«Å gi hverandre tilbakemelding, det gir motivasjon» En kvalitativ undersøkelse om tilbakemeldingens betydning i et leder- og medarbeiderperspektiv

Denne masteroppgaven belyser betydningen av tilbakemeldinger for medarbeidere og mellomlederes motivasjon og ytelse i politiet. Den undersøker forventninger medarbeidere og mellomledere har når det gjelder å motta tilbakemeldinger, hvordan man bør gi en tilbakemelding og relasjonens betydning i tilbakemeldingsprosessen. Det empiriske grunnlaget for oppgaven er kvalitative dybdeintervjuer av seks mellomledere og seks medarbeidere i Oslo politidistrikt. Resultatene viser at tilbakemeldinger har stor betydning for medarbeideres og mellomlederes motivasjon. Vi finner at det er liten forskjell med hensyn til hvordan ledere og medarbeidere vektlegger betydningen av tilbakemeldinger, uansett om tilbakemeldingene er positive eller negative. Tilbakemeldinger har en viktig rolle for den enkelte når det gjelder å bli sett og verdsatt av andre. Studien viser at en leder har stor påvirkningskraft når det gjelder å motivere medarbeidere, og våre funn understreker lederes viktige rolle med hensyn til å gi relevante og konstruktive tilbakemeldinger til sine underordnede. Mellomledere og medarbeidere i politiet har høye forventninger om å få tilbakemeldinger både av positiv og negativ karakter som kan fremme læring og utvikling på jobb. Det er de hverdagslige, uformelle tilbakemeldingene som blir verdsatt mest. Enkelte funn tilsier at politiet kan ha noen utfordringer når det gjelder å skape en kultur for læring. Det kan blant annet være vanskelig å gi en tilbakemelding til en kollega med lenger ansiennitet eller til en som har høyere rang. Sammenlagt ser vi at det er viktig at man har etablert en kultur som er åpen for og tilrettelegger for tilbakemeldinger. Dette bidrar til utvikling og læring på arbeidsplassen. Våre funn viser at det er vanskelig å lage en standard for hvordan en tilbakemelding skal gis. Det er imidlertid flere fellestrekk for hvordan en tilbakemelding bør være. Den bør være konkret, gjennomtenkt, med eksempler og forslag til løsning. Funn i studien viser at relasjonen mellom den som gir tilbakemeldingen og den som mottar tilbakemeldingen spiller en avgjørende rolle i tilbakemeldingsprosessen. Relasjonen må bygge på tillit, respekt, åpenhet og ærlighet. Flere av informantene trekker frem at tilliten mellom 3 personene har avgjørende betydning for hvordan en tilbakemelding blir møtt og hvilken effekt den har.Abstract This master thesis casts light on the importance of feedback for employees and middle managers' motivation and performance in the police. It examines the expectations of employees and middle managers when it comes to receiving feedback, how to give feedback and the importance of the relationship in the feedback process. The empirical basis for the thesis is qualitative in-depth interviews of six middle managers and six employees in the Oslo police district. The results indicate that feedback is of great importance for the motivation of employees and middle managers. We find that there is little difference in how managers and employees emphasize the importance of feedback, regardless of whether the feedback is positive or negative. Feedback plays an important role for the individual when it comes to being seen and appreciated by others. The study shows that a leader has great influence when it comes to motivating employees, and our findings emphasize the leaders' important role in providing relevant and constructive feedback to their subordinates. Middle managers and employees in the police have high expectations of receiving feedback of both positive and negative nature that can promote learning and development at work. It is the everyday, informal feedback that is most valued. Some findings suggest that the police may have some challenges when it comes to creating a culture of learning. Among other things, it can be difficult to give feedback to a colleague with longer seniority or to someone with a higher rank. Overall, we see that it is important to establish a culture that is open to and facilitates feedback. This contributes to development and learning in the workplace. Our findings show that it is difficult to create a standard for how feedback should be given. However, there are several common features for how feedback should be. It should be 4 concrete, well thought out, with examples and suggested solutions. Findings in the study show that the relationship between the sender and the recipient of the feedback plays a crucial role in the feedback process. The relationship must be based on trust, respect, openness and honesty. Several of the informants point out that the trust between the people is of crucial importance for how feedback is met and what effect it ha

Psychological Flexibility as a Buffer against Caregiver Distress in Families with Psychosis

Background: Research has shown that caregivers of persons with psychosis play an invaluable role in recovery, but unfortunately, often report high levels of distress. While cognitive models of caregiver distress have been well-supported, there is still limited knowledge of the psychological factors involved. Recent advances in cognitive behavioral therapy seem to converge on the importance of acceptance- and mindfulness based processes.Aim: To examine the impact of psychological flexibility on caregiver distress in the early phases of psychosis, while controlling for known predictors of caregiver distress.Method: Within a cross-sectional design, 101 caregivers of 38 persons with first-episode psychosis in a clinical epidemiological sample completed a series of self-report measures.Results: A linear mixed model analysis found that, after controlling for caregiver socio-demographic factors, service user symptoms, drug use and global functioning, psychological flexibility was a significant predictor of caregiver distress.Conclusion: Greater level of psychological flexibility in caregivers, seems to be related to lower levels of caregiver distress. This finding corresponds to studies within a broad range of emotional disorders. There may be important clinical implications in terms of facilitating the process of acceptance through interventions from the ‘third-wave’ or contextual cognitive behavioral therapies

Prevalence and prognostic value of neurological affections in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 based on objective assessments.

Neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been frequently described. In this prospective study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients without a history of neurological conditions, we aimed to analyze their prevalence and prognostic value based on established, standardized and objective methods. Patients were investigated using a multimodal electrophysiological approach, accompanied by neuropsychological and neurological examinations. Prevalence rates of central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system affections were calculated and the relationship between neurological affections and mortality was analyzed using Firth logistic regression models. 184 patients without a history of neurological diseases could be enrolled. High rates of PNS affections were observed (66% of 138 patients receiving electrophysiological PNS examination). CNS affections were less common but still highly prevalent (33% of 139 examined patients). 63% of patients who underwent neuropsychological testing (n = 155) presented cognitive impairment. Logistic regression models revealed pathology in somatosensory evoked potentials as an independent risk factor of mortality (Odds Ratio: 6.10 [1.01-65.13], p = 0.049). We conclude that hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 display high rates of PNS and CNS affection, which can be objectively assessed by electrophysiological examination. Electrophysiological assessment may have a prognostic value and could thus be helpful to identify patients at risk for deterioration

Complement activation capacity in plasma before and during high-dose prednisolone treatment and tapering in exacerbations of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are characterized by intestinal inflammation mainly caused by a disturbance in the balance between cytokines and increased complement (C) activation. Our aim was to evaluate possible associations between C activation capacity and prednisolone treatment. METHODS: Plasma from patients with exacerbations of UC (n = 18) or CD (n = 18) were collected before and during high dose prednisolone treatment (1 mg/kg body weight) and tapering. Friedman's two way analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test were used RESULTS: Before treatment, plasma from CD patients showed significant elevations in all C-mediated analyses compared to the values obtained from 38 healthy controls (p < 0.02), and in mannan binding lectin (MBL)-concentration and MBL-C4-activation capacity (AC) values compared to UC patients (p < 0.02). Before treatment, plasma from UC patients showed significant elevations only in the classical pathway-mediated C3-AC compared to values obtained from healthy controls (p < 0.01). After treatment was initiated, significant reductions, which persisted during follow-up, were observed in the classical pathway-mediated C3-AC and MBL-C4-AC in plasma from CD patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that C activation capacity is up-regulated significantly in plasma from CD patients. The decreases observed after prednisolone treatment reflect a general down-regulation in immune activation

Does childhood trauma predict poorer metacognitive abilities in people with first-episode psychosis?

Research suggests that people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) report more childhood traumas and have lower metacognitive abilities than non-clinical controls. Childhood trauma negatively affects metacognitive development in population studies, while the association remains largely unexplored in FEP populations. Metacognition refers to the identification of thoughts and feelings and the formation of complex ideas about oneself and others. This study hypothesized that childhood trauma would be associated with lower metacognitive abilities in people with FEP. In a representative sample of 92 persons with non-affective FEP, we assessed childhood trauma, metacognitive abilities and symptoms of psychosis. We used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Metacognitive Assessment Scale––Abbreviated which includes Self-reflectivity, Awareness of the Mind of the Other, Decentration and Mastery. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed with metacognitive domains as outcome variables and childhood traumas as independent variables, while controlling for age, gender, first-degree psychiatric illness and negative symptoms. We found few significant associations between the different types of childhood trauma and metacognitive domains, and they suggested childhood trauma are associated with better metacognitive abilities. Study limitations included the cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures. Future studies could preferably be prospective and include different measures of psychopathology and neuropsychology

Sustained release of locally delivered celecoxib provides pain relief for osteoarthritis: a proof of concept in dog patients

OBJECTIVE: Drug delivery platforms that allow for gradual drug release after intra-articular administration have become of much interest as a treatment strategy for osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of an intra-articular sustained release formulation containing celecoxib (CXB), a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor. METHODS: Amino acid-based polyesteramide microspheres (PEAMs), a biodegradable and non-toxic platform, were loaded with CXB and employed in two in vivo models of arthritis: an acute inflammatory arthritis model in rats (n = 12), and a randomized controlled study in chronic OA dog patients (n = 30). In parallel, the bioactivity of sustained release of CXB was evaluated in monolayer cultures of primary dog chondrocytes under inflammatory conditions. RESULTS: Sustained release of CXB did not alleviate acute arthritis signs in the rat arthritis model, based on pain measurements and synovitis severity. However, in OA dog patients, sustained release of CXB improved limb function as objective parameter of pain and quality of life based on gait analysis and owner questionnaires. It also decreased pain medication dependency over a 2-month period and caused no adverse effects. Prostaglandin E 2 levels, a marker for inflammation, were lower in the synovial fluid of CXB-treated dog OA patients and in CXB-treated cultured dog chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: These results show that local sustained release of CXB is less suitable to treat acute inflammation in arthritic joints, while safe and effective in treating pain in chronic OA in dogs

Sustained release of locally delivered celecoxib provides pain relief for osteoarthritis: a proof of concept in dog patients

Objective: Drug delivery platforms that allow for gradual drug release after intra-articular administration have become of much interest as a treatment strategy for osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of an intra-articular sustained release formulation containing celecoxib (CXB), a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor. Methods: Amino acid-based polyesteramide microspheres (PEAMs), a biodegradable and non-toxic platform, were loaded with CXB and employed in two in vivo models of arthritis: an acute inflammatory arthritis model in rats (n = 12), and a randomized controlled study in chronic OA dog patients (n = 30). In parallel, the bioactivity of sustained release of CXB was evaluated in monolayer cultures of primary dog chondrocytes under inflammatory conditions. Results: Sustained release of CXB did not alleviate acute arthritis signs in the rat arthritis model, based on pain measurements and synovitis severity. However, in OA dog patients, sustained release of CXB improved limb function as objective parameter of pain and quality of life based on gait analysis and owner questionnaires. It also decreased pain medication dependency over a 2-month period and caused no adverse effects. Prostaglandin E2 levels, a marker for inflammation, were lower in the synovial fluid of CXB-treated dog OA patients and in CXB-treated cultured dog chondrocytes. Conclusion: These results show that local sustained release of CXB is less suitable to treat acute inflammation in arthritic joints, while safe and effective in treating pain in chronic OA in dogs

Hair Cortisol in Twins : Heritability and Genetic Overlap with Psychological Variables and Stress-System Genes

A. Palotie on työryhmän jäsen.Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a promising measure of long-term hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Previous research has suggested an association between HCC and psychological variables, and initial studies of inter-individual variance in HCC have implicated genetic factors. However, whether HCC and psychological variables share genetic risk factors remains unclear. The aims of the present twin study were to: (i) assess the heritability of HCC; (ii) estimate the phenotypic and genetic correlation between HPA axis activity and the psychological variables perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and neuroticism; using formal genetic twin models and molecular genetic methods, i.e. polygenic risk scores (PRS). HCC was measured in 671 adolescents and young adults. These included 115 monozygotic and 183 dizygotic twin-pairs. For 432 subjects PRS scores for plasma cortisol, major depression, and neuroticism were calculated using data from large genome wide association studies. The twin model revealed a heritability for HCC of 72%. No significant phenotypic or genetic correlation was found between HCC and the three psychological variables of interest. PRS did not explain variance in HCC. The present data suggest that HCC is highly heritable. However, the data do not support a strong biological link between HCC and any of the investigated psychological variables.Peer reviewe

Genome-wide interaction study of a proxy for stress-sensitivity and its prediction of major depressive disorder

Individual response to stress is correlated with neuroticism and is an important predictor of both neuroticism and the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD). Identification of the genetics underpinning individual differences in response to negative events (stress-sensitivity) may improve our understanding of the molecular pathways involved, and its association with stress-related illnesses. We sought to generate a proxy for stress-sensitivity through modelling the interaction between SNP allele and MDD status on neuroticism score in order to identify genetic variants that contribute to the higher neuroticism seen in individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of depression compared to unaffected individuals. Meta-analysis of genome-wide interaction studies (GWIS) in UK Biobank (N = 23,092) and Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (N = 7,155) identified no genome-wide significance SNP interactions. However, gene-based tests identified a genome-wide significant gene, ZNF366, a negative regulator of glucocorticoid receptor function implicated in alcohol dependence (p = 1.48x10-7; Bonferroni-corrected significance threshold p < 2.79x10-6). Using summary statistics from the stress-sensitivity term of the GWIS, SNP heritability for stress-sensitivity was estimated at 5.0%. In models fitting polygenic risk scores of both MDD and neuroticism derived from independent GWAS, we show that polygenic risk scores derived from the UK Biobank stress-sensitivity GWIS significantly improved the prediction of MDD in Generation Scotland. This study may improve interpretation of larger genome-wide association studies of MDD and other stress-related illnesses, and the understanding of the etiological mechanisms underpinning stress-sensitivity

Identification of common genetic risk variants for autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable and heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental phenotypes diagnosed in more than 1% of children. Common genetic variants contribute substantially to ASD susceptibility, but to date no individual variants have been robustly associated with ASD. With a marked sample-size increase from a unique Danish population resource, we report a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 18,381 individuals with ASD and 27,969 controls that identified five genome-wide-significant loci. Leveraging GWAS results from three phenotypes with significantly overlapping genetic architectures (schizophrenia, major depression, and educational attainment), we identified seven additional loci shared with other traits at equally strict significance levels. Dissecting the polygenic architecture, we found both quantitative and qualitative polygenic heterogeneity across ASD subtypes. These results highlight biological insights, particularly relating to neuronal function and corticogenesis, and establish that GWAS performed at scale will be much more productive in the near term in ASD