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The prevalence of poor sleep quality in the general population in China: A meta-analysis of epidemiological studies
No full textBackground: The high prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQ) in the general population leads to negative health outcomes. Since estimates of PSQ prevalence in the Chinese general population vary widely, this meta-analysis aimed to refine these estimates and to identify moderating factors.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in both international (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and EMBASE) and Chinese (Wanfang, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases) databases from inception to 23 November 2023. Studies were required to have used standard scales such as the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The pooled prevalence of PSQ and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity.
Results: In 32 studies with a combined 376,824 participants, the pooled prevalence of PSQ was 19.0% (95% CI 15.8-22.8%; range 6.6-43.6%). Across 22 studies that reported PSQI data, the pooled mean score was 4.32 (95%CI 3.82-4.81; SD = 0.502). The pooled mean sleep duration across 8 studies was 7.62 (95% CI 7.23-8.00; SD = 0.194) hours. Subgroup analyses showed that lower education (Q = 4.12, P = 0.042), living in less developed regions (Q = 60.28, P \u3c 0.001), and lower PSQI cutoff values (Q = 9.80, P = 0.007) were significantly associated with PSQ. Meta-regression analyses showed that study quality was inversely associated with estimated PSQ prevalence (β = - 0.442, P = 0.004).
Limitations: Although measures such as subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed, substantial heterogeneity remained. Information related to sleep quality, such as comorbid physical diseases or psychiatric disorders, substance use, occupational types, and employment status, were not reported in most studies.
Conclusion: One in five people in the general population of China may have PSQ and people with lower education or living in western regions may be more susceptible
Development and validation: Fairness perceptions of broad-based black economic empowerment
No full textOrientation: Within the South African context, fairness perceptions of employment equity and affirmative action programmes are discussed at length. However, the perspectives of employees from various backgrounds on the fairness of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) are limited. Further to this, no psychometrically sound instruments could be identified, which can assist to assess the fairness perceptions people hold of BBBEE.
Research purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate an appropriate measurement of fairness perceptions of BBBEE within the South African context.
Motivation for the study: Minimal research effectively advances our understanding of what actual fairness perceptions people hold of BBEEE.
Research approach/design and method: To satisfy the aim of the study, an exploratory sequential mixed-method design was undertaken. This involved the use of semi-structured interviews, followed by a quantitative research design. Main findings: The exploratory factor analysis revealed that a four-factor solution comprising 31 items was both valid and reliable.
Practical/managerial implications: The instrument can advance the understanding about the ways in which individuals in the workplace perceive BBBEE. In addition, it can assist to determine whether the programme is indeed effective and enables organisations to better manage those perceptions. Contribution/value-add: The development of a valid and reliable measure can be used by both employers and researchers for the purposes of gaining insight into the influence of BBBEE on behaviour in the South African workplace
Have they arrived at Galilee? The insights of emerging leaders in a long-term spiritual and faith formation programme
No full textThis study explored the perceptions of ongoing participants in the Galilee Spiritual and Faith Formation programme on the development of their personal and faith formation. The study used a constructivist paradigm, specifically that of interpretivism and employed a symbolic interactionist perspective to explore participant perceptions. The methodology for the study was an instrumental case study. Data were collected through a focus group interview with six participants and written responses from other two participants unable to attend the focus group. The results firstly indicated that continued involvement with the Galilee Spiritual and Faith Formation programme had made a positive impact on participants’ personal efficacy and confidence in their own spirituality and faith. Secondly, continued involvement in the Galilee programme had enhanced participants’ professional efficacy or confidence to lead others in deepening their spirituality and faith
Analysing the Prevalence of Servant Leadership Characteristics and Cultural Values in a UAE-based Multinational and Multicultural Workforce
Get PDFIn an increasingly virtual, pandemic-affected working environment, cross-cultural and people-centric leadership approaches are needed. Scholars have explored leadership effectiveness under different conditions and influences. However, in the body of leadership literature, there is scant attention to the variance across cultures for servant leadership to manage workers effectively.
This mixed-methods study explores whether servant leadership relates to cultural characteristics across three different nationalities in a UAE-based multinational organisation, providing a more comprehensive understanding of these relationships and differences and employees\u27 perceptions. The quantitative method is examined using context-specific knowledge and the qualitative method explores the nuances of participant responses making the mixed method most appropriate for this research,
The first quantitative research phase included 149 participants drawn from this organisation, from Emirati (44), United Kingdom (58), and Indian (47) nationalities, with a gender split of 79 females to 70 males. The second qualitative phase included 29 interviews with Emirati (five), United Kingdom (12) and Indian (12) leaders.
The study identified three key findings. First, while national cultural characteristics affected individual leadership traits, they did not affect the overall level of servant leadership. Contrary to the previous literature, there were no significant differences in servant leadership levels among Emirati, United Kingdom, and Indian leaders. Second, differences existed in leadership approaches relative to a leader’s tenure, with strong organisational culture proving more impactful than national culture. Third, differences emerged in leadership approaches relative to leaders’ seniority.
This study contributes to servant leadership theory in particular, and leadership theories in general, in several ways. Significantly, this is a rare empirical study of a single multinational organisation using a mixed-methods approach to explore the cross-national differences across samples from the Emirates, the United Kingdom and India. Additionally, it addresses a gap in our knowledge of Emirati servant leadership in business. The study also contributes to practice by informing Emirati, United Kingdom, and Indian leaders about the relationship between servant leadership and cultural characteristics and provides insights to enhance their approach to multinational team leadership.
Servant leaders may benefit from the research to develop their leadership strategies to effectively manage the relationship between servant leadership, national characteristics and organisational culture.
The study may inform learning and development strategies within multinational organisations, particularly in the realms of cross-cultural communication and the implementation of servant leadership practices across diverse nationalities. The implications extend to the refinement of training programs, the cultivation of a culturally agile workforce, and the establishment of leadership frameworks that resonate across diverse cultural contexts
Consumer-driven evaluation of assistive technology usage and perceived value in people with myositis in Australia
No full textIntroduction: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (known as ‘myositis’) are a group of rare sporadic inflammatory muscle disorders that significantly impact function and quality of life. There are no standardised approaches in the use of assistive technologies in myositis. This study was initiated to investigate current use and perceived value of assistive technology (AT) by people with myositis.
Methods: A cross-sectional online questionnaire (Qualtrics) was designed to capture information regarding AT use and perceived value and demographic information from people with myositis across Australia. The questionnaire was distributed via the Myositis Association of Australia and specialist myositis clinics. Participants were asked to identify which AT items they owned and how frequently the item was used and to rate the ‘usefulness’ of those items. Information was also collected on participants’ engagement with health professionals regarding assistive technologies.
Consumer and community involvement: Consumer involvement via the Myositis Research Consumer Panel identified a knowledge gap regarding AT. The questionnaire was designed with consumer input and review.
Results: One hundred two people (102) with myositis completed the questionnaire. One hundred (100) participants owned at least one AT device, with a median of 12.5 items and a maximum of 65 items. The most used devices were associated with toileting, personal care and mobility. Participants rated AT devices relating to environmental support, sleeping, seating and body support as most useful. There was a positive correlation between disease duration and number of devices used (r2 = 0.248, p = 0.012). Majority of participants (75.5%) were interested in talking to health professionals about AT; however, only 50% had done so.
Conclusion: AT device usage is high among people with myositis, with most items deemed to be useful. Greater occupational therapy input into recommendations and potential funding options may improve knowledge and access to AT
Research Week Finale - Developing partnerships from the ground up, how does Indigenous-led research work in practice?
Get PDFIn the words of Peter Yu: “For First Nations people the globe over, the struggle has been to hang on to four things - our identity as a people; the territorial lands and waters of our people; our language; and our culture. Any research project that seeks to improve our lot, that seeks to address our impoverishment, but that denies the centrality of these values, will be doomed to failure. My final word then is an encouragement towards partnership which enables Indigenous people to be the architects of our own futures, and to enact our collective responsibilities to people and to places, and to future generations.”
Join Nulungu long-standing and senior researchers to explore how to design research projects that truly have Indigenous values at their core and are led by Indigenous people and communities.
We will explore the processes required to build co-designed research projects from the get go, what it takes, what to avoid, and the challenges and opportunities along the way
Association between pre-biologic T2-biomarker combinations and response to biologics in patients with severe asthma
No full textBackground: To date, studies investigating the association between pre-biologic biomarker levels and post-biologic outcomes have been limited to single biomarkers and assessment of biologic efficacy from structured clinical trials.
Aim: To elucidate the associations of pre-biologic individual biomarker levels or their combinations with pre-to-post biologic changes in asthma outcomes in real-life.
Methods: This was a registry-based, cohort study using data from 23 countries, which shared data with the International Severe Asthma Registry (May 2017- February 2023). The investigated biomarkers (highest pre-biologic levels) were immunoglobulin E (IgE), blood eosinophil count (BEC) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Pre- to approximately 12-month post-biologic change for each of three asthma outcome domains (i.e. exacerbation rate, symptom control and lung function), and the association of this change with pre-biologic biomarkers was investigated for individual and combined biomarkers.
Results: Overall, 3751 patients initiated biologics and were included in the analysis. No association was found between pre-biologic BEC and pre-to-post biologic change in exacerbation rate for any biologic class. However, higher prebiologic BEC and FeNO were both associated with greater post-biologic improvement in FEV1 for both anti-IgE and anti-IL5/5R, with a trend for antiIL4Ra. Mean FEV1 improved by 27-178 mL post-anti-IgE as pre-biologic BEC increased (250 to 1000 cells/µL), and by 43-216 mL and 129-250 mL post-antiIL5/5R and -anti-IL4Ra, respectively along the same BEC gradient. Corresponding improvements along a FeNO gradient (25-100 ppb) were 41- 274 mL, 69-207 mL and 148-224 mL for anti-IgE, anti-IL5/5R, and anti-IL4Ra, respectively. Higher baseline BEC was also associated with lower probability of uncontrolled asthma (OR 0.392; p=0.001) post-biologic for anti-IL5/5R. Prebiologic IgE was a poor predictor of subsequent pre-to-post-biologic change for all outcomes assessed for all biologics. The combination of BEC + FeNO marginally improved the prediction of post-biologic FEV1 increase (adjusted R2 : Porsbjerg et al. 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1361891 Frontiers in Immunology 03 frontiersin.org 0.751), compared to BEC (adjusted R2 : 0.747) or FeNO alone (adjusted R2 : 0.743) (p=0.005 and \u3c0.001, respectively); however, this prediction was not improved by the addition of IgE. Conclusions: The ability of higher baseline BEC, FeNO and their combination to predict biologic-associated lung function improvement may encourage earlier intervention in patients with impaired lung function or at risk of accelerated lung function decline
Need a break? The locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads of women\u27s rugby league match-play following various between-match turnaround durations
No full textObjectives: The study investigated the locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads of female rugby league players following various between-match turnaround durations. Specifically, the study examined the (1) pacing of locomotor and tackle loads across the time-course of a match and; (2) whole-match and peak locomotor and tackle loads of match-play.
Methods: Microtechnology data were collected from elite female rugby league players (n = 172) representing all National Rugby League Women’s teams (n = 6 teams) across two seasons. Players were categorised into backs, adjustables, forwards or interchange players. Data was calculated for the whole-match (m), per minute (m.min−1) and peak (running: m.min−1; acceleration: m.s−2) locomotor and tackle loads (number and efficiency (%)) of match-play. The pacing as well as the locomotor and tackle loads of match-play were examined following short (≤6 days), normal (7 days) or long (≥8 days) turnarounds.
Results: The pacing profile of playing positions varied across short, normal and long match turnarounds. Trivial to moderate differences existed in the whole-match, per minute and peak locomotor loads across match turnaround durations (effect size ≤ 1.2).
Conclusions: Following various between-match turnaround durations (i.e., short, normal and long match turn arounds), there were variations in the locomotor and tackle pacing profile and loads whereby, the pacing profile of positional groups was more affected than the load profile. The findings can be used in applied settings to guide the recovery strategies and training plans of female rugby league players to optimise performance and wellbeing across various match turnaround durations
Pondering diversity in contemporary culture: Towards establishing a framework for a dialogical approach to religious education in Australian Catholic schools
No full textThis paper seeks to deepen the understanding of religious plurality using a range of conceptual lenses and then to draw out some implications for a dialogical approach to religious education in Catholic schools. While what was, until very recent times, seen as conventional religious affiliation has certainly weakened in Australia and elsewhere, this does not necessarily lead to a multiplication of communal beliefs, practices and values. Following Smith, Inglehart and others, what has emerged is a dominant cultural hegemony which has a range of characteristics, but the most pertinent for the discussion here is the loss of the transcendent imperative and the subsequent decline in the knowledge of, and identification with, narratives associated with once-dominant religious communities. An understanding of diversity in the current cultural milieu in Australia needs to consider this hegemony as expressed in a commonality of beliefs, values and practices regardless of expressed affiliation, religious or not. Understanding diversity in this framework establishes a basis for better considering what a dialogical approach to religious education would involve. A dialogical approach to religious education is taken as a settled norm and not one that is heavily contested. A number of the implications of the proposed understanding of diversity for religious education are given. These include following a Vygotskian scaffolded approach to pedagogy and seeing an important place for the articulation of the home religious tradition
Effects of plyometric-based structured game active breaks on fundamental movement skills, muscular fitness, self-perception, and actual behaviour in primary school students
No full textThis study examined the effects of plyometric-based structured game active breaks on fundamental movement skills (FMS), muscular fitness, student self-perception, and teacher’s rating of actual behaviour in Grade 3 and 4 students. Primary school children aged 8–10 years old, from four classes, were cluster-randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG) (n = 54) or a control group (CG) (n = 48). The IG participated in structured plyometric-based game active breaks for 7–10 minutes daily, for six consecutive weeks. The CG resumed their regular daily school routine. FMS were assessed with the Canadian Agility Movement Skills Assessment test, and muscular fitness with the standing long jump (SLJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and seated medicine ball chest throw tests. The Self-Perception Profile for Children and the Teacher’s Rating Scale of Child’s Actual Behaviour assessed student self-perception and teacher’s perception of student actual behaviour, respectively. A significant (p \u3c 0.01) interaction group by time was observed, with greater improvements in the IG compared to the CG in FMS (%diff = 13.11, ƞp² = 0.12), SLJ (%diff = 6.67, ƞp² = 0.02), seated medicine ball chest throw (%diff = 4.69, ƞp² = 0.08), student social self-perception (%diff = 9.31, ƞp² = 0.10), student scholastic selfperception (%diff = 7.27, ƞp² = 0.10), and teacher perception of student social competence (%diff = 8.31, ƞp² = 0.05). No difference (p \u3e 0.05) was found in other variables. Integrating plyometric-based structured game active breaks into primary school settings evidenced im