Personal Belief Systems Research Articles

Spiritual Promiscuity, Psychedelic Interdependence, and The First World Congress of Sorcery

In 1975, American writer Annie Dillard won the Pulitzer Prize for her book A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, in which she describes her year-long journey through Virginia, reflecting on transcendence in nature.1 The book reflects what, decades later, Dillard called her “spiritual promiscuity,” a personal belief system blending Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Sufism.2 Deliberately mixing spiritual traditions to construct an otherworldly, private landscape, this stance is built upon a shared transgressive and exploratory theological ethos of the counterculture era during the 1970s. Reacting against the doctrines of monolithic religious systems such as Christianity, spiritually promiscuous individuals asserted their autonomy in building innovative and personal spiritual systems to reinterpret their immediate realities and beyond. The psychedelic movement and psychedelic experiences prevalent during this time allowed a growing sense of interdependence between human beings and non-human entities. These perceptions of continuity and unity spurred a heightened curiosity around non-hegemonic spiritualities, leading to the establishment of interdenominational explorations as a cultural zeitgeist of this period.

Navigating choices: understanding the decision-making journey of patients with localised kidney cancer.

To explore patients' experience of decision making regarding treatment of localised kidney cancer. A total of 21 patients with localised kidney cancer, across three countries, participated in either four focus groups or seven semi-structured interviews that lasted on average 2 h. Focus groups and interviews were all conducted in the participants' native language, recorded, transcribed and (if applicable) translated into English. Thematic analysis was used to develop a codebook and identify themes. All participants expressed a desire to be actively involved in the treatment decision-making process. However, due to the emotional toll of the cancer journey, which often necessitates quick decisions, actively engaging in the decision-making process was described as challenging. The study revealed 12 key themes. These themes included the impact of diagnostic paths, patient characteristics, patient empowerment, health literacy, source of support, fear of recurrence, trust in treatment and healthcare providers, shared decision making (SDM), professional interaction, personal belief system, and organisational and administrative issues. The findings highlight the complexity of decision making, underscoring the desire for patient involvement, SDM, and clear communication. We reveal a significant gap between research recommendations and clinical practice, emphasising the need to translate research findings to clinical application to enhance patient-centred care.

Stigmatisation of schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder: relationship with evangelicalism in a U.S. sample

ABSTRACT Stigmatisation of mental illness and substance use disorders has negative health implications. Previous research suggests that religious fundamentalism relates to stigmatising attitudes; Christian evangelicalism, as one type of fundamentalism, is a prevalent influence on personal belief systems in the United States. We recruited 380 participants from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, who self-identified as evangelical or non-evangelical, read vignettes depicting schizophrenia, alcohol use disorder (AUD), or asthma (control), and completed a stigmatisation measure. Notably, about a quarter of the non-evangelical group were non-religious individuals. Evangelicals had higher stigmatisation of schizophrenia and asthma, but no between-group difference was found regarding AUD. Higher stigmatisation of schizophrenia among evangelicals might reflect perceived violations of societal and religious norms, while widespread stigmatising attitudes related to AUD in the general population might explain the comparable stigmatisation of AUD among both groups. These findings highlight the importance of considering evangelical religious beliefs in stigma research and anti-stigma interventions.

I Didn’t See It Coming: Navigating an Uncomfortable Episode During Doctoral Research Fieldwork

In this article, I revisit my experiences during my doctoral fieldwork from the lens of a novice qualitative researcher. Initially embracing the role of narrative inquirer, I was in the midst of navigating my inquisitive journey by re-examining my personal practical knowledge as a means to confront my puzzle of practice. Six months of fieldwork allowed me to re-experience my classroom teaching practice through a pair of new eyes. As my research was ending, events took an unexpected turn, leading to the delicate issue of female teacher/lecturer-student relationships during research fieldwork and the dilemma of deciding whether to include or ignore this so-called "uncomfortable episode" in my thesis. This article employs an autoethnographic approach to further explore the sequence of events I experienced during and after an interview session with a male research participant, as they happened. By sharing this story from an autoethnographic lens, I hope to shed some light on the implications of such an episode. The lesson learnt suggests that rigour, honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility, and reflexivity are among the principles that an ethical researcher upholds and are frequently embedded in one's own personal belief system. As such, a novice qualitative researcher should constantly embrace these values when faced with an unforeseen occurrence during research.

Exploring Resilience As A Mediator In The Relationship Between Religiosity And Social Support On Psychological Well-Being Of Worker

This study investigates the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between religiosity, social support, and psychological well-being among university employees. Employing a quantitative approach, the research examines how these variables interact to influence the mental health of this demographic. The results, based on a sample of 345 university employees, indicate that while religiosity does not have a direct, significant impact on psychological well-being (p > 0.05), it indirectly affects well-being through resilience, which functions as a full mediator. This finding suggests the transformative role of resilience in channeling religious beliefs towards enhanced mental health. In contrast, social support shows a direct, albeit small, significant impact on psychological well-being. The study highlights the nuanced interplay between personal belief systems, social support, and psychological well being. It proposes that enhancing resilience and strengthening social support systems could be crucial for improving the psychological well being of university employees.

'n Interseksionele ondersoek: Godsdiens, feminisme, identiteit en behoort in geselekteerde

Religion is a common theme in Afrikaans literature. Religious references are used in many ways-during the anti-apartheid struggle it was (for instance) employed to protest the actions of the government in literary texts such as poetry. Similarly, women poets use religion, which is usually associated with patriarchy, as a metaphor for struggles with identity and belonging. Spirituality and organised religion are also shown to be differing concepts with organised religion being the product of society which influences the position of different genders within its stuctures. Spirituality refers to something inherently human related to the individual's personal belief system. In this article, religious reflections in poetry by three very different female poets will be explored as musings on how religion and belonging to a religious tradition are experienced. This will be done from the perspective of postsecular feminism, which does not revert to binary oppositions when discussing religion, but grapples with it in an intersectional way, as argued by Nandini Deo. An intersectional feminist approach will therefore be utilised to analyse selected poems of Lynthia Julius in Uit die kroes (From the kroes) (2020), of Corné Coetzee in nou, hier (now, here) (2017) and of Radna Fabias in Habitus (2018). Julius, a young black woman, and Coetzee, an older white woman, are Afrikaans poets whose work can be viewed as containing feminist ideas while also exploring the role of religion. Fabias, a black Dutch poet from Curaçao, represents a transnational example where similar themes are explored as in the work of the two Afrikaans poets, albeit from a very different intersectional position. In this article, intersections of, not just gender and race, but also culture, language, politics, nationality, age, ethnicity and identity are considered when understanding a woman's sense of belonging to a religion.

AN AGENTIC PERSPECTIVE ON AGING PREPARATION

Abstract When imagining one’s future life in old age individuals may respond to an uncertain future with proactive and preparatory activity aiming to maximize possible rewards and minimize risks or costs. The current research applies an agentic perspective on aging preparation that emphasizes the role of individuals’ beliefs and attitudes in determining their engagement in actions. The present research aims to investigate the associations between action-related beliefs (perceived utility/risk) and situational cues (experience/appraisals of aging-related life challenges) with individuals’ engagement in aging preparation. Data comes from the “Ageing as Future” project, which includes multicultural (i.e., Germany, US, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Czechia), longitudinal (i.e., five measurement points spanning from 2012 to 2020), and lifespan data (i.e., aged 18 to 98). Results from a series of analyses indicate that perceiving more utilities, having experience in caregiving, and having health-related worries at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with engagement in aging preparation. However, the magnitude of these associations varied depending on the time perspective and cultural context. Findings suggest that individuals engage in aging preparation to attain desirable or to avoid undesirable outcomes in the future based on personal values and belief systems. The dynamic interplay of personal belief systems with temporal and cultural contexts was also highlighted that differently shapes individual’s agentic engagement in aging preparation.

Beyond Appearances

This paper presents preliminary findings from research investigating the influence of selection panel biases on recruiting academic positions in Australian higher education. Emphasising the need for cultural diversity and inclusivity among students, the study argues that these goals should also be reflected in the selection of academics within higher education institutions. Notably, this research addresses a significant gap, as no prior studies in Australia have explored how selection panel members' personal and organisational characteristics and belief systems shape university academic selection. Data for this study were collected through surveys and optional semi-structured interviews with university staff who have participated in academic interviews or served on academic selection panels. Descriptive and thematic analysis techniques were applied to both survey and interview data, with verbal data analysis used for the interview transcripts. While the research is ongoing, this paper reports preliminary findings based on 45 surveys only from the participants interviewed. This paper does not report the findings from participants who were in interview panels. This research does not report on semi-structured interview data collected as a part of this project. The results highlight intense feelings of discrimination due to the race, age, gender, and cultural background of the candidates in the academic recruitment process in Australian universities.

Traumatized German soldiers with moral injury - value-based cognitive-behavioral group therapy to treat war-related shame.

During deployment, soldiers are confronted with potentially morally injurious events. In many cases, these events violate their personal values and belief systems, resulting in feelings of anger, alienation, guilt, and shame. The psychological distress caused by such transgressions is defined as moral injury. It remains unclear to date, which therapeutic interventions are most appropriate for addressing this specific psychological condition. This study examines the effectiveness of value-based cognitive-behavioral group therapy combining elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, spiritual care, and adaptive disclosure therapy. This controlled study uses the Compass of Shame Scale to assess symptom severity among participants both before and after a three-week inpatient group therapy regimen for moral injury. An intervention group (n = 45) was compared to a waiting-list control group (n = 40). A one-way between subjects ANOVA was conducted to determine the differences between the two measurement points in the intervention group compared to the control group. A positive ethics vote from the Humboldt University Berlin (Charité) was available (No.EA1/092/15). A significant difference was found on the shame-associated maladaptive strategies subscales of attack self (F (1, 83) = 5.942, p = 0.017, Cohen's f = 0,27), withdrawal (F (1, 83) = 8.263, p = 0.005, Cohen's f = 0,32), and attack others (F (1, 83) = 10.552, p = 0.002, Cohen's f = 0,36) of the Compass of Shame Scale between the intervention group and the control group at the p < 0.05 level in the pre- and post-treatment (t1-t2) comparison. This study suggests that the special therapeutic focus in cognitive-behavioral group therapy can alter shame-based maladaptive coping behaviors in response to war-related moral injury. This study provides further evidence that therapeutic approaches - through fostering a reconciliatory, compassionate, and forgiving approach toward oneself and others - target the underlying mechanisms of moral injury. Therefore, value-based cognitive-behavioral interventions should be considered as a standard element of trauma care in a military setting. Future studies should further examine such interventions in randomized control trials. It would also be particularly valuable for future studies to include a follow-up time point.

Management of chronic non-cancer pain in primary care.

Management of chronic non-cancer pain in primary care.

Neonatologists and vitamin K hesitancy.

Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, more aptly termed "Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)," has long been recognized as a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in early infancy. A single intramuscular dose of vitamin K administered at birth has virtually eliminated VKDB, and this prophylactic regimen has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics since 1961. Although most newborns in the United States receive vitamin K at birth, a growing number of parents are hesitant about this intervention, citing concerns about harm from the injection, preservatives contained in the medication, and clashes with personal belief systems. Ultimately, there is distrust in the medical establishment as many of these parents also opt out of newborn ophthalmic prophylaxis and importantly, childhood vaccinations, establishing a dangerous public health precedent that will lead to resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Various shared decision making models and educational efforts can assist newborn health care professionals in addressing these parental concerns so that VKDB can be effectively prevented in all newborns.

Demonstrating cultural diversity and inclusivity in selecting academics in higher education in Australia

Benefits of a diversified workforce is undeniable. This paper outlines research in progress into racial, cultural and gender influence on the selection processes of academic positions in higher education in Australia. We argue that a genuine aim of cultural diversity and inclusivity among students needs to be preceded and demonstrated by the same goal in selecting academics in higher education. This work is important as there is no study in Australia on how the university's academic selection is influenced by the decision-maker's personal and organisational characteristics and belief systems. This research aims to collect data from the university employees who have been interviewed for academic positions and from staff who have served on selection panels. The research will employ a survey followed by optional semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and thematic analysis will be carried out on the survey data. The interview data will be analysed using verbal data analysis. The result of this research would provide insight into how the cultural, racial and gender identity of the candidate and members of selection panels influence the selection process in academic recruitment in Australian universities and thus demonstrate the aim of cultural diversity and inclusivity among academic staff and students.

STUDY OF RESILIENCE, HAPPINESS AND LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG ACID ATTACK SURVIORS

Introduction: Acid attack is a heinous crime, where the victims face lifelong trauma, with disfigurement of face and other body parts. This study focused on studying the different ways through which acid attack survivors dealt with their circumstances by understanding their levels of resilience, life satisfaction and happiness.Method: Homogenous purposive sampling was used for the study. 30 survivors answered for the quantitative analysis of the three components, followed by interview of 10 of them who agreed to be part of the semi-structured interview.Results: In the quantitative analysis, it was found that there was a significant correlation between happiness and resilience. In the interview, four major themes emerged. The first theme was the ability to adapt, with sub-themes of personal belief system, adaptive memories of the past, belief in the just world and social support received from their family and friends. The second theme was life satisfaction which was derived by living in the moment and being hopeful. The third theme was that of happiness as an experience, which was subjective in nature and needed the reintegration of the past memories. The last was that of the experience of being a victim, which was driven by the memories of the attack.Conclusion: Findings of this study indicate how the survivors have adapted to their circumstances at hand, but have past memories of the attack. These findings can further help to generate insights on the kind of interventions needed for the rehabilitation of the survivors.

Exploring the beliefs and experiences with regard to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance in a slum of Karachi, Pakistan.

The COVID-19-related misinformation and vaccine hesitancy is a widespread global concern and a recognized public health problem in Pakistan. The current research sought to explore the beliefs and experiences with regard to COVID-19, including vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, in a slum of Karachi, Pakistan. This study used an interpretivist epistemological approach for data collection and employed in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to explore the themes of interest. IDIs and FDGs were conducted in the local language (Pashtu) and Urdu, using semi-structured interview guides. A hybrid thematic analysis approach (use of both inductive and deductive coding) was used to analyze the data. We identified two key themes: the first related to vaccine hesitancy and refusal and included the role of personal belief systems, vaccine mistrust and public perceptions in hesitancy; the second related to vaccine acceptance and included knowledge and awareness about the vaccine and trusted sources of information. Religious beliefs and cultural norms influenced attitudes toward COVID-19 and vaccination. This study also found that awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine in this sample was influenced by sex, educational status and socioeconomic status. Participants with good health literacy and those from healthcare backgrounds were more likely to share views that indicated vaccine acceptance. The findings of this study are being used to co-design a comprehensive intervention to dispel COVID-19 misinformation and vaccine hesitancy across a range of stakeholders such as youths, community leaders, family members, faith leaders, schools and community-based local organizations in Pakistan.

Attitudes toward preimplantation genetic testing and quality of life among individuals with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome

BackgroundHereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) syndrome is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer predisposition associated with germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in the CDH1 gene. Identifying early stage HDGC is difficult, and prophylactic measures can be effective in preventing incidence. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can provide information about CDH1 variant status, HDGC risk, and limit familial transmission of CDH1 variants. To date, however, little is known about the attitudes of individuals with CDH1 variants towards PGT.MethodsGiven that little is known about the reproductive attitudes of individuals with HDGC, we recruited participants with CDH1 variants from a familial gastric cancer registry and administered a cross-sectional survey with open- and closed-ended response items. We assessed attitudes regarding PGT and the effect of HDGC on quality of life.ResultsParticipants (n = 21) were predominantly partnered (61.9%), had a personal cancer history (71.4%), and had biological children (71.4%). Interest in learning about PGT was high; 66.7% of participants were interested in PGT and 90.5% approved of healthcare providers discussing PGT with individuals with CDH1 variants. Attitudes regarding personal use were varied. Among all participants, 35% would not, 25% were uncertain, and 40% would use PGT. Personal philosophy and preferences for family and reproduction were key factors related to PGT attitudes. HDGC had moderate effects on participants’ quality of life, including social relationships, health behaviors, and emotional experiences including worry about cancer risk and guilt regarding familial implications.ConclusionPGT was identified by participants as acceptable for use in a variety of contexts and benefits of reproductive counseling involving PGT may extend beyond CDH1 carriers to family members’ reproductive behaviors. Dispositions towards PGT are governed by personal philosophy or belief systems. These findings can help guide providers counseling individuals with CDH1 variants.

Standing on Both Sides: Analysis of a Transplant Coordinator's Ethical Position Between the Recipient and the Donor's Family

When an organ is harvested from a deceased donor, how should transplant coordinators handle the issue of contact between the donor's family and the organ recipient? The authors-qualified both by their own considerable practical experience and theoretical investigation-discussed various aspects of the problem, relating to the bioethical issues as well as the practical dilemmas that must be clarified and decided. They proposed a strategy whereby transplant coordinators can analyze their own philosophical attitude toward the issue and respond accordingly in their work to the needs and preferences of both parties. The professionals handling the transplant process need training tailored to the bioethical issues relevant to the challenges they are likely to confront. This training must consist not only of theoretical and ethical guidance but also simulations designed to clarify the clinician's own personal belief system and raise awareness and self-reflection of their own biases.

Understanding interdisciplinary perspectives of plant intelligence: Is it a matter of science, language, or subjectivity?

BackgroundEvidence suggests that plants can behave intelligently by exhibiting the ability to learn, make associations between environmental cues, engage in complex decisions about resource acquisition, memorize, and adapt in flexible ways. However, plant intelligence is a disputed concept in the scientific community. Reasons for lack of consensus can be traced back to the history of Western philosophy, interpretation of terminology, and due to plants lacking neurons and a central nervous system. Plant intelligence thus constitutes a novel paradigm in the plant sciences. Therefore, the perspectives of scientists in plant-related disciplines need to be investigated in order to gain insight into the current state and future development of this concept.MethodsThis study analyzed opinions of plant intelligence held by scientists from different plant-related disciplines, including ethnobiology and other biological sciences, through an online questionnaire.ResultsOur findings show that respondents’ personal belief systems and the frequency of taking into account other types of knowledge, such as traditional knowledge, in their own field(s) of study, were associated with their opinions of plant intelligence. Meanwhile, respondents’ professional expertise, background (discipline), or familiarity with evidence provided on plant intelligence did not affect their opinions.ConclusionsThis study emphasizes the influential role of scientists’ own subjective beliefs. In response, two approaches could facilitate transdisciplinary understanding among scientists: (1) effective communication designed to foster change in agreement based on presented information; and (2) holding space for an interdisciplinary dialogue where scientists can express their own subjectivities and open new opportunities for collaboration.

Role of Religion and Spirituality in Managing Residual Schizophrenia: Article Review

Background: Residual Schizophrenia is a chronic condition of schizophrenia characterized by a history of leastwise one psychotic episode with more prominent negative symptoms. Schizophrenic patients who have persistent psychotic symptoms and patients with residual schizophrenia should receive adequate pharmacotherapy, and may consider additional cognitive therapy, as it has been shown to help reduce relapse rates, reduce psychotic symptoms, and improve or stabilize the patient's mental state. Objective: To determine the role of religion and spirituality in the management of patients with residual schizophrenia.Methods: The design of this research is a literature review or library review, which is a systematic, direct, and reproducible research method by identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing published research.Result: Patients with a higher level of religion or spirituality or their strong personal belief system are more likely to use positive appraisal to deal with their illness or problem which includes giving positive meaning to the situation and being optimistic. Conclusion: The presence of religion and spirituality help the coping mechanisms of residual Schizophrenia patients which also improves patient management, accelerate the healing process, and increases QOL of patients. Keywords: Spirituality, Religion, Residual Schizophrenia.

Nurses' generational stereotypes and self-stereotypes: a cognitive study

PurposeThe present research offers insights into the generational stereotypical beliefs that different generations of nurses hold about the own and the other generations and the implications on the work floor.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional, exploratory study employs a cognitive mapping approach known as the repertory grid. The sample consisted of 15 Generation Y, 15 Generation X and 15 Baby Boomer nurses.FindingsBeliefs of nurses about their own and the other generations direct social categorization and generational stereotypes of the in-group and out groups. These stereotypes mold nurses' beliefs and attitudes towards their coworkers and are enacted leading to self-fulfilling prophecies. Especially Generation Y and Baby Boomer nurses are negatively stereotyped and have their ways to deal with these negative stereotypes.Practical implicationsNurses and their managers who hold generational stereotypes may unknowingly create cliques within an organization and adopt behaviors and expectations based on generational (self-) stereotypes. The author offers noteworthy insights for fostering intergenerational synergies amongst nurses, which are important since the level of interdependent relations amongst nurses required to provide care.Originality/valueThe present study moves away from the research about the typical characteristics of nurses across the generational workforce. Instead, mental models about how different generations of nurses construe their coworkers belonging to different generations including their own generation are drawn. Employing the repertory grid technique (RGT), an established method for uncovering people's personal and collective belief systems, the present study shows how generational stereotyping and self-stereotyping among nurses belonging to varying generational cohorts occurs and debates its implications.

Discussion Guide for the Hua Article.

Discussion Guide for the Hua Article.