High Levels Of Engagement Research Articles

“I Felt We Were Actually Learning Things, Then Applying Them”

Academic journals continue to produce articles that highlight record levels of student disengagement and lack of motivation. Faculty have been encouraged to use high impact, active learning strategies to increase student engagement and success (Patrick et al., 2016). One technique, service learning, allows students to become active learners through applying learned skills and theory from the classroom to community settings (Connolly, et al., 2017). The purpose of this study was to highlight students’ perceptions and experiences through three semester-long service-learning courses where students provided a fitness and mindfulness program to local teachers to help them address stressors. Undergraduate sports management students enrolled in a service-learning course for sport development were tasked with planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating three 9-week long programs. Students were given increased responsibility and control over the semester which resulted in real-world experiences. The students gave their perceptions and experiences in an end of semester paper. Three independent coders reviewed the papers using thematic analysis. Emergent themes were consistent with the service-learning literature suggesting increased engagement, sense of purpose, and applying knowledge. The service-learning course proved to have a positive impact on the sport management students and produced high levels of engagement. Sport management faculty could implement service-learning courses to increase student engagement and opportunities to apply theories, skills, and knowledge in real-world settings. Sport management courses should further explore using high impact, active learning environments to increase student engagement and enhance student learning outcomes.

Association between food insecurity status, campus food initiative use and diet quality in Australian university students.

University students may experience food insecurity due to financial constraints, reducing the quality of their diet. This study aimed to identify students at higher risk of food insecurity, their engagement with on-campus food initiatives and evaluate the relationship between food insecurity and a validated index of diet quality. A cross-sectional online survey used the six-item Household Food Security Survey Module to assess food insecurity. Total diet quality and subscale scores for eight food groups were measured using the Australian Recommended Food Score (range 0-73). Univariate and multivariate regression identified groups at risk of food insecurity, their engagement with campus food initiatives and relationship with diet quality scores. Of student respondents (n = 197), over half (54%) experienced food insecurity (14% mild, 23% moderate and 18% severe food insecurity). Male students and students not living with parents were at significantly higher risk. Food-insecure students were significantly more likely to use the campus food pantry (odds ratio = 2.3 [95% confidence interval = 1.286-4.142]; p = 0.005) but not a campus community garden. The mean diet quality score was 32.9 (standard deviation = 8.9). Food-insecure students reported a mean diet quality score over three points lower than food-secure respondents (B = -3.5 [95% confidence interval = -6.0 to -1.0]; p = 0.006), with significantly lower fruit and vegetable subscale scores. Results suggest a high occurrence of food insecurity and poor dietary quality in university students. Despite high levels of engagement with the campus food pantry, the poor diet quality of food-insecure students suggests an urgent need for greater university-led interventions to improve students' dietary intake.

International Pooled Analysis of Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Premenopausal Breast Cancer in Women From 19 Cohorts.

There is strong evidence that leisure-time physical activity is protective against postmenopausal breast cancer risk but the association with premenopausal breast cancer is less clear. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of physical activity with the risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. We pooled individual-level data on self-reported leisure-time physical activity across 19 cohort studies comprising 547,601 premenopausal women, with 10,231 incident cases of breast cancer. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for associations of leisure-time physical activity with breast cancer incidence. HRs for high versus low levels of activity were based on a comparison of risk at the 90th versus 10th percentiles of activity. We assessed the linearity of the relationship and examined subtype-specific associations and effect modification across strata of breast cancer risk factors, including adiposity. Over a median 11.5 years of follow-up (IQR, 8.0-16.1 years), high versus low levels of leisure-time physical activity were associated with a 6% (HR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.89 to 0.99]) and a 10% (HR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.85 to 0.95]) reduction in breast cancer risk, before and after adjustment for BMI, respectively. Tests of nonlinearity suggested an approximately linear relationship (Pnonlinearity = .94). The inverse association was particularly strong for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-enriched breast cancer (HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.39 to 0.84]; Phet = .07). Associations did not vary significantly across strata of breast cancer risk factors, including subgroups of adiposity. This large, pooled analysis of cohort studies adds to evidence that engagement in higher levels of leisure-time physical activity may lead to reduced premenopausal breast cancer risk.

Engaging in a collaborative space: exploring the substance and impact of peer review conversations

Peer review offers benefits to post-secondary students and their instructors. In recent years, some instructors have shifted to virtual means of student peer review; however, face-to-face peer review is still a viable option. This mixed-methods study explored the substance of peer review conversations, as well as their impact on students’ academic writing, in a graduate-level research design course. Discourse analyses revealed that all peer review conversations displayed high levels of engagement. Results demonstrated that all students provided substantive comments to their peers, regardless of their scores on pre-draft papers. Peers consistently used mitigating and empathetic language with one another, which may have afforded students a better conduit for sharing constructive feedback. Final analyses of post-drafts revealed that students made revisions that aligned directly with peer feedback, which collectively resulted in higher post-draft scores. Conclusions underline that face-to-face peer review can support students academically and emotionally and encourage them to improve their writing.

Exploring the influence of teachers’ motivating styles on college students’ agentic engagement in online learning: The mediating and suppressing effects of self-regulated learning ability

Online learning has gradually become the new mainstream learning norm during the post-epidemic era. To ensure college students’ online learning effectiveness, they need to be proactively engaged in their online learning, which means that they need to maintain a high level of agentic engagement. However, it is not clear what factors influence college students’ agentic engagement in online learning environments. According to self-determination theory (SDT), the teacher, as an important external factor, can influence students’ learning engagement and learning effectiveness. Meanwhile, self-regulated learning (SRL) ability is important for college students in online learning. Based on existing theoretical foundations, therefore, the current study attempts to explore the following research questions: Are there relationships between teachers’ motivating styles (including autonomy-supportive style and controlling style), college students’ online SRL ability, and college students’ online learning agentic engagement? If yes, how does the former influence college students’ online learning agentic engagement? To respond to these research questions, random sampling was used to collect a total of 681 valid data from college students with experience in online learning. Then, a pilot test, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were first conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of the data. Correlational and mediating analyses were then conducted using SPSS 21.0. According to the results, firstly, teachers’ motivating styles (autonomy-supportive style and controlling style) and college students’ online SRL ability were positively correlated with college students’ online agentic engagement. Secondly, teachers’ autonomy-supportive style was positively correlated with college students’ online SRL ability, but the controlling style was negatively correlated with their online SRL ability. What’s more, college students’ online SRL ability, as a mediating factor, acted as a partial mediation between autonomy-supportive style and college students’ online agentic engagement, and there was a suppressing effect of college students’ SRL ability between teachers’ controlling style and college students’ agentic engagement. The results imply that teachers should choose motivating styles appropriately based on students’ online learning characteristics and content, and college students should develop online SRL ability to improve their agentic engagement and ultimately achieve good online learning effectiveness.

A Practical Exploration of Variable Evaluation Methods in Student-Centered Projects

This study examines important aspects of student-centered projects in an educational setting using descriptive statistical analysis. This study looked into the characteristics of the students, the project design, the learning environment, and the degree of student engagement. The results showed that student participation ranged from moderate to high, demonstrating the value of student-centered projects. The majority of the sampled students were visual learners, which highlights the necessity for educational practices that can accommodate a variety of learning styles. Examining project designs allows for variation and motivates thinking about methods that work in a variety of educational settings. The necessity for a thorough investigation of the factors affecting student involvement in the learning environment is shown by the delayed accounting for these variables. A comparison with earlier studies reveals both similarities and differences, such as the enhanced results that come from a high level of student engagement and the adaptability of project design. The aforementioned findings add significance to the current discourse around student-centered education by highlighting the necessity for additional investigation to expand upon our comprehension of the multifaceted elements influencing student involvement and the efficacy of student-centered initiatives.

Teen-adult interactions during the co-design of data literacy activities for the public library: insights from a natural language processing analysis of linguistic patterns

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore teen-adult dialogic interactions during the co-design of data literacy activities in order to determine the nature of teen thinking, their emotions, level of engagement, and the power of relationships between teens and adults in the context of data literacy. This study conceives of co-design as a learning space for data literacy. It investigates the teen–adult dialogic interactions and what these interactions say about the nature of teen thinking, their emotions, level of engagement and the power relationships between teens and adults.Design/methodology/approachThe study conceives of co-design as a learning space for teens. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22), a natural language processing (NLP) software tool, was used to examine the linguistic measures of Analytic Thinking, Clout, Authenticity, and Emotional Tone using transcriptions of recorded Data Labs with teens and adults. Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22), a natural language processing (NLP) software tool, was used to examine the linguistic measures of Analytic Thinking, Clout, Authenticity and Emotional Tone using transcriptions of recorded Data Labs with teens and adults.FindingsLIWC-22 scores on the linguistic measures Analytic Thinking, Clout, Authenticity and Emotional Tone indicate that teens had a high level of friendly engagement, a relatively low sense of power compared with the adult co-designers, medium levels of spontaneity and honesty and the prevalence of positive emotions during the co-design sessions.Practical implicationsThis study provides a concrete example of how to apply NLP in the context of data literacy in the public library, mapping the LIWC-22 findings to STEM-focused informal learning. It adds to the understanding of assessment/measurement tools and methods for designing data literacy education, stimulating further research and discussion on the ways to empower youth to engage more actively in informal learning about data.Originality/valueThis study applies a novel approach for exploring teen engagement within a co-design project tasked with the creation of youth-oriented data literacy activities.

Food insecurity among Black college students: An exploratory study

ABSTRACTLiterature suggests that food insecurity negatively affects academic wellbeing and sense of belonging among college students; however, limited research has focused on Black students. This exploratory study examines the prevalence and impact of food insecurity among Black students. The results indicate that a greater proportion of Black students experienced food insecurity compared to White students. Additionally, this study found that Black students do not experience the same negative consequences of food insecurity as White students and that these negative consequences may be offset due to Black students’ higher level of engagement and resource utilization. Implications for social workers are discussed.

The Harp Project: Collective Learning at the Intersection of the Mathematical and Musical Arts

With this paper, we share an activity for the undergraduate mathematics classroom called The Harp Project that leverages the aesthetic nature of both the mathematical and the musical arts. This project was conceived as a STEAM/PBL project with the added feature that it was carried out in pieces by an entire class. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the uncommonly high level of students' interest and engagement in the experience and the communal feel of their participation can be attributed to this collective quality of the project's design. For this reason, we invite others to consider this curricular experience as it appears viable for supporting efforts to cultivate a broader population of students with an affinity for mathematics.

An Active Model of Research Translation for the General Public: Content Analysis of a YouTube-Based Health Podcast.

Online health information seeking is changing the way people engage with health care and the health system. Recent changes in practices related to seeking, accessing, and disseminating scientific research, and in particular health information, have enabled a high level of user engagement. This study aims to examine an innovative model of research translation, The Huberman Lab Podcast (HLP), developed by Andrew Huberman, Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at the Stanford School of Medicine. The HLP leverages social media to deliver health information translated into specific, actionable practices and health strategies directly to the general public. This research characterizes the HLP as an Active Model of Research Translation and assesses its potential as a framework for replicability and wider adoption. We applied conventional content analysis of the YouTube transcript data and directed content analysis of viewers' YouTube comments to 23 HLP episodes released from January to October 2021, reflecting the time of data analysis. We selected 7 episodes and a welcome video, to describe and identify key characteristics of the HLP model. We analyzed viewer comments for 18 episodes to determine whether viewers found the HLP content valuable, accessible, and easy to implement. The key HLP features are direct-to-the-consumer, zero-cost, bilingual, and actionable content. We identified 3 main organizing categories and 10 subcategories as the key elements of the HLP: (1) Why: Educate and Empower and Bring Zero Cost to Consumer Information to the General Public; (2) What: Tools and Protocols; Underlying Mechanisms; and Grounded in Science; (3) How: Linear and Iterative Knowledge Building Process; Lecture-Style Sessions; Interactive and Consumer Informed; Easily Accessible; and Building the Community. Analysis of viewers' comments found strong consumer support for the key HLP model elements. This Active Model of Research Translation offers a way to synthesize scientific evidence and deliver it directly to end users in the form of actionable tools and education. Timely evidence translation using effective consumer engagement and education techniques appears to improve access and confidence related to health information use and reduces challenges to understanding and applying health information received from health providers. Framing complex content in an approachable manner, engaging the target audience, encouraging participation, and ensuring open access to the content meet current recommendations on innovative practices for leveraging social media or other digital platforms for disseminating science and research findings to the general public, and are likely key contributors to HLP impact and potential for success. The model offers a replicable framework for translating and disseminating scientific evidence. Similar active models of research translation can have implications for accessing health information and implementing health strategies for improved outcomes. Areas for further investigation are specific and measurable impacts on health, usability, and relevance of the model for reaching marginalized and high-risk populations.

OP19 Exploring The Environment/Capacity Of South African Citizen Actors To Contribute To Health Technology Assessment Processes, Policy Development And Institutionalization

IntroductionSeveral overarching health policy reform processes are currently underway in South Africa (SA), providing an opportunity to establish health technology assessment (HTA) and value-based assessment (VBA) frameworks that foster patient and citizen involvement (PCI). A mapping of the capacity, knowledge, and skill of SA PCI advocacy actors and understanding of the ‘middle-ground’ and influencing relationships that influence advocacy strategies for PCI in HTA, will allow us to determine the needs of PCI actors to entrench PCI principles in the emerging institutionalization of HTA in SA.MethodsAn analysis of national and international legislative and policy frameworks indicates current gaps and opportunities for PCI institutionalization in HTA in SA. A survey was conducted to determine SA patient and citizen advocacy actors’ capacity, knowledge, and skill across multiple disease areas. An analysis of decision maker’s opinions and positions about PCI in HTA and VBA policy, and their potential influence on the PCI process was undertaken.ResultsThe legislation and policy review indicate that engagement initiatives are positioned at the ‘involvement’ or ‘consultation’ stages of the engagement continuum, rather than higher-level engagement. Five percent of patient advocacy groups (PAGs) interviewed have formalized PCI HTA advocacy strategies. Few PAGs indicated employing processes to actively monitor the HTA and PCI-related activities of decision-makers.The majority of PAGs stated that collaborative efforts within larger networks would generate more success, if they engaged in PCI in HTA advocacy. Over eighty percent of civil society stakeholders face capacity constraints, such as lack of knowledge of the legislative framework and theory of HTA, funding and manpower to engage in PCI. The majority of HTA processes undertaken by funders in SA do not actively include PAGs or formalized PCI.ConclusionsExisting legislative and policy frameworks do not include PCI capacity-building strategies. This is impacted by the lack of coordination amongst patient and consumer groups, the willingness of existing HTA structures to formalize PCI, and the resources of the country’s PCI advocate actors to influence existing HTA processes.

Abstract B160: A phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation study of central nervous system–penetrant cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitor PRT3645 in patients with select advanced or metastatic solid tumors

Abstract Introduction: CDK4/6 mediate cell cycle progression and are important for cancer initiation, growth, and survival. CDK4/6 inhibitors are approved for patients with advanced HR+/HER2– breast cancer but are ineffective against primary or metastatic brain tumors. PRT3645 is an investigational, highly selective, and potent CDK4/6 inhibitor, designed to achieve high tissue and brain penetration. This phase 1 dose-escalation study (NCT05538572) aims to evaluate safety, preliminary efficacy, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of PRT3645. Methods: Patient eligibility criteria include: age ≥18 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group/Karnofsky performance status ≤1/≥80; adequate organ function; histologically confirmed advanced, recurrent, or metastatic solid tumor malignancy: breast cancer (HR+/HER2– or HR+/HER2+), glioblastoma (isocitrate dehydrogenase [IDH] wild type), CDKN2A/B homozygous deleted IDH–mutant astrocytoma, non-small cell lung cancer (KRAS mutant), or select solid tumors with CDK pathway alterations; and progression on, ineligibility for, or refusal of standard therapy. Patients with treated and untreated brain metastases (lesion <1.5 cm) could enroll if they had no neurological symptoms and did not require immediate local treatment. PRT3645 was taken orally once daily for 28 days (1 cycle) with dose escalation employing a Bayesian optimal interval design to evaluate the safety, tolerability, incidence of dose-limiting toxicities, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile. Results: At data cutoff (May 18, 2023), 8 patients received 20 and 40 mg once daily (first 2 dose levels of dose escalation). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Median age was 62 (range, 53-76) years; 50% of patients were male; in these early dose cohorts 75% of patients discontinued therapy (all due to progressive disease; median duration of therapy: 8 [range, 4-16] weeks); 5 patients had glioblastoma, 2 had breast cancer, and 1 had sarcoma. All-cause, any-grade adverse events (AEs) reported in ≥1 patients were anemia and dizziness. One grade 1 AE (fatigue) was considered related to PRT3645. No patients had grade ≥3 AEs, serious AEs, diarrhea, QTcF prolongation, or hepatotoxicity. No patients had dose reductions, interruptions, withdrawals, or deaths due to AEs. Between pre-dose and 2 weeks post first dose, a reduction in phosphorylated Rb (>70% in 3/4 patients) and Ki67 (>60% in 2/4 patients) expression was seen at 40 mg; both markers showed a correlation between histochemical score and drug exposure. Conclusions: Treatment with the next-generation CDK4/6 inhibitor PRT3645 was associated with a substantial decrease in phosphorylated Rb and Ki67 expression, indicating a high level of target engagement at a low dose. PRT3645 exhibited tolerable dose escalation in the initial 2 cohorts of patients with no significant gastrointestinal or hematologic events reported to date, leveraging its enhanced selectivity profile. Dose escalation is ongoing. Citation Format: Amita Patnaik, Mohamad A. Salkeni, Manish R. Patel, Atrayee Basu-Mallick, Dale Shepard, Christine Lihou, William Sun, Jennifer Xavier, Sri Sahasranaman, Neelesh Sharma, Erika Hamilton. A phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation study of central nervous system–penetrant cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitor PRT3645 in patients with select advanced or metastatic solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2023 Oct 11-15; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2023;22(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B160.

HIV Prevention and Care Among Black Cisgender Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women: Protocol for an HIV Status-Neutral Cohort Study Using an Observational-Implementation Hybrid Approach.

Black cisgender gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women (TW) continue to be heavily affected by HIV. Further research is needed to better understand HIV prevention and care outcomes in this population. In particular, there is a need for research examining the impact of substance use and sleep health on HIV prevention and treatment outcomes among Black SMM and TW. This paper outlines the study methods being used in the recently launched follow-up study to the Neighborhoods and Networks (N2) study, which we refer to as N2 Part 2 (N2P2). N2P2 aims to address this gap in the literature, build off the findings of the original N2 study, and identify socioenvironmental determinants of health, including whether neighborhood and network factors mediate and moderate these relationships. Building on the N2 cohort study in Chicago from 2018 to 2022, N2P2 used a prospective longitudinal cohort design and an observational-implementation hybrid approach. With sustained high levels of community engagement, we aim to recruit a new sample of 600 Black SMM and TW participants residing in the Chicago metropolitan statistical area. Participants are asked to participate in 3 study visits across an 18-month study period (1 visit every 9 months). Four different forms of data are collected per wave: (1) an in-person survey, (2) biological specimen collection, (3) a daily remote ecological momentary assessment for 14 days after each study visit, and (4) data from electronic health records. These forms of data collection continue to assess neighborhood and network factors and specifically explore substance use, sleep, immune function, obesity, and the implementation of potential interventions that address relevant constructs (eg, alcohol use and pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence). The N2P2 study was funded in August 2021 by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (R01DA054553 and R21DA053156) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL160325). This study was launched in November 2022. Recruitment and enrollment for the first wave of data collection are currently ongoing. The N2P2 study is applying innovative methods to comprehensively explore the impacts of substance use and sleep health on HIV-related outcomes among an HIV status-neutral cohort of Black SMM and TW in Chicago. This study is applying an observational-implementation hybrid design to help us achieve findings that support rapid translation, a critical priority among populations such as Black SMM and TW that experience long-standing inequities with regard to HIV and other health-related outcomes. N2P2 will directly build off the findings that have resulted from the original N2 study among Black SMM and TW in Chicago. These findings provide a better understanding of multilevel (eg, individual, network, and neighborhood) factors that contribute to HIV-related outcomes and viral suppression among Black SMM and TW. DERR1-10.2196/48548.

Leisure crafting and work engagement among Chinese ICU nurses: The multiple mediation effect of recovery experience and humanistic care ability.

Based on the conservation of resources theory, this study explored the intermediary role of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' recovery experience and humanistic care ability between leisure crafting and work engagement. As the ICU is an important life-saving department, the level of work engagement of nurses directly affect the quality of life and health outcomes of patients. Actively seeking countermeasures to improve the work engagement level of ICU nurses is of great significance to enhancing the nursing quality of the ICU. According to the theory of resource conservation, the resources owned by individuals are limited and must be replenished promptly and effectively to maintain relatively stable physical, mental, and working states. Therefore, determining ways for ICU nurses to supplement the consumed resources effectively and efficiently in a limited time to maintain a high level of work engagement is the main concern of this study. In this cross-sectional study from January 2023 to March 2023, 478 ICU nurses were recruited by convenience sampling. The survey tools included the Leisure Crafting Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9, the Caring Ability Inventory, and the Recovery Experience Questionnaire. Descriptive data and Pearson correlation coefficients were analyzed via SPSS 26.0 (IBM Corp.). PROCESS v4.0 (by Andrew F. Hayes) Macro Model 6 was applied to analyze the serial multiple mediator models. We used the STROBE checklist to report the results. First, the results showed that leisure crafting, humanistic care ability, and recovery experience were positively correlated with work engagement. Second, recovery experience and humanistic care ability played a partially mediating role between leisure crafting and work engagement, respectively. Third, recovery experience and humanistic care ability also had a serial mediation effect between leisure crafting and work engagement. The findings of the study indicated that improving nurses' active control of leisure time may have particularly positive effects on ICU nurses' work engagement through increasing recovery experience and humanistic care ability. Administrators can formulate intervention measures to improve the leisure crafting level of ICU nurses, promote work-life balance, which enhances recovery and supports engagement with patient-focused humanistic care, and have a positive impact on the work engagement of ICU nurses.

Clinical Manifestations.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and dementia inequities highlight the need to eliminate barriers and promote motivators for study engagement of underrepresented populations (URPs; e.g., non-Latinx Black, Latinx, sexual/gender minoritized populations). Lower educational attainment and URP status are associated with lower research engagement rates. This study examined whether engagement in this community-engaged research (CER) study of middle/older-age adults differs according to ethnoracial identity, gender identity, income, age, education, acculturation, sexual orientation, cardiovascular risk, healthcare access, ethnic discrimination, stress, and loneliness. SALUD is an ongoing, longitudinal study in NYC whose aim is to examine genetic, cerebrovascular, sociocultural risk and resilience factors for dementia. CER strategies (i.e., sustained participation in community events/organizations, Community Science Partnership Board) were employed. The Perceived Stress Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire, Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale, Healthcare Task Difficulty Questionnaire, and Northern Manhattan Study Neuromedical Evaluation were administered. Participants' progress was coded as retained or dropped out of the study (DOS) for each visit in the study. Cross-sectional analyses (t-tests, chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests) compared demographic, health, and psychosocial variables between those who completed the in-person neuropsychological visit (i.e., ∼5 hour comprehensive neuropsychological battery, blood draw, saliva sample, neuromedical interview and questionnaires in a hospital; INP-V) and MRI visit (i.e., ∼1 hour closed MRI scan; MRI-V) with those who DOS. The sample (N = 145) was 53.8% female, older, and well-educated (M age = 65.25, SDage= 6.55, Meducation = 13.59, SDeducation= 3.23). URP study engagement was high: 31.7% non-Latinx Black, 34.5% Latinx, and 33.8% non-Latinx White. There were no significant differences in independent variables (e.g., ethnoracial, gender, discrimination) between the INP-V and DOS groups (all p's>.09). However, analyses revealed that the MRI-V group (M = 13.42, SD = 3.07) had significantly fewer years of education than the DOS group (M = 14.15, SD = 3.71) (t(143) = 2.69, p<.01, 95%CI [0.39, 2.58]) other differences were observed (ps>.05). This study's CER-based approach yielded a high level of URP study engagement. Contrary to previous findings, people with less education were more likely to complete the MRI visit suggesting a willingness to undergo more invasive procedures after establishing trust. CER-based AD studies may help URP participants overcome participation barriers through collaboration with the community.

Exploring the Impact of External Facilitation Using Evidence-Based Implementation Strategies for Increasing Motivational Interviewing Capacity Among Outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Providers.

The large majority of individuals who access substance use disorders (SUD) treatment do not receive evidence-based care. Little attention has been paid to the notion that the scale-up of evidence-based practices (EBPs) has been limited in large part due to a weakness in the "distribution system" for bringing new innovations to the attention of practitioners and into practice settings. This study explores the impact of the Training and Practice Implementation Institute (TPII; funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), an intensive technical assistance initiative that offers external facilitation to outpatient SUD treatment providers via the incorporation of multiple evidence-based implementation strategies to enhance the practice of motivational interviewing (MI). Findings from this study show that staff completed a large majority (86%) of required training/technical assistance (TTA) activities across the 9-month implementation period, demonstrating a high level of engagement among staff and the feasibility of externally facilitated intensive TTA delivered to community-based organizations for the purpose of enhancing implementation of MI for SUDs. Results also show statistically significant improvements in the delivery of MI's technical components among staff, though did not reveal corresponding improvements in the delivery of MI's relational components. An understanding of the potential return on investment associated with externally facilitated TA, offers organizations an opportunity to inform the allocation of limited resources to areas where they will have the greatest impact and ultimately improve the quality and efficacy of services.

Building Adaptive Coping and Knowledge to Improve Daily Life (Back2Life): A Pilot Feasibility Trial for Youth with Chronic Sickle Cell Pain

Introduction: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain is an effective non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain management, yet can have limited generalizability, access, and reach for underrepresented populations like youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). We aimed to conduct a single-arm proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Back2Life, an adapted, culturally congruent CBT intervention for youth with chronic SCD pain and their parents. We hypothesized that Back2Life would be feasible and acceptable as demonstrated by high levels of treatment engagement (≥80% attendance of treatment sessions) and satisfaction. We also expected clinically significant reductions in pain and pain interference and improvements in pain coping efficacy from baseline to 3-month follow-up (primary endpoint) and 6-month follow-up (maintenance endpoint). Methods: Youth receiving care at comprehensive SCD clinics at 3 tertiary care locations within a southeast children's hospital were included if they were aged 10-18 years, any SCD genotype, reported chronic pain (i.e., pain on most days per month for at least 3 months), had English fluency, and had stable disease-modifying treatments in the past 3 months. Youth were excluded if they had comorbid medical conditions typically associated with pain but unrelated to SCD, had significant cognitive or developmental limitations that would interfere with study procedures, or received ≥ 3 sessions of outpatient psychological therapy for pain management in the preceding 6 months. Patients completed assessments at baseline, post-treatment, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. Primary outcomes included pain characteristics (i.e., intensity, frequency, burden), pain interference, and coping self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes included depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and sleep quality. The Back2Life program included evidence-based CBT treatment manuals that were adapted based on qualitative feedback from patient and parent stakeholders to optimize the cultural congruence and relevance to chronic SCD pain. Back2Life was an adaptive treatment comprised of 6-10 module-based sessions delivered by a behavioral health coach via telehealth. All participants received 6 core sessions and up to 4 additional sessions were included to optimize tailored treatment components to address individual family needs. Tailored sessions targeted common co-morbidities associated with chronic pain and were identified based on findings of the baseline assessment. Families also could opt-in to tailored sessions based on interest. Descriptive statistics were conducted to evaluate feasibility and acceptability metrics as well as clinically significant changes in primary and secondary clinical outcomes. Results: Youth (n=20) were on average 15.9 years old (SD=1.6), 50% female, 100% Black or African American, and 95% Non-Hispanic/Latinx. Most (80%) had hemoglobin types HbSS or HbSβ 0. Feasibility and acceptability ratings were high, including 85% consent rate, 80% initiated study procedures, 100% treatment session completion, 93% intervention fidelity, 100% reported moderate-high treatment satisfaction, and strong qualitative feedback suggested treatment acceptance. Patients reported clinically significant changes from baseline to 6-month follow-up in pain frequency (&amp;gt;35% reduction), worst and typical pain intensities (&amp;gt;30% reduction), SCD pain burden (&amp;gt;30% reduction), pain interference (moderate to mild severity), and improvement in pain coping self-efficacy (see Table 1). Patients also reported changes in pain catastrophizing (high to moderate severity), depressive symptoms (mild severity to within normal limits), and no change in sleep quality. Conclusions: The Back2Life treatment program demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability, participant engagement, participant retention, and meaningful changes in patient-reported outcomes. An adapted, culturally congruent, telehealth-delivered CBT for pain intervention tailored to meet the unique needs experienced by youth with chronic SCD pain can promote increased access, reach, and health equity in SCD.

Influential Factors on Entrepreneurial Competencies in Thai Community Development Program Students: A Study in Higher Education Institutions

While there has been growing interest in fostering entrepreneurial skills among students, research is scant on the factors influencing these competencies in Thai higher education settings. To address this gap, this study focused on 198 community development majors at Rajabhat University in southern Thailand. It examined the impact of individual characteristics and engagement in extracurricular activities on their entrepreneurial competencies. The study posed two hypotheses: 1) Individual characteristics, such as age, gender, and family income, influence the entrepreneurial skills of these students; 2) There is a positive correlation between students' engagement in learning-enhancing activities and their entrepreneurial skills. Data were collected through a survey, distributed via stratified sampling, and analysed using a range of statistical methods including t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square tests, with a significance level set at p &lt; 0.05.The findings revealed high levels of student engagement in extracurricular activities such as club membership and event attendance. Performance metrics indicated strong entrepreneurial competencies among the students. Factors like age, gender, academic performance, family income, educational environment, and chosen field of study were found to significantly influence these competencies. Importantly, a strong correlation was observed between students' engagement in extracurricular activities and competencies like innovation, risk-taking, proactivity, competitiveness, and work independence. This study offers valuable insights into the roles of individual characteristics and extracurricular engagement in shaping entrepreneurial competencies among Thai university students.

Young Voices United: co-designing a place-based youth-led sexual and violence abuse prevention approach for one Australian community

PurposeRecognising current, significant rates of youth sexual violence and abuse (YSVA) and the need for more comprehensive prevention approaches to combat this social issue, new approaches are required to ensure that agency is given to the people who are most affected and who know their lives the best. This paper aims to report a youth-led (Young Voices United [YVU] Committee) participatory design approach aimed at delivering the highest level of engagement to understand what people agree is needed to reduce YSVA in their own communities.Design/methodology/approachThe seven-step co-design (Trischler et al., 2019) process was implemented following ethical clearance. Over five months, 13 group co-design sessions involving 102 young people aged 12–25 years, 17 parents/caregivers (including young mums) and 9 teacher/guidance officers were conducted. Purposive sampling was undertaken to ensure that young people who had previously experienced YSVA or were most at risk of experiencing YSVA were overrepresented. Convenience sampling was used to gain wider community involvement in co-design. Four sessions were facilitated by YVU members, who were aged between 12 and 25 years, and more than 66 people helped the design team. Inductive thematic analysis identified emergent themes across completed co-design sessions.FindingsNew ideas and solutions to prevent YSVA can be identified by young people who have previously experienced violence, carers, other young people and community members. A core finding in this study is the need for positive relationship role models and an enhanced understanding of consent. Education and training, a community promotional campaign, sector involvement, capacity-building and consideration of the unique needs of different target audiences were key ideas emerging from youth-led co-design. The YVU Committee provided recommendations for resource prioritisation.Social implicationsThis youth-led co-design process empowered the community. Project stakeholders have since formed partnerships won funding and used that funding to co-design and trial a new programme aiming to provide a safe haven for young people at risk of YSVA. The pilot programme delivers a safe and supportive environment for young people delivered at a time when it is needed most. Other geographical areas are now seeking to replicate the programme. The co-design processes and tools detailed in this study can be adapted to the design of programmes for those already engaged with the youth justice system and should be considered as part of a public health approach to effectively prevent and respond to YSVA and other youth crimes.Originality/valueThis paper advances understanding, providing a practical approach that ensures youth views are given weight [audience and influence described in Lundy’s (2007) participatory framework]. This paper explains how the YVU Committee, established at the commencement of the project, oversaw the community co-design effort, which followed Trischler et al.’s (2019) seven-step co-design process. Ideas were generated, and consensus views were consolidated, delivering the highest level of engagement according to Willmott et al.’s (2022) methodology, agent of change, training and engagement taxonomy. The participatory design method led to high levels of community engagement, and the success of the project is attributed to the establishment of the YVU Committee and stakeholder support.

Safety, feasibility and effectiveness of the remotely delivered Pulmonary Hypertension and Home-Based (PHAHB) physical activity intervention.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a heterogeneous condition, associated with a high symptom burden and a substantial loss of exercise capacity. Despite prior safety concerns regarding physical exertion, exercise training as a supportive therapy is now recommended for PH patients. Currently, most programmes are hospital-based, which limits accessibility. There is a need to provide alternative approaches for physical activity engagement for PH patients. The aim of this research was to develop, implement and evaluate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of home-based physical activity intervention for PH. An entirely remotely delivered home-based physical activity intervention underpinned by behaviour change theory and informed by end-users, was assessed using a single-arm feasibility study design. Participants (n=19; 80% female) with a mean±sd age of 49.9±15.9 years with a diagnosis of PH undertook a 10-week, home-based physical activity intervention with induction training, support materials, telecommunication support, health coaching, exercise training and assessments, all remotely delivered. Training involved respiratory training along with a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises. The intervention was deemed safe as no adverse events were reported. A high level of feasibility was demonstrated as the protocol was implemented as intended, sustained a high level of engagement and adherence and was well accepted by participants in terms of enjoyment and utility. There was a significant improvement in functional capacity, physical activity, exercise self-efficacy and quality of life, between baseline and post-training. The study demonstrates that an entirely remotely delivered home-based physical activity programme is safe, feasible and effective in improving functional capacity, physical activity and quality of life in PH patients.