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Background: The COVID-19 has changed the everyday life of families. The aim of this study was to examine the concerns and effects of the pandemic on the everyday life of families with babies. Methods: The data consist of mothers (n=4550) and fathers (n=2955) with 3-6-month-old babies who participated in the national Fin Children survey in autumn 2020. The results were analyzed separately for mothers and fathers according to the number of children. One-child parents were compared to parents with several children by logistic regression adjusted for parents’ age, education and economic situation. Results: The response rate was 50% among mothers and 36% among fathers. Mothers worried about COVID-19 more than fathers and one-child parents more than parents with several children. Mothers reported increased loneliness more than fathers regardless of the number of children (48% vs 21%). Adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for concern related to delivery during the pandemic was 1.98 (1.74-2.25) for one-child mothers and 1.95 (1.66-2.30) for fathers and for concern to the danger of COVID-19 to the baby 1.66 (1.471.89) for one-child mothers and 1.97 (1.67-2.34) for fathers, respectively. Coping with everyday life was less likely to change due to the pandemic among one-child mothers (decrease 0.56, 0.48-0.65 / increase 0.59, 0.49-0.70) compared to mothers with several children. Contacts with grandparents were less likely to decrease among one-child mothers (0.75, 0.65-0.86). The amount of time spent with family was more likely to decrease among both one-child mothers (2.63, 2.11-3.28) and fathers (2.22, 1.51-3.27) compared to the parents with several children. Conclusions: The COVID-19 has had both negative and positive effects on the everyday life of families with babies. During and after the pandemic, it is necessary to pay attention to the coping of mothers and fathers, and to the support and services offered to them. Key messages: Mothers of small babies worry more and are more lonely than fathers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping in everyday life is more polarised among families with several children than in one-child families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to investigate parent-related risk factor combinations that explain family violence (FV), which refers to intimate partner violence and child maltreatment (CM). The data were collected from parents with a 4-year-old child using a nationwide retrospective cross-sectional survey conducted in Finland (FinChildren) ( N  = 10,737). The research questions were as follows: (a) How are parent-related risk factors associated with FV against children and the spouse? (b) How does the accumulation of parent-related risk factors within three risk factor clusters explain FV? Analyses were carried out using cross-tabulations with χ 2 tests, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and binary logistic regression analyses. The risk factor clusters built based on the EFA were as follows: parental well-being, parent's childhood adversities, and parent's health. Our results indicated that even a single risk factor predicted the likelihood of FV. In the well-being risk factor cluster, the odds for the occurrence of FV in parents with one well-being risk factor were double (odds ratios [OR] = 2.21; confidence intervals [CI]: [1.99, 2.45]) and in parents with at least four risk factors was six times (OR = 6.05; CI: [4.48, 8.18]) compared to those with no risk factor. We concluded that (a) the more different risk factors parents had, the more likely they were to report FV and (b) the accumulation of risk factors for well-being contributes most to the occurrence of the risk of FV. As a result, we emphasize the importance of identifying families with concurrent risk factors. However, any individual concerns must be addressed with parents and they must be supported in coping with their everyday life., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interests with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The social identity approach to health argues that well-being depends on the psychosocial circumstances of the groups to which individuals belong. However, little is known about how the average level of identification in the group - 'the identification environment' - buffers the negative health consequences of stressors. We used multilevel modelling to investigate whether identification environment in a school modified the association between the students' perceptions of the quality of their school's physical environment and their reported levels of anxiety. In two representative samples of Finnish school students (N = 678 schools/71,392 students; N = 704 schools/85,989 students), weak identification environment was related to increased anxiety. In addition, in schools where identification environment was weaker, the student level relationship between perceived physical environment and anxiety was stronger, and students were more anxious. Our results provide evidence that identification environment needs to be considered when we analyse how group membership affects well-being., (© 2023 The Authors. British Journal of Social Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society.)

Background: In Finnish society, child maltreatment is a health and social problem with harmful consequences. Identifying families at risk may help preventing child maltreatment recurrence., Objective: The aim of this nationwide retrospective cross-sectional study was to describe the child- and family-related risk factors associated with physical and psychological abuse experienced by 4-year-old children., Methods: This study analyzed nationwide survey data collected by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Overall, 17,009 parents (46%) visiting at a child health clinic filled out the survey consent form. For 8720 children, one or both parents completed the questionnaire (24%). Analyses were carried out using χ 2 tests and binary logistic regression., Results: Of the 4-year-olds, 44% had experienced at least one form of psychological abuse and 14% physical abuse. These forms of violence co-occurred in 25% of the reported cases (p < 001). Intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment co-occurred in 19.6% of psychological abuse (p < .001) and 22.5% of physical abuse cases (p < .001). Parents exposed to IPV was the risk factor most likely to predict an increased risk for both psychological abuse (OR 4.01, CI 3.41-4.72; p < .001), and physical abuse (OR 2.19, CI 1.81-2.64; p < .001). Approving of hair-pulling or pinching the child (i.e., using corporal punishment) was most likely to predict an increased risk of physical abuse (OR 13.70, CI 11.69-16.06; p < .001)., Conclusions: The findings emphasize the importance of preventing all forms of child maltreatment by identifying families at risk and supporting parenthood according to families' needs., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Hypothesis: Bioactive glass (BG) S53P4 reduces the viability of epidermal keratinocyte-derived immortalized cell line, HaCaT in sufficient concentrations in vitro., Background: Although used in mastoid obliteration surgery, there is no data available on whether BG S53P4 granules have an inhibitory or excitatory effect on keratinocytes, found in normal skin and ear cholesteatoma in vivo., Methods: HaCaT cell cultures were incubated with a direct BG S53P4 granule contact. Microscopic evaluation of the cultures was performed and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and -8 (IL-8) concentrations were measured from the medium samples. In addition, BG granules were incubated in two cell culture media for 6 days and the pure media were used in confluent HaCaT cultures preceding cell viability assay. Finally, a scratch assay test was performed to reveal the possible BG effect on HaCaT cultures., Results: Eight to ten cell thick layers of dead HaCaT cells were noticed after a 2-day BG granule contact. With a BG concentration of 2.5%, IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were smaller compared with the control group without BG after 2 days' incubation. Overall, HaCaT cell viability decreased when BG was incubated in keratinocyte growth medium, but did not change in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. In a scratch assay test, cell regrowth in the scratch area was notable in cultures without BG., Conclusions: BG S53P4 seems to have an inhibitory effect on HaCaT cell growth. Although further studies are needed, this observation seems advantageous for cholesteatoma treatment., Competing Interests: The authors disclose no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021, Otology & Neurotology, Inc.)

Sleep disorders have become increasingly prevalent affecting health and working ability. Restorative sleep may be considered important for athletes' successful recovery and performance. However, some athletes seem to experience major problems in sleeping. Thus far, there is limited scientific information about their sleep. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of sleep and the prevalence of sleep disorders as well as the impact of a structured sleep counselling protocol in professional athletes. A total of 107 professional ice hockey players participated in the study. The exploratory observational 1-year follow-up study consisted of questionnaire-based sleep assessment followed by general sleep counselling and, when needed, polysomnography and an individual treatment plan. One in every four players was found to have a significant problem in sleeping. All athletes considered sleep essential for their health and three in every four players considered that counselling would improve their performance. Counselling and individual treatment were found to improve significantly the quality of sleep with the mean alteration of 0.6 (95% CI 0.2-1.0, P = 0.004) in a scale from 0 to 10. Our results support that sleep problems are common in professional athletes. However, systematic examination, counselling and individual treatment planning can improve the quality of their sleep.

Background: Parental empowerment is known to increase parents' resources and to reduce stress, and therefore to improve family well-being. Professionals working in family services (child health clinics, school health care, day care, preschool and primary school) encounter families in various everyday settings and can significantly support parental empowerment., Aim: This study aimed (i) to identify associations between parental empowerment and demographic and family service characteristics (i.e. parents' participation and perceived influence, decision-making and access to information) and (ii) to identify predictors of maternal and paternal empowerment., Method: Study design was cross-sectional. Participants were mothers (n = 571) and fathers (n = 384) of children aged 0-9 who were selected by stratified random sampling in 2009. Associations were analysed by t-test, one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression analysis., Results: Sufficient perceived influence and joint decision-making by family and professionals on family service appointments emerged as significant variables of increased parental empowerment. Access to adequate information about municipal services was also associated with high empowerment. These family service characteristics were associated with parents' sense that they were able to manage in everyday life and had influence on specific service situations and family services in general. Mothers with a child aged under 3 or a child in home care or primary school, and fathers with a lower education feel less empowered in family services than other parents., Conclusion: Knowledge about the factors associated with parental empowerment can contribute to further reinforce parental empowerment, help identify parents who need special attention and contribute to the development of family services., (© 2015 Nordic College of Caring Science.)

Aim: This paper reports a study testing of the validity and reliability of the personnel version of the Family Empowerment Scale in family services in Finland., Background: The role of family services in parental reinforcement is important, given their extensive reach to most families and their aim of promoting family welfare. No instruments applicable to this situation were available in Finland. The Family Empowerment Scale is a widely used instrument that measures parent's empowerment. The personnel version of the Family Empowerment Scale enables an evaluation of the reinforcement of empowerment., Design: This study used a cross-sectional survey design., Methods: The Family Empowerment Scale was modified to measure how family services personnel evaluate reinforcement of parental empowerment. In May 2009, a questionnaire was sent to unit heads (n = 457) in public social, health and educational services for families with children aged 0-9 years. The construct, convergent and discriminant validities, reliability and responsiveness of the personnel version of the Family Empowerment Scale were assessed., Results: According to confirmatory factor analysis, the personnel version of the Family Empowerment Scale comprised three subscales (family, service system and community) as in the original Family Empowerment Scale. Confirmed convergent and discriminant validities supported the same construct. The reliability of the personnel version of the Family Empowerment Scale was acceptable. The reinforcement level of parental empowerment was high. Parental empowerment was reinforced most in health and least in educational services., Conclusion: The psychometric properties of the personnel version of the Family Empowerment Scale were acceptable. It can serve as a generic instrument for assessing reinforcement of empowerment in family services in Finland., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a delayed home exercise programme compared with normal care after primary total knee arthroplasty., Design: Single-blind, prospective, randomized, controlled trial., Participants: A total of 108 participants (61% females, mean age 69 years [standard deviation 8.7]), were randomized to a home-based exercise group (EG, n = 53) or to a control group (CG, n = 55)., Methods: Two months post-operatively, the EG received a home exercise programme, while the CG received no additional guidance. The outcome measurements were: pain and disability, measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); health-related quality of life (HRQoL), measured using the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36); maximal walking speed; isometric knee muscle strength; and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Measurements were made at baseline and at 12 months thereafter., Results: At the 12-month follow-up, maximal walking speed (p < 0.001) and knee flexion strength (p = 0.009) were significantly greater in the EG. Both groups showed similar improvements in all of the WOMAC subscale scores, the SF-36 summary scores and the TUG time., Conclusion: Home-based training was not superior to normal care with regard to pain, disability or HRQoL, but resulted in greater improvement in objectively measured physical performance.

Background: Subacromial impingement syndrome is the most common indication for shoulder operation. However, exercise therapy for the conservative treatment is recommended in the first instance., Aim: To evaluate the implementation of exercise therapy in impingement syndrome., Design: Retrospective study using structured postal questionnaire and data collected from hospital archive., Methods: A total of 104 consecutive patients who had undergone shoulder surgery due to impingement syndrome. Patients were asked about therapy modalities that they had received before and after the operation as well as pain (VAS) and functional impairment (ASES) at one-year follow-up., Results: Before surgery 49% of patients had not received advice for shoulder muscle exercises. After operation all patients had received mobility exercises, but one quarter of patients still reported that they had not received instructions about shoulder strength exercises. At the follow-up the means of the ASES index was 85 and use of NSAID had decreased by 75%. However, 15% of patients had moderate functional impairment (ASES under 60)., Conclusion: About half of patients reported that they had not received advice for rotator cuff exercise therapy before surgery even though with it surgery would probably have been avoided in many cases. Although symptoms in most patients had decreased after operation, several patients still suffered from pain and decreased function. Still several patients had not received advice for shoulder strengthening exercises that are important to recovery., Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: The adherence to the current recommendations about exercise therapy is insufficient in clinical practice. Thus we recommend that it should be monitored in all institutions in which shoulder pain is treated.

Purpose: To analyze trunk muscle function pre- and postoperatively in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion. Associations between changes in trunk muscle strength and disability were also studied., Method: A total of 114 patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion participated in the study. The flexion and extension strength of the trunk was measured preoperatively and 3 months after surgery using a strain-gauge dynamometer. Disability and pain during the past week was evaluated with the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively., Results: Preoperative trunk extension and flexion strength levels were 319 N and 436 N in males, respectively, and 160 N and 214 N in females, respectively. In females 3 months postoperatively, the trunk extension strength increased by 39 N (p < 0.001) and flexion by 38N (p < 0.001), whereas it remained unchanged in males. The preoperative extension/flexion strength ratio was 0.79 in females and 0.76 in males. Three months postoperatively, the strength ratio decreased to 0.66 in males (p = 0.02). The mean ODI improved by 47% and back pain decreased by 65% (both p < 0.001). The changes in the ODI correlated with changes in trunk extension (r = -0.38) and flexion (r = -0.43) strength., Conclusions: Patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion had low trunk muscle strength and strength imbalance. Back fusion surgery leads to considerable relief of pain and disability, but patients still have low trunk extension and flexion strength levels 3 months postoperatively. Therefore, there is need for a proper progressive strength training protocols to normalize back function.

Background: Subacromial impingement syndrome is a common orthopedic condition., Methods: Patients operated due to shoulder impingement (n=104) were sent a questionnaire inquiring rehabilitation procedures before and after surgery, pain and shoulder function., Results: Response rate was 68%, mean age of the patients was 53 years. Before surgery, 50% of the patients had received physiotherapy. The symptoms disappeared after surgery in the majority of the patients. However, 13% of the patients had significant shoulder pain (VAS over 30 mm) one year postoperatively and 15% had considerable functional deficit., Conclusions: To avoid unnecessary operations for shoulder impingement proper conservative treatment must be provided before surgery.

Objective: To determine changes in physical and social function during a prolonged preoperative waiting period and at 3 months after total knee arthroplasty., Subjects: Forty-three patients were evaluated on the day that surgery was decided, the day before surgery, and 3 months afterwards., Methods: Knee pain and function were assessed using a visual analogue scale and a functional assessment system. Isometric knee flexion extension strength and mobility were measured., Results: Knee pain and muscle strength remained unchanged during the mean waiting time of 10 (standard deviation 8) months. On the affected side, knee extension strength was 19% weaker than on the contralateral side and did not change pre-operatively. Post-operatively, knee pain decreased by 50%. Knee extension strength decreased by 26% and flexion strength by 12% compared with the initial assessments. Knee extension strength of the operated side was 42% lower than on the non-operated side. Knee flexion mobility was decreased by 8%, while the initially detected knee extension deficit of 10 degrees (SD 7) remained unchanged. The functional assessment system did not detect any changes in function., Conclusion: Waiting time did not affect knee pain or isometric knee extension/flexion strength. Three months post-operatively, knee pain had decreased significantly, but the strength of the operated knee was significantly lower than the pre-operative level.