Diurnal cortisol measures are distinctively associated with evaluation of neuroticism by self and others

The link between neuroticism and the various indicators of daily cortisol fluctuations is frequently noted to be inconsistent or lacking in strength. The current study aimed to investigate the predictive capacity of both self-assessment and external evaluations of neuroticism, along with their interaction, on multiple indices of diurnal cortisol variations. This research involved the assessment of neuroticism using self-report and external evaluations among 166 working individuals, coupled with the collection of saliva samples over two consecutive workdays. Employing multilevel response surface analysis, our findings indicated that self-reported neuroticism exhibited a stronger association with cortisol indices compared to external evaluations. Additionally, the level of alignment between self-assessment and external ratings of neuroticism specifically impacted the prediction of estimates of daily cortisol production. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these results.

Daily associations between global self-esteem and self-concept clarity and their relationships with subjective well-being in a sample of adult workers

OBJECTIVES

The present pre-registered study examined the reciprocal day-to-day associations between global self-esteem and self-concept clarity and their incremental validity with respect to daily life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect.

METHODS

We used intensive longitudinal data from 153 adult workers (45.1% women), over a period of 31 days. Data were analyzed using dynamic structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

Results attested higher global self-esteem and self-concept clarity mean levels for older vs. younger participants, and lower global self-esteem and self-concept clarity variability for older vs. younger participants. Furthermore, global self-esteem and self-concept clarity were correlated at a cross-sectional daily level, yet only self-concept clarity states positively predicted subsequent global self-esteem states, while global self-esteem states did not predict subsequent self-concept clarity states. Daily global self-esteem and daily self-concept clarity further predicted subsequent daily higher life satisfaction and positive affect, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings shed light on the short-term relationships linking global self-esteem and self-concept clarity, pointing to their discriminant validity in predicting individuals' subjective well-being.

Exploring the Psychological Nexus of Virtual and Augmented Reality on Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Rapid Review

With the global population of older adults projected to double to 2.1 billion by 2050, it becomes crucial to promote healthy aging to alleviate the associated disease burden. In this context, technology, particularly virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), has garnered attention for its potential to augment physical activity in older adults. These immersive technologies offer interactive and enjoyable exercise experiences, making physical activity more appealing. However, the effectiveness of these interventions is not solely attributed to technology itself but is deeply intertwined with psychological processes. This rapid review examines the effectiveness of VR and AR interventions in enhancing physical exercise among healthy older adults while exploring the role of psychological variables, including mood, self-efficacy, and motivation. The results of the study show that technology-enhanced physical activity interventions hold great promise but call attention to the need for a comprehensive understanding of psychological dynamics that will pave the way for more tailored and effective interventions. Future research endeavors should aim to bridge these gaps in knowledge to optimize the impact of technology on healthy aging.

Daily cortisol variations are predicted proximally by self-efficacy beliefs at work and indirectly by perceived self-regulatory abilities in managing negative emotions

In the present ecological study, we analyzed the relations of a set of self-efficacy beliefs at work to parameters of diurnal cortisol variation. Specifically, using data collected during two consecutive working days from 166 workers, we tested a mediation model positing social and work-related self-efficacy beliefs as mediators of the relations between self-regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs in managing negative emotions and cortisol indicators. Results from the multilevel mediation analyses supported the proposed model for work-related self-efficacy, which resulted as a significant mediator of the relation between self-regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs in managing negative emotions and the overall cortisol daily production indexed by computing the area under the curve with respect to the ground. Findings suggest the importance of self-efficacy beliefs for workers' physiological adjustment. Theoretical and practical contributions of the findings are discussed.

Is the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire a Valid Measure in Older People?

BACKGROUND

Despite the widely recognized benefits of physical activity for preventing physical and cognitive decline during aging, global estimates indicate that most older adults do not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity due to a lack of motivation. The current research examined the validity and psychometric properties of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) among older adults. Based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the BREQ-3 stands out as one of the most extensively utilized tools among exercise motivation studies.

METHODS

A sample of older adults (N = 383; M age = 73.2 years, SD age = 7.2) completed the BREQ-3 and the Godin-Shepard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ).

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the six-factor structure postulated by SDT, showing good fit indices (CFI= 0.95; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.04) and supporting the full measurement invariance of the scale across sex and age groups (65 to 74 years; over 75 years). The construct and criterion validity of the BREQ-3 was upheld through the latent correlations between its subscales and their correlations with the GSLTPAQ.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated for the first time the effectiveness of the BREQ-3 in assessing all forms of behavioral regulation proposed by SDT in older adults, suggesting that older adults similarly interpreted the items across sex and age groups.

Dynamic associations of relational conflicts at work and consequent negative emotion dynamics with diurnal cortisol variations

This study examines the predictive value of conflict and conflict-related variations in negative emotion dynamics, with respect to three cortisol indicators (cortisol awakening responses; overall cortisol output; diurnal cortisol slopes). A total of 166 workers provided momentary reports on conflict(s) with colleagues and negative emotions 10 times a day for 2 workdays and salivary cortisol samples 5 times a day. The results of latent growth curve piecewise multilevel models revealed that the occurrence of a conflict and the number of conflicts introduced significant variations in specific cortisol parameters indicating greater cortisol levels throughout the day. Moreover, the conflict-elicited negative emotion boost predicted a lower reduction of cortisol levels from morning to evening. Last, the postconflict decline in negative emotions was negatively associated with overall cortisol production. This study contributes to establishing a potential association between naturally occurring episodic conflicts at work and daily cortisol patterns, identifying within-person fluctuations in negative emotions as psychological mechanisms through which this occurs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Beliefs in Regulating Negative Emotions and Vagally Mediated Heart Rate Variability: Does Sex Make a Difference?

OBJECTIVE

This ecological study explored the association between regulatory emotional self-efficacy beliefs in managing negative emotions (RESE-NE) and heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of parasympathetic modulation of the heart that has been positively associated with a better ability to flexibly adjust to a changing environment and regulate emotions.

METHOD

To test these associations, we used data from 161 adults working in relational professions (about 40% men; mean [standard deviation] age = 40.45 [14.17] years) whose HRV was assessed continuously for 24 hours.

RESULTS

Individuals high in RESE-NE showed increased HRV levels ( β = -0.05, p = .011). However, this effect was moderated by biological sex ( β = -0.18, p = .0001) such that RESE-NE positively and significantly predicted HRV for men ( β = 0.18, p < .0001) but not for women ( β = -0.001, p = .989).

CONCLUSIONS

All in all, our study provides initial empirical support for the theoretical expectation derived from social cognitive theory that RESE-NE is positively correlated with a physiological indicator of adaptability to the environmental demands. This was true only for men, likely because of sex differences in physiological stress reactivity and regulation.

The association of self-esteem variability with diurnal cortisol patterns in a sample of adult workers

This study explored the relationships between self-esteem level and self-esteem variability at work with parameters of diurnal cortisol rhythm, using intensive longitudinal data collected during two consecutive working days from N = 166 workers. Participants self-reported measures of sex, height, weight, self-esteem, neuroticism, and negative events at T0. Then, they answered a single item of self-esteem 4 times per day. Self-esteem variability was assessed by means of the relative variability index approach proposed by Mestdagh et al. (2018). Further, participants collected salivary samples at specific time points for analysis of diurnal cortisol patterns. Self-esteem average levels and a specific form of self-esteem variability were associated with diurnal cortisol parameters. In particular, results showed a relationship between low self-esteem and blunted cortisol awakening response, specifically when low self-esteem levels were stable over time. Moreover, self-esteem variability predicted a lower diurnal cortisol decline and a smaller magnitude of overall cortisol production. Present findings highlight the neuroendocrine correlates of self-esteem level and variation at work, suggesting potential pathways by which short-term variability in self-esteem states may impact hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning and long-term workers' health and well-being.

Self-esteem development during the transition to work: A 14-year longitudinal study from adolescence to young adulthood

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies examined the trajectory of self-esteem during critical developmental periods and over the life-span. However, little is known about how self-esteem changes during the school-to-work transition.

METHOD

We examined the effect of beginning a job for the first time on self-esteem development, using data from 368 adolescents assessed up to six times across a 14-year time span. Specifically, we analyzed the pattern of self-esteem change during the transition to work and whether the self-esteem trajectory varied as a function of several school- and job-related variables, while controlling for important covariates.

RESULTS

Results revealed linear increases in self-esteem across the 14-year study period, with partial support that the rate of increase slowed slightly after the school-to-work transition. We found significantly greater variability in the slopes after the transition, supporting the idea that people differ in the way they cope with the developmental tasks associated with important life transitions. We also found evidence for an interaction between college graduation and educational expectations, such that the positive effect of college graduation on self-esteem change was stronger for those who graduated with low (vs. high) educational expectations.

CONCLUSION

School-to-work transition has an effect on self-esteem development. Developmental processes of findings were discussed.

Validation of the Organizational-Based General Self-Esteem Scale

Using data from four different samples of full-time employees (N_total = 2,474), the present study was aimed to introduce and demonstrate the validity and reliability of the Organizational-Based General Self-esteem Scale (OB-GSE) a new six-item self-report scale to measure organizational-based self-esteem (OBSE) at work. Results provided evidence of (1) validity (internal, external, and convergent), (2) reliability, and (3) temporal stability of the OB-GSE scale. All in all, results attested the usefulness and the effectiveness of the OB-GSE scale.

The validity of the higher-order structure of effortful control as defined by inhibitory control, attention shifting, and focusing: A longitudinal and multi-informant study

OBJECTIVE

Effortful control (EC) has been conceptualized as a higher-order construct defined by a class of self-regulatory mechanisms. However, the developmental higher-order structure of EC has seldom been investigated with a thorough psychometric analysis. To begin to fill this gap in the literature, data were obtained from parents and teachers of 185 children (age at T1: M = 9.43 y/o, SD = 1.17) every 2 years for 8 years.

METHOD

We used a structural equation modeling approach for assessing if EC develops as a higher-order factor superordinate to three commonly studied self-regulatory mechanisms, namely inhibitory control (IC), attention focusing (AF), and attention shifting (AS).

RESULTS

Results showed that (a) IC, AF, and AS followed a similar pattern of growth, (b) EC displayed an acceptable degree of scalar longitudinal invariance when operationalized as a latent variable indicated by IC, AF, and AS, (c) a higher-order structure explained the co-development of IC, AF, and AS, and (d) stability and change in EC negatively predicted externalizing symptoms, much better than the stability and change of IC, AF, and AS, but only for parents' reports.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the higher-order structure of EC was supported, but our results also indicated that there is a certain degree of uniqueness in its facets.

Moral Disengagement and Generalized Social Trust as Mediators and Moderators of Rule-Respecting Behaviors During the COVID-19 Outbreak

In this study, we tested a theoretical model with moral disengagement, a mediator, and generalized social trust (GST), a mediator and a moderator of the relationship between personality traits and rule-respecting behaviors (i.e., social distancing and stay-at-home), during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy. The data were collected on 1520 participants (61% males). General results are threefold: (1) moral disengagement mediated the relationship between emotional stability, narcissism, psychopathy, and social distancing; (2) among components of GST, trust in Government mediated the relationship between psychopathy and social distancing; trust in known others mediated the relationship between emotional stability, agreeableness, and Machiavellianism with total number of exits; trust in unknown others mediated the relationship of emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and psychopathy with average daily number of exits; (3) GST moderated the indirect effect of personality traits on rule-respecting behaviors through moral disengagement. The theoretical and practical importance of these results is discussed.

Personality trait change at work: Associations with organizational socialization and identification

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates associations between Big Five personality trait change, organizational socialization, and organizational identification during a 3-year police officer training program (N = 416 police officer cadets).

METHOD

Participants completed a questionnaire measuring the Big Five personality traits when they entered the training academy, and then, completed the same personality questionnaire, along with measures of organizational socialization and identification, during their 2nd (n = 360) and 3rd (n = 397) year of training.

RESULTS

Results corroborated the hypotheses that (a) the Big Five traits can show systematic changes even across a relatively short time period and (b) this change is functional, given that the latent difference scores of all Big Five traits significantly predicted increases in organizational socialization and identification.

CONCLUSION

The Big five personality traits showed significant mean level changes across the 3-year training program. Although these changes were not fully consistent with theoretical expectations, they did predict two aspects of organizational adjustment (socialization and identification). The theoretical and practical implications of these findings were discussed.

The Military Academic Motivation Scale (MAMS)

Abstract. The purpose of the present paper is to introduce the Military Academic Motivation Scale (MAMS), a short and reliable instrument for assessing the different types of motivation among military cadets. Three representative samples of military cadets completed the MAMS. In Study 1 ( N = 452), the hypothesized five-factor structure of the MAMS was empirically tested and supported. In Study 2 ( N = 1,372), the factorial invariance across both gender and cohorts of the MAMS was explored and confirmed. Study 3 ( N = 520) provided evidence of the external validity of the five MAMS factors with respect to important organizational outcomes (work engagement, organizational commitment, job performance, extra-role behaviors, burnout, and intention to quit). The potential applications of the MAMS were extensively discussed, and recommendations for use in the military academy setting were given.

[Contribution of red blood group genotyping for recipients in immune-hematology through three years of activity at the EFS Alpes-Méditerranée]

AIM OF THE STUDY

Current knowledge of the molecular basis of most blood groups enables genetic testing for blood groups to overcome the limitations of agglutination. A retrospective review was carried out on genotyping assays performed between 2011 and 2013.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

The Molecular Hematology Laboratory of the EFS Alpes-Méditerranée implements commercially available tools (BioArray, Gen-Probe) and other techniques (TaqMan, tetra-primer ARMS-PCR, sequencing). It provides a high-level of expertise in molecular biology, complying with regulatory requirements and standards.

RESULTS

A total of 2382 genotyping assays was performed including 764 extended typings and 115 large extended typings essentially in cases involving multiple transfusion and suspected rare blood type. Phenotype discrepancies linked to the RH system accounted for 1501 genotypings. Discrepancies linked to the D and E were mainly related to an allele coding for weak antigen (weak D type 1, 2, 3 and EIV) while those linked to C, c and e antigens were related to an allele coding for a partial antigen (RN, ces(340), ceMo). A high prevalence of (C)ces haplotype in trans of a DAR allele was observed in Afro-Caribbean (54/62).

CONCLUSION

In transfusion medicine, red-cell genotyping can overcome the limitations of hemagglutination. It must be used only in situations where it provides a benefit either for the patient or resource management. For implementation of appropriate transfusional practices, this technique requires a sound knowledge of the genetic characteristics of blood groups and clinically relevant variants. It also requires competency with molecular biology tools and continuously updated scientific data.

[Risks for construction workers: analysis of the upper limb posture]

Our work focuses on the analysis of risks associated with onset of cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) among construction workers, and the goal is to evaluate the different degree of involvement of articular segments of the upper limbs. A number of workers with different qualification were analyzed using the OCRA Index and check-list protocols, applied to highly or moderate repetitive activities. In order to evaluate the involvement of the various upper limbs segments, we have extracted the information contained in the "posture section" of the protocols, before they are grouped together in the final posture risk value, and analyzed them considering the observed working activities. We obtained an "involvement index" related to any of the upper limb segments, highlighting the information about local involvement during the various phases of work. This "involvement index" may help in analyzing and evaluating the ergonomic risk referring to each articular segment during activity, and can be useful in the analysis and prevention of work related CTDs.

[Errors in digestive surgery. A case of tension pneumothorax during laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

A case of tension pneumothorax caused by an accidental diaphragm injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is presented. This complication occurred during one of the first laparoscopic cholecystectomies caused by the crochet abandoned for few seconds, into the peritoneal cavity. Therefore laparoscopy was performed and diaphragm injury repaired.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Personal experience]

Personal experience in the treatment of 120 patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy from March 1992 to September 1993 is presented. The good results obtained suggest that VLC is the best surgical approach for the treatment of cholelithiasis in reason of diminished pain after surgery, shortened hospital stay and early return to work.