Brain-derived Neurotropic Factor val66met is a Strong Predictor of Decision Making and Attention Performance on the CONVIRT Virtual Reality Cognitive Battery.

The val66met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene has been associated with changes in components of executive functioning such as decision making; however, this relationship remains unclear. Val66met-related changes in attention and visual processing speed may explain potential changes in decision making. Furthermore, chronic stress disrupts executive functions and alters autonomic activity. Because the relationship between val66met and cognition has not been investigated in the context of chronic stress or stress-related autonomic changes, in this study 55 healthy university students completed self-report measures of chronic stress and mental health. Participants then completed a virtual reality cognitive test battery (CONVIRT) measuring decision making, attention, and visual processing reaction times. To measure autonomic activity, saliva alpha amylase and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed at baseline and after CONVIRT testing. Saliva samples were used to identify val66met genotype. Regression analyses demonstrated that val66met was the strongest predictor of decision making and attention, but not visual processing, where valine/methionine (Val/met) participants had faster reaction times than Val/val participants. Val/met participants also had higher perceived chronic stress and heightened increases in sympathetic activity, but not parasympathetic activity. Neither stress nor autonomic activity moderated the effect of val66met on decision making or attention. This study is the first to investigate the role of val66met in decision making, attention, and visual processing while taking into account chronic stress and autonomic activity. This multifactorial approach revealed that carriers of the Val/met genotype may have better decision making and attention than Val/val carriers.

Enhancing Self-Efficacy and Performance: An Experimental Comparison of Psychological Techniques.

PURPOSE: We assessed how 6 psychological performance enhancement techniques (PETs) differentially improved self-efficacy (SE) and skill performance. We also assessed whether vicarious experiences and verbal persuasion as posited sources of SE (Bandura, 1982 ) were supported and, further, if the effects of the 6 PETs remained after controlling for achievement motivation traits and self-esteem. METHOD: A within-subject design assessed each individual across 2 trials for 3 disparate PETs. A between-groups design assessed differences between PETs paired against each other for 3 similar novel tasks. Participants (N = 96) performed 2 trials of 10 attempts at each of the tasks (kick, throw, golf putt) in a counterbalanced sequence using their nondominant limb. Participants completed the Sport Orientation Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale and were randomly allocated to either the modeling or imagery, goal-setting or instructional self-statement, or knowledge-of-results or motivational feedback conditions aligned with each task. RESULTS: An instructional self-statement improved performance better than imagery, modeling, goal setting, and motivational and knowledge-of-results augmented feedback. Motivational auditory feedback most improved SE. Increased SE change scores were related to increased performance difference scores on all tasks after controlling for age, sex, achievement motivation, and self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Some sources of SE may be more influential than others on both SE and performance improvements. We provide partial support for the sources of SE proposed by Bandura's social-cognitive theory with verbal persuasion but not vicarious experiences improving SE.

Non-adherence to prescribed home rehabilitation exercises for musculoskeletal injuries: the role of the patient-practitioner relationship.

OBJECTIVE: To identify which factors best explain non-adherence to home rehabilitation exercises (HRE) for patients with musculoskeletal injuries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Participants (n = 87) aged 17-91 years completed questionnaires measuring demographic and injury-related information, self-efficacy, personality, health locus of control, patient-practitioner relationship, optimism, health value and adherence to HRE. In addition, each participant's attending physiotherapist assessed the participant's adherence and effort during the appointment. RESULTS: A hierarchical regression with 3 steps (step 1: disposition; step 2: cognitive factors; step 3: patient-practitioner relationship) and adherence to HRE as the dependent variable was conducted. The factors in step 3 were the most significant and explained 16% (p < 0.001) of the variance in adherence to HRE. In addition, a high score for patient neuroticism was found to correlate with poor adherence to HRE. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that the patient-practitioner relationship is the best predictor of adherence to HRE, and that improving patient perception of the clinician's productivity, communication of information and trust during consultations may improve adherence to HRE.

Effort-reward imbalance at work and pre-clinical biological indices of ill-health: the case for salivary immunoglobulin A.

Physiological indices of stress and ill-health (cortisol and salivary immunoglobulin A) were assessed to determine if they were predicted by Siegrist's effort-reward imbalance model (ERI) with an aim of identifying employees at risk of illness. Male Australian dairy farmers (N=66) completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Work related Questions II & III, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised--Short and demographic questions and provided morning saliva samples (at awakening and 30 min post awakening) on a working day, which were subsequently analysed for cortisol and salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration levels. A high percentage (45.5%) of the sample reported an imbalance between efforts and rewards in the workplace that may place them 'at risk' for ill-health. After controlling for disposition, sIgA scores were more successfully predicted by the ERI than the cortisol assessments. Although both efforts and rewards were significantly associated with sIgA, efforts were most strongly associated. The dispositional trait overcommitment, did not moderate the experience of stress on the physiologic indices. The current investigation supports the continued use of sIgA in studies that use biomarkers to assess occupational stress. ERI ratio scores >1 aligned with previous findings that suggest elevated risk of illness for these employees.

Effort-reward imbalance is associated with salivary immunoglobulin a and cortisol secretion in disability workers.

OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to determine the relationship of physiological indices of stress (ie, cortisol and salivary immunoglobulin A) to the effort-reward imbalance model (ERI). METHODS: A sample of 98 direct-care disability workers completed the Work-Related Questions II-III and provided morning saliva samples on the same day of completion, which were subsequently analyzed for cortisol and salivary immunoglobulin A concentration levels. RESULTS: Using structural equation modeling, the ERI successfully predicted potentially adverse physiological outcomes. The salivary immunoglobulin A scores were predicted more successfully by the ERI than the cortisol data. CONCLUSION: The present investigation suggests that the ERI may be useful in determining which aspects of work life are associated with ill health and as such may be useful in identifying meaningful intervention.

Comparing the job strain and job demand-control-support models in direct-care disability workers: support for support.

OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to determine the relationship of physiological indices of stress (ie, cortisol and salivary immunoglobulin A) to the job strain and the job demand-control-support models. METHODS: A sample of 98 direct-care disability workers completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Job Content Questionnaire. In addition, participants' morning saliva samples were analyzed for cortisol and salivary immunoglobulin A concentration levels. RESULTS: The job strain and job demand-control-support models were tested using structural equation modeling. The job demand-control-support model successfully fitted with the data and was able to predict physiological outcomes, the job strain model did not. The salivary immunoglobulin A scores, in comparison to the cortisol data, were predicted more successfully by these models. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers are encouraged to study if different employee groups are at-risk for differing types of stress-related-illness, which may be triggered by occupation-specific stressors and/or physiological reactions.