Greater Belief Research Articles

Emphasizing Similarities Between Politically Opposed Groups and Their Influence in Perceptions of the Political Opposition: Evidence From Five Experiments.

Across five experiments (four pre-registered, N = 4,431), we investigate whether emphasizing similarities between Republicans and Democrats can improve intergroup relations between the two groups. Members of both groups who were presented with evidence emphasizing similarities rather than differences in the psychological attitudes of both parties reported greater inclusion of the political opposition in the self, greater belief that common ground can be reached for major social issues, and warmer feelings toward the opposition. Inclusion of the political outgroup in the self mediated the effect of the similarities condition on additional outcomes, relating to more positive and less threatening perceptions of political opposition members. These findings held even when compared with a baseline condition with no information presented to participants. We conclude that by emphasizing the study of group similarities and by disseminating research in a way that highlights similarities, researchers could reduce intergroup hostilities in the political domain.

Association of racism and substance use treatment with belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability to alcohol problems.

Belief in an American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) specific biological vulnerability (BV) to alcohol problems is associated with worse alcohol outcomes among AIANs. Despite a notable lack of evidence that biogenetic factors play a greater role in the development of alcohol problems among AIANs than other groups, many people still believe this myth. Consistent with theory and evidence that greater experiences with discrimination leads to the internalization of stereotypes and oppression, we hypothesized that greater perceived racial discrimination (racism) would be associated with greater BV belief, but that having a stronger ethnic identity would weaken this association. We also examined whether previous substance use treatment as well as participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was associated with BV belief. Participants were 198 reservation-dwelling AI adults with a substance use problem who completed a survey as part of a larger community-based participatory study. A multiple regression analysis revealed that greater systemic racism was associated with greater belief in a BV; this association was not moderated by ethnic identity. Greater interpersonal racism was also associated with greater BV belief-but only among those low in ethnic identity. A regression analysis revealed that previous treatment, AA, and NA participation were not associated with BV belief. Greater systemic and interpersonal racism were associated with belief in a BV, and greater ethnic identity buffered the association between interpersonal racism and BV belief. This suggests that both combatting racism and fostering positive ethnic identity may help to lessen BV belief. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

PERSPEKTIF GURU PAI TERHADAP PENTIGNYA PEMBELAJARAN AKIDAH AKHLAK (Studi pada SD Negeri 14 Parepare)

This study aims to determine the PAI teacher's perspective on the importance of learning Akhlak at SD Negeri 14 Parepare. learning aqidah morals is one of the materials for Islamic education at SD Negeri 14 Parepare. However, in this case, it is necessary to have an important role in fostering students as a source and motivator in terms of goodness. Moral aqidah should be able to make students better, however whether the impact of the learning can shape the character of students as expected. The data collection method in this research is using qualitative research with a descriptive approach. The data sources used are Primary and Secondary data. The data collection technique is interviews (interviews) in order to obtain information in this study. The results of the study show that: (1) the role of a PAI teacher in learning the moral creed is of course very active because it provides the basics of moral aqidah where students are fostered and overcome bad behavior by providing motivation and making students the nation's generation who are not easily influenced by the world that is temporary, eternal in the Hereafter. So a PAI teacher plays an important role in shaping the character of students so that the realization of pious and pious students. (2) Islamic religious learning in the form of devotion to morals of faith has a very good impact in fostering students towards religious values such as being moral so that students are able to practice good morals and try their best to leave bad morals, both in relation to Allah SWT, themselves , between humans and their relationship with the environment. Likewise, students can also add knowledge, appreciation and great belief in things that must be observed, so that students can behave and behave daily based on the Qur'an and hadith. The moral creed teaches to increase belief in the one and only Allah SWT who never sleeps and does not have children, believing in Allah SWT is one of the first pillars of faith. So the impact on students can shape the character to become a person with noble character.

Subjective Versus Objective: Divergency Between Subjective Walkability and Walk Score During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Walk scores are used to evaluate accessibility by walking from a location to various meaningful destinations. Their validity remains contested because the widely available walk scores from the Walk Score® company are typically constructed using objectively measured origin–destination distances, which may be inconsistent with people’s spatial perceptions and even irrelevant to destinationless recreational walking trips. This study examines the divergency between objective walkability measured as walk score and subjective walkability assessed by perceived accessibility. Using data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted spatial autocorrelation and multi-level regression analyses. Findings suggest that characteristics of both location and people affect the divergency between subjective–objective walkability. Regardless of their individual socioeconomic characteristics, respondents tend to match their subjective walkability assessment with the walk score better when they live in denser and older neighborhoods where more people may walk for utilitarian purposes. On the other hand, respondents with greater beliefs in environmental policies evaluate walkability in better alignment with walk score, regardless of their locational characteristics. The findings suggest that the main reasons for the subjective–objective divergency may lie in people using recreational walking for walkability assessment and their lack of lived experiences of utilitarian walking. Planners and policymakers should be mindful of the objective–subjective walkability divergency when using walk scores to support strategies and actions to improve walkability.

Predictors of Medical Students' Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Use in Medical Practice.

Background Psilocybin use, along with other psychedelics, has seen an increased interest among professionals in the medical community due to its potential therapeutic benefits for psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders (SUD), and palliative care. While it is certain that more research is necessary as psychedelic-assisted therapy becomes more prevalent, it will most likely be future physicians at the forefront of this neoteric care. Currently, physicians receive minimal training because of psilocybin's contextual information and its current enlistment as a Schedule 1 drug per the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Schedule 1 drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.As a rule, formal education on psilocybin is not included in medical school curricula, and very little is known about how medical students perceive it. The aim of this study was thus to assess current medical students' perceptions of their knowledge, concern for possible negative effects, and perceptions about medical psilocybin to provide a deeper understanding of which factors may predict their overall perceptions of its future therapeutic use. Methods Medical students' knowledge, concern for potential adverse effects, and perceptions of medical psilocybin were investigated using a cross-sectional survey study design. Data were collected in January 2023 from a convenience sample of United States medical students in years one to four of their program using a 41-item anonymous quantitative online survey. Multivariate linear regression modeling was performed to determine if perceived knowledge and beliefs about legalization would predict medical students' attitudes about psilocybin use for therapeutic purposes. Results Two hundred and thirteen medical students completed the survey. Seventy-three percent (n=155) were osteopathic medical students (OMS), and 27% (n=58) were allopathic medical students (MDS). Regression modeling produced a statistically significant equation: (F(3, 13)= 78.858, p < .001), with an R2 = 0.573 (adjusted R2 = 0.567), indicating that greater (perceived) knowledge about medical psilocybin, less concern for its possible adverse effects, and greater belief in the legalization of psilocybin for recreational use significantly contributed to positive perceptions of psilocybin use in medical practice. Conclusions In this sample, medical students with greater self-assessment of their knowledge about medical psilocybin, less concern for its potential adverse effects, and more positive views about recreational psilocybin legalization predicted positive attitudes about its medical use. Interestingly, although some participants had positive perceptions about the legalization of psilocybin for medical use, endorsing its legalization for recreation was related to greater positive attitudes toward medical psilocybin in general, a finding that appears to be somewhat counterintuitive. More research is warranted to further explore medical trainees' attitudes toward it,as psilocybin is a promising therapeutic intervention. If medicinal psilocybin continues to gain attention among patients and physicians alike, it will be imperative to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy, proper use, dosing, and potential for negative effects, in addition to preparing students to endorse therapeutic psilocybin when warranted.

Differences in Existential Perspectives as a Function of Having a Mystical-Type Experience

Prior research suggests that unique phenomenological experiences called “mystical-type experiences” (MTEs) have the potential to induce significant and persisting worldview changes. In this article, two studies add to this literature by using cross-sectional data from 837 and 1,086 participants, respectively, to investigate whether people who have had one of these experiences differ in predictable ways from those who have not on relevant existential variables. Specifically, we tested two novel hypotheses rooted in terror management theory, along with two predictions based on past research. In specific, the yes-MTE group was hypothesized to have (a) less fear of death and greater belief in death as a passage, (b) a more intrinsic and growth-oriented worldview, (c) fewer mental health symptoms, and (d) higher trait absorption. The data largely supported hypotheses 1, 2, and 4 while the results for hypothesis 3 were opposite of expectations, suggesting that clinical research with psychedelic-induced MTEs may not be generalizable to MTEs experienced outside the supportive therapeutic context.

The Double Molotov Cocktail of Brexit and COVID-19: Can Contact Intensity Help Explain Levels of Trust and Belief in the Future between Companies?

Can contact intensity help explain levels of trust and belief in the future among companies? This question is particularly important in times of exogenous shocks such as Brexit and COVID-19 when various sectors frequently experience a contraction of business activity. Putnam’s theory can help explain cooperation and long-term resilience among companies when business conditions radically change. Trustworthy companies can be named ‘hard-riders’, as they are good at creating social relationships and rewarding their trading partners through social recognition and continued cooperation. With their capacity for contact intensity, hard riders receive an extra social benefit to reinforce trust-based cooperation. Survey responses from 193 participants in our new database (DanComTrust) on British and Danish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) show that there is a significant effect from both contact intensity and trust intensity on belief in the future when tested individually in logit models. However, when both variables are included, all effects from contact intensity disappear and only trust intensity remains significant, indicating that the effect from contact intensity works through trust. These results suggest that a high level of contact intensity will increase the trust between cooperating companies, resulting in a greater belief in the future. This insight is relevant for maintaining and building future resilience between companies and their trading partners within and outside the EU.

Race-Based Care and Beliefs Regarding the Etiology of Racial Differences in Health Outcomes

Physicians' perspectives regarding the etiology of racial health differences may be associated with their use of race in clinical practice (race-based practice). This study evaluates whether attributing racial differences in health to genetics, culture, or social conditions is associated with race-based practice. This is a cross-sectional analysis, conducted in 2022, of the Council of Academic Family Medicine Education Research Alliance 2021 general membership survey. Only actively practicing U.S. physicians were included. The survey included demographic questions; the Racial Attributes in Clinical Evaluation (RACE) scale (higher scores imply greater race-based practice); and 3 questions regarding beliefs that racial differences in genetics, culture (e.g., health beliefs), or social conditions (e.g., education) explained racial differences in health. Three multivariable linear regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between RACE scores and beliefs regarding the etiology of racial differences in health. Of the 4,314 survey recipients, 949 (22%) responded, of whom 689 were actively practicing U.S. physicians. In multivariable regressions controlling for age, gender, race, ethnicity, and practice characteristics, a higher RACE score was associated with a greater belief that differences in genetics (β=3.57; 95% CI=3.19, 3.95) and culture (β=1.57; 95% CI=0.99, 2.16)-in but not social conditions-explained differences in health. Physicians who believed that genetic or cultural differences between racial groups explained racial differences in health outcomes were more likely to use race in clinical care. Further research is needed to determine how race is differentially applied in clinical care on the basis of the belief in its genetic or cultural significance.

Pandemic Nationalism: Use of Government Social Media for Political Information and Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories in China

The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed a torrent of conspiracy theories across different social media platforms. Parallel to this conspiracy wave was a heightened sense of nationalism, which manifested through both in-group solidarity and perceived out-group threats. In this study, we examine how individuals’ use of government social media to gather political information correlated with nation-related conspiracy beliefs during the pandemic. Data were collected from 745 subjects in China and analyzed through path analyses, which allowed us to examine the direct association with political information consumption from government social media and the indirect association with nationalism on conspiracy beliefs. The results indicated that the use of government social media to gather political information was associated with greater beliefs in nation-variant COVID-19 conspiracies, both directly and through different mediations of nationalism. Our findings highlight the importance of examining government social media use and how nationalism can have differentiated mediation effects on beliefs in conspiracy theories.

Sense of Purpose in Life and Beliefs and Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease.

A sense of purpose in life is associated with healthier cognitive outcomes, including lower risk of Alzheimer's Disease (ad). The present research examines whether purpose is also associated with beliefs and knowledge of ad. A random subsample (N = 1,187) of community-dwelling participants from the Health and Retirement Study completed a module on self-reported beliefs and knowledge of ad. Purpose in life was associated with lower perceived threat of ad and greater belief that modifiable factors (e.g., physical activity) decrease risk. Associations were not moderated by experience with ad or depressive symptoms. Purpose was unrelated to beliefs that genetics or stress increase risk or knowledge of ad. Individuals with a sense of purpose are less concerned about risk of developing ad and believe modifiable factors reduce risk. These beliefs may support engagement in behaviors that reduce risk and be one psychological pathway through which purpose protects against ad.

Masculinity Matters for Meat Consumption: An Examination of Self-Rated Gender Typicality, Meat Consumption, and Veg*nism in Australian Men and Women

Previous research shows that men eat more meat than women. We explore the extent to which self-rated gender typicality explains differences in meat consumption intentions and behaviour. We recruited a large sample (N = 4897) of Australian men and women to complete an online survey about their attitudes and intentions regarding meat consumption and abstention and measured their self-rated gender typicality (the extent men view themselves as masculine, and women view themselves as feminine). We used moderated regression analyses to investigate self-rated gender typicality as a moderator of the relationship between gender and meat-related variables. We demonstrated that for men, identifying as more masculine was associated with a lower likelihood of reducing meat consumption or considering veg*nism, and a greater belief that eating meat is normal. We also found that men, and those with more gender-typical self-ratings (regardless of gender), viewed meat as more natural, necessary, and nice. These findings suggest that self-rated gender typicality may be relevant for understanding gender differences in meat consumption behaviours. Appeals to adopt low- or no-meat diets may be more effective if they consider the ways Australian diets are interconnected with genders and identities. Increasing acceptance of alternative masculinities, and developing masculinity-friendly advertising of plant-based foods, could be useful in promoting meat reduction.

The Cognitive Aspect of Hope in the Semantic Space of Male Patients Dying of Cancer.

The aim of this study is to characterize the cognitive aspect of the semantic space of hope in patients in the terminal stage of cancer. This was confirmed in the research on hope by C. R. Snyder and B. Schrank. Hope is of great importance in all the great world religions and belief systems, both as regards a personal God or impersonal deities. Hoping is a human capacity with varying affective, cognitive and behavioral dimensions. Psychological, pedagogical (particularly in the framework of special needs pedagogy and thanatological pedagogy) and theological reflection on hope can provide support for dying people. In order to conduct the research, the semantic differential research method was selected. The research technique employed was a therapeutic conversation, and the research tool was the B.L. Block's DSN-3 test. The DSN-3 test allows one to assess hope in the semantic space in three aspects: cognitive, emotional and functional. For the purposes of this study, only the cognitive aspect was taken into account. The study was begun on 1 April 2010 and ended in the last days of December 2020. It included 110 male patients in the terminal stage of cancer. The youngest respondent was 19 years old and the oldest was 94 years old. The surveyed men most often perceived hope in the semantic space in the cognitive aspect as more true, wise, meaningful and real than false, stupid, meaningless and deceptive. Their attitude to hope was, therefore, more affirmative than negative. The research did not reveal the importance of the age of the respondents on the degree of affirmation/negation of hope in the cognitive aspect in the semantic space; however, men in the period of late maturity and professional activity expressed the lowest level of the affirmation of hope. It is worthwhile to conduct further research concerning hope in other aspects (especially emotional and functional) in the semantic space in order to use the obtained results to consider what to take into account when providing patients in the terminal stage of cancer with better personalized holistic care than before.

Predicting different dimensions of schizophrenia-related stigma in Israel: Exploring the applicability of the common sense model of illness

The common sense model of illness is a promising conceptual framework that can promote our understanding of the predictors of schizophrenia-related public stigma. Because stigma is a multidimensional phenomenon, studies on schizophrenia-related stigma need to account for the origins of the various aspects of this phenomenon. This study explored which common sense model of illness components (cognitive and emotional) predicted three distinct indicators of stigma (stereotypes and discrimination on the individual and structural levels). A nonprobability sample of 149 students from one of the largest universities in Israel was drawn. Data were collected via a self-reported questionnaire. We found that five of the nine common sense model of illness variables predicted schizophrenia stereotypes, whereas very few predicted discrimination. Additionally, we found that greater belief in the effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment was associated with lower stereotypes and social-level discrimination. The less the perceived consequences of schizophrenia (the extent to which the illness is perceived to affect one's life), the lower the stereotypes and discrimination (individual and social). The perceived cause of schizophrenia and attribution of personal control over the illness did not predict any stigma dimension. The findings suggest that the common sense model of illness is more suitable for predicting stereotypes than discrimination. More research is needed to understand the unique drivers of different dimensions of stigma. The findings also imply the need to design separate programs to address different aspects of schizophrenia-related stigma.

Beliefs and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Three Countries with Different Human Development Index (HDI) Scores: A Comparative Study.

As vaccination is a cornerstone strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this study assessed and compared beliefs about and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among the population of three countries with different Human Development Index (HDI) scores: Saudi Arabia (very high), India (medium), and Sudan (low). A web-based, self-administered structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from the three countries. The questionnaire contained three sections that measured sociodemographic characteristics, participants' beliefs about and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines, barriers to receiving COVID-19 vaccines, and scenarios in which there is a possibility to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine whether there was an association between the country of the participant and their beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines. 972 responses were collected. The study participants from India were more likely to believe in the safety and efficacy of vaccines than those from Saudi Arabia or Sudan. Consequently, they reported more willingness to get vaccinated to avoid complications from COVID-19. Regarding barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, concerns about adverse effects and ineffectiveness of vaccines were more common among Saudi participants, while concerns about conspiracy were more common among Sudanese participants. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was higher in countries with a very high to medium Human Development Index, indicating greater belief in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

“It's wicked hard to fight covert racism”: The case of microaggressions in science research organizations

AbstractThe intersection of race and gender discrimination has resulted in the pervasive under‐representation of women of color (WOC) in science careers, with research identifying that microaggressions are a key contributory factor to the imbalance. This study aims to compare individual experiences of microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations with institutional responses, thereby outlining the disconnects between the perspectives of minoritized scientists and those in positions of power. This paper draws on a constructivist paradigm to compare the experiences of women of color scientists with organizational representatives through 31 interviews conducted in science research organizations in the United Kingdom. The results find that organizational understandings of microaggressions differ substantially from those of WOC scientists. Furthermore, organizational responses favor policy‐based solutions that fail to address the slippery and deniable nature of microaggressions. The paper concludes that, contrary to the more prevalent popular diversity initiatives, a greater belief in the testimony of WOC scientists amplified by institutional responses that empower their identity as scientists would be more effective strategies to reduce the sense of shame and isolation caused by subtle forms of discrimination.

A gateway conspiracy? Belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories prospectively predicts greater conspiracist ideation.

A primary focus of research on conspiracy theories has been understanding the psychological characteristics that predict people's level of conspiracist ideation. However, the dynamics of conspiracist ideation-i.e., how such tendencies change over time-are not well understood. To help fill this gap in the literature, we used data from two longitudinal studies (Study 1 N = 107; Study 2 N = 1,037) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that greater belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories at baseline predicts both greater endorsement of a novel real-world conspiracy theory involving voter fraud in the 2020 American Presidential election (Study 1) and increases in generic conspiracist ideation over a period of several months (Studies 1 and 2). Thus, engaging with real-world conspiracy theories appears to act as a gateway, leading to more general increases in conspiracist ideation. Beyond enhancing our knowledge of conspiracist ideation, this work highlights the importance of fighting the spread of conspiracy theories.

Attitudes and experiences towards the IMMUNI App among Sapienza university students: a pilot study

Abstract Background IMMUNI is an app that was created to help fight epidemics, starting with COVID-19. The app has a contact tracing feature but its diffusion in Italy was low. In this pilot study, we investigated university students’ attitudes and experience towards the IMMUNI app. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sapienza University of Rome between 14 April and 19 April 2021. An online survey was administrated to university students of medical area. A multivariable logistic regression model was built to identify app download's predictors. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results We collected 247 questionnaires (response rate: 78.2%). More than half of the students (65.0%) didn't download IMMUNI app mostly because of the belief that it was useless (30.0%). By contrast, the main reason for downloading was sense of duty (40.0%). Experience with the app was limited but the process was judged as lacking for the technical difficulties. As for hypothetical incentives, feedback on how the download could help against the pandemic was considered as the most effective (3.5 out of 5). In the multivariable analysis, higher likelihood of download was associated with higher fear of contagion for family and acquaintances (aOR:1.50, 95% CI: 1.01-2.23) and higher rating to the health management of the emergency (aOR: 1.33, 95% CI:1.00-1.76). The highest odds of download were found for participants who have been advised to download the app (aOR: 3.21, 95% CI:1.80-5.73). On the other hand, greater belief that the virus came from a laboratory was negatively associated with the download (aOR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.93). Conclusions Strategies aimed at raising students’ awareness on the importance of health technologies, restoring confidence in health authorities, and limiting disinformation around SARS-Cov-2 should be devised. In addition, the app could be enriched with positive feedbacks for users, and some technical issues should be fixed. Key messages • The spread of digital technologies for public health purposes is fostered by trust in health institutions and improving health literacy and user engagement. • An efficient and user-friendly technology is recommended.

The Self-Invalidation Due to Emotion Scale: Development and psychometric properties.

Self-stigma involves internalized negative evaluation in people with a societally prescribed label (i.e., mental health diagnosis). Thus, measures of self-stigma due to mental illness exclude people without a diagnosis who may negatively evaluate themselves because of their emotions-a process we define as self-invalidation due to emotion. In the current research, we introduced a novel measure of self-invalidation due to emotion distinct from measures of self-stigma due to mental illness and perceived emotion invalidation. After expert review of the item pool (Study 1), and principal component (Study 2) and confirmatory factor analysis (Study 3), a 10-item scale for Self-Invalidation Due to Emotion Scale (SIDES) was developed, with subscales of self-invalidation due to high and low emotional experience. A college student and community sample (Study 4) confirmed test-retest reliability and demonstrated that greater self-invalidation due to high emotional experience predicted greater emotion dysregulation, emotional reactivity and expressivity, and beliefs about emotion uncontrollability. In contrast, greater self-invalidation due to low emotional experience predicted less emotional reactivity and expressivity, and greater beliefs about emotion controllability. Finally, in a community sample of people with a history of mental illness (Study 5), greater self-invalidation due to high but not low emotional experience predicted symptoms of borderline personality pathology and distress regardless of self-stigma due to mental illness or perceived emotion invalidation. The current research supports the SIDES as a psychometrically sound, more inclusive measure of self-stigma, relevant for predicting distress and maladaptive emotional tendencies in people with and without a mental illness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of a breast cancer educational intervention in Ghanaian high schools

IntroductionGlobally breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer with an estimated 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths in 2020. Late presentation is the hallmark of breast cancer in Ghana for which ignorance and fear are the major reasons fuelled largely by myths and misconceptions. Breast cancer awareness and education needs to start early to bring about a change in knowledge, attitude and practices. However, Breast cancer awareness activities in Ghana have usually targeted adult women.This study assessed the impact of breast cancer education among adolescent high school girls in Ghana.MethodologyA pre- post-test quasi experimental study was conducted at two senior high schools. A self-administered pre-educational questionnaire was followed by an educational intervention consisting of a drama, PowerPoint lecture, question and answer session and distribution of breast cancer information leaflets. After 3 months the same questionnaire was administered as a post-education test to assess the impact of the educational intervention. The total score for each domain was categorised into adequate knowledge > 50% and inadequate knowledge < 50%.ResultsThe number of participants in the pre-test and post-test were 1043 and 1274; the median ages [IQR] were 16.0 [15.0–17.0] for both the pre and post-test students. General knowledge on breast cancer at pre-education (29.1%) improved to 72.5% (p < 0.001). Knowledge on signs and symptoms improved from 33.1 to 55% (p < 0.001); knowledge on risk factors improved from 55.3 to 79.2% (p < 0.001), and knowledge on breast self-examination and screening improved from 9.8 to 22.2% (p < 0.001). The overall performance of the students improved from 17.2 to 59.4% (p < 0.001).ConclusionThere is inadequate knowledge about breast cancer and self-examination among senior high school girls in Ghana. Our breast cancer educational intervention was effective in improving general knowledge of breast cancer, risk factors, signs and symptoms and breast self-examination. The overall knowledge base improved from 17.2 to 59.4% 3 months post intervention, accompanied by an increase in the reported practice of breast self-examination and a greater belief that breast cancer is curable. This study has demonstrated the need for a school breast cancer educational program and that breast cancer education in high schools is effective.

Perceived Usefulness of Patient Narrative Feedback in Primary Care Settings

Research suggests that using insights from patient narratives ? stories about care experiences in patients’ own words ? has the potential to improve care. Qualitative reports, however, largely indicate that narratives have evoked mixed response among healthcare providers. Systematic study of which individuals and settings perceive narratives to be useful versus not to offer a clearer account of the variance in perceived usefulness has been lacking. Such analysis is critical because perception of value often dictates if and how information is used, which shapes the opportunity to leverage narratives for quality improvement. Our objective in this study was to assess perceived usefulness of patient narratives in primary care and identify individual- and clinic-related correlates of perceived usefulness. To do this, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 276 clinical and administrative personnel in nine primary care clinics affiliated with a health system in the United States. We collected their impressions of narratives, individual characteristics, and perceptions of some of their clinic’s characteristics. We used multilevel regression to examine possible correlates of perceived usefulness suggested by prior qualitative research. Perceived usefulness of patient comments was high overall (3.92 out of 5). Of the individual-related characteristics examined: burnout (ß=0.128, p=0.045) and professional role were associated with perceived usefulness. Care team roles (e.g., physicians) reported greater usefulness than administrative support roles (ß=0.242, p=0.027) and similar usefulness as administrators/supervisors (ß=0.191, p=0.420). Job dissatisfaction, tenure, and sex had no association with perceived usefulness. Of the clinic-related characteristics reported by participants, frequency of seeing patient comments was not associated with perceived usefulness (ß=0.003, p=0.948), whereas greater belief that their clinic engaged in more improvement efforts linked to patient feedback (ß=0.225, p=0.001) and had a learning orientation (ß=0.171, p=0.080) were associated with higher perceived usefulness. Overall primary care staff perceive narratives to be useful. However, perception varies by individual characteristics and clinic-related perceptions. Therefore, organizations should continue collecting and sharing narratives with their personnel, and ensure that structures and resources are available to support initiatives to learn from and respond to patients’ narrative feedback, as much of the variance is linked to organizational support.