Outcasts and saboteurs: Intervention strategies to reduce the negative effects of social exclusion on team outcomes

Ostracism Predicting Suicidal Behavior and Risk of Relapse in Substance Use Disorders

INTRODUCTION

The present study investigated the predictive relationship between ostracism and suicidal behaviors in individuals with substance use disorders. It also attempts to highlight the mediating role of the risk of relapse between ostracism and suicidal behavior.

METHODS

The study was based on a cross-sectional survey design. The sample comprised 100 men aged between 30 to 45 years (M = 35.25, SD = 3.06) from Karachi. The purposive sampling technique was employed. The study employed demographic forms and three self-reporting measures: the Ostracism Experience Scale (OES-A), the Advance Warning of Relapse Questionnaire 3.0 (AWARE), and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R).

RESULTS

Ostracism significantly predicted relapse risk and suicidal behavior. Risk of relapse positively predicted both dimensions of ostracism (ignored: r = 0.33, p < 0.01; excluded: r = 0.43, p < 0.01) and suicidal behavior (r = 0.35, p < 0.01). Additionally, the risk of relapse strongly correlated with overall ostracism score (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). However, no significant mediating effect of ostracism on suicidal behavior was found. The effect was mediated through the risk of relapse (B indirect = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.23). These findings suggest that ostracism increases the likelihood of recurrence, which in turn is associated with suicidal behavior. The mediation model explained 17% of the variation in suicidal behavior.

CONCLUSION

The findings propose the importance of addressing ostracism as a risk factor for suicidal behavior and relapse in substance use disorders. The results suggest that reducing the adverse effects of ostracism and improving social support for individuals can have a significant impact on their mental health.

Developing and Validating the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism Faculty Perceptions of College Climate (DEIA FPCC) Scale in Pharmacy Faculty

OBJECTIVE

This work's objective was to demonstrate acceptable reliability and consistency within and across each domain of the survey tool.

METHODS

A survey with 16 questions was distributed to faculty from the AACP membership list and contained 4 domains: DEIA. The survey responses were analyzed using factor analysis and reliability analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 877 subjects' responses met inclusion criteria and were used in the analysis. The results demonstrated that the survey had high reliability and discriminating validity within each domain and overall as a scale.

CONCLUSION

The finalized tool provides a practical, standardized measure to evaluate faculty perceptions of DEIA efforts in institutions of pharmacy education. This tool can help identify areas of improvement and guide the advancement of DEIA initiatives in colleges of pharmacy. Further research is needed to validate the survey in other populations. Future efforts will also explore predictors of survey scores.