Personal Appraisal Research Articles

Are women's breast cancer risk appraisals in line with updated clinical risk estimates communicated? Results from a UK Family History Risk and Prevention Clinic.

The incorporation of breast density and a polygenic risk score (PRS) into breast cancer risk prediction models can alter previously communicated risk estimates. Previous research finds that risk communication does not usually change personal risk appraisals. This study aimed to examine how women from the Family History Risk (FH-Risk) study appraise their breast cancer risk following communication of an updated risk estimate. In the FH-Risk study 323 women attended a consultation to receive an updated breast cancer risk estimate. A subset (n=190) completed a questionnaire, assessing their subjective breast cancer risk appraisals, satisfaction with the information provided and cancer related worry. One hundred and three were notified of a decrease risk, 34 an increase and 53 an unchanged risk. Women's subjective risk appraisals were in line with the updated risk estimates provided, with age, a PRS and breast density explaining most of the variance in these appraisals. Those notified of an increased risk demonstrated higher subjective risk perceptions compared to those whose risk remained unchanged or decreased. Women's subjective breast cancer risk appraisals are amenable to change following updated risk feedback, with new information breast density and a PRS accepted and integrated into existing risk appraisals. Trust in the service, the analogies and visual communication strategies used may have positively influenced the integration of this new information. Further research is warranted to assess whether similar patterns emerge for other illnesses and in different clinical contexts to determine the best strategies for communicating updated risk estimates.

The subjective wellbeing of people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Australia: insights from the Personal Wellbeing Index

ObjectivesSubjective wellbeing has been defined as an individual’s personal appraisal of their quality of life. Subjective wellbeing is associated with positive health behaviours and improved coping abilities. This study aimed to investigate the subjective wellbeing of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), using the novel Personal Wellbeing Index, and make comparisons with the general population.MethodsCross-sectional data was obtained from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study and the How Is Your Life Australian general population study in August-October 2020. Subjective wellbeing was measured as life satisfaction using the Personal Wellbeing Index. This instrument measures life satisfaction globally and in seven life domains, allowing the importance of domain-specific life satisfaction to be explored. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted.ResultsOne thousand six hundred eighty-three MS and 1,021 general population participants entered the study (mean age 52.4 and 58.6; female 79.9% and 52.4%, respectively). For people living with MS the most important life domains were standard of living and achieving in life. The domain of personal health was more influential for people living with MS (p < 0.01) than the general population. The life domains most susceptible to MS-related disability were personal health, achieving in life, and community connectedness (p < 0.01 for these domains).ConclusionPersonal health and achieving in life are key domains through which the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS is modified. This study recommends the development of interventions to support healthy perceptions of illness and continued employment as paramount in improving the subjective wellbeing of people living with MS.

Inaccurate Equals Bad? The Effect of Motivational Performance Appraisal Politics on Organizational Citizenship Behavior

Abstract: Performance appraisal politics are prevalent in organizations and consist of personal bias appraisal politics and motivational performance appraisal politics (MPAP). Although personal bias performance appraisal politics is deleterious, MPAP is purported to bring benefits to organizations. However, few empirical studies have proved the benefits of MPAP. Based on social exchange theory, this study posited that MPAP is positively related to organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) via perceived organizational support and that core self-evaluation weakens the positive relationship between MPAP and perceived organizational support and attenuates the relationship between MPAP and OCB via perceived organizational support. Using data from a sample of 246 employees collected through a two-wave and multisource approach and structural equation model, this study found that all hypotheses were supported.

Navigating Barriers and Opportunities: Perceptions of the Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Continuum Among Young Sexual Minority Men, Aged 17-24, in the United States.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a public health concern among young sexual minority men (YSMM), ages 17 to 24, in the United States. Biomedical prevention methods, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP), can help reduce the risk of HIV transmission among this population. However, there is limited awareness and use of nPEP by YSMM. This study aims to explore the perceptions of YSMM regarding the nPEP care continuum, which consists of three areas of focus: awareness, uptake, and linkage to other HIV prevention services. This study draws on synchronous online focus groups with a sample of 41 YSMM in the United States. Transcripts from the focus groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants reported limited nPEP awareness and prior use, a process of personal appraisal of nPEP need based on HIV risk and costs, and a preference for PrEP over PEP for long-term HIV prevention. Interventions should be tailored to increase awareness of nPEP among YSMM and reduce addressable barriers to nPEP use for YSMM, including cost and confidentiality concerns, in situations where nPEP is warranted. Finally, more research is needed on how nPEP use can act as a bridge to PrEP initiation for this population.

Big data-assisted student’s English learning ability appraisal model using fuzzy logic system

The ability, interest, and prior accomplishments of students with varying proficiency levels all impact how they learn English. Exact validation is essential for facilitating efficient evaluation and training models. The research’s innovative significance resides in incorporating personal attributes, progressive appraisal, and Fuzzy Logic-based appraisal in English language learning. The PA2M model, which addresses the shortcomings of existing models, offers a thorough and accurate assessment, enabling personalized recommendations and enhanced teaching tactics for students with varied skill levels. This research proposes the Fuzzy Logic System (FLS)-based Persistent Appraisal Assessment Model (PA2M). Based on the students’ evolving performance and accumulated data, this model evaluates the students’ English learning capabilities. The model assesses the student’s ability using fuzzification approaches to reduce variations in appraisal verification by linking personal attributes with performance. Mamdani FIS offers a clear and thorough evaluation of student’s English learning capacity within the framework of the appraisal methodology. The inputs are updated utilizing performance and accumulated ability data to improve validation consistently and reduce converge errors. During the fuzzification process, pre-convergence from unavailable appraisal sequences is eliminated. The PA2M approach determines precise improvements and evaluations depending on student ability by merging prior and current data. Several appraisal validations and verifications result in clear fresh suggestions. According to experimental data, the suggested model enhances 9.79% of recommendation rates, 8.79% of appraisal verification, 8.25% of convergence factor, 12.56% error ratio, and verification time with 8.77% over a range of inputs. The PA2M model provides a fresh and useful way to evaluate English learning potential, filling in some gaps in the body of knowledge and practice.

Perspectives of Stakeholders on the inclusion of Personality Assessment in the Admission Policies of Medical Colleges: A Qualitative Study

Background: Joining the health care force as a doctor is a dream that flourishes in the minds of majority of youngsters in Pakistan, making the admission process highly competitive. Currently, our admission criteria only caters the knowledge domain of the applicants while research argues that personality of the candidates should also be considered when selecting the cream of the nation for one of the most critical profession of medicine. Objective: The objective of this research was to investigate stakeholders’ perspectives on the incorporation of personality assessment as a component of the admission requirements for medical colleges in Pakistan. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using a multi-center approach, where participants from three different stakeholder groups involved in medical college admissions in Pakistan (Governing body members, experienced academic staff, and medical scholars) were interviewed. The analysis method used was thematic analysis. Results: The stakeholders reached a consensus that the current admission criteria need to be revised, although opinions were varied regarding the inclusion of personality assessment in the admission process. The stakeholders identified conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience as the key personality features to be evaluated for medical college admissions, in descending order of importance. Conclusion: This study highlighted the need to revise and expand the existing admission criteria, while also revealing a diversified feedback to the proposal of introducing personality appraisal as part of the medical college admission standards as they may pose significant obstacles.

Peritraumatic Distress among Chinese Canadians during the Early Lockdown Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic and Pandemic-Related Predictors

The current study investigates the peritraumatic distress of Chinese residents living in Canada and identifies the associated sociodemographic and pandemic-related predictors during the initial phases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown (i.e., from April 2020 to June 2020). A final sample of 457 valid participants aged 18 or older completed an online survey in which peritraumatic distress was assessed with the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). The results showed 32.76% of the sample was in the mild to moderate range (i.e., 28–51) and 5.03% in the severe range (i.e., 52 to higher) for peritraumatic distress. The hierarchical regression models on the continuous CPDI score identified life satisfaction as a consistent protector for the CPDI (absolute values of βs = −1.21 to −0.49, ps &lt; 0.001). After controlling for life satisfaction, the following sociodemographic risk factors were identified: being middle-aged, being employed (relative to retired people/students), living in Ontario (rather than elsewhere), and a poor health status. Furthermore, the following pandemic-related risk factors were identified: a higher self-contraction worry, more of a COVID-19 information authenticity concern, a higher future infection rate prediction, and a higher personal health hygiene appraisal. The results of our study shed light on cognitive, experiential, behavioural, and sociodemographic factors associated with peritraumatic distress for Chinese residents living in Canada during the early outbreak stage of the pandemic.

Psychological distress among individuals with a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation and suicide attempts patterns: first two years of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions may have led to increased stress, particularly in people with mental health problems. Since stress factors play important role in the emergence of suicide attempts (SA) and suicidal ideation (SI), they may have been exacerbated by the pandemic, which could have led to an increased number of suicide attempts. Thus, we first investigated whether the pandemic affected personal stress experiences and appraisal of coping potential in individuals with and without SA and SI. In a second step, we analyzed the frequency and dynamics of SAs by patients admitted to a psychiatric university clinic over a period of four years. We examined stress experiences and appraisal of coping resources of inpatients recruited between March 2021 and February 2022 with SA (n=38), SI (n=27), and with mood disorder without SA or SI (n=45). In the second study, we investigated the time course of prospectively recorded patients with a suicide attempt (n=399) between January 1st 2018 and December 31st 2021 using interrupted time-series Poisson regression models. There was a significant main effect of group (F[2,107]=6.58, p=0.002) regarding psychological stress levels, which was significantly higher in the SA and SI groups than in the psychiatric control group. No significant differences were found in the appraisal of coping resources or in the frequency of SAs before and during pandemic. However, the pandemic had a significant impact on the seasonal pattern of SAs. The pandemic increased psychological stress levels in individuals with SA and SI, which may be related to SI and do not necessarily result in SA. The pandemic did not affect the overall frequency of SA between March 2020 and December 2021, but interfered with the seasonal pattern of SA occurrence. Effective intervention strategies during a pandemic should include programs to strengthen the psychological resilience of people who are susceptible to mental health problems.

Research and Application of Performance Pay Platform Construction for College Teaching Staff Counting and Multi-scale Feature Fusion Networks

Abstract In this paper, a multi-scale feature fusion network is constructed by combining U-Net and Densebox algorithms, and feature extraction is performed by the deep residual network (ResNet). Taking colleges and universities as an example, a teacher reputation incentive model combining a multi-scale feature fusion network is established based on marginal productivity. The multi-scale feature fusion network is proposed to be used to realize the employee performance measurement level and personal appraisal system in the salary performance appraisal platform for teachers in colleges and universities. The appraisal test analysis of the teacher team’s performance and salary was carried out with the teacher team of School G as an example. The results show that the starting salary points of B1, C1, and D1 of the teacher team of school G are 2250, 1650, and 1260, respectively, in which the median difference in salary value between the highest grade B1 (9618) and the lowest grade I2 (784) is 8834 yuan. The performance pay management platform constructed in this paper effectively provides incentives and promotes the high-quality development of the university teaching team through strict assessment and fair distribution.

Predictors of face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: Application of the health belief model, psychological distress and health motivation

Background High infection rates of COVID-19 in Indonesia require attention, especially transmission and prevention behaviors. One way to lower infection rates is the use of face masks. However, people’s adherence to its usage when in public is still low. This necessitates the exploration of predictors of the use of masks to increase community compliance. This study further aims to investigate the predictors of face mask use by applying the Health Belief Model, anxiety, stress, depression, and health motivation. Methods A total of 255 respondents from Jakarta, Bandung, Tangerang, and Banten filled out an online questionnaire. Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression was used to detect predictors associated with face mask use. Results The results showed that the high perceived benefits and health motivation were higher in individuals who used a face mask when in public, while those who have high perceived barriers likely do not use masks. The respondent’s level of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress were not associated with face mask use. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of personal appraisal regarding COVID-19 and its prevention behaviors. Comfortable mask design, and emphasizing the benefits of using masks in the community improve compliance.

Variables Associated with Attitudes toward Biodebridement Using Lucilia sericata Larvae in a Group of Nurses.

Despite numerous studies and recommendations, the acceptance of treatments involving medicinal maggots in many clinics has been slow. Several factors may account for this, including the gender of nurses administering the treatment, their level of work experience, and their perceived level of personal stress. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of selected variables (gender, work experience, stress level) on the readiness of nurses to administer maggot debridement therapy (MDT), which is a form of biodebridement. The study population was a cohort of 290 wound care nurses providing specialist care for patients with chronic wounds. It was assumed that the identified variables may determine the implementation of larval therapy in everyday professional practice. A subsample of 35 men and 35 women was further analyzed to determine if gender, work experience, and/or personal stress levels were correlated with attitudes towards the utilization of maggots in biodebridement. Assessment tools included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the MDT 10 Perception Assessment Questionnaire, a protocol by which the subject ranked six wound photographs in order of repulsiveness and responded to questions regarding demographic variables, which include education and work experience. The visual perception of pictures of a wound with larvae is indirectly an indicator of the attitude towards larval therapy. Selection of the photograph with maggots on the wound as the most repulsive image was associated with a personal appraisal of not being ready to implement maggot therapy (chi-square = 8.430, p = 0.015). Low work experience (chi-square = 14.039, df = 4, p = 0.007), and low readiness for MDT (chi-square = 8.430, df = 2, p = 0.015) were also associated with unpreparedness to administer maggot therapy. Neither gender nor perceived stress level were exclusively associated with disgust for maggots or lack of readiness to implement MDT. Low professional experience and a deficit of knowledge in maggot therapy may negatively affect the readiness of nurses to administer biodebridement. Gender and personal stress levels do not affect nurses' readiness to utilize larval therapy.

Pathogenetic Mechanisms Underlying Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Personality Type D Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Roles of Cognitive Appraisal and Coping Strategies.

This paper aimed to study the association of type D personality, coping strategies, and cognitive appraisal with annual prognosis after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The prospective study included 111 CAD patients who underwent a PCI. All participants, before the PCI, completed questionnaires designed to collect information about type D personality, cognitive appraisal, and coping styles. Information was also collected on the clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients. After 1 year of follow-up, the presence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) was assessed. The presence of a MACE was noted in 38 patients, and the absence of a MACE was noted in 53 patients. In patients with type D personality, higher incidences of MACEs (54.1% versus 33.3%; p = 0.0489) and hospitalization rates (29.7% versus 7.4%; p = 0.004) were revealed. Patients with poor prognoses preferred a moderate use of the confrontation strategy than patients without a MACE (78.4% vs. 50.9%; p = 0.0082). Patients with MACEs had statistically significantly lower indicators of strong emotions (11.92 ± 5.32 versus 14.62 ± 4.83 points; p = 0.005) and future prospects (11.36 ± 3.81 versus 13.21 ± 3.41 points; p = 0.015) than patients without a MACE. In a multiple binary logistic regression model, the following factors had significant associations with MACE development: type D, moderate use of confrontation coping, moderate use of self-control coping, and strong emotions in cognitive appraisal. This study showed that not only personality type D, but also certain coping strategies and cognitive appraisals increase the likelihood of developing a MACE after a PCI. This provides a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism underlying type D personality and MACEs in patients after a PCI.

How do women at increased risk of breast cancer make sense of their risk? An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Offering breast cancer risk prediction for all women of screening age is being considered globally. For women who have received a clinically derived estimate, risk appraisals are often inaccurate. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of women's lived experiences of receiving an increased breast cancer risk. One-to-one semi-structured telephone interviews. Eight women informed that they were at a 10-year above-average (moderate) or high risk in a breast cancer risk study (BC-Predict) were interviewed about their views on breast cancer, personal breast cancer risk and risk prevention. Interviews lasted between 40 and 70 min. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes were generated: (i) encounters with breast cancer and perceived personal significance, where the nature of women's lived experiences of others with breast cancer impacted their views on the significance of the disease, (ii) 'It's random really': difficulty in seeking causal attributions, where women encountered contradictions and confusion in attributing causes to breast cancer, (iii) believing versus identifying with a clinically-derived breast cancer risk, where personal risk appraisals and expectations influenced women's ability to internalize their clinically derived risk and pursue preventative action and (iv) perceived utility of breast cancer risk notification, where women reflected on the usefulness of knowing their risk. Providing (numerical) risk estimates appear to have little impact on stable yet internally contradictory beliefs about breast cancer risk. Given this, discussions with healthcare professionals are needed to help women form more accurate appraisals and make informed decisions.

Pengaruh Motivasi Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Bagian Produksi (Studi Pada PT. Mitratani Dua Tujuh, Jember)

This study aims to explain the effect of work motivation on the performance of production employees at PT. Mitratani Dua Tujuh, Jember. This type of research is quantitative research with a positivistic approach. The population of this research is the permanent employees of the production division of PT. Mitratani Dua Tujuh, Jember in 2022. The number of samples for this research is 50 respondents. The data collection tchnique used is a questionnaire. Testing this research instrument using the validity test and reliability test. Analysis of the data used is multiple linear regression analysis with the F test and T test. The results of the T test and F test show that the work motivation variable has a significant positive effect of 0.000 on the performance of employees at PT. Mitratani Dua Tujuh, Jember. The coefficient of determination in this study shows that the value of R Square is 0.590, meaning that work motivation has an effect of 59% on employee performance. The results of the descriptive data analysis show that the highest score is X_1 worth 222 about harmonious interaction between fellow employee and Y_10 worth 228 about work done in a disciplined manner, the lowest score is X_6 worth 195 about praise given in accordance with personal performance appraisal and Y_5 worth 195 about quality of work better than other colleagues.&#x0D; Keywords: Work Motivation and Employee Performance

Through the Eyes of a Strategist and a Diplomat: Polish-American Relations post-1918

Through the Eyes of a Strategist and a Diplomat: Polish-American Relations post-1918

Predictors of face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: Application of the health belief model, psychological distress and health motivation.

High infection rates of COVID-19 in Indonesia require attention,especially transmission and prevention behaviors. One way to lower infection rates is the use of face masks. However, people's adherence to its usage when in public is still low. This necessitates the exploration of predictors of the use of masks to increase community compliance. This study further aims to investigate the predictors of face mask use by applying the Health Belief Model, anxiety, stress, depression, and health motivation. A total of 255 respondents from Jakarta, Bandung, Tangerang, and Banten filled out an online questionnaire. Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression was used to detect predictors associated with face mask use. The results showed that the high perceived benefits and health motivation were higher in individuals who used a face mask when in public, while those who have high perceived barriers likely do not use masks. The respondent's level of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress were not associated with face mask use. These findings highlight the importance of personal appraisal regarding COVID-19 and its prevention behaviors. Comfortable mask design, and emphasizing the benefits of using masks in the community improve compliance.

Distinguishing the Need to Belong and Sense of Belongingness: The Relation between Need to Belong and Personal Appraisals under Two Different Belongingness-Conditions.

People are frequently caught in the hold between the need to belong and the fear of exclusion. However, these needs might be expressed differently under different belongingness conditions, where other powerful social processes are accentuated. Thus, the need to belong and social exclusion are concepts that are subjectively appraised based on one's social relations. The present study aims to examine the relationship between the need to belong and five personal appraisals under two different belongingness conditions: (1) social-emotion support and (2) social-value representation. A total of 201 participants from two different groups were presented with 69 different items measuring five personal appraisals (exclusion, shame, social-worthiness, emotional self-expression, and prosocial-relating behaviour). Condition 2, social-value representation with social worthiness being appraised, offered the strongest connection as a significant predictor amongst all appraisals in both conditions, despite both exclusion and shame being indicated as significant predictors, to begin with. Thus, highlighting the appraisal of social worthiness in support of one's need to socially represent oneself by not being compared to others while being valued as an alternative motive for realising a sense of belongingness. The empirical and theoretical limitations and implications are also discussed.

Personal Appraisals of Support from the Perspective of Polish, Slovak, and American Children Who Stutter

Limited research exists about what children who stutter perceive to be helpful and unhelpful listener supports, and no known research exists cross‑culturally. Such information is nec­essary to better inform clinical intervention and public attitudes at large. This study sought to address that need by measuring listener preferences among children who stutter from diverse backgrounds. One‑hundred fifty‑one children who stutter from Poland, Slovakia, and the USA completed the child version of the Personal Appraisal of Support for Stuttering. Results were examined descriptively and compared cross‑culturally. Themes pertaining to very helpful and very unhelpful supports emerged across all groups. Many items fell in the neutral range, suggesting variability among individual speakers. Based on the groups examined, children who stutter primarily want listeners to be patient, to include them, and to not laugh when they are speaking. Other nuanced preferences un­derscore the importance of asking individuals about what they perceive to be helpful and un­helpful. Results of this study informed a listener guideline statement and an open‑access in­formational handout about how to be most supportive of children who stutter.

Research in movement disorders in 2022: a new era of biomarker and treatment development

The task of identifying the crucial advances in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders in 2022, among the more than 14 000 articles published in this field, is as daunting as it is exciting. Informed by a systematic literature review, recommendations from key opinion leaders, and our own personal appraisal, we have selected ten finalists.

Predictors of face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: Application of the health belief model, psychological distress and health motivation

Background: High infection rates of COVID-19 in Indonesia require attention, especially transmission and prevention behaviors. One way to lower infection rates is the use of face masks. However, people's adherence to its usage when in public is still low. This necessitates the exploration of predictors of the use of masks to increase community compliance. This study further aims to investigate the predictors of face mask use by applying the Health Belief Model, anxiety, stress, depression, and health motivation. Methods: A total of 255 respondents from Jakarta, Bandung, Tangerang, and Banten filled out an online questionnaire. Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression was used to detect predictors associated with face mask use. Results: The results showed that the high perceived benefits and health motivation were higher in individuals who used a face mask when in public, while those who have high perceived barriers likely do not use masks. The respondent's level of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress were not associated with face mask use. Conclusions: Therefore, these findings highlight the importance of personal appraisal regarding COVID-19 and its prevention behaviors. Comfortable mask design, and emphasizing the benefits of using masks in the community improve compliance.