Are Better Workers Also Better Humans? On Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancement in the Workplace and Conflicting Societal Domains

The article investigates the sociocultural implications of the changing modern workplace and of pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) as a potential adaptive tool from the viewpoint of social niche construction. We will attempt to elucidate some of the sociocultural and technological trends that drive and influence the characteristics of this specific niche, and especially to identify the kind of capabilities and adaptations that are being promoted, and to ascertain the capabilities and potentialities that might become diminished as a result. In this context, we will examine what PCE is, and how and why it might be desirable as a tool for adaptation within the workplace. As human beings are, or at least should be allowed to be, more than merely productive, able-bodied and able-minded workers, we will further examine how adaptation to the workplace niche could result in problems in other domains of modern societal life that require the same or other cognitive capabilities. In this context we will also focus on the concept of responsibility and how it pertains to PCE and the modern workplace niche. This will shed some light on the kind of trends related to workplace niche construction, PCE and capability promotion that we can expect in the future, and on the contexts in which this might be either beneficial or detrimental to the individual as a well-rounded human being, and to other members of society

Deliberate self-harm and attachment: mediating and moderating roles of depression, anxiety, social support and interpersonal problems among Pakistani school going adolescents

Introduction: In Pakistan there is dearth of research on deliberate self-harm (DSH) and its predictors among adolescents. While the lack of research in Pakistan can be partly attributed to the sacrilegious status, criminalization and stigmatization attached to DSH, it is also an attribute of paucity of Urdu versions of the standardized psychological instruments. Previous research in developed countries has indicated that attachment theory can be used as a useful framework to understand the development of austere psychopathologies like DSH, as well as for studying pathways of interaction of interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of psychopathologies. In this study, standardized psychological instruments are translated into Urdu language as a first step. These instruments are then used to study pathways of interaction of interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of DSH, conceptualized within attachment framework. Method: The study was conducted in two steps. In step 1, Youth Health Risk Behavior Survey (YHRB), Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32 (IIP-32) and Significant Others Scale (SOS), were translated into Urdu language. Along with these scales, Urdu translated versions of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Adolescent Relationship Scales Questionnaire (ARSQ), Life Events scale (LES) from CASE questionnaire and Family Affluence Scale-II (FAS-II) were reviewed for accuracy of translation through expert judgement and psychometric evaluation. Secondly, a cross sectional survey was conducted with 1290 adolescents (10 - 19 years age) using the translated Urdu versions of the instruments and demographic pro forma. Structural equation modelling was used to study the pathways of associations between predictors of DSH. Results: The extensive process of translation resulted in establishment of semantic, content, technical and construct equivalence of the translated instruments with the original English versions. Multiple imputation was performed to account for missing values in SPSS 20. Important structural adaptations were made in the scales based on factor analyses conducted in M plus. After modifications, all scales showed satisfactory CFI (≥ 0.90) and RMSEA (≤ 0.06). Results of the survey indicated that the prevalence of DSH (with, without and ambivalent suicidal intentions) was 7%. Two SEM models were constructed involving both mediation and moderation pathways. Results of Model 1 showed association of attachment with DSH was double mediated by social support, depression and anxiety. Model 2 also confirmed association of attachment with DSH with double mediation through relationship style problems, depression and anxiety. In order to understand the contextual picture of the concepts studied in this research both SEM models were also constructed by controlling for demographic factors. This resulted in confirming age, gender and family affluence as significant contributors but with very small effects. Discussion and conclusion: In the present study translation of the instruments helped in building a reservoir for future research. The results of translation and validation of instruments indicated that cultural differences, language needs and age must be accounted for while using standardized psychological instruments. Taking into consideration specific cultural and demographic background of Pakistan, this study also confirms the key role of attachment in influencing interaction of predictors of DSH. It is suggested that intrapersonal and interpersonal factors are influential points of intervention for designing clinical, school and community based awareness and prevention programs for DSH. The thesis also discusses the implications for policy guidelines along with recommendations for future research and other applications of the study