Differences in cortisol following cooperative and competitive work-related tasks with same-sex versus opposite-sex partners

Previous research indicates that circulating concentrations of cortisol increase during interactions with opposite-sex others in the presence of mating cues. However, it remains unknown whether this phenomenon extends to work-related tasks in which explicit mating cues are absent. In a series of two studies, we assessed women's and men's salivary cortisol concentrations before and after completing a cooperative brainstorming (Study 1) and competitive negotiation (Study 2) task wherein they worked with same- or opposite-sex partners. Both studies revealed significant participant sex by partner sex interactions. Specifically, male participants demonstrated significantly larger increases in salivary cortisol concentrations when working alongside opposite-sex as opposed to same-sex partners on a cooperative task. In contrast, female participants demonstrated significantly larger increases in salivary cortisol concentrations when working with opposite-sex as opposed to same-sex partners on a competitive task. Opposite-sex teams also produced fewer novel ideas relative to same-sex teams on the cooperative brainstorming task; however, differences in cortisol did not account for this effect. Our research extends previous research demonstrating elevated cortisol during opposite-sex interactions in the presence of explicit mating cues to a work-related context that is divorced from mating cues.

Using Integrated Research-Practice Partnerships to Move Evidence-Based Principles Into Practice

The implementation of evidence-based physical activity interventions is improved when integrated research-practice partnerships are used. These partnerships consider both research- and practice-based evidence that moves beyond only assessing program efficacy. Our novel hypothesis is that integrated research-practice partnerships may lead to interventions that are practical and effective, reach more participants, and are more likely to be sustained in practice.

Gender similarity, coworker support, and job attitudes: An occupation’s creative requirement can make a difference

By introducing gender similarity as a contextual antecedent of coworker support, we examined the mediating role of coworker support for the relationship between workgroup gender similarity and job attitudes. In addition, we explored how a creative requirement, which is an occupational characteristic, can influence the relationship between coworker support and job attitudes above and beyond the role of supervisor support and organizational support. Results based on 975 full-time employees across a wide variety of occupations and industries indicated that as expected coworker support can serve as an underlying mechanism in the relationship between the relational demography of a workplace and employees’ job satisfaction and intention to quit. Furthermore, coworker support was significantly related to job satisfaction only for those occupations that required high levels of creativity. Finally, the creative requirement of an occupation moderated the indirect effect of gender similarity on job satisfaction through coworker support.

Traveling Groups Stick Together: How Collective Directional Movement Influences Social Cohesion

We tested the hypothesis that the social act of moving through space with others-collective directional movement-is associated with greater levels of group cohesion compared to static activities. We asked participants to imagine participating in activities as part of a same-sex group and found that imagining going on a journey is associated with higher levels of expected cohesion compared to imagining attending a meeting (Study 1) or an event (Study 2). Study 3 replicates the main effect using different manipulations and finds that it persists regardless of whether the imagined group were friends or strangers. Two further studies employed real-world tasks and show that the effect is not a consequence of goal ascription (Study 4) or synchrony/exertion (Study 5). We argue that the link between this activity and cohesion is a consequence of its ubiquity in social ecologies and the interdependence and shared common fate of those engaged in it.

Increasing collective efficacy for physical activity: Design and rationale of Moms UNITE for Health

BACKGROUND

Mothers are a population that engages in low levels of physical activity due to unique barriers to physical activity. As such, there is a need to develop and implement physical activity interventions for mothers that can be delivered in community settings. The objective of this article is to describe the Moms UNITE (Using Networks to Increase Togetherness and Efficacy) for Health walking intervention. This intervention, based on social cognitive theory, is designed to compare a collective efficacy enhanced intervention to a standard intervention for increasing physical activity and secondary outcomes.

METHODS

In this 6-week, randomized controlled trial, mothers will be assigned to either the standard or intervention (collective efficacy) group. Both groups will receive the same walking intervention and an evidence-based health education program. Strategies and messages focusing on building collective efficacy will be used in the intervention group. Data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up (after a 3 month no-intervention period) using a mixed methods approach.

RESULTS

Quantitative data will include anthropometric measurements, objective physical activity, and questionnaires assessing self- and collective-efficacy. Post-intervention focus groups and weekly process evaluation surveys will describe participants' experiences within the program.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper will serve as a theoretical framework for researchers and public health practitioners to develop and implement community-based walking programs for mothers.

Longitudinal analysis of minority women's perceptions of cohesion: the role of cooperation, communication, and competition

Background

Interaction in the form of cooperation, communication, and friendly competition theoretically precede the development of group cohesion, which often precedes adherence to health promotion programs. The purpose of this manuscript was to explore longitudinal relationships among dimensions of group cohesion and group-interaction variables to inform and improve group-based strategies within programs aimed at promoting physical activity.

Methods

Ethnic minority women completed a group dynamics-based physical activity promotion intervention (N = 103; 73% African American; 27% Hispanic/Latina; mage = 47.89 + 8.17 years; mBMI = 34.43+ 8.07 kg/m²) and assessments of group cohesion and group-interaction variables at baseline, 6 months (post-program), and 12 months (follow-up).

Results

All four dimensions of group cohesion had significant (ps < 0.01) relationships with the group-interaction variables. Competition was a consistently strong predictor of cohesion, while cooperation did not demonstrate consistent patterns of prediction.

Conclusions

Facilitating a sense of friendly competition may increase engagement in physical activity programs by bolstering group cohesion.

When supervisors perceive non-work support: test of a trickle-down model

Using the trickle-down model as the theoretical foundation, we explored whether subordinates' perceived supervisory non-work support (subordinates' PSNS) mediates the relationship between supervisors' perception of higher-level managers' non-work support (supervisors' PSNS) and subordinates' organizational citizenship behaviors. Using dyadic data collected from 132 employees and their immediate supervisors, we found support for the aforementioned mediation process. Furthermore, supervisors' perceived in-group/out-group membership of subordinates moderated the aforementioned supervisors' PSNS-subordinates' PSNS relationship, such that this relationship is stronger for out-group subordinates. Theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Deep-Level Similarity and Group Social Capital: Associations With Team Functioning

This study examines the associations of deep-level and surface-level similarity with team functioning (i.e., team effectiveness, team in-role performance, and team satisfaction). Hypotheses were tested using data from 420 teachers in 57 teams in secondary education. These teams were tightly integrated units in which teachers from different functional areas had to work together. From the results of multilevel analyses, it appeared that especially deep-level similarity was important for team functioning. Cross-level interactions showed a moderating effect of group social capital on the association of deep-level similarity with team functioning, but there was no such relationship found for surface-level similarity. Especially in teams with high group social capital, deep-level similarity was associated with improved team functioning.