Self-assessed Ability Research Articles

Leader Self-Awareness and Its Relationship to Subordinate Assessment of Organizational Atmosphere in the Social Welfare Sector

ABSTRACT This study examined how supervision-subordinate ratings are related to the estimates of organizational effectiveness in the social welfare sector. The results indicated that the quality of leadership was correlated with the quality of the activity in the work community estimated by the subordinates. Leaders (managers) were divided into three groups (under-estimators, accurate assessors, and over-estimators). Group membership was based on the discrepancy between self-ratings and mean subordinate ratings. The results indicated that accurate and underrating are related to good evaluation of work activities. The results of the study showed that there are connections between the quality of performance of the working community and the actions of superiors, as well as their ability for self-assessment. The superior's self-assessment is a skill, which can be developed, for example, from a practical reflective point of view.

Community-based organizations' capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate success.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) have the potential to promote and sustain health, prevent disease, and address health disparities, but many lack the capacity to do so. An assessment of the 20 CBOs receiving supplemental grant funding from the Pfizer Foundation Southern HIV/AIDS Prevention Initiative indicated a high level of knowledge for developing goals and objectives (mean score=3.08 on a scale of 0 (none) to 4 (extensive)) and high self-assessed abilities to conduct six of 20 specific intervention activities, including the development of community relationships and coalitions. Lower knowledge and skill levels were observed for intervention evaluation. While CBOs of this Initiative have established prerequisite abilities, they have self-acknowledged needs for technical assistance to maximize HIV/AIDS prevention capacity.

Effects of Role Models from Films on Short-Term Ratings of Intent, Interest, and Self-Assessment of Ability by High School Youth: A Study of Gender-Stereotyped Academic Subjects

The effects of cinematic female role models on self-confidence in own abilities, interest, and academic elective intents of secondary school pupils were analyzed in two studies. In Study 1 the participants (N = 283) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Each group watched a film after which they completed a questionnaire. In Film 1 the lead female character demonstrated conventional female characteristics and was discernibly untalented in mathematics and the natural sciences, in Film 2 the lead female character did not exhibit conventional female characteristics and was gifted in mathematics and the natural sciences, and in Film 3 the lead female character was typically female and gifted in mathematics and the natural sciences. Film 3, in which the lead female character not only contradicted the stereotype of women not being gifted at mathematics and the natural sciences but also should not have elicited subtyping processes, turned out to be effective among girls with High prior interest and boys in general. In contrast, this film had unexpected effects among girls with Low prior interest. Instead of showing, as expected, merely weaker effects than those found for the other groups, this role model even had a deterrent effect on girls with Low prior interest. In Study 2 (N = 55) an investigation assessed whether Film 3 could exercise a similarly positive effect on female pupils with Low prior interest were a female role model to depict constructive coping with difficulties in mathematics and the natural sciences prior to the presentation of the film. Results show this is possible.

Work ability and return-to-work in cancer patients

The extent to which self-assessed work ability collected during treatment can predict return-to-work in cancer patients is unknown. In this prospective study, we consecutively included employed cancer patients who underwent treatment with curative intent at 6 months following the first day of sick leave. Work ability data (scores 0–10), clinical and sociodemographic data were collected at 6 months, while return-to-work was measured at 6, 12 and 18 months. Most of the 195 patients had been diagnosed with breast cancer (26%), cancer of the female genitals (22%) or genitourological cancer (22%). Mean current work ability scores improved significantly over time from 4.6 at 6 months to 6.3 and 6.7 at 12 and 18 months, respectively. Patients with haematological cancers and those who received chemotherapy showed the lowest work ability scores, while patients with cancer of urogenital tract or with gastrointestinal cancer had the highest scores. Work ability at 6 months strongly predicted return-to-work at 18 months, after correction for the influence of age and treatment (hazard ratio=1.37, CI 1.27–1.48). We conclude that self-assessed work ability is an important factor in the return-to-work process of cancer patients independent of age and clinical factors.

Effects of Semantic Incompatibility on Rating Response

Semantic incompatibility, an error in constructing measuring instruments for rating oneself, others, or objects, refers to the extent to which item wordings are incongruent with, and hence inappropriate for, scale labels and vice versa. This study examines the effects of semantic incompatibility on rating responses. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design with semantic compatibility and scale packedness as the between-subjects factors, 160 university students were randomly assigned to four treatment conditions. Analysis of their responses to a 10-item academic ability self-assessment rating scale shows a significant difference in means between positive-packed and equal-interval conditions when item wordings and scale labels are semantically compatible. The semantically compatible conditions also show smaller variability and a slightly higher internal consistency of responses than the semantically incompatible conditions. The authors conclude that when rating scales are semantically incompatible, respondents tend to ignore the scale labels, use a greater variety of strategies to generate responses, and produce less reliable responses.

Association between functional capacity tests and fractures: An eight-year prospective population-based cohort study

This study of postmenopausal women (n=2,928) with an eight-year follow-up revealed that impairment in functional status associated with the increased fracture risk. The standing-on-one-foot and grip strength tests and a question about self-assessed ability to move can be used to identify women with a high risk of suffering a fracture. Poor functional status has pointed to associate with injurious falls and consequent fractures. Our aim was to define association between functional capacity and fractures. This study was based on the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Study (OSTPRE). A total of 2,928 postmenopausal women took part in the functional capacity and muscle strength tests. The duration of fracture follow-up varied from 6.43 to 9.86 (mean 8.37) years and the first fracture was the end-point event for the statistical analyses. All analyses were done with Cox-regression. A total of 261 end-point fractures occurred. In multivariate analysis the inability to stand-on-one-foot for 10 seconds increased the risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio with 95% CI) 9.11-fold (1.98-42.00). Decreased grip strength associated with 1.05-fold (1.01-1.09) increased risk of hip fractures. Low leg extension strength associated with 1.02-fold (1.00-1.03) higher risk for all fractures. The self-assessed ability to walk less than 100 meters at baseline increased the risk of ankle 2.36-fold (1.10-5.08), hip 11.57-fold (2.73-49.15) and clinical vertebral fractures 3.85-fold (1.45-10.22). According to these results the standing-on-one-foot less than 10 seconds, grip strength and a question about ability to walk less than 100 meters may help to predict postmenopausal fractures.

Predicting job loss in those off sick

Evidence shows incapacity benefit claimants (those off sick >26 weeks) are at greatest risk of long-term job loss. To develop a screening tool to select those at risk of job loss, defined as failure to return to work among those off sick. The screening tool was for use in the Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilot of the Department for Work and Pensions. A literature review identified risks for long-term incapacity and job loss as multifactorial. Potential predictors for return to work were then assembled into a set of questions and tested by a prospective study in general practice surgeries and a retrospective study of occupational health records of local authority employees referred for sickness absence management, using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Univariate logistic regression analysis of the retrospective study produced odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for each question (where P <or= 0.05) and a C-index was then constructed for their predictive power. Five questions holding the greatest predictive power were subjected to multivariate analysis and in the final model had a high C-index of 0.90 (0.5 = no predictive power, 1.0 = perfect prediction). They formed the screening tool. The questions cover self-assessment of ability to return to work after current sick leave, of ability to do current job in 6 months' time, sick leave in past year, current age and whether awaiting a consultation or treatment. A screening tool identifying those most at risk of job loss has been produced.

Clinical holistic medicine in the recovery of working ability. A study using Antonovsky salutogenesis

patients with low or very low self-assessed work ing ability were treated with psychodynamic short t ime therapy complemented with body-work. They received in average 20 sessions at a prize of 1600 EURO. The Body Work was inspired by Marion Rosen and helped the patients to confront old emotional pain from childhood trauma repressed to the body-mind. Results: 52.5% (95% CI: 36.1% - 68.5%) of patients recovered their self-assessed working ability (from 4.2 to 2 .4 up the five point Likert scale (p 500. The responders improved their self-assessed physical health (from 3.3 to 2.6; 0.6 step up the five point Likert Scale , p=0.01), self-assessed mental health (from 3.8 to 2.5, p<0.01), self-esteem (from 3.4 to 2.5, p<0.01), self-assessed quality of life (QOL1) (from 3.7 to 2.4p<0.01), QOL measured by QOL5 (from 3.3 to 2.6p<0.01), the quality of relations (from 3.2 to 2.6p<0.01), genera l ability of functioning (from 3.5 to 2.5; p<0.01). Combining quality of lif e, health, and ability showed large improvements of the patient's whole life (p<0.01). The simultaneous improvement in all aspects of life can be explained as caused by existentia l healing (Antonovsky salutogenesis). The patients of this study have bee n strongly motivated, and willing to endure the str ong emotional pain provoked by the therapy.

Knowing When to Look It Up: A New Conception of Self-Assessment Ability

Although self-assessment is widely acknowledged as a vital skill for members of self-regulating professions, a ubiquitous finding in the research literature is that self-ratings are quite poor when compared with externally generated measures of ability. Many researchers have identified this as a serious problem for the concept of self-regulation in the professions. However, we question the sufficiency of the operational definitions of self-assessment on which the previous research is based. This study examines the validity of a new conceptualization of self-assessment in practice and evaluates a series of measures for capturing self-assessment ability as defined by this new conceptualization. Using a computer-delivered free-response test, the authors generated three measures intended to capture situational awareness: (1) response times to questions, (2) the ability to avoid responding to questions for which the respondent is less likely to be correct, and (3) the ability to select questions from content areas in which respondents have greater ability. In addition, the traditional measures of self-assessment (e.g., predictions of how many questions one would answer correctly) were administered. Participants showed behavioral indications of being aware of the limits of their ability. They took longer to respond when their eventual answer was incorrect relative to when it was correct, they were able to avoid answering questions on which they were likely to be incorrect, and they selected content-based domains in an appropriate order given their accuracy. These results provide evidence in favor of this new framework that should reorient the way in which self-assessment "skills" are conceptualized, taught, and evaluated in medical school and beyond.

Dental state, prosthodontic treatment and chewing ability – a study of five cohorts of 70‐year‐old subjects

The aim was to study the relationship between dental state, prosthetic rehabilitation and chewing ability in 70-year-old subjects examined between 1971 and 2001. Five birth cohorts born in 1901/1902 (I), 1906/1907 (II), 1911/1912(III), 1922 (V), and 1930 (VI) were examined at 70 years of age. The number of participants in the odontological cohorts varied between 386 and 583. The prevalence of total edentulism changed from 51% in cohort I to 7% in cohort VI. The proportion of subjects using removable dentures decreased from 76% to 17%, whereas those with >or=20 teeth increased from 13% to 65%. The prevalence of subjects with fixed partial dentures increased from 26% to 58%. Of the 70-year-old subjects examined in 2001, 5% had implant-supported restorations. The self-assessed chewing ability showed only weak associations with dental state, and there was no significant cohort trend. When all cohorts were pooled together, 80% considered their chewing ability good, 16% less good and 4% poor. Among the edentulous subjects, more individuals complained about poor chewing ability in the last two cohorts than in the first three. It was concluded that there were great differences in dental state between the five cohorts of 70-year-old subjects examined from 1971 to 2001. Edentulism and wearing of removable dentures decreased substantially, whereas the proportion of subjects with fixed partial dentures showed a marked increase. In spite of the improved dental state, the self-assessed chewing ability exhibited only minor variation over time.

Factors associated with self-assessed work ability

Symptoms and health problems caused or aggravated by work are common. In order to study perceived work ability and associated factors, including those related to work, a closer analysis was undertaken in an occupational health setting. This study aimed to analyse self-assessed work ability and its determinants in employees seeking medical advice, with special emphasis on work-related factors. During 723 illness-related visits to occupational physicians, questionnaires covering personal data, main health problems, their work relatedness, duration and effect on work ability were completed by the employee and physician. Factors associated with self-assessed work ability were studied in a multinomial logistic regression model. The majority of employees considered themselves as being able or partially able to work despite the health problem. Independent predictors of impaired work ability were mental or musculoskeletal disorders, self-assessed work relatedness of the disease, older age, blue-collar work and short duration of the symptoms. If the patient was convinced about the benefits of work-related interventions, the risk for disability was significantly reduced. Special attention should be paid to the recognition and modification of potential work-related causes of disability. In addition, patients with partial work ability should be encouraged to stay at work instead of taking sick leave. For effective disability management, accommodated work and other evidence-based interventions are needed at the workplace.

Relationship between chewing ability and 4‐year mortality in a cohort of 80‐year‐old Japanese people

Poor oral health has been reported to be a risk indicator of mortality, however, few data are available regarding the relationship between chewing ability and mortality. We examined the relationship between self-assessed chewing ability and mortality in elderly subjects. Prospective study. Participating in the study were 697 people (277 males, 420 females) from 1282 individuals (80 years old) residing in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Data on oral and systemic health status through questionnaires, accompanied by physical and laboratory blood examinations were obtained. Chewing ability was assessed based on the number of types of food each subject reported as able to chew by questionnaire. A total of 108 subjects died between 1998 and 2002. Those with the lowest number of chewable foods were associated with higher risk of mortality than those with the ability to chew all of the 15 types of food surveyed [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.38, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.07-5.29], though other parameters including current smoking, low serum albumin, and poor physical health status were more significant. Further, reduced chewing ability of soft foods increased the risk (HR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.20-5.87). Chewing ability was associated with mortality in a population of 80-year-old community residents, and may be a predictor for survival rate.

Clinical Holistic Medicine (Mindful,Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Complemented with Bodywork) in the Treatment of Experienced Mental Illness

Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) complemented with bodywork improved 31 of 54 patients (57.4%, 95% CI: 43.21–70.77%) who rated themselves mentally ill before treatment. Calculated from this we find 1.41 < NNT < 2.31; we estimate NNH > 500. Of the 54 patients, 40% had already had traditional treatment that did not help them. Bodywork helped the patients to confront repressed painful feelings from childhood and this seemingly accelerated and improved the therapy. The patients received in average 20 sessions over 14 months at a cost of 1600 EURO. For the treatment responders, all measured aspects of life (on a five point Likert Scale) improved significantly, simultaneously, and radically: somatic health (from 2.9 to 2.3), self-esteem/relationship to self (from 3.5 to 2.3), relationship to partner (from 4.7 to 2.9 [no partner was rated as “6”]), relationship to friends (from 2.5 to 2.0), ability to love (from 3.8 to 2.4), self-assessed sexual ability (from 3.5 to 2.4), self-assessed social ability (from 3.2 to 2.1), self-assessed working ability (from 3.3 to 2.4), and self-assessed quality of life (from 4.0 to 2.3. Quality of life as measured with QOL5 improved (from 3.6 to 2.3 on a scale from 1 to 5; p < 0.001). This general improvement strongly indicated that the patient had healed existentially, i.e., had experienced what Aaron Antonovsky (1923–1994) called “salutogenesis”, defined as the process exactly the opposite of pathogenesis. For the treatment responders, the treatment provided lasting benefits, without the negative side effects of drugs. A lasting, positive effect might also prevent many different types of problems in the future.

Clinical Holistic Medicine (Mindful, Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Complemented with Bodywork) Improves Quality of Life, Health, and Ability by Induction of Antonovsky-Salutogenesis

We had a success rate of treating low, self-assessed, global quality of life (measured by QOL1: How would you assess the quality of your life now?) with clinical holistic medicine of 56.4% (95% CI: 42.3–69.7%) and calculated from this the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) as 1.43–2.36. We found that during treatment, (in average 20 sessions of psychodynamic psychotherapy complemented with bodywork at a cost of 1600 EURO), the patients entered a state of Antonovsky-salutogenesis (holistic, existential healing), which also improved their self-assessed health and general ability one whole step up a 5-point Likert Scale. The treatment responders radically improved their self-assessed physical health (0.6 step), self-assessed mental health (1.6 step), their relation to self (1.2 step), friends (0.3 step), and partner (2.1 step on a 6-step scale), and their ability to love (1.2 step) and work (0.8 step), and to function socially (1.0 step) and sexually (0.8 step). It seems that treatment with clinical holistic medicine is the cure of choice when the patients (1) present the triad of low quality of life, poor self-assessed physical and/or mental health, and poor ability to function; and (2) are willing to suffer during the therapy by confronting and integrating old emotional problems and trauma(s) from the past. For these patients, the treatment provided lasting benefits, without the negative side effects of drugs. A lasting, positive effect might also prevent many different types of problems in the future. The therapy was “mindful” in its focus on existential and spiritual issues.

Apropriação de critérios de avaliação: um estudo com alunos do 7º ano de escolaridade

Este artigo estuda o desenvolvimento da auto-avaliação de alunos do 7º ano de escolaridade na elaboração de relatórios escritos em Matemática, num contexto de investimento do professor na apropriação de critérios de avaliação por parte dos alunos. Foi seguida uma metodologia de natureza qualitativa e interpretativa, tendo sido desenvolvidos dois estudos de caso de dois alunos. Dos resultados obtidos destaca-se que não basta os alunos conhecerem os critérios para que o seu desempenho melhore. O conflito gerado entre padrões auto-impostos iniciais e critérios de avaliação, através do investimento na apropriação de critérios de avaliação, levou a um ajustamento das representações dos alunos ou a um autocontrolo dos padrões de partida. À medida que os alunos vão aprendendo a melhor se auto-avaliarem, assim o seu desempenho vai também melhorando. A apropriação de critérios de avaliação juntamente com o desenvolvimento de uma capacidade crítica interrelacionam-se com um melhor desempenho, quer da realização das tarefas e dos seus respectivos relatórios, quer da capacidade de comunicar matematicamente.

The effects of instruction on self-assessed research knowledge, ability, and interest among Greek music educators

This study investigated the effects of a training seminar and selected background variables on Greek music teachers’ attitudes and self-evaluation regarding research. Public school, university, and conservatory teachers (n=41) participated in 16 hours of seminar instruction over a two-week period at a Greek university. The seminar provided an introduction to empirical research methods, testing, and basic statistical concepts and, procedures and an overview of music aptitude testing and the administration of selected tests. There was no significant pre-seminar difference in self-assessed interest and ability in research between participants who had and had not taken a prior research course. However, participants with prior training scored significantly higher on self-assessed knowledge of selected research concepts. A mixed-model analysis of variance indicated that the seminar instruction was effective in improving self-assessed research knowledge and interest, and that those with previous research training improved more than those without such training.

Chewing ability and quality of life in an 80‐year‐old population

As quality of life (QOL) could be influenced by oral status in the elderly, we examined whether chewing ability or number of teeth affected QOL in 80-year olds. A cross-sectional survey included dental examination, chewing self-assessment, and a QOL questionnaire. A total of 823 people who were 80 years old participated in this study. QOL was assessed in terms of satisfaction with physical condition, meals, daily living and social interactions, and with face-scale scores. After adjustment for gender, spouse and activities of daily living, dissatisfaction with social interactions was 3.9 times more prevalent in individuals able to chew four foods or fewer than in those chewing 15. Dissatisfaction with physical condition, meals and daily living, and poor face-scale scores, were 2.7, 2.4, 3.4, and 2.4 times more prevalent, respectively, in subjects chewing four foods or fewer. The number of teeth showed little effect. In conclusion, self-assessed chewing ability but not number of teeth was associated with QOL in 80-year-old subjects.

Structured Journal Club as a Tool to Teach and Assess Resident Competence in Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

To describe the use of the journal club as a tool to teach and assess competency in practice-based learning (PBL) and improvement among residents in ophthalmology. Interventional case series. Ophthalmology residents. Three academic ophthalmology residency programs in the United States. A survey was performed of self-assessed skills in PBL among residents in ophthalmology training before and after the implementation of a structured review checklist during a traditional resident journal club. The survey had 5 domains, including (A) appraise and assimilate evidence, (B) read a journal article critically, (C) use a systematic and standardized checklist, (D) apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods, and (E) maintain a self-documented written record of compliance. The respondents scored their ability (range, 1-5). The use of a structured journal club tool was associated with a statistically significant improvement in self-assessed ability in all 5 domains. Although validity, reliability, and long-term efficacy studies are necessary, the structured journal club is one method of teaching and assessing resident competency in PBL and improvement.

Not knowing that they do not know: self-assessment accuracy of third-year medical students

The development of self-regulated learning is a major focus of our problem-based learning (PBL) medical programme. Students who are unsuccessful in assessments often seem to lack insight into the standard of their own performance, yet the ability to self-assess accurately is essential for the effective self-management of learning. The aim of this project was to evaluate the accuracy of self- and peer-assessment according to academic performance. In 2004, 175 3rd-year students undertook an integrated, case-based, short-essay, formative assessment. After the assessment they were provided with model answers and marking criteria. Students marked their own assessment paper and the paper of one of their peers. Assessment papers were subsequently marked by faculty members. The following data was available for each student: self-mark, faculty-mark, score awarded by a peer and the score that they awarded to their peer. Self-assessment and peer-assessment ability was compared to overall academic performance. Low-achieving students score themselves and their peers generously. High-achieving students score themselves more harshly than faculty. However, they score their peers accurately. In the 3rd year of the programme low-achieving students are unable to assess accurately the quality of their own work or the work of their peers in a formative written assessment. The PBL curriculum does not guarantee the appropriate development of self-assessment skills.

The interactive examination in a comprehensive oral care clinic: a three-year follow up of students’ self-assessment ability

Little is known of how students’ self-assessment ability evolves throughout the curriculum. The Interactive Examination aims to assess students’ self-assessment ability, in parallel with their knowledge and competences. The method utilizes a written task and subsequent comparison of own performance with that of a qualified clinician. One cohort of dental students (n = 48) underwent assessment through Interactive Examination at three instances in 2004, during their final year of studies. Forty-two of them were assessed with the same methodology in 2001. Students’ individual performance, self-assessment ability scores and attitudes in 2004 were correlated with their respective data from 2001. Students’ acceptance of the methodology was high. The written performance in 2004 was positively correlated with this of 2001 in one of the three cases, while the comparison document scores in two out of three cases. Five students presented unacceptable self-assessment ability in 2004, four of whom were also unacceptable in 2001 in the same field. Unacceptable students of 2001 (n = 9) presented significantly lower results than their colleagues in 2004. These observations indicate that the self-assessment ability is not directly relevant to subject knowledge. On graduation, there exist students with significant self-assessment difficulties, the majority of whom could be detected earlier in their studies.