Nachhaltige Stressreduktion durch Introvision: theoretische Grundlagen und empirische Ergebnisse

The article deals with a re-analysis of two studies in which the pedagogical-psychological counseling and coaching method Introvision as method of reducing somatic symptoms (tinnitus, neck strain) and in particular the so resulting stress was tested. It based on the transactional stress model and the theory of mental Introferenz is a connection between consciousness and the emergence of conflicts of stress, as well as its specific somatic effects is produced. Subsequently, the data of both experimental and control groups are compared and brought into relation. In particular, three aspects are considered: the extent of exposure (as measured by the GSI and the TICS) between the study groups (tinnitus, neck strain), the development of the different study groups (tinnitus, neck strain) over time (pre, post, follow-up ) and possible similarities. On the one hand it can be said that comparable on a theoretical level in coping with stressful events in the sense of conflict avoidance strategies, the Introvision is however used as a conflict resolution strategy, and thus provides a means for the alternative stress management. The study groups differed in their baseline levels of both the normal population and from each other (in some cases significantly). Both study groups improved significantly compared to the control group, and have a similar profile. Especially in the initial values for the stress they are different, which suggests that tinnitus sufferers use different coping strategies (dramatized) (minimize) as concerned with neck tension. The Introvision proves consulting and coaching method for reducing the burden of somatic complaints and stress, as well as prevention methods, ie the further deterioration of symptoms (compared to the control group), one advancing chronicity process works effectively.     

The Institutional vs. the Academic Definition of the Quality of Work Life. What is the Focus of the European Commission?

In recent years, we have seen how the quality of work life has been focused and defined by the European Commission (EC). In our study we compare the EC definition with the academic one and try to see how close they are. We also analyse the possibility of applying the institutional definition to the Spanish case through the development of specific indicators. Our main conclusions are that QWL is increasingly important for policy makers. In addition, it is essential to have objective indicators and to conduct surveys in order to reliably measure QWL.     

Calibration model with skew scale mixtures of normal distributions

This work presents a new linear calibration model with replication by assuming that the error of the model follows a skew scale mixture of the normal distributions family, which is a class of asymmetric thick-tailed distributions that includes the skew normal distribution and symmetric distributions. In the literature, most calibration models assume that the errors are normally distributed. However, the normal distribution is not suitable when there are atypical observations and asymmetry. The estimation of the calibration model parameters are done numerically by the EM algorithm. A simulation study is carried out to verify the properties of the maximum likelihood estimators. This new approach is applied to a real dataset from a chemical analysis.     

A Life-Course Approach to the Relationship Between Education,Family Trajectory and Late-Life Loneliness Among Older Women in Europe

Social Indicators Research - The aim of this study is to expand our knowledge about the factors that condition late-life loneliness from a longitudinal perspective. We assess the long-term...     

Monitoring the conforming fraction of high-quality processes using a control chart p under a small sample size and an alternative estimator

In this paper, we propose to change the traditional monitored statistic in a control chart p, by changing the sampling proportion ${\hat{p}}$ to a new statistics denoted as ${\tilde{p}}$ . We aim to minimize problems in designing the control chart p for high quality processes when only a small sample size is available. The idea of the new statistics is simple, as it involves taking two independent samples of a Bernoulli population. From each sample, the sampling proportion is calculated, and the new statistic to monitor is the weighted mean of the sampling proportion of each sample employed to weight the overall sampling proportion. We note that the control chart p that employs the new ${\tilde{p}}$ statistic provides more in-control values of average run length closer to the usual fixed value of 370 than the traditional statistic, that is, the sampling proportion. Numerical examples illustrate the new proposal.     

Inclusion and/or Integration: the debate is still on in Brazil

The paper states the confusion still present in the Brazilian debates about inclusion and integration. Drawing from the Brazilian legislation and conceptualisations, the paradigmatic difference between inclusion and integration is discussed, and seen by the author as part of a historical process towards further humanisation. Rather than arguing for one or another, it is pointed that in some contexts, because of their histories and timing, perhaps the most appropriate is to consider the existence of both as equally important.     

Brazilian Concepts of Special Education

The paper questions the idea of a single national perspective on special education, despite the relatively recent movement towards a national policy for the integration of disabled people in the mainstream educational system. It is argued that the adoption of the principle of integration, as proposed by the international community, has not necessarily led, in the Brazilian case, those involved with special education to a review of special education in the sense of being part of an inclusive educational system. The paper shows that in a country of continental dimensions like Brazil, there are marked differences in the way special education is conceptualised and provided. Such differences occur at various levels: regional local and even institutional. Some of the factors that promote these differences are of a historical and political nature. The paper suggests that these factors must be taken into account by those involved with special education, especially when there are attempts to make generalisations about the concept and practice of special education.     

LET'S TALK: HOW COMMUNICATION AFFECTS CONTRACT DESIGN

We study experimentally how communication changes the effectiveness of contract types when sellers choose unenforceable quality after a possible cost shock. Communication potentially removes conflicting perceptions that may otherwise plague flexible contracts. Indeed, we find that introducing free‐form communication sharply reverses an advantage of rigid contracts in favor of flexible contracts, which then deliver much higher earnings. Control treatments that avoid selection effects reveal a strong parallel shift from rigid to flexible. Chat content analysis identifies clarification of post‐shock transfers, promises, and personal rapport as key correlates of high earnings, with clarification working only in conjunction with flexible contracts. A communication channel restricted to clarifying transfer plans also favors use of flexible contracts, but mildly compared to chat. (JEL: C91, D03, D86)