Extraversion as a Moderator of the Efficacy of Self-Esteem Maintenance Strategies.

Four experiments explored how extraversion's connection with self-esteem may depend on specific self-enhancement strategies. Participants' self-esteem threatening feedback indicating that they had performed poorly on a vocabulary or emotional intelligence test. In Experiment 1, participants (N = 80) were randomly assigned to either a control condition (no self-enhancement) or a downward social comparison condition. The procedures for Experiments 2 (N = 470) and 3 (N = 514) were similar, adding a self-serving attribution condition (Experiments 2 and 3) and Basking-in-Reflected-Glory (BIRG) condition (Experiment 3). Across the experiments, extraversion was more related to self-esteem under downward social comparison versus other conditions. BIRGing produced higher self-esteem in Experiment 3 across extraversion levels. Experiment 4 (N = 355) focused on downward social comparison versus control, and provided evidence that an increased perception of being similar to the comparison targets may partially explain extraversion's self-esteem link. Theoretical implications concerning both extraversion and self-enhancement are discussed.

Knowledge of the self-control benefits of high-level versus low-level construal.

Research indicates that inducing high-level construal (processing that highlights invariant, essential features) relative to low-level construal (processing that highlights idiosyncratic, peripheral features) promotes self-control (Fujita & Carnevale, 2012). In the present work, we investigate to what extent people recognize the self-control benefits of high-level construal, and explore the consequences of this knowledge. Studies 1 and 2 provide initial evidence that individuals are aware that high-level relative to low-level construal promotes self-control in the dieting domain. Studies 3 and 4 find that individual differences in this knowledge predict self-control success outcomes (i.e., body mass index) among those who are motivated by dieting goals. Examining academics as a domain of self-control, Study 5 demonstrates that those with higher knowledge of construal level's impact on self-control earned higher end-of-semester grades to the extent that they were motivated to do well academically. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Predictive factors influencing fast track rehabilitation following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Fast track rehabilitation after primary total hip (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) is gaining popularity. We performed a prospective clinical trial to identify predictive factors for successful fast track rehabilitation. METHODS: Between June 2005 and January 2006, 52 THR and 48 TKR were performed on consecutive patients off the local waiting list with no pre-selection or exclusion criteria. Patients underwent a fast track rehabilitation programme within a group-dynamic set-up aiming for discharge day 3 to 5 postoperatively. Demographic, clinical and social factors were analysed. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent (n = 44) of THR patients and 73% (n = 35) following TKR achieved the target discharge. Average discharge after THR was 5.4 and 5.5 days after TKR. Delayed discharge was mostly related to medical, social and organisational reasons. Age, 3 m-get-up-and-go-test (3 m-TGUGT), home situation and preoperative walking distance were the main predictors for the early discharge after THR; age, diagnosis, ASA class and preoperative pain medication were influential for TKR. Perioperative complication rates were within or below the national average. CONCLUSION: Successful fast track rehabilitation is possible without pre-selection and does not seem to compromise clinical safety. However, a good social and physiotherapy community set-up should be available. The identified predictive factors could be helpful to identify candidates for fast track rehabilitation.