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We implemented a single-case research design (SCRD) with a small sample (N = 2) to assess the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) for Latine clients experiencing mental health concerns. Analysis of participants' scores on the Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS) and Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2) using split-middle line of progress visual trend analysis, statistical process control charting, percentage of nonoverlapping data points procedure, percent improvement, and Tau-U yielded treatment effects indicating that SFBT may be effective for improving hope and mental health symptoms for Latine clients. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for counselor educators, counselors-in-training, and practitioners, which include integrating SFBT principles into the counselor education curriculum, teaching counselors-in-training how to use SCRDs to evaluate counseling effectiveness, and using the DHS and OQ-45.2 to measure hope and clinical symptoms.

Moral education and moral growth are very important topics, and have been so as much in the fields of moral psychology and moral education as in the policies of governments and international institutions over the past decades. These two topics are also central themes within the educational proposal of Philosophy for Children (P4C), as seen in theoretical reflection and in educational research. It is necessary to start from a more global approach to moral growth, focused on the development of capacities. Such abilities are to be understood as virtues or personality traits that enable us to achieve a full life, that is, to become good people. The transformation of classrooms into communities of philosophical inquiry, following the educational guidelines of P4C, can contribute to the achievement of this objective. Here we present the psychological and methodological underpinnings of an educational research project that we are applying to a small sample that includes two groups--experimental and control--in a typical classroom environment. We are administering tests at the beginning and the end of the application of a moral education model according to the basic principles of Philosophy for Children. The objective is to verify that our research design could be used to evaluate the contribution of this educational model to the students' moral growth, understood as the consolidation of the students' moral habits and competences.

This study presents a culturally and psychometrically sound instrument of perceived school counselor support among Turkish high school students. The study has been framed using American School Counseling Association's Mindsets and Behaviors for Students Success Model to create a valuable instrument that measures students' perceptions of their school counselors' support in a different culture, society, and education system. The results of this study supported the theoretical based "Perceived School Counselor Support Scale" long and short forms providing initial and strong evidence based on internal structure and relations to other variables. Internal consistency estimates on subscales ranged from good to strong.

Latina/o adolescents may begin middle school with lower levels of life satisfaction, hope, and self-compassion. In the current study, a small-series (N = 5) single-case research design was implemented to evaluate the impact of a positive psychology group counseling experience to increase Latina/o adolescents' life satisfaction, hope, and self-compassion. Analysis of participants' scores on outcome measures yielded treatment effects indicating that the positive psychology group counseling experience may be effective for increasing hope, life satisfaction, and self-compassion. Given that the positive psychology approach was a promising approach for improving Latina/o adolescents' positive outcomes, implications for school counselors to integrate positive psychology into treatment processes are presented.

Latinx adolescents may begin middle school with lower levels of life satisfaction and hope. In the current study, we implemented a small-series (N = 4) single-case research design to evaluate the impact of a group counseling wellness experience to increase Latinx adolescents' life satisfaction and hope. Analysis of participants' scores on outcome measures yielded treatment effects indicating that the group counseling wellness experience may be effective for increasing hope and life satisfaction. Implications for school counselors are provided.

A quantitative, predictive design was used to explore how positive psychology, mental health, and cultural factors influenced Latina/o adolescents' college-going beliefs. By using multiple regression analysis, findings indicated that hope and life satisfaction were significant predictors of college-going beliefs. We provide a discussion regarding the importance of these findings as well as recommendations for school counselors.

Featured Application: The displacement sensor developed in this work provides a robust and highly sensitive solution for measuring small displacements in industrial and scientific environments. It can be employed in precision machinery, robotics, and instrumentation, where detecting minimal movements with high accuracy is critical. Additionally, it holds potential for applications in optical metrology, structural health monitoring, and micro-mechanical systems, providing an adaptable and cost-effective tool for precise displacement measurements. This paper presents a displacement sensor designed to achieve the Optical Vernier Effect (OVE) through a simple yet robust configuration, enhancing sensitivity and precision in small displacement measurements. The sensor structure comprises a few-mode fiber (FMF) placed between two single-mode fibers (SMF) in an SMF-FMF-SMF (SFS) configuration. A series of distinct configurations of concatenated Mach–Zehnder fiber interferometers (MZFI) were examined, with the lengths of the reference FMF (FMFRef) and sensing FMF (FMFSen) adjusted to track the spectral envelope shifts. The results demonstrate that the direction of the spectral shift is governed by the ratio between the FMFRef and FMFSen lengths. The sensor achieved a sensitivity of up to 39.07 nm/mm and a magnification factor (M factor) of up to 50.09, demonstrating exceptional precision and adaptability across a range of applications. The proposed configuration also enhances the overall sensor performance, highlighting its potential for broader use in fields requiring precise displacement monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive psychology is a valuable framework for understanding teacher candidates' mental health perceptions. In the current study, we examined how the presence of meaning in life, search for purpose in life, psychological grit, and hope influenced teacher candidates' subjective happiness and depressive symptoms in a Hispanic Serving Institution. Using multiple regression analysis, findings indicated that hope and psychological grit were significant predictors of subjective happiness. Results also suggest that psychological grit was related to depressive symptoms. As well as providing recommendations for future research, we discuss the significance of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Counseling graduate students may begin practicum with low self-efficacy regarding their counseling abilities and skills. In the current study, we implemented a small-series (N = 11) single-case research design to assess the effectiveness of the practicum experience to increase counseling students' self-efficacy. Analysis of participants' scores on the Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scale yielded treatment effects indicating that the practicum experience encompassing direct services, group supervision, and triadic supervision may be effective for increasing counselor self-efficacy. Given that the practicum experience with triadic supervision was a promising approach for improving counseling graduate students' self-efficacy, we provide implications for counselor educators to integrate triadic supervision and self-efficacy to the forefront of discussions.

The impact of high school counselors' support on Mexican American adolescents' college-going beliefs was examined. We used a quantitative, predictive design to explore predictors of Mexican American adolescents' college-going beliefs. Perceptions of accessibility and expectations from school counselors positively impacted college-going beliefs while perceptions of appraisal negatively impacted college-going beliefs. In addition to a discussion regarding the importance of these findings, implications for school counselors and researchers are offered.

Psychometric properties of measures of hope and meaning in life in Spanish among Latina/o college students were investigated. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate structural validity of instruments. Findings provided support for the reliability and validity of scores on the Disposition Hope Scale and Meaning in Life Questionnaire with Latina/o students.

In this study, we present the inter-relationships among humanistic and positive psychology factors in explaining Latinx college students' life satisfaction. A modified path model revealed that hope mediated two relationships: that between resilience and life satisfaction, as well as meaning in life and life satisfaction. However, contrary to what we hypothesised, meaning in life was not a mediator between resilience and life satisfaction. Results revealed that resilience had direct and indirect effects on life satisfaction while meaning in life had an indirect effect. In addition, there was a significant and positive correlation between hope and meaning of life and life satisfaction. A discussion regarding the importance of these findings and implications for practice and research are provided.

In this study, researchers examined the relationship among perceptions of support from high school teachers, enrollment in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, and Latina/o college students' vocational and college self-efficacy. Perceptions of investment and expectations from high school teachers positively predicted students' college self-efficacy. A positive predictive relationship was also detected between students' perceptions of accessibility to high school teachers and vocational self-efficacy. Significant differences regarding perceptions of support from teachers between AP and non-AP students were also found. Implications for practitioners and researchers are offered.

The purpose of the current study was to understand to what extent Turkish middle school students' self-efficacy and perfectionism scores explained their academic motivation. Findings from this study have potential to influence counseling interventions, education, and future research. First, findings show that perceptions of self-oriented perfectionism were associated with lower levels of amotivation, lower levels of extrinsic motivation, and higher levels of intrinsic motivation. Findings also suggest that perceptions of socially prescribed perfectionism did not have a relationship with amotivation and had a negative relationship with extrinsic motivation as well as a positive relationship with intrinsic motivation. Finally, self-efficacy continues to be an important factor in outcomes among middle school students and extends previous findings that self-efficacy has been related with students' resilience, achievement, and perseverance of effort. Based on this study's findings, we provide implications for practitioners and researchers. One way to increase students' self-efficacy is to foster hope for the future. Narrative therapy is another way to help students increase their levels of self-oriented perfectionism.

The current study examined the impact of high school counselors' support of Latina/o students' career development outcomes. We used a quantitative, predictive design to explore Latina/o students' vocational self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Perceptions of investment, accessibility, positive regard, appraisal, and expectations from school counselors did not impact Latina/o students' vocational self-efficacy or outcome expectations. In addition to a discussion regarding the importance of these findings, implications for school counselors and researchers are offered.

In this qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with secondary school counselors to understand differences between successful and less successful Latina/o students. Using an ecological framework as a theoretical lens, we highlighted differences between successful and less successful Latina/o high school students consistent with individual, interpersonal, and institutional categories. The following themes emerged: determination and commitment, motivation, goal setting, positive behavior and attitudes, family support, role models, school and teacher support, socioeconomic status, and environment. Following a discussion regarding differences between successful and less successful Latina/o students, we provide recommendations for researchers and school counselors to identify studies and interventions to help Latina/o students become academically successful.

This study examined how presence of meaning in life, search for meaning in life, hope, gratitude, enculturation, and family influenced Hispanic/Latino college students' depression and subjective happiness. The first regression model showed that hope, presence of meaning in life, family, and search for meaning in life were related with depression. The second showed that gratitude and presence of meaning in life were related with subjective happiness. Findings and recommendations for counselors and higher education professionals are provided.

The purpose of this study was to examine factors predictive of college students' academic stress. Three hundred seven undergraduate students (179 men, 128 women) participated in the study. Results indicated that female college students had higher academic stress than did male college students. Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses revealed that life satisfaction, locus of control, and gender were significant predictors of academic stress. Directions for future research and implications for counselors are discussed.

With increasing interest in factors related to positive development and the growing U.S. Spanish-speaking population, there is a growing need to provide validity evidence for instruments in Spanish with Latinx populations. This study reported psychometric properties of U.S.-Spanish versions of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS; Smith et al. 2008) and Short Grit Scale (Grit-S; Duckworth and Quinn 2009) with a sample of 193 Latinx college students. The confirmatory factor analyses showed that the Grit-S and the BRS had a good model fit. A discussion regarding the importance of these findings and implications for practice and research are provided.

Researchers used a qualitative research method of inquiry with a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences among faculty mentors and Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) who participated in a GRA training program. Following data analysis, several factors were identified that were consistent with a positive research training environment: faculty modeled positive and appropriate scientific attitudes; faculty helped students get involved in research in a non-threatening manner; and faculty helped students understand that research studies are not perfect. Several factors were also consistent with Community Cultural Wealth: linguistic, social, navigational, resistant, and aspirational capital. Several implications from this study are that institutions of higher education should continue to explore programs to support research training environments and community cultural wealth among culturally diverse students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoidance is a kind of behavior that phylogenetically has helped humans to survive harmful situations. However, following a behavioral pattern based on avoidance is not always useful; it can render some relive from the reduction of discomfort but, in the long term, can bring suffering and destruction to the life of the person. At the same time, humans act according to a type of motivation named personal meaning, which can drive our behavior even when facing uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a contextual therapy that focuses on minimizing the pattern of avoidance and maximizing the pattern of meaningful actions, which in the long term can bring life satisfaction to the person. Various randomized controlled trials have showed that this type of interventions are effective for different psychological problems. Different experimental analogs have studied, in the laboratory, the effect of the specific ACT component of personal meaning, or values, on reducing avoidance. However, no systematic review has been found on this topic and this is the aim of the present review. The systematic search found nineteen experimental analogs and their results revealed that personal meaning is a useful tool to reduce avoidance, in the form of pain tolerance, and that psychological distancing complements effectively the positive impact of personal meaning. We discuss these results and the details of how the motivational protocols were implemented, trying to identify key elements that could help to promote more flexible behavioral patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mediation effect of locus of control and achievement motivation between academic stress and life satisfaction. A total of 307 undergraduate students recruited from a Hispanic Serving Institution in South Texas participated in the study. In the frame of the study, two mediation models were tested by utilising PROCESS Procedure for SPSS (Hayes, 2013. "Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach." New York, NY: Guilford Press). The results indicated that bivariate correlations among study variables ranged from -0.24 to 0.32. The overall composite indicated that academic stress contributed to 6% of the variance in life satisfaction (p < 0.01) among students (b = -0.06), while the mediating effect of locus of control contributed to 10% of the variance in Life Satisfaction (p < 0.01) among students (b = -0.4).

Latina/o college students (N = 130) provided perceptions of psychological grit, presence of meaning in life, search for meaning in life, hope, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. Hope and mindfulness were significant predictors of psychological grit. A discussion regarding the importance of these findings and implications for counselors are presented.

We used a phenomenological research design to explore 19 Latina and Queer identifying undergraduate students’ lived experiences in STEM undergraduate courses at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Eighteen participants self-identified as female and one identified as genderqueer with an average undergraduate grade point average of 3.07. The following themes emerged from phenomenological data analysis: failure to acknowledge students’ cultural and language resources; deficit assumptions about students’ background, abilities, and potential; absence of active and collaborative learning and practical and real-world examples; minimal feedback on student learning and growth; disregard for student voices in design of assessments; and misalignment between assessments and evaluation tools to measure those assessments. We provide implications for faculty developers at HSIs and other institutions of higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided by a Culturally Relevant Pedagogy framework, we used a phenomenological research design to explore nine Latinx graduate students' lived experiences in online courses at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). In this study, we analyzed nine Latinx graduate students' interview transcripts that focused on lived experiences with online learning. The following themes emerged from phenomenological data analysis: accessibility, organization and structure, distractions and connectivity, instructor approachability, communication, flexibility with online learning and self-paced, active learning, guidelines and purpose for assignments, and criteria for success. We structure findings around three effective teaching practices: (1) designing an effective learning environment, (2) structuring intentional learning experiences, and assessing teaching effectiveness. We also provide implications for faculty developers at HSIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) consists in the dissection on embryologic planes in order to achieve a complete resection of the mesocolic envelope and performing a central vascular ligation (CVL) with a D3 lymphadenectomy which is not routinely done for standard right colectomies. CME has been associated with better overall survival and disease-free survival in comparison with conventional surgery in retrospective studies. However, there is no data on its implementation in Chile. The aim of this study is to assess the perioperative results of the implementation of CME in our center. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Consecutive patients undergoing a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with CME-CVL between January 2022 and June 2023 were included. Demographic, perioperative, postoperative and histopathological data were collected. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: During the study period, 34 patients underwent CME; 29 of them underwent laparoscopic CMECVL (median age 66 (57-76) and 15 (52%) female). The median operating time was 202,9 minutes. There were no cases of conversion, anastomotic leakage or mortality. There was morbidity in 9 cases (31%) and one of these (3,4%) was a Clavien-Dindo III morbidity (reoperation due to a Pfannenstiel haematoma). There were no intraoperative vascular injuries. The median length of stay was 3 days. Twelve cases (41%) were stage II and 8(28%) stage III. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 23(18-28). Conclusion: This series demonstrate that the implementation of laparoscopic CME-CVL for right and transverse colon cancer is feasible in centers with experience in advanced laparoscopic colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]