29 research outputs found
Predictors and impacts of engagement in an app-based social support forum: Exploring maternal depression, anxiety, and self-compassion
No full textMothers with young children experienced elevated rates of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support is a protective factor against depression and anxiety and is positively associated with indicators of mental well-being such as self-compassion. Social support contributes to mental well-being through improving appraisals of stressful events and mitigating feelings of isolation. Engaging in online social support forum communities may be an innovative avenue for mothers to receive social support and improve their mental well-being. However, little is known about the predictors and impacts of social support forum usage in mothers. In the present study mothers with depression and/or anxiety and a child 18-36 months old (N = 69 randomized) were invited to participate in a 10-week app-based mental health and parenting program called Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health (BEAM). BEAM consisted of psychoeducational mental health and parenting videos, online telehealth group therapy, symptom monitoring, and a social support forum. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to explore predictors and impacts of engaging in the BEAM program forum. Pearson bivariate correlations revealed higher levels of education, income, and having more adults in the household (≥ 2) were associated with more forum engagement throughout the BEAM program. Pre-intervention mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, self-compassion) were not associated with forum engagement. Multiple linear regressions revealed time spent on forum and number of posts made on the forum did not significantly predict change in participant depression, anxiety, or self-compassion scores pre- to post-intervention. Finally, a thematic analysis of post-intervention open-ended questionnaire data provided a detailed understanding of participant experiences using the forum. Themes derived demonstrate ways in which participants were supported by the forum (e.g., connecting with other mothers) and participant suggestions for forum improvement. The current research provides insights into who may engage in online support forums more frequently and provides preliminary information about the impact of forum use in mothers with depression and/or anxiety. Future research in this area to further elucidate the links between social support forum usage and mental health are suggested.May 202
Translating the Knowledge Gap Between Researchers and Communication Designers for Improved mHealth Research
No full textOur industry insight focuses on the challenges for health researchers collaborating with communication designers during the development of an App for improving maternal mental health and parenting stress. We discuss the challenges around explicating and communicating tacit and domain knowledge across disciplinary boundaries. We believe this report can widen communication design’s traditional focus on users in mHealth research to consider partnerships with academic researchers. The lessons learned from our experience developing a mHealth program can be used to reduce challenges in future mHealth research, especially for collaborations between health researchers and communications designers. Considering the growth of interest in mHealth, this is extremely relevant for future team satisfaction, the optimal use of research funds and industry time, and faster development of effective mHealth tools.This is the accepted manuscript version of the following publication: Rioux, C., Weedon, S., MacKinnon, A. L., Watts, D., Salisbury, M. R., Penner-Goeke, L., Simpson, K. M., Harrington, J., Tomfohr-Madsen, L. M. & Roos, L. E. (2022). Translating the Knowledge Gap Between Researchers and Communication Designers for Improved mHealth Research. SIGDOC '22: The 40th ACM International Conference on Design of Communication, USA, 157–160. doi: 10.1145/3513130.3558997BEAM was funded by a Research Manitoba COVID-19 Rapid Response Operating Grant. CR was supported by a Postdoctoral fellowship from Research Manitoba and the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. ALM was supported by a Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (#01353-000).Ye
Building Emotion Awareness and Mental Health (BEAM): Mothers of Toddlers
No full textThis repository contains the deidentified dataset and analysis code for the BEAM Toddler Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The trial evaluated the 10-week BEAM app-based, therapist-guided program for mothers of toddlers (18–36 months) experiencing clinically significant symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. The dataset includes self-report measures of maternal mental health, parenting outcomes, and program engagement indicators. Analysis code corresponds to primary and secondary outcome analyses. No identifying information is included
Self-compassion and physical activity: Protocol for a scoping review
No full textThe present scoping review will combine and synthesize the existing self-compassion and physical activity literature into a comprehensive document that builds upon the work of similar reviews. We will examine theoretical and directly measured relationships from self-compassion to physical activity, and physical activity to self-compassion. We will also examine possible mechanisms (i.e., mediators) through which self-compassion may be useful in promoting physical activity
The 2017 EULAR standardised procedures for ultrasound imaging in rheumatology
No full textBACKGROUND: In 2001, the European League Against Rheumatism developed and disseminated the first guidelines for musculoskeletal (MS) ultrasound (US) in rheumatology. Fifteen years later, the dramatic expansion of new data on MSUS in the literature coupled with technological developments in US imaging has necessitated an update of these guidelines.
OBJECTIVES: To update the existing MSUS guidelines in rheumatology as well as to extend their scope to other anatomic structures relevant for rheumatology.
METHODS: The project consisted of the following steps: (1) a systematic literature review of MSUS evaluable structures; (2) a Delphi survey among rheumatologist and radiologist experts in MSUS to select MS and non-MS anatomic structures evaluable by US that are relevant to rheumatology, to select abnormalities evaluable by US and to prioritise these pathologies for rheumatology and (3) a nominal group technique to achieve consensus on the US scanning procedures and to produce an electronic illustrated manual (ie, App of these procedures).
RESULTS: Structures from nine MS and non-MS areas (ie, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot, peripheral nerves, salivary glands and vessels) were selected for MSUS in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) and their detailed scanning procedures (ie, patient position, probe placement, scanning method and bony/other landmarks) were used to produce the App. In addition, US evaluable abnormalities present in RMD for each anatomic structure and their relevance for rheumatology were agreed on by the MSUS experts.
CONCLUSIONS: This task force has produced a consensus-based comprehensive and practical framework on standardised procedures for MSUS imaging in rheumatology. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted
Participant Experiences of the Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health App-Based Intervention: A Qualitative Program Evaluation
No full textMothers with young children were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Maternal rates of clinically significant depression rapidly increased while mental health services simultaneously became less accessible. In response, we designed a novel app-based intervention, Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health (BEAM), to address mental health concerns and promote supportive parenting in mothers. A total of 70 mothers participated in the BEAM pilot. Following completing the program, participants were invited to share feedback about their experience in BEAM through focus groups and a post-intervention questionnaire. The current study comprised a thematic analysis of qualitative focus group (n = 11) and questionnaire data (n = 40). Results demonstrate how participants were supported and benefited from the program (e.g., peer community, learning new skills and strategies) and suggestions for improvement. Findings highlight the acceptability of the BEAM program and can inform the development of future mental health app-based programs and services
Virtual assessment of stress reactivity in young children: Practical guidelines & lessons learned
No full textMeasures of stress reactivity and coping are critical in developmental research in
children. Such measures assist in identifying psycho-physiological abnormalities and
aid in developing interventions to avoid outcomes associated with prolonged stress.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, measures of stress reactivity and coping were almost exclusively assessed through in-person laboratory studies. Given the importance of stress reactivity research on mitigating adverse developmental outcomes in children it was crucial to continue this research during the pandemic through pivoting to online virtual assessments. The current paper presents guidelines and lessons learned from our team’s transition from in person to virtual assessments with young children. Key learnings across a variety of areas, such as family engagement, optimal logistics of virtual assessments, and how to best adapt stress-reactivity measures at a distance are presented
