Coping Styles of the Mathematically Anxious as Assessed by the Miller Behavioral Style Scale

Two hundred and eighteen psychology and math students of Fort Hays State University helped to investigate the relationships between math anxiety and a coping style based on the attentional process. These two constructs were measured by the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS) and the Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS). The actual investigation used two subscales from each of the measures; the Mathematics Test Anxiety Scale and the Numerical Anxiety Scale (Rounds & Hendel, 1980) from the MARS, and the Monitor and Blunter subscales from the MBSS (Miller, 1987). A monitor looks for more information when under threat while a blunter avoids seeking information when under threat. Each individual was categorized as a high or low monitor and blunter, as well as high or low anxious on both of the math anxiety subscales. Relations between subscales were examined within and between various categories of subjects. A relationship was found between the 2 high monitor categories and high math anxiety. A factor analysis of the MARS replicated the existence of the two subscales developed by Rounds and Hendel (1980)

Using Respondent Driven Sampling to Identify Malaria Risks and Occupational Networks among Migrant Workers in Ranong, Thailand.

Ranong Province in southern Thailand is one of the primary entry points for migrants entering Thailand from Myanmar, and borders Kawthaung Township in Myanmar where artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites has been detected. Areas of high population movement could increase the risk of spread of artemisinin resistance in this region and beyond.A respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methodology was used to compare migrant populations coming from Myanmar in urban (Site 1) vs. rural (Site 2) settings in Ranong, Thailand. The RDS methodology collected information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices for malaria, travel and occupational histories, as well as social network size and structure. Individuals enrolled were screened for malaria by microscopy, Real Time-PCR, and serology.A total of 619 participants were recruited in Ranong City and 623 participants in Kraburi, a rural sub-district. By PCR, a total of 14 (1.1%) samples were positive (2 P. falciparum in Site 1; 10 P. vivax, 1 Pf, and 1 P. malariae in Site 2). PCR analysis demonstrated an overall weighted prevalence of 0.5% (95% CI, 0-1.3%) in the urban site and 1.0% (95% CI, 0.5-1.7%) in the rural site for all parasite species. PCR positivity did not correlate with serological positivity; however, as expected there was a strong association between antibody prevalence and both age and exposure. Access to long-lasting insecticidal treated nets remains low despite relatively high reported traditional net use among these populations.The low malaria prevalence, relatively smaller networks among migrants in rural settings, and limited frequency of travel to and from other areas of malaria transmission in Myanmar, suggest that the risk for the spread of artemisinin resistance from this area may be limited in these networks currently but may have implications for regional malaria elimination efforts

<i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> (upper boxes) and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> (lower boxes) seroprevalence curves for each site.

<p>Circles represent actual data points (placed at percentiles, solid blue line is the maximum likelihood fitted model and dotted lines represent 95% CI for the model).</p

RDS-weighted estimates comparing biological results by site.

<p>RDS-weighted estimates comparing biological results by site.</p

Mean of seropositivity to any tested antigens for <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> (left) and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> (right) by age groups.

<p>Mean of seropositivity to any tested antigens for <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> (left) and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> (right) by age groups.</p

Summary of individuals with positive blood film, PCR, and/or serology.

<p>Summary of individuals with positive blood film, PCR, and/or serology.</p

RDS-weighted estimates of malaria prevention by site.

<p>RDS-weighted estimates of malaria prevention by site.</p

RDS-weighted estimates of travel and occupational history by site.

<p>RDS-weighted estimates of travel and occupational history by site.</p

RDS-weighted estimates of malaria knowledge, exposure to health messages, and treatment-seeking behavior by site.

<p>RDS-weighted estimates of malaria knowledge, exposure to health messages, and treatment-seeking behavior by site.</p