The influence of reflection and self-system on the effectiveness of self-regulation of students’ mental states

Introduction

In the modern era of instability the problems of human adaptive abilities and mental regulation have become more and more relevant. The study of the processes of mental regulation is impossible without understanding the role of the mental structures: reflection and self-system of personality.

Objectives

The purpose of the research is to study the interaction and mutual influence of the components of the self-system and reflective structures on the process of mental regulation of students.

Methods

52 first year students were offered to complete questionnaires of reflectivity (M. Grant), of self-system (S. Pantileev), as well as the authors’ method of self-regulation effectiveness of mental states. Also we used Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results

It is revealed the positive direction of the relationships between the reflection and the components of the self-system (p ≤ 0.05). Respondents with a high level of self-system are more successful in coping with the processes of mental regulation. The indicators of internal conflict lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of self-regulation (p ≤ 0.05). The ability of a person to evaluate himself and other people has a positive effect on the success of mental regulation (p ≤ 0.05). However, the excessive desire to reflect on past events is not conducive to self-regulation.

Conclusions

The applied value of the research consists in the creation of a methodology that makes it possible to increase the regulatory and adaptive abilities of students during the educational process. Acknowledgements. This work was supported by the RFBR grant No. 20-013-00076.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Mental regulation of students’ psychological states

Introduction

The main scientific task of the study is at the intersection of two fundamental areas of psychology - self-regulation of human mental states and management of educational activities. In the context of these problems, we study the self-regulation of states in academic activities.

Objectives

The purpose of the study is to show the patterns of mental organization of the person that ensure the regulation of states.

Methods

The theoretical basis of the study is the system approach. The typical methods and techniques of self-regulation of states, as well as the influence of mental structures on students’ self-regulation have been studied. To solve the problems, standardized psychological tests have been used (23 methods, 303 indicators). The research involved 206 students.

Results

We have revealed the features of the relationship between the quality of students’ subject training, regulatory abilities and mental states. It indicates that the effectiveness of students’ mental states self-regulation significantly affects the productivity of the semester exam. It has been established the properties of the personality providing high efficiency of self-regulation (adequacy, awareness, independence and assertiveness). Students with high self-regulation efficiency use a wide range of regulatory means.

Conclusions

The study of the influence of the mental structures on self-regulation and regulatory abilities of students confirmed the hypothesis that characteristics of mental organization play the central role in the regulation of psychological states. The research has been carried out with the financial support of the RFBR, project No. 19-29-07072.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

The role of self-esteem in the regulation of students’ mental states

Introduction

Studied the role of self-esteem in the regulation of mental states in the educational activities of students.

Objectives

The aim of the research is to reveal the interrelationships of states’ substructures (mental processes, experiences, behavior) with the level of self-esteem of students.

Methods

The study involved 69 students of the 1st and 2nd year, all humanities. The study was carried out in various situations of educational activity: at lectures, seminars, exams. Used the methods to study mental states, style of self-regulation and self-esteem.

Results

Found that as the level of self-esteem increases, the intensity of mental states’ substructures also increases, and vice versa. As a result of ANOVA use, found that the regulatory properties “independence” (p <0.001) and “ability to program actions” (p <0.002) exert the greatest influence on the interaction of mental states and self-esteem. In lectures, seminars students with a low level of self-esteem mostly experience states of low intensity. Students with an average level of self-esteem are characterized by positive states of an increased level of intensity: from cheerfulness and anticipation to interest and fun. Students with high self-esteem experience mental states different in modality, intensity. As the level of self-esteem increases, the intensity of mental states’ substructures manifestation increases, and vice versa.

Conclusions

Average self-esteem is most optimal for the regulation of mental states. In the case of high self-esteem, the most optimal states are experienced when the subject is highly independent. Low self-esteem students, experience the least intense states. This work was supported by the RFBR grant № 20-013-00076.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

The effectiveness of mental states’ self-regulation of students in the course of educational activities

Introduction

Studied the psychological mechanisms of mental states’ self-regulation of students in the course of the educational activities: at lectures, seminars and exams.

Objectives

The main aims of the study were: 1. To identify the typical methods and techniques of mental states’ self-regulation and regulatory abilities in everyday and stressful conditions of educational activity; 2. To establish the relationships between the quality of subject training, regulatory abilities and states of students; 3. To study the influence of mental structures (semantic, reflective) on self-regulation and regulatory abilities of students.

Methods

To solve these problems used a bank of 23 techniques, including 303 indicators. 260 1-st year students took part in the research (aged 18-20).

Results

As a result of the research, identified the states typical for lectures, seminars, exams. Comparison of mental states characteristics of humanities students and students of natural sciences did not reveal any differences. Among the mental states of highly effective students, particular importance have the cognitive mental states: interest, thoughtfulness and concentration. Found that the effectiveness of students’ mental states self-regulation affects the productivity of passing the semester exam. The most commonly used methods are introspection (withdrawal), self-control, the use of logic, a positive attitude and search activity. This pattern is typical for both mathematics and psychology students.

Conclusions

Found that students with high self-regulation efficiency more often use a wide range of regulatory technics. Established the properties of personality, providing high efficiency of self-regulation, these are: adequacy, awareness, independence and assertiveness. This work was supported by the RFBR grant № 19-29-07072.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Self-regulation of students’ psychological states

Introduction

A system model of self-regulation of students’ psychological states has been developed. As the main elements, the model includes the relationship between states and characteristics of consciousness, external factors and regulatory actions in a certain time range.

Objectives

To study conscious and unconscious methods of regulation of states in the relevant sections of the educational activities of students.

Methods

98 students took part in this research, used different techniques of self-regulation and psychological states diagnosis.

Results

The regulation of psychological states occurs unconsciously. The success of the applied methods is relative and depends on both educational and personal factors. The regulators of states are various personal qualities. These are reflection, metacognitive abilities, intelligence, as well as the general ability to self-regulate. We discovered the influence of the meaningfulness of life on the psychological states. In the structure of students’ states with a high level of meaningfulness of life an indicator of the general ability to self-regulation plays a central role.Indicators of emotional intelligence and locus of control characterize states of students with a low level of meaningfulness of life.

Conclusions

It has been found that the level of reflection of students plays a mediating role in the interaction of psychological states and adaptation processes. Emotional comfort, internal control, and self-acceptance have the greatest impact on states. The research confirmed the hypothesis of reflexive regulation of psychological states depending on various types of reflection during the performance of creative tasks. The research was carried out with the financial support of the RFBR; project No.19-013-00325.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Nanoparticle core stability and surface functionalization drive the mTOR signaling pathway in hepatocellular cell lines

Specifically designed and functionalized nanoparticles hold great promise for biomedical applications. Yet, the applicability of nanoparticles is critically predetermined by their surface functionalization and biodegradability. Here we demonstrate that amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NH2), but not amino- or hydroxyl-functionalized silica particles, trigger cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells. Importantly, biodegradability of nanoparticles plays a crucial role in regulation of essential cellular processes. Thus, biodegradable silica nanoparticles having the same shape, size and surface functionalization showed opposite cellular effects in comparison with similar polystyrene nanoparticles. At the molecular level, PS-NH2 obstruct and amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (Si-NH2) activate the mTOR signalling in Huh7 and HepG2 cells. PS-NH2 induced time-dependent lysosomal destabilization associated with damage of the mitochondrial membrane. Solely in PS-NH2-treated cells, permeabilization of lysosomes preceded cell death. Contrary, Si-NH2 nanoparticles enhanced proliferation of HuH7 and HepG2 cells. Our findings demonstrate complex cellular responses to functionalized nanoparticles and suggest that nanoparticles can be used to control activation of mTOR signaling with subsequent influence on proliferation and viability of HuH7 cells. The data provide fundamental knowledge which could help in developing safe and efficient nano-therapeutics.

In vivo impedance measurements on nerves and surrounding skeletal muscles in rats and human body

The aim of the work was to use impedance measurements to find the location of nerves under the human skin. In vivo impedance measurements were performed on exposed nervous and muscular tissues of rats. Similarly, the impedance measurements were also performed on the skin of six men, over the median nerve at the wrist, as well as 4-5 mm away from this location. Results obtained with rats have shown that the relative permittivity and conductivity of nerves are larger (by almost two orders of magnitude) than those observed for the muscular tissues surrounding the nerve. The results obtained on human skin in the frequency range of 20-200 kHz, when the electrodes were placed over the nerve, show lower resistance and higher capacitance than in the other areas measured. These preliminary results indicate that it may be possible to use impedance measurements to find the location of exposed nerves and also nerves under the skin.

Depression and substance use in minority middle-school students

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the association between depression and substance use in a sample of middle-school students.

METHODS

The 5721 students (59%-63% Hispanic) completed self-report items on depressive symptoms, recent smoking and binge drinking, and lifetime use of marijuana, cocaine, and inhalants.

RESULTS

Symptoms of depression were strongly and positively related to substance use. For every type of use, a stepwise increase was seen between the percentage of students with low symptom frequency and the percentage of students with more symptoms. A sizable number of users reported symptoms indicating major depression. Depression scores showed few clinically meaningful differences among demographic subgroups. Substance use scores, in contrast, showed meaningful intergroup differences for racial/ethnic group and other demographic variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms and substance use were associated in a sample of middle-school students who were largely non-White and predominantly Hispanic. Greater understanding of the nature of this association is needed; this understanding should be used to design prevention programs, and prevention programs should be introduced at least in the middle-school years.

Gender differences in chronic disease risk behaviors through the transition out of high school

BACKGROUND

Major life transitions (e.g., graduation from high school) are times when many changes occur in a person's social and physical environment. Men and women likely experience aspects of these changes differently. As a result, health-related behaviors likely change at these times with possible differences in these changes by gender.

METHODS

Gender differences in the performance of chronic disease risk-related behaviors (fruit, juice, and vegetable intake; physical activity; tobacco and alcohol use; and sexual practices) through the transition out of high school (HS) were assessed in a secondary analysis of a nationally representative sample from the 1992 National Health Interview Survey-Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey was completed by 5881 young people aged 14 to 21 years. Regression discontinuity analysis with piecewise regression was performed.

RESULTS

Statistically significant gender by transition effects were obtained for exercise/physical activity (decreases at the transition point for males), snuff use (decrease for females in HS), binge drinking and number of days drinking alcohol (increases for males at the transition point), and use of alcohol or drugs before sexual intercourse (decrease for females post HS). Fruit intake decreased for males and females and daily and heavy cigarette smoking increased during the HS years. Effect sizes were small but promising, given that the data set was not designed to test this hypothesis.

CONCLUSION

These data offer evidence of differences by gender in chronic disease risk behaviors through the HS transition. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the true nature of these differences, the tracking of these risk behaviors and their personal, social, and environmental determinants, including gender-specific determinants, that may explain these changes and inform future intervention development.

Ethnic differences in cancer risk behaviors through the transition out of high school

Differences were assessed by ethnic group in the performance of cancer risk related lifestyle behaviors through the transition out of high school. Data were obtained from a nationally representative probability sample survey, the 1992 National Health Interview Survey-Youth Risk Behavior Survey. A cross-sectional sub-sample included adolescents with an age range from high school freshmen to young adults within four years after high school. Self reported indicators of diet, physical activity, cigarette smoking, smokeless tobacco use, alcohol use, and sexual practices were the primary dependent measures. Cancer risk increased at the transition out of high school through changes in cancer related behaviors. Hispanic-American males experienced somewhat higher risks after the transition for chewing tobacco and snuff. African Americans experienced somewhat higher risks after the transition for physical activity, chewing tobacco, and number of sexual partners. Further research needs to verify these findings with longitudinal designs, assessment of tracking of behaviors through the transition, and of the ecological, social and psychosocial correlates that may explain why these changes occurred.

A population-based survey of physician smoking cessation counseling practices

BACKGROUND

To be most effective, physicians' smoking cessation interventions must go beyond advice, to include counseling and follow-up. A full profile of physician performance on the recommended activities to promote smoking cessation has not been provided previously.

METHODS

We surveyed a representative sample of 246 community-based primary care physicians who had agreed to participate in a 3-year study to evaluate a strategy for disseminating smoking cessation interventions, based on the National Cancer Institute 4-A model and on the Transtheoretical Model of Change.

RESULTS

A majority reported they Ask (67%) and Advise (74%) their patients about smoking, while few go beyond to Assist (35%) or Arrange follow-up (8%) with patients who smoke. The criteria for "thorough" counseling was met by only 27% of physicians. More than half were not intending to increase counseling activity in the next 6 months. After controlling for other variables, physicians in private offices were more likely than physicians in HMO or other settings to be active with smoking cessation counseling. General Internal Medicine physicians were most active, and Ob/Gyn physicians were least active, with smoking cessation counseling among primary care specialty groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Innovative approaches are needed to motivate, support, and reward physicians to counsel their patients who smoke, especially when considering the movement toward managed health care.

PRECIS

A survey of primary care physicians focusing on national guidelines for smoking cessation counseling showed a majority Ask (67%) and Advise (74%) patients about smoking, but few Assist (35%) or Arrange follow-up (8%).

Current approaches in smoking cessation

This review highlights the necessity of smoking cessation as a cornerstone of cancer prevention. We briefly review the literature linking smoking to various forms of cancer, the benefits of smoking cessation for cancer patients, and the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Smoking Cessation Clinical Practice Guideline. Also provided is an update on controlled smoking cessation studies published between March 1995 and February 1996.