Life Challenges Research Articles

Strengthening the PCA organization's awareness of the importance of mental health

Aisyiyah Ngampilan Branch, committed to women's empowerment, initiated a mental health program in response to Indonesia's high rate of mental disorders. This program aimed to enhance administrators' awareness and understanding of mental health, equipping them to empower the community in this area. The program was implemented through socialization methods. Results showed a significant increase in administrators' knowledge of mental health and stress management, with success rates of 88% and 85%, respectively. Additionally, the branch received a sound system to strengthen its infrastructure. This program benefits both administrators and the broader community. By understanding mental health and stress management, women can better navigate life's challenges, both within families and organizations. The program's integration of Islamic values aligns with community needs.

Impact of hypersensitivity-hyperactivity syndrome on the quality of life of dogs and their owners

This study investigates the impact of the behaviours of dogs with hypersensitivity-hyperactivity syndrome (HSHA) on their quality of life (QoL) and that of their owners. Dogs classified under this diagnosis label present polymorphous and productive symptoms that often leads to owner exhaustion and significant challenges in daily life. Utilizing a survey to collect data on the mental and physical health of dogs and the well-being of their owners, the study compared 20 HSHA-affected dogs with matched 20 control dogs. Resultsreveal that owners of HSHA dogs report significantly lower QoL scores compared to owners of control dogs, citing increased stress, physical injuries, and emotional distress. Additionally, HSHA dogs exhibited lower well-being and more frequent physical health issues, such as injuries and digestive problems, compared to control dogs.The findings underscore the need for early diagnosis and effective management of HSHA to improve the welfare of affected dogs, prevent potential relinquishments or euthanasia, and enhance the quality of life for their owners. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies with larger and more diverse populations to develop targeted strategies for managing HSHA in dogs, ultimately fostering healthier and happier human-animal relationships.

AGAINST ALL ODDS: PROBING THE CASE OF SOLO-PARENT TEACHERS IN RAISING THE FAMILY ALONE

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of working solo parents in raising their family alone. By examining the unique challenges faced by solo parents in this situation, this research aims to shed light on the coping mechanisms and strategies employed by resilient individuals to overcome the obstacles they encounter as well as their reflective insight that can be learned from their life experiences. This research utilizes qualitative case study approach and open-ended question as instrument used in the in-depth interview. There were five (5) participants whom were residents of Pantukan Davao de Oro. The findings revealed that solo parent presents a multitude of challenges that are unique and often complex as they raise their family alone, the struggles from providing the needs, the feelings of inadequacy and doubt can be compounded by the added pressure of taking sole responsibility in fulfilling both parental roles of being a mother and a father for the day-to-day aspects of rearing their children which can affect their ability to discipline their children effectively. In conclusion, solo parents don't let life's challenges deter them instead, they proactively employ a diverse range of strategies tailored to their individual circumstances. In their journey, solo parents gain lessons in resilience and advocacy. They strive tenaciously, learning to assert themselves not just for their children's sake but also for their own well-being. Consequently, they cultivate a profound appreciation for the fundamental importance of family. KEYWORDS: solo-parent, challenges, strategies, child/children, case study research, Philippines

Counseling for Special Needs Children Experiencing Bullying Through Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Approach

When a family having a child with special needs, the happiness that parents experience is mixed with a variety of other emotions such as shock, self-guilt or partner, to worry about their child's future. ABK needs special attention and service. ABK requires special attention, help, service, and learning methods. Likewise, ABK parents need special support to make it easier for them to adapt, accept, and then educate their ABK optimally. One of the forms of support that is needed is counseling. Counseling for ABKs needs to be done among others so that they do not feel alone and have a support group to make them more resilient in the face of various problems and challenges in life. Especially when ABK suffered bullying, where ABK included those who were vulnerable to bullyed because of their different conditions. Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) provides an overview of how counseling for ABK victims of bullying through the REBT approach can help them in addressing the problems associated with the impact of ABK's Bullying.

Integrasi Agama dan Sains dalam Menghadapi Masalah Global

The increasing role of science and religion in human life challenges theoretical ideas that predict a decreasing impact of religion on recent societies. this relationship has led to ongoing debate about the correlation between science and religion. His research problem centers on understanding the current correlation between Islam and science. This research uses a qualitative descriptive research design, with a focus on library research and academic articles obtained from Google Scholar as the primary data source. These findings highlight the integral role of science and religion in human life, and emphasize the need for harmony. In general, science can be classified into 2, namely: natural sciences and humanities sciences. Both of these sciences are actually rooted in the Koran and Hadith. shows communicating the existence and attributes of Allah and everything that happens in the universe through his verses. The conclusion is that even though religious knowledge and science are not the same, this does not mean that the two things cannot be integrated, because both religious knowledge and science all come from Allah SWT.

Teachers and Parents Working Together is Essential for Pupils to Build a Healthy Mindset Based on Values and to Prepare Them for Life's Challenges in High School

The aim of jthis study was to investigate the potential relationship between parental participation and academic success in middle school. Investigations were also conducted on the ethnic inequalities in the ;relationship between parental engagement and student accomplishment. The research compared parental engagement and academic success between groups in an ethnically and racially diverse school. In order to participate in the research, 41 teenagers and their parents had to answer questions on parental communication with the school and engagement in their kids' education. We examined the students' final science and English grades, as well as their MAP English scores, in addition to their survey replies. According to the study's findings, White parents were the most active in their kids' education and White children scored better academically than their Southeast Asian and South Asian counterparts. The Pearson correlation test is used to determine the positive association between parental involvement and student progress. Parental engagement takes the form of signing weekly grade reports, phoning the school (r =.586, p =.01), or receiving a call from the school (r =.479, p =.01). The Pearson correlation between academic performance and grades (r =.054 for signing weekly grade reports and reading school notes, emails, and texts) did not show a significant relationship between parental participation and academic success.

Surah Al-Fatihah as a Spiritual Therapy Method to Overcome Stress

This research elaborates on the influence of the Al-Fatihah letter as a spiritual therapy method for dealing with stress based on a literature review. Surah Al-Fatihah, which consists of seven verses, has content that is believed to be able to provide calm and peace for its readers. This study explored how the elements in Surah Al-Fatihah can function as medicine for stress from a psychological and spiritual perspective. Literature analysis shows that Surah Al-Fatihah has several key elements that have the potential to reduce stress: praise to Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, acknowledgment of Allah's power, and a request for help and guidance. This reesults showed that praise and recognition helps reduce anxiety and provides a sense of security, while asking for help creates feelings of support and guidance in facing life's challenges. Anxiety reduction can be achieved through repeated reading of Surah Al-Fatihah which has a meditative effect, as well as through confidence and faith which provides a sense of calm and security. Social support from religious practices in the community also plays an important role in stress management. In conclusion, Surah Al-Fatihah has great potential as an effective spiritual therapy method for reducing stress. These findings indicate the need for further research through empirical.

Toward a Cultural Psychology of Conspiracy Theories: A life-narrative analysis of Flat Earthers.

While the idea of a flat earth may seem absurd in the twenty-first century, there is today a large and growing number of people who believe it. Who are these people and what animates their belief? In answering these questions, this article aims to articulate a cultural psychological approach to conspiracy theories. This is advanced through an in-depth narrative analysis of three individuals' life stories concerning before, during, and after the transition to the new belief. Thus, rather than starting from the typical look at what socio-demographic factors predict conspiracy beliefs, we start from a nuanced look at flat earth believers' own life worlds. We show how different individual motives (epistemological, social and existential) and knowledge systems (scientific, religious, societal) come together in individuals' adoption and reconstruction of conspiracy theories so that they resonate with believers' personal lives. Most importantly, flat earth theory offers people a comprehensive vision that places human beings at the center of the universe and provides arguments for how life is meaningful. However, we show that this is reached through different pathways in accordance with people's unique life histories and challenges.

Quality of Life After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC): Cancer Survivors' Perspective Through In-Depth Interviews.

CRS/HIPEC patients face unique quality of life (QoL) challenges due to advanced disease (peritoneal carcinomatosis), the extent of procedure, and risk for long-term complications. Standard QoL questionnaires are generic, focusing on tumor type and standard treatments, and likely do not capture this select population's full experience, suggesting the need for tailored instruments. We aimed to characterize the QoL challenges faced by CRS/HIPEC cancer survivors and determine whether these were captured by astandard QoL questionnaire. An anonymous, semi-structured individual interview was conducted with CRS/HIPEC patients addressing their experience at diagnosis, challenges related to CRS/HIPEC, and access to CRS/HIPEC information. Verbatim transcripts were interpreted using thematic analysis. Code and theme identification was inductive. Questions addressing common themes that were not encompassed by astandard QoL questionnaire were developed. We interviewed eight patients. Median age was 55 (range 30-71) years and 75% (n = 6) were women. Primary tumor sites included appendix (n = 4), ovarian (n = 3), and peritoneal mesothelioma (n = 1). Median time from CRS/HIPEC was 40.1 (range 3.1-216.3) months. Overall, 133 codes were identified and categorized into 9 themes. The most recurring were physical symptoms after CRS/HIPEC (specifically gastrointestinal symptoms), adjusting to survivorship, mental health, expectations from CRS/HIPEC, and access to care. A total of 22 questions that did not overlap with a standardized QoL questionnaire were developed. There is an unmet need to understand the unique QoL challenges CRS/HIPEC patients encounter. Patient-centered QoL questionnaires based on CRS/HIPEC patient experiences can capture these unique challenges and help guide future studies and care.

Peran Guru PAI dalam Pembinaan Akhlak Peserta Didik di Indonesia

The cultivation of students' morals by Islamic Education teachers is of utmost importance in both worldly and spiritual life. Its aim is to shape the character of students with noble virtues according to Islamic teachings, such as obedience to Allah and His Messenger, and respect for parents. The process of moral upbringing is conducted continuously and systematically to transform and instill positive attitudes and behaviors in students, with the goal of achieving happiness in both this world and the hereafter.This study employs a literature review approach to identify the role of Islamic Education teachers in nurturing students' morals. Teachers of Islamic Education bear moral and professional responsibilities to provide continuous and guided guidance so that students can internalize Islamic moral values in their daily lives.The conclusion of this study affirms that the cultivation of students' morals by Islamic Education teachers is a strategic effort to shape a generation that is of high quality both morally and spiritually. This effort is crucial in preparing students to face life's challenges and to pursue happiness in both the present life and the afterlife

Glaucoma Rehabilitation using ElectricAI Transcranial Stimulation (GREAT)—study protocol for randomized controlled trial using combined perceptual learning and transcranial electrical stimulation for vision enhancement

BackgroundGlaucoma patients with irreversible visual field loss often experience decreased quality of life, impaired mobility, and mental health challenges. Perceptual learning (PL) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) have emerged as promising interventions for vision rehabilitation, showing potential in restoring residual visual functions. The Glaucoma Rehabilitation using ElectricAI Transcranial stimulation (GREAT) project aims to investigate whether combining PL and tES is more effective than using either method alone in maximizing the visual function of glaucoma patients. Additionally, the study will assess the impact of these interventions on brain neural activity, blood biomarkers, mobility, mental health, quality of life, and fear of falling.MethodsThe study employs a three-arm, double-blind, randomized, superiority-controlled design. Participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups receiving: (1) real PL and real tES, (2) real PL and sham tES, and (3) placebo PL and sham tES. Each participant undergoes 10 sessions per block (~ 1 h each), with a total of three blocks. Assessments are conducted at six time points: baseline, interim 1, interim 2, post-intervention, 1-month post-intervention, and 2-month post-intervention. The primary outcome is the mean deviation of the 24-2 visual field measured by the Humphrey visual field analyzer. Secondary outcomes include detection rate in the suprathreshold visual field, balance and gait functions, and electrophysiological and biological responses. This study also investigates changes in neurotransmitter metabolism, biomarkers, self-perceived quality of life, and psychological status before and after the intervention.DiscussionThe GREAT project is the first study to assess the effectiveness of PL and tES in the rehabilitation of glaucoma. Our findings will offer comprehensive assessments of the impact of these treatments on a wide range of brain and vision-related metrics including visual field, neural activity, biomarkers, mobility, mental health, fear of falling, and quality of life.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05874258. Registered on May 15, 2023.

Promoting multicultural and social justice counselling competency of international counselling students

AbstractThe enrolment of international students in US counselling programmes has been increasing steadily over the past decade. These international counselling students, as an emerging international workforce, can contribute to the decolonisation of counselling practice through the development of their multicultural and social justice counselling competency (MSJCC)—an essential counselling competency to improve counselling outcomes across culturally diverse clients. However, current US counsellor training programmes often fail to adequately address the unique challenges faced by international counselling students, which can impede their progress in enhancing MSJCC. This article explores specific challenges international counselling students encounter in developing MSJCC, underscoring the importance of culturally sensitive pedagogies. By focusing on the intersectional identities of international counselling students, this article proposes targeted pedagogical strategies that align US counsellor education with the lived experiences and challenges faced by these students. Case studies are provided to illustrate the application of these pedagogies. Promoting international counselling students' MSJCC can help prepare an international workforce capable of effectively working with a diverse global population and contribute to the decolonisation of counselling practices.

A dual pathway for understanding the relation between wellbeing and resilience

This study investigates the intricate connections between relational wellbeing and individual resilience, through family and community protective factors. As such, we aim to bridge an existing gap in resilience literature by examining the elements that contribute to individual resilience from a relational perspective through a random sample of slum dwellers in Indonesia. To address this research gap, we adopted White’s conceptualisation of relational wellbeing and integrated Benard’s perspective on individual resilience and applied them using established measures to assess the general population living in slum areas across three Indonesian cities: Bima, Manado and Pontianak. Rigorous confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to establish the validity and reliability of all employed measures. The results of the mediated-path analysis underscore the significance of family protective factors in most relationships between dimensions of relational wellbeing and individual resilience. Notably, the two mediators exhibited distinct effects: the former positively mediated the relation, while the latter demonstrated an inverted mediation effect. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of the nuanced interplay between wellbeing and resilience, particularly regarding the impact of familial and community support on individuals’ ability to cope with daily life challenges, especially in disaster-prone areas.

Rhetorical Construct of the Self: An Exploration of Writings of Teacher Education Students with Delayed College Enrollment

Understanding people’s thinking and actions through exploring their word choice in written discourse can provide an objective analysis of their behavioural patterns in responding to life adversities. This study utilising quantitative and qualitative approaches is an attempt to investigate the coping mechanisms as response to the challenges of pursuing a bachelor’s degree of teacher education students who had postponed their college enrollment after graduating from high school. This investigation revolved around analysing students’ written essays for personality type profiling using M. A. K. Halliday’s Transitivity Theory and exploiting their aspired professional identity employing Lakoff and Johnson’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The analysis of students’ written essays dealing with life challenges revealed their dominant actor, carrier and senser-personality types that reinforced their self consciousness enabling them to be reflective and strategic in addressing life challenges. Moreover, the conceptual metaphor “Teachers are Heroes”, as disclosed by the metaphorical constructs of their aspired professional identity, helped them develop motivation, as they realised the significant role which professional teachers play in the society. This self-identification derived from their projected personality types and the motivation they gained from realising their aspired professional identity served as a coping mechanism by stimulating their confidence in dealing with the challenges associated with continuing their college education. To enhance self-awareness and promote self-reflection among teacher education students, this study advocates the integration of the theories of transitivity and metaphor into teacher education curricula for professional identity development.

Psychosocial and sexual health among men with and without HIV who have sex with men: A cross-sectional nationwide study in Denmark.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men (MSM) since its onset. Despite important medical advancements in treatment, the enduring effects of living with HIV continue to adversely impact the health and well-being of this population. This cross-sectional nationwide study examined psychosocial and sexual health among MSM in Denmark, comparing those living with and without HIV. Data from MSM living with HIV were collected from the SHARE study, a Danish nationwide survey that investigated psychosocial, sexual and reproductive health among people with HIV, and compared with data from MSM without HIV, retrieved from the nationally representative cohort study, Project SEXUS. Associations between HIV status and psychosocial and sexual health outcomes were examined using logistic regression models while controlling for potentially confounding variables. Among 369 MSM with HIV and 1002 MSM without HIV, logistic regression analyses revealed that living with HIV was significantly associated with having current symptoms of anxiety and depression and greater dissatisfaction with one's body. Additionally, MSM with HIV significantly more often than MSM without HIV reported low sexual desire, sexual inactivity, a lack of sexual needs in the last year and erectile dysfunction. Having received payment for sex was more frequently reported by MSM with HIV, as was sexualised drug use, including chemsex drugs. Compared with MSM without HIV, MSM with HIV in Denmark report a higher burden of mental health and sex life challenges.

Adolescents' Mental Health Concerns in Pre- and During COVID-19: Roles of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Emotional Resilience.

Limited research has explored the trend of adolescent mental health concerns pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic and how such mental health concerns are explained by emotional resilience and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and severity of mental health concerns among U.S. adolescents and examine the mediating role of emotional resilience in the relationship between ACEs and mental health concerns (i.e., anxiety and depression). Using the 2018-2021 National Survey of Children's Health, we analyzed a large sample of 12-17 aged adolescents. Descriptive statistics of the prevalence and severity of mental health concerns were conducted. Further, four separate mediation analyses were conducted to examine the association between ACEs, emotional resilience, and mental health concerns for each year. Two key findings are as follows. First, the prevalence and severity of mental health concerns have shown an upward trend across pre- and during COVID-19. Second, all paths in the mediation models were found to be statistically associated with one another over four years. We used parents' reports for variables of interest; further we used a single item to capture emotional resilience. This study not only demonstrates the trend of adolescent mental health concerns before and during COVID-19 but also highlights the crucial role of emotional resilience as a mediator of ACEs and mental health concerns. Findings emphasize the imperative for prevention and intervention efforts to strengthen adolescents' emotional capacity to cope with childhood adversities and additional life challenges.

Empowerment strategies of the Mentor Mother peer support program among mothers who have migrated to Sweden: a photovoice study

IntroductionA peer support intervention using ‘Mentor Mothers’ was implemented for mothers who had migrated to Sweden, living in socially disadvantaged communities. The Mentor Mothers had a high degree of freedom to develop strategies for facilitating empowerment of their clients according to perceived needs. This study aimed to investigate which empowerment facilitation strategies that Mentor Mothers perceived to be relevant, feasible and effective.MethodsPhotovoice was used to generate qualitative data. Participants took photographs of their work which were then discussed during a focus group discussion and six individual semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour overarching strategies to facilitate empowerment were identified, corresponding to distinctive perceived needs in the target group: (1) Informative support responded to a need for making sense of the external context, by helping mothers navigate society, the process of parenthood and cultural parenting norms. (2) Practical support addressed a need for managing challenges in daily life, by facilitating contacts with welfare services and authorities and to enhance parenting practices. (3) Psychosocial support addressed a need for improved mental wellbeing, by instilling feelings of safety and security in daily life, relationships and in contacts with public institutions. (4) Motivational support responded to a need for finding fulfilling purpose, by promoting social interaction, encouraging civic engagement and sharing the challenges and successes of others to inspire hope.ConclusionsThese results highlight various aspects of peer support for empowerment facilitation that future interventions targeting immigrant parents can use in their intervention design.

Public discourse narratives: from 'Secret Aid Worker' discontent to shifting power in humanitarian systems.

Public discourse is rich in meaning, reflecting consensus, dissent, and change. Yet, very little public discourse on the humanitarian sector has been authored by aid workers themselves. We conducted a thematic analysis of the 'Secret Aid Worker' (SAW) series, published in The Guardian newspaper between 2015 and 2018, the only corpus of data on humanitarian life experiences publicly accessible through mainstream media. Our research questions were twofold: how did authors frame their work and appraise humanitarian structures?; and how did they reflect and amplify humanitarian issues of the time? The main themes included: personal challenges of humanitarian life; characterisation of stakeholders; and systemic issues within the humanitarian sector. The SAW narratives reveal a powerful discourse of discontent. They planted seeds of change regarding shifting power, coloniality and racism, sexual abuse, and duty of care. We argue that such public discourse has symbolic power, calling for greater accountability, equity, and justice in remaking the future of the humanitarian sector.

Children and families with chronic pediatric acquired brain injury in need of rehabilitation: characteristics and main challenges in daily life

Purpose To increase our understanding of child and parent characteristics, family functioning and main challenges in daily life in children and families in need of rehabilitation in the chronic phase of pediatric acquired brain injury (pABI). Methods Fifty-eight children (aged 6–16, 48% girls) were included at least one year post ABI. Demographics and questionnaire data regarding children’s symptom burden, parents’ emotional symptoms and family functioning were collected. Children and parents named their main pABI-related challenges in daily life, and these were categorized in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Results Parents’ emotional symptom loads were high; 22.3% had moderate, moderate-severe or severe depression symptoms while the equivalent number for anxiety symptoms was 17.9%. Problematic family functioning was reported by 32.1% of parents. When asked about their main pABI-related challenges in daily life, 69% of children named school. The most frequent ICF chapters for children and parents were school education, energy and drive functions (mainly fatigue), and emotional functions. Codes spanned across all ICF-domains. Conclusions Rehabilitation for pABI should have a broad, interdisciplinary, and family-centered approach, with school, fatigue, and emotional functioning of parents and children as potential core elements.

Cold-adapted influenza vaccine carrying three repeats of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion glycoprotein epitope site protects BALB/c mice and cotton rats against RSV infection

Respiratory syncytial virus is the major cause of respiratory viral infections, particularly in infants, immunocompromised populations, and the elderly (over 65 years old), the prevention of RSV infection has become a priority. In this study, we generated a chimeric influenza virus, termed LAIV/RSV/HA-3F, using reverse genetics technology which contained three repeats of the RSV fusion protein neutralizing epitope site II to the N terminal in the background of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of cold adapted influenza vaccine A/California/7/2009 ca. LAIV/RSV/HA-3F exhibited cold-adapted (ca) and attenuated (att) phenotype. BALB/c mice immunized intranasally with LAIV/RSV/HA-3F showed robust immunogenicity, inducing viral-specific antibody responses against both influenza and RSV, eliciting RSV-specific humoral, cellular and mucosal immune responses. LAIV/RSV/HA-3F also conferred protection as indicated by reduced viral titers and improved lung histopathological alterations against live RSV virus challenge. Mechanismly, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell T cell antigen receptor (TCR) sequencing were employed to characterize the immune responses triggered by chimeric RSV vaccine, displaying that LAIV/RSV/HA-3F provided protection mainly via interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Moreover, we found that LAIV/RSV/HA-3F significantly inhibited viral replication in the challenged lung and protected against subsequent RSV challenge in cotton rats without causing lung disease. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that LAIV/RSV/HA-3F has potential as a promising bivalent vaccine with dual purpose candidate for the prevention of influenza and RSV, and preclinical and clinical studies warrant further investigations.