Schlossberg

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Schlossbergs Transition Theory

• Jim Badger, Courtney Smith,
• Nick Hoover

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Outline

• History Background of Theory
• Adult Development Theory
• What is a Transition?
• 3 Types of Transition
• 3 Adaptations
• 4 Factors for Coping
• Questionnaire Group Discussions
• SAHE Applications

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Schlossberg

• Dr. Nancy K. Schlossberg
• Bernard College, 1951
• B.A. Sociology
• Teachers College, Columbia University, 1961
• Ed.D Counseling
• University of Maryland
• Professor Emeritus
• Department of Counseling and Personnel Services

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History of the Theory

• A model for analyzing human adaptation in The
  Counseling Psychologist, 1981
• Revised in 1989 and 1995
• Influenced by Erickson, Chickering, and several
  others

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Adult Development

• Perspectives
• Contextual (impact of org on person)
• Developmental (age, stage, domain)
• Life Span (evaluate life experiences)
• Transitional (cultural social norms)

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The Theory

• Transition
• Any event or non-event that results in changed
  relationships, routines, assumptions and/or roles
• Positive or Negative
• Perception is key
• The transition must be analyzed

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Relevance

• Insight into factors related to transition
• the individual, the environment the magnitude
  of the impact
• Strategies to assist the transitioner
• Learn of support available for coping
• Learn to cope with life the inevitable
  transitions

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3 Types of Transition

• 1st Type
• Anticipated transition
• Occur predictably
• Examples of college student anticipated
  transition?

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Anticipated Transitions
Graduation From College, Living Situation (move)
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3 Types of Transition

• 2nd Type
• Unanticipated transition
• Not predictable or scheduled
• Examples of college student unanticipated
  transition?

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Unanticipated Transitions
Deaths, Break-ups, Social Tragedies
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3 Types of Transition

• 3rd Type
• Nonevents
• Expected transitions that dont occur
• 4 categories of non-events

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Nonevents cont

• Personal individual aspirations
• Ripple experienced because of a nonevent of
  someone close
• Resultant caused by an event
• Delayed anticipation of an event that might
  still happen
• -nonevents deal with probability and not so much
  possibility (event has to be likely to occur
• Examples of nonevent transitions?

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Job Offer, Promotion, Personal Life Milestones
(marriage, children)
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Group Activity Discussion

• Case Studies
• What kind of transition(s) for Amanda?
• For Jacob?
• For Pat?

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Context and Impact

• Context- ones own relationship to the transition
  and the setting
• Work
• Personal
• Relationships
• Impact- degree to which the transition alters
  daily life

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Transition Process

• Growth or decline, occurs over a period of time
• Series of phases including moving in, moving
  through, and moving out
• Effectiveness in coping depends on assets
  liabilities
• Four Factors that influence coping, The 4 Ss
• Situation
• Self
• Support
• Strategies

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Situation

• Trigger (what caused the transition)
• Timing (social view of, is it on time or not?
  Good or bad?)
• Control (what aspects of transition can the
  individual control? The transition itself or
  their reaction?)
• Role change (has their role changed? Is it
  good/gain or bad/loss?)

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Situation cont

• Duration (permanent, temporary, or unknown?)
• Previous experience w/ similar transition (able
  to cope before?)
• Concurrent stress (other stressors?)
• Assessment (who is seen as responsible for the
  transition how is behavior affected by this
  perception?)

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Self

• Personal demographic characteristics (how does
  individual view life)
• Socioeconomic status, gender, age, stage of life,
  health, ethnicity
• Psychological resources (aid for coping)
• Ego development, outlook, commitment, values

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Support

• Types (intimate, family, friends,
  institutional/community)
• Functions (affect, affirmation, aid, honest
  feedback)
• Measurement (role dependent, stable changing
  supports)

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Strategies

• This is the Coping Response
• Categories (modify situation, control meaning,
  manage stress in aftermath)
• Coping modes (information seeking, direct action,
  inhibition of action)
• Multiple Methods Flexibility Effective Coper

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Appling the 4 Ss

• Situation, Self, Support Strategies
• Revisit Case Studies

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Adaptation

• 3 variables
• Individuals perception of the transition
• Characteristics of pre- and post-transition
  environments
• Characteristics of the individual experiencing
  the transition

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Integrating with Counseling

• Relationship building (listening skills)
• Assessment (environment, resources coping
  skills)
• Goal setting (use 4 Ss modify
  environment-situation regain balance-self
  support develop a plan-strategy)
• Interventions (change interpretation of meaning
  assess assets-self referral to support
  group-support problem solving-strategy)
• Termination follow-up (review what has happened
  plan for next step)

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Assessment Techniques

• Transition Coping Questionnaire and Transition
  Coping Guide are 2 tools available
• Consider the transition and answer Likert scale
  questions on the 4 Ss.

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Possible limitations

• Not focusing on specific populations
• GLBTQ
• Students of color
• Students with disabilities
• International students

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Relevance to SAHE Professionals

• Increase in adult learners
• Transition can be the reason for enrollment in
  higher education
• Aiding a transition can improve retention,
  involvement, alumni support
• Support/assessment for college athletes (injury,
  not making team)
• Taught to RAs, student org officers, student
  leaders, orientation/ FYE programs, graduating
  seniors
• Numerous applications for adult students and for
  traditionally-aged students
• Facilitates understanding and action for
  resolution growth!

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Conclusion

• Thank you for your time, participation, and
  attention!
• Questions?
• References
• Chickering, A. W., Schlossberg, N. K. (1998).
  Getting the most out of college. Boston Allyn
  and Bacon.
• Evans, N. J., Forney, D. S., Guido-DiBrito, F.
  (1998). Student development in college Theory,
  research, and practice. San Francisco
  Jossey- Bass.
• Schlossberg, N. K. (1989). Overwhelmed Lifes
  ups and downs. Lexington, MA Lexington Books.