Ecological Approach Research Articles

Social Infrastructure Availability and Suicide Rates among Working-Age Adults in the United States

Social infrastructure (SI) may buffer against suicide risk by improving social cohesion, social support, and information and resource sharing. The authors use an ecological approach to examine the relationship between county-level SI availability and suicide rates among working-age adults (25–64 years) in the United States, a population among which suicide rates are high, rising, and geographically unequal. Mortality data are from the National Vital Statistics System for 2016 to 2019. SI data are from the National Neighborhood Data Archive for 2013 to 2015 and capture the availability of typically free SI (e.g., libraries, community centers) and commercial SI (e.g., coffee shops, diners, entertainment venues). Results from negative binomial models show that suicide rates are significantly lower in counties with more SI availability, net of county demographic, socioeconomic, and health care factors. This relationship held for both typically free and commercial SI. Policy makers should consider strengthening existing and developing new SI as part of a broader strategy to reduce suicide rates in the United States.

Biotic assemblages of gelatinous zooplankton in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters: An evolutionary biogeographic approach.

Gelatinous zooplankton constitutes a polyphyletic group with a convergent evolutionary history and poorly known biogeographical patterns. In the Gulf of Mexico, a region with complex geological, hydrological, and biotic histories, the study of this group has been limited to taxonomical and ecological aspects. In this study, we implemented a track analysis to identify distributional patterns of gelatinous zooplankton in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters based on a dataset of 6067 occurrence records corresponding to Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Cubozoa, Ctenophora, Chaetognatha, Thaliacea, and Appendicularia. Information was compiled from the Global Biodiversity Facility Information (GBIF) and Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) databases and peer-reviewed literature. Individual tracks were constructed by joining the minimum distance between the occurrence localities of each taxon using a minimum spanning tree algorithm. We identified generalized tracks using parsimony analysis of endemicity with progressive character elimination (PAE-PCE). The areas where different generalized tracks overlapped were considered to represent panbiogeographical nodes. Seven generalized tracks (two with nested patterns) and six panbiogeographical nodes were recognized, mainly in neritic zones. The distributional patterns of gelatinous zooplankton allowed us to identify four biogeographic areas, supporting previously proposed biogeographic schemes. Gelatinous zooplankton in the Gulf of Mexico showed a convergent spatial distribution that can be explained by vicariant and dispersal events. The historical biogeography of the gelatinous biotas of the Gulf of Mexico has been little studied compared to ecological approaches, and the lack of integrative studies considering historical patterns is evident. This type of research is fundamental to understanding the evolutionary history of natural resources from a spatial perspective, identifying sites of biodiversity and endemism, and establishing a biogeographic baseline of the region for further studies.

(Re)defining ecolinguistics in Indonesia’s research

The emergence of ecolinguistics in the early 1970s has expanded into various academic discussions, including Indonesia’s context. Many articles of ecolinguistics can be found massively online, yet only few of them are stored in an international database, such as Scopus and DOAJ. This article attempts at (re)defining ecolinguistic concept in Indonesia’s research by taking 19 sample articles indexed in doaj.org. To collect the data, the researches searched the keywords “ecolinguistics” and “Indonesia” and applied the systematic review method by comparing the definition of ecolinguistics, its methods, and findings of ecolinguistic research in Indonesia. There are found some definitions of ecolinguistics: the study of language diversity, local wisdoms, language endangerment, and ecological awareness. Based on those findings, this article tries to redefine the concept of ecolinguistics as an approach that does not only take data from ecological issues, but also use ecological approach to analyze texts. By doing so, it is expected to figure out critical studies that find out ecological effects from the linguistic strands from various sources to offer more ecological understandings.

Психологічна компетентність у подоланні внутрішнього конфлікту педагогів у межах середовищного підходу

The article reveals the concept of ‘Psychological competence of teachers within the framework of the ecological approach’ and ‘Ecological approach in overcoming the internal conflict of teachers’. The purpose of the article is to justify the psychological competence in overcoming the internal conflict of teachers within the framework of the ecological approach. A model of psychocorrection of VC in the situation of psychosomatic disorders and a lecture course ‘Correction-relaxation training Recovery of resistance to conflict personality’ have been developed regarding the prevention of internal imbalance of teachers in the conditions of the eco-environment of higher educational institutions. Psychological support of teachers in the conditions of higher education is offered, which is a complex of psychologically determined measures that ensure the improvement of the effectiveness of pedagogical activities and the qualification of a person. At the motivational and value stage of the proposed model, professional motives (stable orientation of interests and needs) were determined, which are expressed in awareness of the social significance of one's activity and understanding of professional values aimed at self-realization in the process of activity. The criterion for the formation of the cognitive stage is the presence of scientific and theoretical (general cultural training), operational knowledge and abilities to organize professional activities. The reflexive-regulatory stage is characterized by the existing capacity for self-regulation and reflection.Solving the problems of the internal conflict of the individual within the framework of the ecological approach can be seen in the formation of a constructive model of behavior, the resolution of conflict situations positively in the conditions of an educational institution with the improvement of psychological influence and the humanization of the system of the educational process. This approach can contribute to the improvement of interpersonal relations, the establishment of emotional contacts with one's environment, the improvement of professional development and the restoration of conflict resistance of teachers.

Widespread circulation and transmission risk of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis at the livestock-wildlife-environment interface in a Mediterranean agro-forestry farmstead

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiological agent of paratuberculosis, a chronic infection affecting ruminants and other species worldwide. Information on the ecological factors that increase infection risk at the livestock-wildlife-environment interface remains scarce. Thus, this work aimed at determining which factors modulate the exposure of a mammal community within a Mediterranean agro-forestry farmstead to MAP. Through field, molecular and ecological modeling approaches, MAP prevalence, distribution and spatial risk at the livestock-wildlife-environment was estimated in the study area by screening 436 samples (cattle, n = 150; wildlife, n = 206; soil, n = 80). Using molecular detection of IS900 as proxy, MAP was identified in ten wild mammal species. Being a central prey of mesocarnivores in Portugal, the high prevalence of MAP in the wild rabbit (19%) may be related with red fox's (22%). MAP was also detected in cattle managed in the farmstead (animal and herd prevalence, 54% and 100%) and in soil (44%), which may perpetuate intraspecies and interspecies transmission. Wildlife diversity showed a positive influence on MAP presence in wild mammals, while wildlife abundance showed a negative effect. Land use variables exerted distinct degrees of impact upon MAP detection in specific groups of mammals: mixed forest cover showed positive influence on carnivores, and shrubland showed positive effect on wild rabbits. The prevalence of MAP in cattle showed a negative influence on the detection of MAP in lagomorph, which may stem from wild rabbit lower density and avoidance of cattle areas. Based on explanatory variables, the spatial prediction of MAP occurrence in wildlife indicated two hotspots with increased exposure risk but future studies are needed to confirm this projection.This work represents the most comprehensive molecular survey of MAP occurrence and determinants in Mediterranean agroecosystems leveraging the principles and tools of community ecology, debating potential biological and ecological effects underlying MAP transmission.

Professional sustainability of volunteers in context ecological approach under the conditions of war

The article reveals the peculiarities of volunteering, which contributes to the development of the employee's professionalism, and also contributes to the development of such values as tolerance, tolerance, an active life position, and responsibility. The purpose of the article is to characterize the volunteering of employees in the context of professional growth. Involvement of volunteers in various activities and programs changes their value priorities, in both directions, from the values of personal life (love, happy family life, productive life) to the value of self-realization and moral responsibility (interesting work, material status, honesty, tolerance, etc.). Among the empirical methods of research, the following were used: V. Boyk's "Diagnostics of the level of emotional burnout", M. Rokych's "Value orientations" method and O. Kokun's "Professional sustainability" method. According to the above-mentioned methods, the following components of the professional sustainability of volunteers are highlighted: emotional, motivational, social and professional components. Emotional exhaustion of volunteers is caused by psychosomatic and psychovegetative disorders, which is characterized by psychophysical fatigue of a person, desolation, leveling of one's own professional achievements, communication breakdown, development of cynical attitude towards the victims and development of psychosomatic disorders. In the majority of all subjects, personal detachment (depersonalization) is observed when performing professional duties and activities in general. Conclusions. Personal qualities that need to be developed and improved play an important role in this process. One of the important factors is the formation and development of civic competence of volunteers. thus, participation in volunteer activities allows for the development of a valuable component of civic competence, which is realized through the manifestation of the civic values of an individual.

Kritik Ekologi dalam Buku Kumpulan Puisi Selepas Musim Menjauh Karya Ahmad Sultoni

This research aims to describe the forms of ecological criticism in the poetry collection Selepas Musim Menjauh by Ahmad Sultoni. This type of research is qualitative descriptive research with a literary ecology approach. This research data is in the form of words, sentences, phrases, or paragraphs that contain a form of ecological criticism. The data collection technique used in this research is the reading and note taking technique. The findings in this research show five forms of ecological criticism in the poetry collection book Selepas Musim Menjauh by Ahmad Sultoni, including: (1) criticism of land conversion, (2) criticism of environmental pollution, (3) criticism of climate change, (4) criticism of natural use, and (5) criticism of natural disasters. In this research, critical data on climate change is the most dominant. There are several titles that contain criticism of climate change, including: (a) Hari yang Tak Bermusim, (b) Kampung Halaman, (c) Suara Burung yang Murung, (d) Berjalan ke Barat Kembali ke Timur, (e) Desa-desa yang Tak Lagi Berkisah, (f) Tempat yang Dirahasiakan, and (g) Kamus Baru. Through ecological criticism it can be seen that the poet has sensitivity to environmental problems that arise around the poet. This can make readers aware that there are many environmental problems around the reader. It is hoped that readers can maintain the balance of nature, use nature wisely, and preserve nature for life in the future.Key words: ecological criticism, poetry, literature

Researching two Compassionate Cities: Study protocol for a mixed-methods process and outcome evaluation.

Background/Targeted community: Compassionate Cities are social ecology approaches that apply a set of actions, targeting a broad range of stakeholders, with the intention of renormalising caring, dying and grieving in everyday life. While several initiatives have been described in the literature, a rigorous evaluation of their processes and outcomes is lacking. This paper describes the protocol for a mixed-methods study to evaluate the development process and the outcomes of two Compassionate Cities in Flanders, Belgium. 
 Involved stakeholders: While the concept of Compassionate Cities is introduced by the researcher to the cities of Bruges and Herzele, the development is realised through the input from involved local stakeholders and the local project leaders. The project leaders are appointed by the cities of Bruges and Herzele. Their primary task revolves around coordinating the project and guarding its cocreational character. The stakeholders can be anyone with an interest in developing the Compassionate Cities. A community facilitator with expertise in change projects guides, with respect to local ownership, the development of both Compassionate Cities.
 Methods and analysis, planning: We will use a convergent multi-phase mixed-methods design, in which a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods will be triangulated in the data analysis stage to capture both development processes and outcomes. Our design includes a quasi-experimental component of a quantitative outcome evaluation in both Compassionate Cities and two comparable control cities with no formal Compassionate City programme. A critical realism lens will be applied to understand how and why certain processes manifest themselves.
 Discussion: The creation of Compassionate Cities implies high levels of complexity, adaptivity, unpredictability and uncertainty. This requires various data collection methods that can be applied flexibly. A researcher taking on the role of active participant in the project’s development has several advantages, such as access to scholarly information. Reflexivity in this role is paramount to questioning where the ownership of the project lies. By applying a critical realism lens, we remain cautious about our interpretations, and we test the homogeneity of our findings through other forms of data collection.
 Learning for the international audience: This is the first published study protocol to describe both a process and outcome evaluation of a Compassionate City project. By transparently describing our aims and data collection methods, we try to maximise information exchange among researchers and to inform others who desire to implement and evaluate their own initiatives.

From qualitative reflection to reflexive quality: an intersectoral approach to quality of care

Background: All over the continent, organizations in healthcare and welfare are increasingly being challenged to be transparent about what they are doing and to provide evidence regarding the results they achieve. Some organizations choose to develop policy and practice based on a variety of indicators and strictly scientifically based criteria. In this perspective, quality of care is measured against the background of those standardized indicators. Other organizations consider care as a craft or even an art which is impossible to capture in strictly standardized norms and indicators. In such organizations, scientific knowledge is often seen as subordinate to the experiential knowledge of service users and practical knowledge of staff members. Hence, quality of care is measured by – amongst other things – proximity and involvement with service users.
 Within Emmaüs vzw, an organization that overarches a variety of facilities in the fields of healthcare and welfare in Belgium, forces were joined to develop a new framework for quality of care in which an effort is made to transcend the contradiction that is outlined above. In order to do so, the experiential knowledge of service users, the practical knowledge of staff and research based knowledge were combined and considered to be equally valuable in tackling issues regarding quality of care.
 The project: Building on participatory action research with service users, their social context, staff members, policy makers and academics, we co-constructed a value-driven and intersectoral framework for quality of care that is underpinned by rhizome theory (Guattari & Deleuze, 2014). The ecological approach to quality of care entails an effort to capture and do right by the complexity that characterizes the fields of care and welfare. Furthermore, we connected the concepts of quality and reflexivity in a meta-model that can be used to fuel quality improvement across healthcare en welfare organizations. In our project, service users and staff were involved as respondents and as co-researchers. We use the CAIMeR theory (Blom & Morèn, 2010) as an analytical framework to describe processes of change and to capture effective practice. Although the project is still ongoing, our research shows that the intersectoral framework is widely accepted across organizations in youth care, mental healthcare, elderly care and support of people with disability. Recently also a general hospital expressed their interest in our intersectoral framework and reflexive meta-model.
 Presentation: We will present the highlights of our co-constructed framework for quality of care and the reflexive meta-model that is currently piloted in different organizations.
 Learning objectives: After this session, participants will be able to:
 
 Understand how participatory action research can help further policy and practice on quality of care across healthcare and welfare organizations.
 Understand how the reflexive meta-model we developed can be used in practice.

The Spatial Politics of the Tonle Sap: A Multi-Scale Analysis of Conservation and Development Challenges

Key resources of Tonle Sap Lake are fish, biodiversity and natural resources. Its governance has been casted as a central pillar in the development of Cambodia. Although there are considerable literatures and documents, supporting the protection and conservation of the lake, there are also policies and development frameworks promoting hydropower investments and infrastructure developments, affecting the TSL. Accordingly, this study questions how the water, fishery, and biodiversity and infrastructure developments are embedded in the conservation and developments of TSL. In answering this question, the study conducts the literature reviews and case studies in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserves, employing the political ecology approach. It concludes that TSL is food producing engines of Cambodia, the heartbeats of the Mekong River Basin, and a global biodiversity hotspot. The protection and conservation of the lake bring benefits to all at national, regional and global levels, but the complex interplay of actors, arranged at various scales and levels, has collectively created the challenges facing the lake, giving rise to confrontation between the conservation and hydropower, questions about the long-term sustainability of its resources and the livelihoods that depend upon it.

AN EVALUATION OF THE OBESITY PHENOMENON IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL WORK THEORIES

Obesity is a disease that negatively affects millions of people worldwide. This disease, which causes many people to experience physical, psychological, emotional, social and economic problems in terms of its consequences, is one of the most discussed diseases both in the world and in our country in recent years. Millions of people apply to obesity diagnosis and treatment centers in the world and in our country every year for treatment. It is very important to evaluate this disease, which has various treatment methods, not only from a medical perspective and to understand not only its medical consequences but also its biopsychosocial consequences.
 
 Social work is a profession and discipline that aims to understand the biopsychosocial aspects of problems and diseases and to make a holistic planning, intervention and evaluation with an individual approach in the environment. The phenomenon of obesity is a public health problem where various applications can be made for individuals, families and society experiencing this phenomenon. In this study, it is aimed to make an evaluation of social work theories towards the obesity phenomenon in order to give more space to obesity in the social work profession. Practices in the social work profession are based on theoretical foundations. Some of these theoretical approaches that guide practices are discussed in this review study. These are biopsychosocial approach, ecological approach, system approach and empowerment approach.

Aesthetics after the Ontological Turn: An Ecological Approach to Artificial Creativity

Aesthetics after the Ontological Turn: An Ecological Approach to Artificial Creativity

Methodological Support of Social and Natural-Resource Evaluation of Inclusive Tourist Objects in the Sustainable Development Context

"This research aims to form a scientifically grounded and usable methodological support of social and natural-resource evaluation of inclusive tourist objects for the effective formation of a sustainable inclusive tourism space. The author’s understanding of the social and natural-resource evaluation of inclusive tourist objects as a set of ecological, economic, social, inclusive, and rehabilitation approaches is suggested, which allows monitoring the natural-resource potential taking into account individual characteristics, the accessibility of the tourist object and its rehabilitation opportunities for people with disabilities of various nosologies. The research is based on an attempt to take into account subjective and objective conditions in the aesthetic landscape valuation. The results obtained during their interaction will make it possible to take into account the peculiarities of the landscape that affects a person, as well as the specifics of perception and the degree of susceptibility of a person. Compliance with the recommendations for social and natural-resource evaluation will make the socio-cultural space unhindered for all categories of the population, which will provide access to social services for each person for their integration, socialization, and adaptation. Methodological principles of quantitative evaluation of accessibility parameters and attractiveness factors of natural resources and tourist infrastructure objects for participants on the implementation of an inclusive rehabilitation and social tourism programme have been developed, which will provide access to social services for every person and promote their integration, socialization, and adaptation."

Near-infrared reflective coatings based on Ca1-xNdxAl12-xNixO19 blue pigments, prepared by solution combustion synthesis

Blue pigments based on Ca1-xNdxAl12-xNixO19 (x = 0–0.7 apfu) were obtained by an ecological, fast and energy efficient approach, namely solution combustion synthesis. The formation of nanocrystalline solid solutions was confirmed by X-ray diffraction investigation results. Increasing the degree of substitution resulted in intensification of color, decrease in crystallite size, and decrease in total solar reflectance. The CIE L*/a*/b* values of the composition with x = 0.5 were 80.9/-8.8/-30.0, while the total solar reflectance was 70.0 %. The obtained pigments were used to develop NIR-reflective (cool) coatings, applied onto black and white opacity charts made of glossy cardboard, metal, fibercement and ceramic substrate. The dispersion media tested were: an aqueous acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, and a clear ceramic glaze. Pigments based on Ca1-xNdxAl12-xNixO19 showed very good stability in acidic and alkaline environments but were dissolved by the glaze-generating melt. Exposure of the films to near-infrared radiation demonstrated the thermo-reflective efficiency of Ca1-xNdxAl12-xNixO19-based pigments. The acrylic resin proved to be the most suitable dispersion environment for maximizing the thermo-reflective properties, being clearly superior to epoxy.

How can place support pedagogy? Application of the concept of cognitive affordances in research and design of outdoor learning environments

This paper adopts an ecological approach to describe the opportunities offered by school landscape for children’s curricular learning. The approach is based on Gibson’s concept of affordances which refers to the opportunities offered by an environment to its users. The research conducted in school grounds in two different contexts – Scotland and Bangladesh drew on this theory to examine the relationship between the school landscape and children’s learning. Case study research included application of observation and behaviour mapping in school grounds, and interviews with participants in both contexts. Opportunities for teaching and learning offered by the school landscape in both cases were later defined as ‘cognitive affordances’ by the authors. ‘The concept of ‘cognitive’ affordances’ had limited attention in the field of landscape research. This paper thus introduces and defines the term to understand and study the potential of outdoor environments for development of children’s learning and cognition.

Harmonizing marine zooplankton trait data toward a mechanistic understanding of ecosystem functioning

AbstractCompiling trait information promotes discovery and innovation in using trait‐based approaches in ecology. Various zooplankton trait datasets are stored in unlinked data repositories, in diverse data structures, and have varying levels of complexity. These require standardization and harmonization to allow interoperability and to limit the duplication of efforts in the time‐consuming and error‐prone task of trait compilation. This study aggregated and harmonized 33 zooplankton traits datasets and supplemented these with more than 150 references into a single zooplankton trait database with an initial set of 56 traits for 3535 marine zooplankton species. The database has a long data table structure using the entity‐attribute‐value format and includes taxonomic and ancillary metadata, and data source provenance preserving how the data were originally recorded. The database is stored both at the individual level (Level 1) and as species level means (Level 2). The Level 1 database has 57,615 rows of trait records and the Level 2 database has 14,977 unique trait‐taxon records. We evaluated the coverage of trait data, taxonomic representation, and strategies in filling‐in data gaps. Comparison of trait value estimation approaches identified allometric scaling to be more accurate than taxon‐level generalization and imputation. This centralized and harmonized marine zooplankton trait database aims to be extendable and future‐proof and to promote trait data sharing, FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) data practices, and reproducibility.

Ecological Analysis of Stunting Toddlers in East Nusa Tenggara Province 2021

<p><em>Stunting is a chronic condition that results in stunted growth of children under five due to malnutrition for a long time. The objective of this study is to analyze the factors associated with the occurrence of stunting in East Nusa Tenggara Province in the year 2021. An ecological approach is employed in this study, utilizing secondary data obtained from the 2021 East Nusa Tenggara Province Health Profile report. This research was conducted from January to March 2023. Analysis was carried out on a total of 22 districts/cities, with a population of 388,760 toddlers which included the entire sample size, namely toddlers with stunting incidents totaling 81,354 toddlers. The main variable predicted is the proportion of stunted toddlers. Predictor variables consist of the percentage of ANC visits, the proportion of LBW history and the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding. Bivariate analysis involved the utilization of cross-tabulation to examine the relationships between variables. The results of the study show that the prevalence of stunting status in toddlers is in the moderate category (16.04-24.07%). This happened as the coverage of ANC visits in districts/cities was in the low category (40.0-61.6%), history of LBW in districts/cities was in the low category (3.0-6.6%) and breastfeeding exclusively in districts/cities that are in the high category (65.67-93.0%). Stunting among toddlers in the province of East Nusa Tenggara in 2021 is in the moderate category along with ANC visits in districts/cities which are in the low category, history of LBW in districts/cities is in the low category and exclusive breastfeeding in districts/cities is also in the low category. To accelerate stunting prevention in Indonesia, it is essential to have synchronized efforts in planning, implementation, and monitoring at all government levels, including villages. The active involvement of all stakeholders is crucial in achieving this goal.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em></em><strong><em>Keyword: </em></strong><strong><em>Community nutrition, Ecological analysis, Secondary data, Stuned</em></strong></p>

Gendered ecologies: Explaining interprofessional and gender inequalities in Ontario midwifery

Abstract Although midwifery has been a self-regulating profession in Ontario, Canada for over 30 years, practitioners continue to face barriers and inequalities due to the intersection of professional and gender dynamics. To understand these dynamics better we develop a gendered ecologies approach, refining ecological theories of professions by drawing on research on gender and professions. We then apply this approach when analysing qualitative in-depth interviews with a sample of Ontario midwives about their work. We argue that a gendered ecological approach—by underscoring that gender and professional inequalities are reproduced at the micro, meso, and macro levels by gendered actors contesting (gendered) spaces as they pursue a variety of interests—illuminates midwives’ struggles on the job and their continued subordination within the Ontario healthcare system.

Alter-nation? Factions, Coalitions and Environmental Governance in the Context of Contested Post-apartheid Local State Democratisation

Many African states have become electoral democracies, but others are still run by electoral authoritarian regimes, and/or exhibit procedural but not more substantive emancipatory extensions of rights and functions. In such contexts, alternation of power, or electoral turnover, has been recognised as a key signifier of successful democratisation. South Africa’s post-apartheid democratic transition was widely lauded as a textbook case, yet declining support for the political incumbent, factionalism, the phenomena of “state-capture” and the decline of state-owned entities has raised questions about the promises and challenges of post-African National Congress (ANC) hegemony. Limited research in South Africa (SA) focuses on the influence of political contest — including alternation, coalition formation and factionalism on municipal Environmental Governance (EG). Accordingly, we provide an analysis of political contest in both single and coalition councils between 2016 and 2021 in the of the Endumeni Local (ELM) and uMzinyathi District (UDM) municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), SA, focusing on environmental governance implications. The study was theoretically framed by a broad Political Ecology Approach (PEA). A mixed-method research approach consisting of qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques was utilised. The findings revealed contested politics and instability in both single and coalition councils, regardless of who governs. and this predominantly constrained, but in few instances enabled EG. This complicates narratives of alternation and coalition politics and points to the broader and ongoing need for council policy reform, local council stability, municipal competence and accountability.

RELATIONS BETWEEN MOOD AND DAILY ACTIVITIES: AN ECOLOGICAL MOMENTARY ASSESSMENT

Abstract Behavioral activation (BA) is an evidence-based therapy for depression that has recently been applied for informal caregivers. Investigating the mechanisms of BA could lead to enhanced quality of care by optimizing guidance to patients. We examined concomitant and lagged associations between mood and daily activities in 50 informal caregivers using an Ecological Momentary Assessment approach via smartphone technology. Participants recorded the number and types of activities they did each day in a 14-day period. Activities were rated for enjoyment on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being most pleasant). Mood for the day was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, (5 being the most positive). Linear mixed-model analyses examined concomitant and lagged (+/- 1 day) associations between activities and moods. Results indicated concomitant associations between mood and both frequency (t = 2.36, p = .019) and enjoyment of activities (t = 4.11, p < .001). Previous day’s mood was not associated with either frequency or enjoyment of activities the following day. Previous day’s enjoyment of activities was associated with mood the following day (t = 2.34, p = .02). There was no association between frequency of activities the previous day and mood the following day. These findings support BA theory by suggesting that increasing engagement in enjoyable activities may have positive impacts on mood not only in the moment but also have a lasting impact on future mood. Future research should expand this model by including covariates important to the population such as age and activity restriction.