Ineffective Strategies Research Articles

Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies among Adolescent Girls on Pubertal Changes in a Selected Schools, Mangaluru

Abstract Background Adolescence represents a pivotal stage marked by various physical, psychological-emotional, and social transformations. Among these changes, puberty stands out as a significant characterized by hormonal shifts, physical alterations, and emotional fluctuations. Objectives The present study was aimed to assess perceived stress and coping strategies and find the relationship among adolescent girls on pubertal changes in a selected school in Mangaluru. Materials and Methods The study adopted the descriptive survey design among 205 adolescent girls recruited by using convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using self-developed stress rating scale and standardized brief-COPE. Results The study findings showed that the majority of the adolescent girls attained menarche at the age of 12 to 13 years and 72.7% of the adolescent girls perceived less level of stress, while 98% of the adolescent girls employed ineffective coping strategies on pubertal changes. The study findings also found that there was a moderate positive correlation between perceived stress and coping strategies (r = 0.480) among adolescent girls on pubertal changes. Conclusion The study concluded that adolescent girls have less stress on pubertal changes and employ ineffective coping strategies during pubertal changes.

The Relationship Between Mental Health and Coping Strategies in Primary Caregivers of ADHD Patients

Taking care of a child with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been linked to emotional problems. However, using effective coping strategies positively impact the mental health of caregivers for children with ADHD. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ADHD caregivers’ coping strategies and their mental health. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 84 caregivers of ADHD children. The Coping Response Inventory and the General Health Questionnaire were completed by them. In the caregivers studied, emotion-focused coping’s score was positively correlated with somatic symptoms ( r = .45, p < .001), anxiety and insomnia ( r = .52, p < .001), social dysfunction ( r = .27, p < .05), and depression ( r = .49, p < .001). Similarly, physical inhibition or somatization of problem’s score was positively correlated with somatic symptoms ( r = .66, p < .001), anxiety and insomnia ( r = .54, p < .001), social dysfunction ( r = .32, p < .01), and depression ( r = .36, p < .001). Our findings indicate that ineffective coping strategies can potentially increase mental health problems in caregivers of children with ADHD.

An approach based on data mining and genetic algorithm to optimizing time series clustering for efficient segmentation of customer behavior

In today's highly competitive market, organizations face significant challenges in accurately understanding and segmenting customer behavior due to the inherently dynamic and evolving nature of customer interactions over time. Traditional customer segmentation methods often neglect these temporal variations, leading to ineffective business strategies and missed opportunities. This research addresses this critical gap by introducing an innovative time series-based approach for customer behavior segmentation. By modeling each customer's behavior as a time series capturing key metrics such as purchase frequency, transaction amounts, and customer lifecycle costs the proposed method dynamically adapts to behavioral changes over time. To enhance segmentation precision, a genetic algorithm is employed to optimize feature weights, ensuring that the most relevant factors are emphasized. These optimized features are then clustered using spectral clustering to identify distinct and meaningful customer segments. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using 30 months of transactional data from a payment services company. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach, particularly when combined with spectral clustering and optimally weighted features, significantly surpassing the performance of traditional static segmentation techniques. This research not only provides a more accurate framework for uncovering hidden patterns in customer behavior but also delivers actionable insights for targeted marketing and personalized customer strategies.

Time-dependent corrosion behavior of EH36 steel caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on big data monitoring technology

Marine microbial corrosion poses a significant threat to the safe service of marine engineering equipment. Previous studies have often failed to thoroughly analyze the continuous and prolonged microbial corrosion process, resulting in an incomplete understanding of microbial corrosion mechanisms involved at various stages and the development of ineffective control strategies. This study employed a corrosion big data online real-time monitoring technique to investigate the time-dependent corrosion behavior of EH36 steel caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in aerobic environments over a 30-d incubation period. It was found that P. aeruginosa accelerated the corrosion of EH36 steel in the early stages by enhancing the cathodic oxygen reduction process. As oxygen levels declined, P. aeruginosa transitioned from aerobic to anaerobic respiration, promoting corrosion through biocatalytic nitrate reduction. In the later stages, the reduction in sessile cell counts, extreme low oxygen concentration, and dense surface film increased the charge transfer and film resistances, ultimately leading to corrosion inhibition. The weight loss and electrochemical data confirmed the effectiveness of the big data monitoring technique in investigating microbial corrosion, which provides new approaches for diagnosing and preventing microbial corrosion.

Challenges, Opportunities, and possible Interventions in the Biogas sector in Rural areas of Limpopo, South Africa

Biogas technology offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for addressing energy needs, particularly in rural areas. Despite its potential benefits, the adoption of biogas technology in rural Limpopo, South Africa, remains limited. This paper critically examines the factors hindering its uptake. Using an exploratory approach (Qualitative study), data were gathered through interview guide, field surveys, literature reviews, and expert opinions. The analysis indicates that while biogas is a superior thermal option for household energy crises, several challenges need resolution. Key obstacles include ineffective strategies for promoting biogas in Limpopo. Understanding stakeholder perspectives—such as government bodies, local communities, and private enterprises—is crucial for developing strategies to increase biogas use. Necessary interventions include training, capacity-building, and educational awareness initiatives in rural areas to boost adoption. The financial sector's role in renewable energy is critical, especially as cleaner fuels gain attention. Despite its significant benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing household energy security, biogas technology's acceptance and use remain low.

EXAMINING MARKET ACCEPTANCE

This research endeavors to ascertain whether family businesses employ new product development as a strategy that is well received by the market. This qualitative research examined the food and beverage family business in Surabaya. Data was collected from credentialed persons or expertise via the use of purposive sampling. Interviews served as the primary method of data collection. The present study examines the experiences of family business proprietors in the food and beverage industry who, in response to ineffective marketing strategies, initiated the creation of innovative products. This study emphasizes sensory enjoyment, economic value, and brand trust in product development.

Overcoming barriers in implementing healthy school nutrition policies: insights from Ukraine

Abstract The general mortality rate from NCDs in Ukraine exceeds that in European Union countries, (Yurochko et al., 2023) exacerbated by the ongoing war. Healthy nutrition plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall quality of life and curbing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Despite its significance, ensuring healthy eating habits, particularly during the early stages of life at the period of setting lifelong habits (Jackson et al., 2020; Riley et al., 2018), remains a challenge. Besides, school-based settings represent an ideal environment for effective intervention because they offer a shared common physical, academic, and social space (Tapia-Fonllem et al., 2020). Through a series of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, this study identifies barriers and facilitators to policy implementation, with a focus on educational institutions. Qualitative analysis reveals barriers such as inadequate human resources, funding constraints, resistance from the food industry, and ineffective communication strategies at the family level. Moreover, there exists a disjointed understanding of nutrition standards. However, collaborative efforts with civil society, empowerment of nursing roles, strategic utilization of grants and fundraising, engagement with the food industry, and the adoption of a family-oriented approach emerge as crucial enablers for successful policy implementation. These findings offer theoretical foundations for fostering healthier nutrition environments within schools. This research serves as a roadmap for policymakers and educators striving to create sustainable and effective strategies for promoting healthy eating among early school-age children in Ukraine and beyond. Study finds human resource shortages, funding constraints, and food industry resistance as major barriers to school nutrition policy. Recommendations include collaborative approaches, nurse involvement, and aligned standards for effective school nutrition policy. Key messages • Healthy nutrition plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall quality of life and curbing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. • Through a series of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, this study identifies barriers and facilitators to policy implementation, with a focus on educational institutions.

A Qualitative Exploration on Psychological Stressors and Coping Mechanisms in Medical Laboratory Personnel

Healthcare professionals, particularly those working in high-stress environments like hospitals, are frequently exposed to significant psychological challenges. This study explores the psychological stressors and coping mechanisms of medical laboratory personnel at the People's Hospital of Keyouqianqi, Inner Mongolia, China. Using a qualitative research design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants, focusing on their experiences of stress and the strategies they use to manage it. The findings reveal that the most significant stressors include high workloads, time pressure, the responsibility for diagnostic accuracy, and interpersonal conflicts within the workplace. Additionally, personal and social stressors, such as balancing work with family responsibilities, further compounded their stress levels. Participants employed a variety of coping mechanisms, both problem-focused and emotion-focused, with effective strategies including building strong professional relationships, engaging in physical activities, and practicing mindfulness. However, some participants resorted to ineffective coping strategies, such as avoidance behaviors and unhealthy habits, which often exacerbated their stress. This study highlights the complex interplay between individual coping strategies and the cultural and institutional context in which these professionals operate. The findings have important implications for practice and policy, offering insights into how healthcare institutions can better support the mental health and well-being of their staff.

Factors affecting rural youth participation in the smallholder farming sector

Youth participation in agriculture across Africa remains notably low, failing to reflect significant investments made in the sector. Much of the discussion to date on factors affecting rural youth participation in agriculture has occurred in the absence of robust and compelling evidence. As a result, most policy decisions rely on misconcep­tions about youth intentions and involvement in agriculture, leading to ineffective strategies for increasing their participation. This study aims to examine the factors influencing rural youth partici­pation in agriculture, particularly in the context of smallholder farming. A pre-tested, structured ques­tionnaire collected data from 200 youths (aged 15 to 35 years) across three districts of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate that the future of agri­culture and food security in the study areas is uncertain, with more than 70% of the youth surveyed indicating they do not anticipate engaging in agriculture during the next five years. The factors associated with youth participation in agriculture were found to be multifaceted, encompassing demographic, economic, psychological, educa­tional, and technological dimensions. To enhance youth involvement in agriculture, the study recom­mends a shift from the traditional siloed approach to an interdisciplinary strategy that includes com­prehensive planning, investment, and decision-making.

Government short-termism and the management of global challenges

Crises and global challenges are pervasive in contemporary politics and societies worldwide. Climate change, economic recessions, humanitarian crises, health emergencies, wars and international conflicts put tremendous pressure on the functioning of democratic political systems and other government models. This study is located in the special issue for the 25th anniversary of the British Journal of Politics and International Relations. Leveraging an original longitudinal dataset covering more than 700 governments and 400 elections in 21 democracies dating back to the 1940s, we show that completing the constitutionally mandated term is increasingly difficult for ruling parties in Western Europe. Short-termism raises serious questions about democratic governments’ ability to manage global challenges effectively. Considering the potentially detrimental consequences of short-termism, we contribute to the scientific examination of the politics of global challenges, shedding light on effective and ineffective management strategies.

Стресс и стратегии совладания у студенческой молодежи: обзор исследований

<p>Global socio-economic crises, new pandemics, climate disasters, and other large-scale factors create an unfavorable background for humanity, often involving painful processes that lead to significant changes in personality and the social situation of development. Students, as they navigate personal and professional development during their university education, determine their life prospects and societal roles for many years to come. A normative age crisis, combined with everyday and global stresses, can lead to adverse consequences such as high anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, other emotional and behavioral problems, and social maladjustment. The issue of coping strategies that help students effectively manage stress becomes increasingly relevant. The review included 75 full-text Russian and English papers, mainly from 2019–2024, sourced from bibliographic databases such as Elibrary, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The analysis included articles where the participants were aged 17–25, primarily students. The analysis of theoretical and empirical studies allowed us to systematize the types of students' stressors and the specifics of coping strategies. It is important to distinguish whether coping is a response to a specific stressor (situational coping) or if its use is related to an individual's personality traits (dispositional coping). Additionally, it is informative to consider socio-demographic characteristics such as the gender of participants, year, and field of education, which help to identify additional factors associated with the use of different coping strategies. The choice of effective or ineffective coping strategies is characterized by different relationships between stress, existing emotional problems (such as anxiety and depression), and mental toughness (adaptive resource). Thus, a scientifically based approach to effective coping strategies for students, with detailed consideration of perceived stress, mental toughness, the level of emotional problems, and demographic factors, can be considered the most relevant theoretical model.</p>

Customers Perception on Banking Communication in Development Banks of Kathmandu Valley: Evidence from Structural Equation Modelling

Background: Effective communication is vital in banking, influencing customer satisfaction and the overall success of banking operations. While global research on banking communication is extensive, studies specific to Nepalese development banks are limited. Objective: The study aims to analyze how customers perceive the communication strategies employed by development banks, identifying challenges and providing recommendations for improvement. Method: An explanatory research design was used, with data collected from 281 customers using KOBO Toolbox and structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed using SPSS, AMOS, and Excel, with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) applied for inferential analysis. Result: The study found that both formal and informal communication methods are widely used by development banks. However, major challenges include a lack of proper knowledge in digital communication, inadequate communication technology, and ineffective communication strategies. Despite these challenges, good communication was identified as a key factor in customer satisfaction and loyalty. Conclusion: The study concludes that while banking communication is generally effective, there are significant areas for improvement, particularly in digital communication and strategy formulation. Banks are recommended to adopt user-friendly communication technologies, train employees in communication skills, and conduct educational campaigns for customers. By addressing these issues, banks can enhance customer satisfaction and build stronger relationships with their clientele. Paper Types: Research Paper Key words: Banking Communication, Customer's Perception, Loyalty, Trust, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Development Bank, Kathmandu Valley. JEL classification: D83, G21, O14, C39, G53

Soccer and Vocational Training are Ineffective Delivery Strategies to Prevent HIV and Substance Abuse by Young, South African Men: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

HIV and substance abuse are common among young men, associated with a cluster of risk behaviors. Yet, most services addressing these challenges are delivered in setting underutilized by men and are often inconsistent with male identity. This cluster randomized controlled trial aimed to reduce multiple risk behaviors found among young men township areas on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. Young men aged 18-29years (N = 1193) across 27 neighborhoods were randomized by area to receive HIV-related skills training during either: (1) a 12-month soccer league (SL) intervention; (2) 6-month SL followed by 6months of vocational training (VT) intervention (SL/VT, n = 9); or 3) a control condition (CC). Bayesian longitudinal mixture models were used to evaluate behaviors over time. Because we targeted multiple outcomes as our primary outcome, we analyzed if the number of significantly different outcomes between conditions exceeded chance for 13 measures over 18months (with 83%, 76%, and 61% follow-up). Only if there were three significant benefits favoring the SL/VT over the SL would benefits be significant. Outcome measures included substance use, HIV-testing, protective sexual behaviors, violence, community engagement and mental health. Consistent participation in the SL was typically around 45% over time across conditions, however, only 17% of men completed SL/VT. There were no significant differences between conditions over time based on the number of study outcomes. These structural interventions were ineffective in addressing young men's substance abuse and risk for HIV.Clinical Trial Registration: This trial was prospectively registered on 24 November 2014 with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02358226).

Exploring the Role of Attachment and Coping Strategies in Sexual Orientation Disparities in Depressive Symptoms

ABSTRACT We tested whether sexual orientation disparities in depressive symptoms are partially explained by a path through attachment anxiety or avoidance leading to ineffective coping strategies. A convenience sample of 1290 individuals from two reliable data collection platforms (Credamo and Wenjuanxing) in China were included. Structural equation modeling was performed, with sexual orientation treated as the independent variable, ineffective coping strategies, attachment avoidance and anxiety as mediators, and depressive symptoms as the dependent variable. We found that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals reported higher levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance than heterosexual individuals, regardless of sex, with Cohen’s ds ranging from 0.25 to 0.76. For both sexes, LGB individuals reported more depressive symptoms than heterosexual individuals, with total effects (standardized regression coefficients) ranging from 0.22 to 0.26. More depressive symptoms reported by LGB individuals compared to heterosexual individuals were partially explained by a path involving attachment avoidance or anxiety leading to ineffective coping strategies, with indirect effects ranging from 0.04 to 0.09 (small effect sizes). Overall, our results suggest that psychological factors, such as the cognitive or emotional representations of self and others, as well as ineffective coping strategies, may partially explain sexual orientation disparities in depressive symptoms.

Aligning Strategies of Institutes with Student Expectations: An Exploration of External Factors Shaping Students' Choice of Private Higher Education Institutes

Student enrollment and retention are critical aspects of the economic sustainability of a private higher education institute (HEI). However, due to the growing number of private HEIs worldwide, huge competition has been created among these institutes. This has resulted in institutes investing heavily in ineffective strategies because they are implemented without fully understanding student expectations. Due to this, student dropouts can also be observed. Failure to meet enrollment targets and dropouts not only creates revenue loss but also negatively affects the reputation of the HEIs, impacting the viability of the institute. Therefore, much interest has been generated in identifying the factors that motivate students when choosing an HEI. This study’s main aim is to conduct a review of the available literature and identify the external factors, namely HEI-related characteristics and the communication methods that influence students when choosing a private HEI that directly impact the institutes. The inclusion criteria for the chosen literature consisted of studies conducted on the motivational factors of undergraduates and high school students who were in the process of choosing an HEI. The literature reviewed shows that students are influenced by HEI-related characteristics such as the reputation of the HEI, course fees, facilities offered, employability of graduates, academic quality, and quality of faculty and by the information gathered through communication methods such as websites and social media advertisements. HEIs can consider these findings to develop policies, improve their facilities and activities, and formulate and implement marketing strategies through the communication channels identified in this study.

Strategies for Enhancing One-Equation Turbulence Model Predictions Using Gene-Expression Programming

This paper introduces innovative approaches to enhance and develop one-equation RANS models using gene-expression programming. Two distinct strategies are explored: overcoming the limitations of the Boussinesq hypothesis and formulating a novel one-equation turbulence model that can accurately predict a wide range of turbulent wall-bounded flows. A comparative analysis of these strategies highlights their potential for advancing RANS modeling capabilities. The study employs a single-case CFD-driven machine learning framework, demonstrating that machine-informed models significantly improve predictive accuracy, especially when baseline RANS predictions diverge from established benchmarks. Using existing training data, symbolic regression provides valuable insights into the underlying physics by eliminating ineffective strategies. This highlights the broader significance of machine learning beyond developing turbulence closures for specific cases.

Optimized Technique for College Students Job Searching Strategies Using Fuzzy Logic Control with Cuckoo Search Algorithm

College students face uncertainties during job searches due to a lack of career planning, unclear objectives, and ineffective search strategies, leading to poor employment outcomes. Fuzzy Control (FC) based Job Search Strategies (JS2) are proposed in this research as an optimized technique named FC-JS2-TSC. This technique combines Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy inference with Cuckoo (C) search optimization. The primary goals are improving individualized advice and creating an integrated system to deal with job search concerns. The FC uses fuzzy logic and sets to model uncertainties such as vague job desires and ever-changing market circumstances. Individual student profiles and preferences are used to fine-tune methods by cuckoo search. Through experimental validation, we can see that FC-JS2-TSC outperforms previous methods in terms of both job strategy selection and results. As a measure of system efficacy, the results demonstrate a high Cronbach's alpha reliability of 0.96, a low RMSEA of 0.04 and 96.6% regarding job offers. By adjusting tactics in response to uncertainty, the innovative FC-JS2-TSC algorithm facilitates data-driven, personalized decision-making, ultimately leading to more efficient job searches. It has an integrated design that combines optimization with fuzzy logic's uncertainty handling to ensure students have the best possible chance of success in their job searches.

Coping with emotional pain: An experimental comparison of acceptance vs. avoidance coping

The present study compared multi-methodically and multi-dimensionally the effects of acceptance and avoidance coping with emotional pain, both between and within-group. Convenience sampling was used, with 88 participants included (81.8% females; Mage = 21.75 years) and being randomly assigned to one of two instructed groups: (a) Acceptance followed by avoidance of pain sensations and thoughts, and (b) Avoidance followed by acceptance. All participants underwent an emotional pain induction procedure three times involving negative autobiographical recall and an emotional-pain standardized script. In the first emotion induction, no instructions were given whereas in the other two, participants were instructed to use the techniques they were trained in. On both autobiographical and emotional-pain script tasks, participants who used firstly avoidance and secondly acceptance exhibited significantly lower mean heart rate and higher mean heart rate variability RR index across time. Also, in the last emotional pain induction, on both tasks, acceptance resulted in lower physiological activation than avoidance. No significant differences were found for the self-report of negative affect. Overall, acceptance vs. avoidance differences were mostly found in the physiological outcomes, suggesting the importance of including objective measures when examining coping techniques. Our findings suggest that ACT's concept of creative hopelessness is supported, as participants may have to use firstly use ineffective coping strategies to better understand what methods are most effective for managing pain. To our knowledge, this study is the first study to compare acceptance vs. avoidance coping with emotional pain both between and within-group, using a multi-method and multi-dimensional approach.

Effective and ineffective strategies for successful rehabilitation: A comparison of activities in juvenile and adult facilities

This article discusses social rehabilitation among adults and minors, comparing methods used in penitentiary units and facilities for adolescents in conflict with the law. The research underlying this article was conducted in two stages: first, through study visits by the Criminological Scientific Club of the University of Warsaw, followed by a series of structured interviews. This approach enabled the authors to determine what works and what does not in the social rehabilitation system. The research revealed that in prisons, the most beneficial factors for convicts are work opportunities and family contact. In turn, for units housing minors, measurable benefits come from education tailored to the child’s learning level and educational outreach beyond the facility walls. However, the authors attributed the failures to the slow work of the courts, which prolongs the time needed to send adolescents to the facility, and to the lack of proper supervision over the situation of the charges. In the case of adults, problems include poor treatment of convicts by the Prison Service, insufficient therapeutic and educational system, and improper selection of management staff. The authors concluded from their research analysis that there are no universal social rehabilitation methods that can be effectively applied to both adults and minors.

Predictors of treatment outcomes. Patients with persistent physical symptoms in primary care.

Persistent physical symptoms (PSS) are consistently prevalent among primary care patients. PSS can negatively affect quality of life, healthcare costs, and work participation. To examine predictors of treatment outcome in patients with who received treatment by a work-focused communication tool known as the Individual Challenge Inventory Tool (ICIT) delivered by the patient's general practitioner. In a previous study we found substantially improved outcomes and reduced sick leave for patients treated by the work-focused communication tool ICIT compared to a control group. This study is based on the findings of our previous cluster randomised controlled trial. Regression analyses of the intervention group were used to identify predictors (all measured at baseline) of improvements in Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and sick leave after 11 weeks follow up. Living alone predicted improvement in the adjusted model (OR =4·03, 95% CI: 1·33-12·25, P=0·014). Receiving long term benefits predicted improved PGIC in both the unadjusted (OR =2·30, 95% CI: 1·21-4·39, P=0·011) and adjusted models (OR =2·46, 95% CI: 1·04-5·83, P=0·040). In addition, living alone predicted reduced sick leave in the adjusted model (OR =3·23, 95% CI: 1·11-9·42, P=0·032. In general, there were few factors to predict the outcome of the work-focused communication tool ICIT. We therefore suggest that this work-focused communication tool ICIT is applicable to most patients with PPS. GPs may consider using the ICIT for all primary care patients who exhibit ineffective coping strategies in their daily lives and work, especially those who live alone.