A Study of Selected Style and Content Variables in the Drawing of Depressed and Nondepressed Adults

This study investigated differences between the drawings of depressed and nondelpressed adults. A procedure for obtaining objective scbres for structural and content variables was developed. Subjects were patients of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona v.rho were high and low scorers on the Beck Depression Inventory. Based on the research of Wadeson (1980) and Wright and McIntyre (1982) the following differences between the drawings of depressed and nondepressed subjects were hypothesized: the drawings of depressed subjects would have less color, more empty space, smaller forms, more missing details, and fewer extra details than those of nondepressed subjects. Based on other research (Exner, 1962), it was hypothesized that the drawings of depressed people would have more shading than those of nondepressed people. Specific contents were hypothesized to be more prevalent in the drawings of depressed subjects and subjects who reported suicidal ideation. It was further hypothesized that a [linear combination of variables would significantly differentiate the drawings of depressed and nondepressed subjects. The Depressed group left significantlv more empty space in their drawings and included fewer extra details than the Nondepressed group group means was in the pred significant for the variabl The difference between the ULcted direction but was not . It was concluded that the hypotheses and for conti diagnostic drawings. Sugges elude the exploration of oth criteria for identifying the mere is support for some of nued research in the area of tions for future research inter measures of depression as groups used to analyze drawing variables, and the investigation of the structural variables, Empty Space, Size Missing Details, in the drawings of other clinical groups Color, Extra Details an

Sight loss, dementia and meaningful activity: A scoping study

The prevalence of health conditions causing or contributing to sight loss increases with age (Girdler et al, 2008). Yet, despite this, little research has focused on a population that has both sight loss and dementia, tending instead to focus on each condition in isolation.  Meaningful activity’ has been linked to quality of care and the health and wellbeing of older people (NICE 2013) and better outcomes for individuals with dementia (Wenborn et al. 2008). Regular engagement in meaningful activity has been shown to reduce severe behavioural symptoms of dementia, reduce reliance upon medicated solutions (Menne et al. 2012), slow functional decline associated with dementia and help to address the challenges of social isolation and ‘problematic passivity’, characterised by a decrease in gross motor movement accompanied by apathy and a lack of interaction with the environment (Conti et al. 2008). Loss of opportunities for, or access to, meaningful activities has been linked with depressive symptoms and affective distress in people with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) (Rovner and Casten 2002). The present scoping study was commissioned to explore issues in relation to meaningful activities for people with both dementia and sight loss living in both community and residential settings. The present scoping study was commissioned to explore issues in relation to meaningful activities for people with both dementia and sight loss living in both community and residential settings.  The primary aims of the project were:  • To determine the extent of the evidence base relating to meaningful activity for people with sight loss and dementia, and to summarise what is known;  • To collect data on the availability and use of guidance, training and other relevant resources in this area; and • To provide insights to inform the potential development of new or improved guidelines in this area.  The aims of the research have been addressed through a combination of literature review (including online lateral searches), interviews with expert informants, and survey questionnaire on the provision of meaningful activity distributed to relevant stakeholder groups

Experiences and Perceptions of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men About Acquiring HIV: A Qualitative Narrative Perspective.

In the United States, Black men who have sex with men (MSM), between the ages of 18 and 34 years, have the highest rates of new HIV infections. The prevalence of HIV in this population is three to four times higher than their White MSM counterparts. Twelve Black MSM from the Bay Area, nine with HIV and three without HIV, were interviewed regarding their experiences and perceived risks of acquiring HIV. Narrative analysis revealed these themes: (a) tested regularly for HIV, (b) HIV knowledge varied before arriving in San Francisco, (c) condom use typically nonexistent when under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, (d) inability to negotiate sex and condom usage, and (e) sense of anticipation, resignation, and acceptance about acquiring HIV. Implications of this study highlight the need for Black MSM to have earlier HIV prevention education, including condom negotiation skills, particularly when under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

Determinants of HIV Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in Ghana

HIV-related stigma and discrimination is a complex concept that affects HIV reduction interventions. HIV-related stigma occurs among healthcare providers resulting in reduction of quality of care of people living with HIV. Social psychological research into stigma reduction has led to the development of many stigma reduction interventions, but has not resolved the underlying problem. This study was designed to identify predictors of stigmatizing behavior among healthcare workers in Ghana using the social cognitive theory (SCT) for use in developing an evidence-based intervention. The study used a cross-sectional research design incorporating a preexisting survey, Measuring HIV Stigma and Discrimination Among Health Staff: Comprehensive Questionnaire. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive, multiple regression analysis and Pearson\u27s coefficient to estimate the relationship between the dependent variable, HIV related stigmatizing behavior, and independent variables, personal attributes and environmental factors. The key findings from the analysis were that the personal attributes of healthcare workers predicted their stigmatizing behavior (R2= 0.674, p \u3c 0.05). There was, however, no significant relationship between environmental factors and stigmatizing behavior and between personal attributes and environmental factors. The social change implications may be to reduce stigma among healthcare workers toward people living with HIV and in turn increase the willingness of healthcare workers to engage with people living with HIV and provide quality service to them

Women in the Theater of Juan Ruiz de Alarcon

Until the time of Lope de Vega and the Golden Age of Spanish literature, women had always had secondary roles in the Spanish drama. There were two reasons for this: 1) Women were not fully appreciated in the society of the times. 2) Women were prohibited from appearing on the stage for many years, and boys usually took their parts. With the advent of Lope de Vega and his arte nuevo de hacer comedies, the situation was changed. The great genius, Lope de Vega, set the pattern for the drama of the Golden Age

Applying the community of inquiry framework to an online professional practice doctoral program

The community of inquiry (CoI) framework has commonly been used to study teaching and learning in online courses (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer 2000). This paper describes the implementation of the CoI framework in a cohort-based online EdD program, where teaching presence and cognitive presence were easier to foster than social presence. Based on the results of an initial evaluation, suggestions are made to expand the components of the CoI framework when using it at a program level. Lessons learned from the implementation are also shared to assist others wishing to apply the CoI framework to online graduate programs

“The students swarm to these peaceful shores in droves”: An Historical Overview of the Postwar Spring Break Phenomenon

AbstractDespite the cultural and economic influence of Spring Break, and the fact that it has become asignificant area of study in other fields of research such as psychology, sociology, college health,and business and marketing, historians have largely overlooked the phenomenon. This articleprovides an overview of Spring Break’s postwar history by focusing primarily upon developmentsin the American Southeast, especially Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach and Atlanta. Inbridging the histories of higher education and tourism we focus on three key developments:tensions between visiting students and host communities, commercialization and corporatization,and the racial dynamics of Spring Break. In our conclusion we briefly examine the phenomenonof “alternative” Spring Breaks and offer reflections on Spring Break’s overall historicalsignificance.RésuméMalgré l’influence culturelle et économique de la semaine de relâche universitaire, le « SpringBreak » et le fait que de nombreux chercheurs en psychologie, sociologie, santé des étudiantsuniversitaires, commerce et publicité s’y soient intéressés, les historiens ont négligé ce phénomène.Cet article fournit une vue d’ensemble de l’histoire de la semaine de relâche dans lapériode d’après-guerre, centrée sur le déroulement des activités dans le sud-est des États-Uniset, en particulier, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach et Atlanta. Nous effectuons un rapprochemententre l’histoire de l’enseignement supérieur et celle du tourisme et nous mettonsl’accent sur trois aspects clés de l’événement : les tensions entre les étudiants en vacances et lescommunautés hôtes, la commercialisation et le corporatisme et enfin la dynamique raciale dela semaine de relâche. Dans notre conclusion, nous considérons le phénomène des semaines derelâche « alternatives » et nous réfléchissons sur l’importance historique du « Spring Break »