Value correlates of student attitudes on social issues: A multination study.

A total of 2,568 college students in 6 westernized nations (the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland) were given the Student Survey Form to assess attitudes toward social change, use of force, militarism, racial identification, and use of drugs. Responses were then correlated with reported political ideology, past participation in demonstrations, and scales of the Survey of Interpersonal Values. Correlational results across nations were highly similar. Holding an ideological position of the left and having participated in demonstrations were more strongly related to favoring social change and opposing militarism. Conformity and benevolence were the more salient values, being associated with holding conservative and liberal positions, respectively, on 5 of the 6 issues. The leadership value was associated with favoring the use of force and militarism, while support and independence were related to having a favorable attitude toward drugs. Cross-cultural differences in strength of attitudes are discussed. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Staff attitudes to oral health care. A comparative study of registered nurses, nursing assistants and home care aides

The diagnosis of early ectopic pregnancy remains challenging for the gynecologist. Although early detection of a suspected pregnancy has been facilitated by quantitative beta human chorionic gonadotropin studies and ultrasonography, a patient subgroup remains with an ambiguous presentation. In this group of patients, the clinician must rely on microscopic examination of products of conception in a uterine curettage specimen to rule out the presence of an extrauterine pregnancy. The presence of an implantation site, chorionic villi, or trophoblastic tissue in uterine curettage samples is conventionally held as definitive evidence of an intrauterine pregnancy. We present a series of four cases that challenge this convention. In these cases, chorionic villi or an implantation site were identified in uterine samples of pregnant women who each ultimately proved to have an ectopic pregnancy. If clinical suspicion is high, the finding of either chorionic villi or an implantation site should not preclude further workup of a possible ectopic pregnancy. In cases where only a few villi or a single chorionic villus are identified, other signs of intrauterine implantation such as intermediate trophoblastic cells, hyalinized vessels, and a fibrinoid matrix should be sought to establish firmly the diagnosis of an intrauterine pregnancy.     

Associations among religiousness, social attitudes, and prejudice in a national random sample of American adults.

Psychologists have devoted considerable theoretical and empirical attention to the scientific study of social attitudes and prejudice. Most of these studies were conducted with relatively small, nonrepresentative samples of college students. In this study, the authors analyzed self-report data from a random probability sample with over 1500 American adults. Participants answered questions about their religiousness, right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), political ideology, demographic characteristics, and attitudes toward persons in historically disadvantaged social groups (i.e., ethnic minorities and homosexual individuals). In support of the selective intolerance hypothesis, general religiousness was associated with less accepting attitudes toward homosexuals and negligibly with general racial prejudice. These associations remained when controlling for some other known individual differences in prejudice. The authors tentatively conclude that general religiousness is not associated with universal acceptance of others. Rather, general religiousness appears to be linked with selective self-reported intolerance toward persons perceived to behave in a manner inconsistent with some traditional religious teachings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Let's talk: Patterns and correlates of social support among temporary employees.

The authors explored how temporary employees exchanged communications with supervisor, peers, and family and friends regarding positively job-related, negatively job-related, and non-job-related contents. The authors also examined roles of communication in coping with insecure job experiences. Survey results from 112 temporary employees working in various organizations provided evidence that communication contents were differentially related to work anxiety and life satisfaction for temporary employees. It was found that work anxiety increased when employees engaged in communication pertaining to negative job-related contents. Furthermore, the positive relationship between life satisfaction and positive communication with coworkers was observed only for the temporary employees who also had a permanent job. Implications for staffing temporary employees and suggestions for studying communication effects are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Individualism-collectivism, social-network orientation, and acculturation as predictors of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Chinese Americans.

Several culturally based variables were used to predict the patterns of help-seeking attitudes among a sample of 219 Chinese-American students in a large midwestern university. Cultural values operationalized by the H. C. Triandis et al (see record 1988-13667-001) Individualism-Collectivism Scale, social support attitudes operationalized by A. Vaux's (see record 1987-09232-001) Network Orientation Scale, and the continuous variable of acculturation operationalized by the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-ldentity Acculturation Scale (R. M. Suinn et al; see record 1987-30187-001) were selected as predictors of attitudes as measured by E. H. Fischer and J. L. Turner's (1970) Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale. Each of the 4 independent variables were found to be significant predictors of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. The counseling and research implications of the results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practices and attitudes among Swedish psychiatrists regarding the ethics of compulsory treatment

Using video-intensified fluorescence microscopy and a pseudocolor display of fluorescence intensity, we analyzed the distribution of microinjected molecules within the nurse-cell/oocyte syncytium of Drosophila ovarian follicles. We varied the composition and the osmolarity of the culture solution as well as the electrical charge and the molecular mass of the microinjected fluorescent probe. As culture solutions, we used four simple salines (IMADS) and a complex tissue-culture medium (R-14) that matched the osmolarity of adult hemolymph. Small amounts of two anionic dyes (Lucifer Yellow CH and Lucifer Yellow dextran) as well as of two cationic dyes (rhodamine 6G and tetramethylrhodamine dextran-lysine) were iontophoretically microinjected either into a nurse cell or into the oocyte of stage-10 follicles. In the tissue-culture medium, within a few seconds following microinjection, all tested dyes passed through the intercellular bridges in both the anterior direction (to the nurse cells) and the posterior direction (to the oocyte), independent of their electrical charge or molecular mass. In all simple salines, irrespective of their osmolarity, Lucifer Yellow CH was found to preferentially migrate in the posterior direction and to accumulate in the oocyte due to progressive binding to yolk spheres. Thus, with this sensitive method, no correlation was detectable between the external osmolarity, the electrical charge and the preferential direction of migration of a microinjected probe. Our results indicate that the electrical gradient described by other authors does not exert significant influence on the migration of charged molecules through intercellular bridges in situ.     

Teacher knowledge, attitudes, and classroom teaching correlates of student achievement.

Studied relationships among 3 teacher behavioral knowledge and attitude profile groups, the classroom verbalization patterns of teachers within each profile group, and differential residual achievement gains made by the teachers' 1st-grade pupils. Instruments used included the Alternative Classroom Strategies Inventory (ACSI), Minnesota Teacher Attitude Inventory, Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, and Metropolitan Achievement Test. First-grade teachers characterized by high knowledge of behavioral principles on the ACSI ( n = 26) were more verbally positive with their classes and produced significantly higher residual achievement gain results for low-IQ (IQ range 50-89) and middle-IQ (IQ range 90-104) pupils than did 1st-grade teachers characterized by low knowledge of behavioral principles and either traditional authoritarian ( n = 8) or traditional nonauthoritarian ( n = 6) attitude profiles. Results are examined for their implications on mainstreaming borderline IQ pupils in regular classes. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Knowledge and attitudes toward breast-feeding: differences among dietitians, nurses, and physicians working with WIC clients

We assessed the knowledge of and attitude toward breast-feeding of dietitians, nurses, and physicians who work with individuals in the Alabama Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. On a scale of 0 to 100, dietitians expressed stronger interest in lactation (78.6) and exhibited greater knowledge (79.6) of the questions asked than nurses (74.5 and 73.0, respectively). Attitude and knowledge scores of physicians (70.2 and 75.5, respectively) were not statistically different from those of dietitians or nurses. Respondents disagreed greatly about the relationship of breast-feeding to weight loss and the appropriateness of oral contraceptives during breast-feeding 6 weeks postpartum. Professionals were more knowledgeable about benefits to infants than about maternal concerns. Results of this study suggest that professional breast-feeding education programs should address maternal concerns such as weight loss, contraception, and mastitis as well as benefits to the infant.     

Relations among occupational hazards, attitudes, and safety performance.

This study examined psychological empowerment and organizational identification as outcomes of occupational context and predictors of occupational safety performance. In this study, 171 hospital employees from 17 units and 21 occupations completed surveys measuring psychological empowerment, organizational identification, and supervisor safety practices. They also completed measures of 2 dimensions of safety performance: use of personal protective equipment and safety participation. These data were merged with Occupational Information Network (O*NET) context ratings of occupational hazards and physical demands. Results indicated that occupational hazards were negatively related to individual-level psychological empowerment and organizational identification, which were in turn positively related to safety participation. Psychological empowerment and organizational identification also interacted with perceptions of supervisor safety actions in the prediction of personal protective equipment use. Results have implications for organizational safety performance and point to the role of occupational context in psychological empowerment and the extent to which employees participate in the safety of their worksite. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The comparison of White racial identity attitudes among faculty and students: Implications for professional psychologists.

Research on the influence of racial differences in multicultural therapeutic relationships has shown racial identity attitudes to be a critical factor in determining therapeutic relationship quality and therapeutic outcomes, such as premature termination (J. E. Helms, 1990). The Racial Identity Interaction Model was proposed to explain cross-cultural relationships in social dyads and groups where power differentials exist (Helms, 1990). Results are combined from 2 previously published studies to determine whether differences in racial identity exist in the faculty–student relationship. White racial identity attitudes of faculty and students were examined, and differences were obtained. Gender differences in attitude were also found. Implications for providing psychological services in an environment with increasing racial tensions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Issues of death and dying: the perspective of critical care nurses

A major shift in the care of terminally ill people, due to advances in technology, and the development of legislation regarding patient self-determination and autonomy, has occurred over recent years. Critical care nurses (CCNs) are involved daily in issues of death and dying and are very aware of the needs, fears and psychosocial issues of patients and their families. Professional associations see a legitimate role for nurses in assisting the dying to achieve a dignified death. For legislation, policies and guidelines surrounding end-of-life issues to be effective, and to assist nursing staff with these sensitive, often difficult concerns, it is important that data on the opinions and perspectives of CCNs be objectively obtained. In a study by the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Queensland, questionnaires were sent to 1100 randomly sampled community members and almost 1200 health professionals (nurses, general practitioners and specialists), including 299 CCNs. The response rate of CCNs to a 30-page postal questionnaire was 79 per cent (n = 231), indicating those nurses' high levels of interest in and/or concern regarding this area. CCNs supported the use of advance directives, the appointment of proxies and the need for doctors and nurses to give sufficient medication to relieve pain, even if this hastened the death of the patient. In addition, CCNs, more than any other professional group, supported the right of the terminally ill patient to physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia, their responses being very similar to those of community members. CCNs clearly face issues which, from legal, medical and ethical viewpoints, cause them concern. In sharing their personal experiences, CCNs stressed the need for more communication between doctors and patients, as well as between doctors and nurses. In addition, CCNs saw a clear role for themselves as advocates for patients/families in the decision-making process.     

Back pain and its correlates among workers in family care

This study is based on the empirical fact that among nurses large variations occur not only in clinical competency but also in individual productivity. The article proposes that competency-based targeted staff development programs can improve productivity as well as nursing performance. Research presented here shows that the nurses on units using targeted staff development increased the time spent on professional and direct care and reduced nonprofessional and indirect care tasks in comparison to nurses on the control nursing unit.     

Home healthcare nursing in the managed care environment. Part II. The impact on clients and professional nurses

Part I, published in last month's issue of Home Healthcare Nurse, provided information about managed care and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). This article, Part II, presents an overview of the history of home healthcare nursing, the results of a purposeful sample, and interviews of home care nurses. Interviews were conducted to determine how nurses perceived the impact of managed care on their clients and nursing practice. Conclusions are presented in terms of emergent categories gleaned from the interviews. Recommendations for the continued growth and advancement of professional nursing in the context of managed care are given.     

Isms and the structure of social attitudes.

Social attitude measurement has been limited by inadequate structural models. In this study, broad, basic dimensions were sought, with the assumption that crucial variables are represented as terms ending in -ism (isms). 266 isms were extracted from a dictionary, and items were built from their definitions. In a sample of 500 college students, the most replicable item structure had 3 factors; one of these 3 factors split into 2 factors in the 4-factor structure. A replication study confirmed that Conservatism and Authoritarianism are subcomponents of the largest factor. The other factors, though highly meaningful, seem more sparsely represented in previous research. No factor was highly related to personality traits other than Openness to Experience. The factors can serve as content-validity benchmarks for developing improved measurement models in this consequential, discrete domain of individual differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: attitudes and experiences of oncology patients, oncologists, and the public

BACKGROUND: Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are pressing public issues. We aimed to collect empirical data on these controversial interventions, particularly on the attitudes and experiences of oncology patients. METHODS: We interviewed, by telephone with vignette-style questions, 155 oncology patients, 355 oncologists, and 193 members of the public to assess their attitudes and experiences in relation to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. FINDINGS: About two thirds of oncology patients and the public found euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide acceptable for patients with unremitting pain. Oncology patients and the public found euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide least acceptable in vignettes involving "burden on the family" and "life viewed as meaningless". In no vignette--even for patients with unremitting pain--did a majority of oncologists find euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide ethically acceptable. Patients actually experiencing pain were more likely to find euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide unacceptable. More than a quarter of oncology patients had seriously thought about euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide and nearly 12 percent had seriously discussed these interventions with physicians or others. Patients with depression and psychological distress were significantly more likely to have seriously discussed euthanasia, hoarded drugs, or read Final Exit. More than half of oncologists had received requests for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. Nearly one in seven oncologists had carried out euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. INTERPRETATION: Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are important issues in the care of terminally ill patients and while oncology patients experiencing pain are unlikely to desire these interventions patients with depression are more likely to request assistance in committing suicide. Patients who request such an intervention should be evaluated and, where appropriate, treated for depression before euthanasia can be discussed seriously.