In Brief: APA Monitor Magazine February 2012

Here are some great snippets from the American Psychological Association's Monitor Magazine. These "In-Brief" articles provide snapshots of some of the latest peer-reviewed research within psychology and related fields. For more information visit their website: www.apa.org/monitor/digital.ibfeb2012.aspx


Mental Health and the Workplace

Unfair bosses and ambiguous expectations are strong predictors of workplace bullying, finds a study led by researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Based on data collected from more than 10,000 employees within 65 organizations, the study showed that a "hands-off" leadership style, role conflict and role ambiguity were strongly related to bullying at the departmental level. The authors say that targeting these departmental or organizational practices may be one of the most effective ways to reduce bullying (International Journal of Stress Management, November).


Working may help mom's mental health, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Scientists analyzed data from 1,364 mothers interviewed shortly after their children's birth and over the course of 10 years. They found that moms who were employed full- or part-time reported fewer symptoms of depression and better overall health than stay-at-home moms. The study also found that moms who work part-time provided the most learning opportunities for their children—such as taking them to museums and to music lessons (Journal of Family Psychology^®, December).


Nice guys make less money, according to a study led by a business professor at the University of Notre Dame. Researchers collected data from 10,000 workers from around the nation and found that men who perceive themselves as being less agreeable earn an average of 18 percent more than their more agreeable co-workers. A woman's level of agreeableness has little to no effect on her pay (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Nov 28).


For African-Americans, perceived racism may cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma and could even lead to physical health disparities, according to a meta-analysis of 66 studies comprising 18,140 black adults in the United States. The study showed that blacks who reported experiencing more and very stressful racism were more likely to report depression and anxiety, which may contribute to the black population's high rate of hypertension (Journal of Counseling Psychology^®, Nov. 7).