Direct and Indirect Effects of Self-efficacy on Depression: The Mediating Role of Dispositional Optimism

In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of self-efficacy on depression – specifically, to test and verify the mediating role of dispositional optimism between the two variables. Five hundred and thirty-five undergraduates from two universities were recruited and given a Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Revised Life Orientation Test, and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Results indicated that there are indeed significant relationships among self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and each identified dimension of depression; structural equation modeling showed that the relationship between self-efficacy and depression is partially mediated by dispositional optimism. To this effect, we concluded that to develop and improve students’ self-efficacy will reduce their levels of depression, which may have implications in college counseling.     

Measuring Cultural and Creative Activities in European Cities: Challenges and Practical Problems with Existing Indices

For decades, the focus of cultural, social, and economic policies has been shifting to cities. Cities with the highest concentration of creative employment have demonstrated the greatest resilience in the post-2008 economic recovery. Although, over the last few years, there has been an explosion of cultural or creative related indices for cities, no single reference index is commonly accepted. The main thrust of this article is the provision of a systematic and practical framework for a common point of departure for future index developers. To this end, 38 of the most influential culture and creativity indices were reviewed. By adoption of the indicator-driven approach, 16 dimensions corresponding to aspects of culture and creativity were identified in the city context. These dimensions are presented in a novel taxonomy of 3 clusters that aims to distinguish indicators capturing core cultural and creative activities from those oriented on measuring cities’ organic background or socio-economic outcomes of the aforementioned activities. In addition, the main obstacles most commonly faced by index developers are described and grouped into 4 distinct conceptual challenges, namely (a) precision, (b) diversity, (c) comparability, and (d) spillover. Each challenge is discussed in detail, accompanied by a systematic approach to its solution.     

Is Symptomatic Long QT Syndrome Associated with Depression in Women and Men?

We examined whether long QT syndrome (LQTS) mutation carrier status or symptomatic LQTS are associated with depression, and whether there are sex differences in these potential relationships. The sample comprised 782 participants (252 men). Of the 369 genetically defined LQTS mutation carriers, 169 were symptomatic and 200 were asymptomatic. The control group consisted of 413 unaffected relatives. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). No association was found for LQTS mutation carrier status with depression. The multinomial logistic regression showed that LQTS mutation carrier men with arrhythmic events scored higher on depression compared with the control group, even when adjusting for age, β-blockers, antidepressants, and social support (OR = 1.09, 95 % CI [1.02, 1.15], p = .007). The binary logistic regression comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic LQTS mutation carriers showed that symptomatic LQTS was associated with depression in men (OR = 1.10, 95 % CI [1.03, 1.19], p = .009). The results were unchanged when additionally adjusted for education. These findings suggest that symptomatic LQTS is associated with depression in men but not in women. Overall, however, depression is more frequent in women than men. Thus, regular screening for depression in LQTS mutation carriers and their unaffected family members can be important.     

The diagnostic and therapeutic uses of family conflicts in a Chinese context: the case of anorexia nervosa

There are two untested cultural beliefs commonly held among family therapists in Hong Kong: (1) Chinese families are reserved in disclosing their conflicts to an 'outsider'; and (2) it would be culturally inappropriate to elicit family conflicts in treatment. In this article, an attempt is made to examine these cultural beliefs based on the results of a qualitative study of thirty-five Chinese patients suffering from anorexia nervosa. These patients and their families have participated in a pre-treatment family interview prior to the commencement of family treatment. The results of the study have shown that the afflicted Chinese families are very willing to disclose their difficulties to the researcher. The onset of the disorder has led to different types of family conflicts including: (1) overt family conflicts related to food refusal; (2) covert family conflicts; (3) increased sibling rivalry; (4) increased parent–child conflict; and (5) marital tension and distress. The clinical implications of this study are discussed at the end of the article.     

试析元代汉人对伊斯兰教的"解读"--以定州《重建礼拜寺记》碑为例

元代是伊斯兰教在中国大发展的时期,在中国伊斯兰教史上占有重要地位。本文以元代定州《重礼拜寺记》碑为中心,考察了元代汉人对伊斯兰教的认识与理解,指出在元代,汉人尤其是士大夫阶层业已开始以儒家思想来阐释伊斯兰教,这在中国思想史上尚属首次,在某种程度上促使伊斯兰教走上了非文化自觉意义上的调适之路。其开山之功,意义重大,不容抹煞,值得深入探讨。     

关注人文素质教育语境下的中医医史文献

随着社会的发展及医学模式的转换,人们呼唤重新审视医学的目的和价值,期待着医学人文关怀传统的复兴.于是,加强医学院校大学生人文素质教育,倡导人格教育理念,成为医学院校加强素质教育的重要内容.中医医史文献教育教学的视角,分析素质教育语境下的专业教育问题.     

《论语》:一种可能的情感解读

在面对三代经礼文化日益衰颓的社会情势时,孔子开始向人之内在情感领域发掘道德实践的理据。这种发掘,一方面使他实现了对传统礼乐的改造,一方面则凿通了经由内在真实情感的抉发而走向儒家性情论伦理思想的义理道路。这种人本主义的情感关怀和情感诉求,渗透于孔子诠释道德要目与道德行为、论《诗》、论乐的诸多言论之中。因此,可以毫不夸张地说,《论语》是一部未言“情”字(“情感”义)而又处处关“情”的著作。     

对感觉记忆在相同范畴视觉搜索中作用的研究

该文以三种字母卡片为刺激物,通过两种靶字母搜索实验,探讨了感觉记忆在相同范畴视觉搜索中的作用。实验结果显示,感觉记忆和短时记忆信息都可能利用时的搜索成绩,明显高于限用短时记忆信息时的搜索成绩。这表明,感觉记忆信息可以直接用于相同范畴的视觉搜索。     

差异与互补:皮亚杰与维果茨基认知发展观比较的新思考

皮亚杰与维果茨基是10世纪两位最有影响的发展心理学家．他们开辟了研究儿童发展的两条线路。这两种取向存在着根本性的差异,同时在研究方法与具体观点中又存在着多方面的类似和交叉．两种取向互动互补．共同描绘了儿童发展的整体画卷。     

自我同一性危机与道德选择多元化

自我是一个复杂的概念 ,自我同一性则是依赖于我们经历过的所有不同的自己的综合 ,是对自身发展的一种强烈的一致性和连续性的主观感觉。自我同一性危机是指自我处于自身的矛盾与冲突中 ,反映了自我在过去和现在、彼地和此地的不连续。在现代社会 ,随着个体道德选择的可能性与主动性的增强 ,自我的完善与否对道德选择相应产生了积极与消极的作用。