The concept of role transition refers to a wide range of experiences found in life: job change, unemployment, divorce, entering or leaving prison, retirement, immi gration, "Gastarbeiten," becoming a parent, and so on. Such transitions often produce strain and hence a variety of problems for the transiting individual, occu pants of complementary social positions, and other members of one's social group and community. In spite of the diversity of role transitions that occur, however, it is important also to realize that many basic psychological processes can be discerned in ostensibly different instances. Research on role transitions has been dispersed across many different subdisci of the social sciences; the problem can be investigated from several points of plines view and levels of analysis. As modern societies become ever more complex, role transitions can be expected to increase in number and diversity, with a concomitant increase in detrimental consequences for the individual and society. Hence, for rea sons of both theory and practice, improved conceptual models and new empirical data are needed. The chapters in this book are the outcome of a N.A.T.O. symposium convened for the purpose of discussing aspects of role transitions from international and inter disciplinary perspectives. The meeting was designed to be a working conference to facilitate as much intellectual exchange and debate among participants as possible.

Inhalt
I: Introduction.- 1. A Role Theoretical Perspective on Transitional Processes.- II: Theoretical Issues.- 2. Role Transition as Social Drama.- 3. Role Transitions and Social Networks: Social Support for Multiple Roles.- 4. Self-Identity Change and the Role Transition Process.- 5. Role Transition as Interrole Conflict.- 6. Career Transitions and Life Event Adaptation: Integrating Alternative Perspectives on Role Transition.- III: Cultural Context.- 7. Immigration as Role Transition: A Cognitive Analysis of its Impact on Health.- 8. Transitions in Commitments to Roles and Self-Concept Change: Relocation as a Paradigm.- 9. Status Inconsistency Through Role Transitions: Toward a Systematic Attempt to Explain Causes and Patterns of Individual Reactions.- 10. Societal Change and Role Transitions into Adulthood.- IV: Multiple Transitions.- 11. From Society into Prison and From Prison into Society.- 12. Entry and Re-entry Strain in Undercover Agents.- 13. Role Transitions in Small Groups.- 14. Transition to the Leaders's Role in Small Groups.- V: Work-Related Transitions.- 15. Role Transitions of Professionals Moving to Rural Locales.- 16. Organizational Role Differentiation and Individual Propensity for Role Changes.- 17. Transitions in Jobs, Occupational Socialization and Strain.- 18. Stress, Strain, and Social Support During a Role Transition.- 19. Job Loss, Unemployment, and Psychological Well-Being.- VI: Life-Cycle Transitions.- 20. Construing the Transition to Parent Role as a Constructive Process.- 21. The Transition to a Parent-Caring Role by Adult Children.- 22. Divorce as a Dual Transition: Interpersonal Loss and Role Restructuring.- 23. Retirement as a Process of Active Role Transition.- VII: Facilitating Role Transitions.- 24. Managing Transitional Strain: Strategies and Intervention Techniques.- Author Index.