Psychological resilience is one of the most important factors that help a person adapt to the dif... more Psychological resilience is one of the most important factors that help a person adapt to the difficulties of life. The present study aimed to examine the role of psychological resilience in the social and professional functioning of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 301 individuals (58.8% female) participated in the study. Approximately 44% of participants were diagnosed with diabetes, 28% with rheumatoid arthritis, and around 25% with multiple sclerosis. Two psychometric measures were used to achieve the objectives of the present study: the Psychological Resilience Scale and the Performance of Social and Occupational Functions Scale. Regression analyses were used to examine the amount of variance predicted by psychological resilience in terms of the following variables of social and professional functions: relationships, communication, social activities, entertainment activities, life skills, employment-based job fu...
Refugees face enormous levels of stress post migration. These levels of stress put the refugees a... more Refugees face enormous levels of stress post migration. These levels of stress put the refugees at risk for psychological and physical problems to add to their already existing burdens. Resiliency is known to reduce risk for stressors and increase ability to deal with burdens refugees face. 86 Iraqi refugees in Jordan participated in this study through 7 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working with Iraqi refugees in Jordan. Participants filled out the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale – Short Form (MC-SDS-SF). Results showed moderate resiliency levels amongst Iraqi refugees in Jordan. No differences between refugees ’ gender, age, and marital status were found. But differences between educational levels were found, indicating significantly higher resiliency scores for participants of higher educational levels. Results also showed that spiritual influence was the highest contributor to the refugees’ resiliency. Implicati...
Abstract Objectives: Kinesiophobia is associated with pain disability across a number of physical... more Abstract Objectives: Kinesiophobia is associated with pain disability across a number of physical conditions, particularly chronic low back pain [CLBP]. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia [TSK] is the primary instrument for assessing kinesiophobia, and was originally developed in English. The objective of this study is to establish an Arabic version of TSK [TSK-AV] with subsequent validation in Arabic patients with CLBP. Methods: 101 CLBP patients completed the TSK-AV, demographic measures, and measures of pain severity and disability. Collected data were used for further psychometric analysis. Results: Explorative factor analysis showed that a three-factor model provided an acceptable fit to our data, explaining 45.2% of the variance. Factor 1 [labeled as "Activity Avoidance"] comprised items 1, 2, 4, 12, 14, 15 and 17. Factor 2 was labeled as "Experience with Pain/Bodily Injury" and comprised items 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 16. Factor 3 was labeled as "Somatic Focus" and comprised items 3, 10, 11 and 13. The TSK-AV and its subscales were all independent significant [p < 0.001] predictors of pain disability in Jordanian patients with CLBP after accounting for factors such as age, gender, pain duration and pain severity. Conclusion: The study provided the first translation of the TSK into Arabic. The TSK-AV and its subscales were each significant independent predictors of pain disability. The measure can therefore be recommended for clinical and research purposes with Arabic-speaking populations.
This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans’ (VH) sex and race on participants’ ratings o... more This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans’ (VH) sex and race on participants’ ratings of pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, pain-related negative mood, pain coping, and recommendations for medical help. Seventy-five undergraduates viewed a series of VHs and provided computerized visual analog scale (VAS) ratings for the five domains listed above. Mixed model ANOVA analyses showed that participants of both sexes and races viewed female VHs as experiencing greater pain intensity, greater pain unpleasantness, a greater number of pain-related negative moods, poorer coping skills, and a greater need to seek medical help for their pain. Participants of both races rated Caucasian VHs as experiencing more negative moods and poorer coping skills do deal with their pain. The novel computerized VH technology used herein allowed for the standardization of pain expression across sexes and races of VH stimuli, thus allowing us to remove the influence of biases when creating the study stimuli. This is a notable advantage over other research methodologies in this line of inquiry. Several future research and education applications of this VH technology are discussed.
Abstract To examine the psychometric properties of a short form TSK-AV in Arabic-speaking patient... more Abstract To examine the psychometric properties of a short form TSK-AV in Arabic-speaking patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). One hundred one CLBP patients recruited from Jordan University Hospital provided demographic information and completed the TSK-AV full version and measures of pain severity and disability. Explorative factor analysis was used to determine whether a generally accepted 2-factor model consisting of fewer TSK items applies to the TSK-AV and exhibits acceptable psychometric properties. A 2-factor model provided an adequate-to-good fit to our data, explaining 46.54% of the variance. Factor 1 (labeled as “activity avoidance”) comprised items 1, 2, 7, 9, 14, 15, and 17. Factor 2 was labeled as “somatic focus” and comprised items 3, 6, 11, and 13. The 11-item TSK-AV comprised of the 2 factors (TSK-AV-11) as well as its subscales all remained independent significant (P < .001) predictors of pain disability in Jordanian patients with CLBP after accounting for factors such as age, gender, pain duration, and pain severity. The short, 11-item TSK-AV (TSK-AV-11) appears to be an ideal clinical and research tool for measuring fear of movement/re (injury) in Arabic-speaking patients.
This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans' (VH) sex and race on participants' r... more This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans' (VH) sex and race on participants' ratings of pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, pain-related negative mood, pain coping, and recommendations for medical help. Seventy-five undergraduates viewed a series of VHs and provided computerized visual analog scale (VAS) ratings for the five domains listed above. Mixed model ANOVA analyses showed that participants of both sexes and races viewed female VHs as experiencing greater pain intensity, greater pain unpleasantness, a greater number of pain-related negative moods, poorer coping skills, and a greater need to seek medical help for their pain. Participants of both races rated Caucasian VHs as experiencing more negative moods and poorer coping skills do deal with their pain. The novel computerized VH technology used herein allowed for the standardization of pain expression across sexes and races of VH stimuli, thus allowing us to remove the influence of biases when creating th...
Pain assessment is subject to bias due to characteristics of the individual in pain and of the ob... more Pain assessment is subject to bias due to characteristics of the individual in pain and of the observing person. Few research studies have examined pain assessment biases in an experimental setting. This study employs innovative virtual human technology to achieve greater experimental control. A lens model design was used to capture decision-making policies at the idiographic and nomothetic level. Seventy-five undergraduates viewed virtual humans (VH) that varied in sex, race, age, and pain expression. Participants provided computerized ratings with Visual Analogue Scales on the VH&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, negative mood, coping, and need for medical treatment. Idiographic analyses revealed that individuals used pain expression most frequently as a significant cue. Nomothetic analyses showed that higher pain expression VH and female VH were viewed as having higher pain intensity, higher pain unpleasantness, greater negative mood, worse coping, and a greater need to seek medical treatment than lower pain expression VH and male VH, respectively. Older VH were viewed as having worse coping and a greater need to seek medical treatment than younger VH. This innovative paradigm involving VH technology and a lens model design was shown to be highly effective and could serve as a model for future studies investigating pain-related decision making in healthcare providers.
This is an abridged and updated version of a project report from 2009-2011.
The project aimed to... more This is an abridged and updated version of a project report from 2009-2011. The project aimed to train staff of psychosocial support organizations for Iraqi refugees in Amman in community based interventions, improving communication skills and stimulating mutual cooperation. Families and households are the primary focus.They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. Tools are applied to map the families and to stimulate them to take ownership.Involved local aid organizations are explored and delineated with easy tools to avoid overlap. Ethical implications are addressed in implementing the interventions.
Psychological resilience is one of the most important factors that help a person adapt to the dif... more Psychological resilience is one of the most important factors that help a person adapt to the difficulties of life. The present study aimed to examine the role of psychological resilience in the social and professional functioning of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 301 individuals (58.8% female) participated in the study. Approximately 44% of participants were diagnosed with diabetes, 28% with rheumatoid arthritis, and around 25% with multiple sclerosis. Two psychometric measures were used to achieve the objectives of the present study: the Psychological Resilience Scale and the Performance of Social and Occupational Functions Scale. Regression analyses were used to examine the amount of variance predicted by psychological resilience in terms of the following variables of social and professional functions: relationships, communication, social activities, entertainment activities, life skills, employment-based job fu...
Refugees face enormous levels of stress post migration. These levels of stress put the refugees a... more Refugees face enormous levels of stress post migration. These levels of stress put the refugees at risk for psychological and physical problems to add to their already existing burdens. Resiliency is known to reduce risk for stressors and increase ability to deal with burdens refugees face. 86 Iraqi refugees in Jordan participated in this study through 7 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working with Iraqi refugees in Jordan. Participants filled out the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale – Short Form (MC-SDS-SF). Results showed moderate resiliency levels amongst Iraqi refugees in Jordan. No differences between refugees ’ gender, age, and marital status were found. But differences between educational levels were found, indicating significantly higher resiliency scores for participants of higher educational levels. Results also showed that spiritual influence was the highest contributor to the refugees’ resiliency. Implicati...
Abstract Objectives: Kinesiophobia is associated with pain disability across a number of physical... more Abstract Objectives: Kinesiophobia is associated with pain disability across a number of physical conditions, particularly chronic low back pain [CLBP]. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia [TSK] is the primary instrument for assessing kinesiophobia, and was originally developed in English. The objective of this study is to establish an Arabic version of TSK [TSK-AV] with subsequent validation in Arabic patients with CLBP. Methods: 101 CLBP patients completed the TSK-AV, demographic measures, and measures of pain severity and disability. Collected data were used for further psychometric analysis. Results: Explorative factor analysis showed that a three-factor model provided an acceptable fit to our data, explaining 45.2% of the variance. Factor 1 [labeled as "Activity Avoidance"] comprised items 1, 2, 4, 12, 14, 15 and 17. Factor 2 was labeled as "Experience with Pain/Bodily Injury" and comprised items 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 16. Factor 3 was labeled as "Somatic Focus" and comprised items 3, 10, 11 and 13. The TSK-AV and its subscales were all independent significant [p < 0.001] predictors of pain disability in Jordanian patients with CLBP after accounting for factors such as age, gender, pain duration and pain severity. Conclusion: The study provided the first translation of the TSK into Arabic. The TSK-AV and its subscales were each significant independent predictors of pain disability. The measure can therefore be recommended for clinical and research purposes with Arabic-speaking populations.
This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans’ (VH) sex and race on participants’ ratings o... more This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans’ (VH) sex and race on participants’ ratings of pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, pain-related negative mood, pain coping, and recommendations for medical help. Seventy-five undergraduates viewed a series of VHs and provided computerized visual analog scale (VAS) ratings for the five domains listed above. Mixed model ANOVA analyses showed that participants of both sexes and races viewed female VHs as experiencing greater pain intensity, greater pain unpleasantness, a greater number of pain-related negative moods, poorer coping skills, and a greater need to seek medical help for their pain. Participants of both races rated Caucasian VHs as experiencing more negative moods and poorer coping skills do deal with their pain. The novel computerized VH technology used herein allowed for the standardization of pain expression across sexes and races of VH stimuli, thus allowing us to remove the influence of biases when creating the study stimuli. This is a notable advantage over other research methodologies in this line of inquiry. Several future research and education applications of this VH technology are discussed.
Abstract To examine the psychometric properties of a short form TSK-AV in Arabic-speaking patient... more Abstract To examine the psychometric properties of a short form TSK-AV in Arabic-speaking patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). One hundred one CLBP patients recruited from Jordan University Hospital provided demographic information and completed the TSK-AV full version and measures of pain severity and disability. Explorative factor analysis was used to determine whether a generally accepted 2-factor model consisting of fewer TSK items applies to the TSK-AV and exhibits acceptable psychometric properties. A 2-factor model provided an adequate-to-good fit to our data, explaining 46.54% of the variance. Factor 1 (labeled as “activity avoidance”) comprised items 1, 2, 7, 9, 14, 15, and 17. Factor 2 was labeled as “somatic focus” and comprised items 3, 6, 11, and 13. The 11-item TSK-AV comprised of the 2 factors (TSK-AV-11) as well as its subscales all remained independent significant (P < .001) predictors of pain disability in Jordanian patients with CLBP after accounting for factors such as age, gender, pain duration, and pain severity. The short, 11-item TSK-AV (TSK-AV-11) appears to be an ideal clinical and research tool for measuring fear of movement/re (injury) in Arabic-speaking patients.
This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans' (VH) sex and race on participants' r... more This study examined the influence of Virtual Humans' (VH) sex and race on participants' ratings of pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, pain-related negative mood, pain coping, and recommendations for medical help. Seventy-five undergraduates viewed a series of VHs and provided computerized visual analog scale (VAS) ratings for the five domains listed above. Mixed model ANOVA analyses showed that participants of both sexes and races viewed female VHs as experiencing greater pain intensity, greater pain unpleasantness, a greater number of pain-related negative moods, poorer coping skills, and a greater need to seek medical help for their pain. Participants of both races rated Caucasian VHs as experiencing more negative moods and poorer coping skills do deal with their pain. The novel computerized VH technology used herein allowed for the standardization of pain expression across sexes and races of VH stimuli, thus allowing us to remove the influence of biases when creating th...
Pain assessment is subject to bias due to characteristics of the individual in pain and of the ob... more Pain assessment is subject to bias due to characteristics of the individual in pain and of the observing person. Few research studies have examined pain assessment biases in an experimental setting. This study employs innovative virtual human technology to achieve greater experimental control. A lens model design was used to capture decision-making policies at the idiographic and nomothetic level. Seventy-five undergraduates viewed virtual humans (VH) that varied in sex, race, age, and pain expression. Participants provided computerized ratings with Visual Analogue Scales on the VH&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, negative mood, coping, and need for medical treatment. Idiographic analyses revealed that individuals used pain expression most frequently as a significant cue. Nomothetic analyses showed that higher pain expression VH and female VH were viewed as having higher pain intensity, higher pain unpleasantness, greater negative mood, worse coping, and a greater need to seek medical treatment than lower pain expression VH and male VH, respectively. Older VH were viewed as having worse coping and a greater need to seek medical treatment than younger VH. This innovative paradigm involving VH technology and a lens model design was shown to be highly effective and could serve as a model for future studies investigating pain-related decision making in healthcare providers.
This is an abridged and updated version of a project report from 2009-2011.
The project aimed to... more This is an abridged and updated version of a project report from 2009-2011. The project aimed to train staff of psychosocial support organizations for Iraqi refugees in Amman in community based interventions, improving communication skills and stimulating mutual cooperation. Families and households are the primary focus.They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. Tools are applied to map the families and to stimulate them to take ownership.Involved local aid organizations are explored and delineated with easy tools to avoid overlap. Ethical implications are addressed in implementing the interventions.
Uploads
Papers
Teaching Documents
The project aimed to train staff of psychosocial support organizations for Iraqi refugees in Amman in community based interventions, improving communication skills and stimulating mutual cooperation. Families and households are the primary focus.They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. Tools are applied to map the families and to stimulate them to take ownership.Involved local aid organizations are explored and delineated with easy tools to avoid overlap. Ethical implications are addressed in implementing the interventions.
The project aimed to train staff of psychosocial support organizations for Iraqi refugees in Amman in community based interventions, improving communication skills and stimulating mutual cooperation. Families and households are the primary focus.They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. They are approached in their specific context with its challenges and opportunities. Tools are applied to map the families and to stimulate them to take ownership.Involved local aid organizations are explored and delineated with easy tools to avoid overlap. Ethical implications are addressed in implementing the interventions.