1. The 4 S’s: Helping Students Transition
KACE Conference 2016
Presented By: Kelly Stark, University of Saint Mary Career Support Services Coordinator

2. Learning Objectives Understand the definition of transition.
Understand the transition process.
Be able to identify the 4S’s and how this can assist with helping those in transition
Apply the theory to individuals in transition

3. Introduction to Schlossberg’s Transition Theory
Includes an examination of what constitutes a transition, different forms of transitions, the transition process, and factors that influence transitions.
Framework that facilitates an understanding of adults in transition
Serves as a guide for connecting individuals in transition to the help they need to cope
Her model has been described as a vehicle for “dealing with response to transition”
Video

4. What is a transition?
A transition is any event or non-event, that results in changed relationships, routines, assumptions, and/or roles.
-Goodman et al. (2006)-

5. What are some others that
Anticipated
Unanticipated
Non- Event
Transition to college
Not liking your major
Not being accepted into a program of study
Graduating college
A loss of a family or friend
Waiting to hear back from an employment opportunity
Transition into the workforce
Opportunity for advancement
Delay graduation due to financial concerns
What are some others that
you can think of?

6. The Transition Process
Taking Charge:
Moving In, Moving Through, Moving Out
Approaching Change:
Type: Events or Non-Events
Context: Relationship to the transition
Impact: Alters daily life
Self
Situation
Strategies
Support
Taking Stock: 4 S’s

7. MODEL FOR HELPING SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN TRANSITION
(1)Relationship Building
(Use Listening Skills)
(2)Assessment
(Investigate 4 S System)
(3)Goal Setting
(Goals related to 4 S System)
(4)Interventions
(Reframe/Change meaning, assess assets, support group, problem solving strategies)
(5)Termination and Follow-up
(Review situation and help plan next steps)

8. TAKING STOCK: INDIVIDUAL’S APPRAISAL PROCESS
Coping effectiveness is best examined and explained by using a model that balances opposing forces.
Assets and Liabilities
Resources and Deficits
Supports and Challenges/Obstacles
Pluses and Minuses
The 4 S model employs a ratio of assets to liabilities and allows for changes in the ratio as an individual’s situation changes.

9. Situation Trigger- What set off the transition?
Timing- How does the transition relate to one’s social dock?
Control- What aspects of the transition can one control?
Role Change- Does the transition involve a role change?
Duration- Is the transition seen as permanent or temporary?
Concurrent Stress- What and how great are the stresses facing the individual now, if any?
Assessment- Does the individual view the situation positively, negatively, or as benign?

10. SELF
Are they able to deal with the world in an autonomous way? Can they tolerate ambiguity?
Are they optimists? Do they see the glass as half-full or half-empty?
Do they blame themselves for what happened?
Do they feel in control of their responses to the transition?
Do they believe that their efforts will affect the outcome of a particular course of action?
Do they have a sense of meaning and purpose?
Do they have characteristics that contribute to resiliency?

11. You SUPPORT Convey Membership:
Neighbors, Co-workers, Supervisors, Distant Family, Professionals
Family, Relatives, Friends
Close Family, Close Friends, Partner
You
Convey Membership:
Tied directly to role relationship, and most vulnerable to role changes
Convey Membership:
Somewhat role related and likely to change over time
Convey Membership:
Stable over time and no longer role dependent

12. Strategies Three Categories Four Coping Modes
Modify the situation and are aimed at altering the source of strain.
Control the meaning of the problem to cognitively neutralize the threat.
Help the individual manage stress after it has occurred to help accommodate to existing stress without being overwhelmed by it.
Information Seeking
Direct Action
Inhibition of Action
Intrapsychic Behavior
Adapted from Pearlin & Schooler

13. Application Time You have 5-10 minutes Grab a Partner
Select a Scenario
Determine if it is an:
Anticipated Event
Unanticipated Event
Nonevent
Using the “Taking Stock” handout as a guide discuss the 4 S’s. What can you imply about the individual, what would you want further clarification for and how would you ask that?
You have 5-10 minutes

14. The Transition Process
Taking Charge:
Moving In, Moving Through, Moving Out
Approaching Change:
Type: Events or Non-Events
Context: Relationship to the transition
Impact: Alters daily life
Self
Situation
Strategies
Support
Taking Stock: 4 S’s

15. Learning Objectives Understand the definition of transition.
Understand the transition process.
Be able to identify the 4S’s and how this can assist with helping those in transition
Apply the theory to individuals in transition

16. Questions
Kelly Stark University of Saint Mary