Personal Action Research Articles

Assessing the role of education level on climate change belief, concern and action: a multinational survey of healthcare professionals in nephrology.

Climate change poses a significant risk to kidney health, and countries with lower national wealth are more vulnerable. Yet, citizens from lower-income countries demonstrate less concern for climate change than those from higher-income countries. Education is a key covariate. To examine its role in explaining this perception gap, we obtained the perspectives of a highly educated cohort of healthcare professionals. This was a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals involved in kidney care. Responses were compared by the income level of the participant's country (per World Bank). Of the 849 healthcare professionals from 107 countries (63.4% from lower and middle-income countries) that participated, most believed climate change was happening (97.9%), displayed a high level of concern (73.3%), and took personal action to combat climate change (62.0%). While the proportion who believed in climate change did not vary by income level (high:98.1%, upper-middle:97.2%, lower-middle:97.8%, low:100%, p = 0.73), the proportion with a higher level of concern (high:80.7%, upper-middle:74.9%, lower-middle:67.5%, low:53.8%, p < 0.001), and who took climate action (high:76.2%, upper-middle:63.1%, lower-middle:51.2%, low:30.8%, p < 0.001) decreased by national wealth. Barriers to involvement in sustainable kidney care were lack of time (54.4%), knowledge (39.7%), and peer support (30.3%). Only 34.0% were aware of national mitigation plans and barriers related to finances, technologies, tools, methods, research, and evidence were perceived as greater obstacles in lower-income countries. Our results highlight that predictors and correlates of climate change risk perception vary across countries. Education alone is unlikely to increase individual and group engagement in climate change. A better understanding of these factors can inform strategies towards climate action in different settings.

School principals’ proposals for preventive actions to improve mental health

BackgroundSchool principals face a demanding work situation that puts them at risk for stress-related poor mental health. Ideally, preventive actions should be based on knowledge about the underlying notions that motivate action. However, knowledge about prevention areas and suitable initiatives for school principals is scarce or lacking, leaving key stakeholders without the overview necessary for effectively engaging in preventive actions.ObjectiveTo describe school principals’ proposals for suitable target areas and preventive actions that may decrease their workload and improve their mental health.MethodsAn aggregated analysis was conducted using data from a larger project involving two national surveys (N = 2871), nine group interviews (N = 39), and eleven workshops (N = 270). The project was designed a priori to examine multiple questions, including identifying target areas and collecting proposals for preventive actions.ResultsForty-four proposals for preventive actions spanning various levels and six major themes were identified: Role demands and role conflicts (8 proposals); Organizational support (6 proposals); Resources and resource allocation (3 proposals); Continued professional development and coaching (2 proposals); The principal as a coworker (6 proposals); Personal actions (19 proposals).ConclusionsThe considerable number of proposals and their content reveal that preventive actions are needed at all levels of the educational system and that the school principals’ personal resources matter for improving their work situation and mental health. The pattern of results also underscores the importance of having a deep understanding of what problems to address, and in which context they unfold, before engaging in preventive actions.

Who is taking climate action in university? Drivers of personal and professional climate action in higher education

Who is taking climate action in university? Drivers of personal and professional climate action in higher education

Promoting Equal Protection and Regulatory Remedies for Balanced Civic Education

This article examines the teaching of civic engagement in academic settings, focusing on its role in generating new knowledge and fostering social and personal action. The article proposes regulatory remedies to ensure a fair and balanced curriculum supporting diverse worldviews and productive discourse, promoting student civic participation. The legal principle of equal protection, enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment, serves as the foundation. The Fourteenth Amendment emphasizes equal treatment and opportunities for all, including access to a well-rounded education. By incorporating its principles into education, the article highlights the need to promote fair, civic education that empowers all students to participate actively in their communities. I recommend regulatory remedies to solidify education’s nature and foster a balanced curriculum. The proposed remedies ensure that various worldviews are embraced, promoting productive and amicable discourse among students. Creating an inclusive learning environment also allows students to engage in critical thinking and develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, ultimately enhancing their civic participation. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of regulatory safeguards against biased or exclusionary educational practices to ensure that all students have equal educational opportunities, regardless of their background or beliefs. By eliminating barriers and promoting a fair educational system, students can develop the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to their communities actively. By incorporating the legal principle of equal protection with respect to perspectives represented on campus, the article advocates for legal and regulatory remedies to promote a fair and balanced curriculum that supports diverse worldviews.

Mental Health Vulnerabilities and Environmental Justice: A Collaborative Online International Learning Experience.

Collaboration and intercultural interaction and engagement are relevant to all aspects of higher education including distance/remote/virtual courses. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences connect students in different countries and provide them with meaningful and significant opportunities for global and intercultural exposure. Such an educational environment enhances students' cultural awareness and knowledge, and guides their personal, relational, and professional actions. Accordingly, engagement in COIL experiences can increase students' understanding of and ability to respond to significant global health-care issues both locally and internationally and to recognize their impact on mental health, and can lead to reflection and awareness that will endure beyond students' individual class experiences. One of these urgent issues is mental health vulnerabilities associated with environmental justice issues. This article describes participation in an international collaborative experience between the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, and the College of Nursing at the University of South Alabama, USA.

Characterization of the Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus Species in an Exercise Facility in Central Kentucky, USA

The spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in community settings, including fitness/exercise centers, remains relevant for public health. MRSA, a cause of severe infections in some, can be transmitted through shared equipment and skin contact. Understanding its prevalence and the frequency of antibiotic resistance in such environments can be useful for informing hygiene and intervention strategies. For investigating, multiple environmental swabs were collected from 14 different sites within a fitness facility, including equipment and locker rooms. Samples were collected for characterizing the prevalence of staphylococci (including MRSA), E. coli, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Isolated colonies were identified biochemically and evaluated for antibiotic resistance. Logistic regression was applied to assess risk across different surfaces. Among 42 samples, the highest prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. was on locker room surfaces. S. aureus was prevalent on locker room floors and benches. Non-S. aureus species, such as S. saprophyticus and S. haemolyticus, were common. Resistance to oxacillin and penicillin was widespread, particularly among non-S. aureus species. E. coli was detected once, and CRE was not detected. Fitness center surfaces can harbor staphylococci, including MRSA. The results obtained corroborate other studies finding notable antibiotic resistance among staphylococci from fitness center surfaces. Hygiene improvements, including personal hygiene actions, are essential for reducing transmission risks.

Accountability for Actions: The Role of Belief Formation

This paper explores the complex relationship between personal beliefs and actions and argues that individuals should be held responsible for their actions rather than their beliefs. It examines the role of education, access to information, and emotional attachments in shaping beliefs and discusses strategies to mitigate the influence of misinformation and emotional bias. The paper concludes that with proper education and critical thinking skills, individuals can make more informed decisions and be held accountable for their actions.

Problem-oriented stimulus of teaching foreign-language listening in a secondary school. Part 2

The problem for the research. Listening skills are important for a modern person in many areas of life: at work, at home, travelling the world, etc., when immersed in the social space of culture in the fullness of its spiritual meanings. However, in school teaching of foreign languages, there is a contradiction between the large reserve listening capabilities in achieving students’ personal, metasubject and subject educational results in a foreign language and the established practice of teaching this type of foreign-language speech activity, where there are many difficulties associated with students’ perception and understanding of foreign-language information by ear. Methods of investigation. 50 ninth-graders of secondary school named after S. S. Rakitina in Murashi, Kirov Region (Russian Federation) took part in pilot testing. To obtain personal learning results, the “Methodology for studying the motivation of teaching older adolescents” was used; metasubject – L. F. Tikhomirova’s “Exclude the word” method; subject (in the field of foreign-language listening) – the method for calculating the success rate of V. P. Bespalko and A. N. Shamov. The results were processed using the G–criterion of signs. The findings of the study. The final control revealed an increase in the level of proficiency in personal learning outcomes in 40 % of ninth-graders; metasubject – in 45 %; subject – in 61 %. The reliability of the presented results is confirmed by the use of mathematical statistics methods for personal, metasubject and subject results. The results of calculating the criterion of G-signs in the experimental group: G_(emp.)is above ≤ G_(cr.): 0 ≤ 3 for personal, 0 ≤ 5 for metasubject and subject results (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion. The purpose of the study is achieved: the article describes the characteristics and proves the effectiveness of using the problem-oriented stimulus in the process of teaching foreign-language listening in a secondary school (based on materials from the senior stage in secondary school). The theoretical foundation and testing of a set of exercises for teaching students foreign-language listening using the components of the problem-oriented stimulus led us to the conclusion that the presented exercises contribute to the formation of personal and metasubject universal educational actions of students, increases the level of their proficiency in the oral receptive type of foreign-language speech activity.

Peningkatan Motivasi, Kedisiplinan dan Keahlian Siswa-Siswi Yayasan Al-Mutakabbir Kabupaten Bogor

The objective of this community service initiative is to enhance the motivation, discipline, and expertise of students at the Al-Mutakabbir Foundation in Bogor Regency. This program employs seminars and discussions as its primary methods of engagement. The target population for this activity consists of 50 students from the foundation. During the community service event, participants were exposed to a series of interactive seminars designed to address key topics relevant to their personal and academic development. Experts and facilitators led discussions that encouraged students to actively engage with the material, share their perspectives, and collaborate on solutions to common challenges they face. One significant outcome of this initiative was the heightened motivation observed among students. Many expressed renewed enthusiasm for their studies and a clearer understanding of their personal goals. Additionally, the emphasis on discipline helped students recognize the importance of time management and consistent effort in achieving success. The participants demonstrated their understanding through practical applications of the concepts discussed, such as creating personalized action plans for their studies and developing strategies for overcoming obstacles. The objectives of the service were not only met but exceeded, laying a solid foundation for the students' ongoing development.

Exploring Personal Beliefs that may Influence First-year Engineering Students from Taking Ownership of their Learning

This study uses the application of Weiner's attribution theory to explore personal beliefs hindering first-year engineering students from taking ownership of their learning. Examining dimensions of locus, stability, and controllability [1], the research shifts focus from traditional student motivation studies to explore students' ownership for their education. Some students attribute outcomes solely to instructors and resources, overlooking personal actions due to self-serving bias [2], potentially leading to maladaptive behaviors. This lack of ownership may dampen motivation for academic excellence. Understanding these beliefs informs efforts to reshape institutional support, fostering a sense of ownership. The expected variations in attributions may stem from diverse learning backgrounds. Despite the availability of external academic resources, it is anticipated that a majority of students may not fully utilize them. These results will guide changes to institutional support for students to encourage self-directed learning and reshape student and faculty perspectives on academic ownership.

TEORI HUKUM BERBASIS KEWAJIBAN MENURUT IMMAUEL KANT

Law that is philosophically discussed by Immanuel Kant is related to morality, especially to individual autonomy. While law emphasizes the necessity of action according to external norms, morality actually orders humans to act according to their inner convictions. In this regard, Kant distinguishes between legality and morality. Legality is the mere conformity of an action to external law or norms, without considering the inner elements, while morality is the conformity of an action to the inner norm, namely the awareness of responsibility and obligation in a concrete situation. According to Kant, law is an instrument to promote moral values. If morality is essentially determined by the individual's capacity to determine themselves through their personal actions, then the effectiveness of law occurs on the contrary thanks to the power of institutions or authoritative bodies. However, the validity of the objectivity of both can only be accepted if both morality and law are open to intersubjective discourse. In Kant's philosophy, the understanding that uses this discursive imperative is publicity or publicity. Publicity is an essential element in the process of making law. In his book The Metaphysical Basis of Morality (Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten, 1785 abbreviated: GMS) Kant stated that an action is only moral if it is done for the sake of duty alone, not for other considerations. And to form such a moral command Kant mentioned several conditions or principles, for example the principle known as the 'general principle of law': "always act based on the maxim that you can at the same time will as general law" and "all actions related to the rights of others, whose maxims are not in line with publicity, are wrong." Kant's intention with the general principle of law is to find out whether an action taken must be carried out and whether my maxim can be universalized (made a general law for everyone). If "yes", the action must be carried out. If "no" the action is not mandatory. That is why Kant's ethics and legal theory are categorized as duty ethics (deontology) and duty-based legal theory.

Functional Griteria for the Effectiveness of Correctional work with Primary Schoolchildren with Mental Retardation Using Art Therapy

Currently, the integration of children with disabilities in terms of building a system of high-quality continuous education for them is associated with solving the problem of developing effective correctional practices aimed at the successful adaptation of children in this category to the educational process. One of the most represented groups of children with disabilities in primary school are students with mental retardation. This developmental disorder is characterized by heterogeneity of manifestations (underdevelopment of mental processes, voluntary regulation of behavior, motor sphere, etc.) depending on the qualitative originality of the primary defect. But with all variants of mental development delay, children experience immaturity of the emotional-volitional sphere and a lag in the maturation of interhemispheric interactions, which is important to take into account when creating individual educational routes for children in this category. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of art therapy in correctional work on indicators that reflect the success of adaptation to learning of primary schoolchildren with mental retardation in the inclusive education system: development of the emotional sphere, lateralization of brain functions and universal educational actions. Methodology and methods. The study involved 118 children studying in the first grade according to an adapted general educational program for children with mental retardation (option 7.2), of which 60 children were included in the experimental group, and 58 junior schoolchildren were included in the control group. Diagnostics were carried out using methods for studying universal educational actions, emotional state (M. Luscher test) and lateral profile. Correlations were identified between the studied indicators. Diagnosis of the studied indicators was carried out before and after correctional work; In the experimental group, several types of art therapeutic practices were used for this purpose. Research results. Compared to students in the control group, younger schoolchildren with mental retardation in the experimental group, after using art therapy tools in correctional work aimed at developing the emotional, motor sphere, and interhemispheric interactions, showed more pronounced changes in the indicators of personal, regulatory, communicative and cognitive universal educational actions, the formation of which is necessary for effective learning at school. Conclusion. The results of the study showed that the use of kinesiological exercises, music, color therapy, fairy tale therapy in correctional work with primary schoolchildren with mental retardation helps to increase the effectiveness of correctional work and the development of universal educational actions in students against the background of normalization of their emotional state and the development of interhemispheric relationships.

Cognitive Radicalization of Right-Wing Radicals: the Experience of Thematic Analysis

The cognitive radicalization of supporters of right-wing radical ideology is one of the stages on the way to real radicalism, up to involvement in terrorist activities. One of the elements of cognitive radicalization is media consumption, in particular, the study of content in communities of appropriate orientation on social networks. The purpose of this study is to study the thematic features of the content of supporters of right-wing radical ideology in the communities of the VKontakte social network. The study includes an analysis of the content of the most popular posts in these communities. The hypothesis of the study is that the topics of such posts make a significant contribution to the cognitive radicalization of users of social networks. The relevance of posts was determined in accordance with online message metrics (number of likes, reposts, comments). Then, through discourse analysis, the topics of the messages were determined. This allowed us to determine which topics in right-wing communities are most in demand and cause the greatest response from users. The results obtained indicate that the most popular messages are those in which certain enemies of the right are represented, primarily "external enemies" (a broad category that included migrants, supporters of leftist ideas, officials of various levels, patriotic bloggers, etc.). The second most popular thematic block can be conditionally described as "their ownThis includes messages describing the image and behavior of a supporter of right-wing ideology, as well as those expressing approval of the actions of certain persons who do not belong to this subculture. Among other thematic blocks, such as ideology, humor, approved actions of politicians, events, actions, etc., are also distinguished.

My turn or yours? Me-you-distinction in feature-based action planning.

Binding accounts propose that action planning involves temporarily binding codes of the action's unique features, such as its location and duration. Such binding becomes evident when another action (B) is initiated while maintaining the Action Plan A. Action B is usually impaired if it partially overlaps with the planned Action A (as opposed to full or no feature overlap). In Experiment 1, in which participants bimanually operated two keys, we replicated these partial overlap costs. In Experiment 2, two participants sat side by side, each handling one key. We tested whether Action B would be affected by duration overlap with the planned Action A of another person similarly as by duration overlap with a planned Action A of the participant's other hand. Here, we found no partial overlap costs. However, in Experiment 3, proposing a common reward yielded partial overlap costs. This suggests that in joint action planning, another person's action plan can impact own actions through feature binding, but only with sufficient incentives to corepresent the other's actions (i.e., when goal achievement depends on both participants' performance). This furthers the understanding of how we represent other people's yet-to-be-executed action plans alongside our own. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Rationality of Decision Making of a Cross-Provincial Truck Driver's Wife in the Household (Case Study of a Cross-Provincial Truck Driver's Wife in Medan City)

This study aims to determine the rationality of decision-making by wives of inter-provincial truck drivers in households in the city of Medan. This research is qualitative research with a descriptive approach. The data in this research was collected through interviews, observation and documentation. The data analysis technique uses 3 actions, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. Determining informants in this research was carried out using snowball sampling so that 5 informants were obtained, all of whom were wives of cross-provincial truck drivers. The research results found that the rationality of decision-making by wives of cross-province truck drivers includes financial management, meeting primary and tertiary needs, occupational health and safety, children's education, and social activities. The results of this research are in line with James S. Coleman's rational choice theory, which states that as long as a person's actions aim to achieve their goals, rational choice theory considers these actions to be rational, as reflected in the research results, that every decision taken by the wife is based on a specific goal.

Relation- and Task-Oriented Roles as Antecedents of Ethical Leadership: Examining Synergistic Effects.

A growing body of literature demonstrates that ethical leadership has positive effects on employees' work outcomes. Ethical leadership upholds the importance of "normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships" (Brown et al., 2005, p. 120; doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.03.002). However, extant empirical research does not answer the question- of how ethical leaders balance their relation maintenance (i.e., relationship-oriented role) and performance maintenance (i.e., task-oriented role) behaviors with their employees to be perceived as ethical leaders. In the present paper, drawing upon the propositions informed by opposing domains theory and related research, I theorize that leaders' relationship-oriented and task-oriented roles create synergistic effects that predict their employees' perceptions of ethical leadership. Results across two studies (an experiment and a correlational study involving samples from two different cultures) convergently confirmed the hypothesized relationships. I conclude by discussing several key theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Copycat in Suicide: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: The "copycat effect" is a psychological phenomenon in which a person's actions influence the behavior of others, leading to imitations of behaviors, events, or ideas. It is often observed in contexts such as crimes, suicides, or violent behaviors, where media coverage of an event can trigger similar reactions in other people. Usually, many studies associate the copycat phenomenon with homicide or serial crimes. Little attention is paid to the phenomenon of emulation in suicide and, therefore, to the copycat phenomenon in this context. Methods: In our study, a systematic review of the literature was carried out using keywords related to copycat and suicide. Subsequently, each study was read and analyzed. Results: The results were compared with each other and demonstrated how it is essential to mitigate the resonance of suicidal events, especially through the media and social networks. In particular, this risk of emulation is greater among young people who are exposed to a continuous external source of information through news from the web in an incessant and constant way. This risk increases most immediately after the publicity of the suicidal event in a limited period of time. Conclusions: Unfortunately, little attention is given to the analysis of the copycat phenomenon, which causes an underestimation of the data related to suicide emulation, especially from the preventive perspective of a phenomenon that is still widespread.

Delivery of Supported Self-Management in Primary Care Asthma Reviews: Insights From the IMP2ART Programme.

Supported self-management (SSM) for asthma reduces the risk of asthma attacks and improves asthma control and quality of life. SSM optimally includes patient-centred communication and behaviour change support, however, the extent to which this occurs in routine primary care is unclear. This project was nested within the IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self-management as RouTine (IMP2ART) programme; a UK-wide trial evaluating an implementation strategy (including healthcare professional (HCP) training on behaviour change strategies and patient-centred care) to improve support for asthma self-management. To provide an understanding of how healthcare professionals deliver SSM in UK clinical practice; through assessing time spent on SSM strategies, how and to what extent patient-centred care and behaviour change discussions are delivered, and to explore whether factors such as mode of review or implementation support influence delivery. We conducted an observational study using video-recordings of 12 HCPs delivering routine face-to-face and telephone asthma reviews (n = 64) in a sample of general practices participating in the IMP2ART trial (implementation n = 4; control n = 6). Analytical methods included: ALFA Toolkit Multi-Channel Video Observation (to code and quantify tasks undertaken); the Patient-Centred Observation Form; and The Behaviour Change Counselling Index (to assess patient-centeredness and behaviour change counselling used by HCPs). HCPs mostly spent time during routine asthma reviews discussing: an individual's asthma condition and management (average of 27.8% of consultation time); collaboratively reviewing and completing a personalised asthma action plan (6.3%) and training for practical self-management activities (5.4%). Areas of patient-centred care delivery and behavioural discussions included: creating and maintaining relationships, discussing asthma action plans and medication reconciliation. Professionals in IMP2ART implementation group practices delivered more SSM strategies. Comparison of face-to-face and remote consultations found no significant differences in HCP delivery of SSM. HCPs in UK primary care spent half the time in both face-to-face and remote asthma reviews delivering components of SSM suggesting that either mode of delivery may be acceptable. Reviews carried out in IMP2ART implementation group practices demonstrated more behaviour change and collaborative SSM strategies compared to those in the control group. Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research (AUKCAR) PPI members were involved throughout, including project conception, providing feedback on participant-facing documents, and discussing implications of study findings.

Wildfire Smoke: Health Effects, Mechanisms, and Mitigation.

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense on a global scale, raising concerns about their acute and long-term effects on human health. We conducted a systematic review of the current epidemiological evidence on wildfire health risks and a meta-analysis to investigate the association between wildfire smoke exposure and various health outcomes. We discovered that wildfire smoke increases the risk of premature deaths and respiratory morbidity in the general population. Meta-analysis of cause-specific mortality and morbidity revealed that wildfire smoke had the strongest associations with cardiovascular mortality (RR: 1.018, 95% CI: 1.014-1.021), asthma hospitalization (RR: 1.054, 95% CI: 1.026-1.082), and asthma emergency department visits (RR: 1.117, 95% CI: 1.035-1.204) in the general population. Subgroup analyses of age found that adults and elderly adults were more susceptible to the cardiopulmonary effects of wildfire smoke. Next, we systematically addressed the toxicological mechanisms of wildfire smoke, including direct toxicity, oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, immune dysregulation, genotoxicity and mutations, skin allergies, inflammation, and others. We discuss wildfire smoke risk mitigation strategies including public health interventions, regulatory measures, and personal actions. We conclude by highlighting current research limitations and future directions for wildfire research, such as elucidating the complex interactions of wildfire smoke components on human health, developing personalized risk assessment tools, and improving resilience and adaptation strategies to mitigate the health effects of wildfires in changing climate.

Exploring How to Optimise Transformative Pro-Environmental Behaviour Changes via Nudging on Shared Values Crystallisation

Transformative learning processes that can trigger deep and long-lasting behaviour changes are highly sought after for targeted improvements ranging from human diet and health to pro-environmental behaviours. A step forward was the reporting of a method that reliably produces transformative learning outcomes (TLOs) as an (incidental) effect of group shared values crystallisation, but the theme of the TLOs could not be targeted, e.g., for pro-environmental behaviours. A recent exploratory study bolted on environmentally themed pre-Nudging and unexpectedly produced a heavy bias towards pro-environmental behaviour changes. Here, we investigated more systematically the influences of different Nudging types upon TLO themes produced using two further case study designs created for comparability with earlier studies and using the same process (WeValue InSitu) and post-event data collection of TLOs categorised as environmental/not and behavioural/not. Our findings show that most Nudging had no effect, including raising the profile of environmental photos and the materials used in the crystallisation process, having participants reflect on their environmental identities, or emphasising environmental topics before going home. However, Nudging which involved answering written questions on specific personal pro-environmental actions such as recycling, applied early on, was linked to desired results. This has pragmatic significance for sustainability practitioners and raises questions for further research on the mechanisms of both active learning and Nudging.