Procrastination among post-16 students: how is it experienced and how can we reduce it? The views of students, teachers and educational psychologists.

Abstract Background Academic procrastination has been defined as the voluntarily delay of an intended course of study-related action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay. As many as 70% of university students consider themselves procrastinators, and approximately 50% of university students procrastinate consistently and problematically. Despite this, research concerning the prevalence and prevention of procrastination among post-16 students in the UK is scarce. Temporal motivation theory (TMT) is one way to better understand procrastination because it helps explain why motivation grows exponentially as deadlines approach. TMT can be expressed mathematically as motivation = (expectancy x value) / (impulsiveness x delay). The current study was carried out in two phases. A mixed-methods approach to data collection and analysis was adopted using both quantitative and qualitative methods. I have summarised each phase below. Phase 1 Research Questions 1. How does procrastination as experienced by post-16 students compare with procrastination as described by temporal motivation theory? 2. How do post-16 students’ strategies for tackling procrastination compare with procrastination as described by temporal motivation theory? Methods Semi-structured interviews were carried out with twenty post-16 students to explore their lived experience of procrastination. Four case studies were employed to help elicit their responses. The students were then asked to outline approaches which might help other young people reduce procrastination behaviours. Template analysis (TA) was used to analyse the participants’ responses. Three original templates were drawn up to analyse participants’ responses in terms of how procrastination was defined, how it was described, and how it might be reduced. The original templates included the constructs making up TMT as a priori themes. These templates were then adapted and additional themes added. The extent to which the original templates were adapted showed the extent to which TMT accounted for the breadth of participants’ responses. Results TMT was found to be a useful way to explain how students approach a procrastination task. However, the components of TMT were found to interact in a number of important ways, resulting in different types of procrastination behaviour. Emotions were also shown to motivate cognition, with anxious feelings exaggerating the perceived cost of a procrastination task. Furthermore, students did not consider procrastination tasks in isolation, and aspects of TMT could be used to help determine whether they prioritised procrastination tasks, or alternative tasks. Lastly, TMT appeared to be a useful framework for planning interventions to tackle procrastination. However, TMT may not be a sufficient framework in and of itself. Phase 2 Research Questions 1. To what extent are the Phase One results generalisable to post-16 students? 2. To what extent do teachers and educational psychologists agree with the views of post-16 students about procrastination and temporal motivation theory? Methods Surveys were designed to capture the constructs which emerged during Phase One. Post-16 students (n=343), teachers of post-16 students (n=52), and educational psychologists (n=43) completed these surveys. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVAs) and appropriate post hoc tests were used to analyse the perceived importance of each construct. Relevant contrasts and comparisons are outlined in the text. Results Statistical analysis suggested that many of the Phase One results were generalisable. There were important areas where all three cohorts agreed. For example – regarding the role of deadlines in procrastination. However, some significant differences were also observed. These included a difference in opinion about the value of alternative tasks; a greater value placed on smartphones by students; and a more negative evaluation of procrastination tasks by students. Lastly, there were some results which were too subtle to be picked up using the Phase Two survey (in relation to complacency, for example). Overall discussion and future directions Different aspects of the TMT equation interact – along with emotion – to produce different patterns of avoidance. For example, low expectancy-beliefs result in negative emotions, especially when accompanied by high evaluations of task cost. Similarly, anxious feelings may lead to an exaggerated perception of the cost of a procrastination task, which may be why starting a procrastination task is especially difficult. This may also be why it is so easy to get distracted beforehand. Moreover, the utility value of a procrastination task is often set in opposition to the high intrinsic value of alternative tasks. These conflicts can result in distress and anxiety. In terms of practical implications, adopting practical strategies requires self-regulation in and of itself, and the subjective experience of low expectancy beliefs seems to make following practical advice problematic. It is also worth taking seriously the idea that this generation of students are at a particular disadvantage given their exposure to mobile technology. Future interventions might therefore tackle the regulation side of procrastination. In these cases, teachers and other professionals might support students with timetables, SMART targets, and intermittent deadlines. However, all three groups also agreed that decreasing the negative emotions associated with a task might help reduce procrastination. Support for students could therefore be targeted at the emotional aspect of procrastination. Approaches such as mindfulness, CBT and ACT may be helpful. Finally, some future directions are also suggested. For example, a better understanding of how STVs are deployed to rank tasks, and what the emotional cost is for making these judgements. A role for EPs in supporting each group to understand procrastination and the different ways that it can be perceived is also suggested

Correction to the pathogenic alternative splicing, caused by the common GNB3 c.825C>T allele, using a novel, antisense morpholino

The very common GNB3 c.825C>T polymorphism (rs5443), is present in approximately half of all human chromosomes. Significantly the presence of the GNB3 825T allele has been strongly associated, with predisposition to essential hypertension. Paradoxically the presence of the GNB3 825T allele, in exon 10, introduces a pathogenic alternative RNA splice site into the middle of exon 9. To attempt to correct this pathogenic aberrant splicing, we therefore bioinformatically designed, using a Gene Tools® algorithm, a GNB3 specific, antisense morpholino. It was hoped that this morpholino would behave in vitro as either a potential “ splice blocker and/or exon skipper, to both bind and inhibit/reduce the aberrant splicing of the GNB3, 825T allele. On transfecting a human lymphoblast cell line homozygous for the 825T allele, with this antisense morpholino, we encouragingly observed both a significant reduction (from ~58% to ~5%) in the production of the aberrant smaller GNB3 transcript, and a subsequent increase in the normal GNB3 transcript (from ~42% to ~95%). Our results demonstrate the potential use of a GNB3 specific antisense morpholino, as a pharmacogenetic therapy for essential hypertension

The development of a cislunar space infrastructure

The primary objective of this Advanced Mission Design Program is to define the general characteristics and phased evolution of a near-Earth space infrastructure. The envisioned foundation includes a permanently manned, self-sustaining base on the lunar surface, a space station at the Libration Point between earth and the moon (L1), and a transportation system that anchors these elements to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) station. The implementation of this conceptual design was carried out with the idea that the infrastructure is an important step in a larger plan to expand man's capabilities in space science and technology. Such expansion depends on low cost, reliable, and frequent access to space for those who wish to use the multiple benefits of this environment. The presence of a cislunar space infrastructure would greatly facilitate the staging of future planetary missions, as well as the full exploration of the lunar potential for science and industry. The rationale for, and a proposed detailed scenario in support of, the cislunar space infrastructure are discussed

Determination of the Band Gap Bowing Parameter of A1xGa1-xN with Contactless Electroreflectance

Contactless electroreflectance (CER), a modulation spectroscopy (MS) technique, has been used to study the A and C exciton transitions in A1xGa1-xN layers for a composition range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.48 at room temperature. Taking the entire composition range (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) into account by incorporating a previously reported band gap energy for AlN, the dependence of the A-exciton transition on composition showed a downward bowing from linearity. A bowing parameter of b = 1.7 eV was found. Analysis of the lower composition range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.48 resulted in a linear fit, as did the trend for the detectable C exciton transitions. The slope of the linear trendlines for the A and C exciton were practically the same

Reduced cortical thickness with increased lifetime burden of PTSD in OEF/OIF Veterans and the impact of comorbid TBI☆

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in military personnel is increasing dramatically following the OEF/OIF conflicts and is associated with alterations to brain structure. The present study examined the relationship between PTSD and cortical thickness, and its possible modification by mTBI, in a 104-subject OEF/OIF veteran cohort ranging in age from 20 to 62 years. For each participant, two T1-weighted scans were averaged to create high-resolution images for calculation of regional cortical thickness. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and scores were derived based on the previous month's symptoms (“current”) and a Cumulative Lifetime Burden of PTSD (CLB-P) reflecting the integral of CAPS scores across the lifetime. Mild TBI was diagnosed using the Boston Assessment of TBI-Lifetime (BAT-L). Results demonstrated a clear negative relationship between current PTSD severity and thickness in both postcentral gyri and middle temporal gyri. This relationship was stronger and more extensive when considering lifetime burden (CLB-P), demonstrating the importance of looking at trauma in the context of an individual's lifetime, rather than only at their current symptoms. Finally, interactions with current PTSD only and comorbid current PTSD and mTBI were found in several regions, implying an additive effect of lifetime PTSD and mTBI on cortical thickness

Coexistence of supravalvular aortic stenosis and osteogenesis imperfecta.

A 54 year old woman was admitted for cardiac catheterisation. She had-been attending the outpatient clinic since 1975, with regular review. She had diagnoses of type I osteogenesis imperfecta, and of supravalvular aortic stenosis. Osteogenesis imperfecta was diagnosed in early life on clinical grounds including the presence of blue sclerae and the occurrence of several bone fractures secondary to minimal trauma. A number of family members have been diagnosed with the same condition (figure 1-family pedigree). The supravalvular aortic stenosis was not diagnosed until later. She was initially referred to the cardiology clinic for further evaluation following the discovery of a systolic murmu

Understanding the lived experiences of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic : an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Background: Little research has examined the impact of working within the context of COVID-19 on UK healthcare professionals (HCPs) mental health and well-being, despite previous pandemic findings indicating that HCPs are particularly vulnerable to suffering PTSD and other mental health difficulties due to the nature of healthcare work. Specifically, it appears that no research has employed qualitative methodologies to explore the effects of working amidst COVID-19 on mental health for HCPs in the UK. Objective: To qualitatively examining the lived experiences of HCPs in Northern Ireland, working during the early stages of the pandemic and lockdown period (14.04.20 and 29.04.20). Method: Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore the experiences of healthcare professionals, who were working during the COVID-19 outbreak. Ten HCPs were recruited via a social media campaign and snowball sampling. All interviews were conducted via telephone and transcribed verbatim. Results: Three superordinate themes with subordinate themes were elicited through the analysis. Theme one centred on specific challenges of HCPs working during the pandemic, such as redeployment, isolation from loved ones, infection concerns, lack of PPE and impact on patient interpersonal care. Theme two offered insights into the mental health and wellbeing of HCPs, while many experienced feelings of fear, sadness and hypervigilance, all also demonstrated a marked resilience. Finally, many felt undervalued and misunderstood, and wished to press upon the general public seriousness of the disease. Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study to explore in depth, the unique experiences of frontline HCPs in Northern Ireland, offering a detailed account of the challenges confronted in these unprecedented circumstances and highlighting support needs within this cohort