Search

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Current guidelines recommend HPV vaccination during adolescence, but vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Efforts are needed to increase vaccination among the catch-up group (individuals aged 18-26 years). Interventions have primarily focused on education, with minimal success. Purpose: This study enhanced an education-based intervention to directly target Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables and increase catch-up group HPV vaccination. Methods: Using a randomized control design, a TPB-informed psychosocial intervention (n = 41) was compared to education-only (n = 35) and no-intervention control groups (n = 35). Results: HPV knowledge, HPV Vaccine knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, vaccination intention, and vaccination uptake were all more profoundly improved in the TPB-informed intervention. Further, regression models including knowledge and TPB variables predicted intention 1 week later (F(6, 110) = 17.13, p < 0.001) and uptake 6 months later (X[superscript 2] = (7, N = 46) = 25.12, p = 0.001), accounting for 42-67% of the variance. Discussion: These outcomes provide support for disseminating TPB-informed interventions to the catch-up group on college campuses. Translation to Health Education Practice: Interventions for HPV vaccination uptake should include both education and TPB factors to address barriers. Translation to Health Education Practice: Interventions for HPV vaccination uptake should include both education and TPB factors to address barriers.

This study examines the relationship between prior trauma and post disaster psychological distress in a sample of college students exposed to Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas in 2017. College students (n = 324) receive treatment for psychological problems at very low rates, so screening for the most vulnerable students after a disaster is important. While the relationship between prior trauma and post-disaster psychological distress is well established, the evidence for prior disaster exposure as a risk factor outside of other trauma is mixed. Prior trauma was divided into two cumulative risk style indicators: prior traumatic experiences (excluding disasters) and prior disaster exposure. In multiple linear regression models, prior traumatic experiences were significant predictors of post-disaster symptoms of both post-traumatic stress disorder and depression following the hurricane. Prior disaster exposures were not significant in either case. Implications for future screening and analysis of risk factors are discussed.

Compared to healthy individuals, individuals with depressive symptoms are likely to respond to negative events by overusing maladaptive emotion regulation (ER) strategies, which are associated with greater negative emotional intensity and intolerance. Research suggests that during negative event recall, self-distancing, a putatively adaptive ER strategy, is associated with decreases in maladaptive ER strategies (e.g., rumination), negative affect, and emotional intensity. However, less is known about the effects of self-distancing as a sad evocative event unfolds. Given that the experience of frequent and prolonged periods of sad emotion is characteristic of depressive syndromes, identifying a useful strategy to regulate emotion during sad events could help de-intensify and shorten those periods, which may ultimately reduce depression vulnerability. The present study examined spontaneous ER, instructed self-distancing, and their effects on emotion intensity and intolerance in dysphoric and nondysphoric individuals. Participants viewed sadness-inducing film clips, regulating emotions without specific instructions in one condition, and engaging in instructed self-distancing in the other. After each film, participants reported the intensity and intolerance of their emotions, and ER strategy use. The dysphoric group reported significantly greater intensity and intolerance of emotion than the nondysphoric group. Instructed self-distancing reduced emotional intensity more than spontaneous ER irrespective of group status, however it decreased rumination use only for the nondysphoric group. Decreased rumination use was associated with decreased emotion intensity and intolerance. Thus, promoting and monitoring the effectiveness of self-distancing may enhance ER. Pairing self-distancing with 2 other evidence-supported anti-rumination strategies may be needed to help reduce depression vulnerability more robustly., Author(s): Jessica Balderas [sup.1] , Steven L. Bistricky [sup.2] , Staci Schield [sup.2] , Mary B. Short [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.266515.3, 0000 0001 2106 0692, Deparment of Psychology, University [...]

Background: In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey disrupted the lives of millions in the Houston/Galveston gulf coast region, causing injury, loss, and major uncertainty of wellbeing. Natural disasters can influence parent mental health and parenting behaviors, though less is known about how these factors might be associated with parenting accommodations provided to children immediately following a disaster. Objective: This study examined parental anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), as well as pre-existing parenting practices (i.e., positive parenting, supervision, discipline) as clinical predictors of parenting accommodations (PA) in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Method: Parents of children ages 2-17 (n = 130) completed self-report measures approximately one month after Hurricane Harvey. Results: A three-step hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to predict PA from demographic variables (age, income, gender), parental levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSS, and parenting practices. Results indicated that families with lower income, higher rates of inconsistent discipline, and higher levels of parental anxiety reported engaging in greater PA following Hurricane Harvey. Conclusions: Accommodations may be explained in the context of reactive parenting practices aimed at reducing child and parent distress following a natural disaster. Consistent routines, limit-setting, and other positive parenting practices may be important treatment targets to reduce parenting accommodations following a natural disaster.

Introduction: As of December 1, 2020, when the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices published their COVID-19 vaccine distribution and prioritization recommendations, health care workers (HCWs) and the elderly were deemed to be at greatest risk of contracting the coronavirus. Limited extant research suggests that most HCWs are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and findings from studies examining vaccine uptake in non-HCW samples also have reported high vaccination willingness. The health belief model (HBM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) suggest that beliefs about severity and susceptibility of disease, perceived benefits of and obstacles to vaccination, and normative beliefs of others affect vaccine uptake. Further, perceptions of safety, side effects, and demographic factors can uniquely impact COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, we recruited 526 participants via social media, through snowball emailing methods, and from university settings. Results: The present findings demonstrate that 37% of participants intend to get the vaccine, and 35% reported that they might get the vaccine. No relationships among demographic factors, willingness to receive the vaccine, and level of intent were observed. However, those who reported that they would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated fewer positive attitudes, less agreement, fewer normative views, and less anticipatory regret regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Also, perceptions of susceptibility, severity, and barriers were associated with participants' willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Discussion: Our results suggest that factors related to the HBM and TPB might uniquely impact COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and could guide the crafting of interventions meant to encourage vaccine uptake. Keywords: COVID-19, vaccine uptake, health belief model, theory of planned behavior, vaccine acceptability, The COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson obtained emergency U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on December 11, 2020; December 18, 2020; and February 27, [...]

Natural disasters have a lasting impact on the mental health of the children. The effects on children's mental health included posttraumatic stress symptoms, behavioral problems (e.g., disruptive behaviors), depression, and anxiety. Overall, parents have been an important factor in the lasting effects of natural disasters on children's mental health. Although most research has examined overall parental mental health outcomes on childhood outcomes, little research has concentrated on specific parental behaviors that might help children deal with natural disasters. One of those behaviors may be the level of parental accommodations. Considering parental accommodations are often used when a child is upset or distressed, it seems feasible that parental accommodations may also be associated with childhood outcomes after a natural disaster. This study examines the use of parental accommodations in the context of Hurricane Harvey and the associated effects on child outcomes. Participants (N = 129) who were parents, completed an online survey answering questions on their Hurricane Harvey experiences as well as shared about their parenting practices and their perception of their children's outcomes both during and after this time. Overall, parental accommodations were associated with more negative mental health outcomes for children, after a natural disaster. Given these results, it is important that professionals help parents understand how to be supportive of their children during or immediately following a natural disaster, without being overly accommodating to their child's anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A goal of behavior-analytic interventions is to produce behavior that is maintained under naturalistic conditions. In this experiment, we studied the effects of a speaker immersion protocol (SIP) on the number of speaker responses (tacts and mands) emitted by 3 preschool students under naturalistic, not directly targeted, conditions. During the SIP, the researchers provided 100 daily opportunities for the participants to emit mands using the target mand form by contriving establishing operations (EOs) throughout the school day. The effects of the intervention were evaluated using a multiple-probe design by measuring target mands during EO probe sessions and the number of mands and tacts emitted during noninstructional-setting probe sessions. The researchers found that the SIP produced increases in both targeted and generalized verbal behavior.

Purpose: This paper introduces the Resource to Support Neonatal Nurse Engagement in Clinical Research© to educate and support engagement of nurses in study design and protocol review. The resource serves to promote collaboration between nurses and pharmaceutical researchers to advance the development of neonatal therapies. Background: Neonates remain therapeutic orphans, underserved by the drug development community. Off-label use of drugs in neonates negatively impacts the evaluation of their safety and efficacy. Although NICU nurses' competencies are examples of expertise needed for well-designed clinical trials, nurses may have limited experience in providing insights. Methods: Resource development included a literature review and usability testing by multiple stakeholders. Results: Usability testing indicated the resource was comprehensive and relevant to pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical studies. Reviewers commented resource prompts are beneficial in assessing study feasibility. Conclusion: Sponsors of research need nurse engagement to improve feasibility and flexibility and prevent protocol deviations in clinical trials. Leveraging the "Resource to Support Neonatal Nurse Engagement in Clinical Research©" can enhance research education and foster engagement of nurses in neonatal research. Implications for Practice: The resource has implications for the nursing profession, the pharmaceutical industry, and the advancement of new therapies. Individual nurses benefit from education and a framework for research engagement. The profession benefits from enhanced visibility through research collaboration. The pharmaceutical industry gains valuable insights on neonatal care, family dynamics, and NICU standard of care. A resource to foster collaboration in the study development process is an important step for advancing new therapies for neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses two teachers' experiences implementing a phenomenon and problem-driven curriculum for the first time in two kindergarten classes. It describes how teachers shifted their teaching to support students' collaborative sensemaking about phenomenon. It also discusses how the teachers helped students overcome anxiety about uncertainty when figuring out phenomenon and during an engineering design challenge. Throughout the paper teachers offer detailed descriptions of the adjustments they made to their instructional methods and how those changes in pedagogy impacted students during the curriculum. Impacts to students' overall sense of academic agency are also discussed. Finally, the paper addresses real-world concerns facing teachers transitioning to phenomenon and problem-driven instruction, including the amount of class time allocated to science learning and the amount of content required by the Next Generation Science Standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: We asked how interobserver error in sampling vegetation (excluding trees) varied over time, space and habitat type; determined whether there were any obvious correlates of observer error; and evaluated evidence of bias among observers. Location: Nine national park units in the Midwestern USA. Methods: We quantified observer error in the context of a long‐term monitoring program employing three observers, evaluating interobserver error across 11 locations in the Midwestern USA over five years. The vegetation (excluding trees) was sampled independently by two teams of observers at prairie and woodland locations (n = 94 plots total). Results: Total pseudoturnover ranged between 20.2% and 22.1% at prairie locations, and between 16.8% and 28.6% at woodland locations. The overlooking component of pseudoturnover accounted for 75% or more of total pseudoturnover, with misidentification and cautious components each contributing 19% or less of the total, depending on location. The percentage of comparisons in which both observers recorded the same cover class ranged from 71.3% to 78.5% at the prairie locations and 56.9% to 85.6% at woodland locations. When observers did not agree on cover class, they were off by more than one class less than 6% of the time. Overlooking error was more likely to occur for species with less cover, while estimation error was more likely to occur for species with greater cover. A bias existed among observers, as the least experienced observer recorded 6.2%–11.8% more species than the other two observers. Interobserver bias also existed for rates of estimation error, as one observer consistently recorded higher cover classes. Conclusions: Observer error is a pervasive aspect of vegetation sampling. Continued training and experience yielded limited increases in precision. Elements of the sampling design probably reduced observer error to a certain degree, although some level of interobserver error in vegetation surveys is unavoidable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: College students are susceptible to undermanaged stress and its detrimental effects, and though they could use evidence-based stress reduction techniques (SRTs) to remedy this, many do not. Unfortunately, little is known about what might encourage greater use. Purpose: This study examined to what extent a framework integrating cognitive, social, behavioral, and experiential factors related to influential health behavior models could account for increased intention to use SRTs (intention) and willingness to recommend SRTs (promoter willingness). Methods: College students (n = 233) completed a survey assessing health beliefs, past and intended future use of SRTs, willingness to recommend SRTs, and potential changes in intention or promoter willingness following brief Health Education messages. Results: Health Belief Model components, theory of planned behavior descriptive norms, and prior SRT use predicted significant variability in intention and promoter willingness (experienced effectiveness of particular SRTs also predicted intention), and Health Education messages increased both outcomes. Discussion: Informational and experiential exposure to different SRTs may promote greater SRT use and dissemination. Translation to Health Education Practice: Institutions can assess student stress management needs and increase student SRT use and dissemination through existing modalities that provide students information, peer discussion opportunities, and reinforcing effects of SRT practice.

Understanding the effects of fire on advance regeneration of oak (Quercus L.) species and their competitors is an important step in determining the role of prescribed fire in regenerating and restoring upland oak ecosystems. Our study aimed to understand how dormant-season prescribed fire affects advance regeneration of chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii Engelm.), black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.), and their major competitors at sites targeted for woodland restoration and management. We analyzed relationships between stem size and survival probability; determined the effect of fire temperature on survival probability; and compared how mortality, sprouting, and survival differed among species. For chinkapin oak, black oak, and bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis (Wangenh.) K. Koch), mortality was low and rate of sprouting was high after shoot dieback. Initial basal diameter was significantly related to survival probability after one fire for all species except chinkapin oak and black oak. Height was a significant predictor of survival probability for all species except chinkapin oak. Although sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) also responded to fire by sprouting, it did so at a much lower rate than oaks and hickory (20% versus 43%-68%). These data reveal that heavily invaded, fire-suppressed woodlands on the prairie-forest border region may not experience major structural and compositional shifts without repeated burning or mechanical treatments. Key words: chinkapin oak, prescribed fire, mortality, logistic models. La comprehension des effets du feu sur la regeneration preetablie des especes de chene (Quercus L.) et de leurs concurrents est une etape importante pour determiner le role du brulage dirige dans la regeneration et la restauration des ecosystemes bien draines de chene. Notre etude visait a comprendre comment le brulage dirige applique pendant la saison de dormance influence la regeneration preetablie des chenes jaune (Quercus muehlenbergii Engelm.) et noir (Quercus velutina Lam.) et celle de leurs principaux concurrents sur des stations destinees a la restauration et l'amenagement de zones boisees. Nous avons analyse les relations entre la taille des tiges et la probabilite de survie, determine l'effet de la temperature du feu sur la probabilite de survie, et compare les differences de mortalite, de repousse et de survie entre les especes. Pour le chene jaune, le chene noir et le caryer cordiforme (Carya cordiformis (Wangenh.) K. Koch), la mortalite etait faible et le taux de repousse etait eleve apres la mort des tiges. Le diametre initial a la souche etait significativement lie a la probabilite de survie apres un feu pour toutes les especes sauf les chenes jaune et noir. La hauteur etait une variable predictive importante de la probabilite de survie de toutes les especes, a l'exception du chene jaune. Bien que l'erable a sucre (Acer saccharum Marsh.) ait aussi reagi au feu en produisant des repousses, le taux de repousse etait beaucoup plus faible que celui des chenes et du caryer (20 % contre 43 % a 68 %). Ces donnees revelent que les zones boisees fortement envahies et protegees du feu, et etablies dans l'ecotone entre la prairie et la foret peuvent se developper sans profonds changements structurel et compositionnel si des brulages diriges ou des traitements mecaniques ne sont pas appliques de facon repetee. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: chene jaune, brulage dirige, mortalite, modeles logistiques., 1. Introduction Fire has been an important driver in shaping plant communities in the Central United States (US) for millennia (Abrams 1992; Anderson et al. 1999; Nelson 2010). As a [...]

The article announces the launch of "Bridging the GAP: Empowering Neonatal Nurses in Drug Development for Neonates," a series by the Critical Path Institute (C-Path) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) aimed at empowering neonatal nurses in research and improving outcomes for neonates.

Previous research has found that a significant proportion of individuals who use Internet pornography (IP) report that their use is problematic in some area of functioning. Problematic IP use has been conceptualized as an aspect of sexual addiction and as having components of impulsivity and compulsivity. Experiential avoidance also has been implicated in problematic IP use. The current study further examined the relationship between problematic IP use and these variables. Participants (N = 94), who were categorized as having problematic or nonproblematic IP use based on their responses to four questions, completed an online survey regarding their use of IP. Results indicated that there were significant differences between individuals with and without problematic IP use in hours of IP used per week, sexual compulsivity, amount of interference from sexual urges, experiential avoidance, and negative and positive effects of IP use. Results from the current study help clarify conceptualizations of problematic IP use, and implications for treatment are suggested. (Contains 4 tables.)

This single-case-design experiment examined an intervention to decrease bed-sharing in children, ages 2 through 6. Three sessions were conducted with each parent. At the first session, parents described bed-sharing history and began collecting baseline data. At the second session, parents were instructed to employ the intervention. At the third session, parents were interviewed and offered continued support, if needed. Participants included three children who slept with their parents 4 or more nights per week. The intervention resulted in a substantial decrease in bed-sharing behavior for all participants, and parents reported being satisfied with the intervention. (Contains 1 figure.)

Diagnosing psychotic disorders in young people is difficult. High rates of co-morbidity may be one reason for this difficulty, but it may also be the case that current diagnostic categories are not the most useful when approaching the care of young people with psychotic symptoms. The Northern Ireland Early Onset Psychosis Study is the first study to investigate psychotic disorders in children and adolescents in this region. Young people presenting with psychotic symptoms with onset before their 18th birthday were prospectively ascertained over a three-year period (2001-2004). Those who provided informed consent were subject to a diagnostic interview using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia--Present and Lifetime Version. Twenty-five young people have completed the full assessment process to date. Ten young people met criteria for schizophrenia, 11 for affective psychosis, two for schizoaffective disorder and two for schizophreniform disorder. Twenty-one (80%) subjects also fulfilled criteria for at least one other DSM-IV diagnosis. In conclusion, whilst all subjects met criteria for one or other psychotic disorder, co-morbidity was common in this clinical sample. Greater awareness of the difficulties encountered when trying to reach a diagnosis in this age group may help to improve treatment outcomes. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)