The challenge of cross-cultural quality of life assessment

Abstract

As a result of an increased international cooperation in the health care field, the demand for cross-culturally applicable, patient-oriented instruments to assess the need for and to evaluate the outcome of medical interventions has also grown. However, basic problems exist in assessing health-related quality of life—one of the most prominent outcomes—across cultures. Conceptually it is unclear to which extent the quality of life construct is transferable from one cultural context to another. Methodologically, ways to assess the construct have to be sensitive to different cultures and practically, application of quality of life measures may be difficult. The current paper addresses these issues, presenting the current state of the art in cross-cultural development of health-related quality of life assessment instruments as well as a critical review thereof. Examples are provided from internationally active working groups in terms of the translation, psychometric testing and norming of quality of life questionnaires.     

Career counsellors' perceptions of the severity of career decision-making difficulties

Individuals differ in the type and severity of the difficulties they face when making a career decision. Relying on the Gati, Krausz, and Osipow (1996) taxonomy of career decision-making difficulties, we elicited the judgements of 28 career counselling experts about factors that contribute to the perceived severity of the difficulties. Difficulties attributed to an internal or emotional cause were judged as more severe than difficulties attributed to an external or cognitive cause. With respect to the consequences, difficulties that prevent making a decision, or those that require long-term treatment, were judged as more severe than difficulties that may lead to a non-optimal decision, and those that require a short-term treatment. The analysis revealed that the factor that most affected the experts' severity judgements was the expected length of treatment. Treatment priority was affected only partially by severity, reflecting the role of other considerations.     

The relationship between ‘workaholism’, basic needs satisfaction at work and personality

The aim of this study was to examine correlates of ‘workaholism’ components (Work Involvement, Drive, Enjoyment of Work). A cross‐occupational sample of 661 Norwegian employees in six different organizations completed a web‐based survey measuring ‘workaholism’, basic needs satisfaction at work and personality. Needs satisfaction at work was positively related to Enjoyment of Work, and negatively to Drive. Conscientiousness was positively related to all ‘workaholism’ components; Extraversion and Openness to Work Involvement and Enjoyment of Work; and Neuroticism to Drive. Negative relations were found between Neuroticism and Enjoyment of Work, and Agreeableness and Drive. Although the associations were rather weak, the findings give reason to differentiate between enthusiastic and non‐enthusiastic ‘workaholic’ characteristics, which were consistent with predictions taken from central theories on ‘workaholism’. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cognitive–motivational antecedents of career decision-making processes in Portuguese high school students: A longitudinal study

In this study we propose an integrated framework of the antecedents of identity development and well/ill-being for high school students (N = 462) in the transition to higher education/job market. One study was conducted to investigate the effects of basic psychological need-satisfaction/frustration (as proposed within self-determination theory) and career decision-making self-efficacy (posited by social cognitive career theory) on the identity dimensions and experienced well/ill-being. Three longitudinal nested models were tested: a need-satisfaction/self-efficacy main effects model, an identity main effects model and a reciprocal main-effects model. The reciprocal effects between the variables were favored by the data. Basic need-satisfaction and career decision making self-efficacy positively predicted proactive exploration and commitment-making, while basic need-frustration predicted both diminished well-being and ill-being. Reciprocally, proactive exploration investments positively predicted whereas ruminative exploration negatively predicted, need-satisfaction and career decision-making self-efficacy. Implications for the design of career interventions are discussed and suggestions for future research proposed.     

Age-related differences in movement strategies and postural control during stooping and crouching tasks

While epidemiologic data suggests that one in four older adults have difficulty performing stooping and crouching (SC) tasks, little is known about how aging affects SC performance. This study investigated differences between young and older adults in lower limb kinematics and underfoot center of pressure (COP) measures when performing a series of SC tasks. Twelve healthy younger and twelve healthy older participants performed object-retrieval tasks varying in: (1) initial lift height, (2) precision demand, and (3) duration. Whole-body center of mass (COM), underfoot COP, and hip and knee angular kinematics (maximum angles and velocities) were analyzed. Compared to younger, older participants moved slower when transitioning into and out of pick-up postures that were characterized by less hip and knee flexion. Older participants also showed a diminished ability to adapt to the changing postural demands of each set of tasks. This was especially evident during longer tasks, whereby older individuals avoided high knee flexion crouching postures that were commonly used by younger participants. Older adults also tended to exhibit faster and more frequent COP trajectory adjustments in the anterior–posterior direction. It is likely that limitations in physical characteristics such as lower limb strength and range of motion contributed to these differences.     

The effect of causality orientations and positive competence-enhancing feedback on intrinsic motivation: A test of additive and interactive effects

Based on self-determination theory, this study investigated whether individual differences in autonomy or control causality orientation and positive competence-enhancing feedback have additive or interactive effects on intrinsic motivation. Autonomy- or control-oriented participants provided solutions to an interesting puzzle under conditions of positive competence-enhancing feedback or no feedback. Time spent solving the puzzle during a subsequent free-choice period constituted the dependent measure of intrinsic motivation. Autonomy-oriented individuals spent significantly longer on the puzzle than control-oriented participants regardless of feedback condition. Analogously, positive feedback increased time spent on the puzzle compared to no feedback regardless of causality orientation. Findings indicate that dispositional motivational orientations and feedback provided by social agents can enhance intrinsic motivation but the effects are additive rather than interactive.     

The Family Sanctum: The Promise of Love’s Continuing Enlargement Across the Lifespan

Humanistic psychology acknowledges that spirituality is woven into the very fabric of human existence; however, this article furthers the position that the human striving for love and connection is the very definition of human spirituality. By suggesting that the original human intention to connect re-emerges in each subsequent developmental stage, merely reconfiguring to fit the requirements of current developmental tasks, it argues that the early family is an important arbiter of human spirituality across the lifespan. Finally, this article posits that the experience and expression of spirituality in older age reflects either an unbroken link to the original affectionate connection to (biological or surrogate) family members, or the intentional vitalization of weakly formed early family ties.     

志愿者安宁疗护知信行及培训需求调查研究

通过“志愿者安宁疗护知信行和培训需求测量量表”,抽样调查和比较社会志愿者和大学生志愿者对安宁疗护的知信行和培训需求状况。发现志愿者对安宁疗护知识的总体掌握较好,但实践参与少(仅占22.3%),且行为得分不高[(20.93±4.26)分];态度平均(74.54±8.58)分,其中社会志愿者更积极;志愿者培训需求迫切但资源可及性差,需求最高的是沟通方法和技巧、国内外经验和做法、灵性关怀和身体症状管理。亟需构建专业化的志愿者培训体系,靶向开展多元化的理论和技能培训,引导志愿者积极参与安宁疗护实践,提升团队协作服务能力。     

Quantitative Profile of Family Acceptance of Children Special Need’s Moslem Parents (Case Study at Rumah Terapi Aura)

Abstract

This is a preliminary research in a series of studies constructing a module based on family inclusion model. Having a qualitative method based on a case study approach, the data was taken from observation, questionnaire-based survey, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The research was conducted in Rumah Terapi Aura (RTA), a therapy center for the children with special needs, involving 30 moslem parents. The results are a Quantitative Profile and Family Acceptance Aspects. It is concluded that parents and families awareness of acceptance children with special needs are from a lack of knowledge and spiritual understanding of God's destiny.     

Coping Responses and Emotional Distress in Fathers of Children with Special Needs and “Redreaming” as a Creative Intervention

Abstract

Parents dream that their children will have every benefit possible to survive and thrive in the world. When their children have special needs, these dreams are challenged. Parents must adjust to the needs of their child and to the loss of this aspect of their dream. Common challenges and considerations when working with fathers of children with special needs are presented. “Redreaming,” an intervention to facilitate positive reappraisal, and creative approaches are also presented.