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Clinical Psychology Review Mar 2017Group-based social skills interventions (GSSIs) are widely used for treating social competence among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but their efficacy is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Group-based social skills interventions (GSSIs) are widely used for treating social competence among youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but their efficacy is unclear. Previous meta-analysis of the literature on well-designed trials of GSSIs is limited in size and scope, collapsing across highly heterogeneous sources (parents; youths; teachers; observers; behavioral tasks). The current meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) was conducted to ascertain overall effectiveness of GSSIs and differences by reporting sources. Nineteen RCTs met inclusion criteria. Results show that overall positive aggregate effects were medium (g=0.51, p<0.001). Effects were large for self-report (g=0.92, p<0.001), medium for task-based measures (g=0.58, p<0.001), small for parent- and observer-report (g=0.47 and 0.40, respectively, p<0.001), and nonsignificant for teacher-report (p=0.11). Moderation analyses of self-report revealed the effect was wholly attributable to youth reporting that they learned about skilled social behaviors (social knowledge; g=1.15, p<0.01), but not that they enacted them (social performance; g=0.28, p=0.31). Social skills interventions presently appear modestly effective for youth with ASD, but may not generalize to school settings or self-reported social behavior.
Topics: Adolescent; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Psychotherapy, Group; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Social Behavior; Social Skills; Young Adult
PubMed: 28130983
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.01.006 -
Journal of the American Medical... Jan 2023To report the overall prevalence of social frailty among older people and provide information for policymakers and authorities to use in developing policies and social... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To report the overall prevalence of social frailty among older people and provide information for policymakers and authorities to use in developing policies and social care.
DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
We searched 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) to find articles from inception to July 30, 2022. We included cross-sectional and cohort studies that provided the prevalence of social frailty among adults aged 60 years or older, in any setting.
METHODS
Three researchers independently reviewed the literature and retrieved the data. A risk of bias tool was used to assess each study's quality. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed to pool the data, followed by subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression.
RESULTS
From 761 records, we extracted 43 studies with 83,907 participants for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of social frailty in hospital settings was 47.3% (95% CI: 32.2%-62.4%); among studies in community settings, the pooled prevalence was 18.8% (95% CI: 14.9%-22.7%; P < .001). The prevalence of social frailty was higher when assessed using the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (32.3%; 95% CI: 23.1%-41.5%) than the Makizako Social Frailty Index (27.7%; 95% CI: 21.6%-33.8%) or Social Frailty Screening Index (13.4%; 95% CI: 8.4%-18.4%). Based on limited community studies in individual countries using various instruments, social frailty was lowest in China (4.9%; 95% CI: 4.2%-5.7%), followed by Spain (11.6%; 95% CI: 9.9%-13.3%), Japan (16.2%; 95% CI: 12.2%-20.3%), Korea (26.6%; 95% CI: 7.1%-46.1%), European urban centers (29.2%; 95% CI: 27.9%-30.5%), and the Netherlands (27.2%; 95% CI: 16.9%-37.5%). No other subgroup analyses showed any statistically significant prevalence difference between groups.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS
The prevalence of social frailty among older adults is high. Settings, country, and method for assessing social frailty affected the prevalence. More valid comparisons will await consensus on measurement tools and more research on geographically representative populations. Nevertheless, these results suggest that public health professionals and policymakers should seriously consider social frailty in research and program planning involving older adults.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Frailty; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Social Group; Hospitals; Frail Elderly
PubMed: 36402197
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.10.007 -
The American Journal of Occupational... 2015People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience difficulties with social participation, play, and leisure along with restricted and repetitive behaviors... (Review)
Review
Effectiveness of Interventions to Improve Social Participation, Play, Leisure, and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in People With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.
People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience difficulties with social participation, play, and leisure along with restricted and repetitive behaviors that can interfere with occupational performance. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate current evidence for interventions within the occupational therapy scope of practice that address these difficulties. Strong evidence was found that social skills groups, the Picture Exchange Communication System, joint attention interventions, and parent-mediated strategies can improve social participation. The findings were less conclusive for interventions to improve play and leisure performance and to decrease restricted and repetitive behaviors, but several strategies showed promise with moderately strong supporting evidence. Occupational therapists should be guided by evidence when considering interventions to improve social participation, play, leisure, and restricted and repetitive behaviors in people with ASD. Additional research using more robust scientific methods is needed for many of the currently available strategies.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Clinical Trials as Topic; Communication; Group Processes; Humans; Leisure Activities; Occupational Therapy; Parents; Play and Playthings; Social Participation; Social Skills
PubMed: 26356653
DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2015.017806 -
BMC Public Health Feb 2020Loneliness and social isolation are growing public health concerns in our ageing society. Whilst these experiences occur across the life span, 50% of individuals aged...
BACKGROUND
Loneliness and social isolation are growing public health concerns in our ageing society. Whilst these experiences occur across the life span, 50% of individuals aged over 60 are at risk of social isolation and one-third will experience some degree of loneliness later in life. The aim of this scoping review was to describe the range of interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation among older adults that have been evaluated; in terms of intervention conceptualisation, categorisation, and components.
METHODS
Three electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase and Medline) were systematically searched for relevant published reviews of interventions for loneliness and social isolation. Inclusion criteria were: review of any type, published in English, a target population of older people and reported data on the categorisation of loneliness and/or social isolation interventions. Data extracted included: categories of interventions and the reasoning underpinning this categorisation. The methodology framework proposed by Arskey and O'Malley and further developed by Levac, et al. was used to guide the scoping review process.
RESULTS
A total of 33 reviews met the inclusion criteria, evaluating a range of interventions targeted at older people residing in the community or institutionalised settings. Authors of reviews included in this paper often used the same terms to categorise different intervention components and many did not provide a clear definition of these terms. There were inconsistent meanings attributed to intervention characteristics. Overall, interventions were commonly categorised on the basis of: 1) group or one-to-one delivery mode, 2) the goal of the intervention, and 3) the intervention type. Several authors replicated the categorisation system used in previous reviews.
CONCLUSION
Many interventions have been developed to combat loneliness and social isolation among older people. The individuality of the experience of loneliness and isolation may cause difficulty in the delivery of standardised interventions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing loneliness or social isolation, and hence the need to tailor interventions to suit the needs of individuals, specific groups or the degree of loneliness experienced. Therefore, future research should be aimed at discerning what intervention works for whom, in what particular context and how.
Topics: Aged; Health Promotion; Humans; Loneliness; Social Isolation; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 32054474
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-8251-6 -
Psychiatry Research May 2023Transidentity and autism frequently co-occur. Previous reviews have focused mainly on frequencies. Here, we conducted a systematic review to condense all the studies and... (Review)
Review
Transidentity and autism frequently co-occur. Previous reviews have focused mainly on frequencies. Here, we conducted a systematic review to condense all the studies and themes on this co-occurrence and to offer a global view. We followed the PRISMA method and selected 77 articles (including 59 clinical studies) in April 2022. We found 5 main themes (sex ratio, theories, sexual orientation, clinical and social consequences, and care implications) in addition to frequencies. Many theories have been proposed to explain the co-occurrence. One posits that social difficulties related to autism would lead to less identification with gender norms and less pressure to conform to these norms, allowing for greater gender diversity in people with autism. Given their difficulties with social interactions and communication, the announcement of one's transidentity to one's social group is often discredited, increasing the risk of suffering and delayed care. Many reports reaffirm the importance of providing specialised care for transgender people with autism. Autism is not a contraindication for gender-affirming treatment. However, some cognitive specificities can affect the planning of care, and transgender people with autism are at high risk of discrimination and harassment. We conclude that there is a need to raise awareness about gender and autism.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Gender Dysphoria; Gender Identity; Transgender Persons; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 36996732
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115176 -
European Journal of Nutrition Mar 2018Effective treatments for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lacking. We systematically updated evidence on the effectiveness of a gluten-free and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Effective treatments for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lacking. We systematically updated evidence on the effectiveness of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet as a treatment for ASD in children.
METHODS
The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched up until August 2016, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs); additional references were obtained from reviewed articles.
RESULTS
Six RCTs (214 participants) were included. With few exceptions, there were no statistically significant differences in autism spectrum disorder core symptoms between groups, as measured by standardized scales. One trial found that compared with the control group, in the GFCF diet group there were significant improvements in the scores for the 'communication' subdomain of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and for the 'social interaction' subdomain of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale. Another trial found significant differences between groups in the post-intervention scores for the 'autistic traits', 'communication', and 'social contact' subdomains of a standardized Danish scheme. The remaining differences, if present, referred to parent-based assessment tools or other developmental/ASD-related features. No adverse events associated with a GFCF diet were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, there is little evidence that a GFCF diet is beneficial for the symptoms of ASD in children.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Caseins; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Communication Disorders; Diet, Gluten-Free; Diet, Protein-Restricted; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Social Behavior Disorders
PubMed: 28612113
DOI: 10.1007/s00394-017-1483-2 -
The American Journal of Occupational... 2013We describe the results of a systematic review of the literature on children's mental health using a public health model consisting of three levels of mental health... (Review)
Review
We describe the results of a systematic review of the literature on children's mental health using a public health model consisting of three levels of mental health service: universal, targeted, and intensive. At the universal level, strong evidence exists for the effectiveness of occupation- and activity-based interventions in many areas, including programs that focus on social-emotional learning; schoolwide bullying prevention; and after-school, performing arts, and stress management activities. At the targeted level, strong evidence indicates that social and life skills programs are effective for children who are aggressive, have been rejected, and are teenage mothers. The evidence also is strong that children with intellectual impairments, developmental delays, and learning disabilities benefit from social skills programming and play, leisure, and recreational activities. Additionally, evidence of the effectiveness of social skills programs is strong for children requiring services at the intensive level (e.g., those with autism spectrum disorder, diagnosed mental illness, serious behavior disorders) to improve social behavior and self-management.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Adolescent; Child; Child Behavior Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Developmental Disabilities; Health Promotion; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Learning Disabilities; Mental Health; Occupational Therapy; Peer Group; Play and Playthings
PubMed: 24195907
DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2013.008359 -
Journal of Anxiety Disorders Mar 2021This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between social anxiety and affective (AE) and cognitive empathy (CE). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between social anxiety and affective (AE) and cognitive empathy (CE).
METHODS
1442 studies from PsycINFO, Medline, and EMBASE (inception-January 2020) were systematically reviewed. Included studies (N = 48) either predicted variance in empathy using social anxiety scores or compared empathy scores between socially anxious individuals and a control group.
RESULTS
Social anxiety and AE were statistically significantly positively associated, k = 14, r = .103 (95%CI [.003, .203]), z = 2.03, p = .043. Sex (Q (2) = 18.79, p < .0001), and type of measures (Q (1 = 7.34, p = .007) moderated the association. Correlations were significant for male samples (r = .316, (95%CI [.200, .432])) and studies using self-report measures (r = .162 (95%CI [.070, .254])). Overall, social anxiety and CE were not significantly associated, k = 52, r =-.021 (95%CI [-.075, .034]), z= -0.74, p = .459. Sample type moderated the association (Q (1) = 5.03, p < .0001). For clinical samples the association was negative (r= -.112, (95%CI [-.201, -.017]).
CONCLUSION
There was evidence for a positive association between social anxiety and AE, but future studies are needed to verify the moderating roles of sex and type of measure. Besides, low CE might only hold for patients with SAD.
Topics: Anxiety; Empathy; Fear; Humans; Male; Self Report
PubMed: 33588287
DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102357 -
Psycho-oncology Jun 2023Research has indicated that social support may play a protective role in the face of stress and help children and adolescents cope with the demands and challenges they... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Research has indicated that social support may play a protective role in the face of stress and help children and adolescents cope with the demands and challenges they face on a daily basis during their cancer journey. However, social support tends to reduce over time as survivors overcome their illness despite its ongoing importance even years after treatment has finished. The current review aimed to systematically examine existing evidence on social support in child and adolescent cancer survivors.
METHODS
Five databases (PsychINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science) were searched systematically to identify quantitative studies which explored social support from the perspective of child and adolescent cancer survivors aged 18 years or younger.
RESULTS
A total of 10 studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Findings from the review indicate that family and friends, particularly parents, are important sources of social support for survivors. Social support was positively related to posttraumatic growth, school re-entry and physical activity, and negatively related to psychological stress, depression, anxiety and stress. Furthermore, findings relating to gender, age and group differences were mixed. A number of methodological concerns were identified in the reviewed studies including small sample sizes, as well as a lack of consistency in the measurement of social support.
CONCLUSIONS
Future studies of social support for child and adolescent cancer survivors need to address these shortcomings to help inform care and support interventions promoting social support in survivors.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Cancer Survivors; Neoplasms; Social Support; Parents; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 36944590
DOI: 10.1002/pon.6128 -
Family Medicine and Community Health Oct 2022Social prescribing is a person-centred model of care with emphases on lessening the impact of unmet social needs, supporting the delivery of personalised care, and...
OBJECTIVE
Social prescribing is a person-centred model of care with emphases on lessening the impact of unmet social needs, supporting the delivery of personalised care, and reducing non-medical resource use in the primary care setting. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesise the effect of social prescribing for older adults within primary care.
DESIGN
We followed standard systematic review guidelines, including protocol registration, screening studies (title/abstract and full text) and assessing the study quality.
ELIGIBILITY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
We searched multiple online databases for studies that included older adults 60+ years (group mean age), an intervention defined and called social prescribing (or social prescription) via health provider referrals to non-medical services, and quantitative physical and psychosocial outcomes and/or health resource use. We included experimental and observational studies from all years and languages and conducted a narrative synthesis. The date of the last search was 24 March 2022.
RESULTS
We screened 406 citations (after removing duplicates) and included seven studies. All studies except one were before-after design without a control group, and all except one study was conducted in the UK. Studies included 12-159 participants (baseline), there were more women than men, the group mean (SD) age was 76.1 (4.0) years and data collection (baseline to final) occurred on average 19.4 (14.0) weeks apart. Social prescribing referrals came from health and social providers. Studies had considerable risk of bias, programme implementation details were missing, and for studies that reported data (n=6) on average only 66% of participants completed studies (per-protocol). There were some positive effects of social prescribing on physical and psychosocial outcomes (eg, social participation, well-being). Findings varied for health resource use. These results may change with new evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
There were few peer-reviewed studies available for social prescribing and older adults. Next steps for social prescribing should include co-creating initiatives with providers, older people and communities to identify meaningful outcomes, and feasible and robust methods for uptake of the prescription and community programmes. This should be considered in advance or in parallel with determining its effectiveness for meaningful outcomes at multiple levels (person, provider and programme).
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Primary Health Care; Social Support
PubMed: 36207017
DOI: 10.1136/fmch-2022-001829