ROLE OF GENDER-RELATED PERSONALITY-TRAITS, PROBLEM-SOLVING APPRAISAL,AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT IN DEVELOPING A MEDIATIONAL MODEL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT

This study examined the relation between gender-related personality tr aits and psychological adjustment. The study used structural equation modeling with latent variables to assess how gender-related personalit y traits influence aspects of psychological adjustment. Participants i ncluded 306 undergraduate and graduate students. Results indicated tha t the different gender-related personality traits influence correspond ing aspects of psychological adjustment through 2 mediational componen ts: problem-solving appraisal and perceived social support. The relati on between gender-related personality traits and psychological adjustm ent is not simply a linear one as conceptualized previously. Rather, g ender-related personality traits have an indirect effect through media ting factors. Implications for counseling interventions and for furthe r research are discussed.