A, consisting of 22 items, was finalised from these results and the participants’ scores were recalculated for the selected items. Interviews for the purpose of verification or rejection of the VVM-A were conducted with twelve participants, four from the group with high scores, four from the group with low scores and four learners that grouped near the median. The in-depth interviews confirmed the results on the VVM-A. This instrument can therefore be regarded as valid and reliable to identify the resilient and non-resilient middle-adolescent learner. / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Introduction: Le trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) touche 1% de la population mondiale. Pour les personnes vivant avec un TSA, certains éléments de l’environnement (ex.: bruit, lumière, aménagement) constituent des facteurs perturbateurs ; les manifestations peuvent se maintenir durant toute la vie. Il est donc important de pouvoir évaluer l’environnement afin d’y faire des interventions pour les adultes vivant avec un TSA et d’améliorer leur qualité de vie. But: Développer un instrument d’évaluation du milieu de vie des adultes vivant avec un TSA. Méthodologie: Cette étude a été développée en deux étapes: 1) exploration des éléments de l’environnement ayant un impact sur les jeunes vivant avec un TSA auprès des parents et 2) Consultation des utilisateurs potentiels sur une version préliminaire de l’ÉDIPE-version TSA Résultats: L’ÉDIPE-version TSA a été développée sur les bases du Modèle de compétence, qui explique la relation personne-environnement, en considérant les éléments de l’environnement humain et non humain ayant un impact sur les adultes vivant avec un TSA (ex.: éléments sensoriels, concernant la sécurité, la stabilité ou les visiteurs). Lors de la consultation des utilisateurs potentiels (ergothérapeutes), certaines modifications en lien avec le contenu, le mode de passation, le format et l’applicabilité de l’instrument, ont été suggérées. Conclusion: L’ÉDIPE-version TSA pourrait combler un manque dans la pratique clinique et scientifique des ergothérapeutes auprès des adultes vivant avec un TSA. Ainsi, des interventions sur l’environnement adaptées à cette population, seront favorisées. / Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is prevalent in 1% of the world's population. Within individuals living with ASD, some environmental elements (e.g., noise, light, distribution) are just some disruptive factors; the manifestations may persist throughout life. Therefore, it is important to assess the environment in order to provide interventions for adults living with ASD, improving their quality of life. Purpose: To develop tool for assessing the environment of adults living with ASD. Methods: This study was developed in two steps: 1) Exploration of environmental factors that impact young people living with ASD with parents and 2) Consultation of potential users about the first version of the HoPE - ASD version. Results: The HoPE-ASD version was developed on the basis of the Model of Competence, explaining the person-environment relationship, considering the human and non-human environmental components that have an impact on adults living with ASD (e.g., sensory elements, related to the safety and functionality of spaces, stability, visitors or trusted persons). During the consultation of potential users (occupational therapists), some modifications related to the content, mode of administration, format and applicability of the instrument were suggested. Conclusion: The HoPE-ASD version could fill a gap in the clinical and scientific practice of occupational therapists working with adults living with ASD. Thus, environmental interventions adapted to this population will be promoted.

INTRODUCTION. D’ici 2030, le Québec comptera 180 000 personnes aînées vivant avec un trouble neurocognitif (PATNC). Les TNC entraînent des enjeux d’interaction personne environnement – l’aîné interagissant avec son environnement humain (proche aidant) ou non humain (domicile) – compromettant ainsi le maintien à domicile. Basée sur le Modèle de compétence, l’Évaluation à domicile de l’interaction personne environnement (ÉDIPE) – version cognitive vise à combler le manque d’instruments validés ciblant ces enjeux. Cet instrument comprend trois sections (Exploration des problèmes cognitifs et de leur impact; Évaluation de l’interaction; Validation et interprétation du processus d’évaluation) évaluées lors d’entrevues, d’observations et de mises en situation; deux échelles (ordinale; dichotomique) qualifient l’interaction personne-environnement. Ce Mémoire porte sur l’étude de la fidélité interexaminateurs de l’ÉDIPE–version cognitive. MÉTHODOLOGIE. Basés sur la Théorie classique de la mesure, deux ergothérapeutes indépendants et formés ont administré simultanément l’ÉDIPE–version cognitive à 30 dyades (PATNC-proches aidant), à domicile (3,2h/évaluation). Pour chaque item, le coefficient kappa, le pourcentage d’accord et l’erreur-type ont été calculés. RÉSULTATS. Les coefficients kappa varient entre -0,053 et 1,000 (pourcentages d’accord 50%-100%); la majorité (80%) varie d’Acceptable à Presque parfait. DISCUSSION. La formation et l’application rigoureuse du guide de passation soutiennent la fidélité interexaminateurs de l’instrument. Plusieurs coefficients faibles démontrent un pourcentage d’accord élevé, référant aux paradoxes de Feinstein et Cicchetti. CONCLUSION. Cette étude documente la fidélité interexaminateurs d’un instrument prometteur comblant une lacune dans la compréhension de l’interaction personne environnement des PATNC vivant à domicile. Poursuivre la validation de l’ÉDIPE–version cognitive appuiera davantage son utilisation en clinique et en recherche. / INTRODUCTION. By 2030, Quebec will have 180,000 older people living with a neurocognitive disorder (OPLwNDs). Neurocognitive disorders lead to issues affecting the person-environment interaction – the older adult interacting with his or her human (caregiver) or non-human (home) environment – thereby compromising aging in place. Based on the Model of Competence, the Home Assessment of Person-Environment Interaction (HoPE)-Cognitive Version aims to fill the gap in validated tools targeting these issues. This tool has three sections (Exploration of cognitive problems and their impact; Assessment of interaction; Validation and interpretation of the assessment process) that employ interviews, observations and task performance; two scales (ordinal; dichotomous) qualify the person-environment interaction. This Master’s thesis examines the interrater reliability of the HoPE-Cognitive Version. METHODOLOGY. Based on classical test theory, two independent, trained occupational therapists simultaneously administered the HoPE-Cognitive Version to 30 dyads (OPLwND-caregiver), at home (3.2 h/assessment). For each item, the kappa coefficient, percentage of agreement and standard error were calculated. RESULTS. Kappa coefficients ranged from -0.053 to 1.000 (percentages of agreement 50%–100%); the majority (80%) ranged from Acceptable to Almost Perfect. DISCUSSION. Training and rigorous application of the assessment guide support the tool’s interrater reliability. Several low coefficients demonstrate a high percentage of agreement, referring to Feinstein and Cicchetti’s paradoxes. CONCLUSION. This study documents the interrater reliability of a promising tool that fills a gap in understanding the person-environment interaction of OPLwNDs living at home. Further validation of the HoPE-Cognitive Version will support its use in clinical and research settings.

La schizophrénie est un trouble mental qui touche environ un pour cent de la population et dont les symptômes et troubles associés affectent la capacité des individus à fonctionner dans la communauté. Dans la dernière décennie, des services spécialisés dans la détection et l’intervention précoce dès le premier épisode psychotique ont été implantés dans plusieurs pays. Or, ces services ont surtout ciblé, jusqu’ici, la réduction des symptômes et de la demande de soins. Les difficultés fonctionnelles des jeunes adultes schizophrènes justifient que les services qui leur sont destinés misent également sur la réadaptation et l’amélioration du fonctionnement dans la communauté. Les besoins, priorités et préférences de cette population, ainsi que l’impact des particularités développementales du jeune âge adulte sur leur fonctionnement, sont méconnus. Cette étude propose de documenter le fonctionnement dans la communauté des jeunes adultes schizophrènes au stade du premier épisode psychotique et de le comparer à celui de leurs pairs sans psychopathologie. L’utilisation d’un modèle théorique de réadaptation, le modèle de Compétence, permet de conceptualiser le fonctionnement sous l’angle de la relation personne-environnement. Ce projet s’inscrit dans une approche de recherche synthétique ; le devis préconisé est une étude de cas multiples avec l’utilisation de méthodes mixtes (qualitatives et quantitatives), selon un modèle concurrent de triangulation (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007). Les résultats mettent en lumière des différences entre les deux groupes dans les domaines des relations sociales et conjugales, du cheminement académique et de l’indépendance résidentielle et financière. Les données qualitatives, analysées selon le modèle de la théorisation ancrée (Glaser & Strauss, 1967), permettent de comprendre les processus sociaux impliqués dans l’accomplissement des tâches développementales au jeune âge adulte, ainsi que les conditions personnelles et systémiques sous-jacentes. Les résultats soulignent l’importance d’adapter les services résidentiels aux particularités développementales, de favoriser le soutien aux études et d’inclure les amis et les pairs dans la réadaptation des personnes touchées. Cette thèse permet à la fois d’identifier les besoins et priorités de cette population, de donner une voix aux jeunes adultes schizophrènes dans l’élaboration des services qui leur sont destinés et d’examiner les enjeux méthodologiques reliés à l’utilisation d’un devis mixte en recherche clinique. / Schizophrenia is a mental health disease that affects approximately one percent of the population and whose symptoms and associated deficits hinder community functioning in affected individuals. Over the last decade, specialized services in early detection and intervention of first-episode psychosis have been implemented in many countries. So far, these services have primarily targeted symptoms and use of psychiatric care as outcomes. The significant functional difficulties experienced by young adults with schizophrenia call for a shift in emphasis towards rehabilitative strategies. No study has documented the needs, preferences and priorities of this population in terms of rehabilitation services and of the influence of developmental characteristics of young adulthood on functional outcome. This study aims to examine community functioning of young adults with schizophrenia after the first episode of psychosis and to compare it with community functioning of their unaffected peers. Community functioning is conceptualized from the perspective of person-environment interaction through the lens of the Model of Competence. A multiple case study is used within the canvas of a synthetic research approach. A concurrent, mixed methods design (qualitative and quantitative) is implemented for triangulation purposes (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007). Results indicate salient differences between the clinical and comparison groups in the areas of social and conjugal relationships, academic achievement as well as financial and residential independence. Qualitative data analyzed through a grounded theory approach (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) highlight the social processes through which young adults achieve developmental tasks. Personal and systemic conditions that constraint and facilitate processes are recognized. The results have implications for psychiatric practices. First, residential services should be adapted to the developmental characteristics of this age group. Second, supported education should be valued and implemented as a key service for young adults with schizophrenia. Third, friends and members of the social network should be included as early and intensively as possible in the rehabilitation process. Overall, this study leads to methodological innovations in the use of mixed methods in clinical research, to identification of needs and priorities in the design of rehabilitation strategies and to the recognition of the voices and input of young adults with schizophrenia.

La schizophrénie est un trouble mental qui touche environ un pour cent de la population et dont les symptômes et troubles associés affectent la capacité des individus à fonctionner dans la communauté. Dans la dernière décennie, des services spécialisés dans la détection et l’intervention précoce dès le premier épisode psychotique ont été implantés dans plusieurs pays. Or, ces services ont surtout ciblé, jusqu’ici, la réduction des symptômes et de la demande de soins. Les difficultés fonctionnelles des jeunes adultes schizophrènes justifient que les services qui leur sont destinés misent également sur la réadaptation et l’amélioration du fonctionnement dans la communauté. Les besoins, priorités et préférences de cette population, ainsi que l’impact des particularités développementales du jeune âge adulte sur leur fonctionnement, sont méconnus. Cette étude propose de documenter le fonctionnement dans la communauté des jeunes adultes schizophrènes au stade du premier épisode psychotique et de le comparer à celui de leurs pairs sans psychopathologie. L’utilisation d’un modèle théorique de réadaptation, le modèle de Compétence, permet de conceptualiser le fonctionnement sous l’angle de la relation personne-environnement. Ce projet s’inscrit dans une approche de recherche synthétique ; le devis préconisé est une étude de cas multiples avec l’utilisation de méthodes mixtes (qualitatives et quantitatives), selon un modèle concurrent de triangulation (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007). Les résultats mettent en lumière des différences entre les deux groupes dans les domaines des relations sociales et conjugales, du cheminement académique et de l’indépendance résidentielle et financière. Les données qualitatives, analysées selon le modèle de la théorisation ancrée (Glaser & Strauss, 1967), permettent de comprendre les processus sociaux impliqués dans l’accomplissement des tâches développementales au jeune âge adulte, ainsi que les conditions personnelles et systémiques sous-jacentes. Les résultats soulignent l’importance d’adapter les services résidentiels aux particularités développementales, de favoriser le soutien aux études et d’inclure les amis et les pairs dans la réadaptation des personnes touchées. Cette thèse permet à la fois d’identifier les besoins et priorités de cette population, de donner une voix aux jeunes adultes schizophrènes dans l’élaboration des services qui leur sont destinés et d’examiner les enjeux méthodologiques reliés à l’utilisation d’un devis mixte en recherche clinique. / Schizophrenia is a mental health disease that affects approximately one percent of the population and whose symptoms and associated deficits hinder community functioning in affected individuals. Over the last decade, specialized services in early detection and intervention of first-episode psychosis have been implemented in many countries. So far, these services have primarily targeted symptoms and use of psychiatric care as outcomes. The significant functional difficulties experienced by young adults with schizophrenia call for a shift in emphasis towards rehabilitative strategies. No study has documented the needs, preferences and priorities of this population in terms of rehabilitation services and of the influence of developmental characteristics of young adulthood on functional outcome. This study aims to examine community functioning of young adults with schizophrenia after the first episode of psychosis and to compare it with community functioning of their unaffected peers. Community functioning is conceptualized from the perspective of person-environment interaction through the lens of the Model of Competence. A multiple case study is used within the canvas of a synthetic research approach. A concurrent, mixed methods design (qualitative and quantitative) is implemented for triangulation purposes (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007). Results indicate salient differences between the clinical and comparison groups in the areas of social and conjugal relationships, academic achievement as well as financial and residential independence. Qualitative data analyzed through a grounded theory approach (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) highlight the social processes through which young adults achieve developmental tasks. Personal and systemic conditions that constraint and facilitate processes are recognized. The results have implications for psychiatric practices. First, residential services should be adapted to the developmental characteristics of this age group. Second, supported education should be valued and implemented as a key service for young adults with schizophrenia. Third, friends and members of the social network should be included as early and intensively as possible in the rehabilitation process. Overall, this study leads to methodological innovations in the use of mixed methods in clinical research, to identification of needs and priorities in the design of rehabilitation strategies and to the recognition of the voices and input of young adults with schizophrenia.

Parental monitoring of settings is not always relevant for the prevention of adolescent crime because adolescents with strong personal moral rules and the ability to exercise self control are unlikely to offend even when they are unsupervised and know that their parents have little knowledge about their activities. Parental monitoring, commonly operationalised as parental supervision or parental knowledge, is often shown to have a negative relationship with crime involvement. However, research often ignores both the mechanism by which these relationships occur and the conditions under which they might (and might not) be found. This thesis uses specialist Space-Time Budget data (from the Peterborough Adolescent and Young Adult Development Study) to allow the comparison of adolescent crime rates in settings characterised by the of convergence of i) the physical presence or absence of parents and other guardians, ii) the psychological presence or absence of parents (represented by adolescent-perceived generalised parental knowledge of the circumstances of unsupervised activity) and iii) personal crime propensity (moral rules and ability to exercise self control). The conclusion derived from the results is that the physical presence of parents and other guardians in settings reduces the rate of adolescent crime committed in those settings; and the psychological presence of parents reduces the criminogenic impact of unsupervised time. Crucially however, these effects of parental monitoring are almost irrelevant for adolescents with a lower personal crime propensity, who are not likely to offend in settings irrespective of the physical or psychological absence of parents and other guardians. These findings provide support for person-environment interactions inherent in the causal model of Situational Action Theory, and provide a novel addition to evidence that could be used in future to inform policy-relevant recommendations concerning parenting behaviour and adolescent offending. Although this thesis provides new evidence about the relationship between parental monitoring and crime, the bulk of its contribution is relevant to a much wider audience. It contributes to the debate on approaches to the study of crime and crime prevention, adds clarity to key concepts and develops theoretical arguments in the field of parental monitoring and crime, develops a novel application of Situational Action Theory, extends theoretical and methodological discussions surrounding situational analysis, applies novel data and analytical methods to the study of the psychological and physical presence of guardians, generates and situates unique findings about the situational role of aspects of parental monitoring and crime, and makes some policy recommendations and suggestions about the nature and direction of future research.