Appraisal: the catalyst of personal development.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Conlon M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1126798 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Appraisal: the catalyst of personal development.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 20030801 7411
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Project description:This study investigated whether personal relevance influences the affective appraisal of a desktop virtual environment (VE) in simulated darkness. In the real world, darkness often evokes thoughts of vulnerability, threat, and danger, and may automatically precipitate emotional responses consonant with those thoughts (fear of darkness). This influences the affective appraisal of a given environment after dark and the way humans behave in that environment in conditions of low lighting. Desktop VEs are increasingly deployed to study the effects of environmental qualities and (architectural or lighting) interventions on human behaviour and feelings of safety. Their (ecological) validity for these purposes depends critically on their ability to correctly address the user's cognitive and affective experience. Previous studies with desktop (i.e., non-immersive) VEs found that simulated darkness only slightly affects the user's behavioral and emotional responses to the represented environment, in contrast to the responses observed for immersive VEs. We hypothesize that the desktop VE scenarios used in previous studies less effectively induced emotional and behavioral responses because they lacked personal relevance. In addition, factors like signs of social presence and relatively high levels of ambient lighting may also have limited these responses. In this study, young female volunteers explored either a daytime or a night-time (low ambient light level) version of a desktop VE representing a deserted (no social presence) prototypical Dutch polder landscape. To enhance the personal relevance of the simulation, a fraction of the participants were led to believe that the virtual exploration tour would prepare them for a follow-up tour through the real world counterpart of the VE. The affective appraisal of the VE and the emotional response of the participants were measured through self-report. The results show that the VE was appraised as slightly less pleasant and more arousing in simulated darkness (compared to a daylight) condition, as expected. However, the fictitious follow-up assignment had no emotional effects and did not influence the affective appraisal of the VE. Further research is required to establish the qualities that may enhance the validity of desktop VEs for both etiological (e.g., the effects of signs of darkness on navigation behaviour and fear of crime) and intervention (e.g., effects of street lighting on feelings of safety) research.
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Project description:Previous research has shown that challenge and hindrance job demands show different effects on employees' wellbeing and performance. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that employees' subjective appraisal of job demands as challenges and hindrances may vary: they can be appraised as challenges or hindrances or both. Subjective appraisal of job demands was found to be also related to employees' wellbeing and productivity. However, little is known about predictors of the appraisals of job demands made by employees. The aim of the study was to identify predictors of such appraisals among job and individual resources. Cross-sectional research was carried out among 426 IT, healthcare and public transport employees. COPSOQ II scales were used to measure job demands (emotional, quantitative, cognitive demands, work pace and role conflicts) and job resources (influence at work, possibilities for development, vertical and horizontal trust), single questions were used to measure employees' subjective appraisals of job demands as hindrances and challenges, and PCQ was used to measure psychological capital. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses showed that only horizontal trust predicted the appraisal of job demands as challenges, and vertical trust predicted the appraisal of job demands as hindrances among four analysed job resources. Individual resource-psychological capital-predicted only the appraisal of job demands as challenges. Control variables-occupation, age and job demands also played a significant role in predicting the appraisal of job demands. Implications and future directions are discussed.
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Project description:This is a historical account on the development of capillary LC from its beginning to the present day. The first investigations into the viability of capillary LC date back to the late 1970s, a decade after the pioneering efforts in HPLC. The drastically reduced column dimensions were required to counter the slow solute diffusion in liquids. There were numerous instrumental difficulties with sample introduction and detection in the picoliter or even femtoliter volumes. High-efficiency separations were needed in the analysis of complex biological mixtures. Miniaturization brought distinct advantages in spectroscopic and electrochemical detection. Since the 1980s, column technologies underwent significant changes: (a) from glass-drawn microcapillaries to slurry-packed, small-diameter fused silica columns; and (b) in microcapillaries packed alternatively with sub-2-?m particles or monoliths. The viability of LC-MS combination has dramatically promoted the use of small-diameter capillaries. Through "omics technologies", capillary LC/tandem MS accounts for most applications in proteomics, glycomics and metabolomics.
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Project description:ObjectiveThis study aims to develop and validate the Posttraumatic Cognitive Appraisal Inventory (PTCAI) for accidental trauma survivors.MethodBased on interviews and expert feedback, the initial item pool was generated for the Negative Cognitive Appraisal Inventory of Loss and Feeling Threatened, and the Positive Cognitive Appraisal Inventory of Positively Face, Self-Sense, and Relationships. Then, we recruited two groups of accidental trauma survivors to examine the reliability and validity of the PTCAI. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were conducted on Sample 1. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Pearson correlation analysis, and internal consistency reliability analysis were applied to Sample 2. After 2 weeks, 20 survivors completed the PTCAI again to test temporal stability.ResultsFollowing item analysis, the PTCAI was reduced to 27 items. The results of the EFA demonstrated that the five-factor, 27-item solution of the PTCAI was appropriate, which accounted for 63.931% of the total variation. The CFA indicated that the five-factor second-order model offered an excellent fit to the data. Loss and Feeling threatened were equally important in the study participants' negative cognitive appraisal of accidental traumas. Self-sence was the most important positive cognitive appraisal of accidental traumas by the study participants. Positively Face and Relationships were somewhat behind. Additionally, the PTCAI demonstrated high concurrent validity and reliability (test-retest and internal consistency).ConclusionThe PTCAI appears to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing cognitive appraisals of accidental trauma survivors.
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Project description:AimTo develop a Head Nurse Research Leadership Scale and evaluate its reliability and validity.DesignA psychometric instrument validation study was conducted in two phases.MethodsThe item tool was generated based on a literature review, semi-structured interview and brainstorming. Twenty experts validated the content of the initial version for two rounds. Thirty-nine clinical nurses conducted the HNRLS-v3 to test the readability of the items in pilot study I. Items were screened based on the critical ratio, correlation coefficient analysis, Cronbach's α coefficient and factor analysis using the data collected from 265 nurses in pilot study II. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six hospitals to evaluate the reliability and validity between 4 January 2022 and 15 January 2022. Three hundred and sixteen nurses participated in this survey, and 60 completed the questionnaire to validate the test-retest reliability between 1 February and 6 February.ResultsA 15-item Head Nurse Research Leadership Scale based on 5 dimensions was developed, and the content validity was satisfied. The 15 items accounted for 77.9% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable convergent validity and discriminant validity. The Cronbach's α coefficient, split-half reliability and test-retest reliability of the scale were 0.966, 0.9633 and 0.927, respectively.
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Project description:AimThis study aimed to determine comprehensive and applicable indicators for assessing the quality of nursing clinical services.DesignMethodological research.MethodsThe checklist was designed in three phases (conceptualization, item generation and item reduction). In the first phase, a qualitative study using conventional content analysis was performed to clarify the concept of accreditation of clinical nursing services. In the second phase, using the views of experts was obtained in phase 1 and then by a review of the literature, related items were extracted, and item pool was formed. In the last phase, validity and reliability of the checklist were examined.ResultBased on three phases (Conceptualization, Item Generation and Item Reduction), the accreditation indicators of clinical nursing services were extracted in three dimensions including structure, process and outcome at two levels of organizational (including structural and outcome indicators) and individual performance appraisal (process indicators) in 19 main categories.
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Project description:The development of tungsten biochemistry is sketched from the viewpoint of personal participation. Following its identification as a bio-element, a catalogue of genes, enzymes, and reactions was built up. EPR spectroscopic monitoring of redox states was, and remains, a prominent tool in attempts to understand tungstopterin-based catalysis. A paucity of pre-steady-state data remains a hindrance to overcome to this day. Tungstate transport systems have been characterized and found to be very specific for W over Mo. Additional selectivity is presented by the biosynthetic machinery for tungstopterin enzymes. Metallomics analysis of hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus indicates a comprehensive inventory of tungsten proteins.
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Project description:ObjectivesTo report frontline healthcare workers' (HCWs) experiences with personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. To understand HCWs' fears and concerns surrounding PPE, their experiences following its guidance and how these affected their perceived ability to deliver care during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignA rapid qualitative appraisal study combining three sources of data: semistructured in-depth telephone interviews with frontline HCWs (n=46), media reports (n=39 newspaper articles and 145 000 social media posts) and government PPE policies (n=25).ParticipantsInterview participants were HCWs purposively sampled from critical care, emergency and respiratory departments as well as redeployed HCWs from primary, secondary and tertiary care centres across the UK.ResultsA major concern was running out of PPE, putting HCWs and patients at risk of infection. Following national level guidance was often not feasible when there were shortages, leading to reuse and improvisation of PPE. Frequently changing guidelines generated confusion and distrust. PPE was reserved for high-risk secondary care settings and this translated into HCWs outside these settings feeling inadequately protected. Participants were concerned about differential access to adequate PPE, particularly for women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic HCWs. Participants continued delivering care despite the physical discomfort, practical problems and communication barriers associated with PPE use.ConclusionThis study found that frontline HCWs persisted in caring for their patients despite multiple challenges including inappropriate provision of PPE, inadequate training and inconsistent guidance. In order to effectively care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline HCWs need appropriate provision of PPE, training in its use as well as comprehensive and consistent guidance. These needs must be addressed in order to protect the health and well-being of the most valuable healthcare resource in the COVID-19 pandemic: our HCWs.
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Project description:Aims and objetivesExplore nurses' experiences and perception of risk regarding the use of personal protective equipment during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain.BackgroundThe contribution of our study is to use qualitative methods to understand nurses' experiences and perceptions of the risk of the contagion linked to the shortage of PPE during the first wave of the pandemic, whose explosive start strained health systems around the globe.DesignQualitative descriptive design according to the Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal model.MethodsSemi-structured videoconference interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of 29 nurses including staff nurses, nursing supervisors and nursing directors from hospital and community services of the Spanish health system. Interviews lasted 30-45 min and were conducted in May 2020. We carried out a thematic analysis using Dedoose. The COREQ checklist was used to report findings.ResultsWe identified the following themes and subthemes: 1. Experiences with personal protective equipment: scarcity, inequality, reutilization, self-protection, delegation of responsibility, and gap between protocols and reality; 2. Perception of the risk of contagion: lack of credibility, lack of trust, lack of support, and meeting subjective needs.ConclusionsThe scarcity of personal protective equipment and inequality in its distribution led nurses to take initiatives to feel more protected. Mid-ranking supervisors were caught between the responsibility of monitoring and rationing personal protective equipment and providing the necessary protection to nurses. The disjuncture between protocols and the available supply of personal protective equipment caused confusion. Lack of credibility, lack of trust and lack of support from management influenced participants' perception of the risk of contagion. Mid-ranking supervisors were often responsible for trying to alleviate fear among nursing staff.Relevance to clinical practiceUnderstanding the factors involved in risk perception can be helpful to decision-makers who help protect nurses in clinical practice. These results can help administrators and policymakers because they point to the need for nurses to feel that their departments and centers look after their safety at work. Transparent communication and emotional support may contribute to their well-being in the face of risk.
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Project description:Employability is an important issue in the labor context. Currently, the European Union presents employability as the path to full employment and active citizenship, and a strategy to reduce unemployment and poverty. This study develops and validates an Employability Appraisal Scale. Specifically, we propose a multidimensional employability scale that analyzes both individual indicators and personal circumstances from the Bioecological Model of Employability. The Employability Appraisal Scale (EAS) assesses personal and social dimensions of employability. It was developed and tested using data from 489 people from a very heterogeneous sample (precarious workers, professionals, prisoners, long-term unemployed, socially excluded, etc.). Results provide evidence for the multi-dimensional structure and validity of the EAS. This scale is a valid and reliable instrument to measure employability, and it provides criteria for interpreting scores. Finally, we present theoretical and practical implications of the EAS for social and labor integration, job transition, and career development. Our findings have positive implications for identifying effectiveness indicators in training programs, and they contribute to designing intervention policies to increase employability.
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