scholarly journals MyVoice National Text Message Survey of Youth Aged 14 to 24 Years: Study Protocol (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa DeJonckheere ◽  
Lauren P Nichols ◽  
Michelle H Moniz ◽  
Kendrin R Sonneville ◽  
VG Vinod Vydiswaran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Policy Makers

BACKGROUND There has been little progress in adolescent health outcomes in recent decades. Researchers and youth-serving organizations struggle to accurately elicit youth voice and translate youth perspectives into health care policy. OBJECTIVE Our aim is to describe the protocol of the MyVoice Project, a longitudinal mixed methods study designed to engage youth, particularly those not typically included in research. Text messaging surveys are collected, analyzed, and disseminated in real time to leverage youth perspectives to impact policy. METHODS Youth aged 14 to 24 years are recruited to receive weekly text message surveys on a variety of policy and health topics. The research team, including academic researchers, methodologists, and youth, develop questions through an iterative writing and piloting process. Question topics are elicited from community organizations, researchers, and policy makers to inform salient policies. A youth-centered interactive platform has been developed that automatically sends confidential weekly surveys and incentives to participants. Parental consent is not required because the survey is of minimal risk to participants. Recruitment occurs online (eg, Facebook, Instagram, university health research website) and in person at community events. Weekly surveys collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data are analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data are quickly analyzed using natural language processing and traditional qualitative methods. Mixed methods integration and analysis supports a more in-depth understanding of the research questions. RESULTS We are currently recruiting and enrolling participants through in-person and online strategies. Question development, weekly data collection, data analysis, and dissemination are in progress. CONCLUSIONS MyVoice quickly ascertains the thoughts and opinions of youth in real time using a widespread, readily available technology—text messaging. Results are disseminated to researchers, policy makers, and youth-serving organizations through a variety of methods. Policy makers and organizations also share their priority areas with the research team to develop additional question sets to inform important policy decisions. Youth-serving organizations can use results to make decisions to promote youth well-being.

scholarly journals Using Text Messaging, Social Media, and Interviews to Understand What Pregnant Youth Think About Weight Gain During Pregnancy (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa DeJonckheere ◽  
Lauren P Nichols ◽  
VG Vinod Vydiswaran ◽  
Xinyan Zhao ◽  
Kevyn Collins-Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Weight Gain During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND The majority of pregnant youth gain more weight than recommended by the National Academy of Medicine guidelines. Excess weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk of dangerous complications during delivery, including operative delivery and stillbirth, and contributes to the risk of long-term obesity in both mother and child. Little is known regarding youth’s perceptions of and knowledge about weight gain during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility and acceptability of 3 novel data collection and analysis strategies for use with youth (social media posts, text message surveys, and semistructured interviews) to explore their experiences during pregnancy. The mixed-methods analysis included natural language processing and thematic analysis. METHODS To demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of this novel approach, we used descriptive statistics and thematic qualitative analysis to characterize participation and engagement in the study. RESULTS Recruitment of 54 pregnant women aged between 16 and 24 years occurred from April 2016 to September 2016. All participants completed at least 1 phase of the study. Semistructured interviews had the highest rate of completion, yet all 3 strategies were feasible and acceptable to pregnant youth. CONCLUSIONS This study has described a novel youth-centered strategy of triangulating 3 sources of mixed-methods data to gain a deeper understanding of a health behavior phenomenon among an at-risk population of youth.

Policy makers on the research team: real-time health policy improvements during mifepristone implementation research in Canada

Contraception ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
WV Norman ◽  
S Munro ◽  
C Devane ◽  
E Guilbert ◽  
M Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Implementation Research ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Policy Makers

scholarly journals Companion Animal Type and Level of Engagement Matter: A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Links between Companion Animal Guardianship, Loneliness and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2349
Author(s):  
Heather Clements ◽  
Stephanie Valentin ◽  
Nicholas Jenkins ◽  
Jean Rankin ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide placed limitations on social interaction, which is anticipated to have severe psychological consequences. Although findings are inconsistent, prior research has suggested that companion animals may positively influence human well-being and reduce loneliness. In the context of COVID-19, this has important implications, as companion animal guardians may be less negatively affected by the pandemic. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the influence of companion animals on mental well-being and loneliness during the pandemic, with specific interest in the role of ornamental fishes. A mixed-methods study was conducted, using an international sample. Quantitative data were collected via an online survey (n = 1199) and analysed using robust hierarchical multiple regression analyses; the influence of level of engagement with companion animals was examined for dogs, cats and ornamental fishes. There was no evidence that companion animal guardianship was associated with loneliness and mental well-being during the pandemic but spending more time engaging physically or socially with dogs (and to a lesser extent cats) was generally associated with poorer outcomes. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended survey responses (n = 757) and semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two themes were developed—one related to companion animals as providers of social and emotional support, and the other to companion animals as providers of purpose and perspective. Concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic on animal welfare were also identified. Compared to other animal types, more participants expressed indifference regarding the impact of their fishes on their well-being during the pandemic, possibly because fishes cannot provide comfort via physical touch. The findings of this study reflect the wider field of human–animal interaction; although qualitative data suggest guardians believe their companion animals are a positive influence in their lives, there is little convincing quantitative data to support these beliefs. This highlights the need to refine theories regarding which aspects of companion animal guardianship may influence human well-being; the findings from this research may be useful in the refinement of such theories.

scholarly journals Stressors, self-reported overall health, potential protective factors and the workplace well-being of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a longitudinal mixed-methods study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e057021
Author(s):  
Claudia Ortoleva Bucher ◽  
Philippe Delmas ◽  
Annie Oulevey Bachmann ◽  
Ingrid Gilles
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Knowledge Mapping ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Human Research Ethics ◽  
Informed Consent Form

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic was making a huge impact on Europe’s healthcare systems in the spring of 2020, and most predictive models concurred that pandemic waves were in the offing. Most studies adopted a pathogenic approach to the subject; few used a salutogenic approach. These showed, however, that nurses can retain their health despite a pandemic by mobilising generalised resistance resources. Our study aims to understand how nurses working in Switzerland’s hospitals protected their health and workplace well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic by investigating the moderating effects of the health resources they mobilised against the stressors inherent to the situation. The study aims to explore and describe the stressors and the resources nurses used to remain healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Method and analysisWe will use a concurrent mixed-methods panel design with qualitative analyses ancillary to quantitative analyses. Quantitative data will be collected using electronic questionnaires at four time points over 2 years. Qualitative data will be collected using focus groups. Nurses from Switzerland’s two main linguistic regions who had direct, indirect or no contact with patients with COVID-19 will be invited to participate. The a priori sample size will be at least 3631 participants at T0 and 1852 at T4. Longitudinal structural equation modelling and knowledge mapping will be used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. The results derived from the two data types will then be compared and discussed using a side-by-side approach to determine whether they agree or disagree and how they complement each other to achieve our aims.Ethics and disseminationNurses will receive an electronic informed consent form. The data collected will be stored on a secure server at the authors’ institution. This research project was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Canton of Vaud (2020-02845).

scholarly journals Digital Parenting of Emerging Adults in the 21st Century

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 482
Author(s):  
Michaeline Jensen ◽  
Emily Haston ◽  
Andrea M. Hussong
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Digital Pressure ◽  
First Time

In emerging adulthood, when many young people are away from their families for the first time, mobile phones become an important conduit for maintaining relationships with parents. Yet, objective assessment of the content and frequency of text messaging between emerging adults and their parents is lacking in much of the research to date. We collected two weeks of text messages exchanged between U.S. college students (N = 238) and their parents, which yielded nearly 30,000 parent-emerging adult text messages. We coded these text message exchanges for traditional features of parent-emerging adult communication indexing positive connection, monitoring and disclosures. Emerging adults texted more with mothers than with fathers and many messages constitute parental check-ins and emerging adult sharing regarding youth behavior and well-being. Findings highlight that both the frequency and content of parent-emerging adult text messages can be linked with positive (perceived text message support) and negative (perceived digital pressure) aspects of the parent-emerging adult relationship. The content of parent-emerging adult text messages offers a valuable, objective window into the nature of the parent-emerging adult relationships in the digital age of the 21st century.

I’ve 500 friends, but who are my mates? Investigating the influence of online friend networks on adolescent wellbeing

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Best ◽  
Brian Taylor ◽  
Roger Manktelow
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Young Males ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Influence Perceptions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between online friend networks and the mental well-being (MWB) of adolescent males. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a mixed methods approach: first, questionnaire involving a validated MWB scale and questions regarding online friendship to 14-15 year old males (n=521); and second, focus group interviews (n=8) of between six and eight members three months later. Findings – Positive and negative associations were recorded between online friends and well-being. A positive relationship (p < 0.05) was found between the number of online friends and well-being scores. However, higher numbers of online friends were also associated with increases in negative online experiences namely, receiving embarrassing posts online or risky activities such as, chatting frequently with strangers. Online friends may influence perceptions of social support, status and belonging, each of which may contribute positively or negatively to well-being. However, by increasing these perceptions, online friends may cause additional distress when their presence does not provide tangible support during a crisis period. Originality/value – Online friends provide the context to which young males explore and negotiate the online world. To date, little mixed methods research has focused exclusively on the MWB of online friends. Policy makers could do well to consider the growing prominence of online social networking and produce targeted programmes to educate young people on the benefits and pitfalls of building large online “friend” networks.

scholarly journals Combining Real-Time Ratings With Qualitative Interviews to Develop a Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Program for Primary Care Patients (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina Kruse ◽  
Elyse R Park ◽  
Naysha N Shahid ◽  
Lorien Abroms ◽  
Jessica E Haberer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Behavioral Skills ◽  
Message Service ◽  
Primary Care Patients

BACKGROUND Text messaging (short message service, SMS) interventions show promise as a way to help cigarette smokers quit. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of text messaging (SMS) programs targeting smokers associated with primary care or hospital settings. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop a text messaging (SMS) program targeting primary care smokers. METHODS Adult smokers in primary care were recruited from February 2017 to April 2017. We sent patients 10 to 11 draft text messages (SMS) over 2 days and asked them to rate each message in real time. Patients were interviewed daily by telephone to discuss ratings, message preferences, and previous experiences with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Content analysis of interviews was directed by a step-wise text messaging (SMS) intervention development process and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model of medication adherence. RESULTS We sent 149 text messages (SMS) to 15 patients. They replied with ratings for 93% (139/149) of the messages: 134 (96%, 134/139) were rated as clear or useful and 5 (4%, 5/139) as unclear or not useful. Patients’ preferences included the addition of graphics, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) content, and use of first names. Regarding NRT, patients identified informational gaps around safety and effectiveness, preferred positively framed motivational messages, and needed behavioral skills to dose and dispose of NRT. CONCLUSIONS Patients recommended text message (SMS) personalization, inclusion of e-cigarette information and graphics, and identified barriers to NRT use. Combining real-time ratings with telephone interviews is a feasible method for incorporating primary care patients’ preferences into a behavioral text messaging (SMS) program.

Novel Tool to Monitor Adherence to Oral Oncolytics: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 701-708
Author(s):  
Wendy Sun ◽  
Rebecca Reeve ◽  
Timothy Ouellette ◽  
Martha Stutsky ◽  
Rachel De Jesus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Chemotherapy Agent ◽  
Novel Technology ◽  
Cyclical Regimen ◽  
Oral Oncolytics ◽  
Future Work

PURPOSE Nonadherence is a significant issue in cancer care, especially as more oral therapies become available. Measuring and optimizing adherence to such therapies is challenging. In this study, we tested a novel technology that records real-time medication-taking behavior from a smart prescription bottle and can communicate with patients via text message to intervene in cases of nonadherence. METHODS We conducted a 28-patient pilot study to assess the feasibility of this technology in measuring and improving adherence in patients taking capecitabine, an oral chemotherapy agent with a complex, cyclical regimen. The study had a preintervention stage, during which patients were monitored, and an intervention stage, during which the text messaging intervention was enabled. RESULTS During preintervention, patients had an average self-adherence of 89%, and during post intervention, they had an average adherence of 90%. We defined three categories of patients by change in adherence: category 1 (> 8%), category 2 (−8% to 8%), and category 3 (< −8%). Patients in category 1 tended to live in regions with lower average household income (mean = $58,937 in US dollars [USD]) than those in category 2 (mean = $77,482 USD) and category 3 (mean = $90,972 USD). Of poststudy survey respondents, most indicated that they would want to continue using this technology and that they would recommend it to others. CONCLUSION This novel technology is able to monitor, measure, and intervene for patients taking capecitabine in real time. Adherence overall was high, and some patients appeared to benefit more from text-message interventions. Future work should focus on patients deemed high risk for nonadherence.

scholarly journals Text messages to reduce depressive symptoms: Do they work and what makes them effective? A systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 001789692095936
Author(s):  
Katherine L Cox ◽  
Sabine M Allida ◽  
Maree L Hackett
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
World Health

Objective: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to quantify the effects of text messaging interventions to reduce depressive symptoms and identify variables that might influence the effectiveness of the intervention. Design: Electronic databases including EMBASE, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and SCOPUS, as well as Clinicaltrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were searched for randomised controlled trials that sent one or more text messages with health-related content to adults who had been identified by a healthcare provider. Results: Seven trials (nine comparisons), with 1,918 participants, were included in the review, and the pooled analysis revealed a borderline statistically significant reduction in depressive symptom scores between the text messaging intervention and control groups (standardised mean difference [SMD], −0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.54 to 0.00; p = .00) favouring intervention at the end. Statistically significant reductions were shown in important subgroups, for example, where the primary aim of the messages was to reduce depressive symptoms; in those using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) questionnaires; where text message content was targeted at mental well-being, mood improvement and cognitive behavioural therapy information; and when the message frequency was ⩾2 times per week. Conclusion: Text messaging has potential to reduce depressive symptoms. The results of this review should be interpreted with caution, however, due to the methodological limitations of included trials. More research is required before recommendations can be made about the routine use of text messaging for the management of depressive symptoms.

Exploring Injury Panorama, Consequences, and Recovery among Bus Crash Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Research Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Doohan ◽  
Ulf Björnstig ◽  
Ulrika Östlund ◽  
Britt-Inger Saveman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Severe Injuries ◽  
Minor Injuries ◽  
Mental Well Being

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore physical and mental consequences and injury mechanisms among bus crash survivors to identify aspects that influence recovery.MethodsThe study participants were the total population of survivors (N=56) from a bus crash in Sweden. The study had a mixed-methods design that provided quantitative and qualitative data on injuries, mental well-being, and experiences. Results from descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis were interpreted and integrated in a mixed-methods analysis.ResultsAmong the survivors, 11 passengers (20%) sustained moderate to severe injuries, and the remaining 45 (80%) had minor or no physical injuries. Two-thirds of the survivors screened for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk were assessed, during the period of one to three months after the bus crash, as not being at-risk, and the remaining one-third were at-risk. The thematic analysis resulted in themes covering the consequences and varying aspects that affected the survivors’ recoveries. The integrated findings are in the form of four “core cases” of survivors who represent a combination of characteristics: injury severity, mental well-being, social context, and other aspects hindering and facilitating recovery. Core case Avery represents a survivor who had minor or no injuries and who demonstrated a successful mental recovery. Core case Blair represents a survivor with moderate to severe injuries who experienced a successful mental recovery. Core case Casey represents a survivor who sustained minor injuries or no injuries in the crash but who was at-risk of developing PTSD. Core case Daryl represents a survivor who was at-risk of developing PTSD and who also sustained moderate to severe injuries in the crash.ConclusionThe present study provides a multi-faceted understanding of mass-casualty incident (MCI) survivors (ie, having minor injuries does not always correspond to minimal risk for PTSD and moderate to severe injuries do not always correspond to increased risk for PTSD). Injury mitigation measures (eg, safer roadside material and anti-lacerative windows) would reduce the consequences of bus crashes. A well-educated rescue team and a compassionate and competent social environment will facilitate recovery.DoohanI,BjörnstigU,ÖstlundU,SavemanBI.Exploring injury panorama, consequences, and recovery among bus crash survivors: a mixed-methods research study.Prehosp Disaster Med.2017;32(2):165–174.

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