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1 – 10 of over 1000Mira Schwarz, Lara Greta Müller and Bernhard Schmitz
It is inherent in human nature to pursue a fulfilling life. The art-of-living approach provides strategies to help individuals attain higher well-being. Based on current research…
Abstract
Purpose
It is inherent in human nature to pursue a fulfilling life. The art-of-living approach provides strategies to help individuals attain higher well-being. Based on current research approaches on the art-of-living, we aimed to develop, implement and evaluate an online training that enhances art-of-living and well-being scores of flight attendants.
Design/methodology/approach
The training focused on six art-of-living components – self-knowledge, savoring, bodily care, coping with events, positive attitude toward life and serenity. In total, 94 participants were randomly assigned to 3-day (n = 34) or 9-day (n = 30) training groups or to 2 corresponding control groups (CGs) (n = 30). Art-of-living and well-being were measured using self-reported questionnaires at pre-intervention, post-intervention and two-week follow-up.
Findings
Results showed significant pre-post differences in art-of-living and well-being scores in both experimental groups, while scores for the CGs remained stable across assessments. Intervention effects were sustained over the two-week follow-up period. We found no significant differences in efficacy between the shorter and longer training, suggesting that brief training can be effective.
Practical implications
These results demonstrate that well-being can be enhanced through online art-of-living training, which is promising in terms of the practical implementation of such training in resource-constrained work environments.
Originality/value
The presented, conducted and evaluated work intervention represents the first study to apply the multi-component approach of “art-of-living” in an online setting, comparing two trainings of varying durations. This approach offers a framework perfectly suited for future implementation in flight attendants’ work settings to increase well-being and a possible subsequent implementation in other professional groups that would benefit from online training (e.g. in a hybrid work context).
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Annabel Levesque and Genevieve N. Roy-Wsiaki
The goal of this study was to assess changes in eating self-efficacy after participating in a brief psychoeducational group intervention, grounded in the cognitive-behavioral…
Abstract
Purpose
The goal of this study was to assess changes in eating self-efficacy after participating in a brief psychoeducational group intervention, grounded in the cognitive-behavioral model, delivered by dieticians in community-based health facilities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental, pre-post design. A total of 110 program participants took part in the study. They were asked to complete the Eating Self-Efficacy Scale before the start of the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and three months after the intervention ended. Data were analyzed using the Linear Mixed Model.
Findings
Participants’ personal sense of control over their eating behaviors significantly increased after they completed the program and continued to increase up to the three-month follow-up. The effect of the intervention remained significant after controlling for differences in age and whether participants had access to other forms of individual support or completed the follow-up during the COVID-19 general lockdown.
Practical implications
By promoting participants’ sense of eating self-efficacy, this intervention could lead to positive dietary changes, which in turn could promote better health and healthy aging.
Social implications
This community intervention is readily accessible and represents a cost-effective approach to promote healthy eating, reducing the risk of chronic disease and the need for medical care, thereby cutting costs for the healthcare system.
Originality/value
(1) This study addresses a gap in the scientific literature as there was limited published research to date that investigated this intervention. (2) The three-month follow-up made it possible to evaluate whether changes in eating self-efficacy were maintained over time. (3) Potential confounding variables, including age, having access to other forms of individual support and the COVID-19 general lockdown, were taken into account.
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Luke Sheeran-Purcell, Geoff McCombe, John Broughan, Emils Sietins, Ronan Fawsitt, Martina Queally, Timothy Lynch and Walter Cullen
Readmissions to the hospital are expensive and can have negative health consequences for patients. Older adults are at greater risk of readmission. Patient perspectives are…
Abstract
Purpose
Readmissions to the hospital are expensive and can have negative health consequences for patients. Older adults are at greater risk of readmission. Patient perspectives are valuable in identifying areas for improvement in the transition of care. The purpose of this qualitative study is to increase our understanding of patients’ perspectives on the transition of care from hospital to primary care.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a qualitative methodology to conduct semi-structured interviews with patients who have been discharged from hospitals in the Ireland East Hospital Group region. Remote interviews were conducted with 18 participants from eight general practices. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke.
Findings
The three main themes identified were communication, outpatient supports and patient education. Gaps in communication do occur, but patients are often too external to comment. Patients benefit from a wide variety of outpatient supports including general practice, family, carers, allied health professionals and voluntary organisations. Access and cost are barriers to these supports. Participants were generally positive towards proposed primary care-based interventions such as follow-up appointments with general practitioners (GPs) and education sessions.
Originality/value
This study highlights a number of areas for improvement in the transition of care in current practice including communication between services and access to outpatient care. It also suggests directions for further research, such as explorations of healthcare provider perspectives and pilot studies of readmission reduction interventions.
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Xiyuan Chen, Sang Qin, Lindsay Sheehan, Zhiying Ma, Virginia Spicknall and Yu Fan
This study aims to report on the feasibility, acceptability and outcomes of a peer support program designed to promote social participation for adults with serious mental illness…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to report on the feasibility, acceptability and outcomes of a peer support program designed to promote social participation for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a community-based participatory research approach to adapt and test a six-month, culturally responsive peer program with 68 participants. Peer supporters were trained and supervised in Guangzhou, China. Peer workers were hired via a competitive process and completed both classroom and field training. Study participants were offered individual and group socialization activities. Participants completed measures on recovery, quality of life, functioning and symptoms at three time points (pre-, post- and follow-up).
Findings
Nearly 90% of participants expressed satisfaction with their peer supporters and the frequency of services. Findings showed a significant increasing trend for the social relationships domain of quality of life from baseline to follow-up. Female participants reported significantly increased recovery from pre to post and increased psychological quality of life pre-follow-up as compared to their male counterparts. Supervision logs documented positive gains from participants such as increased help-seeking, improved social skills, enhanced emotion regulation and self-confidence and established routine, alongside challenges like inconsistent engagement, low service incentives and an overreliance on social workers. Peer supporters also reported concerns about their own lack of skills and in navigating relationships between participants and their family members.
Originality/value
Peer interventions have been well studied in Western countries but underexplored in China. This research addresses this gap by presenting a peer program aimed at enhancing the social participation of Chinese with SMI.
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Sikini Labastilla, Maria Regina Hechanova, Antover Tuliao, Mariel Rizza C. Tee, Jigette Cyril Zalun and Romeo Canonoy Jr
This study aims to evaluate the delivery of a virtual community-based mental health and substance use program for Filipino drug users during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the delivery of a virtual community-based mental health and substance use program for Filipino drug users during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
It used a randomized control longitudinal design with data collected prior to the program and every two months for 10 months. The programs focused on building recovery skills, life skills and family modules. Program length ranged from a brief intervention of three sessions to 24 sessions depending on whether clients were low risk, moderate risk or those arrested for drug use.
Findings
Results revealed significant improvements in recovery skills of participants in the treatment group compared to those in the control group. Mental health illness symptoms decreased for both control and treatment groups; however, no differences were found in recovery capital and cravings.
Research limitations/implications
The lack of significant changes in certain variables, such as recovery capital, requires more data to understand the barriers to enable greater recovery. The study was limited to virtual delivery of rehabilitation services conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies may wish to compare modalities of online and onsite delivery to enable a comparison of effectiveness.
Practical implications
Results suggest the feasibility of virtual delivery of mental health and substance use treatment implemented by trained paraprofessionals. However, it also highlights the necessity to build the capacity of service providers and address connectivity challenges.
Social implications
Stigma and discrimination prevent people who use drugs from seeking treatment. Virtual delivery of mental health and substance use treatment can provide a platform where people can seek help while maintaining some privacy.
Originality/value
The study provides evidence from under-represented populations – persons who use drugs in the Philippines.
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Benjamin Njianga Mbeyap, Rodrigue Nda'chi Deffo and Benjamin Fomba Kamga
In Cameroon's blood banks, the shortage of blood bags is difficult to overcome because of the lack of donor loyalty and the complexity of recruiting new donors. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
In Cameroon's blood banks, the shortage of blood bags is difficult to overcome because of the lack of donor loyalty and the complexity of recruiting new donors. This study explores the possibility of retaining donors and turning them into prospectors by analysing their satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
A Servqual questionnaire was administered to a sample of 109 donors obtained by voluntary sampling. We used customer satisfaction to determine the satisfaction score and the tetraclass model to analyse the contribution of the elements to satisfaction.
Findings
Our results show that the blood donor satisfaction score is low (60.33%) compared with the norm (80%). The post-donation follow-up stage is the factor with the greatest influence on improving blood donor satisfaction. The elements that require particular attention in the supervision of blood donors are the snacking and blood-taking stages, because they have a strong capacity to worsen donor satisfaction when they are badly perceived by donors.
Originality/value
The study focuses on aspects specific to the Cameroonian situation and sheds a unique light on blood donor satisfaction in this context, while offering a general understanding of this issue on an international scale.
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Elizabeth S. Volpe, Denise R. Simmons, Joi-Lynn Mondisa and Sara Rojas
In this study, students’ perceptions of the effective practices of their research mentors were examined. The research mentors implemented the practices informed by the Center for…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, students’ perceptions of the effective practices of their research mentors were examined. The research mentors implemented the practices informed by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) mentorship competencies to mentor underrepresented students in engineering education research in a virtual environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This research experience for undergraduates (REU) program, situated in the United States of America, consisted of undergraduate students (i.e. mentees), graduate students and faculty mentors who all had at least one underrepresented identity in engineering (i.e. Black, Latiné/x, and/or women). Using qualitative methods, we used data from reflection surveys and follow-up interviews with REU mentees to understand the outcomes of the mentorship strategies employed by the mentors in the program. The data were analyzed thematically using CIMER model constructs and social capital theory as guiding frameworks.
Findings
The results indicated the identified strategies students perceived as the most impactful for mentorship throughout the program. Students in the REU gained knowledge on how to activate social capital in mentorship relationships and how to better mentor others.
Research limitations/implications
The findings provide insight on how to operationalize the CIMER mentorship competencies to skillfully mentor underrepresented students in engineering. Given the size of the REU and the nature of qualitative research, the sample size was limited.
Practical implications
The results help inform mentorship practices for underrepresented individuals in engineering education and the workforce. Further, they add to the practical knowledge of implementing CIMER best practices virtually, at a time when the world has transitioned to more hybrid and virtual working and learning environments.
Originality/value
This study identifies impactful strategies for operationalizing mentorship strategies informed by theory- and evidence-based CIMER mentorship competencies. In addition, this study extends knowledge about how to implement mentoring best practices and engage mentorship in a virtual environment.
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Abd Hasan, Anas Alsharawneh and Nofaa Alasamee
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-stigma reduction programme on self-stigma.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-stigma reduction programme on self-stigma.
Design/methodology/approach
A randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2017 to December 2018 with 278 people diagnosed with schizophrenia (PDwS). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a self-stigma reduction programme (psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy and social skills training) or treatment as usual.
Findings
PDwS in the intervention group experienced a greater reduction in the level of self-stigma (20.19 vs −0.62; p < 0.001) at post-intervention and (37.35 vs −0.66; p < 0.001) at six-month follow-up.
Originality/value
The first RCT examines the problem and implements intervention in middle east country. Also, the authors have conducted high-quality RCT.
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Deepti Bhatt, Apurvakumar Pandya, Vibha Salaliya, Ajay Chauhan, Rutu Trivedi, Siddharth Chowdhury, Amar Shah, Prachi Shukla, Pankaj Nimavat, Chandra Shekhar Joshi and Vivekanand Pandey
Depression and anxiety are the most common comorbidities in TB patients, adversely impacting TB treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of lay…
Abstract
Purpose
Depression and anxiety are the most common comorbidities in TB patients, adversely impacting TB treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of lay counselling in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and TB treatment completion.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a pre-post interventional research design. Patients were screened for depression and anxiety. All symptomatic TB patients were followed up and offered four to six or more lay counselling sessions whenever necessary. The authors assessed changes in depression and anxiety symptoms before lay counselling intervention and after fourth lay counselling session or the completion of TB treatment, whichever occurred the last.
Findings
Approximately 6,974 TB patients were screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety. The mean age was 36.7 ± 14.7 years. Total 25.9% patients were symptomatic. About 99.8% were provided lay counselling and received at least one to two follow-up sessions, while two patients who screened with severe depression were referred to a mental health specialist. Nearly 96.9% TB patients did not report symptoms of depression or anxiety after four lay counselling sessions, and TB treatment completion rate was higher among symptomatic TB patients who completed at least four counselling sessions (92.5%).
Practical implications
Lay counselling services delivered by field coordinators offer a promising approach to address mental health comorbidities among TB patients in resource-limited settings.
Originality/value
It explores a novel approach – lay counselling delivered by field coordinators – in tackling depression and anxiety among TB patients, which is a potentially scalable solution in resource-limited settings.
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Creating active learning opportunities requires building a learning culture in which the instructor plays the role of a facilitator, leaving the ultimate responsibility of…
Abstract
Purpose
Creating active learning opportunities requires building a learning culture in which the instructor plays the role of a facilitator, leaving the ultimate responsibility of learning to the student. The question, however, is whether this is happening in practice. This study aims to answer this question through instructors' perceptions of active learning in a higher education institution in Oman.
Design/methodology/approach
The study participants were 85 instructors working for a private university in Oman. Data were collected by surveying these instructors' perceptions of active learning practice indicators, such as active teaching strategies and student educational practices. This was followed by interviewing a random sample of the same instructors (N = 10) to obtain a deeper understanding of their implementation of the active learning approach.
Findings
Data collected through the survey revealed that the shift from passive to active learning in higher education in Oman created a discrepancy between instructors' willingness to practice active learning and learners' unpreparedness to become autonomous learners. The follow-up interview findings confirmed this point, revealing instructors' negative perceptions of student participation and engagement in out-of-class activities.
Originality/value
This study is among the first to investigate the application of active learning in a higher education institution in Oman from the perspective of instructors.
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