Fear Attitudes Research Articles

Wychowanie według Syracydesa

The problem of biblical instruction and education is present in various aspects in the Book of Ben Sirach. This book contains a synthesis of tradition of biblical Israel but also shows openness to many positive elements of the Greek culture. Ben Sirach proposes a model of education based on the solid foundation of the Law of God contained in Torah. This model, respected through the attitude of fear of God, leads to true divine wisdom. Man in this process remains free. He can accept or reject Sirach’s request for education. Accepting it he must be aware of the effort connected with the educational process and the goal this process should achieve. The process begins in adolescence although it will last for the rest of man’s life. The best model of education should be the very life of wise men, who by their attitude are the best invitation for prospective students.

The Suspicious Figure of the Female Forensic Pathologist Investigator in Crime Fiction

The Suspicious Figure of the Female Forensic Pathologist Investigator in Crime Fiction

User-interface design for the Ripoll Monastery exhibition at the National Art Museum of Catalonia

Computer graphics and virtual reality technologies provide powerful tools for visualizing, documenting and disseminating cultural heritage. Virtual inspection tools have been used proficiently to show cultural artifacts either through the web or in museum exhibits. The usability of the user interface has been recognized to play a crucial role in overcoming the typical fearful attitude of the cultural heritage community towards 3D graphics. In this paper we discuss the design of the user interface for the virtual inspection of the impressive entrance of the Ripoll Monastery in Spain. The system was exhibited in the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) and it is now part of the Romanesque exhibition at the MAPFRE foundation. The MNAC is the third most visited art museum in Spain, and features the world's largest collection on Romanesque Art. We analyze the requirements from museum curators and discuss the main interface design decisions. The user interface combines (a) focus-plus-context visualization, with focus (detail view) and context (overview) being shown at separate displays, (b) touch-based camera control techniques, and (c) continuous feedback about the exact location of the detail area within the entrance. The interface allows users to aim the camera at any point of the entrance with centimeter accuracy using a single tap. We provide the results of a user study comparing our user interface with alternative approaches. We also discuss the benefits the exhibition had to the cultural heritage community.

Social Capital, Rehabilitation, Tradition: Support for Restorative Justice in Japan and Australia

This paper investigates the attitudes and beliefs that the public hold about criminal behaviour in Japanese and Australian society, with a view to uncovering sources of resistance to, and support for, restorative justice. The study draws on a survey of 1,544 respondents from Japan and 1,967 respondents from Australia. In both societies, restorative justice met with greater acceptance among those who were (1) strong in social capital, (2) believed in offender reintegration and rehabilitation, (3) saw benefits for victims in forgiveness, and (4) were advocates for victims’ voices being heard and amends made. The alternative ‘just deserts’ and deterrence models for dealing with crime were grounded in attitudes of punitiveness and fear of moral decay, and reservations about the value of reintegrating and rehabilitating offenders. Like restorative justice supporters, ‘just deserts’ and deterrence supporters expressed concern that victims’ voices be heard and amends made. Winning public support for competing institutional arrangements may depend on who does best in meeting expectations for meeting the needs of victims.

Editorial Comment

The authors provide an insightful study of 2 ethnic groups that are very different, yet have typically been grouped together in epidemiologic studies (African-American men and African-Caribbean men). Although many studies exist that have examined ethnic differences in both access to care for prostate cancer 1 Talcott J.A. Spain P. Clark J.A. et al. Hidden barriers between knowledge and behavior: the North Carolina prostate cancer screening and treatment experience. Cancer. 2007; 109: 1599-1606 Crossref PubMed Scopus (61) Google Scholar and increased mistrust within African-American men and the healthcare system, 2 Diiorio C. Spain P. Clark J.A. et al. Differences in treatment-based beliefs and coping between African American and white men with prostate cancer. J Community Health. 2010; 109: 1599-1606 Google Scholar the authors tie “screening fear” to a statistically significant decrease in annual digital rectal examinations. It might be that culturally sensitive strategies to modify fearful attitudes about prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening could improve the poor screening rates in the African-Caribbean population. Barriers and Facilitators to Digital Rectal Examination Screening Among African-American and African-Caribbean MenUrologyVol. 77Issue 4PreviewTo examine the effect of race/ethnicity and fear characteristics on the initiation and maintenance of digital rectal examination (DRE) screening. Full-Text PDF

HIV as a chronic disease considerations for service planning in resource-poor settings

This paper reviews the healthcare issues facing nations which have a substantial caseload of chronic HIV cases. It considers the challenges of extending antiretroviral coverage to an expanding caseload as supplier price rises and international trade agreements come into force to reduce the availability of affordable antiretrovirals just as the economic downturn restricts donor funding. It goes on to review the importance in this context of supporting adherence to drug regimens in order to preserve access to affordable antiretrovirals for those already on treatment, and of removing key barriers such as patient fees and supply interruptions. The demands of those with chronic HIV for health services other than antiretroviral therapy are considered in the light of the fearful or discriminatory attitudes of non-specialist healthcare staff due to HIV-related stigma, which is linked with the weakness of infection control measures in many health facilities. The implications for prevention strategies including those involving criminalisation of HIV transmission or exposure are briefly summarised for the current context, in which the caseload of those whose chronic HIV infection must be controlled with antiretrovirals will continue to rise for the foreseeable future.

Circulation and Consumption: Transnational Mass Tourism in Cancun, Mexico

AbstractCancun's packaged image of paradise is a dynamic and constantly flowing contestation of identity and livelihood for those involved in the service sector. Indigeneity is used as spectacle, prop, and entertainment in the tourism industry and is especially popular in mass tourism zones like Cancun. Circulation of not only bodies, but theory surrounding authenticity and indigeneity, are all represented in the hyper‐commodification that defines mass tourism. Cancun uses transnational connections for marketing of space, goods, and people that are in a constant state of circulation. Looking at the rise of the tourism industry in Cancun processually leads us to explore this moment of mistrust between movements between the United States and Mexico. Violence throughout the border between these countries leads to fear that mass media instills in its audiences. How are these emerging attitudes of fear affecting mass tourism in Mexico? What are the effects of mass tourism on its locality? Using a transnational framework helps to decode complex structures of circulation in Cancun's mass tourism industry.

Giving Refuge: Reflections on Working with Asylum Seekers

Ten years ago, a psychiatrist colleague asked me to see Annie, a young Cameroonian woman who was seeking asylum in the United States, because a medical examination would be helpful to support the applicant’s case. Annie was not easy to interview. She spoke in a whisper, made little eye contact, and sat in an attitude of fear, with her shoulders hunched and knees drawn in. When she was 20 years old, she was arrested and abused in prison, and the story she told me was chilling: For two weeks, she suffered daily beatings, food deprivation, and multiple sexual assaults before a sympathetic soldier helped her to escape. The soldier told her that if she were rearrested, she would be killed. Annie was not involved in politics and had no strong convictions to sustain her during her ordeal. She never knew for certain why she had been arrested but suspected that it was because of her boyfriend’s political activities. After her escape, relatives helped her to flee, and she arrived in the United States and requested asylum. At the time I met her, she was living with strangers, sheltered by a local church. Several computer crashes later, I cannot find the evaluation I wrote on her behalf, but I remember that thin, frightened, young woman and how terribly alone she felt. Like others I would later meet, she suffered hourly reminders of her

Return to Work After Cancer in the UK: Attitudes and Experiences of Line Managers

With improvements in diagnosis, treatment and survival rates, returning to work after cancer is of increasing importance to individuals and employers. Although line managers can play a potentially important role in the return to work process, research thus far has focused on the return to work process from the perspective of cancer survivors. To explore the attitudes of line managers towards employees with a cancer diagnosis. A short self-administered, on-line questionnaire was circulated to managers in the North East of England. Factorial structures of the line managers' attitudes survey was examined using exploratory factor analysis and the effect of demographic characteristics and organisational variable on the attitudes of line managers was examined using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Line managers' attitudes can be conceptualized according to five empirical factors: (a) fearful attitudes towards cancer survivors, (b) supportive attitudes, (c) line-managers' perceived burden, (d) maintaining normality, and (e) financial benefits issues. Overall, line-managers hold relatively positive attitudes toward cancer survivors and are willing to support them in their effort to return to work. However, managers tend to harbour negative attitudes regarding the individual cancer survivors' ability both to engage in work related activities and in meeting the demands of employment. MANOVA results also indicated that female managers hold more positive attitudes than male managers toward cancer diagnosis, less concerned about workload burdens of working with cancer survivors, and more willing to help cancer survivors maintain normality. The results of this study suggest that employers/line-managers need to be provided with training, support, and resources to help them facilitate employment and job retention of employees diagnosed with cancer.

Actitudes frente a la muerte en un grupo de adolescentes y adultos tempranos en la ciudad de Bucaramanga

The objective of this transverse correlational study was to explore attitudes towards death and their association with several sociodemographic variables (gender, occupation and marital status). A non-probability sampling method was applied with a group of 150 adolescents and 150 young adults, all residents of the city of Bucaramanga in Colombia. Those who were surveyed had experienced the death or chronic or terminal illness of a loved one for a period of more than six months. PAM-R was used to explore attitudes towards death (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.893). The procedure included application of the instrument at public sites in the city, with prior informed consent. The data were processed with spss 15.0 software. The results showed attitudes of fear and acceptance of impending death in both groups. The two groups showed weak correlations between attitudes towards death and age (r

The One: God's Unity and Genderless Divinity in Judaism

This article examines the cultural ways in which traditional Judaism understands the relationship between an individual and Divinity. The article shows that this understanding has deep gendered dimensions. Grounded in feminist critiques of theology, as well as in Jewish studies and cultural studies, the article shows that the conceptualization of God-person relationship, in both Orthodox and Kaballic Jewish streams, is based on a hierarchical division to three different spaces. These spaces are: Mitzvah (Commandment, Duty, Law), Grace, and Desire or Will. The Mitzvah is perceived to be the highest space and is represented as 'manly'. The intermediate space-Grace-is represented as a 'good woman' or as 'mother'. This space is characterized by a sacred yearning, as well as by lack of stability and continuity, paralysis, and even death. The lowest space is the space of Desire and personal will, which is culturally represented by a child or a whore-woman. This space is characterized by an attitude of disregard, resistance and fear. The article demonstrates how this cultural division of Divinity in to three, contradicts the declared Jewish position that God/Divinity is 'One, Sole and Unique' (Echad, Yachid ve-Meuchad), and points at the inherent need of genderless conceptualization of Divinity in Judaism.

Vicarious learning and the development of fears in childhood

Vicarious learning has long been assumed to be an indirect pathway to fear; however, there is only retrospective evidence that children acquire fears in this way. In two experiments, children (aged 7–9 years) were exposed to pictures of novel animals paired with pictures of either scared, happy or no facial expressions to see the impact on their fear cognitions and avoidance behavior about the animals. In Experiment 1, directly (self-report) and indirectly measured (affective priming) fear attitudes towards the animals changed congruent with the facial expressions with which these were paired. The indirectly measured fear beliefs persisted up to 3 months. Experiment 2 showed that children took significantly longer to approach a box they believed to contain an animal they had previously seen paired with scared faces. These results support theories of fear acquisition that suppose that vicarious learning affects cognitive and behavioral fear emotion, and suggest possibilities for interventions to weaken fear acquired in this way.

Mothers’ attitudes toward fat, weight, and dieting in themselves and their children

We examined how a mother's view of her body, and fatness in general, affects her attitude toward her child's weight and eating. Mothers ( N = 118) of 3–5-year-old children filled out a questionnaire designed to assess weight satisfaction, anti-fat attitudes, and how concerned and restrictive they are with regards to their child's weight and eating. We found mothers who were more fearful of being or becoming overweight themselves worried more for their children, although fearful attitudes did not predict restricting a child's eating. These results suggest that maternal attitudes toward their own weight affect their beliefs about their children's weight.

Attitudes of clinicians in emergency room towards suicide

Objective. The present study brings to focus common attitudes of clinicians working in the emergency room. Methods. A questionnaire was used to assess the attitudes of clinicians working in the emergency room. The data were subjected to factor analysis. Results. These clinicians show attitudes of avoidance, rejection, hostility, anxiety and fear, and inadequacy. They also considered the act of suicide as manipulative and unlawful. Conclusion. Due to various internal as well as external factors these medical professionals have negative attitudes towards suicide attempters, with a resultant low quality of care. Dealing with one's own anxieties over suicide and death, along with having good evaluation skills and a multidisciplinary approach to handle such cases, could save many more lives.

Patients’ and Physicians’ Perspectives on Pharmacogenetic Testing

The integration of pharmacogenetic testing into routine care will, in part, depend upon the patients' and physicians' acceptance of these tests. Empirical data regarding patients' and physicians' views on pharmacogenetic testing are lacking. To explore patients' and physicians' perspectives on the potential implications of pharmacogenetic testing, particularly focusing on asthma, and to analyze the possible determinants of their expectations, hopes and fears. We conducted telephone interviews with patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease taking part in a larger pharmacogenetic study, in addition to general practitioners (GPs) from a different region in Germany. A total of 328 patients and 378 GPs were invited to participate. Determinants of their attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Informed consent to participate in this study was given by 196 patients (60%) and 106 GPs (28%). Most patients (96%) and physicians (52%) appreciated the availability of pharmacogenetic tests for a disease such as asthma. Approximately a third of the patients worried about potential unfavorable test results (35%) and violation of privacy (36%). Female patients were more likely to have a fearful attitude (odds ratio [OR]=2.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.58-5.12). Younger patients were generally more likely to be hopeful about the usefulness of pharmacogenetic testing (OR=2.12; CI=1.01-4.46). The GPs' concerns were mainly related to the possibility that patients might either be put under pressure to be tested (72%) or be disadvantaged at private health insurance agencies (61%). The nature of the responsible institution, the clarity of the research aim and explicit informed consent from patients influenced a physicians' decision regarding whether to support a pharmacogenetic study. The concerns of patients and GPs differ somewhat with respect to negative psychosocial consequences, discrimination or violation of privacy. Development of information for physicians and patients would be helpful in preventing unrealistic fears or hopes.

Estudo qualitativo de crenças relativas aos cuidados domiciliares e à morte entre familiares de portadores de HIV/AIDS e câncer

A aids e o câncer tem incitado atitudes preconceituosas de discriminação e medo, entretanto, o trabalho incessante de pessoas envolvidas com os cuidados, possibilitou um existir mais digno e humano para os indivíduos acometidos por essas doenças. Este estudo tem como objetivo, fazer um levantamento das crenças dos familiares dos portadores de HIV/aids e de câncer, relacionadas à morte e ao atendimento domiciliar. Para tal, foram realizadas entrevistas individuais e semi-estruturadas, com 15 familiares de portadores de HIV e com 10 familiares de portadores de câncer, baseadas nos procedimentos de evocação-enunciação-verificação, para levantar-se as crenças relacionadas à morte e ao atendimento domiciliar. As crenças levantadas neste estudo mostram o despreparo e as dificuldades dos familiares no enfrentamento da morte e no cuidar do doente. Observa-se a necessidade da criação de programas que visariam à orientação e o suporte emocional, tanto do doente quanto do familiar.

A Theoretical Approach to "Al Mustanfira" Tunisian Personality

In their interaction with each other, Tunisians show an attitude of uneasiness, tension and fear toward their fellow Tunisians with whom they come in contact for the first time (they are seen as strangers or "barrani"). We have used the A rabic term "Al Mustanfira"to describe this type of personality. The implications of this characteristic of the Tunisian Personality are numerous for both the Tunisian individual and her/his society. We mention here only four of them. First, Tunisians hardly feel very secure in their first interaction with those Tunisians with whom they don't have primary group blood relations. Second, at times, it is not easy for those to run the Tunisian administration who lack close relations with the other working staff. Third, the development of political democracy may be hampered by the dis trustful attitude of Tunisians toward "other" political parties. Fourth, Tunisians are more likely to suffer from stress in an increasingly urbanising society where they have to deal with a vast majority of Tunisians with whom they are not familiar.

Legal Prudery: The Case ofUlysses

Xhe publication of James Joyce's work prior to Ulysses had already encountered numerous prob? lems with censorship, or to be more precise, with the wary and fearful attitude of his would-be publishers and printers.2 They feared being prosecuted for defamation by means of the printed word, considered a public libel tending to produce evil consequences to society when blasphemous, obscene, or seditious. Public libel was a tort actionable without proof of special damage, punishable by a fine and imprisonment, according to the Libel Act 1843, section 4, If any person shall maliciously publish any defamatory libel. . . shall be liable to be imprisoned . . . and to pay such fine as the court shall award.3 During the first part of the twentieth century, cultural cen? sorship was especially awkward in Britain.4 The authorities were much concerned with avoiding the weakening of public morality in a period of growing apprehension for the decline of a British international political role.

Un modelo explicativo de la conducta hacia la enfermedad mental

To evaluate a theoretical model designed to explain behaviors toward mental illness, considering some variables related to the construct. A survey was conducted in 1996 on mental disorder beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. The sample population was stratified by socioeconomic status, age, and gender. Study subjects were 800 individuals from Mexico City's general population. A data collection instrument was constructed and validated, consisting of 120 Likert-type items with five options each. Data were coded and analyzed with the software package SPSS. Internal consistency of the scales was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and construct validity with factorial analysis. Student's t test and ANOVA were used to compare the groups in the different strata. The model allowed to confirm the predictive capacity of the causal chain connecting beliefs, attitudes, and intentions; nevertheless, other study variables did not contribute to explain it, and behavior was scarcely influenced by intentions, depending mainly on experimented necessity. Study findings constitute a basis to understand the attitudes of shame and fear usually related to mental illnesses, to plan efficient actions aimed at modifying them, and to design programs to promote mental health. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.

World Assumptions, Sexual Assault, Depression, and Fearful Attitudes Toward Relationships

The current study examines the relationships among world assumptions, history of adult sexual assault, depressive symptoms, and fearful attitudes toward relationships. Three hundred and sixty-one female college students completed the Assumptive World Scales and a set of questionnaires to assess their sexual assault history subsequent to age 15, levels of depressive symptoms, sexual aversion, paranoia/self-consciousness, and fear of intimacy. Factor analysis of the Assumptive World Scales items revealed five dimensions that had clear relationships with factors proposed in the initial study. These five Assumptive Worlds dimensions accounted for significant variance in depression. These dimensions also accounted for significant variance in sexual aversion, paranoia/self-consciousness, and fear of intimacy, even when controlling for levels of depressive symptoms and sexual assault severity. The implications of these findings for research on sexual assault, cognitive schema, and interpersonal functioning are discussed.