Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Potential Determinants (potential + determinant)
Kinds of Potential Determinants Selected AbstractsTreatment with inhaled corticosteroids in asthma is too often discontinued,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 4 2008Nancy S. Breekveldt-Postma PhD Abstract Purpose To study persistence with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and its determinants in asthma-patients. Methods From the PHARMO database, asthma-patients (age,<,35 years) with a first dispensing for ICS in 1999,2002 and,,,2 dispensings in the first year were included. Persistence during the first year was defined as the number of days from start to time of first failure to continue renewal of the initial ICS. Potential determinants of persistence were assessed at ICS-start and 1 year before. Results The study-cohort included 5563 new users of single ICS and 297 of fixed-combined ICS. Less than 10% of patients using single ICS and 15% of patients using fixed-combined ICS were persistent at 1 year. Similar persistence-rates were observed when stratified for age (children/adolescents: 0,18 years and adults: 19,34 years). Increased persistence with single ICS was observed with the type of ICS (budesonide), prescriber (specialist), prior use of long-acting beta-agonists, previous hospitalization for asthma, metered-dose inhaler, low starting-dose and once-daily dosing regimen at start. Persistence with fixed combined ICS-treatment increased with younger age and was decreased in patients having high starting-dose of ICS and prior use of antibiotics. Conclusion New users of both single and fixed combined ICS have alarming low persistence rates with ICS-treatment in the first year of follow-up. Persistence was mainly related to patient factors, such as severity of disease, and to treatment-related factors, such as once-daily dosing frequency. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Symptom experience after lung transplantation: impact on quality of life and adherenceCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2007Christiane Kugler Abstract:, Background:, Patients' perceptions of immunosuppression- related symptom experience may impact on quality of life (QoL) and medication adherence. Methods:, A total of 308 lung transplant recipients were screened for study inclusion. Two hundred eighty-seven patients (response rate 93%) completed a 91-item questionnaire consisting of subscales focusing on symptom experiences (frequency and distress), and adherence. QoL was assessed by a 40-item standardized instrument. Impact of symptom experiences on QoL and adherence were assessed. Potential determinants of immunosuppression induced symptom experiences were evaluated. Results:, The most frequent reported symptoms were tremor (70%) and hirsutism (68.1%), whereas Cushingoid appearance (38.6%) and muscle weakness (31.9%) appeared to be the most distressing symptoms. Women (p < 0.001) and younger patients (<40 yr; p < 0.0001) reported a significantly higher level of symptom experience compared with their counterparts respectively. Symptom experiences negatively influenced QoL in all dimensions (p < 0.006). Those who described experiencing adverse effects reported significantly more "drug holidays" (p , 0.004) compared with those reporting minor frequent adverse effects. Patients' self-reported strategies to reduce adverse effects were to postpone medication intake (30%), to drop doses (8%), or to reduce doses (9%). Conclusions:, This study establishes a relationship between patients' perceptions of immunosuppression-related symptom experiences and the impact on QoL and adherence. Immunosuppression is accompanied by significant adverse effects in both symptom frequency and distress. Most frequently experienced symptoms do not necessarily have the greatest impact on perceived distress, and vice versa. High levels of adverse effects tend to negatively influence patients' QoL and adherence. Future research is required to understand the relationship of these complex variables. [source] Iron enhances endothelial cell activation in response to Cytomegalovirus or Chlamydia pneumoniae infectionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 10 2006A. E. R. Kartikasari Abstract Background, Chronic inflammation has been implemented in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases like atherosclerosis. Several pathogens like Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) result in inflammation and thereby are potentially artherogenic. Those infections could trigger endothelial activation, the starting point of the atherogenic inflammatory cascade. Considering the role of iron in a wide range of infection processes, the presence of iron may complicate infection-mediated endothelial activation. Materials and methods, Endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and endothelial selectin (E-selectin) expression were measured using flow cytometry, as an indication of endothelial activation. Cytotoxicity was monitored using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Immunostaining was applied to measure Cp and CMV infectivity to endothelial cells. Results, An increased number of infected endothelial cells in a monolayer population leads to a raised expression of adhesion molecules of the whole cell population, suggesting paracrine interactions. Iron additively up-regulated Cp-induced VCAM-1 expression, whereas synergistically potentiated Cp-induced ICAM-1 expression. Together with CMV, iron also enhanced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression. These iron effects were observed without modulation of the initial infectivity of both microorganisms. Moreover, the effects of iron could be reversed by intracellular iron chelation or radical scavenging, conforming modulating effects of iron on endothelial activation after infections. Conclusions, Endothelial response towards chronic infections depends on intracellular iron levels. Iron status in populations positive for Cp or CMV infections should be considered as a potential determinant for the development of atherosclerosis. [source] Do Local Landscape Patterns Affect the Demand for Landscape Amenities Protection?JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2003Felix Schläpfer Agricultural support is increasingly flowing into the maintenance and improvement of landscape quality. While variations in the demand for landscape protection have been successfully attributed to variations in socio-economic characteristics, the effect of the local landscape setting as a potential determinant of environmental preferences has received less attention. A framework is formulated that describes public support for regional landscape protection as a function of socio-economic variables and land use patterns. Models are then estimated using detailed local land use statistics and voting records from a referendum on increasing public funding for local landscape amenities protection in the Swiss canton of Zurich. The land use variables represent proportions of open landscape and landscape features that are viewed as particularly valuable for aesthetic and other reasons. Cross-sectional estimation results suggest that attitudes towards public landscape protection are indeed strongly associated with the local landscape. Approval for protection programmes increased with local scarcity of open space and with the presence of high-amenity landscape features. Comparison with referendum outcomes on a national-level environmental issue suggests that the positive association with high-amenity landscape features may be partly attributable to individuals' self-selection of residency. [source] The Determinants of Students' Perceived Learning Outcomes and Satisfaction in University Online Education: An Empirical Investigation,DECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 2 2006Sean B. Eom ABSTRACT In this study, structural equation modeling is applied to examine the determinants of students' satisfaction and their perceived learning outcomes in the context of university online courses. Independent variables included in the study are course structure, instructor feedback, self-motivation, learning style, interaction, and instructor facilitation as potential determinants of online learning. A total of 397 valid unduplicated responses from students who have completed at least one online course at a university in the Midwest were used to examine the structural model. The results indicated that all of the antecedent variables significantly affect students' satisfaction. Of the six antecedent variables hypothesized to affect the perceived learning outcomes, only instructor feedback and learning style are significant. The structural model results also reveal that user satisfaction is a significant predictor of learning outcomes. The findings suggest online education can be a superior mode of instruction if it is targeted to learners with specific learning styles (visual and read/write learning styles) and with timely, meaningful instructor feedback of various types. [source] The influence of health threat communication and personality traits on personal models of diabetes in newly diagnosed diabetic patientsDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 8 2007V. L. Lawson Abstract Background, Personal models of diabetes, i.e. patients' beliefs about symptoms, treatment effectiveness, consequences (impact on life, seriousness) and emotional response to possible short- and long-term complications, have been associated with diabetes self-care behaviours. Little work has examined potential determinants of personal models. Aims, To examine the influence of health threat communication and personality traits on personal models in newly diagnosed patients. Methods, Newly diagnosed patients (n = 158; 32 Type 1 and 126 Type 2) completed the Big Five Personality Inventory, Diabetes Health Threat Communication Questionnaire (DHTCQ), Personal Models of Diabetes Interview-Adapted (PMDI) and Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R). Results, Emotional responses to diabetes (PMDI) were associated with perceptions of a more threatening health message (22% explained variance), less emotional stability (5%) and the presence of dependent children (3%). Emotional representations (IPQ-R) were associated with a threatening health message (6%) and less emotional stability (15%). An adverse view of consequences (PMDI) was predicted by a more threatening/less reassuring health message (15%), less emotional stability (6%) and Type 1 diabetes (4%). Consequences (IPQ-R) were predicted by perceptions of a more threatening health message (20%), being less agreeable/cooperative (7%) and having dependent children (4%). Treatment effectiveness beliefs (PMDI) were associated with perceptions of a more reassuring health message (31%), younger age (3%) and more openness/intellect (2%). Conclusions, Personal models of diabetes are influenced by health threat communication, demographic and personality factors. These findings support the concept of tailoring health messages to the needs of individual patients and provide information on factors to be taken into account in the education process. [source] The Effects of Screening and Monitoring on Credit Rationing of SMEsECONOMIC NOTES, Issue 2 2008Mariarosaria Agostino In this paper, we seek to empirically assess which determinants of the capability and incentives of banks to screen and monitor firms are significant in explaining credit rationing to Italian SMEs. After testing for the presence of non-random selection bias and the potential endogeneity of some determinants of interest, the probit model results we obtain suggest that the average banking size and the multiple banking relationship phenomenon are statistically significant factors affecting credit rationing, presumably through their impact on the aforementioned banks' capability and incentives. Other potential determinants of banks' incentives to monitor and screen, such as local banking competition and firm' capacity to collateralize, are never significant. However, when we split the sample according to the level of competition in credit markets, we find that the estimated marginal effects of all significant determinants of interest are larger in absolute value than those obtained when using the whole sample. [source] The natural history of quitting smoking: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country SurveyADDICTION, Issue 12 2009Natalie Herd ABSTRACT Aims To describe the long-term natural history of a range of potential determinants of relapse from quitting smoking. Design, setting and participants A survey of 2502 ex-smokers of varying lengths of time quit recruited as part of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States) across five annual waves of surveying. Measurements Quitters were interviewed by telephone at varying durations of abstinence, ranging from 1 to 1472 days (about 4 years) post-quitting. Smoking-related beliefs and experiences (i.e. urges to smoke; outcome expectancies of smoking and quitting; and abstinence self-efficacy) were included in the survey. Findings Most theorized determinants of relapse changed over time in a manner theoretically associated with reduced risk of relapse, except most notably the belief that smoking controls weight, which strengthened. Change in these determinants changed at different rates: from a rapidly asymptoting log function to a less rapidly asymptoting square-root function. Conclusions Variation in patterns of change across time suggests that the relative importance of each factor to maintaining abstinence may similarly vary. [source] Institutional Change and Union Membership: A Longitudinal Analysis of Union Membership Determinants in IsraelINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, Issue 3 2000Gedaliahu H. Harel We examine the degree to which factors associated with workers' union membership decisions are sensitive to shifts in the institutional environment of unions. Comparative logit analyses of the relationship between potential determinants of membership and actual union membership over time suggestthat the factors associated with membership are elastic and may reflect shifts in the institutional context of unions. [source] Voluntary Disclosure of Good and Bad Earnings News in a Low Litigation Setting,ACCOUNTING PERSPECTIVES, Issue 4 2008Philip T. Sinnadurai ABSTRACT This study uses a historical setting in which expected litigation costs were low (i.e., Australia, from 1993 to 1996) to investigate whether companies with good news were more likely to preempt annual earnings than their counterparts with bad news. Empirical tests compare the probability of preemption conditional on having good news with the probability of preemption conditional on having bad news. The models control for other potential determinants of disclosure policy that have been documented in the literature. The results do not support the research hypothesis that companies with good news were more likely to preempt annual earnings than companies with bad news. This finding suggests that there may be other factors driving disclosure of bad news, in addition to those acknowledged in the extant literature. The evidence also indicates that in Australia during the investigation period, the probability of preemption was positively associated with firm size and analyst following and differed as a function of industry membership. [source] Self-reported use of mental health services versus administrative records: care to recall?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2004Anne E. Rhodes Abstract Estimates of the level of unmet need for mental health treatment often rely on self-reported use of mental health services. However, depressed persons may over-report their use in relation to administrative records if they are highly distressed. This study seeks to replicate and explicate the finding that persons at a high level of distress report more mental health service use than recorded in their healthcare records. The study sample, N=36,892, 12 years and older, was drawn from the 1996/97 Ontario portion of the Canadian National Population Health Survey. Respondents were individually linked to their administrative mental healthcare records 12 months backward in time. Of these, 96.5% agreed to the link and 23,063 (62.5%) were linked. Almost two-thirds of those who were depressed in the past year were currently at a high level of distress. Differential reporting of use for highly distressed persons in excess of 100% remained in the use of different types of physician providers after adjustments for other potential determinants of use. Telescoping was also not an explanation. The patterns of differential reporting between groups expected to diverge and converge in their recall ability were consistent with a recall bias. As this study was not able to rule out a recall bias, it further accentuates concerns about the impact of bias in the measurement of mental health-service use and inferences made concerning the determinants of use. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Why do diabetic patients not attend appointments with their dietitian?JOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 3 2003F. J. M. Spikmans Abstract Purpose Determining the prevalence of and possible reasons for nonattendance of diabetic nutritional care clinics. Methods Data were collected by means of a telephone survey and a review of patient records among 293 (166 attendees and 127 nonattendees) patients undergoing outpatient treatment at a university hospital. The t -tests, chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were used to identify potential determinants of nonattendance. The theoretical framework was primarily based on the Health Belief Model. Results In univariate analysis, nonattendance at the clinic was associated with a number of factors such as not visiting other care givers, risk perceptions, body-mass index, self-rated health, health locus of control, satisfaction with the dietitian, feelings of obligation to attend, and beliefs about the effectiveness of the treatment. In multivariate analysis only health locus of control and obligation to attend the visit were significant predictors of attendance. A significant number of respondents further reported that they perceived their visits to the dietitian to be of little use. Conclusion One in three diabetic patients undergoing outpatient treatment skipped one or more visits to their dietitian. Patient education to improve attendance should focus primarily on convincing patients that they can contribute to their own health, and may stress the obligation the patients have when making an appointment with the dietitian. [source] Systematic review: persistent reflux symptoms on proton pump inhibitor therapy in primary care and community studiesALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2010H. El-Serag Summary Background, Persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms can occur despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Aim, To assess the prevalence and potential determinants of persistent GERD symptoms in primary care and community-based studies. Methods, Studies were identified by systematic PubMed and Embase searches; pooled prevalence data are shown as sample-size weighted means and 95% confidence intervals. Results, Nineteen studies in individuals with GERD taking a PPI were included. In interventional, nonrandomized primary care trials, the prevalence of persistent troublesome heartburn and regurgitation was 17% (6,28%) and 28% (26,30%) respectively; in randomized trials, it was 32% (25,39%) and 28% (26,30%), respectively. In observational primary care and community-based studies, 45% (30,60%) of participants reported persistent GERD symptoms. Overall, persistent GERD symptoms despite PPI treatment were more likely in studies with a higher proportion of female participants [>60% vs. <50%, risk ratio (RR): 3.66; P < 0.001], but less likely in studies from Europe than in those from the USA (RR: 0.71; P < 0.001), and were associated with decreased psychological and physical well-being. Conclusions, Persistent GERD symptoms despite PPI treatment are common in the primary care and community setting. Alternative approaches to management are required. [source] Elevated plasma fibrinogen ,, concentration is associated with myocardial infarction: effects of variation in fibrinogen genes and environmental factorsJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 4 2007M. N. MANNILA Summary., Background:, Fibrinogen ,,, a fibrinogen ,-chain variant generated via alternative mRNA processing, has been associated with susceptibility to thrombotic disease. Objective:, The present case,control study searched for potential determinants of the plasma fibrinogen ,, concentration and examined the relationship between this variant and risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Patients and methods:, The Stockholm Coronary Artery Risk Factor study, comprising 387 postinfarction patients and 387 healthy individuals, was employed. The fibrinogen gamma (FGG) 9340T > C [rs1049636], fibrinogen alpha (FGA) 2224G > A [rs2070011] and fibrinogen beta (FGB) 1038G > A [rs1800791] polymorphisms were determined. The plasma fibrinogen ,, concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The multifactor dimensionality reduction method was used for interaction analyses on risk of MI. Results:, The FGG 9340T > C and FGA 2224G > A polymorphisms, total plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, insulin and high-density lipoprotein, and gender appeared to be independent determinants of plasma fibrinogen ,, concentration in patients, and the corresponding determinants in controls included FGG 9340T > C and FGA 2224G > A polymorphisms and plasma fibrinogen concentration. An elevated plasma fibrinogen ,, concentration proved to be an independent predictor of MI [adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 1.24 (1.01, 1.52)]. The plasma fibrinogen ,, concentration was involved in a high-order interaction with total plasma fibrinogen and the FGG 9340T > C and FGA 2224G > A polymorphisms, associated with a further increased risk of MI [OR (95% CI): 3.22 (2.35, 4.39)]. Conclusions:, Plasma fibrinogen ,, concentration influences the risk of MI, and this relationship seems to be strengthened by the presence of an elevated total plasma fibrinogen concentration and the FGG 9340T and FGA 2224G alleles. [source] Risk factors for worker injury and death from occupational light vehicles crashes in New South Wales (Australia),AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2010Rwth Stuckey MPH Abstract Background/Aim To identify risk and protective factors for crash casualty outcomes in occupational light vehicles (OLV), a previously under-recognized work context for injuries and fatalities. Methods A register-based study was conducted using linked vehicle crash and registration data (n,=,13,491) for the Australian state of New South Wales. Univariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken to assess the relationship between casualty outcomes and variables drawn from four domains of potential determinants of severity: user, vehicle, road, and work organization factors. Results Nineteen percent of OLV crashes had OLV-user casualties (n,=,2,506) and 1% fatalities (n,=,34). Adjusted casualty risk factors included tired driver (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5,2.7), no seat belt use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4,2.3), and excessive speed (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2,1.6). Adjusted fatality risk factors were no seat belt (OR 12.9, 95% CI 4.9,34.3) and high-speed zone crash (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.1,12.3). Conclusions OLV users are at risk from both recognized road risks and hazards specific to OLV use. Findings suggest that risk reduction could be improved by the use of safer vehicles, fatigue management, and journey planning. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:931,939, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,EPIDEMIOLOGY: Sexual Desire in a Nationally Representative Danish PopulationTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2007Lene Eplov MD ABSTRACT Introduction., There are only a few studies on the frequency of sexual desire in the general population, whereas studies investigating the frequency of disordered sexual desire are more common. Aim., The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of sexual desire in a representative sample of the adult Danish population and to analyze the relationships between a number of relevant variables and sexual desire. Methods., The study population (N = 10,458, response rate 84.8%) answered a questionnaire with questions on sexual matters. The representativity of the population was examined. The frequency of self-reported sexual desire and decrease in sexual desire over a 5-year period was calculated for the two genders across age cohorts. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between potential determinants and sexual desire. Main Outcome Measures., The frequency of self-reported sexual desire and decrease in sexual desire was examined. Factors of importance for sexual desire were tested using two outcome measures: (i) often having sexual desire; and (ii) seldom having sexual desire. Results., A significant association between gender and sexual desire was found in all age groups, as men had a significantly higher level of sexual desire than women. In both genders, the frequency of sexual desire was significantly reduced with increasing age. Among the 45- to 66-year-olds, 57% of the men and 47% of the women reported no change in the level of sexual desire over the past 5 years. In general terms, factors related to seldom having sexual desire were age and social, psychological, and physical distress in both genders. Conclusion., This study shows that overall, men have a higher level of sexual desire than women; sexual desire decreases with increasing age; and social, psychological, or physical distress are associated with low level of sexual desire in both genders. Eplov L, Giraldi A, Davidsen M, Garde K, and Kamper-Jørgensen F. Sexual desire in a nationally representative Danish population. J Sex Med 2007;4:47,56. [source] Delay of Adequate Empiric Antibiotic Therapy Is Associated with Increased Mortality among Solid-Organ Transplant PatientsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2009B. Hamandi Empiric antibiotic therapy is often prescribed prior to the availability of bacterial culture results. In some cases, the organism isolated may not be susceptible to initial empiric therapy (inadequate empiric therapy or IET). In solid-organ transplant recipients, the overall incidence and clinical importance of IET is unknown. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted from 2002 to 2004. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between potential determinants and mortality. IET was administered in 169/312 (54%) patients, with a hospital mortality rate that was significantly greater than those receiving adequate therapy (24.9% vs. 7.0%; relative risk [RR] 3.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85,6.83; p < 0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated that an increasing duration of IET (adjusted odds ratio [OR] at 24 h: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.15,1.53; p < 0.001), ICU-associated infections (adjusted OR: 6.27; 95% CI: 2.79,14.09; p < 0.001), prior antibiotic use (adjusted OR: 3.56; 95% CI: 1.51,8.41; p = 0.004) and increasing APACHE-II scores (adjusted OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.16,1.34; p < 0.001) were independently correlated with hospital mortality. IET is common and appears to be associated with an increased hospital mortality rate in the solid-organ transplant population. [source] Hypogonadism-related symptoms: development and evaluation of an empirically derived self-rating instrument (HRS ,Hypogonadism Related Symptom Scale')ANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2009J. Wiltink Summary While self-report screening instruments are highly sensitive to hypogonadism in the ageing male, they have lacked specificity as evidenced by low or absent correlations with testosterone. The purpose of this paper was to develop an economical and specific screening instrument for identifying hypogonadal ageing men. Based on a comprehensive study of physical, somatoform and affective complaints, sexual behaviour and function and hormonal parameters of 263 outpatients aged 40 years and above (M = 56.2; 40,84 years) recruited from six andrological outpatient departments in Germany, we identified those items correlating significantly with testosterone. By factor analyses, five factors were identified: ,reduced activity', ,dissatisfaction with sexual function', ,negative self-concept of physical fitness', ,reduced sexual desire' and ,hot flushes'. The corresponding scales were reliable and only moderately inter-correlated. Consistent correlations were found with the level of testosterone, ageing male scales (Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male, Aging Male Survey), specific affective, somatoform and sexual functioning scales and potential determinants of low testosterone (body mass index, physical inactivity, etc.). While further validation is needed, the new Hypogonadism Related Symptoms Scale appears to be a promising hypogonadism screening tool. [source] The Use of Performance-based Remuneration: High versus Low-growth FirmsAUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING REVIEW, Issue 3 2010Julie Walker This study analyses the CEO remuneration structure and level for 100 Australian-listed entities. Consistent with expectations, it finds that high-growth firms pay their CEOs a greater proportion of performance-based pay, when equity-based rewards only are considered. High-growth firms also place greater reliance on market and/or non-financial performance standards for the award of performance-based pay. The extent to which performance-based remuneration is used as a component of CEO pay is positively associated with firm size and growth options. Other potential determinants of performance-based pay, such as financial performance, are not significantly associated with the use of performance-based remuneration. [source] Subjective leisure experiences of older AustraliansAUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006Ben Sellar Background:,Previous studies into leisure have employed methodologies that may understate the significance of experiential components. This exploratory study investigated the leisure experiences of retired Australians over 65 years of age. Methods:,Five semistructured interviews were used to explore the leisure experience of older people from metropolitan Adelaide. Data were coded and analysed thematically. Results:,Relaxation and engrossment emerged as commonly expressed experiences, yet were found to emerge as a result of engagement in occupations predefined as leisure. Experiences of freedom from both necessary duties and a sense of obligation were discussed as potential determinants of leisure consciousness. Practice implications:,This study highlights a need for therapists to actively access clients' subjective leisure experiences to enable engagement in personally meaningful leisure occupations. [source] Family correlates of adolescents' emotional/behavioural problems: evidence from a Greek school-based sampleACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2009G Giannakopoulos Abstract Aim:, To investigate the associations of some family characteristics with adolescents' self-reported emotional/behavioural problems. Methods:, Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nation-wide random sample of adolescents (N = 1194) aged 11,18 years and their parents (N = 973) in 2003. The present analysis included the questionnaires completed by mothers and their offspring (639 families). Adolescents' emotional/behavioural problems, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were assessed in relation to family socioeconomic status and residence type, parental marital status, educational attainment and subjective mental health, family cohesion and parent,child relations. Results:, The analysis showed that parental marital status other than being married, poor parent,child relations and low levels of maternal subjective mental health were independently correlated with significantly more adolescents' emotional/behavioural problems. Conclusion:, Family factors are potential determinants of adolescent emotional/behavioural problems and therefore are potential targets for prevention and/or intervention. [source] | |||||||||||||