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Human Resources For Health Feb 2021Interventions using positive psychology (PP), which build on positive qualities of healthcare personnel and institutions, could potentially enhance organisational... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Interventions using positive psychology (PP), which build on positive qualities of healthcare personnel and institutions, could potentially enhance organisational performance in healthcare. The aim of this systematic review was to identify if PP interventions have an impact on organisational performance of healthcare personnel, and if so, how this impact can be achieved. We developed a logic model to explain the impact of PP interventions on organisational performance.
METHODS
We searched Web of Science, Medline, Psychinfo, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL (from inception until March 2019) and references of included articles to identify studies that evaluated the impact of a PP intervention for health personnel. Study quality was assessed using the SQUIRE checklist for quality improvement studies. Data were extracted about study details, setting, participants, intervention, method of evaluation and results. Outcomes, mechanisms and contexts were coded in nVivo. Data synthesis was guided by Lewis' theory of the impact of PP interventions on organisational performance and Kneale et al.'s method for logic model development. Collected data were integrated into a logic model explaining initial inputs, processes, and intermediate outcomes of PP interventions that lead to improved organisational performance in healthcare settings.
RESULTS
We retrieved 4638 articles and identified five through references of included articles of which 29 studies (31 articles) met our inclusion criteria. Most articles were of low quality (n = 19) and outcome measures varied widely. We identified 54 different outcomes of PP interventions, including 'improved well-being' and 'improved interaction and support'. Forty-nine mechanisms were identified including 'recognising and reframing negative interpretations'. Twenty four contextual factors were identified of which seven acted as barriers. 'Managerial support' was a facilitator mentioned in eight studies. All identified outcomes, mechanisms and contextual factors were integrated into a logic model explaining how interventions using PP can impact organisational performance in healthcare.
CONCLUSION
Few identified outcomes were statistically significant, however, trends in both quantitative and qualitative outcomes show that PP interventions can increase well-being and interaction and support and thus improve organisational performance in healthcare. The developed logic model can be used in the implementation and evaluation of interventions using PP for health personnel.
Topics: Health Personnel; Health Workforce; Humans; Psychology, Positive; Quality Improvement
PubMed: 33639979
DOI: 10.1186/s12960-021-00564-5 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Loneliness has significant impacts on the health of older adults. Social networks help to improve psychosocial and quality of life outcomes among older adults. A fifth... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Loneliness has significant impacts on the health of older adults. Social networks help to improve psychosocial and quality of life outcomes among older adults. A fifth of older adults live in rural communities, where geographic isolation poses challenges to health. The dynamics of social networks of older adults in rural communities has not been explored.
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize the literature related to loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural settings.
METHODS
A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted through searching six bibliographic databases to retrieve peer-reviewed literature with no time limits. We performed a methodological assessment of each study using a mixed method quality assessment tool. Findings are synthesized thematically.
RESULTS
A total of 50 studies (32 quantitative, 15 qualitative, and 3 mixed methods) were included in this review. Studies were conducted in 17 different countries, the majority from China ( = 12), the UK ( = 9), and USA ( = 9). Findings revealed that social networks of older adults consist of family, friends and neighbors and continue to be developed through participation in various physical and social activities such as walking groups and participation in religious events. Social networks offer informational, functional, psychological and social support to older adults. Through their social networks, older adults feel socially connected and cared for. Successful interventions to improve social networks and address loneliness were those developed in groups or one-on-one with the older adults. The key ingredient to the positive impact of these interventions on reducing social isolation and loneliness was the formation of a social connection and regular engagement with the older adults. However, the review did not find any explicitly reported theory or model on which these interventions are based.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of loneliness among older adults in rural areas needs urgent attention. Social network theory and methods can help in developing interventions to address social isolation and loneliness among older adults in rural communities.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Loneliness; Quality of Life; Rural Population; Social Isolation; Social Networking
PubMed: 37255758
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1113864 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Dec 2021Theory of Mind (ToM), the ability to represent the mental states of oneself and others, is an essential social skill disrupted across many psychiatric conditions. The... (Review)
Review
Theory of Mind (ToM), the ability to represent the mental states of oneself and others, is an essential social skill disrupted across many psychiatric conditions. The transdiagnostic nature of ToM impairment means it is plausible that ToM impairment is related to alexithymia (difficulties identifying and describing one's own emotions), as alexithymia is seen across psychiatric conditions. Whilst many studies have examined links between alexithymia and ToM, results are mixed. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to provide a taxonomy of ToM tests and assess their relationship with alexithymia. Tests are grouped according to whether they assess propensity to engage spontaneously in ToM or accuracy of ToM inferences, with tests further subdivided into those that do, and do not, require emotion recognition. A review of 63 suitable studies suggests that alexithymia is often associated with reduced ToM, and inaccurate ToM when tasks require emotion recognition. This latter finding appears due to impaired emotion recognition, rather than ToM impairment per se. Further directions and considerations for future research are discussed.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Emotions; Humans; Theory of Mind
PubMed: 34599917
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.036 -
Post Reproductive Health Jun 2023Menopausal symptoms are known to affect quality of life and work productivity. This systematic review aimed to describe the range and effectiveness of workplace-based... (Review)
Review
Menopausal symptoms are known to affect quality of life and work productivity. This systematic review aimed to describe the range and effectiveness of workplace-based interventions for menopause. MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EconLit, and SCOPUS were searched from the inception until April 2022. Quantitative interventional studies evaluating physical/virtual workplace-based interventions aiming to improve well-being, work, and other outcomes, that involved women in menopausal transition, or their line managers/supervisors were eligible for inclusion. Two randomized controlled trials and three uncontrolled trials, comprising 293 women aged 40-60 years and 61, line managers/supervisors, were included in the review. Results were narratively synthesized due to the heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes and we found that only a limited range of interventions have been evaluated for their ability to support women going through menopausal transition in the workplace. Self-help cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); Raja yoga; and health promotion (involving menopause consultations, work-life coaching and physical training) improved menopausal symptoms significantly. Self-help CBT was associated with a significant improvement in mental resources for work, presenteeism, and work and social adjustment. Awareness programs significantly improved knowledge and attitudes of both employees and line managers/supervisors about menopause. The interventions have mostly been evaluated in small studies with selected populations but have improved menopausal symptoms and work outcomes. A customizable menopause wellbeing intervention package incorporating these evidence-supported interventions should be developed and implemented on a wider scale within organizations alongside robust evaluation of its effectiveness.
Topics: Female; Humans; Quality of Life; Menopause; Workplace; Work Performance; Exercise
PubMed: 37207326
DOI: 10.1177/20533691231177414 -
Early Intervention in Psychiatry Dec 2022Thinking biases are posited to be involved in the genesis and maintenance of delusions. Persecutory delusions are one of the most commonly occurring delusional subtypes... (Review)
Review
AIM
Thinking biases are posited to be involved in the genesis and maintenance of delusions. Persecutory delusions are one of the most commonly occurring delusional subtypes and cause substantial distress and disability to the individuals experiencing them. Their clinical relevance confers a rationale for investigating them. Particularly, this review aims to elucidate which cognitive biases are involved in their development and persistence.
METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and Global Health were searched from the year 2000 to June 2020. A formal narrative synthesis was employed to report the findings and a quality assessment of included studies was conducted.
RESULTS
Twenty five studies were included. Overall, 18 thinking biases were identified. Hostility and trustworthiness judgement biases appeared to be specific to persecutory delusions while jumping to conclusions, self-serving attributional biases and belief inflexibility were proposed to be more closely related to other delusional subtypes. While the majority of the biases identified were suggested to be involved in delusion maintenance, hostility biases, need for closure and personalizing attributional biases were believed to also have aetiological influences.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings show that some cognitive biases are specific to paranoid psychosis and appear to be involved in the formation and/or persistence of persecutory delusions.
Topics: Humans; Delusions; Paranoid Disorders; Bias; Psychotic Disorders
PubMed: 35396904
DOI: 10.1111/eip.13292 -
Journal of Behavioral Addictions Jul 2022We aimed to systematically identify, evaluate and summarize the research on adolescent emotion dysregulation and problematic technology use. We critically appraise... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
We aimed to systematically identify, evaluate and summarize the research on adolescent emotion dysregulation and problematic technology use. We critically appraise strengths and limitations and provide recommendations for future research.
METHODS
We followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and conducted a systematic review of published original reports on adolescent emotion dysregulation and problematic technology use published until March 1, 2022. A thorough search preceded the selection of studies matching prespecified criteria. Strengths and limitations of selected studies, regarding design and reporting, were identified based on current best practices.
RESULTS
39 studies met inclusion criteria. All of these studies provided on the relationship between adolescent emotion dysregulation and problematic technology use severity based on self-report data.
DISCUSSION
There was a positive correlation between adolescent emotion dysregulation and the severity of problematic technology use. Beyond this, other variables (such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, etc.) were also closely related to emotion dysregulation and problematic technology use. Such studies are of importance to better understand cause-effect relations regarding both variables.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Self Concept; Technology
PubMed: 35895565
DOI: 10.1556/2006.2022.00038 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022The aim of this systematic review was to identify the main factors affecting the training process of para-athletes, as well as the barriers they encounter. For this... (Review)
Review
The aim of this systematic review was to identify the main factors affecting the training process of para-athletes, as well as the barriers they encounter. For this purpose, a systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA declaration guidelines, in which six databases were analysed (Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscus, Pubmed, Eric, and PsycInfo). A total of 19 articles were selected for analysis after applying the inclusion criteria. The results show that the figures of the coach and families in the sporting and social contexts, respectively, had a relevant influence on the training process of para-athletes. Furthermore, in terms of psychological aspects, stress reduction, the importance of self-esteem, and motivation were highlighted. On the other hand, there are some barriers hindering the training and performance of athletes, which are related to the lack of financial support, lack of visibility in the media, and dependence on other people. These considerations can be of great help to coaches and competent institutions in the field (Paralympic committees, federations, etc.) in order to improve the training process and performance of para-athletes and to eliminate the barriers encountered by this group, promoting policies which facilitate access to sports for people with disabilities.
Topics: Athletes; Disabled Persons; Humans; Motivation; Para-Athletes; Sports
PubMed: 35742492
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127242 -
Nutrients Jul 2023The present review investigates the complex associations between children's affective states, body perceptions, and eating habits, thus providing crucial insights for... (Review)
Review
The present review investigates the complex associations between children's affective states, body perceptions, and eating habits, thus providing crucial insights for potential health interventions. Following PRISMA guidelines, three databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies exploring the relationship between eating habits, emotional states, and body image perceptions in a population of children (5 to 11 years old). A total of seven articles were included. Our findings revealed a pattern of associations between negative emotional states, like anxiety and depressive feelings, and maladaptive eating behaviors. Additionally, explicit influences from parental feeding practices, peer pressure, socioeconomic factors, and children's body perceptions were observed to shape eating habits, with a pronounced tendency among older girls towards dieting and food preoccupation. Our results underline the intertwining nature of age, gender, and emotional states. Furthermore, our findings accentuate the urgency for comprehensive interventions that acknowledge and address the complex interplay of emotional, familial, and socioeconomic factors alongside children's body image perceptions. The criticality of continued research, particularly ones employing longitudinal designs and diverse demographic samples, is highlighted as we strive to understand and navigate such multifaceted relationships to enhance children's health and well-being.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Surveys and Questionnaires; Feeding Behavior; Parents; Emotions; Food; Child Behavior; Parenting; Eating
PubMed: 37571280
DOI: 10.3390/nu15153343 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Gambling disorder (GD) is a pressing public health concern with significant societal costs. The recently developed nudge theory, which is rooted in behavioral economics,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gambling disorder (GD) is a pressing public health concern with significant societal costs. The recently developed nudge theory, which is rooted in behavioral economics, aims to influence the decision-making behaviors of individuals by implementing changes in the environment.
AIM
This scoping review aims to synthesize the literature on nudge theory as it relates to gambling.
METHODS
This scoping review accords with the Arksey and O'Malley framework, as refined by Levac et al. It includes only articles from peer-reviewed journals that focus, as main themes, on both nudge theory and gambling. The final study selection includes six articles.
RESULTS
The scoping review process led to studies explaining how (1) nudges aim to prod people toward healthier gambling choices, fostering the adoption of more responsible gambling practices, and (2) some gambling features, called dark nudges (or sludges), exploit and harm the decision-making processes of people who gamble.
CONCLUSION
This scoping review highlights the fact that many stakeholders are involved in the field of gambling, and that better cooperation between them would promote safer and more responsible gambling practices. Future research is also needed to empirically test nudges to develop a better understanding of their impact on those who gamble.
Topics: Gambling; Humans; Decision Making; Psychological Theory; Choice Behavior; Behavior, Addictive; Economics, Behavioral
PubMed: 38915754
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1377183 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Nov 2022Traditional and more modern conceptualizations of psychopathy cite problems with impulse control. However, the extent to which these problems represent a cardinal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Traditional and more modern conceptualizations of psychopathy cite problems with impulse control. However, the extent to which these problems represent a cardinal feature of the disorder has been debated. In this study, we conducted a preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis, searching Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and PubMed, for studies from inception to January 6th, 2022. We included 21 studies, published between 2009 and 2021, that reported on the relationship of psychopathy with performance on the go/no-go or stop signal task. A multilevel random-effects meta-analysis, including 43 effect sizes from 17 studies (total N = 1394), showed a significant pooled association between psychopathy and response inhibition r = -0.143 (95 % CI: -0.250 to -0.034). The relatively small effect size, although statistically significant, calls in to question the extent to which difficulties in response inhibition should be considered a cardinal feature of psychopathic personality. The strength of the relationship did not significantly differ between non-criminal and criminal samples, gender, task type, tasks with or without an affective component, or by psychopathy trait dimension.
Topics: Humans; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Task Performance and Analysis
PubMed: 36113781
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104868