Teachers' Burnout Profile- Risk and protective factors

Background: Burnout syndrome represents a factual risk for school teachers during their career. Several factors have been analyzed as stress sources enabled to menace teachers’ general well-being; nevertheless, protective factors mostly related to their personal resources may differently characterize teachers’ profiles. Objectives: The current study aimed to define different teachers’ profiles based on their burnout levels and attitudes towards job (i.e., job satisfaction, self-efficacy, attitudes toward professional growth, collective efficacy, positive and negative emotions, and hedonic balance). attitudes towards job Methods: Participants were 266 school teachers (F=69.1%) ranging from 26 to 65 years old (M=48.95; SD=8.31), with teaching experience ranged from 1 to 41 years (M=21.72; SD=10.36). Data were collected by three self-report questionnaires: Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Attitudes towards job questionnaires, School Collective efficacy. Results: Cluster analysis approach showed two distinct teacher’s profiles named at-risk and non at-risk teachers. Main differences were due to burnout levels, attitudes toward job and extra-mansions at work. No differences were found related to teachers’ socio-demographic characteristics and their years of experience. Conclusions: The two teachers’ profiles resulting from the cluster analysis show several similarities, including collective efficacy and job satisfaction levels. Results are discussed in relation as to how teachers’ positive emotions towards their job can work as protective factors against the risk of burnou

Internet and Socialization: How Internet use influences online and offline relationships

Objectives. According to the literature, it is not yet clear whether the digital natives' use of Internet represents a risk or a resource. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between Internet use and the emotional and social offline dynamics. Specifically, we hypothesised that high versus low problematic use of internet was associated with students’ social adjustment. We expected to find that students with high problematic use of internet show more social, behavioural, and emotional problems than students with low problematic use of internet. Material and methods. Participants were 177 students from 4 middle schools in Central Italy, aged 11 to 15 (50% females). Five questionnaires were administered: the Child Behavior CheckList (CBCL) to measure social, emotional and behavioural problems, the Crozier Shyness Questionnaire to measure shyness and the UCLA Loneliness Scale to measure loneliness. For internet misuse we used the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale and 3 questions to assess activities and time spent on the internet. Results. The higher the preference for online interactions of the Internet adopted by students to regulate mood, the higher the internalization problems recorded. Moreover, the higher preference for online social interactions adopted by students and the negative outcomes due to the Internet use, the higher the externalization problems displayed. Conclusions. Consistently with the literature our results seem to confirm the negative effect of the internet misuse on socio-emotional features. We discuss the relationship between internet use (related to mood regulation, negative social consequences and preference for online interactions) and social-emotional adjustmen

Teachers' Burnout Profile- Risk and protective factors

Background: Burnout syndrome represents a factual risk for school teachers during their career. Several factors have been analyzed as stress sources enabled to menace teachers’ general well-being; nevertheless, protective factors mostly related to their personal resources may differently characterize teachers’ profiles. Objectives: The current study aimed to define different teachers’ profiles based on their burnout levels and attitudes towards job (i.e., job satisfaction, self-efficacy, attitudes toward professional growth, collective efficacy, positive and negative emotions, and hedonic balance). attitudes towards job Methods: Participants were 266 school teachers (F=69.1%) ranging from 26 to 65 years old (M=48.95; SD=8.31), with teaching experience ranged from 1 to 41 years (M=21.72; SD=10.36). Data were collected by three self-report questionnaires: Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Attitudes towards job questionnaires, School Collective efficacy. Results: Cluster analysis approach showed two distinct teacher’s profiles named at-risk and non at-risk teachers. Main differences were due to burnout levels, attitudes toward job and extra-mansions at work. No differences were found related to teachers’ socio-demographic characteristics and their years of experience. Conclusions: The two teachers’ profiles resulting from the cluster analysis show several similarities, including collective efficacy and job satisfaction levels. Results are discussed in relation as to how teachers’ positive emotions towards their job can work as protective factors against the risk of burnou

Compassionate Work Environments and Their Role in Teachers’ Life Satisfaction: The Contribution of Perceived Collective School Performance and Burnout

Abstract: Several studies on helping professionals showed the protective role of compassion among colleagues and leaders. Despite this, studies on well-being factors at school, both preventive and protective, usually focus on teachers’ personal resources and study compassion in the teacher–stu- dent relationship. This study explores the role of received compassion at work on teachers’ life sat- isfaction while considering perceived school collective performance and burnout conditions as me- diators in this link. One hundred and eighty-six Italian teachers (female = 85.4%, mean age = 48.5, SD = 9.46) completed a questionnaire on received compassion at work, perceived school collective performance, burnout, and life satisfaction. Through a structural equation model (χ2(21) = 30.716, p = 0.08, CFI = 0.989, TLI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.050 (90% CI = 0.000–0.080, p = 0.465), SRMR = 0.038), it emerged that only perceived school collective performance mediated the association between re- ceived compassion and life satisfaction. To the best of our knowledge, few studies have addressed the role of compassion received from colleagues and supervisors at school and its effect on teachers’ work-related beliefs and personal well-being

Predicting Adolescent Depression: The Interrelated Roles of Self-Esteem and Interpersonal Stressors

Depression in adolescents can lead to social and educational impairment and is a major risk factor for suicide and substance misuse. Thus, predicting and preventing this disorder are extremely important. The current study aimed to analyze the contribution of adolescents’ self-esteem (i.e., quality of interpersonal relationships, control of life events, and management of negative emotions) and interpersonal stressor sources (relationships with parents, teachers, classmates and friends) in predicting several depression manifestations (i.e., depressed mood, sense of inadequacy, and insecurity). Participants were 182 Italian pre-adolescents and adolescents, aged 10–14 years, were recruited from three Italian schools. They were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire. Results showed that self-esteem was a major factor to be considered in adolescents’ depression. In particular, adolescents’ perception of negative emotion management was the most important protective factor against depression manifestations. Conversely, sources of interpersonal stressors contributed only marginally to depression. Among these, problems with parents and friends increased adolescents’ depressed mood, while troubles with classmates impacted on their sense of inadequacy and insecurity. Implications of these results for positive practices which could enhance adolescents’ self-esteem and further expansions of the study are discussed

Organizational capital: a resource for changing and performing in Public Administrations

The aim of this study was to deepen our knowledge about the role played by organizational capital (OC) among public administration (PA) agencies. A questionnaire was administered to a gender-balanced convenience sample of 270 workers of Italian PAs. First, confirmatory factor analysis was performed in order to examine the measurement model. Second, a SEM model was performed, confirming that OC was both directly and indirectly positively related to performance, through the mediation of innovation. OC was also positively related to innovation through the mediation of clarity about change. Overall, the results supported the hypothesized model, providing initial evidence on the pivotal role OC plays, and especially for PA agencies, on organizational innovation and performance. The limits and practical implications of these results are discussed

Dispositional traits and their impact on teachers’ health: a cress-cultural comparison between India and Italy

Background: Teachers’ health has emerged as a crucial topic of the quality of the school system. In fact, high rates of attrition and burnout among teachers have emerged to cause their turn-over, sick leave and early retirement, as well as poor quality of the educational activities. The role of negative emotions and feelings experienced at work, in fact, has undoubtedly proven to have a strong impact on the general health of teachers. On the other hand, studies on well-being have proven to offer important opportunities to set up effective policies dealing with public health. More specifically, the role of dispositional, positive affect, such as happiness and self-esteem, has proven to be linked to individuals’ health. Quite surprisingly, this link have not been addressed yet adequately among teachers. Moreover, observing the mediating role played by the teachers’ working environment between dispositional traits and their health may help to develop effective measure for improving teachers’ well-being and the educational attainments of their students. In this respect it is interesting also to operate cross-country comparisons, in order to shed a light on the possible different, effects due to the different educational system and cultural environment. Aims of the study: To develop an exploratory study, aimed at investigating the mediating role played by job satisfaction between teachers’ happiness and self-esteem on the one hand and their physical and mental health on the other. To compare India and Italy, in order to highlight the possible differences between the two countries. Methods: A questionnaire was administered, containing questions about participants’ background information and the following scales: the Job Satisfaction Survey, the Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale, the Physical and Mental Health Scales (SF12), and the Ivens Scale in the Adapted Version for Teachers: School Children’s Happiness Inventory (SCHI). Participants were 300 primary and middle school teachers from the India and about 250 teachers from Italy. Results: Job satisfaction fully mediates between both happiness and self-esteem, and health teachers in both groups of teachers. Happiness and Self-esteem are linked positively to teachers’ health. Conclusion: Work is a relevant domain to promote teachers’ health, through job satisfaction

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Schistosomiasis Among Children in Northern Senegal

<p>Background</p><p>Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent parasitic disease in Senegal. The early symptoms are hematuria and dysuria. Children's comprehension of the disease is fundamental to preventing the infection.</p><p>Objectives</p><p>The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge attitudes, and practices related to schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in 2 rural villages in Northern Senegal and to evaluate their impact on the disease.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data about children's knowledge of schistosomiasis, behavior, and preventive measures were collected through a questionnaire.</p><p>Findings</p><p>Questionnaire responses from 575 schoolchildren were analyzed. Correct answers about risky behavior for schistosomiasis were associated with early symptoms ('P' = 0.010). Wearing shoes and washing hands with soap were associated with not having hematuria and dysuria ('P' = 0.007 and 0.049, respectively). Playing in rivers was associated with the aforementioned symptoms (P < 0.001). Children who had good knowledge of schistosomiasis reportedly did not have symptoms ('P' = 0.002). A logistic regression model showed that female sex (odds ratio = 0.35; 'P' = 0.01) and attending a primary school (odds ratio = 0.13; 'P' < 0.001) were significant predictors of a lower risk of the early symptoms of urinary schistosomiasis.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>This study revealed that the level of knowledge among children in North Senegal about the causes, transmission, prevention, and treatment of schistosomiasis warrants implementing educational intervention

The Combination of Immune Checkpoint Blockade with Tumor Vessel Normalization as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Breast Cancer: An Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have a modest clinical activity when administered as monotherapy against breast cancer (BC), the most common malignancy in women. Novel combinatorial strategies are currently being investigated to overcome resistance to ICIs and promote antitumor immune responses in a greater proportion of BC patients. Recent studies have shown that the BC abnormal vasculature is associated with immune suppression in patients, and hampers both drug delivery and immune effector cell trafficking to tumor nests. Thus, strategies directed at normalizing (i.e., at remodeling and stabilizing) the immature, abnormal tumor vessels are receiving much attention. In particular, the combination of ICIs with tumor vessel normalizing agents is thought to hold great promise for the treatment of BC patients. Indeed, a compelling body of evidence indicates that the addition of low doses of antiangiogenic drugs to ICIs substantially improves antitumor immunity. In this review, we outline the impact that the reciprocal interactions occurring between tumor angiogenesis and immune cells have on the immune evasion and clinical progression of BC. In addition, we overview preclinical and clinical studies that are presently evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of combining ICIs with antiangiogenic drugs in BC patients