University of South Australia

About: University of South Australia is a education organization based out in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 10086 authors who have published 32587 publications receiving 913683 citations. The organization is also known as: The University of South Australia & UniSA.

Stereotype Threat at Work

Abstract: Managing diversity in organizations requires creating an environment where all employees can succeed. This paper explains how understanding “stereotype threat”—the fear of being judged according to a negative stereotype— can help managers create positive environments for diverse employees. While stereotype threat has received a great deal of academic research attention, the issue is usually framed in the organizational literature as a problem affecting performance on tests used for admission and selection decisions. Further, articles discussing stereotype threat usually report the results of experimental studies and are targeted to an academic audience. We summarize 12 years of research findings on stereotype threat, address its commonplace occurrence in the workplace, and consider how interventions effective in laboratory settings for reducing stereotype threat might be implemented by managers in organizational contexts. We end the paper with a discussion of how attention to stereotype threat can improve...

Stress and Student Job Design: Satisfaction, Well-Being, and Performance in University Students

Abstract: It is imperative that the university environment be supportive and capable of nurturing optimal learning and performance in students. Using job design and work stress theories, the study assessed relationships between psychosocial work characteristics, well-being and satisfaction, and performance in a random sample survey of Australian university students (N = 176). Methodological improvements were a time lag between survey and performance measures, an objective measure of performance, and LISREL structural equation modeling. Results showed high levels of psychological distress and low levels of satisfaction, both linked to high demands combined with low control. In accord with the happy-productive student hypothesis, satisfaction mediated the impact of the work environment on performance. Reengineering the design of the student work environment may therefore improve performance outcomes (student grades) through enhancing satisfaction.

Monitoring Athletic Training Status Through Autonomic Heart Rate Regulation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract: Autonomic regulation of heart rate (HR) as an indicator of the body’s ability to adapt to an exercise stimulus has been evaluated in many studies through HR variability (HRV) and post-exercise HR recovery (HRR). Recently, HR acceleration has also been investigated. The aim of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of negative adaptations to endurance training (i.e., a period of overreaching leading to attenuated performance) and positive adaptations (i.e., training leading to improved performance) on autonomic HR regulation in endurance-trained athletes. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and Academic Search Premier databases from inception until April 2015. Included articles examined the effects of endurance training leading to increased or decreased exercise performance on four measures of autonomic HR regulation: resting and post-exercise HRV [vagal-related indices of the root-mean-square difference of successive normal R–R intervals (RMSSD), high frequency power (HFP) and the standard deviation of instantaneous beat-to-beat R–R interval variability (SD1) only], and post-exercise HRR and HR acceleration. Of the 5377 records retrieved, 27 studies were included in the systematic review and 24 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Studies inducing increases in performance showed small increases in resting RMSSD [standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.58; P < 0.001], HFP (SMD = 0.55; P < 0.001) and SD1 (SMD = 0.23; P = 0.16), and moderate increases in post-exercise RMSSD (SMD = 0.60; P < 0.001), HFP (SMD = 0.90; P < 0.04), SD1 (SMD = 1.20; P = 0.04), and post-exercise HRR (SMD = 0.63; P = 0.002). A large increase in HR acceleration (SMD = 1.34) was found in the single study assessing this parameter. Studies inducing decreases in performance showed a small increase in resting RMSSD (SMD = 0.26; P = 0.01), but trivial changes in resting HFP (SMD = 0.04; P = 0.77) and SD1 (SMD = 0.04; P = 0.82). Post-exercise RMSSD (SMD = 0.64; P = 0.04) and HFP (SMD = 0.49; P = 0.18) were increased, as was HRR (SMD = 0.46; P < 0.001), while HR acceleration was decreased (SMD = −0.48; P < 0.001). Increases in vagal-related indices of resting and post-exercise HRV, post-exercise HRR, and HR acceleration are evident when positive adaptation to training has occurred, allowing for increases in performance. However, increases in post-exercise HRV and HRR also occur in response to overreaching, demonstrating that additional measures of training tolerance may be required to determine whether training-induced changes in these parameters are related to positive or negative adaptations. Resting HRV is largely unaffected by overreaching, although this may be the result of methodological issues that warrant further investigation. HR acceleration appears to decrease in response to overreaching training, and thus may be a potential indicator of training-induced fatigue.

The burden of heart failure

Abstract: Chronic heart failure (CHF) places a heavy burden not only on patients and their families but also on society, through enormous use of health care resources. CHF has an overall population prevalence of approximately 1–3%, rising to approximately 10% in the very elderly. Following a first hospital admission for heart failure, patients have a 5-year mortality of 75% — a survival rate worse than that for most forms of cancer. CHF impairs quality of life more than almost any other chronic medical problem. Hospital admissions for CHF have increased markedly over the past two decades. CHF accounts for about 5% of all medical admissions and approximately 2% of total health care expenditure. Despite improvements in medical management, under-treatment is common. Because of the increase in survival after acute myocardial infarction and ageing of the population, the number of patients with CHF will increase rapidly in most industrialized countries. CHF will still pose one of the greatest health care challenges of the 21 st century.