Cultivating Youth Affinity for College Within the Context of Campus-Based Summer Camps

College and university-based (CUB) summer camps are a prominent pre-collegiate experience targeting middle and high school adolescents, which research suggests may enhance college aspirations and preparedness, develop academic knowledge and skills, and influence future career choices. This study examines factors that predict the relation between affinity for college, program engagement and support, college major selection, and social–emotional outcomes stemming from youth involvement in a CUB camp based on data collected from 641 middle and high school-aged youth who completed an online questionnaire on the last day of the CUB camp. The findings validated a 4-factor model comprised of college brand awareness, college relational expectations, college academic interest–science, and college academic interest–technology. Further, the structural equation model (SEM) results suggested a relation between affinity for college, program engagement and support, and social–emotional outcomes. In addition, a CUB camp student’s lack of a college major had a significant negative direct effect on some dimensions of affinity for college including college brand awareness, college relational expectations, and college academic interest–science. CUB camp providers can use the results of this study to better articulate how their programs might impact adolescent decision making related to college, as well as inform how CUB camp providers may intentionally create affinity spaces that maximize student awareness of college brands as well as their future expectations for the college experience.

Comparing Outcomes of a Digital Commercial Weight Loss Program in Adult Cancer Survivors and Matched Controls with Overweight or Obesity: Retrospective Analysis

Maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial for cancer survivors. However, weight loss program effectiveness studies have primarily been in highly controlled settings. This is a retrospective study exploring real-world outcomes (weight loss and program engagement) after use of a digital commercial weight loss program (Noom) in cancer survivors and matched controls. All participants had voluntarily self-enrolled in Noom. Weight and engagement data were extracted from the program. Cancer-related quality of life was secondarily assessed in a one-time cross-sectional survey for survivors. Controls were a sample of Noom users with overweight/obesity who had no history of cancer but 0–1 chronic conditions. Primary outcomes were weight change at 16 weeks and program engagement over 16 weeks. Engagement included frequency of weight, food, and physical activity logging, as well as number of coach messages. Multiple regression controlling for baseline age, gender, engagement, and BMI showed that survivors lost less weight than controls (B = −2.40, s.e. = 0.97, p = 0.01). Survivors also weighed in less (survivors: 5.4 [2.3]; controls: 5.7 [2.1], p = 0.01) and exercised less (survivors: 1.8 [3.2]; controls: 3.2 [4.1], p < 0.001) than controls. However, survivors sent more coach messages (survivors: 2.1 [2.4]; controls: 1.7 [2.0], p < 0.001). Despite controls losing more weight than cancer survivors (−7.0 kg vs. −5.3 kg), survivors lost significant weight in 4 months (M = −6.2%). Cancer survivors can have success on digital commercial programs available outside of a clinical trial. However, they may require additional support to engage in weight management behaviors.

A Review of the Benefits and Barriers to Postsecondary Education for Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Postsecondary educational programs (PSEs) are increasingly an option for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This scoping review synthesized research to understand the impacts of these programs for students with IDD and for campus, and barriers to these programs across stages of engagement (exploration, participation, completion). Studies were identified by searching PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Web of Science databases and reference lists of included articles. Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Multiple benefits were identified for students with IDD and campus. Persistent barriers across all stages of program engagement included lack of funding and lack of collaboration. Barriers specific to stages included lack of knowledge, options, individualized support, integration into campus, and transportation. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

A Novel Application of Photovoice in a Statewide Home Visiting Evaluation

Photovoice is an empowering, qualitative, community-based participatory research method that engages participants to take photographs and reflect on their meanings. We employed a novel application of a Photovoice-inspired methodology to evaluate perinatal home visiting services. This article describes the feasibility and utility of remote implementation of a Photovoice-inspired project in one state’s federally funded Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Initiative. The initial project aimed to identify aspects of parenting roles/identities, goals, and home visitor–client relationship that can be leveraged to improve program engagement and retention. Training materials were sent to home visitors who acted as liaisons with parents. Reflective interviews about this photo-elicitation method conducted with parents, home visitors, and the evaluators following the project revealed that informational materials were beneficial to understanding the process. Home visitors were noted as gatekeepers and key motivators. Trainings, flexibility, timely communication, and logistics should be considered when remotely implementing Photovoice.

Online program engagement and audience size during television ads

This research explores how television viewers’ online program engagement (OPE)—engagement in social media conversations about television programs—relates to audience size during ads in those programs. We leverage a multisource dataset of 8417 ad instances, volume and deviation measures of OPE activity (program-related Twitter mentions), and audience size during ads. We show that increases in OPE volume and positive deviations from the episode’s average level of OPE before an ad relate to higher ad audience size. To explain, we argue that OPE reflects viewers’ program involvement which attenuates their channel-changing behavior during ads. Positive OPE deviations moreover relate to higher ad audience sizes most strongly for earlier ads in a break. Our results help television networks and advertisers strategically determine ad placements for increased ad audience size by highlighting social episodes (characterized by high OPE volume) and social moments (characterized by positive OPE deviations) as attractive advertising environments.

Engagement with a Multi-Component, Preventative Program to Reduce Child Maltreatment: Program Satisfaction and Acceptability

The development and implementation of interventions to prevent child maltreatment (CM) is particularly challenging in view of the numerous stressors experienced by families within the child welfare system (CWS). Difficulties engaging families, particularly those who are most vulnerable, can lead to lower program dose and poorer outcomes. This qualitative study, conducted as part of a larger process evaluation, explored participant perspectives of a newly developed, multi-component, community-based intervention designed to reduce the risk of CM in families with young children. The study involved one-to-one interviews with a sub-sample of mothers (n = 12) recruited through statutory and community-based social work services. Several brief program satisfaction questionnaires were also completed by parents. Mothers reported a stronger parent–child bond and greater use of positive parenting strategies (e.g. improved communication and discipline strategies) following the intervention. Facilitator and group support emerged as strong themes throughout the interviews and were important factors in facilitating engagement and reducing drop-out. High levels of program satisfaction were also reported. The study findings demonstrate how a multi-component program, which combines an evidence-based treatment (EBT) with community-based supports, may offer a promising approach for social work practitioners in reducing CM and in better meeting the more complex needs of families within the CWS. However, a more thorough understanding of the factors which promote program engagement and retention, is crucial to maximizing the benefits of interventions designed to support more vulnerable families.

Improved Glycemic Control With a Digital Health Intervention in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Retrospective Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Traditional lifestyle interventions have shown limited success in improving diabetes related outcomes. Digital interventions with continuously available support and personalized educational content may offer unique advantages for self-management and glycemic control. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we evaluate changes in glycemic control among participants with type 2 diabetes who enrolled in a digital diabetes management program. METHODS The study employed a single-arm, retrospective design. A total of 950 participants with a HbA1c baseline value of at least 7.0% enrolled in the Vida Health Diabetes Management Program. The intervention included one-to-one remote sessions with a Vida provider and structured lessons and tools related to diabetes management. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was the primary outcome measure. A total of 258 (27.2%) participants had a follow-up HbA1c completed at least 90 days from program start. Paired t-tests were utilized to evaluate changes in HbA1c between baseline and follow-up. Additionally, a cluster-robust multiple regression analysis was employed to evaluate the relationship between high and low program engagement and HbA1c change. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate difference in HbA1c as a function of measurement period (ie, pre-Vida enrollment, baseline, and post-enrollment follow-up). RESULTS We observed a significant reduction in HbA1c of -0.81 points between baseline (M = 8.68, SD = 1.7) and follow-up (M = 7.88, SD = 1.46), t(257) = 7.71, P = .00). Among participants considered high-risk (baseline HbA1c >= 8), there was an average reduction of -1.44 points between baseline (M = 9.73, SD = 1.68) and follow-up (M = 8.29, SD = 1.64), t(139) = 9.14, P = .00). Additionally, average follow-up HbA1c (M = 7.82, SD = 1.41) was significantly lower than pre-enrollment HbA1c (M = 8.12, SD = 1.46), F(2, 210) = 22.90, P = .00. There was also significant effect of engagement on HbA1c change, β = -.60, P = .00, such that high engagement was associated with a greater decrease in HbA1c (M = -1.02, SD = 1.60) compared to low-engagement, (M = -.61, SD = 1.72). CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control among participants enrolled in a digital diabetes management intervention. Higher program engagement was associated with greater improvements in HbA1c. The findings of the present study suggest that digital health intervention may represent an accessible, scalable, and effective solution to diabetes management and improved HbA1c. The study was limited by a non-randomized, observational design and limited post-enrollment follow-up data.

Psychosocial Characteristics by Weight Loss and Engagement in a Digital Intervention Supporting Self-Management of Weight

There is substantial variability in weight loss outcomes. Psychosocial characteristics underlying outcomes require better understanding, particularly on self-managed digital programs. This cross-sectional study examines differences in psychosocial characteristics by weight loss and engagement outcome, and which characteristics are most associated with weight loss, on a self-managed digital weight loss program. Some underexplored psychosocial characteristics are included, such as flourishing, or a sense of meaning and purpose in life. A questionnaire was emailed to a random sample of 10,000 current users at week 5 in the program and 10,000 current users at week 17. The questionnaire was completed by 2225 users, and their self-reported weight and recorded program engagement data were extracted from the program’s database. Multiple comparison tests indicated that mental health quality of life, depression, anxiety, work-life balance, and flourishing differed by weight loss outcome at program end (week 17; ≥5%, 2–5%, below 2%) and by engagement tertile at program beginning and end (weeks 5 and 17). Only anxiety was associated with weight loss in a backward stepwise regression controlling for engagement and sociodemographic characteristics. Flourishing did not predict weight loss overall but predicted the weight loss outcome group. Our findings have implications for creating more effective interventions for individuals based on psychosocial characteristics and highlight the potential importance of anxiety in underexplored self-managed digital programs.

Assessing the Role of the IMF in Fragile States

This chapter presents an assessment of the IMF’s role in countries in fragile and conflict-affected situations, drawing primarily on the findings of a recent evaluation report by the Independent Evaluation Office. The IMF is widely acknowledged to have made significant contributions to helping build core economic policy institutions, achieve macroeconomic stability, and promote macro-critical reforms in these countries. Quantitative analyses based on a “dynamic” list of fragile states suggest that the IMF’s program engagement has been positively associated with increased tax revenue, higher GDP growth, and greater official aid inflows. Even so, the IMF’s business model, focused on short-term macroeconomic stabilization, has a tendency to treat fragile states like any other country and does not always fit well with their long-term sustained development needs. The chapter argues that the IMF’s support for fragile states has yet to achieve its full potential and identifies areas where effectiveness can be strengthened.