Many studies have shown that adopted children show higher levels of psychological adjustment than children living in institutions. However, there is little research comparing the behaviour and cognitive abilities of adopted and institution-reared children in Latin America, despite the large number of children living in institutional care. The aim of this thesis was to examine differences in the socio-emotional and cognitive functioning of adopted and institution-reared children in Chile, and to identify factors associated with the psychological adjustment and cognitive ability of adopted children. Data were obtained from 52 adopted children and their parents, and a comparison group of 50 children living in institutions. All adoptions were national and the children were aged between 4-9 years. Children’s psychological problems and attachment difficulties were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Relationship Problems Questionnaire, respectively, completed by adoptive parents or caregivers and teachers. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III). The Structured Child Assessment of Relationships in Families was used to assess children’s perceptions of family relationships. Adoptive mothers and fathers were individually administered a standardised interview designed to assess parenting quality and questionnaire assessments of anxiety, depression, marital quality and parenting stress. Observational assessments of mother-child interaction were also carried out. Adopted children showed significantly higher levels of socio-emotional and cognitive functioning than institution-reared children, with the majority of adopted children scoring within the normal range and the majority of institutionalised children showed clinical levels of emotional and behavioural problems. The mean IQ score of adopted children was 23 points higher than that of the institutionalised group. Factors associated with more positive outcomes among the adopted children were a younger age at adoption and lower levels of maternal and paternal stress. Although a selection effect cannot be ruled out, with higher functioning children more likely to be adopted, the results point to a beneficial effect of adoption on the psychological development and wellbeing of institutionalised children in Chile.

As families immigrate to a new country, adolescents often acculturate and learn the host-language more quickly than do their parents. As a result, many adolescents engage in language brokering (i.e., providing translation, interpretation, and communication mediation assistance) for their immigrant parents. This study aimed to disentangle the nature of multiple dimensions of language brokering within a community sample of 152 Chinese immigrant families residing in Western Canada. Specifically, I examined language brokering frequency as well as positive and negative feelings about language brokering as distinct constructs to better understand how they relate to one another and with adjustment. Applying self-determination theory, I also considered the role of autonomy-supportive contexts in moderating links between the various language brokering constructs and adjustment, with the expectation that language brokering would present less risk to adjustment in contexts high in autonomy support. A higher frequency of language brokering for both mothers and fathers predicted more intense feelings. Further, language brokering feelings were more predictive of adjustment than frequency. There was little evidence that brokering feelings moderated relations between language brokering frequency and adjustment. However, there was evidence that the absence of autonomy-supportive contexts was a risk for poorer adjustment, and that environments rich in autonomy support have the potential to mitigate risks associated with language brokering. The results are discussed with respect to unique adolescent experiences language brokering for mothers versus fathers, which further highlight the complex relations between language brokering and adjustment. / Graduate

L'annonce d'une mauvaise nouvelle en cancérologie constitue un exercice anxiogène pour les médecins. La théorie de la régulation émotionnelle laisse à penser que les médecins vont avoir recours à des stratégies afin de réguler leurs émotions au moment de l'annonce. Nous nous sommes interrogés sur l'impact des stratégies de régulation émotionnelle des médecins confrontés à l'annonce d'une mauvaise nouvelle, sur l'ajustement psychologique de leurs patients. Pour y répondre, quatre études ont été menées. La première visait à analyser l'anxiété des médecins et deux stratégies de régulation émotionnelles ( la réévaluation cognitive et la suppression expressive), à l'annonce d'une mauvaise nouvelle. Dans la seconde étude, les résultats de l'analyse quantitative d'entretiens menés auprès de médecins nous ont permis d'élargir l'éventail des émotions (négatives et positives) et des stratégies de régulation émotionnelle des médecins à l'annonce d'une mauvaise nouvelle. Dans la troisième étude, l'analyse IPA du discours des médecins a fait émerger deux éléments clés de compréhension de l'expérience subjective des médecins face à l'annonce : le sens que les médecins donnent à l'annonce et à leur rôle, et le lien établi avec leurs patients. La dernière étude s'est focalisée sur l'analyse des liens entre l'anxiété, les stratégies de régulation émotionnelle et les compétences relationnelles des médecins au moment de l'annonce, et l'ajustement psychologique de leurs patients quinze jours après l'annonce. Les résultats de ces quatre études apportent de nouveaux éléments de réflexion concernant les formations à l'annonce de mauvaises nouvelles proposées aux médecins. / Breaking bad news in oncology is a difficult task for physicians, generating anxiety. The theory of emotion regulation suggests that physicians are using emotion regulation strategies to influence their emotions when breaking bad news to patients. The literature has led us to question the impact of the emotion regulation strategies of physicians facing giving bad news in oncology, on their patient's psychological adjustment. To address this topic, four studies were carried out. The first one enables us to analyse physicians' anxiety and two emotions regulation strategies (expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal) at three different stages of the announcement : just before, just after and a week later. In the second study, the results of qualitative analysis from semi-structured interviews with physicians allow us to expand the range of emotions (negative and positive) and physicians' emotion regulation strategies when announcing a bad news. In the third study, the interpretative phenomenological analysis of the physicians' interviews enables us to understand two key elements of the subjective experience of physicians facing the announcement : the importance that physicians give to the announcement and their role, and the relationship established with their patients. Tha last study focusses on the analysis of the link between anxiety, emotion regulation strategies and the physicians' interpersonal skills when breaking bad news in oncology, and the patient's psychological adjustment fifteen days after the announcement. The results of these four studies allow to provide new lines of approach regarding the training in breaking bad news currently available for physicians.

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The present study evaluated a newly developed self-report questionnaire assessing young adults’ perceptions of their parents' current differential treatment of them and their siblings. This study also explored the influence of young adults' perceptions of parental differential treatment (PDT) on their general adjustment, sibling relationship quality, and romantic relationship adjustment. Attachment style was hypothesized to mediate the relations between PDT and these psychosocial outcomes in young adulthood. Participants included 275 university students and non-student community participants aged 18 to 25 years. Participants completed multiple-choice questionnaires assessing the variables of interest. The factor structure of the new measure of perceptions of PDT was confirmed by results of confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling, and this new measure showed good internal consistency and good convergent validity when compared to another widely used self-report measure of PDT. Young adults’ perceptions of higher overall levels of PDT, regardless of which sibling was favoured, and their perceptions of being treated less positively than their siblings were associated with poorer general and romantic relationship adjustment, more insecure attachment style, and poorer quality sibling relationships. A control variable, social desirability, was found to be related to self-reports of lower levels of perceived PDT, more secure attachment style, more positive parent-child and sibling relationships, and better general and romantic relationship adjustment. Results of path analyses showed that attachment style partially mediated the relations between maternal and paternal PDT and sibling relationship quality. Attachment style fully mediated the relations between maternal and paternal PDT and adjustment, and between maternal PDT and romantic relationship adjustment. PDT was related to sibling relationship quality even after accounting for the influence of overall parent-child relationship quality and perceptions of unfairness of PDT. The present study’s strengths and limitations and the implications of the current findings for clinical practice and future research are discussed. / Graduate

Orientador: Anita Liberalesso Neri / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T23:44:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rabelo_DorisFirmino_M.pdf: 518803 bytes, checksum: 124441c54baa8054625094924d0fbf74 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Objetivos: Investigar em pessoas acometidas por acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), as relações entre as incapacidades geradas pelo AVC, o senso de ajustamento pessoal e o bem-estar subjetivo. Método: Participaram 52 afetados por AVC acima de 50 anos freqüentadores de grupos de reabilitação. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista individual, apoiados em: a) questionário sócio-demográfico e itens concernentes ao AVC; b) Brazilian OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionaire - BOMFAQ para avaliar a capacidade funcional; c) para avaliar o bem-estar subjetivo, uma escala de satisfação com a vida global e uma de satisfação com a vida referenciada a domínios (capacidade física, mental e envolvimento social), e outra escala que avalia ânimo positivo e negativo; d) ajustamento pessoal pela Escala de Desenvolvimento Pessoal ¿ EDEP em versão reduzida. Resultados: Verificou-se que os principais preditores de baixo bem-estar subjetivo entre pessoas acometidas por AVC são: ter restrições em atividades importantes ligadas à identidade pessoal; ter sofrido AVC há menos de 3 anos; não contar com suporte para realizar atividades básicas e instrumentais de vida diária; maior necessidade de ajuda em atividades de vida diária; baixo escore de ajustamento psicológico; alto escore de afetos negativos; baixo escore de afetos positivos; comparação social desfavorável quanto à satisfação com a vida em relação a outros de mesma idade não afetados por AVC; comparação desfavorável da vida atual em comparação com a vida há cinco anos; e avaliação negativa da própria vida no momento. São influências favoráveis após um AVC: programas sociais de apoio e de reabilitação, suporte social, continuidade de uma ocupação produtiva, integração social e manutenção da competência em atividades instrumentais de vida diária / Abstract: Objectives: Investigating relationships between functional disability, perceived personal adjustment and subjective well-being among people who had suffered stroke. Method: There were 52 individuals aged 50 and more, participants of rehabilitation groups. Data were collected through an individual interview including: a) a sociodemographic questionnaire and items about the stroke; b) the Brazilian version of the OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionaire - BOMFAQ -, assessing functional ability; c) to assess the subjective well-being: scales of general life satisfaction, satisfaction concerning physical and mental ability, and social involvement, and positive/negative affect; d) a reduced version of the Escala de Desenvolvimento Pessoal (EDEP), assessing aspects of the psychological adjustment referenced to the Ryff's model and to the concept of generativity. Results: The main predictors of low subjective well-being were: restrictions related to important activities concerning personal identity; having had stroke less than three years ago; low instrumental support to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living; high necessity for instrumental support in activities of daily living; low score of perceived psychological adjustment; high score of negative affect; low score of positive affect; low scores in global life satisfaction in comparison with others who did not suffer stroke, in satisfaction with current life in comparison with life five years ago, and in satisfaction with current life. The following variables showed positive effects on well being: social support, involvement in rehabilitation programs, continuity of a productive occupation, social integration and maintenance of competence in instrumental activities of daily living / Mestrado / Mestre em Gerontologia

The adaptation to a new country is a complex and stressful process that is compounded when changes in status and identity have to be made. This exploratory study examined the adaptation of international company transferee spouses when they decide to follow the transferee on overseas assignments. Research to date indicates that the spouses’ dissatisfaction with life abroad is the leading cause of transferees breaking contract and prematurely returning home. The causes of this dissatisfaction are still not clear and this study sought greater clarification, particularly examining the experiences of male as well as female trailing spouses. The study, thus, takes gender as a main variable to consider. It explores how gendered expectations inherent in the structures of society inflect and inform the decisions, attitudes, and behaviors that affect the adaptations of trailing spouses living in a foreign habitus. The study is based on eight months of ethnographic research in two culturally different locations, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Brussels, Belgium. Forty-two American international company transferee spouses were recruited (seven males and thirty-five females). The data analysis revolved around five main themes: (1) the comparison of male with female trailing spouses’ experiences, (2) the effect of location on spouses’ adaptation, (3) the communities that spouses integrate into, (4) variations in personal work and family histories, and (5) conditions of exit. The analysis engaged multiple theories regarding gender, sociological adaptation, and psychological adaptation. Results indicate that both socio-cultural and psychological factors affect adaptation and that gender matters very significantly, particularly along two axes: (1) gendered structures in our society create different reasons why males and females become trailing spouses, (2) the gendered social constructions of role expectations make the experience of being a trailing husband different from being a trailing wife. In addition spouses’ status as parents (or not) and their “readiness for change” were found to be important predictors of positive spousal adaptation. In contrast, significant ties with families in the home country and strong professional identity with career projections were important predictors of negative spousal adaptation.

Grounded in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach and in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model of human development (1979), the current research program used a correlational approach to examine the effect of participation in organized activities (OAs) on two dimensions of youth’s psychological and emotional development: Psychological adjustment (Article 1) and Emotional competence (Article 2). Through two articles and four studies, this research program also aimed to explore the influence of two OA-context variables, youth experiences and youth engagement, on the previous dimensions of development. Together, results aimed to provide new information in the PYD research domain. Main findings are described. First, we hypothesized that participation in OAs had a positive effect on indicators of youth psychological and emotional development. Overall, our results indicated that this effect was not statistically significant (Article 1, Study 2; Article 2, Studies 1 and 2), although some statistically significant differences were found between OA participants’ and non-participants’ psychological adjustment in a correlational design (Article 1, Study 1). The potential implications of these results, as well as their limitations, are discussed. The current research also examined the potential role of youth experiences within their OAs in the link between OA participation and psychological and emotional development. Overall, results indicated that some experiences in OA contexts were statistically significant predictors of psychological adjustment and emotional competence. Furthermore, experiences of identity emerged as mediators of the effect of participation on life satisfaction in a longitudinal design (Article 1, Study 2). However, this effect was negative and may be best explained by the presence of a suppression effect in the model. Moreover, experiences of initiative and stress emerged as mediators of the effect of participation on emotional competence (Article 2, Study 1), but results were not replicated in a longitudinal design (Article 2, Study 2). This research also examined the potential role of youth’s engagement in their OAs on psychological and emotional development (Article 1, Study 2; Article 2, Study 2). The inclusion of engagement in our research program was crucial and allowed for the identification of specific necessary conditions for participation to have an effect on outcomes of psychological and emotional development. In our research, engagement emerged as a moderator of the indirect effects of participation on two indicators of psychological and emotional development. First, the indirect effect of participation on self-esteem through experiences of initiative emerged as statistically significant only for youth who were highly engaged in their OA (Article 1, Study 2). Next, the negative indirect effect of participation on life satisfaction through experiences of identity emerged as significant only for youth who were highly engaged in their OA. Again, the latter result might be best explained by the presence of a suppression effect (Article 1, Study 2). Lastly, engagement also emerged as a moderator of the effect of participation on specific youth experiences (Article 1, Study 2). Implications for theory and practice emerge from this research. A better understanding of the effect of OA participation on psychological and emotional development and of the specific roles of youth experiences and youth engagement in OAs is attained. Practical implications are discussed. In line with its exploratory nature, the current research program provides multiple avenues for future research within the PYD approach.

Text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking sites are changing the way people interact with each other. The popularity of these communication technologies among emerging adults in particular has grown exponentially, with little accompanying research to understand their influences on psychosocial development. This study explores the relationship between communication technology usage (text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking) and adolescent adjustment among 268 high school students. It was hypothesized that use of communication technology would be related to psychological adjustment, including identity development, relationship attachment and peer conflict. Participants were recruited from three public high schools in central Florida (69% female, 81.9% White). Time spent using communication technology was significantly correlated with psychological symptom severity (i.e. anxiety and depression), identity distress, peer aggression, and existential anxiety. It was also significantly but negatively correlated with relationship avoidance. Degree of usage of communication technology for interpersonal communication was significantly correlated with peer aggression, relationship anxiety, and existential anxiety. Those with a preoccupied style (high in relationship anxiety, low in relationship avoidance) spent significantly more time using communication technology than those in the dismissive (high in avoidance, low in anxiety), fearful (high in both), and secure (low in both) styles. Further analyses and their implications for adolescent development will be discussed.

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