Preference awareness education as stress management training for academic staff

This paper describes a response directed stress management intervention (SMI) in the form of a Jungian based preference awareness education (PAE). It uses the Insights System of personality types to increase awareness of behaviour and communication preferences of self and different others. Eighteen self‐recruited academic employees participated for 7 weeks and received feedback about work preferences and personality type. The aim was to reduce perceptions of stress and interpersonal stress and to increase feelings of job satisfaction and interpersonal satisfaction. The data were analysed using two‐tailed t‐tests. No significant findings were observed for the total sample after training, however, interesting results were found for certain sub‐sample groups. Extravert‐thinking types, reported decreased stress levels (p > 0.018), and participants suffering high stress/interpersonal stress pre‐PAE, reported decreased stress levels (p > 0.010–0.018). Participants suffering low job/interpersonal satisfaction pre‐PAE, reported increased job satisfaction (p > 0.015–0.016). These results suggest that individuals who report high levels of stress and dissatisfaction are most likely to benefit from this type of intervention. Future PAE research might: (a) use pilot studies to meet the intervention preferences of employees that are reluctant to participate in SMIs; (b) include a wait‐list control group; use: (c) a follow up education/measures; (d) and organizational level (stressor directed) SMIs at the same time as response directed initiatives. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The positive automatic thoughts questionnaire (ATQ-P) and the automatic thoughts questionnaire—Revised (ATQ-RP): Equivalent measures of positive thinking?

We examined two recently developed measures of positive automatic thought, the Positive Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ-P) and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire—Revised (ATQ-RP). Internal consistency, concurrent validity, and convergent and discriminant validity were addressed. Two hundred one undergraduates completed self-report measures of positive automatic thoughts, negative automatic thoughts, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and positive affectivity. The ATQ-P and ATQ-RP both showed high internal consistency, strong negative associations with depressive symptoms, specificity to depressive symptoms rather than anxiety symptoms, an average state-of-mind (SOM) ratio in the positive dialogue range, and a stronger relation with each other than with a measure of positive affectivity. The only notable difference between the measures was a significantly lower mean score (correcting for number of items) on the ATQ-RP. This paper is based on a thesis completed by the first author, under the supervision of the second author, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree at American University. We are grateful to thesis committee members Lorah Dorn and Jim Gray for feedback on this material.     

Cognitive behaviour therapy approach to disputing automatic thoughts: a two-stage model

Research shows that clients with automatic thoughts (dysfunctional thinking) often do not think of alternative explanations in relation to negative events. Furthermore, these automatic thoughts are characterized by a broad global, self-evaluative and ambiguous nature that could make disputing (or changing the ways they think) the most difficult part of the therapeutic process. This paper proposes a two-stage practise-based disputing model, guided by research, that aims to 'bring' an automatic thought to a specific, objective, quantifiable and concrete level at which not only is the particular aspect(s) of the automatic thought that causes emotional disturbances finely focused, but the disputing is also likely to be effective and manageable. Furthermore, it will also generate alternative explanations that are helpful in reducing emotional disturbances and in facilitating problem solving approach. In this paper, the authors use a case example to discuss the rationale that underpins the conceptualization of the model and to illustrate the process in which the strategies of the model are effectively used.     

The relationship between compulsive behaviour and academic achievement across the three genetic subtypes of Prader–Willi syndrome

Background Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic syndrome associated with several physical, cognitive and behavioural characteristics. For many individuals with this syndrome, compulsive behaviour is often noted in both food and non‐food situations. The focus of this paper is on the non‐food‐related compulsions in individuals with PWS and comparing differences across the three genetic subtypes of the syndrome. Methods Compulsive behaviours in 73 people with PWS were assessed using the Yale‐Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the Compulsive Behavior Checklist. Compulsive behaviour and its relation to IQ and academic achievement also were evaluated. Phenotypic differences were characterized for the three most common genetic subtypes of the disorder: 16 individuals with the long Type I (TI) 15q deletion, 26 individuals with the short Type II (TII) 15q deletion and 31 individuals with maternal disomy 15. Results There appeared to be important differences between the two deletion subtypes. Specifically, individuals with the TI deletion had more compulsions regarding personal cleanliness (i.e. excessive bathing/grooming), and their compulsions were more difficult to interrupt and interfered with social activities more than the other subtypes. Individuals with the TII deletion were more likely to have compulsions related to specific academic areas (i.e. rereading, erasing answers and counting objects or numbers). Conclusions These findings may help clinicians and researchers identify possible intervention strategies and supports based on the behavioural phenotype associated with genetic subtype in individuals with PWS.     

高中生应对方式及其与学业成绩的关系

目的:探讨高中生面对挫折和烦恼时应对方式的特点及其与学业成绩的关系。方法:以中学生应对方式评定问卷对649名高中生进行了调查。结果:女生比男生更倾向于采用发泄(因子均分2.4±0.7/2.7±0.7,F=23.32,P<0.01)和忍耐(3.2±0.7/3.0±0.8,F=5.08,P<0.05),而男生更倾向于采用幻想(2.4±0.9/2.1±0.8, F=15.52,P<0.01);重点中学比普通中学的高中生更多采用问题解决(3.3±0.6/3.1±0.7,F=20.85,P<0.011幻想(2.4±0.9/2.1±0.9,F=12.87,P<0.01)、退避(2.9±0.6/2.8±0.6,F=7.04,P<0.01)应对;来自城市和农村的高中生应对方式差异不显著;和睦安宁家庭气氛中的高中生采用问题解决应对显著多于偶尔争吵和经常争吵家庭中的高中生;民主型教养方式下的高中生比放任型教养方式的学生更多采用问题解决应对,权威型教养方式家庭中的高中生比民主型教养方式家庭中的高中生更多采用幻想应对。结论:高中生的应对方式存在性别差异。不同家庭气氛和不同教养方式以及学生在学业上的地位对应对方式也有一定影响,但城乡差别不明显。     

Neuropsychological Deficit and Academic Performance in Children and Adolescents Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Evaluated the utility of neuropsychological testing in predictingacademic outcome in children 1 year following traumatic braininjury (TBI). Fifty-one schoolage children who were admittedto hospital after TBI were assessed with a battery of neuropsychologicalmeasures at 3 months postinjury. Academic achievement was assessedat 3 and 12 months postinjury. The neuropsychological batteryincluded intelligence testing and measures of memory, learning,and speed of information processing. Academic outcome was assessedin terms of post-TBI changes in reading, spelling, and arithmetic;changes in teacher ratings of school performance; and changein school placement. According to logistic regression analysis,change in placement from regular to special education at 1-yearpost-TBI was predicted by injury severity and by neuropsychologicalperformance at 3 months post-TBI. Findings suggest that neuropsychologicaltesting is useful in identifying children with special educationalneeds subsequent to TBI.     

Universal School Meals and Associations with Student Participation,Attendance, Academic Performance,Diet Quality,Food Security,and Body Mass Index: A Systematic Review

The school environment plays an important role in children’s diets and overall health, and policies for universal free school meals have the potential to contribute to positive child health outcomes. This systematic review evaluates studies examining the association between universal free school meals and students’ school meal participation rates, diets, attendance, academic performance, and Body Mass Index (BMI), as well as school finances. The search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A search for studies published in economically developed countries published through December 2020 was performed in PubMed, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Thomson Reuters’ Web of Science, and Academic Search Ultimate, followed by examining the references in the resultant literature. A total of 47 studies were identified and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was applied to assess bias. Nearly all studies examining universal free school meals found positive associations with school meal participation. Most studies examining universal free school meals that included free lunch found positive associations with diet quality, food security, and academic performance; however, the findings of studies examining only universal free breakfast were mixed. Research findings were similarly mixed when examining attendance as an outcome. Concerns about adverse outcomes on student BMI were not supported by the literature; in fact, several studies detected a potentially protective effect of universal free school meals on BMI. Research examining the impact of universal free meals on school finances was limited, but suggest that lower-income school districts in the U.S. may have positive financial outcomes from participation in universal free school meal provisions. Additionally, providing free meals to students may be associated with improved household incomes, particularly among lower-income families with children. Further research is needed to examine the financial implications of universal free meals for both school districts and families. Overall, universal free school meals may have multiple benefits for students and countries should consider universal free school meal provisions with strong nutrition guidelines. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42020221782).     

金子久学术思想探析

探讨了金氏医案中所体现的学术思想,论述了金氏临旆重视阴阳五行、挈中气机要领、把握升降关键、擅调先天后天的治疗特点,阐述了其临床重视四诊合参、炮制遗药注重实效的治学精神和求实作用。     

我校医学检验系学生专业思想和在校成绩的调查分析

本文选取我校医学检验系93～96年级170余名本科在校学生作为调查研究对象(第一专业志愿与非第一专业志愿考生比例约为1:2),通过对这两部分学生专业志愿与在校专业思想,学习成绩及政治表现等综合素质方面的关系调查分析,结果表明：专业志愿不是影响学生专业思想、学习成绩和综合素质的主要因素,学生在校专业思想受在校教育和多种因素影响。提示招生录取新生时不应歧视非第一专业志愿考生。