Inventory Form Research Articles

1 Psychometric comparison of the long and short forms of the Personality Assessment Inventory in a neuropsychiatric population

Objective:The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991; 2007) is a 344 item self-report measure of personality, psychopathology, and factors affecting treatment. The PAI short form (PAI-SF) contains the first 160 items of the PAI and is often favoured as a screening tool or brief version to mitigate respondent burden and fatigue. The PAI has been psychometrically validated among numerous populations (Slavin-Mulford et al., 2012), while psychometric research on the PAI-SF is gradually emerging. The psychometric properties of the PAI-SF range from adequate to strong in psychiatric (Sinclair et al., 2009), forensic (Sinclair et al., 2010), outpatient and nonclinical (Ward et al., 2018), and stroke (Udala et al., 2020) samples. To advance research validating the PAI-SF among diverse populations, this project investigated the psychometric comparability between the PAI and the PAI-SF in a neuropsychiatric population. Based on previous literature, it was hypothesized that the PAI-SF would produce congruent results to the PAI in this sample.Participants and Methods:For this study, participant files (N=214) were collected retrospectively from short- and long-term residential psychiatric and substance use treatment facilities in Minnesota for patients with neurological and cognitive concerns referred for neuropsychological evaluation. The PAI-SF was scored using the first 160 items from a patient’s long-form PAI protocol. To determine the psychometric comparability of long- and short-forms, paired-samples t-tests, intraclass correlations, and percent agreement in clinical classification between forms were analyzed.Results:Analyses of participant data found that intra-class correlations ranged from .87 to .98 for each subscale on the PAI when compared to the PAI-SF, demonstrating good to excellent reliability between forms. Symptoms are considered clinically elevated when they exceed the clinical significance threshold for a subscale (typically a T-score of 70+). Agreement between the PAI and PAI-SF subscales in the classification of clinically elevated scores ranged from 86% to 100%. When forms did not agree, the PAI-SF was more likely to be clinically significant relative to the PAI. A comparison of subscale means between forms was examined by independent samples T-tests with a Bonferroni correction. Results revealed significant differences between the PAI and PAI-SF on one validity scale (Negative Impression Management), three clinical scales (Anxiety; Depression; Antisocial Features), and one treatment scale (Treatment Rejection).Conclusions:Results demonstrated that the PAI and PAI-SF have high reliability between forms in a neuropsychiatric population. Although mean scores differed on a small number of subscales between the PAI and PAI-SF, differences did not appear sufficiently large enough to shift clinical classifications, as the two forms performed similarly in their identification of clinically elevated scales. Findings align with previous literature and suggest that the PAI-SF may perform adequately in a neuropsychiatric population if brevity or participant burden is of concern. However, caution is warranted when making clinical decisions with the PAI-SF as more research is needed.

The relationship between executive function and activities of daily living in children with specific learning disorders

This study explores the relationship between executive functions (EF) and activities of daily living in children with specific learning disorder (SLD). Thirty SLD children (14 females and 16 males) and thirty typically developing (TD) children (13 females and 17 males) aged 8 to 11 years were selected from learning disabilities schools and centers as well as public schools in Tehran, Iran. The mean age for the TD group was 9.67 ± 0.82 and for the SLD group was 9.5 ± 0.5. Basic Activities of Daily Living (B-ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) were assessed using the Modified Barthel questionnaire and the Lawton scale, respectively. Executive function was evaluated using the Parent Form of Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) questionnaire. Pearson correlations were utilized to determine the correlation between the average score of "executive function" and "daily life activities". Results indicated that children with SLD scored significantly lower in EFs compared to TD children. Although there was no significant difference in B-ADL between the two groups, children with SLD scored lower in IADL. This study sheds light on the impact of EF on the ability of children with SLD to complete daily living activities. Further research is needed to better understand and address these challenges.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression and associated factors among firefighters: a cross-sectional study in Turkey


 
 
 INTRODUCTION: Firefighting is a demanding profession that requires physical strength, mental fortitude, and unwavering dedication. While firefighters are known for their bravery and heroism, it is essential to recognize the potential impact of their work on their mental health. This study examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression and contributing factors among firefighter in Turkey.
 METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 250 full-time professional firefighters, and used the Beck anxiety inventory and the Beck depression inventory forms for data collection. The chi-square analysis method was used to compare categorical data. Predictors of anxiety and depression were determined using a univariate binary logistic regression model.
 RESULTS: The mean age, BAI score and BDI score of the participants were 43.7±11.4, 5.9±8.1, and 6.2±8.8, respectively. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 10.8%, and 9.6%, respectively. The prevalence of anxiety (p=0.007) and depression (p=0.008) among participants with chronic diseases was higher than among participants without chronic diseases. The identified predictors of anxiety were smoking (OR 4.873, 95% CI 1.293-18.419, p=0.019) and depression (OR 11.411, 95% CI 3.861-33.772, p=0.001). The identified predictors of depression were alcohol consumption (OR 2.722, 95% CI 1.072-6.872, p=0.034) and chronic disease (OR 2.582, 95% CI 1.031-6.532, p=0.044).
 CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that anxiety and depression as very common psychiatric problems among firefighters, more prevalent among those working in the city center, smokers, alcohol consumers, verbal violence victims, and those with chronic diseases
 
 

Pengembangan Sistem Informasi Pengadaan Bahan Baku Berbasis Web

Printec Perkasa II is a manufacturing company engaged in printing and packaging. During the process of procuring this stock of raw materials, PT. Printec Perkasa II still using a manual system in carrying out its operational activities, especially in processing transaction data for recording inventory, which still uses paper inventory forms. With the data processing process which is still manual, there is often a buildup of data, so that the final information about the stock of goods produced is sometimes not in accordance with the physical stock in the warehouse. This information system was created using the PHP programming language and MySQL database. The aim of this research is to design and build a system that can help PT. Printec Perkasa II in controlling the inventory amount of each item appropriately and Implementing inventory applications at PT. Printec Perkasa II so that cooperative members can speed up the production of goods ordering information so that there are no delays in ordering goods.

Archival inventories as a profession

The archival inventory is the highest expression of archival work. It is the most complex and articulated finding aid. To write an archival inventory, it is necessary to deeply understand records in the archive and its creator. The arrangement that is painstakingly achieved through a reordering and inventorying intervention, and then presented in the form of an archival inventory, can be read not so much as a descriptive axiom, but as an open threshold to potential new universes largely unexpressed. In other words, the inventory can only be thought of as the beginning and not the end of an archival practice.

SAI-CH-6: Development of a Short Form of the State Anxiety Inventory for Children At-Risk for Type 1 Diabetes.

To develop a reliable and valid short form of the State Anxiety Subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH) in the Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. A Development Sample of 842 10-year-old TEDDY children completed the STAI-CH State Subscale about their type 1 diabetes (T1D) risk. The best 6 items (three anxiety-present and three anxiety-absent) for use in a short form (SAI-CH-6) were identified via item-total correlations. SAI-CH-6 reliability was examined in a Validation Sample (n = 257) of children who completed the full 20-item STAI-CH State Subscale and then again in an Application Sample (n = 2,710) who completed only the SAI-CH-6. Expected associations between the children's SAI-CH-6 scores and country of residence, sex, T1D family history, accuracy of T1D risk perception, worry about getting T1D, and their parents' anxiety scores were examined. The SAI-CH-6 was reliable (α = 0.81-0.87) and highly correlated with the full 20-item STAI-CH State Subscale (Development Sample: r = 0.94; Validation Sample: r = 0.92). SAI-CH-6 scores detected significant differences in state anxiety symptoms associated with T1D risk by country, T1D family history, accuracy of T1D risk perception, and worry about getting T1D and were correlated with the child's parent's anxiety. The SAI-CH-6 appears useful for assessing children's state anxiety symptoms when burden and time limitations prohibit the use of the STAI-CH. The utility of the SAI-CH-6 in older children with and without chronic conditions needs to be assessed.

Student Career Maturity: A Study of the Power of Self-Concept and Peer Attachment

This study examines the influence of self-concept and peer attachment on career maturity in Vocational High School "X" students in Ciamis, West Java. The method used is correlational quantitative research. The study population consisted of 576 students, with a sample of 234 students selected using simple random sampling. The data collection instruments used included a career maturity scale (α=0.732) modified from career maturity inventory form c, a self-concept scale (α=0.826) modified from the questionnaire of self-concept 36, and a peer attachment scale (α=0.748) revised from an inventory of parent and peer attachment. Data analysis was performed using multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study show that self-concept and peer attachment have an essential role in determining the career maturity of Vocational High School students. Partially, it was found that self-concept influenced students' career maturity, while peer attachment did not significantly influence students' career maturity. Nonetheless, it should be noted that social factors remain essential in forming students' career maturity, although they were not considerably proven in this study. Therefore, it is recommended that subsequent researchers investigate other external variables that might affect students' career maturity.

Hand-blink reflex modulation: The role of primary emotions and attachment dimensions.

The hand-blink reflex (HBR) is a subcortical response elicited by the electrical stimulation of the median nerve. HBR magnitude is enhanced when the stimulated hand is close to the face and is modulated by high-level structures according to the perceived threat magnitude. Psychological factors may contribute to threat evaluation and possibly to HBR amplitude modulation. In this study, we assessed distinctively emotional and relational aspects of personality and evaluated their associations with the HBR response, or lack thereof, in healthy subjects. Seventy-one volunteers filled the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y questionnaires and underwent HBR recording. We found that the HBR could be evoked only in 50.7% of all subjects (responders). Non-responders subjects showed higher scores in the avoidance dimension (p = .005), and lower scores in the care dimension (p = .008), compared with responders. In responders, regression analysis showed a negative association of HBR amplitude (difference in near vs. far responses) with anger dimension and a positive association with state anxiety (R2 = 0.239). A positive association also emerged with HBR latency and fear dimension (R2 = 0.419). We conclude that primary emotional and relational factors may play an important role in the modulation of brainstem circuits mediating the HBR response. Our results may also contribute to the question about the absence of the HBR in about half of the subjects since high-level cognitive processes seem to play an important role in the differentiation between responder and non-responder.

An Analysis of Diversity Inventory of Typical Sciences of the Donggo Tribe in Science Learning Based on an Ethnoscience Approach in Elementary Schools

This study aims to identify and examine various forms of ethno-scientific activity from the customs of the Donggo people in the form of a science inventory that can be used in learning science in elementary schools. The method in this study is a qualitative method using an ethnoscience approach. The data collection process was carried out through open interviews with the indigenous people of Donggo (Bima) in order to obtain inventory data so that it could be further analyzed and described. As a result, original science which is a cultural heritage by the Donggo people can be used as a recommendation for learning science, especially in class IV, which can be taught scientifically to elementary school students. on plant material

A Comparative Study of Social Information Processing and Executive Functioning in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Introduction: Examining the performance of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in each step of the social information processing and their executive functioning behaviors while comparing them to typically developing (TD) children and determining their limitations in these processes is important for reducing the future risks that children with ADHD may face in academic and social life. In this context, the aim of the study is to comparatively examine the social information processing and executive functioning behaviors of children with ADHD and TD children. Method: The study was conducted using a general survey model, which is one of the quantitative research designs. The participants of the study included 25 children diagnosed with ADHD, aged between 8 and 10, and 25 TD children of the same gender and age range. Additionally, 25 teachers and 50 parents participated in the study. The data collection tools used in the study were the Social Information Processing Assessment Form and the Parent and Teacher Form of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF). Findings: The study findings showed significant differences between children with ADHD and TD children in all stages of the Social Information Processing Assessment Form. Similar significant differences were also found in all the sub-scales and sub-dimensions of the Parent and Teacher Form of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions. The relationships between social information processing skills and executive functioning skills also revealed significant associations between some sub-stages of the Social Information Processing Skills Assessment Form and some sub-dimensions of the Parent and Teacher Form of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions. Discussion: The findings indicate that children with ADHD experience limitations in each of the six steps of the Social Information Processing Model and in some sub-dimensions of executive functions when compared to their TD peers. The findings emphasize the significance of the relationships between social information processing and executive functioning in the development of social and academic skills in children with ADHD.

Evaluation of the relationship between job satisfaction and professional behaviors in pediatric nurses

Introduction and aim. Pediatric nurses play an important role in ensuring quality healthcare through job satisfaction and professional behaviors. This study aims to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and professional behaviors in pediatric nurses. Material and methods. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study.The sample of the study consisted of 244 pediatric nurses who worked in tertiary university hospitals in Turkey and agreed to participate in the study. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews using a personal information form, the job satisfaction scale for nurses (JSSN), and the behavioral inventory form for professionalism in nursing (BIPN). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 software and evaluated using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression analysis. Results. The nurses’ JSSN and BIPN means scores were 3.42±0.59 and 5.69±4.05, respectively. A statistically significant moderate positive relationship was found between the pediatric nurses’ professional behaviors and job satisfaction (R=0.342; p<0.001). The regression analysis revealed that professional behaviors significantly and positively influenced job satisfaction in pediatric nurses (β=0.050; p<0.001). Conclusion. This study found that pediatric nurses had a moderate level of job satisfaction and a low level of professional behaviors, and as their professional behavior increased, their job satisfaction also increased.

Pemeliharaan Lereng Pada Ruas Jalan Nasional Cikembang – Bagbagan Berdasarkan Kategori Risiko

The incidence of landslides increases during the rainy season, especially in hilly areas or valleys. Cikembang - Bagbagan road is a national road that connects Pelabuhanratu - Sukabumi City with the condition of the area in the form of hilly areas with many slopes. This study aims to assess the level of slope risk and mitigation recommendations needed. The data collection method used is using secondary data in the form of inspection data and inventory of related slopes. The analysis method was carried out by determining the index value based on the Guidelines for road slope risk assessment (2018) and then analyzed to obtain the risk category. The results of 4 slopes obtained 2 slopes with high risk, 1 slope with medium risk, and 1 slope with low risk. In the risk assessment, the parameters of engineering buildings, geometry and geology of slopes play a major role in determining the risk category. Mitigation carried out on the 4 slopes is carried out in accordance with the risk category such as routine maintenance, rehabilitation, and slope instrumentation. The mitigation prioritization is done first on slope D then slope A, slope B, and slope C.

Nasal obstruction in adults: how it affects psychological status?

This study investigated the psychological status of patients with unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction. The study included 49 consecutive cases of unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction. In order to assess participants' personality traits, both groups completed the Personality Belief Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics. Patients with unilateral or bilateral complete nasal obstruction had higher scores on all the psychological assessments compared with the healthy controls, except for the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Although all personality assessment scores were higher in patients, the only differences that were statistically significant were in the dependent, antisocial and avoidant personality trait scores. The psychological conditions of patients with structural deformities that cause nasal obstruction may be affected, and appropriate treatment should be provided to improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Development of a short form of the Cardiac Distress Inventory

BackgroundCardiac distress may be viewed as a persistent negative emotional state that spans multiple psychosocial domains and challenges a patient’s capacity to cope with living with their heart condition. The Cardiac Distress Inventory (CDI) is a disease-specific clinical assessment tool that captures the complexity of this distress. In busy settings such as primary care, cardiac rehabilitation, and counselling services, however, there is a need to administer briefer tools to aid in identification and screening. The aim of the present study was to develop a short, valid screening version of the CDI.MethodsA total of 405 participants reporting an acute coronary event in the previous 12 months was recruited from three hospitals, through social media and by direct enrolment on the study website. Participants completed an online survey which included the full version of the CDI and general distress measures including the Kessler K6, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and Emotion Thermometers. Relationship of the CDI with these instruments, Rasch analysis model fit and clinical expertise were all used to select items for the short form (CDI-SF). Construct validity and receiver operating characteristics in relation to the Kessler K6 were examined.ResultsThe final 12 item CDI-SF exhibited excellent internal consistency indicative of unidimensionality and good convergent and discriminant validity in comparison to clinical status measures, all indicative of good construct validity. Using the K6 validated cutoff of ≥ 18 as the reference variable, the CDI-SF had a very high Area Under the Curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.913 (95% CI: 0.88 to 0.94). A CDI-SF score of ≥ 13 was found to indicate general cardiac distress which may warrant further investigation using the original CDI.ConclusionThe psychometric findings detailed here indicate that the CDI-SF provides a brief psychometrically sound screening measure indicative of general cardiac distress, that can be used in both clinical and research settings.

Effect of Trait and State Anxiety on Overhead Defensive Clear Shot Skill Performance Regarding Some Kinematic Variables for Badminton Players

Background: Anxiety is a psychological state of mind that affects skillful performance negatively or positively according to the type of anxiety and the way it is interpreted by the player, especially in individual games, such as badminton. On the other hand, the kinematic variables can better determine if players’ skill performance is successful. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of anxiety (if any) (including anxiety types trait and state) on overhead clear skill performance regarding some kinematic variables for badminton players. Methods: The study sample consisted of 61 beginner badminton players (with mean scores of age: 14.3 ± 1.2 years, mass: 51.20 ± 1.31 kg, height: 1.66 ± 0.10 m, training period: 3.9 ± 1.3 years), distributed to 3 groups based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y questionnaire. The equivalence of these groups was calculated based on pre-test results, which were no anxiety, trait anxiety, and state anxiety. Results: The results showed that trait and state anxiety had negative effects on badminton players’ performance of overhead defensive clear shot skill in terms of some kinematic variables. The results also showed that the effect of trait anxiety was more negative than the effect of state anxiety. Conclusions: The researchers recommend having knowledge of the level, type, and extent of anxiety, including relevant effects on the performance of beginner badminton players in all physiological, motor, and biomechanical aspects, to develop psychological rehabilitation programs that deal with anxiety according to the type, which the player can overcome.

Trait anxiety and depressive rumination mediate the effect of perceived childhood rearing on adulthood presenteeism.

Productivity loss in the workplace due to physical or mental health problems, which is called presenteeism, leads to large financial losses. Personal and work environment factors, as well as physical and mental illnesses are associated with presenteeism, but the detailed underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of perceived childhood rearing on the presenteeism of adult workers, and the mediating effects of trait anxiety and depressive rumination. In 2017 and 2018, a cross-sectional paper-based survey was conducted, and written consent from 447 adult workers was obtained. Demographic information and results from the Parental Bonding Instrument, trait anxiety of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y, Ruminative Responses Scale, and Work Limitations Questionnaire were surveyed. Multiple regression analyses and structural equation modeling were conducted. The low perceived quality of rearing from parents in childhood, i.e., low care and high overprotection, indirectly worsened current presenteeism via trait anxiety and depressive rumination. Presenteeism was directly worsened by trait anxiety and depressive rumination, and the low perceived quality of rearing from parents directly affected trait anxiety and depressive rumination, and trait anxiety affected depressive rumination. The results of this study clarified the long-term influences of the low perceived quality of rearing experienced in childhood on adulthood presenteeism via trait anxiety and depressive rumination. Therefore, assessing the quality of childhood rearing, trait anxiety, and depressive rumination of individuals may help to elucidate the causes of presenteeism in the workplace, and how to manage it effectively.

Problematic Aspects of Accounting for Contributions to Share Capital of Companies in Investor

Introduction. The process of creating, reorganizing, and liquidating enterprises has always been and remains an important object of accounting. In this regard, a considerable amount of scientific literature and articles have been published, analyzing the legislative, regulatory, and instructive basis for such accounting. However, it should be noted that issues related to the reflection in the accounting of the process of acquiring corporate rights by investors and the repayment of indebtedness for contributions to the share capital of subsidiary companies are understudied and highly controversial. Due to the time difference between these processes and the investor’s failure to reflect corporate rights in accounting and reporting as of their occurrence date, information users (creditors, investors, shareholders) will lack reliable data on the company’s assets, its financial and resource capabilities, development strategy, and risks. Therefore, there is a need to find ways to properly reflect corporate rights in accounting for the investor’s share in the company’s share capital in accordance with the statutory documents and further transfer of assets against the specified contributions.The purpose of the study is to improve the methodology for accounting for contributions to the share capital of business entities in investor, which will allow for the formation of substantiated accounting and reporting information and making informed management decisions, taking into account the risks of enterprise activity and its development strategy. Methods. The research methodology is based on the application of a systemic approach to improving the accounting for corporate rights in the investor and the procedure for the repayment of indebtedness for contributions to the share capital. The following research methods were used: comparison, analysis, and synthesis - to determine the impact of investment processes on micro and macroeconomics, the role of accounting information in these processes; comparative analysis, scientific generalization - for analyzing the proposed variants of reflecting indebtedness of investors for contributions to the share capital in accounting; induction and deduction, abstract-logical - for improving the Chart of Accounts for accounting and the Instruction on its application to reflect the right to a share in the share capital of companies; cause-and-effect relationship, modeling, and formalization - for constructing a model for accounting for contributions to the share capital of business entities in the investor.Results. The impact of investment processes on micro- and macroeconomics has been identified, emphasizing the role of accounting information in shaping the investment policies of economic entities. An analysis of the proposed variants of reflecting indebtedness of investors for contributions to the share capital has been carried out, based on which the authors have made their own proposals for solving this problem. In the Chart of Accounts for accounting for assets, capital, liabilities, and business operations of enterprises and organizations, as well as in the Instruction on its application, it is proposed to open subaccount 126 «Rights to a Share in the Share Capital of Companies» under account 12 «Intangible Assets,» which will allow for reflecting in accounting the fact of obtaining the right to a share in the share capital of the company in accordance with the signed statutory documents. For accounting for the occurrence and repayment of indebtedness for contributions to the share capital of a subsidiary company, it is recommended to use subaccount 682 «Internal Settlements.» It is emphasized that when accounting for operations related to investments in the share capital of business entities, the investor needs to calculate VAT obligations based on the fixed value of assets in the statutory documents in the form of inventories or non-current assets. A model for accounting for contributions to the share capital of business entities in the investor has been developed, which will provide reliable information support for investment processes in the enterprise.Prospects for further research. Further research will focus on improving information support for contributions to the share capital of business entities in the investor to enable a substantiated assessment of their performance.

Tolerance of immersive head-mounted virtual reality among older nursing home residents.

Virtual Reality (VR) is a tool that is increasingly used in the aging population. Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) are stereoscopic vision devices used for immersive VR. Cybersickness is sometimes reported after head-mounted display (HMD) VR exposure. Cybersickness severity and anxiety state reflect VR low tolerance. We aimed to evaluate HMD VR tolerance among older nursing home residents through cybersickness and anxiety state. A total of 36 participants were included in this preliminary study, 33 of whom (mean age: 89.33 ± 5.48) underwent three individual HMD VR sessions with three different contents. Cybersickness occurrence and severity were scored by the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) after each session. Anxiety state was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y-A before and after each session. Anxiety trait (using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y-B) was also evaluated before and after the experiment. In total, 92% (33/36) of patients completed all three sessions, of which 61% (20/33) did not report any cybersickness symptoms (SSQ = 0). Six participants reported significant cybersickness (defined by an SSQ score ⩾10) in at least one session. Only two participants stopped the study after the first exposure because of cybersickness. Age, cognitive function, anxiety trait, and well-being were not associated with cybersickness. The mean anxiety state decreased significantly from pre- to post-session. This immersive HMD VR experience was well tolerated among nursing home dwellers. Further larger studies in this population aiming to identify CS determinants are needed in order to use HMD VR on a standard basis.

Preoperative Anxiety in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: What Contributes to Anxiety Levels in Patients Waiting for Surgical Intervention.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. Currently, the only treatment is surgical resection, which contributes to significant preoperative anxiety, reducing quality of life and worsening surgical outcomes. To date, no standard preventive or therapeutic methods have been established for preoperative anxiety in pancreatic patients. This observational study aims to identify which patients' socio-demographic, clinical and psychological characteristics contribute more to preoperative anxiety and to identify which are their preoperative concerns. Preoperative anxiety was assessed the day before surgery in 104 selected cancer patients undergoing similar pancreatic major surgery, by administering the STAI-S (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form) and the APAIS (Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale). Our data suggest that patients with high STAI-S showed higher levels of APAIS and that major concerns were related to surgical aspects. Among psychological characteristics, depressive symptoms and trait anxiety appeared as risk factors for the development of preoperative anxiety. Findings support the utility of planning a specific psychological screening to identify patients who need more help, with the aim of offering support and preventing the development of state anxiety and surgery worries in the preoperative phase. This highlights also the importance of good communication by the surgeon on specific aspects related to the operation.

Self-Efficacy and the Digit Ratio in a Group of Sports University Students.

Self-efficacy is one's awareness of being able to cope optimally with different situations. Perceived self-efficacy is a belief that closely involves emotional and personological functioning. In fact, when one perceives oneself as capable, the likelihood of success increases significantly. The aim of this research was to verify a possible correlation between self-efficacy and the Digit Ratio (2D:4D), referred to as prenatal androgen levels, and whether these correlate with some psychological variables, considering possible gender differences. This study involved 56 sports university students, whose 2D:4D ratio was calculated. Moreover, self-assessment questionnaires: the Self-efficacy Scale (SES), the Big Five Questionnaire-2 (BFQ-2), the Profile of Mood State (POMS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y) and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) were administered. The data show that the perceived levels of self-efficacy seem to be influenced by an innate predisposition linked to prenatal androgen values to which the subjects were exposed during uterine life (2D:4D). This negative correlation indicates that the higher the value of the digit ratio, the more likely it is that the level of perceived self-efficacy will be lower. Finally, the degree of perceived self-efficacy also seems to depend on the levels of subjective anxiety, understood both as a personological disposition and a contingent condition, and the latter also seems to be influenced by prenatal androgen levels, particularly in women.