Drivers to Obesity—A Study of the Association between Time Spent Commuting Daily and Obesity in the Nepean Blue Mountains Area

Obesity has become a public health challenge in every country on this planet, with a substantial contribution to global mortality and morbidity. Studies of the built environment have shown some promise in understanding the drivers of this obesity pandemic. This paper contributes to this knowledge, by focusing on one aspect of the urban environment and asking whether there is an association between commuting and obesity in residents of the Nepean Blue Mountains area on the fringes of Sydney. This is a cross-sectional study with obesity being the dependent variable, and commuting the independent variable, where 45 min or less was defined as local and distant commute was more than 45 min. In the sample of 158 respondents, the risk of obesity was twice as likely in the distant commuters than in the local commuters (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.051 to 3.962, p = 0.034). Investigation of possible mediators of this association was limited by sample size; however, mode of transport was found to be a significant mediator. The results support the design of cities to provide health supporting environments for all residents, including equitable access to employment at a reasonable distance and effective public transport.

MODUSI ESTETSKE OBRADE, PERFEKCIONIZAM I DIVLJENJE KAO PREDIKTORI UMETNIČKE VREDNOSTI

The aim of the research was to examine whether the perceived artistic value of the paintings can be predicted by perfectionism and awe, as well as with the modes of aesthetic processing (H - harmony and R - redundancy). The convenience sample was used and it consisted of 92 respondents (Nmale = 10, Nfemale = 82), with average age of 24.65 years (SD = 6.89). Following instruments were used: Scale of Positive and Negative Perfectionism, Awe Experience Scale and semantic differential scales used to assess harmony, redundancy and distance, as well as the perceived artistic value. Stimuli were paintings from nine artistic movements: Renaissance, Romanticism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Post-impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Abstract Art and Surrealism. For each of these movements three paintings of one most prominent representative were chosen (omitting the most famous pieces) in order for the quality of artwork to be uniform. Hierarchical linear regression was used for data analysis. Predictors in the first step were modes of aesthetic processing (H and R), perfectionism in the second step, and subscales of awe were added in the third step. The criterion is artistic value. The model composed of H and R explains 26% of the total variance of artistic value (p < .01). The suscales of perfectionism and awe do not make a significant contribution to prediction. A statistically significant single predictor is R, redundancy (β = .39, t = 2.59, p = .01). The potential existence of mediation was also examined; however, the results of the analysis indicate that there is no statistically significant mediator effect. Keywords: perfectionism, awe, modes of aesthetic processing, Harmony, Redundancy

Fear of Coronavirus, Stress and Fear of Childbirth in Polish Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest pandemic of an aggressive coronavirus in the human population in the 21st century. The pandemic may have a negative emotional impact on pregnant women, causing fear and stress. Negative feelings during pregnancy later affect fear of childbirth. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between fear of COVID-19, stress and fear of childbirth. We assume that fear of COVID-19 will be a mediator of the relationship between perceived stress and fear of childbirth. A total of 262 Polish pregnant women participated in this study. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FOC-6) and Labour Anxiety Questionnaire (KLP II) were used in the study. There was a statistically significant, moderate, and positive relationship between perceived stress, fear of COVID-19, and fear of childbirth. Fear of COVID-19 was a statistically significant mediator in the relationship between perceived stress and fear of childbirth. The COVID-19 epidemic may have a negative emotional impact on pregnant women, causing fear, stress and increased fear of childbirth. Childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic is perceived by women as a threat to their well-being and health. Therefore, it is especially important to support a woman in the perinatal period and to enable her to give birth to a child.

External whistleblowing intentions of auditors: a perspective based on stimulus–organism–response theory

Purpose This study aims to examine the roles of perceived organisational support (POS), attitude and self-efficacy in understanding the external whistleblowing intentions among senior auditors through the lens of stimulus–organism–response theory. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from 119 senior auditors in audit firms in Malaysia. POS is predicted to be a stimulus factor from the external environment that affects the attitude and self-efficacy (organism) of the auditors and reassures them to act to whistleblow (response). Findings POS has a significant impact on self-efficacy and on attitude. Self-efficacy is shown as a significant mediator between POS and external whistleblowing intentions, but there is no statistical support for self-efficacy having a mediating effect on the relationship between the attitude of senior auditors and external whistleblowing intentions. Practical implications The findings can assist accounting professional bodies in understanding the psychological behaviours of auditors that contribute to their intention to shine a light on wrongdoing in audit firms and in providing a better insight into the critical factors that could influence auditors to whistleblow. Originality/value This study is among the earliest to investigate the application of stimulus–organism–response theory in whistleblowing, and hence it illustrates how the theory can be applied in studies on the ethical behaviours of actors in professional careers. The findings shed light on the role of self-efficacy as a significant mediator between POS and external whistleblowing intentions.

Analysis of Principal's Motivation and Leadership Technology Pathway through Mediator Learning Strategies with Gender Moderators in Maya Seesaw Classes

<p>The purpose of this study is to explore motivations mediated by the integrated learning strategies of Communication Information Technology (ICT) for improving the technology leadership of school principals by moderating the gender variable in the virtual class seesaw during the training of strengthening the competency of the Principal of the Kendal Vocational School in 2019. This research was conducted using quantitative approach using cross-sectional design. Path analysis is used to determine the effect of motivation on the principal's leadership through learning strategies with gender moderator factors. Vocational school principals who participated in this study as many as 30 participants who participated in the training of strengthening the competency of vocational school principals. At the end of the training, the principals answered the motivation questionnaire, learning strategies and principals' leadership. The findings from the path analysis show that the learning strategy variable is a significant mediator in the relationship between the independent motivation variable and the dependent variable in the improvement of the principal's technological leadership where the sex factor as a moderator is equally strong. It can be concluded that motivation by the use of learning strategies in the principal's training curriculum that integrates ICT through seesaw virtual classes can improve the technology leadership of SMK headmasters for all genders indirectly. The findings from the path analysis show that the learning strategy variable is a significant mediator in the relationship between the independent motivation variable and the dependent variable in the improvement of the principal's technological leadership where the sex factor as a moderator is equally strong. It can be concluded that motivation by the use of learning strategies in the principal's training curriculum that integrates ICT through seesaw virtual classes can improve the technology leadership of SMK headmasters for all genders indirectly. The findings from the path analysis show that the learning strategy variable is a significant mediator in the relationship between the independent motivation variable and the dependent variable in the improvement of the principal's technological leadership where the sex factor as a moderator is equally strong. It can be concluded that motivation by the use of learning strategies in the principal's training curriculum that integrates ICT through seesaw virtual classes can improve the technology leadership of SMK headmasters for all genders indirectly.</p><p> </p><p>Keywords: Motivation, learning strategies, technology leadership, mediators,</p><p> moderator</p><p align="center"> </p>

Job Motivation as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Job Stress And Job Performance of Police Officers at the Federal Territory Police Headquarters

Effectiveness of an organization is largely dependent on its employees’ job performance. Job performance is influenced by job stress and job motivation, whereby job motivation is believed to have a mediation effect in the relationship between job stress and job performance. Hence, this paper is aimed at identifying the relationship between these three variables among Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officers at the Federal Territory Police Headquarters. This is a quantitative study for which data has been collected from 341 police officers through a survey. Data was analyzed statistically using PLS-SEM. Findings showed that there was a significant, negative relationship between job performance and job stress; and between job stress and job motivation. Job motivation was found to be a significant mediator in the relationship between job stress and job performance.

Investigating a Self-Management Harm Reduction Strategy for Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Nicotine Dependence, Alcohol use, and Drug Use

Introduction: The purpose of the present research was to examine the mediating effect that self-management has on the relationships between ADHD symptoms and nicotine dependence, alcohol use, and drug use among an undergraduate student population.Method: Data were drawn from undergraduate psychology students (N=141). We tested self-management as a mediator between (1) ADHD symptoms and nicotine use, (2) ADHD symptoms and alcohol use, and (3) ADHD symptoms and drug use.Results: After controlling for potential socioeconomic covariates, self-management was shown to be a significant mediator between ADHD symptoms and drug use, but not nicotine dependence or alcohol use.Conclusion: We observed that self-management was a significant mediator between ADHD symptoms and drug use, which suggests that self-management may play a role in the relationship between ADHD symptoms and drug use. Those individuals who have symptoms associated with ADHD and who also have high levels of self-management are less likely to abuse substances. This research has provided an empirical foundation for the development of harm reduction interventions to address drug use among individuals with ADHD.

The Three Pathways to Happiness: How Orientations to Pleasure, Engagement, and Meaning Relate to Grit and Well-Being in a Longitudinal, International Sample

<p>Orientations to happiness (OTH)--to what extent people endorse pleasure, engagement, and meaning--and Grit--perseverance and passion for long term goals--have not been studied together longitudinally before. Further, grit and OTH have not been investigated together along with a measure of psychological well-being before. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the links between and among OTH, grit, and well-being through a number of longitudinal mediation analyses. Data from the International Well-Being Study was used, in which 755 participants completed surveys at five time points over one year. The results illustrated that all of the variables were positively related to each other over time, except for a negative relationship found between grit and pleasure OTH. Pleasure, meaning and engagement were all found to be significant predictors and outcomes of the longitudinal mediations of grit to well-being and of well-being to grit. Additionally, engagement was found to be the only OTH pathway that was a marginally significant mediator of the relationship between grit and well-being. Future research should further investigate the relationships between OTH, grit and well-being. This research also has implications for devising and implementing interventions that increase grit and OTH, which also in turn are likely to improve well-being, decrease mental illness, and improve levels of success.</p>

The Three Pathways to Happiness: How Orientations to Pleasure, Engagement, and Meaning Relate to Grit and Well-Being in a Longitudinal, International Sample

<p>Orientations to happiness (OTH)--to what extent people endorse pleasure, engagement, and meaning--and Grit--perseverance and passion for long term goals--have not been studied together longitudinally before. Further, grit and OTH have not been investigated together along with a measure of psychological well-being before. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the links between and among OTH, grit, and well-being through a number of longitudinal mediation analyses. Data from the International Well-Being Study was used, in which 755 participants completed surveys at five time points over one year. The results illustrated that all of the variables were positively related to each other over time, except for a negative relationship found between grit and pleasure OTH. Pleasure, meaning and engagement were all found to be significant predictors and outcomes of the longitudinal mediations of grit to well-being and of well-being to grit. Additionally, engagement was found to be the only OTH pathway that was a marginally significant mediator of the relationship between grit and well-being. Future research should further investigate the relationships between OTH, grit and well-being. This research also has implications for devising and implementing interventions that increase grit and OTH, which also in turn are likely to improve well-being, decrease mental illness, and improve levels of success.</p>

The Effects of a Self-Similar Avatar Voice in Educational Games

Avatar identification is one of the most promising research areas in games user research. Greater identification with one's avatar has been associated with improved outcomes in the domains of health, entertainment, and education. However, existing studies have focused almost exclusively on the visual appearance of avatars. Yet audio is known to influence immersion/presence, performance, and physiological responses. We perform one of the first studies to date on avatar self-similar audio. We conducted a 2 x 3 (similar/dissimilar x modulation upwards/downwards/none) study in a Java programming game. We find that voice similarity leads to a significant increase in performance, time spent, similarity identification, competence, relatedness, and immersion. Similarity identification acts as a significant mediator variable between voice similarity and all measured outcomes. Our study demonstrates the importance of avatar audio and has implications for avatar design more generally across digital applications.