Psychological determinants and outcomes of sedentary and physical activity behaviours

There is now a large body of literature that supports the protective role of physical activity for both physical and psychological health. Sedentary behaviour was previously considered the functional opposite of physical activity, but 10 years ago, Owen and colleagues highlighted the need to study physical activity and sedentary behaviour as two distinct modes of behaviour that can independently influence health [1]. Since then, there has been growing evidence that participation in sedentary behaviours such as television viewing, computer use and sitting at work are associated with higher risk of chronic disease outcomes (type 2 diabetes, obesity), and leisure-time sitting has recently been associated with increased mortality [2]. Growing research points to the possible synergistic effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in contributing to health outcomes

A preliminary study of the effects of Tai Chi and Qigong medical exercise on indicators of metabolic syndrome, glycaemic control, health-related quality of life, and psychological health in adults with elevated blood glucose

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effects of a Tai Chi and Qigong exercise programme in adults with elevated blood glucose. Design, Setting, and Participants A single group pre–post feasibility trial with 11 participants (3 male and 8 female; aged 42–65 years) with elevated blood glucose. Intervention Participants attended Tai Chi and Qigong exercise training for 1 to 1.5 h, 3 times per week for 12 weeks, and were encouraged to practise the exercises at home. Main Outcome Measures Indicators of metabolic syndrome (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol); glucose control (HbA1c, fasting insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA)); health-related quality of life; stress and depressive symptoms. Results There was good adherence and high acceptability. There were significant improvements in four of the seven indicators of metabolic syndrome including BMI (mean difference −1.05, p<0.001), waist circumference (−2.80 cm, p<0.05), and systolic (−11.64 mm Hg, p<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (−9.73 mm Hg, p<0.001), as well as in HbA1c (−0.32%, p<0.01), insulin resistance (−0.53, p<0.05), stress (−2.27, p<0.05), depressive symptoms (−3.60, p<0.05), and the SF-36 mental health summary score (5.13, p<0.05) and subscales for general health (19.00, p<0.01), mental health (10.55, p<0.01) and vitality (23.18, p<0.05). Conclusions The programme was feasible and acceptable and participants showed improvements in metabolic and psychological variables. A larger controlled trial is now needed to confirm these promising preliminary results.

Play and heal : randomized controlled trial of Ditto intervention efficacy on improving re-epithelialization in pediatric burns

BACKGROUND: The relationships between pain, stress and anxiety, and their effect on burn wound re-epithelialization have not been well explored to-date. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the Ditto (a hand-held electronic medical device providing procedural preparation and distraction) intervention on re-epithelialization rates in acute pediatric burns. METHODS/DESIGN: From August 2011 to August 2012, children (4-12 years) with an acute burn presenting to the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia fulfilled the study requirements and were randomized to [1] Ditto intervention or [2] standard practice. Burn re-epithelialization, pain intensity, anxiety and stress measures were obtained at every dressing change until complete wound re-epithelialization. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen children were randomized and 75 children were analyzed (n=40 standard group; n=35 Ditto group). Inability to predict wound management resulted in 42 participants no longer meeting the eligibility criteria. Wounds in the Ditto intervention group re-epithelialized faster than the standard practice group (-2.14 days (CI: -4.38 to 0.10), p-value=0.061), and significantly faster when analyses were adjusted for mean burn depth (-2.26 days (CI: -4.48 to -0.04), p-value=0.046). Following procedural preparation at the first change of dressing, the Ditto group reported lower pain intensity scores (-0.64 (CI: -1.28, 0.01) p=0.052) and lower anxiety ratings (-1.79 (CI: -3.59, 0.01) p=0.051). At the second and third dressing removals average pain (FPS-R and FLACC) and anxiety scores (VAS-A) were at least one point lower when Ditto intervention was received. CONCLUSIONS: The Ditto procedural preparation and distraction device is a useful tool alongside pharmacological intervention to improve the rate of burn re-epithelialization and manage pain and anxiety during burn wound care procedures.

Improving dental and medical students’ psychological health using a self-development coaching program : a pilot study

Introduction: Dental and medical students worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia, have been reported to have a high incidence of poor psychological health, such as depression, stress, anxiety, and lowlife satisfaction. Self-development coaching programs have become an increasingly popular way to improve individuals’ lives. However, few studies have evaluated the psychological effects of such programs among dental and medical students. Moreover, no studies have been conducted on self-development coaching programs in Saudi Arabia. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a larger study via a pilot study and to acquire preliminary findings about the effectiveness of a self-development coaching program on psychological health among dental and medical students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A pre-post interventional study design was used to test a self-development coaching program (How to be an Ultra-Super Student) with a sample of medical students (n=17) at Umm Al-Qura University at Saudi Arabia. The outcome measures were students’ psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), life satisfaction, self-efficacy, the coach, and coaching program characteristics. Results: The study showed that there was a significant improvement in depression (p=0.04), self-efficacy (p=0.02), and satisfaction with life (p=0.04), which supported the feasibility of a large study in the future. Conclusions: The study’s findings encourage the implementation of a randomized, controlled trial study with a larger sample to further test the effectiveness of using self-development coaching programs with medical and dental students in Saudi Arabia to improve their psychological health.

The spatialized practices of teaching writing in Australian elementary schools : diverse students shaping discoursal selves

This paper discusses the teaching of writing within the competing and often contradictory spaces of high-stakes testing and the practices and priorities around writing pedagogy in diverse school communities. It uses socio-spatial theory to examine the real-and-imagined spaces (Soja, 1996) that influence and are influenced by teachers’ pedagogical priorities for writing in two linguistically diverse elementary school case studies. Methods of critical discourse analysis are used to examine rich data sets to make visible the discourses and power relations at play in the case schools. Findings show that when teachers’ practices focus on the teaching of structure and skills alongside identity building and voice, students with diverse linguistic backgrounds can produce dramatic, authoritative and resonant texts. The paper argues that “thirdspaces” can be forged that both attend to accountability requirements, yet also give the necessary attention to more complex aspects of writing necessary for students from diverse and multilingual backgrounds to invest in writing as a creative and critical form of communication for participation in society and the knowledge economy.

Psychological maladjustment among homeless adolescents

The prevalence of psychological maladjustment in homeless adolescents (n = 54) was compared to control group (n 58) in Brisbane, Australia using the Youth Self-Report Scale [1]. Overall, 74% of the homeless group and 22.4% of the control group scored within the clinical range on one or more of the clinical subscales. There was considerable diversity of symptomatology in the homeless group. Less than half of the homeless group were within the clinical range on both the delinquent subscale and the thought disorder subscale. Depressive, Aggressive and Somatic Complaints were also prevalent. The study challenges preconceived notions of simple relationship between adolescent homelessness and delinquency, and draws attention to the psychological needs of this group of adolescents.

Mathematical investigation of the interactions between the inflammatory response and mechanical aspects of dermal wound repair

Dermal wound repair involves complex interactions between cells, cytokines and mechanics to close injuries to the skin. In particular, we investigate the contribution of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, TGFβ, collagen and local tissue mechanics to wound repair in the human dermis. We develop a morphoelastic model where a realistic representation of tissue mechanics is key, and a fibrocontractive model that involves a reasonable approximation to the true kinetics of the important bioactive species. We use each of these descriptions to elucidate the mechanisms that generate pathologies such as hypertrophic scars, contractures and keloids. We find that for hypertrophic scar and contracture development, factors regulating the myofibroblast phenotype are critical, with heightened myofibroblast activation, reduced myofibroblast apoptosis or prolonged inflammation all predicted as mediators for scar hypertrophy and contractures. Prevention of these pathologies is predicted when myofibroblast apoptosis is induced, myofibroblast activation is blocked or TGFβ is neutralised. To investigate keloid invasion, we develop a caricature representation of the fibrocontractive model and find that TGFβ spread is the driving factor behind keloid growth. Blocking activation of TGFβ is found to cause keloid regression. Thus, we recommend myofibroblasts and TGFβ as targets for clinicians when developing intervention strategies for prevention and cure of fibrotic scars.

A group psychological intervention to enhance the coping and acculturation of international students

There is a shortage of psychological interventions to aid the acculturation of international students. To address this issue, the present study developed and trialled a brief group psychological intervention, the STAR program: Strengths, Transitions, Adjustments, and Resilience. This program was developed using suggestions from international students and university professional and academic staff that had significant dealings and designated roles to guide support international students. It comprises of four weekly two-hour sessions, and is experiential and cognitive-behavioural in nature. The STAR program aims to enhance coping, which is predicted to subsequently improve psychological adaptation (an acculturation outcome). Sixteen international students participated in the pilot trial of the STAR program. The participants completed measures on coping self-efficacy, social self-efficacy, psychological adaptation, and psychological distress pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Results showed that participants’ psychological adaptation and coping self-efficacy significantly increased from pre to post, with the treatment gain maintained at the one-month follow-up for psychological adaptation. Increases in social self-efficacy were evident, but these did not reach significance, possibly due to a lack of power. The STAR program did not have an impact on psychological distress; however, participants were only minimally distressed at the commencement of the program. The qualitative feedback gathered from the participants, provided suggestions for further refinement, as well as information about the clinical utility of the STAR program.

Cycling for transport and recreation : associations with socio-economic position, environmental perceptions, and psychological disposition

OBJECTIVE Interest is growing in promoting utility cycling (i.e., for transport) as a means of incorporating daily physical activity (PA) into people’s lives, but little is known about correlates of utility cycling. Our primary aim was to examine cross-sectional relationships between socio-economic characteristics, neighborhood environment perceptions and psychological disposition with utility cycling (with or without additional recreational cycling). A secondary aim was to compare these relationships with those for recreation-only cycling. METHOD Baseline survey data (2007) from 10,233 participants in HABITAT, a multilevel longitudinal study of PA, sedentary behavior, and health in Brisbane adults aged 40-65 years, were analysed using multinomial regression modelling. RESULTS Greater income, habitual PA, and positive beliefs about PA were associated with utility and recreation-only cycling (p<0.05). Always having vehicle access and not in the labor force were associated with recreation-only cycling (p<0.05). Some or no vehicle access, part-time employment, and perceived environmental factors (little crime, few cul-de-sacs, nearby transport and recreational destinations) were associated with utility cycling (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest differences in associations between socio-economic, neighborhood perceptions and psychological factors and utility and recreation-only cycling in Brisbane residents aged 40-65 years. Tailored approaches appear to be required to promote utility and recreational cycling.

Mapping journalism cultures across nations : a comparative study of 18 countries

This article reports key findings from a comparative survey of the role perceptions, epistemological orientations and ethical views of 1800 journalists from 18 countries. The results show that detachment, non-involvement, providing political information and monitoring the government are considered essential journalistic functions around the globe. Impartiality, the reliability and factualness of information, as well as adherence to universal ethical principles are also valued worldwide, though their perceived importance varies across countries. Various aspects of interventionism, objectivism and the importance of separating facts from opinion, on the other hand, seem to play out differently around the globe. Western journalists are generally less supportive of any active promotion of particular values, ideas and social change, and they adhere more to universal principles in their ethical decisions. Journalists from non-western contexts, on the other hand, tend to be more interventionist in their role perceptions and more flexible in their ethical views.

Teachers and academics researching together : children's views on play

An international early years project led by QUT and University of Iceland researchers has investigated children’s accounts of play and the teacher’s role in play in kindergarten settings. While most commonly associated with young children’s activities and the work of childhood, play is recognised also as an activity that extends over the life span, from early childhood to adulthood, and across cultures, worldwide. As shown in national and state policy and curriculum documents, play is being subjected increasingly to specific guidelines that address the physical environment and educator involvement in early years settings. Parents and educators have strong opinions regarding the value and place of play. Children also have strong views about play, although little is known about their views and what they think play encompasses, and the value of play in their everyday lives.

Psychological services under Medicare : broken but not beyond repair

How well is the Better Access scheme for the provision of affordable, effective psychological services to the Australian public working? Robert King identifies important weaknesses in the system that have adverse impacts on clients, providers and public policy objectives. These weaknesses are explored and options to remedy the problems are outlined.

Building sensitising terms to understand free-play in open-ended interactive art environments

In this paper we introduce and discuss the nature of free-play in the context of three open-ended interactive art installation works. We observe the interaction work of situated free-play of the participants in these environments and, building on precedent work, devise a set of sensitising terms derived both from the literature and from what we observe from participants interacting there. These sensitising terms act as guides and are designed to be used by those who experience, evaluate or report on open-ended interactive art. That is, we propose these terms as a common-ground language to be used by participants communicating while in the art work to describe their experience, by researchers in the various stages of research process (observation, coding activity, analysis, reporting, and publication), and by inter-disciplinary researchers working across the fields of HCI and art. This work builds a foundation for understanding the relationship between free-play, open-ended environments, and interactive installations and contributes sensitising terms useful for the HCI community for discussion and analysis of open-ended interactive art works.