28th International Congress of Psychology August 8 ... - U-netSURF

effects of individual differences (v. g. depression, age) and working conditions (v. g. hours worked,
hierarchical level) are structurally modeled upon levels of perceived support in the social and
personal areas in a sample of 3150 Mexican workers interviewed in their work place. This
measurement model stem from de facie indicators for each dimension (SWS theoretical
framework) and those structural models found in the literature regarding different functions of
personal and social areas in life quality. Results allow for differentiation of psycho-social
processes involved with life quality in the work place and support the theoretical base and
instrumental operation of the SWS Survey.
2045.3 Validation of the SWS survey of occupational stress: Findings from an Australian
Sample, H. Muenchberger, E. Kendall, Griffith University, Qld, Australia
Aim: This study examined the utility and validity of the SWS-Survey of occupational stress in the
Australian context. Method: Administered to a national sample (N=2500) across eight major
industry groups, the SWS-Survey was used to measure the relationships between personal and
environmental stressors and supports and the mental health experienced by workers. Results: The
content and construct validity of the survey was examined and its relevance to the Australian
culture was confirmed. Factor analysis of the SWS-Survey subscales also provided promising
results for use of this survey in Australian workplaces. Conclusions: Preliminary findings provided
partial support for the utility of the SWS Survey as a measure of occupational stress in Australian
workers.
2045.4 SWS-survey worldwide, cross-cultural results: Universal and culture specific items of
occupational and mental health, R.F. Ostermann, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Staunton, VA,
USA
Professionals (N=800) in 21distinct country-groups provided content validation of native language
translations by rating each item as to suitability for use for men and for women in their culture.
For each item of each scale, for each gender within each country-group we computed mean
item-rating, standard deviation and standard error, percent of “acceptance” and “rejection” for
each item, Cronbach Alpha and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results identified 150
“universal” items and some distinct items for different country-groups. While some item-ratings
for men and for women differed significantly, there were no opposed differences. The
SWS-Survey is truly a native language, cross-cultural instrument.
2046 INVITED SYMPOSIUM
Neural mechanisms of learning and memory in vertebrates
Convener and Chair: X.J. Xu, USA
2046.1 A common plan for learning and memory systems in the brain of vertebrates? Insights
from teleost fishes, C. Salas, F. Rodríguez, University of Seville, Sevilla, Spain
Historically, the dominant trend in comparative brain and behavior research has emphasized the
differences in cognition among vertebrate species. However, recent comparative evidence suggests
that the evolution of cognitive capabilities and their neural basis could have been more
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