Opinions Of Significant Others Research Articles

Internal migration of working youth: Determinants of readiness to move to another region

The number of regions in Russia experiencing a significant outflow of population is growing so the issue of internal migration is still on the agenda. A review of empirical studies of internal migration in Russia has shown that most of the studies devoted to the causes and consequences of migration are bounded to the economic aspect ignoring the complexity of this social phenomenon. In this paper, readiness for voluntary internal migration is considered as a phenomenon that embodies individual subjective activity of a person, when a young person purposefully chooses not only a place of permanent residence, but also an appropriate lifestyle. The aim of the study is to determine what social factors contribute to intend to move to another city for residence. The set of social determinants that were tested consists of personal moral attitudes, close social ties, satisfaction with different aspects of work, shared opinion about current city from significant others, satisfaction with the city environment. These factors affect at different levels and are considered as significant elements of a system with its internal logic and hierarchy. The data of online panel survey of 357 working young people from different regions shows that social factors (opinions of significant others about the city of residence, perception of the city as a place for comfortable life, social status of parents) are significant predictors of intention to move. Common and universal attitude to “be financially free and independent” and social origin activate the opinion of significant others about the city, which is highly connected with the leading determinant: personal evaluation of the quality of life in current urban environment.

Gender Differences in Medical Specialty Decision Making: The Importance of Mentorship

IntroductionWhile there have been many studies reviewing factors considered by medical students in deciding on a specialty, there is a relative paucity of data in how these factors differ between males and females. The aim of this study was to determine if there are differences in how male and female medical students’ value various factors in choosing a career path in medicine. MethodsA survey of basic demographic information and a Likert-based questionnaire addressing various factors in specialty choice was sent to all military medical students in the class of 2019. ResultsThe survey response rate was 30%. Amongst the students that completed the survey, 72% were male and 28% were female. The majority of students were less than 27 years old (52%) and Caucasian (76%). Female medical students placed more importance in exposure to third year clerkships (P = 0.004) and gender diversity within the specialty (P = 0.03) than their male counterparts. There was no statistical difference in opinions of significant others or family members, desire to have a family, or having a well-balanced life between female, and male medical students. ConclusionFemale medical students valued exposure to third year clerkships and gender diversity more than their male colleagues when choosing a future specialty. These findings suggest that a strategic focus should be placed on mentoring female medical students in order to promote a diverse medical workforce.

Attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine hesitancy and intention to take the vaccine.

Background:The pandemic is at a paradoxical stage, with vaccine roll out initiated but a significantly elevated level of infection and death. Hope for recovery lies in high equitable vaccine uptake.Objective:The study aimed to: i) explore attitudes and factors influencing attitudes, towards the COVID-19 vaccine amongst people living in Malta, ii) identify the reasons as to why individuals are unsure or unwilling to take the vaccine.Methods:Two consecutive, short, anonymous online surveys using social media platforms were used to gather data from adult individuals. The first study was open to residents in Malta, while the second study invited international participation. Study 1 consisted of 17 questions inspired by the Theories of Planned Behaviour and Reasoned Action. Study 2 asked participates whether they were willing, unwilling or unsure of taking the vaccine and their reasons for being unsure or unwilling.Results:A total of 2,529 individuals participated in Study 1 and 834 in Study 2. In both studies respondents were predominantly female having a tertiary education. Over 50% declared that they were willing to take the vaccine, with males being more willing (t=5.83, df=1164.2, p<0.00005). Opinions of significant others- family and friends (r=0.22, p<0.005) and health professionals (r=0.74, p<0.005) were associated with willingness to take the vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy was present in the study population with 32.6% being unsure and 15.6% declaring that they were not willing to take the vaccine. Females were more likely to be unsure (Chi-squared=14.63, df=4, p=0.006). Lack of vaccine safety was the main reason cited for unwillingness to take the vaccine. Predictors for willingness to take the vaccine were: i) The belief that the COVID-19 vaccine will protect the health of the people who take it; ii) Valuing the advice of health professionals regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine; iii) Having taken the influenza vaccine last year and; iv) Encouraging their elderly parents to take the vaccine.Conclusions:COVID-19 vaccination information campaigns should promote group strategies, focusing on emphasising the safety of the vaccine and offer reassurance, especially to women.

Relacije samopoštovanja i razvoja Ja-identiteta

Identity and self-esteem are important concepts in the development and understanding of individual's self-perception. Perceptions and opinions of significant others influence the construction of adolescents' representations of self and the formation of identity, which, in turn, can be a strong predictor of self-esteem. The significance of our research is reflected in the examination of subjective choices and commitment to roles, values and goals in the domains of religion, occupation, politics and relationships, which can all affect self-esteem. Hence, this paper aims to examine the relationship between identity and self-esteem, more precisely, the impact of identity on self-esteem. The study involved 487 adolescents who completed two questionnaires: the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (EOMEIS-2), which contains four statuses: Achievement, Foreclosure, Diffusion identity and Moratorium, and the Self-Liking Self-Competence Scale (SLSC) used for the assessment of self-esteem, consisting of two dimensions: Self-liking and Self-competence. Correlation analysis of four identity statuses and two dimensions of self-esteem showed a positive correlation of Self-competence and Self-liking with Achievement identity, and a negative correlation of the two dimensions of self-esteem with the Foreclosure, Diffusion identity and Moratorium. In order to analyze the influence of identity on self-esteem in more detail, a regression analysis was performed. When it comes to the dimensions of Self-competence and Self-liking, the most significant predictor is Achievement identity, while Moratorium and Foreclosure identity are less impactful predictors, with a negative sign. The results are interpreted in terms of the influence of identity on the level of self-esteem, as well as the importance of support from others, such as parents and peers. Finally, we provide guidelines for further research of the connection between identity, self-esteem and other concepts which play a significant role in the process of developing the concept of self.

Шляхи формування мотивації до професійного самовдосконалення майбутніх учителів фізичного виховання

The article reveals the ways of forming motivation for professional self-improvement of future physical education teachers. It was found that the professional self-improvement of the future specialist is due to the motivational direction, ie the presence of a set of aspirations and conditions that guide him. Exploring the problems of physical self-improvement of students - future teachers of physical culture identified the following most significant incentives for professional self-improvement: incentives for self-knowledge: awareness of the personal significance of self-improvement; awareness of the need to increase responsibility to oneself; awareness of the problems of self-realization; incentives for self-determination: the opinion of significant others; interest in the subject; interest in self-improvement; incentives for self-government: the ability to objective self-esteem; ability to master the new; ability to use opportunities; incentives for self-realization: habit; high level of knowledge; incentives for self-improvement: high results; social recognition; mastering effective methods of self-improvement. The directions of influence on the process of development of motives of professional self-improvement are revealed: formation of positive motivational attitudes to professional self-improvement; formation of strong knowledge, skills and abilities in work on professional self-improvement; actualization of the needs of professional self-improvement in students in the process of organizing their cognitive activity. Integration classes dominate over all others in terms of the level of influence on the development of motivational and value spheres, on pedagogical attitudes to pedagogical activity, on the development of consciousness and self-awareness, formation of pedagogical experience, internalization of which leads to higher level of social activity and responsibility.

Peculiarities of Self-Image Dependence of the Students with High Level of Neuroticity

The article presents the authors’ theoretical model of Self-image functioning with a peripheral part on the border of the relationship between the Self and the significant other person. An experimental study of the peculiarities of Self-image dependence is provided. The study involved 150 students of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs. Peculiarities of self-relation (dependence of the Self-image on significant other people) of students with high and moderate levels of neuroticism have been studied. The method of rapid diagnosis of neurosis (K. Heck; H. Hess), methods of self-assessment of mental states (according to H. Eysenck), author's experimental study of the "dependent" characteristic of the Self-image were used. Correlation analysis and Mann-Whitney comparative analysis were used for statistical data processing. As a result of the ascertaining experiment, it was found that the peripheral part of the Self-image of boys and girls with a high level of neuroticism (HN) is more dependent on the opinion of reference other people (unstable Self-image) than of persons with moderate neuroticism (MN) and this is accompanied by high levels of anxiety, frustration and rigidity. The hypothesis that students with a high level of neuroticism will more often depend on the opinion of significant others than students with a moderate level of neuroticism was confirmed. The studentship is a sensitive period for effective psycho-correctional influences in order to form a stable, positive and independent Self-image, and therefore, the quality use of psychological services of psycho-corrective influences can significantly affect well-being, learning and quality of life. The self-awareness of students with a high level of neuroticism should be considered both as the main object and as a fundamental support for psycho-correctional influence, and the resource of this influence should be sought in an adequate relationship.

Influences on the decision to use contraception among Sarawakian women with diabetes: a qualitative exploration

Family planning is extremely important for women with diabetes due to the various health risks and other social impacts of pregnancy in this population. Unfortunately, contraceptive use among women with diabetes remains low. This study explored the reasons influencing the decision to use contraception among East Malaysian (Sarawakian) women with diabetes. This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted at an urban public health clinic in Sarawak. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 12 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were audio recorded and transcribed and then subjected to interpretive thematic analysis. Five themes appear to influence the decision to use contraception: likelihood of becoming pregnant, desired family size, personal health risks associated with getting pregnant, social implications of getting pregnant, and opinions of significant others. Among Sarawakian women with diabetes, the decision to use contraception was influenced by more than just health-related factors. Contraception counselling for this group of women should factor in their health beliefs, personal values, and social factors. Community involvement and peer support are potential strategies to improve contraception use.

Knowledge, barriers and attitudes toward dietary sodium in patients with decompensated heart failure

Background and objective: Nonadherence to sodium restriction is one of the main precipitating factors of heart failure (HF) decompensation. The three-subscale Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (DSRQ) enables evaluation of factors that can interfere with adherence. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, barriers, and attitudes of patients with decompensated HF toward dietary sodium, by comparing those hospitalized for decompensation due to dietary nonadherence (alone or with medication nonadherence) versus those admitted for decompensation due to other causes.Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out at the emergency departments of two public hospitals in Southern Brazil between 2013 and 2014. The sample included patients admitted for decompensated HF. Patients were divided into two groups: decompensation due to nonadherence to diet (alone or with medication nonadherence) and other causes.Results: A total of 225 patients were included (mean age 66 ± 12 years). Patients exhibited a high degree of knowledge about sodium restriction (up to 50\% achieved 40 of 45 points). The opinions of family and health professionals influenced adherence. The main barriers to adherence concerned palatability and dietary preferences. When compared to patients admitted for other causes, those decompensated due to nonadherence had lower ejection fraction (p = .004) and higher Perceived Behavioral Control subscale scores (p = .009).Conclusions: Patients have a high level of knowledge about sodium restriction. The opinion of significant others affects adherence. Nonadherent patients appeared to be more severely ill and endorsed a greater number of barriers that prevent adequate behavior. Some factors-particularly the taste of foods and patients’ dietary preferences – may justify the high prevalence of nonadherence.

Perceptions of determinants of job selection in the hospitality and tourism industry: The case of Korean university students

ABSTRACTThis study explores the key factors influencing potential employees in the hospitality and tourism industry and examines whether causal relationships between behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence students' job selection. The study suggests that the career decision-making process is related to job selection. A total of 307 responses were analyzed. The results explain individual students' attitudes toward a behavior and perceived behavioral control in the context of their job selection. Attitudes toward a behavior and job selection had significant effects on career decisions. On the other hand, opinions of significant others had no significant effect. Perceived behaviors required to decide on jobs had a significant effect on job selection intentions. Students with internship experience were likely to form positive attitudes toward the hospitality and tourism industry, suggesting internships to be a useful source of a stronger relationship between the industry and job aptitudes of students in hospitality and tourism programs. The results have important implications.

Smoking during pregnancy: analysis of influencing factors using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

To investigate factors affecting women's intention to smoke during pregnancy. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study, employing the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). A questionnaire that was constructed based on a literature review of research on smoking during pregnancy and on the TPB was administered to 201 Israeli female smokers aged 19-46. Descriptive, correlational and linear regression statistics were calculated. Behavioural attitudes (women's total appraisal of smoking during pregnancy), subjective norms (women's perception of the opinion of significant others regarding the specific behaviour) and perceived behavioural control (women's total appraisal of their control of the behaviour and perceived ease or difficulty of quitting smoking during pregnancy) were found to predict women's intention to smoke during pregnancy. Nursing interventions guided by the TPB constructs may help Israeli women quit smoking during pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy.

INTENDING TO MARRY … STUDENTS’ BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION TOWARDS FAMILY FORMING

The current article provides an overview of the behavioural intention of students towards family forming. The aim is to test the impact of the socio-demographic background, family-related attitudes and the orientations of young adults and the opinion of significant others on the preference of family form. The theoretical framework focuses on the reasoned action theory and on the dispute between social learning and selection approaches. Empirical analyses demonstrate that gender and family-related attitudes and orientations have significant effects on family forming intentions. The findings provide insights into the debate between the social l earning theory and the selection approach by showing that the intention to prefer unmarried cohabitation does not depend on current living arrangements or cohabitation experiences at the individual level.

Difficult asthma: people's perspectives on taking corticosteroid therapy

This study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with difficult asthma, who take corticosteroid therapy, and provide insight into why some patients comply with therapy, whilst others do not. Asthma is growing in prevalence and affects more than 100 million people worldwide. Corticosteroids are the mainstay treatment but, despite considerable risk to the individual in terms of morbidity and mortality, compliance is low. Previous research has been mainly quantitative and analysed variables associated with compliance, doing little to increase professional understanding of the patient's perspective on taking corticosteroid treatment. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was selected as most appropriate for this study. Unstructured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of 10 participants. Interviews were taped, transcribed and the data were analysed using a multi-step technique described by Holloway. Fear of side effects was the strongest theme to emerge; illustrated by the negative images participants described such as weight gain, anxiety, irritability and depression. Participants related control and power over their condition to knowledge and information. They wanted more information, but believed that health professionals assumed they were already well informed. Costs and benefits of treatment were weighed up before decisions were made. Participants described feelings of 'not being themselves' and personality changes resulting in the loss of their role within relationships. Routine, time and opinions of significant others, also impacted on taking steroids. Decision-making was a complex process, involving evaluation of the personal costs and benefits of treatment; fear of side effects was the dominant concern. Compliance with treatment saves lives in this population. This study uncovers issues participants consider when making decisions regarding adherence and highlights the importance of the nurse's role in eliciting patients' concerns and the providing appropriate information to allay fears and misconceptions.

How important is the opinion of significant others to cancer patients’ adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making?

Decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy are difficult, since value tradeoffs are involved. Little is known about the importance of the significant others in patients' decision-making regarding adjuvant treatment. We surveyed patients with breast and colorectal cancer about the importance they assigned to the opinions of their significant others and assessed correlates of these importance scores. One hundred and twenty-three patients rated on a five-point scale how much they cared about the opinion of six significant others. Most important was the opinion of their treating specialist, followed by that of their partner, children, other family, friends, and colleagues. Women assigned higher scores to the opinion of their children, younger patients to that of their specialist, and patients who were about to undergo chemotherapy to that of their family. Patients with breast cancer and patients without paid employment assigned slightly more importance to the opinion of their partner. Information on the influence of significant others may help clinicians when involving patients in treatment decision-making and discussing patients' treatment preferences.

Social Processes Used by African American Women in Making Decisions About Mammography Screening

To describe the social processes used by African American (AA) women ages > or = 50 years in making decisions about mammography screening. Grounded theory methodology. Tape-recorded interviews with a researcher-designed, semi-structured interview guide with an initial and theoretical sample of 30 AA women ages 52 to 71 of diverse socioeconomic status. Interviews occurred in various settings such as the church rectory, women's homes, and work settings. Extensive written field notes and tapes were transcribed verbatim immediately after the interviews by an experienced transcriptionist. The women's decisions about mammography screening were associated with five social processes: (a) acknowledging prior experiences with healthcare providers and systems; (b) reporting fears and fatalistic beliefs of breast cancer and related treatment; (c) valuing the opinions of significant others; (d) relying on religious beliefs and supports; and (e) caregiving responsibilities of significant others. The processes were further differentiated by three distinct decision-making styles: taking charge, enduring, and protesting. Each of the social processes was reported equally and emphasized by the diverse sample of AA women in decisions related to mammography screening. Mammography screening decisions were heavily influenced by caregiving responsibilities. Further research is needed to explain and understand this social process on the health and well-being of AA women over time.

Self-respect: A neglected concept

Although neglected by psychology, self-respect has been an integral part of philosophical discussion since Aristotle and continues to be a central issue in contemporary moral philosophy. Within this tradition, self-respect is considered to be based on one's capacity for rationality and leads to behaviors that promote autonomy, such as independence, self-control and tenacity. Self-respect elicits behaviors that one should be treated with respect and requires the development and pursuit of personal standards and life plans that are guided by respect for self and others. In contrast, the psychological concept of self-esteem is grounded in the theories of self-concept. As such, self-esteem is a self-evaluation of competency ratios and opinions of significant others that results in either a positive or negative evaluation of one's worthiness and inclusionary status. The major distinction between the two is that while competency ratios and others' opinions are central to self-esteem, autonomy is central to self-respect. We submit that not only is self-respect important in understanding self-esteem, but that it also uniquely contributes to individual functioning. Research is needed to establish the central properties of self-respect and their effects on individual functioning, developmental factors, and therapeutic approaches.

Identity Style and Employment Histories among Women Receiving Public Assistance

This study examined the relation between identity styles and employment among 203 female public assistance recipients. Respondents provided employment and public assistance histories and were categorized into three preferred identity style orientations using the Identity Style Inventory (Berzonsky, 1992): informational (active searching and evaluation of information prior to decision making), normative (a passive approach to decision making relying upon the opinions of significant others), and diffuse/avoidant (decision making characterized by procrastination and avoidance). Information- and normative-oriented respondents reported over 1 year of public assistance (15.05 and 14.21 months, respectively), whereas the diffuse/avoidant-oriented respondents reported over 3 years (37.20 months) of assistance. Diffuse/avoidant-oriented respondents also reported changing jobs more frequently during the previous 12 months than information- and normative-oriented respondents, although no differences were found among the groups in total months employed. Results indicate that public assistance recipients differ in their identity styles; blanket interventions for employment skills will likely be less effective than those tailored to meet specific psychosocial needs.

One-year follow-up of significant others of suicide attempters.

In a previous study we interviewed significant others (SOs) directly following a patient's suicide attempt as a part of the psychiatric assessment. SOs added important information to the assessment and they needed professional counselling themselves. In the present study the opinions of SOs were investigated 1 year after a suicide attempt. Semi-structured interviews of 84 SOs (93% of a consecutive series) were performed by telephone, focusing on the patient's situation, their own involvement in care and treatment as well as their own well-being and need for support. Forty-four percent of the SOs were parents, 27% partners and 29% persons with other relationships. An independent researcher interviewed the patients. According to SOs, 63% of the patients had mental health problems and 80% had other kinds of problems (e.g. relationship problems, financial problems, unemployment and substance abuse) at follow-up. A majority of SOs were worried that the patient was going to hurt their self again. There were differences in the information given by patients and SOs concerning suicide attempts during the follow-up period. Many SOs had questions about the suicidal behaviour, and nearly half of the SOs reported that they had not talked to the patient about the index suicide attempt. Nearly half of the SOs would like to have had professional counselling, preferably shortly after the suicide attempt. Two-thirds of the inpatient SOs and 90% of the outpatient SOs had not been involved in the patient care and treatment, although a majority of them desired such involvement. The well-being of the SOs was generally good, except for a small subgroup. The findings of this study provide further evidence that SOs contribute valuable information about the patient after a suicide attempt. They also point strongly to the fact that SOs themselves need support. Insufficient communication between patient and SOs indicates the need for joint counselling directly after a suicide attempt in order to reduce some of the burden and stress experienced by SOs.

Correlates of Restrained and Disordered Eating among Young Dancers:: Implications for Intervention

LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine two intervention measures for disordered eating among young dancers.Affirmation of the predominant societal thinness ideal as well as restrained eating are risk factors for disordered eating among adolescent females. The purpose of this study was to examine how perceived opinions of significant others towards dieting would influence levels of restrained eating. Theory of Reasoned Action was utilized to identify those variables most predictive of restrained eating. Self-reported and actual height and weight were collected from 66 females dancers attending a dance workshop. In addition, the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire and measures subjective norms influencing dieting and items based upon the DSM-IV criteria for anorexia and bulimia were administered. 28.8% of subjects had a BMI at or below suggested DSM-IV cut-off for anorexia nervosa. High scores for restrained eating were significantly related to heavier weights regardless of age. Multiple regression analysis supported a two-variable model of subjective norms and BMI accounting for 32.8% of the variance. Intervention measures should focus on cognitive restructuring of body appearance goals and altering dieting messages from parents, teachers, and friends of dancers. The contribution of BMI to the prediction of restrained eating indicates that the opinions of others regarding dieting becomes increasingly important for subjects with higher BMI's due to a greater discrepancy from the cultural ideal.

Attitude and help-seeking for hearing impairment.

The aim of the present study was to investigate help-seeking for hearing impairment in the elderly, and to compare groups showing dissimilar help-seeking on their attitude toward hearing loss and hearing aids. Attitude factors were based on a revised version of the Health Belief Model, and included beliefs about: the severity of the hearing problems, the benefits of a hearing aid, barriers to hearing aid use, and the opinions of significant others. Hearing threshold levels were determined for a random sample (N = 624) of subjects aged 57 years or older from 12 general practices. Those with a mean loss of 35 dBHL in both ears (23.1%) were considered hearing impaired. Of every four hearing impaired subjects, approximately one had not discussed the impairment with his doctor and one had discussed it but did not have a hearing aid trial. About 40% of the hearing impaired individuals had a hearing aid, and relatively few had given up using it (6% of those who had an aid). These results showed a higher incidence of help-seeking for hearing impairment than comparable British studies. After the influence of hearing impairment was controlled for, the following relationships between attitude and help-seeking were found: (1) non-consulters perceived their impairment as relatively inconsequential, most frequently demonstrated a passive acceptance of hearing problems with increasing age, saw least benefits of hearing aid use, and experienced little social pressure to seek help; (2) those who did not try an aid after consulting their doctor stood out because they saw most stigma-related barriers to hearing aid use and felt their significant others agreed with them on this negative evaluation of aids; and (3) current users had the most favourable attitude toward hearing aids.

The Impact of Rational Considerations and Perceived Opinions on Young Adults' Union Formation Intentions

This article examines the extent to which the plans of young adults concerning the choice between cohabitation and marriage are influenced by a rational evaluation of the differences between marriage and cohabitation and by the perceived opinions of significant others, and the extent to which these evaluations mediate the effects of young adults' family backgrounds and current social positions. Among a representative sample of young adults in the Netherlands, it is found that evaluations and perceived opinions are quite strong predictors of union formation intentions. However, perceived opinions of significant others are better predictors than evaluations of the inherent properties of cohabitation and marriage. Furthermore, the effects of family background and social status variables on union formation intentions are almost completely mediated by these subjective evaluations. The implications for the discussion of whether union formation choices are rational decisions or based on cultural scripts are discussed.