Perpetuating Racism in the Ivory: Well-Meaning Whiteness in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Although there has been a recent increased awareness of the lack of support to Black scholars in academia, initiatives and action plans to address such inequity are severely lacking. Lack of support from individuals and institutions contributes to such disparities for Black scholars, stifling growth and discovery in social and behavioral research. This flaw is due to the lack of diverse representation in the research and the academic workforce. We must acknowledge the role of anti-Black racism in science and how our fellow Black scientists are negatively affected, including the impact on their careers, work-life harmony, and overall mental wellness. We address the multifaceted effects of anti-Black racism throughout the Ivory on Black scholars, academic spaces, and the field of social and behavioral sciences in general. Finally, we offer concrete recommendations to be implemented immediately and, over time, by individual White scholars and academic institutions at large.

Application of the Nursing Model Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Improving Mental Health and Quality of Life after Colorectal Cancer Drug Chemotherapy

According to the most current cancer impact statistics, third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide is colorectal cancer. Colon cancer, in addition to its physical symptoms, has been linked to mental health issues in patients, according to the study. Dealing with colorectal cancer drug chemotherapy may lead to depression and anxiety in some people. Others are affected by the physical and mental condition of undergoing many therapies at the same time. Throughout the process of diagnosis, a large number of colorectal cancer patients report clinically relevant degrees as well as a decline in overall mental wellness. In the majority of cases, colon cancer patients are cured following therapy, but those who have survived the disease confront a medical range, physical, and challenges in society, for a variety of mental and physical problems such as anxiety and depression. First, meditation therapy is to urge patients to address their issues and feelings instead of dismissing them, but in the dispassionate and unbiased manner that defines the attentive state. Both the patient and the treating professional may benefit from this treatment method, since it appears to be a very effective therapeutic strategy. After colorectal cancer treatment, in studies, it has been demonstrated that ACT improves mental health, and Internet search engines such as Web of Science and Google Scholar as well as Dialnet were utilized to conduct a systematic literature There were 19 articles that fit the criteria. This includes a discussion of the ACT’s philosophical and theoretical basis, as well as the treatment itself. On the other hand, the study on ACT for enhancing mental health and quality of life is examined. Several of the available trials had serious flaws, making it impossible to establish reliable conclusions about the effectiveness of ACT for improving mental health and quality of life. The study determined that there is only a small amount of data supporting the use of ACT for improving mental health. The aim of this study is the application of the nursing model on improving the mental health of the colorectal patients. In addition, the limits of the current empirical state of ACT are acknowledged, and the importance of further research is highlighted.

“COVID affected us all:” the birth and postnatal health experiences of resettled Syrian refugee women during COVID-19 in Canada

Background Prior to COVID-19, postnatal resettled refugee women in Canada reported barriers to healthcare and low levels of social support, contributing to maternal health morbidities. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be further exacerbating health inequities for marginalized populations. The experiences of resettled refugee women are not fully known. Aim To understand Syrian refugee women’s experiences accessing postnatal healthcare services and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Semi-structured, virtual interviews were conducted with eight resettled Syrian refugee women living in Nova Scotia (Canada) who were postnatal between March and August 2020. Data analysis was informed by constructivist grounded theory. Findings Three themes emerged: “the impacts of COVID-19 on postnatal healthcare;” “loss of informal support;” and “grief and anxiety.” Women experienced difficult healthcare interactions, including socially and physically isolated deliveries, challenges accessing in-person interpreters, and cancelled or unavailable in-home services (e.g., public health nurse and doula visits). Increased childcare responsibilities and limited informal supports due to pandemic restrictions left women feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Stay-at-home orders resulted in some women reporting feelings of isolation and loss, as they were unable to share in person postnatal moments with friends and family, ultimately impacting their mental wellness. Conclusions COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions had significant impacts on postnatal Syrian refugee women. Data presented in this study demonstrated the ways in which the pandemic environment and related restrictions amplified pre-existing barriers to care and postnatal health inequalities for resettled refugee women—particularly a lack of postnatal informal supports and systemic barriers to care.

Indigenizing Forum Theatre through a strength-based approach

Strength-based approaches with Indigenous populations are recognized as empowering and promoting change, but there are minimal published explicit examples in Indigenous health in Canada. Working with three First Nations community partners in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, we explored an Indigenous strength-based application of Forum Theatre as a tool for mental wellness. Forum Theatre is differentiated by the interactive participation of the audience, who can change the play outcome. Collectively, community members were trained as community facilitators and used an Indigenous strength-based approach to indigenize Forum Theatre activities. We share strengths highlighted in our approach including inclusivity, relationality, language revitalization, intergenerational connectivity, team facilitation, partnerships, protocols, safety, empowerment, resilience, community connection, community-specific strengths, and relational responsibilities. An Indigenous strength-based approach must include the Indigenous group leading the project and has multiple benefits to the participants, facilitators, and community at-large, particularly when intertwined with relational, communal, and cultural assets unique to the Indigenous group employing the approach.

Insight into the Tunisian Dental Residents’ Mental Wellness and Coping Mechanism during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Recently, the covid-19 pandemic has dramatically affected dental students and residents worldwide. The aim of this study was to focus on the impact of the pandemic on the perceived stress, the mental health, and the coping mechanisms of the residents of the dental faculty of Monastir. Tunisia. Materials and methods: a voluntary and anonymous survey targeting the dental residents of the Dental faculty of Monastir Tunisia, was conducted between June the 1st to June the 30t2021. The questionnaire was divided into five sections: demographics, perceived stress during the pandemic, mental health, and coping mechanism. Yes /no questions as well as Likert scales were used. Results: Out of the 107 residents that were contacted, 52 responded. Sex ratio was 0.48. Among the respondents, 45.1% found that during the last 6 months, their days were “extremely stressful. A correlation between gender and daily stress was found (p=0.046); concerns about the family wellbeing as well as own health and safety were ranked first when it came to evaluating the stressors during that period. Twenty-three residents (45%) said they have had mental health problems during the last 6 months, 78% (40) of the participants felt sad, upset, and depressed for days during the last 6 months and 31 (62%) residents think they had become more irritable and in a bad mood these past few months. Talking to family and friends was the most reported coping mechanism.

Finding a Balance between Mood and Energy Level in a Rotational Work System

The impact of rotational work system on the mood and energy level among Oil and Gas workers was evaluated. The design was set in Port Harcourt metropolis Nigeria and questionnaire, cohort session and interviews were the instruments deployed. Questionnaires were administered to randomly selected workers from international Oil and Gas Companies located in Port Harcourt, Questions that bothered on the effect of rotational work on the mood and energy level of Oil and Gas workers were posed. It was observed that 38.8% and 41.2% agree and strongly agree that their mood is affected on site while 13.8% remained neutral. Interestingly, over 80% of Oil and Gas workers agreed to feeling of anxiety from the interview and cohort sessions. 40% and 43.8% of workers agree and strongly agree respectively that rotational work does affect their energy on site. Obtained median of 4 means that over 50% of the response belongs to the category that agree strongly agree while a mode of 5 has more responses in the category of strongly agree which is in agreement with results from the percentage frequency. Rotational workers were affected by absence from family and loved ones, social isolation and constant reminder of hazard and working in hazardous environment with work pressures and unrealistic deadlines. These cause depression and general dissatisfaction with life. Results from interviews revealed neglect of mental wellness of workers. The Oil and Gas workers are willing to face these hazards because of the economic gains arising from their work, however provision of recreational amenities and making policies that bring the Oil and Gas workers back home every seven days forbidding the schedule of trainings and workshops during time off duty will make rotational work more bearable.

Measuring mental wellness among adolescents living with a physical chronic condition: a systematic review of the mental health and mental well-being instruments

Background Globally, promoting mental health and well-being among adolescents has become a public health priority, especially for adolescents living with a physical chronic condition (CC), as research suggests they may be more at risk of developing mental health co-morbidities. Valid and reliable instruments are needed to measure and better understand mental health and mental well-being among adolescents living with a CC. To this end, we reviewed studies reporting on mental health and well-being instruments used in adolescent populations living with a chronic physical condition/disease globally. Methods We used a systematic review method guided by PRISMA to identify assess mental health and mental well-being instruments used in adolescents living with a CC. In this instance, mental health instruments were defined as those representing negative domains of mental health (i.e. depression and anxiety) while mental well-being instruments included positive aspects of mental health (i.e. self-concept and resilience). Results We identified 22 articles, which included 31 instruments that were used to measure either mental health (n = 8) or mental well-being (n = 15) or both (n = 8) in adolescents living with a CC. Of these, thirteen studies used a Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scale to measure mental health and/or mental well-being. The KIDSCREEN questionnaires and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were identified as being frequently used across the 22 studies. Additionally, 7 out of the 31 instruments were disease specific, with 3 focusing on adolescents with diabetes. All the instruments were developed in high income countries and adapted for use in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (n = 7) and HIV (n = 4) were researched in 11 out of 22 studies. Only eight studies were conducted in LMIC, of which four were in Africa. Conclusions HRQoL instruments are useful in measuring mental health and well-being in adolescents living with a CC. However, relatively few valid measures of mental health and mental well-being for adolescents living with a CC exist, which accentuates the paucity of research on mental health and mental well-being of adolescents who are living with a CC. Specific measures need to be developed in and for LMICs where cultural contexts affect mental well-being in unique ways. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020186707.

Mobile apps for health professionals experiencing stress and burnout: scoping review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis within the health workforce. There is evidence that mobile apps that promote psychosocial wellness may be an effective, low-cost, and widely accessible tool to reduce stress and burnout among HCPs. OBJECTIVE The objective of this scoping review is to explore whether there are mobile-based apps tailored to HCPs for stress and burnout relief during a crisis time and explore their characteristics and key features. METHODS The Google Play and Apple app stores were searched for wellness apps using the key words “relaxation” and “mental wellness”. The first 100 search results were assessed for eligibility. This was supplemented by an online search for burnout and stress relief apps for physicians and/or nurses. The apps were included if they focused on burnout and/or stress relief and demonstrated relevance to HCPs. More specifically, the app must be marketed to HCPs, recommended by health professional organizations, or was studied for efficacy among HCPs. The details of included apps were extracted on Microsoft Excel. RESULTS Most burnout and/or stress relief apps are targeted to the general population. Few apps (n=8) were specifically built for HCPs, but the pandemic crisis has encouraged existing apps to create specific content for this group (n=7). The features within apps relevant to HCPs were largely mindfulness/meditation (n=19) and wellness education (n=12), whereas community support (n=9) and access to psychological services (n=4) were less common. CONCLUSIONS Stress and burnout are widespread and severe among HCPs during the COVID-19 crisis. Mobile apps may be a feasible tool to offer wellness interventions, but most existing apps do not provide targeted content for HCPs. For those that do, they largely focus on individual-based activities, rather than external support.

Mind–Body Interventions in Patients With Heart Failure: State of the Science

Complementary and alternative medicine are broadly considered mind–body interventions (MBIs) that support physical and mental wellness in patients with heart failure (HF). The aims of this review were to integrate and summarize current evidence from MBIs in patients with HF and to identify gaps for future research. We used PRISMA guideline and conducted a literature search through six databases. Fifteen publications met the criteria, published between 2013 and 2021. This review stipulated that MBIs included yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, reflexology, massage, relaxation, and breathing interventions. The findings emphasized that MBIs could reduce physical and psychological symptoms and improve health outcomes in patients with HF. MBIs had encouraging results for patients with HF on selected physiological and behavioral outcomes. Despite the early state of the evidence in this field, it seems that MBIs will play an essential role in the future for alleviating the symptoms of patients with HF.