The concept of vitality. Review of the vitality-related research domain

Existing literature identified numerous positive consequences of vitality, including somatic health, mental well-being, and improved performance. Despite the immense scientifically proven beneficial importance of vitality, the concept has not been accurately conceptualized to ensure its uniform, comprehensive understanding and application. Through a detailed analysis of 93 qualified research studies on vitality, the present study provides a contemporary and concise scoping review of the vitality research domain, in particular how researchers addressed vitality, what aspects of vitality they explored, and how they designed their investigations on vitality. The vitality research domain appears to be composed of mainly quantitative inquiries in the field of psychology. The findings disclose vitality as a quantifiable subjective positive concept consisting of fluctuating physiological and psychological energy, which can be regulated and harnessed by a person possessing it. In addition to outlining features and measurements of vitality, the review generalized its empirically identified antecedents and consequences.     

Winning at work: Trait competitiveness,personality types,and occupational interests

This study examined the relationship between trait competitiveness and occupational interests of under-graduates prior to entering the work force. The findings indicate that competitiveness is related to Investigative and Realistic types within Holland’s model of vocational choice and that competitive individuals are attracted to jobs involving competition and competitive pressure based on O*NET job characteristic ratings. Implications for future research are discussed.     

The intersection of individual differences,personality variation, & military service: A twin comparison design

ABSTRACT

In societies where military service is voluntary multiple factors are likely to affect the decision to enlist. Past research has produced evidence that a handful of personality and social factors seem to predict service in the military. However, recent quantitative genetic research has illustrated that enlistment in the military appears to be partially heritable and thus past research is potentially subject to genetic confounding. To assess the extent to which genetic confounding exists, the current study examined a wide range of individual-level factors using a subsample of twins (n = 1,232) from the restricted-use version of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. The results of a series of longitudinal twin comparison models, which control for the latent sources of influence that cluster within families (i.e., shared genetic and family factors), illustrated generally null findings. However, individuals with higher scores on measures of extraversion and the general factor of personality were more likely to enlist in the military, after correction for familial confounding. Nonetheless, the overall results suggest that familial confounding should be a methodological concern in this area of research, and future work is encouraged to employ genetically informed methodologies in assessments of predictors of military enlistment.     

Contemporary transgender health experience and health situation in prisons: A scoping review of extant published literature (2000–2019)

Abstract

Background: Many jurisdictions globally have no specific prison policy to guide prison management and prison staff in relation to the special needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) prisoners despite the United Nations for the Treatment of Prisoners Standard Minimum Rules and the updated 2017 Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Within LGBT prison groups, transgender people represent a key special population with distinct needs and rights, with incarceration rates greater than that of the general population, and who experience unique vulnerabilities in prisons.

Aims/Method: A scoping review was conducted of extant information on the transgender prison situation, their unique health needs and outcomes in contemporary prison settings. Fifty-nine publications were charted and thematically analyzed.

Results: Five key themes emerged: Transgender definition and terminology used in prison publications; Prison housing and classification systems; Conduct of correctional staff toward incarcerated transgender people; Gender affirmation, health experiences and situational health risks of incarcerated transgender people; and Transgender access to gender-related healthcare in prison.

Conclusions: The review highlights the need for practical prison based measures in the form of increased advocacy, awareness raising, desensitization of high level prison management, prison staff and prison healthcare providers, and clinical and cultural competence institutional training on transgender patient care. The review underscores the need to uphold the existing international mandates to take measures to protect incarcerated transgender people from violence and stigmatization without restricting rights, and provide adequate gender sensitive and gender affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy and gender reassignment.     

Integrated Behavioral Health in Rural Settings: A Course Design

ABSTRACT

Rurality is a vital component of cultural diversity, making it essential to train future counselors on comprehensive mental health counseling practice with rural populations. In this article, we describe the development of a master’s level course that reflects an integrated approach to providing mental health counseling services in rural communities. First, the pedagogical foundation for the course design and positionality are discussed. Second, the course objectives are outlined, and corresponding teaching methods and creative learning assignments are provided. Last, we discuss the strengths and challenges of the course design and implementation.