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Feasibility and acceptability of CoMUni: A social media- based intervention to increase mental health help seeking in UK undergraduate students
No full textObjective.
One in three UK undergraduates experience mental health problems. Despite this, a high number of students avoid seeking any form of help, which can lead to problems worsening. In response to this problem, a novel social media-based intervention called ‘CoMUni’ was co-produced with students. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of CoMUni.
Methods.
A two-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted in Autumn 2023. Participants (undergraduate students) were randomly assigned to either an intervention (N = 31) or inactive control group (N = 33). A baseline and two-week follow-up questionnaire obtained feedback on the acceptability of CoMUni, feasibility of the study protocol, levels of mental health literacy, and help-seeking intentions.
Results.
The CoMUni intervention was highly acceptable: most participants agreed that it was engaging and useful. Recruitment, retention, and data collection were found to be effective, and the majority of participants were satisfied with their overall study experience.
Discussion.
CoMUni offers a novel approach to mental health support for university students. This study showed that CoMUni is acceptable and feasible and could be scaled up to a full trial, with some further development work. Interventions such as CoMUni may offer a vital first step in encouraging mental health support seeking in university contexts
Experimental and numerical analysis of quasi-static and dynamic perforation of hierarchical AAC core composite sandwich panels
No full textThe rising demand for lightweight, economical, and durable materials has generated heightened interest in using cementitious materials to construct composite sandwich panels (CSPs). Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), a fundamental component in the construction industry due to its lightness, low cost, sound insulation, shock absorbent, and fire and corrosion resistance, is an efficient candidate for CSP. This paper offers a thorough experimental and numerical examination of AAC-based hierarchical multicore CSPs under quasi-static indentation and high-velocity impact (HVI) loading. Three panel configurations, including single-core, double-core, and triple-core, were constructed by thermosetting, utilizing woven E/glass fiber fabric sheets and AAC cores. Thereafter, experiments were tested to evaluate their energy absorption and perforation behavior. Experimental findings demonstrated that double-core panels displayed superior specific energy absorption (SEA) load-bearing capability under quasi-static and HVI loading conditions, surpassing single and triple-core configurations. The principal energy absorption methods comprised core crushing, fiber pull-out, and delamination, which were affected by the core topology and face sheet thickness. Numerical simulations by LS-DYNA were validated logically versus experimental results with deviations around 10 %, affirming the efficacy of the FEM in accurately representing damage responses and failure mechanisms. This work illustrates that multicore AAC-based CSPs provide superior structural performance and impact resistance, especially in arrangements featuring several cores. The results offer significant insights into the design of lightweight, impact-resistant composite structures for use in aerospace, defense, and construction sectors
Physical and psychological benefits of a 12-week Zumba Gold® exercise intervention in sedentary postmenopausal women from low socioeconomic status
No full textExercise is known to help with the effects of the menopause, but postmenopausal women from low socioeconomic status (SES) tend to exercise less. Therefore this study aims at investigating the physical and psychological effects of a Zumba Gold® community-based intervention in postmenopausal women from low SES. Forty-three women were divided into a Zumba Gold® (ZG) and control (C) groups, and took part in pre- and post-testing sessions, separated by a 12-week intervention period. The outcome measures were: body composition, sit-to stand (STS) test, six-minute walk test (6MWT), balance, Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Multidimensional Fatigue Index (MFI-20), Self-Efficacy for Exercise (SEE), Behavioural Regulations in Exercise (BREQ-2), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Social Connectedness questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews were also performed on 15 participants for the ZG group.The main results showed significant improvements in the ZG group only for STS, 6MWT, mental health, general and mental fatigue and social connectedness score and a significantly higher external regulation score on the BREQ-2. Zumba Gold had positive effects of four main themes: belonging, non-judgemental place, psychological motivational factors, and mind-body connection. This suggests that ZG is beneficial for this population and encourages similar studies on other aspects of the menopause
Adding references to Endnote Online
No full textA video guide showing how to add references from CINAHL, Medline and PsycInfo to your Endnote Online librar
The Influence of Conspicuous Consumption on Sustainability in North Macedonia
Get PDFThis research explores the crossover between conspicuous consumption and
sustainability in North Macedonia, showcasing how societal values and historical
legacies shape consumer behavior. With the rise of global environmental concerns,
understanding the motivations behind consumer choices in post-socialist societies
becomes increasingly critical.
The study dives into how the legacy of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(SFRY) and the following exposure to Western consumer culture have influenced
Macedonian consumers' purchasing habits. Through 8 in-depth qualitative interviews
divided in two generational groups—those who experienced life under socialism and
those born after its dissolution, in a more globalised, consumer-driven environment—
the research uncovers how social recognition, peer influence, and product visibility
drive the desire for premium brands.
The findings show a generational divide: older participants associate conspicuous
consumption with a desire for individuality and Western status symbols once out of
reach, while younger participants now lean towards mass-market brands like Zara
and Bershka, often unaware of their environmental impact. Despite the rising
popularity of premium brands and shopping trips abroad, the research highlights a
concerning lack of awareness about the environmental consequences of excessive
consumption.
However, glimmers of sustainable habits emerge—such as clothing donations and
preference for durable items—showing that sustainability is not entirely absent from
Macedonian consumers' mindset. This study emphasises the urgent need for targeted sustainability education and campaigns to reshape consumer attitudes and
align North Macedonia's consumption practices with global environmental goals.
By adressing the gap consumer desires and sustainability awareness, this research
provides valuable insights for policymakers, brands, and environmental advocates to
drive more responsible consumption in North Macedonia
Prospective associations between Mediterranean diet and mental health and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis : analysis of UK MS Register data
Get PDFBackground:
Mediterranean diet adherence is cross-sectionally associated with better mental health and quality of life (QoL) in people living with multiple sclerosis (plwMS), but prospective associations warrant further investigation.
Objectives:
To investigate prospective associations between Mediterranean diet scores and changes in mental health and QoL over 6 years in plwMS, and to explore potential sex differences.
Methods:
Data were obtained from adult plwMS in the UK MS Register at baseline and at 6-year follow-up (N=817). The alternate Mediterranean score (aMED; range 0–9) was calculated from food frequency questionnaires. Outcomes included anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS), psychological impact of MS (MS Impact Scale–Psychological; MSIS-29-Psych), and QoL (EQ-5D Visual Analog Scale; EQ-VAS). Prospective associations between aMED and outcomes were evaluated using quantile and log-binomial models, adjusted for baseline outcomes and relevant covariates. To test whether associations differed by sex, we added an interaction between sex and aMED in the models.
Results:
Overall, higher baseline continuous aMED was associated with better outcomes at 6 years, including reduced HADS-Anxiety score (aβ=–0.17; 95%CI=–0.34, –0.01), 7% reduced risk of abnormal depression (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=0.93; 95%CI=0.87–0.99), 22% reduced risk of high MSIS-29-Psych (aRR=0.78; 95%CI=0.64–0.97), and greater QoL (aβ=1.25; 95%CI=0.18–2.33). In categorical models, participants in the highest aMED tertile (≥6) vs the lowest (≤3) had a 33% reduced risk of high MSIS-29-Psych (aRR=0.67; 95%CI=0.48–0.95) and higher QoL (aβ=6.7; 95%CI=1.32–11.98). Subgroup analyses showed marked sex differences in aMED associations with depression and QoL. Higher aMED was associated with lower risk of severe depression in females only (p-interaction=0.002). Higher aMED was also linked to greater QoL in females, and lower QoL in males (p-interaction=0.004). For anxiety and MSIS-Psych, while associations were significant in females only, group differences were not evident (p-interaction>0.05).
Conclusion:
Greater alignment with a Mediterranean diet was associated with better mental health and QoL over 6 years in plwMS, however, these benefits were limited to females, underscoring the importance of considering sex differences when evaluating dietary interventions. These findings support further investigations via longitudinal and clinical trials into the potential benefits of Mediterranean diet adherence in plwMS
Invisible labour : a qualitative exploration of the professional identity of interpreters working in UK maternity care settings
Get PDFThe work of professional interpreters is frequently misunderstood and mistrusted, leading to its underuse across healthcare settings. In UK maternity services, this failing contributes to the higher mortality and morbidity of women with limited or no English proficiency. Our study explored interpreters’ professional identities and their contribution to the delivery of care in maternity services. Face-to-face interviews with a purposive sample of professional interpreters working in maternity settings were conducted and data analysed using a version of Foucauldian discourse analysis. Our interpretation of the data is that discourses of ‘women’s work’ were used in constructing the interpreters’ professional identity. Their daily working practice included affective, social and supportive behaviours; however, their subject positions were unrecognised in the voluntary professional codes of conduct for interpreting practice and their labour remained largely invisible and under-valued. Recognising professional interpreters’ identity as invisible labourers suggests that they negotiate biomedical understandings of healthcare interpretation work held by healthcare professionals and women. It allows a more nuanced understanding of interpreters’ practice within maternity settings. Making their work visible offers greater opportunity for regulation, monitoring and evaluation, resulting in greater confidence in its quality and promoting increased uptake
PROMOTING STEM EDUCATION IN ENGLAND’S KEY STAGE 3 (KS3): A LITERATURE REVIEW OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES
No full textThe effective promotion of STEM education at Key Stage 3 (KS3) in England requires robust school leadership approaches, yet evidence indicates that school leadership at this level remains marginalised. This study examined the effective school leadership strategies that promote STEM education at KS3, an often overlooked but critical phase in learners’ academic development. It investigated the role of school leadership in advancing STEM education, the effective strategies employed by school leaders at KS3, and the challenges they encounter. A systematic literature review was conducted, analysing findings from 15 studies selected from an initial pool of 55, drawn from England, Australia, and the United States. The study was guided by instructional leadership theory, which positions leaders as visionaries who support teachers and recommend professional development to enhance staff and student learning outcomes. Findings revealed that school leadership is fundamental in setting a vision, building STEM ecosystems, and advocating for STEM-related policies. However, challenges persist, including limited resources, the marginalisation of KS3 leadership, and misalignment between curriculum and policy frameworks. Instructional leadership emerged as the most suitable approach in fostering effective STEM education by shaping school culture, enhancing pedagogical practices, and strengthening institutional capacity to integrate STEM disciplines at KS3. The study highlights implications for policy and practice, such as prioritising school leadership at KS3 within leadership development frameworks and ensuring equitable resource allocation. Ultimately, instructional leadership’s emphasis on vision setting, teacher support, and curriculum coherence is essential for fostering STEM interest and improving learning outcomes in line with the complex demands of the twenty-first-century workforce
Balancing individual and collective rights in the religious workplace
No full textThis chapter considers the interaction of equality and religious freedom in the workplace, as a worked example of this volume's concern with the conflict between rights and justice. The interests in equality and religious freedom are engaged where religious organisations employ individuals directly, or where they provide services to the public such as education or healthcare. For example, where a religious organisation provides healthcare, the demands of religious freedom and autonomy mean that staff should be appointed in accordance with religious requirements; yet, equality demands that staff should be appointed in a way that is free from religious discrimination