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Ageism by a Community Sample of Young Adults: Expanding the Contact Hypothesis to Explore Ageism
Get PDFAging demographics globally are changing rapidly, resulting in the category of “older adults” (65 years and older) growing to eventually become the largest age demographic (United Nations, 2022). As our world gets older, ageism is a growing concern given its health, societal, cultural, and political consequences (Chrisler et al., 2016; Bugental & Hehman, 2007; Levy et al., 2020). Following Allport’s Contact Hypothesis (1954), this dissertation empirically analyzed predictors of ageism, including contact with older adults, for younger adults (18-26 years old) residing in U.S. communities. Participants were recruited using Prolific Academic, an online crowdsourcing platform and responded to five scales and demographic questions, totaling approximately six minutes. Project scales included the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (Fraboni et al., 1990), the Intergroup Contact scale (adapted from Islam & Hewstone, 1993), the Perspective Taking scale (adapted from Davis, 1994), the Contact Valence scale (Barlow et al., 2012), and the Social Desirability scale (Reynolds, 1982). Analyses were conducted in The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 27.0; IBM Corp, 2020).
Results indicated that, among a community sample of younger adults, younger adult’s contact with older adults predicted the younger adult’s ageist beliefs, with the relationship mediated by the younger adult’s ability to take the perspective of the older adult. Contact valence was tested as a moderator for the mediated relationship between contact, perspective taking, and ageism; and result indicate that contact valence does not moderate the mediated relationship.
The results from the present study provided insight into what variables may impact younger adult’s changes in ageist beliefs as a result of their contact with older adults. Findings have implications for psychometric development, intergenerational interventions, and future research. Most importantly, the findings display the importance of perspective taking as an element in intergenerational interventions to reduce ageism among young adults. The present study expands The Contact Hypthesis (Allport, 1954) theory into the field of aging and ageism and calls attention to the role of perspective-taking in changing younger adult’s ageism beliefs
Examination of the Relationship Between Breastfeeding Behaviors and Perinatal Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textIntroduction: Perinatal mental health disorders are often overlooked and have been heightened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the association between breastfeeding and perinatal mental health is imperative. To date, to our knowledge there are no known studies, that have examined the relationship between perinatal mental health and breastfeeding behaviors among US-based perinatal populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal mental health and breastfeeding behaviors among US childbearing populations during COVID-19.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, internet-based study was performed in the United States mainly in the Chicagoland area between August 1st, 2022 and October 1st, 2022. Pregnant and postpartum women up to 1 year postpartum who were older than 18 years of age were eligible to participate. An anonymous online survey was conducted and promoted through social media and women’s health networks. The online survey contained a questionnaire that was utilized to evaluate breastfeeding behaviors. Additionally, the PHQ-9 screening form was used to assess mental health status. SPSS and chi squares were used for data analysis to identify the association between breastfeeding and perinatal mental health.
Results: In total, 664 people participated in the survey and completed the responses on the breastfeeding component (N=664). Among the 664 total participants, 591 participants had complete PHQ-9 data. A total of 28.5% of participants who were exclusively breastfeeding scored 10 or greater on the PHQ-9, indicating at least moderate depressive symptoms. Regarding participants who were both breastfeeding and formula feeding, 37.4% scored 10 or greater on the PHQ-9. Among participants who were formula feeding only, 30% scored 10 or greater on the PHQ-9. COVID-19 mainly affected breastfeeding resources and breastfeeding as a whole negatively, however it was found that a good majority of mothers felt the lockdown as a positive experience since it protected the mother-infant dyad from unwanted visitors and had access to several virtual support classes. Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a reduction of depressive symptoms.
Conclusion: This cross-sectional study found an association that exclusive breastfeeding reduced depressive symptom rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study findings underline the importance of supporting exclusive breastfeeding and finding ways to increase familial and community support.
Keywords: Depressive symptoms, depression breastfeeding, COVID-19, pandemic, pregnancy, postpartum, perinatal mental healt
Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation Education Utilizing Simulation: A Quality Improvement Study
No full textFiberoptic intubation has been used as a secondary option to intubate pediatric patients with difficult airways. Failure to understand how to properly use a fiberoptic scope could have severe consequences, such as increased trauma or mortality. This is a quality improvement research study that examines the effect of simulation training utilizing a pediatric flexible fiberoptic scope on the confidence and competence of Nurse Anesthesia Trainees (NATs). Competence was measured using time to successful intubation. The authors developed a survey tool to assess the confidence of the participants in intubating pediatric patients’ airways with a fiberoptic scope after educational training and simulation. Utilizing R Foundation for Statistical Computing (R Version 4.0.2), data was analyzed and tested for statistical significance (p\u3c0.05) with a paired t-test, a sign test, and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test for both change in time and confidence measures. Post-survey results demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in time to successful intubation and a statistically significant increase in trainees’ confidence in using a fiberoptic scope to intubate a pediatric manikin. This study demonstrates the importance of hands-on simulation of difficult pediatric airway scenarios and the need for standardized pediatric airway management simulations in nurse anesthesia programs
Podcasting as an Education Modality on the Environmental Effect of Desflurane
No full textBackground: Climate crisis is well-documented as posing a major threat to the population. The provision of anesthesia utilizes gases that contribute to this problem. Podcasts may serve as a useful modality to educate anesthesia providers on best practices.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based educational intervention in the form of a podcast which focuses on the evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practice habits related to the use of desflurane among anesthesia providers.
Methods: An observational cross-section study using survey methodology was utilized in this pre-test post-test design. Knowledge, attitudes, and practice habits regarding desflurane use among anesthesia providers were analyzed and summarized.
Results: A total of 148 providers opened the survey. Correct answers to all knowledge questions increased by more than 50% in post-survey. Items in the attitudes and practice habits including avoiding the use of desflurane due to its environmental profile and that podcasts were reliable sources of information on anesthesia practice showed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of providers who agreed with these statements (p-value: \u3c0.0001).
Discussion: This project adds support to the literature base that podcasts can be effectively used to educate anesthesia providers and shift both attitudes and practice habits as well as increase knowledge on a particular subject.
Conclusion: As the field of anesthesia continues to advance, podcasts can be used to disseminate new information that research deems appropriate to integrate in practice
POOLING PATENTS FOR PANDEMIC PROGRESS: MRNA VACCINES AND THE BROADER CONTEXT OF MODERNATX INC V. PFIZER INC.
Get PDFFull Issue: Spring 2023
Get PDFIn the spring 2023 issue of DePaul Magazine, DePaul celebrates its 125th year and the university looks ahead to designing its future. With students and alumni who make a difference in their local and national communities, DePaul seeks to become the national model for higher education. We look at innovative programs at DePaul, including initiatives across the university that use emerging technology and an esports program that fosters inclusiveness and collaboration
Particulate Matter Emissions from Prescribed Burns in the Chicagoland Area
Get PDFPrescribed burns are a land management tool currently used to aid in fire mitigation and promotion of plant growth of desired species and reduction of undesired species, which are often invasive species. Currently there is public stigma surrounding prescribed burns which limits their use in certain parts of the US. There are also particular challenges of conducting prescribed burns in urban and suburban areas. A better understanding of prescribed burns and their impact on atmospheric chemistry and air quality can allow for better communication with the public about their positive impacts and also acknowledge and quantify any potential drawbacks. This study looks at the particulate matter emissions of prescribed fires being conducted in the greater Chicago area. We employed low-cost sensors to measure particulate matter emissions at several sites in the Chicagoland area in the spring and fall of 2022. With the ever-expanding wildland-urban interface, understanding particulate matter emissions of prescribed fires set in populated areas can help provide more data regarding prescribed fire emissions and air quality impacts. These impacts should be weighed against the benefits of prescribed burns and also potential air quality impacts from uncontrolled burns from ecosystems that are not treated with prescribed burns. Measuring air quality impacts can also inform fire management practices with the goal of reducing future emissions. With the very present effects of climate change, understanding baselines regarding prescribed fire can better equip future research and fire professionals in fighting fire with fire
An Analysis of Lichen Presence on Quercus and non-Quercus in Chicagoland Area
Get PDFBoth anthropogenic change and the spread of invasive species have led to changes in urban and forest tree diversity. Oak rust, acute oak decline, and emerald ash borer have all had a detrimental effect on tree species in the Chicagoland area. Quercus species are well known habitats for lichen species including Physcia millegrana, Physcia stellaris, Punctelia rudecta, Flavoparmelia caperata, Xanthomendosa, and Candeleria concolor. Due to the decrease in the traditional Quercus habitats for lichen and the increase in nonnative and nontraditional tree species being introduced, particularly in cities, this study aimed to compare the number and diversity of lichen species between trees outside of Chicago, forest locations, and trees inside the city, city location, to determine if lichen would be observed on new host tree species which we hypothesized that in the absence of Quercus species lichens would be observed on new host tree species. Lichens were surveyed along transects in urban and forest preserves, with tree species and geographic location recorded. A generalized linear model was plotted. It was found that P. milegrana was consistently found on oaks and honey locusts in forest preserves, while P. stellaris were found on forest floors. P. rudecta and F. caperata were found along isolated honey locusts in forest preserves and urban areas while Xanthomendosa and C. concolor were found throughout both locations and tree species. In urban areas, P. milegrana was found to live on maples in absence of preference species of oaks, however it was found mostly on Quercus species. P. rudecta and F. caperata were found on honey locusts both in city and in forest preserves. P-scores less than 0.05 indicated a statistical difference between forest and city locations and between Quercus and non-Quercus species, with non-Quercus species hosting significantly less lichens than Quercus species. While lichens were present on nontraditional tree species, the number of lichens on nontraditional were on average less than lichen species observed on the traditional tree species, Quercus