Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/28227

KEYWORDS : goodness-of-fit hypothesis;subjective adjustment;psychological needs;university students

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of person-environment fit on behavioral orientation and subjective adjustment. First, we developed Adjustment Oriented Behavior Scale to assess adjustment related behavioral orientation. Data analysis indicated that the Scale had three factors, and reliability of each subscale was acceptable. Next, we examined the effect of person-environment fit on behavioral orientation and school adjustment, and then the effect of behavioral orientation on school adjustment. Results showed that the effect of person-environment fit on school adjustment was mediated by behavioral orientation. The discrepancy score between psychological need and environment demand influenced three types of behavior orientation. The higher the socially active orientation, and the lower the socially subordinate orientation, the higher the subjective feeling of school adjustment. Academic achievement orientation did not influence the adjustment. In sum, we found that poor fit between person and environment motivated the person to choose certain types of behavior, which in turn succeeded or failed to increase subjective adjustment.