Current Environmental Health Challenges

2020 ◽  
pp. 38-67
Author(s):  
Christina Marouli ◽  
Paraskevi Papadopoulou ◽  
Anastasia Misseyanni
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Health Sciences ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Sustainable Societies ◽  
Political Understanding

This is part two of two overview chapters of the most important contemporary environmental health challenges. This second chapter discusses environmental health as a socio-political and ethical issue. It argues that effectively moving towards healthier and sustainable societies requires not only sound scientific knowledge but also policies, medical practices, healthcare systems, and health-related attitudes and behaviors that are informed by a deep socio-political understanding and that reflect a new integrated approach to environment and health. The need for contemporary technological societies to develop mechanisms like education, environmental and health governance, and public accountability for environmental health equity and justice is highlighted. The chapter concludes by proposing a multidimensional framework, based on both natural and social sciences, for the transition to healthy and sustainable societies and for improving the welfare of all people, as well as future research directions for environmental health sciences.

scholarly journals Seeking and Ensuring Interdependence: Desiring Commitment and the Strategic Initiation and Maintenance of Close Relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Tan ◽  
Christopher R. Agnew ◽  
Benjamin W. Hadden
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Relationship Commitment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Relationship Outcomes ◽  
Future Research Directions

The current research offers and examines the concept of commitment desirability, defined as the subjective desire to be involved in a committed romantic relationship at a given time. In pursuing their desire for a committed romance, how do individuals high in commitment desirability strategically ensure success? We suggest that high perceived partner commitment is sought by individuals who themselves desire to be involved in a committed relationship. In three studies involving individuals both currently involved and not involved in a relationship, we found support for the hypothesized interactive effect of commitment desirability and perceived partner commitment, such that greater commitment desirability was associated with more positive relationship outcomes, especially when partners were perceived to be high in commitment. The present research suggests that commitment desirability is a meaningful predictor of relationship attitudes and behaviors. Implications for understanding relationship commitment as well as future research directions are discussed.

College Students’ Health and Short-Term Career Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Bouchard ◽  
Margaret M. Nauta
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Major Satisfaction ◽  
Educational Persistence ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Work Volition

This study examined the role of work volition in the relation between college students’ health and several short-term career outcome variables. The responses of 393 students to an online survey revealed that the number of the last 30 days that were deemed unhealthy was significantly related to work volition, and work volition was associated with major satisfaction, leadership aspirations, educational persistence intentions, and real versus ideal career aspiration discrepancy. Path analysis results were consistent with a model specifying work volition as a mediator of the associations between unhealthy days and the career variables. It therefore appears lower work volition may be a risk factor for students with health-related challenges. When conducting career assessment and counseling, career counselors and other providers should consider the perceived career-choice constraints that college students with chronic illnesses and general symptomatology perceive. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Enacting the Demand/Withdrawal Pattern and Physical Well-Being

2020 ◽  
pp. 151-171
Author(s):  
Michael E. Roloff ◽  
Rachel M. Reznik
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physiological Arousal ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Communication Pattern ◽  
Relational Development ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Partner Change

The frequency and focus of conflict varies during relational development, however, disagreements occur during every phase. One maladaptive communication pattern that has received considerable attention is the demand/withdrawal sequence – a pattern that generally involves one individual demanding that his or her partner change, and that partner then responding by withdrawing from the interaction. This chapter reviews research that examines how the demand/withdrawal sequence is related to measures of emotional provocation, physiological arousal, and physical health. We first explicate the features of the pattern and theories that have guided previous research. Then we examine research that investigated how the pattern is related to emotional, physiological, and health-related outcomes. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions.

Intermittent Motivational Interviewing and Transdiagnostic CBT for Anxiety: A Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella Marker ◽  
Peter J. Norton
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Behavior ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Clinically Significant

Recent meta-analytic findings have revealed that the addition of motivational interviewing (MI) to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders improves treatment outcome. However, for the most part, previous research has limited MI as a prelude to CBT. This article explored the benefits and complications of a more integrated approach by adapting and examining an already established transdiagnostic CBT protocol to include intermittent MI strategies. The presented protocol is described and illustrated using a case study of a woman meeting criteria for four anxiety disorder diagnoses. This study presents session-by-session treatment accounts, as well as pre, post, and follow-up data. Results indicated clinically significant improvement, supporting the utility of intermittent MI strategies within CBT. Implementation recommendations and future research directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Eating Disorders and Obesity: The Challenge for Our Times

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillipa Hay ◽  
Deborah Mitchison
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obesity Risk ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Made In

Public health concerns largely have disregarded the important overlap between eating disorders and obesity. This Special Issue addresses this neglect and points to how progress can be made in preventing and treating both. Thirteen primary research papers, three reviews, and two commentaries comprise this Special Issue. Two commentaries set the scene, noting the need for an integrated approach to prevention and treatment. The empirical papers and reviews fall into four broad areas of research: first, an understanding of the neuroscience of eating behaviours and body weight; second, relationships between disordered eating and obesity risk; third, new and integrated approaches in treatment; and fourth, assessment. Collectively, the papers highlight progress in science, translational research, and future research directions.

scholarly journals Adolescent Biological Maturity and Physical Activity: Biology Meets Behavior

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Sherar ◽  
Sean P. Cumming ◽  
Joey C. Eisenmann ◽  
Adam D.G. Baxter-Jones ◽  
Robert M. Malina
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Biological Maturation ◽  
Health Related Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Biological Maturity ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship

The decline in physical activity (PA) across adolescence is well established but influence of biological maturity on the process has been largely overlooked. This paper reviews the limited number of studies which examine the relationship between timing of biological maturity and PA. Results are generally inconsistent among studies. Other health-related behaviors are also considered in an effort to highlight the complexity of relationships between biological maturation and behavior and to provide future research directions.

Harmony of the Heart: Music Therapy

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne B. Hanser ◽  
Susan E. Mandel
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Recent Trial ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Therapy Protocol

This article presents a research agenda that began with the development of a clinical music therapy protocol, including music-assisted relaxation and imagery (MARI), for individuals with heart conditions who are referred for cardiac rehabilitation.  Health-related outcomes of this program were investigated in a randomized controlled trial, finding significant changes in blood pressure over time, and short-term changes in stress and anxiety. A mixed methods study then examined process and outcomes more thoroughly in a small sample of patients.  In a more recent trial, this approach was applied to individuals who have diabetes.  Coming full circle, the research investigations informed an adaptation of the original music therapy protocol for clinical use in cardiac rehabilitation.  Underlying mechanisms in the autonomic nervous system and future research directions are also discussed.

Lessons and future research directions from work environment research in India

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Hyde ◽  
Holendro Singh Chungkham ◽  
Laishram Ladusingh
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Prospective Cohort Studies ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Epidemiological Changes ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Art Research ◽  
The Relationship

This concluding chapter argues that the chapters in this book represent some of the state-of-the-art research on the relationship between work and health in India. Both individually and collectively, they have made some significant contributions to understanding these issues. However, as India continues to go through economic and epidemiological changes, one should expect to see a rapid growth in the number of studies in this area. As such, it is important to identify areas that should be the focus of future research: (1) occupational or industry-specific studies to capture new forms of working; (2) the development of nationally representative prospective cohort studies of the work environment and health; and (3) greater multidisciplinary dialogue.

scholarly journals Smoothness: an Unexplored Window into Coordinated Running Proficiency

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kiely ◽  
Craig Pickering ◽  
David J. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Movement Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Fundamental Feature ◽  
Biological Design ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Movement Smoothness ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Future Research Directions

Abstract Over the expanse of evolutionary history, humans, and predecessor Homo species, ran to survive. This legacy is reflected in many deeply and irrevocably embedded neurological and biological design features, features which shape how we run, yet were themselves shaped by running. Smoothness is a widely recognised feature of healthy, proficient movement. Nevertheless, although the term ‘smoothness’ is commonly used to describe skilled athletic movement within practical sporting contexts, it is rarely specifically defined, is rarely quantified and remains barely explored experimentally. Elsewhere, however, within various health-related and neuro-physiological domains, many manifestations of movement smoothness have been extensively investigated. Within this literature, smoothness is considered a reflection of a healthy central nervous system (CNS) and is implicitly associated with practiced coordinated proficiency; ‘non-smooth’ movement, in contrast, is considered a consequence of pathological, un-practiced or otherwise inhibited motor control. Despite the ubiquity of running across human cultures, however, and the apparent importance of smoothness as a fundamental feature of healthy movement control, to date, no theoretical framework linking the phenomenon of movement smoothness to running proficiency has been proposed. Such a framework could, however, provide a novel lens through which to contextualise the deep underlying nature of coordinated running control. Here, we consider the relevant evidence and suggest how running smoothness may integrate with other related concepts such as complexity, entropy and variability. Finally, we suggest that these insights may provide new means of coherently conceptualising running coordination, may guide future research directions, and may productively inform practical coaching philosophies.

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