Participation In Intervention Program Research Articles

Faculty Bystanders: Capturing University Faculty’s Willingness to Engage in Prosocial Behavior

ABSTRACT This study explores faculty members’ rape-supportive beliefs and bystander attitudes and behaviors. An online survey was administered to a non-probability, convenience sample of 167 faculty from a university in the US. The results indicate that faculty gender influences bystander behaviors and their age influences rape myth acceptance. Study results found younger faculty and faculty from specific colleges were more likely to engage in bystander intervention programming. Younger bystander intervention program participants were also less likely to endorse rape myths. The findings offer insight regarding specific content to include in faculty-focused bystander intervention programming and suggestions for messaging to ensure that bystander intervention initiatives are impactful to faculty.

Patterns of patients with polypharmacy in adult population from Korea

Polypharmacy and its rising global prevalence is a growing public health burden. Using a large representative nationwide Korean cohort (N = 761,145), we conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study aiming to identify subpopulations of patients with polypharmacy and characterize their unique patterns through cluster analysis. Patients aged ≥ 30 years who were prescribed at least one medication between 2014 and 2018 were included in our study. Six clusters were identified: cluster 1 mostly included patients who were hospitalized for a long time (4.3 ± 5.3 days); cluster 2 consisted of patients with disabilities (100.0%) and had the highest mean number of prescription drugs (7.7 ± 2.8 medications); cluster 3 was a group of low-income patients (99.9%); cluster 4 was a group of high-income patients (80.2%) who frequently (46.4 ± 25.9 days) visited hospitals/clinics (7.3 ± 2.7 places); cluster 5 was mostly elderly (74.9 ± 9.8 years) females (80.3%); and cluster 6 comprised mostly middle-aged (56.4 ± 1.5 years) males (88.6%) (all P < 0.001). Patients in clusters 1–5 had more prescribed medications and outpatient visit days than those in cluster 6 (all P < 0.001). Given limited health care resources, individuals with any of the identified phenotypes may be preferential candidates for participation in intervention programs for optimal medication use.

A Systematic Review on Intervention Program Research for Psychological and Emotional Support of Immigrant Youths

본 연구는 이주배경 중도입국 청소년을 위한 심리·정서지원 중재프로그램 관련 연구에 대한 학술지 게제논문을 분석하여 동향을 알아보는데 그 목적이 있다. 이를 위해 2008년부터 2021년 11월까지 학회지에 게재된 총 20편을 분석에 사용하였다. 주요 연구결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 첫째, 대부분 아동·청소년을 중심으로 이루어졌으나 20세 이상 연령도 다수 포함되어 있음을 알 수 있다. 둘째, 미술치료가 다른 치료기법들 보다 많이 이루어진 것을 알 수 있다. 실험연구가 대부분이었으며, 실험-통제 집단이 함께 이루어진 경우 보다 실험집단만으로 연구가 이루어진 경우가 대부분이었다. 셋째, 자료 수집은 실험 후 사전-사후 질문지를 통하여 검증하는 경우가 가장 많았으며, 실험 후 면접, 투사검사 분석, 참여자 및 치료자의 보고를 질적 분석한 경우가 많았다. 프로그램 진행 시 사용언어는 이주배경 중도입국청소년의 모국어로 직접 진행한 경우는 1건에 불과했고 나머지 프로그램 대부분은 통역의 도움을 받아 진행되었다. 결론적으로 연구결과에 따른 향후 연구 및 정책 시사점이 제시되었다.This study aims to find trends by analyzing academic journal articles on psychological and emotional intervention programs for immigrant youths. To this end, 20 articles from 2008 to November 2021 were analyzed. The main research results are as follows: First, art therapy was performed more than other interventions. Second, although most the intervention program participants were children, early youths, and late youths over 20 years of age were also included. Third, most previous studies were based on experimental research, which was more frequently conducted only with the experimental group rather than comparison researches on the experimental-control groups. Data were most often collected through pre-post-experimental questionnaires, post-experiment interviews, projection tests, and qualitative reports from participants and therapists were also used. As for the language used during the intervention, there was only one case where the program was conducted directly in the mother tongue of immigrant youths, and most of the programs were conducted with the help of an interpreter. In conclusion, future research and policy suggestions based on the results are presented.

Disparities in Early Intervention Program Participation by Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in a US Metropolitan Area, 2006 to 2016

Multiple studies have shown the value of early interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the US, the Early Intervention Program (EIP) is mandated by law (Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]) to provide services to all young children with delays or disabilities. However, the extent to which children with ASD participate in this key service system is unknown. To evaluate EIP use by children with ASD from 2006 to 2016 and to describe the factors associated with EIP participation. This cross-sectional study used repeated data collected from 2006 to 2016 by active ASD surveillance of the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area as reported in the New Jersey Autism Study. The New Jersey Autism Study identified 4050 children aged 8 years with ASD from 2006 to 2016. Demographic and clinical data were collected and participation in an EIP was assessed through active surveillance. Data were analyzed from June to December 2021. Sociodemographic factors associated with the outcome of EIP participation. Participation in an EIP assessed at age 8 years. Demographic, ecological, and clinical factors, as well as temporal patterns, were examined by using standard and multilevel logistic regression models. Among 4050 children aged 8 years with ASD by active surveillance, 1887 (46.6%) received EIP services. Of these children, 3303 (81.6%) were boys; 1105 (27.3%) were Hispanic, 801 (19.8%) were non-Hispanic Black, 1816 (44.8%) were non-Hispanic White, and 328 (8.1%) were non-Hispanic other (included Alaska Native or American Indian and Asian or Pacific Islander). In adjusted regression models, non-Hispanic Black children with ASD had lower odds of EIP participation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54-0.84) compared with their non-Hispanic White peers, and children residing in affluent areas had higher odds of receiving EIP services (AOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.36-2.15) compared with children residing in underserved areas. Children with ASD born in 2008 had higher odds of EIP participation than children born in 1998 (AOR, 2.64; 95% CI, 2.07-3.36). Early identification of ASD is an important public health priority and receipt of EIP services may improve ASD outcomes. Approximately half of the population of children aged 8 years with ASD received EIP services between 2006 and 2016, and EIP participation by children with ASD increased during the 10-year period. However, receipt of EIP services was marked by strong socioeconomic status- and race and ethnicity-based disparities. Universal ASD screening and additional strategies are needed to address disparities and to increase access to EIP services.

Risk Factors and Treatment Needs of Batterer Intervention Program Participants with Substance Abuse Problems

espanolEl objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los principales factores de riesgo y necesidades de tratamiento de los participantes en un programa de intervencion con maltratadores (BIP) con problemas de abuso de alcohol y/o drogas (ADAP), mas alla de sus problemas de abuso de substancias, teniendo en cuenta cuatro conjuntos de variables: sociodemograficas (i.e., edad, nivel educativo, ingresos, empleo y estatus de inmigrante), trastornos de personalidad y ajuste psicologico (i.e., sintomatologia clinica, trastornos de personalidad, ira, impulsividad y autoestima), variables socio-relacionales (i.e., apoyo comunitario, apoyo intimo, eventos vitales estresantes y rechazo social percibido) y variables relacionadas con la violencia (i.e., exposicion a violencia familiar, gravedad percibida de la violencia contra la mujer en las relaciones de pareja, sexismo ambivalente, riesgo de violencia futura, violencia de pareja fisica y psicologica, motivacion al cambio y estadio de cambio). El estudio se baso en una muestra de 1,039 hombres condenados por violencia de genero y remitidos a un programa de intervencion para maltratadores como medida penal alternativa. Los resultados de las comparaciones entre los participantes con y sin ADAP se interpretaron en funcion de los tamanos del efecto para destacar las diferencias mas salientes. Se encontraron diferencias con tamanos del efecto moderados para sintomatologia clinica, rasgo de ira, trastorno de ansiedad, sucesos vitales estresantes, motivacion para el cambio y estadio de cambio. Se encontraron diferencias con tamanos del efecto grandes para impulsividad, trastorno antisocial, de personalidad limite y de agresividad. Se proponen diversas estrategias de intervencion para guiar y ajustar las intervenciones a los factores de riesgo y necesidades de tratamiento de los participantes de los programas de intervencion para maltratadores con ADAP. EnglishThe aim of the present study was to identify the main risk factors and treatment needs of batterer intervention program (BIP) participants with alcohol and drug abuse problems (ADAPs), beyond issues strictly related to their substance abuse, taking into account four sets of variables: sociodemographic (i.e., age, educational level, income, employment, and immigrant status); personality disorders and psychological adjustment (i.e., clinical symptomatology, personality disorders, anger, impulsivity, and self-esteem); social-relational variables (i.e., community support, intimate support, stressful life events, and perceived social rejection); and violence-related variables (i.e., family violence exposure, perceived severity of intimate partner violence against women [IPVAW], ambivalent sexism, risk of future violence, physical and psychological intimate partner violence, motivation to change, and stage of change). The study was based on a sample of 1,039 male IPVAW offenders court-mandated to a community-based BIP. Results from comparisons between BIP participants with and without ADAPs were interpreted in terms of effect sizes to highlight the most salient differences. Differences with moderate effect sizes were found for clinical symptomatology, anger trait, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, stressful life events, motivation to change and stage of change. Differences with large effect sizes were found for impulsivity, antisocial disorder, borderline disorder, and aggressive disorder. Several intervention strategies are proposed to guide and adjust interventions to risk factors and treatment needs of BIP participants with ADAPs.

Addressing the Adherence-Adaptation Debate: Lessons from the Replication of an Evidence-Based Sexual Health Program in School Settings.

Whether high adherence to programs is necessary to achieve program outcomes is an area of great debate. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency, type, and rationale of adaptations made in the implementation of an evidence-based program and to determine program outcomes for intervention program participants, as compared to comparison participants, by the level of adaptations. A total of 1608 participants in 45 classrooms participated. Percent adaptations was calculated by classroom. Thematic qualitative analysis was used to categorize types and rationales for adaptations. Program outcomes by level of adaptations were determined using logistic regression analyses and mean differences. Propensity score matching methods were used to create comparability between adaptation subgroup participants and comparison participants. Adaptations ranged from 2 to 97% across classrooms, with mean adaptations of 63%. Thematic analysis revealed that the adaptations made were related to delivery of content, rather than to the content itself and in response to participant needs and setting constraints. Program outcomes did not appear to be reduced for the high-adaptation subgroup. Understanding both rationale (intent) and type of adaptation made is crucial to understanding the complexity of adaptations. These finding support the argument for allowing facilitators some flexibility and autonomy to adapt the delivery of prescribed content to participant needs and setting constraints.

Early Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children Born to Fertile, Subfertile, and ART-Treated Women.

We examined the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in Massachusetts (MA) comparing children born via assisted reproductive technology (ART) and children born to women with indicators of subfertility but no ART (Subfertile), to children born to women with neither ART nor indicators of subfertility (Fertile). We assessed the direct, indirect, and total effects of ART and subfertility on ASD among singletons. This study included 10,147 ART, 8072 Subfertile and 441,898 Fertile MA resident births from the MA Outcome Study of ART (MOSART) database linked with Early Intervention program participation data. ART included fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF), fresh intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and frozen embryo transfer. We estimated the prevalence of ASD by fertility group. We used logistic regression to assess the natural direct effect (NDE), natural indirect effect (NIE) through preterm birth, and total effects of each fertility group on ASD. The NDE indicated that, compared to the Fertile group, the odds of ASD were not statistically higher in the ART (ORNDE 1.07; 95% CI 0.88-1.30), Subfertile (ORNDE 1.11; 95% CI 0.89-1.38), IVF (ORNDE 0.91; 95% CI 0.68-1.22), or ICSI (ORNDE 1.13; 95% CI 0.84-1.51) groups, even if the rate of preterm birth was the same across all groups. The total effect (product of NDE and NIE) was not significant for ART (ORTotal Effect 1.08; 95% CI 0.89-1.30), Subfertile (ORTotal Effect 1.11; 95% CI 0.89-1.38), IVF (ORTotal Effect 0.92; 95% CI 0.69-1.23), or ICSI (ORTotal Effect 1.13; 95% CI 0.84-1.52). Compared to children born to Fertile women, children born to ART, ICSI, or IVF, or Subfertile women are not at increased risk of receiving an ASD diagnosis.

Access to primary care child weight management programs: Urban parent barriers and facilitators to participation.

The prevalence and comorbidities of childhood obesity among low-income urban children are a significant health issue in the United States. Programs designed to assist families are underutilized. The aim of this study is to describe barriers and facilitators relevant to intervention program participation from the perspective of parents who have children who are overweight or obese. Systematic thematic analysis of focus groups and semi-structured interviews with parents from multiple urban pediatrics and family medicine practices were used to gather data. A framework analysis approach was used and a codebook of themes was developed. Transcripts were coded independently by the research team and consensus among researchers was reached. Forty-eight parents participated in the study. Perceived barriers to participation included (1) varied referral process (lack of follow-up or varying referral experience), (2) costs (time and program fee), (3) logistics (location and program schedule), and (4) child motivation. Perceived facilitators to participation included (1) systematic referral process (in-office referral and timely follow-up), (2) program content and organization, and (3) no cost. Multiple barriers and facilitators affect weight management program participation among families, which should be specifically targeted in future obesity interventions in order to effectively reach urban, minority parents and children.

Parenting Intervention at Age 11 and Cotinine Levels at Age 20 Among African American Youth.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that African American preadolescents who participated in a family-centered parenting intervention at age 11 would show lower levels of cotinine, a biomarker for recent smoking, at age 20 than would similar participants in the control condition. The study was also designed to test the hypothesis that prevention-induced increases in supportive parenting would account for any prevention effects that emerged. African American parents and their 11-year-old children in the rural southern United States were assigned randomly to the Strong African American Families program or to a control condition. Parents provided self-reported data on supportive parenting when the youth were 11 and 16 years of age. When the youth were 20 years of age, blood was drawn from which cotinine was assayed. Intervention program participants (M = 0.672, SD = 0.048) displayed significantly lower cotinine levels at age 20 years than did control participants (M = 0.824, SD = 0.059), P = .046. Mediation analyses confirmed that increases in supportive parenting accounted for intervention effects on smoking. We have demonstrated in this study that a randomized trial of a prevention program designed to enhance supportive parenting reduced cotinine levels among young African American adults. The developmentally appropriate family-centered intervention buffered the risk of smoking 9 years after program participation.

Methods for Quantifying the Clinical Significance of Change During Intervention Program Participation.

Assessing the practical or clinical significance (CS) of an intervention program's outcomes is useful in determining its effectiveness. The CS approach gives information beyond traditional analyses by quantifying the proportions of people who meaningfully improve and deteriorate. We link latent transition analyses (LTA) to the CS literature and use a case study to contrast it with the long-standing Jacobson and Truax (JT) approach. Data came from 2,717 individuals convicted of a substance-related offense who participated in an indicated prevention program Prime For Life® (PFL). We selected outcomes describing drinking beliefs and behavior. Both CS approaches categorized a majority of participants as improved (i.e., transitioning from baseline subgroups with risky behaviors and cognitions into posttest subgroups showing lower risk). Results demonstrate how the JT approach allows the assessment of improvements on individual outcomes, while the LTA provides more nuanced information about risk groupings. Selecting a CS approach depends on research goals, availability of normative data, and data considerations. JT is an appropriate method when evaluating single outcomes. In contrast, LTA is better when a multivariate description is desired, advanced missing data handling methods are needed, or outcomes are not normally distributed. Although infrequently done, evaluating CS provides useful information about program effectiveness.

Prosocial behavior following immortality priming: experimental tests of factors with implications for CVE interventions

ABSTRACTAs the field of countering violent extremism (CVE) evolves, increased emphasis has been placed on the development of interventions intended to be individually tailored to the needs of intervention program participants. Despite such emphasis, there is scant empirical research, much less experimental research, regarding psychological mechanisms that either bolster, or hinder, the effectiveness of such interventions. The present study experimentally tested two factors, in addition to accounting for a third, for their effects on an outcome potentially germane to a wide range of tailored CVE interventions: participants’ voluntary, unsupervised behavior toward out-group members.Specifically, based upon Terror Management Theory, the present study answered the following questions.(1) Might priming individuals with notions of immortality (vs. controls) tend to cause them to increase their generosity and decrease their in-group bias, as demonstrated in a behavioral outcome (monetary donations)?(2) If so, is that effect positively associated with individuals’ level of collectivism?(3) Might individuals react differently to immortality primes, based on whether they are spiritual believers vs. nonbelievers? Specifically, might believers – whose meaning system presumably has not been threatened by such primes – tend to demonstrate, a greater reduction of in-group bias?Immortality priming did not significantly reduce in-group bias. However, it strongly interacted with spiritual beliefs such that spiritual believers gave more when primed with immortality. Collectivism was positively associated with donations, which tended to be more generous both when individuals gave to racial in-group members, and among donors who were unbelievers. Applications for individually tailored interventions for CVE are discussed.

Unexpected perturbations training improves balance control and voluntary stepping times in older adults - a double blind randomized control trial.

BackgroundFalls are common among elderly, most of them occur while slipping or tripping during walking. We aimed to explore whether a training program that incorporates unexpected loss of balance during walking able to improve risk factors for falls.MethodsIn a double-blind randomized controlled trial 53 community dwelling older adults (age 80.1±5.6 years), were recruited and randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 27) or a control group (n = 26). The intervention group received 24 training sessions over 3 months that included unexpected perturbation of balance exercises during treadmill walking. The control group performed treadmill walking with no perturbations. The primary outcome measures were the voluntary step execution times, traditional postural sway parameters and Stabilogram-Diffusion Analysis. The secondary outcome measures were the fall efficacy Scale (FES), self-reported late life function (LLFDI), and Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA).ResultsCompared to control, participation in intervention program that includes unexpected loss of balance during walking led to faster Voluntary Step Execution Times under single (p = 0.002; effect size [ES] =0.75) and dual task (p = 0.003; [ES] = 0.89) conditions; intervention group subjects showed improvement in Short-term Effective diffusion coefficients in the mediolateral direction of the Stabilogram-Diffusion Analysis under eyes closed conditions (p = 0.012, [ES] = 0.92). Compared to control there were no significant changes in FES, LLFDI, and POMA.ConclusionsAn intervention program that includes unexpected loss of balance during walking can improve voluntary stepping times and balance control, both previously reported as risk factors for falls. This however, did not transferred to a change self-reported function and FES.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Registration number: NCT01439451.

Los juegos motores sensibilizadores y su efecto en las actitudes hacia la discapacidad mostradas por futuros maestros de Educación Física

La Educación Física se está postulando como una herramienta muy poderosa para lograr actitudes positivas hacia la discapacidad. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue examinar el efecto de una intervención basada en la realización de juegos sensibilizadores con el objetivo de mejorar las actitudes hacia la discapacidad de los futuros maestros de educación física, además en esta ocasión no se presentó el habitual contacto con personas con discapacidad, muy presente en investigaciones previas. Los resultados muestran que existe una tendencia de mejora en las actitudes hacia la discapacidad mostradas, ya que la mayoría de las variables mejoran (VCL, RND, CG, AR y EAD). Sin embargo, la ausencia de diferencias significativas, así como el descenso en los valores de algunas variables (IP y RICE), hace necesario que se continúe investigando en esta dirección con el objetivo de obtener resultados más concluyentes.

Submergence rice cultivation in southern Bangladesh: farmers opinion and adaptations practices

Rice productivity in coastal Bangladesh is lower than the national average and total coastal area is considered to be submergence-prone and higher vulnerable in July to January cropping season. The selected study areas are Kalapara and Patuakhali Sadar Upazila that are too vulnerable to agriculture practices. Field survey was conducted during 01st June to 30th July, 2015 to investigate the impact of submergence on Aman rice cultivation (ARC), existing adopted local adaptation practices with impacts and options to address the submergence problem. Primary data was collected through Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Individual Interview and Key Informant Interview methods and secondary data was collected from different secondary sources. A well-structured pretested questionnaire schedule was developed keeping in mind the objectives and variables under this study. After cyclone SIDR and AILA devastation, the rate of traditional ARC is decreasing every year and in 2015 it was 26.51%. Recently farmers have adopted new cropping practices and strategies like modern ARC in Aman season as single crop; Boro-Aus-Aman season as triple crop and Aus-Aman season as double crop are practicing. Approximately all farmers have adopted to grow stress tolerant rice varieties (STRV); farmer’s curiosities to familiar with and to have the STRV are encouraging. Farmers were fully adopted BRRIdhan52 rice cultivation with positive perceptions of higher yield and lower production cost. Therefore it can be concluded that the intensity of adoption of adaptation and mitigation measures are significantly influenced positively by the STRV yield capability; farmer’s participation in intervention programs; livelihood diversification; frequency of extension personnel contact; submergence and inundation characteristics; tolerance attributes of STRV and availability of STRV cultivation information.International Journal of Environment Vol.4(4) 2015: 100-113

Development of Learning and Social Skills in Children with Learning Disabilities: An Educational Intervention Program

This article presented the research topic: “Development of Learning and Social Skills in Children with Learning Disabilities” and its aims was to examine the influence of the social intervention program on academic achievement in two basic subjects - Arabic and Mathematics and to examine social status among the students: in the homeroom classroom, before and after participation in the social intervention program. It was found there were considerable improvements in all dimensions of achievements in Arabic and mathematics with all the students who participated in the intervention program.

Influência da frequência da caminhada na saúde de indivíduos com doenças crônicas

Introdução: A influência da frequência de caminhada sobre a saúde de participantes de programas de intervenção ainda é pouco estudada. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da frequência de caminhada sobre o colesterol total (CT), glicemia e circunferência abdominal (CA) em participantes de um projeto de extensão universitária. Métodos: Foram avaliados 25 participantes do projeto durante nove meses de intervenção em 2011. Os indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos conforme sua frequência na caminhada (

Referring heroin users from compulsory detoxification centers to community methadone maintenance treatment: a comparison of three models

BackgroundBoth compulsory detoxification treatment and community-based methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) exist for heroin addicts in China. We aim to examine the effectiveness of three intervention models for referring heroin addicts released from compulsory detoxification centers to community methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China.MethodsUsing a quasi-experimental study design, three different referral models were assigned to four detoxification centers. Heroin addicts were enrolled based on their fulfillment to eligibility criteria and provision of informed consent. Two months prior to their release, information on demographic characteristics, history of heroin use, and prior participation in intervention programs was collected via a survey, and blood samples were obtained for HIV testing. All subjects were followed for six months after release from detoxification centers. Multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors predicting successful referrals to MMT clinics.ResultsOf the 226 participants who were released and followed, 9.7% were successfully referred to MMT(16.2% of HIV-positive participants and 7.0% of HIV-negative participants). A higher proportion of successful referrals was observed among participants who received both referral cards and MMT treatment while still in detoxification centers (25.8%) as compared to those who received both referral cards and police-assisted MMT enrollment (5.4%) and those who received referral cards only (0%). Furthermore, those who received referral cards and MMT treatment while still in detoxification had increased odds of successful referral to an MMT clinic (adjusted OR = 1.2, CI = 1.1-1.3). Having participated in an MMT program prior to detention (OR = 1.5, CI = 1.3-1.6) was the only baseline covariate associated with increased odds of successful referral.ConclusionFindings suggest that providing MMT within detoxification centers promotes successful referral of heroin addicts to community-based MMT upon their release.

Programa de intervenção motora para escolares com indicativo de transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação - TDC

Este estudo objetivou verificar os efeitos de um programa de intervenção motora para escolares com indicativo de Transtorno do Desenvolvimento da Coordenação. Participaram do estudo seis escolares na faixa etária de 10 anos, do gênero feminino e masculino, matriculados em uma escola municipal no interior do Estado de Santa Catarina. A avaliação motora foi mensurada por meio do Movement Assessement Battery for Children (MABC-2). O teste abrange as faixas etárias de três a 16 anos dentro de cada faixa etária são agrupadas oito tarefas em três categorias de habilidades: destreza manual, lançar e receber, equilíbrio. As intervenções foram baseadas na abordagem da Educação Física Desenvolvimentista em ambiente escolar. As sessões foram realizadas individualmente com 20 sessões de intervenção motora para cada escolar, num total de 120 sessões, com frequência de duas aulas semanais e com duração de 45 minutos. Para interpretação dos dados foi utilizado o teste Wilcoxon no pacote estatístico SPSS 13.0 for Windows. Os resultados evidenciaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas após a intervenção motora (p&lt;0,05). Em relação aos resultados do desempenho motor por habilidade, verificou-se que a habilidade equilíbrio foi a que apresentou melhor resultado após a intervenção, revelando que uma proposta de intervenção motora foi eficaz para a melhora no desempenho motor das crianças com indicativos de TDC. Através deste estudo evidenciou-se os benefícios da participação de escolares com problemas motores em programas de intervenção, no sentido de monitorar o seu progresso em termos de desenvolvimento motor, visando à melhora das dificuldades de movimento tanto nas habilidades esportivas quanto nas atividades diárias.

Social and Vocational Skills Training Reduces Self-reported Anxiety and Depression Among Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum

Those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently experience high levels of anxiety and depression. These psychological factors may be related to some of the core challenges seen among those with ASD, including social difficulties. We examined whether a social and vocational skills intervention program for adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum would yield a broader impact that partially alleviated these psychological factors. Following the intervention program participants reported significantly lower depression and anxiety. Responses on a measure of peer relationships were also improved post-intervention, although this did not reach significance. Although preliminary, our findings demonstrate the broader, positive impact that such programs may have.

Racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality

This study examines predictors of neonatal and postneonatal mortality among infants born to black, white, and Hispanic women. Linked birth/infant death records from North Carolina for the period 1999-2007 were the source of data. Logistic regression models were constructed to estimate the effect of maternal and infant characteristics on neonatal (<28 days) and postneonatal (28-364 days) mortality. Analyses revealed no racial/ethnic differences in neonatal mortality, but increased risk among black infants for postneonatal death. Inadequate prenatal care was associated with an increased risk for neonatal mortality across all three racial/ethnic groups. Younger maternal age and lower educational levels were associated with postneonatal deaths for black and white women, but not Hispanic. A previous child loss, being unmarried and labor/delivery complications increased the risk for postneonatal mortality only among white women. Black infants had higher rates of death attributed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), infections, low birth weight (LBW)/prematurity, respiratory conditions, and injuries. Early initiation of prenatal care, access to risk-appropriate obstetric and neonatal services, and participation in intervention programs that support parenting of LBW/preterm infants throughout the first year of life are likely to yield the greatest impact in reducing infant mortality.