Community-based Group Research Articles

Implementation of Breathing Exercises at Home in Hypertension Patients in Adults Aged 36-45 Years

Hypertension is one of the diseases of the cardiovascular system that has high mortality and morbidity rates. High blood pressure in hypertensive patients can be treated with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. One of the non-pharmacological therapies is deep breathing relaxation therapy. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of deep breathing relaxation therapy on reducing blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The sample in this study were patients with hypertension in Kelurahan Jawa, RT 19 and RT 26 Samarinda as many as 40 respondents. The design of this study was to use a Cluster-randomized trial design by conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 community-based intervention and control group. The results of the study above show that the systolic blood pressure value before being given deep breathing relaxation therapy was 160.451 mmHg and the systolic blood pressure after being given deep breathing therapy was 130 mmHg. And the diastolic blood pressure before being given deep breathing therapy was 98 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure after being given deep breathing therapy was 84.35 mmHg. In this study, the confidence level taken was 95% with 5% (0.05). Based on statistical analysis using paired sample T-test, the systolic blood pressure value was 0.001. This means that the value is smaller than 5% (0.05) so that H0 is rejected, which means that there is an effect of deep breathing relaxation therapy on reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension. The average systolic blood pressure value after being given deep breathing relaxation therapy was 30.46 mmHg and the average diastolic blood pressure after being given deep breathing relaxation therapy was 84.35 mmHg. There was a decrease in the respondents' blood pressure after being given deep breathing relaxation therapy, namely systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 84.35 mmHg. Based on statistical analysis using paired sample T-test with a confidence level taken at 95% with 5% (0.05), the diastolic blood pressure value was 0.001 and the diastolic blood pressure value was 0.001. This shows that deep breathing relaxation therapy is effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This study recommends that deep breathing relaxation therapy is effective in lowering blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) in hypertensive patients.

Effectiveness of Community Based Group Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Women in Bangladesh: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective: Group therapy involves multiple people being treated by one or more health professionals. It can cure physical and psychological conditions; such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotional trauma, anxiety, despair, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigates whether community-based group therapy helps older women with chronic low back pain. Material and Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial, with 40 patients divided into control and intervention groups. The control group received conventional treatment in an institute-based rehabilitation (IBR) facility, while the intervention group received the same exercise program in a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) setting. Both groups received supervised 30-minute sessions five days a week for eight weeks. The numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) was used to measure the severity of pain and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) measured physical disability due to low back pain in older women. Results: The average age of the participants was 56 (53 to 58.50). The BMI findings were 7.5% (n=3) of participants being underweight and 45% (n=18) of participants being overweight. In terms of pain and physical disability due to low back pain, the CBR group showed significant improvement (p-value<0.05) in cases of both inter- and intra-group comparison using the IBR treatment facility.Conclusion: Group therapy treatment reduces low back pain and prevents the severity of back pain in older women, thereby improving their quality of life. This study shows that group-based physical therapy helps relieve chronic low back pain. Strengthening, stretching, and flexion exercises in groups improve quality of life and minimise discomfort.

Empowering Through Group Exercise: Beat It Trainers’ Views on Successful Implementation of a Diabetes Management Program Online and In-Person

Background: The Beat It program is a clinician-led, community-based group exercise intervention for adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). While previous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving physical and mental health outcomes, this study explores the perspectives of Beat It Trainers to identify key factors contributing to the program’s success and areas for improvement. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Accredited Exercise Physiologists who had delivered both in-person and online versions of the program. Interviews were thematically analyzed using inductive approaches. Results: Eight main themes emerged: customization to individual needs, capability building, outcome improvement, affordability, accessibility, sustainability, and a holistic approach delivered in a group setting. Challenges identified included managing group dynamics, maintaining participant commitment in a fully subsidized program, and providing nutrition advice within the trainers’ scope of practice. The program’s adaptability to both in-person and online delivery modes was highlighted as enhancing its accessibility and resilience. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to the success of the Beat It program from the implementers’ perspective. The findings suggest that investing in comprehensive training for facilitators, particularly in group dynamics management, could benefit similar programs. While the program’s fully subsidized structure reduces financial barriers to entry, innovative strategies to enhance participant engagement and perceived value should be explored. The success of the online delivery mode indicates that hybrid models offering both in-person and virtual options could increase accessibility in future supervised, community-based exercise programs for T2DM management.

A community-based peer-facilitated psychological and social support model to improve retention in care among Cameroonian adolescents perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPsychological and social support for adolescents living with HIV remains undocumented and unaddressed in Central Africa. This study aimed at assessing effectiveness of a peer-facilitated community-based support model in improving retention in care among adolescents living with HIV and attending care in Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon. Materials and methodsWe conducted an analysis of adolescents aged 10–19 years old, perinatally infected with HIV, on follow-up in the Day Care Unit of a reference hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon, and enrolled in the IAS-CIPHER-2021/1214-ATE-SMAVI, a individually randomized controlled trial. While the control arm only received routine care in the health facility, the intervention arm, in addition, was assigned to an HIV association for sustained support model, including support groups, leisure workshops and home visits. Structured questionnaires, including validated French versions of mental health scales, were quarterly administered to the study participants in both study arms by trained healthcare providers. The main outcome was maintaining retention in care beyond the first 15-month period of the study start. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models were fitted to assess association between intervention and outcome. Hazard Ratio (HR) across categories of exposure variables were compared using Wald's test. p-value <0.05 was considered significant. ResultsIn total, 305 adolescents were recruited in the study at a median age of 15.2 years old, including 162 (53.1 %) females and 153 individuals in the intervention arm. Mental health troubles were prevalent: severe depression (26.9 %), high or very high anxiety (28.9 %), and low self-esteem (84.9 %). Noteworthy, all of the baseline characteristics were balanced irrelevant to the study arm. Probability of maintaining good retention in care beyond the first 15-month period of study start remained higher in the intervention arm (82.0 % [95 %CI: 73.7 %-88.4 %]) versus the control arm (71.0 % [95 %CI: 63.2 %-78.1 %]), [cHR (95 %CI): 2.0 (1.1–3.3), p=0.044]. ConclusionsCapacity should be built in terms of implementing community-based peer-facilitated support groups in local organizations providing care to adolescents living with HIV.

Organizational Culture and Effectiveness in Community-Based Nonprofits

Community-based nonprofits have traditionally emphasized group and developmental cultures which stress the importance of people and transformation. However, evolving institutional environments that champion competing cultures associated with professional and enterprising ideals have increasingly interpenetrated contemporary nonprofits. Drawing on the Competing Values Culture Framework (CVCF), this research explores how organizational members define the complex contemporary landscape of organizational culture in community-based nonprofits and examines the relationship between diverse organizational cultures (e.g., group, developmental, hierarchical, and rational) and perceptions of effectiveness. Results indicate that employees in community-based nonprofits view group cultures as the most characteristic of their organizations, although no organization is characterized by a single culture. In line with the CVCF, we find that each organizational culture is associated with the achievement of different measures of organizational effectiveness in community-based nonprofits. We conclude with a discussion of what this means for research and practice.

The Comprehensive Resilience-building psychosocial Intervention (CREST) for people with dementia in the community: a feasibility and acceptability study

BackgroundA dementia diagnosis can lead to a decline in cognitive, social, and physical health, but people with dementia can live meaningful lives and participate actively in society with psychosocial support. This single-arm, non-randomised feasibility study explored the feasibility and acceptability of a Comprehensive REsilience-building psychoSocial intervenTion (CREST) for people with dementia, their caregivers, General Practitioners (GPs), and the public.MethodsNine people with dementia and their primary caregivers living in the community (n = 9 dyads) completed the CREST intervention which had three components (cognitive stimulation therapy [CST], physical exercise, and dementia education). Quantitative secondary outcomes were assessed at baseline and following the 15-week intervention; qualitative interviews were conducted during and post-intervention. All study components were assessed against pre-defined criteria, to determine the feasibility of conducting a future definitive trial.ResultsRecruitment of people with dementia and their caregiver was a significant challenge and led to considerable delays to the onset and conduct of the intervention. Only 13% of eligible GP practices agreed to assist in recruitment and achieved a 6% enrolment rate; a community-based recruitment strategy proved more effective, yielding a 29% enrolment rate. However, once recruited, participants maintained high attendance and adherence to the content of each component with average adherence rates of 98% for CST, exercise sessions and caregiver education. Adherence to secondary exercise measures was lower, with home exercise diary completion at 37% and Fitbit wear adherence at 80% during the day and 67% at night. The people with dementia felt their concentration and fitness had improved over the 15-week intervention and particularly enjoyed the social aspects (e.g. group classes, exercising with partners from the community). Caregivers felt they had better knowledge and understanding following their education component and reported that the social aspects (interacting and sharing experiences with each other) were important. Overall, participants reported that the three components of the intervention were feasible and acceptable. In addition, the quantitative measures and health economic tools employed were feasible. However, the secondary elements of the exercise component (recording home exercise diaries and Fitbit use) were not considered feasible. Overall, pre-defined criteria for progression to a definitive intervention were fulfilled in terms of acceptability, retention and fidelity but not recruitment.ConclusionWhile overall, the CREST intervention was feasible and acceptable to participants, significant difficulties with recruitment of people with dementia and their caregiver through GP practices impacted the viability of delivering the intervention. Recruitment through community-based groups proved a more feasible option and further work is needed to overcome barriers to recruiting this cohort before a larger-scale trial can be conducted.Trial registrationISRCTN25294519.

A multilevel modeling analysis of community-based mental health and psychosocial support group intervention for refugee newcomers in the United States.

A growing number of resettlement agencies adopt and implement interventions and programs to promote community-based mental health and psychosocial support (CB-MHPSS) among refugees and asylum seekers in the United States. However, few studies examine how multilevel factors either facilitate or interfere with mental health and other associated outcomes. Adopting a realist evaluation approach, this study examines the effects of multilevel (i.e., community, group and individual) factors on mental health coping and emotional well-being (EW) among asylum seekers and refugee newcomers in CB-MHPSS group interventions. A total of 235 adult refugees and asylum seekers participated in 31 CB-MHPSS intervention groups implemented by 11 HIAS affiliate agencies in 2021. A series of bi-/multivariate and multilevel modeling analyses were conducted to investigate the impacts of individual, group or agency, and community-level factors on competency for coping and EW among intervention participants. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions grounded to the local community help facilitate individual-level improvement in competencies for mental health care and EW. Multilevel modeling analyses attested to multilevel effects of individual, group, and community settings on MHPSS outcomes, highlighting the impacts of intervention facilitator types and group composition, as well as community's unemployment rates. This study sheds light on the value of community-based, participatory approaches to psychosocial interventions; focusing on the role of refugee community leaders and bicultural staff who deliver MHPSS activities, which was a key feature that enhanced the well-being and coping of refugee newcomers across various settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Supplemental Material for A Multilevel Modeling Analysis of Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Group Intervention for Refugee Newcomers in the United States

Supplemental Material for A Multilevel Modeling Analysis of Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Group Intervention for Refugee Newcomers in the United States

A Comparative Analysis of Neurocognitive Function in Community- and Hospital-Based Patients With Schizophrenia.

The study compared differences in various neurocognitive characteristics across treatment modalities among schizophrenia patients recruited in one city between July 2020 and June 2023 who were on regular medication. Of the 151 participants, 113 were included in the analysis. Participants were divided into community-based and hospital-based groups, and their demographics and clinical characteristics, including insight, quality of life, positive and negative symptoms, and personal and social functioning, were examined. In addition, several aspects of cognition were assessed using neurocognitive assessments such as the Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop test, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). After adjusting for age differences between groups, the final analysis included data from 42 participants in the community-based group and 33 participants in the hospital-based group. Hospital-based group participants completed Stroop-W more rapidly, excelled in Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test recall and recognition, and incurred fewer TMT Part B (TMT-B) and Stroop-C errors. Additionally, they outperformed in WCST total, non-persistent errors, and categories completed. Contrastingly, community-based group participants showed superior outcomes in WCST persistent responses and errors, suggesting specific neurocognitive strengths. We found differences in neurocognitive characteristics between the two groups. These differences were consistent across a range of cognitive domains, including attention, visual discrimination, memory, and executive functioning. Further large-scale study is needed to generalize cognitive characteristics across treatment modalities.

Narratives of resilience: Understanding Iranian breast cancer survivors through health belief model and stress-coping theory for enhanced interventions

Breast cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with Iran experiencing particularly high incidence and mortality rates. Understanding the adaptation process of Iranian breast cancer survivors’ post-treatment is crucial. This study explores the health perceptions, barriers, and coping mechanisms of Iranian survivors by integrating Stress-Coping Theory (SCT) and the Health Belief Model (HBM). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 survivors, and a grounded theory approach guided the deductive content analysis of the data. The findings reveal key themes, including perceived susceptibility, benefits, barriers to care, cues to action, self-efficacy, and appraisal of action. Perceived susceptibility highlights diagnostic challenges stemming from practitioner errors and symptom misconceptions. Perceived benefits underscore the importance of early detection and support from healthcare providers and families. Barriers include cultural and financial obstacles, while cues to action reflect the influence of media, family, and personal experiences on healthcare-seeking behavior. The study also examines coping strategies, such as problem-focused and emotion-focused approaches, along with family support and external stressors. To address these barriers and enhance support systems, the study suggests specific strategies for healthcare providers, including targeted training to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient communication. Culturally sensitive awareness campaigns can correct symptom misconceptions, while financial counseling can mitigate economic barriers. Establishing community-based support groups and involving family members in care plans can enhance emotional and psychological support. These strategies aim to overcome the identified barriers and improve support systems for Iranian breast cancer survivors, ultimately fostering better recovery outcomes.

“I’m a Monster, but I’m Not a Monster”: Symbolic and Social Identity Work Among Child Sexual Exploitation Material Users

Child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) users elicit strong negative reactions from society and people within their networks. There are symbolic and social boundaries that these individuals have transgressed, and subsequent identity work involves the negotiation of self and self-presentation. This article combines results from two studies to explore negotiation of identity, symbolic and social boundaries, and associated narratives among 103 CSEM users. One study was an anthropological ethnography with 17 months of UK fieldwork in community-based group programs, and the other involved four months of interviews in sexual offense treatment units of a US prison. Participants’ identity work had commonalities: distinguishing between acts vs identities; differentiating crimes from identities; comparing offenses to others viewed as worse; framing childhood experiences as influencing offending; and situating both offending and post-offending identities within larger society. Results are discussed in the context of debates about risk, treatment, prevention, harm, denial/downplay/minimization, and reintegration. Furthermore, we highlight how identity work occurs within potentially competing/contrasting personal, judicial, treatment, media, and societal reactions to and expectations of individuals who have committed sexual offenses. Finally, we demonstrate the methodological and analytical value of cross-disciplinary comparative qualitative research by showing similarities across participants from different countries, settings, timeframes, and interventions.

The impact of tobacco use and nicotine addiction on health: A literature review of nursing interventions for smoking cessation

ABSTRACT Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality globally, with nicotine addiction significantly impacting health outcomes. This literature review explores the multifaceted nature of tobacco use and its health implications, emphasizing the role of nursing interventions in smoking cessation. The review highlights various strategies employed by nurses, including assessment, counseling, pharmacotherapy support, and behavioral interventions, which are essential for effective tobacco cessation. By analyzing current evidence-based practices, the study underscores the importance of comprehensive assessments and personalized care plans tailored to individual patient needs. It also addresses the significance of motivational interviewing and the 5 A’s framework in facilitating successful quit attempts. In addition, the review discusses the integration of cognitive-behavioral therapy and stress management techniques as vital components of behavioral interventions. Recommendations for improving tobacco cessation efforts include enhanced training for healthcare professionals, the establishment of community-based support groups, and advocacy for robust tobacco control policies. The findings underscore the critical need for ongoing research into the long-term effectiveness of cessation interventions across diverse populations. This study aims to inform nursing practice and public health policy, ultimately contributing to the reduction of tobacco-related health issues and promoting healthier communities.

지역사회 고령자의 건강증진을 위한 그룹 중재 프로그램의 사회적 가치 측정 연구: 사회투자수익률 분석 활용

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the social benefits generated by community-based health promotion group interventions for older adults in comparison to their costs. Methods: Three community-based health promotion group intervention studies conducted in Wonju city were analyzed. Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis was performed based on guidelines from previous studies. Results: The results showed that all group intervention programs for older adults generated high social value relative to their costs. Moreover, significant social value was created for participating researchers who designed and delivered the interventions. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of applying SROI methodology for developing and evaluating health promotion group intervention programs for older adults. Future research should focus on developing objective measures and indicators to evaluate the social value of interventions across occupational therapy, healthcare, and social welfare sectors.

Business Expansion and Downsizing and Its Factors in Community-Based Group Farms: Empirical Study Based on the Questionnaire in Yamaguchi Prefecture

Business Expansion and Downsizing and Its Factors in Community-Based Group Farms: Empirical Study Based on the Questionnaire in Yamaguchi Prefecture

Abstract B004: Reaching the Community: Collaborating with Black/African American Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients and Advocates

Abstract Background: In America, Black metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients are disproportionately underrepresented in clinical research, of which the majority of participants are white - leaving research less representative of Black patients. Interventions: To increase the sustainable participation of Black MBC patients in clinical research, Count Me In (CMI)—a cancer research initiative based at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard—partnered with the Tigerlily Foundation (TLF), a patient advocacy organization, to develop an equitable, collaborative approach connecting CMI researchers with Black MBC patients to create culturally relevant educational materials for the Black MBC community. Findings: Participating Black MBC patients developed the following materials: a tri-fold brochure, two types of informational postcards, and a social media digital toolbox. The patients co-developed and approved the materials' content and design elements. Materials were also translated into Spanish. Three iterations were drafted until materials were submitted to CMI’s IRB at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) for approval. The distribution strategy for materials to the larger Black MBC community was designed collaboratively with patients. This included sharing information and resources with their local oncology nurse navigators, placing printed materials in community practices, enclosing materials in folders distributed at initial diagnosis, and further connecting with other community-based breast cancer support groups and organizations. During the pilot distribution period - from August 2023 to February 2024 - CMI sent informational packages with materials to 8 different community contacts across the United States. Participating patients had shared contact information of those in their own social network. By the end of the pilot period, 38 new patients registered in CMI identified as having MBC, with 18% self-identifying as Black/African American and 24% self-identifying as Hispanic/Latino - both of which are overrepresentative when compared to the general population of those who self-identify as Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino. Conclusion: CMI and TLF utilized an equitable approach that included patients at the initial planning of a project to the final production and distribution of the materials. Two recommendations could be provided to researchers and organizations from this successful collaborative partnership and pilot. First, patient advocates desire to be involved in creating and sharing resources with their communities. Organizations can honor their commitment with financial and non-financial opportunities. Second, partnering appropriately with patient advocates will increase clinical study representation. The success of this pilot demonstrates how researchers and patients can collectively close the inequities gap and pave the path forward for more equitable cancer research. Citation Format: Colleen M. Nguyen, Eboney D. Thompson, Juanita Miller, Shanette Caywood, Tiana Russell, Sue Steele, Virginia Leach, Lizzie Wittig, Taisha Hendrickson, Kolbe Phelps, Priyanka Bhakhri. Reaching the Community: Collaborating with Black/African American Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients and Advocates [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B004.

A parenting program delivered through existing community-based peer groups to improve early child development in Homabay and Busia Counties, Kenya: study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPoor early childhood development (ECD) is a major global health concern that is associated with various adverse outcomes over the lifecourse. Parenting interventions especially during the earliest years of life can benefit ECD. However, there is limited evidence from Kenya about the effectiveness of parenting interventions for improving ECD outcomes especially across rural disadvantaged communities. This paper describes the study protocol for an impact and implementation evaluation of a community-based group parenting program that aims to improve ECD in rural Kenya.MethodsWe will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a parenting program for caregivers of young children in Homabay and Busia counties in Western Kenya. Sixty-four village clusters will be randomly assigned to either the parenting intervention arm or the waitlist control arm with stratification by county. In each village, 10 primary caregivers with a child aged 0–24 months will be enrolled. The parenting program will be delivered through existing peer groups within communities whereby caregivers will receive counseling and psychosocial support to enhance their parenting skills and wellbeing to in turn promote ECD. The intervention curriculum comprises 21 sessions targeting various nurturing care messages, including early learning, responsive caregiving, child nutrition, health, protection, and caregiver mental health. Group sessions are facilitated by a trained volunteer biweekly for a total of 11 months. The primary trial outcome is an overall measure of ECD using the Global Scales of Early Development long form version. Secondary outcomes include various caregiver outcomes (e.g., parenting practices, mental health) and other child outcomes (e.g., socioemotional development, dietary diversity). All outcomes will be assessed at baseline and endline. We will also conduct a qualitative implementation evaluation at endline and interview various stakeholders to assess program fidelity, quality, and sustainability.DiscussionThis trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a parenting intervention on ECD and caregiving outcomes and assess program implementation quality as delivered through existing community-based peer groups. This study will provide rigorous evidence that can be used to inform scale-up of this program model that leverages existing community social networks and resources for improving caregivers’ parenting skills and promoting ECD in rural Kenya and other similar settings across LMICs.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov #NCT06165315. Registered on December 11, 2023.

Evaluation of access to established coping mechanisms against poverty-induced child violence in Mpigi District, Ugand

This study explored access to coping strategies against poverty-induced violence among children living in impoverished conditions in Mpigi District. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and documentary analysis. A total of 109 participants consented to take part in the study. Results revealed a high incidence of violence against children, with respondents acknowledging various forms of abuse, including physical (hitting/slapping), psychological (verbal abuse), sexual (assault and rape), and economic (withholding resources) violence. Children from economically disadvantaged households were particularly vulnerable to these abuses. Specifically, 46.2% of participants agreed, and 12.8% strongly agreed, that children experience physical violence within their homes. Moreover, 51.3% agreed, and 15.4% strongly agreed, that children face psychological violence in domestic settings. Notably, 33.3% of participants agreed, and 23.1% strongly agreed, that children endure sexual violence, while 38.5% agreed, and 30.8% strongly agreed, that children experience economic violence, including the withholding of financial resources. These findings highlight an urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect children from sexual exploitation and to support survivors. Addressing sexual violence is crucial for safeguarding children’s rights and promoting their overall well-being. The study also revealed the extent of economic violence faced by children in impoverished households in Mpigi District, suggesting that such violence perpetuates cycles of poverty and vulnerability by denying children access to basic needs and increasing the risk of child labor. Tackling economic violence is essential for ensuring that children’s fundamental needs are met and for reducing child labor rates. Identified coping mechanisms included seeking social support from family and friends (56.4%), utilizing formal support and legal services (69.3%), accessing public recreational facilities (69.3%), engaging in income-generating activities (65.9%), participating in community-based groups (23.1%), and seeking professional help (15.4%). This study underscores the barriers marginalized populations face in accessing formal support services and highlights the need for culturally sensitive and accessible mental health resources. Addressing psychological violence is vital for promoting children’s mental health and preventing long-term emotional harm. Keywords: Poverty-induced violence, Coping strategies, Economic violence, Child abuse, Social support, Mental health resources

Effectiveness of a community-based intervention in changing knowledge of and attitudes towards early marriage in The Gambia.

A study was conducted to assess the effects of a multi-component community-based project intervention on changing knowledge of, and attitudes towards early marriage for girls in The Gambia. The study involved a cross-sectional household survey of 201 male and female parents and 296 adolescent boys and girls aged 10-19. It also included two community-based focus group discussions and six key informant interviews. The study compared the project baseline and midline data in the analysis of the survey data. The findings show a significant increase from a baseline of (44.8%) to (70.7%) at midline among the parents who have the view that the girl needs to come of age (18 years) before going into marriage. At both baseline and midline, there is a fear that girls may break their virginity by indulging in premarital sex if they do not marry early. However, there was a significant decrease from (51.7%) at baseline to (10%) (p-value <0.001) in the proportion of parents who think girls must marry early to avoid premarital sex. The findings show between (2%) and (7%) increase from baseline to midline on the view among adolescent boys and girls that girls have the right to choose who to marry. Findings from the focus group discussions and key informant interviews directly linked the changes in knowledge of attitudes towards early marriage among parents and adolescents to the project intervention.

Finding the beat: A partnership to address the relationship between a music program and health among youth who have experienced trauma.

Expertise on treating trauma and traumatic stress sequelae has been siloed in the mental health professions, although somatic psychotherapies and adjuncts to treatment are gaining attention. Alternative and accessible interventions are needed, especially for youth who have experienced trauma. Lost Voices is a community-based group providing trauma-informed music therapy to youth who have experienced trauma in southern Michigan. The purpose of this program evaluation was to use a community-based participatory research approach to create a thoughtful partnership between an academic partner and a nonprofit organization in order to evaluate the outcomes of a music therapy intervention currently being delivered by professional musicians to youth who have experienced trauma. This program evaluation used semistructured interviews with 19 key stakeholders (e.g., youth participants, facility staff, musicians) from two residential youth programs in southern Michigan. A total of four themes were identified from the interviews, including (a) processing emotion, (b) building trust, (c) self-expression, and (d) future orientation. Subthemes included individual story and coping within the theme processing emotion, a focus on outside role models and peer connection within the theme building trust, the fun aspect of the intervention and confidence as part of the theme self-expression, and future orientation encompassed the motivation that youth participants gained as well as forward thinking. This program evaluation provides data to help build the evidence for alternative mental health treatments that specifically reach those impacted by a lack of access and availability of treatments due to social determinants of health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A qualitative exploration of the experiences of individuals with spinal cord injury participating in a community-based online intervention to support posttraumatic growth

Purpose To date, no evidence-based, community-based online group intervention has been designed specifically to enhance posttraumatic growth (PTG), quality of life (QoL), sense of meaning and purpose, and satisfaction with life following a spinal cord injury (SCI). This qualitative study aims to describe participants’ experiences of participating in such a program. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 people with SCI and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Five major themes were identified: longing for connection; empowerment through education and participation; journeying through common experiences; connecting to the program content; and continuing to contemplate PTG and meaning and purpose. The themes represent how participants were drawn to the program because they longed to connect with others in similar situations. Participants engaged in a shared group process of learning and reflection as well as an individual journey in which they connected with different elements of the program. As a result, PTG was seen as a continuous and individual process that evolved out of shared group processes. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of addressing psychological needs alongside physical rehabilitation for individuals with SCI. Shared experiences and strength-based approaches can be valuable tools in promoting positive psychological outcomes.