Lisa Fiksenbaum

Group and Individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of group and individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in children with Axis I anxiety disorders. It was hypothesized that certain subgroups would respond preferentially to one modality. METHOD Seventy-eight children aged 8-12 years with diagnosed anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to a 12-week, manual-based program of group or individual CBT, both with parental involvement. Outcomes included child anxiety (child and parent report) and global functioning as estimated by clinicians. Repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were done. The sample was then dichotomized by self-reported social anxiety (high/low) and parent-reported hyperactivity (high/low) using median splits, and diagnostically by generalized anxiety disorder versus phobic disorders. ANOVAs were repeated. RESULTS Children and parents reported significantly decreased anxiety and clinicians reported significantly improved global functioning regardless of treatment modality. Children reporting high social anxiety reported greater gains in individual treatment than in group treatment (p <.01). Parent reports of hyperactivity and diagnostic differences were not associated with differential treatment response by modality. CONCLUSIONS Children with anxiety disorders appear to improve with CBT, whether administered in a group or individual format. A subgroup of children reporting high social anxiety may respond preferentially to individual treatment. Replication of these findings is indicated.

Work engagement among women managers and professionals in a Turkish bank

Purpose – The paper aims to examine potential antecedents and consequences of work engagement in a sample of women managers and professionals employed by a large Turkish bank.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 286 women, a 72 per cent response rate, using anonymously completed questionnaires. Engagement was assessed by three scales developed by Schaufeli et al.: vigor, dedication and absorption. Antecedents included personal demographic and work situation characteristics as well as work life experiences; consequences included measures of work satisfaction and psychological well‐being.Findings – The following results were observed. First, worklife experiences, particularly, control, rewards and recognition and value fit, were found to predict all three engagement measures. Second, engagement, particularly dedication, predicted various work outcomes (e.g. job satisfaction, intent to quit). Third, engagement, particularly vigor, predicted various psychological well‐being outcomes.Research...

Proactive Coping, Positive Affect, and Well-Being Testing for Mediation Using Path Analysis

Traditionally, psychological research has focused on negative states, their determinants, and consequences. Theoretical con- ceptions of coping focus on strategies used to diminish distress. This approach is derived from the perspective that coping is mainly reactive, a strategy used once stress has been experienced. In contrast, proactive coping involves goal setting, having efficacious beliefs, and is associated with resources for self-improvement, including social support. In the present research, a theoretical model was developed in which coping and social support were seen in a synergistic relationship and were associated with a positive state that, in turn, was expected to relate to better psychological functioning. The general theoretical model was tested in three different samples: First year university students coping with depression (n = 68), rehabilitation patients mastering independent functioning following major surgery (n = 151), and employee absenteeism (n = 313). Results of path analyses showed that proactive coping was a partial mediator of social support on positive affect and that positive affect was associated with better psychological functioning. In students only, positive affect mediated the relationship between proactive coping and depression. This research represents a contribution within the field of positive psychology by empirically demonstrating how positive constructs contribute to improved psychological functioning. Theoretical and applied implications of the results are discussed.

Components of social support, buffering effects and burnout: Implications for psychological functioning

Abstract The present study was conducted in order to examine the buffering effect on burnout of various forms of social support from different sources. Respondents in the study were female and male teachers. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) composed of three subscales: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization and Lack of Personal Accomplishment. Social support was assessed by a modified version of the Caplan scale. The effects of three types of support were assessed: Informational, practical and emotional support from three sources — the teachers supervisor, co-workers and friends and family. Examination of multiple regression interaction terms between support and sources of stress indicate that, of the three sources of social support, a teachers co-workers are the most important buffers of emotional exhaustion. There was a buffering effect of informational support on emotional exhaustion. When emotional support functioned as a buffer, the effects were observed in depersonal...

Still a man's world

Purpose – Although qualified women are entering professional and managerial ranks within organizations, they continue to have difficulties in advancing their careers. It has been suggested that the biggest obstacle to womens career advancement lies in the attitudes, biases and prejudices of their male colleagues and their organizational cultures. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of perceptions of organizational bias among managerial and professional women and their work satisfactions and levels of psychological well‐being.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 215 women, a 67 percent response rate, using anonymously completed questionnaires. Respondents worked for a large Turkish bank that had offices in several cities.Findings – Women reporting greater perceptions of bias indicated less job satisfaction, lower levels of work engagement and higher levels of job stress; perceptions of bias were not related to intentions to quit however. In addition, women reporting ...

Supportive work–family environments: implications for work–family conflict and well-being

Work–family conflict (WFC) remains a growing type of stress and concern for many employees. Recognizing these difficulties, organizations are offering various formal programs (e.g. on-site childcare, flextime, compressed work week, telecommuting and so on.) to help their employees in balancing both work and family life. However, many employees are hesitant to use them due to ‘stigmas’ attached to them. A work environment that is supportive of such programs is likely a contributing factor in the success and effectiveness of these programs. This study tested a model that examines the availability of work–family programs and work–family culture (i.e. in terms of managerial support, organizational demands and career consequences) as predictors of WFC. The model also examined the effects of WFC on individuals well-being (i.e. life satisfaction and work engagement). Data were collected from 112 employees, and the overall fit of the model was good (i.e. the model was reasonably consistent with the data). Results demonstrated that the availability of work–family benefits promoted a supportive work–family culture, which was inversely related to WFC. WFC contributed negatively to both life satisfaction and work engagement. That is, employees who reported more WFC were less satisfied with their life and were less inclined to be engaged at work. Results of the study highlight the importance of inculcating an accommodating work environment, and will be discussed.

Career choice in management: findings from US MBA students

Purpose – This research aims to explore the role of values, family, and non‐family influences on career choice in management among a sample of US MBA students.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using self‐reported questionnaires from 109 students in a mid‐sized university located on the west coast of the USA. The respondents were in the first semester of their MBA program. Males and females were almost equally represented in the sample.Findings – This study did not find people (family and non‐family) to be a predictor of career decisions. Instead, these decisions reflect the independent‐self among US students in the career choice and exploration process. In particular, the students placed a strong emphasis on self‐development (i.e. education). Most of the respondents aspired to careers, and not jobs or callings, reflecting a desire for career benefits and becoming wealthy. Men and women, with few exceptions, appear to have similar patterns in the factors affecting their career choice. Many ...

Organisational practices supporting women's career advancement and their satisfaction and well‐being in Turkey

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of the perceived presence of organisational practices designed to support womens career advancement and their work attitudes and satisfaction and their psychological well‐being.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 286 women in managerial and professional jobs working in a large Turkish bank, a 72 percent response rate. Five organisational experiences were considered: negative attitudes towards women, equal treatment, support, career barriers and male standards.Findings – Women reporting more supportive organisational experiences and practices were more engaged in their work, more job and career satisfied, and indicated greater levels of psychological well‐being.Research limitations/implications – Data were collected at one point in time making it difficult to determine causality. It is important to replicate the study in other industries and countries to verify the generalizability of the conclusions.Practical implicatio...

Perceived Social Support, Hassles, and Coping Among the Elderly

An essential aspect of aging is successful coping. This entails learning how to deal effectively with change, losses, disappointments, and decline. The present study examined the relationship between coping, social support, daily hassles, functional disability, and physical and psychological health status in a sample of 224 community-residing older adults. Data were collected using a confidential and anonymous questionnaire. Results of structural equation analyses showed that social support was associated with fewer daily hassles. Social support was also indirectly related to daily hassles—that is, by increasing proactive coping. Further results indicated that proactive coping was inversely related to health hassles and functional disability. Proactive coping also was indirectly related to somatization and functional disability through health hassles. Results also showed that greater functional disability was associated with greater somatization. Implications of the results for healthy psychological functioning in the elderly are discussed.

Work experiences, satisfactions and psychological well‐being of female and male managers in the hospitality sector in Turkey

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore gender differences in the work and career experiences of female and male managers and supervisors in the hospitality and tourism sector in Turkey. There is a belief that women tend to be disadvantaged in this sector as few women occupy the senior executive positions and those that do receive less pay. In addition, managerial and professional women in Turkey, in general, are less likely to achieve senior executive positions.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports research examining the work experiences, work and career satisfactions and psychological well‐being of females and males in managerial and supervisory positions in the hospitality and tourism sector in Turkey. Data were collected in 12 five‐star hotels operating in the Mediterranean and Agean region.Findings – The paper finds, in answer to the research question – do female and male managers working in the Turkish hospitality and tourism sector report similar personal and work situation demo...