Phyllis Post

Self-efficacy, interest, and consideration of math/science and non-math/science occupations among Black freshmen

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine how self-efficacy and interests relate to consideration of math/science careers among Black freshmen. The findings indicate more factors influenced consideration of math/science occupations than non-math/science occupations; males considered a broader array of career choices than females; and self-efficacy and confidence play a more important role in career consideration for males than for females, for whom interests play a dominant role.

Work Addiction as a Function of Family of Origin and Its Influence on Current Family Functioning

This study examined the relationship between work addiction, family-of-0oigin dysfunction, and current family functioning among a national sample of 107 self-identified work-addicted respondents. Results indicate what clinicians have observed for years: that work addiction can interfere with intimate and social relationships and may lead some work-addicted individuals to recreate dysfunctional families in adulthood similar to the ones in which they were reared. Although there was no significant relationship between work addiction and family-of-origin dysfunction, work-addicted respondents who had sought help for their work habits were more likely to have grown up in dysfunctionalfamilies in which intimacy was low and to have more problems with intimate relationships in adulthood, compared with those who had never received help for their work habits.

Risk of addiction to work and family functioning.

A total of 107 self-identified workaholics from across the United States and Canada responded to a set of inventories assessing their scores on the Work Addiction Risk Test and the correlations with current family functioning. Individuals in the High-risk group, compared to those in the Low- and Medium-groups, were significantly more likely to perceive their current families as having less effective problem-solving ability, worse communication, less clearly established family roles, fewer affective responses, less affective involvement, and lower general family functioning.

Collaborating With Parents to Establish Behavioral Goals in Child-Centered Play Therapy

The purpose of this article is to provide specific guidelines for child-centered play therapists to set behavioral outcome goals to effectively work with families and to meet the demands for accountability in the managed care environment. The child-centered play therapy orientation is the most widely practiced approach among play therapists who identify a specific theoretical orientation. While information about setting broad objectives is addressed using this approach to therapy, explicit guidelines for setting behavioral goals, while maintaining the integrity of the child-centered theoretical orientation, are needed. The guidelines are presented in three phases of parent consultation: (a) the initial engagement with parents, (b) the ongoing parent consultations, and (c) the termination phase. In keeping with the child-centered approach, the authors propose to work with parents from a person-centered orientation and seek to appreciate how cultural influences relate to parents’ concerns and goals for their children. A case example is provided to demonstrate how child-centered play therapists can accomplish the aforementioned goals.