Effectiveness of the transitional care model in total knee arthroplasty patients: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study has aimed to assess the effectiveness of the transitional care model (TCM) on functional status, perceived self-efficacy and healthcare utilization in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHOD: This randomized controlled study was conducted between February and November 2021 in a public hospital. The study randomly assigned patients to either a 6-week 'TCM' program or usual care. The sample size was n = 70, with each group comprising 35 individuals. Patient outcomes, including self-efficacy, functional status and healthcare service readmission rates, were monitored for TKA patients. RESULTS: Nursing care based on the 'TCM' was found to enhance functional status and increase the level of self-efficacy among TKA patients, leading to a decrease in healthcare service readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: The study recommends preparing patients and their families for the preoperative and postoperative processes. It emphasizes the importance of providing necessary training and consultancy services under the leadership of orthopaedic nurses responsible for TKA patient care, guided by the principles of TCM.

Self-Controlled Feedback in Motor Learning: The Effects Depend on the Frequency of Request.

The benefits of allowing learners to control when to receive knowledge of results (KR) compared to a yoked group has been recently challenged and postulated to be mild at best. A potential explanation for such dissident findings is that individuals differentially utilize the autonomy provided by the self-controlled condition, which, in its turn, affects the outcomes. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of self-controlled KR on motor learning focusing on the frequency of KR requests when performing an anticipatory timing task. Self-controlled groups were created based on participants' KR frequency of request (High, Medium, and Low referring to fifth, third, and first quintile) and, then, Yoked groups were created self-control condition pairing the KR request of the Self-controlled groups. We also measured self-efficacy and processing time as means to verify potential correlates. The results supported the expected interaction. While no difference between self-controlled and yoked groups were found for low frequencies of KR, a moderate amount of KR request was related to better results for the self-controlled group. Nonetheless, the opposite trend was observed for high frequencies of KR; the yoked group was superior to the self-controlled group. The results of this study allow us to conclude that the choices made, and not just the possibility of choosing, seem to define the benefits of KR self-control in motor learning.

The relationship between general self-efficacy and nursing practice competence for second-year nurses: Empirical quantitative research.

AIM: To examine the relationship between general self-efficacy and nursing practice competence for nurses in the second year of employment. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used. DATA SOURCES: The study included 596 nurses in their second year of employment at 75 medical facilities across Japan and used an online questionnaire survey for data collection. RESULTS: The covariance structure analysis showed the path from general self-efficacy (latent variable) to nursing practice competence. Positive correlations were found between all factors on both scales. Multiple regression analysis results showed that the general self-efficacy factors of 'positivity in behavior' and 'confidence in social competence' affect nursing practice competence. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the importance of enhancing the general self-efficacy of second-year nurses to improve their nursing practice competence. To achieve this, it suggests developing strategies from the perspective of the factors that comprise general self-efficacy. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: The findings suggest that improving general self-efficacy can enhance nursing practice competence, which could inform the development of interventions to support nurses in improving their competence. The study provides basic data for improving nurses' practice competence. IMPACT: This study is the first to establish a relationship between general self-efficacy and nursing practice competence among second-year nurses. It demonstrates the significance of general self-efficacy in enhancing nursing practice competence, particularly for second-year nurses worldwide who may be struggling with their nursing practice competence and considering leaving the profession. The findings offer practical implications for stakeholders involved in nursing education and training programs, with potential applications in professional development. REPORTING METHOD: This manuscript adheres to the STROBE guidelines for the reporting of cross-sectional studies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public contribution.

Body image, self-efficacy, and sleep quality among patients with breast cancer: A latent profile and mediation analysis.

PURPOSE: As a sign of femininity, impaired breast after surgery causes particularly confusion for patients with breast cancer resulting in increased body image distress, which has negative impacts on sleep quality. And self-efficacy enables patients to use positive and effective coping strategies to maintain a favorable night's sleep. Therefore, our study is to explore the heterogeneity in body image experienced by patients with breast cancer and to examine the mediation effects of self-efficacy between body image and sleep quality. METHOD: Between July 2023 and October 2023, 251 patients with breast cancer were recruited for the Be Resilient to Breast Cancer program. They responded to the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, Body Image Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale. Data were analyzed using a latent profile analysis (LPA) and mediation analysis. RESULTS: Results of the LPA indicated that body image could be classified into three subgroups as follows: low (43.0%), moderate (45.5%), and high (11.5%). Furthermore, the mediation analysis demonstrated two partially mediated effects upon comparing the low and moderate (standard error, SE = 0.548, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.009, 0.366) and the high and low (SE = 0.848, 95% CI = 0.570, 3.909) body image groups. CONCLUSION: Heterogeneity exists in body image, and self-efficacy mediates the relationship between body image and sleep quality. Hence, promoting self-efficacy can buffer the negative impacts of body image on sleep quality in patients with breast cancer, and self-efficacy-orientated interventions should also receive more attention in clinic.

Prevalence and determinants of fear of childbirth among pregnant women in Egypt: A cross-sectional study.

PROBLEM: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a significant public health concern, and understanding its determinants is crucial for developing effective interventions to support women during pregnancy and childbirth. BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth (FOC) is increasingly recognized as an essential psychological health concern among pregnant women globally. However, research elucidating the prevalence and multifaceted determinants of FOC in the Egyptian context remains scarce. This knowledge is pivotal to informing maternal health practices. AIM: This study aimed to investigate FOC prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women in Egypt. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 low-risk pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, from February 2023 to July 2023. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetric profiles, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. RESULTS: The prevalence of FOC ranged from mild to severe, with 70.4% of women displaying some degree of fear and 11.3% exhibiting severe FOC. Key determinants associated with greater FOC were younger age, nulliparity, unplanned pregnancy, negative previous birth experiences, and preference for cesarean delivery. An inverse relationship was found between FOC and childbirth self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a high FOC prevalence among Egyptian pregnant women, necessitating the need for systematic screening and tailored interventions to mitigate this concern, especially among high-risk groups like young, nulliparous mothers. Fostering childbirth self-efficacy may aid in reducing FOC. These findings can inform the enhancement of holistic maternal health practices in Egypt.

Nursing students' pain management self-efficacy and attitude towards patients with chronic pain: What can be done better in education? A cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study has been conducted to determine nursing students' pain management self-efficacy and attitudes towards patients with chronic pain. BACKGROUND: Pain is a significant phenomenon that often leads individuals to seek medical attention, influenced by various factors and commonly encountered by healthcare professionals. Adequate knowledge and positive attitudes among nurses play a crucial role in the thorough assessment and effective management of pain, resulting in favorable outcomes for hospitalized individuals. DESIGN: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. METHODS: The research was conducted with 322 undergraduate students who were continuing their education in the autumn semester of the 2023-2024 academic year at Aksaray University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing. Data have been collected by using Student Information Form, Pain Management Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PMSEQ) and the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals towards Patients with Chronic Pain Scale. Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis significance test and Spearman Correlation analysis have been used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: The mean total score of the PMSEQ was 62.91 (SD 15.58) and the mean total score of the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals Towards Patients with Chronic Pain Scale was 3.94 (SD.52). Those students who willingly opted for the nursing profession, perceived themselves as proficient in managing chronic pain, administered care to patients experiencing pain during clinical placements, believed they received sufficient education in pain management throughout their studies and rated their overall health status as "very poor" demonstrated higher levels of self-efficacy in pain management (p<0.05). As a result of the analysis performed according to the mean scores of the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals Towards Chronic Pain Patients Scale and its sub-dimensions of the students participating in the study, a statistically significant difference has been found according to their gender, academic year and self-sufficiency in pain management (p<0.05). It has been determined that there is a weak positive correlation between the total mean scores of the participants' PMSEQ and the Attitude of Healthcare Professionals Towards Patients with Chronic Pain scale (r=.260; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, as nursing students' self-confidence in pain management self-efficacy increased, their attitudes towards patients with pain also increased positively. In the nursing curriculum, there is a necessity for integrating pain management education and fostering awareness to adequately equip nursing students in addressing the pain requirements of patients.

Basic moral sensitivity, moral disengagement, and defender self-efficacy as predictors of students' self-reported bystander behaviors over a school year: a growth curve analysis.

Though school children tend to view peer victimization as morally wrong most do not to intervene on the victim's behalf and some instead choose to aid the victimizer. The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate how students' defending and pro-aggressive bystander behaviors evolved over the course of one school year and their association to basic moral sensitivity, moral disengagement, and defender self-efficacy. Three-hundred-fifty-three upper elementary school students (55% girls; 9.9-12.9 years of age) each completed self-report surveys at three points during one school year. Results from latent growth curve models showed that pro-aggressive bystander behavior remained stable over the year, whereas defending behavior decreased. Moreover, students who exhibited greater basic moral sensitivity were both less likely to be pro-aggressive and simultaneously more likely to defend. Students with defender self-efficacy were not only associated with more defending behavior at baseline but also were also less likely to decrease in defender behavior over time. Conversely, students reporting a higher degree of moral disengagement were linked to more pro-aggressive behavior, particularly when also reporting lower basic moral sensitivity. These short-term longitudinal results add important insight into the change in bystander behavior over time and how it relates to students' sense of morality. The results also highlight the practical necessity for schools to nurture students' sense of morality and prosocial behavior in their efforts to curb peer victimization.

Burnout, Engagement, and Resilience During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Keys to a Model for Teachers' Self-Efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Social isolation measures by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted teaching work. In an "Emergency Remote Teaching" (ERT) context, it is relevant to investigate the factors that affect teachers' self-efficacy. METHODS: A total of 289 teachers from schools in southern Spain have participated in this study. They have been asked about their levels of burnout, engagement, and resilience. Comparisons were made by groups in accordance with sex, type of center they belonged to, school social context, and educational level in which the teacher taught. Using a Structural Equations Model, the multivariate relationships between the variables related to burnout, engagement, and resilience were described. RESULTS: During the ERT, teachers' self-efficacy was influenced by the 3 factors: burnout-exhaustion and cynicism-engagement, and resilience. During the ERT, the teachers in semi-private and private centers showed greater self-efficacy. In turn, the teachers in childhood and primary education showed a significantly higher level of work engagement than the teachers in compulsory and post-compulsory secondary education. CONCLUSIONS: The results in relation to ERT are discussed in the context of the exceptionality and universal globality of the pandemic phenomenon and the complex self-perception of the social value of the teaching function.

Race/ethnicity-based discrimination, depressive symptoms, and smoking-related variables among people with HIV participating in a randomized clinical trial for cigarette smoking cessation.

People with HIV smoke cigarettes at a high prevalence, and it is important to identify modifiable variables related to smoking in this population. Race/ethnicity-based discrimination is common among people with HIV from minoritized racial and ethnic groups and results in significant adverse effects. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity-based discrimination, depression, and smoking-related variables among people with HIV who smoke. This was a secondary analysis of data from a prospective, randomized controlled smoking cessation trial for people with HIV. Participants were recruited from three HIV clinical care sites and randomly assigned to an HIV-tailored group therapy intervention or a control condition. Participants completed measures of demographics, smoking-related variables, race/ethnicity-based discrimination, and depressive symptoms at baseline and were followed up 3- and 6-months after study completion. Depressive symptoms had an indirect effect on the relationship between race/ethnicity-based discrimination and self-efficacy to quit smoking at 3-month follow-up. Depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between race/ethnicity-based discrimination and both nicotine dependence and self-efficacy to quit smoking at 6-month follow-up. Findings highlight the importance of considering race/ethnicity-based discrimination and depressive symptoms in the development and implementation of smoking cessation treatment interventions for people with HIV.

Research on the correlation between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout.

Background: The number of clinical nurses in China experiencing professional burnout is increasing yearly, posing a serious challenge to the public health sector. Implementing effective intervention strategies is key to reducing the level of occupational burnout. At present, training aimed at alleviating occupational burnout among clinical nurses is very limited, with common training programs focusing on addressing external factors of occupational burnout rather than the internal cognitive issues of clinical nurses. Self-efficacy and future time perspective are both aspects of an individual's internal self-cognition. Meanwhile, the relationship between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout is not clear, and further research is needed to verify this. Objective: This study aims to reveal the relationship between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout, and to explore the mediating role of future time perspective between self-efficacy and occupational burnout among clinical nurses, providing a scientific reference for training directions to improve occupational burnout. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design, conducting a questionnaire survey with 529 practicing clinical nurses using the General Demographics Questionnaire (GDQ), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). SPSS software version 26.0 was used to analyze the correlation between variables, and AMOS 26.0 was used to test the mediation effect. Results: Clinical nurses' self-efficacy had a negative predictive effect on occupational burnout (r = -0.503, p < 0.001). Future time perspective showed significant differences in regression coefficients on both the paths of self-efficacy (r = 0.615, p < 0.001) and occupational burnout (r = -0.374, p < 0.001). Future time perspective played a partial mediating role between self-efficacy and occupational burnout, accounting for 33.8% of the total effect. Conclusion: This study suggests a significant correlation between clinical nurses' self-efficacy, future time perspective, and occupational burnout. Self-efficacy can directly affect occupational burnout in clinical nurses and can also indirectly affect occupational burnout through the future time perspective.

Effect of empowering leadership on employees' workplace loneliness: a moderated mediation model.

Background: Workplace loneliness has become a prevalent experience among employees in organizations; however, there is limited empirical research on how leaders can address and mitigate this issue. Drawing upon self-determination theory and empowering leadership theory, this study examines the impact of empowering leadership on workplace loneliness by exploring the mediator of role breadth self-efficacy and the moderator of leader-member conversational quality. Methods: A time-lagged research design was used, collecting data through a two-wave online survey involving 531 employees in Chinese public sectors. The participants consisted of 321 males and 210 females, with an average age of 35 years (SD = 7.36). Results: Our findings indicate that empowering leadership positively influences employees' role breadth self-efficacy, reducing their workplace loneliness. Moreover, leader-member conversational quality strengthens this indirect effect, suggesting that empowering leadership is more effective in reducing workplace loneliness when leader-member conversational quality is high. Conclusion: This study expands and enriches research on the antecedents of workplace loneliness from the leadership approach, providing valuable insights for organizations to implement interventions that effectively alleviate employees' workplace loneliness.

Factors affecting psychological resilience, self-efficacy and job satisfaction of nurse academics: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The study aimed to determine the factors affecting psychological resilience, self-efficacy and job satisfaction in nurse academics. BACKGROUND: Nurse academics follow an emotionally and mentally intense career path, along which they are required to balance many different roles and responsibilities, including teaching, research and guidance. However, in some cases, this equilibrium is disrupted and may cause functional disruptions; in achieving this balance, resilience, self-efficacy and job satisfaction play important roles. METHODS: The data of this cross-sectional study were collected between January and April 2023, and 446 nurse academics were included in the study. The Descriptive Characteristics Information Form, Brief Psychological Resilience Scale (BPRS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS) were used to collect the research data.We adhered to the STROBE checklist for reporting. RESULTS: A significant positive relationship was found between general self-efficacy levels and psychological resilience and job satisfaction levels. There is a significant positive relationship between job satisfaction levels and age, total years of service, psychological resilience and general self-efficacy levels. In addition, it has been noted that family relationships, friend relationships and academic title factors were effective on the nurse academics' psychological resilience, self-efficacy and job satisfaction levels. CONCLUSION: Managers can play an important role in increasing the psychological resilience, self-efficacy and job satisfaction levels of nurse academics by developing strategies for these effective factors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND NURSING POLICY: Governments need to ensure that nurse academics have an appropriate career framework that enables them to balance the competing demands on their time and that they have adequate mentoring and support in the early stages of their careers to enable them to adapt to working life as a nurse academic.

Factors influencing physical activity levels in elderly community-dwelling convalescent stroke survivors: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate factors affecting physical activity (PA) among elderly stroke survivors living in the community and assess the mediating role of exercise planning in the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and PA. METHODS: 300 participants were surveyed using questionnaires and scales, with data analyzed using SPSS 26.0. RESULTS: Univariate analysis identified sociological, disease-related factors, exercise self-efficacy, and exercise planning as influencing PA. Ordered logistic regression showed significant associations between PA, exercise self-efficacy (OR 1.093, 95 % CI 1.055-1.133, P < 0.001), and exercise planning (OR 1.296, 95 % CI 1.202-1.398, P < 0.001). Exercise planning partially mediated the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and PA, accounting for 64.86 % of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple factors, including sociological and disease-related ones, as well as exercise self-efficacy and planning, influence PA in elderly stroke survivors. Exercise planning partially mediates the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and PA.

Determinants of work stress among emergency department nurses in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: The nursing field is the fourth most stressful occupation in the health sector. Emergency department nurses often face crises and unpredictable situations that can negatively affect their quality of life and the quality of care. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of work stress among ED nurses in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants (n = 122) were emergency nurses recruited through convenience sampling from four EDs in Sleman District, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data were gathered using an online self-administered survey consisting of the workload, self-efficacy, and work stress questionnaires. Hierarchical linear regression analysis with the entry method was used to examine the main determinants of work stress. RESULTS: The average work stress (38.29 ± 8), workload (30.83 ± 9.21), and self-efficacy (32.47 ± 3.61) scores were at a moderate level. Hierarchical linear regression showed that workplace, being a head nurse, and workload were the main determinants that contributed to 25.4 % of work stress among ED nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The study results confirm that having a high workload, working in a private hospital, and being a head nurse are the main determinants of work stress among ED nurses in Sleman, Indonesia.

Test-reduced teaching for stimulation of intrinsic motivation (TRUST): a randomized controlled intervention study.

BACKGROUND: The anatomy dissection course is a major part of the first two years of the traditional medical curriculum in Germany. The vast amount of content to be learned and the repeated examination is unanimously perceived by students and teachers as a major stress factor that contributes to the increase of psychosocial stress during the first two years of the course of study. Published interventions for specific stress reduction are scarce. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled design two intervention groups were compared with a control group (CG) over the whole dissection course (nine measuring points before, during and after first and second semester). The 'Stress Management intervention (IVSM)' targeted at the setting of personal standards, the 'Friendly Feedback intervention (IVFF)' at the context of frequent testing. Quantitative surveys were distributed at nine measuring points. The questionnaire comprised validated instruments and self-developed items regarding stress, positive and negative affect, anxiety, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, and perceived performance. RESULTS: Out of 195 students inscribed in the dissection course, 166 (85%) agreed to participate in the study. The experience of stress during the dissection course was significantly higher in the CG than in the IVFF. Anxiety and negative affect were lower in students of the IVFF while positive affect, intrinsic motivation, and self-efficacy were higher than in the CG. For anxiety and negative affect in the IVSM this was especially seen at the end of the second semester. The self-perceived increase in both knowledge and preparedness for the first big oral and written examination did not differ between the study groups. About three quarters of the participants would choose the intervention 'Friendly Feedback' if given the choice. CONCLUSIONS: Replacing formal tests with friendly feedback has proven to be an effective measure to reduce stress and negative affect and foster positive affect, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation, while it did not impair self-perceived academic performance.

Parental political engagement and self-efficacy: An exploratory study.

Political engagement (PE) is associated with a sense of empowerment. PE by parents affects children's lives. This study explored parents' attitudes about inclusion of political engagement discussion in well-child care. Because voting is an expression of empowerment, we hypothesized that voting would be related to higher parenting self-efficacy. We administered a brief questionnaire to a convenience sample of parents/guardians at well-child visits at an urban hospital. The questionnaire included 10 Likert scale questions touching on parenting efficacy; beliefs about political engagement; voting behaviors; and demographics. Analysis included descriptive statistics, correlations, and factor analysis. Among the 70 respondents 84% were mothers; 55% self-identified as low income; 62% self-identified as a "person of color." Voting in the 2020 national election was reported by 37%. Most parents (54%) said they would feel comfortable discussing voting with a doctor. Factor analysis identified two main factors: self-efficacy and engagement. Engagement, but not self-efficacy, was related to voting behavior. Contrary to our hypothesis, PE did not appear related to parenting self-efficacy. Notably, more than half of parents felt comfortable discussing PE with their child's doctor. Given the critical role of parents in shaping the world their children inhabit, further exploration could prove to be of value.

The good teacher's Odyssey.

The manifestation of the good teacher is a contested discourse within international teacher education. The construct of good teacher emerges from research into teacher education and focuses on teacher quality and effectiveness [42]. While there is significant policy work internationally about the performativity and effectiveness of teachers' practice, there is limited research into the formation of a good teacher using a reflexive methodology. This paper reports on case studies of three Australian schools that comprise qualitative semi-structured interviews with ten beginning teachers. This study uses the construct of "a good teacher" to assess the contextual and professional factors that create good teaching. These case studies have been textually analysed for themes that inform the transition to teaching and ongoing construction of professional identity. The barriers and enablers to the development of good teaching are explored in this paper using Mockler's [20] epistemological framework that recognizes socio-cultural, personal and professional factors in the construction of good teaching. The study reveals the complexity of factors that influence the creation of a good teacher.

Influence of health education based on the transtheoretical model on kinesiophobia levels and rehabilitation outcomes in elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of health education based on the transtheoretical model in reducing symptoms of kinesiophobia and enhancing rehabilitation outcomes among elderly patients post-total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Elderly patients post-knee replacement surgery were randomly divided into a control group, which received standard health education, and an experimental group, which received transtheoretical model-based health education. The intervention commenced on the day after surgery and continued for a duration of six months. Assessments of kinesiophobia scores, rehabilitation self-efficacy, and knee function were conducted before the intervention, and then at one, three, and six months postoperatively. Results: Between January 2022 and December 2022, 130 elderly patients who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled and subsequently randomly assigned into two groups of equal size. Comparable baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups The experimental group demonstrated lower kinesiophobia scores and higher scores in rehabilitation self-efficacy and knee function at one, three, and six months following surgery, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Health education based on a transtheoretical model reduces the symptoms of kinesiophobia and enhances rehabilitation self-efficacy and knee functions in elderly patients after knee replacement surgery.

The impact of math anxiety and self-efficacy in middle school STEM choices: A 3-year longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: In today's world, which is progressively oriented towards science and technology and facing a growing demand for skilled professionals, it becomes essential to identify the factors that encourage individuals to pursue careers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Previous research has shown that affective-motivational factors, math performance and gender influence STEM occupational and academic choices in adulthood. However, few studies examined how these factors may influence STEM choices as early as middle school. This study aims to assess how math anxiety, math self-efficacy, math performance and gender influence STEM school choices during middle school. METHODS: We longitudinally assessed a group of 109 students (Year 6) over three school years, with measurements taken on three different occasions. RESULTS: Findings indicated that individuals who made an STEM school choice experienced lower math anxiety, higher self-efficacy and math performance and were predominantly male. Furthermore, the results indicated that both math anxiety in Year 7 and self-efficacy in Year 6 made the most substantial unique contributions to the STEM school choice. CONCLUSION: Math anxiety and math self-efficacy seem to be both crucial in influencing middle school students' STEM choices, offering new perspectives for early interventions aimed at promoting more informed school choices.

Which learning techniques supported by cognitive research do students use at secondary school? Prevalence and associations with students' beliefs and achievement.

Research in cognitive science has highlighted the effectiveness of several learning techniques, and a number of studies have analyzed their prevalence among university students and their relationship with academic achievement. In this study, we surveyed a large, heterogeneous sample of secondary school students to reveal how often they use research-supported techniques in comparison with other frequent techniques, and we analyzed the association between their study strategies and school achievement. We also assessed the associations between study techniques and several students' beliefs and attitudes toward learning (self-efficacy, goal orientation, control beliefs, growth mindset, and examination anxiety). Results showed that, except for distributed practice, only those techniques that are supported by previous research yielded an association with achievement, and they exhibited higher associations with self-efficacy, growth mindset, control beliefs, and learning goal orientation than non-supported techniques.