Measuring the Dispositional Tendency to Spread Oneself Too Thin

This paper describes the development and validation of a scale to measure the dispositional tendency to spread oneself too thin (SOTT) – a tendency that is likely an important antecedent of work-nonwork conflicts. In two studies, we develop and validate a scale for measuring this tendency and examine how it relates to other dispositional causes of role conflicts. In Study 1 we tested our initial item pool using a heterogeneous sample of full-time workers (N = 193) and used exploratory factor analysis to reduce our item pool to a set of five items. In Study 2, using another heterogeneous sample of full-time workers (N = 212), we conducted confirmatory factor analyses to demonstrate that the items fit a unidimensional construct. We also demonstrated that the scale has moderately high test-retest reliability, is distinct from other potentially related constructs, and predicts work-nonwork conflicts above and beyond previously studied dispositional antecedents. We discuss the importance of studying the dispositional tendency to SOTT as a potentially malleable antecedent of work-nonwork conflict and note other employee outcomes that it may also impact

The well-being consequences of work-contingent self-esteem

Research showing that work-contingent self-esteem (i.e., the degree to which workers’ self-esteem is based on workplace performance) has positive consequences for performance has led to suggestions that work-contingent self-esteem may be a desirable worker characteristic. To evaluate this suggestion, it is necessary to understand the consequences of work-contingent self-esteem not only for performance but also for well-being. Drawing on self-enhancement and self-determination perspectives, I propose a model that delineates the mechanisms by which work-contingent self-esteem likely influences worker well-being. I suggest that, by activating self-enhancement motives and triggering self-validation goals, work-contingent self-esteem may harm well-being by obstructing need fulfillment and generating work anxiety and – through its effects on need fulfillment and anxiety – may lead to more distal well-being consequences including impaired subjective well-being at work (e.g., job dissatisfaction and impaired job affect), impaired mental health (e.g., job burnout), and impaired physical health (e.g., self-reported illness). A longitudinal test of my predictions using a heterogeneous working sample suggests that, while work-contingent self-esteem may have a small negative effect on well-being via the proposed mechanisms, this negative process appears to be only one of many mechanisms linking work-contingent self-esteem and well-being, and the omitted mechanisms appear to either counteract or overshadow the proposed negative effects, resulting in overall harmless or even helpful effects on well-being at work. Post-hoc analyses show that – despite not harming well-being at work – work-contingent self-esteem does appear to generate negative non-work experiences such as work-family conflict and lack of leisure rest, particularly when job demands are high

The Collapse of Lehman Brothers and the Economic Fallout

This research paper analyzes the causes and effects of the bankruptcy of the investment banking company, Lehman Brothers. We examined the economic and financial conditions of the business leading up to the collapse, what they truly were and how that differed from what investors were misled to believe. We will also explain the falsified financial statements and show how they deceived investors, along with the accounting ethics and rules that were violated. We also discussed the economy after the collapse and how it affected not only investors, but others outside the company as well

Leisure Choices and Employee Well-Being: Comparing Need Fulfillment and Well-Being during TV and Other Leisure Activities

Background: Working adults spend most of their leisure time watching TV. In this paper, we seek to clarify how experiences of psychological need fulfillment and well-being differ when watching TV and engaging in other leisure activities. We suggest that, compared to other leisure activities, watching TV is equally conducive to fulfilling needs for: (a) relaxation and detachment from stress and (b) autonomy, but is less conducive to fulfilling needs for (c) meaning, (d) mastery, and (e) affiliation and thus also less conducive to promoting subjective wellbeing. Methods: We tested our predictions in two day reconstruction studies and a daily diary study. Results: People experienced similar levels of detachment and relaxation when watching TV and engaging in other types of leisure. However, they experienced less fulfillment of other needs, and lower levels of satisfaction and some aspects of affective well-being, when watching TV compared to other activities. Further, unlike time spent watching TV, daily time spent in physical activities was positively associated with positive activated affect. Conclusions: Given that watching TV tends to be associated with lower levels of need fulfillment and well-being than other leisure activities, leisure choices may be an important target for improving employee well-being

Pyoderma Gangrenosum Following Bilateral Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flaps

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an atypical ulcerative cutaneous condition, with an estimated six cases per million people per year in the United States.[1] One-half of patients have idiopathic disease, and it is most commonly associated with underlying systemic inflammatory conditions or hematologic malignancies.[1] [2] There have been several reported cases of PG following breast reduction procedures; however, postsurgical PG (PSPG) is rarely seen following autologous tissue breast reconstruction.[3] In this article, the authors report the clinical course, treatment, and outcome of a patient diagnosed with PSPG following a delayed breast reconstruction with bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. The objective of reporting this case is to further the understanding of the clinical presentation and treatment of PSPG as a complication in patients who present with cutaneous ulcerations following autologous tissue breast reconstruction

Pyoderma Gangrenosum Following Bilateral Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flaps

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an atypical ulcerative cutaneous condition, with an estimated six cases per million people per year in the United States.[1] One-half of patients have idiopathic disease, and it is most commonly associated with underlying systemic inflammatory conditions or hematologic malignancies.[1] [2] There have been several reported cases of PG following breast reduction procedures; however, postsurgical PG (PSPG) is rarely seen following autologous tissue breast reconstruction.[3] In this article, the authors report the clinical course, treatment, and outcome of a patient diagnosed with PSPG following a delayed breast reconstruction with bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. The objective of reporting this case is to further the understanding of the clinical presentation and treatment of PSPG as a complication in patients who present with cutaneous ulcerations following autologous tissue breast reconstruction

Pyoderma Gangrenosum Following Bilateral Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flaps

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an atypical ulcerative cutaneous condition, with an estimated six cases per million people per year in the United States.[1] One-half of patients have idiopathic disease, and it is most commonly associated with underlying systemic inflammatory conditions or hematologic malignancies.[1] [2] There have been several reported cases of PG following breast reduction procedures; however, postsurgical PG (PSPG) is rarely seen following autologous tissue breast reconstruction.[3] In this article, the authors report the clinical course, treatment, and outcome of a patient diagnosed with PSPG following a delayed breast reconstruction with bilateral deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. The objective of reporting this case is to further the understanding of the clinical presentation and treatment of PSPG as a complication in patients who present with cutaneous ulcerations following autologous tissue breast reconstruction

Outcomes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap and Implant-Based Reconstruction: Does Age Really Matter?

Despite the growing elderly population, there is limited research specific to this demographic concerning breast reconstruction (BR). Lack of evidence-based BR recommendations in older populations may contribute to misconceptions and subsequent underutilization of BR, especially autologous BR. Patients who received either deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap BR or tissue expander/implant (TE/I) BR by a single surgeon between July 2011 and July 2015 were surveyed postoperatively by using the psychometrically validated BREAST-Q questionnaire to determine patient satisfaction. Patients were categorized into younger and older cohorts based on median age (55 years) and further stratified based on the type of reconstruction. Of the 311 patients surveyed, 95 patients responded (31% response rate). Overall, younger patients (\u3c55 years old, n = 42) compared with older patients (≥55 years old, n = 53) had significantly higher satisfaction with their outcome (mean difference [MD] 12.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-23.15; P = 0.034). In the TE/I group (n = 58), younger patients had significantly higher satisfaction with breasts (MD: 14.17; 95% CI: 2.58-25.75; P = .017) and outcome (MD: 18.25; 95% CI: 3.95-32.5; P = .010) with fewer complications (odds ratio [OR]: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.37-7.86; P = .010). In the DIEP flap group (n = 55), there was no significant difference inr any of the satisfaction outcomes between younger and older patients. Younger patients tend to be more satisfied and demonstrate fewer complications with implant-based BR. In contrast, both younger and older patients undergoing abdominally based autologous BR were equally satisfied with comparable outcome

Outcomes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap and Implant-Based Reconstruction: Does Age Really Matter?

Despite the growing elderly population, there is limited research specific to this demographic concerning breast reconstruction (BR). Lack of evidence-based BR recommendations in older populations may contribute to misconceptions and subsequent underutilization of BR, especially autologous BR. Patients who received either deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap BR or tissue expander/implant (TE/I) BR by a single surgeon between July 2011 and July 2015 were surveyed postoperatively by using the psychometrically validated BREAST-Q questionnaire to determine patient satisfaction. Patients were categorized into younger and older cohorts based on median age (55 years) and further stratified based on the type of reconstruction. Of the 311 patients surveyed, 95 patients responded (31% response rate). Overall, younger patients (\u3c55 years old, n = 42) compared with older patients (≥55 years old, n = 53) had significantly higher satisfaction with their outcome (mean difference [MD] 12.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-23.15; P = 0.034). In the TE/I group (n = 58), younger patients had significantly higher satisfaction with breasts (MD: 14.17; 95% CI: 2.58-25.75; P = .017) and outcome (MD: 18.25; 95% CI: 3.95-32.5; P = .010) with fewer complications (odds ratio [OR]: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.37-7.86; P = .010). In the DIEP flap group (n = 55), there was no significant difference inr any of the satisfaction outcomes between younger and older patients. Younger patients tend to be more satisfied and demonstrate fewer complications with implant-based BR. In contrast, both younger and older patients undergoing abdominally based autologous BR were equally satisfied with comparable outcome