Secondary Traumatic Stress in Social Science Researchers of Trauma-Exposed Populations

There is an expanding research database regarding secondary trauma exposure among helping professionals across disciplines and settings. However, there is limited research on the incidence of secondary traumatic stress in social science researchers studying traumatized populations. Various disciplines engage in this area of research, which exposes them to the details of aversive events, especially those engaging in qualitative research. This study explores the impact of such exposure by measuring indicators of secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout (BO), and compassion satisfaction in a group of 104 researchers. Findings revealed high rates of exposure to traumatic material and a subset of researchers at risk for STS. Regression analyses revealed potential risk factors for STS and BO, and qualitative analysis was conducted to further explore the effects of this work on researchers from multiple disciplines.     

Patients’ expectations for the functional and psychosocial outcomes of orbital decompression surgery for thyroid eye disease: a qualitative study

Patients with appearance-altering conditions may be dissatisfied with the outcomes of reconstructive surgery due to unmet expectations. This study explored patients’ expectations of orbital decompression surgery for thyroid eye disease (TED) and whether these were met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at two times: (1) in the weeks after patients were listed for decompression surgery and before surgery; (2) up to 12 months after surgery. Thematic analysis was performed for each time point, to identify themes within the data. Fourteen adults with TED were interviewed prior to surgery and five were followed up after surgery. Thematic analyses found: (1) Prior to surgery, patients had formed expectations through online information about the procedure, consultations with physicians, the impact TED had on their lives, and speaking to relevant others. Patients had specific expectations about the procedure, the recovery, post-operative appearance and post-operative vision. (2) After surgery, patients generally felt their appearance and well-being had improved. However, dissatisfaction was linked to unanticipated specific aspects of surgical care, recovery, or appearance. Dissatisfaction can arise from unmet expectations for the outcomes of reconstructive surgery. Physicians should be aware of the processes by which patients form expectations, for example different types and quality of online information. Ensuring that preoperative expectations are realistic could enhance satisfaction after surgery.     

Predicting staff retention from employee motivation and job satisfaction

This study investigated the role of employee motivation and job satisfaction as predictors of staff retention in a foreign exchange bank. Participants were 341 employees of a South African foreign exchange bank division (female?=?62.8%; black?=?31.1%; managers?=?37%, mean years of experience?=?10 years). The employees completed the following self-report measures: Work Preference Inventory, Job Satisfaction Survey, and Employee Retention Questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was applied in the analysis to test the prediction effect of employee motivation and job satisfaction on staff retention. The findings of the model fit revealed that the model (employee motivation and employee job satisfaction) explained an estimated 46% of the variance in the employee retention construct. The job satisfaction construct in the model explained an estimated 66% of the variance in the employee retention construct; while the employee motivation construct explained only 8% of the variance. Organisational talent management should seek to identify employee motivation and job satisfaction interventions that might help to retain talented staff.     

The relationship between existential attitudes and professional quality of life among nursing students

This study examined the relationship between existential attitudes and professional quality of life among a sample of South African nursing students (N = 150; mean age = 21.19, SD = 2.77; female = 90%). The student nurses completed the Life Attitudes Profile-Revised (LAP-R) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (PROQoL). The data were analysed using the Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis. Existential attitudes significantly predicted scores on the PROQoL. The findings suggest that existential attitudes are an essential personal resource that could serve as a potential buffer against compassion fatigue and burnout while enhancing compassion satisfaction.     

Organisation climate mediation of the relationship between hardiness,self-efficacy,and job satisfaction among military followers

This study examined influences of organisational climate on hardiness, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction in a military setting. Data were collected from 120 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) military personnel (female = 36%; officers = 90%; age range = 24–64 years). The defence force members completed a military hardiness scale, general self-efficacy scale, workplace climate questionnaire, and the generic job satisfaction scale. Regression analyses were computed to predict job satisfaction from hardiness and self-efficacy. This was followed by moderated multiple regression analysis to examine the influence of organisational climate on the relationship between job satisfaction from hardiness and self-efficacy. The results suggest high levels of hardiness (commitment) and organisational climate to predict 71% of the variance in job satisfaction. Personal hardiness (commitment) and organisational climate strongly influence job satisfaction among military followers.     

Impact du célibat géographique des marins sur le conflit travail-famille et la satisfaction professionnelle

The goal of this research is to study the impact of geographical celibacy on work-family conflict and job satisfaction. Indeed, we made the hypotheses that geographical celibates will have more negative feeling toward these two concepts. In order to test these hypothesis, 5298 sailors of the French Navy answered a questionnaire that measured job satisfaction and work-family conflict. Results show that there are differences and that geographical celibates feel more conflict than non-geographical celibates. Moreover, they are less satisfied by their job. This study allows us to question the relevance of this status in a military institution where mobility is particularly high.     

社会面子意识、冲突处理策略与人际关系满意度

以大学生为对象,采取整群取样的方式,研究了大学生社会面子意识、冲突处理策略与人际关系满意度之间的关系。结果,大学生社会面子意识与人际关系满意度呈显著负相关,社会面子意识与协作策略呈显著负相关,协作式冲突处理策略与人际关系满意度呈显著正相关; 协作型冲突处理策略能正向预测大学生人际关系满意度,社会面子意识负向预测人际关系满意度; 低社会面子意识大学生在协作策略上的得分显著高于高争面子意识、高护面子意识和高社会面子意识大学生。     

Multiplicity Within and Between: Addressing Multiple Roles Through Role Profiles in Couples

The purpose of this study is to test the validity of a personality assessment, Role Profiles, by exploring the relationship between role balance and individual well-being and the relationship between couples’ role profiles similarity and their marital satisfaction. Twenty couples were recruited and completed the assessments. This study partially supported Role Profiles’ validity and the findings were consistent with previous studies: individuals with higher role confusion were more likely to report lower self-esteem, and couples who shared many identical roles in their roles profiles were more likely to report higher marital satisfaction. The utility of Role Profiles as a clinical assessment in couples therapy is discussed.     

Monitoring and Fostering Elementary School Students' Life Satisfaction: A Case Study

Research on the importance of complete mental health has led to increased focus on students' subjective well-being (i.e., happiness and life satisfaction) coupled with the traditional attention to psychopathology. Although screeners for psychopathology abound, the present project is novel in applying best practices in universal screening to grade level-wide assessment of children's life satisfaction, followed by implementation of a positive psychology intervention for students identified through the screener. In this case study of 375 third- to fifth-grade students in one elementary school, 93.6% participated in the screening, 11.2% qualified for supplemental services based on screening cutoff scores, and 4.8% took part in the targeted intervention to improve subjective well-being. Repeated measures analysis of mean scores revealed the intervention increased children's life satisfaction, lending support for the value of universal screeners in the process of service delivery. Implications for practice regarding universal screening and intervention for life satisfaction are discussed.     

Psychosoma in crisis: an autoethnographic study of medically unexplained symptoms and their diverse contexts

In this study, we examine autoethnographic data from three critical incidents as experienced by the first author demonstrating the importance of context in understanding medically unexplained symptoms, their incidence and underlying patterns. We make the case for ethnographies as a crucial research strand in discerning the finer aspects of the patient or client experience; aspects that might be missed where people are directed along protocolised pathways of care. The article describes care as fragmented and depersonalising, leading to disembodied exchanges, as reflected in other autoethnographic studies, particularly those that highlight the complex relationship and controversies surrounding diagnostic uncertainty. We observe that psychological therapists, given the quality of the therapeutic relationship and sustained attention to the person’s experience, are well placed to assist in the necessary processes of re-contextualisation and re-embodiment.