The experience of women in a phase II trial of hypnosis and progressive muscle relaxation for body image: informing future research questions.

This study examines feedback from two interventions, hypnosis and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), to improve body image in a randomized phase II trial. Eighty-seven women were randomized either to hypnosis or PMR. Sixty-three women (72%) were motivated to write comments about their study experience. These comments were explored in an unplanned qualitative analysis. Thematic analysis generated five themes, suggesting both hypnosis and PMR may improve body image through the ability to relax and manage stress, sleep better, improve mood and create a mind-body connection. Sexual health emerged as a theme for participants in only the hypnosis group which suggests hypnotic suggestions for body image may improve overall sexual health. Additional research is needed to assess this further.

Focus groups with school staff to explore asset-building innovativeness.

OBJECTIVE: To assist with interpretations of findings from a survey assessing the diffusion of an asset-building innovation in 3 school districts. METHODS: Eight focus groups were conducted with 69 school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors in 3 school districts. Three reviewers examined transcripts for common themes. RESULTS: The themes that arose related to effective communication channels, barriers that prevent diffusion in the schools, the need for improved relationships, and addressing of students' needs. CONCLUSIONS: The study illustrates the advantages of linking qualitative and quantitative methods when performing evaluations by enhancing both the validity and usefulness of findings.

Diffusion of a developmental asset-building initiative in public schools.

OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics that distinguish between school personnel who do and do not adopt asset-building behaviors in the formative stage of a countywide initiative. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire, assessing constructs from diffusion of innovation and social cognitive theories, was administered to 467 adult personnel in 3 school districts. RESULTS: Discriminant analysis revealed that implementation of asset building was most closely related to rating the initiative high on trialability, relative advantage, compatibility, and observability and low on complexity. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to implement asset-building initiatives need to assess perceptions of adult personnel and should not assume that positive youth development will be widely supported in schools.

A framework for evaluating comprehensive community initiatives.

This article describes a model and design for evaluating a comprehensive community health promotion initiative. The theoretically based model was designed by the authors to evaluate a countywide initiative based on developmental assets, a framework for healthy youth development promoted by the Search Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The model includes the components of a typical logic model and incorporates concepts proposed by diffusion of innovations, social cognitive theory, and Search Institute's conceptual model for community change. The model highlights the priorities of local stakeholders and directs evaluation activities in multiple community sectors over time. The evaluation design is presented according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention framework for program evaluation in public health.