scholarly journals The Tree Is My Anchor: A Pilot Study on the Treatment of BED through Nature-Based Therapy

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sus Corazon ◽  
Ulrik Sidenius ◽  
Katrine Vammen ◽  
Sabine Klinker ◽  
Ulrika Stigsdotter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Eating Disorder Examination

Binge eating disorder (BED), characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating with a subjective experience of lack of control, is the world’s most common eating disorder. The aim of the present pilot study was to examine the feasibility of implementing nature-based therapy (NBT) in the treatment of BED. The NBT intervention was compared to Support Group Meetings (SGMs), which are the only publicly available form of support for people diagnosed with BED in Denmark. Twenty participants with a BED diagnosis were included in the study, which had a mixed-methods design including Eating Disorder Examination interviews, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires measuring well-being (The Psychological General Well-Being Index) and self-esteem (Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale). Both the NBT and the SGMs showed positive results on all outcome measures (decreases in binge eating episodes and increases in general psychological well-being and self-esteem). The interviews indicated that the NBT context made the psychotherapeutic content more accessible to the participants and further helped them transfer the therapeutic gains to daily life after completing treatment. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size—ideally, they would need to be tested on a larger, randomized sample.

Extra care housing: exploring motivations, expectations and perceptions

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Michael James Buckland ◽  
Anthea Tinker
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Housing Association ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Extra Care Housing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the motivations and expectations that older people have when choosing to move into either a private or housing association (HA) extra care housing (ECH) scheme, and any effects this had on its residents. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study is based on findings from four HA schemes in Tower Hamlets, London, and one private scheme in Warwickshire. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women and three men of varying backgrounds, from schemes managed by different associations and companies. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed thematically. Findings All residents moved into ECH in response to deteriorating health. However, almost all residents had felt obliged to move by others, generally their children. Few residents had any expectations of ECH on arrival, but many developed high expectations of an increased sense of independence and security and of an improved social life. ECH appeared to be beneficial for residents’ health and well-being. Research limitations/implications The inability to recruit an equal number of people from HA and private scheme, alongside the small sample size, may compromise the external validity of any conclusions drawn from any comparisons. Practical implications This research identifies a lack of knowledge about ECH among the general population and offers insight into areas of poor management within ECH schemes which could be improved. Social implications Inadequacies in the ECH model could be attributed to failures in the current health and social care system. Differences between expectations and perceptions of HA vs private schemes should be acknowledged and responded to. Originality/value This is a rare example of research exploring the relationships between ECH residents’ motivations and expectations (Hillcoat-Nallétamby and Sardani, 2019), and between those in HA vs private schemes.

scholarly journals Connection Failure: Systemic Disadvantages Facing the LGBTQ+ Community in Therapy and how to Address them

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-76
Author(s):  
Erin Roach
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Therapist Knowledge

This paper examines the experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community in accessing mental health care in Ottawa, Canada, both positive and negative, and what might be done to improve outcomes. The paper includes a literature review of empirical studies and theoretical works about conducting therapy with LGBTQ+ clients, as well as the results of a pilot study conducted by the researcher to examine in depth the experience of a small sample of LGBTQ+ clients in Ottawa (N=4). Through semi-structured interviews, the researcher found that three out of four participants had experienced some dissatisfaction with how their identity was addressed in therapy, and as a result their overall well-being had suffered. This implies that therapists could be doing more to connect with their LGBTQ+ clients, potentially through better educating themselves on the issues affecting the community, as recommended by the participants. Increasing therapist knowledge would likely improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ clients.

Developmental Coordination Disorder and Self-Esteem: Do Occupational Therapy Groups Have a Positive Effect?

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 393-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve McWilliams
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Coordination Disorder ◽  
Positive Effect

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have motor difficulties that impede the acquisition of both functional and academic skills and evidence suggests that these children may also have reduced self-esteem. One approach to treatment often adopted by occupational therapists is in the form of group therapy. Anecdotal evidence indicates that although these groups may produce little improvement in motor skills, there may be an associated increase in the children's self-confidence and self-esteem. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether this was the case. A mixed methodology was used to evaluate the self-esteem of 12 children with DCD and to obtain the views of their parents/carers. A repeated measure design was used to assess the children using a validated measure of self-esteem, the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventories (CFSEI-2, Battle 1992), at initial assessment and pre and post therapy group. The parents/carers of the children were asked to complete a questionnaire during the last therapy group session and this formed the basis of a post-group interview. The results indicated that for this group of children the therapy groups did have a positive effect on their self-esteem in the majority of cases. Although it is unreasonable to draw definite conclusions from this pilot study because of the small sample size, possible implications for policy and practice are discussed and suggestions for further research are given.

scholarly journals “Gender Differences in the Psychopathology of Obesity: How Relevant is the Role of Binge Eating Behaviors?”

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Di Natale ◽  
Lorenza Lucidi ◽  
Chiara Montemitro ◽  
Mauro Pettorruso ◽  
Rebecca Collevecchio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
The Body ◽  
Psychiatric Evaluation ◽  
Eating Disorder Examination ◽  
Chi Squared

Abstract Purpose: the aim of the study is the identification of the main psychopathological correlates of obese candidates for bariatric surgery, with particular attention to the relation between them and gender.Methods: 273 candidates for bariatric surgery for obesity underwent a psychiatric evaluation with compilation of psychometric scales: Revised Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90R), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Binge Eating Scale (BES), Body Uneasiness Test (BUT), Obesity Related Well-Being (O.R. WELL). The sample has been divided on the basis of Gender and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) severity; comparisons between the groups is performed with an analysis of variance model (ANOVA) or a Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Further we also divided our sample in a Severe Binge Eating group (scores > 27), a Mild to Moderate group (18 < scores < 26) and a low/no symptoms group (scores < 17).Results: male and female subjects showed a difference in BES, with higher scores reported among women (17.50 ± 9.59) than men (14.08 ± 8.64). Women also showed higher scores across most of the SCL-90R domains and worse outcomes in terms of quality of life. Both women and men of Severe Binge Eating group reported higher scores of the SCL-90R.Conclusion: symptoms of BED, along with the Body Image Dissatisfaction (BID) are among the most important to investigate in candidates for bariatric surgery, to improve the surgery outcome.Level of evidence: III – evidence from cohort analytic study.

scholarly journals Younger workers’ attitudes and perceptions towards older colleagues

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Patel ◽  
Anthea Tinker ◽  
Laurie Corna
Keyword(s):  
Older Workers ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Younger Workers ◽  
The Uk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate younger workers’ perceptions of older colleagues, including whether there is evidence of ageism. Design/methodology/approach Convenience sampling was used to recruit ten individuals who were both below the age of 35 and employed at a multigenerational workplace in England. The study is qualitative, involving semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings This study found that whilst some younger employees valued working with older colleagues as they believe that their differing characteristics are complementary, others felt that it leads to intergenerational conflict due to contrasting approaches towards work. Positive perceptions of older workers included their increased knowledge and experience, reliability and better social skills; however, ageism was also prevalent, such as the perception of older workers as resistant to change, slower at using technology and lacking the drive to progress. This study also provided evidence for the socioemotional selectivity and social identity theories. Research limitations/implications This study has a small sample size and participants were only recruited from London. Practical implications In order to create working environments that are conducive to the well-being of employees of all ages, organisations should place an emphasis on reducing intergenerational tension. This could be achieved by team building sessions that provide an opportunity for individuals to understand generational differences. Originality/value There is minimal evidence from the UK focussing on the perceptions of specifically younger workers towards older colleagues and the basis of their attitudes. Only by gaining an insight into their attitudes and the reasoning behind them, can efforts be made to decrease ageism.

“I Would Just Feel Really Relaxed and at Peace”: Findings From a Pilot Prison Yoga Program in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (15-16) ◽  
pp. 2531-2549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorana Bartels ◽  
Lisa N. Oxman ◽  
Anthony Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
International Research ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Goal Direction

International research provides support for yoga as a well-being intervention in prison. No systematic research has been undertaken in Australia to assess the effectiveness of prison yoga programs. In 2017, the authors, in partnership with Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Corrective Services and the Yoga Foundation, introduced a weekly pilot yoga program at the ACT prison. This article presents quantitative and qualitative findings from the program. Although the small sample size ( n = 8) is acknowledged, our findings indicate that participants attained statistically and clinically significant benefit from the program, demonstrated by improvements in their levels of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, goal-direction, negative affect, and non-acceptance. They also reported improved flexibility, sleep and relaxation, pain reduction, and identified improvements in their mental well-being, commenting that the program made them feel “calm” and “at peace.” The article concludes by advocating for the expansion of such programs in Australian prisons and further research on such programs.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Competitive Memory Training (COMET) for low self-esteem in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A randomized controlled pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Balci ◽  
Marga Kwakman ◽  
Bianca Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Externalizing Problems ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Internalizing And Externalizing

Background: Youth with ASD are at risk to develop low self-esteem, which is related to both co-occurring internalizing- and externalizing problems. In this RCT (N=24) we aimed to test the efficacy of Competitive Memory Training (COMET) for low self-esteem in youth with ASD (8-16y). Method: We compared the combination of COMET and Care As Usual (COMET+CAU) with CAU-only, to explore whether COMET had additional effects on low self-esteem and co-occurring symptoms of youth with ASD. Stability of effects was measured seven weeks later. Results: Participants receiving COMET+CAU showed greater improvement on parent-reported self-esteem and externalizing symptoms than participants receiving CAU-only. Similar improvements between groups were found on self-reported self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Improvements remained stable until seven weeks after having received COMET+CAU, with depressive symptomatology improving even further. Conclusions: Given the small sample size and mixed results, this pilot study does not allow us to declare COMET as being necessary in enhancing low self-esteem in ASD. However, this study indicates that when given parallel to CAU, COMET can help to improve self-esteem and co-occurring externalizing problems in youth with ASD in only a short period of time.

An influence of social isolation on the level of physical activity as well as on well-being and mental state of people during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-131
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Parfin ◽  
Krystian Wdowiak ◽  
Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽  
Jolanta Herda
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIntroduction. The COVID-19 is the name of an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was first diagnosed in December 2019 in patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The symptoms are dominated by features of respiratory tract infections, in some patients with a very severe course leading to respiratory failure and, in extreme cases to death. Due to the spread of the infection worldwide, the WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.Aim. An investigation of the impact of social isolation introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic on selected aspects of life. The researchers focused on observing changes in habits related to physical activity and their connections with people’s subjective well-being and emotional state.Material and methods. The study was carried out within the international project of the group „IRG on COVID and exercise”. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire.Results. Based on the data collected and the analysis of the percentage results, it can be observed that the overwhelming majority of people taking up physical activity reported a better mood during the pandemic. However, statistical tests do not confirm these relationships due to the small sample size.Conclusions. Isolation favours physical activity. Future, in-depth studies, by enlarging the population group, are necessary to confirm the above observations.

scholarly journals The Symbiotic Mutualism between Co-Creation and Entrepreneurship

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6285
Author(s):  
Sandra Misiak-Kwit ◽  
Małgorzata Wiścicka-Fernando ◽  
Kelaniyage Shihan Dilruk Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Symbiotic Mutualism

In this manuscript, the authors aim to explore firstly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and co-creation experience, secondly the association between co-creation experience and entrepreneurial intentions, and thirdly the association between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial intentions within the sustainability context. In this paper, the authors present the results of the pilot study. Primary data were collected from 500 university students from China, Georgia, Poland, Romania, and Sri Lanka by using a convenient sampling technique, and a literature review was the primary method of the concept development. The authors selected the above-mentioned countries to collect primary data by using a convenient sampling technique based on accessibility; they also visited all analysed countries in order to conduct the pilot survey personally. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were applied as primary statistical methods. The findings reveal that there is a very strong association between co-creation experience and entrepreneurial intentions, a very weak negative association between entrepreneurial mindset and co-creation experience, and, surprisingly, a weak association between entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial intentions. The added value of the conducted pilot research involves filling in a gap regarding the relationship between experience and the subjective norm. In the presented pilot research, co-creation experience was compared with not only entrepreneurial mindset but with entrepreneurial intentions as well. An additional value of this exploratory research is compiling an international comparison. The main contribution of this pilot study is examining the symbiotic mutualism between co-creation and entrepreneurship. Among many platforms of associations, the following can be differentiated: creativity, innovativeness, openness, engagement, awareness, motivation, trust (level of social capital), and recognizing the significance of social and sustainable development objectives. Due to the small sample size, the results cannot be generalised. Results refer only to the respondents. However, the findings of the pilot study are the basis for further research studies on symbiotic mutualism between entrepreneurship and co-creation.

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