Development and evaluation of an intervention to improve further education students' understanding of higher education assessment criteria: three studies

Three studies about helping Further Education students prepare for study at universityThis paper reports three studies about preparing Further Education (FE) students for the transition to Higher Education (HE) by improving their understanding of HE assessment criteria. In study 1, students and tutors in both FE and HE were interviewed for a qualitative analysis of their understandings and expectations about assessment criteria. In study 2, students in FE and HE completed questionnaires measuring self-rated understanding and ability about assessment criteria, and beliefs about essay writing. Studies 1 and 2 both showed that FE students were more confident than HE students about their understanding and ability in relation to assessment criteria, but FE students’ understandings suggested more surface approaches to learning and more naïve epistemological beliefs. In study 3, a workshop intervention to improve FE students’ understandings of HE assessment criteria was evaluated in a comparative longitudinal trial. The intervention reduced FE students’ self-rated understanding and ability, and promoted more sophisticated beliefs about essay writing, by comparison with students who received standard tuition. We concluded that interventions to develop more realistic understandings of what is required in academic writing could be used to prepare FE students more effectively for the transition to HE

Holographic Technidilaton and LHC searches

We analyze in detail the phenomenology of a model of dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking inspired by walking technicolor, by using the techniques of the bottom-up approach to holography. The model admits a light composite scalar state, the dilaton, in the spectrum. We focus on regions of parameter space for which the mass of such dilaton is 125 GeV, and for which the bounds on the precision electroweak parameter S are satisfied. This requires that the next-to-lightest composite state is the techni-rho meson, with a mass larger than 2.3 TeV. We compute the couplings controlling the decay rates of the dilaton to two photons and to two (real or virtual) Z and W bosons. For generic choices of the parameters, we find a suppression of the decay into heavy gauge bosons, in respect to the analog decay of the standard-model Higgs. We find a dramatic effect on the decay into photons, which can be both strongly suppressed or strongly enhanced, the latter case corresponding to the large-N regime of the dual theory. There is a correlation between this decay rate of the dilaton into photons and the mass splitting between the techni-rho meson and its axial-vector partner: if the decay is enhanced in respect to the standard-model case, then the heavy spin-1 resonances are nearly degenerate in mass, otherwise their separation in mass is comparable to the mass scale itself.Comment: Very minor typos corrected. References adde

Formulae for partial widths derived from the Lindblad equation

A method for calculating partial widths of auto-ionizing states is proposed. It combines either a complex absorbing potential or exterior complex scaling with the Lindblad equation. The corresponding classical rate equations are reproduced, and the trace conservation inherent in the Lindblad equation ensures that the partial widths sums up to the total width of the initial auto-ionizing state

A qualitative exploration of experiences of gender identity and gender questioning among adults with Klinefelter syndrome/XXY

People with Klinefelter syndrome (KS/XXY) may be at higher risk of gender dysphoria than the general population and gender diversity needs greater recognition and consideration in services for people affected. This study aimed to give systematic insights into experiences of gender diversity among people with KS/XXY, which could inform more person-centred care for people with KS/XXY and contribute to practical guidance for healthcare professionals. We conducted individual, semi-structured interviews with 11 adults with diagnosed KS/XXY. The verbatim interview transcripts were analysed using experiential reflexive thematic analysis, which identified four themes: 1) Experience of gender, which described participants’ experiences of exploring and negotiating their gender identity; 2) Navigating expectations, which described how participants’ gender uncertainty was associated with confusion, isolation and shame, and how fears about other people’s reactions caused participants to keep their gender identity secret; 3) Testosterone assumptions, which described how participants needed more discussion and counselling before testosterone replacement therapy, and how some benefited from treatment with alternative hormones to testosterone; and 4) A different approach, which described participants’ experiences of care at gender identity clinics. The findings give new insights into the gender identity journeys of people with KS/XXY, from early attempts to understand and make sense of gender, through dealing with social pressures, the development of gender identities more congruent with feelings, and experiences with hormone replacement therapy. The practice implications include that there should be improved consideration of gender identity in care for KS/XXY, better psychological support for those affected by gender diversity, and more consideration given to alternatives to testosterone-based therapies. Future research could explore the experiences of gender identity among different groups of people with KS/XXY, the development of gender identity over time, the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on gender identity, and health care providers’ knowledge and attitudes about gender identity and KS/XXY

Practice implications of phenomenological research with substance-using parents whose children were subject to social care interventions

Purpose: This article reflects on ways that the experiences of vulnerable users of drug and alcohol services can inform social work practice and policy to improve treatment engagement and mitigate negative responses to interventions. Methodology: The research used semi-structured interviews and photovoice in an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of people in treatment for drug or alcohol problems whose child was the subject of a Child Protection or Child in Need order. Findings: The research gave insights into participants’ experiences of loss of control, unfairness, and stigma. Participants described how they felt powerless in the social services system and were afraid to be open and honest with practitioners for fear of having their children removed. Practice implications: The research highlighted the need for more training and professional development for social work practitioners to address power imbalance issues, and the need to promote non-threatening professional practice that removes penalties for disclosure of substance use, enabling substance users who are parents to be more honest about their drug use. Social implications: The research showed the value of phenomenological methods for investigating sensitive issues with vulnerable users of treatment services in a way that can inform policy and practice. Originality: This article explores ways that phenomenological research with vulnerable, hard-to-reach participants can produce insights about the potential benefits of social work practice that is non-threatening and encourages greater openness and honesty among substance users who are parents

Search for long-lived states in antiprotonic lithium

The spectrum of the (L_i^3 + p-bar + 2e) four-body system was calculated in an adiabatic approach. The two-electron energies were approximated by a sum of two single-electron effective charge two-center energies as suggested in [6]. While the structure of the spectrum does not exclude the existence of long-lived states, their experimental observability is still to be clarified

Emotion Regulation and Psychological Dependence on Pain Medication among Hospital Outpatients with Chronic Spinal Pain: The Influence of Rumination about Pain and Alexithymia

Objective: To examine the extent to which pain acceptance, pain catastrophising and alexithymia moderate associations between pain intensity and psychological pain medication dependence. Methods: Participants (106 hospital outpatients with chronic spinal pain) completed the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) to measure psychological dependence on pain medication, and the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-8 (CPAQ-8), the Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), plus the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Results: Multiple linear regression showed that degree of psychological dependence (measured dimensionally across the range of LDQ scores) was associated with TAS subscale difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) (β = 0.249, p = <0.002) and PCS subscale rumination (β = 0.193, p = 0.030), independently of pain intensity and risk behaviors for medication misuse. The effect of pain intensity was moderated by rumination, with pain intensity more strongly associated with dependence when rumination was high (interaction β = 0.192, p = 0.004). Logistic regression showed that the effect of pain intensity on severe dependence (measured categorically as LDQ score ≥ 20) was moderated by alexithymia, so that severe dependence was independently associated with the combination of intense pain and high alexithymia (interaction odds ratio = 7.26, 95% CIs = 1.63–32.42, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Rumination and alexithymia moderated the associations between pain intensity and psychological pain medication dependence, consistent with emotion regulation theory. This raises the possibility that specifically targeting rumination about pain and symptoms of alexithymia could potentially improve the effectiveness of psychological interventions for chronic pain and help people to avoid or reduce their psychological dependence on pain medication

Calmer, Kinder, Wiser: A Novel Threefold Categorization for Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Mindfulness is said to be a connecting thread between an ancient philosophy on the one hand and a contemporary psychological practice on the other. However, some contemporary mindfulness practices have arguably become so disconnected from their roots in Buddhist ethics and wisdom principles that the fundamental essence of the practice is no longer recognisable. It appears that when mindfulness is disconnected from its Buddhist ethical and wisdom-based foundations, being applied as a purely concentrative practice, it can yield adverse effects (such as decreased prosocial behaviour, increased self-centredness, and reduced psychological well-being) for individuals with low-trait empathy or narcissistic traits. Consequently, we propose a novel threefold categorization that aims to build bridges between contemporary Western and traditional Buddhist approaches to mindfulness. This categorization, rooted in the traditional “three trainings” or “triśikṣā” Buddhist principle, distinguishes between the mindfulness practices incorporated within mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), according to whether they primarily employ concentration-, ethics-, or wisdom-based contemplative techniques. We explicate how this more nuanced categorization provides a greater understanding of how varied mindfulness practices could influence outcomes associated with an individual’s prosocial behaviour, social and emotional well-being, and mental health. Additionally, we highlight the potential of greater research into MBIs that are structured around the Mindfulness of Breathing or the Ānāpānasati Sutta progression of concentration-based to ethics-based and finally to wisdom-based practices, particularly in terms of their utility to facilitate self-transcendent experiences

Wisdom-Based Buddhist-Derived Meditation Practices for Prosocial Behaviour: A Systematic Review

Objectives The objective of this evaluative systematic review was to analyse the impact of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) that incorporate Buddhist wisdom practices on prosocial behaviour, and provide insights into their underlying mechanism, potential benefits, and applications. Method A systematic literature search was conducted using three electronic databases up until 1 December 2023. Data on the participants in the MBIs, the structure, and how Buddhist teachings were integrated were collected. The impact on prosocial behaviour was analysed, along with evaluating overall study quality and the validity of the measures used for assessing changes in prosocial behaviour. Results Collectively, the 12 eligible studies (n = 2185) suggest that incorporating the Buddhist wisdom practices of contemplating interdependence, emptiness, and perspective-taking on self and others may enhance prosocial behaviour through various mechanisms, such as (i) developing a sense of interdependence and common humanity, (ii) fostering the altruistic desire to help others, and (iii) experiencing a state of oneness. However, concerns were raised about the overuse and reliability of self-report measures for accurately assessing prosocial behaviour, as well as in respect of discerning the effectiveness of different meditation practices that are integrated into MBIs. Conclusions Overall, the findings of this systematic literature review reinforce the perspective that wisdom-based meditation practices contribute to prosocial behaviour. However, to enhance the understanding of the underlying causes of prosocial behaviour, future studies should isolate the effects of different meditation practices incorporated within MBIs. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that future studies assessing the impact of MBIs on prosocial behaviour employ a range of diverse measures, such as self-reported psychometric scales in combination with real-world morally relevant scenarios

Toward Greater Clarity in Defining and Understanding Nonattachment

Nonattachment is a key positive element of several psychotherapeutic approaches, including mindfulness-based interventions. However, it has been defined in the academic literature largely as a construct of negation, whereby one should not become attached to objects, people, or experiences. This approach may foster resistance to nonattachment in general through confusion associated with what it means along with uncertainty in how to practise it as there are currently no evidence-based courses or clear guidelines. Furthermore, there is currently no empirical exploration of interventions that are specifically nonattachment-based in terms of their value in applied settings. The purpose of this paper is to propose an affirmative, action-based definition of nonattachment in order to improve understanding and implementation. A further objective is to provide examples of exercises within existing therapeutic modalities through which nonattachment may already be cultivated and to use the example of post-traumatic stress (PTS) as a focus area to discuss the potential value and implications of using nonattachment in a clinical context. Four psychotherapeutic approaches currently applying nonattachment-based concepts including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focussed Therapy, and Mindfulness are critically assessed for ways in which they cultivate nonattachment, using symptoms of PTS as an example. Based on existing therapeutic and contemplative practices that embody nonattachment principles, as an affirmative definition we propose that nonattachment involves the intentional practices of acceptance, letting go, deep presence, opening to a universally interconnected self-schema, and perceptual distancing from stimuli and response. An affirmative understanding of what nonattachment is, along with a targeted approach to its cultivation, may facilitate a clearer pathway toward the predictive and intervention outcome value of nonattachment in applied settings