Callings and work engagement: Moderated mediation model of work meaningfulness, occupational identity, and occupational self-efficacy

Scholarly interest in callings is growing, but our understanding of how and when callings relate to career outcomes is incomplete. The present study investigated the possibility that the relationship of calling to work engagement is mediated by work meaningfulness, occupational identity, and occupational self-efficacy – and that this mediation depends on the degree of perceived person-job fit. I examined a highly educated sample of German employees (N=529) in diverse occupations and found support for two of the three hypothesized mediators – work meaningfulness and occupational identity – after controlling for the relation of core self-evaluations to work engagement. Contrary to expectations, the mediated relations of callings to work engagement were not conditional upon the degree of person-job fit. The findings are considered in terms of the pathways through which callings may relate to work engagement and other career development outcomes.

Synchronous and Time-Lagged Effects between Occupational Self-Efficacy and Objective and Subjective Career Success: Findings from a Four-Wave and 9-Year Longitudinal Study

We integrated research on the dimensionality of career success into social-cognitive career theory and explored the positive feedback loop between occupational self-efficacy and objective and subjective career success over time (self-efficacy → objective success → subjective success → self-efficacy). Furthermore, we theoretically accounted for synchronous and time-lagged effects, as well as indirect reciprocity between the variables. We tested the proposed model by means of longitudinal structural equation modeling in a 9-year four-wave panel design, by applying a model comparison approach and indirect effect analyses (N = 608 professionals). The findings supported the proposed positive feedback loop between occupational self-efficacy and career success. Supporting our time-based reasoning, the findings showed that unfolding effects between occupational self-efficacy and objective career success take more time (i.e., time-lagged or over time) than unfolding effects between objective and subjective career success, as well as between subjective career success and occupational self-efficacy (i.e., synchronous or concurrently). Indirect effects of past on future occupational self-efficacy via objective and subjective career success were significant, providing support for an indirect reciprocity model. Results are discussed with respect to extensions of social-cognitive career theory and occupational self-efficacy development over time.

The longitudinal impact of self-efficacy and career goals on objective and subjective career success

The present research reports on the impact of occupational self-efficacy and of career-advancement goals on objective (salary, status) and subjective (career satisfaction) career attainments. Seven hundred and thirty four highly educated and full-time employed professionals answered questionnaires immediately after graduation, three years later, and seven years later. Controlling for discipline, GPA at master’s level, and gender, we found that occupational self-efficacy measured at career entry had a positive impact on salary and status three years later and a positive impact on salary change and career satisfaction seven years later. Career-advancement goals at career entry had a positive impact on salary and status after three years and a positive impact on status change after seven years, but a negative impact on career satisfaction after seven years. Women earned less than men, but did not differ from men in hierarchical status and in career satisfaction. Theoretical implications for socio-cognitive theorizing and for career-success research as well as applied implications for vocational behavior are discussed.

Social support reciprocity and occupational self-efficacy beliefs during mothers’ organizational re-entry

The present study assesses the effects of a lack of social support reciprocity at work on employees' occupational self-efficacy beliefs. We assume that the self-efficacy effects of received support and support reciprocity depend on the specific work context (e.g., phase in the process of organizational socialization). 297 women who returned to work after maternity leave participated at three measurement points (five weeks, eleven weeks, six months after re-entry). We measured self-reported received and provided support as well as occupational self-efficacy beliefs. Women who received a high amount but provided only little support at work (overbenefitting) reported lowered self-efficacy beliefs. As expected, this effect was not found at the beginning of re-entry, but only later, when over-benefitting began to be negatively related to recipients' self-efficacy beliefs.

Logistic regression models for ordinal response: A study of self-efficacy in colorectal cancer screening

The ordinal logistic regression models are used to analyze the dependant variable with multiple outcomes that can be ranked, but have been underutilized. In this study, we describe four logistic regression models for analyzing the ordinal response variable. ^ In this methodological study, the four regression models are proposed. The first model uses the multinomial logistic model. The second is adjacent-category logit model. The third is the proportional odds model and the fourth model is the continuation-ratio model. We illustrate and compare the fit of these models using data from the survey designed by the University of Texas, School of Public Health research project PCCaSO (Promoting Colon Cancer Screening in people 50 and Over), to study the patient’s confidence in the completion colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). ^ The purpose of this study is two fold: first, to provide a synthesized review of models for analyzing data with ordinal response, and second, to evaluate their usefulness in epidemiological research, with particular emphasis on model formulation, interpretation of model coefficients, and their implications. Four ordinal logistic models that are used in this study include (1) Multinomial logistic model, (2) Adjacent-category logistic model [9], (3) Continuation-ratio logistic model [10], (4) Proportional logistic model [11]. We recommend that the analyst performs (1) goodness-of-fit tests, (2) sensitivity analysis by fitting and comparing different models.^

The role of self-efficacy in a low fat high fiber intervention to reduce breast cancer risk among African American women

Purpose. To determine if self-efficacy (SE) changes predicted total fat (TF) and total fiber (TFB) intake and the relationship between SE changes and the two dietary outcomes. ^ Design. This is a secondary analysis, utilizing baseline and first follow up (FFU) data from the NULIFE, a randomized trial. ^ Setting. Nutrition classes were taught in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. ^ Participants. 79 pre-menopausal, 25--45 year old African American women with an 85% response rate at FFU. ^ Method. Dietary intake was assessed with the Arizona Food Frequency Questionnaire and SE with the Self Efficacy for Dietary Change Questionnaire. Analysis was done using Stata version 9. Linear and logistic regression was used with adjustment for confounders. ^ Results. Linear regression analyses showed that SE changes for eating fruits and vegetables predicted total fiber intake in the control group for both the univariate (P = 0.001) and multivariate (P = 0.01) models while SE for eating fruits and vegetables at first follow-up predicted total fiber intake in the intervention for both models (P = 0.000). Logistic regression analyses of low fat SE changes and 30% or less for total fat intake, showed an adjusted OR of 0.22 (95% CI = 0.03, 1.48; P = 0.12) in the intervention group. The logistic regression analyses of SE changes in fruits and vegetables and 10g or more for total fiber intake, showed an adjusted OR of 6.25 (95% CI = 0.53, 72.78; P = 0.14) in the control group. ^ Conclusion. SE for eating fruits and vegetables at first follow-up predicted intervention groups' TFB intake and intervention women that increased their SE for eating a low fat diet were more likely to achieve the study goal of 30% or less calories from TF. SE changes for eating fruits and vegetables predicted the control's TFB intake and control women that increased their SE for eating fruits and vegetables were more likely to achieve the study goal of 10 g or more from TFB. Limitations are use of self-report measures, small sample size, and possible control group contamination.^

Assessing residents' readiness to screen for domestic violence: Utilizing the transtheoretical model - stages of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy

Domestic violence is a major public health problem, yet most physicians do not effectively identify patients at risk. Medical students and residents are not routinely educated on this topic and little is known about the factors that influence their decisions to include screening for domestic violence in their subsequent practice. In order to assess the readiness of primary care residents to screen all patients for domestic violence, this study utilized a survey incorporating constructs from the Transtheoretical Model, including Stages of Change, Decisional Balance (Pros and Cons) and Self-Efficacy. The survey was distributed to residents at the University of Texas Health Science Center Medical School in Houston in: Internal Medicine, Medicine/Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Data from the survey was analyzed to test the hypothesis that residents in the earlier Stages of Change report more costs and fewer benefits with regards to screening for domestic violence, and that those in the later stages exhibit higher Self-Efficacy scores. The findings from this study were consistent with the model in that benefits to screening (Pros) and Self-Efficacy were correlated with later Stages of Change, however reporting fewer costs (Cons) was not. Very few residents were ready to screen all of their patients.^

Validity and reliability of a measure of Latina mother's nutritional self-efficacy

Background. Not only has obesity played a role in Texas adults but it is also becoming a large issue among low-income Latino children. In Latino children between 2-5 years of age, the Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance data in 1997 found the prevalence of obesity was 12 percent, highest among all ethnic groups. Children learn what and how to eat from their environment. Despite many mothers being working mothers they are still the principal caregivers and source of influence on their toddler's diet. Self-efficacy, a concept created by Albert Bandura, one's belief that one is capable of performing a behavior needed to reach an intended goal, is increasingly becoming important in nutrition and health education. This study is important to understand the degree of impact that a mother's self-efficacy will have on a child's diet. This is useful knowing if influencing a mother's self-efficacy could improve a child's diet to prevent certain public health issues such as obesity and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine nutrition self-efficacy of Latina mothers, focusing on sweets and beverage and if their self-efficacy impacted their child's diet. Methods. The data was collected during July-September 2008. Mothers were recruited from two federally qualified San Antonio health centers. In order to qualify, participants had to be Hispanic with children of toddler age. Mothers were informed of incentives available upon completion. The interview consisted of demographic info, a set of five self-efficacy questions repeated at completion, testing reliability and a 24-hour food recall diary asked of the participant's child's diet. Results. There were 225 mothers who participated between both clinics. The Crohnbach alpha scores for the two different times the self-efficacy questions were asked were .44 corresponding to the first time and .49 for the second time. The three most common beverages reported were milk, juice, and water. The mothers who met or gave their child more milk than recommended by the scientific community, 800mg of calcium/3 cups (24oz) set, had a higher self-efficacy score than those who did not meet the standard at all. Mothers who gave their children more juice than the standard recommends, 4-6oz for children 1-6 years of age, had slightly higher self-efficacy scores than mother's who simply met the standard. In general, the lower the mother's self-efficacy, the more sweets they gave their child and vice versa. Conclusion. This study's Kappa values were adequate and this research showed that Latina mothers did in fact have high self-efficacy. In general some of the children's diets did not reflect the current scientific nutrition recommendations. In order to improve self-efficacy and have an impact on children's diets, the scientific community has a responsibility to make recommendations that are easily understood and can be put into practice. The public health community needs to ensure that we encourage those we serve to be more active in their health and educate them about what constitutes good health and nutrition for both themselves and their children.^

An examination of spirituality, self efficacy, and smoking cessation among adults in Houston, Texas

Over the past decade there has been a growing interest in the association between spirituality and health outcomes. Little is known about the role of spirituality among adult smokers who are motivated to stop smoking. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the relations among immutable individual differences, spirituality, and self efficacy among adults motivated to stop smoking. The first paper of this dissertation systematically reviewed literature to measure the concordance between spirituality and smoking status among adults in the United States. The second paper of this dissertation explored the association between spirituality and smoking cessation. We hypothesized that higher levels of spirituality were positively associated with smoking cessation. The third paper of this dissertation examined the association between perceived self efficacy and spirituality. We hypothesized that both high levels of self efficacy and spirituality were positively associated with smoking cessation.^ A total of 152 citations were identified based on the preliminary search of databases and reference lists. After a preliminary title- and abstract-based review, 17 full text articles were retrieved for further assessment. Of these, eight met the criteria for inclusion. Results of the systematic review suggest that there is inconsistent evidence to support or refute an association between spirituality and smoking status among adults.^ Smokers (N = 200) at least 18 years of age enrolled in a minimal contact smoking cessation intervention in Houston, Texas completed questionnaires. To examine our hypotheses we conducted cross-sectional analyses of responses to questions included in selected baseline questions and the final in-person visit three weeks post-quit day. Results of the logistic regression analyses indicated that individuals with higher levels of spirituality and self efficacy were significantly more likely to abstain from smoking. The positive association is also evident when controlling for employment, income, race, education, and nicotine dependence. The interaction between self efficacy and spirituality was not statistically significant in predicting smoking abstinence.^ Recommendations for future research and implications for smoking cessation interventions are discussed. Further research in this area would benefit from using standard measures of abstinence, recruiting larger and more diverse populations, and using longitudinal study designs.^

Understanding treatment-related symptoms, symptom management techniques, and symptom management self-efficacy in a sample of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients

The current literature available on bladder cancer symptom management from the perspective of the patients themselves is limited. There is also limited psychosocial research specific to bladder cancer patients and no previous studies have developed and validated measures for bladder cancer patients’ symptom management self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to investigate non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients’ health related quality of life through two main study objectives: (1) to describe the treatment related symptoms, reported effectiveness of symptom-management techniques, and the advice a sample of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients would convey to physicians and future patients; and (2) to evaluate Lepore’s symptom management self-efficacy measure on a sample of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. Methods. A total of twelve (n=12) non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients participated in an in-depth interview and a sample of 46 (n=4) non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients participated in the symptom-management self-efficacy survey. Results. A total of five symptom categories emerged for the participants’ 59 reported symptoms. Four symptom management categories emerged out of the 71 reported techniques. A total of 62% of the participants’ treatment related symptom-management techniques were reported as effective in managing their treatment-related symptoms. Five advice categories emerged out of the in-depth interviews: service delivery; medical advice; physician-patient communication; encouragement; and no advice. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a single-factor structure for the total population and a multiple factor structure for three subgroups: all males, married males, and all married participants. Conclusion. These findings can inform physicians and patients of effective symptom-management techniques thus improving patients’ health-related quality of life. The advice these patients’ impart can improve service-delivery and patient education.^

FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENT SURVEY ON HEALTH PROMOTION (PERSONAL EXPECTATIONS, BEHAVIORS, PERCEIVED SELF-EFFICACY, COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT, OUTCOME EXPECTANCY)

This study was designed to test the theoretical predictors of personal efficacy expectations among family medicine resident physicians for helping their patients change thirteen high risk health behaviors. A survey questionnaire was sent to 781 family medicine residents in the six state south central region. The response rate was 60 percent. The hypothesized relationship between lower levels of difficulty and higher personal efficacy expectations was supported by the data. Effort was a significant predictor of perceived self efficacy for health behaviors considered less difficult to change. Situational support did not prove to be a significant predictor for many of the health behaviors. Rate and pattern of success were consistent and significant predictors of perceived self efficacy for helping patients change all thirteen of the health behaviors. Modeling of effective methods by faculty was a significant predictor of efficacy expectations for several but not all of the behaviors. Personal modeling was a significant predictor of perceived efficacy for helping patients change behaviors related to alcohol misuse and exercise. The respondents personally modeled positive health behaviors more consistently than their older colleagues or the general population.^ The results of this study lend substantially to the usefulness of the cognitive-behavioral theory of perceived self efficacy and provide a mechanism for assessing the predictors of personal efficacy expectations of family medicine resident physicians. The findings are expected to have direct implications for faculty to institute systematic programs of interventions designed to increase residents' perceptions of efficacy in facilitating more positive health behaviors among their patients. ^

The Spanish version of the Prenatal Breast-feeding Self-efficacy Scale: Reliability and validity assessment

Background: Only a minority of infants are exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months postpartum. Breast-feeding self-efficacy is a mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed and is predictive of breastfeeding behaviors. The Prenatal Breast-feeding Self-efficacy Scale (PBSES) was developed among English-speaking mothers to measure breastfeeding self-efficacy before delivery. Objectives: To translate the PBSES into Spanish and assess its psychometric properties. Design: Reliability and validity assessment. Setting: A public hospital in Yecla, Spain. Participants: A convenience sample of 234 pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: The PBSES was translated into Spanish using forward and back translation. A battery of self-administered questionnaires was completed by participants, including a questionnaire on sociodemographic variables, breastfeeding experience and intention, as well as the Spanish version of the PBSES. Also, data on exclusive breastfeeding at discharge were collected from hospital database. Dimensional structure, internal consistency and construct validity of the Spanish version of PBSES were assessed. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis suggested the presence of one construct, self-efficacy, with four dimensions or latent variables. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was 0.91. Response patterns based on decision to breastfeed during pregnancy provided evidence of construct validity. In addition, the scores of the Spanish version of the PBSES significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Conclusions: The Spanish version of PBSES shows evidences of reliability, and contrasting group and predictive validity. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated marginal fit and further studies are needed to provide new evidence on the structure of the scale. The Spanish version of the PBSES can be considered a reliable measure and shows validity evidences.