Self-care Skills Research Articles

The Relationship Between Knowledge and Personal Safety Skills As A Efforts to Prevent Sexual Harassment in College Students

Sexual harassment ranks first among the cases of sexual violence in educational institutions. The college has become one of the educational institutions with a high case rate. Given that sexual harassment can harm a person as it can have a physical, psychological, and social impact, it is necessary to prevent sexual abuse with personal safety skills consisting of recognize, resist, and report. One of the factors that influences the prevention of sexual harassment is knowledge. The aim of this study is to look at the relationship between knowledge and personal safety skills as behavioral efforts to prevent sexual harassment in students. This research is a quantitative analysis of the type of observational analytics with cross sectional design. Respondents to this study were active students of Airlangga University in the academic year 2023/2024 and a total of 420 respondents were obtained using accidental sampling method. The data collection uses questionnaires and is processed with Spearman's analysis that shows the strength of the relationship. The results show a very strong relationshiip (r=0.824) between knowledge and personal safety skills as an attempt to prevent sexual harassment in students. It is hoped that the campus will maximize its efforts to prevent sexual harassment by increasing the knowledge of students and citizens of the campus about sexual abuse, facilitating training in personal safety or self-care skills, expanding media information and access services for reporting sexual assault, as well as monitoring and periodically evaluating programmes that have been conducted in the campus area.

Heart failure patients’ experiences of self-care neglect: a content analysis

BackgroundHeart failure is a chronic and common disorder worldwide. Patients with heart failure need self-care behaviors to manage their condition. Despite the importance of self-care in positive health outcomes, many patients with heart failure neglect their self-care behaviors. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explain heart failure patients’ experiences of self-care neglect.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis method. Participants included 15 patients with heart failure. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and using purposive sampling method. Sampling continued until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was performed concurrently with data collection. Lincoln and Guba’s four criteria were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Data management was performed using MAXQDA version 24 software.ResultsThe results were presented in the form of four main categories and 10 subcategories. In analyzing the data of the study, four main categories emerged in the participants’ experiences: “false cultural beliefs in self-care”, “weakening of mental-psychological power”, “synergy of physical problems”, and “inappropriate support”.ConclusionThe patients in their experiences of neglect in self-care pointed to false cultural beliefs in self-care, weakening of mental-psychological power, synergy of physical problems, and inappropriate support. Knowing the factors that influence self-care neglect and preventing their occurrence can improve self-care skills and prevent neglect-related side effects in patients with heart failure. Healthcare providers can help improve the health of these patients by developing interventions to mitigate these factors. It is suggested that future research be designed in the form of an intervention to reduce the effect of each of these factors.Trial registrationThis is a qualitative study and has not been registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.

Impact of patient resourcefulness on cancer patients' pain management and medical opioid use: A cross-sectional study.

Negative beliefs about cancer pain and morphine are detrimental to pain interpretation. Patients with high resourcefulness often proactively address problems to cope with stress, and establish problem-solving strategies.The aim of the project is to investigate the impact of resourcefulness and pain interpretation on cancer-related pain control. Cancer pain often leads to stress adaptation issues. Negative beliefs about cancer pain and morphine are detrimental to pain interpretation. Patients with high resourcefulness often proactively address problems to cope with stress, and establish problem-solving strategies. This was a quantitative survey. From November 2020 to November 2021, a survey was conducted at an oncology outpatient clinic and wards, with 100 completed questionnaires. The interaction between resourcefulness and opioid analgesics significantly influenced cancer pain sensation. John-Neyman values could identify patients with poor pain management, thus improving clinical practice. Canonical Correlation Analysis revealed a correlation between resourcefulness and challenges. Four distinct groups of type of illness, gender, level of education were identified from two-step cluster analysis. Understanding patients' pain perceptions and enhancing their resourcefulness could enable patients to seek resources, take painkillers, and find positive interpretations of pain. Future patient educational strategies could help patients overcome challenges with cancer pain management and improve current pain educational materials. Hence, clinical health education may improve patients'resourcefulness, enabling them to learn self-care skills, overcome the challenging feelings of pain management, and effectively manage cancer pain.

Effectiveness of Self-Care Teaching Media for Pregnant Women and Pregnant Women with Hypertension

Complications that occur during pregnancy are one of the causes of high maternal mortality, but these complications can be treated and prevented. Proper care before giving birth and adequate antenatal care can be supported by the presence of teaching media for pregnant women, including pregnant women with hypertension. Teaching media is effective in improving knowledge and self-care skills and helping understand pregnant women and pregnant women with hypertension. The small number of study articles on teaching media for self-care for pregnant women and pregnant women with hypertension made researchers interested in conducting a literature review on this topic. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of teaching media for self-care for pregnant women and pregnant women with hypertension. This research method is a literature review with a narrative review design. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases, namely Pubmed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The author obtained 24 articles that were based on the research objectives. The results of the study, the teaching media used in self-care for pregnant women and pregnant women with hypertension are educational modules, power points, booklets, videos, animated videos, pamphlets, m-Health technology, mobile applications, social networks such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. In conclusion, self-care teaching media can improve self-care in pregnant women, including pregnant women with hypertension because the teaching media is adjusted to the needs of pregnant women, the material is for self-care, the language is easy to understand, and the media used is interesting.

Bibliometric Analysis of Adaptive Behavior Research: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Children with Disabilities

Introduction: Adaptive behavior refers to the collection of skills and behaviors that individuals use to function independently in their daily lives, it encompasses the ability to meet personal needs and deal with the natural and social demands of one's environment. This includes a wide range of skills, such as communication, self-care, socialization, and practical skills needed to navigate one's environment. This is useful in providing references to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) initiatives, especially to improve access to quality education for children with disabilities. Objective: This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of research on adaptive behavior for children with disabilities from 2014 to 2024. It focuses on identifying patterns, trends, and gaps in the literature to understand the evolution and current state of the field. Theorical Framework: Adaptive behavior is often categorized into different domains, reflecting the various areas of functioning that are essential for independent living and social integration. The three primary domains of adaptive behavior commonly recognized in the literature are conceptual, practical and social domain. Method: The study employs advanced bibliometric techniques, including keyword co-occurrence and citation analysis, to explore the interconnectedness of topics and to forecast future directions in research. It underscores the critical need for reliable and inclusive assessment tools, comprehensive multi-informant evaluations, and interventions that can be integrated into educational settings to support the independence and social integration of children with disabilities. Results and Discussion: The findings of the study through article co-occurrence mapping analysis, four clusters representing adaptive behavior were identified, that is red cluster (psychological and social dimensions), green cluster (developmental and cognitive aspects of disability), blue cluster (adaptive functioning and behavioral outcomes) and yellow cluster (behavioral and diagnostic) portrays an interconnected landscape of research topics, where psychological, developmental, behavioral, and diagnostic themes converge, reflecting the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of research in disabilities. Research Implications: This study contributes practical implications, improving interventions, informing policies, and enhancing community understanding and support for individuals with varying needs in adaptive behavior. This holistic impact underscores the importance of such research in driving both theoretical and practical advancements in the field. Originality/Value: The exploration of adaptive behavior in children with disabilities has emerged as a critical area of study, integrating multifaceted approaches from diagnosis to intervention. The comprehensive review presented in this article not only captures the varied dimensions of adaptive behavior but also underscores the intricate interplay between intellectual, developmental, and social facets of disabilities in children.

Development of fine motor skills in elementary school students: Gender and age effects

Fine motor skills are a good indicator of a child’s overall development. They underpin almost all everyday activities from self-care skills such as dressing to academic skills such as writing and drawing. In this study we examined the development of fine motor skills of early elementary school children. The sample for this study consisted of 175 children (93 boys, 82 girls, mean age= 120 months; SD = 10.7 months). attending 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. We used Grooved Pegboard test for measuring fine motor skills. We found a medium, statistically significant, correlation between age and motor skills, with stronger correlation at younger age. In relation to child’s grade, there were statistically significant differences in motor skills between children attending 3rd and 4th grade, but no differences between children in 4th and 5th grade. As for the gender, there were no mean differences between boys and girls in the 3rd grade, but there were differences in 4th and 5th grade with girls achieving statistically significantly better scores on Grooved Pegboard test. Fine motor skills should routinely be examined in children and appropriate remediation programs should be set if a child falls behind in motor skills. We concluded a paper with several ways how elementary schools can include fine motor exercises in their curricula.

Coping strategies of the sandwich generation in the care process: a qualitative study

ObjectiveThe sandwich generation refers to individuals who are simultaneously responsible for caring for their aging parents and their own children. Research shows that the number of sandwich generation caregivers is increasing, and they face significant physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges. Therefore, it is crucial for these caregivers to develop effective coping strategies. This study aimed to identify the coping mechanisms used by sandwich generation caregivers.MethodsIn 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 18 sandwich generation caregivers in Tehran, Iran, who were responsible for both elderly parents and their own children. These interviews were conducted either in person or by telephone. Subsequently, the collected data were analyzed using the inductive content analysis method within the MAXQDA software (2018 version).ResultsData analysis revealed three categories of coping strategies: “distancing from the situation”, “self-soothing” (including sub categories of spiritual matters, establishing relationships, emotional outlet, and engaging in favorite activities), and “diversifying responses to needs” (including transferring responsibility to the family members, prioritizing needs for responsiveness, utilizing available community services, mediating to reduce conflict, and remote monitoring of the older adult).ConclusionSandwich generation caregivers use various coping strategies, each with different outcomes. This study found that self-care and using social resources can greatly reduce caregiving burdens. Therefore, providing these caregivers with training in problem-solving and self-care skills is recommended to better prepare them for their responsibilities.

Mental health professionals' perceptions on health promotion needs among people with severe mental health disorders through the co-production approach.

People who suffer from severe mental health disorders are also at high risk of developing other serious health problems. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors combined with low self-care and low health literacy among people with severe mental health disorders highlight the need to design health promotion interventions in this population group. A qualitative study was carried out with the aim of investigating the perceptions among mental health professionals on the health promotion needs of people with severe mental health disorders through the co-production approach. Two focus groups were conducted with 20 mental health professionals working in mental health community settings in Attica, Greece. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Regarding health promotion needs, four major themes emerged: 1) psycho-education, 2) self-care skills, 3) institutional interventions, and 4) experiential education. Concerning co-production in health promotion, three main themes emerged: 1) participatory process, 2) services evaluation, and 3) co-production training. The findings of the study provide valuable insights into the perceptions of mental health professionals and can be taken into account in contributing to the design and implementation of health promotion programs for people with severe mental health disorders.

Perceived Training Needs of the Informal Caregivers of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Due to the enormous caregiving burden faced by informal caregivers, providing appropriate skills training has become an important supporting strategy in many countries/regions. Understanding caregivers' training needs is instrumental in designing effective training intervention programs, which are expected to reduce the caregiving burden of informal caregivers and avoid the health deterioration associated with caregiving. This paper aims to explore the potential training needs of informal caregivers in Shanghai, and to identify the factors associated with these perceived training needs. A total of 196 eligible informal caregivers participated in this survey. A multivariate analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with informal caregivers' perceived training needs. 86.7% (N = 170) of the caregivers reported at least one need for targeted training activity, and 62.7% (N = 123) of them identified two or more training needs. The top three activities requiring training included the following: self-care skills; safety supervision; and functional rehabilitation. The factors associated with various training needs included the health status of the care recipient, complementary caregiving support, caregiving stress, and the personal attributes of the informal caregiver. The technical skills training needs were more related to the care recipients' health status (e.g., dependency level, disease progression) and formal care support resources. Conversely, the intangible skills training needs were more sensitive to caregiver attributes (e.g., gender, age, and education level). A personalized training strategy and early-stage intervention program are critical to providing effective support to informal caregivers. The potential implications are to raise awareness of the importance of skills training for informal caregivers, and to inform the implementation of effective training strategies for improving the quality of informal care and the well-being of informal caregivers in China.

Impact of Ahmadi Continuing Nursing Model on self-care ability, stoma complications and quality of life of colostomy patients

ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of Ahmadi Continuing Nursing Model (ACNM) on the self-care ability, stoma complications and life quality in colostomy patients.MethodsThe clinical data of 120 patients who underwent postoperative colostomy in our hospital from June 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into control group (n = 60, treated with routine nursing) and observation group (n = 60, treated with the ACNM on the basis of routine nursing) according to different nursing methods. Postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function, ostomy adaptability, self-care ability, and life quality before and after nursing were compared. The probability of complications before and after nursing was recorded between the two groups.ResultsThe time of first exhaust was 3.65 ± 0.82 d, the time of first meal was 1.83 ± 0.65 d, and the first bowel sound recovery was 1.47 ± 0.53 d in the observation group, which were shorter than those in the control group (4.38 ± 1.20 d, 3.12 ± 1.15 d, 2.39 ± 1.06 d, P < 0.001). After intervention, the positive emotions in the ostomy adaptation score were 32.09 ± 5.03 points, negative emotions were 31.41 ± 5.70 points, social life adaptation were 27.12 ± 4.98 points, and the total score was 90.78 ± 5.98 points in the observation group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (26.32 ± 4.52 points, 24.25 ± 6.02 points, 20.25 ± 4.02 points, 67.25 ± 6.09 points, P < 0.001). The self-willingness was 34.18 ± 4.02 points, self-care skill was 10.57 ± 2.23 points, self-care knowledge was 18.59 ± 3.10 points, and the total score was 63.18 ± 4.98 points in the observation group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (25.25 ± 3.08 points, 8.72 ± 2.13 points, 15.26 ± 2.70 points, 45.69 ± 4.09 points, P < 0.001). The physical function was 79.74 ± 2.81 points, psychological function was 76.71 ± 3.05 points, social function was 78.11 ± 3.50 points, and material life status was 60.06 ± 2.98 points in the quality of life in the observation group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (75.36 ± 2.68 points, 69.72 ± 2.93 points, 72.33 ± 3.42 points, 51.23 ± 3.08 points, P < 0.001).ConclusionACNM effectively promoted the recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery in colostomy patients by improving patients’ stoma adaptability, self-care ability and life quality and reducing the occurrence of complications, which was worthy of promotion.

Unveiling the Perceptions of Counselor Candidates: Metaphorical Perspectives into Mental Health and Self-Care Skills

The goal of this study was to discover counselor candidates' perspectives on the concepts of "mental health of counselors" and "self-care skills of counselors." In this study, metaphor analysis, a discourse analysis method, was employed. The study included 106 third and fourth-year psychological counselor candidates (86 females, 26 males). A brief questionnaire consisting of two sentences was provided and counselor applicants were instructed to complete the statements using metaphors. Content analysis revealed five sub-themes, including analogies about mental health. The sub-themes are as follows: health and balance, diversity and individuality, elegance and sensitivity, strength and resilience, and movement and change. Five sub-themes about self-care skills were discovered. The sub-themes are as follows: Care and attention, artistic understanding and diversity, elegance and sensitivity, cleanliness and order, and energy and renewal. The findings revealed that counselor candidates addressed a wide range of mental health and self-care concepts. The variety of metaphors demonstrated how counselor applicants perceived and appreciated these concepts on a multifaceted and personal basis.

„Man sitzt in einer Seifenblase, während die anderen Menschen leben.“ – Perspektiven geflüchteter ukrainischer Mütter mit Kindern von 0–3 Jahren

ZusammenfassungHintergrundZur Situation von ukrainischen Eltern mit kleinen Kindern, die seit dem Krieg in der Ukraine nach Deutschland geflüchtet sind, ist bislang wenig bekannt. Ziel des Forschungsvorhabens des Nationalen Zentrums Frühe Hilfen (NZFH) ist die Exploration der Perspektive dieser Gruppe auf ihr Leben in Deutschland. In der vorliegenden Analyse wird auf die Belastungen und Ressourcen der Eltern und ihre Kenntnis und Nutzung von Unterstützungsangeboten fokussiert.MethodenIn 17 ca. einstündigen Interviews wurden von Oktober bis Dezember 2022 aus der Ukraine nach Deutschland geflohene Eltern (16 Mütter, ein Vater) mit Kindern bis zu 3 Jahren befragt und ihre Antworten mittels strukturierender Inhaltsanalyse qualitativ ausgewertet.ErgebnisseAls Belastungen beschrieben die Interviewten primär die psychische Belastung durch Krieg und Flucht, negative Emotionen wie Gefühle von Einsamkeit und Niedergeschlagenheit sowie Hindernisse bei der Integration. Ressourcen waren vor allem Netzwerke ukrainisch- und russischsprachiger Menschen in Deutschland sowie persönliche Ressourcen wie Selbstfürsorgekompetenz. Die Vermittlung von Angeboten geschah i. d. R. über elektronische Medien. Als besonders nützlich galten Angebote zur Kinderbetreuung, Sprachkurse und Unterstützung in Gesundheitsfragen. Fehlende Kinderbetreuung war der wichtigste Grund für die Nichtannahme weiterer Angebote.DiskussionDie psychischen Belastungen der Befragten indizieren einen Bedarf an möglichst muttersprachlichen Versorgungsangeboten. Kinderbetreuungsplätze können ukrainischen Eltern den Besuch integrationsförderlicher Sprachkurse ermöglichen. Die selbstorganisierten Netzwerke der ukrainisch- und russischsprachigen Community sollten bei der Entwicklung von Interventionen von Beginn an partizipativ eingebunden werden.

Literature trends and hidden patterns in health literacy studies among individuals with type 1 diabetes: A scoping review protocol

The rising prevalence and incidence of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) highlights its impact on quality of life, long-term health complications, and the economic burden it poses across socio-economic strata. Effective management of T1D demands robust self-care skills, which are significantly influenced by health literacy (HL) levels; studies have shown that lower HL is associated with poorer health outcomes. This scoping review protocol is designed to identify literature trends and hidden patterns in research assessing HL among individuals with T1D. The review will consider studies that address HL in individuals with T1D across all age groups and settings. Studies published in English or those with an available HTML version will be included to allow automatic translation of the contents for non-English records. Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR 2020 framework, this scoping review will systematically search electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Web of Science (WoS) without time restrictions. Two independent reviewers will assess each study for eligibility and perform data extraction using a standardized form.•The review aims to map out the existing research landscape on HL in T1D and highlight areas requiring further investigation.•It seeks to establish connections between HL and self-care efficacy in T1D, contributing to improved patient education and management strategies.•Findings will inform future research directions and potentially influence policy and clinical practices surrounding diabetes care management.

Abstract 4128919: A Study Using Team Based Hypertension Care Focused on Black Patients to Inform a Future Randomized Trial

Background: Current telemedicine programs to manage hypertension are less effective in Black patients perhaps due to insufficient support for self-care skills and social needs. We describe a tailored program for Black patients emphasizing self-management support and social needs to inform future studies. Method: We piloted a 12-week telemedicine intervention comprising home blood pressure (BP) guided pharmacotherapy, frequent self-management support and social support using pharmacist, nurses, community health workers (CHW) and social workers (SW) among 20 patients in 2 clinics. At enrollment, we trained patients to use a BP monitor and a telemonitoring app that transmits BP real-time via a smartphone and provided a pill box to facilitate medication adherence. We asked patients to measure BP at least once daily and used 6 weeks average to guide pharmacotherapy. Trained nurses helped patients achieve self-care goals and provided 8-12 self-management support calls discussing hypertension, medication adherence, diet, physical activity, weight management, sleep, and BP measurement techniques. SWs and CHWs provided social support to address social needs such as food, transportation, and housing, and also offered home visits. Result: Eighteen patients completed the study of which 15 were Black, 2 White, and 1 Korean (9 were women). Mean age was 61.7 ± 11.8 years. Patients measured BP 10 ± 8.6 times/week and completed 8.3 ± 2.5 self-management calls. Over 12 weeks, SBP/DBP decreased by 16.5 ± 26.2/10.2 ± 18.5 mmHg without safety events (Table). There were 1.1 ± 0.8 (range 0-3) medication adjustments (dose or medication changes) per patient. Patients had 8 minor technical difficulties that were promptly resolved. 17 patients used pill boxes to improve medication adherence. Conclusion: Our tailored telemedicine program to manage hypertension is feasible among Black patients and offer valuable insights for future research.

Collaborative approaches to health education: perspectives of parents and teachers on self-care and managing common health issues in UK primary schools

BackgroundHealth education in primary schools plays a critical role in equipping children with essential self-care skills, fostering health literacy, and addressing social determinants of health. This study explores the perspectives of parents and teachers on teaching self-care and managing common health issues in UK primary schools. Despite the recognized importance of health education, there is limited research on how self-care education is perceived and implemented in the primary school setting.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 18 participants, including 9 generalist primary teachers and 9 parents from diverse educational and socioeconomic contexts in the West Midlands, East Midlands, Northwest, and London of England. Participants were recruited via social media and professional networks, and interviews were conducted via video conferencing platforms. Data were thematically analysed using NVivo 12 to identify recurring themes related to the delivery and impact of self-care education in primary schools.ResultsTeachers and parents highlighted key self-care topics, including hygiene, managing common illnesses like colds and cuts, and mental well-being. There was a consensus on the importance of self-care education, but views diverged on whether the responsibility should lie primarily with schools, parents, or a collaborative approach. Teachers expressed concerns about their preparedness to teach sensitive topics, citing a lack of training and resources. Socioeconomic and religious contexts further influenced perceptions, with participants emphasising further importance of school-led self-care education for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Strengths were identified in current self-care education efforts, particularly in practical lessons that empower children with age-appropriate skills.ConclusionsThis study highlights the critical need for comprehensive and collaborative health education in primary schools to promote health literacy and reduce health disparities. Enhancing teacher training, integrating self-care topics into the primary curriculum, and fostering stronger partnerships between schools and families are essential to improving the quality and consistency of self-care education. Policymakers should consider implementing mandatory health education training in teacher education programs and providing ongoing professional development to support teachers. By addressing these gaps, schools can play a pivotal role in preparing children for lifelong health management, reducing the burden on healthcare services, and supporting public health objectives.

Classroom Toileting: A Collaborative Effort.

Developmental norms suggest that children are ready for toilet training between the ages of 18 and 24 months; however, many children now enter school without this self-care skill. Many factors can contribute to delayed toilet training including child readiness, developmental disabilities, poverty, lower parental education levels, and higher rates of single and teen-aged parents who may lack parenting skills including toilet training. Most children enroll in a kindergarten program at 5 years of age. Because children will be accepted to kindergarten regardless of toilet training status, schools need to be ready for children who lack this self-care skill. Although school staff are willing to support these children, the main purpose of school is education. The school nurse can take an active role in classroom toileting programs by collaborating with school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents to promote successful toilet training and fostering a healthy learning environment.

Development and piloting of nurse-led mHealth care for heart failure patients: A feasibility study

Development and piloting of nurse-led mHealth care for heart failure patients: A feasibility study Abstract: Background: Chronic heart failure (cHI) is the most common reason for hospitalization. Telemonitoring (TM) and Heart Failure Nurses (HFN) can detect decompensations and prevent hospitalizations. Aim: The aim was to develop and examine the feasibility of a digitally supported care-guided care model for cHI patients and to evaluate it in terms of adherence, technology usability, satisfaction, self-care and health literacy, disease knowledge, quality of life and health status. Methods: The study was conducted in a user-centered manner using mixed. The 6-month pilot was carried out in the patients' domestics using qualitative (e.g. focus groups) and quantitative methods (validated questionnaires). Results: A total of n = 30 cHI patients (age: M 66, SD 14 years; ♀ n = 10 [31%], ♂ n = 22 [69%]) completed the clinical testing. The intervention consisted of: Training, the TM application, nursing/medical advice and support and a digital library. Adherence to TM was over 80% (relative adherence: M 87, SD 16%; absolute adherence: M 82, SD 19%). Health literacy, disease knowledge and quality of life increased. The state of health improved and those affected felt more confident in dealing with the disease. No changes were recorded for self-care skills. Conclusions: Hybrid care is very well received and demonstrates the potential to promote self-care for those affected.

Effect of group psychotherapy on self-care skills in schizophrenia

BackgroundSchizophrenia is a serious neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder that places a considerable strain on the healthcare system on a national, regional, and global scale. This study's objective was to measure the level of self-care among individuals with schizophrenia. In addition, to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of 3 month group therapy on self-care skills in this specific group of patients. The sample comprised 120 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, with 60 assigned to study group (receiving group therapy) and 60 to control group (without group therapy). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and The Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCAS) were administered to all subjects. The study group observed a substantial decrease in the mean score of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and symptoms of general psychopathology from baseline assessment to follow-up assessment.ResultsDuring the follow-up assessment, the study group exhibited a reduction in the mean of PANNS subscales by more than half and increase more than double in total score of ESCAS compared to the baseline assessment. Consequently, only the study group achieved a 70% increase in self-care in follow-up assessment. Increased self-care was more likely in patients who participated in the program, as indicated by the regression model.ConclusionsIndividuals with schizophrenia who underwent group therapy exhibited a significant decrease in positive, negative symptoms, and symptoms of general psychopathology. In addition, the implementation of group therapy led to a noticeable improvement in self-care skills compared to those without group therapy.

Unveiling English school leaders’ intentional well-being cultivation practices during a global pandemic

PurposeThere is an urge worldwide that school leaders’ mental health and well-being must be prioritised within the education recovery at the local, national and global policy levels. This research identified the intentional well-being practices that school leaders cultivated as they faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachData was collected through one-to-one in-depth semi-structured interviews with ten senior school leaders from primary and secondary schools in England. During the pandemic, online interviews were organised using Zoom. An inductive followed by deductive approach qualitative data analysis was employed to offer insights into the multidimensional and sensitive nature of school leaders’ well-being.FindingsThe findings indicated that despite a reported decline in well-being, the participants intentionally engaged in well-being cultivation practices which were both relational: developing multi-faceted support networks, and individual: developing self-care and self-regulation skills. These practices provided different psychological and practical needs necessary for maintaining their well-being and work functioning facing the pandemic.Originality/valueThis study affirms school leaders’ well-being cultivation is an intentional and effortful process involving relational and individual practices to support their multidimensional well-being during extreme challenges. These practices can be mindfully and strategically cultivated. This study enhances the theoretical understanding of school leader well-being and offers timely insights into well-being initiatives in leadership development programmes for educational leaders and policymakers amid global challenges.

Automated digital counselling promotes therapeutic change in mental health in patients with chronic heart failure or chronic kidney disease: ODYSSEE-vCHAT study

Abstract Background The efficacy of digital programs to improve the management of chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not established. Building on related studies in digital health, behavioural counselling, and social support, we evaluated whether an automated digital counselling program with social network support (ODYSSEE-vCHAT) could improve mental health and health-related quality of life in patients with CHF or CKD. Purpose The primary objective was to examine whether engagement with ODYSSEE-vCHAT was associated with a minimal clinically important difference for improvement in the Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the SF-36 at end-of-study. Secondary outcomes included: ENRICHD Social Support Index (ESSI), Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-9) Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Scale (GSLTPAQ), and an index of the frequency to which patients engaged in goal-directed activities for living well (EUROIA). Methods ODYSSEE-vCHAT was a multi-centre, single group, open label study with assessments at baseline and end-of-study (approximately 11 months). Inclusion criteria were: ≥18 years of age, diagnosis of CHF (reduced ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 40%, mid-range EF, 41-49%, or preserved EF ≥ 50%); or CKD diagnosis (&amp;gt;10% risk for dialysis using the 4-variable, 2-year Kidney Failure Risk Equation, or on dialysis). Exclusion was based on inability to participate due to co-morbidities. The digital counselling protocol taught self-care skills to improve mental health, quality of life, and adherence to medications, exercise, diet, and smoke-free living (Figure 1). Patient engagement with ODYSSEE-vCHAT was defined as Not Engaged (0 logon minutes) vs. Engaged (&amp;gt; 0 logon minutes). The primary outcome was a minimal clinically important difference for MCS change: ΔMCS ≥ 3.8 or MCS ≥ 65 at baseline and study endpoint. It was assessed using multivariable binary logistic regression, controlling for exposure to COVID-19 and health literacy. Secondary outcomes were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses with the same covariates. Results 215 patients were enrolled. There were 7 deaths and 34 withdrew. In our sample of 174 patients, mean age = 54.4 years (95% Confidence Interval, CI, 25, 81), gender identity as women, n = 68 (39%), ethno-racial group other than White, n = 83, (48%), primary diagnosis, CHF, n = 68 (39%), and CKD, n = 106 (61%). Duration of enrolment to end-of-study: median = 352 days, (95% CI, 159, 496). Engagement with ODYSSEE was associated with therapeutic change on the MCS (for both CHF and CKD patients, and CHF patients alone), GSLTPAQ, and EUROIA, but not the PHQ9 or ESSI (Figure 2). Conclusions Automated digital counselling with social network support promotes improvement in indices of mental health for patients with CHF and CKD. These findings support a follow-up randomized controlled trial.Figure 1.ODYSSEE-vCHAT Study ProtocolFiFigure 2.ODYSSEE-vCHAT Study Outcomes