Évaluer l’évolution psychologique des travailleurs d’Ésat : questions méthodologiques

ObjectiveTo point at and to discuss of some methodological problems in studies about psychological evolution of schizophrenic workers in ESAT (protected work).MethodFirst, the presentation of an empirical study (N: 25 schizophrenics) on this question, presentation of her results (no significant correlation between duration of work in ESAT and the assessed psychological dimensions (self esteem, depression, satisfaction with life, psychosocial skills); secondly, to point her methodological limits (epistemological, choice of instruments, comprehension of the specificity of the clinical situation). In conclusion some methodological propositions are indicated for a best apprehension of this complex situation (psychological evolution of these schizophrenic workers).     

Élaboration d’une représentation des comportements contre-productifs dans les équipes dirigeantes d’organisations

Despite the important role top management teams play in the success of organizations, counterproductive behaviors taking place in those teams remain unrepresented in literature. This qualitative, inductive, and exploratory study aims to develop a representation of potentially harmful behavior to top management team functioning. Interview has been conducted with eight retreated top management team members. Following a thematic analysis, counterproductive behaviors were identified and organized in seven distinct patterns of behaviors. This study offers a representation of counterproductive behavior specific to top management teams, which was lacking in scientific and professional literature. Interventions from the top management teams’ leaders and consultants are discussed.     

Évaluation des dimensions psychopathiques sur le mode d’adaptation carcérale

IntroductionThe disorders associated with the coping styles of detainees in prisons, including the interaction between individual and the environment, can be approached in two ways. Either as the result of a normal reaction of prisoners with regard to specific components in a pathogenic environment, or resulting from psychopathological determinants inherent to inmates prior to incarceration.ObjectivesThis study aims to measure the impact of components related to personality traits deemed stable and observed among inmates in regards to their modes of adaptations to the prison environment. More specifically, observing the types of adaptation of prisoners, according to their scores on the Hare psychopathy checklist (PCL-R).MethodsThe study is based on a series of interviews conducted on a sample of 26 inmates in three different detention centers located in France.ResultsThe results show a strong relationship between some psychopathic dimensions and characteristics of conduct disorder or disciplinary offenses in prison. High scores in both factor 1 (interpersonal and emotional relationship) and factor 2 (social deviance) strongly correlates with disciplinary problems such as heteroaggressive violence towards staff or other inmates. While a high score of factor 2 only increases the risk of disciplinary problems, such as group violence or involvement in trafficking.ConclusionsThe presence or absence of certain personality traits that characterize psychopathy could determine how an inmate would adapt to the prison environment.     

Évaluation de l’efficacité d’un traitement cognitif-comportemental pour le trouble d’anxiété généralisée combiné à des stratégies de régulation des émotions et d’acceptation et d’engagement expérientiel

The objective of this article is to examine the efficacy of a new cognitive-behavioral treatment, which combines emotion regulation strategies, and acceptance and commitment-based strategies to cognitive-behavioral supported treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). A single-case multiple baseline design was used to measure the effect of a 19-week treatment on three participants. Semi-structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and daily self-monitoring were used to assess symptoms of GAD, general anxiety, depression, and quality of life. These instruments were administered at different times. At post-treatment, two out of the three participants showed a clinically significant improvement and no longer met GAD criteria. These results were maintained at the three-month follow-up. For the third participant, a considerable improvement was observed at the end of treatment but only reached clinical significance at the follow-up. The results of this study suggest that this type of treatment was effective in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms and in improving quality of life of GAD patients. Controlled studies involving bigger sample sizes are needed to determine the efficacy of this new treatment. Future research should also examine the separate and specific contribution of each therapy component in treatment efficacy.     

Validation canadienne-française de l’Échelle des déterminants du sentiment d’efficacité personnelle des enseignants (EDSEPE)

This article presents three studies conducted among teachers and introduces an instrument to assess the four determinants of self-efficacy, according to Bandura's socio-cognitive theory (1997). The first study (n = 99) was based on a 54-item questionnaire. Results allowed to shorten the scale based on specific exclusion criteria. The second study (n = 341) was conducted on a 30-item scale in order to further shorten its length and improve its validity. Finally, the third study (n = 169) tested the structure of the final 16-item version. Results confirm that the scale has adequate psychometric properties and support its construct validity.     

Évolution des procédures d’exploration haptique chez des sujets voyants,aveugles tardifs et aveugles précoces

The aim of this research is to study the evolution of exploratory haptic procedures with different subjects (blindfolded, early and late blind subjects). Can a haptic training facilitate an emergence of particular and specific processes? A recognition task of bidimensional geometrical figures is proposed before and after a haptic training. Results show that when the criterion of differentiation of geometrical figures is discovered, subjects look for more details and compare more often figures between them. Otherwise, while sighted subjects use all exploratory procedures, blind subjects adopt preferably more metric procedures. However, a training effect is observed in sighted subjects with a decrease of less relevant procedures. Applications of this research could be developed in haptic therapy by proposing different training according to visual status.     

Évolutions récentes de la responsabilité pour défaut d’information

It is wrongly that one would think that the question of the information due by the physician to the patient is not likely of any further developments. Four recent rulings provide the perfect illustration and lead to consider that this duty to inform has attained a genuine autonomy. In some instances, the compensation arising out of the failure to inform may depart from the strict framework of loss of chance in which many believed it was confined to.     

L’attitude défaitiste des responsables d’équipe : un frein à l’innovation?

The goal of this study is to investigate the role of defeatist attitude in regard to process innovation by considering the mediating role of group potency and the moderating effect of collective autonomy. Data was gathered from 101 work teams (381 members and 101 immediate supervisors) in a public safety organization located in Canada. Results show that group potency may have a mediating role in the relationship between defeatist attitude and process innovation. Moreover, results indicate that the relationship between group potency and process innovation is moderated by collective autonomy, such that this relationship is stronger when the level of collective autonomy is high.     

Émotions et stratégies d’adaptation de prestataires de soins suite à des décès maternels dans le Nord-Kivu

This qualitative study describes the emotional structure and coping strategies associated with maternal death in North Kivu. Based on a heuristic approach, the methodology is based on an iterative process of explicating the experience of maternal death as experienced by the care teams. In conjunction with the transactional model of Lazarus and Folkman, the results focus on four themes: openness to spiritual values, telescoping age identification, use of hygiene strategies and rationalization. The study suggests the establishment of psychological support mechanisms for providers after a maternal death.     

Les décisions d’orientation dépendent-elles des stéréotypes sociaux ? Sous quelles conditions ?

IntroductionIn this research we want to show that influence of social stereotypes linked to the social background on the students’ orientation is not a social fate that cannot be ignored but that there really are conditions that allow to reduce or even suppress those effects. The objective is to test the hypothesis according to which the seniority of the teachers, their type of professional commitment and the fact of working or not in an area earmarked for special educational assistance (prioritary education zone) must allow to significantly reduce the stereotypes effects on the academic judgment.MethodWithin the framework of an experimental research lead in school, we have asked high school teachers to express propositions of continuing studies as well as success predictions from ficticious student files reaching the end of high school. The results confirm that the bias generally observed in academic judgments are reduced in professors having a seniority above 5 years compared to the ones having a seniority lower than 5 years, those who have a strong work commitment, like the “self made persons” or “social activists” types, compared to those having a lower type of work commitment like the “self investors” or “careerists” types and those working in an area earmarked for special educational assistance (prioritary education zone) compared to those who work outside these areas.ConclusionThis research shows that factors likely to limit the effects of social background stereotypes on academic judgments do exist.     

L’insertion professionnelle des enseignants débutants au Québec

With an aim of checking if educational circles took into account the professional induction of their beginning teachers, in the context of the renewed teacher educational formation, we investigated the working experience of newly graduated high-school teachers from University of Montreal in the years 1998-1999-2000. This study also tries to see if the renewed teacher educational formation inaugurated in 1994 plays a facilitating role in the beginning high school teachers’ induction and if professional exhaustion is part of their problems. The results obtained indicate that 94 % (N=165 out of 176) of the beginners participating in our study considered to have succeeded in their professional insertion. Most of them find their initial formation adequate. They say to be especially satisfied of the quantity and quality of the training courses and state that their formation covers well the various aspects of the actual teacher’s task. Beginners also find that school Commissions should greatly improve their facilitating measures of professional insertion. The results of the investigation showed that the professional insertion of the beginners is more difficult in the absence of helping measures. Finally, although the majority of beginners complain about the heaviness of their task, the investigation reveals that professional exhaustion does not play a part in the success or failure of their induction.     

Éléments de réflexion pour la mise en œuvre d’une démarche de prévention des risques psychosociaux au travail en France

Preventing social risks at work is an international concern. It has been demonstrated that the work in its all dimensions such as, organizational, technical, technological and relational, involves a multiplicity of constraints. They participate to the degradation of work health and to the organizational performance through to the complex and various mechanisms. The aim of this paper is to explain how a methodological consensus linking the European legislation, national agreements, scientifically theories and tools, and actual work has been gradually introducing in France. Based on theoretical and methodological considerations and on a Return Of Experience (ROE) we demonstrate the necessity to adopt an integrated approach to prevent social risks that focusing more on the work determinants than on individuals’ issues.