Person-environment Congruence Research Articles

Personality and vocational interest typologies associated with better coping and resilience in paramedicine: A review of two models

Paramedics’ continued exposure to work-related stressors can negatively impact emotional wellbeing. Having or developing resilience contributes to better coping. Understanding differences in individual predispositions as they relate to resilience and coping can provide a needed understanding of why some people flourish while others are more at risk, with important implications for identifying and facilitating bespoke support for paramedics more at risk. The purpose of this article then is firstly to review two of the main well-validated models of innate dispositions in differential psychology, widely used in organisational and industrial psychology: personality and vocational interests. These are The Big-Five/Five-Factor Model and Holland's RIASEC. Then, we report which dispositions are an advantage for paramedic coping and resilience. Concerning personality, our findings from the literature suggest that for paramedics, lower levels of Neuroticism and Openness, and higher levels of Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness are associated with higher resilience and better coping. RIASEC associations suggest person-environment congruence is also related to resilience and coping, this being for those with the profession's predominant Holland code of RSI (Realist, Social and Investigative inclinations). Paramedics approximating these preferences are, it appears, innately relatively less at risk of the negative effects associated with occupational stressors in paramedicine. Stressors typically include post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and other psychological reactions that all can result in suicide. Importantly, such resilience does not mean an individual is instinctively protected from some form of emotional suffering. The implications of verifying the significance of predispositions implies the need to harness organisational psychology as part of training courses, and the need for involvement of psychologists in the field, both preventatively and in clinical care.

Longitudinal effects of high-performance work practices on job performance via person–job fit

PurposeThis present three-wave longitudinal study aims to elucidate underlying mechanism in high-performance work practices (HPWPs) and job performance relationship by examining the role of person–job as a potential mediator.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 357 faculty members of universities in Punjab (India) using a well-structured questionnaire for four consecutive months. Hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM software.FindingsThis study results substantiated HPWPs have a direct favorable impact on the person–job fit because their extensive engagement policies, such as employee empowerment and rewards, help employees to perceive their jobs as being a good fit. Furthermore, these practices fulfil employment expectations for employees, resulting in job fit and boosting the employee’s performance; highlighting person–job fit as potential mediator.Research limitations/implicationsGrounding on the person–environment congruence theory, this study shed light on the relationship between HPWPs and job performance via person–job fit in the Indian higher education sector. This develops a unique management philosophy and strategies for long-term sustainable growth of organizations to give proper concrete evidence for the significance of human resource management (HRM).Practical implicationsThis study findings persuade HR professionals in higher education institutions to actively engage in reconsidering and implementing their current HPWPs efficaciously to ensure that the employees are well-suited to their roles, i.e. increased person–job fit and perform at a higher level. Furthermore, considering the favorable impact of HPWPs on job fit and performance, it is pertinent to extensively use these practices in organizations all over the world especially across developing nations as a successful HRM solution.Originality/valueThis longitudinal study provides first-hand information on person–job fit intervening as a mediator in HPWPs and job performance relationship thereby contributing to the current corpus of HPWPs work. This fills the gap in HPWPs and job performance literature by identifying a novel concept of person–job fit that is mostly unexplored in developing countries like India.

Relação entre inteligência emocional, congruência e satisfação intrínseca no trabalho

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the association between emotional intelligence, person-environment congruence and intrinsic job satisfaction in two professional groups, the first focusing on interpersonal relationships and the second, on data, things, and ideas. Originality/value: The study presents the association between congruence, emotional intelligence and intrinsic satisfaction at work and tests the model in which congruence moderates the association between emotional intelligence and intrinsic satisfaction in two professional groups. Design/methodology/approach: Survey-type study in which 486 workers participated in two groups of professionals using the realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional (RIASEC) model. Participants responded to questionnaires of professional interest and occupational environments necessary to measure congruence, and, then, emotional intelligence and intrinsic satisfaction. Findings: Positive associations were identified between emotional intelligence, person-environment congruence, and intrinsic job satisfaction, with higher associations in the group with high interpersonal demands, highlighting the relevance of emotional skills in this professional segment. However, it was found that the congruence does not moderate the association between emotional intelligence and intrinsic satisfaction in either group, emphasizing that the person-environment fit and emotional skills can contribute independently to explain worker satisfaction with the activities developed in the organization.

Stability and change in vocational interest profiles and interest congruence over the course of vocational education and training

The current study is concerned with the stability of and changes in vocational interest profiles and interest congruence in vocational education and training (VET). Specifically, we examined (1) the stability of vocational interest profiles, (2) the existence of occupational socialization effects that manifest themselves as increases in person-environment (P-E) congruence, and (3) the question of whether or not changes in P-E congruence are psychologically relevant because they are related to trainees’ attitudes towards their VET course. We used data from a three-wave longitudinal sample comprising N = 2611 trainees from five different VET courses in Germany. Through the use of meta-analytical aggregation techniques, we were able to analyze interindividual differences in intraindividual interest stability and P-E congruence and to relate these differences to trainees’ satisfaction with VET. On average, interest profiles turned out to be highly stable over the entire course of VET. However, we found substantial interindividual and intergroup differences in interest stability. Average P-E congruence increased slightly in two groups, providing only little evidence for the presumed socialization effects. Nevertheless, interindividual differences in P-E congruence and changes in P-E congruence were psychologically relevant because they were linked to trainees’ satisfaction with their VET course and changes therein.

CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF THE IMPACT OF HOME MODIFICATION AND ADAPTATION

The desire of older people to age in place suggests that future-proofing the home environment is fundamental to providing greater person-environment congruence at a time of global ageing. The emerging genHOME network, founded by the UK College of Occupational Therapists, promotes the health and well-being of older and disabled people and their families through the co-ordination and dissemination of international research on home modification or adaptation and housing design. For environmental gerontologists this core resource network grounded in practice and driven by negotiation with users provides an important route for the dissemination of research with application. In this symposium researchers from more developed countries attached to the network use empirical work to debate common research priorities including participatory approaches in countries with diverse housing types, tenure, space standards, modification regulations and funding opportunities. Aiming to inform national and international policy through innovative research there is recognition of diversity in the evidence presented through language and cultural difference, and a need for consistent research methodology and outcome measures. Discussion will address similarities and differences in priorities and invite the audience to debate the value of this initiative and how it can be extended and made more inclusive. The symposium seeks to question how far current understanding of culturally specific home modification/adaptation could lead to wider discussion of more age-inclusive design and architectural practice for new build housing (individual and collective), and to learn from other countries how this relates to population growth in times of climate change questioning person-environment fit.

End-Users' Perception from Housing Needs Based on Maslow's Theory of Motivation

Providing operational approach to end-users' motivational tendencies in housing facilitates user-centered approach enhancing person-environment congruence. The operational approach is highly critical in case of inaccessibility of end-users in decision making, i.e. mass housing. Therefore, this study aims at explaining end-users' housing motivations from their housing attributes preferences, through a theoretical framework developed based on Maslow's theory. The investigation was carried out by using a self-administered questionnaire conducted on 127 Iranian postgraduate students of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and their spouse who lived alongside them. They were selected from those who lived more than one year in mass housing apartments in Malaysia. Using exploratory factor analysis, the housing attributes preferences were analyzed to underlie the latent structure and relations among them; the extracted factors were also labeled based on the different level of needs. Then, conducting one sample t-test hierarchical tendencies among the different motivational factors were identified. Referring to Maslow's theory to explain the concept and characteristics of housing needs results in identification of two different categories of housing attributes in association with the different level of needs. Accordingly, primary levels of needs that associate with relatively tangible and concrete attributes are more likely to be content-specific and predictable. The higher levels of needs that associate with relatively complicated and abstract attributes are more likely to be problematical, confusing, and non-predictable.

Successful Aging as the Intersection of Individual Resources, Age, Environment, and Experiences of Well-being in Daily Activities.

We conceptualize successful aging as a cumulative index of individual resources (the absence of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, social embeddedness) in the service of successful aging outcomes (global well-being, experienced well-being, and vital status), and conditioned by age, social structure, and environment. The study used baseline and follow-up data from the 2008-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 17,230; age = 51-101). Linear, multilevel, and logistic models compared individual resources at baseline as independent, cumulative, and binary predictors of outcomes 4 years later. Individual resources were unequally distributed across age group and social structures (education, wealth, race, gender) and had a cumulative effect on all successful aging outcomes. For experienced well-being, individual resources were most important at midlife and for groups with lower education. Person-environment congruence (social cohesion, city satisfaction) was associated with all successful aging outcomes and conditioned the effect of individual resources on experienced well-being. A cumulative index allows for gradations in resources that can be compensated for by external factors such as person-environment congruence. This index could guide policy and interventions to enhance resources in vulnerable subgroups and diminish inequalities in successful aging outcomes.

Incorporating user values into housing design through indirect user participation using MEC-QFD model

This study aims to incorporate user values into housing design. Incorporating user values is essential for developing quality housing. Data was gathered in three stages using the Means-End Chain and Quality Function Deployment models. To identify the factors that create values, the MEC model was conducted using soft laddering interviews with 15 apartment occupants in Bushehr, Iran. Next, weight assessments were done for value creators. With data from the first phase, a hard laddering questionnaire survey of MEC was created and distributed among 150 respondents. Nine architects developed design strategies in a focus group discussion to establish the House of Quality of QFD based on responses. The developed strategies involved four main categories including Building Organizational Emphasis, Interior Design Emphasis, Exterior Design Emphasis, and Indoor Environmental Emphasis. The combination of MEC and QFD facilitates indirect user participation and fulfills person environment congruence.

Taking Situations Seriously

After years of neglect, situations are beginning to be taken seriously in psychological research. Two recent steps include the development of a theoretical framework, the Situation Construal Model (SCM), and an assessment tool, the Riverside Situational Q-sort (RSQ). The SCM describes behavior not only as a function of direct effects of personality and situations but also as a function of construal—how the individual perceives and responds to each situation he or she confronts. The RSQ assesses situations in terms of 89 descriptive phrases that can be rated by observers or participants; the consensus of socially competent observers represents the “objective” nature of a situation. The SCM provides a basis for an ongoing program of research using the RSQ to examine topics including the consistency of behavior, person-environment congruence, consequences of situational construal in social and medical contexts, classification of situations based on evolutionary theory, and the comparison of situational experience across cultures. Promising directions for future research include applications to educational, medical, and industrial settings. Taking situations seriously opens the door to many potential theoretical advances and practical applications.

Academic Fit, Adolescent-parent Career Congruence, and Career Exploration in University Students

Based on the person-environment congruence theory which argues that better fit with individual's environment will lead to more positive outcomes, we examined the relationships between the fit between individuals and organization (i.e., academic fit), the fit between individuals and their parents (i.e., adolescent-parent career congruence), and career exploration in Indonesian university students. We surveyed 125 students (53.6% girls, mean age = 18.96 years) majoring in Fisheries and Marine Science from a state university in Semarang, Central Java, using measures of academic fit, adolescent-parent career congruence, and career exploration. We examined whether adolescent-parent career congruence mediated the relationship between academic fit and career exploration. Structural equation modelling demonstrated that adolescent-parent career congruence partially mediated the relationship between academic fit and career exploration, suggesting that fitting with academic situation affects career exploration behavior by directly motivating students to engage in career exploration activities, and also by facilitating congruence with parents regarding career matter, that in turn, influences involvement in career exploration behavior. Findings of this study showed the vital roles for academic fit and adolescent-parent career congruence in students’ career exploration behavior.

Relatedness, autonomy, and competence in the caring relationship: The perspective of nursing home residents

Based on self-determination theory and person-environment congruence models, this study investigated the importance and experiences of relatedness, autonomy, and competence in the caring relationship from the perspective of residents of somatic nursing homes. Furthermore, discrepancies between the attached importance and the fulfillment of these three needs, as well as the role of resident age, health and cognition were explored.Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview questions were used with 75 recently admitted somatic nursing home residents. The results show that relatedness was considered as more important than autonomy and competence, on average, but there also was large variation between residents in the importance attached to these three needs (n=75). A subgroup that was asked about relatedness, autonomy, and competence in the caring relationship (n=35) experienced rather high fulfillment of these needs, although the semi-structured interview questions revealed more nuances. In addition, discrepancies existed between the importance and the fulfillment of the needs for a considerable group of residents in this subgroup. Subjective health and cognitive functioning were correlated with the evaluation of relatedness, autonomy, and competence in the caring relationship.It is concluded that, in nursing homes, the focus should be on the match between individual preferences and actual support of relatedness, autonomy, and competence.This involves asking residents for personal preferences and facilitating caregivers in taking these into account during daily caregiving.

Living on a Rural Island: Children Identify Assets, Problems, and Solutions for Health and Well-Being

This paper describes the methods and results of a child and youth evaluation of their semi-isolated rural island community. Map drawings, interviews, community asset mapping, and focus groups were used to identify assets, problems, and solutions in the community. A broad representation of the island's children and youth, ranging from 5 to 14 years old provided information on the impact of the physical environment, community services and resources, social capital and community cohesion, and favorite places and activities. Four broad categories emerged as important for children and youth regardless of age: a sense of safety, the positive influence of the natural environment, a close-knit community and available resources, programs and services. The results of this place-based evaluation are compared to the literature on person-environment congruence and child-friendly communities.

Exploring Housing Attributes Selection based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Meeting the user's needs is essential in housing delivery. Therefore, designers are required to consider personal motivations in the housing decision making process. The authors consider that Maslow's theory on hierarchy of needs is applicable in explaining user's motivations in housing. The theory indicates that different levels of user's needs imply different levels of housing expectations, hence different house attributes. This paper discusses a theoretical framework developed by the authors to summarize the relationship between the user's needs and the attributes of housing units. By systematically linking the user's needs to architectural attributes, person-environment congruence (PEC), hence suitability of living environment, will be improved.

Moderation of the relation between person–environment congruence and academic success: Environmental constraint, personal flexibility and method

The relation of interest–major congruence to indicators of college success was examined as it was moderated by environmental constraint, individual flexibility, and congruence definition in an initial sample of 88,813 undergraduates (38,787 men and 50,026 women) from 42 different colleges and universities in 16 states. College achievement (GPA after 1 semester and 2 years), persistence (enrollment status after 1 year and after 2 years) and major persistence in year 3 were used as criteria of college success. The significance of congruence (i.e., Euclidean distance and profile correlation) and its moderators above that of measures of academic achievement (i.e., ACT scores) and gender were examined for each of the college outcome criteria using hierarchical modeling. Results indicated that both the environmental constraint of the major and the interest flexibility of the individual moderated the congruence–outcome relation for both types of congruence indices. There was a greater relation between congruence and college outcomes for those majors that had more homogeneity and were more differentiated (i.e., were more constrained) than for majors where this was not true. There was a stronger relation between congruence and college outcomes for those individuals with lower overall profile levels (i.e., low flexibility) than those with high. Findings point to the importance of interest–major congruence in the college outcome process, but also highlight the complexity of the congruence–outcome relation.

Means End Chain, Person Environment Congruence and Mass Housing Design

Meeting human needs is considered as fundamental to sustainable human settlement. However, in micro level developments particularly in respect of a housing unit, for example, an operational definition of sustainability which will be useful in its practical implementation, has yet to be developed. To address this, the author posits that theories on the relationship between the environment and the person can be taken as a conceptual frame of reference. One of them is the theory of Person-Environment Congruence (PEC). This theory conceptualizes “congruence” as the favourable outcome of the person-environment relationship. Achieving PEC is considered as the most important criteria that supports the concept of housing sustainability. In the context of housing, the author considers that PEC is achieved when the dwelling place can offer its inhabitants a place which meets their basic needs. In order to operationalize this concept in terms of housing unit design, the author propagates the use of the Means-End Chain (MEC) research model to explore the relationship between a person and his or her environment. The combination of the two concepts facilitates the identification of those housing attributes emphasized in the home-making process, together with the users' perceptual orientation towards those attributes. To experiment with the application of the MEC research model in respect of exploring the concept of PEC, a case study was conducted on 15 renovated and personalized houses in a mass housing scheme in Malaysia. The traditional MEC methods were maintained with some modifications to accommodate the various housing characteristics. The results suggest that the MEC research model is able to link the relevant housing unit attributes to user values, and it is potentially applicable in the design of a housing unit. The results also indicated that user participation is essential in home making process, in order to achieve and maintain sustainability.

The perspective of children and youth: How different stakeholders identify architectural barriers for inclusion in schools

Recent inclusive policies are promoting the involvement of individuals with disabilities in identifying barriers that limit their full participation and inclusion in public spaces. The present two studies explored the contributions provided by different stakeholder groups in the identification of architectural barriers in elementary and secondary schools. In each school, the principal, special education resource teacher and a student independently identified architectural barriers using an observational walkthrough method. The first study consisted of 29 schools where the student evaluator had a physical disability and the second study consisted of 22 schools where the student evaluator did not have a disability. The results of both studies showed that students identified the greatest number of barriers and principals the least. The type and location of identified barriers are explored and the conclusions are examined in relation to person-environment congruence. The results highlight the efficacy of youth involvement and provide support for collaborative assessments that equitably involve all stakeholders in inclusive environmental assessments.

Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes

This study examined the relationship between attaining a job congruent with the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) vocational rehabilitation goal and vocational rehabilitation outcomes. Study participants were 171 vocational rehabilitation clients served by the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) who were successfully rehabilitated and closed (Status 26) in 2002. Results generally supported the relationship between Holland's person—environment congruence construct and employment outcomes for this population. The IPE goal and employment outcome congruency was found to have a significant effect on participants' wages. In addition, educational attainment and disability category were also found to affect vocational rehabilitation employment outcomes. However, person—environment congruence did not increase participants' vocational satisfaction.

Person—environment congruence, self‐efficacy, and environmental identity in relation to job satisfaction: a career decision theory perspective

This study explored the relationship between person—environment congruence, self‐efficacy, and environmental identity and job satisfaction. Participants were 198 employees of a multinational telecommunications corporation. The predictor domain included the Iachan Index (R. Iachan, 1984), the Mahalanobis Distance Index (L. J. Cronbach & G. C. Gleser, 1953), the Self‐Efficacy Scale (M. Sherer et al., 1982, 2000), and the Environmental Identity Scale (G. D. Gottfredson & J. L. Holland, 1996; J. L. Holland, 1997). The criterion domain included 6 components of job satisfaction. A canonical correlation analysis identified 2 significant roots labeled organizational mission satisfaction and work task satisfaction. Implications for career decision making are discussed.

Person-environment congruence in relation to career change and career persistence

This study examined Holland’s theoretical proposition, that personality-work environment congruence influences career stability and change, with a sample of 212 career changers (respondents who expressed an intent to change career and had engaged in preliminary career change activity) and 249 career persisters (respondents who indicated an intent to remain in their current career). Independent groups ANCOVA (controlling for age and current career tenure) indicated that career persisters scored higher on congruence than career changers, however, the effect size was within the small to medium range. Repeated-measures ANCOVA indicated, with a medium effect size, that career changers moved towards careers that were more congruent with their personality profiles than their current careers. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

El estado actual de la investigación sobre la congruencia persona-ambiente. Propuesta de aplicación de un diseño experimental

The aim of this paper is to review the present state of the person-environment congruence research. We analyze the main conceptual and methodological problems that this research have and the cristicisms that one of the most representative model receives: Holland’s vocational choices model. This author suggests that the individuals tend to choose occupations that are congruent with their personal characteristics, and that this fit (or adjustment) has positive implications both for the performance and job satisfaction. On the other hand, models from other approaches have also been proposed (work stress, work socialization, laboral fi t (or adjustment...). Taking into account the inconvenients that most of these kind of studies have, the possibility of start on this subject from an experimental paradigm suggesting a design that may solve or reduce these problems is proposed.