Measuring selfhood according to self-determination theory: Construction and validation of the Ego Functioning Questionnaire (EFQ)

The goal of this research was to develop and validate an instrument designed to measure the three types of self proposed by Hodgins and Knee (2002): integrated, ego-invested, and impersonal. This measure was termed The Ego Functioning Questionnaire (EFQ). In Study 1 (N=202), the factorial structure of the EFQ was examined by means of an exploratory factor analysis, and the metric properties of its subscales were documented. In Study 2 (N=300), the 3 factor structure of the EFQ was successfully corroborated using a confirmatory factor analysis. In Study 3 (N=131), associations between the EFQ and a variety of cognitive, affective, and social variables were found to display meaningful patterns, thereby providing support for the EFQ’s construct validity. Also, the EFQ was not susceptible to socially desirable responding. Results are discussed in terms of their fundamental and applied implications

Students Motivations For Voluntary Remedial Learning In High School

Most high schools offer remedial learning sessions to their students; however, very little is known about the perception of these activities, especially with regards to the students motivations. In order to gain insights into both topics, an exploratory study was conducted within a sample of 1388 high school students in the Province of Quebec (Canada). Participants were selected on the basis of their voluntary participation or non-participation in remedial learning sessions held at school. School motivation was measured with a questionnaire based on Deci and Ryans SDT (Self Determination Theory); perceptions were gathered and measured with open-ended and multiple choice items. Quantitative results indicated that participants of remedial learning sessions were more strongly motivated towards school. No significant relationships were found between attendance and grades, with similar proportions of high, average and below average participating and non-participating students; however, among participants, girls outnumbered boys by 2:1. Two main categories emerged from qualitative analyses: remedial learning can be seen as: a) an instrumental support linked to the subject matter; or b) a relational support which fosters better learning

Attitudes envers les benzodiazépines et intentions de sevrage des personnes âgées de 50 ans et plus

L’objectif de cette étude qualitative est de mettre en parallèle les attitudes envers les benzodiazépines (Bz) et les intentions de sevrage de personnes âgées de 50 ans et plus, utilisatrices à long terme dans le but de contrer des symptômes d’anxiété et d’insomnie. À cet effet, 23 utilisateurs (14 femmes et neuf hommes) ont été rencontrés lors d’entretiens en profondeur. Les analyses ont fait ressortir trois styles de consommateurs, soit : le style « sans-souci », le style « réaliste » et le style « pragmatique ». Les consommateurs du premier groupe n’ont pas de réticence à utiliser la substance qui est, selon eux, un médicament prescrit à bon escient. Les consommateurs du deuxième groupe estiment que la substance est une drogue dangereuse et certains vont même, avec beaucoup d’inconfort, tenter de cesser toute consommation par eux-mêmes, sans supervision médicale. Pour le dernier groupe, la Bz est considérée comme mi-drogue, mi-médicament, avec ses dangers mais également ses avantages. La motivation d’entamer un sevrage ou de réduire la consommation varie grandement d’une personne à l’autre. Les deux derniers groupes de consommateurs étaient les plus ouverts à un changement de comportement. Les attitudes envers la molécule, tantôt vue comme un médicament, tantôt comme une drogue, ou bien les deux, doivent être prises en compte dans une intervention de sevrage. Trois cas cliniques illustrent les résultats.The objective of this qualitative study was to contrast attitudes towards benzodiazepine (Bz) use stemming from long-term users, aged 50 and up, with their intent to undergo a weaning process. Use aimed at counteracting symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. Twenty-three users (14 women and 9 men) underwent in-depth interviews. Analyses brought-out three types of users that is, the “carefree” style; the “realist” style; the “pragmatic” style. The first group had no qualms with regard to the substance. To their eyes, it was a wisely prescribed medication. For the second group, the substance represented a dangerous drug. Some tried, at their own risk to stop usage without medical supervision. For the last group, the Bz is perceived as half-drug, half-medication, with its own dangers and advantages. All respondents are drug users; however motivation to engage in a weaning process or at least to reduce usage varied greatly, the last two groups being the most open to behavioural change. Attitudes towards the substance, which alternate between medication and drugs, or a combination of both, must be taken into account in an intervention program. Three clinical portraits illustrate these results.Este estudio cualitativo se propone hacer un paralelo entre las actitudes con las benzodiazepinas y las intenciones de desadicción en personas de más de 50 años que las utilizan a largo plazo para contrarrestar los síntomas de la ansiedad y el insomnio. Con este fin, se llevaron a cabo entrevistas en profundidad con veintitrés usuarios (catorce mujeres y nueve hombres). El análisis ha revelado tres tipos de usuarios: el estilo “despreocupado”, el estilo “realista” y el estilo “pragmático”. Los consumidores del primer grupo no se mostraron reticentes a utilizar la sustancia, que consideran como un medicamento prescripto oportunamente. Los consumidores del segundo grupo estiman que la sustancia es una droga peligrosa y algunos incluso llegan a tratar de interrumpir el consumo por su propia cuenta, sufriendo mucha incomodidad y sin supervisión médica. Para el último grupo, la benzodiazepina está considerada como una sustancia que es mitad droga, mitad medicamento, con sus peligros pero también con sus ventajas. La motivación para comenzar un proceso de desadicción o reducir el consumo varía mucho de una persona a la otra. Los dos últimos grupos de consumidores eran los más abiertos a un cambio de comportamiento. Las actitudes con respecto a la molécula, a veces vista como una droga, a veces como un medicamento, o bien las dos cosas, deben tenerse en cuenta en una intervención de desadicción. Tres casos clínicos ilustran los resultados

Mutations in the Mitochondrial Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase Cause a Neurodegenerative Phenotype in Flies and a Recessive Ataxia (ARSAL) in Humans

The study of Drosophila neurodegenerative mutants combined with genetic and biochemical analyses lead to the identification of multiple complex mutations in 60 patients with a novel form of ataxia/leukoencephalopathy

Étude du processus de modification d'objectifs selon le modèle de la théorie du contrôle

Soulard Amélie D., Green-Demers Isabelle. Étude du processus de modification d'objectifs selon le modèle de la théorie du contrôle. In: Les Cahiers de l'INSEP, n°34, 2003. Expertise et sport de haut niveau. pp. 311-315

Modeling the communication-satisfaction relationship in hospital patients

Objectives: Although it has long been known that communication with medical professionals presents a strong relationship with patient satisfaction, research on this topic has been hindered by conceptual and methodological issues (e.g. single-item measures, inclusion of idiosyncratic patient characteristics, etc.). Using a more comprehensive and integrated approach, this study had two objectives: to document the multidimensional structure of the Picker Patient Experience–15, and to test a patient communication/satisfaction model that organizes its dimensions in a conceptually logical array of relationships. First, the factorial structure of the Picker Patient Experience–15 was hypothesized to comprise five dimensions: communication with patient, with family, addressing fears/concerns, preparation for discharge, and patient satisfaction. Second, the hypothesized model included positive relationships between all four communications dimensions, on the one hand, and patient satisfaction, on the other. Within communication dimensions, communication with patient was hypothesized to be the incipient factor for other dimensions, and thus to be positively associated with the other three forms of communication. Methods: This research is based on a single time point design, which relied on administrative and questionnaire data. The study was conducted at a large University Hospital in Switzerland. The sample included 54,686 patients who received inpatient treatment, excluding those who were cared for in the intensive and intermediate care units. Patients filled out, over a 5-year period, the Picker Patient Experience questionnaire (PPE-15) after discharge (overall response rate of 41%). Results: The proposed five-factor structure of the Picker Patient Experience–15 was successfully supported by the results of a confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, the hypothesized network of associations between communication and satisfaction latent constructs was substantiated using structural equation modeling. With the exception of the association between preparation for discharge and patient satisfaction, the hypothesized model was fully corroborated. Conclusion: A more in-depth understanding of patient satisfaction can be achieved when it is studied as a multifaceted phenomenon

Perfectionism in adolescents: Self-critical perfectionism as a predictor of depressive symptoms across the school year

The present study examined the influence of personal standards and self-critical perfectionism on depressive and anxiety symptoms over the academic year. High-school students (N=174) were surveyed in the late Fall and early Spring, assessing perfectionism in the Fall and mental health across the year in both the Fall and Spring. Path modelling was used to examine whether self-critical and personal standards perfectionism were related to changes in mental health across the school year. Controlling for mental health at the start of the year, self-critical perfectionism predicted an increase in depressive symptoms over time, whereas personal standards perfectionism was unrelated to changes in mental health. Results support that self-critical perfectionism is detrimental to mental health in adolescents, suggesting that future interventions should focus on reducing self-critical cognitive biases in youth

LE SOUTIEN SOCIAL, LA DÉTRESSE PSYCHOLOGIQUE, LE BIEN-ÊTRE ET LE FONCTIONNEMENT SCOLAIRE DE JEUNES LESBIENNES, GAIS ET BISEXUELS (LGB) QUÉBÉCOIS

L’objectif du présent projet était d’examiner les associations entre le soutien de la famille et des amis, le rapport à l’orientation sexuelle, la détresse, le bien-être et le fonctionnement scolaire de jeunes lesbiennes, gais et bisexuel(le)s québécois (n = 29). Les résultats ont révélé que le soutien de la famille était négativement associé au rapport conflictuel à l’orientation sexuelle ainsi qu’à la détresse et positivement associé au bien-être. Le soutien des amis était associé négativement à la peur de la violence homophobe et positivement au bien-être. Le rapport conflictuel à l’orientation sexuelle était associé positivement à la détresse et négativement au bien-être. Le soutien des enseignants était positivement associé à la motivation scolaire et négativement à la violence homophobe, cette dernière étant négativement associée à la motivation.The goal of the present project was to examine associations between social support from family and friends, feelings towards sexual orientation, distress, well-being, and school functioning in young lesbians, gays, and bisexuals from Quebec's Outaouais region (n = 29). Results revealed that family support was negatively associated with conflicted feelings towards sexual orientation, as well as with distress, and positively associated with well-being. Support from friends was negatively associated with fear of homophobic violence, and positively associated with well-being. Conflicted feelings towards sexual orientation were associated positively with distress, and negatively with well-being. Support from teachers was positively associated with school motivation, and negatively associated with homophobic violence at school, the latter being also negatively associated with motivation