Personal Uncertainty Research Articles

The iNEAR programme: an existential positive psychology intervention for resilience and emotional wellbeing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new psychological intervention, the iNEAR, which is a resilience and wellbeing programme consisting of a classroom based set of activities designed to facilitate the formation of positive identities through the acquisition of skills for growth and personal flourishing. Three hundred and fifty-four young people aged 11 and 12, matched for age and gender, were randomly allocated to the intervention (84 girls; 80 boys) and control conditions (93 girls; 96 boys). Following the intervention, boys, compared to girls, showed higher levels of wellbeing and environmental mastery, and higher levels of tolerance to uncertainty. The intervention was effective in increasing appreciation of positive relationships with others, for girls, and, although not statistically significant, it generated change in the desired direction for boys. In contrast to boys, girls’ scores on openness to diversity also increased between baseline and post-intervention. Ways in which positive psychology interventions can resource individuals to better respond to adversity, coercion, and personal uncertainty, and so contribute to safeguarding against the adoption of extreme belief systems are also discussed.

Over waargenomen onrechtvaardigheid en radicalisering

The authors propose that perceptions of injustice play a central role in radicalization toward violent extremism and terrorism. Perceptions of unfair disadvantage in comparison with other groups (horizontal deprivation) or by societal authorities (vertical deprivation) will elicit strong emotional and behavioral reactions. In combination with feelings of personal uncertainty and a lack of cognitive capacities to control justice-related emotions, this increases the pull and attraction of radical ideologies. Furthermore, when people join a radical organization, a vicious circle of identification with and justification of radical ideology and illegitimization and rejection of the status quo follow, possibly resulting in the justification of violence to achieve social change. Injustice perceptions are difficult to change, but a better understanding of the basic processes involved allows for the development of prevention and deradicalization programs, which should focus on full and just societal integration of groups and individuals that have a high potential to radicalize.

Constructivist Learning Environment During Virtual and Real Laboratory Activities

<p>Laboratory activities and constructivism are two notions that have been playing significant roles in science education. Despite common beliefs about the importance of laboratory activities, reviews reported inconsistent results about the effectiveness of laboratory activities. Since laboratory activities can be expensive and take more time, there is an effort to introduce virtual laboratory activities. This study aims at exploring the learning environment created by a virtual laboratory and a real laboratory. A quasi experimental study was conducted at two grade ten classes at a state high school in Bandung, Indonesia. Data were collected using a questionnaire called Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) before and after the laboratory activities. The results show that both types of laboratories can create constructivist learning environments. Each type of laboratory activity, however, may be stronger in improving certain aspects compared to the other. While a virtual laboratory is stronger in improving critical voice and personal relevance, real laboratory activities promote aspects of personal relevance, uncertainty and student negotiation. This study suggests that instead of setting one type of laboratory against the other, lessons and follow up studies should focus on how to combine both types of laboratories to support better learning.</p>

"Adolescent psychosocial development: A review of longitudinal models and research," Correction to Meeus (2016).

Reports an error in "Adolescent psychosocial development: A review of longitudinal models and research" by Wim Meeus (Developmental Psychology, 2016[Dec], Vol 52[12], 1969-1993). In the article, several headings were inadvertently set at the wrong level. The headings are presented in the correction, and the online version of the article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2016-56613-001.) This review used 4 types of longitudinal models (descriptive models, prediction models, developmental sequence models and longitudinal mediation models) to identify regular patterns of psychosocial development in adolescence. Eight patterns of adolescent development were observed across countries: (1) adolescent maturation in multiple developmental domains; (2) heterogeneous continuity of personal relationships; (3) good goes together with good, and bad with bad, across time in adolescence; (4) parents transmit values and behaviors to their adolescent children over time; (5) adolescent psychopathology leads to erosion of personal relationships with parents and peers; (6) adolescent psychopathology prevents adolescent independence from parents; (7) parental interference in personal issues of adolescents has counterproductive effects over time; (8) mood variability and (social and personal) uncertainty are mechanisms that maintain psychopathology in adolescence. Principles of life span developmental psychology are used to discuss adolescent maturation, and a developmental contextual perspective is used to discuss links between the various developmental patterns. Strengths and limitations of the various longitudinal models, and links between longitudinal and experimental research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Personal growth, symptoms, and uncertainty in community-residing adults with heart failure

BackgroundPersonal growth has not been studied extensively in heart failure (HF). ObjectivesTo characterize personal growth in HF and its relationships with symptom burden, uncertainty, and demographic and clinical factors. MethodsAssociations among personal growth, uncertainty, symptom burden, and clinical and demographic variables were examined in adult outpatients with HF using bivariate correlations and multiple regressions. ResultsParticipants (N = 103; 76% male, mean age = 74 years, 97% New York Heart Association classes II and III) reported moderate levels of personal growth, uncertainty, and symptom burden. Personal growth was weakly correlated with age and symptom burden but not with other study variables. In a regression model, age, sex, ethnicity, disease severity, time since diagnosis, symptom burden, and uncertainty were not significant independent correlates of personal growth. ConclusionsCommunity-residing patients with HF report moderate personal growth that is not explained by uncertainty, symptom burden, or demographic and clinical variables.

Ease-of-retrieval effects on procedural justice judgements under conditions of informational and personal uncertainty

This study tests whether individuals' reliance on ease-of-retrieval processes when forming procedural justice judgements are moderated by informational and personal uncertainty. In Studies 1 and 2 we examined the predicted effects of informational uncertainty. Results indicated that participants in information-uncertain conditions relied on ease-of-retrieval, whereas those in information-certain conditions relied on content information to make procedural justice judgements. In Study 3 we examined the combined effects of informational uncertainty and personal uncertainty on reliance on ease-of-retrieval when forming procedural justice judgements. The findings of Study 3 indicated that personal uncertain participants who were in informational certain conditions based their procedural justice judgements on content information, whereas all other participants based their procedural justice judgements on ease-of-retrieval. This is the first paper to demonstrate that the joint effect of informational uncertainty and personal uncertainty on reliance on ease-of-retrieval is different from the two uncertainties acting alone.

Changing Expectations of Research: Wrestling with the Complex and Unpredictable

Many neophyte researchers such as those who undertake a substantial masters thesis or embark on doctoral research find themselves faced with an unexpected sense of alienation, aloneness and self doubt. The research process is not necessarily what one expects. Nor does it appear that research methods papers prepare one for the personal uncertainty and upheaval that can be part of the process. This article maps my journey as a developing researcher and PhD student who set out to study student teachers’ level of reflectivity and active learning in a class I was teaching but found myself intruding into and exploring my own world of assumptions, beliefs and values. I had embarked on an intrepid journey which would challenge and change my understanding of research methodology, my own teacher education practice and even my self-understanding. The research journey has become an ongoing transformative experience of self discovery, personal and professional development where research is no longer viewed as linear, sequential and

Adolescent psychosocial development: A review of longitudinal models and research.

This review used 4 types of longitudinal models (descriptive models, prediction models, developmental sequence models and longitudinal mediation models) to identify regular patterns of psychosocial development in adolescence. Eight patterns of adolescent development were observed across countries: (1) adolescent maturation in multiple developmental domains; (2) heterogeneous continuity of personal relationships; (3) good goes together with good, and bad with bad, across time in adolescence; (4) parents transmit values and behaviors to their adolescent children over time; (5) adolescent psychopathology leads to erosion of personal relationships with parents and peers; (6) adolescent psychopathology prevents adolescent independence from parents; (7) parental interference in personal issues of adolescents has counterproductive effects over time; (8) mood variability and (social and personal) uncertainty are mechanisms that maintain psychopathology in adolescence. Principles of life span developmental psychology are used to discuss adolescent maturation, and a developmental contextual perspective is used to discuss links between the various developmental patterns. Strengths and limitations of the various longitudinal models, and links between longitudinal and experimental research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Impact of SMEs on Standards of Living of Czech Rural Households

(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)IntroductionIn the last decades, many European countries have to face many negative trends. It applies to many issues, especially rural areas, which are struggling with high unemployment level, high average age, low population density or less accessible services and markets (Terluin, 2003; OECD, 2006). These trends result in deteriorating level of infrastructure, education or business activity, considered as a major factor of rural development (e.g. Bourne, 2011; Mainardes, Alves and Raposo, 2011).Development of the rural areas is closely connected with small and medium-sized enterprises - SMEs (Holmes and Smitchz, 1990). These companies create new jobs (for example, SMEs employed 61% of Czech population and 67% population of European Union - MPO, 2013; EC, 2014) and innovations or increase income level, causing an increase in standards of living and prevent population migration into the cities (Walsh et al., 2012; Milbourne and Doheny, 2012; Mottiar and Ryan, 2007).It is obvious, that SMEs play a crucial role in social, cultural and economic development and without basic rural services (e.g. grocery, post office and restaurant) or sufficient job opportunities, development of standards of living would not be possible.Although, many authors are focused on the issue of standards of living and SMEs, impact of SMEs on households' standard of living is still unexplored area - especially in terms of the Czech Republic. Therefore, the aim of the authors is to focus on the issue and fill this gap. The main purpose of this article is to determine how households assess the role of SMEs in context of rural development. If they perceive SMEs' activity in the context of standards of living development and if there exist some SMEs' characteristics influence this perception.1. Literature reviewIt is difficult to think of something else with a greater preoccupation than the standard of living, which is part of people's everyday thoughts. Today's idea of the standard of living is full of contrasts, conflicts and even contradictions. Without general definition, the views on this issue vary and create a disorganized unit (Sen, 1989).Bennett (1937) already expressed the idea that the standard of living is the most complex and difficult-to-grasp concept. Cottam and Mangus (1942) agree with that and add that some definitions of the standard of living focus more on material consumption.Vad'urova and Muhlpachr (2005) come with a fundamentally different view, stating that today there is actually a tendency to purely subjective evaluation of quality of life, which indicates a decisive approach.The category which is intertwined with quality of life is happiness. Many thinkers argue that the existence of the human species is based on happiness and every person should try to get it because it is the most essential goal of human existence (Tefler In Shin and Inoguchi, 2009). Shin and Inoguchi (2009) adds that in professional public it is prevailing a consensus that happiness has a significant impact on quality of life.The concepts 'standard of living' and 'quality of life' overlap in many areas and their definitions are clearly reserved. Some authors try to include their penetration to the concept of welfare. The thing that the experts agree with is that all these concepts are closely linked to human needs.Vecernik (2012) explains the concept of multidimensional welfare which is a quantifier of standard of living. An important stimulus for the research was Sarkozy's report drawn up by the commission led by Stiglitz, Sen and Fitoussi. According to them, well-being and welfare are influenced by the following external factors-material living standards, consumption and wealth, health, education, personal activities including work, political environment, social contacts and relationships, natural environment, personal and economic uncertainty (Stiglitz et al. …

Training U.S. Managers Bound for Different Cultures

Culturally distant countries pose greater challenges to a manager than culturally closer countries. The culturally distant countries challenge a manager to be better in dealing with: personal anxiety, stress, environmental differences and uncertainty; personal adjustment and adaption; communication and leadership with empathy in culturally distant countries; and personal/individual self-efficiency and motivation to tenaciously work for achieving goals.

Student Motivation in Constructivist Learning Environment

Background:The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between constructivist learning environment and students’ motivation to learn science by testing whether students’ self-efficacy in learning science, intrinsically and extrinsically motivated science learning increase and students’ anxiety about science assessment decreases when more opportunities for personal relevance, student negotiation, shared control, critical voice, and uncertainty for scientific knowledge is provided.Materials and methods:Constructivist Learning Environment Survey and Science Motivation Questionnaire were administered to 243 elementary school students. The hypothesized model for students’ motivation to learn science in their perceived learning environment was tested via LISREL.Results:The results revealed that the students were not much motivated to learn science in more constructivist learning environment. On the other hand, the findings indicated that the students were more motivated to learn science when they had more opportunities in relating science with the real world issues.Conclusions:Therefore, science educators should emphasize more on the connectedness of science at school to real life for motivating students to learn science.

Thai Pre-service Chemistry Teachers’ Constructivist Teaching Performances

The aim of this study was to investigate Thai pre-service chemistry teachers’ performances in their class based on the lens of constructivist learning environment. Methodology regarded interpretive paradigm. Participants included four pre-services chemistry teachers who taught Grade 10, 11 and 12 students. Pre-services chemistry teachers’ constructivist teaching were observed for one month. After the class, each of them was interviewed to explore their understanding of constructivist view of learning and their approaches to apply constructivist issues in their classes. Their constructivist teaching performance were interpreted based on the framework of the constructivist learning environment survey (CLES) originally developed by Taylor & Fraser (1991). The CLES provided five dimensions of constructivist learning environment including Personal Relevance (PR), Student Negotiation (SN), Shared Control (SC), Critical Voice (CV), and Uncertainty (UN). The findings indicated that there were rarely appearances of constructivist classroom learning environment in these 4 pre-services chemistry teachers. Mean of rating on CLES for four classrooms revealed that four dimensions of CLES (PR, SN, SC, and UN) were evaluated in level of sometimes. Only critical voice (CV) had mean of rating scale in level of often. The interviewing also suggested that 4 pre-service chemistry teachers were not aware of dimensions of constructivist learning environment. It seemed that they could not integrate knowledge of chemistry, pedagogy, and student and school context for their constructivist teaching. This study may have implications for enhancing constructivist teaching for Thai pre-service teacher program. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p223

The relationship between psychological need satisfaction, job affective wellbeing and work uncertainty among the academic nursing educators

Background : The growing recognition of the connection between employees' wellbeing, working conditions, satisfaction and productivity has increased the requirement for understanding the need for a culture of health, wellbeing and certainty in the workplace. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) posits innate universal psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which imply work climates allowing satisfaction of these needs facilitate work engagement and psychological wellbeing as well as promoting motivation and wellbeing in the work place. Purpose: This research study aims to continue this trend by investigating the relationship between psychological need satisfaction, job affective wellbeing and uncertainty at work among academic nursing educators at the Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University. Methods : A descriptive correlational design was used. All academic nursing educators who were available and willing to participate at the time of data collection were included (N = 169). Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction at work, Job-Related Affective Wellbeing Scale (JAWS), Personal and Work environment uncertainty scales were used to measure the study variables. Results : The main finding of the study reveals perception of psychological need satisfaction among academic nursing educators is significantly related, and could lead to, higher feeling of job-related affective wellbeing, consequently increasing their tolerance of uncertainty at personal as well as work situations ( p < .05). Conclusions and recommendation : A positive and supportive work environment promoting employees’ sharing, learning, autonomy, competence, belonging or relatedness and staff interaction should be supported by organizations. Also, identifying organizational obstacles to embracing uncertainty through a training program focuses on building employee uncertainty management skills and, how to use their resources to improve their uncertainty management practices are essential.

Initial Implementation of Constructivist Physics Teaching in Thailand: A Case of Bass Pre-service Teacher

The purpose of this study is to investigate a pre-service teacher’s initial implementation of constructivist physics teaching. A case study was used to explore the underlying constructivist-based physics teaching implemented by a non-experienced male pre-service physics teacher, Bass. A mixed-methods research design was used to monitor the development of constructivist classroom environment at different phases. To collect quantitative data, the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) consisting of 5 elements: Personal Relevance (PR), Student Negotiation (SN), Shared Control (SC), Critical Voice (CV), and Uncertainty (UN) was primarily applied to reflect students’ perception toward the pre-service’s classroom learning environment after applying constructivist teaching scheme. The supplementary qualitative data were also obtained from classroom observations and interviews between Bass and the author as a teaching coach. The result showed that the pre-service teacher could reflect certain elements of constructivist physics teaching, especially PR, SN and SC. It was indicated that his physics lessons significantly became more personally relevant to students’ daily life. His students were likely to be more active in class discussion and allowed to question or criticize given class activities. The study contributes to several important implications for future research, particularly in the context of constructivist teaching in developing countries where knowledge concerning science and technology needs to be improved and for the pre-service teacher training program development for the Faculty of Education (Science Teaching) on behalf of Khon Kaen University. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2p506

Study on the relationship among uncertainty, coping styles and personal growth of the postoperative colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Objective To explore the correlation of uncertainty , coping styles and personal growth in the postoperative colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy .Methods One hundred and eighty-five of the postoperative colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were surveyed face -to-face. The demographic form , the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale （ MUIS-A ） , Cancer Coping Modes Questionnaire （CCMQ）, and Growth Through Uncertainty Scale （GTUS） were used.Analysis of the correlation betwcen the data.Results Two hundred and eighteen questionnaires were sent out , and one hundred and eighty-five valid questionnaires were recovered , valid response rate was 84 .9%.The average score of uncertainty of postoperative colorectal cancer patients during chemotherapy was （88.06 ±12.02）;the level of uncertainty was middle .Face to the disease was the most often taken style of coping style of postoperative colorectal cancer chemotherapy patients, with a score of （18.44 ±3.73）, followed by avoidance/depressed, yield, fantasy, vent.Personal growth score was （153.72 ±16.35）.Personal growth score and uncertainty in illness was negatively correlated （r=-0.164,P〈0.05）.Face coping styles and personal growth score was positively correlated （r=0.347, P〈0.05）.Yield, vent, and fantasy had a negative correlation with personal growth （r=-0.229,-0.166,-0.058, respectively;P 〈0.05）.Conclusions Medical staff should pay attention to the assessment and management of uncertainty in the postoperative colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy , optimize their coping style and promote personal growth . Key words: Colorectal cancer; Chemotherapy; Uncertainty in illness; Coping; Personal growth

“You Never Know What’s Gonna Happen”

Student-athletes are regularly faced with uncertainty, particularly at the highest levels of collegiate sports. Although it can result in both adverse and beneficial outcomes, little is known about the nature of this uncertainty. Thus, framed by Uncertainty Management Theory (UMT), this study relied on in-depth interviews of 17 student-athletes at an athletically-and-academically elite U.S. university to uncover what uncertainty scholar-athletes encountered and how they managed this ambiguity communicatively. The investigation found student-athletes experienced personal (e.g., injury), social (e.g., friends), and future (e.g., career) uncertainty. Participants managed this uncertainty through the use of communication strategies such as seeking social support, not disclosing their athlete status, or relying on prayer. While most participants perceived uncertainty as negative and sought to reduce it, some embraced it and learned to adapt. In addition to uncovering tangible uncertainty management strategies, the study recommends that college athletics departments implement several measures to address uncertainty.

The ABCs of caring for sexual assault patients

The ABCs of caring for sexual assault patients

I Am Sure There May Be a Planet There: Student articulation of uncertainty in argumentation tasks

We investigated how students articulate uncertainty when they are engaged in structured scientific argumentation tasks where they generate, examine, and interpret data to determine the existence of exoplanets. In this study, 302 high school students completed 4 structured scientific arguments that followed a series of computer-model-based curriculum module activities simulating the radial velocity and/or the transit method. Structured scientific argumentation tasks involved claim, explanation, uncertainty rating, and uncertainty rationale. We explored (1) how students are articulating uncertainty within the various elements of the task and (2) the relationship between the way the task is presented and the way students are articulating uncertainty. We found that (1) while the majority of students did not express uncertainty in either explanation or uncertainty rationale, students who did express uncertainty in their explanations did so scientifically without being prompted explicitly, (2) students’ uncertainty ratings and rationales revealed a mix of their personal confidence and uncertainty related to science, and (3) if a task presented noisy data, students were less likely to express uncertainty in their explanations.

Determination of Critical Parameters Based on the Intensity of Transmitted Light Around Gas–Liquid Interface: Critical Parameters of CO $$_{2}$$ 2

A precise determination of the critical temperature and density for technically important fluids would be possible on the basis of the digital image for the visual observation of the phase boundary in the vicinity of the critical point since the sensitivity and resolution are higher than those of naked eyes. In addition, the digital image can avoid the personal uncertainty of an observer. A strong density gradient occurs in a sample cell at the critical point due to gravity. It was carefully assessed to determine the critical density, where the density profile in the sample cell can be observed from the luminance profile of a digital image. The density-gradient profile becomes symmetric at the critical point. One of the best fluids, whose thermodynamic properties have been measured with the highest reliability among technically important fluids, would be carbon dioxide. In order to confirm the reliability of the proposed method, the critical temperature and density of carbon dioxide were determined using the digital image. The critical temperature and density values of carbon dioxide are (\(304.143\,\pm \,0.005)\hbox { K}\) and (\(467.7\,\pm \,0.6)\) kg \(\cdot \) m\(^{-3}\), respectively. The critical temperature and density values agree with the existing best values within estimated uncertainties. The reliability of the method was confirmed. The critical pressure, 7.3795 MPa, corresponding to the determined critical temperature of 304.143 K is also proposed. A new set of parameters for the vapor-pressure equation is also provided.

Gender-specific differences – first results from a survey on dental surgery

This study focuses on dental surgery from the perspective of practicing dentists through a nationwide survey among practicing dentists in Germany. Subjects were surveyed with respect to patient care and their training in dental surgery. With respect to surgical activity, this survey confirms male dominance in the field and that female dentists may be inclined grade surgical interventions as ‘complicated and risky’. Male dentists appear to be willing to take the same risks with greater self-confidence, whereas female dentists appear to overrate their personal uncertainty by underestimating their real technical capabilities. Though dental treatment in general is increasingly dominated by women, surgery is still dominated by male dentists. This can be viewed through observed gender differences with respect to risk perception and we advocate additional professional training of risk competence as mandatory for the future.