Export competitiveness in Bolivia

In comparison with other countries, Bolivia seems to face a gap in its capacity to take advantage of international market opportunities. Addressing the shortcomings in Bolivia’s export performance is a major challenge and requires attention to the incentives that actual and potential exporters face, the efficiency of service providers in the economy, and the effectiveness of trade support institutions that help private sector firms to discover and exploit international market opportunities. These three elements of export competitiveness are discussed in turn in this paper

Investigating Pre-Competition-Related Discrete Emotions and Unaccustomed Religious Coping among Elite Student-Athletes: Implications for Reflexive Practice

Hagan Junior JE. Investigating Pre-Competition-Related Discrete Emotions and Unaccustomed Religious Coping among Elite Student-Athletes: Implications for Reflexive Practice. Religions. 2021;12(3): 149.Given that elite athletes experience a wide range of different emotions (e.g., anxiety, anger, dejection, excitement) toward upcoming sporting environments, it is surprising that researchers have given limited attention to the linkages between varied emotional experiences and diverse coping (unaccustomed) among athletes from diverse backgrounds. This study investigated the impact of religious coping, as opposed to conventional psychological skills, to ascertain whether these coping options influence elite student-athletes’ emotional reactions across gender, competitive status, and religion. Using a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, self-reported discrete emotions and religious coping were measured with the Sport Emotion Questionnaire (SEQ) and Brief-Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE) after 300 selected athletes were conveniently chosen. A factorial multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) after controlling for age revealed no significant interactions for between-subject factors (gender, status, religion) across all the discrete emotions and religious coping dimensions. However, significant main effects were realized for competitive status and religion on only anger, anxiety, dejection, and negative religious coping. A follow-up multiple regression analysis identified religion as the most significant predictor of anger, anxiety, and dejection, whereas competitive status was the most associated variable for negative religious coping. Current findings suggest that athletes’ unpleasant or negative emotions were linked to negative religious coping, a maladaptive coping mechanism that may hinder attaining optimal emotional state prior to competition. Therefore, these athletes need purposeful strategies (e.g., positive religious coping, motivational strategies) that may improve weakened beliefs based on their struggles before competition. The development of appropriate psychological intervention framework that maintains respect for athletes’ religious identities for improved psychological well-being is also warrante

The Influence of Anthropometric Indices and Intermediary Determinants of Hypertension in Bangladesh

Simmons SS, Hagan Junior JE, Schack T. The Influence of Anthropometric Indices and Intermediary Determinants of Hypertension in Bangladesh. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(11):1-12.Hypertension is a major public health burden in Bangladesh. However, studies considering the underlying multifaceted risk factors of this health condition are sparse. The present study concurrently examines anthropometric parameters and intermediary factors influencing hypertension risk in Bangladesh. Using the 2018 World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) study conducted in Bangladesh and involving 8019 nationally representative adult respondents, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between anthropometrics, other intermediary factors and hypertension. The regression results were presented using the odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The risk of hypertension was higher among females and males who were 40 years and older. However, among females, those who were age 60 years and older were more than twice and thrice more likely to be hypertensive compared to those in the younger age groups (18–39, 40–59). Females who were obese (body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR], waist to height ratio [WHtR]) or had high waist circumference [WC] were twice as likely to be hypertensive. Males and females who were physically active, consuming more fruits and vegetables daily and educated had lower odds of developing hypertension. Key findings suggest that the association between anthropometric indices (body mass index [BMI], waist to hip ratio [WHR], waist to height ratio [WHtR]), waist circumference [WC]), other intermediary determinants (e.g., education, physical activity) and hypertension exist across gender and with increasing age among adults in Bangladesh. Developing appropriate public health interventions (e.g., regular assessment of anthropometric parameters) for early identification of the risk and pattern of hypertension through appropriate screening and diagnosis is required to meet the specific health needs of the adult Bangladesh population

Assessing the Quality of Physical Environments of Early Childhood Schools within the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana Using a Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Design

Amissah-Essel S, Hagan Junior JE, Schack T. Assessing the Quality of Physical Environments of Early Childhood Schools within the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana Using a Sequential Explanatory Mixed-Methods Design. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education. 2020;10(4):1158-1175.(1) Background: The last few decades have seen researchers giving considerable attention to the physical context of early childhood care and development (ECCD) centers because many of the underlying processes that link physical context are quite similar to psychosocial environmental factors regarding child development. However, research on the physical environments, and the employees’ understanding of the importance of physical environments, is often underestimated. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of the physical environments of ECCD centers in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, and ascertain whether being a private or public center (center auspices) would be associated with the quality of its physical environment. A further inquiry into the educators’ understanding of the importance of physical environment on children’s developmental outcomes was made. (2) Methods: Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design, all 160 ECCD centers in the Cape Coast Metropolis were assessed using a modified version of the Children’s Physical Environment Rating Scale (CPERS) and a semi-structured interview guide. (3) Results: Descriptive statistics indicated that more than half of the ECCD centers, 56%, rated “fair” on the quality of their physical environment. Although the locations and sites of these centers were of good quality, other physical environmental characteristics (i.e., “Planning of the Centre”, “Building as a Whole” and “Outdoor Space”) of ECCD centers were also rated to be fair. A Chi-square test showed that center auspices (i.e., being private or public) were not significantly associated with the quality of the physical environments of the centers [χ2(2) = 2.490, p > 0.05], suggesting no significant difference between private and public ECCD centers in terms of the quality of their physical environment. A follow-up qualitative inquiry identified two themes as reasons why play yards in early years’ schools were not good: a ‘‘lack of funding” and “governmental support”. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the physical environments of ECCD centers are, to some extent, compromised. Stakeholders (e.g., Ghana Education Service, non-governmental/religious organizations, and private entrepreneurs) should help improve the quality of physical environments and also provide financial assistance for the provision of basic equipment (e.g., learning materials) for private and public ECCD centers in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Educators require in-service training to boost their in-depth understanding of the importance of physical environments on children’s developmental outcomes. Future studies could target children’s perceptions of their preschools’ physical environments as useful empirical information to help guide appropriate policy interventions

Eye movements during motor imagery and execution reveal different visuomotor control strategies in manual interception

D'Aquino A, Frank C, Hagan Junior JE, Schack T. Eye movements during motor imagery and execution reveal different visuomotor control strategies in manual interception. Psychophysiology. 2023.Previous research has investigated the degree of congruency in gaze metrics between action execution (AE) and motor imagery (MI) for similar manual tasks. Although eye movement dynamics seem to be limited to relatively simple actions toward static objects, there is little evidence of how gaze parameters change during imagery as a function of more dynamic spatial and temporal task demands. This study examined the similarities and differences in eye movements during AE and MI for an interception task. Twenty-four students were asked to either mentally simulate or physically intercept a moving target on a computer display. Smooth pursuit, saccades, and response time were compared between the two conditions. The results show that MI was characterized by higher smooth pursuit gain and duration while no meaningful differences were found in the other parameters. The findings indicate that eye movements during imagery are not simply a duplicate of what happens during actual performance. Instead, eye movements appear to vary as a function of the interaction between visuomotor control strategies and task demands

Occupational related stress: assessing the prevalence and sources of stressors among elite coaches and players in the ghana premier league

Srem-Sai M, Hagan Junior JE, Ogum PN. Occupational related stress: assessing the prevalence and sources of stressors among elite coaches and players in the ghana premier league. In: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Vol 19. Abingdon: Routledge; 2021: S283-S284

Validity of student evaluation of teaching in higher education: a systematic review

Quansah F, Cobbinah A, Asamoah-Gyimah K, Hagan Junior JE. Validity of student evaluation of teaching in higher education: a systematic review. Frontiers in Education. 2024;9: 1329734. **Introduction** Data obtained from students regarding the quality of teaching are used by higher education administrators to inform decisions concerning tenure, promotion, course development and instructional modifications, among others. This article provides a review regarding studies conducted to examine the validity of student evaluation of teaching, specifically focusing on the following objectives: (1) identify the context where studies have been conducted on student evaluation of teaching; (2) find out the methodologies usually employed for assessing the validity of student evaluation of teaching; and (3) establish the sources of measurement error in student evaluation of teaching. **Methods** The systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA checklist. The databases searched include Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), Google Scholar, PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, JSTOR, PsycLIT, EconLit, APA PsycINFO and EBSCO using some specific keywords. After applying the four eligibility criteria, 15 papers were left to be analyzed. **Results** It was discovered that the generalizability theory approach was mostly used to understand the validity of student evaluation data. The review revealed that students were found at the centre of inconsistencies in the evaluation process. **Discussion** The general impression from the review is that the credibility and validity of teaching evaluation outcomes is questionable, considering the several sources of errors revealed. The study recommended closely studying these sources of errors (e.g., rating behaviours of students). </p

Assessing Stress Levels, Predictors and Management Strategies of Inmates at Ankaful Prison Complex in the Central Region, Ghana

Ansah EW, Addae J, Hagan Junior JE, Baidoo MA. Assessing Stress Levels, Predictors and Management Strategies of Inmates at Ankaful Prison Complex in the Central Region, Ghana. Behavioral Sciences. 2023;13(3): 201.Background: Stress among prison inmates is a neglected psychological health issue, but this phenomenon seems worse in Ghana’s prisons. This study examined the stress levels, predictors and management strategies utilized among inmates at Ankaful Prison Complex. Method: This survey sampled 1160 inmates using the census approach at the Ankaful Prison Complex with a self-developed questionnaire for the data collection. Frequency counts, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were applied to the data. Results: The findings indicate that more than half of the inmates were moderately or highly stressed. Specifically, inmates at the Maximum Security Prison were the most stressed, followed by Annex Prison, Communicable Disease Prison, and the least, Main Camp Prison inmates. Inmate engagement in exercises, sporting activities, visit and chat with colleagues, and family connectedness outside the prison were stress-management strategies. Inmates’ self-reported stress levels were influenced by the prison of custody and state of depression. Conclusion: The moderate to high stress levels identified among inmates of Ankaful Prison Complex are influenced by person–environment factors. Management of the Ankaful Prison Complex is encouraged to initiate health screening services for inmates on common mental health challenges such as stress and to promote functional stress reduction interventions to improve prisoners’ mental health and overall well-being

Linking Competition Related Emotions with Conventional and Unaccustomed Coping Strategies Among Elite Student-Athletes

Hagan Junior JE, Kloboito Y, Srem-Sai M, Pollmann D, Schack T. Linking Competition Related Emotions with Conventional and Unaccustomed Coping Strategies Among Elite Student-Athletes. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2020;42(S1):83

Evaluating Teachers’ Workplace Climate and Anxiety Response during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Information Seeking Platforms

Srem-Sai M, Quansah F, Agormedah EK, Hagan Junior JE, Schack T. Evaluating Teachers’ Workplace Climate and Anxiety Response during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Information Seeking Platforms. COVID. 2024;4(3):378-390.The COVID-19 disease affected the school workplace climate for teachers and led to psychological consequences. However, it is not clear how the workplace climate affected the anxiety levels of teachers. This study assessed the connection between workplace climate and COVID-19-related anxiety among senior high school (SHS) teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study further examined the moderating role of professional and social media platform use on the relationship between workplace climate and COVID-19-related anxiety among teachers. Through a cross-sectional survey design, 395 high school teachers were conveniently sampled from various schools in the Central Region of Ghana. A questionnaire was used to survey participants, and the obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics as well as simple linear regression and moderation analyses with Hayes’ PROCESS. This study revealed a negative association between workplace climate and anxiety. The relationship between workplace climate and anxiety was contingent on social media use but not professional platform use. Therefore, the consumption of unscrutinised COVID-19-related information on social media heightened fear and anxiety among teachers, even in the midst of a safe workplace environment. An effective strategy against teachers’ COVID-19-related anxiety required the provision of accurate science-driven information about the virus. School counselling psychologists, school welfare officers, and school health coordinators are encouraged to collaborate towards designed interventions that promote a safe working environment and the mental health of teachers