144 research outputs found

    Relational coordination as a predictor of organisational quality and efficiency outcomes and the mediating role of work engagement and job satisfaction: a healthcare data analysis

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    The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of relational coordination on different organisational performance outcomes (perceived and objective) through an analysis of the mediating role of work engagement and job satisfaction. The study utilizes data gathered by Albuquerque (2017)in a large Portuguese hospital and tests the validity of two serial mediation models. Using bootstrapping, the results reveal that relational coordination is positively associated with perceived performance. Work engagement and job satisfaction partially mediate this relationship. Contrary, relational coordination was negatively associated with objective efficiency, and the chain mediation effect of work engagement and job satisfaction was not significant

    The Promises and Pitfalls of Inspirational Media: What do We Know, and Where do We Go from Here?

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    This editorial introduces the thematic issue on inspirational media; including its role in the elicitation of meaning and self-transcendence, audience responses to inspirational narratives, and the potential for inspirational media to be used for manipulative purposes. We first set the stage for the thematic issue by describing an organizing framework by Thrash and Elliot (2003) to study inspiration. We then situate the seven articles published in this thematic issue along the logic of different components of this framework, namely media content capable of invoking transcendence through emotions and excitatory responses, and a motivational impulse to act upon the ideas acquired from content. This thematic issue thereby highlights unique perspectives for understanding media’s ability to serve as the source of inspiration—be it for social benefit or detriment. Finally, we consider directions for future research on inspirational media

    A water-soluble tetraazaperopyrene dye as strong G-quadruplex DNA binder

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    The interactions of the water-soluble tetraazaperopyrene dye 1 with ct-DNA, duplex-[(dAdT)12⋅(dAdT)12], duplex-[(dGdC)12⋅(dGdC)12] as well as with two G-quadruplex-forming sequences, namely the human telomeric 22AG and the promotor sequence c-myc, were investigated by means of UV/visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and molecular docking studies. Dye 1 exhibits a high affinity for G-quadruplex structures over duplex DNA structures. Furthermore, the ligand shows promising G-quadruplex discrimination, with an affinity towards c-myc of 2×107 m−1 (i.e., Kd=50 nm), which is higher than for 22AG (4×106 m−1). The ITC data reveal that compound 1 interacts with c-myc in a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 but also indicate the presence of two identical lower affinity secondary binding sites per quadruplex. In 22AG, there are two high affinity binding sites per quadruplex, that is, one on each side, with a further four weaker binding sites. For both quadruplex structures, the high affinity interactions between compound 1 and the quadruplex-forming nucleic acid structures are weakly endothermic. Molecular docking studies suggest an end-stacking binding mode for compound 1 interacting with quadruplex structures, and a higher affinity for the parallel conformation of c-myc than for the mixed-hybrid conformation of 22AG. In addition, docking studies also suggest that the reduced affinity for duplex DNA structures is due to the non-viability of an intercalative binding mode

    Zivilgesellschaftliches Forum der Östlichen Partnerschaft: Wichtiges Instrument mit ambivalenter Zwischenbilanz

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    300 Vertreter der Zivilgesellschaft kamen Ende November 2012 zum vierten Zivilgesellschaftlichen Forum zusammen. Von autoritären Regierungen für überflüssig erklärt, und mit strukturellen Defiziten, kann das Forum nicht als etabliert gelten. Ihm den Stempel "gescheitert" aufzudrücken wäre allerdings fahrlässig. Das Forum leistet einen entscheidenden Beitrag zur politischen Willensbildung in den östlichen EU-Nachbarländern. Für die EU lohnt es sich, dies als langfristigen Prozess zu unterstützen

    A qualitative study on resilience in adult refugees in Germany

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    Background: Because refugees face significant adversities before, during, and after resettlement, resilience is of central importance to this population. However, strengths-based research on post-migration refugee experiences is sparse. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 54 adult refugee participants who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2018 in their preferred language. We analyzed different aspects of resilience in these interviews using thematic analysis. Results: Nine themes were identified. Four themes manifest resilience in different ways and encompass cognitive as well as behavioral strategies for facing adversity, self-ascriptions of resilience as a personal trait or lasting characteristic, and the role of volunteering, work, and activism for refugee causes. Five themes capture factors that facilitate resilience: social support, experiencing migration as an opportunity generally and for women in particular, being a parent, and being young. Conclusions: This study adds to a growing body of knowledge about resilience among adult refugees. It may support clinicians working with refugees by making them aware of specific manifestations of resilience and factors promoting positive adaptation specific to this client group. It also contributes to a more strengths-based view on refugee mental health and processes of integration

    Mental Health and Integration: A Qualitative Study on the Struggles of Recently Arrived Refugees in Germany

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    Introduction: Forcibly displaced people are at particular risk of mental health problems and also face specific integration challenges upon resettlement. Existing literature suggests that there may be a bidirectional relationship between mental health and integration. The present study seeks to understand the relationship between integration processes and mental health problems or significant negative emotional experiences among adult refugees in Germany. Method: Applying a qualitative approach, we conducted 54 semi-structured interviews with refugees and asylum seekers who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2018 currently residing in Berlin, Leipzig, or the Duisburg area in North Rhine-Westphalia. Data was collected between December 2018 and September 2019. We analyzed transcripts inductively using thematic analysis. Results: Five themes covering the various links between integration and mental health problems or significant negative emotional experiences were identified. First, we found that the mental health consequences of past adverse experiences, as well as ongoing worries about those left behind in the homeland, can seriously impede refugees' ability to pursue activities key to integration. Second, the process of applying for and securing asylum can result in uncertainty and fear, which, in turn, burden the individual and may impact motivation for integration. Third, many of our participants described mental health ramifications related to feeling stuck and thwarted in the pursuit of building a life, especially in securing employment. Fourth, some participants described feeling so overwhelmed by fundamental tasks throughout the integration process, namely, language learning and bureaucratic processes, that these take a psychological toll. Fifth, we identified several forms of social disconnection between refugees and members of the host community due to xenophobia, social and cultural differences, physical and emotional isolation in refugee camps, as well as with co-nationals and fellow refugees. Negative emotions, mistrust, and socio-cultural differences that emerge throughout the integration processes seem to erode social cohesion among refugee communities, potentially further threatening mental health. Conclusion: Mental health problems and integration processes appear to be closely related across different areas of integration. Innovative solutions to challenges identified by members of the refugee community in Germany stand to benefit mental health and integration outcomes simultaneously

    Optimized identification of advanced chronic kidney disease and absence of kidney disease by combining different electronic health data resources and by applying machine learning strategies

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    Automated identification of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD ≥ III) and of no known kidney disease (NKD) can support both clinicians and researchers. We hypothesized that identification of CKD and NKD can be improved, by combining information from different electronic health record (EHR) resources, comprising laboratory values, discharge summaries and ICD-10 billing codes, compared to using each component alone. We included EHRs from 785 elderly multimorbid patients, hospitalized between 2010 and 2015, that were divided into a training and a test (n = 156) dataset. We used both the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) and under the precision-recall curve (AUCPR) with a 95% confidence interval for evaluation of different classification models. In the test dataset, the combination of EHR components as a simple classifier identified CKD ≥ III (AUROC 0.96[0.93–0.98]) and NKD (AUROC 0.94[0.91–0.97]) better than laboratory values (AUROC CKD 0.85[0.79–0.90], NKD 0.91[0.87–0.94]), discharge summaries (AUROC CKD 0.87[0.82–0.92], NKD 0.84[0.79–0.89]) or ICD-10 billing codes (AUROC CKD 0.85[0.80–0.91], NKD 0.77[0.72–0.83]) alone. Logistic regression and machine learning models improved recognition of CKD ≥ III compared to the simple classifier if only laboratory values were used (AUROC 0.96[0.92–0.99] vs. 0.86[0.81–0.91], p < 0.05) and improved recognition of NKD if information from previous hospital stays was used (AUROC 0.99[0.98–1.00] vs. 0.95[0.92–0.97]], p < 0.05). Depending on the availability of data, correct automated identification of CKD ≥ III and NKD from EHRs can be improved by generating classification models based on the combination of different EHR components

    The Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS) - a validation study in English, Arabic, and Farsi/Dari among refugees and asylum seekers in Germany

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    This study introduces and investigates the validity of a brief scale measuring a challenged sense of belonging. The sense of belonging as well as challenges to this sense are important, albeit neglected aspects of social integration and of significance to migration and refugee studies as well as to virtually all other social science contexts. Assessing a challenged or eroded sense of belonging provides important insights into how individuals relate to their environment and whether they feel socially connected or disconnected from it. The construct goes beyond national or cultural identity, instead emphasizing the dynamic processes of emotional attachment. Reviewing the substantial theoretical literature on belonging, we identify four of its key elements: connection, participation, identification, and congruence. Drawing on existing measurement instruments, we propose a brief Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS) that addresses each of the four elements and investigate its validity in a unique, multi-lingual random sample of 3783 adult refugees in Germany from various national and cultural backgrounds. We provide evidence for the scale's validity separately for three main survey languages (English, Arabic, Farsi/Dari) using confirmatory factor analysis, a test of measurement invariance, item test and rest correlations, and correlation analysis to explore convergent validity. Our findings suggest that the scale is a suitable instrument for the assessment of a challenged sense of belonging in a heterogeneous population of refugees

    Zygosity Determination in Twin Studies: a Validation of Zygosity Questionnaires Using DNA in the German TwinLife Study

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    Lenau F, Hahn E, Peters A-L, Gottschling J, Thiel W, Spinath FM. Zygosity Determination in Twin Studies: a Validation of Zygosity Questionnaires Using DNA in the German TwinLife Study. TwinLife Working Paper Series. Vol 01. Bielefeld: Project TwinLife "Genetic and social causes of life chances" (Universität Bielefeld / Universität des Saarlandes); 2017.Zygosity determination using similarity ratings is frequently applied in twin studies. A correct determination of zygosity is essential for the estimation of heritability and environmental influences on phenotypes. Therefore, the present study examined the validity of two similarity questionnaires used in the German TwinLife study, in which data from 4,097 twin pairs and their families were assessed: twin children’s zygosities were determined with the Zygosity Questionnaire for Young Twins, which was administered in parent-report form. For adolescent twins, the Self Report Zygosity Questionnaire was used. For the present validation analyses, DNA samples of N = 328 twin pairs were collected via buccal swabs. In this DNA subsample, questionnaires were filled out by parents for n = 212 (aged 4 to 12 years) twin pairs while self-reports were collected from n = 116 adolescent twins (16 to 23 years of age). Using DNA-based zygosity as criteria, correct classification rates of 97% for parent- and 92% for self-reports were established and cross-validated. Additionally, classification rates based on a single item and variants of questionnaire based zygosity determination used in other twin studies were calculated and compared. Implications of incorrectly classified zygosity on genetic and environmental estimates in twin studies are discussed

    A house is not a home: a network model perspective on the dynamics between subjective quality of living conditions, social support, and mental health of refugees and asylum seekers

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    Background: Providing adequate living conditions for forcibly displaced people represents a significant challenge for host countries such as Germany. This study explores refugee mental health’s reciprocal, dynamic relationship with post-migration living conditions and social support. Methods: The study sample included 325 Arabic- or Farsi-speaking asylum seekers and refugees residing in Germany since 2014 and seeking mental health treatment. Associations between reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression and the subjective quality of living conditions and perceived social support were analyzed using a two-level approach including multiple linear regression and network analyses. Results: Post-migration quality of living conditions and perceived social support were significantly associated with negative mental health outcomes on both levels. In the network, both post-migration factors were negatively connected with overlapping symptoms of psychiatric disorders, representing potential target symptoms for psychological treatment. Conclusion: Post-migration quality of living conditions and social support are important factors for refugee mental health and should be targeted by various actors fostering mental well-being and integration
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