Measure Of Readiness Research Articles

An Observational Study: Correlation Between Self-Perceived Readiness and Physical Performance in Healthy Individuals

IntroductionIn complex environments, individuals need to anticipate and react to stimuli by integrating complex systems and skills. Identifying the perceptual-cognitive, physical, and health characteristics that afford effective performance is necessary for developing training and readiness strategies. Measuring readiness by establishing a relationship between the Acute Readiness Monitoring Scale (ARMS) and performance during perceptual-cognitive tasks is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between self-perceived readiness, physical performance, and perceptual-cognitive performance in healthy young adults. Materials and MethodsCross-sectional design with healthy and physically active young adults (n=35). Participants completed a measure of self-perceived readiness (the ARMS), physical performance (i.e., Vertical Jump (VJ) and Ballistic Push-Up), and perceptual-cognitive exercises (i.e., Single Leg Memory Hop (SLMH), Reactive VJ, Reactive Ballistic Push-Up, Reactive Agility Run Decide, and Upper and Lower Extremity Reaction Tests). Data was analyzed using Pearson’s r (r) correlation to identify associations. ResultsStatistically significant moderate correlations were detected between ARMS Total and VJ (Peak Power Normalized and Flight Time) (r=0.434, p=0.010) and (r=0.420, p=0.013), and SLMH Distance Normalized (r=0.409, p=0.016). Moderate negative correlations between the ARMS Total and Reactive VJ Reaction Time (r=-0.473, p=0.005). ConclusionThe ARMS can be an effective tool for measuring acute self-perceived readiness. This suggests that individuals who work in dynamic environments may benefit from training that targets perceptual-cognitive skills. Although moderate, self-perceived readiness was associated with better resilience, health, and performance exercises. Results highlight the importance of protocols targeting populations who work in complex environments for increased performance.

Sepsis, an Ancient Threat and Today's Challenge for Global Health

Sepsis is a longstanding, deadly health issue affecting 49 million people and causing 11 million deaths annually, with stark disparities in care access between low- and high-income countries. Despite treatment advances, diagnosis and care remain challenging, and adherence to protocols varies widely. Survivors often face lasting health issues, especially in resource-limited regions where post-sepsis care is lacking. To address these gaps, the Global Sepsis Alliance’s 2030 agenda emphasizes political action, healthcare readiness, societal involvement, research, and preventive measures like sanitation and vaccination. Achieving a “world free of sepsis” depends on coordinated global efforts and expanded roles for healthcare workers.

The Relationship Between School Climate and College and Career Readiness

The California College and Career Readiness measures are new to the California school accountability dashboard, and few studies have examined how these data connect to student outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine the degree of relationship between school protective factors (i.e., caring relationships and meaningful participation), student internal assets (i.e., student academic motivation), and College and Career Readiness Indicator outcomes. The resilience youth development module (RYDM) framework served as the model to determine the degree of relationship among these variables. The sample for this study included comprehensive, public high schools across California, including only schools that administered the California Healthy Kids Survey in the 2019–2020 school year (n = 474). Public data files were accessed from the California Accountability Dashboard and California Healthy Kids Survey. The correlational coefficients were determined using multiple regression analysis. A positive correlation between school protective factors and student internal assets was shown after controlling for schoolwide socioeconomic status. Although both school protective factors and student internal assets significantly predicted College and Career Readiness Indicator outcomes, caring adult relationships were the only positively correlated variable after controlling for socioeconomic status. Further research is recommended to explain how students define caring adult relationships and how schools can enhance practices to cultivate those relationships across all student populations. Additionally, the researchers recommend future studies to assess how the change in college and career indicators over time could assess trends and garner more information about the school supports that positively impact proficiency.

MSW Student Wellness, Training Satisfaction, and Readiness to Address Substance Misuse

Social work educators aim to increase the goodness of fit between student preparation and the needs of the community. Because working with individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) can be emotionally challenging, training MSW students to do this well does require not only development of skills and knowledge but also a capacity to maintain personal wellness. The purpose of this study is to better understand how wellness strategies affect MSW students’ preparation. This study examined two strategies to maintain wellness used by MSW students, pro-active stress management and classmate support network, and their relationship to training satisfaction and student readiness to assist clients struggling with substance use. Thirty-three MSW students in the final month of their degrees completed program evaluation surveys in Spring and Summer 2020. We conducted linear regressions to assess how proactive stress management and classmate support network contributed to student satisfaction and practice readiness. While both proactive stress management and supportive classmate networks were significantly predictive of training satisfaction, only pro-active stress management also predicted several measures of student readiness to address substance misuse. Findings highlight the importance of student wellness in preparing students for practice, particularly the value of fostering student capacity for proactive stress management.

Hoping to Adhere? Examining the Relationship Between Hope and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Willingness, Adherence, and Persistence Among Young Women in South Africa and Zimbabwe (HPTN 082).

Hope is a powerful psychological construct which is linked to positive health. Greater hope is associated with improved antiretroviral therapy adherence; however, less is known about the impact of hope on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) outcomes. HIV Prevention Trials Network 082, was an open-label PrEP study among young women (ages 16-25) in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Hope was measured at baseline and follow-up using a subset of the Hope for the Future Scale (score range 6-24) and PrEP willingness was measured using a subscale of the HIV Prevention Readiness Measure (score range 6-30). Intracellular tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations were obtained from dried blood spot samples at weeks 13, 26, and 52; high PrEP adherence was defined as TFV-DP concentrations ≥ 700 fmol/punch. Persistence was defined as TFV-DP > 16 fmol/punch at weeks 26 and 52. Linear regression and generalized estimating equations were used to assess the relationship between hope and PrEP willingness, adherence, and persistence. The median age of participants (n = 432) was 21years (interquartile range [IQR]: 19-22). The mean hope score at baseline was 21.0 (SD = 3.4). Although hope was positively associated with PrEP willingness (β = 0.22, 95% CI 0.15, 0.37), it was not associated with high PrEP adherence (aRR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.96, 1.05), or persistence at follow-up (aRR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.99, 1.05). While cultivating hope may be an important strategy in building willingness to take oral PrEP, it may not be enough to sustain PrEP adherence or persistence.

#Stand with Ukraine: Analyzing the links between Germans' emotions and their readiness to protest in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine

AbstractThe Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sparked protests around the globe. Most of Europe had – luckily – not seen violent conflict of this scale on their doorstep for more than 30 years. For Germany, the period was even longer. Being confronted with news about the war drove thousands of German citizens to the streets. In passionate protests, they made various demands of their government. Herein, we investigate the links between Germans' emotions and their readiness to engage in such protests. Drawing on collective action research, we predicted that anger and sympathy would correlate positively with Germans' protest readiness. Given the context and public debate, we predicted that fear should also correlate with protest readiness. Two surveys (total N = 905) conducted with residents of Germany – one day after the invasion and at its first anniversary – supported our hypotheses. We consistently found that the more sympathy and anger respondents experienced, the greater their readiness to protest. Fear explained variance beyond sympathy and anger in two cases and in an information‐seeking measure of protest readiness: Greater fear correlated with a higher interest in demonstrations advocating peace negotiations and a lower interest in demonstrations calling for solidarity with Ukraine. These findings underscore the links between sympathy, anger, fear, and the readiness to protest in response to the contemporary crisis that is the war in Ukraine.

A Psychometric Analysis of the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) in a Child Welfare Setting

ABSTRACT Purpose This study consisted of a psychometric analysis of the brief and expanded versions of the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) to assess the scale’s validity and reliability in a child welfare setting. Method Based on responses from a sample of 313 child welfare professionals, factorial structure was assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Construct validity was assessed through correlations with theoretically linked concepts, and internal consistency was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha. Results Factor analysis yielded a unidimensional structure for the brief version and a two-factor structure for the expanded version. However, the models did not meet the standards for sufficient fit, as evidenced by the fit indices. Both the brief and expanded versions were significantly and positively correlated with theoretically linked concepts. Internal consistency of the brief (α = .96) and expanded versions (α = .96) was excellent. Discussion Though the measure holds promise with respect to construct validity and internal consistency, further testing of the factorial structure in a variety of child welfare samples is warranted. Conclusion This study supports the field of child welfare with information regarding one possible measure of organizational readiness, an important concept in implementation science.

It takes a village: Feedback from personnel in addiction treatment programs indicates support for changing the intake process

IntroductionThe initial intake encounter represents a critical point for treatment engagement in outpatient addiction treatment programs. Despite the intake assessment being more comprehensive, personalized, and capable of matching clients to level of treatment, addiction treatment programs continue to have among the highest attrition rates. Thus, it may not be what, but how services are delivered that contributes to attrition. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) offers a comprehensive framework to attend to sources of needed innovation for the intake process. The current study used a mixed method design, guided by CFIR, to obtain feedback from personnel in addiction treatment programs on the current intake process, as well as the facilitators and barriers to changing the intake process. MethodsPersonnel within New Mexico-based addiction treatment programs completed measures of individual and organizational readiness to make changes within their programs (N = 79; 76 % women, 79 % White, 55 % Latino/a). From this sample, 38 participants completed a CFIR-based semi-structured interview to identify potential barriers and facilitators to changing the intake process. ResultsParticipants reported moderate-to-high scores on readiness and capability to make organizational changes. For qualitative data, we identified nine broad themes, grouped based on (1) perspectives of current intake process (Intake Process, Organization Culture, Change Perspectives, Internal Communication, Client Needs) and (2) perspectives of changing the intake to an MI session (MI knowledge/attitudes, MI at intake, MI in organization, MI fit with Client Needs). ConclusionsFindings highlight that there are specific components of the intake content and process that appear to disengage clients, specific policies and procedures that appear to overburden staff, and key stakeholders and resources needed to improve the intake process. Recommendations are provided for intake-specific and procedural-level changes both in the organization and with outside agencies to improve the intake process.

Self-report Internal Load Measures Of Readiness, Fatigue, Sleep, And Stress In Women’s Collegiate Volleyball

Self-report Internal Load Measures Of Readiness, Fatigue, Sleep, And Stress In Women’s Collegiate Volleyball

B - 117 Preliminary Validity for a Standardized Measure of Neuropsychological Testing Readiness: the Barnett-Coldiron Testing Readiness Inventory

Abstract Objective Neuropsychological testing requires specific conditions of the clinician, client, and setting for valid standardized measurement and clinical interpretation, and yet only effort/symptom validity and orientation are routinely assessed in a standardized manner. Many other conditions are agreed to impact testing performance, including the developed construct of testing readiness: internal client states that are appropriate for undergoing neuropsychological testing (e.g., well rested, not intoxicated) as well as atypical conditions that require accommodations (e.g., mobility limitations, colorblindness). This study examined the preliminary validity of a testing readiness self-report screening measure developed to standardize the assessment and reporting of this aspect of profile validity. Method Community-dwelling young adults (N = 58) and older adults (N = 35) were screened for psychological and cognitive well-being, and then completed the Barnett-Coldiron Testing Readiness Inventory (BCTRI), followed by a short neuropsychological battery. Results The BCTRI displayed good internal consistency (α = 0.84) with a skewed distribution (−1.57) expected of healthy, testing-ready participant samples, and the only difference in BCTRI scores between participant demographic groups was found in psychological symptoms between age cohorts (t[57.99] = 2.27, p = 0.03). Additionally, the BCTRI showed discriminative validity with established neuropsychological tests – including an effort test (p = 0.81) – as well as concurrent validity with screening measures of overlapping psychological constructs (r = 0.60, p < 0.001). Conclusion The BCTRI displayed preliminary validity for the standardized assessment of testing readiness, as an aspect of client profile validity for neuropsychological testing, and the measure’s easy interpretation and quantitative reporting method show potential utility for both clinical and research settings. Future studies will investigate cutoff scores for clinical use.

Development of Retirement Readiness Measures Based on the Capacity-Willingness-Opportunity Model

In an effort to avert the high old-age dependency ratio in Malaysia, the study reconceptualized and developed retirement readiness scales based on the Capacity Willingness Opportunity Model (CWOM). The developed scales emphasized the importance of capacity and opportunity as catalytic traits in a retirement preparatory process. The study adopted three phases of designing a scale meticulously- item development, scale development, and scale evaluation. This process involved qualitative and quantitative research approaches. In the pilot study, out of the 61 items loaded into the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), 27 items were retained based on items with reasonable inter-item correlation, and they yielded four components. This study applied a multistage sampling technique to collect data from an adult family member of students from a local university in Klang-Valley, Malaysia. Based on the four factors yielded by the EFA in the pilot study, the researchers conducted another EFA using Varimax rotation with the remaining items and discovered a similar result to the pilot outcome. Subsequently, a pooled confirmatory factor analysis on 27 items confirmed the psychometric properties of 17 newly developed indicators. Notably, the study contributes to the literature on the robustness of CWOM as a catalyst for retirement readiness and establishes the statistical compatibility of the constructs.

Echocardiographic Predictors of Readiness for Double Switch Operation and Postoperative Ejection Fraction in Patients With Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries Undergoing Left Ventricular Retraining

In patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA), assessment of readiness for the double switch operation (DSO) after pulmonary arterial band (PAB) placement involves cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mass and cardiac catheterization (catheterization) to assess the ratio of left ventricular to right ventricular pressure (LV:RVp). The aims of this study were to describe the relationships between echocardiographic and catheterization and cMRI measures of readiness for DSO and to develop risk factors for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after DSO on the basis of echocardiographic measures of ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC). Patients with ccTGA undergoing LV retraining at a DSO referral center were reviewed. LVEF measured by echocardiography was compared with that measured by cMRI, and LV:RVp measured by echocardiography was compared with that measured by catheterization using Bland-Altman analysis. The relationship between preoperative VAC markers and postoperative echocardiography was analyzed using ventricular end-systolic elastance (EES) and a novel marker consisting of the product of LVEF and LV:RVp (EFPR). Thirty-one patients with 56 evaluations for DSO were included, 24 of whom underwent DSO. Echocardiographic LVEF correlated well with cMRI LVEF (r=0.79), and Bland-Altman analysis slightly overestimated cMRI LVEF (mean difference,+3%). Echocardiographic LVEF had a moderate ability to identify normal cMRI LVEF (area under the curve, 0.80) and at an optimal cut point of echocardiographic LVEF threshold of 61%, there was 71% sensitivity and 76% specificity to detect cMRI LVEF≥55%. Echocardiographic LV:RVp correlated well with LV/RVp by catheterization (r=0.77) and slightly underestimated the catheterization value (mean difference, -0.11). Echocardiographic LV:RVp had a good ability to identify adequate LV:RVp by catheterization (area under the curve, 0.95) and at an optimal echocardiography cut point of 0.75 had 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity to detect a catheterization LV:RVp >0.9. Echocardiography-based criteria for DSO readiness (echocardiographic LVEF of 61% and LV:RVp of 0.75) demonstrated specificity of 97% and positive predictive value of 96% for published criteria of DSO readiness (cMRI LVEF of 55% and catheterization LV:RVp of 0.9). EES and EFPR correlated with post-DSO LVEF (ρ=0.72 and ρ=0.60, respectively). EFPR of 0.51 demonstrated 78% sensitivity and 100% specificity for post-DSO LV dysfunction (LVEF<55%). Age at first PAB also strongly correlated with post-DSO LVEF (ρ=0.75). No patient with first PAB at <1year of age exhibited post-DSO LV dysfunction. Echocardiographic measures of LVEF and LV:RVp are reliable indicators of reference standard modalities and can guide management during retraining. The preoperative VAC markers EES and EFPR may be useful markers of post-DSO LV dysfunction. Values of echocardiographic LV:RVp >0.75 are likely to meet pressure-generation criteria for DSO and should be considered for referral to catheterization and cMRI evaluation for DSO. PAB placement before 1year of life may optimize LV outcomes in patients considered for DSO.

Evaluation of readiness of the technical system using the semi-Markov model with selected sojourn time distributions

Mechanization of forestry work is crucial in forest management, and the specific nature of the tasks performed requires reliable machines with a high level of technical readiness. Therefore, models describing the exploitation process of multi-operational machines used to obtain wood raw materials, and especially assessing the level of their technical readiness, are extremely important. For multi-tasking objects performing random activities in given time intervals, calculating readiness measures is a complex issue. Forecasting subsequent operational states and their durations allows to predict the behavior of technical objects and schedule work. In addition to identifying the sequence of states, it is also important to identify the sojourn time in these states. This article presents a method for identifying the semi-Markov process and then assessing the technical readiness of a Harvester machine. This allowed for conclusions regarding the timely completion of assigned tasks, and also made it possible to adjust the activities carried out to the requirements of forest management.

The role of letters of recommendation in perpetuating or challenging the social stratification of American secondary schools: a quantitative analysis of admission officer assessments in highly selective college admission

Admission to highly selective institutions offers a pathway to upward social mobility, particularly for low-resource students. However, entrenched wealth disparities in the United States present serious challenges for admission officers at highly selective institutions. Utilizing individualized holistic review (IHR), including letters of recommendation (LOR), and contextual consideration, highly selective institutions aim to account for wealth inequities. This quantitative analysis, conducted at a highly selective research university, examined 95,326 applicants across 4 years to explore if admission officers’ internal assessments of LORs relate to contextual independent variables beyond students’ control. Statistical methods, including ANOVA, Two-Way ANOVA, Chi-Square, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression, were employed, controlling for standard measures of academic readiness. Findings revealed higher LOR assessments for students facing greater contextual challenge levels, underscoring the ability of the admission process to identify high achieving students from high challenge contexts. Paradoxically, elevated LOR ratings were also observed for students from private and smaller schools, indicating a nuanced interplay of factors in the admission process. Importantly, LOR assessments significantly correlated with admission outcomes, emphasizing the pivotal role of LORs in highly selective college admissions. This study reveals the nuanced role of LORs in admissions, exposing their potential to tackle inequities. It calls for improved IHR training and heightened consideration of contextual variables, offering a crucial contribution to advancing equity in highly selective institutions, fostering more informed admission practices.

The Association Between Individual Differences in Motivational Readiness at Entry to Treatment and Treatment Attendance and Outcome in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: A Systematic Review

BackgroundThere is considerable interest in identifying factors that predict outcome from psychological treatment. This review examines the relationship between readiness / stage of change at entry to CBT treatment and treatment attendance or outcome in people with mental health problems other than addiction.MethodsFour databases: PsycINFO; MEDLINE; Embase and CINAHL were searched to identify relevant studies published in English from 1st January 1980 onwards. Following title and abstract screening, and full text review of potentially eligible studies, a total of 22 eligible studies were identified, of which 21 were included in the narrative synthesis. The review was registered on PROSPERO REF: CRD42020209173.ResultsNineteen studies explored the relationship between readiness and symptom outcome, with a majority (n = 13) identifying at least one statistically significant relationship between variables, either directly or in interaction with another measure. A number of these also tested other associations which were non-significant. In contrast, five studies explored the association between readiness and treatment attendance, and findings were inconclusive.ConclusionsThe systematic review found some evidence suggesting that readiness is linked to symptom outcome in CBT, regardless of the type of clinical problem or readiness measure used. The studies adopting an RCT design identified no evidence of differences in the relationship between readiness and outcome when comparing CBT to other psychotherapeutic interventions. Study quality was variable, and a range of methodological limitations and potential avenues for future work are discussed.

어머니와 유아의 상호작용과 학습준비도의 관계에서 언어·문해 능력과 수리적 사고의 매개효과

Objectives This study aims to find alternatives that can increase children's learning readiness by confirming the mediating effects of language, literacy skills, and mathematical thinking in the relationship between mother and infant interaction and learning readiness. Methods The subjects of this study includes 796 boys and 754 girls(a total of 1,550 children) from the 7th data of the Korean Children's Panel before the age of 5-year-olds. Research tools that this study has used are belows; Fisrt, the parent-child interaction scale based on ‘Early Childhood Longitude Study Kindergarten Cohort’ (ECLS-K, 2013), Second, language, literacy ability and mathematical thinking are used as learning ability scales, Third, learning readiness measures developed by Murphy and Burns (2002), all of which were modified and supplemented by Korean Children's Panel researchers. Reliability analysis, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics analysis, and correlation analysis of the scale were performed using SPSS 25ver and PROCESS Macro for SPSS programs to verify the research model, and mediating were analyzed to verify the research model. Results As a result of the research model analysis, it was confirmed that the level of interaction between mothers and children had a positive significant effect on learning readiness, and the mediating effects of language, literacy, and mathematical thinking were also statistically significant in the relationship. Conclusions Based on the findings, this study emphasized the interaction between mothers and children in order to increase children's learning readiness, and suggested the importance of a play-child-centered curriculum that can increase academic ability such as language, literacy, and mathematical thinking. This study is significant in that it provided basic data for improving learning readiness by verifying the effect of mother-child interaction as a way to increase children's learning readiness and the mediating effect of language, literacy, and mathematical thinking on learning ability.

Treatment Readiness in Psychiatric Residential Care for Adolescents.

There are many factors to consider when treating adolescents with psychiatric challenges, including whether they are willing and interested in participating in treatment. This study aimed to explore how treatment readiness impacts treatment experience for adolescents in psychiatric residential care who came into treatment with moderate to severe depression. All participants (N = 1,624; Mage = 15.58, SD = 1.46) were admitted to a large, multi-state psychiatric residential system between January 2020 and March 2022. Patients were 95.6% White, 99% non-Hispanic, and 64.7% identified as female. At intake, all patients were administered an assessment which includes the multi-dimensional Behavioral Health Screen (BHS) that assesses psychopathology and risk factors, a working alliance scale, depression, and well-being measures. Patients were also asked how they were admitted to the program, using a single item, multiple choice question as an informal treatment readiness measure, yielding three readiness groups: precontemplation, contemplation, or preparation. Regression analysis results indicated that patients' readiness level was associated with different baseline characteristics (e.g., age, gender, psychopathology symptoms, risk factors) and week 3 outcomes (e.g., decreased symptoms, well-being, alliance, satisfaction). The clinical implications, as well as limitations and future directions, will be discussed.

School Readiness Predictors of Early Academic Achievement in Children Born Very Preterm.

This study examined associations of school readiness measures obtained before school entry with academic achievement at early school age in children born very preterm (VPT, gestational age ≤ 30 weeks) and children born full term (FT, GA ≥ 37 weeks). The sample included 38 children born VPT and 30 born FT recruited at age 4 years and followed to early school age. Measures of readiness included tests of global cognition, executive function, motor abilities, and preacademic skills, as well as caregiver behavior ratings. Tests of math, reading, and spelling were administered to assess school-age achievement. Analyses that controlled for socioeconomic status and accounted for inclusion of siblings compared the groups on the achievement tests and identified measures of readiness related to school-age achievement. Achievement difficulties were more pronounced in the VPT group and associated with problems in multiple readiness domains. Effect sizes for these associations were largest for measures of spatial ability, executive function, and preacademic skills. Some associations remained significant when controlling for global cognitive ability at age 4 years, and others were significant only for the VPT group. Findings suggest that deficits on tests in multiple readiness domains assessed before school entry in children born VPT or FT are associated with early school-age achievement. The most pronounced readiness deficits in the VPT group at age 4 years were also among those most closely associated with later difficulties in achievement. Further research is needed to refine assessment of school readiness in children born VPT.

Risk of not being in employment, education or training (NEET) in late adolescence is signalled by school readiness measures at 4-5 years.

Not being in employment, education, or training (NEET) is associated with poor health (physical and mental) and social exclusion. We investigated whether England's statutory school readiness measure conducted at 4-5 years provides a risk signal for NEET in late adolescence. We identified 8,118 individuals with school readiness measures at 4-5 years and NEET records at 16-17 years using Connected Bradford, a bank of linked routinely collected datasets. Children were categorised as 'school ready' if they reached a 'Good Level of Development' on the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. We used probit regression and structural equation modelling to investigate the relationship between school readiness and NEET status and whether it primarily relates to academic attainment. School readiness was significantly associated with NEET status. A larger proportion of young people who were not school ready were later NEET (11%) compared to those who were school ready (4%). Most of this effect was attributable to shared relationships with academic attainment, but there was also a direct effect. Measures of deprivation and Special Educational Needs were also strong predictors of NEET status. NEET risk factors occur early in life. School readiness measures could be used as early indicators of risk, with interventions targeted to prevent the long-term physical and mental health problems associated with NEET, especially in disadvantaged areas. Primary schools are therefore well placed to be public health partners in early intervention strategies.

Longitudinal association of health behaviors and health-related quality of life with military spouse readiness.

Unhealthy behaviors impose costs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reducing productivity and readiness among military members (Hoge et al., JAMA 295:1023-32, 2006; Mansfield et al. 362:101-9, 2010). Among married personnel in particular, patterns of spouse health behaviors may play an interdependent role. As a result, the identification of military spouse health factors related to readiness may inform strategies to screen for and identify those in need of greater support and enhance readiness. This study explored behavioral and HRQOL predictors and potential mediators of military spouse readiness utilizing data from the Millennium Cohort Family Study. The analytic sample comprised of 3257 spouses of active-duty, non-separated service members who responded to both waves 1 and 2 of the survey. Sample characteristics are described with respect to demographics (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity, etc.), readiness measures (i.e., military satisfaction, lost workdays, health care utilization, military-related stress, and satisfaction), health behaviors (i.e., exercise, sleep, smoking, and alcohol use) and HRQOL (Veterans RAND 12-Item Short Form Survey). We conducted multivariate mediation analyses to evaluate the role of mental and physical HRQOL as mediators between the baseline health behaviors and the health readiness outcomes at follow-up, while adjusting for spouse and service member demographics. HRQOL had direct effects for all five readiness outcomes examined. Multiple health behaviors (insomnia, smoking, binge drinking, and exercise) were further significantly associated with spouse readiness outcomes, although most effects were mediated through HRQOL, suggesting this may be a useful index of military spouse readiness. Insomnia was the specific health behavior most consistently associated with poorer readiness across outcomes, and effects were only partially mediated by physical and mental HRQOL. The results show spouse health behaviors are directly and indirectly (through HRQOL) associated with readiness indicators. This suggests that assessments of modifiable health behaviors (e.g., insomnia symptoms) and mental and physical HRQOL are important indicators of readiness among military spouses and should be used to inform future programs designed to improve population health.