Social Acceptance and Facial Behavior in Children with Oral Clefts

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith J. Slifer ◽  
Valerie Pulbrook ◽  
Adrianna Amari ◽  
Natalie Vona-Messersmith ◽  
Jeffrey F. Cohn ◽  
...  

Objective To examine and compare social acceptance, social behavior, and facial movements of children with and without oral clefts in an experimental setting. Design Two groups of children (with and without oral clefts) were videotaped in a structured social interaction with a peer confederate, when listening to emotional stories, and when told to pose specific facial expressions. Participants Twenty-four children and adolescents ages 7 to 161/2 years with oral clefts were group matched for gender, grade, and socioeconomic status with 25 noncleft controls. Main Outcome Measures Specific social and facial behaviors coded from videotapes; Harter Self-Perception Profile, Social Acceptance subscale. Results Significant between-group differences were obtained. Children in the cleft group more often displayed “Tongue Out,” “Eye Contact,” “Mimicry,” and “Initiates Conversation.” For the cleft group, “Gaze Avoidance” was significantly negatively correlated with social acceptance scores. The groups were comparable in their ability to pose and spontaneously express facial emotion. Conclusions When comparing children with and without oral clefts in an experimental setting, with a relatively small sample size, behavior analysis identified some significant differences in patterns of social behavior but not in the ability to express facial emotion. Results suggest that many children with oral clefts may have relatively typical social development. However, for those who do have social competence deficits, systematic behavioral observation of atypical social responses may help individualize social skills interventions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 95-115
Author(s):  
Marta Wieczorek ◽  
Aleksandra Sadziak ◽  
Wojciech Wiliński

Purpose. The aim of the study was to determine the self-esteem level and its diversity depending on selected variables in persons with disabilities engaged in mountain tourism. Methods. The research method was diagnostic survey. For the purpose of determining the self-esteem level, quantitative analysis of data obtained on the basis of SES Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (in its Polish adaptation by Dzwonkowska, Lachowicz-Tabaczek and Łaguna) and qualitative analysis of statements made by subjects with disabilities were performed. 26 persons with motor and sensory disabilities took part in the study, all of whom were participants of the project "People with disabilities in the mountains – Together we Reach the Peaks". Findings. The study showed the great importance of the undertaken mountain tourism for raising their self-esteem and self-confidence, overcoming their own fears and acquiring social acceptance, which has contributed to the improvement of self-evaluation in the subjects and thus, improving their quality of life. Research and conclusions limitations. The small sample size does not allow for the presentation and generalisation of conclusions in relation to the whole population of those with disabilities. Practical implications. Defining the direction of action concerning the activities that can be organised to create the possibility of self-fulfilment and socialisation for people with physical and sensory disabilities. Originality. The study covered a special (unique) group of people with disabilities – participants of the project “People with disabilities in the mountains – Together we Reach the Peaks”. Type of paper. The article presents the results of empirical research.


2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith J. Slifer ◽  
Adrianna Amari ◽  
Tanya Diver ◽  
Lisa Hilley ◽  
Melissa Beck ◽  
...  

Objective To examine the social interaction patterns of children with and without oral clefts. Design Participants were videotaped while interacting with a peer confederate. Oral cleft and control groups were compared on social behavior and several self- and parent-report measures. Participants Thirty-four 8- to 15-year-olds with oral clefts, matched for sex, age, and socioeconomic status with 34 noncleft controls. Main Outcome Measures Data were obtained on social behaviors coded from videotapes and on child and parent ratings of social acceptance/competence and facial appearance. Results Statistically significant differences were found between groups: children with clefts made fewer choices and more often failed to respond to peer questions; children with clefts and their parents reported greater dissatisfaction with the child's facial appearance; and parents of children with clefts rated them as less socially competent. Significant within-group associations were also found. Parent perception of child social competence and child self-perception of social acceptance were positively correlated for both groups. Children with clefts who felt more socially accepted more often looked a peer in the face. Controls who felt more socially accepted chose an activity less often during the social encounter. Conclusions Differing patterns of overt social behavior as well as parent and self-perception can be measured between children with and without oral clefts. Such results may be helpful in developing interventions to enhance social skills and parent/child adjustment.


Author(s):  
Conly L. Rieder ◽  
S. Bowser ◽  
R. Nowogrodzki ◽  
K. Ross ◽  
G. Sluder

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres ◽  
Paola Carminelli-Corretjer ◽  
Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali ◽  
Ernesto Rosario-Hernández ◽  
Yovanska Duarté-Vélez ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Spanish-speaking individuals. Suicide stigma can be a risk factor for suicide. A widely used measure is the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF; Batterham, Calear, & Christensen, 2013 ). Although the SOSS-SF has established psychometric properties and factor structure in other languages and cultural contexts, no evidence is available from Spanish-speaking populations. Aim: This study aims to validate a Spanish translation of the SOSS-SF among a sample of Spanish-speaking healthcare students ( N = 277). Method: We implemented a cross-sectional design with quantitative techniques. Results: Following a structural equation modeling approach, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor model proposed by Batterham and colleagues (2013) . Limitations: The study was limited by the small sample size and recruitment by availability. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the Spanish version of the SOSS-SF is a valid and reliable tool with which to examine suicide stigma among Spanish-speaking populations.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Sarah P. Carter ◽  
Heather M. Gebhardt ◽  
Jonathan Buchholz ◽  
Mark A. Reger

Abstract. Background: Patient disclosure of prior suicidal behaviors is critical for effectively managing suicide risk; however, many attempts go undisclosed. Aims: The current study explored how responses following a suicide attempt disclosure may relate to help-seeking outcomes. Method: Participants included 37 veterans with a previous suicide attempt receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. Veterans reported on their most and least helpful experiences disclosing their suicide attempt to others. Results: Veterans disclosed their suicide attempt to approximately eight individuals. Mental health professionals were the most cited recipient of their most helpful disclosure; romantic partners were the most common recipient of their least helpful disclosures. Positive reactions within the context of the least helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with a sense of connection with the disclosure recipient. Positive reactions within the most helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with the likelihood of future disclosure. No reactions were associated with having sought professional care or likelihood of seeking professional care. Limitations: The results are considered preliminary due to the small sample size. Conclusion: Findings suggest that while positive reactions may influence suicide attempt disclosure experiences broadly, additional research is needed to clarify factors that drive the decision to disclose a suicide attempt to a professional.


Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Hallensleben ◽  
Lena Spangenberg ◽  
Thomas Forkmann ◽  
Dajana Rath ◽  
Ulrich Hegerl ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Although the fluctuating nature of suicidal ideation (SI) has been described previously, longitudinal studies investigating the dynamics of SI are scarce. Aim: To demonstrate the fluctuation of SI across 6 days and up to 60 measurement points using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments (EMA). Method: Twenty inpatients with unipolar depression and current and/or lifetime suicidal ideation rated their momentary SI 10 times per day over a 6-day period. Mean squared successive difference (MSSD) was calculated as a measure of variability. Correlations of MSSD with severity of depression, number of previous depressive episodes, and history of suicidal behavior were examined. Results: Individual trajectories of SI are shown to illustrate fluctuation. MSSD values ranged from 0.2 to 21.7. No significant correlations of MSSD with several clinical parameters were found, but there are hints of associations between fluctuation of SI and severity of depression and suicidality. Limitations: Main limitation of this study is the small sample size leading to low power and probably missing potential effects. Further research with larger samples is necessary to shed light on the dynamics of SI. Conclusion: The results illustrate the dynamic nature and the diversity of trajectories of SI across 6 days in psychiatric inpatients with unipolar depression. Prediction of the fluctuation of SI might be of high clinical relevance. Further research using EMA and sophisticated analyses with larger samples is necessary to shed light on the dynamics of SI.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-374
Author(s):  
Sarah P. Carter ◽  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Heather M. Gebhardt ◽  
Jonathan Buchholz ◽  
Mark A. Reger

Abstract. Background: Concerns exist regarding the perceived risks of conducting suicide-focused research among an acutely distressed population. Aims: The current study assessed changes in participant distress before and after participation in a suicide-focused research study conducted on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Method: Participants included 37 veterans who were receiving treatment on a psychiatric inpatient unit and completed a survey-based research study focused on suicide-related behaviors and experiences. Results: Participants reported no significant changes in self-reported distress. The majority of participants reported unchanged or decreased distress. Reviews of electronic medical records revealed no behavioral dysregulation and minimal use of as-needed medications or changes in mood following participation. Limitations: The study's small sample size and veteran population may limit generalizability. Conclusion: Findings add to research conducted across a variety of settings (i.e., outpatient, online, laboratory), indicating that participating in suicide-focused research is not significantly associated with increased distress or suicide risk.


2019 ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.V. Savchenko ◽  
A.V. Savchenko

We consider the task of automated quality control of sound recordings containing voice samples of individuals. It is shown that in this task the most acute is the small sample size. In order to overcome this problem, we propose the novel method of acoustic measurements based on relative stability of the pitch frequency within a voice sample of short duration. An example of its practical implementation using aninter-periodic accumulation of a speech signal is considered. An experimental study with specially developed software provides statistical estimates of the effectiveness of the proposed method in noisy environments. It is shown that this method rejects the audio recording as unsuitable for a voice biometric identification with a probability of 0,95 or more for a signal to noise ratio below 15 dB. The obtained results are intended for use in the development of new and modifying existing systems of collecting and automated quality control of biometric personal data. The article is intended for a wide range of specialists in the field of acoustic measurements and digital processing of speech signals, as well as for practitioners who organize the work of authorized organizations in preparing for registration samples of biometric personal data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-106
Author(s):  
Agnieszka M. Piróg-Balcerzak ◽  
Anna K. Bażyńska ◽  
Katarzyna Biernacka ◽  
Joanna Brągoszewska ◽  
Lidia Popek ◽  
...  

Objective. Omega–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were tested in adolescent depression and in several neurodevelopmental disorders with partial success. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by deficiencies in fatty food intake and frequent comorbidity, including depressive and cognitive symptoms. Thus supplementation with PUFAs may be beneficial in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to assess whether PUFAs as an add-on treatment is associated with better improvement of body mass index (BMI) and psychopathological symptoms than placebo in patients with AN. Method. 61 female adolescent inpatients with AN were randomly allocated to omega–3 PUFAs supplementation or placebo for 10 weeks. Patients also participated in the behavioural programme and eclectic psychotherapy (treatment as usual, TAU). At baseline and follow-up visits, patients’ BMI and psychopathology were assessed with Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Patient Global Impression Scale (PGI), and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26). Results. After 10 weeks, both groups showed improvement in all parameters. Improvement in CGI scores was observed greater in placebo vs. PUFA-s group (p = 0.015) while other differences were not statistically significant. Omega–3 PUFAs supplementation appears not to be effective as an add-on treatment in inpatient adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. Conclusions. The results should be analysed with caution due to small sample size and heterogeneity in TAU. As the TAU turned out to be highly effective, additional therapeutic effect of PUFA might not be visible. Nevertheless, that does not explain the tendency for better improvement in the placebo group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-131
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Parfin ◽  
Krystian Wdowiak ◽  
Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽  
Jolanta Herda

AbstractIntroduction. The COVID-19 is the name of an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was first diagnosed in December 2019 in patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The symptoms are dominated by features of respiratory tract infections, in some patients with a very severe course leading to respiratory failure and, in extreme cases to death. Due to the spread of the infection worldwide, the WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.Aim. An investigation of the impact of social isolation introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic on selected aspects of life. The researchers focused on observing changes in habits related to physical activity and their connections with people’s subjective well-being and emotional state.Material and methods. The study was carried out within the international project of the group „IRG on COVID and exercise”. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire.Results. Based on the data collected and the analysis of the percentage results, it can be observed that the overwhelming majority of people taking up physical activity reported a better mood during the pandemic. However, statistical tests do not confirm these relationships due to the small sample size.Conclusions. Isolation favours physical activity. Future, in-depth studies, by enlarging the population group, are necessary to confirm the above observations.


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