Searching for the Self: An Identity Control Theory Approach to Triggers of Occupational Exploration

ABSTRACT. Identity control theory researchers have found evidence for two processes of identity development (identity defense and identity change) and have theorized a third process (identity exploration). College students (N = 123) self-rated as high or low in occupational identity certainty and importance received self-discrepant feedback to induce identity disturbance, and dependent measures of identity defense, identity change, and identity exploration were obtained. As predicted, high certainty about identity standards led to identity defense, while low certainty led to identity change. Although an interaction between certainty and importance was hypothesized to predict identity exploration, results showed that the two operated independently. Low certainty predicted exploration of additional occupational areas, whereas high importance predicted exploration of self, environment, and additional occupational areas

Parents, Peers, and Campus Involvement in the Transition to College

The purpose of this research was to examine factors that contribute to a successful transition into college. It acknowledges the importance of parents, peers, and campus involvement during this developmental period. Ninety-six college freshmen were given a series of questionnaires that assessed parental support, friendship quality and friendship satisfaction, and campus involvement. The following outcome variables were examined: loneliness, sense of belongingness, and drug/alcohol use. The results suggest that higher quality friendships and higher satisfaction with friendships were significantly related to lower levels of loneliness. In addition, higher involvement in campus activities was significantly related to lower levels of loneliness. The results also show that higher levels of campus involvement were significantly related to higher levels of school belongingness, alcohol use, and binge drinking. Findings from this study suggest that there are multiple contexts related to adjustment during the transition to college

Analysis of amino acid variation in the P2 domain of the GII-4 norovirus VP1 protein reveals putative variant-specific epitopes

Our data identifies two sites in this region, which show significant amino acid substitutions associated with the appearance of variant strains responsible for epidemics with major public health impact. Homology modelling studies revealed the exposed nature of these sites on the capsid surface, providing supportive structural data that these two sites are likely to be associated with putative variant-specific epitopes. Furthermore, the patterns in the evolution of these viruses at these sites suggests that noroviruses follow a neutral network pattern of evolution