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Biomedical subjects

J A Athanasou

Publications and source records attributed to J A Athanasou.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

The self-image of Greek, Greek-migrant and German adolescents.

This paper provides an empirical perspective on the relationship between immigration and self-image in a sample of German and Greek adolescents. The subjects were Greeks (non-migrants, n = 128), Germans (n = 103) and Greek migrants living in West Germany (n = 103). The Offer Self-image Questionnaire (OISQ) was used as a multidimensional measure of psychological, social and sexual self, and family relations. Comparisons were made between the mean scores of the three national groups on subscales of the OSIQ. Greek migrants had quite distinct self-image profiles that were intermediate between non-migrating Greeks and native Germans. Gender and age differences in self-image were pronounced in sub-scales of the OSIQ. Migrants were more emotional than non-migrants, less introverted, more liberal in their sexual attitudes and displayed superior adjustment. Compared with their German counterparts, migrants emerged as more impulsive and emotional, with an inferior body image, higher achievement motivation, lower mental ill-health but with higher adjustment. The results showed that when both Greek samples (non-migrants and migrants) were taken together and compared to Germans then differences emerged and indicated small but significant cross-cultural differences in personality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Vocational achievements following spinal cord injury in Australia.

This study describes the vocational achievements in a sample (n = 139) of Australian persons with spinal cord injuries. The post-accident and employment achievements (February-March 1993) were represented by significant diversity in outcomes. Around one-third of subjects went on to obtain further qualifications since their injury, and around 31% were employed full-time or part-time. The majority of subjects utilized informal means of returning to work. Around two-thirds of those employed indicated that they were in a preferred occupation and their median length of employment was 108 months. The hours of work varied greatly but were centred around a median of 38 hours (i.e. a full-time job). A model of diverse employment outcomes and achievement following spinal cord injury is proposed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Patterns of performance on the verbal and performance subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised: some Australian data.

The pattern of performance of 345 vocational guidance clients on the WAIS-R was examined in relation to previous studies of client populations. An exploratory principal axis factor analysis was conducted, and two factors that accounted for 89% of the total variance were selected. These comprised a general factor on which the Verbal subtests loaded most highly and a smaller Performance subtest factor. A hypothesis-testing approach was undertaken as a second step, using multiple group analysis. Two factors (which correlated .58) accounted for 65% of the total variance. The first factor (51%) was also a general factor on which all subtests, but moreso the Verbal tests, loaded highly. The second factor was dominated by Performance subtests. Implications for special client samples and intellectual assessment are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Sickness absence, respiratory impairment and smoking in industry: an australian study.

A retrospective study of sickness absence, respiratory impairment and their relation to smoking habits was conducted among a heterogeneous population of 1867 staff members of 12 Australian organizations. Data on smoking habits were used to divide the sample into current cigarette smokers (n=392), ex-cigarette smokers (n=182) and those who had never smoked (n=714). Results of the health survey by self-administered questionnaire showed that the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers both in men and women. Smoking was particularly related to frequency of cough, and sputum production. Wheezing showed a similar, though less marked, trend. The influence of smoking on the pulmonary function value, FEV1/FVC% was assessed in a group of 972 men and 297 women. Results of analysis of variance showed that ventilatory function was significantly impaired among smokers and ex-smokers. The sickness absence records of 826 cigarette smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers were also compared. Both frequency and duration of sickness absence were greater in cigarette smokers and ex-smokers. Significant differences between these groups were confirmed in total as well as in certified absence. Among males, the average number of days off work was 1.59 times greater in male smokers than in male non-smokers, and 1.36 times greater for female subjects who smoked. The epidemiological implications of such findings await further research. However, the consequences for the individual, industry and the general community are apparent.

Absenteeism↗