Facilitation Of Well-being Research Articles

Call for evidence-based psychedelic integration.

The use of psychedelics for various purposes was common in different civilizations throughout human history and has been explored scientifically for more than a century. Although the applications of psychedelics show promise in the treatment of various psychiatric and neurological indications, as well as in facilitation of well-being and personal growth, several psychedelic-related risks and challenges have also been identified. Psychedelic integration (PI) refers to various practices that serve to either minimize harms or maximize benefits associated with psychedelic use. PI is also recognized as a substantial part of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), following preparation to and facilitation of the psychedelic experience. In the context of clinical/psychotherapeutic practice, several PI models/methods have already been proposed. However, while a number of these models/methods are theory-driven, or have a history of clinical application, each lack any empirical support and thus cannot be described as evidence based. This is to the disadvantage to countless people who had and who will have their psychedelic experiences in various contexts, as the prevalence of using psychedelics increased in recent years and is expected to grow further. Therefore, consistent with general recommendations for developing and implementing evidence-based mental health practices, this article calls for scientific efforts to the development, examination, and evaluation of psychedelic integration models/methods. This article also briefly summarizes the current literature on psychedelic integration, provides a list of exemplary avenues that research on psychedelic integration might take, as well as anticipates and discusses the limitations and challenges of PI-focused research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Thematic Analysis of Barriers to and Facilitators of Wellbeing and Resource Access for IPV-Exposed, Pregnant Women in Mexico

A Thematic Analysis of Barriers to and Facilitators of Wellbeing and Resource Access for IPV-Exposed, Pregnant Women in Mexico

Patients' experiences of well-being when being cared for in the intensive care unit-An integrative review.

The aim of this integrative review was to identify facilitators and barriers to patients' well-being when being cared for in an ICU setting, from the perspective of the patients. To become critically ill and hospitalised in an ICU is a stressful, chaotic event due to the life-threatening condition itself, as well as therapeutic treatments and the environment. A growing body of evidence has revealed that patients often suffer from physical, psychological and cognitive problems after an ICU stay. Several strategies, such as sedation and pain management, are used to reduce stress and increase well-being during ICU hospitalisation, but the ICU experience nevertheless affects the body and mind. DESIGN; METHODS: Since research exploring patients' sense of well-being in an ICU setting is limited, an integrative review approach was selected. Searches were performed in CINAHL, Medline, Psych Info, Eric and EMBASE. After reviewing 66 studies, 12 studies were included in the integrative review. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the studies. The PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews was used. The results are presented under one main theme, 'Well-being as a multidimensional experience-interwoven in barriers and facilitators' and six sub-themes representing barriers to and facilitators of well-being in an ICU. Barriers identified were physical stressors, emotional stressors, environmental disturbances and insecurity relating to time and space. Facilitators were meeting physical needs and activities that included dimensions of a caring and relational environment. Our main findings were that experiences of well-being were multidimensional and included physical, emotional, relational and environmental aspects, and they were more often described through barriers than facilitators of well-being. This integrative review has shown that it is necessary to adopt an individual focus on patient well-being in an ICU setting since physical, emotional, relational and environmental stressors might impact each patient differently.

Empowering the voices and agency of Indigenous Australian youth and their wellbeing in higher education✰

Despite wellbeing being critical for individuals and communities to thrive in life and succeed in education, there is little research that investigates how Indigenous Australian youth attending universities conceptualise wellbeing. The purpose of this research was to empower the voices and agency of Indigenous youth attending higher education institutes to identify their construals of: the significance and nature of their wellbeing, the factors influencing their wellbeing, and the drivers and barriers to their wellbeing. Focus groups were undertaken with Indigenous youth (N=30) attending four Australian higher education institutions. The participants construed wellbeing as holistic, multidimensional, interconnected, collective, and subjective. Cultural identity, family and kinship, connection to Country, spirituality, having a sense of self, Indigenous student role models in higher education, and Indigenous staff support are facilitators of wellbeing. Factors such as racism and discrimination, lateral violence, non-culturally safe university spaces, family violence, “walking in two worlds”, and Indigenous community wellbeing when at risk, were identified as barriers to their wellbeing.

Mindfulness dispositions and defense style as positive responses to psychological distress in oncology professionals.

Working in oncology departments is a stressful and emotionally consuming experience and oncology professionals are particularly at risk for developing stress-related syndromes. Defense mechanisms (high-adaptive) and mindfulness dispositions are known as facilitators of well-being and adaptation. In this study we analysed the role of these unconscious and conscious strategies in protecting the oncology clinicians from stress-related symptoms. A convenience sample of 63 oncology professionals was assessed on defense style, mindfulness disposition, depression and anxiety symptoms using self-reported questionnaires. Demographic and professional information was included in data collection. Results did not show significance differences in demographic and professional characteristics among all studied variables. Mature defense style and mindfulness were highly and negatively correlated with depression and anxiety, while a positive association was found between immature defense style and both depression and anxiety symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses found defense styles and mindfulness as predictors of depression, whereas only immature defense style predicted anxiety. The present study provides the first empirical evidence of the influence of unconscious defense mechanisms and conscious mindfulness dispositions in protecting oncology professionals from depression and anxiety symptoms. Defense mechanisms and mindfulness share several common-points and should be seen as complementary in enhancing physical and psychological well-being. Further studies are required for a deeper understanding of the impact of mindfulness and defenses in improving adaptation.

Living with traumatic brain injury in a rural setting: supports and barriers across the continuum of care

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is prevalent in Kentucky and comes with a high cost in care and quality of life for individuals and caregivers affected. Many people living with the condition of TBI have unmet needs. Research among people living with TBI in rural areas is limited. The purposes of this study were to (1) increase understanding of the lived experience of people with TBI and caregivers in rural regions of Kentucky across the continuum of their care and (2) provide their perspectives on barriers and facilitators of optimal function and well-being.Methods: A qualitative descriptive interview study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team. Content analysis was completed with data-derived coding and iterative modifications to analysis, coalescing codes into categories and themes.Results: Thirteen people with TBI and six caregivers participated in the interview. Categories that emerged in analysis included the experiences under each locus of care; themes included relationships, functional competence, and participation in meaningful activity.Conclusion: Relationships represented both barriers and facilitators of well-being. Major unmet needs persisted in terms of medical problems, support for caregivers, community linkages, and participation in meaningful activities. Recommendations are made regarding avenues for addressing unmet needs.Implications for RehabilitationPeople with TBI are living with chronic conditions and may need intensive rehabilitation after the injury and intermittent rehabilitation throughout life to develop and maintain functional competence.Rehabilitation providers need to understand the unique aspects of the rural home environment to which a patient will be discharged (e.g., mountainous terrain, lack of transportation, dimensions of home) and communicate with rural providers directly.Rehabilitation providers need additional focus on improving patient’s and caregiver’s abilities to advocate for themselves.Patients with TBI should be referred to vocational rehabilitation as soon as possible to make the transition to meaningful activity at home more of a possibility.