General Disapproval Research Articles

Social interactions in trauma disclosure: A multi-informant and multiconstruct investigation.

Research has established that social factors are integral to trauma recovery. Yet, there is relatively little data on the association between social interactions from different supports and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Moreover, few studies have measured these factors from multiple informants. This paper examined social interactions from different sources (i.e., negative and positive reactions from a chosen close other [CO], family/friends, and general non-COs) and their association with PTSD symptoms using multi-informant reports of the social constructs (i.e., from the individual exposed to trauma [TI] and their CO). Participants (N = 104 dyads) were recruited from an urban center within 6 months of the TIs' exposure to a traumatic event. TIs were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. TI self-report, t(97) = 2.58, p = .012, and CO collateral report of disapproval from family/friends, t(97) = 2.14, p = .035, and TI self-report of general disapproval, t(97) = 4.91, p < .001, emerged as significant predictors of PTSD symptoms when compared with other social constructs. Interventions that target family members' and friends' reactions to trauma survivors and societal discourse around trauma and reactions to trauma survivors are recommended. Clinical interventions that buffer against TIs' experiences of disapproval and guide COs on the provision of supportive responses are discussed.

Animal Histories of the Civil War Era Edited by Earl J. Hess

In our current wave of zoo-historicism, it is fitting that we now have—and, indeed, should have—a volume about the significance of animals in the American Civil War. Animal Histories of the Civil War Era tracks several unique aspects to animals in the war—including the treatment of horses, the ethics of eating meat, and the role of the national zoo. In the introduction, Hess adopts an intersectional position: “Both animal studies and animal history are interdisciplinary in nature” (2). Although he lists some of the disciplines involved—“history, science, environmentalism, psychology, philosophy”—his main focus appears to be the merging of history with an appreciation for animal ethics. Indeed, the first works that he references are by Singer and Regan.1Later in the introduction, Hess indicates a general disapproval of many of the current animals-in-war books, citing their “popular and all too often superficial nature” and saying that “they tell the story factually, with a minimum of research and a lot of easily digested information” (4). With such a bold and ambitious introduction, the book appears to present itself as the tome about the Civil War that animal scholars have awaited for years, something genuinely interdisciplinary. However, the collection is not rich in methodology, and, to damn it with Hess’ own faint praise, it too contains “a lot of easily digested information.”Each of the chapters, however, is a stellar example of traditional research, delving into primary materials that are both clear and engaging. Michael E. Woods’ opening essay, “Antebellum Camel Capers and the Global Slave Power,” is a masterful example of storytelling. Yet, it does not mention other historians until the last three paragraphs, and it is not particularly interdisciplinary, except for a paragraph that mentions a novel. One exception in terms of interdisciplinary work is Mark Smith’s chapter “All the Buzz: Why Bees Mattered in the Civil War,” which discusses theory, quotes other historians, and has an economics slant.A book entitled Animal Histories of the Civil War Era might have engaged more with the historical wartime poetry involving animals or the use of animals in political cartoons and in popular music and literature, let alone with historiography or theory. Not even when discussing vegetarianism does the book draw much from the insights of current animal-ethics scholars. Although far from the interdisciplinary study that Hess promised, the book is a must-read within its particular field, and, to the editor’s unwitting disapproval, possibly for its “easily digested information.”

Machine translation in higher education: Perceptions, policy, and pedagogy

Multiple studies have shown that language learners and other students undertaking postsecondary studies in an additional language (L2) consult digital translation tools to complete course‐related work despite general disapproval of their use by instructors. Significant improvements in the accuracy of machine translation (MT) along with their widespread use among students present ethical and pedagogical implications that have yet to be coherently addressed by instructors and institutions at the tertiary level. Recognizing MT as inextricable from L2 users' academic realities, this article reviews the current research on perceptions and purposes of its use in higher education institutions, discusses MT at the policy level (e.g., gaps in legislation related to academic integrity and, more broadly, inconsistencies between the aims of internationalization and the continued delegitimization of marginalized varieties of English), outlines various ways that MT can be harnessed to support learning (e.g., for vocabulary acquisition, writing, metalinguistic awareness, learner autonomy), and suggests ways forward in education, research, and theory on the intersection of MT and learning.

Strike one hundred to educate one: Measuring the efficacy of collective sanctions experimentally.

In this paper, we test whether sanctions applied to an entire group on account of the free-riding of one of its members can promote group cooperation. To measure the efficiency of such collective sanctions, we conducted a lab experiment based on a standard public good game. The results show that, overall, collective sanctions are ineffective. Moreover, when subjects are able to punish their peers, the level of cooperation is lower in the regime of collective sanctions than under individual sanctions. Both outcomes can be explained by a general disapproval of the collective responsibility for an individual fault: in the post-experimental survey, an absolute majority evaluated such regimes as unfair. While collective sanctions are not an effective means for boosting group compliance, there are nevertheless two insights to be gained here. First, there are differences across genders: under collective sanctions, men's level of compliance is significantly higher than under individual sanctions, while the opposite is true for women. Second, there were intriguing differences in outcomes between the different regime types. Under collective sanctions, a person who is caught tends to comply in the future, at least in the short term. By contrast, under individual sanctions, an individual wrongdoer decreases his or her level of compliance in the next period.

Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Abortion and Euthanasia Among Health Students in Papua New Guinea.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore knowledge and attitudes of health program students towards ethical issues pertaining to the beginning and the end of human life, and associations between these attitudes and demographic variables.Participants and MethodsThe study took a mixed-method approach with self-administered survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews. A total of 88 students participated in the survey, and 10 students participated in interviews. The study was conducted among students in the Health Extension Program at a Christian university in Papua New Guinea.ResultsStudents showed a higher acceptance of abortion than euthanasia. More year-4 students presented significantly deeper knowledge of euthanasia and abortion compared to year-1 students. There were no gender differences regarding knowledge and attitude towards these two bioethical issues. The majority of students opposed the idea of women’s right to abortion, which is attributed mainly to socio-cultural reasons. The qualitative analysis indicated a very strong perception that having children ‘defines’ womanhood and also revealed general disapproval of any form of euthanasia. A low level of acceptance of various forms of euthanasia is associated with a respect for older people in Melanesian society and beliefs that ancestors’ support is required for achieving prosperity in life.ConclusionThe study offered a comprehensive description and analysis of students’ knowledge and attitudes towards ethical issues pertaining to the beginning and the end of human life. Presented a low level of knowledge towards bioethical issues, together with a small proportion of the knowledge gained from lectures and tutorials, indicated inadequate teaching of bioethics and calls for further improvement. In the perspective of rapid social and cultural changes in the Papua New Guinea society, further studies on changing attitudes towards bioethics issues would be valuable.

Buffering PTSD in Canine Search and Rescue Teams? Associations with Resilience, Sense of Coherence, and Societal Acknowledgment.

Rescue workers present an elevated risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and recently, research has begun to focus on coping styles and social support as protective factors in this population. Associations in the particular group of search and rescue dog handlers still lack evidence. The aim of the study is to investigate if functional cognitions and social support also decrease the risk for PTSD. Active voluntary rescue dog handlers (n = 116) rated levels of resilience, sense of coherence, and social acknowledgment (SAQ; subscales general disapproval, familial disapproval, recognition), in addition to a trauma checklist and PTSD symptoms. Linear regression analyses and two different graph models were calculated to explore associations, as well as potential pathways. Controlling for trauma exposure, the SAQ general disapproval emerged as the only significant predictor in the regression model. In the graph models, SAQ familial disapproval was linked to SAQ recognition and SAQ general disapproval. The latter, together with a sense of coherence manageability, affected PTSD re-experiencing symptoms through resilience. The findings are in line with earlier work. The study underlines the importance of targeting resilience and manageability, as well as enhancing social support in prevention programs for PTSD in canine search and rescue teams. Future research is warranted to further investigate model stability and replicate findings.

Long-Term Psychological Consequences of World War II Trauma Among Polish Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Study on the Role of Social Acknowledgment.

BackgroundThe research on the psychological consequences of World War II (WWII) trauma has predominantly focused on concentration camp and Holocaust survivors. Only a few studies have been undertaken among civilian survivors of WWII.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived social acknowledgment of WWII trauma and the level of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms among Polish survivors of WWII by employing a mixed-methods design (i.e., a quantitative analysis supported by qualitative interviews).MethodIn the quantitative part, 123 participants filled out: the list of WWII-related traumatic events, the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (PCL-5), the shortened version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Social Acknowledgment Questionnaire (SAQ). In the qualitative part, an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of participants’ reminiscences of WWII was examined.ResultsAlthough we observed a direct positive association between the number of WWII-related traumatic events and the intensity of PTSD and depressive symptoms, these relationships changed when we entered the social acknowledgment construct into the model. Specifically, we found that perceived social acknowledgment (general disapproval) was a mediator of the relationship between the number of WWII traumatic events and the intensity of PTSD symptoms only, and not of depressive symptoms. In the qualitative part, three themes relating to traumatic reminiscences emerged among the participants: parental efficacy, parental betrayal, and support from the invader.ConclusionOur study showed the significance of the general social acknowledgment in the long-term mental consequences of the WWII trauma in Poland. In addition, the results of our study may be an adjunct to the discussion on the long-term impact of WWII trauma in Poland and the factors that hindered its social recognition.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms among Polish World War II survivors: the role of social acknowledgement

ABSTRACTBackground: There is growing evidence of the important role played by socio-interpersonal variables on the maintenance of PTSD. Many World War II survivors in Poland could, as a result of political circumstances during the aftermath of the war, have experienced a lack of social recognition of their war-related trauma.Objective: The main aim of the study was to examine the association between perceived social reactions and the level of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD) and depression.Method: Participants (N = 120) were aged 71–97 years (M = 82.44; SD = 6.14). They completed a WWII trauma-related questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS), the Impact of Events Scale (IES) and Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI). The Social Acknowledgement Questionnaire (SAQ) was used to measure participants’ perception of others’ acknowledgement and disapproval of their war trauma.Results: The rate of probable PTSD, diagnosed according to DSM-IV, was 38.3%. PTSD symptoms and General Disapproval were significantly correlated for all three PTSD symptom groups (Pearson’s r ranged from .25 to .41). The structural equation modelling results also demonstrated the importance of General Disapproval with regard to the level of PTSD symptoms. It explained both the intensity of PTSD symptoms (13.4% of variance) and the level of depression (12.0% of variance).Conclusion: In addition to confirming the high rate of PTSD among WWII survivors in Poland, the results indicate the importance of social reactions to survivors’ traumatic experiences.

Psychiatric and Interpersonal Correlates of Suicide Ideation in Military Sexual Trauma Survivors: The National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Background Veterans who experience military sexual trauma are at increased risk for experiencing suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide. Yet few studies have attempted to discern factors that relate to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among survivors of military sexual trauma. The present study aimed to identify psychiatric and interpersonal correlates of suicidal ideation (primary aim) and suicide attempt (secondary aim) among survivors of military sexual trauma. Methods This cross-sectional analysis included 115 veterans (56 females; mean age = 53.24) who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study and reported experiencing military sexual trauma. Self-report measures assessed psychological distress, hazardous alcohol use, social support, loneliness, social acknowledgment following one’s worst trauma, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Results Military sexual trauma survivors who reported more severe psychological distress (OR = 2.88), hazardous alcohol use (OR = 1.14), and perceived general disapproval from others (OR = 1.14) were significantly more likely to report experiencing suicidal ideation in the past two weeks. Hazardous alcohol use (OR = 1.19) and perceived general disapproval from others (OR = 1.36) were associated with being more likely to report attempting suicide in adulthood. Conclusions Addressing alcohol misuse, psychological distress, and perceived general disapproval from others in relation to one’s worst traumatic event is recommended when assessing and managing suicide risk among veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma. Findings also contribute to a growing literature highlighting the importance of understanding perceptions of the interpersonal response to trauma. Considering the cross-sectional design, longitudinal research is needed to further elucidate the roles of these constructs in predicting suicidal ideation and suicide attempt following military sexual trauma.

Associations between societal disapproval and changes in symptoms of PTSD and appetitive aggression following treatment among high-risk South African males

ABSTRACTBackground: In violent communities, social rejection as a person with victim–offender attributes is associated with more intense symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a higher propensity towards violence, i.e. appetitive aggression. Successful community reintegration encompassing adequate social acknowledgment of individuals with both a history of violence exposure and perpetration may be necessary to enhance the treatment effects of interventions addressing PTSD and aggression.Objective: In this study, the effects of treatment and post-treatment traumatic events, violent offenses, and social acknowledgment (with sub-dimensions of general disapproval, family disapproval, and recognition as a person with both a history of violence exposure and commission) on changes in PTSD symptom severity and appetitive aggression from baseline to 8-month follow-up were investigated.Method: Data were collected from 54 males recruited through a Cape Town offender reintegration programme for an intervention study targeting trauma and aggression (n = 28 treatment; n = 26 wait-list). Changes in PTSD symptom severity after treatment were assessed with the PTSD Symptom Scale-Interview, changes in appetitive aggression with the Appetitive Aggression Scale (AAS), post-treatment traumatic events with an adapted version of the Child’s Exposure to Violence Checklist, offenses with an adapted checklist from the AAS, and social acknowledgment with an adapted form of the Social Acknowledgment Questionnaire.Results: Path analyses revealed negative relationships between ongoing societal disapproval and changes in PTSD symptom severity and appetitive aggression at 8-months, controlling for age. All other variables were non-significant, except for treatment, which was associated with PTSD symptom reduction.Conclusions: As a complementary strategy to effective psychotherapeutic treatment, increased social acknowledgment may contribute significantly to the alleviation of PTSD symptoms and appetitive aggression. Psychological interventions should, therefore, not neglect the impact of societal factors on treatment effects.

The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Acknowledgment on the Relationship Between Patient Assaults and Posttraumatic Stress Reactions in Emergency Nurses.

This study explored whether posttraumatic stress symptoms resulted from workplace assaults were mediated by the perception of social acknowledgment by the victim. A sample of 444 emergency room nurses in China completed questionnaires measuring the frequency and types of patient assaults, the severity of physical injury, the perception of social acknowledgment, and the posttraumatic stress symptoms. Cross-sectional design, multiregression, and bootstrapping mediation analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Results showed that general disapproval and family disapproval mediated the relationship between the frequency of patient assaults and the severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms. These two factors also mediated the links between the injury severity of patient assaults and the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Implications for clinical practice and future research were discussed.

Religious Nationalism and Perceptions of Muslims and Islam

AbstractWe test for relationships between anti-Muslim attitudes and opinion and competing religious identity and religious belief variables in an evangelical Christian constituency. Original survey data from a statewide sample of 508 likely voters in Oklahoma are subjected to a robust regression analysis to determine (1) indicators of holding Christian nationalist beliefs and (2) the relationship between belief measures of Christian nationalism, evangelical Christian identity, and subsequent anti-Muslim sentiment. Christian nationalism is more prevalent among self-identified evangelicals. Christian nationalist beliefs and strong belief in Biblical literalism are significantly related to negative and restrictive views of Muslims. Anti-Muslim sentiments in the form of general disapproval and the desire to limit Muslim worship are shaped more by beliefs than identities or behaviors. Evangelical self-identification does not help us disentangle domestic opinion regarding Muslims as well as measures that disentangle beliefs from identity.

Violence in Intimate Relationships: A Comparison between Married and Dating Couples

This study examines the attitudes about intimate violence and compares the prevalence of abuse reported by married and dating participants, by type of abuse and sex of respondent. A sample of 3,716 participants, aged 15 to 67 years, filled in one attitudinal questionnaire and a self-report instrument on abuse perpetration and victimization. Attitudinal data revealed a general disapproval of violence use, with greater violence support among males and married participants. When comparing violence in both relational contexts, we found that, in terms of perpetration, more dating partners reported physical abuse and severe forms of physical abuse than married partners. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Associations Between Perceived Social Reactions to Trauma‐Related Experiences With PTSD and Depression Among Veterans Seeking PTSD Treatment

The Social Acknowledgment Questionnaire (SAQ; Maercker & Mueller, ) is a measure of trauma survivors' perceptions of social acknowledgment and disapproval from others, and these factors are shown to be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among civilian trauma survivors. This study seeks to validate the structure of the SAQ among U.S. military veterans and test the hypothesis that family and general disapproval are associated with PTSD and depression among veterans. Participants were 198 U.S. veterans who experienced military trauma and completed an intake evaluation through a Veterans Affairs PTSD treatment program. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results supported a well-fitting 3-factor model for the SAQ that was similar to prior studies in capturing the constructs of social acknowledgment, general disapproval, and family disapproval. SEM results also showed that all 3 of the SAQ factors were associated with veterans' depression (-.31, .22, and .39, respectively), whereas only general disapproval was related to veterans' PTSD. This is the first study of which we are aware to investigate the factor structure of the SAQ in a veteran sample and to investigate the relationship between SAQ factors and trauma survivors' depression. Results build upon prior findings by showing the importance of positive and negative social reactions to veterans' traumatic experiences.

The Unsettled Relationship between International Investment Arbitration and the Developing World: A Critical Appraisal

The general attitude of the developing world, towards international law, as exemplified by the TWAIL school of thought, is replicated in their attitude toward international dispute settlement mechanisms such as international investment arbitration. The attitude towards international arbitration on the investment-front has been for the developing world a roller coaster experience. In the waning days of colonialism, a key economic goal of newly emergent developing countries was the need to boost their participation in the international economic system. The wave of decolonization that swept the globe after World War II led to a desire for the new States to create their own development strategies as sovereign states, and to oust foreign interference that threatened to hinder this objective. From this manifested a general disapproval towards international dispute settlement in the developing World. However, coming out of colonialism many new States lacked the capital to jump start local economies. They lacked domestic manufacturing capacity and were left reliant mostly on trade in raw materials and dependent on foreign capital to extract these raw materials.

Social acknowledgement as a predictor of post-traumatic stress and complicated grief after witnessing assisted suicide

In Switzerland, right-to-die organizations such as Exit Deutsche Schweiz offer suicide assistance to their members. However, there is limited knowledge of the impact that witnessing assisted suicide has on the post-traumatic stress severity or the grief process of family members. Low perceived social acknowledgement may affect mental health. A cross-sectional survey of 85 family members who were present at an assisted suicide was conducted in December 2007. The Inventory of Complicated Grief and the Impact of Event Scale were used to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief (CG) at 14 to 24 months post-loss. Further, the Social Acknowledgement Questionnaire was used to examine the impact that the social environment's acknowledgement of the end-of-life decision had on respondents' mental health. As expected, social acknowledgement as a survivor was related to PTSD symptoms and CG. In particular, perceived general disapproval was strongly correlated with all outcome measures, whereas recognition was not significantly related to PTSD or CG (intrusion and avoidance). Family members of patients who use assisted suicide may hesitate to disclose the manner of death, and the community and societal environment may express strong views concerning the end-of-life decision. This can lead to increased levels of PTSD and CG.

Violence against women in Ethiopia

Investigating the experience of violence against women and exploring women's coping strategies is a crucial component of re-tailoring the provision of services for victims/survivors. This article explores violence against women in the context of culture, theory of fear of violence and literature on spaces perceived to be ‘safe’ or ‘dangerous’ by women victims/survivors of violence in Ethiopia. To collect the relevant data, we conducted 14 semi-structured interviews with Ethiopian women who are victims/survivors of violence and three interviews with gender experts in Ethiopia. Our group of women suffer in ‘silence’ and confide only in friends and relatives. They did not resort to institutional support due to lack of awareness and general societal disapproval of such measures. This contrasts with claims by experts that the needs of these women are addressed using an institutional approach. Culture, migration status and lack of negotiating power in places of work are key factors when considering violence. The majority of the respondents in this study occupy both public and private spaces such as bars and homes and have experienced violence in those spaces. The social relations and subsequent offences they endured do not make spaces such as these safe. Education of both sexes, creation of awareness, sustainable resource allocation to support victims/survivors, ratification of the Maputo protocol and effective law enforcement institutions are some of the practical strategies we propose to mitigate the incidence of violence in Ethiopia.

Kidneys for Sale: Who Disapproves, and Why?

The shortage of transplant kidneys has spurred debate about legalizing monetary payments to donors to increase the number of available kidneys. However, buying and selling organs faces widespread disapproval. We survey a representative sample of Americans to assess disapproval for several forms of kidney market, and to understand why individuals disapprove by identifying factors that predict disapproval, including disapproval of markets for other body parts, dislike of increased scope for markets and distrust of markets generally. Our results suggest that while the public is potentially receptive to compensating kidney donors, among those who oppose it, general disapproval toward certain kinds of transactions is at least as important as concern about specific policy details. Between 51% and 63% of respondents approve of the various potential kidney markets we investigate, and between 42% and 58% want such markets to be legal. A total of 38% of respondents disapprove of at least one market. Respondents who distrust markets generally are not more disapproving of kidney markets; however we find significant correlations between kidney market disapproval and attitudes reflecting disapproval toward certain transactions-including both other body markets and market encroachment into traditionally nonmarket exchanges, such as food preparation.

Posttraumatic Growth, Social Acknowledgment as Survivors, and Sense of Coherence in Former German Child Soldiers of World War II

To examine posttraumatic growth (PTG) and its predictors social acknowledgment as survivors, sense of coherence (SOC), trauma severity, and further factors in former child soldiers more than 60 years after deployment. Cross-sectional. University-based geropsychiatric center in Germany. One hundred three former German child soldiers of World War II, mean age 78 years in which 96% experienced at least one war trauma. Subjects completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Social Acknowledgment Questionnaire (SAQ), and SOC Scale. Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed by the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Depression, anxiety, and somatization were assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory. Number of traumas, recognition by significant others, and general disapproval as facets of social acknowledgment as a survivor, and meaningfulness as a dimension of SOC correlated significantly with PTG. In a multiple hierarchical regression analysis, recognition as a survivor by significant others (SAQ) and meaningfulness (SOC) remained the only significant predictors of PTG. Social acknowledgment as a survivor by significant others and the belief that the world is meaningful are among the most important factors contributing to PTG. Further research should investigate whether treatments of PTSD in people who experienced war traumas recently or many years ago might benefit from a focus on the belief system and the role of family and social support.

Genetic selection for deafness: the views of hearing children of deaf adults

The concept of selecting for a disability, and deafness in particular, has triggered a controversial and sometimes acrimonious debate between key stakeholders. Previous studies have concentrated on the views of...