Self-efficacy and workplace incivility: a contribute to understand burnout

The complexity inherent to burnout, along with the dynamic nature of work context demands further research regarding the causes of this phenomenon. Emerging in the field of workplace aggression, incivility has proven to be harmful for both individuals and organisations. Hence, referencing the Job Demands-Resources Model, we hypothesised the connection of colleagues and customers´ incivility with the recently developed four-scale measure of burnout and the moderating effect of self-efficacy. Two studies were conducted - the first with data collected from a questionnaire with respondents from several companies (N = 225), and the second using the same method, with participants from a single public large organisation (N = 562). Study 1 revealed a positive link between workplace incivility perpetrated by colleagues and emotional exhaustion. However, the findings did not support the moderator effect of self-efficacy. In Study 2, workplace incivility perpetrated by customers and the other three dimensions of burnout (cognitive impairment, emotional impairment and mental distance) were incorporated. Both types of incivility were significantly related to all facets of burnout. Results, howbeit, did not support the moderation effect of self-efficacy in the relationship between workplace incivility perpetrated by colleagues and customers on emotional exhaustion. Workplace incivility perpetrated by colleagues with mental distance, emotional and cognitive impairment showed also to not be moderated by self-efficacy. In contrast, the impacts of workplace incivility perpetrated by customers on the three previously mentioned dimensions of burnout were found to be buffered by self-efficacy. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.A complexidade inerente ao "burnout" e o contexto dinâmico das exigências laborais exigem mais investigação das causas deste fenómeno. Emergente no campo da agressão em ambiente de trabalho, a incivilidade provou ser nociva para indivíduos e empresas. Consequentemente, a partir do Modelo de Recursos e Exigências no Trabalho, analisámos a relação entre incivilidade por colegas e clientes com uma recentemente desenvolvida medida de "burnout" de quatro componentes, e o papel moderador da autoeficácia. Dois estudos foram realizados - o primeiro, com dados recolhidos através de um questionário, provenientes de trabalhadores de diversas empresas (N = 225); o segundo, através do mesmo método, com participantes de uma só organização pública de grande dimensão (N = 562). O Estudo 1 demonstrou uma associação positiva entre incivilidade praticada por colegas e exaustão emocional. Porém, os resultados não validaram a moderação da autoeficácia. No Estudo 2, incorporámos a incivilidade no trabalho perpetrada por clientes e as outras três dimensões do "burnout" (défice cognitivo, défice emocional e distância mental). Ambos os tipos de incivilidade mostraram estar significativamente relacionados com todas as componentes do "burnout". Os resultados não apoiaram a moderação da autoeficácia na relação da incivilidade perpetuada por clientes e colegas e a exaustão emocional. Incivilidade no trabalho perpetuada por colegas com as três dimensões do "burnout" mostrou também não ser moderada pela autoeficácia. Em contrapartida, os impactos da incivilidade no trabalho praticada por clientes e as três anteriormente referidas dimensões de "burnout" demonstraram ser mitigados pela autoeficácia. Limitações e futuras direções para investigação são discutidas

The organizational structure of law firms in Portugal : the case study of TELLES

Large firms have unique features and characteristics, which have been shaping their organization, what they are and what they do. That said, an attentive outsider might have remarked some new features in the organizational structure of law firms. Perhaps, the most perceivable feature has been the growth in size. Nevertheless, it does not stop there. In truth, this is the focal point of this investigation: the evolution of the organizational structure of law firms. More precisely, in Portugal, as the main research question is: are Portuguese law firms already adopting business-like structures? Based on the exploratory case study method of a Portuguese law firm, TELLES, there will be an attempt to provide an answer to this question. Regarding the collection technique adopted, five semi-structured interviews were done to five workers at TELLES. Plus, the data was analyzed qualitatively and manually, through the coding technique. As a consequence, the results showed a contrasting picture. Indeed, TELLES has been adopting some traits of a more business-like organizational structure. Be that as it may, TELLES also has, presently, attributes of the traditional organizational structure of law firms. In any case, there are various limitations to the results here presented and found. The most important one is that the results presented had to be circumscribed to findings from the semi-structural interviews. In any event, this paper does provide a first step in the appropriate direction to understand fully what the current organizational structure of Portuguese law firms is.As grandes sociedades de advogados possuem características e traços únicos, que têm vindo a moldar as suas estruturas organizacionais, o que são e o que fazem. Dito isto, um indivíduo atento pode ter notado alguns aspetos novos na estrutura organizacional destas sociedades, nomeadamente o aumento na dimensão destas. No entanto, eles não ficam por aí. É esse o ponto fulcral desta investigação: a evolução da estrutura organizacional das sociedades de advogados. Mais precisamente, em Portugal. Consequentemente, a principal questão de investigação aqui estabelecida foi a seguinte: estarão as sociedades de advogados portuguesas a adotar uma nova estrutura organizacional? Com base no método de estudo de caso exploratório de uma sociedade de advogados portuguesa, a TELLES, procurar-se-á dar uma resposta a esta questão. Quanto à técnica de recolha adotada, foram realizadas cinco entrevistas semiestruturadas a cinco trabalhadores da TELLES. Os dados foram analisados qualitativa e manualmente, por meio da técnica de codificação. Os resultados mostraram uma imagem contrastante. Na verdade, a TELLES tem evoluído para uma estrutura organizacional “business-like”, mas também possui, atualmente, atributos da estrutura organizacional tradicional das sociedades de advogados. Existem ainda várias limitações para os resultados encontrados, sendo a mais importante não ter sido possível alargar o campo de entrevistados, pelo que os resultados apresentados são circunscritos apenas à fonte das entrevistas semiestruturadas. Em qualquer caso, esta investigação constitui um primeiro passo na direção certa para compreender plenamente a atual estrutura organizacional das sociedades de advogados portuguesas

La prevención de la violencia de género en los Institutos de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria de las Islas Baleares. Análisis de la normativa en materia de coeducación

Treball final de Màster Universitari en Igualtat i Gènere en l'Àmbit Públic i Privat (Pla de 2013). Codi: SRM042. Curs acadèmic 2016-201

Expression of Adipose MicroRNAs Is Sensitive to Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Treatment in Mice

BACKGROUND: Investigation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in obesity, their genetic targets and influence by dietary modulators is of great interest because it may potentially identify novel pathways involved in this complex metabolic disorder and influence future therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to determine whether miRNAs expression may be influenced by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), currently used to induce fat loss. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We determined retroperitoneal adipose tissue (rWAT) expression of five miRNAs related to adipocyte differentiation (miRNA-143) and lipid metabolism (miRNA-103 and -107) and altered in obesity (miRNA-221 and -222), using the TaqMan®MicroRNA Assay (Applied-Biosystems). In the first experiment, mice were fed with a standard fat diet and orally treated with sunflower oil (control group) and 3 or 10 mg CLA/day for 37 days. In the second experiment, mice were fed with a high fat diet for 65 days. For the first 30 days, mice received the same doses of CLA described above and, from that time onwards, animals received a double dose. Results showed that expression of selected miRNAs was modified in response to CLA treatment and metabolic status. Interestingly, a strong correlation was observed between miR-103 and -107 expression, as well as miR-221 and -222 in both experiments. Moreover, changes in miRNAs expression correlated with several adipocyte gene expressions: miR-103 and -107 correlated with genes involved in fatty acid metabolism whereas miR-221 and miR-222 correlated with the expression of adipocytokines. Regarding the minor changes observed in miR-143 expression, no differences in expression of adipogenic markers were observed. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Although elucidating the functional implications of miRNAs is beyond the scope of this study, these findings provide the first evidence that miRNAs expression may be influenced by dietary manipulation, reflecting or even contributing to the new metabolic state originated by CLA treatment

Centro de Alto Rendimento Náutico, Arealva, Almada

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em ArquiteturaArealva, localizada no concelho de Almada, constitui uma área de elevado interesse histórico, cultural e social. Contudo, devido ao processo de desindustrialização, este espaço converteu-se no que é hoje uma área pouco atractiva e desfragmentada da cidade, pendente de requalificação. Assim, na proposta que se apresenta, existe a intenção de inverter o processo de abandono utilizando a arquitectura, como meio de revitalização dos espaços. Partindo da compreensão da morfologia do território é apresentada como a estratégia de resposta às problemáticas locais a evidência das suas potencialidades. O equipamento surge como elemento urbano que procura restabelecer o encontro entre a cidade e o rio, partindo da interface de planos, do vertical da arriba ao horizontal do Tejo partindo de um eixo conector de referências, adoptando a temática da poética da água e a preservação da memória do lugar. Criando um Centro de Alto Rendimento de desportos náuticos, com vertente cultural e social, capaz de apoiar as modalidades na área da grande Lisboa, revitalizando a frente ribeirinha de Almada.ABSTRACT: Located in Almada, Arealva is an area highly regarded for it’s cultural, social and historical value and interest. However, due to the deindustrialisation process, this location became less and less attractive, outcasted from the city and ultimately awaiting proper requalification. Thus, the following proposal aims to reverse this abandonment through architecture as a means to revitalise the surroundings. Taking a morphologic comprehension of the territory as a starting point and evidencing its potentials as a response strategy to the local problems and fragilities. This equipment surges as an urban element searching to reestablish the connection between the river and the city, starting with two different planes, the vertical axis of the cliff and the horizontal axis of the Tagus river, that act as a connecting axis of references while adopting the poetry of water, and preservation of the place’s memory as the main theme. The creation of a High-Performance Centre for nautical sports, maintaining a cultural and social approach, capable of supporting the variety of nautical modalities in the Metropolitan Lisbon Area would end up revitalising Almada’s riverfront.N/

Síndrome constitucional y pancitopenia a estudio. Un diagnóstico inesperado

[spa] Mujer de 85 años con polimialgia reumática que ingresa para estudio de síndrome constitucional y pancitopenia. Tras plantear diferentes opciones diagnósticas, se llega a la confirmación de leishmaniasis visceral. Con la instauración de tratamiento específico, la evolución de la paciente es favorable hasta la curación

La Ley del Efecto y el origen de la conducta

El Análisis Experimental de la Conducta (AEC) puede considerarse uno de los herederos naturales de la tradición iniciada por Thorndike en 1898. Aspectos recogidos en la Ley del Efecto, tales como la selección y el mantenimiento de la conducta, han sido ampliamente abordados por los analistas de la conducta, convirtiéndose en un campo tradicional y fundamental de estudio del AEC. Sin embargo, y por contraste, con frecuencia suele achacársele al AEC el escaso tratamiento –o incluso el rechazo y abandono– dedicado al problema del origen, la novedad y la variación conductual. En este trabajo se revisan algunas aproximaciones teóricas que, dentro del AEC, se han ocupado de esa parte supuestamente olvidada de la Ley del Efecto, así como los principios propuestos por dichas teorías para dar cuenta de la novedad y variación conductual. Tal revisión abarca desde los iniciales planteamientos de Thorndike y de Skinner acerca del origen de la conducta, hasta las nuevas aproximaciones seleccionistas referidas a la conducta novedosa y compleja.Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB) can be considered one of the natural inheritors of the tradition initiated by Thorndike in 1898. Aspects reflected in the Law of Effect, such as behaviour selection and maintenance, have been greatly taken into consideration by behaviour analysts, thus becoming a traditional and fundamental field of study for EAB. However, and in contrast with this, EAB is frequently accused of rarely considering –or even rejecting and abandoning – the problems of the origin, novelty and variation in behaviour. In this article we review some theoretical approaches that, within EAB, have studied this supposedly abandoned aspect of the Law of Effect. Principles proposed by these theories in order to explain behavioural novelty and variation are also presented. The revision begins with Thorndike and Skinner´s initial proposals about the origin of behaviour, moving on to the most recent selection approaches refered to novel and complex behaviour.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia PB94-145

Conductismo radical y práctica investigadora: ¿por qué es skinneriano el Análisis Experimental del Comportamiento?

El presente trabajo se sitúa en la perspectiva de analizar los procesos implicados en el desarrollo de la actividad científica, más que en el estudio de las características formales de los productos científicos. Dicho abordaje se realiza desde la teoría skinneriana de la conducta (condicionamiento operante). Así, se estudian tres momentos de la actividad científica: a) la selección del dato científico como conducta verbal discriminativa, b) el establecimiento de relaciones entre variables entendido como detección de relaciones de contingencia entre eventos y, c) la derivación de nuevos conceptos como u n caso de conducta gobernada por reglas. Por otra parte, las características metodológicas implícitas en la práctica del Análisis Experimental de la Conducta (AEC) se confrontan con las ideas propuestas anteriormente. Finalmente, se concluye que dichas características del AEC son altamente consistentes con el análisis de la actividad científica como conducta operante, dándose cuenta del alto grado de coherencia alcanzado por los conductistas radicales respecto a, por un lado, los aspectos formales de su práctica investigadora (AEC) y, por otro, al contenido de sus productos teóricos (condicionamiento operante).The core of this paper lies more within the perspective of analyzing the processes involved in the development of scientific activity, than in the study of formal characteristics of scientific outcomes. The aforementioned approach is carried out from the Skinnerian theory of behaviour (operant conditioning). Thus, three moments of scientific activity are examined: a) the selection of scientific datum as discriminative verbal behaviour, b) the establishment of relations between variables understood as the detection of contingency relations between events and, c) the derivation of new concepts as a case of rule-governed behaviour. Moreover, the methodological characteristics implicit in the practice of The Experimental Analysis of Behaviour (TEAB) are contrasted with the previously proposed ideas. Finally, the paper concludes that the aforementioned characteristics of the TEAB are highly consistent with the analysis of scientific activity as operant behaviour, indicating the high level of coherence reached by the radical behaviourists in relation to, on the one hand, the formal aspects of their investigative practice (TEAB) and, on the other hand, the contents of their theoretical productions (operant conditioning)