Pre-service Mathematics Teacher Efficacy: Its Nature and Relationship to Teacher Concerns and Orientation.

In a mixed method study, teacher efficacy and contributing theoretical constructs of teacher concerns and teacher orientation with Intermediate/Senior mathematics preservice teachers from two Ontario Faculties of Education are examined.  Data sources include a web-based questionnaire containing two teacher efficacy scales and short answer questions, and interviews with the preservice teachers.  The study identifies a relationship between teacher efficacy (TE) and teacher concerns and orientation, and how high TE relates to combinations of teacher concerns and orientations and low TE relates to particular and individual teacher concerns and orientations.  Future research and considerations for preservice mathematics teacher programs are offered. Cette étude à méthodologie mixte porte sur l’efficacité des enseignants et les modèles théoriques qui contribuent aux préoccupations et aux orientations des enseignants. La recherche a impliqué des stagiaires en mathématiques aux niveaux intermédiaire et sénior dans deux facultés d’éducation en Ontario. Les données proviennent d’un questionnaire en ligne comportant deux échelles qui évaluent l’efficacité des enseignants ainsi que des questions à réponses courtes, et des entrevues auprès des stagiaires. L’étude identifie un rapport entre l’efficacité des enseignants et leurs préoccupations et orientations, et démontre dans quelle mesure le niveau d’efficacité est lié à des préoccupations et des orientations particulières. On propose des éléments à prendre en compte et des facteurs de recherche à prendre en considération pour les programmes d’enseignement des mathématiques.

The Impact of Weather Conditions on Mood Variability in Geographically Relocated Versus Non-Relocated Individuals

A void exists in the literature in regards to how identical weather conditions impact individuals from different geographic locations. It is believed relocated individuals are more susceptible to fluctuations in mood stemming from novel weather conditions than indigenous individuals. The sample consisted of 70 life-long Minnesota residents and 25 individuals who have spent minimum of one year living outside of Minnesota. Participants completed a mood self-report measure online for four consecutive weeks to determine positive and negative affect levels. Data was then matched with corresponding weather data for the same time period. No support was found for the hypothesis. However, sunshine was identified as the crucial factor for mood adjustment

Mirror Mirror: A Look into Muscle Dysmorphia

Muscle dysmorphia is a subcategory of body dysmorphia. There is an extreme desire to gain body mass, and this is characterized by many psychological and behavioral symptoms. Previous research has found that mirror checking is a symptom of muscle dysmorphia. The purpose of this study is to continue the investigation into mirror checking as a diagnostic symptom of muscle dysmorphia. Our hypothesis is that participants who score higher on a scale of muscle dysmorphia will spend more time looking in a mirror than those who score low on the scale of muscle dysmorphia. Participants were males enrolled in psychology courses at Western Kentucky University. Participants were placed in front of a mirror and completed three questionnaires regarding levels of muscle dysmorphia, as well as completed one distractor task. The session was recorded in order to code mirror checking behavior. With our findings, we hope to determine the relation between mirror checks and presence of muscle dysmorphia in participants. Data collection is still ongoing and is projected to be finished by December

Age related factors influence HIV testing within subpopulations: a cross sectional survey of MSM within the Celtic nations

Objectives: Despite a recent fall in the incidence of HIV within the UK, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately affected. As biomedical prevention technologies including pre-exposure prophylaxis are increasingly taken up to reduce transmission, the role of HIV testing has become central to the management of risk. Against a background of lower testing rates among older MSM, this study aimed to identify age-related factors influencing recent (≤12 months) HIV testing. Methods: Cross-sectional subpopulation data from an online survey of sexually active MSM in the Celtic nations—Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland (n=2436)—were analysed to compare demographic, behavioural and sociocultural factors influencing HIV testing between MSM aged 16–25 (n=447), 26–45 (n=1092) and ≥46 (n=897). Results: Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that for men aged ≥46, not identifying as gay (OR 0.62, CI 0.41 to 0.95), location (Wales) (OR 0.49, CI 0.32 to 0.76) and scoring higher on the personalised Stigma Scale (OR 0.97, CI 0.94 to 1.00) significantly reduced the odds for HIV testing in the preceding year. Men aged 26–45 who did not identify as gay (OR 0.61, CI 0.41 to 0.92) were also significantly less likely to have recently tested for HIV. For men aged 16–25, not having a degree (OR 0.48, CI 0.29 to 0.79), location (Republic of Ireland) (OR 0.55, CI 0.30 to 1.00) and scoring higher on emotional competence (OR 0.57, CI 0.42 to 0.77) were also significantly associated with not having recently tested for HIV. Conclusion: Key differences in age-related factors influencing HIV testing suggest health improvement interventions should accommodate the wide diversities among MSM populations across the life course. Future research should seek to identify barriers and enablers to HIV testing among the oldest and youngest MSM, with specific focus on education and stigma

Outcomes of Individual vs. Group Instruction in EFNEP

This article presents an analysis of self-reported behavioral outcomes from three years\u27 of New York State EFNEP evaluation data. Participant instruction has shifted from a primarily one-on-one format to group instruction because of staff safety concerns and the impact of welfare reform on recruitment, as well as financial constraints. The question is raised regarding the cost-effectiveness of group education as currently delivered. If groups are unavoidable in the current climate, educators need to identify strategies to maximize impact among participants educated in group settings