Practice-relevant problems of psychodiagnostically oriented dispensary models

Dispensary care covers all efforts directed towards maintaining health in the sense of physical, mental and social well-being. In view of the purely organ-related standpoint, which is still sometimes encountered, problems may arise in practice which obstruct endeavours towards this aim. Screening was used to identify, among groups with levels of psychoneurological stress higher than the mean yielded by epidemiological surveys and which increase with increasing length of vocational life, subjects whose neurotic symptoms predominated among the totality of pathological findings. Possible conclusions are drawn for the further implementation of an optimized dispensary strategy at the basis.     

Polish students’ attitudes towards sexuality

The following article contains an analysis of medicine and pedagogy students’ attitudes towards sexuality. These attitudes were studied with the use of a scale of author’s own construction. The scale was used to determine: (1) the nature of respondents’ attitudes towards individual aspects of sexuality including several criteria: quality of life, health, acceptability, and morality; and (2) respondents’ preferences of normative regulations of sexual behaviours. It was found that the respondents accept love as relatively the most important aspect for the quality of life, and sex education (seen as a moral aspect). Students also give positive scores to physical aspects of sexuality, yet the scores are lower. Natural contraception in all its aspects is evaluated positively, whereas artificial contraception is evaluated ambiguously, similarly to masturbation and homosexuality. The fundamental norm in regulating sexual behaviour is the welfare of other human beings, the least important are the teachings of the Church.     

Association between morningness-eveningness and mental and physical health in adolescents

Individuals differ in their biological rhythms and their preference for morning or evening hours. Morning types prefer morning hours for intellectual and physical activities while evening types feel and perform best at late afternoon or in the evening. This not only is a simple dichotomous classification but also can be viewed as a continuum. Individual differences in morningness-eveningness are an interesting facet of personality, but little is known about the relationship between psychological factors or health-related variables and morningness-eveningness in adolescents. In Study I, there were positive correlations between morningness and positive attitude towards life and a negative association between morningness and depression. In Study II, there were significant positive relationships between morningness and physical health, mental health, self-esteem, familial relationship, and school functioning. These results indicate that eveningness might be an unspecific risk factor for mental and physical health.     

积极情绪的概念、功能与意义

积极情绪是指个体由于体内外刺激、事件满足个体需要而产生的伴有愉悦感受的情绪。积极情绪能够激活一般的行动倾向,对于认知具有启动和扩展效应,能够建设个体的资源,撤销消极情绪产生的激活水平,能够促进组织绩效。积极情绪是心理健康的重要组成部分,同时对身体健康具有促进作用。积极情绪对于个体的适应具有广泛的功能与意义     

Parent’s physical literacy enhances children’s values towards physical activity: A serial mediation model

PurposePhysical literacy is a multidimensional concept that concerns the affective, physical, cognitive, and behavioural aspects of physical activity (PA). It plays a vital role in enhancing PA engagement. However, current research on physical literacy’s function in the family setting is scarce. Its potential effect in elevating values towards PA among parents and children is also understudied. In this study, we examined the predicting role of parents’ physical literacy on children’s values towards PA. We also explored the potential mediating roles of parents’ values towards PA and children’s perceived parental autonomy support for PA through a serial mediation model.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2020 and January 2021, a total of 946 primary school-age children (6–13 years) and their parents from 30 Hong Kong primary schools were recruited by cluster sampling method. Structural equation modelling analysis was conducted using Mplus 7.3.ResultsParents’ values towards PA and children’s perceived parental autonomy support for PA serially mediated between parents’ physical literacy and children’s values towards PA. Specifically, the indirect effects from parents’ physical literacy to children’s values towards PA via parents’ values towards PA (β = 0.12, 95% CI [0.06, 0.17]), and via parents’ values towards PA to children’s perceived parental autonomy support for PA (β = 0.05, 95% CI [0.02, 0.08]) were significant.ConclusionsParents’ physical literacy is a predictor of children’s values towards PA. Parental autonomy support may facilitate the intergenerational transmission of values towards PA between parents and children. Concurrent interventions that target enhancing parents’ physical literacy and parental autonomy support for PA in the family context may be more effective in raising children’s PA values.     

Associations between older maternal age,use of sanctions,and children’s socio-emotional development through 7, 11, and 15 years

In developed countries more women are giving birth later in life and this trend has been linked with perinatal medical risks as well as with improved psychosocial adaptation. This study examined whether older maternal age was associated with less use of sanctions and with positive child outcome at age 7, 11, and 15. A random population sample of 4741 mothers from the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children was used. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews and self-report questionnaires. Older maternal age was associated with less frequent use of verbal and physical sanctions towards children at age 7 and 11. At age 15 this association remained significant for verbal sanctions but not physical sanctions. Older maternal age was associated with fewer behavioral, social and emotional difficulties in children at age 7 and at age 11 but not at age 15. The associations reported were significant independently of all observed demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.     

Looking away from death: Defensive attention as a form of terror management

Previous research has suggested that the physical aspects of human nature in general, and physical human frailties in particular become disagreeable and repugnant following death primes. The current research tested this hypothesis in two studies using an eye-tracking methodology. Participants were subliminally primed with death or with a control word and then viewed a series of arrays containing four pictures each, during which their eye-movements were monitored. In Study 1, the arrays included pictures of physical injury or neutral objects, and in Study 2 pictures of physical injury, threatening images, and neutral objects. The results indicated that in both studies death primes significantly decreased gaze duration towards pictures of physical injury, and did not have a significant effect on gaze duration towards neutral images. However, in Study 2 death primes increased gaze duration towards threatening images. The discussion examines the role of motivated unconscious attention in terror management processes.     

Explicit and implicit attitudes towards food and physical activity in childhood obesity

This study investigated differences in the explicit and implicit attitudes towards food and physical activities between children with obesity (n=38) and a matched control group (n=38). The implicit attitude was assessed using the Extrinsic Affective Simon Task (EAST; J. Exp. Psychol. (50) (2003) 77), a modified version of the Implicit Association Test (IAT; J. Personality Social Psychol. (74) (1999) 1464). It was expected that both groups would report a positive explicit attitude towards healthy food and intense physical activities, and a negative explicit attitude towards unhealthy food and sedentary activities. Of particular interest was the hypothesis that children with obesity would have a more positive implicit attitude towards unhealthy food and sedentary activities than the control group. Results revealed no differences between groups in the explicit attitude towards food and physical activity. Children and adolescents with obesity had a more pronounced positive implicit attitude towards food in general. The relevance of these findings in terms of prevention, treatment and further research is discussed.     

Measuring the quality of life: Why,how and what?

In this paper three questions concerning quality of life in medicine and health care are analysed and discussed: the motives for measuring the quality of life, the methods used in assessing it, and the definition of the concept. The purposes of the study are to find an ethically acceptable motive for measuring the quality of life; to identify the methodological advantages and disadvantages of the most prevalent current methods of measurement; and to present an approach towards measuring and defining the quality of life which evades the difficulties encountered and discussed. The analysis comprises measurements both in the clinical situation concerning individual patients and in research concerning whole populations. Three motives are found for evaluating the quality of human life: allocation of scarce medical resources, facilitating clinical decision making, and assisting patients towards autonomous decision making. It is argued that the third alternative is the only one which does not evoke ethical problems. As for the methods of evaluation, several prevalent alternatives are presented, ranging from scales of physical performance to more subtle psychological questionnaires. Clinical questionnaires are found to fail to provide a scientific foundation for universally measuring the quality of life. Finally, the question of definition is tackled. The classical distinction between need-based and want-based theories of human happiness is presented and discussed. The view is introduced and defended that neither of these approaches can be universally preferred to the other. The difficulty with the need approach is that it denies the subjective aspects of human life; whereas the problem of the want approach is that it tends to ignore some of the objective realities of the human existence. In conclusion, it is argued that the choice of methods as well as definitions should be left to the competent patients themselves — who are entitled, if they so wish, to surrender the judgement to the medical personnel. Technical factors as well as the requirements of respect for autonomy and informed consent support this conclusion.     

General self-concept and life satisfaction for boys with differing levels of physical coordination: the role of goal orientations and leisure participation

Participation in leisure-time activities, self-concept perceptions and individual dispositional goal orientations were examined as mediators of relationships between physical coordination and self-evaluations of life satisfaction and general self-concept for 173 boys aged 10-13 years. Participants completed seven-day activity diaries and 12-month retrospective recall questionnaires recording participation in leisure-time activities. Self-report measures of self-concept, global life satisfaction and dispositional goal orientations were also completed. Results showed that boys with moderate to severe physical coordination difficulties had significantly lower self-concept perceptions of physical ability and appearance, peer and parent relations and general self-concept, as well as lower life satisfaction than boys with medium to high levels of physical coordination. The relationships between boys' physical coordination and their self-perceptions of life satisfaction and general self-concept were significantly influenced by individual self-concept appraisals of physical ability and appearance, peer and parent relations. Adopting task-oriented goals was found to positively change the relationship between physical coordination and both general self-concept and life satisfaction. Team sport participation positively mediated the relationship between physical coordination and life satisfaction. The potential for team sport participation and adoption of task-oriented goals to influence life satisfaction for boys with differing levels of physical coordination was discussed.     

Extending the Knapsack: Using the White Privilege Analysis to Examine Conferred Advantage and Disadvantage

This article describes a self-awareness activity that utilizes a directed reading on privilege and a small-group discussion format to examine unearned disadvantage and unearned advantage in one’s life. This exercise can help clinicians to better understand systemic and individual sources of power and privilege in society. Beginning with my previous work on white privilege, students can extend this analysis to other domains of privilege, including, for example, gender, class, sexuality, age, nationality, and physical ability, to name a few. The primary goals of this reflective exercise are to help clinicians understand how clients’ lives are influenced by societal disadvantages and advantages, to encourage a new understanding of oneself, and to increase empathy towards clients.     

Attitudes Towards Work and Family Roles and Their Implications for Career Growth of Women: A Report from India

This paper explored attitudes towards work and family roles of professional men and women in India. Ninety-two husband–wife pairs from salaried, upper middle class, dual-career families in India participated in the study. Propositions based on adult development theories of men and women, regarding reward value derived from and commitment made to occupational, parental, marital, and homemaker roles over the life cycle, were tested. Results indicated that there was no change with age, in attitudes towards occupational and homemaker roles. Instead, gender-based differences in attitudes towards these roles were observed. Attitudes towards the marital and parental role varied across the life cycle, although not in keeping with propositions based on the adult development theories of men and women. There was no reversal in attitudes towards work and family roles of men and women after midlife. Rather, some reversal in attitudes appeared to occur between the marital and parental role, over the life span of both men and women. Results are reviewed within the Indian cultural context and their implications for the career development of women are discussed.     

Attitudes of physical education majors in Turkey towards disability are changed by adaptive physical education training

This study was designed to investigate the attitudes of university students who are prospective physical education teachers toward individuals with physical disabilities. 47 college students majoring in physical education (Study group) and 34 students from other sports-related departments, i.e., sports management and training (Control group), participated in the study. The study group took a 14-week course on Adapted Physical Education (APE), whereas the control group did not. The Attitude Toward Disabled Persons scale, Form O was used to compare the attitudes of the groups. Analyses showed no significant difference between the groups in terms of attitude towards individuals with physical disabilities at the beginning of the semester but a significant difference at semester end. Results indicated that the APE course positively influenced attitude of the prospective physical education teachers towards individuals with physical disabilities.     

Adult Attachment Styles and Life Satisfaction in Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Examined the impact of adult attachment style on overall psychosocial adjustment among people with physical disabilities. 100 individuals with chronic, non-progressive physical disabilities living in the community. Adult attachment style, self-esteem, social integration and life satisfaction. Participants with physical disabilities did not differ from the general population in terms of secure versus insecure attachment styles represented. Secure attachment style predicted higher selfesteem. Both attachment security and physical independence were independently related to life satisfaction. This study highlights the importance of examining interpersonal relationships in life satisfaction in people with physical disabilities     

Factors Contributing to Depression during Peri Menopause: Findings of a Pakistani Sample

The present study aimed to identify the role of different factors in menopausal depression in Pakistani women. We hypothesized that physical activity, regular exercise, social support, and attitudes towards aging and menopause would predict menopausal depression in women going through perimenopause. The sample consisted of 110 women (M _age = 47.93 years) going through natural perimenopause. The Menopausal Symptoms Scale (Nadeem and Khalid 2012) and Social Support Questionnaire (Sarason et al. 1987) were administered along with a demographic questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The results showed that higher physical activity level, satisfactory relationships with husband, and availability of social support significantly predicted lower menopause-related depression. However, satisfaction with social support did not significantly predict menopausal depression. We also observed that positive attitude towards aging and menopause was significantly correlated with decreased menopausal depression. The implications for the need to promote awareness among health professionals and the general population about menopausal symptoms in Pakistani women to improve their quality of life are discussed.     

Reduced specificity of autobiographical memory as a moderator of the relationship between daily hassles and depression

Autobiographical memory biases are potential cognitive vulnerability factors for depression, with recent research highlighting the potential importance of accompanying high levels of life stress. Using a prospective design, the current study examined the role of autobiographical memory performance, both reduced specificity and propensity towards categoric memories, as moderators of the relationship between life stress and depression in a non-clinical college sample. Findings suggest that an increased propensity towards categoric recall emerged as a vulnerability factor for future depressive symptoms, with this vulnerability not being dependent upon the presence of high levels of life stress. In contrast, while reduced autobiographical memory specificity did not emerge as a vulnerability factor alone, it did emerge as a moderator of the relationship between chronic daily hassles and depression. These findings highlight the potential importance of both propensity towards categoric recall and reduced specificity of autobiographical memory as vulnerability factors for the experience of future depressive symptoms.     

Evaluation of a school-based intervention programme to promote physical activity: an application of the theory of planned behavior

The Theory of Planned Behavior provides a useful framework to study attitudes toward participation in physical activity. The objective of the study was to test the effectiveness of an intervention in manipulating the variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior and exercise habits with 366 high school students (M = 14.2 yr., SD = .7; 201 boys and 165 girls). The students were divided into intervention and control groups. A questionnaire to measure components of the theory, and the Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Activity measuring exercise habits, were administered. The intervention lasted 12 wk. and included posters and lectures promoting participation in physical activity. Analyses showed the intervention was effective in improving attitudes towards physical activity, perceived behavioral control, intention, and self-reported actual behavior, but it was ineffective for improving attitude strength, subjective norms, and role identity. The results provide useful information for physical education teachers interested in promoting students' positive attitudes towards physical activity.     

Therapist attitudes and countertransference as predictors of professional quality of life and burnout among psychotherapists

This study aimed to examine the role of attitudes towards psychotherapy and countertransference dimensions as predictors of professional quality of life and burnout among psychotherapists in Iran. Participants were 259 psychotherapists who worked in mental health centres in Tehran (Iran), and they completed the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire, the Therapist Response Questionnaire and the Therapist Attitudes Scale. Professional quality of life was associated with countertransference dimensions and attitude towards psychotherapy. This study concludes that psychotherapists can benefit from working on their specific countertransference issues and re-evaluating their basic attitudes towards psychotherapy to achieve the highest levels of professional satisfaction. Culture may play a role in a specific therapist's attitude and difficulties in addressing certain aspects of countertransference.     

Reaching experience increases face preference in 3-month-old infants

The developing infant learns about the physical and the social world by engaging with objects and with people. In the study reported here, we investigated the relationship between infants' interactions with the physical and the social world. Three-month-old infants were trained for 2 weeks and experienced either actively manipulating objects themselves or passively having objects touched to their hands. Following active or passive experiences, spontaneous orienting towards faces and objects was compared between the trained groups and untrained 3- and 5-month-olds. It is known that the onset of reaching behavior increases infants' interest in objects. However, we report that active, self-produced reaching experiences also increase infants' spontaneous orienting towards faces, while passive experiences do not affect orienting behavior. Regression analyses provide evidence for a link between manual engagement and the development of orienting towards faces. Implications of orienting towards faces for the development of triadic interactions, joint attention, and social cognition in general are discussed.