A Meta-analytic Review of Acceptance-Based Behavioral Interventions for the Treatment of Anxiety

The relative popularity of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has grown in recent years, and inspired the development of contemporary acceptance-based treatment approaches. Acceptance-based therapies differ from traditional cognitive- behavior therapy (CBT) on pragmatic grounds, the import of which implicates the purpose of therapy. CBT utilizes exposure and cognitive change techniques primarily in service of symptom change outcomes; whereas, ACT utilizes exposure and acceptance for purposes of promoting psychological flexibility in the pursuit of personal values. The purpose of this meta-analytic study was to determine the relative efficacy of acceptance- based versus symptom-change behavioral approaches with anxiety disorders and to quantify this impact. A comprehensive literature search turned up 18 studies that met inclusion criteria for this analysis. An effect size was calculated using the standardized mean gain procedure for both the acceptance-based and symptom-change approaches, along with the waitlist control groups. The results demonstrate a large effect size for the acceptance-based approach (Weighted mean ES = .83) and a medium effect size for symptom-change approach (Weighted mean ES = .60). The waitlist control groups demonstrated a small effect size (Weighted mean ES = .24). Based on this review, it is suggested that graduate and internship programs in Clinical Psychology should promote evidence-based training in the use of acceptance-inspired behavioral therapies.

Diacronia i neologia: canvi semàntic, subjectivació i representació del pensament. El català esmar, des de ‘taxar’ fins a ‘inferir’ i ‘imaginar’ i més enllà

L’estudi de la neologia és indestriable de l’estudi del canvi lingüístic i, doncs, de la diacronia. Ens proposem ací descriure el procés de canvi semàntic que va experimentar el verb esmar, forma patrimonial del llatí *adaestimare, paral·lela del cultisme estimar. Aquesta recerca es fonamenta en l’aprofitament dels corpus textuals i altres materials despullats manualment. Sobre aquests materials, s’ha assajat l’anàlisi de la subjectivació i de les inferències que proposa la teoria de la inferència invitada del canvi semàntic (= TIICS).

Pulse Pressure magnifies the effect of COMT Val158Met on 15 Year Episodic Memory Trajectories

We investigated whether a physiological marker of cardiovascular health, pulse pressure (PP), and age magnified the effect of the functional COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism on 15-years cognitive trajectories [episodic memory (EM), visuospatial ability, and semantic memory] using data from 1585 non-demented adults from the Betula study. A multiple-group latent growth curve model was specified to gauge individual differences in change, and average trends therein. The allelic variants showed negligible differences across the cognitive markers in average trends. The older portion of the sample selectively age-magnified the effects of Val158Met on EM changes, resulting in greater decline in Val compared to homozygote Met carriers. This effect was attenuated by statistical control for PP. Further, PP moderated the effects of COMT on 15-years EM trajectories, resulting in greater decline in Val carriers, even after accounting for the confounding effects of sex, education, cardiovascular diseases (diabetes, stroke, and hypertension), and chronological age, controlled for practice gains. The effect was still present after excluding individuals with a history of cardiovascular diseases. The effects of cognitive change were not moderated by any other covariates. This report underscores the importance of addressing synergistic effects in normal cognitive aging, as the addition thereof may place healthy individuals at greater risk for memory decline.

Electronic patient records: Achieving best practice in information transfer between hospital and community providers - an integration success story

Effective healthcare integration is underpinned by clinical information transfer that is timely, legible and relevant. The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate a method for best practice information exchange. This was achieved based on the generic Mater integration methodology. Using this model the Mater Health Services have increased effective community fax discharge from 34% in 1999 to 86% in 2002. These results were predicated on applied information technology excellence involving the development of the Mater Electronic Health Referral Summary and effective change management methodology, which included addressing issues around patient consent, engaging clinicians, provision of timely and appropriate education and training, executive leadership and commitment and adequate resourcing. The challenge in achieving best practice information transfer is not solely in the technology but also in implementing the change process and engaging clinicians. General practitioners valued the intervention highly. Hospital and community providers now have an inexpensive, effective product for critical information exchange in a timely and relevant manner, enhancing the quality and safety of patient care.

JUVENTUDE E A ERA DA INTERNET: integração e interação

O objetivo deste trabalho é refletir sobre o processo cognitivo comportamental dos jovens, imersos em tecnologias contemporâneas como a Internet. A luz dos debates trazidos pelos pensadores das áreas de Comunicação e Psicologia Social, realizou-se uma avaliação comparativa de diferentes fontes. Através da revisão bibliográfica, passou-se a uma investigação em caráter exploratório sobre as abordagens integradas de alguns trabalhos, acerca da relação dos jovens com a Internet, o processo comunicativo, o desenvolvimento cognitivo humano e mudanças comportamentais nessa relação. Verificou-se que na maioria desses trabalhos, a Internet exerceu um papel de mecanismo facilitador para a interação entre os jovens, na identificação com seus pares, o que propiciou um diferencial no processo cognitivo, e, por fim, em sua singularização. Porém, não podemos deixar de apresentar os resultados dos demais trabalhos, pois, nos levou a ter um olhar mais cuidadoso nos background individual e social da população em questão.(AU)

The role of personal advisors at Aston Business School

Aston Business School has moved away from a traditional Personal Tutoring model to the Personal Advisor model. During 2006, a review was undertaken of the existing system and proposed the new scheme. This session will present the current model of supporting students within Aston Business School’s Undergraduate Programme. It will discuss the research undertaken at the beginning of the change process which informed the decisions and structure of the Personal Advisor Scheme. It will also present evaluation research undertaken with students into their perceptions of the new scheme. The session will conclude with the plans for the future.

Wideband inhibition modulates the effect of onset asynchrony as a grouping cue

Onset asynchrony is arguably the most powerful grouping cue for the separation of temporally overlapping sounds (see Bregman 1990). A component that begins only 30–50 ms before the others makes a greatly reduced contribution to the timbre of a complex tone, or to the phonetic quality of a vowel (e.g. Darwin 1984). This effect of onset asynchrony does not necessarily imply a cognitive grouping process; instead it may result from peripheral adaptation in the response to the leading component in the few tens of milliseconds before the other components begin (e.g., Westerman and Smith 1984). However, two findings suggest that the effect of onset asynchrony cannot be explained entirely by peripheral adaptation. First, though the effect is smaller, the contribution of a component to the phonetic quality of a short-duration vowel is reduced when it ends after the other components (Darwin and Sutherland 1984; Roberts and Moore 1991).

Outsourcing and offshoring engineering projects:understanding the value, sourcing models, and coordination practices

In this paper, we review recent developments in the field of outsourcing and offshoring and the implications for engineering management. We examine three aspects involved in outsourcing and offshoring, namely, sourcing models, coordination, and value extracted from outsourcing projects. We conclude that additional research is needed on recent trends in outsourcing and the impact of such change process on the practice of engineering management. © 2011 IEEE.

People-logistics' missing link

For any supply chain change process to be successful the people dimension needs to be an integral part of the overall SCM strategy.

The acculturation of middle income Hispanic households

Research on the consumer behavior of the Hispanic population has recently attracted the attention of marketing practitioners as well as researchers. This study's purpose was to develop a model and scales to examine the acculturation process of Hispanic consumers with income levels of $35,000 and above, and its effects on their consumer behavior. The proposed model defined acculturation as a bilinear and multidimensional change process, measuring consumers' selective change process in four dimensions: language preference, Hispanic identification, American identification, and familism. A national sample of 653 consumers was analyzed. The scales developed for testing the model showed good to high internal consistency and adequate concurrent validity. According to the results, consumers' contact with Hispanic and Anglo acculturation agents generates change or reinforces consumers' language preferences. Language preference fully mediates the effects of the agents on consumers' American identification and familism; however, the effects of the acculturation agents on Hispanic identification are only partially mediated by individuals' language preference change. It was proposed that the acculturation process would have an effect on consumers' brand loyalty, attitudes towards high quality and prestigious brands, purchase frequency, and savings allocation for their children. Given the lack of significant differences between Hispanic and Anglo consumers and among Hispanic generations, only savings allocation for children's future was studied intensively. According to these results, Hispanic consumers' savings for their children is affected by consumers' language preference through their ethnic identification and familism. No moderating effects were found for consumers' gender, age, and country of origin, suggesting that individual differences do not affect consumers' acculturation process. Additionally, the effects of familism were tested among ethnic groups. The results suggest not only that familism discriminates among Hispanic and Anglo consumers, but also is a significant predictor of consumers' brand loyalty, brand quality attitudes, and savings allocation. Three acculturation segments were obtained through cluster analysis: bicultural, high acculturation, and low acculturation groups, supporting the biculturalism proposition. ^

The effects of a professional development course on the teaching practices of P--12 classroom teachers

This follow-up study examined the long term effects of a staff development model on P–12 classroom teachers' instructional practices and dispositions regarding a curricular innovation. The sample, 44 private school practitioners who participated in the staff development program that used the model, was administered a survey at three checkpoints over a three year period to gather quantitative data regarding the participants' concerns about the curricular innovation. A comparison group of 19 practitioners also completed the survey. Qualitative data, gathered through interviews conducted with ten of the 44 participants, contributed to understanding the participants' perspectives on changes they perceived in their teaching practices as a result of the staff development. Elements of the model that were most instrumental in effecting those changes were identified. ^ The findings indicated that the participants demonstrated changes in the quality of their concerns, moving from self concerns and task concerns to impact concerns immediately following the training. The decrease in self concerns was sustained three years after the staff development, while task concerns increased and impact concerns returned to pre staff development levels. A significant difference in stages of concern between the participant and the comparison groups was noted at self and impact stages. ^ Findings revealed that participants changed their teaching practices and beliefs about instructional processes as a result of the staff development, becoming more collaborative and confident in implementing innovative approaches; they were perceived as leaders among their peers. Elements of the staff development model that participants identified as being influential in the change process included the opportunity for collaboration, authenticity of the training activities, and ongoing and comprehensive nature of the training. ^

The acculturation of middle income Hispanic households

Research on the consumer behavior of the Hispanic population has recently attracted the attention of marketing practitioners as well as researchers. This study's purpose was to develop a model and scales to examine the acculturation process of Hispanic consumers with income levels of $35,000 and above, and its effects on their consumer behavior. The proposed model defined acculturation as a bilinear and multidimensional change process, measuring consumers' selective change process in four dimensions: language preference, Hispanic identification, American identification, and familism. A national sample of 653 consumers was analyzed. The scales developed for testing the model showed good to high internal consistency and adequate concurrent validity. According to the results, consumers' contact with Hispanic and Anglo acculturation agents generates change or reinforces consumers' language preferences. Language preference fully mediates the effects of the agents on consumers' American identification and familism; however, the effects of the acculturation agents on Hispanic identification are only partially mediated by individuals' language preference change. It was proposed that the acculturation process would have an effect on consumers' brand loyalty, attitudes towards high quality and prestigious brands, purchase frequency, and savings allocation for their children. Given the lack of significant differences between Hispanic and Anglo consumers and among Hispanic generations, only savings allocation for children's future was studied intensively. According to these results, Hispanic consumers' savings for their children is affected by consumers' language preference through their ethnic identification and familism. No moderating effects were found for consumers' gender, age, and country of origin, suggesting that individual differences do not affect consumers' acculturation process. Additionally, the effects of familism were tested among ethnic groups. The results suggest not only that familism discriminates among Hispanic and Anglo consumers, but also is a significant predictor of consumers' brand loyalty, brand quality attitudes, and savings allocation. Three acculturation segments were obtained through cluster analysis: bicultural, high acculturation, and low acculturation groups, supporting the biculturalism proposition.

Irish Credit Unions: Differential Regulation based on Business Model Complexity

This study examines the business model complexity of Irish credit unions using a latent class approach to measure structural performance over the period 2002 to 2013. The latent class approach allows the endogenous identification of a multi-class framework for business models based on credit union specific characteristics. The analysis finds a three class system to be appropriate with the multi-class model dependent on three financial viability characteristics. This finding is consistent with the deliberations of the Irish Commission on Credit Unions (2012) which identified complexity and diversity in the business models of Irish credit unions and recommended that such complexity and diversity could not be accommodated within a one size fits all regulatory framework. The analysis also highlights that two of the classes are subject to diseconomies of scale. This may suggest credit unions would benefit from a reduction in scale or perhaps that there is an imbalance in the present change process. Finally, relative performance differences are identified for each class in terms of technical efficiency. This suggests that there is an opportunity for credit unions to improve their performance by using within-class best practice or alternatively by switching to another class.

Using protocols in ICU practice. Engaging the staff.

Aims/Purpose: Protocols are evidenced-based structured guides for directing care to achieve improvements. But translating that evidence into practice is a major challenge. It is not acceptable to simply introduce the protocol and expect it to be adopted and lead to change in practice. Implementation requires effective leadership and management. This presentation describes a strategy for implementation that should promote successful adoption and lead to practice change.
Presentation description: There are many social and behavioural change models to assist and guide practice change. Choosing a model to guide implementation is important for providing a framework for action. The change process requires careful thought, from the protocol itself to the policies and politics within the ICU. In this presentation, I discuss a useful pragmatic guide called the 6SQUID (6 Steps in QUality Intervention Development). This was initially designed for public health interventions, but the model has wider applicability and has similarities with other change process models. Steps requiring consideration include examining the purpose and the need for change; the staff that will be affected and the impact on their workload; and the evidence base supporting the protocol. Subsequent steps in the process that the ICU manager should consider are the change mechanism (widespread multi-disciplinary consultation; adapting the protocol to the local ICU); and identifying how to deliver the change mechanism (educational workshops and preparing staff for the changes are imperative). Recognising the barriers to implementation and change and addressing these locally is also important. Once the protocol has been implemented, there is generally a learning curve before it becomes embedded in practice. Audit and feedback on adherence are useful strategies to monitor and sustain the changes.
Conclusion: Managing change successfully will promote a positive experience for staff. In turn, this will encourage a culture of enthusiasm for translating evidence into practice.

Det är alltid bäst innan förändring : En studie om motivation vid förändring, individens upplevelse & ledares påverkan

Förändringar är vanligt förekommande i organisationer och forskning visar att många förändringsinitiativ tyvärr misslyckas. Genomförandet av förändringar som fokuserar på individens motivation är lyckosamma i bemärkelsen att personalen trivs och att arbetet inte blir lidande. Studien syftar till att ta reda på hur ledare kan arbeta för att främja medarbetares motivation vid organisationsförändringar. Genom ett kvalitativt perspektiv och en deduktiv ansats har vi undersökt vad som påverkar och främjar medarbetares motivation vid organisationsförändringar. Undersökningen har genomförts på två avdelningar i ett stort företag i Gästrikland som vid tiden för insamling av data, genomgick en förändring. Studien är en fallstudie med avsikt att undersöka den specifika skiftformsförändringen som företaget genomgick. Tillvägagångssättet för insamlingen av material är en process som ämnar att, genom delaktighet och diskussion ta reda på vad som motiverar medarbetare under förändringar. Analysen av resultatet visar att individernas grundläggande behov i arbetet, till viss del inte varit uppfyllda vilket har lett till att en del personal givit uttryck för att de är omotiverade och att de känner ett motstånd mot förändringen. Det upplevda motståndet består i en rad olika känslor, bland annat; chock, oro och förvirring som uppkommer på grund av osäkerhet och brist på kontroll rörande individens arbetssituation. Känslorna hämmar motivationen och kan ge en upplevelse av att de grundläggande behoven i arbetet inte är uppfyllda, även fast de kan vara det. Studien visar att ledare kan påverka motståndet och främja medarbetares motivation under förändringar dels genom att bjuda in till delaktighet i ett så tidigt stadie som möjligt i förändringsprocesssen och dels genom att på ett tydligt sätt kommunicera och informera kring förändringens innebörd. Det gör att individen upplever kontroll över sin framtid i arbetet vilket påverkar upplevelsen av att de grundläggande behoven inte skulle vara uppfyllda och gynnar motivationen. Ledare behöver även vara lyhörda för att alla upplever förändringar olika och läsa av behov och önskemål och anpassa eventuellt stöd efter det.