ITEM GENERATION PROCEDURES AND BACKGROUND DATA SCALES: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCT AND CRITERION-RELATED VALIDITY

Background data measures are one of the best predictors of job performance. Nonetheless, questions have been raised about their content and construct validity. The present effort describes a set of procedures for developing construct and content valid background data items. Data gathered in seven field studies and six laboratory studies are presented bearing on the reliability and validity of the measures constructed using these item generation procedures. Findings in these studies indicate that construct-based item generation procedures yield reliable scales evidencing both content and construct validity. Furthermore, these scales are capable of predicting performance in a variety of settings. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings for the development and validation of background data measures are discussed.     

Attachment style and presence of a romantic partner as moderators of psychophysiological responses to a stressful laboratory situation

The effects of attachment style and presence of a romantic partner on psychophysiological responses to a stressful laboratory situation were examined in a sample of 34 college women involved in serious dating relationships. In two separate laboratory sessions, one with romantic partner present and one with partner absent, participants were led to anticipate a stressful situation. Heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were recorded during baseline and stress periods in each condition. Significant three-way interactions showed that both avoidant and anxious participants in the partner-present condition evinced elevated psychophysiological responses to the stressor (relative to baseline), in contrast to these groups in the partner-absent condition and secure and nonanxious participants in both conditions. Findings are compared to those of previous research on attachment-style differences in proximity-seeking behavior in a similar laboratory situation, and they are interpreted in terms of the approach-avoidance conflict experienced by insecure people when faced with a stressful situation in the presence of their romantic partners.     

Group Counseling Children of Divorce in the Elementary Schools: Understanding Process and Technique

One approach to counseling the children of divorced or separated parents includes the children in peer-group counseling sessions. The authors offer guidelines and techniques for elementary school counselors in establishing such a group-counseling program.     

Displaced Homemakers: Unresolved Issues

The problems of displaced homemakers are not new, nor are they associated with only one target group. By reexamining the literature and personal counseling experiences of the 1960's, Zawada identifies 16 problems that overlap with those of today's displaced homemakers. Hopefully, this identification of unresolved issues will provide a working base for helping this new target group.     

APGA Members in Retirement and Their Advice to the Rest of Us

Retired and emeritus members of APGA answered a survey on their lives in retirement, their recommendations to APGA concerning activities for retired members, their suggestions for training programs in geriatric counseling, and their advice to younger counselors on planning for retirement. The results indicate most retired counselors are financially comfortable and continue to lead happy and productive lives in retirement. In their recommendations the counselors emphasized the need to remain active and stressed the importance of planning well in advance of actual retirement. They had many specific suggestions for APGA programming.     

Sex and Race Bias in Employment Decisions: Black Women Considered

The purpose of this investigation was to explore sex and race discrimination in employment at the managerial level, with special focus on Black women.     

JOB ATTRIBUTES PREFERRED BY FEMALE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, BEFORE AND AFTER ENTERING THE WORK FORCE

A longitudinal study of 125 female health professionals' preferences for 12 job characteristics was carried out at graduation and 20 months later. After employment respondents placed increased importance on skill development and respect received, and less emphasis on security and promotion opportunities. At follow-up the most valued attributes were skill development, chance to accomplish something worthwhile and friendliness of co-workers, while physical surroundings, pay and promotion were ranked as least important. Self concept measures derived from Bern's Sex Role Inventory (1974) had not changed since graduation. In both surveys, a significant association was found between masculinity and the importance attached to taking part in decisions. The results contribute to the debate concerning the intrinsic-extrinsic dichotomy in work motivation.