Socio-cultural Adjustment and Well-being in Third Culture Kids and their Families: Protocol for a Longitudinal Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Phaik Ooi ◽  
Marnie Reed ◽  
Emma Marchal-Jones ◽  
Andrea Meyer ◽  
Jens Gaab

BACKGROUND Increasing globalization has led to more families with children being relocated each year, high-lighting the importance of issues such as acculturation, adjustment, and psychological well-being in this population. These children, commonly known as Third Culture Kids (TCKs), often spend a significant part of their developmental years in cultures foreign to them. OBJECTIVE Our longitudinal study aims to examine the roles of cognitive, psychological, socio-cultural, and family factors on the longitudinal trajectories of TCKs and their families’ well-being and socio-cultural adjustment over time. METHODS This study adopts both quantitative and qualitative procedures. Data from both procedures will be collected at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. We aim to recruit 150-200 participants between 7 and 17 years old and one of their primary caregivers. After providing informed consent, participants will complete an online survey. Outcome measures include validated questionnaires on well-being and socio-cultural adjustment. Predictor measures include validated questionnaires on negative self-thoughts, emotion regulation, resilience, psychological attributes, self-esteem, stress, acculturative stress, cultural intelligence, couple satisfaction, and family functioning. A multiple regression model will be used to analyze the quantitative data. In addition, 15-20 families who participated in the online survey will be randomly selected to take part in a family interview focusing on questions related to well-being, relocation experiences, cultural issues, and challenges. A concurrent triangulation mixed-method design will be used to analyze and interpret data from both quantitative and qualitative methods. RESULTS To date, a total of 131 participants and 120 parents have completed the baseline online survey. In addition, 28 children and 24 parents have completed the one-year follow-up online survey. A total of 6 families have completed the baseline family interview while 2 families have completed the one-year follow-up interview. Transcription of the interview is on-going. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study would enable us to understand the adjustment processes, and risk and protective factors associated with TCKs and their families’ well-being and socio-cultural ad-justment in Switzerland, which could have implications on the development of intervention pro-grams for individuals and families to address acculturation and adjustment issues. CLINICALTRIAL Not Applicable

VASA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asciutto ◽  
Lindblad

Background: The aim of this study is to report the short-term results of catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy (CDFS) in the treatment of axial saphenous vein incompetence. Patients and methods: Data of all patients undergoing CDFS for symptomatic primary incompetence of the great or small saphenous vein were prospectively collected. Treatment results in terms of occlusion rate and patients’ grade of satisfaction were analysed. All successfully treated patients underwent clinical and duplex follow-up examinations one year postoperatively. Results: Between September 2006 and September 2010, 357 limbs (337 patients) were treated with CDFS at our institution. Based on the CEAP classification, 64 were allocated to clinical class C3 , 128 to class C4, 102 to class C5 and 63 to class C6. Of the 188 patients who completed the one year follow up examination, 67 % had a complete and 14 % a near complete obliteration of the treated vessel. An ulcer-healing rate of 54 % was detected. 92 % of the patients were satisfied with the results of treatment. We registered six cases of thrombophlebitis and two cases of venous thromboembolism, all requiring treatment. Conclusions: The short-term results of CDFS in patients with axial vein incompetence are acceptable in terms of occlusion and complications rates.


Relay Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 306-318
Author(s):  
Hatice Karaaslan

This article elaborates on a follow-up mentoring session conducted with a junior colleague who had frequent contact with me over a period of one year during her coursework as she considered me a senior instructor with substantial research experience. The purpose was to exploit the strategies of advising in a mentoring context utilizing intentional reflective dialogue (IRD) to encourage reflection on professional well-being. To facilitate the process and achieve an in-depth analysis of her level of professional well-being, I employed Seligman’s (2011) PERMA model, explaining professional well-being with reference to its components of positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. In the article, I briefly give information on the context and background, the purpose, and the professional well-being model used. I then outline the flow of the session, and point out and discuss how the strategies of advising have been exploited through a series of IRD exchanges in an effort to stimulate an in-depth discussion. Finally, I present my personal reflections as well as the potential implications to be considered while conducting mentor-mentee sessions and improving professional well-being in educational settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afona Chernet ◽  
Nicole Probst-Hensch ◽  
Véronique Sydow ◽  
Daniel H. Paris ◽  
Niklaus D. Labhardt

Abstract Objective Eritrea is the most frequent country of origin among asylum seekers in Switzerland. On their journey through the desert and across the Mediterranean Sea, Eritrea refugees are often exposed to traumatizing experiences. The aim of this study is to assess the mental health status and resilience of Eritrean migrants in Switzerland upon arrival and one-year post-arrival, using standardized mental health screening and resilience assessment tools. Results At baseline, 107 refugees (11.2% female, median age 25) were interviewed: 52 (48.6%) screened positive for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (score ≥ 30), 10.3% for anxiety (≥ 10) and 15.0% for depression (≥ 10); 17.8% scored as risk/hazardous drinkers (≥ 8). The majority (94.4%) had a high resilience score (≥ 65). For one-year follow-up, 48 asylum seekers could be reached. In interviews 18 (38%) of these reported imprisonment in a transit country and 28 (58%) that they had witnessed the death of a close person along the migration route. At the one year assessment, rates of risky/hazardous alcohol use remained unchanged, rates of positive PTSD screening tended to be lower (50.0% (24/48) at baseline vs 25.0% (12/48) at follow-up), as were rates of positive screening for anxiety (8.3% vs 4.2%) and depression (14.6 vs 6.3%).


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jirarattanasopa Pichai ◽  
Banchasakjaroen Vanchalerm ◽  
Ratanasukon Mansing

Abstract Background Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by an accumulation of subretinal fluid (SRF) in the macula. It is usually treated by laser photocoagulation or photodynamic therapy (PDT) with consisting of different doses and power. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of half-dose PDT and one-third-dose PDT in chronic or recurrent CSC. Methods A retrospective review of patients with chronic or recurrent CSC who were treated with either a half-dose or one-third-dose PDT, and had follow up 12 months afterwards. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF) at baseline as well as 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-PDT were assessed. Results Forty-six eyes and 20 eyes received half-dose and one-third-dose PDT, respectively. The study showed efficacy of the one-third-dose PDT compared with half-dose PDT in BCVA improvement (0.10±0.04 logMAR for one-third-dose versus 0.17±0.04, for half-dose, P=0.148) and CRT improvement (125.6±24.6 μm for one-third-dose versus 139.1±16.54, for half-dose, P=0.933) at 12 months. The SRF recurrence rate was significantly higher in the one-third-dose PDT group compared with the half-dose PDT group (40.0% versus 15.2%, P=0.027) at 12-months. Conclusion At 12 months, the one-third-dose PDT was effective in terms of BCVA and CRT improvement, when compared with half-dose PDT. However, this study showed that one-third-dose PDT had a higher recurrence rate of SRF.


Author(s):  
Shinwan Kany ◽  
Johannes Brachmann ◽  
Thorsten Lewalter ◽  
Ibrahim Akin ◽  
Horst Sievert ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-paroxysmal (NPAF) forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) have been reported to be associated with an increased risk for systemic embolism or death. Methods Comparison of procedural details and long-term outcomes in patients (pts) with paroxysmal AF (PAF) against controls with NPAF in the prospective, multicentre observational registry of patients undergoing LAAC (LAARGE). Results A total of 638 pts (PAF 274 pts, NPAF 364 pts) were enrolled. In both groups, a history of PVI was rare (4.0% vs 1.6%, p = 0.066). The total CHA2DS2-VASc score was lower in the PAF group (4.4 ± 1.5 vs 4.6 ± 1.5, p = 0.033), while HAS-BLED score (3.8 ± 1.1 vs 3.9 ± 1.1, p = 0.40) was comparable. The rate of successful implantation was equally high (97.4% vs 97.8%, p = 0.77). In the three-month echo follow-up, LA thrombi (2.1% vs 7.3%, p = 0.12) and peridevice leak > 5 mm (0.0% vs 7.1%, p = 0.53) were numerically higher in the NPAF group. Overall, in-hospital complications occurred in 15.0% of the PAF cohort and 10.7% of the NPAF cohort (p = 0.12). In the one-year follow-up, unadjusted mortality (8.4% vs 14.0%, p = 0.039) and combined outcome of death, stroke and systemic embolism (8.8% vs 15.1%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the NPAF cohort. After adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc and previous bleeding, NPAF was associated with increased death/stroke/systemic embolism (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.02–2.72, p = 0.041). Conclusion Atrial fibrillation type did not impair periprocedural safety or in-hospital MACE patients undergoing LAAC. However, after one year, NPAF was associated with higher mortality. Graphic abstract


Author(s):  
Luca Pingani ◽  
Sara Evans-Lacko ◽  
Sandra Coriani ◽  
Silvia Ferrari ◽  
Maria Filosa ◽  
...  

The primary aim is to describe the changes in the knowledge of mental health conditions, the attitudes toward the mentally ill, and the intended behaviour towards people with mental illness among the entire student population of the third year of a degree course in Psychology. A total of 570 students attended a seminar on stigma towards mental illness and were invited to complete an online survey which collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and three validated questionnaires evaluating different aspects of stigma at three different time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at one year follow up). A total of 253 students (44.39%) completed the questionnaires at t0, t1, and t2. The mean age of the sample was 23.7 (SD = ±5.89), and 86.96% (n = 220) were females. Between t0 and t1, a statistically significant improvement was observed for all three outcomes, while the intended behaviour outcome was no longer significant between t1 and t2 (Z = −0.70; p = 0.48). Females and who participated live at the seminar maintained a significant knowledge of mental illness and a better attitude toward community mental health care. The effects of the seminar focused on reducing stigma tended to diminish over time at one year follow-up, particular in relation to intended behaviour.


Author(s):  
Alessio Gori ◽  
Eleonora Topino

This study aimed at investigating the psychological effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy by analysing the trends of perceived stress, post-traumatic symptoms, state anxiety, worry, and civic moral disengagement in four different moments from March 2020 to March 2021. The study involved a total of 1827 Italian participants (30% men and 70% women; Mage = 34.72; SD = 12.40) divided into four groups to which an online survey was administered. The first group completed the survey in March 2020, the second one in August 2020, the third one in November 2020, and the fourth one in March 2021. Results highlighted significant decreases in post-traumatic symptoms and a significant increase in civic moral disengagement over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The levels of perceived stress, worry, and state anxiety remained constant. The correlations between the variables at different times were also explored, as well as gender differences over the year. The COVID-19 emergency has had significant effects on the mental state of the population, with important repercussions for individual and collective well-being during but probably also after the pandemic. This study offers a clear snapshot of the psychological outcomes over one COVID-19 pandemic year, providing important information that may contribute to tailor more effective interventions for mental health.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Heves Kırmızıbekmez ◽  
Rahime Gül Yesiltepe Mutlu ◽  
Serdar Moralıoğlu ◽  
Ahmet Tellioğlu ◽  
Ayşenur Cerrah Celayir

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of inherited defects of cortisol biosynthesis. A case of classical CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) with early onset of salt waste and concurrence of meningomyelocele (MMC) was presented here. The management of salt-wasting crisis which is complicated by a postrenal dysfunction due to neurogenic bladder was described. Possible reasons of growth retardation in the one-year follow-up period were discussed. A significant regression of the phallus with proper medical treatment was also mentioned.


2021 ◽  
pp. 27-29
Author(s):  
Maitri Hathi ◽  
Sudesh Kumar

Aprevious paper reported the six month comparison of weight loss in overweight and/or obese adults randomly assigned to either a VLCK-diet or LF-diet. To review the one year outcomes between these diets 1year follow-up of a randomized trial on 113 overweight/obese adults with a BMI>25 kg/m2; with no abnormalities were randomly selected. Participants who selected VLCK diet received counseling to restrict carbohydrate intake to <30 gram per day and those who selected LF diet received counseling to restrict caloric intake by 500 calories per day with <30% of calories from fat. Changes in weight, Body Mass Index, Body Fat, and Waist Circumference were measured at intervals of rst, third, sixth and twelfth month of participants who completed the one-year follow-up. Participants on the very-low-carbohydrate diet had lost more weight loss than participants on the conventional low-fat diet at 3months, 6month and but the difference at 12months were signicant. Study conclude that participants on a VLCK-diet had more favorable overall outcomes at 1year than did those on a conventional LF-diet. Weight loss was similar between groups.


1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 477-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Goldberg-Glen ◽  
Roberta G. Sands ◽  
Ralph D. Cole ◽  
Carolyn Cristofalo

‘Skipped generation’ families, consisting of grandparents and grandchildren with parents absent from the home, are frequently served in social work agencies. These families have unique multigenerational patterns and family structures that are important for service providers to recognize. This paper uses a multigenerational systems perspective to highlight the diversity among grandparent-headed households. Twenty families who were previously part of a larger study of stress, well-being, and life satisfaction among caregiving grandparents constituted a follow-up case study involving videotaped family interviews one year after the first study. Three families representing the range of diversity among the twenty are described with accompanying genograms. Differences in structure, interactional processes, and links with prior generations are identified in each case. These examples reveal the strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as the diversity, of grandparent-headed families.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document