Perspectives on paid work among men and women with schizophrenia: The results of a two study comparison in Ireland

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 507-515
Author(s):  
Niall Turner ◽  
Lisa Ferguson ◽  
Michele Hill ◽  
Tara Nesbitt ◽  
Eadbhard O’Callaghan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Motivation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
Irish People ◽  
Serious Mental Health Conditions

BACKGROUND: While research indicates that people with serious mental health conditions want to work, few studies have examined motivation and concerns associated with employment. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the work attitudes among two samples of Irish people with psychotic conditions, primarily schizophrenia. METHODS: Data gathered through two work related research projects was used. A self-report instrument, the work motivation scale (WMS), gathered data in two separate studies. It was possible to examine participants’ motives and concerns due to the two factor structure, positive and negative, of this scale. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted for each of the two samples individually. A sub-analysis by gender was also conducted. RESULTS: Across the two samples, analysis showed the consistent motivators were increased coping ability, improved self-identity, and enhanced self-worth. Men particularly wanted others to see them as good workers. On the other hand, women regarded a job as a means to forget about having a mental illness. A sizeable minority in both samples expressed apprehensions such as work being boring and an expectation from others that they should work rather than them being personally motivated to do so. CONCLUSIONS: While caution must be exercised in interpreting the results due to the small sample size, this study has extended our understanding in this under-researched but important topic.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate the Effects of Age and Duration of HIV Infection on Anxiety and Depression in Cisgender Men

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Gianella ◽  
Rowan Saloner ◽  
Genevieve Curtin ◽  
Susan J. Little ◽  
Anne Heaton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Results

AbstractThis observational cross-sectional study of 152 people with HIV (PWH) examined the effects of age and estimated duration of HIV infection (EDI) on depressive and anxiety symptoms. All participants were cisgender men and completed the Profile of Moods State (POMS), a self-report inventory of current (i.e., past week) mood states. Overall, study results confirmed higher levels of anxiety and depression in PWH compared to individuals without HIV. Age group (< 50 or ≥ 50 years) moderated the effect of EDI (< 3 or ≥ 3 years) on mood disturbance. Specifically, younger PWH with early diagnosed infection exhibited the highest levels of depression and anxiety, whereas depression and anxiety were attenuated in older PWH with early infection such that their POMS scores did not significantly differ from the HIV-negative and chronically HIV-infected groups. Despite the small sample size and other important limitations in our study design, our preliminary findings confirm previous observations that older people may have some adaptive ability to better handle the acute psychological stressors associated with recent HIV infection.

An initial validation of a new quality of life measure for adults with intellectual disability: The Mini-MANS-LD

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-193
Author(s):  
Roman Raczka ◽  
Kate Theodore ◽  
Janice Williams
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Life Measure ◽  
Acceptable Internal Consistency ◽  
Report Measure

There is an appropriate increasing focus on the need to ensure the voices of people with intellectual disability are captured as part of assessing individuals’ quality of life; however, there remains a lack of a consensus on ways to achieve this. This article describes the development of a self-report measure of quality of life for people with intellectual disability, the ‘Mini-MANS-LD’, based on the concepts of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Following use with 33 individuals with intellectual disability, the Mini-MANS-LD was found to have acceptable psychometric properties, including moderate congruent validity and acceptable internal consistency. Administrators’ feedback suggested good acceptability and feasibility, and the measure was relatively quick to administer, easy to use and acceptable to service users. Despite a small sample size, this initial study suggests that the Mini-MANS-LD may present a conceptually relevant, feasible and acceptable self-report measure of quality of life for people with intellectual disability.

The SCIA Questionnaire: standards for communities for children and adolescents – a tool for the evaluation of good practices

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Cinzia Guarnaccia ◽  
Anna Maria Ferraro ◽  
Maria Lo Cascio ◽  
Simone Bruschetta ◽  
Francesca Giannone
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Therapeutic Communities ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the Italian validation of the standards for communities for children and adolescents (SCIA) Questionnaire, an evaluation tool of communities quality standards, based on the “Service Standards for Therapeutic Communities for Children and Young People – 2nd edition” of the Community of Communities (2009), that enables an empirical, multidimensional and complex evaluation of the therapeutic community (TC) “system”. It is a self-report that sets out and measures variables that allow to get an overview of organisational models and the possible development areas to improve the effectiveness of the protection of child and adolescents in community treatment. The validation and a preliminary analysis to develop a short version of the SCIA are presented. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire (composed, in the extended form, by 143 items) was administered to 101 community workers, 20 males (19.8 per cent) and 81 females (81.2 per cent) aged between 24 and 61 years (M=36.20, SD=8.4). The analysis of reliability (Cronbach’s α) and a series of exploratory factor analysis allowed to eliminate redundant or less significant items. Findings The short form of the self-report consists of 67 items, divided into seven subscales, which explore different areas of intervention in TCs. Despite the limitations due to the small sample size, the utility of this tool remains confirmed by its clinical use and the development of good operating practices. Originality/value The SCIA Questionnaire responds to the need to adopt empirical variables in the process of evaluation of the communities. The SCIA is also a useful tool for clinical evaluation, as it allows a detailed observation of residential community treatment with children and adolescents that allows to analyse and monitor the structural and organisational aspects and the quality of practices that guide the interventions.

scholarly journals Internship and Private Fellowship: Why is it Difficult for Companies to Find Suitable Candidates?

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-187
Author(s):  
Bogdan Rusu
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
A Company

AbstractThis exploratory study aims to identify the factors that prevent companies to find suitable candidates for private fellowships and internships: what students believe to be the causes, how would they explain these and which stakeholders should be involved to eliminate them. Data collection based on a sample of 18 engineering students that attended a company presentation inviting applications for private fellowship and student practice. Opinions were expressed in writing prior to structured interviews and group discussions. Limitations to this study are the relatively small sample size (n =18) and reliance on self-report measures. Information related causes were perceived by the students to lead their decisions, followed by lack of self-confidence of successful application for the grant. Respondents were classified in „Doers”, „Wishers “and „Lagers”. Universities must reinvent themselves in order to provide students with better knowledge and confidence on the job market, measured through a larger number of doers, which could become role models for wishers. Such process may generate a “critical mass” or tipping point in the transformation of a significant number of “wishers and lagers”. Whilst some of the students’ opinions are subjective, cooperation between universities and companies must continue to improve in order to enhance learning and better prepare students for their future careers.

scholarly journals Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention with Sheltered Youth Experiencing Homelessness

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-272
Author(s):  
Diane Santa Maria ◽  
Paula Cuccaro ◽  
Kimberly Bender ◽  
Stanley Cron ◽  
Micki Fine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Test Design ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Potential Efficacy ◽  
Delivery Format ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quantitative Assessments

Abstract Objectives Evidence of the acceptability and potential efficacy of mindfulness strategies with at-risk youth is mounting. Yet only a few studies have assessed these strategies among youth experiencing homelessness (YEH). Methods We conducted a mixed methods feasibility study of an adapted mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) with sheltered YEH. The MBI consisted of five 1.5-h sessions delivered at a youth homeless shelter over 2.5 weeks. A one-group pre/post-test design was utilized to collect quantitative assessments of real-time cognitions followed by qualitative inquiry to assess participants’ experiences and perceptions of the intervention. Results Participants (N = 39) were between 18–21 years old with the majority identifying as male (56.4%), heterosexual (74.4%), Black (51.3%) and Hispanic (15.4%). Attendance was challenging for participants (2.2 sessions attended on average) who had varying work and school obligations. However, pre–post session survey data completeness was excellent (92% completion rate). Participants completed self-report surveys prior to and after each session that measured affect. Significant improvement in pre–post session outcomes were found for frustration, restlessness, stress, depression, boredom, and mindlessness. Participants reported high levels of acceptability of the curriculum content and delivery format. However, several substantial adaptations that youth identified may improve feasibility and acceptability among YEH. The results are limited by the small sample size and the use of a curriculum not developed with or for YEH. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential feasibility of using MBIs among YEH although adaptations to existing curricula are necessary to increase relevance, acceptability of, and access to MBIs among YEH.

The similiarity of facial expressions in response to emotion-inducing films in reared-apart twins

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 1475-1483 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Kendler ◽  
L. J. Halberstadt ◽  
F. Butera ◽  
J. Myers ◽  
T. Bouchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional Expressions ◽  
Emotional Facial Expressions ◽  
Minimal Contact

BackgroundWhile the role of genetic factors in self-report measures of emotion has been frequently studied, we know little about the degree to which genetic factors influence emotional facial expressions.MethodTwenty-eight pairs of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins from the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart were shown three emotion-inducing films and their facial responses recorded. These recordings were blindly scored by trained raters. Ranked correlations between twins were calculated controlling for age and sex.ResultsTwin pairs were significantly correlated for facial expressions of general positive emotions, happiness, surprise and anger, but not for general negative emotions, sadness, or disgust or average emotional intensity. MZ pairs (n=18) were more correlated than DZ pairs (n=10) for most but not all emotional expressions.ConclusionsSince these twin pairs had minimal contact with each other prior to testing, these results support significant genetic effects on the facial display of at least some human emotions in response to standardized stimuli. The small sample size resulted in estimated twin correlations with very wide confidence intervals.

scholarly journals Impact of Spirituality on Depression, Anxiety and Stress of Students Preparing for Competitive Exams

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manpreet Ola
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Significant Inverse Correlation ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
College Ranking ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
History Of ◽  
Age Range

Background: Gradually over the years trend towards education system in our country has changed, it has become highly competitive. On the basis of one’s grades admissions to various “top colleges” is provided, which further leads to “high packaged placements”. On the basis of one’s job status and college ranking their self worth is measured and all this puts lot of burden on students who have to continuously strive to achieve better than their batch mates, their siblings, relatives, neighbors etc. Aim: The aim of the study was to see whether spirituality would have any impact on depression, anxiety and stress in male and female students preparing for competitive exams. Methods: Participants were 60 students (30 males and 30 females) from areas of Rajasthan and Delhi, India, in the age range of 16-25 years, with no history of any psychiatric illness. They gave their consent to participate in the study. Spirituality was assessed using the daily spiritual experience scale by Underwood & Teresi, (2002), depression, anxiety, and stress levels through Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS by Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Sample was purposive and the data were collected in individual situations. Results: There was difference between male and female students with regard to spirituality, depression, anxiety and stress, however only on the dimension of anxiety the results were significant, where female students had significantly more anxiety than that of male students (t = 2.87, p = .01). With regard to correlation between spirituality, depression, anxiety and stress there was significant inverse correlation for male and female students. However only for anxiety scores in females, there was a significant inverse correlation (r=-.417, p= .01). Conclusion: It can be concluded that spirituality to some extent helps in reducing anxiety. At the same time it is essential for us to realize that spirituality is not the only way to help the young stressed students to cope with this life challenge, the family simultaneously needs to be supportive and not over pressurize the students and should stop comparing them to one or the other. However due to the small sample size the result findings cannot be generalized.

scholarly journals Immune Response to an Acute Moderate Dose of Alcohol in Healthy Young Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 616-623
Author(s):  
Mollie A Monnig ◽  
Philip S Lamb ◽  
Jose M Parra ◽  
Patricia A Cioe ◽  
Christina M Martone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Placebo Condition ◽  
Alcohol Craving ◽  
Linear Decrease ◽  
Cluster Of Differentiation

Abstract Prior research on alcohol and the immune system has tended to focus on binge doses or chronic heavy drinking. The aim of this single-session preliminary study was to characterize immune response to moderate alcohol (0.60 g alcohol per kilogram body weight) in healthy, nonchronic drinkers. The sample (N = 11) averaged 26.6 years of age and was balanced in gender. Plasma samples were collected at baseline and 1, 2 and 3 hours postconsumption. Markers of microbial translocation [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] and innate immune response [LPS-binding protein (LBP), soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14), and selected cytokines] were measured using immunoassays. Participants completed self-report questionnaires on subjective alcohol response and craving. Linear mixed models were used to assess changes in biomarkers and self-report measures. Breath alcohol concentration peaked at 0.069 ± 0.008% 1 hour postconsumption. LPS showed a significant linear decrease. LBP and sCD14 showed significant, nonlinear (U-shaped) trajectories wherein levels decreased at 1 hour then rebounded by 3 hours. Of nine cytokines tested, only MCP-1 and IL-8 were detectable in ≥50% of samples. IL-8 did not change significantly. MCP-1 showed a significant linear decrease and also accounted for significant variance in alcohol craving, with higher levels associated with stronger craving. Results offer novel evidence on acute immune response to moderate alcohol. Changes in LBP and sCD14, relative to LPS, may reflect their role in LPS clearance. Results also support further investigation into the role of MCP-1 in alcohol craving. Limitations include small sample size and lack of a placebo condition.

scholarly journals A Commentary on Diversity Measures UniFrac in Very Small Sample Size

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117693431984351
Author(s):  
Judith Agueda Roldán Ahumada ◽  
Martha Lorena Avendaño Garrido
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Empirical Distributions ◽  
Diversity Measures ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Metric Definition

In phylogenetic, the diversity measures as UniFrac, weighted UniFrac, and normalized weighted UniFrac are used to estimate the closeness between two samples of genetic material sequences. These measures are widely used in microbiology to compare microbial communities. Furthermore, when the sample size is large enough, very good results have been obtained experimentally. However, some authors do not suggest using them when the sample size is very small. Recently, it has been mentioned that the weighted UniFrac measure can be seen as the Kantorovich-Rubinstein metric between the corresponding empirical distributions of samples of genetic material. Also, it is well known that the Kantorovich-Rubinstein metric complies the metric definition. However, one of the main reasons to establish it is that the sample size is large enough. The goal of this article is to prove that the diversity measures UniFrac are not metrics when the sample size is very small, which justifies why it must not be used in that case, but yes the Kantorovich-Rubinstein metric.

scholarly journals Effort-Reward Imbalance and Work Productivity Among Hotel Housekeeping Employees: A Pilot Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 516-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Anne S. Rosemberg ◽  
Yang Li
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effort Reward Imbalance ◽  
Reward Imbalance ◽  
The Relationship

This study explored the relationship between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) at work and work productivity among hotel housekeepers. A community-based approach was used to recruit 23 hotel housekeepers who completed the ERI and Work Performance Questionnaires. Work productivity was determined by combining self-report absenteeism and presenteeism. More than 40% of the participants reported high ERI (ERI >1). Also, 59.1% reported low work productivity. Interestingly, despite the individualized high reports of ERI and low work productivity, correlation analysis showed that high ERI was correlated with high presenteeism and work productivity as a whole. This is the first study to explore work productivity among this worker group. Despite the small sample size and the cross-sectional nature of the study, this study points to the need for organization-based interventions to not only improve employee health but also their work productivity.

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