scholarly journals Incorporating Participatory Action Research in Attention Bias Modification Interventions for Addictive Disorders: Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvyn Zhang ◽  
Jiangbo Ying
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Bias Modification

Participatory action research was introduced in the 1960s and early 1970s, but it has only been more widely adopted in the recent years. Such methodologies have since been applied to several web & mobile-based interventions in psychiatry. To date no prior review has scoped the extent of the application of such methodologies for web & mobile-based interventions in psychiatry. In this article, a scoping literature review was performed, and seven articles have been identified. The most common methodologies are that of co-design workshops; and increasingly service users and participants are included in these workshops. There remains a lack of application of such methodologies for addiction research. Increasingly, attention and cognitive bias modification interventions are more commonplace, given that they have been found to be effective in modifying underlying biases amongst individuals with addictive disorders. Unfortunately, there remains to be inherent limitations with web and mobile versions of attention and cognitive bias modification interventions. Participatory design research methods could help address these limitations and future research involving the conceptualization of new attention or cognitive bias modification applications ought to consider the incorporation of these research methods.

scholarly journals Mobile Phone Cognitive Bias Modification Research Platform for Substance Use Disorders: Protocol for a Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvyn Zhang ◽  
JiangBo Ying ◽  
Guo Song ◽  
Daniel SS Fung ◽  
Helen Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Research Platform ◽  
Bias Modification

BACKGROUND Cognitive biases refer to automatic attentional and interpretational tendencies, which could be retained by cognitive bias modification interventions. Cristea et al and Jones et al have published reviews (in 2016 and 2017 respectively) on the effectiveness of such interventions. The advancement of technologies such as electronic health (eHealth) and mobile health (mHealth) has led to them being harnessed for the delivery of cognitive bias modification. To date, at least eight studies have demonstrated the feasibility of mobile technologies for the delivery of cognitive bias modification. Most of the studies are limited to a description of the conventional cognitive bias modification methodology that has been adopted. None of the studies shared the developmental process for the methodology involved, such that future studies could adopt it in the cost-effective replication of such interventions. OBJECTIVE It is important to have a common platform that could facilitate the design and customization of cognitive bias modification interventions for a variety of psychiatric and addictive disorders. It is the aim of the current research protocol to describe the design of a research platform that allows for customization of cognitive bias modification interventions for addictive disorders. METHODS A multidisciplinary team of 2 addiction psychiatrists, a psychologist with expertise in cognitive bias modification, and a computer engineer, were involved in the development of the intervention. The proposed platform would comprise of a mobile phone version of the cognitive bias task which is controlled by a server that could customize the algorithm for the tasks and collate the reaction-time data in realtime. The server would also allow the researcher to program the specific set of images that will be present in the task. The mobile phone app would synchronize with the backend server in real-time. An open-sourced cross-platform gaming software from React Native was used in the current development. RESULTS Multimedia Appendix 1 contains a video demonstrating the operation of the app, as well as a sample dataset of the reaction times (used for the computation of attentional biases) captured by the app. CONCLUSIONS The current design can be utilized for cognitive bias modification across a spectrum of disorders and is not limited to one disorder. It will be of value for future research to utilize the above platform and compare the efficacy of mHealth approaches, such as the one described in this study, with conventional Web-based approaches in the delivery of attentional bias modification interventions. REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER RR1-10.2196/9740

scholarly journals Church Involvement in Education for Sustainability: Using Participatory Action Research to Design a Faith-Based Education for Sustainability Programme in a Christian Community, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Xiaoming Gong
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Participatory Design ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Christian Community ◽  
Faith Based

<p>This study develops and analyses a faith-based education for sustainability (EFS) programme as a means of addressing the issue of climate change in an urban Christian community â St Johnâ s in the City, Presbyterian Church, Wellington, New Zealand. It also, explores a participatory design and practice process for an adult-focused community EFS programme within a Christian context. The outcome of the study may serve as a model of adult-focused community of EFS which can be used by other faith-based communities in New Zealand. The critical approach, which is considered as an important approach to EFS, aims to achieve social change by fostering critical thinking in relation to sustainable issues. However, the so-called rhetoric-reality gap of critical approach causes difficulty for practicing the approach. As such, it was hoped that this study, informed by Freirian critical pedagogy, bridges the â rhetoric-realityâ gap of the critical approach in EFS practice. The methodology of this research â participatory action research (PAR) â aims to empower participants by involving them as co-researchers in the research process. Combined with group discussion and in-depth individual interview, participatory method â diagramming was used as the main research method. The PAR methodology was proved effective for the faith-based EFS programme design and it was also represented a democratic EFS process in itself. Therefore, it informed the subsequent practice of the St Johnâ s programme that was designed by this research as an action research (AR) project and also functioned as a dialogical education programme. In the St Johnâ s programme, the participants as discursive subjects would gain freedom to critically enquire their relationships with Godâ s world and with each other and would be facilitated to take realistic actions on sustainable issues associated with climate change through the critical enquiry.</p>

On the news today: challenging homelessness through participatory action research

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-25
Author(s):  
Bruno De Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Social Issue ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Media Representations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Media

Purpose How can people with lived experience of homelessness actively participate in contesting their marginalisation? The purpose of this paper is to suggest that involving people who are homeless in participatory action research (PAR) is one such strategy. This paper shows that such an approach can have a significant impact on empowering people with direct of experience of homelessness to challenge prevailing social discourses, particularly in terms of the way in which the local media presents homelessness as a social issue. Design/methodology/approach A PAR approach informed the design, development and dissemination of the study on which this paper is based. Analytically, it is underpinned by Foucauldian discourse analysis (FDA). FDA, with its focus on power relations in society, is noted to be particularly useful for analysing local media representations of homeless people. Findings The research reported here found that academic practitioners and homeless people can work together to challenge media discourses, which serve to marginalise people affected by homelessness. Research limitations/implications The research reported here served to challenge some of the ways in homeless people are victimized and stigmatized. Practical implications The research reported here has the potential to inform future research concerned with understanding media presentations of homeless people. It can be seen as a model for how people affected by a particularly pernicious social issue can contribute to research in ways that go beyond researching for the sake of research. Originality/value The research reported here provides evidence of the emancipatory value of research that seeks to bring academic practitioners and homeless people together in a partnership to challenge vital social issues such as the power of the local media to frame understandings of homelessness.

scholarly journals Engaging New Parents in the Development of a Peer Nutrition Education Model Using Participatory Action Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Richard Ball ◽  
Kerith Duncanson ◽  
Lee Ashton ◽  
Andrew Bailey ◽  
Tracy L. Burrows ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Implementation Model

This study investigated the implementation model and research methods of a peer education program for new parents focused on infant feeding and nutrition. Two hundred and sixty-nine parents with an infant aged birth to two years old were invited to become co-researchers in a Participatory Action Research (PAR) study over three years. Data included focus group and online participant meeting transcripts, social media data, correspondence between the implementation team and peer educators, and field notes. All data were consolidated regularly and discussed by project participants and the research team. After each PAR cycle, structured content analysis was conducted, informing the next iteration of the implementation model and research methods. Participating parents were highly engaged in child feeding peer-to-peer education, but felt more effective and comfortable being considered as a child-feeding information resource sharer or ‘champion’ rather than a formal peer educator. Similarly, quantitative data collection was only effective when it was integrated seamlessly into the implementation model. PAR methodology suited the diversity and dynamic real-life study setting, facilitating substantial improvements to the peer nutrition intervention model and data collection methods. Our study demonstrated that a genuine collaboration between health professionals and participants to implement research in practice can achieve both intervention outcomes and research aims.

scholarly journals Emotional Bias Modification in Youths with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): New Research Vista

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 4028
Author(s):  
Zhang Melvyn ◽  
Aloysius Chow ◽  
Ranganath Vallabhajosyula ◽  
Daniel SS Fung
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Emotional Dysregulation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Bias Modification

Whilst cognitive bias modification was initially used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, it is also currently being used for the treatment of other psychopathologies. In fact, cognitive bias modification has been especially well-investigated amongst children and adolescents. A recent review suggests some evidence for the modification of interpretative biases amongst children with neurodevelopment disorders. There have since been other studies reporting of the existence of other cognitive biases, such as emotional biases, amongst individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This perspective article will discuss the epidemiology of ADHD and the nature of emotional biases that are present amongst individuals with ADHD. This perspective article also reviewed some of the studies that have assessed and modified emotional biases in individuals with ADHD. A total of three studies have been identified from the published literature that provide evidence for targeting emotional biases amongst individuals with ADHD. These studies provide us with preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of modifying emotional biases and how it could help in ameliorating symptoms related to emotional dysregulation. There needs to be future research in this area with further evidence supporting the effectiveness of modifying emotional biases. It is also crucial for future research to determine which of these tools is best at detecting such biases, and which of these tools are versatile enough and non-invasive that they could safely be implemented for both research and clinical needs.

scholarly journals Collaboration for Improving Social Work Practice: The Promise of Feminist Participatory Action Research

Affilia ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 088610992095442
Author(s):  
Holly Johnson ◽  
Catherine Flynn
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Institutional Power

Feminist research and participatory action research (PAR) share the belief that research should directly serve social justice aims and work to alleviate suffering of marginalized and oppressed people. This article presents the results of a unique feminist PAR (FPAR) approach to designing and implementing an evaluation of an intervention with women who have used violence. The site of our analysis is the steering committee that oversaw this work and the extent to which members adhered to FPAR principles. Over the two decades since feminist critiques of PAR began to emerge, new discourses of collaboration have appeared. As researchers, we must be alert to FPAR discourses that mask ongoing hierarchies. Our findings suggest that, while reflexivity and genuine commitment to collaboration are fundamental to enacting FPAR principles, social workers nevertheless face real challenges confronting structural barriers that impede anti-oppression goals. This study highlights the challenges of adhering faithfully to feminist participatory principles in real-life settings and the need for future research to examine the effectiveness of FPAR processes in achieving authentic collaboration among committee members who are chosen to represent disparate perspectives and are backed by vastly different levels of social and institutional power.

scholarly journals Youth Involvement in Participatory Action Research (PAR)

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jangmin Kim
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Youth Community

Participatory Action Research (PAR) has been increasingly viewed as an effective strategy to enhance youth, community-based organizations that serve youth, and broader communities. However, young people have not been frequently involved in research and evaluation efforts as co-researchers or partners. This paper explored major challenges and barriers to the active engagement of youth identified in previous PAR projects. This critical literature review revealed relational, scientific, and ethical challenges. The relational challenges included a lack of trust and unequal power relationships between youth participants and adult researchers. The scientific issues were significantly associated with the major components of the PAR, such as transformative purposes, iterative processes, and flexible methods. Finally, significant ethical issues are identified in terms of potential risks to youth, confidentiality, and informed consent. This paper concludes with specific recommendations for effective strategies to deal with the challenges and barriers identified and possible directions for future research.

scholarly journals Web-Based Cognitive Bias Modification Interventions for Psychiatric Disorders: Scoping Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvyn Zhang ◽  
Jiangbo Ying ◽  
Guo Song ◽  
Daniel S S Fung ◽  
Helen Smith
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Bias Modification

BACKGROUND Cognitive biases refer to automatic attentional or interpretational tendencies, which result in individuals with addictive disorders to automatically attend to substance-related stimuli and those with anxiety disorders to attend to threatening stimuli. To date, several studies have examined the efficacy of cognitive bias modification, and meta-analytical studies have synthesized the evidence for overall efficacy. The clinical utility of cognitive bias modification interventions has previously been limited to the confines of a laboratory, but recent advances in Web technologies can change this. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to determine the scope of Web-based cognitive bias interventions and highlight their effectiveness. METHODS Databases (PubMed and MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Central) were searched from inception to December 5, 2017. The following search terminologies were used: (“attention bias” OR “cognitive bias” OR “approach bias” OR “avoidance bias” OR “interpretative bias”) AND (“Internet” OR “Web” OR “Online”). The methods for this scoping review are based on the previously published protocol. For the synthesis of the evidence, a narrative synthesis was undertaken, as a meta-analysis was not appropriate, given the lack of reported effect sizes and the heterogeneity in the outcomes reported. RESULTS Of the 2674 unique articles identified, we identified 22 randomized controlled studies that met our inclusion criteria: alcohol use disorder (n=2), tobacco use disorder (n=2), depressive disorder (n=3), anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents (n=3), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; n=2), social anxiety disorder (n=9), and anxiety disorder (n=1). The sample sizes of these studies ranged from 16 to 434 participants. There is preliminary evidence to suggest that Web-based interventions could reduce biases among adolescents with heightened symptoms of anxiety and depression and among individuals with OCD. CONCLUSIONS This is the first scoping review that mapped out the scope of cognitive bias modification interventions for psychiatric disorders. Web-based interventions have been applied predominantly for social anxiety and addictive disorders. Larger cohorts must be used in future studies to better determine the effectiveness of Web-based cognitive bias interventions.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effectiveness of care coordination interventions designed and implemented through a participatory action research process: Lessons learned from a quasi-experimental study in public healthcare networks in Latin America

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0261604
Author(s):  
María-Luisa Vázquez ◽  
Andrea Miranda-Mendizabal ◽  
Pamela Eguiguren ◽  
Amparo-Susana Mogollón-Pérez ◽  
Marina Ferreira-de-Medeiros-Mendes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Intermediate Outcomes ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background Despite increasing recommendations for health professionals to participate in intervention design and implementation to effect changes in clinical practice, little is known about this strategy’s effectiveness. This study analyses the effectiveness of interventions designed and implemented through participatory action research (PAR) processes in healthcare networks of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay to improve clinical coordination across care levels, and offers recommendations for future research. Methods The study was quasi-experimental. Two comparable networks, one intervention (IN) and one control (CN), were selected in each country. Baseline (2015) and evaluation (2017) surveys of a sample of primary and secondary care doctors (174 doctors/network/year) were conducted using the COORDENA® questionnaire. Most of the interventions chosen were based on joint meetings, promoting cross-level clinical agreement and communication for patient follow-up. Outcome variables were: a) intermediate: interactional and organizational factors; b) distal: experience of cross-level clinical information coordination, of clinical management coordination and general perception of coordination between levels. Poisson regression models were estimated. Results A statistically significant increase in some of the interactional factors (intermediate outcomes) -knowing each other personally and mutual trust- was observed in Brazil and Chile INs; and in some organizational factors -institutional support- in Colombia and Mexico. Compared to CNs in 2017, INs of Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico showed significant differences in some factors. In distal outcomes, care consistency items improved in Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay INs; and patient follow-up improved in Chile and Mexico. General perception of clinical coordination increased in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico INs. Compared to CNs in 2017, only Brazil showed significant differences. Conclusions Although more research is needed, results show that PAR-based interventions improved some outcomes regarding clinical coordination at network level, with differences between countries. However, a PAR process is, by definition, slow and gradual, and longer implementation periods are needed to achieve greater penetration and quantifiable changes. The participatory and flexible nature of interventions developed through PAR processes poses methodological challenges (such as defining outcomes or allocating individuals to different groups in advance), and requires a comprehensive mixed-methods approach that simultaneously evaluates effectiveness and the implementation process to better understand its outcomes.

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