Personal Acceptance Research Articles

Exploring the everyday impacts and memory intervention needs of people with transient epileptic amnesia: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT People with transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) experience deficits in memory, however, little is known about their everyday experience of this, and no memory intervention studies have been conducted within this group. Using a two-part qualitative method, this study explored the lived experience of people with TEA and possible avenues for memory intervention. Fourteen people with TEA participated in either a focus group (n = 7) or an online survey (n = 7) to answer questions regarding their memory difficulties, impact on their lives, and strategies to mitigate these problems. Perceived barriers and facilitators to participating in a group memory intervention program were discussed. Thematic content analysis identified key themes regarding impacts on the individual and their relationships. Although some positive outcomes regarding family support and personal acceptance were described, most participants described negative impacts on relationships and mood. A range of strategies to mitigate memory problems were reported, although some people did not use any. Participants identified practical and socio-emotional advantages to memory intervention, with perceived barriers around individual applicability, preferences, and ability to engage. While individual preferences need to be considered, a group-based memory intervention may help address cognitive and mental health concerns, particularly for those newly diagnosed with TEA.

Personal Character and Stigma in the Acceptance Process of Families Caring for Individuals with Mental Disorders

Mental illness necessitates long-term care, impacting both sufferers and their families due to societal stigma. This study examined the correlation between personal character and self-acceptance, stigma, and self-acceptance, and the sociodemographic factors influencing acceptance. The study used a quantitative descriptive design to analyze data from 130 individuals who were purposefully selected from a total population of 175 families with members experiencing mental disorders. The research instruments included standard questionnaires to measure personal character, extraversion, perceived stigmatization, stigma, and family adaptation acceptance. Results indicated that personal character and stigma were significantly associated with acceptance (p-value <0.05). At the same time, the distance to the health center was the most influential demographic factor (p-value <0.005, Chi-Square 170.071). In conclusion, strengthening the personal character of families is crucial to mitigate the negative impact of societal stigma. Furthermore, enhancing services provided through health centers is essential.

Attitudes and awareness of refractive surgery among medical undergraduates

Background: Refractive errors are common vision disorders globally. Advancements in refractive surgeries have provided new options for vision correction. However, uptake depends on awareness and personal attitudes. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the awareness, attitudes, and preferences regarding refractive procedures among medical undergraduates. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 medical students. A prevalidated questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, spectacles/contact lens use, awareness of procedures, willingness to undergo surgery, and recommend it to others. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Results: Most students (92.5%) were aware of refractive surgeries. Spectacles were used by 70.7% and contact lenses by 57.9%. Most users were comfortable with their method. Less than half (47.4%) planned to undergo refractive surgery themselves, although 63.2% would recommend it to family/friends. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was the preferred choice (44.4%). Those willing to undergo surgery were more likely to advise it to others (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study found a high awareness but lower personal acceptance of refractive surgery among medical students. LASIK was the most preferred procedure. Updated education about advances in refractive correction is needed in the medical curriculum. This can enable future physicians to better counsel patients regarding vision correction options.

Emotional sensitivity and resilience in emergency operators in the province of El Oro-Ecuador

In emergency work, a person’s capacity to become sensitive to the adversity of others deteriorates due to continuous exposure to catastrophic eventualities. The objective of this research is to analyze resilience as a protective factor of emotional sensitivity in emergency work, through the application of scales, in order to establish a protective factor against the deterioration of emotional sensitivity. A sample of 42 active workers of the ECU911 System was used, 76.19% of whom were men and 23.81% women, to whom the Emotional Sensitivity Scale (ESE) was applied with three dimensions: negative egocentric sensitivity, emotional distancing and positive interpersonal sensitivity, and the Resilience Scale (ER-14) with two factors: personal competence and acceptance of oneself and life. It is evident that, despite the high levels of stress derived from the emergencies attended, there are differences in the levels of resilience and emotional sensitivity in the teleoperators; low levels of negative egocentric awareness were found, relatively high levels of resilience and positive interpersonal sensitivity, and in an intermediate position the levels of emotional distancing. It is necessary to design interventions aimed

Cross-cultural variation in experiences of acceptance, camouflaging and mental health difficulties in autism: A registered report.

Recent findings suggest that stigma and camouflaging contribute to mental health difficulties for autistic individuals, however, this evidence is largely based on UK samples. While studies have shown cross-cultural differences in levels of autism-related stigma, it is unclear whether camouflaging and mental health difficulties vary across cultures. Hence, the current study had two aims: (1) to determine whether significant relationships between autism acceptance, camouflaging, and mental health difficulties replicate in a cross-cultural sample of autistic adults, and (2) to compare these variables across cultures. To fulfil these aims, 306 autistic adults from eight countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States) completed a series of online questionnaires. We found that external acceptance and personal acceptance were associated with lower levels of depression but not camouflaging or stress. Higher camouflaging was associated with elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Significant differences were found across countries in external acceptance, personal acceptance, depression, anxiety, and stress, even after controlling for relevant covariates. Levels of camouflaging also differed across countries however this effect became non-significant after controlling for the covariates. These findings have significant implications, identifying priority regions for anti-stigma interventions, and highlighting countries where greater support for mental health difficulties is needed.

“They told me that you can be with whomever you want, be who you are”: Perceptions of LGBTQ+ youth in residential care regarding the social support provided by child welfare professionals

LGBTQ+ youth strengthen their resilience resources through the development of meaningful relationships that provide them with unique tools to combat the stress derived from experiences of discrimination and violence targeting their marginalized identities. However, more research is needed to understand how this group benefits from the social support provided by child welfare professionals and how these relational processes may strengthen their resilience, since these professionals are often the only adult models of relationship, even after leaving care. The focus of this study was to understand youths’ processes of resilience-development through relationships with care professionals in the child welfare system. In this study, we held 15 narrative interviews with LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 14 and 21 years that were living in residential care in Spain. We carried out a reflexive thematic analysis. The results show that LGBTQ+ youth in care experience feelings of safety through supportive relationships with professionals that are enhanced by availability, trust, and honesty. Safe spaces in care are facilitated by professionals who normalize LGBTQ+ issues and make LGBTQ+ youth feel they can be themselves in their residential homes. Functions of social support such as personal attachment, belonging, and acceptance were evident in the youths’ experiences. Young people expressed gratitude for professionals who provided identity support and who encouraged youths to authentically express themselves fully. Professionals who scaffold agency in youths’ identity development process, as well as emotional and practical support, promoted resilience. This knowledge is a building block to advance our understanding of how social support for LGBTQ+ youth in child welfare systems can counteract the negative impacts of non-affirming families and institutions by augmenting resilience.

“Diabetes is really simple on paper, but really complicated when you actually have it”: Understanding the daily stressors of adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes

AbstractPurposeThis study aims to explore the daily stressors experienced by adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the perceived impact of those stressors on their self‐management and psychological well‐being.Design and MethodsWe conducted semistructured in‐depth telephone interviews using a qualitative descriptive approach with 20 adolescents aged 14–17 years with T1D and analyzed subsequent data using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants who were non‐Hispanic white made up 85% of the sample, 75% identified as female and mean age was 15 years. The study identified two key themes: “the everyday stress of living with diabetes” and “managing stress and supporting psychological well‐being.” Participants described heightened mental load, the impact of daily activities, stress associated with public diabetes management, and added stress due to COVID‐19. Primary mitigation techniques included family support, peer support networks, activity engagement, and personal acceptance of their condition.Practice ImplicationsWe found that there is a compound effect that occurs with balancing daily disease management with normative activities of daily living. These data will help guide the design of new interventions and tailoring of existing interventions. Future intervention development may include physical exercise, mindfulness training, and stress reducing techniques.

KONSEP KEKUDUSAN MENURUT IMAMAT 18 DAN IMPLIKASINYA TERHADAP KONSELING PRANIKAH KAUM MUDA DI GEREJA BETHEL INDONESIA TABGHA BATAM CENTER

Pre-marital counseling is an activity held for unmarried parties, in connection with their wedding plans. These parties come to the counselor to make their decisions so that they are more stable and can make better adjustments in the future. Marriage counseling or what is commonly called marriage counseling is an effort to help the prospective bride and groom. Marriage counseling is carried out by professional counselors. The goal is that they can develop and be able to solve the problems they face through ways of mutual respect, tolerance, and communication, in order to achieve family motivation, development, independence, and the welfare of all family members.
 The purpose of personal counseling specifically has the main and foremost goal in mentoring, namely introducing the counselee to Jesus Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God and helping the counselee to become like Christ. This counseling is a service process so that the counselee has a life change and experiences recovery from the intervention of the Holy Spirit and accepts the Lord Jesus as a personal Savior so that the counselee lives and grows in a better spirituality.
 This service can be done by a counselor or a servant of God to help church members free from dark powers. Through this counseling service, the counselor will check the personal acceptance of Jesus; confession to God; ask forgiveness from God; deliverance prayer service; convinced of a new identity in Christ. Discipleship ministry (follow up) is very important for people who have just been released from the bonds of dark power. The strategy that the church must do is to make disciples or guide personally so that the counselee knows more about Jesus and grows more in Jesus Christ.
 Holiness is a state or quality of being holy. Holiness is a sign of a believer's spiritual life that must be continuously strived for, including ethical behavior. The Christian life and holiness are an inseparable unity in the believer. God's holiness has a lot to do with the people He chooses. Election/covenant is a unique expression of God's holiness. Because God is holy, God also requires His people to live holy lives (Leviticus 11:44). God shows His holiness in His actions for the salvation of the people He has chosen (Num. 20:13).

Impact of the digital economy on low carbon sustainability evidence from the Yellow River Basin

As the digital economy increasingly dominates a substantial portion of the national economy, comprehending its role in promoting sustainable development has become an imperative research question—particularly in the context of the Yellow River Basin, where there exists an urgent need to shift toward more sustainable modes of economic growth. Utilizing panel data spanning from 1999 to 2020 for 114 cities in the Yellow River Basin, this study develops a comprehensive evaluation framework for sustainable development, incorporating economic, social, and ecological dimensions. The empirical findings reveal that the digital economy acts as a catalyst for sustainable development. Importantly, these results withstand both endogeneity tests and robustness checks. Further heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive impact of the digital economy on sustainable development is more pronounced in regions directly traversed by the Yellow River and in areas with higher sustainability levels. Moreover, the enactment and implementation of the 13th Five-Year National Information Plan have emphasized the role of the digital economy in enhancing sustainable development. Mechanism tests also illustrate those elevated levels of personal digital acceptance and government intervention contribution to amplify the digital economy’s positive impact on sustainable development. In conclusion, policy recommendations are put forward, including optimizing industrial structure, strengthening data governance and environmental monitoring, promoting innovation-driven development, and fostering collaborative growth.

CEO Speech Rate and Personal Responsibility Acceptance during Conference Calls

CEO Speech Rate and Personal Responsibility Acceptance during Conference Calls

Motivating compliance behaviors in public health through enhanced sense of control

Compliance with medical interventions is crucial for the effectiveness of treatment strategies in public health. Approaches to encourage compliance with health interventions vary in both form and methodology. During ordinary times, public health campaigns mainly rely on educational efforts or incentives while in more severe circumstances, governments might take enforcement measures and even penalties for noncompliance. When interventions pose potential risks to personal interests (e.g., health risks of side effects; social risks of exclusion), individuals find it challenging to comply with such medical measures, resulting in negative consequences for both personal healthcare and public welfare. In this paper, we introduce an effective way to promote compliance with such interventions in the area of public health: enhancing sense of control. We explore three specific compliance behaviors: disclosure of personal information, vaccination, and acceptance of water resource reallocation. These behaviors, while beneficial to public health, pose personal risks like privacy breaches and health-related side effects. Through four studies, we demonstrate that the positive effect of sense of control on compliance behaviors with public health interventions is mediated by reducing perceived personal risk of the intervention. Individuals with a higher sense of control perceive lower personal risk of the medical interventions, leading to increased compliance. Additionally, our research identifies a boundary condition that if the interventions pose no harm to personal interests, the effect of sense of control will be attenuated. By concentrating on interventions that could potentially harm personal interests, our study provides deeper insights into the circumstances and reasons behind individuals’ reluctance to comply with public health interventions. The current research sheds light on the psychological processes driving compliance decisions and offers valuable strategies for health professionals and governments to enhance medical adherence.

Differences in Mental Illness Stigma by Disorder and Gender: Population-Based Vignette Randomized Experiment in Rural Uganda.

Understanding and eliminating mental illness stigma is crucial for improving population mental health. In many settings, this stigma is gendered, from the perspectives of both the stigmatized and the stigmatizers. We aimed to find the differences in the level of stigma across different mental disorders while considering the gender of the study participants as well as the gender of the people depicted in the vignettes. This was a population-based, experimental vignette study conducted in Buyende District of Eastern Uganda in 2023. We created 8 vignettes describing both men and women with alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia consistent with DSM-5 criteria. Participants from 20 villages in rural Buyende District of Uganda (N=379) were first read a randomly selected vignette and administered a survey eliciting their attitudes (Personal Acceptance Scale [PAS] and Broad Acceptance Scale [BAS]) towards the person depicted in the vignette. We used analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni-adjusted, empirical p-values to compare levels of acceptance across disorders and genders. Attitudes towards people with mental illness, as measured by the PAS, varied across different mental disorders (p=0.002). In pairwise mean comparisons, the greater acceptance of anxiety disorder vs. schizophrenia was statistically significant (Mean [SD] PAS: 2.91 [3.15] vs 1.62 [1.95], p=0.008). Secondary analyses examining differences in acceptance across gender combinations within mental disorders showed that PAS varied across gender combinations for depression (p=0.017), suggesting that acceptance is higher for women with depression than men with depression. In this population-based vignette study from rural Uganda, we found that people with schizophrenia were less accepted compared to people with anxiety disorders. We also found that there was greater acceptance of women with depression than men with depression. Anti-stigma initiatives may need to be targeted to specific disorders and genders.

Dietary Supplements for Vasomotor Symptoms of Perimenopause: An Updated Review

The experience of perimenopause is complex and varies from female to female. For some, the experience is benign, and changes feel subtle. For others, perimenopause is a time of confusion and frustration with disruptive physical and psychological symptoms. Either way, with the right guidance and support, the transition to postmenopause can be an enriching experience with great personal growth and acceptance. Nurse practitioners can foster a positive process by approaching a perimenopausal female’s care from a holistic, individualized perspective.

Clients’ experiences of Music and Imagery (MI)sessions: An integrative literature review

Music and Imagery (MI), which forms part of the Continuum Model of Guided Imagery and Music (CMGIM), is a receptive music therapy method developed by Lisa Summer (1999) as an adaptation of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (BMGIM). Training in MI started around 2005, and it is therefore a relatively new phenomenon in music therapy practice and research. MI includes and favours the use of clients’ preferred music during therapy. An integrative literature review was conducted to investigate how clients experienced MI sessions. Initially, 108 studies were identified through a comprehensive electronic search, including dissertations and presentations as well as personal correspondence with the developer of MI. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 189 participants, ranging from one to 76 participants per study. Participants’ own descriptions of their experiences and researchers’ interpretations of participants’ feedback were examined in the six-phase thematic analysis process as described by Braun and Clarke (2021). Six themes were identified: Music as a catalyst for transformational experiences; Emotional experiences; Strengths, acceptance and self awareness; Affect regulation; Trust and feeling protected; and Connectedness. Upon reflection, the researchers found that these themes could all be connected. Music generated emotional experiences, which could assist with affect regulation as well as the recognition of personal strengths, acceptance and self-awareness, and feelings of trust and protection ultimately formed part of a sense of connectedness.

Factors associated with assistive technology prescription and acceptance in motor neurone disease

Purpose The risk of delaying assistive technology (AT) prescription and implementation has significant implications on the safety and quality of life of people with Motor Neurone Disease (PwMND). This study aims to explore the barriers and enablers of AT prescription and implementation identified by PwMND and clinicians. Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured focus groups with clinicians and in-depth interviews with PwMND. Sixteen clinicians and ten PwMND were recruited. Thematic analysis was completed and results were compared and discussed to reach an agreement on the final themes. Results Three main factors were identified – PwMND, Clinician and Extrapersonal. For PwMND, personal characteristics, such as mindset, was the strongest enabler and inability to accept diagnosis and AT was the key barrier. For Clinician, communication approach was both the most identified enabler and barrier. For Extrapersonal, the availability of interactive education of AT was the strongest enabler and long wait time was a significant barrier. Conclusion Our study identified themes that clinicians could have an impact on, such as, providing interactive education, engaging PwMND and their support network, and ongoing upskilling of clinicians working in this field. Themes identified that were beyond the control of clinicians were personal characteristics, acceptance and support networks. It highlights the importance for clinicians to be flexible with their communication approach to accommodate the needs of PwMND in the acceptance of AT.

Acceptance of Digital Transformation: Evidence from Romania

The digital transformation (DT) implies designing products and services, to which digital technology is applied, that are adopted and used by customers. However, if people do not accept the new technologies embedded in the innovative products and services, DT will fail. Therefore, getting to know the determinant factors that affect acceptance is necessary, especially during economic turmoil that requires companies to become even more competitive. Moreover, Romania is lagging behind in its digital progress. The aim of this research is to draw upon a previous study on successful DT, analyze personal and social acceptance factors, and empirically verify whether they would affect DT in Romania. We identified from the literature the main factors (behavioral and innovative characteristics) affecting the DT acceptance attitude and adapted the theoretical model to the Romanian context. The study collected data from 123 persons using an online questionnaire and applied a structural equation model to test the theoretical model. The empirical results emphasize that the acceptance attitude of DT is positively associated with individuals’ behavioral factors and innovative characteristics. Moreover, DT acceptance attitude positively impacts both personal and social acceptance of DT. This research provides both theoretical and empirical contributions by adapting the theoretical DT model and testing it for the Romanian context, using personal and social acceptance. These findings are important for managers and policy makers that seek to transform their organizations.

Learners’ Perceptions of Pre-Service Teachers’ Classroom Management Practices

<p style="text-align:justify">Studies conducted on learners rarely focus their investigations on learner perceptions of pre-service teachers’ classroom management practices. In response to the changing school environments, this study investigated learners’ perceptions of pre-service teachers’ classroom management practices. A survey design was adopted in which 550 grade 11 secondary school learners from eleven secondary schools in the Copperbelt Province in Zambia formed the sample. A Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect data which was analysed using SPSS and also through an iterative process. The study revealed that learners positively perceived pre-service teachers’ classroom management practices. This is indicated by pre-service teachers’ interest in learners’ welfare, possessing good personal qualities, ability to handle learners’ disruptive behaviours, ability to teach effectively, and ability to assess learners effectively. Using an independent samples t-test, it was concluded that there were no statistically significant gender differences in learners’ perceptions of pre-service teachers’ classroom management. Regardless of which institution pre-service teachers came from, learners had a positive impression of pre-service teachers in terms of learner discipline (60%), assessment of learners (66.3%), learner and pre-service-teacher relationship (64.7%), pre-service teachers’ ability to teach (54%), interest in learner welfare (58.5%), pre-service teachers’ personal characteristics (82.6%) and acceptance of pre-service teacher (46.9%).</p>

Il DGA: inquadramento e cura nel percorso residenziale

In community settings, the treatment of Gambling Disorder is based on a multidisciplinary approach, which takes into account the multidimensional aspects of addiction, which is treated from all points of view – medical, psychological, educational and social/family. The experience of the last 6 years of the Comunità Incontro Onlus has shown, both in individual and personalized treatment, and thanks to the therapeutic groups that out of 100 guests of the Structure, 32 gambling addicts were detected in the year 2022, of which 5 "pure" and 27 "non-pure", i.e. multi-addicted to cocaine and alcohol, demonstrating how awareness of this problem is underestimated. From the study of the Comunità Incontro, it emerged that at the beginning of the path in the community, the difficulty in understanding the reported problem emerges, since the idea that "sooner or later you win" still exists. It is important to work on awareness, to understand each of the player's perceptions and cognitive distortions. It is essential to work on personal acceptance of the pathology, on not fearing the judgment of the other, on the motivation for the treatment path. Group work proved to be important, as it starts from the experiences of the participants or from events that occurred in the previous days and tries to recognize the typical dynamics of gambling. The group experience has proved to be useful in allowing the participation of subjects with very low levels of awareness as well, since they are invited to compare themselves with the experiences of others without necessarily having to expose themselves personally. It has been shown that, thanks to community and individual and group therapeutic work, there is an increase in awareness, from admission to the following six months, but above all in the number of people who experience the ability to control impulse and reduce desire, as measured at admission, 6 months and 12 months after the start of the course, also with the aid of diagnostic tools.

The Influence of Perceived Security in Childhood on Adult Self-Concept: The Mediating Role of Resilience and Self-Esteem.

Secure attachment, developed through consistent relationships with attachment figures in childhood, is a crucial factor in fostering healthy interpersonal relationships and a positive self-perception. Part of the positive parenting approach and the theory of affect is taken as a basis to assess how perceived security, as an indicator of secure attachment, predicts adult self-concept through the mediating effects of resilience and positive self-esteem. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and nonprobabilistic study was conducted with 383 participants. We unveiled significant positive associations between perceived security, self-concept, resilience, and positive self-esteem. Path analysis demonstrated that resilience and positive self-esteem sequentially mediate the relationship between perceived security during childhood and adult self-concept. Findings suggest that the ability to cope with adversity and personal acceptance underlie the impact of perceived security on self-concept. It is recommended to promote family intervention programs framed within positive parenting that focus on fostering secure attachment given its influence on adult life. It is also deemed essential to incorporate the promotion of resilience and self-esteem into programs aimed at youths, and adult role models can enhance their self-perception and resilience in the face of potential effects stemming from insecure parenting practices.

Differential Magnitude of Resilience between Emotional Intelligence and Life Satisfaction in Mountain Sports Athletes.

The field of mountain sports has its own characteristics, different from other sports modalities. Emotional intelligence and resilience not only refer to the adaptive capacity that can be developed after an adverse experience, but can also be factors that positively affect sporting performance in extreme conditions. In this study, 4818 athletes from the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing participated; 2696 were men (67.1%) and 1322 were women (32.9%), with a mean age of 49.42 years (±11.9). The Resilience Scale (RS-14), Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS-S) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used. The aim was to provide evidence for the potential for resilience (personal competence and acceptance of self and life) among EI and life satisfaction in mountain and climbing athletes. The results showed that the coefficients of determination of personal competence [(Q2 = 0.286); (R2 = 0.578)], acceptance of self [(Q2 = 0.310); (R2 = 0.554)] and life satisfaction [(Q2 = 0.299); (R2 = 0.421)] for the estimation of the measurement model indicated a good model fit. In the future, it would be necessary to carry out specific studies discriminating by sport modality and methods for this area, with a large number of athletes and disciplines, as well as evaluating its possible applications for the improvement of emotional factors.