On the Move: Psychology of Change and Transition

This volume addresses the effects of positive events associated with upward social, educational or occupational mobility and with processes of growing up and developing within and across boundaries. Part one aims to provide some theoretical understanding of how and why change, even in a positive context, might be stressful and cause distress in some people. There is concentration on four main theoretical approaches. The first is based on research on separation and loss and the second is that interruption is a common denominator to change. The idea that transitions engender loss of control is explored. This approach shifts the responsibility for any adverse effects on the new environment and perhaps more importantly on a person's ability to become committed, to take opportunities which present themselves and to begin to achieve rapid control over aspects of the new environment. The importance of status in society and role change engendered by moves is explored in a clinical context and then socio-cognitive interests are emphasized. These two chapters offer considerable insights into the broader perspective of transition and the effects on individuals with particular emphasis on how a person is perceived by others and by his or herself, as a determinant of response. Finally, theoretical insights into the dynamics of transition emphasize the importance of the time course of events and the nature of the process of adapting to change. Part 2 provides a number of different chapters addressed to topics representing the effects of a broad variety of changes. Some situations explored are routinely part of the process of development in modern society such as the transition to school and the transition to taking a job, becoming a parent. In addition there are chapters which provide a broader overview of the effects of change in terms of moving home, leaving home and the effects on physchological state from homesickness and health. Part 3 provides two accounts of possible coping stratgies. The first is addressed to strategies for aiding immediate adjustment. The second considers adaptation in the context of more general strategies for coping with stress and indicates some possibilities for adjustment in the long term.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Theories of the effects of change and transition: separation, loss and recovery, R.Weiss; interruption (discrepancy) theory - review and extensions, G.Mandler; changes - rank, status and mood, P.Gilbert; environmental change, control and vulnerability, Shirley Fisher; role transitions and the emotional structure of everyday life, K.Oatley; the transition cycle - causes, outcomes, processes and forms, Nigel Nicholson. Part 2 Studies of change and transition: the transition to parenthood and the importance of social support, C.Cutrona; transitional stress in children and young adolescents, Eric M.Vernberg; the psychological effects of leaving home - homesickness, health and obsessional thoughts, Shirley Fisher; moving house and home, Terence Lee; cultural bereavement and homesickness, M.Eisenbruch; from education to job markets, John Arnold; workers' experiences of environmental change and transition at the office, D.Stokols; becoming and being unemployed, R.Payne; expatriate stress - the problems of living abroad, Adrian Furnham. Part 3: Helping the homesick - attentional management strategy, commitment and adaptation, Shirley Fisher; coping strategies to minimize the stress of transitions, Cary Cooper.