Search

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a case study involving an application of ecological methods in community psychology practice. The study evolved in response to a request to community psychologists from a City Department of Parks for an evaluation of the functioning of a new innercity park. The study's findings afforded support for the park's effectiveness in terms of the city's objectives. Comparison with an environmentally similar park peripheral to the central city demonstrated that the new innercity park was characterized by more balanced usage across racial and age groups, more group socializing, and more active recreational use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensemaking is rooted in identity construction and it is a particularly interpersonal process. Moreover, traumatic experiences are known to cause people to engage in sensemaking processes and identity construction. However, knowledge of how this works in an interpersonal, community setting, is lacking. The aim of this study is to assess how peer support contributes to the sensemaking processes and identity construction in the aftermath of trauma. Data from an observational study of organised peer support groups for (co)victims of serious crimes and survivors of traumatic loss were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results show how participants of peer support groups move through several phases of sensemaking and identity construction in a fluid, dynamic, way. Identity work is collectively done. Through coconstruction of their identities, participants are able to make sense of a traumatic experience and progress towards a more self‐aware and self‐centred identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study explored how self‐efficacy perceptions are associated with Perceived Barriers (PB), meaning beliefs about constraints on current/future vocational development, and Professional Expectations (PE) among rural, under‐qualified youths Not in Employment, nor in Education or Training (NEET). We also analyzed how the connections between these factors varied across gender and age groups. One hundred and eighty‐eight NEETs participated in this study (58.20% female; (M = 23.05; standard deviation = 1.96). Through linear regression analysis using PROCESS macros, we found that higher self‐efficacy was associated with stronger PB, after accounting for the effects of training offers and income. Moreover, men showing stronger self‐efficacy also displayed stronger PB, while men depicting weaker self‐efficacy presented weaker PB, compared with women in similar conditions. Being offered more training opportunities resulted in stronger perceptions of professional barriers for these NEETs. Thus, rural, under‐qualified NEETs require person‐centered approaches from employment services, to support their transition to employment/training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What might add quality to life during the last period of the life cycle? In study I, five focus groups of elderly participants representing different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds provided descriptions of quality of life (QOL) from their own perspectives. These descriptions formed the basis of a questionnaire that was administered to a representative, random sample of older persons in Hong Kong (N = 1,616) in study II. The study II sample was further randomly split into two. Exploratory factor analysis on sample A identified four factors: generativity, interpersonal (including intergenerational) relations, physical functioning, and material life. Results of confirmatory factor analysis on sample B showed that the 4-factor QOL model provided a good fit to the data, and that the constructs measured were identical (invariant) between older men and women and between the young-old and the old-old. In study III, the findings were disseminated back to an independent sample of older persons meeting in focus groups, who provided verbal confirmations to the model. The findings shed light on possible community psychology interventions to promote wellness in the elderly. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 32: 309–326, 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, several approaches to working with the complexity of family relationships in later adulthood are described. Basic information on family forms and the pattern of family support for older adults is discussed. In addition, several examples of interventions with family members of older adults are reviewed. The goal of these activities is to increase the range of options available to older adults and their family caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade increasing attention has been directed at an array of psychological problems associated with growing old and dying in American society. Nonetheless, while knowledge about difficulties encountered by clients who are reaching old age, facing the death of loved ones, as well as confronting loss of their own life has been accumulating, implications which such information has for community mental health remain largely unexplored. Accordingly, implications are derived for mental health personnel functioning in educational, governmental, and community settings by examing the social psychological consequences of aging in America, pertinent aspects of dynamics of emotional reactions to loss of loved ones, and personal and cultural attitudes toward death which influence clients' coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]