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Overviews, or syntheses of research syntheses, have become a popular approach to synthesizing the rapidly expanding body of research and systematic reviews. Despite their popularity, few guidelines exist and the state of the field in education is unclear. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence and current state of overviews of education research and to provide further guidance for conducting overviews and advance the evolution of overview methods. A comprehensive search across multiple online databases and gray literature repositories yielded 25 total education-related overviews. Our analysis revealed that many commonly reported aspects of systematic reviews, such as the search, screen, and coding procedures, were regularly unreported. Only a handful of overview authors discussed the synthesis technique and few authors acknowledged the overlap of included systematic reviews. Suggestions and preliminary guidelines for improving the rigor and utility of overviews are provided.

This Campbell systematic review sought to examine the effects trauma-informed schools on trauma symptoms/mental health, academic performance, behavior, and socioemotional functioning. Trauma-informed approaches include programs, organizations, or systems that realize the impact of trauma, recognize the symptoms of trauma, respond by integrating knowledge about trauma policies and practices, and seeks to reduce retraumatization. At least two of the three key elements of a trauma-informed approach must have been present: (1) workforce development; (2) trauma-focused services; and (3) organizational environment and practices, which differ from trauma-specific interventions designed to treat or otherwise address the impact/symptoms of trauma and facilitate healing. Although the authors conducted a comprehensive search to find studies testing trauma-informed approaches in schools, no studies met the inclusion criteria, indicating that there is a lack of evidence of trauma-informed approaches in schools.

Background: Despite an emphasis on a biopsychosocial understanding of human behavior and the relevance of biosocial research to social work practice, it is unclear whether social work is contributing to biosocial research and knowledge. Methods: Systematic review procedures were employed to locate studies that included biological variables (e.g., genetic or physiological factors) related to behavior and were published in a social work journal between 2000 and 2015. Seventy-five social work journals were searched. Studies were screened and coded by two independent reviewers. Results: Eleven studies were eligible for this review; one was a behavior genetics study, two were molecular genetics studies, two were neurological studies, and six studies examined physiological factors such as skin conductance and salivary cortisol. Discussion: Findings suggest that social work as a discipline is not contributing new knowledge to advance the "bio" component of the biopsychosocial framework. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

Aim: This study examines use and impacts of systematic reviews produced by the Campbell Collaboration's Social Welfare Coordinating Group (SWCG) on practice, policy, and research. Methods: A mixed-method research design was used to examine impacts of 52 systematic reviews published by the SWCG. We conducted author surveys and retrieved multiple sources of bibliometric data. Results: Campbell SWCG reviews were downloaded 136,356 times and cited 3,184 times. Most reviews did not receive significant attention in alternative outlets (i.e., social media). Review authors provided evidence that reviews were used directly to make changes in policy or practice or inform future research. Discussion: Assessing the use and impacts of research is challenging. While downloads and citations provide evidence that these reviews receive attention, it was more difficult to determine the extent to which the reviews were used to impact practice or policy. More work is needed to better track and assess impacts of Campbell reviews.

Childhood trauma has been receiving increased attention and it is increasingly being recognized as a significant public health concern (Lang, Campbell, & Vanerploeg, 2015). Trauma exposure involves "actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence" that is either directly experienced or witnessed, or learning that any traumatic experiences have happened to a loved one, or having repeated exposure to details of traumatic events. This purpose of this review will be to identify, describe and synthesize the evidence of effects of trauma-informed approaches in schools to provide guidance for policymakers and educators and to identify important gaps in the evidence base. studies that are examining effects of the intervention in a school setting serving preK-12 (or equivalent grade levels in other countries) students will be included.

The purpose of this study was to test the self-medication hypothesis of drug use in a sample of homeless persons. A serial mediation model was tested to examine the effects of recent victimization on trauma-related symptom severity, and the effects of trauma-related symptom severity on severity of severe mental illness (SMI) symptoms, and finally the effects of severity of SMI symptoms on illicit drug use. The final sample for the study included 164 participants who were assessed prospectively at both baseline and 6-month post-baseline. It was hypothesized that SMI would mediate the pathways for self-medication. Structural Equations Modelling analyses revealed that current trauma-related symptom severity mediated the relationship between recent victimization and severity of SMI symptoms. Furthermore, SMI symptom severity mediated the relationship between current trauma-related symptom severity, and illicit drug use providing indirect support for the self-medication hypothesis. The findings underscore the importance of assessing and providing for trauma-informed care to persons with SMI seeking services for co-occurring substance use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing evidence shows homeless and low-income women have difficulty accessing menstrual hygiene products and services. This study explores the menstrual hygiene management (MHM) experiences of 15 homeless women with mental illnesses served by a behavioral health agency in St. Louis, Missouri. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted in a private setting at participants' convenience. Participants were asked about experiences with periods during homelessness, to include symptoms experienced, hygiene methods used, whether support was available, and their assessment of mental-health impacts. Our results support existing findings, highlighting a need for greater access to MHM products and safe access to bathing and laundry services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic events may lead to the development of PTSD or PTSD symptomology that can negatively impact health outcomes. Allostatic load, which represents the cumulative biological wear and tear of exposure to stress, can be employed to better understand the physiological etiology of PTSD. A scoping review, informed by the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, was completed to identify published and unpublished empirical studies that explored the relationship of allostatic load and PTSD. Eight databases were searched yielding four studies, with the results summarized narratively and in tabular form. Findings were mixed as to the association between allostatic load and PTSD. Allostatic load was positively associated with PTSD diagnosis; however, studies measuring only PTSD symptomatology found no relationship. Few PTSD researchers have tested the relationship of a comprehensive measure of allostatic load to PTSD. Among those who have, studies show that allostatic load can be a beneficial tool and applicable theoretical framework for understanding the biological changes associated with PTSD. Future research should focus on standardizing measures of both allostatic load and PTSD and identifying potential confounders. A better understanding of the physiological changes associated with PTSD could lead to more effective prevention and treatment efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the implementation of a photovoice exhibition on safe coping during the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We explore how the photovoice exhibition took on new meaning in the context of the large-scale disruption caused by the pandemic. The exhibition featured photographs about the experience of safety and safe coping among participants with co-occurring traumatic stress and substance use. We discuss our process for planning an exhibition during the pandemic and for applying study findings to the broader community during the crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relatively few community-based programs have been found to be helpful for homeless people with alcohol disorders, even though this group represents a high-risk, vulnerable population prone to poor outcomes. Aims: This study sought to implement and evaluate intensive community-based programs for homeless people with alcohol disorders. Method: The project worked closely with a homeless outreach team for referrals, and then provided two different, intensive substance abuse treatment approaches matched to the needs of two subgroups: homeless individuals with alcohol disorders without severe mental illness received community reinforcement approach (CRA) and case management services, while those with alcohol and severe mental illness were assigned to assertive community treatment and integrated dual disorders (ACT/IDDT) services. The study enrolled 322 homeless people with alcohol disorders and outcomes were assessed at six months and program discharge. Results: Participants improved significantly over the first six months in a number of outcome areas, including substance abuse, mental health, housing, employment and health; progress generally remained stable between six months and discharge. Conclusions: Community-based programs that coordinate with mobile outreach teams and then provide CRA and ACT/IDDT appear to be promising approaches for helping individuals with alcohol disorders out of homelessness and into recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) is the subject of ongoing inquiry. Homeless adults with psychiatric illnesses are at risk for comorbid PTSD and MDD. However, the factor structures of commonly used screening tools for PTSD (PCL-5) and MDD (PHQ-9), and their interrelationships, have not been widely investigated in this population. The present article tests the factor structure of the PCL-5 and PHQ-9 in a sample of chronically homeless adults who reported lifetime trauma exposure and were enrolled into intensive community mental health services (N = 197). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test six models of PTSD and four models of depression, although more complex models produced indefinite covariance matrices. The four-factor Dysphoria Model of PTSD and a two-factor model of MDD were considered the best models in this sample. Regression analyses tested the variance between PTSD and MDD symptom clusters. The PTSD dysphoria factor explained the most variance in depressive symptoms. Reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal symptoms capture phenomena unique to the experience of PTSD among this psychiatric sample. These findings have implications for conceptualizing the underlying structures of PTSD and MDD among a moderately depressed sample of homeless adults with psychiatric illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]