Female facial appearance and health

The current study addressed whether rated femininity, attractiveness, and health in female faces are associated with numerous indices of self-reported health history (number of colds/stomach bugs/frequency of antibiotic use) in a sample of 105 females. It was predicted that all three rating variables would correlate negatively with bouts of illness (with the exception of rates of stomach infections), on the assumption that aspects of facial appearance signal mate quality. The results showed partial support for this prediction, in that there was a general trend for both facial femininity and attractiveness to correlate negatively with the reported number of colds in the preceding twelve months and with the frequency of antibiotic use in the last three years and the last twelve months. Rated facial femininity (as documented in September) was also associated with days of flu experienced in the period spanning the November-December months. However, rated health did not correlate with any of the health indices (albeit one marginal result with antibiotic use in the last twelve months). The results lend support to previous findings linking facial femininity to health and suggest that facial femininity may be linked to some aspects of disease resistance but not others.     

A brief assessment tool for body image in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may adversely affect body image in multitude ways. Development and validation of a brief and valid SLE specific body image tool were undertaken. Eleven items were identified on interview of 21 SLE patients for the Body Image Lupus Scale (BILS v1.0). The tool was administered to 70 SLE patients. Based on analysis, feedback, and refinement of items, the final iteration BILS v1.2 with five items was administered to 233 SLE patients along with validated body image measures (Situational Inventory of Body Image Dysphoria and Body Image Quality of Life Inventory) and health-related quality of life measures for a subsample. The BILS scores' had an internal consistency reliability of .94. It correlated with both the referent body image measures, and with health-related quality of life. It differentiated participants by health status and disease activity. Test-retest reliability estimates exceeded .90. These results support the psychometric properties of BILS.     

A Classification of Industrial Buyers: Implications for Sales Training

Abstract

Organizational buyer behavior literature, although abundant, tends to provide little help to sales practitioners in the way of identifying what kinds of buyers salespeople might encounter. This information should be especially useful in preparing sales personnel to call on prospects—they could tailor their sales call strategy to the kind of customer they call on. Little published research, however, has explored the kinds of industrial buyers. This paper (a) reports the results of a study that examined industrial buyer types, and (b) discusses sales training implications of dealing with each kind of buyer identified in the investigation.     

The Use of Social Bases of Power in Retail Sales

Abstract

Social power theory has been used to explain how a sales manager may influence sales personnel in an industrial sales setting. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between retail sales managers' power bases and retail salespeople's job satisfaction, role conflict, role ambiguity, work motivation, organizational commitment, and job performance. Results of the study suggest that noncoercive sources of power have greater influence on these variables than does coercive power.     

Personal Selling & Sales Management Abstracts

It has been suggested that delivering superior service quality is a prerequisite for success in today's business environment. As a boundary spanner, the industrial salesperson plays a critical role in the service delivery process. However, little sales force research has focused on service quality. This article focuses on the link between personal selling and service quality, and demonstrates how one firm utilized a measure of service quality as a diagnostic tool in managing its sale force. Additionally, the article shows how the same firm used a competitive service quality assessment to gain insights into its competitive position.     

Coping patterns of in vitro fertilization nurse coordinators: Strategies for combating low outcome effectance

Abstract

Data were gathered concerning coping strategies that nurse coordinators working in the field of in vitro fertilization would use to meet typical work-related stressors. Causality orientation—or tendency to perceive oneself as autonomous, controlled or helpless—was also measured. It was hypothesized that nurses using problem-focused/disengaged strategies, such as thinking about therapeutic successes or trying not to dwell on stressors, and who were high in autonomy, would be most effective in coping with situations where control over outcomes is limited. Statistical analyses revealed a group of nurses following the coping pattern described in the hypothesis. These individuals reported less work-related stress than other nurse coordinators.     

Couple and Family Therapy Within the Current Pan-Canadian Context

Canadians take numerous approaches to couple and family therapy due in part to Canada’s diversity of people and geography, as well as the influence of the health care context, a central facet of our national identity. Tracing back to Nathan Epstein, the founder of family therapy in Canada, there continues to be a strong tradition of couple and family therapy within Canada which has international reach. Formal training in family therapy, as well as couple/marital therapy occurs largely outside of the scope of degree granting programs and university settings. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has a strong presence in Canada, with six divisions across the country. Popular models of practice for Canada’s couple and family therapists include cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, emotionally-focused therapy, and Bowenian/intergenerational therapy. A growing number of training opportunities are becoming available across Canada, and the practice of couple and family therapy is becoming institutionalized as one of the core competencies for professions such as psychiatry. In this article, we examine the context of family therapy in Canada by examining its history, the unique accreditation standards, qualifications and organizations associated with family therapy, the relationship between couple and family therapy, and future directions for this field of practice.     

Development of Family Therapy in Ireland

In Ireland family therapy is a small profession, with under 200 registered therapists. The Irish family therapy movement began in the mid-1970s. By 1980 the Family Therapy Network of Ireland in the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Branch of the UK Association Family therapy had been founded. At present there are three main family therapy training centers in Ireland: two in the south (the Mater University Hospital, affiliated to University College Dublin and Clanwilliam Institute) and one in the north (at Queen’s University Belfast). There is no statutory registration and licensing of family therapists in Ireland. Accredited professional family therapy programs in Ireland are 4-year part-time courses culminating in masters level qualifications. A primary degree in medicine, nursing, psychology, social science or education is a prerequisite for entry. Family therapists in Ireland work in both private practice and the public health service. Most family therapists in the public sector are employed as social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists or nurses, and conduct family therapy as part of their broader professional roles. Couple therapy in Ireland is provided by family therapists, and also by voluntary couple counselors based in networks of local centers, some of which were originally religiously affiliated, without a formal connection to national family therapy associations. The three major future challenges for Irish family therapy are creating a research infrastructure, developing a career structure in the public health service, and introducing statutory registration.     

Psychological impact of remote combat/graphic media exposure among US Air Force intelligence personnel

Since 2001 there has been a significant increase in the use of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) analysis for tactical, operational, and strategic decision makers engaged in global operations. To meet this demand, US Air Force intelligence personnel participate in remote combat and graphic media exploitation operations (e.g., review of still imagery, video, and audio), the long-term psychological effects of which are not well understood. Research to date has focused primarily on outcomes related to how intelligence personnel work, versus the specifics of what they do. Military psychologists embedded in ISR units conducted studies to address this gap. Intelligence analysts participated in focus groups and surveys assessing the frequency of exposure, previous exposures to other potentially traumatic events, symptoms of PTSD, moral injury, and other psychosocial experiences. Results showed that exposure levels, albeit virtual, rivaled or exceeded those reported by a sample of special operations forces. Results also showed that specific types of exposures (e.g., witnessing US military casualties, civilian casualties, atrocities committed by the enemy) are related to increased posttraumatic stress and other sequelae that may not adequately be captured by standard posttraumatic stress disorder screening measures. The results contribute to the existing literature on posttraumatic stress, shed new light on the emerging construct of moral injury, and highlight challenges presented by remote combat and graphic media exploitation operations to force health sustainment and performance optimization. The authors provide directions for future research and recommendations for ongoing assessment, monitoring, and selection and training of ISR personnel.     

USAF Special Tactics Operator Combat Exposure and Psychological Stress

Given the length of combat in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere, and the role special operations forces will continue to play, we believe it is imperative to gain understanding of the psychological “wear and tear” associated with sustained combat operations on these highly specialized, highly utilized personnel. This study focused on a seldom-studied group, Air Force Special Tactics (ST) operators, to assess combat exposure, current psychological stress, and preferences for support when needed. This study assessed symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, sleep, anger, and perceptions of help seeking in 5 ST units. Data revealed that the majority of study participants report distress levels below clinical thresholds; however, 26% struggle with generalized stress/agitation and, at smaller percentages, other distress symptoms that have negative impact on work performance. Combat experiences were comparable or higher than Army and Marine maneuver forces, and greater amounts of exposure related to positive screening for a possible mental health disorder, generalized agitation, and posttraumatic symptoms; combat involving direct fighting and being in high-threat situations were also related to posttraumatic stress. Distress rates for Special Operations Weather personnel were higher. Attitudes toward mental health support were positive however, embedded assets were preferred over base clinic providers. We review these and other findings and offer suggestions for future research in this area.