Social Interventions Research Articles

Educational Programs Supporting Higher Education Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review

Young individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) seem to attend higher education more frequently. Yet, the academic performance of students with ASD and the graduation rate appear to be poorer than those of typical development students. Moreover, college students with ASD face several challenges in their everyday and social lives. Students with ASD seem not to receive the appropriate social and educational support in higher education. This article reports the results of a systematic literature review of research programs and services designed to meet the needs of students with ASD enrolled in higher education. Several interventions are available and appear to be effective in supporting students with ASD in higher education (e.g., social planning intervention, focus groups, coaching paired with behavioral skills training, video feedback, visual framework, peer mentoring, and virtual reality). In addition, this article shows that colleges and universities face the challenge of preparing for these students and the need to provide psychological support for them. Moreover, studies of experiences and opinions of college students with ASD from their perspectives are included.

A conceptual soft skills competency framework for enhancing graduate intern employability

PurposeThe paper aims to close a literature gap by proposing a comprehensive conceptual soft skills competency framework for enhancing graduate intern employability through the cultivation of employability capital.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a theoretical inquiry and delved into the existing literature on employability, soft skills competencies and employability capital to establish a comprehensive foundation to formulate the conceptual framework. A content analysis of existing empirical studies was conducted to derive a generic list of employers’ required soft skills. A Delphi technique was employed to harness expert consensus and insights into the derived framework.FindingsEmployability capital can be cultivated in the setting of work-integrated learning programmes and synergised through emotional and social intelligence interventions to enhance soft skills competency and graduate employability.Research limitations/implicationsThe soft skills identified may overlook other important skills required by employers. Increasing participation in the Delphi study could yield additional valuable insights. Validation of the framework is needed in practical settings to understand its effectiveness and applicability to real-world organisational needs.Practical implicationsThis study significantly enhances understanding of the role of employability capital in soft skills competency development and graduate employability through work-integrated learning programs and self-development. In addition, the framework has the potential to positively impact the employer-employee relationship.Originality/valueThe key theoretical contribution is a soft skill development framework that offers employers and graduates a means to identify and address deficiencies through WIL and self-development.

Psychosocial interventions for improving the physical health of young people and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a scoping review

BackgroundYoung people and adults with ADHD are at risk of a range of physical health problems. There is limited guidance on how to approach health problems in ADHD, and especially around 16-25 year olds who will be transitioning from paediatric to adult care. The aim of this scoping review was to identify psychosocial interventions that target physical health in young people and adults with ADHD.MethodsWe constructed searches in MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EMBASE of adolescents, young people and adults. Inclusion criteria were; studies of psychosocial interventions examining a component of physical health, applicable to people aged 16-25, with clinical or research diagnoses of ADHD. Data were extracted using a data extraction tool and tabulated, including study intervention framing/aims, population, intervention, and relevant outcomes (including specific statistics where relevant).ResultsOur search identified 22 unique papers covering, psychosocial interventions targeting at least one of sleep (n=7), smoking (n=3), substance/alcohol use (n=4), physical health/exercise (n=6) and general health (n=3). Studies examined psychotherapy/behaviour interventions (n=12), psychoeducation (n=4), digital (n=2) and social interventions (n=4). There was significant heterogeneity in intervention framing, outcome measures and population.ConclusionFurther work on the impact of targeted physical health interventions, with explicit reference to a conceptual framework of poor health in ADHD is required. Furthermore, future work standardising reporting of physical health outcomes in ADHD is crucial for the development of an evidence base in this field.

Regional differences in frailty among older adults with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter cross-sectional study in Japan

BackgroundSocial environment may broadly impact multifaceted frailty; however, how environmental differences influence frailty in older adults with diabetes remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate regional differences in frailty in urban and rural areas among older adults with diabetes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the frailty prevention program for older adults with diabetes study. Older adults aged 60–80 years who could independently perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs) were enrolled sequentially. Trained nurses obtained patient background, complications, body weight, body composition, blood tests, grip strength, frailty assessment, and self-care score results. Regional differences in frailty were evaluated using logistic and multiple linear regression analyses.ResultsThis study included 417 participants (269 urban and 148 rural). The prevalence of robustness was significantly lower in rural areas than in urban areas (29.7% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.018). Living in rural areas was associated with frailty (odds ratio [OR] 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38–4.71) and pre-frailty (OR 2.10, 95%CI 1.30–3.41). Lower instrumental ADL (B 0.28, standard error [SE] 0.073) and social ADL (B 0.265, SE 0.097) were characteristics of rural residents.ConclusionsRegional differences in frailty were observed. Older adults with diabetes living in rural areas have a higher risk of frailty owing to a decline in instrumental and social ADLs. Social environment assessment and intervention programs that include communication strategies to enable care and social participation across environments are crucial to the effective and early prevention of frailty.

Social connection interventions and depression in young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Early adulthood is a period which may increase vulnerability to loneliness and mental health difficulties among young adults. Social networks play an important role in buffering against adverse mental health, but there is a lack of evidence around whether social connection interventions could play a role in preventing mental health difficulties for young adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023395595). PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scopus were searched (01 January 2000-01 January 2023). Studies were eligible if they (i) were quantitative, (ii) included young adults (18-24 years) from the general population, (iii) tested a social intervention which aimed to increase the quantity or quality of social connections or reduce loneliness, (iv) had a comparison group, and (v) measured depression and loneliness/social connection as outcomes. Following study screening and selection, the data extraction and risk of bias assessments were independently conducted in duplicate. The Cochrane RoB-2 tool and ROBINS-I tool were used to assess risk of bias. Results were narratively synthesised and random effects meta-analysis with standardised mean differences was conducted. Six studies were included; four in-person interventions with higher education students, one online intervention with higher education students, and one intervention for youth involved in street life. The studies were mostly rated as having some or moderate concerns with risk of bias. The interventions were associated with an overall mean reduction in depression for young adults (SMD = -0.19; 95% CI, -0.33 to -0.05; p = 0.008; 4 studies, excluding studies with serious risk of bias). All interventions had beneficial effects on a range of diverse social connection outcomes, but there was no overall statistically significant mean reduction in loneliness for young adults in pooled analyses (SMD = -0.10; 95% CI, -0.24 to 0.05; p = 0.188; 3 studies). Social connection interventions show some promise in improving depression and social connection outcomes in young adults but more high-quality research, across diverse settings, is needed in this area.

The Influence of “The Little Prince” on Communication Between Asylum-Seeking Children and Their Host Community Peers

Since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Syrians have sought refuge in various nations, with Türkiye notably emerging as a prevalent destination. Due to Türkiye’s “open door” policy, rougbly 3.5 million Syrians have been conferred temporary protected status, with nearly half being children. Given the recent mass migrations, enduring migration flows, and substantial numbers of asylum-seeking children, fostering respect for diversity among children has become crucial. This research, therefore, was conceptualized to offer solutions within school social work aimed at promoting peace for asylum-seeking children facing segregation/discrimination. The study focuses on transforming the attitudes of host community children toward asylum-seeking children through literary works specifically “The Little Prince.” Utilizing a Parallel Mixed Methods Design, 30 participants were selected via purposive sampling. The study investigated: “How does the implementation of school social work through literary works influence respect for differences, tolerance and love among children?” The findings suggest that integrating school social work practices with artistic mediums, particularly literary works, should be considered for social work interventions targeting children and their social environments within educational programs in Türkiye.

“RadioActive”: an exploration of the critical role of materiality in shaping participatory spaces

ABSTRACT Materiality plays a critical role in determining participatory spaces within social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) interventions focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, this role remains under-examined. This article draws inspiration from social practice theory to steer away from dominant individual-centred approaches. We focus on the material dimension of social practices to examine how materiality is involved in enabling or hindering participation, with the Rwandan “Itetero” Radio Listening Club (RLC) as case study. This research draws on one year of ethnographically inspired participant observations that involved attending 12 listening club sessions, 12 group discussions, and semi-structured interviews with 45 RLC participants (2019–2020). We provide insight into how the materiality of the RLC – understood here as infrastructure, architecture, and technology – shaped attendants’ ability to participate. We argue that acknowledging the material entanglements of people and (material) space might allow SBCC project implementers to develop more contextually appropriate and inclusive participatory spaces.

Community integration after spinal cord injury rehabilitation: Predictors and causal mediators

Context/Objective: Community integration (CI) is a crucial rehabilitation goal after spinal cord injury (SCI). There is a pressing need to enhance our understanding of the factors associated with CI for individuals with traumatic or non-traumatic etiologies, with the latter being notably understudied. Accordingly, our research explores the associations and potential mediators influencing CI across these populations. Setting: Specialized neurological rehabilitation center. Participants: Community-dwelling individuals who were admitted as inpatients within 3 months post-injury (n = 431, 51.9% traumatic, 48.1% non-traumatic), assessed in relation to community integration within 1–3 years after discharge. Outcome Measure: Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). Covariates: American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: Multiple linear regression yielded age, B AIS grade, educational level (< 6 years and <12 years), time since injury to admission, length of stay, HADS-depression at discharge, total FIM at discharge and three social work interventions (support in financial, legal and transportation services) as significant predictors of total CIQ score (Adjusted R 2 = 41.4). Multiple logistic regression identified age, traumatic etiology, educational level (< 6 years and <12 years), length of stay, HADS depression at discharge, total FIM at discharge and one social work intervention (transportation support) as significant predictors of good community integration, AUC (95% CI): 0.82 (0.75-0.89), Sensitivity:0.76, Specificity:0.73. We identified motor FIM at discharge and motor FIM efficiency as causal mediators of total CIQ. Conclusions: We identified modifiable factors during rehabilitation—functional independence, depression, and social work interventions—that are associated with CI.

Protocol for a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of PRoGRAM-A (preventing gambling-related harm in adolescents): a secondary school-based social network intervention

BackgroundIn the UK, recent evidence of young people and gambling indicates a higher prevalence of gambling in comparison to other addictive behaviours. Engaging in gambling-related behaviour at a young age is associated with short and long-term consequences, including financial, emotional, academic, interpersonal, and physical and mental health detriments; otherwise known as gambling-related harms (GRH). Given the unique vulnerability of this younger group, early interventions aimed at delaying or preventing gambling are critical. PRoGRAM-A (Preventing Gambling-Related Harm in Adolescents) is a school-based, social network intervention to protect young people from future GRH, by delaying or preventing gambling experimentation.MethodsPilot cluster RCT with an embedded process evaluation and health economic scoping study.ParticipantsPRoGRAM-A will be delivered in four schools, with two control schools acting as a comparator. All are secondary schools in Scotland. Baseline surveys were conducted with students in S3 (ages 13–14). Follow-up surveys were conducted with the same cohort, six months post-baseline.InterventionPRoGRAM-A trainers will deliver a 2-day, out-of-school training workshop to Peer supporters. Peer supporters will be nominated by peers among their school year group (S3, age 13–14). Workshops will provide peer supporters with information on four gambling-related topics: (1) what is gambling? (2) gambling and gaming, (3) gambling marketing, (4) identifying harm and reducing risk. Peer supporters will disseminate the information (message diffusion) they have learned among their friends and family over a 10-week period. After the 2-day workshop, PRoGRAM-A trainers will conduct × 3 in-school follow-up sessions with peer supporters to offer support, encouragement, and advice to Peer Supporters as well as monitor and explore the extent of their message diffusion.Primary outcomeThe primary outcome of the pilot cluster RCT (cRCT) will be whether progression to a phase III RCT is justified.DiscussionThis will be the first pilot cluster RCT (cRCT) of an intervention to prevent gambling-related harms among young people within the UK. If findings indicate feasibility and acceptability, funding will be sought for a phase III RCT of effectiveness.Trial registrationResearchregistry8699. Registered 21st February 2023.

The relationship between perceived social support, coping style, and the quality of life and psychological state of lung cancer patients

BackgroundLung cancer has always a cancer that threatens human health. Quality of life also has been an important research topic. psychological state in patients can influence their quality of life, and perceived social support and coping styles are relevant facilitators of Quality of life, but this specific relationship has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study is focus on discussing the correlation of these four and understanding their potential mediating pathways.Materials and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study. A total of 300 Lung Cancer patients from a cancer hospital in Suzhou were surveyed. The Data was collected using the scales. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software.ResultsThe study revealed a significant serial mediation model between perceived social support and coping style: Psychological state regulates patients’ coping styles by influencing their perceived social support which ultimately has comprehensive impacts on their quality of life.ConclusionBased on the empirical results discussed, this study proposes the following suggestion: Provide good online support to form a related social media intervention matrix. meanwhile, expand the patients’ social network offline, provide channels for patients to express their troubles outwardly, and regularly assess the patients’ psychological status to improve their level of psychosocial adaptation. This will in turn enhance their negative coping strategies towards the disease and strengthen their ability to buffer against it, ultimately promoting a better quality of life for the patients.

Perceived social support and academic resilience as predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing among students with disabilities in the University of Education, Winneba

AbstractStudents with impairment whether physical, sensory or intellectual face challenges in their quest to have inclusive education predisposing them to various stressors. Yet, studies have rarely explored this important psychological construct. This cross‐sectional study assessed the prevalence of psychological distress and how perceived social support and academic resilience predict distress in this population. A total of 101 students with hearing, visual and physical impairments were purposively sampled and administered questionnaires that measured psychological distress, social support and academic resilience. Results revealed the prevalence of psychological distress was 75.5%. Also, perceived social support (β = −0.25, p &lt; 0.01) and academic resilience (β = −0.34, p &lt; 0.001) significantly predicted psychological distress with perseverance (β = −0.51, p &lt; 0.001) being the only dimension of academic resilience that predicted psychological distress. This study concludes that students with impairments have a high prevalence of psychological distress, which can be reduced through social support and resilience building interventions at both individual and group levels. We recommend that these counselling interventions be provided for students with impairment to help them deal with the challenges or stressors they encounter.

Crossroads of Care: A Black Social Worker’s Insights into the Lives of Black Men from Adolescence to Adulthood

ABSTRACT This autoethnographic study, “Crossroads of Care: A Black Social Worker’s Insights into the Lives of Black Men from Adolescence to Adulthood,” explores the intersections of race, education, and mental health throughout the life course of Black men. Drawing on varied professional and personal experiences – from providing telehealth services for college students to being a resource within a predominantly Black high school – the research illuminates systemic barriers and profound effects of marginalization and isolation. Emphasizing evidence-based social work interventions and culturally relevant care, the study underscores the importance of narrative therapy and self-disclosure in addressing Black men’s multifaceted needs. The findings contribute to discussions on racial equity in mental health and education, offering actionable recommendations for practitioners, policymakers, and educators to strengthen support systems. Advocating for a comprehensive care model, this research endeavors to empower Black men across various life milestones, enhancing well-being by addressing the complexities of race, education, and mental health.

Social Intervention That Facilitates Recovery from Gender-Based Violence: Dialogic Reconstruction of Memory

Services for victims of gender-based violence are an interdisciplinary work space where the recovery of women and, thus, preventing their social exclusion are among the main objectives. Although previous scientific literature provides some indicators of the social impact of these services, that is, the improvements in the lives of these women, and allow them to advance in their recovery, it is necessary to deepen and broaden this knowledge. One of the objectives of the SOLNET R&amp;D research was to more comprehensively identify the indicators of the social impact of these interventions. This objective was achieved by carrying out 8 case studies and a total of 56 interviews—32 of which involved women who were victims of violence—in third-sector organisations that tend to women victims in 7 different regions of Spain. The results of our research show that the dialogical reconstruction of the memory of violence contributes to overcoming one of the main barriers to women’s recovery: emotional dependency. To achieve this impact, the dialogic reconstruction of memory should focus on changing the image these women have of the abuser and the conceptions of love associated with violence. These results have important implications for the design and evaluation of interventions carried out in services for women victims of gender-based violence. The application of these results can help these women successfully leave the situation of violence and build a violence-free future.

Social and Emotional Learning Interventions for Preadolescents and Adolescents: Assessing the Evidence Base.

The social and emotional learning (SEL) framework is widely recognized as being effective for developing social and emotional competencies among students of all ages. However, the evidence for specific intervention models with older student populations is less established. The objective of this systematic review was to rate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of SEL interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes among preadolescents and adolescents. A search of major databases, gray literature, and evidence base registries was conducted to identify studies published from 2008 to 2022 that assessed the effects of SEL interventions on mental health outcomes among students ages 10-19 years. The authors rated the evidence for SEL interventions as high, moderate, or low based on established rating criteria. In total, 25 articles reporting on 17 original research studies were reviewed. Sixteen intervention models were assessed, with 11 resulting in improved mental health symptoms; however, no intervention was evaluated in a large enough number of studies to surpass a low evidence rating. Some studies reported cost benefits and high effectiveness of an intervention with students from diverse racial-ethnic or low socioeconomic backgrounds. SEL interventions can improve mental health outcomes among preadolescents and adolescents. Additional research is needed to strengthen the evidence base for specific intervention models.

Food insecurity versus public health? Social resilience.

The health problems of low-income communities and their relationship to food insecurity are a widespread problem worldwide. Understanding the complex relationship between these two conditions of food insecurity and health outcomes is the focus of this study. In addressing these issues, managing food security and adopting comprehensive strategies that consider the broader public health of the poor and socially vulnerable requires a multi-pronged approach that integrates sustainable food systems, social protection interventions, community engagement, and nutrition-specific interventions. This study is useful for improving our understanding of the relationship between food insecurity and health outcomes, which ultimately contributes to better health and social resilience strategies.

Are protected characteristics associated with mental health care inequalities in the adult UK general population? a cross-sectional study.

This study investigates the association between protected characteristics and inequalities in mental health care in the UK. Multinomial regression was used to model the association between protected characteristics and self-reported distress. Data was extracted from waves 6-10 (2014-2019) of the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Two risk categories were constructed: "undiagnosed distress" referred to a General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) score above "caseness" along with no history of mental health diagnosis; "diagnosis without self-report symptoms" referred to a GHQ-12 score consistently below "caseness" within the study time frame but having received a mental health diagnosis. Compared to people without a disability, people with a disability are at considerably greater risk of both undiagnosed distress (Relative risk ratios (RRR) 2.76; Confidence Interval (CI): 2.55, 2.99) and diagnosis without self-reported symptoms (RRR 3.61; CI: 2.80, 4.66). Likewise, women were more likely than men to report undiagnosed distress (RRR = 1.49; CI: 1.38,1.61) or a diagnosis without self-reported symptoms (RRR = 1.38; CI: 1.08, 1.76. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are at greater risk of undiagnosed distress compared with heterosexual people (RRR 1.42; CI: 1.19, 1.70). Adults aged 16-24 years were at greatest risk compared to all other age groups. People from a minority ethnic background had a reduced risk of diagnosis without self-report symptoms compared with people from a White ethnic background (RRR 0.34; CI: 0.20, 0.61). Education, employment and income variables moderated some of these associations. This is the first study to examine diagnosis without self-report symptoms alongside undiagnosed distress. Findings suggest that addressing inequality in mental health care requires increased understanding of the needs and strengths within different groups and to provide appropriate forms of social, medical or psychosocial intervention rather than a singular focus on increasing detection, diagnosis and treatment. People with a disability appear to be at greatest disadvantage, requiring greater attention in policy and practice.

Effect of Socialization on Alzheimer's Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease where beta-amyloid plaques accumulate in the brain. Elderly individuals, especially those in nursing homes, were burdened by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this literature review is to describe the effectiveness of social engagement and how combating isolation can have a neuroprotective effect on individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. We conducted a search in PubMed examining articles from 2010 to 2023 that discussed the impact of socialization on Alzheimer's disease, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our search terms were "Alzheimer's Disease + Socialization," "Social Isolation + Alzheimer's Disease," "Alzheimer's Disease + COVID-19," "COVID-19 + Social Isolation," and "Social Interventions + Alzheimer's Disease." Inclusion criteria consisted of patients ages 60 and older with Alzheimer's disease, mention of social isolation or engagement, and any relationship between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease. Exclusion criteria were defined as other dementias, non-social interventions, and the effects of different viruses on Alzheimer's disease. After the screening process, 30 articles were included, along with six articles that were suitable to the topic. Of the 36 total articles, 19 focused on an intervention involving socialization; eight explored the effect of social isolation during COVID-19 on patients with Alzheimer's disease; five articles examined social isolation as a risk factor for dementia; and four articles discussed the effect of socialization on Alzheimer's disease. A few studies reported that having a large social network can improve cognition and mood for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Studies reported that interventions such as volunteering, video calls, group art classes, animal interactions, and others produced positive outcomes in Alzheimer's patients, but not all were statistically significant. Our review found a consistent association between a socially integrated lifestyle and a decreased incidence of early-onset dementia. Although not all interventions were solely social, a strong social structure remained at the core of a healthy aging process.

Drawing as collective self-care: Leeds animation workshop’s collaborative practices during the pandemic

Studies and debates about the impact of the Covid-19 (Covid-19 is the term widely used to denote the SARS-CoV-2 virus and adopted by the World Health Organization when communicating with the public) pandemic on the film and moving image industry have emphasized the economic and cultural consequences of lockdowns and social restrictions on cinematic productions and theatrical and festival circuits, leading to the rise of streaming platforms and services. Within this discussion, little attention has been drawn to the independent sector of non-profit cooperatives or collectives, grassroots distribution companies and community archives involved in feminist and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual+ activism. This essay examines this area of post-pandemic cinema through the example of Leeds Animation Workshop, a women-run, feminist collective. Since its establishment in the eponymous West-Yorkshire city in 1978, the collective has been producing and distributing gender-focused animation films about social and educational issues worldwide. My argument is that Leeds Animation Workshop’s online media activities during the pandemic signal less an adjustment to a new media environment in response to social restrictions than a repurposing of their gendered and participatory media practices for social change and critical intervention.

The paradoxes of social justice education: Experiences of LGBTQ+ social justice educational intervention facilitators.

The paradoxes of social justice education: Experiences of LGBTQ+ social justice educational intervention facilitators.

Sexual health interventions with social marketing approach targeting young people: a scoping review.

In a fast-paced digital and global environment, sexual education must keep up with young people's sexual health needs. Social marketing is an approach that has been used in sexual health promotion for young people. The objective of the scoping review is to identify and map the use of social marketing in sexual health promotion for young people. Specifically, the content, delivery methods and effects of interventions on sexual health were researched. Six databases were systemically searched to capture the relevant peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods articles without time restrictions that provided evidence of sexual health-related social marketing interventions targeting young people aged 11-25. An inductive and deductive content analysis was performed. Nineteen studies were included in the data. The content of interventions was dominated by sexual risks and risk prevention, focusing particularly on sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and sexual violence. Additionally, interventions included topics of morals of sexual relationships and changes in the body. The delivery of interventions occurred through various media channels, events and activities, while the effects of interventions were monitored as improvements in sexual perceptions and sexual behaviour, limited gender-related effects, limited evidence of intervention attributed to behaviour and effects in different age groups. The social marketing approach was mostly preventive and concentrated on the risks, whereas the delivery methods were diverse and creative, combining modern and already well-established channels. Sexuality should be seen comprehensively, and interventions should respond to the full range of young people's needs.