Self-reported mindfulness, cyclist anger and aggression.

Anger is a common behaviour exhibited by road users when one's goals are perceived to have been blocked by another. Recent research has demonstrated that, generally, cyclists tend to deal with anger in constructive ways. However, when anger does manifest, it can result in behaviours that increase their crash risk. Amongst motor vehicle drivers, mindfulness levels have been associated with less anger and appear to mediate anger and associated aggression. The current study sought to understand whether mindfulness has similar associations with anger and aggression in a sample of cyclists. A total of 583 cyclists (males = 68 %) completed an online questionnaire that sought information on their levels of mindfulness, current mindfulness practices and tendencies for anger and aggression while cycling. The relationships between these were then examined using structural equation modelling. The results showed that cyclists with higher mindfulness levels tended to report less anger across a range of situations (e.g., interactions with pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicle drivers and police). Both direct and indirect (through anger) relationships were found between mindfulness and aggression, again showing that more mindful cyclists tended to engage in less frequent aggression. These findings align with recent research investigating this relationship amongst motor vehicle drivers and suggest that mindfulness may be a promising strategy to reduce or avoid anger and aggression in cyclists.

An examination of Australian general practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to sleep disorders.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders represent an under-recognised public health problem and are reported to be under-diagnosed in general practices. AIMS: To examine general practitioners' (GPs) attitude, knowledge and practice behaviour and identify barriers to detection, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders encountered in the Australian primary care setting. METHOD: Using mixed methods, quantitative data from the Dartmouth Sleep Knowledge Questionnaire (DSKQ) were analysed using MS Excel 2007. Qualitative data were obtained from one focus group and eight interviews. Data were thematically analysed. RESULTS: 15 GPs participated; seven in a focus group and eight in interviews. Scores from DSKQ suggest gaps in GPs' knowledge. Qualitative analysis revealed that patients frequently presented with sleep disorders underpinned by mental health disorders. GPs agreed that prescribing pharmacological interventions was undesirable and behavioural interventions were preferred. Barriers included limited training for GPs, lack of resources, patient expectations and willingness to engage in lifestyle changes, and consultation time constraints. DISCUSSION: Greater flexibility to investigate sleep related problems within the standard consultation and improved access to educational activities could assist GPs. Patient factors, such as adherence to management strategies, are paramount to successful management of sleep disorders; however, these obstacles to clinical practice may be difficult to overcome. CONCLUSION: Providing education for GPs about sleep disorders, greater flexibility within consultations may improve patient care and patient engagement in management strategies may assist, yet a critical success factor in disease management includes patient engagement in management strategies.

How humour keeps you well.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effect of humour on health has long been recognised anecdotally and intuitively but studying and quantifying that effect is difficult. 'Studying humour is like dissecting a frog--you may know a lot but you end up with a dead frog.' (Mark Twain) OBJECTIVE: To describe some of the psychological and physiological effects of laughter and the health benefits of humour. DISCUSSION: Stress reduction has been shown to improve outcomes in the treatment of many health problems. While there are inherent difficulties in structuring studies to assess the impact of humour and laughter on health, positive psychological and physiological responses to laughter have been demonstrated in a variety of settings. In particular, laughter has a role in stress hormone reduction, improving mood, enhancing creativity, pain reduction, improving immunity and reducing blood pressure.

Depression: dispirited or spiritually deprived?

The 20th century has seen a widespread decline in mental health in Western society. One important factor may be the lack of meaning and spiritual fulfilment that is part of our increasingly secular and materialistic society. In medical education and practice, religious issues are often marginalised or 'pathologised", despite consistent evidence from the literature of the protective effect of "religiosity" or "spirituality" on mental and physical health.