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Displacement and dislocation from homes disrupt fundamental social processes necessary for optimal community functioning. Neighborhood and community social capital, collective efficacy and place attachment are social processes that may be compromised following disaster, conflict, and upheaval. A collaborative approach to the preplanning, design, and creation of temporary and transitional communities following large-scale events is discussed. When architects, planners, and behavioral and health scientists collaborate, preexisting neighborhood social processes can be preserved or even strengthened and can facilitate resilient recovery among vulnerable groups (e.g., elders, children and their care providers, the poor, and underserved minorities). Such a cross-disciplinary, eco-developmental approach should result in more healthful, sustainable, and culturally appropriate individual and community level outcomes for vulnerable subgroups. Observations from housing accommodations following Hurricane Katrina are used to inform future efforts to rebuild neighborhoods following disasters.

This study explored the relationship between therapist personality, self-reported lesbian and gay (LG) affirmative therapy competency, and demonstrated LG affirmative therapy competency utilizing an analogue methodology with 212 therapists-in-training. Participants were randomly assigned to review one of four vignettes that varied the sexual orientation and presenting concern of the characters depicted. The experimental design was a 3 (Openness to Experience: Very High/High/Average) x 2 (Gay/Lesbian Vignette) x 2 (Relationship/Adjustment Vignette) factorial with three dependent variables (i.e., case conceptualization ability, LGB affirmative therapy competency, LGB affirmative therapy self-efficacy), and three covariates (i.e., participant sexual orientation, relationships with LGBT individuals, and number of LGBT clients seen). The relationship between self-reported competency (i.e., self-report measures of competency scores) and demonstrated competency (i.e., case conceptualizations of LG vignettes scores) was also analyzed. Individuals with higher levels of openness to experience exhibited stronger case conceptualization ability; however, contrary to the hypotheses, the four analogue groups did not differ significantly. Case conceptualization ability correlated with self-reported LG knowledge competency. Implications for research, practice, and training are presented. (Contains 6 tables.)

This article reviews the existing theory, research, policy, and practice of disaster mental health and the role of counseling psychology in post-disaster and catastrophic situations, all from a social justice perspective. Specifically, we discuss the phases and stages, social ecology, and individual reactions to disasters. A case study is presented, followed by mental health interventions and counseling psychology's role in these interventions at both the individual and systemic levels. We conclude with an overview of professional issues that often emerge when working in disaster areas, cultural issues that arise, and ways for counseling psychologists to become involved in this work. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)

This study examines the relationship between neighboring behavior and depressive symptoms across 3 years in a prospective study of 273 community-dwelling, Hispanic older adults in Miami, Florida. The analyses extend the literature by testing for a bidirectional or reciprocal relationship between neighboring behavior and depressive symptoms over time and examining the relationship between these variables in Hispanic older adults, a group at risk of developing depressive symptoms. Structural Equation Modeling with a cross-lagged panel design showed that depressive symptoms were unrelated to subsequent neighboring behavior. However, neighboring behavior was related to subsequent depressive symptoms at every time point, such that higher levels of neighboring behavior were related to lower levels of depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that neighboring behavior may be a protective factor against depressive symptoms in community-dwelling Hispanic older adults. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

This study compared 5 psychological models of the relationship between social support (SS) and behavioral health. These theoretical models, which have garnered some level of prior empirical support, were as follows: (a) main effects, (b) buffering effects, (c) social exchange, (d) equity, and (e) protective health outcomes of providing SS. A population-based sample of 273 community-dwelling Hispanic elders drawn from East Little Havana, Florida (ages 70-100 years old; 86% Cuban) completed self-report measures of SS, financial strain, and psychological distress (PD). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to test the competing SS models. Results indicated that satisfaction with received SS was, as specified in the main-effects model, associated with lower PD, whereas received SS was unexpectedly associated with heightened PD. Reciprocal exchanges of SS (equity model) or exchanges where Hispanic elders provided more SS than they received (protective health outcomes of providing SS model) were also associated with lower PD. The feasibility of a 6th model in which the effects of SS are contingent upon the elder's preexisting PD level is proposed. Limitations, implications, and directions for future research are discussed. (Contains 6 tables, 2 figures and 2 footnotes.)

Includes two commentaries on the special section. Spokane, Fouad, and Swanson emphasize the importance of two dimensions of clients' cultural context: dominant/subordinate and individual/collective. Walsh highlights research needs related to career intervention and personality, culture, process, and socioeconomic status. (Contains 15 and 11 references respectively.) (SK)

Empirical relations of scores for similar and same-named scales on five interest inventories were examined. Analysis of multitrait/multimethod matrices found modest correlations and convergent and discriminant validity. Homogenous scales correlated higher than heterogenous scales. Results support the assertion that inventories are only partial indicators of interests. (Contains 51 references.) (SK)

The Strong Interest Inventory was administered to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students (N=570) in an urban middle school. The major racial groups studied were African American, Hispanic, White, and Spanish Primary Language (SPL) students. Comparisons among racial groups indicated that SPL students expressed significantly higher interests on several of the General Occupational Themes when compared with Hispanic and White students. (Author/MKA)

A study of 809 girls and 692 boys in grades 4-10 found girls less likely to view science as male-oriented; believe they had not received attention from science teachers; see science as fun; and have interest in science careers. There were no gender differences in participation in science activities. (SK)

Summarizing the articles in this special issue on personal construct theory, the author discusses using career constructs to scan the environment and suggests future research needs. (SK)

The search model and compromise model currently dominate thinking about career development. One assumes that individuals form occupational personalities that are the basis for occupational selection; the other considers career choice a lifelong integration of experiences with environmental barriers. These can help the academic advisor guide students with career problems. (MSE)

Presents selective review based upon counselor practice and highlights discrepancies between what counselors do and topical coverage in career literature. Surveyed 69 career counseling professionals to determine practitioner practice and reviewed literature. Determined what was done in practice did not reflect advances in field of vocational behavior. (ABL)

Background. Research on contextual and neighborhood effects increasingly includes the built (physical) environment's influences on health and social well-being. A population-based study examined whether architectural features of the built environment theorized to promote observations and social interactions (e.g., porches, windows) predict Hispanic elders' psychological distress. Methods. Coding of built environment features of all 3,857 lots across 403 blocks in East Little Havana, Florida, and enumeration of elders in 16,000 households was followed by assessments of perceived social support and psychological distress in a representative sample of 273 low socioeconomic status (SES) Hispanic elders. Structural-equation modeling was used to assess relationships between block-level built environment features, elders' perceived social support, and psychological distress. Results. Architectural features of the front entrance such as porches that promote visibility from a building's exterior were positively associated with perceived social support. In contrast, architectural features such as window areas that promote visibility from a building's interior were negatively associated with perceived social support. Perceived social support in turn was associated with reduced psychological distress after controlling for demographics. Additionally, perceived social support mediated the relationship of built environment variables to psychological distress. Conclusions. Architectural features that facilitate direct, in-person interactions may be beneficial for Hispanic elders' mental health. Key Words: Aging--Built environment--Hispanics/Latinos--Psychological distress--Social support.

Examines correlational studies which consistently show significant, positive relationships between congruence and academic performance and persistence, job satisfaction, stability of choice, perceived congruence, and personality, but nonsignificant relationships between congruence and self-concept or sociability. More complex research designs reveal findings that better reflect the original intent of the theory. (Author/BH)

Counselors (N=72) rated four ethical conflict vignettes. Results revealed significant main effects for pressure and for legal guideline clarity for responses to conflict and significant interaction effects. Decision making was affected negatively by pressure, however, participants relied little on legal guidelines in making responses. (Author/BL)

Examined occupational patterns for women based on degree of participation in labor force over the 12-year period from ages 18 to 29-30. Used data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Labor Market Experience with a resulting sample of 710 women who were 17 or 18 in 1968 or 1969. Seventeen career patterns were identified. (ABL)

Examined relation of characteristics of career counseling interventions to career counseling outcomes. Explored 240 treatment-control comparisons resulting from 58 studies containing 7,311 subjects. Class interventions were most effective but required most time. Individual counseling produced more client gain per hour than other intervention modes. Intensity of treatment was only significant contributor to outcome magnitude. (Author/NB)

Career adjustment and personal adjustment are separate, but they can converge during periods of intense work or family stress. Adjustment following a difficult career decision is affected by risk factors as well as by personal coping resources. (SK)

This study investigated differences between congruent and incongruent college women on ego strength, locus of control, diagnostic signs, satisfaction, certainty, and perceived congruence. Congruent subjects were found to be more consistent, more certain, and scored higher on perceived congruence than incongruent subjects. Satisfaction differences were not found in this study. (Author)

College students took the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) during freshman orientation. Follow-up data were obtained in their senior year. Comparisons between congruent and incongruent students suggested that congruent students were more satisfied and differentiated than incongruent students, and they perceived themselves to be more congruent. (Author)

Compared validities for females and males on the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII). Subjects took the SCII and a satisfaction measure three and one-half years after initial testing. Excellent predictive validity was evidenced for 42.5% of females and 59.3% of males. Concurrent validities were 58.0% and 64.0%. (Author/BEF)

Undergraduate female volunteers (N=32) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups in which occupational information was presented in these ways: glamorous-reinforced, glamorous-nonreinforced, objective-reinforced, and objective-nonreinforced. Results suggest that the glamorous groups rated the occupation as more professional and more rewarding than the nonglamorous groups. (Author)