Push and Pull Motivations for Quitting: A three-wave investigation of predictors and consequences of turnover

We report a new analysis of data from a multi-year study, some of which were previously published in the current journal. A longitudinal sample of 380 computer specialists was followed over two years, yielding three measures each of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions, as well as actual turnover, and reasons for leaving, at Times 2 and 3. Career paths were more diverse than the classical distinction between stayers and leavers implies. Furthermore, although the largest single group of leavers cited “push” reasons, conforming to the classical withdrawal model, a sizable number were attracted to another job (“pull motivation”). In a three-wave structural equation model, job (dis)satisfaction predicted turnover, while organizational commitment exerted its influence only via its association with job satisfaction. As expected, however, attitudes predicted turnover only for participants with push motivation. Quitting, in turn, predicted an improvement in both satisfaction and commitment, indicating that it paid off for the individual. The necessity to study consequences of turnover and to distinguish between different subgroups of stayers and leavers is emphasized.

Who gets the high quality jobs ten years after compulsory school?

Good work quality is crucial for employee well-being and health. Indicators of work quality are, among others, aspects of one’s work organization and learning opportunities. Based on the Job-Demands Control model we investigate if a) young employees are confronted with different combinations of job characteristics, b) cluster membership is predicted through socio-demographic and educational factors as well as positive self-evaluations and health, and c) cluster membership leads to different associations with job-related and general well-being. Based on TREE (Transition from Education to Employment) data we found three clusters of job characteristics, i.e. high resources – low demands, medium resources – medium demands, and low resources – high demands. Likelihood to be in a more favourable group was higher for females and young employees who reported more positive self-evaluations and higher learning efforts after compulsory school. Young employees in more favourable groups also reported higher levels of job-related and general well-being.

Impact of development of job control and task-related stressors on resigned job attitude.

With more experience in the labor market, some job characteristics increase, some decrease. For example, among young employees who just entered the labor market, job control may initially be low but increase with more routine and experience. Job control is a job resource that is valued in itself and is positively associated with job satisfaction; but job control also helps dealing with stressors at work. There is little research on correlated changes, but the existing evidence suggests a joint development over time. However, even less is known about the relevance of such changes for employees. Usually, research tends to use mean levels to predict mean levels in outcomes but development in job control and stressors may be as relevant for job satisfaction as having a certain level in those job characteristics. Job satisfaction typically is regarded as a positive attitude towards one’s work. What has received less attention is that some employees may lower their expectations if their job situation does not reflect their needs, resulting in a resigned attitude towards one’s job. The present study investigates the development of job control and task-related stressors over ten years and tests the predictive value of changes in job control and task-related stressors for resigned attitude towards one’s job. We used data from a Swiss panel study (N=356) ranging over ten years. Job control, task-related stressors (an index consisting of time pressure, concentration demands, performance constraints, interruptions, and uncertainty about tasks), and resigned attitude towards one’s job were assessed in 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2008. Latent growth modeling revealed that growth rates of job control and task-related stressors were not correlated with one another. We predicted resigned attitude towards one’s job in 2008 a) by initial levels, and b) by changes in job control and stressors, controlling for resigned attitude in 1998. There was some prediction by initial levels (job control: β = -.15, p < .05; task-related stressors: β = .12, p = .06). However, as expected, changes in control and stressors predicted resigned attitude much better, with β = -.37, p < .001, for changes in job control, and β = .31, p < .001, for changes in task-related stressors. Our data confirm the importance of having low levels of task-related stressors and higher levels of job control for job attitudes. However, development in these job characteristics seems even more important than initial levels.

What is the best time point to identify patients at risk of developing persistent low back pain?

BACKGROUND Early identification of patients at risk of developing persistent low back pain (LBP) is crucial. OBJECTIVE Aim of this study was to identify in patients with a new episode of LBP the time point at which those at risk of developing persistent LBP can be best identified.METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 315 patients presenting to a health practitioner with a first episode of acute LBP. Primary outcome measure was functional limitation. Patients were assessed at baseline, three, six, twelve weeks and six months looking at factors of maladaptive cognition as potential predictors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for all time points. RESULTS The best time point to predict the development of persistent LBP at six months was the twelve-week follow-up (sensitivity 78%; overall predictive value 90%). Cognitions assessed at first visit to a health practitioner were not predictive. CONCLUSIONS Maladaptive cognitions at twelve weeks appear to be suitable predictors for a transition from acute to persistent LBP. Already three weeks after patients present to a health practitioner with acute LBP cognitions might influence the development of persistent LBP. Therefore, cognitive-behavioral interventions should be considered as early adjuvant LBP treatment in patients at risk of developing persistent LBP.

Low back pain risk factors associated with persistence, recurrence and delayed presentation

BACKGROUND: There is little knowledge in the literature on the role of time-related variables for the prognosis of acute and subacute low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the relationship between time-related LBP characteristics and prognostic factors for acute/subacute LBP. METHODS: We performed a prospective inception cohort study of 315 patients attending a health practitioner for acute/subacute LBP or recurrent LBP. One-tailed correlations were conducted between patient characteristics and time-related variables. RESULTS: The pattern of correlation between risk factors for and resources against persistent LBP differed between three time-related variables. 'Subacute LBP' and 'delayed presentation' were positively associated with psychological factors. Both indicators were negatively correlated with resources against development of persistent LBP. Moreover, 'delayed presentation' was related positively with occupational stressors. In contrast, 'recurrent LBP' was only related to more impaired health-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with current LBP waiting longer until seeking help in primary care have a more disadvantageous profile of occupational and psychological risk factors and lower resource levels. A similar but less pronounced pattern occurred in those with subacute LBP compared to those with acute LBP. Consideration of time characteristics of LBP may help to better understand LBP.

Biochanin A and prunetin improve epithelial barrier function in intestinal CaCo-2 cells via downregulation of ERK, NF-κB, and tyrosine phosphorylation

The single-layered gut epithelium represents the primary line of defense against environmental stressors; thereby monolayer integrity and tightness are essentially required to maintain gut health and function. To date only a few plant-derived phytochemicals have been described as affecting intestinal barrier function. We investigated the impact of 28 secondary plant compounds on the barrier function of intestinal epithelial CaCo-2/TC-7 cells via transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements. Apart from genistein, the compounds that had the biggest effect in the TEER measurements were biochanin A and prunetin. These isoflavones improved barrier tightness by 36 and 60%, respectively, compared to the untreated control. Furthermore, both isoflavones significantly attenuated TNFα-dependent barrier disruption, thereby maintaining a high barrier resistance comparable to nonstressed cells. In docking analyses exploring the putative interaction with the tyrosine kinase EGFR, these novel modulators of barrier tightness showed very similar values compared to the known tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. Both biochanin A and prunetin were also identified as potent reducers of NF-κB and ERK activation, zonula occludens 1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and metalloproteinase-mediated shedding activity, which may account for the barrier-improving ability of these isoflavones.

Zur Stabilität von Motiv- und Zielprofilen im Freizeit- und Gesundheitssport

Einleitung: Massnahmen der Sportförderung werden selten systematisch auf sportbezogene Motive und Ziele ausgerichtet, obwohl sie für das Wohlbefinden und die Aufrechterhaltung des Gesundheitsverhaltens bedeutsam sind. Sudeck, Lehnert und Conzelmann (2011) haben typische Motiv- und Zielprofile im Freizeit- und Gesundheitssport identifiziert. Diese „motivbasierten Sporttypen“ bieten eine Möglich-keit, Menschen im mittleren Erwachsenenalter anhand ihrer Beweggründe zum Sporttreiben zu seg-mentieren und Fördermassnahmen darauf abzustimmen. Motive werden als zeitlich relativ überdau-ernde Dispositionen angesehen (Lehnert, Sudeck & Conzelmann, 2011). Empirische Nachweise für die längerfristige Stabilität von Motiv- und Zielprofilen im Freizeit- und Gesundheitssport fehlen aller-dings bislang. Daher wird im vorliegenden Beitrag die zeitliche Stabilität von Motiv- und Zielprofilen über 15 Monate analysiert. Methoden: Die Basisstichprobe besteht aus 228 Hochschulangestellten (MAlter = 48.1 Jahre, SDAlter = 8.1 Jahre, 61% Frauen), welche im Rahmen des Projekts „Welcher Sport für wen?“ im Mai 2008 (T1) an einem Sport-Check teilnahmen (Sudeck et al., 2011). Am Sport-Check wurden die sportbezogenen Motive und Ziele mit dem Berner Motiv- und Zielinventar (Lehnert, Sudeck & Conzelmann, 2011) schriftlich er-fragt. Bei 100 Personen (MAlter = 46.8 Jahre, SDAlter = 7.6 Jahre, 62% Frauen) konnte das Merkmal im September 2009 (T2) erneut mittels Onlinefragebogen erhoben werden. Die Daten dieser Teilstich-probe wurden mit der LICUR-Methode (Bergman, Magnusson & El-Khouri, 2003) ausgewertet. Zu-nächst wurden zu beiden Messzeitpunkten typische Motiv- und Zielprofile clusteranalytisch be-stimmt. Darauf aufbauend wurde analysiert, inwieweit sich die Cluster von T1 und T2 ähneln (struktu-relle Stabilität) und welche Entwicklungswege zwischen den gefundenen Clustern überzufällig häufig begangenen werden (individuelle Stabilität). Resultate und Diskussion: Zu T1 konnten neun typische Motiv- und Zielprofile identifiziert werden. Diese entsprechen mehrheit-lich den motivbasierten Sporttypen von Sudeck et al. (2011). Zu T2 wurden wiederum neun charakte-ristische Motiv- und Zielprofile ermittelt. Die Clusterlösungen der beiden Messzeitpunkte weisen eine grosse Ähnlichkeit auf. Die signifikanten Entwicklungswege zwischen T1 und T2 verdeutlichen, dass die Mitglieder eines Clusters überzufällig häufig zu einem Clusterpartner – d. h. einem Typen mit sehr ähnlichen Clusterzentroiden – übertreten. Die Ergebnisse sprechen insgesamt für eine hohe struktu-relle und individuelle Stabilität von Motiv- und Zielprofilen im mittleren Erwachsenenalter. Eine Ab-stimmung von mehrwöchigen Sportangeboten und -beratungen auf die individuellen Motive und Ziele scheint aufgrund ihres zeitlich überdauernden Charakters folglich lohnenswert. Literatur: Bergman, L. R., Magnusson, D. & El-Khouri, B. M. (2003). Studying individual development in an inter-individual context. A person-oriented approach. Mahwah, N. J.: Erlbaum. Lehnert, K., Sudeck, G. & Conzelmann, A. (2011). BMZI – Berner Motiv- und Zielinventar im Freizeit- und Gesundheitssport. Diagnostica, 57(3), 146-159. Sudeck, G., Lehnert, K. & Conzelmann, A. (2011). Motivbasierte Sporttypen. Auf dem Weg zur Perso-norientierung im zielgruppenspezifischen Freizeit- und Gesundheitssport. Zeitschrift für Sport-psychologie, 18(1), 1-17.

Investigation of leptomeningeal enhancement in MS: A postcontrast FLAIR MRI study

OBJECTIVE To investigate possible leptomeningeal contrast enhancement using postcontrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI as an additional marker of inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS A cohort of 112 patients (73 women) with clinically definitive MS or a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of CNS demyelination were included. A pathologic control group of 5 stroke patients was also examined. MRI was performed on a 3T system including FLAIR, T2-weighted, T1-weighted-contrast injection, followed by T1-weighted and FLAIR. RESULTS Of the 112 patients, 39 had an acute relapse at the time of MRI. In total, 96 contrast-enhancing lesions were identified on postcontrast T1-weighted images. The pathologic control group demonstrated the sensitivity of postcontrast FLAIR images demonstrating leptomeningeal enhancement in all cases. In contrast, only 1 out of 112 examined patients with MS showed a single area of abnormal leptomeningeal contrast enhancement. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to intraparenchymal blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction that is frequently seen in patients with MS, BBB dysfunction of leptomeningeal vessels is usually not detectable in patients with early MS.

Coaches` subjective talent criteria in top-level soccer

Introduction: In professional soccer, talent selection relies on the subjective judgment of scouts and coaches. To date, little is known about coaches´ “eye for talent” (Christensen, 2009, p. 379) and the nature of the subjective criteria they use to identify those players with the greatest potential to achieve peak performance in adulthood (Williams & Reilly, 2000). Drawing on a constructivist approach (Kelly, 1991), this study explores coaches´ subjective talent criteria. It is assumed that coaches are able to verbalise and specify their talent criteria, and that these are related to their talent selection decisions based on instinct. Methods: Participants and generation of data. Five national youth soccer coaches (Mage = 55.6; SD = 5.03) were investigated at three appointments: (1) talent selection decision based on instinct, (2) semi-structured inductive interview to elicit each coaches´ talent criteria in detail, (3) communicative validation and evaluation of the players by each coach using the repertory grid technique (Fromm, 2004). Data Analysis: Interviews were transcribed and summarized with regard to each specified talent criterion. Each talent criterion was categorized using a bottom-up-approach (meaning categorization, Kvale, 1996). The repertory grid data was analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Results and Discussion: For each coach, six to nine talent criteria were elicited and specified. The subjective talent criteria include aspects of personality, cognitive perceptual skills, motor abilities, development, technique, social environment and physical constitution, which shows that the coaches use a multi-dimensional concept of talent. However, more than half of all criteria describe personality characteristics, in particular achievement motivation, volition and self-confidence. In contrast to Morris (2000), this result shows that coaches have a differentiated view of the personality characteristics required to achieve peak performance. As an indication of criterion validity, moderate to high correlations (.57 ≤ r ≤ .81) are found between the evaluations of the players according to the coaches´ talent criteria and their talent selection decision. The study shows that coaches are able to specify their subject talent criteria and that those criteria are strongly related to their instinctive selection decisions. References: Christensen, M. K. (2009). "An Eye for Talent": Talent Identification and the "Practical Sense" of Top-Level Soccer Coaches. Sociology of Sport Journal, 26, 365–382. Fromm, M. (2004). Introduction to the Repertory Grid Interview. Münster: Waxmann. Kelly, G. A. (1991). The Psychology of Personal Constructs: Volume One: Theory and personality. London: Routledge. Kvale, S. (1996). InterViews: An introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Morris, T. (2000). Psychological characteristics and talent identification in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 715–726. Williams, A. M., & Reilly, T. (2000). Talent identification and development in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 657–667.

Subjektive Talentkriterien von Fussballtrainern in der Talentselektion

Einleitung Im Fußball entscheidet der Trainer, welche Spieler in eine Leistungsmannschaft selektioniert werden. Die Frage, nach welchen Kriterien Trainer die Spieler beurteilen und selektionieren, wurde bislang allerdings unzureichend untersucht (Williams & Reilly, 2000). In der vorliegenden qualitativen Studie wird der Frage nachgegangen, welche Talentkriterien aus Trainersicht für den späteren Erfolg im Spitzenfußball ausschlaggebend sind. Methode Interviewpartner waren sechs männliche Fußballtrainer (MAlter = 39.5; SD = 7.18), die hauptberuflich für die Nachwuchsabteilung (Altersklasse 13 – 17 Jahre) eines Schweizer Fußballvereins der höchsten nationalen Spielklasse (Super League) arbeiten und zum Zeitpunkt des Interviews mindestens die UEFA-A-Lizenz besaßen. Die Bestimmung der subjektiven Talentkriterien erfolgte mithilfe eines Interviewleitfadens, der sich an der Konstruktbestimmung der Repertory Grid Technik (vgl. Fromm, 2004) orientierte. Ausge-wertet wurden die Interviews mit einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse (Kvale, 1996). Ergebnisse und Diskussion Die Untersuchung zeigt, dass sich die subjektiven Talentkriterien von Trainern sprachlich differenziert erheben lassen. Die befragten Trainer formulierten jeweils sechs bis acht Talentkriterien, die Aspekte aus den Bereichen Persönlichkeit, kognitiv-perzeptuelle Fertigkeiten, konditionelle Fähigkeiten, Technik, physische Konstitution und Umfeld beinhalten. Dass einige Kriterien Aspekte mehrere dieser Bereiche beinhalten und inhaltlich nicht den Kriterien der anderen Trainer entsprechen, kann als Hinweis auf die Subjektivität und Individualität dieser Talentkriterien gedeutet werden. Beinahe die Hälfte der genannten Kriterien beinhalten Persönlichkeitsaspekte. Facetten der Leistungsmotivation wurden dabei am häufigsten genannt, gefolgt von Lernfähigkeit und Lernbereitschaft sowie anderen Aspekten wie z.B. zur Selbsteinschätzung und Zielorientierung. Die Er-gebnisse zeigen, dass die untersuchten Trainer eine differenzierte Wahrnehmung von entwicklungsförderlichen Persönlichkeitsmerkmalen haben. Die Bedeutung der Persönlichkeit aus Trainersicht für das Erreichen eines Spitzenniveaus ist vergleichbar mit den Ergebnissen vorheriger Untersuchungen (z.B. Christensen, 2009). Literatur Christensen, M. K. (2009). "An Eye for Talent": Talent Identification and the "Practical Sense" of Top-Level Soccer Coaches. Sociology of Sport Journal, 26, 365–382. Fromm, M. (2004). Introduction to the Repertory Grid Interview. Münster: Waxmann. Kvale, S. (1996). InterViews: An introduction to qualitative researching interviewing. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Williams, A. M. & Reilly, T. (2000). Talent identification and development in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 657-667.

Der Einfluss familialer Merkmale auf den Entwicklungsprozess vom Fussballtalent zum Spitzenspieler

The process by which young talents develop to become topclass players once they reach the age of maximum performance is influenced by numerous factors. Among the exogenous factors, the family plays a central role. In the context of a research project carried out in cooperation with the Swiss Football Association SFV, 159 former members of the national youth football team were interviewed retrospectively, among other things concerning their family circumstances. The study is interested in understanding two issues: 1) It examines which family conditions – compared with average Swiss families – lead to success in adolescence (nomination for a national youth team). 2) Since success in adolescence by no means guarantees top-level performance at the age of maximum performance, the heterogeneity of the sample’s adult level of performance is used to compare players who later achieve greater success to the less successful players. It is found that these players come from families with many children and a strong affinity to sports. Those players who are particularly successful at the age of maximum performance also felt they received more support from their parents and siblings during childhood and adolescence than the players who went on to be less successful.

The EPICA Dronning Maud Land deep drilling operation

We report on the EPICA Dronning Maud Land (East Antarctica) deep drilling operation. Starting with the scientific questions that led to the outline of the EPICA project, we introduce the setting of sister drillings at NorthGRIP and EPICA Dome C within the European ice-coring community. The progress of the drilling operation is described within the context of three parallel, deep-drilling operations, the problems that occurred and the solutions we developed. Modified procedures are described, such as the monitoring of penetration rate via cable weight rather than motor torque, and modifications to the system (e.g. closing the openings at the lower end of the outer barrel to reduce the risk of immersing the drill in highly concentrated chip suspension). Parameters of the drilling (e.g. core-break force, cutter pitch, chips balance, liquid level, core production rate and piece number) are discussed. We also review the operational mode, particularly in the context of achieved core length and piece length, which have to be optimized for drilling efficiency and core quality respectively. We conclude with recommendations addressing the design of the chip-collection openings and strictly limiting the cable-load drop with respect to the load at the start of the run.