scholarly journals Religious and Spiritual Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Addiction Treatment: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer T. Grant ◽  
Joshua B. Grubbs
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Addiction Treatment ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Religion And Spirituality ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Current State ◽  
Standardized Measurement ◽  
The Individual

Introduction: Throughout history, ideas about addiction have been informed and influenced by religious belief and practice. Even continuing into the present, religion and spirituality are often thought to impact attitudes towards addiction and its treatment, particularly given the use of religion and spirituality in various well-known treatments such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Although research has flourished with regards to the role that addiction and spirituality might play in vulnerability to addiction or the treatment of addiction, there has been comparatively less research examining how religion might impact attitudes toward addiction more broadly. Method: The present work sought to examine the current state of empirical literature evaluating the relationships between religion and attitudes toward addiction and addiction treatment. In service of the above aim, a systematic review was conducted. Results: This summary of peer-reviewed, quantitative studies (n=36) found that higher religiosity is related to more belief in the disease model of addiction in providers, negative attitudes towards addiction, and a stronger support for spiritually based treatments. However, results varied based on the measures used and many relationships tested were not significant. There also appeared to be differences in the interaction between religion and spirituality and other variables, such as the respondent’s sex or whether the individual was a student or provider, in terms of attitudes. Conclusions: Further research is needed to fully understand the nuances in the relationship between these variables, including more clear operationalization and standardized measurement. Until such research is conducted, no cohesive conclusions can be drawn, and clinical implications remain unclear.

scholarly journals Racial Prejudice and Police Stops: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Literature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline Ara Carvalho ◽  
Táhcita Mizael ◽  
Angelo A. S. Sampaio
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Prejudice ◽  
Police Force ◽  
Institutional Racism ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Police Departments ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Negative Perceptions ◽  
The Relationship

A police stop must be based on founded suspicion, an officer’s ability to correctly discriminate suspicious behavior. However, police stops can be influenced by negative attitudes towards Black individuals. We conducted a systematic review of empirical articles published from 2014 until 2019 that investigated the relationship between racial prejudice and police stops on PsycInfo, using keywords such as “race”, “ethnic”, “police stop”, “traffic stop”, and “stop and frisk”. Results included 16 studies conducted in the United States (US), England, Wales, and the Netherlands, and showed that: Black men were the most frequent targets of police stops; many individuals who have been stopped by the police reported negative perceptions of the police force; the Stop, Question, and Frisk strategy used by some US police departments proved to be a type of stop that favors racial selectivity; and that traffic stops were favorable environments for racially biased actions by officers. We conclude that institutional racism in police stops proves to be a problem shared by several countries, including Brazil. We suggest more investigations to characterize institutional racism in the police force and in other settings and interventions aimed at reducing individual biases and collective racist practices.

scholarly journals Mapping Political Trust and Involvement in the Personality Space – A Systematic Review and Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurits Bromme ◽  
Tobias Rothmund
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Big Five ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Political Trust ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Second Step ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Current State ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Hierarchical Levels

Individual differences in political trust and involvement in politics have been linked to Big Five personality dispositions. However, inconsistent correlational patterns have been reported. As a systematic review is still missing, the present paper provides an overview of the current state of the empirical literature. A systematic review of 43 publications (N = 215,323 participants) confirmed substantial inconsistency in the correlational patterns and corroborated a suspicion that the frequent use of low-bandwidth personality short scales might be responsible, among other reasons. In a second step, we conducted two empirical studies (N1 = 988 and N2 = 795), estimating latent correlations between the Big Five and political trust and involvement at different hierarchical levels. We found that personality relations were consistent across different subdimensions of trust (e.g., trust in politicians, institutional trust) and involvement (e.g., political interest, political self-efficacy, participation propensity) and are therefore best estimated at aggregated levels (i.e., general political trust and involvement). Meanwhile, correlational patterns differed substantially between Big Five facets, confirming that previous inconsistencies can be partly attributed to a misbalanced representation of facets in Big Five short scales and indicating that associations should be estimated at lower levels of the personality hierarchy.

Theories, Methods, and Evidence

2019 ◽  
pp. 29-54
Author(s):  
Alette Smeulers ◽  
Barbora Holá ◽  
Maartje Weerdesteijn
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Current State ◽  
Mass Atrocity ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Atrocity Crimes

This chapter provides an overview of the most prominent theories, methods, and evidence in perpetrator studies. It outlines the most important theories within the field focusing on the individual perpetrator, his/her immediate situation, and the broader societal and cultural context. In addition, it describes the extent to which these theories are supported by empirical evidence. The methods and data sources employed to study perpetrators are briefly discussed, distinguishing between qualitative and quantitative studies. The theories, methods, and evidence are critically evaluated to reflect on three questions: what we know about the perpetrators of mass atrocity crimes, how we know it, and what we assume. This chapter, therefore, aims to present a critical reflection on the current state of the art in the emerging field of perpetrator studies.

The importance and significance of gene polymorphisms in preeclampsia

2016 ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
P.N. Veropotvelyan ◽  
◽  
I.S. Tsehmistrenko ◽  
N.P. Veropotvelyan ◽  
N.S. Rusak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Extended Study ◽  
Stress Genes ◽  
Detoxification System ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

Was to conduct a systematic review of data on the relationship between polymorphisms genes of detoxification system and development of preeclampsia (РЕ). Рresents the main genes of detoxification system (GSTPI, GSTМI, GSTТI, GРХI, ЕРНХI, SOD-2, SOD-3, CYPIAL, MTHЕR, MTR) and their functions. Of interest is the possibility of calculating the individual risk of PE based on the results about the presence of a combination of different polymorphisms in the genotype of the female. Question about early diagnosis of РЕ remains controversial and not fully understood. It is necessary to conduct further in-depth, extended study of this problem. Key words: preeclampsia, oxidative stress, genes of the detoxification system.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Plant Derived Natural Products – A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (24) ◽  
pp. 4506-4536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris E. Allijn ◽  
René P. Brinkhuis ◽  
Gert Storm ◽  
Raymond M. Schiffelers
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Reference Compound ◽  
Individual Molecular Species ◽  
The Past ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Natural Medicines

Traditionally, natural medicines have been administered as plant extracts, which are composed of a mixture of molecules. The individual molecular species in this mixture may or may not contribute to the overall medicinal effects and some may even oppose the beneficial activity of others. To better control therapeutic effects, studies that characterized specific molecules and describe their individual activity that have been performed over the past decades. These studies appear to underline that natural products are particularly effective as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. In this systematic review we aimed to identify potent anti-inflammatory natural products and relate their efficacy to their chemical structure and physicochemical properties. To identify these compounds, we performed a comprehensive literature search to find those studies, in which a dose-response description and a positive control reference compound was used to benchmark the observed activity. Of the analyzed papers, 7% of initially selected studies met these requirements and were subjected to further analysis. This analysis revealed that most selected natural products indeed appeared to possess anti-inflammatory activities, in particular anti-oxidative properties. In addition, 14% of the natural products outperformed the remaining natural products in all tested assays and are attractive candidates as new anti-inflammatory agents.

Intersection of smoking, e-cigarette use, obesity, and metabolic and bariatric surgery: a systematic review of the current state of evidence

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Nimisha Srikanth ◽  
Luyu Xie ◽  
Elisa Morales-Marroquin ◽  
Ashley Ofori ◽  
Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Current State ◽  
Metabolic And Bariatric Surgery

Inquiry‐based stress reduction: A systematic review of the empirical literature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua N. Hook ◽  
Jennifer Kim Penberthy ◽  
Don E. Davis ◽  
Daryl R. Van Tongeren
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Empirical Literature

scholarly journals Sulforaphane ameliorates lipid profile in rodents: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaili Du ◽  
Yuxin Fan ◽  
Dan Li
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Liver Weight ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver

AbstractSulforaphane (SFN), a naturally-occurring isothiocyanate enriched in cabbage and broccoli, has been provided as food supplements to improve weight management and reduce lipid levels. However, its effects on serum lipid profiles are contradictory. In this review, a meta-analysis and systematic review of SFN on lipid reduction and weight control is assessed with mice and rats fed on high-fat diet. The effects of SFN supplementation were evaluated by weighted mean difference (WMD) in body weight (BW), liver weight (LW) and also by its effect on serum lipids. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the overall summary effect. SFN reduced BW (WMD: − 2.76 g, 95% CI: − 4.19, − 1.34) and LW (WMD: − 0.93 g, 95% CI: − 1.63, − 0.23) significantly in our ten trials. Its effects on serum total cholesterol (TC) (WMD: − 15.62 mg/dL, 95% CI: − 24.07, − 7.18), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: − 8.35 mg/dL, 95% CI: − 15.47, − 1.24) and triglyceride (TG) (WMD: − 40.85 mg/dL, 95% CI: − 67.46, − 14.24) were significant except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) component (WMD: 1.05 mg/dL, 95% CI: − 3.44, 5.54). However, species, disease model, duration, SFN dosage as well as route of administration did not explain the heterogeneity among studies. In summary, these findings provide new insights concerning preclinical strategies for treating diseases including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as cardiovascular disease with SFN supplements.

scholarly journals Functional illiteracy and developmental dyslexia: looking for common roots. A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Réka Vágvölgyi ◽  
Kirstin Bergström ◽  
Aleksandar Bulajić ◽  
Maria Klatte ◽  
Tânia Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Developmental Dyslexia ◽  
Phonological Processing ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Behavioral Profile ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Functional Illiteracy ◽  
Basic Reading Skills

AbstractA considerable amount of the population in more economically developed countries are functionally illiterate (i.e., low literate). Despite some years of schooling and basic reading skills, these individuals cannot properly read and write and, as a consequence have problems to understand even short texts. An often-discussed approach (Greenberg et al. 1997) assumes weak phonological processing skills coupled with untreated developmental dyslexia as possible causes of functional illiteracy. Although there is some data suggesting commonalities between low literacy and developmental dyslexia, it is still not clear, whether these reflect shared consequences (i.e., cognitive and behavioral profile) or shared causes. The present systematic review aims at exploring the similarities and differences identified in empirical studies investigating both functional illiterate and developmental dyslexic samples. Nine electronic databases were searched in order to identify all quantitative studies published in English or German. Although a broad search strategy and few limitations were applied, only 5 studies have been identified adequate from the resulting 9269 references. The results point to the lack of studies directly comparing functional illiterate with developmental dyslexic samples. Moreover, a huge variance has been identified between the studies in how they approached the concept of functional illiteracy, particularly when it came to critical categories such the applied definition, terminology, criteria for inclusion in the sample, research focus, and outcome measures. The available data highlight the need for more direct comparisons in order to understand what extent functional illiteracy and dyslexia share common characteristics.

scholarly journals Equity considerations in outcome measures of the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis care continuum in high-income countries: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e040701
Author(s):  
Melissa Cabecinha ◽  
Danielle Solomon ◽  
Greta Rait ◽  
John Saunders ◽  
Hamish Mohammed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Prep Implementation ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

IntroductionHIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective intervention to reduce acquisition of HIV. PrEP provision has increased in recent years, however, it is not known whether PrEP implementation has been equitably implemented across all risk groups, particularly groups experiencing high levels of health inequity. A PrEP care continuum (PCC) has been proposed to evaluate the success of PrEP implementation programmes, but the extent to which health equity characteristics are currently taken into account in the PCC has not been described. The objectives of this proposed systematic review are to (i) identify and collate outcome measure definitions for the main stages of the PCC (awareness, acceptability, uptake, adherence and retention), (ii) describe how equity characteristics are considered in outcome definitions of the PCC and (iii) describe data sources for capturing equity characteristics.Methods and analysisQuantitative studies published between 1 January 2012 and 3 March 2020 will be included. Five databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts) will be searched to identify English language publications that include an outcome measure definition of at least one of the five main stages of the PCC. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Data on outcome measure definitions and equity characteristics will be extracted. Results will be presented in a narrative synthesis and all findings will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required. The results will be disseminated via submission for publication to a peer-reviewed journal when complete. The review findings will have relevance to healthcare professionals, policymakers and commissioners in informing how to best evaluate PrEP implementation programmes and inform new implementation strategies for vulnerable and less advantaged populations.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020169779.

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