Mediational role of values in linking personality traits to political orientation

Two studies use the Five Factor Model of traits and Schwartz's (1992 ) theory of basic personal values to assess the mediational role of values in linking traits to voting choice and left-right ideology. Both left- and right-wing voters showed distinctive traits and values that were congruent with their ideologies. Structural equation modelling supported a hypothesized full mediation model. Individuals' traits of openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness explained significant variance in the politically relevant values of security and universalism, and these self-reported values, in turn, explained the voters' political orientations. These findings held across age (adolescents and adults) and were corroborated using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data.     

The moderating effect of parental warmth on the association between spanking and child aggression: a longitudinal approach

Using data from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Study, this study analysed the stability of child aggressive behaviour beginning in infancy and tested whether spanking when the child was 36 months was associated with aggressive child behaviour among three ethnic groups and whether maternal warmth moderated the effect of spanking on aggressive behaviour in each ethnic group at 36 months, after controlling for earlier aggressive behaviour. Participants included 693 Hispanic parent–child dyads, 1013 African‐American dyads and 1086 Caucasian dyads who met qualifications for participation in the Early Head Start programme. Findings suggest that infant temperament was associated with aggressive behaviour at 24 and 36 months and that child aggression remained stable. Among the three ethnic groups, spanking was only associated with aggressive behaviour for children who had Caucasian mothers and maternal warmth did not moderate the effect of spanking on aggressive behaviour. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Do Social Stressors Impact Everyone Equally? An Examination of the Moderating Impact of Core Self-evaluations

Purpose  The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between social stressors and the outcomes of job satisfaction, altruism, and turnover intentions. Additionally, this study examined the moderating impact of individuals’ core self-evaluations on these relationships. Design/methodology/approach   Data were obtained from a branch of the state government in the southeast. Responses were received from 144 employees. Supervisors provided responses as well, and the matched dyads where both supervisor and subordinate responses were received numbered 133. Findings  We found that social stressors were negatively related to job satisfaction and altruism and positively related to turnover intentions. Results also indicated that higher core self-evaluations buffered the negative influence of social stressors on job satisfaction and turnover intention, but not altruism. Implications  Our results reinforce the notion that social stressors exhibit significant negative associations with desired job consequences. Another managerial implication relates to managers when filling vacant positions. When completing this task, managers need to honestly and accurately assess the social stressors present in their organization. When social stressors are high, managers should seek to hire individuals who possess higher core self-evaluations. Originality/value  This study employed a different theoretical perspective, conservation of resources theory, and extended the nomological network related to social stressors. Additionally, this study showed the important moderating impact that core self-evaluations can have on other relationships, whereas the large majority of previous studies have examined core self-evaluations as a main effect predictor of important organizational outcomes. Received and Reviewed by former editor, George Neuman.     

Termination as a therapeutic intervention when treating children who have experienced multiple losses

Children who have endured traumatizing events often have a history of prior disruptions and losses which also have been experienced as traumatic. Termination of therapy with these children, therefore, provides a unique opportunity for the clinician to provide the traumatized child and his or her caregiver with a new experience of loss; one that is controlled, predictable, and paced. Through this experience, the child and caregiver can develop a new model for loss, one that permits for losses that are a natural part of healthy growth and change. This article outlines one approach to utilizing termination as an integral component of the therapeutic process with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their caregivers. Using a psychodynamic model and working dyadically with the child and the caregiver, termination is approached as a primary intervention, pivotal to the successful treatment of this vulnerable population.     

The Relationships Between Childhood Tomboyism,Siblings' Activities,and Adult Gender Roles

Two studies were designed to examine whether siblings and participation in masculine activities influence tomboyism. The influence of tomboyism on adult gender roles was also examined. Study 1 utilized 193 mainly European American undergraduate women. Results indicated that participation in masculine activities was related to tomboyism. Having a brother was only marginally related to tomboyism. Study 2, a replication with 284 undergraduate women, added participants' ethnicity and employment status of mothers as variables. Slightly more than half of the women were European American, with smaller numbers of African American, Asian American, and Hispanic American women. In both studies, tomboyism was related to masculinity in adulthood. No significant relationships were found between tomboyism and ethnicity or mother's employment status.     

Online "predators" and their victims: myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment

The publicity about online "predators" who prey on naive children using trickery and violence is largely inaccurate. Internet sex crimes involving adults and juveniles more often fit a model of statutory rape--adult offenders who meet, develop relationships with, and openly seduce underage teenagers--than a model of forcible sexual assault or pedophilic child molesting. This is a serious problem, but one that requires approaches different from those in current prevention messages emphasizing parental control and the dangers of divulging personal information. Developmentally appropriate prevention strategies that target youths directly and acknowledge normal adolescent interests in romance and sex are needed. These should provide younger adolescents with awareness and avoidance skills while educating older youths about the pitfalls of sexual relationships with adults and their criminal nature. Particular attention should be paid to higher risk youths, including those with histories of sexual abuse, sexual orientation concerns, and patterns of off- and online risk taking. Mental health practitioners need information about the dynamics of this problem and the characteristics of victims and offenders because they are likely to encounter related issues in a variety of contexts.