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Archives of Suicide Research : Official... 2016Although religion is reported to be protective against suicide, the empirical evidence is inconsistent. Research is complicated by the fact that there are many... (Review)
Review
Although religion is reported to be protective against suicide, the empirical evidence is inconsistent. Research is complicated by the fact that there are many dimensions to religion (affiliation, participation, doctrine) and suicide (ideation, attempt, completion). We systematically reviewed the literature on religion and suicide over the last 10 years (89 articles) with a goal of identifying what specific dimensions of religion are associated with specific aspects of suicide. We found that religious affiliation does not necessarily protect against suicidal ideation, but does protect against suicide attempts. Whether religious affiliation protects against suicide attempts may depend on the culture-specific implications of affiliating with a particular religion, since minority religious groups can feel socially isolated. After adjusting for social support measures, religious service attendance is not especially protective against suicidal ideation, but does protect against suicide attempts, and possibly protects against suicide. Future qualitative studies might further clarify these associations.
Topics: Humans; Minority Groups; Protective Factors; Religion; Religion and Psychology; Risk Factors; Social Isolation; Social Support; Spirituality; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide; Suicide, Attempted
PubMed: 26192968
DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2015.1004494 -
The Journal of Primary Prevention Jun 2018Transgender and gender variant (GV) youth experience elevated risk for poor health and academic outcomes due mainly to social experiences of stigma and discrimination....
Transgender and gender variant (GV) youth experience elevated risk for poor health and academic outcomes due mainly to social experiences of stigma and discrimination. To supplement the growing evidence on health risks encountered by transgender/GV youth, we identified factors theorized to be protective for these youth across all four levels of Bronfenbrenner's socioecological model (individual, relationship, community, societal). We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed research. The articles included in this review were published in peer-reviewed journals in English or Spanish between 1999 and 2014, analyzed data from a sample or subsample of transgender or GV participants with a mean age between 10 and 24 years, and examined the relationship of at least one theorized protective factor to a health or behavioral outcome. Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria. Transgender/GV youth in included articles ranged from 11 to 26 years of age, were racially/ethnically diverse, and represented varied gender identities. Within these articles, 27 unique protective factors across four levels of the ecological model were identified as related to positive health and well-being. Self-esteem at the individual level, healthy relationships with parents and peers at the relationship-level, and gay-straight alliances at the community level emerged as protective factors across multiple studies. Our findings underscore the relative lack of research on transgender/GV youth and protective factors. Novel recruitment strategies for transgender/GV youth and better measurement of transgender identities are needed to confirm these protective relationships and identify others. Growth in these areas will contribute to building a body of evidence to inform interventions.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Protective Factors; Social Stigma; Transgender Persons; Young Adult
PubMed: 29700674
DOI: 10.1007/s10935-018-0508-9 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2022Colorectal cancer in adults 50 years old and younger is increasing in incidence worldwide. Diet may be a modifiable risk factor. The objective of this study was to...
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer in adults 50 years old and younger is increasing in incidence worldwide. Diet may be a modifiable risk factor. The objective of this study was to examine evidence regarding the association between diet and the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) and early-onset colorectal adenomas in young adults.
METHODS
PUBMED, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched for studies examining dietary intake as a risk factor for EOCRC and early-onset colorectal adenomas. Results were synthesized narratively due to the heterogeneity of the studies.
RESULTS
Of the 415 studies identified, ten met the inclusion criteria. Of these ten studies, four provided data on dietary risk factors for early-onset colorectal adenomas and six provided data on dietary risk factors for EOCRC. The four studies that measured colorectal adenoma occurrence reported an increased incidence with high sugar sweetened beverage intake, a higher pro-inflammatory diet, a higher Western diet score and higher sulfur microbial diet score. A protective effect against early-onset colorectal adenomas was observed in those who had a higher Prudent diet score or higher adherence to other health dietary approaches (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010, or the alternative Mediterranean diet). Those who consumed large amounts of deep-fried foods, refined foods, followed a high fat diet, consumed large amounts of sugary drinks and desserts, and had low folate and fiber consumption had a significantly higher occurrence of EOCRC. A protective effect against EOCRC was observed for those who consumed more fruits and vegetables, high amounts of micronutrients and those who adhered to a vegetarian diet.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study reveal various dietary habits may be risk factors or protective against early-onset colorectal cancer and adenomas. Future research should focus on large prospective cohort studies with long-term follow-up to confirm published results and further examine whether differences in diet quality are associated with EOCRC risk.
PubMed: 35757246
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.896330 -
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Mar 2024The Nordic welfare model is often used as an example for the promotion of health and wellbeing, even in vulnerable groups of children, such as refugees. Nonetheless,... (Review)
Review
The Nordic welfare model is often used as an example for the promotion of health and wellbeing, even in vulnerable groups of children, such as refugees. Nonetheless, there are no published reviews on resilience and/or risk and protective factors for physical and mental health among refugee children living in Nordic countries. In this systematic review, we identified 5181 studies on the topic, screened titles, and abstracts, viewed 632, and finally included 26 studies. These studies described 18 samples with a total of 34,080 individuals ranging in ages 0-18 years. Overall, the studies were of good quality. Nearly all studies assessed adversity. Six studies reported physical health outcomes and all studies mental health outcomes, most often post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. None explicitly studied resilience. While we found that age and sex are the most frequently studied risk- and protective factors, findings are inconclusive, since the direction of the associations was different in the different studies. This systematic review indicates that there is still a need for well-designed and -powered studies using clear definitions of key study concepts to examine health outcomes and resilience among refugee children in Nordic countries.
Topics: Child; Humans; Resilience, Psychological; Refugees; Protective Factors; Mental Health; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
PubMed: 35445318
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-022-01975-y -
Palliative Medicine Jul 2023Medical Aid in Dying is an end-of-life option that allows a physician to provide a patient with a prescription to end their life. Though Medical Aid in Dying intends to... (Review)
Review
An examination and proposed theoretical model of risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals who engaged in medical aid in dying: A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Medical Aid in Dying is an end-of-life option that allows a physician to provide a patient with a prescription to end their life. Though Medical Aid in Dying intends to reduce suffering for a patient, opponents argue Medical Aid in Dying may increase suffering for the family members during bereavement. To better understand the bereavement outcomes for family members/friends following Medical Aid in Dying, an exhaustive review of the risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes is warranted.
AIM
This systemic review aimed to identify studies that examined bereavement outcomes of family members of individuals who engage in Medial Aid in Dying, identify risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes, and propose a theoretical model to enhance conceptual clarity.
DESIGN
A mixed-method systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
Ten databases were searched on June 16, 2021 and later conducted two updates (latest April 25, 2022).
RESULTS
Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria. Risk and protective factors were identified pre-Medical Aid in Dying and risk factors post-Medical Aid in Dying. Few studies compared bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals utilizing Medical Aid in Dying to family members who lost someone to natural loss.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides equivocal results about the effects of Medical Aid in Dying on family members following the loss. The theoretical model outlines potential risk and protective factors. This model provides a greater understanding of possible universal risk and protective factors for family members of individuals who engaged in Medical Aid in Dying.
Topics: Humans; Suicide, Assisted; Protective Factors; Bereavement; Grief; Family
PubMed: 37129287
DOI: 10.1177/02692163231172242 -
Alzheimer's & Dementia : the Journal of... Jan 2024Dementia is an emergent health priority for Indigenous peoples worldwide, yet little is known about disease drivers and protective factors.
INTRODUCTION
Dementia is an emergent health priority for Indigenous peoples worldwide, yet little is known about disease drivers and protective factors.
METHODS
Database searches were conducted in March 2022 to identify original publications on risk, protective, genetic, neuroradiological, and biological factors related to dementia and cognitive impairment involving Indigenous peoples.
RESULTS
Modifiable risk factors featured across multiple studies include childhood adversity, hearing loss, low education attainment, unskilled work history, stroke, head injury, epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, depression, low BMI, poor mobility, and continence issues. Non-modifiable risk factors included increasing age, sex, and genetic polymorphisms. Education, ex-smoking, physical and social activity, and engagement with cultural or religious practices were highlighted as potential protective factors. There is a paucity of research on dementia biomarkers involving Indigenous peoples.
DISCUSSION
Greater understanding of modifiable factors and biomarkers of dementia can assist in strength-based models to promote healthy ageing and cognition for Indigenous peoples.
Topics: Humans; Indigenous Peoples; Risk Factors; Educational Status; Biomarkers; Dementia
PubMed: 37746888
DOI: 10.1002/alz.13458 -
Journal of Eating Disorders 2017This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate the literature investigating protective factors and eating disorders (EDs), to establish what is known about factors... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate the literature investigating protective factors and eating disorders (EDs), to establish what is known about factors in family systems that could be considered protective against the development of ED/disordered eating.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was conducted on five databases, using search terms related to ED/disordered eating and protective factors. Studies were systematically screened and included if they made reference to a protective factor within the family system and explored associations with a quantitative measure of ED/disordered eating behaviours. All included studies were evaluated for study quality.
RESULTS
Twenty-five studies met criteria for inclusion. Ten papers made use of longitudinal or prospective designs appropriate to identify factors potentially protecting against the development of disordered eating difficulties, while a further 15 papers report cross-sectional associations between family factors and disordered eating outcomes. Studies looked at aspects of family relationships and family practices around food or eating. There was a particular research focus on the potential protective role of regular family meals.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Many of the potential protective factors identified, such as family support and connectedness, may be non-specific to eating difficulties, promoting general adaptive development and a range of positive development outcomes. Factors in the family environment around food, eating and weight, such as frequent family meals and avoiding comments about weight, may be more specific to ED and disordered eating. Issues with the methodologies used severely impact on the ability to draw conclusions about whether factors are 'protective'.
PubMed: 28360998
DOI: 10.1186/s40337-017-0141-7 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2023Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Though the pathogenesis of ALS is still unclear,...
OBJECTIVE
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Though the pathogenesis of ALS is still unclear, exploring the associations between risk factors and ALS can provide reliable evidence to find the pathogenesis. This meta-analysis aims to synthesize all related risk factors of ALS to understand this disease comprehensively.
METHODS
We searched the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science, and Scopus. Moreover, observational studies, including cohort studies, and case-control studies, were included in this meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 36 eligible observational studies were included, and 10 of them were cohort studies and the rest were case-control studies. We found six factors exacerbated the progression of disease: head trauma (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.40), physical activity (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.09), electric shock (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.62, 4.56), military service (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.61), pesticides (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.7, 2.26), and lead exposure (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.44, 3.71). Of note, type 2 diabetes mellitus was a protective factor for ALS. However, cerebrovascular disease (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.75, 1.29), agriculture (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.74, 1.99), industry (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.81, 1.91), service (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.19, 1.17), smoking (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.5, 3.09), chemicals (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 0.89, 6.77), and heavy metal (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.47, 4.84) were not risk factors for ALS based on meta-analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
Head trauma, physical activity, electric shock, military service, pesticides, and lead were risk factors for ALS onset and progression. But DM was a protective factor. This finding provides a better understanding of ALS risk factors with strong evidence for clinicians to rationalize clinical intervention strategies.
INPLSY REGISTRATION NUMBER
https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0118/, INPLASY202290118.
PubMed: 37284659
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1196722 -
Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.) Apr 2022The experience of homelessness for young people can affect social, emotional, and physical development, resulting in poorer physical and mental health outcomes. To... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The experience of homelessness for young people can affect social, emotional, and physical development, resulting in poorer physical and mental health outcomes. To reduce rates of youth homelessness, a better understanding of both risk and resilience is needed to inform future intervention development. This article presents a systematic review of published research reporting risk or resilience factors related to homelessness among young people in Western countries.
METHODS
After thorough examination for inclusion criteria, 665 abstracts of peer-reviewed quantitative studies of risk or resilience factors for homelessness among young people (ages 0-25) that included an adequate comparison group (e.g., not homeless) were selected. After abstract and full-text screening, 16 articles were reviewed. A primary prevention framework was used to create an explanatory model for the onset of homelessness using risk and resilience factors.
RESULTS
Common risk factors for youth homelessness included difficulties with family, mental health or substance use problems, a history of problem behaviors, a history of foster care, homelessness as a child, and running away. Common protective factors included a supportive family, a college education, and high socioeconomic status. Findings were integrated into a provisional developmental model of youth homelessness risk. Clinical implications of the model for service development are discussed, and a model for monitoring homelessness risk and resilience factors is proposed.
CONCLUSIONS
Factors affecting homelessness risk among youths and adults differ, with family, foster care, and schooling playing a much more important role among youths. Findings highlight opportunities for youth homelessness prevention strategies and monitoring.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Ill-Housed Persons; Homeless Youth; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Mental Health; Protective Factors; Risk Factors; Social Problems; Substance-Related Disorders; Young Adult
PubMed: 34320827
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000133 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2021Considerable research has been undertaken regarding the mental health inequalities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) youth as a... (Review)
Review
Considerable research has been undertaken regarding the mental health inequalities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) youth as a consequence of societal and individual prejudice, stigma and discrimination. Far less research has focussed on protective factors that promote wellbeing for this population. A scoping review was conducted using a six-stage methodological framework, and is reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR statement. This explored the extent, range and nature of the peer-reviewed, published, academic literature on what is known about the protective factors that promote LGBTI+ youth wellbeing. Six databases were systematically searched applying Population-Concept-Context key inclusion criteria, complemented by contact with authors to identify additional sources, reference checks and hand searches. Ninety-six individual research records were identified and analysed, drawing from Honneth's Recognition Theory. Interpersonal relations with parents ( = 40), peers ( = 32) and providers ( = 22) were associated with indicators of enhanced wellbeing, as were LGBTI+ community relations ( = 32). Importantly, online ( = 10), faith ( = 10) and cultural ( = 5) communities were potentially protective. Content and thematic analysis highlighted the importance of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) ( = 23) offering powerful protective opportunities through intersecting interpersonal, community and legal forms of recognition. GSAs enhance allyship by peers and providers ( = 21), facilitate access to LGBTI+ community networks ( = 11) and co-exist alongside inclusive policies ( = 12), curricular ( = 5) and extracurricular activities ( = 1). This scoping review underscores the need to move beyond the predominant focus on risk factors for LGBTI+ youth, which subsequently inform protectionist approaches. It concludes with an appeal to develop mechanisms to apply recognitive justice to policy, practice and, importantly, future research directions. This emphasises the salience of enhanced understandings of inclusion, which is rights-based, universally available and of potential benefit to all.
Topics: Adolescent; Bisexuality; Female; Homosexuality, Female; Humans; Protective Factors; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Transgender Persons
PubMed: 34770199
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111682