Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of an App-Based Meditation Intervention to Improve Firefighter Well-Being During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaddeus W W Pace ◽  
Katharine H Zeiders ◽  
Stephanie Cook ◽  
Evelyn Sarsar ◽  
Lindsay T Hoyt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Occupational Stressors ◽  
Objective Indicator ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Insight Into

BACKGROUND Firefighters are often exposed to occupational stressors that can result in psychological distress. These occupational stressors have only intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and will likely persist in the post-pandemic world. OBJECTIVE To address occupational stressors confronting firefighters and to improve their well-being, we pilot tested a novel, cost-effective smartphone-based meditation intervention created by Healthy Minds Innovations (Madison, WI) that focused on trainings in mindfulness (awareness) along with practices designed to cultivate positive relationships (connection), insight into the nature of the self (insight), as well as sense of purpose in the context of challenge (purpose) with a sample of professional firefighters from a large metropolitan area in the southwestern United States. METHODS Participants (N = 35) completed the self-guided, 10-unit meditation app over the course of 10 days, with one unit per day. We assessed several aspects of psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, burnout, and negative affect) and an objective indicator of stress-related biology, saliva diurnal cortisol rhythm, before and after use of the meditation app. RESULTS The study demonstrated the meditation app was both feasible and acceptable for use with firefighters. We also found significant reductions in firefighters’ anxiety, burnout, and negative affect, as well as changes in cortisol diurnal rhythm from before to after use of the meditation app. CONCLUSIONS Findings support future research to demonstrate efficacy of this meditation app to improve firefighter well-being.

scholarly journals 400 - Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training with an Elderly Community Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 116-116
Author(s):  
M Pires ◽  
A Antunes ◽  
C Gameiro ◽  
C Pombo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Before And After

Community-focused programs that promote active and healthy aging can help preserve cognitive capacities, prevent or reverse cognitive deficits. Computer-based cognitive training (CCT) is a promising non-pharmacological, cost -effective and accessible intervention to face the effects of age-related cognitive decline. Previous studies proved CCT to have equal or better efficacy compared to traditional interventions. This comparative multifactorial study aims to test the efficacy of a CCT in a non-randomized community sample of 74 older adults: G1-CCT Experimental group (n=43) (Mean age M=72.21, SD=12.65) and G2- Paper-Pencil Control group (n=31; M=77.94, SD=10.51). Pensioners (97.3%), mostly women (83.8 %) with basic education (51.4%) and without dementia diagnosis, completed a cognitive training program of 17 or 34 group sessions (twice a week). G2 undertook a classic cognitive paper-pencil stimuli tasks. G1, performed, additionally, individual CCT with COGWEB® in a multimodal format (intensive training of attention, calculation, memory, gnosis, praxis, executive functions). Both groups completed Portuguese versions of Mini -Mental State Examination (MMSE),Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA); Geriatric Depressive Scale (GDS); Mini Dependence Assessment (MDA); WHOOQL 5 and Social Support Satisfaction Scale (ESSS) before and after participating in the program. Both groups reported better post-test scores on basic cognitive functions (MMSE, MOCA), Depression symptoms (GDS-30), subjective well-being and quality of life (WHOOQL-5). G1 presented higher MOCA and lower GDS scores before and after CCT, although, group differences become less expressive when interaction effects are considered. Results are in line with findings from past studies, CCT supported by the new technologies, is as a relevant cost-effective therapeutic tool for health professionals working with older adults. Particularly for preventive purposes of neuro-cognitive disorders.

scholarly journals The Psychological Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic Restrictions in Italy. The Mediating Role of the Fear of COVID-19 in the Relationship between Positive and Negative Affect with Positive and Negative Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-710
Author(s):  
Andrea Zammitti ◽  
Chiara Imbrogliera ◽  
Angela Russo ◽  
Rita Zarbo ◽  
Paola Magnano
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

Italy was quickly hit hard by the coronavirus. ‘Lockdown’ has significantly impacted the psychological health, personal wellbeing and quality of life of the people. The study aims to explore the relationship between positive and negative affect, as well as positive (spiritual well-being and flourishing) and negative outcomes (psychological distress caused by a traumatic life event in terms of perception of PTSD symptoms) on Italian adults during the lockdown period. Data was collected between April and May 2020. The participants were 281 Italian adults aged between 18 and 73 years. The survey was composed of the following measures: Flourishing Scale, Jarel Spiritual Well-Being scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Impact of Event Scale—Revised, Fear of COVID-19. The mediational analysis shows that fear of COVID-19 fully mediates the relationship between negative affect and spiritual well-being and flourishing; fear of COVID-19 partially mediates the relationship between negative affect and PTSD symptoms; the positive affect shows only direct effects on positive outcomes. Therefore, fear of COVID-19 does not play any mediation role. Implications for psychological interventions and future research will be discussed.

scholarly journals Influence on Forgiveness, Character Strengths and Satisfaction with Life of a Short Mindfulness Intervention via a Spanish Smartphone Application

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 802
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Pizarro-Ruiz ◽  
Nuria Ordóñez-Camblor ◽  
Mario Del-Líbano ◽  
María-Camino Escolar-LLamazares
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Practice ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Reducing Stress ◽  
Positive Effect

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are a recognized effective psychological practice characterized by attention control, awareness, acceptance, non-reactivity, and non-judgmental thinking obtained through the practice of meditation. They have been shown to be useful in reducing stress and enhancing well-being in different contexts. In this research, the effectiveness of an MBI was evaluated on variables that can promote successful job performance such as mindfulness trait, positive and negative affect, forgiveness, personality strengths and satisfaction with life. The intervention was carried out through a smartphone application called “Aire Fresco” (Fresh Air) during 14 days in the middle of the quarantine produced by the Covid-19 pandemic. The study sample was composed of 164 Spanish people who were distributed in two groups: control group and experimental group, which were evaluated before and after the intervention. The MANCOVA performed showed an overall positive effect of the intervention on the variables evaluated. The different ANCOVAs carried out showed that the intervention was beneficial in increasing mindfulness trait, reducing negative affect or increasing life satisfaction, among others. Our study is, as far as we know, the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of a brief intervention in mindfulness conducted using a smartphone application in Spanish.

scholarly journals Screening Using the SDQ Total Difficulties Scale: An Analog Test of Three Cutoff Values

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler L Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Analog Test ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

This brief report presents an analog test of the relative classification validity of three cutoff values (CVs; 16, 18, and 20) derived from responses to the self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: Total Difficulties Scale. Results from Bayesian t-tests, using several school-specific subjective well-being indicators as dependent variables, yielded evidence suggesting all CV models effectively differentiated between students with lower and higher levels of risk. Evidence also indicated that the lowest CV (16) was more effective than the higher CVs (18, 20) at identifying students with greater levels of risk, and that the higher CVs functioned comparably well. Implications for future research and practice are noted.

scholarly journals Age Differences in the Relationship Between Daily Social Media Usage and Affect

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 410-410
Author(s):  
Xin Yao Lin ◽  
Margie Lachman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Daily Time

Abstract Social media platforms allow people to connect and share content online (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). Although older adults are becoming more frequent users of social media, there continue to be mixed views on whether social media positively or negatively impacts well-being. Past studies have mainly focused on cross-sectional analyses for individual differences. However, both the time spent on social media and one’s affect can fluctuate on a daily basis. Thus, it is important to understand how the relationship between daily social media usage and affect varies within individuals from day to day. The current study adds to the literature by examining whether daily variations in time spent with social media are related to daily positive and negative affect and whether there are age differences in these relationships. The current study used an eight-day daily diary from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Refresher dataset for 782 participants (ages 25-75). Multilevel modeling results revealed that age moderated the relationship between daily time spent on social media and negative affect: for younger adults, on days when they spent more time on social media, they had more negative affect. For older adults, on days when they spent more time on social media, they had less negative affect. Surprisingly, daily time spent on social media was not related to daily positive affect, nor did this relationship differ by age. Implications for future research are discussed with a focus on how social media usage can contribute to daily well-being for adults of different ages.

scholarly journals Selective suppression of rapid eye movement sleep increases next-day negative affect and amygdala responses to social exclusion

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Glosemeyer ◽  
Susanne Diekelmann ◽  
Werner Cassel ◽  
Karl Kesper ◽  
Ulrich Koehler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Neural Underpinnings

Abstract Healthy sleep, positive general affect, and the ability to regulate emotional experiences are fundamental for well-being. In contrast, various mental disorders are associated with altered rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, negative affect, and diminished emotion regulation abilities. However, the neural processes mediating the relationship between these different phenomena are still not fully understood. In the present study of 42 healthy volunteers, we investigated the effects of selective REM sleep suppression (REMS) on general affect, as well as on feelings of social exclusion, cognitive reappraisal (CRA) of emotions, and their neural underpinnings. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging we show that, on the morning following sleep suppression, REMS increases general negative affect, enhances amygdala responses and alters its functional connectivity with anterior cingulate cortex during passively experienced experimental social exclusion. However, we did not find effects of REMS on subjective emotional ratings in response to social exclusion, their regulation using CRA, nor on functional amygdala connectivity while participants employed CRA. Our study supports the notion that REM sleep is important for affective processes, but emphasizes the need for future research to systematically investigate how REMS impacts different domains of affective experience and their neural correlates, in both healthy and (sub-)clinical populations.

Literature Review of Clergy Resilience and Recommendations for Future Research

2020 ◽  
pp. 009164712096813
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Sielaff ◽  
Kate Rae Davis ◽  
J. Derek McNeil
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Professional Ministry

Clergy often experience a call to help others; however, this passion is hard to sustain because of the chronic and traumatic stress that are components of the job. Because of the unique stressors that are part of professional ministry, clergy need targeted support that is systemic as well as individual to practice resilience. This review of the research provides insight into what factors most impact clergy well-being; as congregations, supervisors, and denominations learn more about these factors, they can more effectively create environments in which clergy can be resilient. This review of the literature also illuminates what clergy might do for themselves to create a sustainable work life that supports their growth and thriving in the midst of adversity in ministry. In addition to articulating the specific stressors clergy face, this review resources congregations, clergy, and supervisors with practical applications of resilience research.

Staying in or switching between permanent, temporary and self-employment during 2008–2010: Associations with changing job characteristics and emotional exhaustion

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Bernhard-Oettel ◽  
Constanze Leineweber ◽  
Hugo Westerlund
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
The Self ◽  
Temporary Workers ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Economic Downturns ◽  
Before And After

Labour market segmentation theories suggest that permanent and temporary workers are exposed to economic risks to different degrees, and differ in their working life quality and well-being. However, few studies have tested these ideas during times of economic crisis. Also, little is known about how the self-employed compare to permanent and temporary workers and are affected by economic downturns. This study investigated Swedish workers in different labour market segments before and after the financial crisis (2008 and 2010). More specifically, it looked at job characteristics and strain differences between permanent, temporary and self-employed workers. Data ( N = 6335) came from SLOSH, a longitudinal representative cohort study of the Swedish workforce. Contradicting segmentation theories, differences between permanent and temporary workers were small. The self-employed stood out with favourable job characteristics, but comparable strain levels. During the crisis, work demands and strain declined for many of the workers studied here.

scholarly journals RETIREES’ MEMORIES OF WORK LIFE AND WELL-BEING AFTER RETIREMENT: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S309-S310
Author(s):  
Tina Hahnel ◽  
Sabine Hommelhoff ◽  
Hsiao-Wen Liao
Keyword(s):  
Life Story ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Workplace Relationships ◽  
Work Lives ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Meaning ◽  
Difficult Times

Abstract Reminiscence research has grown immensely in the past 30 years. Yet, research on personal memories of work lives is lacking. This is surprising because work is a crucial aspect of many people’s lives and an important life story chapter (Thomsen, Pillemer, & Ivcevic, 2011). Part of a larger project, the present qualitative study aimed to understand (1) what retirees remember about their work lives and (2) whether and how retirees tie those memories to their current well-being. Six in-depth interviews on lives before and after retirement (4 women and 2 men with different careers, age range 65 to 87 years) were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Findings of a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) revealed that participants reported both big and small stories. They first narrated landmark events (e.g., job loss after the Fall of the German Wall) and continued to recount many little incidents (e.g., a child asking an unretiring teacher if she is now "done with retirement”). Additionally, participants not only reminisced about work itself (i.e., what jobs were like) but equally about workplace relationships (e.g., particularly positive or negative relations with supervisors). Despite difficult times at work, participants reported that they were now at peace with how things went and generally satisfied with their current lives. We discuss how the type (i.e., big or small) and content (i.e., work- or relationship-focused) of retirees’ memories and positive meaning-making (i.e., recounting work lives in a positive light) may contribute to well-being and propose a conceptual model for future research.

Development and Initial Validation of the Self-Care Practices Scale

Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn J Lee ◽  
Shari E Miller ◽  
Brian E Bride
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Care Practices

Abstract Self-care is regarded as essential for effective social work practice, offsetting occupational stress and promoting well-being and resiliency among practitioners. However, the literature reveals a notable absence of psychometrically sound instruments to measure self-care. The purpose of the present study was to describe the development, refinement, and construct validity of the Self-Care Practices Scale (SCPS). The piloted version of the SCPS is a 38-item instrument designed to measure frequency of engagement in personal and professional self-care practices. Data were collected through mailed surveys from a random sample of master’s-level clinical social workers and members of the National Association of Social Workers (N = 492). Analysis supports the construct validity of an 18-item SCPS with two subscales that demonstrate strong internal validity. The SCPS is useful for social work educators, practitioners, and administrators to ascertain frequency of self-care practice and build a stronger culture of self-care. The role of SCPS in future research is discussed.

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