Negative Self-evaluation Research Articles

Educator perspectives on stressors and health: a qualitative study of U.S. K-12 educators in February 2022

BackgroundTeachers experienced increased stressors and stress during the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many educators returned to in-person instruction in the 2021–2022 school year, they faced changing job demands and stressors which has important implications for educator well-being. We sought to understand the stressors and health impacts faced by U.S. educators in the 2021–2022 school year, two years following the acute phase of the pandemic.MethodsThirty-four certified educators based in Connecticut, USA participated in four virtual focus groups in February 2022. A semi-structured focus group script, designed by the research team and guided by the job demands-resources model, was administered to understand stressors and stress impacts. Data were transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify themes and sub-themes. Themes were summarized based on how many participants mentioned them.ResultsAnalysis of the qualitative data yielded three themes concerning the well-being impacts of stress: physical health and health behaviors, psychological health, and relationships and social well-being behaviors. The majority of educators indicated impacts in these domains with 76% indicating impacts on physical health and health behaviors (e.g. poor sleep, physical exhaustion, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating), 62% indicating impacts on psychological health (e.g. emotional exhaustion, anxiety, negative self-evaluation); and 68% indicating impacts on relationships social well-being behaviors (e.g. connections with family or friends, connections with others, relationships with coworkers). The majority (94%) of educators indicated that stressors from the school or district with the majority (91%) citing stressors related to protocols/expectations (e.g. excessive or increased demands, insufficient or decreased resources) and some (38%) administrators. Over half (62%) indicated personal stressors including personal/home life (41%), high personal expectations (18%), and income (18%). Some (35%) indicated either the pandemic (26%) or safety concerns (9%) were stressors. Some (24%) cited students’ parents as a stressor and a few indicated community (12%), students (12%), and state or national level (9%) stressors.ConclusionEducator well-being continued to be impacted in the post-pandemic era. Targeted interventions are needed to reduce school and district-related demands and to address stress-related educator well-being.

Workplace aggression and employee performance: A meta-analytic investigation of mediating mechanisms and cultural contingencies.

We present a meta-analytic investigation of the theoretical mechanisms underlying why experienced workplace aggression is harmful to the three core performance outcomes (i.e., task performance, citizenship behavior, and deviant behavior). Through a comprehensive literature review of 405 empirical articles, we first extract and identify five prominent theoretical mechanisms: relationship quality, justice perception, psychological strain, negative affect, and state self-evaluation. By synthesizing evidence from these articles, which include 471 unique samples from 36 countries or regions (N = 149,341 participants), we reveal the incremental effects of the five mechanisms, compare their relative strengths for each performance outcome, and examine their cultural contingencies. We find that when the five mechanisms are examined simultaneously, only relationship quality and state self-evaluation show incremental effects across all performance outcomes in the predicted direction. Moreover, the comparative strengths of mechanisms vary across performance outcomes: The impact of workplace aggression on task performance is best explained by the negative affect and state self-evaluation mechanisms, its impact on citizenship behavior is best explained by the relationship quality mechanism, and its impact on deviant behavior is best explained by the negative affect mechanism. Finally, the prominence of some mechanisms is contingent on certain cultural dimensions: The relationship quality mechanism is strengthened by individualism and masculinity, while the state self-evaluation mechanism is strengthened by masculinity. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of our research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Prevalence of depressive symptoms among urban school adolescents in Vietnam: The role of youth, family, and school relationships

BackgroundAdolescents frequently encounter a spectrum of psychiatric conditions, predominantly depressive and anxiety disorders, along with various behavioral disturbances. ObjectiveThis investigation aims to delineate the prevalence of depressive disorders among adolescents in urban Vietnam and to elucidate the interrelationships between familial and school-related dynamics and adolescent depression. Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2022, involving 507 students aged 15 to 17 from high schools in Hanoi, Vietnam. Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale - Second Edition (RADS-2) was used to assess the presence of depressive symptoms. Social-demographic characteristics, adolescent-family and adolescent-school relationships, and academic environment characteristics of high school students were interviewed. Multivariate Tobit regression models were employed to discern contributory factors across four domains of RADS-2. ResultsAmong the 507 adolescents, the mean scores on the RADS scale were 15.1 ± 4.2 for the dysphoric mood domain, 16.4 ± 4.0 for the anhedonia-negative domain, 13.1 ± 4.4 for the negative self-evaluation domain, and 12.4 ± 3.7 for the somatic complaints domain. The analysis indicated that adolescents with suboptimal parental relationships, absence of confidants, frequent parental conflicts, exposure to parental arguments, substantial exam-related stress, or overwhelming academic demands were more likely to exhibit elevated depressive symptoms. Conversely, adolescents who were satisfied with their friendships at school and received care, support from teachers or friends, and involved in school's extracurricular activities lower exhibited levels of depression. ConclusionsFindings reveal the significant impact of family and peer relationships, as well as academic stress, on the development of depressive symptoms. These significant results inform the design and development of future interventions aimed at mitigating depression risks among high school students, emphasizing the crucial roles of both educational institutions and family dynamics.

Chronotype, sleep quality, impulsivity and aggression in patients with borderline personality disorder and healthy controls

ABSTRACT Impulsivity, aggression, and suicide are the major clinical symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Although previous studies indicated poor sleep quality and its relationship with clinical symptoms in patients with BPD, chronotype, an important sleep parameter, was not investigated in these patients. This study aimed to analyze chronotype and its relationship with clinical symptoms in patients with BPD. Participants in this study consisted of 68 BPD patients and 65 healthy controls. Subjective sleep characteristics, impulsivity, aggression, suicide probability, and chronotype were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Buss-Perry Aggression Scale (BPAQ), Suicide Probability Scale, and Morningness – Eveningness Questionnaire, respectively. PSQI total and subscale scores subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, and daytime drowsiness were significantly higher in the BPD group (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the PSQI total score and the BPAQ total score (r = 0.268, p = 0.027). The rate of evening type was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.004). Suicide attempts and the subscale of suicide probability hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and negative self-evaluation scores were significantly higher in evening type BPD patients. (p = 0.017, p = 0.009, p = 0.001, p = 0.047). Sleep quality is associated with aggression, and the eveningness chronotype is associated with suicide. It may be useful to focus on sleep problems in treating BPD patients.

Dynamic networks of complex posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among college students with childhood trauma: insights from cross-sectional and cross-lagged panel network analysis

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: There is a current research gap regarding the symptom structure and underlying causal relationships between complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and depressive symptoms. This longitudinal study used a cross-sectional network and cross-lag panel network (CLPN) to examine how CPTSD and depression symptoms interact over time in Chinese college students with childhood trauma. Methods: From 18,933 college students who took part in 2 surveys 12 months apart, 4006 participants (mean age: 20.07 ± 2.04) who reported childhood trauma were screened. Within this sample, there were 2354 (58.8%) males and 1652 (41.2%) females. Results: In the one-year interval CLPN model, it was found that depressive symptoms may precede other symptoms. Specifically, negative emotions and negative self-evaluations are more likely to predict subsequent symptoms. Conversely, in CPTSD, symptoms related to fear and anxiety, such as avoidance, intrusion, and hyperarousal, are more frequently activated by other symptoms, including negative emotions Conclusions: This finding offers a novel perspective on the interplay between CPTSD and depression, extending the existing theory. From a clinical standpoint, the points of intervention for comorbidity between depression and CPTSD who have experienced childhood trauma differ across different stages.

B - 4 The Neuropsychological Impact of Myocardial Infarction Induced Cerebral Hypoxia and Acute Encephalitis Following Electrocution: a Case Study

Abstract Objective Cerebral hypoxia and acute encephalitis subsequent to myocardial infarction (MI) are often associated with a decline in cognitive functioning (Wang et al., 2022; Caplan, 2004). While this relationship is well documented in existing literature, less research has investigated the potential nuanced cognitive and behavioral impacts of hypoxia and encephalitis due to electrocution-induced atrial fibrillation (AFib). The present case study uses neuropsychological assessment to clarify further the impact of significant electrocution and subsequent morbidities on cognition. Method We present a case study of a 30-year-old right-handed transgender female with 12 years of education who was referred for neuropsychological assessment pursuant to mental status changes manifested by disorientation and amnesia (the patient believed it was ten years prior) following the MI due to electrocution complicated by an estimated period of 10–15 minutes of non-responsiveness and anoxic encephalopathy. Results Neuropsychological assessment revealed difficulties with cognitive efficiency, language functioning, sequencing, problem-solving, complex attention, and semantic fluency. Overall, performance was inconsistent with education-weighted norms and estimated premorbid functioning. An objective measure of psychological functioning reflected a negative self-evaluation, depression, thoughts of self-harm, anxiety, and personality difficulties marked by fluctuating emotions. Findings supported a diagnosis of cognitive impairment and altered mental status associated with anoxic brain injury from the above-noted MI. Conclusion This case highlights the consequences of anoxic encephalopathy from MI subsequent to electrocution on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Neuropsychological assessment provided clear evidence of cognitive impairment beyond the initial diagnoses, and further defined cognitive and behavioral correlates not explained by other dispositional variables.

Mindfulness for test anxiety and negative self-evaluation in high school

There is growing evidence that mindfulness-based interventions reduce test anxiety in university-level students, but less is known about high school students. Adolescence is a time of frequent testing, identity concerns, and increases in self-conscious emotions. We hypothesized that test anxiety would be associated with negative self-referential thinking (negative self-thinking, study 1) and that Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) would reduce test anxiety, negative self-thinking, and self-judgment (study 2). 455 high school students (M age = 17.1 years (SD = 1.07), 43.2% female) reported their test anxiety and negative self-thinking in a cross-sectional study (study 1) and 33 high school students (mean age = 17.5 years (SD = 1.60, 88% female) reported measures at the pre-, post, and one-year follow-up during an 8-week MBSR course (study 2). Test anxiety was positively related to negative self-thinking (study 1). Test anxiety and self-judgment were reduced after participating in MBSR and remained low one year after (study 2). Negative self-thinking was not reduced during the intervention. MBSR seems promising in reducing test anxiety and self-judgment in adolescents and might increase awareness of negative self-thinking, perhaps also reducing the impact of such thoughts by encouraging observation of the thoughts as “events in the mind” rather than facts. Mindfulness training seems promising for reducing test anxiety in high school, but results need to be replicated in larger samples with a control group.

A multi-modal assessment of self-knowledge in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury: a research domains criteria (RDoC) study.

Adolescence is a critical period for brain development, consolidation of self-understanding, and onset of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). This study evaluated the RDoC (Research Domain Criteria) sub-construct of Self-Knowledge in relation to adolescent NSSI using multiple units of analysis. One hundred and sixty-four adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB), ages 12-16 years with and without a history of NSSI entered a study involving clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including structural, resting-state functional MRI (fMRI), and fMRI during a self-evaluation task. For imaging analyses, we used an a priori defined Self Network (anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal, and posterior cingulate cortices; precuneus). We first examined interrelationships among multi-level Self variables. We then evaluated the individual relationships between NSSI severity and multi-level Self variables (self-report, behavior, multi-modal brain Self Network measures), then conducted model testing and multiple regression to test how Self variables (together) predicted NSSI severity. Cross-correlations revealed key links between self-reported global self-worth and self-evaluation task behavior. Individually, greater NSSI severity correlated with lower global self-worth, more frequent and faster negative self-evaluations, lower anterior Self Network activation during self-evaluation, and lower anterior and posterior Self Network resting-state connectivity. Multiple regression analysis revealed the model including multi-level Self variables explained NSSI better than a covariate-only model; the strongest predictive variables included self-worth, self-evaluation task behavior, and resting-state connectivity. Disruptions in Self-Knowledge across multiple levels of analysis relate to NSSI in adolescents. Findings suggest potential neurobiological treatment targets, potentially enhancing neuroplasticity in Self systems to facilitate greater flexibility (more frequently positive) of self-views in AFAB adolescents.

A network analysis of body image concern, interoceptive sensibility, self-consciousness, and self-objectification.

Disrupted interoception has been found in individuals with body image concerns and related psychiatric conditions (i.e., eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder). However, few studies have explored the role of interoception in the relationship between body image concern and self-objectification (SO). As components of the bodily self, interoception and body image may also contribute to the fostering of self-consciousness. The current study estimated the network model of body image concern, adaptive and maladaptive interoceptive sensibility (IS), self-consciousness, and SO, with data from 743 neurotypical adults. The centrality of nodes and the robustness of the network were verified. Our network showed that interoception correlated with certain characteristics of body image concern (BIC) with varying strength and different directions. The most central node described beliefs of BIC, namely, negative evaluation toward appearance. Self-objectification and maladaptive IS presented the highest bridge centrality. Interoception also linked BICs with SO and self-consciousness. Findings suggested that SO, adaptive and maladaptive interoception might be the targets of intervention for individuals with BIC, specifically for those with high levels of appearance-related negative self-evaluations.

Penerapan Terapi Afirmasi Positif pada Pasien dengan Harga Diri Rendah di Rumah Sakit Jiwa Palembang

Low self-esteem is a persistent feeling of worthlessness and inferiority from negative self-evaluation of oneself. Complications for clients with low self-esteem include social isolation, hallucinations and violent behavior. The problem of low self-esteem requires appropriate intervention. One therapy that can be done by patients with low self-esteem is positive affirmation therapy. Positive affirmations are statements that strengthen positive beliefs within a person. This research aims to provide nursing care to mental patients with low self-esteem through positive affirmation therapy interventions at the Palembang mental hospital. The method used was a descriptive method with a nursing process approach on 3 patients with a One Group Pretest Posttest research design of positive affirmation therapy on patients with low self-esteem. The results of measurements via the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale were obtained by the patient Mrs. Y with a score of 4 (low self-esteem) to 7 (high self-esteem), the score for Mrs. N with a score of 3 (low self-esteem) becomes 7 (high self-esteem) and Mrs. A with a score of 3 (low self-esteem) becomes 5 (low self-esteem). Conclusion: There is a decrease in the number of patients' self-esteem level scores through the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale measurement and a decrease in the number of symptoms that appear in patients with low self-esteem.

Exposure to aggression in three contexts of emergency response: A longitudinal examination of the relationship with psychological characteristics of the emergency responder.

Some emergency responders are more often exposed to workplace aggression than others. Victimological theories and previous studies suggest that characteristics of the target may predict exposure to workplace aggression. This paper examines the relationship between negative affect, hostile attribution, dominance, empathy, self-evaluations, and exposure to workplace aggression among emergency responders. Emergency medical workers, firefighters and police officers in the Netherlands filled in a survey during three measurement occasions (6 months apart). Results from the three occupational groups were presented separately. Results suggest that some psychological characteristics are related to exposure to workplace aggression, but that the contribution of these characteristics in the explanation of exposure to workplace aggression is limited. In addition, although differences between occupational groups could not be statistically tested due to differences in the factor structure of exposure to workplace aggression between the three groups of emergency response, differences seem to occur in models between emergency response contexts. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Measuring Shame Related to Sexual Orientation: Validation of Sexual Minority—External and Internal Shame Scale (SM-EISS)

Abstract Introduction Shame is a self-conscious emotion involving negative self-evaluations, being a transdiagnostic factor for psychopathology. Due to stigma and discrimination experiences related to having a minority sexual orientation, LGB+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other minority sexual orientations) people report higher levels of general shame than heterosexual people. To our knowledge, there is no specific measure of shame related to sexual orientation. This study aimed to develop and explore the psychometric properties of the Sexual Minority—External and Internal Shame Scale (SM-EISS) in a sample of Portuguese LGB+ people. Method The sample was recruited online between December 2021 and January 2022 and comprised 200 Portuguese LGB+ people (Mage = 27.8 ± 8.9) who completed measures about shame, proximal minority stressors, and mental health. Results Good psychometric characteristics were found for a second-order two-factor structure (general, external, and internal shame related to sexual orientation), with the SM-EISS demonstrating good reliability and validity values. Conclusion The SM-EISS seems to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess shame related to sexual orientation among LGB+ people and may be beneficial in clinical and research contexts. Policy Implications Measuring shame related to sexual orientation experienced by LGB+ people could enhance the clinical understanding of this population. It can help researchers and clinicians to better understand this emotion and how it affects LGB+ people’s mental health and well-being. The research has important implications for clinical practice, social interventions, and public policies to protect LGB+ people’s rights. This is especially relevant in Portugal, where, despite positive legal developments, LGB+ people continue to experience harmful situations that negatively impact their mental health.

Supervisor incivility and service employee creativity: a moderated mediation model of negative affect state and core self-evaluation

PurposeThe present study examines the effect of supervisor incivility on service employee creativity and the mediating mechanism of negative affect state on the said relationship with the aid of Affective Events Theory (AET) and Social Power Theory. Additionally, the study explores the mitigating role of core self-evaluation in the dual stage of the moderated mediation model.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 420 frontline employees working in four-star and five-star hotels across India and PROCESS macro in SPSS 23.0 was employed to test the hypotheses proposed in the study.FindingsThe study findings observe that frontline employees experiencing supervisor incivility face a negative affect state and it further diminishes service employee creativity. Also, the indirect effect gets attenuated at dual stages when frontline employees are equipped with a high level of core self-evaluation.Practical implicationsThe study findings provide various insights to the managers to understand the deleterious effect of supervisor incivility at work and to develop interventions to manage supervisor incivility and the negative affect state among frontline hotel employees.Originality/valueThe present study is the first and unique attempt to investigate the role of supervisor incivility experienced by frontline hotel employees in India with reference to their creativity towards customers and mediating mechanism of negative affect state. The study adds value to the literature by establishing the role of core self-evaluation in the moderated mediation model. Further, the study also provides a unique contribution to the management of frontline hospitality employees.

Self-referential processing in anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric illness associated with significant medical and psychiatric comorbidity and impairment. Theoretical models of AN and self-report studies suggest that negative self-evaluation (i.e., low self-esteem) is related to the development and maintenance of AN. The goal of this study was to extend findings from self-report methodology using a neurocognitive task that probes self-evaluation implicitly and explicitly. We compared female adolescent and adult patients with AN (n = 35) and healthy controls (HC, n = 38) on explicit (i.e., endorsement of words as self-relevant), implicit (recall, recognition, reaction time), and composite (i.e., valence index, bias score, drift rates) indices of self-evaluation. We applied a drift-diffusion model to compute the drift rates, reflecting participants' decision-making process as to whether words were self-relevant. The association between self-evaluation indices and eating disorder severity was examined. There were significant Group × Condition interaction effects for all explicit and implicit measures (all p's ≤ .01), where the AN group endorsed, recalled, and recognized more negative relative to positive words than HC. The AN group had more negative valence index and bias scores, and slower drift rate away from negative words, reflecting more negative self-evaluation. The finding for recall was attenuated when individuals with depression were excluded. Measures of self-evaluation bias were not related to eating disorder severity. Using a neurocognitive approach that includes explicit and implicit indices of bias, results suggest that patients with AN have more negative self-evaluation. Due to the cross-sectional design, additional studies are needed to further evaluate directionality. Negative self-evaluation/low self-esteem is thought to contribute to eating disorder symptoms. Findings of this study using a neurocognitive task to probe self-evaluation suggested that individuals with anorexia nervosa have more negative self-evaluation, reflected by endorsing and remembering more negative (than positive) words compared to healthy controls, and doing so faster. Targeting the construct of negative self-evaluation in treatment of AN may be warranted.

A comparative study of old versus novel psychoactive substances on craving, perceived stigma and suicidal risk among rural-dwelling patients with substance abuse.

INTRODUCTION: Substance use disorder is a leading public health concern that currently, nations regulatory agencies are grappled with. The noticeable difference in the chemical structures between old and novel psychoactive substances can result in significant clinical complications among patients with substance abuse. The study aims to compare substance craving, perceived stigma and suicidal risk among patients addicted to old and novel psychoactive substances (NPS). A descriptive comparative design was adopted on a sample of 105 patients with substance use who completed The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), The Perceived Stigma of Addiction Scale (PSAS) and Suicide Probability Scale (SPS). Most participants were male, with 89.5% in the old addictive substance group and 93.8% in the new addictive substance group. A statistically significant difference in the NPS groups' perceptions of stigma (23.4 ± 5.3) compared to the old addictive substance group (20.6 ± 4.2), (t = 3.037, p = .003). Participants in the new substance group report more suicidal ideation, negative self-evaluation and hostility than those in the old substance group. Policies and practices should be tailored to the type of drug used and potential risk factors to avoid suicide among patients with substance abuse.

Investigating the ¬career maturity prediction model based on social adaptation, shame and ¬communication skills in hearing impaired and normal people

The purpose of the research Present "Review Model Forecast­​ puberty job According to Social adjustment, Feeling shame And skills­​ communicational At Persons With damage hearing And It was normal. Career maturity plays a very important role in choosing and staying in a job in people. This research, in terms of its purpose, was among applied ­research ­and in terms of its method, it was descriptive-correlation type. The statistical population of the study included all ­normal and ­hearing-impaired people ( ­hearing-impaired and deaf people who are members of the Isfahan Center for the Deaf, numbering 213 people). sample size using the ­available sampling method; For ­the hearing impaired and normal people (paired ­with the deaf group in terms of ­demographic characteristics ­), a total number of 262 people were estimated (131 people each for healthy people and deaf people). The research data collection tool includes 4 types of job maturity questionnaire ­by Savix and Porfli (2011); Bell's social adjustment (1961); Queendam's communication ­skills ­(2004) and guilt and shame tendency scale were from Cohen et al. (2011 ) ­. The results of the investigation using ­spss and Smart pls-3 statistical software showed that in both groups, the components ­of social adaptation and ­communication skills are able to predict ­the component ­of professional maturity ­. In the healthy group, shame was not able to predict ­professional maturity ­. Social adjustment can fully predict ­career maturity ­. Among the components ­of shame; Withdrawal is ­able to predict ­career maturity, but the negative self-evaluation component ­does not have the power to predict career maturity. Among ­communication skills, listening skills ­and communication process; has been able to predict ­career maturity; However, the skills ­of receiving messages, emotional control and communication combined with determination; has not been able to predict ­career maturity. In general, the components of communication ­skills ­, social adaptation and feeling of shame ­have the power to predict professional maturity ­. You should try to increase the amount of these variables by creating workshops ­and educational and consulting centers ­and finally, the growth of career maturity in people.

The Loving Experience of the Therapeutic Relationship as a Factor in Affective Maturation in Adults

This analysis aims to clarify our hypothesis on the role of love experience as a factor of emotional maturation in adults. Affective experiences during childhood may influence adult self-esteem and sense of worth, as well as affective maturation and the capacity to love. Positive affective relationships, such as therapeutic ones, have the potential to heal entrenched negative emotions such as low self-esteem, and thereby foster confidence and joy. However, love alone does not always overcome the feeling of unworthiness that results from a deeper negative self-evaluation. Similarly, as Conrad Baars and Anna Terruwe elucidate, this sense of unworthiness often stems from early emotional wounds and unmet needs, which necessitate a healing journey beyond the realm of love alone. From the perspective of Baars's theory, integrated psychology can explain how for the person to develop a transcendental love proper to the affectively mature person, it is essential that the therapist helps the clients to (a) identify and heal affective deficiencies in the more immature stages of love, including the strengthening of self-esteem, and (b) promote psycho-spiritual integration, helping the clients to discover their personal worth and the meaning of their existence.

Cognitive Regulation Strategies Used by Children with Reading Difficulties.

(1) Background: Children with reading difficulties may experience negative emotions and social isolation. The cognitive emotion regulation strategies that they use in different reading tasks can make them more vulnerable in the stressful situations. Using adaptative emotion regulation strategies may help them overcome stressful reading situations. (2) Methods: Children identified with poor reading comprehension skills were compared to children without reading comprehension difficulties on measures of self-evaluation and thought in relation to task, and on cognitive coping strategies relevant to performance. The effect of some relevant demographic factors was also investigated, such as gender and urban/rural setting. (3) Results: Our results indicate that children that have poor reading comprehension skills present higher scores on negative self- evaluation and off-task thoughts that are in relation to performance anxiety. Also, in what concerns cognitive coping strategies, students with difficulties in reading comprehension display a greater use of blaming others strategy, which is in relation to the negative self-evaluations. Also, they displayed less use of putting into perspective. No effect of gender and setting emerged for off and on task thoughts and cognitive coping strategies, except for lower scores of students from rural setting in positive self-evaluation. (4) Conclusions: students presenting difficulties in reading comprehension tend to use more negative self-statements and disengagement through off-task thoughts and employ coping strategies directed to protect self-worth.

Continuing professional development of vocational teachers in Kenya: Challenges and coping strategies

Vocational teachers participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to develop their professional competencies. In developing country contexts however, it is not always clear what challenges vocational teachers face in their CPD or how they attempt to resolve those challenges. This study therefore investigated the challenges vocational teachers in Kenya face in their CPD and the coping strategies they adopt. Viewing teachers as adult learners, the study adopted a concurrent mixed methods approach whereby interview and questionnaire survey data were collected from vocational teachers in six vocational institutions in Kenya’s Nairobi Metropolitan Area and analysed using thematic and statistical analysis. Vocational teachers in Kenya were found to face multiple challenges concurrently, which were categorized as lack of opportunity and access (e.g. failing to find relevant CPD), systemic restrictions (e.g. hindrances due to costs and lack of time), and personal difficulties (e.g. negative self-evaluation of ability). The strength of these challenges was found to vary with the characteristics of teachers. Coping strategies included cutting down on spending, taking loans, moonlighting, and ‘juggling time’. Findings show the need for a clear policy on vocational teacher CPD, provision of financial and non-financial support, and reworking the school calendar to create time for CPD.

Intracranial Recordings of the Human Orbitofrontal Cortical Activity during Self-Referential Episodic and Valenced Self-Judgments.

We recorded directly from the orbital (oPFC) and ventromedial (vmPFC) subregions of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in 22 (9 female, 13 male) epilepsy patients undergoing intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) monitoring during an experimental task in which the participants judged the accuracy of self-referential autobiographical statements as well as valenced self-judgments (SJs). We found significantly increased high-frequency activity (HFA) in ∼13% of oPFC sites (10/18 subjects) and 16% of vmPFC sites (4/12 subjects) during both of these self-referential thought processes, with the HFA power being modulated by the content of self-referential stimuli. The location of these activated sites corresponded with the location of fMRI-identified limbic network. Furthermore, the onset of HFA in the vmPFC was significantly earlier than that in the oPFC in all patients with simultaneous recordings in both regions. In 11 patients with available depression scores from comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, we documented diminished HFA in the OFC during positive SJ trials among individuals with higher depression scores; responses during negative SJ trials were not related to the patients' depression scores. Our findings provide new temporal and anatomical information about the mode of engagement in two important subregions of the OFC during autobiographical memory and SJ conditions. Our findings from the OFC support the hypothesis that diminished brain activity during positive self-evaluations, rather than heightened activity during negative self-evaluations, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of depression.