scholarly journals Individual health trainers to support health and well-being for people under community supervision in the criminal justice system: the STRENGTHEN pilot RCT

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (20) ◽  
pp. 1-136
Author(s):  
Lynne Callaghan ◽  
Tom P Thompson ◽  
Siobhan Creanor ◽  
Cath Quinn ◽  
Jane Senior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Full Trial

Background Little is known about the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of interventions, such as health trainer support, to improve the health and well-being of people recently released from prison or serving a community sentence, because of the challenges in recruiting participants and following them up. Objectives This pilot trial aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the trial methods and intervention (and associated costs) for a randomised trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health trainer support versus usual care. Design This trial involved a pilot multicentre, parallel, two-group randomised controlled trial recruiting 120 participants with 1 : 1 individual allocation to receive support from a health trainer and usual care or usual care alone, with a mixed-methods process evaluation, in 2017–18. Setting Participants were identified, screened and recruited in Community Rehabilitation Companies in Plymouth and Manchester or the National Probation Service in Plymouth. The intervention was delivered in the community. Participants Those who had been out of prison for at least 2 months (to allow community stabilisation), with at least 7 months of a community sentence remaining, were invited to participate; those who may have posed an unacceptable risk to the researchers and health trainers and those who were not interested in the trial or intervention support were excluded. Interventions The intervention group received, in addition to usual care, our person-centred health trainer support in one-to-one sessions for up to 14 weeks, either in person or via telephone. Health trainers aimed to empower participants to make healthy lifestyle changes (particularly in alcohol use, smoking, diet and physical activity) and take on the Five Ways to Well-being [Foresight Projects. Mental Capital and Wellbeing: Final Project Report. 2008. URL: www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capital-and-wellbeing-making-the-most-of-ourselves-in-the-21st-century (accessed 24 January 2019).], and also signposted to other options for support. The control group received treatment as usual, defined by available community and public service options for improving health and well-being. Main outcome measures The main outcomes included the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale scores, alcohol use, smoking behaviour, dietary behaviour, physical activity, substance use, resource use, quality of life, intervention costs, intervention engagement and feasibility and acceptability of trial methods and the intervention. Results A great deal about recruitment was learned and the target of 120 participants was achieved. The minimum trial retention target at 6 months (60%) was met. Among those offered health trainer support, 62% had at least two sessions. The mixed-methods process evaluation generally supported the trial methods and intervention acceptability and feasibility. The proposed primary outcome, the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale scores, provided us with valuable data to estimate the sample size for a full trial in which to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Conclusions Based on the findings from this pilot trial, a full trial (with some modifications) seems justified, with a sample size of around 900 participants to detect between-group differences in the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale scores at a 6-month follow-up. Future work A number of recruitment, trial retention, intervention engagement and blinding issues were identified in this pilot and recommendations are made in preparation of and within a full trial. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN80475744. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 7, No. 20. See the National Institute for Health Research Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals Cross-Cultural Evaluation of Antonovsky’s Orientation to Life Questionnaire: Comparison Between Australian, Finnish, and Turkish Young Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 731-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Lajunen
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Single Factor ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Three Factor ◽  
Single Factor Model

Antonovsky’s concept “sense of coherence” (SOC) and the related measurement instrument “The Orientation to Life Questionnaire” (OLQ) has been widely applied in studies on health and well-being. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the cultural differences in factor structures and psychometric properties as well as mean scores of the 13-item form of Antonovsky’s OLQ among Australian (n = 201), Finnish (n = 203), and Turkish (n = 152) students. Three models of factor structure were studied by using confirmatory factor analysis: single-factor model, first-order correlated-three-factor model, and the second-order three-factor model. Results obtained in all three countries suggest that the first- and second-order three-factor models fitted the data better that the single-factor model. Hence, the OLQ scoring based on comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness scales was supported. Scale reliabilities and inter-correlations were in line with those reported in earlier studies. Two-way analyses of variance (gender × nationality) with age as a covariate showed no cultural differences in SOC scale scores. Women got higher scores on the meaningfulness scale than men, and age was positively related to all SOC scale scores indicating that SOC increases in early adulthood. The results support the three-factor model of OLQ which thus should be used in Australia, Finland, and Turkey instead of a single-factor model. Need for cross-cultural studies taking into account cultural correlates of SOC and its relation to health and well-being indicators as well as studies on gender differences in the OLQ are emphasized.

Examining the Structure of the Schedule of Sexist Events: Replication and Extension

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia V. Matteson ◽  
Bonnie Moradi
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Unfair Treatment ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
The Future ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Health And Well Being

The current study reexamined the factor structure of the Lifetime and Recent scales of the Schedule of Sexist Events (SSE; Klonoff & Landrine, 1995 ) and conducted the first factor analysis of the SSE-Appraisal scale ( Landrine & Klonoff, 1997 ). Factor analyses conducted with data from 245 women yielded, for SSE-Lifetime and SSE-Appraisal scales, two reliable factors that can be scored as “Intimate and Personal Experiences of Sexist Events” and “Unfair Treatment Across Public Contexts” subscales. Data from the SSE-Recent scale yielded three factors that can be scored as “Sexist Degradation and Its Consequences,” “Unfair and Sexist Events at Work/School,” and “Unfair Treatment in Distant and Close Relationships” subscales. Recommendations are made for the future use of these proposed subscales in conjunction with total scale scores in research using the SSE to examine links between reported experiences of sexist events and women's health and well-being.

scholarly journals Fear, xenophobia and collectivism as predictors of well-being during Coronavirus disease 2019: An empirical study from India

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402093632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanika K Ahuja ◽  
Debanjan Banerjee ◽  
Kritika Chaudhary ◽  
Chehak Gidwani
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global Context ◽  
The Common ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global health threat. Biological disasters like this can generate immense prejudice, xenophobia, stigma and othering, all of which have adverse consequences on health and well-being. In a country as diverse and populous in India, such crisis can trigger communalism and mutual blame. Keeping this in context, this study explored the relationship between well-being and xenophobic attitudes towards Muslims, collectivism and fear of COVID-19 in India. Methods: The study was carried out on 600 non-Islamic Indians (231 males, 366 females and 3 others; mean age: 38.76 years), using convenience sampling. An online survey containing Fear of Coronavirus scale, Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale and Collectivism Scale was used. Xenophobia was assessed using two scales: generalized prejudice towards Muslims and specific xenophobic tendencies towards Muslims during COVID-19. The data were analysed using correlational methods and multiple regression. Results: The findings showed that positively significant relationship exists between well-being and age as well as with collectivism, while an inversely significant relationship between well-being and fear of COVID-19 was found. The results of the multiple regression analysis shows that fear of COVID-19, age, collectivism and generalized xenophobia, in the order of their importance, together contributed to nearly 20% of variance in well-being. Conclusion: The findings are reflective of the importance of collectivism in enhancing well-being in these times of uncertainty. Xenophobia, one of the common offshoots of pandemics, can also harm the overall well-being. Implications are discussed in the light of India’s diverse socio-religious background and global context.

scholarly journals Sleep and Mental Health Among Older Adults in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Rodrigues ◽  
K Nicholson ◽  
P Wilk ◽  
G Guaiana ◽  
S Stranges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Global studies have demonstrated consistent associations between sleep problems and mental health and well-being in older adults, however Canadian data are lacking. We investigated associations between sleep quantity and quality with both mental illness symptoms and well-being among older adults in Canada. Methods We used cross-sectional baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a national survey of 30,097 community-dwelling adults aged 45 years and older. Self-reported sleep measures included average past-week sleep duration (short [<6h], normal [6-8h], long [>8h]), and sleep quality (satisfied or dissatisfied vs neutral). Mental illness outcomes included depressive symptoms and psychological distress. Mental well-being outcomes included self-rated mental health and satisfaction with life. We used modified Poisson regression models with adjustment for sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical factors, and stratification by sex and age to explore effect modification. Results In the unadjusted analysis, short and long sleep duration and sleep dissatisfaction were associated with higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being across all outcomes. Sleep satisfaction was associated with a lower likelihood of mental illness symptoms and better well-being. Short sleep duration was associated with the largest effects on mental health outcomes. Self-rated mental health and depressive symptoms had the largest associations with sleep measures. Effects were larger in males and the 45 to 54 year age group. Conclusions Preliminary evidence suggests sleep duration and quality are associated with symptoms of depression, psychological distress, and poor mental well-being among older adults. We are unable to determine whether sleep problems are a cause or consequence of poor mental health. Nonetheless, sleep may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults. Key messages Our findings contribute further evidence that sleep difficulties are associated with adverse health outcomes including higher mental illness symptoms and lower well-being among older adults. Sleep disturbances are an unmet public health problem, and may be an important target for public health initiatives to improve mental health and well-being among older adults.

scholarly journals Connection to Nature Boosts Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12297
Author(s):  
S. Brent Jackson ◽  
Kathryn T. Stevenson ◽  
Lincoln R. Larson ◽  
M. Nils Peterson ◽  
Erin Seekamp
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Outdoor Activity ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Health And Well Being

Growing evidence suggests that connection to nature may be linked to mental health and well-being. Behavioral changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively affect adolescents’ connection to nature, subsequently impacting health and well-being. We explored the relationship between connection to nature and well-being before and during the pandemic through a nationally representative survey of adolescents across the United States (n = 624) between April and June 2020. Survey items focused on connection to nature, mental well-being, and participation in outdoor activities before and during the pandemic. Paired-sample t-tests revealed declines in connection to nature, mental well-being, and participation in outdoor activities during the pandemic. Multiple linear regression analyses examining connection to nature’s mediating role between outdoor activity participation and mental well-being indicated that connection to nature fueled higher levels of mental well-being at both time intervals. Z scores comparing connection to nature’s mediating role between outdoor activity participation and mental well-being between time intervals indicate that during the pandemic, the direct effect of outdoor activities on mental well-being increased, generating a greater impact than before the pandemic. This study illustrates how the health and well-being benefits associated with adolescents’ outdoor activities are reinforced when those activities also foster a stronger connection to nature.

scholarly journals Child food insecurity in the UK: a rapid review

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (13) ◽  
pp. 1-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magaly Aceves-Martins ◽  
Moira Cruickshank ◽  
Cynthia Fraser ◽  
Miriam Brazzelli
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Health And Well Being

BackgroundFood insecurity (FI) is a multifaceted, socioeconomic problem involving difficulties accessing sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet people’s dietary requirements and preferences for a healthy life. For children experiencing FI, there are some potentially negative developmental consequences and it is, therefore, important to understand the links between FI and children’s health and well-being as well as any strategies undertaken to address FI. The overall objective of this assessment was to determine the nature, extent and consequences of FI affecting children (aged ≤ 18 years) in the UK.ObjectiveTo determine the nature, extent and consequences of FI affecting children (aged ≤ 18 years) in the UK.Data sourcesThe databases searched on 4 December 2017 included MEDLINE (including In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and E-pub ahead of print files), EMBASE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB) abstracts, The Cochrane Library, Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC), PsycINFO, the Social Science Citation Index and the Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA).MethodsA rapid review of the current published and unpublished literature was conducted, including all study designs from specified high-income countries in children aged ≤ 18 years. Searches were conducted of major health-care, nutrition, education and social science databases from 1995 onwards, and websites of relevant UK and international organisations. Final searches were undertaken in December 2017.ResultsIn total, 109 studies were selected. Only five studies were conducted in the UK, four of which provided qualitative data. Possible factors associated with child FI were identified, for example socioeconomic status, material deprivation, living in public housing and having unemployed or poorly educated parents. Children’s health, well-being and academic outcomes were all negatively affected by FI. The mediating effects of family stressors and parenting practices in the relationship between FI and children’s health and well-being outcomes were not clear. Food assistance programmes were generally effective in mitigating FI and improving nutritional outcomes (including hunger) in the short term, but did not eradicate FI, eliminate its effects on children’s health or have an impact on academic outcomes. No reports assessing the prevalence of child FI in the UK or the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of interventions to tackle FI were identified.LimitationsThere was a lack of consistency in how FI was defined and measured across studies. Most of the studies used indirect measurements of child FI through parental reports. The majority of studies were conducted in North America. Only five studies were conducted in the UK. Thirty potentially relevant studies were not included in the review as a result of time and resource constraints. Most studies were observational and caution is advised in interpreting their results.ConclusionsA number of factors that were related to child FI were identified, as were negative associations between child FI and physical, mental and social outcomes. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution because of the correlational nature of the analyses and the fact that it is difficult to determine if some factors are predictors or consequences of FI.Future researchThere is an urgent requirement for the development of a reliable instrument to measure and monitor child FI in the UK and for well-designed interventions or programmes to tackle child FI.Study registrationThis study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017084818.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme. The Health Services Research Unit is core-funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the ‘strengthening families, strengthening communities’ group-based parenting programme: study protocol and initial insights

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarie Lodder ◽  
Anita Mehay ◽  
Hana Pavlickova ◽  
Zoe Hoare ◽  
Leandra Box ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preventive Strategy ◽  
Parenting Interventions ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Parenting Programme ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Strengthening Families ◽  
Mental Well Being

Abstract Background Up to 20% of UK children experience socio-emotional difficulties which can have serious implications for themselves, their families and society. Stark socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in children’s well-being exist. Supporting parents to develop effective parenting skills is an important preventive strategy in reducing inequalities. Parenting interventions have been developed, which aim to reduce the severity and impact of these difficulties. However, most parenting interventions in the UK focus on early childhood (0–10 years) and often fail to engage families from ethnic minority groups and those living in poverty. Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) is a parenting programme designed by the Race Equality Foundation, which aims to address this gap. Evidence from preliminary studies is encouraging, but no randomised controlled trials have been undertaken so far. Methods/design The TOGETHER study is a multi-centre, waiting list controlled, randomised trial, which aims to test the effectiveness of SFSC in families with children aged 3–18 across seven urban areas in England with ethnically and socially diverse populations. The primary outcome is parental mental well-being (assessed by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale). Secondary outcomes include child socio-emotional well-being, parenting practices, family relationships, self-efficacy, quality of life, and community engagement. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, post intervention, three- and six-months post intervention. Cost effectiveness will be estimated using a cost-utility analysis and cost-consequences analysis. The study is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 comprised a 6-month internal pilot to determine the feasibility of the trial. A set of progression criteria were developed to determine whether the stage 2 main trial should proceed. An embedded process evaluation will assess the fidelity and acceptability of the intervention. Discussion In this paper we provide details of the study protocol for this trial. We also describe challenges to implementing the protocol and how these were addressed. Once completed, if beneficial effects on both parental and child outcomes are found, the impact, both immediate and longer term, are potentially significant. As the intervention focuses on supporting families living in poverty and those from minority ethnic communities, the intervention should also ultimately have a beneficial impact on reducing health inequalities. Trial registration Prospectively registered Randomised Controlled Trial ISRCTN15194500.

scholarly journals A scoping review of recommendations in the English language on conducting research with trauma-exposed populations since publication of the Belmont report; thematic review of existing recommendations on research with trauma-exposed populations

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254003
Author(s):  
Kevin Jefferson ◽  
Kaitlyn K. Stanhope ◽  
Carla Jones-Harrell ◽  
Aimée Vester ◽  
Emma Tyano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Trauma Research ◽  
Physical Trauma ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Gold Standards

Objective To identify recommendations for conducting public health research with trauma-exposed populations. Methods Researchers searched Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Open Grey, and Google Scholar for recommendations. Trauma that causes psychological impact was our exposure of interest and we excluded clinical articles on treating physical trauma. We reviewed titles and abstracts of 8,070 articles and full text of 300 articles. We analyzed recommendations with thematic analysis, generated questions from the existing pool of recommendations, and then summarized select gaps. Results We abstracted recommendations from 145 articles in five categories: community benefit, participant benefit, safety, researcher well-being, and recommendations for conduct of trauma research. Conclusions Gold standards to guide the conduct of trauma-informed public health research do not yet exist. The literature suggests participation in trauma research is not inherently harmful, and current recommendations concern using research to benefit communities and participants, protecting participants and researchers from harm, and improving professional practice. As public health researchers increasingly analyze trauma as a determinant of health, gold standards for the conduct of trauma-informed public health research would be appropriate and timely.

scholarly journals A school-based social-marketing intervention to promote sexual health in English secondary schools: the Positive Choices pilot cluster RCT

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-190
Author(s):  
Ruth Ponsford ◽  
Sara Bragg ◽  
Elizabeth Allen ◽  
Nerissa Tilouche ◽  
Rebecca Meiksin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Routine Data ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Phase Iii Trial

Background The UK still has the highest rate of teenage births in western Europe. Teenagers are also the age group most likely to experience unplanned pregnancy, with around half of conceptions in those aged < 18 years ending in abortion. After controlling for prior disadvantage, teenage parenthood is associated with adverse medical and social outcomes for mothers and children, and increases health inequalities. This study evaluates Positive Choices (a new intervention for secondary schools in England) and study methods to assess the value of a Phase III trial. Objectives To optimise and feasibility-test Positive Choices and then conduct a pilot trial in the south of England assessing whether or not progression to Phase III would be justified in terms of prespecified criteria. Design Intervention optimisation and feasibility testing; pilot randomised controlled trial. Setting The south of England: optimisation and feasibility-testing in one secondary school; pilot cluster trial in six other secondary schools (four intervention, two control) varying by local deprivation and educational attainment. Participants School students in year 8 at baseline, and school staff. Interventions Schools were randomised (1 : 2) to control or intervention. The intervention comprised staff training, needs survey, school health promotion council, year 9 curriculum, student-led social marketing, parent information and review of school/local sexual health services. Main outcome measures The prespecified criteria for progression to Phase III concerned intervention fidelity of delivery and acceptability; successful randomisation and school retention; survey response rates; and feasible linkage to routine administrative data on pregnancies. The primary health outcome of births was assessed using routine data on births and abortions, and various self-reported secondary sexual health outcomes. Data sources The data sources were routine data on births and abortions, baseline and follow-up student surveys, interviews, audio-recordings, observations and logbooks. Results The intervention was optimised and feasible in the first secondary school, meeting the fidelity targets other than those for curriculum delivery and criteria for progress to the pilot trial. In the pilot trial, randomisation and school retention were successful. Student response rates in the intervention group and control group were 868 (89.4%) and 298 (84.2%), respectively, at baseline, and 863 (89.0%) and 296 (82.0%), respectively, at follow-up. The target of achieving ≥ 70% fidelity of implementation of essential elements in three schools was achieved. Coverage of relationships and sex education topics was much higher in intervention schools than in control schools. The intervention was acceptable to 80% of students. Interviews with staff indicated strong acceptability. Data linkage was feasible, but there were no exact matches for births or abortions in our cohort. Measures performed well. Poor test–retest reliability on some sexual behaviour measures reflected that this was a cohort of developing adolescents. Qualitative research confirmed the appropriateness of the intervention and theory of change, but suggested some refinements. Limitations The optimisation school underwent repeated changes in leadership, which undermined its participation. Moderator analyses were not conducted as these would be very underpowered. Conclusion Our findings suggest that this intervention has met prespecified criteria for progression to a Phase III trial. Future work Declining prevalence of teenage pregnancy suggests that the primary outcome in a full trial could be replaced by a more comprehensive measure of sexual health. Any future Phase III trial should have a longer lead-in from randomisation to intervention commencement. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12524938. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 9, No. 1. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

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