bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduction in Varicose Vein Services: Impact on Operative Training
Authors: Bajwa A , Magee TR , Galland RB
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION

This study examines the impact of rationing varicose vein operations on operative training on a general surgical unit with a vascular interest.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Log-books of middle-grade surgeons were analysed for 3-month periods before and after a decision by the local Primary Care Trust to ration varicose vein referrals. Number, intermediate equivalents and type of operations were recorded, whether they were general or vascular cases and whether the trainee had carried out or assisted with the operation.

RESULTS

There was a slight fall in the total number of operations in which the middle-grade surgeons were involved (208 to 186). There was a significant increase in general surgical cases with the fall in number of varicose vein operations (P < 0.0001).The fall in case-load and work-load operative training in vascular surgery was compensated by an increase in general surgical cases (P = 0.0003). This was largely due to increased number of hernia repairs (P = 0.0035).

CONCLUSIONS

From the point of operative training, a vascular unit in a district general hospital would not be sustainable following withdrawal of varicose vein services. However, this can be off-set by increasing general surgical case-load to fill the gap created.
Extruded Filshie Clip Presenting as an Ischiorectal Abscess
Authors: Dua R Sascha , Dworkin Michael J
Published: January 2008

This report adds to the small, but significant, literature base describing late complications following laparoscopic sterilisation. In women with recalcitrant peri-anal sepsis (who have previously undergone a sterilisation procedure) the possibility of tubal clip migration should be borne in mind. This is also an important learning point from a medicolegal point of view as patients presenting with the sequelae of clip migration will need to be counselled, and possibly investigated, with respect to the efficacy of their sterilisation procedure.
Dangers in the Use of Staplers in Liver Surgery
Authors: Riga Angela , Karanjia Nariman
Published: January 2008

The use of endoscopic vascular staplers has become common practice in recent years both in open and minimally invasive surgery. The technological advances, however, are not free of problems. In our practice, we have come across two cases where the Endopath ETS Flex 45 Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutter failed with dangerous consequences.
Managing the 2-Week Wait for Breast Patients
Authors: Singhal Rishi , Marudanayagam Ravi , Balasubramanian B , Paterson IS
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION

Published data suggest that the 2-week wait system and triple assessment at one fast-track clinic visit is an out-dated method of capturing disease from a referral population. These studies report up to 32% of breast cancer coming from routine referrals. It has been recommended, therefore, that all breast referrals should be seen within 2 weeks. The sheer volume of referrals are likely to prevent this target being achieved. The aim of this study was to analyse the performance of our fast-track system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull fast-track clinics were set up in 1999 with a prospective audit system. The data from this audit were retrospectively analysed and cross-referenced with the cancer data base to determine the referral origin of breast cancers from November 1999 to February 2005.

RESULTS

A total of 14,303 (fast-track, n = 6678; routine referral, n = 7625) patients were seen over a 5-year period. Overall, 1095 cancers (91.8% of the total) came from the fast-track clinics which had a pick-up rate of 16.4% compared with 98 cancers (8.2% of the total) and a pick-up rate of 1.3% for routine referrals (P < 0.001). The appropriateness of fast-track referral was also analysed which showed that 14.4% of cancers were detected if the referral criteria were met compared to 0.55% if they were inappropriate (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The traditional fast-track, triple assessment breast clinic is an efficient and well-structured way of diagnosing disease. We recommend that the two system referral pattern should continue.
Assessment of Pre-Operative Delays in the Management of Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Sadat U , Hayes PD , Gaunt ME , Varty K , Boyle JR
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION

Successful endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) requires detailed pre-operative imaging to allow device planning. This process may delay surgery and some aneurysms may rupture prior to intervention. The aim of this study was to quantify these delays.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were collected prospectively on all patients presenting with non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) between January 2003 and October 2005. The delay between referral, the first out-patient visit, CT-scan, follow-up appointment and surgery were quantified in all patients and compared between two groups undergoing open repair and EVAR.

RESULTS

A total of 146 patients underwent AAA repair during the study (48 EVAR versus 98 open repair). There was no significant differences in the wait for CT scans between the groups (median 42 days for EVAR versus 47 days for open repairs [P = 0.48]) or the median interval between decision to operate and surgery (56 days versus 42 days [P = 0.075]). However, the median delay between referral and surgery was significantly longer in those patients undergoing EVAR at 129 days versus 77 days for open repair (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients presenting electively with AAAs experienced significant delay from referral to surgery. This delay was significantly greater in those patients undergoing endovascular repair. Inevitably, some patients will rupture whilst waiting and strategies aimed at reducing delay should be pursued.
Pre-Hospital and In-Hospital Thoracostomy: Indications and Complications
Authors: Aylwin Christopher J , Brohi Karim , Davies Gareth D , Walsh Michael S
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION

Pleural drainage with chest tube insertion for thoracic trauma is a common and often life-saving technique. Although considered a simple procedure, complication rates have been reported to be 2–25%. We conducted a prospective cohort observational study of emergency pleural drainage procedures to validate the indications for pre-hospital thoracostomy and to identify complications from both pre- and in-hospital thoracostomies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were collected over a 7-month period on all patients receiving either pre-hospital thoracostomy or emergency department tube thoracostomy. Outcome measures were appropriate indications, errors in tube placement and subsequent complications.

RESULTS

Ninety-one chest tubes were placed into 52 patients. Sixty-five thoracostomies were performed in the field without chest tube placement. Twenty-six procedures were performed following emergency department identification of thoracic injury. Of the 65 pre-hospital thoracostomies, 40 (61%) were for appropriate indications of suspected tension pneumothorax or a low output state. The overall complication rate was 14% of which 9% were classified as major and three patients required surgical intervention. Twenty-eight (31%) chest tubes were poorly positioned and 15 (17%) of these required repositioning.

CONCLUSIONS

Pleural drainage techniques may be complicated and have the potential to cause life-threatening injury. Pre-hospital thoracostomies have the same potential risks as in-hospital procedures and attention must be paid to insertion techniques under difficult scene conditions. In-hospital chest tube placement complication rates remain uncomfortably high, and attention must be placed on training and assessment of staff in this basic procedure.
A Survey to Investigate Shortfalls in the Dental Care Professional (DCP) Workforce in South Yorkshire in 2004
Authors: Jackson Rachel J , Baird Wendy O , Worthington Lee S , Robinson Peter G
Published: January 2008

Aim

To determine the composition of the dental care professional (DCP) workforce in South Yorkshire, the existence of any training requirements, and future intentions and motivations relating to the provision of National Health Service (NHS) dental care.

Methods

The study used mixed methods and incorporated a cross-sectional postal questionnaire and focus groups. The questionnaire was sent to all NHS dental practices in South Yorkshire (n=201) for completion by a principal general dental practitioner (GDP). Focus groups were held with GDPs in these practices.

Results

Responses were received from principal GDPs at 156 practices (78%). A total of 624 dental nurses, 65 dental hygienists and 24 dental therapists were employed in the responding General Dental Services (GDS) practices, representing whole-time equivalents (WTEs) of 458.5, 18.5 and 10.1, respectively. Many practices had current vacancies for DCPs, with 24.9 WTE available for dental nurses, 3.7 WTE for dental hygienists, and 5.0 WTE for dental therapists. Workforce shortages were evident among dental nurses (5.2%), dental hygienists (16.7%), and dental therapists (33.0%). Principal GDPs suggested that improved terms and conditions of employment for DCPs, particularly dental nurses, might aid recruitment and retention in NHS practice.

Conclusions

Respondents perceived that there were shortages in the DCP workforce in South Yorkshire. Initiatives are required to address these shortages.
Changes in the Balance between Dentists, Patients and Funders in the NHS and their Consequences
Authors: Richards Wayne , Gear Tony
Published: January 2008

This paper explores aspects of professional culture in dentistry that may impact on the delivery of equitable dental services in the future. After 2009, commissioners will have to ration National Health Service budgets for health services and dentistry will compete with other services. Therefore, the delivery of equitable oral health services may be an advantage in the case for dentistry and subsequent funding. We report our opinions on the changes currently occurring in dentistry in England and Wales, based on the evidence available to us from the literature, and consider the risks and opportunities that have arisen.
An Investigation of Trainers’ and VDPs’ Views in the Mersey Deanery of the FGDP(UK) Key Skills in Primary Dental Care and Assessment of Vocational Training
Authors: Palmer Nikolaus OA , Grieveson Brian
Published: January 2008

Objective

To investigate the views of vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) and trainers in the Mersey Deanery on the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) Key Skills in Primary Dental Care and other means of assessing satisfactory completion of vocational training (VT).

Design

An anonymous four-part questionnaire survey was delivered to all 48 dental vocational trainers and VDPs at the final day of the educational day-release programme in the Mersey Deanery.

Results

There was a 100% response rate from VDPs and a 91% response rate from their trainers. Overall the VDPs and trainers thought the FGDP(UK) Key Skills were a good idea but the VDPs felt completion of all the key skills during the VT year was time-consuming. Eighty-one per cent of trainers but only 52% of VDPs felt there should be a formal assessment of the VT year. Neither group unanimously agreed that completion of key skills alone was a marker of successful completion of the VT year. For assessment of clinical performance the only areas of agreement were direct observation of performance, review of patients following treatment, and tutorial sessions.

Conclusions

The FGDP(UK) Key Skills have an important role in assessing competence in a number of important areas for VDPs. However, satisfactory completion of the key skills alone fails to assess clinical performance. Other methods of assessment of completion of VT will need to be considered in the light of the principles of assessment as laid down by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB).
Obtaining Informed Consent for Children Receiving Dental Care: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shahid Swarngit K , Godson Jennifer H , Williams Sonia A , Nykol Joanne
Published: January 2008

Aim

To explore the outcome of the consent process with parents/carers of children of different ethnic minority backgrounds in a primary care salaried dental service setting.

Materials and Methods

One hundred parents of children were recruited to the study. The sample was balanced by ethnicity (White and Pakistani) and type of care (routine and general anaesthesia [GA]). Subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire enquiring about the various aspects of the consent process.

Results

For routine care, 53% of parents were unaware of the type of pain relief to be used. The majority (78%) knew of the benefits of treatment but few (7%) were aware of risks or alternative treatment options (5%). Significantly more White parents were able to recall the treatment their child was to receive compared with Pakistani parents ( P<0.01). With respect to GA, there were no significant differences according to ethnicity. Most parents (95%) could recall risks of treatment and 72% of parents could report benefits; however, only 20% could recall discussion of alternative treatment options.

Conclusion

For procedures involving GA, consent is more likely to be informed. For routine care, a more structured approach is required and Pakistani parents in particular need more support. A third of all parents (routine and GA group) felt that they had not been involved in the final treatment decision.
Restorative dentistry – what's it all about?
Authors: King Paul
Published: January 2008

The specialty of restorative dentistry encompasses the monospecialties of endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics, and involves the provision of care and advice for patients with complex problems associated with restoring satisfactory oral and dental function and aesthetics. Restorative dentistry has been recognised within the UK for nearly 25 years, becoming the third dental specialty along with the pre-existing specialties of oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics in 1973.
ISTCs: College to audit patient outcomes
Authors: Towell Elaine
Published: January 2008

Independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) have proved controversial since they were brought into the health service in 2003 to meet the government's ambitious targets for reducing waiting lists to 18 weeks from GP referral to the operating theatre. Extensive media coverage on ISTCs has focused on both the positives: shorter waiting times and patient choice; and the negatives, accusing them of 'cherry-picking' the easiest patients, depriving the NHS of money and doctors of experience.
Recognising excellence: the ACCEA regional subcommittee
Authors: Jones Warren
Published: January 2008

Clinical Excellence Awards (CEAs) are awarded 'to recognise and reward the exceptional contribution of NHS consultants, over and above that normally expected in a job, to the values and goals of the NHS and to patient care' (see http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/accea/index.htm). Levels 1–8 and local 9 (bronze) of the CEAs can be awarded by employing Trusts; national 9 (bronze), 10 (silver), 11 (gold) and 12 (platinum) are awarded by the Advisory Committee on CEAs (ACCEA) taking into account the advice of their regional subcommittees. In England there are 13 ACCEA subcommittees, with up to 24 members.
Implementing schools of surgery
Authors: Graham Ruth , Bowman Kate , Gillies Rob
Published: January 2008

The past year of surgical education and training has been characterised with transformations of curricula, recruitment, regulation and organisational structures. As part of the organisational structure of the postgraduate deaneries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, schools of surgery have been established or are emerging and are the means of delivery of the new training systems. In Scotland a different organisational structure has emerged with similar purpose, a surgical specialties training board. The establishment of these schools has been varied based on existing local training committee structures and the needs and funds of the deanery. At their heart is high-level deanery and College collaboration enabling the delivery of high-quality education and training programmes in a coordinated manner by local surgeons.
Does anybody care about the trainer?
Authors: Towell Elaine
Published: January 2008

'Deans, royal colleges and the British Medical Association all beat the drum for surgical trainees but when it comes to those who deliver the training at the coalface it's a different story' – so says Ray Clarke, a consultant paediatric ENT surgeon and former winner of the Silver Scalpel award for excellence in surgical training. 'No matter how you remodel, modernise, streamline or restructure training programmes, surgical training still relies heavily on mentorship, support and role modelling by committed postgraduate trainers. Otherwise it just doesn't happen' says Mr Clarke, who teaches at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.
Leadership and party politics
Authors: Ribeiro Bernard
Published: January 2008

It is rare to attend a national meeting when a speaker holds the audience spellbound from beginning to end. Leadership is a topic that is often discussed these days, but few of us really know what it means, perhaps because we have few medical examples. Invariably those who are able to speak from experience are leaders of teams, be they in sport or business. My first experience of being spellbound by a speaker was at the annual meeting of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2000 when the late Sir Peter Blake, whose successful defence of the America's Cup in 2000 was the first by any non-American team, gave a lecture on leadership and motivation. It was clear that he led by example and it was easy to see why.
Survey finds SAS surgeons 'indispensable but disillusioned'
Authors: Sankar Thangasamy , Clark David , Clarke Justine
Published: January 2008

In order to obtain more detailed information about the issues facing staff and associate specialist (SAS) surgeons, the SAS committee at the College undertook a pilot online survey of surgeons concerned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, This survey is expected to help the College to identify the needs of SAS surgeons and offer them support. The findings of the survey will be used as a basis for the SAS committee's work plan for 2008–2009.
Surviving the exit exam
Authors: McCarthy Kathryn
Published: January 2008

The exit exam (intercollegiate specialty examination) is the final rite of passage for surgical trainees. 'Old-system' SpRs like us have spent many years as SHOs, several more years in research and are then lucky enough to become registrars. The final years of training have been spent developing specialist operative skills and gaining as much practical experience as possible before taking on full responsibility as a consultant surgeon. During these years learning the craft of surgery is at its most intensive. The prospect, therefore, of a sudden return to a theory examination is a daunting one.
Modernising Medical Careers: a urological workforce perspective
Authors: Hellawell GO , Kommu SS , Mumtaz F
Published: January 2008

The training of junior doctors in the UK is undergoing an evolution to ensure that those concerned are adequately trained and specialised for current and future consultant practice. The implementation of this training evolution is currently widespread at the foundation level (SHO-equivalent) and will expand to specialty training programmes as foundation programme trainees complete their training in 2007. Urology has led the change to the specialty training, with three-year trainees having entered the specialty in 2005. The emergence of urology as the lead specialty for change originated in part from a meeting in 1998 that addressed the future of urology and training, the summary of which was published later that year.
Lest we forget
Authors: Ribeiro Bernard
Published: January 2008

As we enter the new year it is sobering to reflect that many of the medical officers who fought in the campaigns of the second world war are now well into their 80s and 90s or remembered in the obituaries of the national newspapers or the BMJ. I am delighted that this issue of the Bulletin carries a supplement detailing Clifford Brewer's experiences as a medical officer during the last world war. Richard Earlam is to be congratulated for bringing the exploits of one of our oldest fellows to your attention. It will bring great pleasure to many of you who know Clifford Brewer and the many surgeons with whom he had the privilege to serve.
Training parents to help their children read: A randomized control trial
Authors: Sylva Kathy , Scott Stephen , Totsika Vasiliki , Ereky‐Stevens Katharina , Crook Carolyn
Published: January 2008

Background. Low levels of literacy and high levels of behaviour problems in middle childhood often co‐occur. These persistent difficulties pose a risk to academic and social development, leading to social exclusion in adulthood. Although parent‐training programmes have been shown to be effective in enabling parents to support their children's development, very few parent interventions offer a combination of behavioural and literacy training.

Aims. This paper (1) reports on a prevention programme which aimed to tackle behaviour and literacy problems in children at the beginning of school, and (2) presents the effects of the intervention on children's literacy.

Sample. One hundred and four 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children selected from eight schools in an inner city disadvantaged community in London participated in the intervention.

Methods. This is a randomized control trial with pre‐ and post‐measurements designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention. The behavioural intervention consisted of the ‘Incredible Years’ group parenting programme combined with a new programme designed to train parents to support their children's reading at home.

Results. Analyses demonstrated a significant effect of the intervention on children's word reading and writing skills, as well as parents' use of reading strategies with their children.

Conclusion. A structured multicomponent preventive package delivered with attention to fidelity can enable parents to support their children's reading at home and increase their literacy skills. Together with the improvement in child behaviour, these changes could improve the life chances of children in disadvantaged communities.
Intelligence for education: As described by Piaget and measured by psychometrics
Authors: Shayer Michael.
Published: January 2008

Two separate paths to the concept of intelligence are discussed: the psychometric path being concerned with the measurement of intelligence, involving the methodology of norm‐referenced testing; the path followed by Piaget, and others, addresses from the start the related question of how intelligence can be described, and employs a criterion‐referenced methodology. The achievements of psychometrics are briefly described, with an argument that they now remain important tools of what Kuhn called ‘normal science’. The criterion‐referenced approach of Piaget and others is described, with evidence from intervention studies that the Genevan descriptions of children‐in‐action have allowed the choice of contexts within which children can profitably be challenged to go further in their thinking. Hence, Genevan psychology is also now a part of the normal science with important uses, shown both in neo‐Piagetian studies and further research stemming from Geneva. Discussion of the ‘Flynn effect’ sheds light on both paths, with problems still unresolved. The argument is then developed that the relevance of neuroscience needs to be discussed to try to decide in what ways it may provide useful insights into intelligence.
Task‐ and self‐related pathways to deep learning: The mediating role of achievement goals, classroom attentiveness, and group participation
Authors: Lau Shun , Liem Arief Darmanegara , Nie Youyan
Published: January 2008

Background The expectancy‐value and achievement goal theories are arguably the two most dominant theories of achievement motivation in the contemporary literature. However, very few studies have examined how the constructs derived from both theories are related to deep learning. Moreover, although there is evidence demonstrating the links between achievement goals and deep learning, little research has examined the mediating processes involved.

Aims The aims of this research were to: (a) investigate the role of task‐ and self‐related beliefs (task value and self‐efficacy) as well as achievement goals in predicting deep learning in mathematics and (b) examine how classroom attentiveness and group participation mediated the relations between achievement goals and deep learning.

Sample The sample comprised 1,476 Grade‐9 students from 39 schools in Singapore.

Methods Students' self‐efficacy, task value, achievement goals, classroom attentiveness, group participation, and deep learning in mathematics were assessed by a self‐reported questionnaire administered on‐line. Structural equation modelling was performed to test the hypothesized model linking these variables.

Results and conclusions Task value was predictive of task‐related achievement goals whereas self‐efficacy was predictive of task‐approach, performance‐approach, and performance‐avoidance goals. Achievement goals were found to fully mediate the relations between task value and self‐efficacy on the one hand, and classroom attentiveness, group participation, and deep learning on the other. Classroom attentiveness and group participation partially mediated the relations between achievement goal adoption and deep learning. The findings suggest that (a) task‐ and self‐related pathways are two possible routes through which students could be motivated to learn and (b) like task‐approach goals, performance‐approach goals could lead to adaptive processes and outcomes.
Book Reviews
Authors: Hudry Kristelle
Published: January 2008

Analysing rater agreement: Manifest variable methods

By Alexander von Eye and Eun Young Mun Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Mahwah, NJ, USA 2004, £33.95 ISBN 0‐80584‐967‐X
Bootstrap confidence intervals in multi‐level simultaneous component analysis
Authors: Timmerman Marieke E. , Kiers Henk A. L. , Smilde Age K. , Ceulemans Eva , Stouten Jeroen
Published: January 2008

Multi‐level simultaneous component analysis (MLSCA) was designed for the exploratory analysis of hierarchically ordered data. MLSCA specifies a component model for each level in the data, where appropriate constraints express possible similarities between groups of objects at a certain level, yielding four MLSCA variants. The present paper discusses different bootstrap strategies for estimating confidence intervals (CIs) on the individual parameters. In selecting a proper strategy, the main issues to address are the resampling scheme and the non‐uniqueness of the parameters. The resampling scheme depends on which level(s) in the hierarchy are considered random, and which fixed. The degree of non‐uniqueness depends on the MLSCA variant, and, in two variants, the extent to which the user exploits the transformational freedom. A comparative simulation study examines the quality of bootstrap CIs of different MLSCA parameters. Generally, the quality of bootstrap CIs appears to be good, provided the sample sizes are sufficient at each level that is considered to be random. The latter implies that if more than a single level is considered random, the total number of observations necessary to obtain reliable inferential information increases dramatically. An empirical example illustrates the use of bootstrap CIs in MLSCA.
Lack of concordance between subjective improvement and symptom change in psychotic episodes
Authors: Kupper Zeno. , Tschacher Wolfgang.
Published: January 2008

Objectives

Subjective, self‐rated improvement in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders can carry significance as a first‐person account of treatment outcome, and can be of importance for the individual patient's acceptance of further treatment, including psychological treatments. This study assessed the concordance between post‐treatment subjective improvement and the observed symptom change after a psychotic episode.

Design

Longitudinal study based on daily symptom ratings.

Method

The study sample consisted of 43 younger, primarily first‐ or second‐episode patients. Observed symptom change was calculated as both pre–post differences and symptom trajectories. Subjective improvement was assessed at the end of treatment by using the ‘Emotional and Behavioural Changes in Psychotherapy Questionnaire’ (VEV), a retrospective measure of subjective change.

Results

The findings indicated no significant concordance between pre–post differences in symptoms and self‐rated improvement, nor were final levels of symptoms related to subjective improvement. Higher initial and mean symptom levels for positive symptoms were related to a lower degree of subjective improvement. A shorter duration of an initial trend‐like improvement in psychosis was shown to be associated with greater subjective improvement.

Conclusions

Subjective assessment of improvement may differ markedly from symptom change. In psychotic episodes, more severe initial positive symptoms as well as a delayed improvement of positive symptoms may be related to a reduced subjective experience of improvement for the duration of the entire episode. The treatment of psychosis should take a possible discordance between subjective and objective change into account.
An index‐based short form of the WAIS‐III with accompanying analysis of reliability and abnormality of differences
Authors: Crawford John R. , Allum Samantha. , Kinion Jess E.
Published: January 2008

Objectives

To develop an index‐based, seven subtest, short form of the WAIS‐III that offers the same comprehensive range of analytic methods available for the full‐length version.

Design and Methods

Psychometric.

Results

The short‐form indices had high reliability and criterion validity. Scores are expressed as index scores and as percentiles. Methods are provided that allow setting of confidence limits on scores, and analysis of the reliability and abnormality of index score differences. A computer program that automates scoring and implements all the analytical methods accompanies this paper and can be downloaded from the following web address: http:www.abdn.ac.uk psy086Deptsf_wais3.htm.

Conclusions

The short form will be useful when pressure of time or client fatigue precludes use of a full‐length WAIS‐III. The accompanying computer program scores and analyses an individual's performance on the short form instantaneously and minimizes the chance of clerical error.
Uncertainty and the influence of group norms in the attitude–behaviour relationship
Authors: Smith Joanne R. , Hogg Michael A. , Martin Robin , Terry Deborah J.
Published: January 2008

Two studies were conducted to examine the impact of subjective uncertainty on conformity to group norms in the attitude–behaviour context. In both studies, subjective uncertainty was manipulated using a deliberative mindset manipulation (McGregor, Zanna, Holmes, & Spencer, 2001). In Study 1 (N =106), participants were exposed to either an attitude‐congruent or an attitude‐incongruent in‐group norm. In Study 2 (N =83), participants were exposed to either a congruent, incongruent, or an ambiguous in‐group norm. Ranges of attitude–behaviour outcomes, including attitude‐intention consistency and change in attitude‐certainty, were assessed. In both studies, levels of group‐normative behaviour varied as a function of uncertainty condition. In Study 1, conformity to group norms, as evidenced by variations in the level of attitude‐intention consistency, was observed only in the high uncertainty condition. In Study 2, exposure to an ambiguous norm had different effects for those in the low and the high uncertainty conditions. In the low uncertainty condition, greatest conformity was observed in the attitude‐congruent norm condition compared with an attitude‐congruent or ambiguous norm. In contrast, individuals in the high uncertainty condition displayed greatest conformity when exposed to either an attitude‐congruent or an ambiguous in‐group norm. The implications of these results for the role of subjective uncertainty in social influence processes are discussed.
Anticipated regret as an additional predictor in the theory of planned behaviour: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sandberg Tracy , Conner Mark
Published: January 2008

This paper details the results of a meta‐analysis incorporating all the appropriately augmented TPB studies in order to statistically determine the additive effects of anticipated regret (AR) both to the prediction of intentions after the TPB variables and to the direct impacts on behaviour. Over a number of studies there was a strong AR–intention relationship (r+=.47, k =25, N =11,254), and AR significantly and independently added to the prediction of intentions over and above the TPB variables; there was a moderate relationship between AR and behaviour (r+=.28, k =8, N =2,035) with AR having a direct and significant impact on prospective behaviour, and there was support for the unique contribution of AR even when accounting for attitude. Implications and issues for further research are discussed.
The role of motivational and volitional factors for self‐regulated running training: Associations on the between‐ and within‐ person level
Authors: Scholz Urte , Nagy Gabriel , Schüz Benjamin , Ziegelmann Jochen P.
Published: January 2008

Objectives

Most studies examine associations between social‐cognitive variables and self‐regulated behavioural change across two or three occasions only. This study adopts an innovative perspective by analysing associations across 11 occasions, which allows examining patterns of associations both on the between‐ and within‐person levels.

Method

Thirty initially untrained participants of a running training programme completed 11 monthly questionnaires. All questionnaires assessed motivational and volitional variables and self‐reported running. Additionally, net running time of marathon, or half‐marathon distance at the end of programme, was available.

Results

Self‐efficacy turned out to be associated with intentions on the between‐ and within‐person levels. Individual differences in change patterns and within‐person fluctuations in volitional variables, intentions, and self‐efficacy turned out to be consistently associated with change patterns and within‐person fluctuations in self‐regulated running training over time and with successfully running marathon or half‐marathon distance.

Conclusions

In contrast to examining only one facet of change, this study is the first to differentiate two components of change in health behaviour self‐regulation: a systematic trend component, and a component representing within‐person unsystematic fluctuations. Thus, results of the present study provide a comprehensive picture of the dynamic relations between motivational, volitional, and behavioural characteristics which occur between and within persons.
Effects of group membership, intergroup competition and out‐group ethnicity on children's ratings of in‐group and out‐group similarity and positivity
Authors: Nesdale D……………rew , Griffiths Judith A. , Durkin Kevin , Maass Anne
Published: January 2008

Based on self‐categorization theory (SCT; Turner, Hogg, Oakes, Reicher, & Wetherell, 1987), this study examined the extent to which 7‐ and 10‐year‐old children's perceptions of similarity to, and positivity towards, their in‐group would be increased by factors predicted to enhance the salience of in‐group–out‐group categorizations. In a minimal group study, participants met the in‐group before or after the out‐group (group timing), the out‐group had the same or different ethnicity as the in‐group (out‐group ethnicity), and there was or was not to be a competition between the in‐group and the out‐group (intergroup competition). Ratings of the in‐group similarity were influenced by the out‐group ethnicity, but not by group timing or intergroup competition. Consistent with SCT, participants rated themselves as more similar to the in‐group when the out‐group had different vs. the same ethnicity. SCT's predictions concerning in‐group positivity were not confirmed. Instead, participants rated the in‐group more positively than the out‐group and the in‐group was rated more positively, when participants met the in‐group before rather than after the out‐group. Older compared with younger participants were also more prepared to change groups when the out‐group had different ethnicity. The implications for SCT are discussed.
Testing the interactive effect of parent and child ADHD on parenting in mothers and fathers: A further test of the similarity‐fit hypothesis
Authors: Psychogiou Lamprini , Daley Dave , Thompson Margaret , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund
Published: January 2008

Mother and child ADHD symptoms both have a negative effect on parenting. Little is known about how these characteristics interact. In a recent paper, we reported two studies that suggested that maternal ADHD ameliorated the negative effects of child ADHD on negative parenting supporting a similarity‐fit hypothesis. The aim of the current paper is to extend this analysis to a sample of mothers and fathers. The study examined the association between child and adult ADHD symptoms on child‐specific parenting practices in 278 mothers and 85 fathers from a population‐based sample of school‐age children. As in the previous study, high levels of ADHD symptoms in mothers ameliorated the negative effects of child ADHD on parenting – supporting the similarity‐fit hypothesis. Fathers demonstrated the opposite effect with high levels of ADHD exacerbating the effects of child ADHD – supporting a similarity‐misfit hypothesis. The study confirms the important role played by parental ADHD symptoms in parenting while highlighting differences between mothers and fathers in this regard.
Infants' perception of goal‐directed actions on video
Authors: Hofer Tanja , Hauf Petra , Aschersleben Gisa
Published: January 2008

Imitation studies and object search studies show that infants have difficulties using action information presented on video to guide their own behaviour. The present study investigated whether infants also have problems interpreting information shown on video relative to real live information. It was examined whether 6‐month‐olds interpret an action with a salient action effect as goal‐directed when it is performed by an actor on a video‐screen and when it is performed by a live actor. A video presentation of a goal‐directed action display was presented to one group of infants, and another group received the same action display, matched in all details, live on a stage. Results indicate that 6‐month‐olds in the video group as well as in the live group interpreted the human action as goal‐directed. Moreover, comparison across both groups revealed no difference in the overall looking pattern between the video and the live presentation group. Thus, our findings show that infants as young as 6 months of age can take important information from video clips and interpret televised actions in meaningful ways that is equivalent to their interpretation of live actions.
I saw the real Father Christmas! Children's everyday uses of the words real, really, and pretend
Authors: Bunce Louise , Harris Margaret
Published: January 2008

The words real, really and pretend are used in developmental research paradigms to reflect both the notions of ‘authenticity’ (in pretense‐reality and appearance‐reality research) and ‘existence’ (in fantasy‐reality research). The current study explored whether children also expressed these notions in their everyday uses of real, really, and pretend. Mothers were interviewed and kept diary records, resulting in data for a younger group of children (2‐ to 3‐year‐olds, N=80) and an older group (4‐ to 7‐year‐olds, N=101). Utterances were analysed according to different uses of the target words and the topic of conversation in which they occurred. The words real, really, and pretend were used by both the younger and older age groups predominantly to consider the authenticity of things around them. Expression of the notion of existence was less common, particularly among the younger children. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to children's performance in experimental studies, particularly those that intend to question children's understanding of the fantasy‐reality distinction.
A dispositional approach to employability: Development of a measure and test of implications for employee reactions to organizational change
Authors: Fugate Mel , Kinicki Angelo J.
Published: January 2008

This study develops and validates a dispositional measure of employability (DME). Dispositional employability was defined as a constellation of individual differences that predispose individuals to (pro)active adaptability specific to work and careers. A dispositional approach to employability represents an alternative conceptualization to those previously found in the literature. Three independent studies were conducted to establish construct validity. Using exploratory factor analysis (Study 1) and confirmatory factor analysis (Study 2), a 25‐item DME instrument was confirmed. Study 2 supported the hypothesized second‐order latent multidimensional factor structure of the DME. Study 3 confirmed the stability of the DME and provided support for its construct validity by longitudinally showing that dispositional employability was significantly related to employees' positive emotions and affective commitment related to organizational changes. It was shown that these effects were above and beyond those found for tolerance for ambiguity, work locus of control, self‐esteem, and optimism. Implications for future organizational research and practice are discussed.
Job stress and well‐being: An examination from the view of person‐environment fit
Authors: Yang Liu‐Qin , Che Hongsheng , Spector Paul E.
Published: January 2008

The current study investigated the impact of job stressors on well‐being from the perspective of person‐environment fit. Based upon a 288‐case sample from six organizations, we found that the actual and preferred career advancement themselves and their second‐order (curvilinear) combinations jointly predicted job satisfaction, mental well‐being, and turnover intention. Also, the actual and preferred quality of relationships at work and their second‐order (curvilinear) combinations jointly predicted job satisfaction, mental and physical well‐being, and turnover intention. Some possible mechanisms underlying the stressor‐outcome relationship and their implications are discussed.
Age differences between leader and followers as a moderator of the relationship between transformational leadership and team performance
Authors: Kearney Eric
Published: January 2008

In a field study of 49 R&D teams in the pharmaceutical industry, the age difference between the team leader and the team members was examined as a moderator of the relationship between transformational leadership and team supervisors' longitudinal ratings of team performance. Data collected from 285 team members and 21 team supervisors showed that this relationship was positive when the leader was older than the other team members, but non‐significant when the leader's age was closer to the mean age of the team members. This finding broadens the still fragmentary knowledge of the conditions under which transformational leadership is likely to have more or less positive effects on team performance.
The nomological network of self‐management strategies and career success
Authors: Abele Andrea E. , Wiese Bettina S.
Published: January 2008

Changes in the labour market require people to show more self‐management than before if they want to succeed. The present research was conducted to analyse the nomological network of general self‐management strategies (i.e. selection of goals; optimization as implementation of goal‐pursuing behaviour), specific self‐management strategies (i.e. career planning) and central indicators of career success, i.e. objective career success (pay, position), self‐referent subjective success (career satisfaction), and other‐referent career success (comparative judgment). In a large sample of professionals (N=1,185), we found in support of our hypotheses that the generalized strategy of optimization was linked to the domain‐specific strategy of career planning, and that domain‐specific career planning was directly linked to all outcome measures. The generalized strategy of optimization was directly linked to subjective success, but only indirectly to objective success. The link from self‐management to subjective success was independent of objective success. Most interestingly, and in accord with our social comparison assumption, objective success was more closely linked to other‐referent success than to self‐referent success. Implications for career research and career counselling are discussed.
Predicting quality of life and self‐management from dyadic support and overprotection after myocardial infarction
Authors: Joekes Katherine , Maes Stan , Warrens Matthijs
Published: January 2008

Objectives. Using a self‐regulatory framework, this study aims to identify how couples perceive a partner's support style after myocardial infarction (MI), and whether this predicts the patient's health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) and self‐management (S‐M) 9 months later.

Method. This longitudinal dyadic study includes 73 couples (86% of patients were men), recruited from two cardiac rehabilitation programmes in the Netherlands. Mean age of patients was 54.8 (SD = 9.6) and of partners 52.5 (SD = 9.8). Participants were interviewed and completed questionnaires at baseline (T1). Repeat questionnaires were returned by 69 and 67 couples after 3 (T2) and 9 months (T3), respectively.

Results Support by partners is conceptualized in this study as ‘active engagement’ (AE), which involves the extent to which a partner engages the patient in conversations which focus on emotional support and problem solving. Levels of AE do not change over time, nor do they differ between members of the dyad. Levels of overprotection (OP) diminish with time, whilst patients consistently perceive more OP than partners report providing. Patients' experience of goal hindrance (at T3) due to the MI is associated with a decreased HR‐QoL at T3 (controlling for baseline measures). The perception of having a supportive (AE) partner at T1 contributes to enhanced patient HR‐QoL at each subsequent time point, although not to physical functioning. Perceiving a partner as overprotective (at T1) predicts worsened physical functioning in patients (at T3). Improvements in S‐M at T3 (controlling for baseline measures) are reported by patients whose partner displays active engagement at T1.

Conclusions Cardiac rehabilitation should aim to redress the experience of goal disturbance and advise partners on how to provide support.