Competence in Language at 24 Months: Relations with Attachment Security and Home Stimulation

This study explored the interrelations among attachment, home stimulation, and language development in 58 toddlers (36 medically high risk and 22 low risk) at 24 months of age. The results indicated that there were additive effects of attachment and home stimulation on language competence, especially on receptive abilities. Mothers who had established secure relationships and provided stimulating home environments had children with the highest language scores.     

Measuring the impact on relatives of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease: Quality of life,burden and well-being

Abstract

This study compared key correlates of caregiver stress in 50 Alzheimer's disease patients and their primary caregivers. in relation to three outcome measures - perceived burden, psychological well-being, and quality of life (QoL). These were evaluated using the Zarit Burden Interview. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), and Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual QoL (SEIQoL-DW) respectively. Informal social support was evaluated on Vaux's Social Support Appraisal Scale. Patients' cognitive. functional, and behavioural status were rated on Mini-Mental State Examination, Blessed-Roth Dementia Scale. and Baumgarten Dementia Behaviour Disturbance Scale respectively. Standardised multiple regression analysis was used to compare the outcome measures. In this model burden was highly related to behaviour disturbance. and also to social support (adjusted R² = 0.45). Well-being was significantly related to behaviour disturbance, and also to functional status (adjusted R² = 0.40). With regard to QoL the model performed poorly as most of the variance in QoL was not accounted for by the model (adjusted R² = 0.14). These findings highlight differences in factors determining caregiver QoL. burden and well-being.     

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.     

守卫人类的神圣与尊严

主要由基因技术实施导致的人类自然身体的技术化,以及由智能技术完成的人类智力和精神的技术化,正在将人类的身和心推向双重的非自然化,使人类生命的神圣与尊严受到严重的挑战。守卫人类身体的自然本真,守卫人类大脑思维、意识的主体性,守卫人类与生俱来独有的人格特征,守卫人是目的而非工具的底线,是当代医学伦理学和生命伦理学面临的紧迫任务,是保卫人类神圣与尊严的要旨,也是发展生命技术不可逾越的红线。大力发展那些不伤害、不是再造人类生命自然本真的弱高新生命技术,为预防和治疗那些遗传性和复杂性疾病服务,抑制那些旨在再造人类生命的强高新生命技术,是发展生命技术策略的最佳选择。

     

临终患者自主权的两难困境与出路

面对人口老龄化程度越来越高的社会,尊重临终患者的自主权既是对患者知情同意的尊重,也是对生命价值的尊重。临终患者自主权的实现途径中存在诸多两难问题。研究临终患者自主权的两难困境问题,有助于权衡不同价值观念之间的冲突,并且从中找到与之相应的解决方案。破解临终患者自主权两难困境的出路在于充分尊重临终患者的自主权,构建互信的医患关系和共同决策机制。并探索预设医疗指示制度和伦理审查制度在我国医疗环境下实施的可行性。     

安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者面面观

志愿者在安宁疗护/缓和医疗中承担着重要的角色与作用,目前我国安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者的团队建设、志愿者培训、评价、督导工作以及对安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者的支持尚不成熟,安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者项目由各机构分散管理运作。文章汇总国内外安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者相关研究结果,介绍了安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者项目的管理经验,包括安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者的招募、培训、督导、考核,志愿者团队的资金及行政管理,以及安宁疗护/缓和医疗志愿者及其团队面临的困难与压力及如何应对,以资我国借鉴。     

性别比与童年经济状况对女性长短期择偶偏好的影响：“暖男”需求变化的进化分析

基于进化领域的生命史理论,采用两种实验启动的途径探讨性别比、童年经济状况和女性长短期择偶偏好间的关系。结果表明：女性在长期择偶中更为重视男性的“好爸爸”和“好资源”,在短期择偶中更为重视男性的“好基因”;性别比在女性长期择偶的“好爸爸”偏好上具有显著主效应,在“女多男少”情境下女性对“好爸爸”的偏好水平会较“男多女少”时明显提高;性别比和童年经济状况在女性长期择偶“好爸爸”偏好上的交互效应显著：童年贫穷女性在“女多”情境下会明显提高对长期择偶“好爸爸”的偏好水平,童年富裕女性在性别失衡情境下对长期“好爸爸”的偏好保持相对稳定。     

社会经济不平等对个体生命史策略的影响——国家发展水平的调节作用

经济不平等不仅是经济问题,也会对个体心理行为产生诸多影响。前人认为,经济不平等会强化个体阶层提升意愿。结合生命史理论,研究提出高不平等将使个体偏好后代质量而非数量,以实现阶层提升,且这一现象在高发展水平国家中更为明显。基于开源数据,通过国家/个人两个水平上的分析发现,在高发展水平国家,经济不平等降低了国家生育率,并使个体更关切后代教育。研究结果可为理解特定经济环境下的个体心理和行为提供参考。     

情感强度不同负性生活事件对个体情感反应和行为选择的影响

采用系列实验方法探讨不同情感强度负性生活事件对个体情感反应和行为选择的影响。结果发现：（1）复合生活事件（1高负性+1低负性）为异类时,个体对复合事件的负性感受比单独1高负性事件更低,选择经历前者,出现平均效应;（2）复合生活事件为同类时,其负性感受比单独1高负性事件更高,选择经历后者,出现累加效应;（3）复合事件有明显的时间特点时,其情感和行为选择受事件发生时间影响,符合峰-终定律。结论：人们对负性生活事件的加工受其特点的影响,加工方式不同。     

Relation of career adaptability to meaning in life and connectedness among adolescents in Hong Kong

This study examined relationships among career adaptability, meaning in life, and connectedness in Hong Kong with Chinese male and female Grade 9 students (n = 543). The results indicated that presence of meaning in life positively predicted connectedness; and in the males career concern was predicted by presence of meaning in life. Also in males, career control was predicted both by presence and search for meaning in life, while career curiosity was predicted by connectedness to school, and by presence and search for meaning in life. Career confidence was predicted by connectedness to school, and presence and search of meaning in life. In the females, career concern was predicted by presence of meaning in life and connectedness to school, but negatively by connectedness to peers. Career control and career curiosity were predicted by presence and search for meaning in life. Career confidence was predicted by presence of meaning in life. Limitations of the study are identified; and implications for future research and guidance with Chinese adolescents in schools are discussed.