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Student technology uncertainty was investigated in an introductory e-Social Work (e-SW) practice course. e-SW practice includes technology-mediated advocacy, research, and services delivery. A convergent parallel mixed methods design included pre- and post-test e-SW self-efficacy surveys and student reflections. There were significant measurable changes in the practice self efficacy scale and sub-scales. Thematic analysis demonstrated the course addressed student needs for increasing their knowledge and confidence prior to engaging in e-SW practice. Privacy and security regulation compliance showed the least increase in self-efficacy and should be an area for further development in future e-SW courses. The findings contribute to a growing literature supporting the need for investment in harnessing technology for future growth in the field of social work.

Edwyn BL Lo,1 Lilian JC Laferriere,1 Matthew R Stewart,1 Melissa Milanovic,1 Melinda Kinney,1 Christopher R Bowie,1,2 Hans C Dringenberg1,2 1Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; 2Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, CanadaCorrespondence: Hans C DringenbergDepartment of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, CanadaTel +1613-533-6215Fax +1613-433-2499Email dringenb@queensu.caPurpose: Sleep, both overnight and daytime naps, can facilitate the consolidation of declarative memories in healthy humans. However, it is unclear whether such beneficial effects of sleep occur in special populations, such as individuals with elevated neuropsychiatric symptoms, and if they apply to clinically relevant material that may have personal significance to those populations.Methods: We examined memory retention over a 60-minute interval of wakefulness or nap opportunity in participants with low or elevated scores (≤ 13 and ≥ 21, respectively) on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Memory for depression-related information was assessed by (a) free-recall of a video depicting a personal experience narrative of the impact of depression on cognition and workplace performance; and (b) a paired-associates task linking depression-related cognitive symptoms to appropriate coping strategies.Results: The results showed no overall difference in recall between the nap and waking condition. However, across the full sample of participants, there were significant positive correlations between total sleep time and paired associates recall, and slow wave sleep (SWS) percentage and story free recall performance. Unexpectedly, participants with elevated BDI-II scores exhibited better free-recall performance compared to those with low scores.Conclusion: These results suggest that sleep, specifically SWS, may stabilize memories for clinically relevant information in populations with low and elevated depressive symptoms. The superior recall in participants with elevated-BDI scores may be related to the personal significance and stronger encoding of depression-related information. These observations raise the possibility that mnemonic deficits in depressed patients may be, at least in part, related to the type of information used to assess memory performance.Keywords: memory, consolidation, depression, napping, sleep, slow-wave sleep

Background: Traditionally, gender has been viewed through an essentialist lens with fixed biology-based traits or polarized gender norms between women and men. As awareness of gender diversity grows, increasingly more people are coming out as nonbinary – or not exclusively a man or woman. Little has been explored regarding experiences unique to nonbinary individuals, particularly beyond a focus on adverse risks and outcomes to understand their wellbeing. This article discusses gendered experiences and the construction of wellbeing among nonbinary individuals. Aim: The purpose of this study was to conceptualize wellbeing as a complex multidimensional phenomenon through nonbinary individuals' perspectives. Methods: A virtual PhotoVoice study was conducted with 17 nonbinary adults in the Midwestern United States who participated in online group discussions and in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed with thematic analysis. Results: The analysis identified five core dimensions of nonbinary wellbeing: 1) Security, 2) Mental and physical health, 3) Autonomy, 4) Belonging, and 5) Gender positivity. Exemplary definitions of wellbeing are also presented. Discussion: Understanding how nonbinary individuals thrive challenges the framing of gender diverse experiences in adversity and presents a more holistic portrayal that community members and allies can strive toward. This study contributes an intersectional understanding of wellbeing in relation to identities of race, culture, age, disability, neurodiversity, and sociopolitical geographical context. The findings of this study can aid in practice, advocacy, and research to bolster the wellbeing of nonbinary people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robin K Pettit, Lise McCoy, Marjorie Kinney School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, A. T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA Abstract: Flipped instruction is gaining popularity in medical schools, but there are unanswered questions such as the optimum amount of the curriculum to flip and whether flipped sessions should be mandatory. We were in a unique position to evaluate feedback from first-year medical students who had experienced both flipped and lecture-based courses during their first semester of medical school. A key finding was that the students preferred a variety of different learning formats over an “all or nothing” learning format. Learning format preferences did not necessarily align with perceptions of which format led to better course exam performance. Nearly 70% of respondents wanted to make their own decisions regarding attendance. Candid responses to open-ended survey prompts reflected millennial preferences for choice, flexibility, efficiency, and the ability to control the pace of their learning, providing insight to guide ­curricular improvements. Keywords: flipped classroom, mandatory attendance, medical education, lecture-based, variety

We sought to explore the type and function of support networks of transmasculine and nonbinary young adults (TNBYA) during their chosen name transition. We conducted 12 in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews (2018) to understand who was providing support and how that support was given among Midwestern United States TNBYA who had transitioned from a name given to them at birth to a chosen name. Four support networks were identified: 1) families of origin; 2) chosen family; 3) mental health professionals; and 4) LGBTQ+ community groups. Chosen family and mental health professionals provided the most reliable and consistent support. Families of origin were supportive in some ways but often required intense emotional labour from the TNBYA. Community groups were equally supportive but fraught with obstacles, such as access and lacking racial diversity and sensitivity. The four support networks identified were all described as important to the TNBYA chosen name transitioning process, but they also at times created other obstacles. Clinicians can use this research to help TNBYA identify the support networks that help affirm their identity transition. Future direction for researchers to better understand the complicated functioning of support networks for TNBYA are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Animal data suggest teratogenic effects with zonisamide use and risk of pregnancy losses. Human data following zonisamide exposure are presently limited, but suggest low risk of malformation with elevated risk of low birth weight.Objective: To calculate the major congenital malformation (MCM) rate of zonisamide in human pregnancy and assess for a signal of any specific malformation pattern and associations with birth weight.Methods and Materials: Data were obtained from the UK and Ireland Epilepsy and Pregnancy register (UKIEPR) which is an observational, registration, and follow up study from December 1996 to July 2020. Eligibility criteria were use of zonisamide and to have been referred to the UKIEPR before the outcome of the pregnancy was known. Primary outcome was evidence of MCM.Results: From December 1996 through July 2020 there were 112 cases of first trimester exposure to zonisamide, including 26 monotherapy cases. There were 3 MCM for monotherapy cases (MCM rate 13.0% (95% confidence interval 4.5-32.1)), and 5 MCM for polytherapy cases (MCM rate 6.9% (95% confidence interval 3.0-15.2)). While the median birth weight was on 71st and 44th centile for monotherapy and polytherapy cases respectively, there was a high rate of infants born small for gestational age (21% for both).Conclusion: These data raise concerns about a signal for potential teratogenicity with zonisamide in human pregnancy. Given the low numbers reported, further data will be required to adequately counsel women who use zonisamide in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (inclusive of nonbinary), and queer (collectively, LGBTQ) community is experiencing health inequities at alarming rates. From behavioral health issues, to violence issues, to increased rates of homelessness, structural stigma impacts LGBTQ communities at a disproportionate rate. Suicide numbers are particularly concerning. The LGB community rate of suicide is two to three times that of the general population. For the transgender and nonbinary community, that number soars to nearly nine times that of the general population. In this article, we examine the social determinates of health impacting the LGBTQ community and the ways structural stigma supports health inequity. Given the health data, the article analyzes how policymakers could include an explicit rationale in antidiscrimination laws to shift social norms and lower stigma in pursuit of improving population health. Even when a policy is anti-discriminatory on its face, naming the intent of shifting norms and lowering stigma matter. When the explicit rationale is named, it can serve two purposes: 1) articulating a clear public health purpose of the antidiscrimination law and 2) educating the public on the need for norm change and its public health impact. Making it clear that the goal of social norm change is to protect and improve the population's health may make the state's compelling state interest case stronger, particularly in the face of Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, in challenges to antidiscrimination laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of health inequities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people and considers policy implications. Topics discussed are health inequities in the field of behavioral health such as violent injury due to sexual orientation, mitigators of negative health outcomes like family and community support and school acceptance, barriers to healthcare access such as stigma, access to employer-sponsored health insurance and to public spaces.