Developmental changes in cardiacsomatic relations and infants\u27 orientation to complex sounds as a function of frequency.

The present study investigated how the frequency composition of a complex sound differentially influences newborns\u27 and five month-olds\u27 auditory localization. The stimuli were tape recordings of a rattle, filtered to produce 4 stimulus conditions: low frequency band-pass rattle ( less than 1600 Hz ) , mid-frequency band-pass rattle ( 1000-3000 Hz ), high frequency band-pass rattle ( greater than 1800 Hz ), and an unfiltered broad-band rattle. Sound pressure level was varied across trials to eliminate the possibility of any confounding effects as a result of the frequency manipulation. Direction, latency and duration of head turning, alerting and quieting were scored from videotapes of the infant\u27s behavior. Cardiac measures of responding were also taken in order to assess developmental ly the nature of cardiac-somatic relations in infants. In general, five month-olds head turned towards sounds more than newborns, and in contrast to the newborns, they turned their heads exclusively in the direction of the sound source. Significant differences in quantitative aspects of head turning towards a sound emerged, the head turning of newborns being longer in latency and duration. Differences in head turning towards the different frequency sounds occurred in newborns and five month-olds. The pattern of results for newborn head turning towards the sounds revealed an order of correct \u27 localizability \u27 proceeding from low ^ medium -4 high/broad frequencies* with no iv significant differences in head turning to the high vs broad-band frequency stimuli. Five month-olds showed an order of localizability proceeding from low/medium high/broad-band frequencies. Crossage comparisons revealed a developmental increase in head turning towards the low frequency stimulus. Five month-olds showed more alerting and quieting to sounds than newborns, and were as likely to alert as to quiet to a sound. In contrast, newborns showed significantly more alerting than quieting. Cardiac measures of responding revealed that heart rate change varied, at each age, as a function of head turning towards a sound. Newborns responded with cardiac decelerations only on those trials in which they did not head turn. On \u27head turn\u27 trials they showed no reliable cardiac response. Five month-olds responded with cardiac deceleration on both \u27head turn\u27 and \u27no head turn\u27 trials. The magnitude of the deceleration, however, was greater on trials in which they did not head turn. Results are discussed with regard to the development of the auditory system, recent findings on developmental changes in sensitivity to frequency information and literature on cardiacsomatic relations

Employee perceptions of HRM and well-being in nonprofit organizations : unpacking the unintended

Adopting a process-based HRM lens, this study addresses how nonprofit workers perceive their HR practices and the ways in which these perceptions of HRM impact their wellbeing. Drawing on a multiple case study of eight social services NPOs in the UK, the impact of the employment relationship on the psychological, social and physical dimensions of wellbeing is examined in this climate of austerity. The findings highlight the increasing precariousness of this employment relationship alongside relatively weak HR systems characterized by low consistency and consensus, leading to variation in the interpretation and application of HR practices at the level of line managers and the front-line. Moreover, the analysis shows how these divergent perceptions amongst HR system features manifest themselves in unintended consequences. By examining employee perceptions of HR practices, this study contributes to ongoing debates on why nonprofit employees view HRM in unintended ways and why HR practices may fail to bring about their intended effects.PostprintPeer reviewe

Children’s perspectives on outpatient physician visits: Capturing a missing voice in patient-centered care

Actively involving children in their healthcare is a core value of patient-centered care. This is the first study to directly obtain children’s detailed perspectives on positive and negative aspects of outpatient physician visits in a primary care setting (e.g., checkups) and their preferred level of participation. Individual interviews were conducted with 167 children (female n = 82, male n = 85; ages 7–10, Mage = 8.07 years, SD = 0.82). Open-ended questions were used so that children’s responses were not confined to researchers’ assumptions, followed by close-ended questions to meet specific objectives. Quantitative content analysis, correlations, logistic regression, and Cochran’s Q were used to explore the data. Children were highly fearful of needle procedures (61%), blood draws (73%), pain (45%), and the unknown (21%). Children indicated that they liked receiving rewards (32%) and improving their health (16%). Children who were more fearful during physician visits wanted more preparatory information (ExpB = 1.05, Waldx2 (1) = 9.11, p = 0.003, McFadden’s R22 = 0.07) and more participation during the visit (ExpB = 1.04, Waldx2 (1) = 5.88, p = 0.015, McFadden’s R22 = 0.03). Our results can inform efforts to promote positive physician visit experiences for children, reduce procedural distress, and foster children’s ability to take an active role in managing their health

Motivational Interviewing as an intervention to increase adolescent self-efficacy and promote weight loss: Methodology and design

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Childhood obesity is associated with serious physiological and psychological consequences including type 2 diabetes, higher rates of depression and low self-esteem. With the population of overweight and obese youth increasing, appropriate interventions are needed that speak to the issue of readiness to change and motivation to maintain adherence to healthy behavior changes. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a method of therapy found to resolve ambivalence, enhance intrinsic motivation and promote confidence in a person's ability to make behavior changes. While MI has shown promise in the adult obesity literature as effecting positive lifestyle change, little is known about the effectiveness of MI with overweight and obese youth. This study aims to: 1) demonstrate that MI is an effective intervention for increasing a person's self-efficacy; 2) demonstrate that exposure to MI will facilitate healthy behavior changes; 3) explore psychological changes related to participation in MI and 4) compare physiological and anthropometric outcomes before and after intervention.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The current investigation is a prospective study conducted with ongoing participants who regularly attend an outpatient pediatric care center for weight-loss. Overweight youth (BMI > 85^th%ile) between the ages of 10 and 18 who meet eligibility criteria will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to a control group (social skills training) or a treatment group (MI). Participants will meet with the therapist for approximately 30 minutes prior to seeing the dietician, over the course of 6 months. Participants will also undergo a full day assessment at the beginning and end of psychology intervention to evaluate body fat, and metabolic risk (screening for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and fitness level). The paper and pencil portions of the assessments as well as the clinical testing will occur at baseline and at the conclusion of the intervention (6 months) with a repeat assessment 6 months following the completion of the intervention.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Results from this study are expected to enhance our understanding of the efficacy of MI with children and adolescents who are overweight or obese.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials #<a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00326404">NCT00326404</a>.</p

Sibling supervision and young children's risk of injury: A comparison of mothers' and older siblings' reactions to risk taking by a younger child in the family

Although parental supervision is associated with reduced risk of injury to young children, supervision by older siblings has been shown to increase this risk. The current study, conducted in Guelph, Canada, explored how this differential risk of injury may arise. It compares the supervision behaviors of mothers to those of their older children when each was the designated supervisor of a young child, shown on a videotape to engage in no risk, risk, and rule violation behaviors in a home situation. The mothers and older child supervisors were told to imagine the toddler on the videotape was the young child in their own family, and to stop the tape and speak to the child whenever they would in real life. Results indicated that supervisees were allowed to engage in more risk behaviors when supervised by older siblings than by mothers. Sibling supervisors reacted to risk behaviors with more prohibitions, whereas mothers adopted a teaching orientation and gave more explanations and directions in response to risk behaviors by the supervisee. Implications for injury prevention and directions for future research are discussed.Canada Children Injuries Supervision Siblings Mothers Risk