The Development of Speech-Language Pathologists’ Counseling Self-Efficacy

The purpose of this investigation was to understand, from the perspective of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), what factors contribute to the essential structure of the experience of SLPs with low perceived counseling self-efficacy (CSE), the factors that contribute to the essential structure of the experience of SLPs with high perceived CSE, and how SLPs can transition from lower to higher perceived CSE. Ten female speech-language pathologists participated in interviews to discuss their counseling experiences and the development of their personal SLP CSE. The interviews were divided into 982 meaning units. The meaning units were categorized to determine the recurring themes contributing to the essential structure of low and high SLP CSE and to determine how the transition from low to high CSE occurs. Four recurring themes associated with low CSE were identified, including: (a) lack of knowledge, (b) lack of experience, (c) lack of feedback from others, and (d) personal attributes. Seven recurring themes associated with high CSE were identified, including: (a) experience, (b) situation-specific confidence, (c) experiences of success, (d) life experiences, (e) observation of others, (f) feedback from others, and (g) personal attributes. Four themes associated with perceived needs and resources for continued CSE growth were identified, including: (a) further counseling training, (b) feedback from others, (c) experience, and (d) self-reflection. Further, it was found that internal locus of control was associated with higher levels of CSE

A Comparison of the Chemical Evolutionary Histories of the Galactic Thin Disk and Thick Disk Stellar Populations

We have studied 23 long-lived G dwarfs that belong to the thin disk and thick disk stellar populations. Abundances have been derived for 24 elements: O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, and Eu. We find that the behavior of [alpha/Fe] and [Eu/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] are quite different for the two populations. As has long been known, the thin disk O, Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti ratios are enhanced relative to iron at the lowest metallicities, and decline toward solar values as [Fe/H] rises above -1.0. For the thick disk, the decline in [alpha/Fe] and [Eu/Fe] does not begin at [Fe/H] = -1.0, but at -0.4. Other elements share this behavior, including Sc, Co, and Zn, suggesting that at least in the chemical enrichment history of the thick disk, these elements were manufactured in similar-mass stars. Combining our results for the oldest and longest-lived stars with prior work, we find clear signs for an independent origin for the Galactic thick disk. (Abridged)Comment: 48 pages and 20 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

A Near-Infrared Stellar Census of the Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxy VII~Zw~403

We present near-infrared single-star photometry for the low-metallicity Blue Compact Dwarf galaxy VII~Zw~403. We achieve limiting magnitudes of F110W~$\approx$~25.5 and F160W~$\approx$~24.5 using one of the NICMOS cameras with the HST equivalents of the ground-based J and H filters. The data have a high photometric precision (0.1 mag) and are $>95$% complete down to magnitudes of about 23, far deeper than previous ground-based studies in the near-IR. The color-magnitude diagram contains about 1000 point sources. We provide a preliminary transformation of the near-IR photometry into the ground system...Comment: Accepted for publication by the AJ, preprint has 49 pages, 2 tables, and 16 figure

Toward a consensus description of vocal effort, vocal load, vocal loading, and vocal fatigue

Purpose: The purpose of this document is threefold: (a) review the uses of the terms “vocal fatigue,” “vocal effort,” “vocal load,” and “vocal loading” (as found in the literature) in order to track the occurrence and the related evolution of research; (b) present a “linguistically modeled” definition of the same from the review of literature on the terms; and (c) propose conceptualized definitions of the concepts. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scientific Electronic Library Online. Four terms (“vocal fatigue,” “vocal effort,” “vocal load,” and “vocal loading”), as well as possible variants, were included in the search, and their usages were compiled into conceptual definitions. Finally, a focus group of eight experts in the field (current authors) worked together to make conceptual connections and proposed consensus definitions. Results: The occurrence and frequency of “vocal load,” “vocal loading,” “vocal effort,” and “vocal fatigue” in the literature are presented, and summary definitions are developed. The results indicate that these terms appear to be often interchanged with blurred distinctions. Therefore, the focus group proposes the use of two new terms, “vocal demand” and “vocal demand response,” in place of the terms “vocal load” and “vocal loading.” We also propose standardized definitions for all four concepts. Conclusion: Through a comprehensive literature search, the terms “vocal fatigue,” “vocal effort,” “vocal load,” and “vocal loading” were explored, new terms were proposed, and standardized definitions were presented. Future work should refine these proposed definitions as research continues to address vocal health concerns

Focus 2020

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