Employee psychological contracts

This thesis concerns the psychological contracts of employees. A psychological contract is an employee’s perception that: 1) an employer has certain obligations to them, and 2) in return, they have obligations as employees. A psychological contract is therefore a set of subjectively perceived reciprocal obligations. The psychological foundations of this construct are linked with cognitive schemas and social exchange theories. While the concept of psychological contracts was first proposed in the early 1960s, it has only been operationalised for empirical study in the last decade. The purpose of the thesis was to increase the understanding of the content and structure of employee psychological contracts and their links with career cognitions. The specific aims of the thesis were to: 1) examine the relational-transactional dimensions of psychological contracts, 2) develop a comprehensive set of workplace obligations for use with employees, 3) consider alternative dimensions of employee psychological contracts, 4) demonstrate reciprocity between obligations, and 5) determine whether psychological contracts directly affect career cognitions. The thesis contains four quantitative studies. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires that contained both established and new measures. Most participants were employees from a large insurance company, government vocational services or educational institutions. The analyses included canonical correlation, factor analysis, development of measurement models and structural analysis. The findings did not strongly support a distinction between relational and transactional obligations. Instead, a five-factor model of psychological contracts emerged from an expanded set of workplace obligations when it was used with two separate employee samples. This model demonstrated reciprocal relationships between the dimensions of employee and employer obligations. It was also found that alternative dimensions of the psychological contract have a direct influence on organisational commitment and career satisfaction. The thesis supports several general conclusions about the nature of employee psychological contracts, appropriate measures and future research. General workplace obligations that apply across different workplaces can be found, and these should continue to be refined. Such workplace obligations group in meaningful ways, and they can be usefully studied in terms of employer support and employee attitudes to work, rather than in terms of relational and transactional dimensions. Furthermore, this thesis shows that reciprocity in psychological contracts can be demonstrated by correlations between dimensions of employee and employer obligations. The measure used for studying reciprocity was new, and it requires further work. However, this measure is as reliable and valid as any currently available. Measurement is the single most urgent issue facing researchers. Finally, this thesis provides sufficient empirical evidence to support the claim that psychological contracts are an important variable for the understanding of careers.

Psychological impact of breast and prostate cancer on patients and partners

Aims to identify and describe the psychological experiences of breast and prostate cancer patients and their partners, in terms of adjustment, coping and support issues.

Women's decisions about amniocentesis : new dilemmas, new fears

Explores how the development and availability of prenatal diagnostic testing creates dilemmas for pregnant women that previous generations of women never had to face. Examines the reasons for the women's decisions about amniocentesis in the context of their reproductive, personal and social circumstances. The thesis concludes that, regardless of whether the study participants had accepted or rejected the medical offer of prenatal diagnosis, it was shaped by their desire to gain a sense of control in reproduction.

Application of the psychological contract to occupational safety

Psychological contracts were applied to occupational safety. A psychological contract of safety measure was developed and validated, and a model of safety developed to investigate breach and fulfilment of the psychological contract of safety. Findings suggest that the psychological contract of safety impacts safety attitudes and safety behaviour.

Subjective wellbeing

The thesis proposes that depression can be understood as a consequence of the failure to maintain subjective wellbeing. This represents a paradigm shift from the view of depression as being caused by negative affect. It suggests a new diagnostic approach that uses measures of wellbeing as indicators of depression.

Psychological impact of DAFNE training in adults with Type 1 diabetes

This thesis investigated the psychological impact of an education intervention, Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE), in adults with type 1 diabetes. The results demonstrated that the education programme improved participants' subjective wellbeing, self-efficacy and reduced diabetes-related distress compared to a comparison group that engaged in usual care. The portfolio examined the use of mindfulness-based strategies, in particular Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in four case studies which illustrated that the impact of the therapy is directly related to the the willingness of the client to engage in the practices.

Subjective wellbeing as an affective construct

The affective component of Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) was investigated according to the Circumplex model of affect. Structural equation modelling demonstrated that affect is the dominant component of SWB and it is concluded that core affect is the central component of SWB, and the driving force behind SWB homeostasis.

Body image and psychological, social, and sexual functioning

This thesis examined the nature of the body image construct, as well as the relationships between body image and self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and social functioning. Body image was demonstrated to play an important role in the everyday lives of adolescent boys and girls, and men and women throughout adulthood.

Psychosocial epidemiology of colorectal cancer

The research explored the role played by personality and stress in the development and progress of colorectal cancer. Personality type was related to health outcomes following diagnosis, and to participation in bowel cancer screening. The personality types also differed in terms of their capacity to deal with stress.

Depression and anxiety in patients with cancer and their families

This thesis identified aspects of family relationships and the patients' illness that were associated with depression and anxiety in patients and their relatives after a cancer diagnosis and during treatment. It also tested the ability of a measure of family relationships to identify psychological distress in these families.

Psychological deficits and abundances among domestically violent offenders and non-offenders

The thesis compared domestically violent men and non-offenders on a number of psychological constructs. The results indicated that, with the exception of attitudes towards women, there were no significant differences between the groups. The thesis examined practical implications of the results for the assessment and treatment of domestically violent offenders. The professional portfolio examines, in four case studies, the purported link between childhood abuse and subsequent maladjustment in the adult.

The psychological and relationship impact of erectile dysfunction

This thesis demonstrated that Australian men with erectile dysfunction (ED) experience poorer levels of masculinity, self-esteem, quality of life, sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction than do men without ED. The implications of these findings for the current medical approach to treating this sexual dysfunction were discussed. The portfolio explores grief following elective abortion and reflects on how grief responses may present in post-abortion counselling. The potential utility of grief therapy to this counselling is demonstrated in four case studies.

Beyond mental illness

The Introducing Me program was developed as a recovery-oriented intervention program for people with mental illness. Program trials revealed improvements in self-concept, self-esteem, reduced social anxiety, and overall positive feedback. This novel and innovative program has important implications for the treatment and wellbeing of persons with a severe mental illness. The Professional Portfolio discusses issues relating to the assessment and diagnosis of depression in adolescents and factors determining appropriate treatment recommendations. Four case studies are presented.

Psychological study of consumer novelty seeking and mass media consumption

The thesis integrates theory from psychology and marketing, finding that those with an innate desire to seek out information on new products / brands are motivated to do so by aspects of regulatory focus, needs for uniqueness, and their susceptibility to interpersonal influence. In turn, these people consume more media and have higher information exposure.

Factors influencing the impact of secondary exposure to trauma

The research found significant relationships between secondary exposure to client trauma and symptoms associated with secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma in a sample of community mental health clinicians. The research supports developmental conceptualisations of the relationships between these constructs and burnout, and identifies potential individual vulnerability and protective factors. The portfolio explores the impact of childhood maltreatment from an attachment theory perspective. Four clinical cases are presented illustrating the clinical relevance of the impact of childhood maltreatment and attachment disturbance, and the complexities associated with current attachment classification systems and differential diagnosis.