James J. Walsh

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN STATISTICS ANXIETY: THE ROLES OF PERFECTIONISM, PROCRASTINATION AND TRAIT ANXIETY

Abstract Recent research detected small but significant associations between perfectionism and statistics anxiety [Onwuegbuzie, A., & Daley, C. (1999). Perfectionism and statistics anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 26, 1089–1102]. The current study re-examined this relationship whilst simultaneously controlling for trait anxiety and procrastination, variables which are known to be associated with perfectionism and which also have a likely association with statistics anxiety. Measures of all four constructs were obtained by questionnaire from a sample of 93 students, and multiple regression analyses were employed. Statistics anxiety constituted the criterion variable whilst perfectionism, trait anxiety and procrastination were regarded as predictor variables. Results indicated very modest links between inter-personal perfectionism and components of statistics anxiety, whereas intra-personal perfectionism, trait anxiety and procrastination were each found to have good predictive utility. It was concluded that aspects of ego-involvement such as fear of failure and evaluation concern, which are thought to pervade each of these predictors, may be responsible for statistics anxiety.

Stress and work performance: The role of trait anxiety

Abstract Employees high in Trait Anxiety (TA) were found to exert greater work effort than those low in TA, which resulted in better sales performance. There was no relation between TA and work efficiency, measured by sales performance relative to work effort. Employees high in TA also reported greater levels of stress and more adverse effects of work on non-work relationships. Using multiple regression, both stress and interference with relationships were found to be better predicted by TA than work effort. The results are discussed in terms of laboratory-based theories about relations between TA and efficiency and intervention strategies for managing stress at work.

Stress responsivity: The role of individual differences

Abstract Relations were investigated between three measures of individual differences (Neuroticism, Type A/B personality and Locus of Control) and measures of stress in response to the challenge of performing mental arithmetic. Three types of dependent measure were recorded, self-report (stress and arousal), psychophysiological (heart rate and skin resistance) and performance (number of problems attempted and proportion correct). Relations between the individual difference measures (and their interactions) and the stress and performance measures were assessed by multiple regression. Heart rate increased and skin resistance decreased during mental arithmetic, the increase in heart rate being less in subjects scoring higher on neuroticism. These subjects also reported higher stress levels, but no greater increase in stress during the task. The number of mental arithmetic problems attempted was a complex function of the combination of the three individual difference measures, but the probability of a correct answer was related only to Locus of Control, Internal subjects performing better than Externals. Type B subjects increased their probability of a correct answer from the first to the second test session, while Type A subjects showed no improvement. These results show that different types of response to stress are related to individual differences in complex patterns, and several independent and dependent measures are needed to provide a comprehensive picture.

The Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity: A Validation Study in a British Sample

Ninety-five Black Britons completed the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity. The pattern of intercorrelations between the dimensions provided supportive evidence of its construct validity. To a lesser extent, evidence of predictive validity was also observed. When compared with findings from the original study using African Americans, two important differences were noted. First, levels of centrality were lower in the current sample suggesting that racial identity is less critical to one’s self-concept among Black Britons than their American counter-parts. Second, centrality and nationalist ideology were negatively associated with the amount of time spent with Whites in the American sample but were unrelated to this criterion in the British sample. Attempts to explain these findings explored both methodological and theoretical considerations.

Identity, coping style, and health behaviour among first generation Irish immigrants in England

Abstract Berrys (1997) framework for acculturation research was used to explore the relationship between identity and health among Irish immigrants in England. One hundred and twelve first generation Irish immigrants completed questionnaire measures of ethnic identity, opportunities for identity expression, generalised coping style, and health behaviour. Significant, though small, positive correlations were observed between identity and health behaviour as predicted. Regression analyses and path analysis were used to present a model of the link between variables. Of particular note were the contrasting ways in which the two dimensions of identity were associated with health behaviour. Participants who positively evaluated their ethnic origins reported engaging in healthier behaviour and adopting more beneficial coping strategies when faced with day-to-day stresses and problems. Participants who reported their ethnic origin as more central to their overall identity were also more likely to adopt beneficial coping strategies. Concomitantly, however, they had fewer than desired opportunities for expressing their ethnic identity which was, in turn, associated with less beneficial coping and health behaviour. In looking for ways to tackle the well-documented health problems of both first and second generation Irish in England, the results suggest that encouragement to feel more positive about their ethnic identity might result in greater usage of behavioural approach coping and, relatedly, to improved health behaviour.

The effects of social support on cardiovascular reactivity and perinatal outcome

Abstract The effects of social support on cardiovascular reactivity and birth outcome variables were examined during a naturally occurring stressor (labour and childbirth) among a group of primigravid women. Attenuated cardiovascular reactivity, less obstetric intervention and less invasive analgesia were associated with higher levels of social support. A trend for poorer social support to be associated with higher incidence of abnormal fetal heart rate and lower birthweight was noted. The results support both laboratory-based research and clinical observations of a health-protective role for social support under stressful conditions. Theoretical, methodological and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Watching and participating in exercise videos: A test of the theory of planned behaviour, conscientiousness, and the role of implementation intentions

This study tested an expanded model of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in predicting intentions, and behaviour, to watch and actively engage in a short exercise video. Eighty participants completed questionnaire measures of the TPB, conscientiousness and self-concordance. Forty participants were randomly allocated to form an implementation intention by stipulating in writing when and where they intended to watch the video during the subsequent three days. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed subjective norms and perceived behavioural control to be the key predictors of intention. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed direct effects of intention and implementation intentions on behaviour. In addition, conscientiousness interacted with implementation intentions. However, contrary to expectations, conscientiousness failed to predict behaviour among the implementation intention group and negatively predicted behaviour among controls. The current results suggest that the formation of an implementation intention is a powerful technique for facilitating the performance of health behaviour.

Neuroticism, locus of control, type A behaviour pattern and occupational stress

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between individual differences in personality and susceptibility to stress in the workplace. Stress in lecturers employed by a computer training organization was assessed by means of self-report and measurement of salivary cortisol output during lecturing and non-lecturing weeks. Neuroticism, Type A behaviour pattern and locus of control were measured. Self-reported stress was found to be much greater during lecturing weeks, but cortisol levels were unaffected by working conditions. There was a significant positive correlation between neuroticism and locus of control and a negative correlation between locus of control and Type A behaviour pattern that approached significance. Multiple regression was employed to explore relations between personality and stress. Subjects with lower neuroticism scores yielded a bigger increase in reported stress, in the lecturing compared with the non-lecturing week, than subjects with high neuroticism scores...

The application of Bagozzi & Edwards's theory of self-regulation to the prediction of low-risk single-occasion drinking

This is a preliminary study of the applicability of Bagozzi & Edwardss theory of self regulation to low-risk single-occasion drinking. The hypothesis tested is that trying, which involves the psychological processes needed to transform health-related intentions into health behaviour, plays an important role in goal achievement. The study was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire measured at two time intervals. At time 1, measures of past drinking were collected, along with measures of perceived problems associated with low-risk single-occasion drinking, goal intention, desire, goal efficacy, attitude and subjective norm. Two weeks later, measures of drinking behaviour, trying to achieve a goal and instrumental acts were taken. The study included 140 female students who, at least occasionally, exceeded the low-risk single-occasion drinking limits. The outcome measure was single-occasion drinking behaviour at follow-up. Trying to pursue a goal significantly predicted single-occasion drinking at follow-up. Goal intentions and past drinking behaviour predicted additional variance in single-occasion drinking behaviour. Bagozzi & Edwardss model was supported in relation to low-risk single-occasion drinking. The implications of these findings for the enactment of health behaviours are discussed.

Type A, neuroticism, and physiological functioning (actual and reported)

Abstract Measures of actual and reported physiological functioning were obtained from 39 white-collar workers under rest and bogus ultrasound conditions, with the latter condition being designed to focus their attention on internal physiological functioning. The actual physiological measures consisted of changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, skin resistance, and peripheral temperature, and there were corresponding self-report measures, as well as an assessment of reported stress. There were only modest relationships between actual and reported changes in physiological functioning, and there were very few effects of Type A and neuroticism on actual physiological changes. The attentional manipulation had more effect on Type As than on Type Bs for changes in reported heart rate, respiratory rate, sweat, and stress; it also had more effect on those low in neuroticism than those high in neuroticism for changes in reported sweat and stress, and there were similar (but non-significant) effects in the reported heart rate and respiratory rate data. Theoretical accounts of these findings for Type A behaviour pattern and neuroticism are discussed.