The effects of physical fitness and feeling vigorous on self-rated health

OBJECTIVE: We prospectively studied the hypothesized beneficial effects of feeling vigorous and of objective physical fitness (gauged based on functional capacity) on subsequently assessed self-rated health (SRH), controlling for possible confounders known to be precursors of SRH and of our predictors. We also investigated the reverse-causation hypothesis that SRH predicts subsequent vigor and functional capacity. DESIGN: Participants were apparently healthy employees (N = 779) who underwent a routine health check at two points of time, Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2), about 18 months apart. We used regression analysis, predicting T2 SRH by T1 SRH, the control variables, and T1vigor and functional capacity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vigor was assessed using the Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure; objective physical fitness was indicated by functional capacity following a treadmill exercise, and self-rated health was measured by a single item. RESULTS: As hypothesized, we found that the change in T2 SRH was positively predicted by T1 vigor, functional capacity, and their interactive term. Testing the reverse causation paths, we found that T1 SRH did not predict subsequent functional capacity and was a relatively weak predictor of subsequent vigor. CONCLUSION: The affective state of vigor and objectively assessed functional capacity interact to predict subsequent changes in self-rated health.     

Technological and medical advances: implications for health psychology.

Behavioral telehealth, health informatics, organ and tissue transplantation, and genetics are among the areas that have been affected by advances in technology and medicine. These areas illustrate the opportunities and the challenges that new developments can pose to health psychologists. Each area is discussed with respect to implications for practice, research, public policy, and education and training: recommendations are provided.     

National cultures, performance appraisal practices, and organizational absenteeism and turnover: a study across 21 countries

Performance appraisal (PA) is a key human resource activity in organizations. However, in this global economy, we know little about how societal cultures affect PA practices. In this study, we address this gap by focusing on 2 complementary issues: (a) the influence of societal (national) cultural practices on PA practices adopted by organizations and (b) the contribution of the level of congruence between societal cultural practices and the characteristics of organizational PA practices to absenteeism and turnover. The results, based on a large data set across multiple countries and over 2 time periods, support the hypothesized effects of societal (national) cultural practices on particular PA practices and the interactive effects of societal cultural practices and PA practices on absenteeism and turnover. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of our findings.     

High arousal and low arousal work-related positive affects and basal cardiovascular activity

Basal cardiovascular activity may be modulated by positive affect activation levels. In the current study, it was hypothesized that work-related high arousal positive affect (HAPA) will have a U-shaped association with basal cardiovascular activity and low or un-aroused positive affect (LAPA) will be negatively associated with basal cardiovascular activity. Participants were 1807, apparently, healthy adults. HAPA and LAPA were assessed with the Job-related Affective Well-being Scale. Outcome measures were resting heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels. Results for HAPA supported the hypothesized relationships, such that HR and SBP were lower when HAPA was at moderate levels, but higher when HAPA was at high or low levels. LAPA was negatively associated with SBP and DBP. Our findings suggest that HAPA and LAPA have differential consequences regarding cardiovascular function.     

The associations of the Five Factor Model of personality with inflammatory biomarkers: A four-year prospective study

This study evaluated the associations of the Five Factor Model of personality with two inflammation biomarkers, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, and the possible moderating effects of common health-related behaviors (physical activity and smoking) concurrently and over four years, while adjusting for socio-demographic and health status. Participants were individuals who underwent a health examination at two points of time, T1 (n = 1709) and T2 (n = 923), about four years apart. Regression analyses uncovered positive associations between Neuroticism and Extraversion with two inflammatory biomarkers at baseline (T1) and over time (T2) and increases in their levels over time. Additionally, a synergistic interaction of neuroticism and physical inactivity was associated with higher levels of inflammation biomarkers at both time periods. Openness was negatively associated with inflammation biomarkers at T1 and T2, but not with changes in their levels. No significant associations were found for Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. The results suggest that personality traits might be involved in the inflammatory process both concurrently and over time, and thus indicate a possible mechanism by which personality traits might influence health, especially cardiovascular disease risk.     

Central interference in error processing

This study dealt with capacity limitations in error processing. Participants classified digits into three arbitrary categories (initial response). Half were required to correct their errors if an error was detected (correction response), and half were required to produce a second response, regardless of the correctness of the initial response (approval response). Auditory interference was introduced before, during, or after the initial response. Interference stimuli were to be recalled later and were, thus, considered to involve central processes. Results for before showed that although correction responses were elongated, approval responses given after erroneous initial responses were shortened. For during, both correction and approval responses were elongated. On the basis of our findings, we argue that the error process is generated before the erroneous response is given and that it is a central process in terms of being subjected to capacity limitations in the presence of other central processes.     

The Loneliness of the Therapist in the Public Outpatient Clinic

The therapist's work in a public outpatient clinic is a unique combination as an individual and as a team member. Although the therapist may enjoy working within a team framework, sharing common goals and providing support and supervision, when he feels this environment failing to help or becoming critical, he may begin to experience loneliness. Individual psychotherapy occasionally evinces feelings of loneliness. The therapist has to contend with his patient's powerful feelings and try to contain them. We examined issues of loneliness, teamwork, and burnout during open meetings with the staff of three outpatient clinics. In addition, 50 questionnaires were sent to the therapists. Thirty-one were answered anonymously. Most of the therapists (80%) reported interest and enjoyment in their work with only 15% reporting tension and feelings of burnout. In the Pearson statistic correlation, there was a significant relationship between satisfaction at work and the lack of loneliness (p < 0.01). There was an inverse statistical correlation between satisfaction and burnout (p < 0.01) and a connection between staff meetings and not feeling lonely (p < 0.05). We found that the therapist in the outpatient clinic does not feel lonely. The staff meetings and consultations support him as a team member. A disparity was found between feelings felt at the open meetings and those in the questionnaires. Although the therapist is satisfied with his work, problems of overload and the danger of burnout are always present. It should be noted that clinic administrators should pay close attention to the entire picture.     

The Hope That Will Never Be Realized

The migration of Jewish musicians from Arab countries to Israel in the 1950's generated many personal difficulties. The musicians were unable to achieve professional success in their homelands due to their religion, but the Israeli audience's understanding and appreciation of their talents was extremely limited during these formative years. We present a case report of an immigrant married couple, both musicians, who suffer narcissistic injuries stemming from their immigration and their way of coping. Failure in understanding the problems associated with issues of self-esteem, led to a chronic clinical stalemate. When this problem was addressed, forward movement became possible. The specific technical interventions and transference/countertransference dynamics are herein described.     

Spouse Bereavement Processes of Holocaust Child Survivors: Can One Differentiate a Black Frame from a Black Background?

This article highlights the relation between the mourning processes of Holocaust war orphans and their expected bereavement processes in later life when a spouse dies. The relation between the two processes is explored through a clinical case study. In addition, we define the concept of subtle mourning as an adjustment in the bereavement process. We assume that orphans, who survive after genocide, suffer a lifelong sense of bereavement. They create a subtle mourning process which can be disclosed much later in their lives when they must cope with the death of a spouse.