The purpose of this research was to investigate the validity of personality for predicting training and job performance in a sample of firefighters, and to determine if motivation could act as a moderator in the personality-performance relationship. Personality and motivation inventories were administered to 109 firefighter candidates from three academy classes. At the termination of each academy, all candidates were assessed on their overall performance. Correlation coefficients were used to measure the relationship between personality inventory scales, motivation inventory scales, and the overall training performance measures. A multiple regression procedure was used to investigate the relationship between personality, motivation, and performance to determine if motivation had a moderation effect on performance. None of the correlations were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. The two highest were sociability (r = 0.13, p = .189) and school success (r = 0.11, p .262). With regard to the multiple regression, for the sample of low thrill-seeker subjects, the r- for the motivation and thrill-seeking variables was .0578 (F = .7665). Adding the combined variable (thrill-seeking x motivation) into the equation provided a Ar2 of .0217 (AF = .5652). For the sample of high thrill-seeker subjects, the r2 for the motivation and thrill-seeking variables was .0513 (F = 1.6226). Adding the product variable (thrill-seeking x motivation) into the equation provided a Ar2 of .0004 (AF = .0215). Although motivation seemed to moderate personality when predicting training performance to a greater extent in the low thrill-seeker sample than it did in the high thrill-seeker sample, the results were not significant. Since the personality and motivation inventories had been previously shown to be related to performance, a possible explanation for the current results is that the measure used in the study was a poor indicator of performance. Future studies should use performance measures specifically designed to measure the objectives of the academy, which should stem from the essential functions of the job as determined by a job analysis.

For years, researchers and human resources specialists have been searching for predictors of performance as well as for relevant performance dimensions (Barrick & Mount, 1991; Borman & Motowidlo, 1993; Campbell, 1990; Viswesvaran et al., 1996). In 1993, Borman and Motowidlo provided a framework by which traditional predictors such as cognitive ability and the Big Five personality factors predicted two different facets of performance: 1) task performance and 2) contextual performance. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the validity of this model as well as that of other modified models. The relationships between predictors such as cognitive ability and personality variables and the two outcome variables were assessed. It was determined that even though the two facets of performance may be conceptually different, empirically they overlapped substantially (p= .75). Finally, results show that there is some evidence for cognitive ability as a predictor of both task and contextual performance and conscientiousness as a predictor of both task and contextual performance. The possible mediation of predictor-- criterion relationships was also assessed. The relationship between cognitive ability and contextual performance vanished when task performance was controlled.

Includes bibliographical references. / The hippocampus is more vulnerable than other brain structures to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol. It is reported that patients with chronic alcoholism have decreased brain weights and volumes. The hippocampal volume reductions in patients with chronic alcoholism have been found to be proportional to the reduction in total brain volume. Thus alcohol consumption needs to be accounted for in studies examining hippocampal damage. Nevertheless, it would be important to include subjects who report alcohol use in a study investigating the biological correlates of IPV, since it is known that alcohol use is entangled in the cycle of violence, PTSD and other adverse health outcomes. In this study we would like to determine the relationship between IPV and the hippocampal volume, controlling for PTSD and substances.

The association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRis) and hyponatraemia has been well documented, the elderly appearing to be at greatest risk. An analysis of data of hyponatraemia in the elderly using SSRis from all published cases and from the Committee on Safety of Medicines found that the mean time to detection was about 3 weeks after commencing SSRis. A wide range of time to detection (1-253 days) and non-specific symptoms suggest hyponatraemia is detected by chance rather than being specifically looked for. This is probably a sporadic, idiosyncratic phenomenon that is not dose related as A VP function determined by serum and urine concentrations was found to be normal in six elderly patients using sertraline. In the elderly there are physiological changes, a high prevalence of medical illnesses and concomitant drug use which may precipitate hyponatraemia. Together with a risk of altered water regulation in psychiatric illness this may account for the particular susceptibility of this group to hyponatraemia whilst using SSRis. AIMS & HYPOTHESIS: This dissertation will explore the physiology of Arginine V asopressin and how changes in this system along with other physiological changes in the elderly make the elderly susceptible to hyponatraemia. This problem will then be explored in the context of elderly people with depression using SSRis which are known to cause hyponatraemia. In the first part of the research section the aims are to report the published cases of hyponatraemia occurring whilst using SSRis from the United Kingdom and specifically focus on cases in people 60 years and older. Secondly to re-analyse all case reports in the literature looking only at this population. The third aim was to investigate whether dysregulation of vasopressin function in the elderly using SSRis is a sporadic or usual phenomenon. The null hypothesis is that A VP function is not disturbed by SSRis.

The problems of personnel placement and vocational choice at some time concern nearly everyone, as the employer or as the employee. Many people drift into their occupations, others shift from one wrong choice to another, while a large number are defeated by the struggle for success in an occupation for which they are not fitted. The mere placement of a worker on a job does not guarantee job success or interest in that job. In many cases no consideration is made of interests, general abilities, or special aptitudes, and even with a perfect diagnosis of these factors vocational choice still presents a problem.

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Ninety-one male subjects were used in this study of sex role behavior among blacks and whites. All subjects were administered and rated themselves on the California Personality Abstract and the Ban Sex role Inventory. The study examined several dimensions in the development of masculine behavior in black and white males including father absence or presence, surrogate models, nurturance and cultural influences. The five main hypothesis explored in the study were that (1) father present males identify themselves as more masculine than father absent males, (2) father present and nurtured males identify themselves as more masculine than father present and nonnurtured males, (3) father absent males with a nurturing surrogate identify themselves as more masculine than father absent males without a surrogate or father present and nonnurtured males, (4) black males identify themselves as more masculine than white males, (5) black males identify themselves as more feminine than white males . Hypotheses 2 & 4 were confirmed, while Hypothesis 5 showed a trend in the hypothesized direction. Hypothesis l&3 were not confirmed. A correlation between the California Personality Inventory femininity scale and the Ban Sex Role Inventory femininity scale showed a significantly positive correlation for white males, while only showing a slight correlation for black males. Further, the significance of nurturance and a positive family system was evaluated. The significance of these results as well as others not directly related to the formal hypotheses are discussed. Cultural implications and suggestions for future research conclude.

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Background: Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious condition that can occur shortly after childbirth. The symptoms may initially be symptoms that are normal postpartum which quickly turn into acute symptoms such as confusion and lability. It is a condition that can cause harm to both mother and baby in form of suicide and infanticide. Quick assessment with inpatient care and medication is required.Aim: The aim of this study is to detect women’s experiences of healthcare after postpartum psychosis. Method: A literature review was used as design to conduct this study. The result is based on 11 qualitative articles. The literature search was conducted by the databases Cinahl, Pubmed and Psychinfo. Result: The study shows 4 main categories and 9 subcategories that were significant according to the women in the study and how they experienced their care. The main categories were caring environment, experience of care staff, treatment, and importance of the baby.Conclusion: Women's experiences emphasize that they wished that health care professionals had knowledge and understanding of postpartum psychosis and what it means to be a new mother. Specific competence about postpartum psychosis and competence about a newborn baby could contribute to better care for women with postpartum psychosis.Clinical significance: The study's results can contribute to improvement regarding care for women with postpartum psychosis.Keywords: Mental illness, postpartum, psychosis