VOCATIONAL INTERESTS: CONSTRUCT VALIDITY AND MEASUREMENT

This dissertation addressed several questions relevant to vocational interests and personality characteristics, examining (a) the roles of personality, vocational interests, and sexual fantasies in defining a general factor of Masculinity/Femininity (M/F) (Study 1), (b) the validity of a new measure of vocational interests (Study 2), and (c) the individual difference characteristics that discriminate between students in various academic majors, and that predict academic outcomes (Study 3). In Study 1, vocational interests, personality, and sexual fantasies were examined to find whether these variables would yield a general Masculinity/Femininity (M/F) factor, and whether that factor would still emerge when controlling for participant sex. The results of Study 1 revealed that a general factor of M/F did emerge. When sex was removed, the loadings of vocational interests decreased from high to very low, suggesting that the link of vocational interests with other indicators of M/F is mainly due to sex differences in these variables. The purpose of Study 2 was to validate the Oregon Vocational Interest Scales (ORVIS), a new public domain vocational interests questionnaire designed to measure eight vocational interest scales. ORVIS scores obtained in a college and community sample were compared with those of two personality measures and two cognitive ability tests. Results from this study showed that the ORVIS scales were reliable and showed good construct validity. The purpose of Study 3, using the ORVIS along with the HEXACO-PI and tests of cognitive ability, was to examine the individual difference characteristics of students in different academic majors, and to use the congruence between a student's academic major and vocational interests as a predictor of academic outcomes, such as GPA, academic major change, and satisfaction with major. The results of Study 3 revealed that students in different academic majors show theoretically meaningful differences in personality, abilities, and interests. Conscientiousness and math ability were found to be the best predictors of academic outcomes. However, congruence between major and interests did not add significant predictive validity to any of these outcomes beyond personality and ability. Together, these three studies show the role of vocational interests in defming MlF and in predicting various academic outcomes.

University Students' Perceptions of Myocardial Infarction Patients

This study examined: (1) whether individuals who were described as having a myocardial infarction (MI) were perceived differently compared to individuals who were described as having rheumatoid arthritis or individuals who had no health condition; and (2) whether individuals described as engaging in exercise following an MI were perceived more positively than those described as not engaging in exercise following an MI or for whom no mention of exercise was made. University students (n = 473) were randomly assigned 1 of 10 target conditions. They completed demographic information, read a target description, created an image of that target in their head, and then rated that target on physical and personality characteristics. The results showed that the MI targets were perceived more negatively than the arthritis targets and healthy controls, specifically on the physical characteristics. Further, engaging in exercise following an MI helped to reduce the negative perceptions associated with MIs.

The Influence of Motivational Behaviours and Goal Profiles on Positive Youth Development

Positive Youth Development (PYD) research has started to shift focus onto how different internal factors such as temperament, dispositions, and/or personality characteristics could influence levels of PYD for youth participating is organized sport. The purpose of this study is to examine how different goal profiles, specifically categorized by diverse levels of task and ego orientation, can influence levels of PYD in an organized youth sport setting. One hundred youth sport participants (mean age = 16.8) completed the short form Youth Experiences Survey for Sport (short form YES-S; Sullivan et al., 2013) to measure PYD, as well as the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ; Duba 1989) to assess each athlete’s goal profile. A TwoStep Cluster Analysis was used to classify each individual’s personal goal profile into 3 statistically different cluster groupings. Results indicated significant interaction between the PYD outcome factor of Initiative vs. Clusters [F(2,95)= 10.86, p < 0.001, p2= 0.19] as well as Goal Setting vs. Clusters [F(2,95)= 3.95, p < 0.05, p2= 0.08]. Post-hoc analyses provided results that suggest that those athletes who are more task oriented have fostered more positive outcomes from sport, therefore having more goal setting skills and initiative.

Des pensées criminelles et des traits de personnalité de fraudeurs incarcérés, sous l’angle de la psychopathie

L’élaboration de programme d’interventions propres aux fraudeurs soulève la question de la particularité de leur personnalité. Des écrits suggèrent que la personnalité des fraudeurs présenterait des similitudes avec les traits psychopathiques. L’objectif de l’étude est donc de décrire et d’explorer ces traits chez des fraudeurs spécialisés incarcérés, et ce, à l’aide des questionnaires Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI) et Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS). Trois groupes de détenus (35 hommes, 17 femmes) ont rempli les questionnaires: fraudeurs spécialisés (n=23), autres délinquants sans crimes violents (ASV, n=19) et autres délinquants avec crimes violents (AAV, n=10). Un groupe d’étudiants (n=430) a aussi complété le PPI, permettant ainsi d’ajouter un groupe de comparaison. Les analyses ont permis de constater que le groupe de fraudeurs diffère peu des autres groupes quant à leurs traits psychopathiques. Cependant, ils sont moins enclins que le groupe d’AAV à adopter des pensées criminelles, fréquentes chez les psychopathes.

L'anorexie mentale chez les adolescents et les jeunes adultes de sexe masculin: Recension des écrits

Essai doctoral présenté à la Faculté des arts et des sciences en vue de l'obtention du grade de Doctorat en psychologie clinique (D.Psy.)

Potencialidades terapéuticas del juego de rol

Esta investigación cualitativa-cuantitativa tiene como objetivo explorar las potencialidades terapéuticas del Juego de Rol, las cuales no han sido objeto de estudio. Se realizó con cinco estudiantes de colegio y cuatro de universidad, aplicándoles las escalas 16PF, SASS, ocho sesiones de juego de rol (Dungeons and dragons) y Grupos de Discusión. Se concluyó que no hay diferencia entre la adaptación pre y post. Los estudiantes de Colegio tienen características de personalidad similares en escala de Autosuficiencia, Apertura al Cambio y Aprensión, los universitarios en Atrevimiento, Vigilancia, Abstracción y Aprensión y dimensión global de Ansiedad. El Juego de Rol mejora las relaciones interpersonales dentro y fuera del grupo de juego, la expresión de sentimientos repercute fuera del Juego, la principal diferencia entre la experiencia de juego y la Vida Real es la libertad para romper las normas sociales. El trabajo en Equipo es una enseñanza primordial, contribuye a la toma de decisiones, proyección como mecanismo de defensa, capacidad Imaginativa inherente, desarrollo de la empatía, socialización, potenciación de habilidades no explotadas, encuentro de intereses, toma de conciencia, responsabilidad y sublimación de aspectos reprimidos de la personalidad.

Trets de personalitat, percepció de control, conducta proactiva de vinculació social i satisfacció amb la vida d'una mostra d'estudiants universitaris

Amb aquest estudi es pretén conèixer els nivells de Satisfacció amb la vida i simptomatologia afectiva dels estudiants de Psicologia de la Universitat de Girona, analitzar la influència de les diferències individuals en l'explicació de la Satisfacció amb la vida i la simptomatologia afectiva i aportar dades empíriques que ajudin a clarificar les relacions existents entre diferents característiques de personalitat i la seva influència sobre la conducta Proactiva de vinculació social dels estudiants universitaris.Han participat en l'estudi 159 alumnes dels estudis de psicologia de la Universitat de Girona (86'2% dones i 13'8% homes).Els resultats obtinguts mostren que hi ha un 28'5 % d'estudiants que manifesten no sentir-se satisfets amb la seva vida en general. Els dominis més directament vinculats al jo, com la percepció d'un mateix i el suport afectiu que reps dels altres, són els que millor contribueixen a l'explicació de la Satisfacció amb la vida. Els resultats també mostrem que són les característiques de personalitat (neuroticisme, responsabilitat i extraversió) les variables que millor prediuen la Satisfacció amb la vida en general i per dominis.

Experiential learning from entrepreneurial failure

This paper examines the phenomenon of 'entrepreneurial failure' from a UK regionally-based qualitative study, being that of explanations for failure provided by entrepreneurial CEOs. This paper contends that there are valuable lessons to be learned, from explanations provided of failure, that may reduce the very high recorded mortality rates of entrepreneurial businesses, in particular that of nascent entrepreneurs. Our intention is to make nascent entrepreneurs and their advisors more aware of the consequences of the likely personal risks they will be assuming, especially before they embark on their new business ventures. This paper focuses strongly on entrepreneurial 'personality characteristics' which can detrimentally influence the quality of decision-making. We provide data of some 'experiential learning from failure' from our case studies, that were compiled from interviews with the former directors, following their completion of the questionnaire survey. We describe 'failed entrepreneurs' who have successfully restarted their businesses as 'phoenix' entrepreneurs.

Mobbing : Personlighet, kön och andra faktorers påverkan på människan

Mobbing är ett socialt problem. Därför skapades denna studie för att se om samband råder mellan mobbad, mobbare och personlighetsegenskaper. Dessutom gjordes en könsfördelning för att se om det råder några signifikanta skillnader i händelse, kön och personlighet. För att få svar på dessa syften ställdes frågorna: Hur ser mobbingen ut och vilka drabbas? Har kön och personlighetsegenskaper någon betydelse för om man blir mobbad eller utsätter andra för mobbing? Till hjälp användes en kvantitativ undersökningsmetod. En enkätstudie, där tre klasser i årskurs nio deltog. Det resultat som framkom var att tjejer i allt större utsträckning mobbar och mobbas och använder sig av mer grövre metoder än tidigare. Dessutom visar studien att det finns en signifikant skillnad i personlighet karakteristiska neurotisk och de som utsätts för mobbning.AbstractBullying is a social problem. Therefore this study was created to see if there was a connection between being bullied, bullies, and personality characteristics. In addition a balance to see if there was any significant difference in the event, gender and personality. To answer these objectives the questions were: What is bullying and who is affected? Do gender and personality characteristics have an impact on whether one is being bullied or subjecting others to bullying? A quantitative questionnaire survey was used in three classes for students in ninth grade. The results showed that girls were more widely both bullies and bullied. And apply the increasingly violent methods. In addition, the study shows that there is a significant difference in personality characteristic neuroticism and those that are subjected to bullying.

Características de personalidade e preferências de aprendizagens: um estudo exploratório

O presente trabalho descreve um estudo exploratório de características de personalidade e preferências de aprendizagem em estudantes universitários de quatro cursos da área da Saúde: Medicina, Odontologia, Enfermagem e Nutrição. Para este estudo utilizou-se como fonte de dados dois instrumentos de medida, as Escalas de personalidade de Comrey e o Inventário de Pre2erências de Aprendizagem. O tratamento dos dados foi feito através das estatísticas distribuição de frequência, correlação e análise da regressão. Os resultados do tratamento estatístico não nos possibilitou. alcançar nenhuma conclusão objetiva das relações entre as variáveis de personalidade e preferências de aprendizagem, no entanto, forneceu-nos dados para posteriores estudos.

Influência do autoconceito e da institucionalização nas reações a inequidade

A presente pesquisa teve como finalidade investigar os efeitos da inequidade quando a pessoa é a vítima e a beneficiada na relação, bem como, verificar também a influência do autoconceito e da institucionalização nas reações e tipos de restaurações que são feitas nas situações inequitativas. Participaram do estudo 568 adolescentes, sendo 504 de colégios públicos e particulares e 64 da FUNABEM e FEEM. Os resultados mostraram que tanto os sujeitos na condição de vítima como na de beneficiado optam pelo tipo de restauração que busca anular a situação inequitativa. Porém, a percepção da injustiça é mais acurada para os que estão em desvantagem na relação. Na análise foram detectados, também, que os tipos de respostas que são buscadas para diminuir o desconforto advindo da inequidade parecem depender tanto das características de personalidade dos indivíduos -no caso o autoconceito -como de fatores institucionais.

Aplicabilidade do Rorshach na avaliação psicológica do autismo

This study investigates the applicability of the Rorschach Method for evaluating the personality of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).The relevance of this study is justified by the limited number of investigations published in the research literature concerning the use of psychological tests used for evaluating the personality of individuals with ASD. The Rorschach Method was chosen as an appropriate instrument considering it reveals the personality s basic structure, including characteristics of the affectivity, sensuality, inner life, mental resources, psychic energy and general characteristics and intellectual state of the individual. The general objective of this investigation consisted of verifying the applicability of the use the Rorschach Method in the evaluation of the characteristics of people's personality with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The study also sought to identify perceptive factors of the personality structure of individuals with ASD, provide contributions of the understanding of this syndrome, seeking the establishment of possible therapeutic interventions starting from diagnostic by Rorschach Method. In addition, this investigation aims at verifying the adequacy of using the Rorschach Method as an instrument for evaluating the personality characteristics of individuals with ASD and its possible use in Brazil, starting from preliminary normative results. Participants consisted of 44 youngsters and adults, both genders with age range 14 - 39 years-old (average: 23.5 years-old) distributed in 2 groups. Group 1: composed with 22 youngsters and adults with clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (communication impairments, social interaction deficits, restricted and repetitive interests and activities); Group 2: composed with 22 youngsters and adults with typical behavior. The participants were paired to gender and age, individually. The Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were applied to evaluate statistical differences between the groups, considering demographic and social data. The results indicate the presence of restricted interest or difficulty in the expression of the social and affective interaction of people with ASD. However, the need of broader normative studies concerning the use of personality evaluation instruments for people with ASD is warranted. These investigations could help understand the psychic dynamism of this population, offering subsidies that can be added to the current techniques of diagnosis. The Rorschach Method is susceptible to application but it is necessary to respect the individual limitations of these people and to establish more criterions about the spectrum

Contribuições das técnicas projetivas gráficas para a compreensão da personalidade de andarilhos de estrada

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Emoção e personalidade em gestantes portadoras de hipertensão arterial crônica

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Psychosocial stress and cardiovascular risk : current opinion

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Epidemiologic research of the last half-century has clearly shown that psychosocial factors related to the social environment, personality characteristics, and negative affect increase the risk of incident CVD and also impact prognosis of cardiac patients. Several mechanisms may explain this link, including a genetic predisposition, poor lifestyle choices, low adherence to health recommendations, and direct pathophysiologic perturbations. The latter include alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis and autonomic dysfunction resulting in endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and a prothrombotic state further downstream. Screening for psychosocial factors seems appropriate as part of the standard history and based on the clinician's knowledge of the patient and the purpose of the visit. Psychological interventions generally alleviate distress in cardiac patients, but whether they reduce the risk of hard cardiovascular endpoints and all-cause mortality is less evident. Cardiac patients with more severe depression may particularly profit from antidepressant medications. Due to their pharmacologic properties, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were shown to improve cardiovascular outcome. The most effective psychosocial treatment is multicomponent therapy that combines elements of cognitive behaviour therapy ("stress management") and changes in health behaviours, including the adoption of a regular exercise regimen. Gender-specific issues should probably be considered. The field of behavioural cardiology has accumulated a wealth of epidemiological, mechanistic and clinical knowledge that undoubtedly has furthered our understanding about the important role of psychosocial risk factors in patients with a heart disease.