Deborah Graham

Illness Representations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic illness that usually follows a fluctuating course and, therefore, can be difficult to diagnose. Consequently, individuals with SLE often hold beliefs about the nature and course of the illness that are at odds with medical opinion. Clearly, a shared understanding of the illness would be beneficial to illness management. In this study, the authors used semistructured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the content of the illness representations held by 36 individuals diagnosed with SLE. They also identified the ways in which these illness representations were generated initially and attempted to determine whether changes occurred over time in these illness representations, as predicted by the self-regulatory model.

“I just want to teach” Queensland independent school teachers and their workload

Purpose – The present study seeks to elucidate observed mismatches with workload in teacher respondents to a survey exploring aspects of the work environment. Design/methodology/approach – This phase of the study constituted a pen and paper survey of 298 currently serving teachers in independent schools in Queensland, Australia. Measures used in the research included the Areas of Worklife Survey (AWLS), which identifies matches or mismatches between the worker and organization on six areas of worklife, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Findings – One sample t-tests revealed respondents reported significantly higher matches in the control, community, fairness and values areas of work life than previously surveyed populations, whereas they reported no difference in reward, and significantly more mismatch with workload. Respondents reported significantly higher levels than previously established norms on the OLBI dimension of exhaustion, but similar levels of disengagement. Responses to the UWES revealed significantly higher dedication and absorption and lower vigor than previously established norms. In addition, respondents reported working long hours in order to fulfill all obligations. Expansion of the quantitative data with respondent comments indicated that teachers working independent schools in Queensland have reached a level of workload that is unsustainable and which constitutes a serious risk to their mental and physical health. Originality/value – This article pinpoints the many reasons why demands made on teachers have extended to a level which is making their work unsustainable and will be of interest to those involved in the teaching profession.

Four Weeks of Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Self-Paced Walking Performance in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective. To examine whether a programme of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) improves accumulative distance of self-paced walking in overweight and obese adults. Methods. A total of 15 overweight and obese adults were randomized into experimental (EXP: n = 8) and placebo (PLA: n = 7) groups. Lung function, inspiratory muscle performance, 6-minute walking test, and predicted V˙O2 max were assessed prior to and following the 4-week IMT intervention. Both groups performed 30 inspiratory breaths, twice daily using a proprietary inspiratory resistance device set to 55% of baseline maximal effort (EXP), or performing the same inspiratory training procedure at the minimum resistive setting (PLA). Results. Lung function was unchanged in both groups after-training; however inspiratory muscle strength was significantly improved in EXP (19 ± 25.2 cm H2O gain; P < 0.01) but did not significantly change in PLA. Additionally, the posttraining distance covered in the 6-minute walking test was significantly extended for EXP (62.5 ± 37.7 m gain; P < 0.01), but not for PLA. A positive association was observed between the change (%) of performance gain in the 6-minute walking test and body mass index (r = 0.736; P < 0.05) for EXP. Conclusion. The present study suggests that IMT provides a practical, minimally intrusive intervention to significantly augment both inspiratory muscle performance and walking distance covered by overweight and obese adults in a clinically relevant 6-minute walk test. This indicates that IMT may provide a useful priming (preparatory) strategy prior to entry in a physical training programme for overweight and obese adults.

The psychological burden of obesity: the potential harmful impact of health promotion and education programmes targeting obese individuals

Despite evidence that individual fitness levels rather than body weight are more closely linked to health outcomes, stereotypes held about overweight and obese people have resulted in pervasive levels of discrimination. It is of little wonder that overweight and obese people have been found to be unhappy. The current investigation explored the psychological burden being experienced by overweight and obese people while also examining their perceived ability to engage in exercise. Depression, anxiety and stress levels were all found to be unacceptably high for the current sample, while exercise self-efficacy or perceived ability to engage in exercise was low. Given these characteristics, messages exhorting obese people to eat less and exercise more may do little except increase the stigmatisation and levels of despair experienced by them. Those designing public health promotion and education campaigns aimed at decreasing obesity need to be cognisant of the harm that a focus on obese and overweight individuals can potentially cause. A public health focus on greater fitness for all, regardless of weight, would serve the entire population while minimising the risk of perpetuating discriminatory stereotypes about overweight and obese individuals.

Establishing the psychometric properties of measures of implicit memory

The literature currently permits the coexistence of two competing theories of implicit memory: the levels of processing approach and the multiple memory systems approach. Attempts to conceptualise implicit memory have been impeded by using tests of unsound psychometry. This research selected tests most commonly used in research and applied settings, which were most likely to be psychometrically sound, and examined their internal consistency and construct validity. Seventy-two participants were given the Visual Reproduction subtest (Wechsler Memory Scale, 3rd ed.), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, mirror tracing task, magnetised dart-throwing task, speeded adaptation of word-stem completion task, and tachistoscopic identification. Tachistoscopic identification and mirror tracing were internally consistent, while the speeded adaptation of word-stem completion and the magnetised dart-throwing task were unreliable. Analysis of encoding strategy failed to support the levels of processing account of implicit memory. Exploratory factor analysis supported a multiple memory systems model of implicit memory.

South Korean alcohol free associations: Negative expectancy not predicting drinks per occasion

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Cultural and biological particulars existing in East Asian countries are likely to mediate differences in the alcohol consumption experience. Despite this no research to date has directly explored the alcohol free association or expectancy of any East Asian nations. The current research aims to provide a set of South Korean alcohol expectancies. DESIGN AND METHODS Two hundred and thirty-seven South Koreans participated in an alcohol free association test and completed a demographic survey. RESULTS The results both confirmed and contradicted areas of past alcohol expectancy research. There appears to be differences in associates with high probability of recall and alcohol expectancy, where negative, negative sedating and sedating expectancy categories were not found to be predictors of South Korean drinker level. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The results suggest that South Koreans have a more even level of negative expectancy across all drinker categories, possibly due to a combination of linguistic, cultural and biological difference found among this population. The results provide a list of South Korean alcohol free association norms for future alcohol research in the region, with the results also underlining the need for alcohol free association tests among East Asian nations.

Health warnings on tobacco products: absolving the profiteer, punishing the victim. The ethics of Australian legislation.

In recent years, health warnings on tobacco products have become compulsory through legislation introduced by the Australian government. This approach shows a lack of concern for tobacco consumers while allowing government to abdicate responsibility without jeopardising profit. The decision to warn people of inevitable addiction and disease (while protecting those who profit from such sales) fails to recognise previous research into adolescent attraction to deviance and the role of suggestion in cure and illness. The Australian government makes millions of dollars each year by taxing tobacco products—as long as these profits continue to be directed almost exclusively into consolidated revenue, smokers will remain victims of a system unconcerned with exploitation.

Efficacy of inspiratory muscle training as a practical and minimally intrusive technique to aid functional fitness among adults with obesity

OBJECTIVE To examine the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) as a non-intrusive and practical intervention to stimulate improved functional fitness in adults with obesity. As excess adiposity of the chest impedes the mechanics of breathing, targeted re-training of the inspiratory muscles may ameliorate sensations of breathlessness, improve physical performance and lead to greater engagement in physical activity. METHODS Sixty seven adults (BMI=36±6.5) were randomized into either an experimental (EXP: n=35) or placebo (PLA: n=32) group with both groups undertaking a 4-week IMT intervention, comprising daily use of a inspiratory resistance device set to 55% (EXP), or 10% (PLA) of maximum inspiratory effort. RESULTS Inspiratory muscle strength was significantly improved in EXP (19.1 cmH20 gain; P<0.01) but did not change in PLA. Additionally, the post training walking distance covered was significantly extended for EXP (P<0.01), but not for PLA. Bivariate analysis demonstrated a positive association between the change (%) of performance in the walking test and BMI (r=0.78; P<0.01) for EXP. CONCLUSION The findings from this study suggest IMT provides a practical, self-administered intervention for use in a home setting. This could be a useful strategy to improve the functional fitness of obese adults and perhaps lead to better preparedness for engagement in physical activity initiatives.

Punishment sensitivity and tension reduction: Exploring the potential influence of genetics on South Korean alcohol consumption

Abstract Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2*2 (ALDH2*2) is a genetically mutated enzyme that affects the liver’s ability to break down acetaldehyde, resulting in immediate negative physical effects following alcohol consumption. This usually leads to reduced lifetime alcohol dependence rates among those with ALDH2*2. Paradoxically, while around 30% of South Koreans have ALDH2*2, they still maintain both high levels of alcohol consumption and dependence. Therefore, how the negative reactions to alcohol experienced by those with ALDH2*2 interact with the expected effects of alcohol and sensitivity to punishment is of interest. Four hundred and sixty South Korean university students were tested for the ALDH2 gene type and completed alcohol expectancy and sensitivity to reward/punishment measures. The results indicated that there are different predictors of alcohol consumption depending on gene type, with ALDH2*2 heavy drinkers exhibiting lower levels of SP and higher levels of tension reduction expectancy. These findings suggest that ALDH2*2 plays a central role in differences in motivation for alcohol consumption among South Koreans.