Do social support and community engagement act as mechanisms in the association between neighbourhood income inequality and the mental health of mothers in Calgary,Canada? A mediation analysis

PurposeAccording to the social determinants of health framework, income inequality is a potential risk factor for adverse mental health. However, few studies have explored the mechanisms suspected to mediate this relationship. The current study addresses this gap through a mediation analysis to determine if social support and community engagement act as mediators linking neighbourhood income inequality to maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms within a cohort of new mothers living in the City of Calgary, Canada.MethodsData collected at three years postpartum from mothers belonging to the All Our Families (AOF) cohort were used in the current study. Maternal data were collected between 2012 and 2015 and linked to neighbourhood socioeconomic data from the 2006 Canadian Census. Income inequality was measured using Gini coefficients derived from 2006 after-tax census data. Generalized structural equation models were used to quantify the associations between income inequality and mental health symptoms, and to assess the potential direct and indirect mediating effects of maternal social support and community engagement.ResultsIncome inequality was not significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, 95%CI = −0.067, 0.70), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.11, 95%CI = −0.39, 0.60), or lower social support. Income inequality was not associated with community engagement. For the depression models, higher social support was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms (β = −0.13, 95%CI = −0.15, −0.097), while community engagement was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.059, 95%CI = −0.15, 0.27). Similarly, for the anxiety models, lower anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with higher levels of social support (β = −0.17, 95%CI = −0.20, −0.13) but not with higher levels of community engagement (β = 0.14, 95%CI = −0.14, 0.41).ConclusionThe current study did not find clear evidence for social support or community engagement mediating the relationship between neighbourhood income inequality and maternal mental health. Future investigations should employ a broader longitudinal approach to capture changes in income inequality, potential mediators, and mental health symptomatology over time.     

科技期刊出版运营需求调研与分析

【目的】 了解科技期刊从业人员和科研工作者对科技期刊出版技术、运营、传播的需求,探究可行的技术应用、工具开发和平台建设策略。【方法】 2020年11月,通过问卷星向科技期刊从业人员和科研工作者进行问卷调查;问卷涉及参与问卷调查人员对当今互联网技术发展、科技期刊运营模式、学术成果传播途径的了解和需求。【结果】 从402份面向科技期刊从业人员以及138份面向科研工作者的有效问卷中总结得出,参与问卷调查人员对互联网技术的应用、运营手段的丰富和传播途径的扩展有实际需求。【结论】 结合目前国际出版领域领先的出版技术与运营和传播实践,向科技期刊及相关公司机构提出技术应用、运营平台建设和传播体系搭建的相关可行性建议。     

Randomized trial of an eLearning program for training family members of children with autism in the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis

Effective training of caregivers is an integral part of top-quality treatment programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, traditional caregiver training can be time consuming and costly. The development of Web-based electronic training programs (e.g., “eLearning”) may extend training to rural areas, thereby increasing accessibility and improving efficiency. The eLearning approach has been shown to be effective and efficient in various disciplines and industries, but studies evaluating eLearning programs for training parents of children with ASD are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an eLearning program for training family members of children with ASD in the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis treatment. A total of 28 family members participated in this randomized, waitlist-controlled, between-groups study. Differences in change scores between groups were significant, with the trained group substantially outperforming the waitlist control group at post-test. The control group then received training and also demonstrated significant gains post training.     

Systematic framework to evaluate the status of physical activity research for persons with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundExploring the current state of health behavior research for individuals with multiple sclerosis is essential to understanding the next steps required to reducing preventable disability. A way to link research to translational health promotion programs is by utilizing the Behavioral Epidemiological Framework, which describes a sequence of phases used to categorize health-related behavioral research.ObjectiveThis critical audit of the literature examines the current state of physical activity research for persons with multiple sclerosis by utilizing the proposed Behavioral Epidemiological Framework.MethodsAfter searching MEDLINE, PUBMED, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and several major areas within EBSCOHOST (2000 to present), retrieved articles were categorized according to the framework phases and coding rules.ResultsOf 139 articles, 49% were in phase 1 (establishing links between behavior and health), 18% phase 2 (developing methods for measuring behavior), 24% phase 3 (identifying factors influencing behavior and implications for theory), and 9% phase 4 and 5 (evaluating interventions to change behavior and translating research into practice).ConclusionsEmphasis on phase 1 research indicates the field is in its early stages of development. Providing those with multiple sclerosis with necessary tools through health promotion programs is needed to reduce secondary conditions and co-morbidities. Reassessment of the field of physical activity and multiple sclerosis in the future could provide insight into whether the field is evolving over time or remaining stagnant.     

Dissemination of Misinformative and Biased Information about Prostate Cancer on YouTube

YouTube is a social media platform with more than 1 billion users and >600 000 videos about prostate cancer. Two small studies examined the quality of prostate cancer videos on YouTube, but did not use validated instruments, examine user interactions, or characterize the spread of misinformation. We performed the largest, most comprehensive examination of prostate cancer information on YouTube to date, including the first 150 videos on screening and treatment. We used the validated DISCERN quality criteria for consumer health information and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, and compared results for user engagement. The videos in our sample had up to 1.3 million views (average 45 223) and the overall quality of information was moderate. More videos described benefits (75%) than harms (53%), and only 50% promoted shared decision-making as recommended in current guidelines. Only 54% of the videos defined medical terms and few provided summaries or references. There was a significant negative correlation between scientific quality and viewer engagement (views/month p = 0.004; thumbs up/views p = 0.015). The comments section underneath some videos contained advertising and peer-to-peer medical advice. A total of 115 videos (77%) contained potentially misinformative and/or biased content within the video or comments section, with a total reach of >6 million viewers.

Sustaining program effectiveness after implementation: The case of the self-management of well-being group intervention for older adults

ObjectiveThe Self-Management of Well-being (SMW) group intervention for older women was implemented in health and social care. Our aim was to assess whether effects of the SMW intervention were comparable with the original randomized controlled trial (RCT). Furthermore, we investigated threats to effectiveness, such as participant adherence, group reached, and program fidelity.MethodsIn the implementation study (IMP) 287 and RCT 142 women participated. We compared scores on self-management ability and well-being of the IMP and RCT. For adherence, drop-out rates and session attendance were compared. Regarding reach, we compared participants’ baseline characteristics. Professionals completed questions regarding program fidelity.ResultsNo significant differences were found on effect outcomes and adherence between IMP and RCT (all p ≥ 0.135). Intervention effect sizes were equal (0.47–0.59). IMP participants were significantly less lonely and more likely to be married, but had lower well-being. Most professionals followed the protocol, with only minimal deviations.ConclusionThe effectiveness of the SMW group intervention was reproduced after implementation, with similar participant adherence, minimal changes in the group reached, and high program fidelity.Practice implicationsThe SMW group intervention can be transferred to health and social care without loss of effectiveness. Implementation at a larger scale is warranted.     

Disseminating treatment for anxiety disorders: Step 1: Recognizing the problem as a precursor to seeking help

Untreated mental illness is a substantial public health issue in the United States, with only approximately 1/3 of the estimated 46 million adults in the US with mental illness receiving treatment. Many of the individuals with mental illness suffer from excessive anxiety, as over 25% of Americans experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime and most of these individuals remain untreated. Building from the premise that recognizing one's symptoms precedes requests for help, the current paper presents data from 577 adults (50% Caucasian, 50% African American) in the US regarding their ability to recognize anxiety disorders. Findings from a national survey showed that when presented with detailed vignettes portraying symptoms and their impact, 50% of respondents correctly recognized depression, whereas less than 20% correctly recognized the anxiety disorders. Recognition that the symptoms were a cause for concern was much more common, with 75% or more of the sample noting concern. Responses were surprisingly similar across the two races, and few consistent moderators were found. In conclusion, increasing recognition of anxiety disorders may be a useful first step toward increasing service utilization.     

Dissemination and implementation of prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent, often chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder that is associated with significant adverse health and life consequences. Although several evidence-based treatments (EBTs), including Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE), have been found effective and efficacious in reducing PTSD symptomology, the majority of individuals with this disorder receive treatments of unknown efficacy. Thus, it is imperative that EBTs such as PE be made available to PTSD sufferers through widespread dissemination and implementation. We will review some of the efforts to increase the availability of PE and the common barriers to successful dissemination and implementation. We also discuss novel dissemination strategies that are harnessing technology to overcome barriers to dissemination.