The relationship between favorable or unfavorable contact on the social distance attitudes of residence hall students toward residential subgroups

The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of tolerance held by residence hall students toward persons with various ethnic and religious backgrounds, behaviors and athletic team affiliations that might be found in the residence hall setting, and to determine the effect of previous favorable or unfavorable contact with those persons on tolerance attitudes;The tolerance levels of 784 residence hall students surveyed with a modified version of The Bogardus Social Distance Scale (1925). The favorableness of the contact was measured using a scale developed by Crull and Bruton (1985). Responses to both scales were examined by the students\u27 ethnic backgrounds, sex, and length of time they had lived in the residence halls;White American students were most tolerant toward behavioral characteristics. Minority Americans were most tolerant toward ethnic groups. International students were least tolerant toward behavioral characteristics and athletes;Women were more tolerant of all groups than were men. There was no difference in the tolerance levels between newer residents and longer term residents;A low, but positive correlation was found between favorable contact and increased tolerance r =.43, p \u3c.01. Students who had favorable contact with the groups were generally more tolerant than students with no contact or unfavorable contact. Students who had no contact were more tolerant than students who had negative contact

Methods for Aggregating Descriptive Assessment Data Prior to Conducting a Matching Analysis

Data collected from descriptive assessments of children’s behavior and caregiver responses can be summarized according to matching theory, which states that relative rates of responding match relative rates of reinforcement. The extent to which matching applies to descriptive assessment data can be evaluated by application of the generalized matching equation (GME). However, three limitations exist in previous applications of the GME: (a) the most appropriate method of aggregating the data is unclear, (b) consequences must be manipulated in order to determine reinforcement, and (c) individual differences in sensitivity can influence the results. This Capstone project addressed those three issues by comparing the results of a descriptive assessment and an experimental analysis for two children. The results showed that aggregating data into 2.5 min bins prior to applying the GME provided the closest approximation to matching under experimental conditions. Furthermore, the descriptive data were more variable than the experimental data. Lastly, the results of this study support use of the GME to detect individual differences in matching

Direct Separation of Short Range Order in Intermixed Nanocrystalline and Amorphous Phases

Diffraction anomalous fine-structure (DAFS) and extended x-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) measurements were combined to determine short range order (SRO) about a single atomic type in a sample of mixed amorphous and nanocrystalline phases of germanium. EXAFS yields information about the SRO of all Ge atoms in the sample, while DAFS determines the SRO of only the ordered fraction. We determine that the first-shell distance distribution is bimodal; the nanocrystalline distance is the same as the bulk crystal, to within 0.01(2)   Å, but the mean amorphous Ge-Ge bond length is expanded by 0.076(19)   Å. This approach can be applied to many systems of mixed amorphous and nanocrystalline phases

Study protocol: the development of a randomised controlled trial testing a postcard intervention designed to reduce suicide risk among young help-seekers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suicidal behaviour and deliberate self harm are common among adolescents. Limited evidence exists regarding interventions that can reduce risk; however research indicates that maintaining contact either via letter or postcard with at-risk adults following discharge from services can reduce risk. The aim of the study is to test a postcard intervention among people aged 15-24 who presented to mental health services but are not accepted, yet are at risk of suicide.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>The study is a 3-year randomised controlled trial conducted at Orygen Youth Health Research Centre in Melbourne Australia. Participants are young help-seekers aged 15-24 who are at risk of suicide. Participants will be recruited over a 12 month period. The intervention comprises a regular postcard to be sent monthly for 12 months. The postcard enquires after their well being and includes information regarding individual sources of help and evidence-based self help strategies. Participants are assessed at baseline, 12 and 18 months.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This paper describes the development of a study which aims to reduce suicide risk in a sample of young help-seekers. If effective, this intervention could have significant clinical and research implications for a population who can be hard to treat and difficult to research.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>The study was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry; number: ACTRN012606000274572.</p

Introduction

How has theatre represented the rural? And how does a re-viewing of theatre of and in the rural help to build and complicate our sense of place? Theatre & the Rural explores the different ways in which theatre has performed the rural from the medieval to the contemporary, and examines the changing relationships between place, performance and audience when theatre is staged in rural communities. The book argues that theatre has a key role to play in both producing and potentially changing understandings of the rural, challenging dominant views of the relationships between city and country which can affect the political, social and cultural lives of the nation

Perceived barriers and opportunities to improve working conditions and staff retention in Emergency Departments:a qualitative study

Background:Staff retention in Emergency Medicine (EM) is at crisis level and could be attributed in some part to adverse working conditions. This study aimed to better understand current concerns relating to working conditions and working practices in Emergency Departments (EDs).Methods:A qualitative approach was taken, using focus groups with ED staff (doctors, nurses, advanced care practitioners) of all grades, seniority and professional backgrounds from across the UK. Snowball recruitment was undertaken using social media and Royal College of Emergency Medicine communication channels. Focus groups were conducted online and organised by profession. A semi structured topic guide was used to explore difficulties in the work environment, impact of these difficulties, barriers and priorities for change. Data were analysed using a directive content analysis to identify common themes.Results:Of the 116 clinical staff who completed the eligibility and consent forms, 46 met criteria and consented, of those, 33 participants took part. Participants were predominantly White British (85%), female (73%) and doctors (61%). Four key themes were generated: ‘culture of blame and negativity’, ‘Untenable working environments’, ‘compromised leadership’ and ‘striving for support’. Data pertaining to barriers and opportunities for change were identified as sub-themes. In particular, strong leadership emerged as a key driver of change across all aspects of working practices.Conclusion:This study identified four key themes related to workplace concerns and their associated barriers and opportunities for change. Culture, working environment and need for support echoed current narratives across healthcare settings. Leadership emerged more prominently than in prior studies as both a barrier and opportunity for wellbeing and retention in the EM workplace. Further work is needed to develop leadership skills early on in clinical training, provide protected time and opportunity to refine leadership skills and a clear pathway to address higher levels of management

Psychologically Informed Practice and Policy (PIPP) Project:Key Recommendations for Retention and Workforce Wellbeing in Emergency Care

The PIPP project is a UKRI funded collaborative study between University of Bath and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. The PiPP Project investigated current workplace concerns, barrier to change and opportunities for development and growth. This document details specific evidence-based recommendations relating to four key areas identified within the PIPP project as prioritised targets in emergency care workforce development: ‘an environment to thrive in’, ‘cultivating a better culture’, ‘a tailored pathway of care’ and ‘enhanced leadership’. The recommendations are based on new empirical data and supported by existing guidelines and research