Group Participation Research Articles

Roll call votes in the committees of the European Parliament: A new dataset

This forum article presents a new dataset on roll call votes in the committees of the European Parliament in the 2014 to 2019 legislative term. Data on roll call votes in the plenary has greatly informed research on the functioning of the European Parliament, broader legislative politics and European Union decision-making. Responding to transparency concerns about legislative decisions increasingly taken at committee level, a change of the European Parliament's Rules of Procedure introduced mandatory roll calls in committees from 2014. The article explains the context of the rule change, the data collection effort, and the data as such. A discussion of conflict across committees, party group cohesion and participation in roll call votes illustrates potential applications of the data.

Facilitators and barriers in the implementation of a fall prevention program based on physical activity for elderly people living in the community: A qualitative study.

Physical activity is recognized as beneficial for older individuals in preventing falls. Achieving high adherence to exercise programs among the elderly poses challenges for administrations and healthcare systems. This study explored the facilitators and barriers perceived by both the participants and nurse trainers involved in an exercise program aimed at preventing falls in primary healthcare. Sixteen semi-structured interviews with elderly people who had participated in the Otago Exercise Program and a focus group of nurse trainers of this program were conducted between October 2018 and September 2019 in primary health care centers in Lleida, Spain. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis with Atlas.ti 8 software. Analysis revealed five overarching categories and 17 subcategories. Key facilitators included personal motivation, the perceived benefits of exercise, and the supportive role of nurse trainers. Primary barriers encompassed factors such as the excessive duration of the program, not considering personal preferences for individual or group participation, and differences in physical condition among group participants. To increase participation and adherence to exercise programs, it is necessary to consider the important role of the nursing professionals that recommend program enrolment and the participants' personal motivations. The program with group sessions is a model that is easy to integrate into Primary Healthcare centers, which must always take into account the preferences and physical conditions of the participants.

The nexus between socio-demographic factors and participation of special groups in public procurement of works in local government authorities

The nexus between socio-demographic factors and participation of special groups in public procurement of works in local government authorities

Development and validation of maternal social capital assessment tool in northwest Ethiopia

ObjectiveTo develop and validate a social capital assessment tool that considers the cultural and social realities of north-western Ethiopia. MethodsA mixed-methods approach was applied through rigorous phases. Existing measurement approaches for social capital are reviewed. Additionally, a qualitative study was conducted for domain and item identification. The domains and their items were given to panel experts and rated for content validity. Cognitive interviews were conducted with mothers who gave birth in the previous year. For psychometric validation of the tool, 400 mothers who lived in South Gondar zone participated from January 2 to 27, 2023. ResultsFive factors of structural social capital were extracted. These include group participation, emotional, social, financial, and informational support. The content validity index of the scale was 0.88, indicating that 88% of the experts rated the items of the scale as relevant. The loading of the items ranged from 0.505 to 0.858, exceeding the threshold of 0.50. For cognitive social capital, factor analysis grouped 43 items into four subscales: trust in social networks, trust in institutions, trust in the health care system, and social cohesion. The loadings of the items ranged from 0.507 to 0.913. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was excellent, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.901. ConclusionThe Maternal Social Capital Assessment Tool is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring social capital during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. The application of such a tool could allow us to decipher the influence of social capital on maternal health.

Does arts and cultural group participation influence subsequent well-being? A longitudinal cross-country comparison of older adults in Japan and England

IntroductionArts engagement is a positive health behaviour that could support the mental and social well-being of ageing populations globally. However, research is predominantly from Western countries, leaving it unclear whether...

Music Matters – A Qualitative Evaluation of a Nurse-Led, Group-Based Music Program Complementary to Early Intervention for First-Episode Psychosis

First-episode psychosis is a significant mental health condition that can have a profound and lasting effect on an individual’s functional abilities and overall quality of life. While music therapy has shown promise in improving these areas, there is a lack of research exploring the impact of music groups led by mental health professionals without formal music therapy training in the context of early intervention in psychosis. This study aimed to conduct a qualitative evaluation of a once-weekly, 12-week, nurse-led music group, offered as an adjunct to early intervention in young people with first-episode psychosis. The specific objectives were to explore social interaction and experiences of participants and instructors in relation to the music group and provide focus points for implementation in clinical practice. The study utilized Interpretive Description, collecting data through participant observation (6 sessions × 1.5 hrs; 9 hrs in total), key informant interviews (n = 1), and group (n = 4) and email-based (n = 2) interviews. The data was transcribed, thematized, and analyzed using NVivo12 and Interpretive Description inductive analysis resulting in three main themes: Practicalities of the music group, Restored identity, and Music as medicine reflecting the potential of the music group to contribute to a sense of non-patient identity, decreasing symptoms related to mental illness, foster social relationships and a feeling of belonging to a musical community. This study highligts how participation in music groups can be a possible promoter of recovery. However, sustainability appears contingent on the skills and resources of the facilitator (i.e., nurse). Suggestions for a program theory and clinical implications are presented and discussed.

Fractured perceptions: Unconventional oil and gas development and the social construction of perceptions of risk in South Africa

To address energy shortages, the South African government includes the development and extraction of local natural gas as part of its future energy plan. Insights into risk perception are crucial for determining realistic and likely risks relevant to future energy developments in the face of the country's future energy planning. Studies on the social construction of the risk perceptions of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development are lacking since risk perceptions of UOG development in South Africa are not underpinned by tangible, lived experiences. This study, therefore, offers novel insights into the social construction of risk perceptions. We identified the risk objects, objects at risk, and factors influencing risk perceptions, and found that UOG development risk perceptions in South Africa are socially constructed through group membership and participation. The perceived rivalry between opposition and proposition groups prompts stakeholders to deliberately formulate ideas, opinions, and viewpoints to counter those of oppositional groups. We propose a risk communication strategy that considers the media's influence on stakeholders’ risk perceptions, aims to understand the different stakeholder groups’ views, intentions and expected behaviour, and tailors communication that acknowledges groups’ different goals and intentions. The proposed strategy considers the diverging opinions of the opposing groups in a collaborative effort to build trust in and between groups.

Influence of C-4 Axial/Equatorial Configuration and Neighboring Group/Remote Group Participation (NGP/RGP) Driven Conformational Evidence in Chemoselective Activation of Glycals.

We herein reveal the possibility of the C-4 neighboring group/remote group participation (NGP/RGP) facilitating the stabilization of the anomeric center via dioxolenium intermediates in the chemoselective activation of glycal donors. We further realized that the axial/equatorial configuration of the C-4 group in the galacto- and gluco-glycal series enables diverse pathways to give direct 1,2-addition or Ferrier rearrangement, respectively. A proof-of-principle for stereoselective glycosylation was amply illustrated by employing carbohydrates, amino acids, natural products, and bioactive molecules to develop 2-deoxy-glycan analogs.

Iron(III) and neodymium co-extraction mechanism with TODGA from chloride medium

In the context of NdFeB magnets recycling, solvent extraction of lanthanides using diglycolamides is promising but their separation from iron(III) remains a challenge. Here, the extraction mechanisms of iron(III) and neodymium by TODGA (N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyldiglycolamide) were examined in chloride medium. The choice of chloride media was driven by the efficiency of HCl in dissolving NdFeB magnets. Neodymium was chosen as a representative lanthanide to examine the co-extraction mechanism. For the extraction of iron(III), UV–visible and FT-IR spectra provide evidence for the extraction of FeCl4- with the participation of TODGA carbonyl groups. For the extraction with both elements, the solvent extraction study points out that there is co-extraction of neodymium and iron(III). Neodymium(III) extraction percentage increases from 6 to more than 97 % by adding iron(III). From spectroscopic studies (UV–visible, FT-IR) and thermodynamic modelling of extraction data, it is shown that three molecules of TODGA extract neodymium, as for neodymium-only extraction. They also reveal the presence of Fe(III) as FeCl4- anion in the outer sphere of [Nd(TODGA)3]3+. This brings to the conclusion that [Nd(TODGA)3](FeCl4)3 complex is formed in the organic phase. DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations confirm that FeCl4- can replace Cl- in the outer sphere of [Nd(TODGA)3]3+, in a two-step reaction, with the initial formation of [Nd(TODGA)3]Cl3 followed by the binding of FeCl3 to the outer-sphere chloride ion. These results pave the way to the design of new diglycolamides that are selective towards iron(III) from chloride medium. The complete dissolution solution of NdFeB is represented by a highly acidic medium (a solution of 3 M HCl), whereas the leaching solution (partial dissolution of NdFeB) is represented by a weakly acidic medium (NaCl).

Influence of the Crystal Forms of Calcium Carbonate on the Preparation and Characteristics of Indigo Carmine-Calcium Carbonate Lake

In this study, indigo carmine (IC)-calcium carbonate lakes with different crystalline forms of calcium carbonate were prepared through co-precipitation methods, and the properties of these lakes and their formation mechanisms were investigated. The results showed that amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) exhibited the smallest particle size and the largest specific surface area, resulting in the highest adsorption efficiency. Vaterite, calcite, and aragonite followed after ACC in decreasing order of adsorption efficiency. Kinetic analysis and isothermal analysis revealed the occurrence of chemisorption and multilayer adsorption during formation of the lakes. The FTIR and Raman spectra suggested participation of sulfonic acid groups in chemisorption. Appearance of IC significantly altered TGA curves by changing weight loss rate before decomposition of calcium carbonate. EDS analysis revealed the adsorption of IC predominantly happened on the surface of calcium carbonate particles rather than the interior.

Latina Mothers Recommendations on a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group Intervention for Perinatal Depression.

Introduction: Perinatal depression affects 5-15% of childbearing women. However, literature suggests that Latina women are twice as likely to experience depression during pregnancy. Group telehealth-based interventions are a promising approach to increasing access and reducing barriers to mental health. However, little is known about the experience that Latinas have with navigating this approach. This paper aimed to explore Latina mothers' perspectives and recommendations in using telehealth to deliver a mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (MBCBT) group intervention. Methods: Fourteen pregnant or postpartum women participated in focus groups and individual interviews. Interview topics included perinatal depression, knowledge and content of interventions, and the feasibility and acceptability of the telehealth approach. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results: Three broad themes emerged; (1) accessibility to telehealth, (2) relational connection through technology, and (3) technological issues affecting access (i.e., level of familiarity with portal, video quality, etc.). Enhancers promoting participation in the telehealth intervention included reduced scheduling concerns and no need for childcare. Barriers included mistrust of providers' engagement, concerns about privacy, and potential for lack of relational connection through technology. Conclusion: Specific recommendations were provided to increase participation and effectiveness of telehealth groups among Latinas.

Early intervention for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: Pilot evaluation of an outpatient group therapy prior to inpatient treatment.

An increasing demand for inpatient treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) during and after the Covid-19 pandemic contrasts with limited capacity and long waiting times. The current pilot study evaluated an outpatient group therapy (GT) as early intervention for adolescents with AN prior to inpatient treatment. Seventeen female adolescents who participated at the GT (intervention group, INT) were compared to 16 adolescents without GT (treatment-as-usual, TAU). BMI, eating disorder psychopathology and motivation of change (MoC) were assessed at three timepoints. Comparing pre- versus post- group participation, we identified a significant increase of MoC and a trend towards a decreased AN-specific psychopathology. Comparing INT with TAU adolescents, we found a significant lower AN psychopathology at inpatient admission for the INT group and a trend for different BMI courses: While the BMI of the TAU group decreased during waiting time, the INT group did not show a decrease during GT resulting in a higher BMI at admission. Results of the current pilot study suggest positive effects of an early outpatient intervention in a group setting for adolescents with AN prior to inpatient treatment. Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to validate the current pilot results.

Balint groups' possible role in self-care and job satisfaction of general practitioners-Aqualitative study.

Concerns are growing when it comes to the shortage of primary care physicians, therefore it seems necessary to take acloser look at job satisfaction and self-care as one of many influences on career choice. Ahigher job satisfaction reduces the risk to experience burnout and job-related stress and in addition it will contribute to staying in the profession. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of regular participation in Balint groups on job satisfaction and self-care among general practitioners. Descriptive qualitative study with semi-structured expert interviews of 7general practitioners. Thematical analysis of data and narrative summary. Atotal of 402 coded segments were categorized into 8main themes and 39subthemes. Interviewees emphasized changes in self-care and job satisfaction as aresult of Balint work and mentioned Balint work as aburnout prophylaxis for themselves. Competences that were learnt or improved through Balint work were described as well as aspects such as feedback and connection with colleagues or professional challenges and difficulties. The results of the study give rise to the assumption that regular participation in Balint groups might help to improve self-care, resilience, and contribute to job satisfaction. Further research is needed before ageneral recommendation can be made. Many positive aspects were described by the experts, while no harmful negative influences of Balint work were identified.

Remote physical activity intervention to promote physical activity and health in adolescent girls (the HERizon project): a multi-arm, pilot randomised trial

BackgroundEngaging in physical activity (PA) during adolescence is beneficial for health and positive development. However, most adolescent girls have low PA levels, and there is a need for interventions outside of school hours. This pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to explore the preliminary effectiveness of three different remote PA interventions in increasing adolescent girls’ moderate-to- vigorous PA (MVPA), fitness and psychosocial outcomes.MethodsGirls living in the UK or Ireland, aged between 13 and 16 years old, who wished to increase their activity levels, were eligible for the study. Using a random number generator, participants (n = 153; 14.8y ± 1.4) were randomised into one of three 12-week intervention groups (i) PA programme, (ii) Behaviour change support, or (iii) Combined PA programme and Behaviour change support, or (iv) a Comparison group. Outcome measures included accelerometer and self-reported PA, physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness; 20 m shuttle run, muscular endurance; push up, muscular strength; long jump), and psychosocial assessments (perceived competence; body appreciation; self-esteem; behavioural regulation). Linear mixed models were used to analyse differences between each intervention arm and the comparison group immediately postintervention (12 weeks) and at follow up (3-months post-intervention), while adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsParticipation in the PA programme group was associated with higher perceived competence (0.6, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.2), identified regulation (0.7, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.1) and intrinsic motivation (0.9, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.6) at post-intervention. Participation in the Behaviour change group was associated with higher perceived competence at post-intervention (0.6, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.2), and higher push-up scores at the 3-month follow-up (4.0, 95% CI 0.0 to 7.0). Participation in the Combined group was also associated with higher perceived competence at post-intervention (0.8, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.4), and higher push-up scores at the 3-month follow-up (5.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 8.0). No other significant differences were found between the intervention arms and the comparison group.ConclusionResults suggest perceived competence increased across all intervention arms, while the PA programme group enhanced autonomous motivation in the short term. Intervention arms with behaviour change support appear most promising in improving muscular endurance. However, a larger scale trial is needed for a better understanding of between-group differences and the impact of intervention arms on MVPA and fitness, given the small sample size and short-term follow-up.

Leprosy and lymphatic filariasis-related disability and psychosocial burden in northern Mozambique.

Leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are among the most disabling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect the citizens of Mozambique, especially in the Northern provinces. The irreversible impairments caused by these NTDs often lead to psychosocial consequences, including poor mental wellbeing, stigma and reduced social participation. Limited data on these consequences are available for Mozambique, which are urgently needed to better understand the true disease burden and support advocacy for scaling up interventions. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted. Mental distress was assessed with the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), participation restriction was assessed with the Participation Scale Short (PSS) and perceived stigma was assessed with the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue affected persons stigma scale (EMIC-AP). Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with persons affected by leprosy or LF. In total, 127 persons affected by leprosy and 184 persons affected by LF were included in the quantitative portion of the study. For the qualitative portion, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted. In both disease groups, mental distress was found in 70% of participants. Moreover, 80% of persons affected by leprosy and 90% of persons affected by LF perceived stigma. Moderate to extreme participation restriction was found in approximately 43% of persons affected by leprosy and in 26% of the persons affected by LF. Persons affected by leprosy and LF felt excluded from society and experienced financial problems. More severe disabilities were associated with more severe outcomes for mental wellbeing, participation restriction and stigma. By contrast, participation in a self-care group was suggested to have a positive impact on these outcomes. The findings provide evidence that persons affected by leprosy and LF must not only confront physical impairments but also experience significant disability in the psychosocial domain, including mental distress, participation restriction and stigma. These challenges must be urgently addressed by NTD programmes to promote the inclusion and wellbeing of persons affected by NTDs.

Altered gyrification in chemotherapy-treated older long-term breast cancer survivors.

The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to evaluate the changes in brain surface gyrification in older long-term breast cancer survivors 5-15 years after chemotherapy treatment. Older breast cancer survivors aged ≥ 65 years treated with chemotherapy (C+) or without chemotherapy (C-) 5-15 years prior and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited (time point 1 (TP1)) and followed up for 2 years (time point 2 (TP2)). Study assessments for both time points included neuropsychological (NP) testing with the NIH Toolbox cognition battery and cortical gyrification analysis based on brain MRI. The study cohort with data for both TP1 and TP2 consisted of the following: 10 participants for the C+ group, 12 participants for the C- group, and 13 participants for the HC group. The C+ group had increased gyrification in six local gyral regions including the right fusiform, paracentral, precuneus, superior, middle temporal gyri and left pars opercularis gyrus, and it had decreased gyrification in two local gyral regions from TP1 to TP2 (p<.05, Bonferroni corrected). The C- and HC groups showed decreased gyrification only (p<.05, Bonferroni corrected). In the C+ group, changes in right paracentral gyrification and crystalized composite scores were negatively correlated (R=-0.76, p=.01). Altered gyrification could be the neural correlate of cognitive changes in older chemotherapy-treated long-term breast cancer survivors.

Increasing coverage in cervical and colorectal cancer screening by leveraging attendance at breast cancer screening: A cluster-randomised, crossover trial.

Screening participation remains suboptimal in cervical cancer (CC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening despite their effectiveness in reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality. We investigated the effectiveness of an intervention by leveraging the high participation rate in breast cancer (BC) screening as an opportunity to offer self-sampling kits to nonparticipants in CC and CRC screening. A pragmatic, unblinded, cluster-randomised, multiple period, crossover trial was conducted in 5 BC screening units in the Central Denmark Region (CDR) between September 1, 2021 and May 25, 2022. On each of 100 selected weekdays, 1 BC screening unit was randomly allocated as the intervention unit while the remaining units served as controls. Women aged 50 to 69 years attending BC screening at the intervention unit were offered administrative check-up on their CC screening status (ages 50 to 64 years) and CRC screening status (aged 50 to 69), and women with overdue screening were offered self-sampling. Women in the control group received only standard screening offers according to the organised programmes. The primary outcomes were differences between the intervention group and the control group in the total screening coverage for the 2 programmes and in screening participation among women with overdue screening, measured 6 months after the intervention. These were assessed using intention-to-treat analysis, reporting risk differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 27,116 women were included in the trial, with 5,618 (20.7%) in the intervention group and 21,498 (79.3%) in the control group. Six months after the intervention, total coverage was higher in the intervention group as compared with the control group in CC screening (88.3 versus 83.5, difference 4.8 percentage points, 95% CI [3.6, 6.0]; p < 0.001) and in CRC screening (79.8 versus 76.0, difference 3.8 percentage points, 95% CI [2.6, 5.1]; p < 0.001). Among women overdue with CC screening, participation in the intervention group was 32.0% compared with 6.1% in the control group (difference 25.8 percentage points, 95% CI [22.0, 29.6]; p < 0.001). In CRC screening, participation among women overdue with screening in the intervention group was 23.8% compared with 8.9% in the control group (difference 14.9 percentage points, 95% CI [12.3, 17.5]; p < 0.001). Women who did not participate in BC screening were not included in this study. Offering self-sampling to women overdue with CC and CRC screening when they attend BC screening was a feasible intervention, resulting in an increase in participation and total coverage. Other interventions are required to reach women who are not participating in BC screening. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05022511. The record of processing activities for research projects in the Central Denmark Region (R. No.: 1-16-02-217-21).

The Impact of Fish Farmers’ Group Participation on The Catfish Sector Income in Pringsewu District

The Impact of Fish Farmers’ Group Participation on The Catfish Sector Income in Pringsewu District

Evaluation of the RISE II integrated social and behavior change approach in Niger: A contribution analysis.

Niger faces a myriad of health challenges and development efforts are complicated by persistent poverty, high population growth rates, and climate change. Integrated social and behavior change (SBC) addresses health outcomes through collective action and approaches at the limited points of entry individuals have with the health system. We conducted a mixed-methods study to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated SBC program in the Maradi, and Zinder regions of Niger. We applied contribution analysis, a theory-based plausibility analysis, to assess contributions of the intervention. We found the program contributed to improved behavioral determinants. Male engagement and income generating activities provided further support for women to practice health behaviors. However, increases in male partner out-migration was negatively associated with health outcomes. While the program did not generate statistically significant improvements in health outcomes in the intervention area, exposure to health messages and participation in women's groups were positively associated with health outcomes suggesting sustained implementation of the integrated SBC approach at scale may achieve improved health outcomes. Programs should continue to invest in health promotion efforts that include gender sensitive interventions. Further research is needed to understand how women's agency and autonomy evolves as household composition changes through male out-migration.

The CONVINCE randomized trial found positive effects on quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease treated with hemodiafiltration

In the CONVINCE trial, the primary analysis demonstrated a survival benefit for patients receiving high-dose hemodiafiltration (HDF) as compared with high-flux hemodialysis (HD). A secondary objective was to evaluate effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL); assessed in eight domains (physical function, cognitive function, fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, pain interference, social participation) applying instruments from the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) before randomization and every three months thereafter. In total 1360 adults with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease, eligible to receive high-flux HDF (23 liters or more), were randomized (1:1); 84% response rate to all questionnaires. Both groups reported a continuous deterioration in all HRQoL domains. Overall, raw score changes from baseline were more favorable in the HDF group, resulting in a significant omnibus test after a median observation period of 30 months. Most relevant single raw score differences were reported for cognitive function. Patients receiving HDF reported a decline of -0.95 units (95% confidence interval - 2.23 to +0.34) whereas HD treated patients declined by -3.90 units (-5.28 to - 2.52). A joint model, adjusted for mortality differences, utilizing all quarterly assessments, identified a significantly slower HRQoL decline in physical function, cognitive function, pain interference, and social participation for the HDF group. Their physical health summary score declined -0.46 units/year slower compared to the HD group. Thus, the CONVINCE trial showed a beneficial effect of high-dose hemodiafiltration for survival as well as a moderate positive effect on patients’ quality of life, most pronounced with respect to their cognitive function.