Can positive psychological interventions improve health behaviors? A systematic review of the literature.

Positive psychological interventions (PPIs), which aim to cultivate psychological well-being, have the potential to improve health behavior adherence. This systematic review summarized the existing literature on PPI studies with a health behavior outcome to examine study methodology, quality, and efficacy. Of the 27 identified studies, 20 measured physical activity, eight measured medication adherence, seven measured diet, and three measured smoking (eight targeted multiple behaviors). Twenty studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs; 13 fully powered), and seven had a single-arm design. Study samples were usually adults (n = 21), majority non-Hispanic white (n = 15) and female (n = 14), and with a specific disease (e.g., diabetes, n = 16). Most interventions combined a PPI with health behavior-focused content (n = 17), used a remote delivery method (n = 17), and received a moderate or low study quality rating. Overall, 19/27 studies found a health behavior improvement of at least medium effect size, while six of the 13 studies powered to detect significant effects were statistically significant. Of the behaviors measured, physical activity was most likely to improve (14/20 studies). In summary, PPIs are being increasingly studied as a strategy to enhance health behavior adherence. The existing literature is limited by small sample size, low study quality and inconsistent intervention content and outcome measurement. Future research should establish the most effective components of PPIs that can be tailored to different populations, use objective health behavior measurement, and robustly examine the effects of PPIs on health behaviors in fully powered RCTs.

Diversity and Inclusion or Tokens? A Qualitative Study of Black Women Academic Nurse Leaders in the United States.

Severe under-representation of Black women academic nurse leaders persists in United States higher education, and a major research gap still exists regarding experiences of these leaders, and facilitators of and barriers to their success. Our objective was to examine how race and gender influence how Black women academic nurse leaders' function in their leadership positions, how they are perceived by their peers, and how their perception of race, gender, class, and power influences diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the workplace. Critical race theory was used as a guiding theory, and the study design involved narrative inquiry followed by thematic analysis. Four overarching themes with four sub-themes were revealed: (a) Paying a personal price for authenticity, (b) Being the only one is hard even when you are in charge, (c) The illusion of diversity and inclusion while trying to survive, and (d) Focusing on building and sustaining diversity, equity, and inclusion. Implications for nursing education including instituting training for faculty in anti-racist pedagogy and requiring nursing programs to meet inclusivity metrics for approval and accreditation.

The voice of Black academic nurse leaders in the United States: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Black and African American people make up a little over 13% of the United States population. Black nurses represent 7.8% of US nurses and 8.7% of nursing faculty. The exact percentage of Black nurses in academic leadership cannot be ascertained. Studies indicate the need to diversify nursing at every level including academic nursing leadership. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the everyday lived experiences of Black academic nurse leaders in the United States through the Critical Race Theory perspectives. METHODS: A qualitative narrative research study design was employed for the study. Data were collected from 34 Black academic nurse leaders using unstructured interview. RESULTS: The findings of the study were classified under six major themes; the path to academic leadership, we need trust and support, the pressure for positive representation, uppity Black nurse, and treading a thin line. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an insight into the insights into the intersection of race and gendered experiences of Black academic nurse leaders. Nursing education is in a unique position to maximize the human capital potential of Black nurses in the workplace, especially those graduating from graduate programs around the country.

A Comparison of the Process and Content of Sexual Communications Among African American Adolescent Children Living in Parent and Grandparent Headed Families.

INTRODUCTION: The process of parental sexual communication has been shown to delay the sexual debut of adolescents; however, few studies have focused on extended family members such as grandparents. The purpose of this study was to compare the process and content of sexual communications among African-American adolescent children living in parent or grandparent headed families. METHODS: A secondary analysis of two de-identified datasets from 80 African-American adolescents was conducted. RESULTS: Findings indicated that there were no significant differences in the sexual communication process in relation to facilitators p= 0.38 and barriers p =0.23 with the discussions. There were however significant differences with adolescents' attitudes (p = 0.04) and feelings regarding sexual abstinence (p =0.01), HIV prevention (p= 0.002) and teen pregnancy (p= 0.010). DISCUSSION: Researchers can use the results of this study as a beginning point in examining the sexual communication process in grandparent-headed families.

African-American survivors of prostate cancer: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to systematically review the current literature on the post-treatment survivorship experiences of African-American men with prostate cancer by exploring qualitative studies to gain a deep understanding of their survivorship experiences. METHOD: We searched five databases for studies published from 2008 to 2018. We identified ten relevant qualitative studies, conducted a meta-synthesis using Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnography approach, and evaluated their quality appraisal using the validated Critical Appraisal Skills Program. RESULTS: This review generated a total of four main themes and nine subthemes. The Four main themes included coping strategy, psychophysical impact, health system influence, and socioeconomic impact. Spirituality, healthy behaviors, supportive care of spouse/family/friends and non-communicating/reticent were subthemes identified in the coping strategy theme; physical well-being and sexuality and masculinity were subthemes in the psychophysical impact theme; healthcare provider interaction and treatment decision-making were subthemes identified in the health system influence theme, and health insurance status was the subtheme in the socioeconomic impact theme. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal that the experiences of African-American prostate cancer survivors are complex and multidimensional. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This review highlights the need for further studies with African-American prostate cancer survivors, precisely identify their needs and plan a culturally appropriate intervention to meet those needs.

Training Underrepresented Early-Career Faculty in Cardiovascular Health Research during COVID-19: Structural Inequities and Health Disparity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted race-based health disparities and structural racism in the United States. Enhancing the training of early-career academic and health scientists from underrepresented minority groups (URM) is critical to reduce disparities affecting underserved population groups. A dedicated training program that has been proven to support URM can facilitate career development for junior faculty during the pandemic. This critical support ensures the retention of talented, racially diverse junior faculty who are poised to mitigate structural racism, rather than perpetuate it. We describe how the Cardiovascular Disease Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE-CVD) summer institute successfully transitioned from a face-to-face format to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, early-career faculty continued to receive the PRIDE-CVD training on research methodology, grantsmanship, career development, and CVD health disparities, especially as related to the pandemic. In addition, the virtual format facilitated networking, promoted mental wellness, and allowed continual mentorship. Collectively, the program provided timely and relevant career development in the COVID-19 era and helped participants navigate the psychosocial challenges of being a URM in cardiovascular health research.

Sex, Knowledge, and Attitude of Stroke Survivors Attending Bebe Herbal Center on Risk Factors before and after Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the extent stroke survivors who attended an herbal center knew of stroke risk factors and whether significant sex differences existed. Study Design. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January to June 2018 at Bebe Herbal Center, and it involved two well-trained assistants who interviewed 149 first-time stroke survivors after consent and ethical approval were obtained. The survivors self-reported their knowledge, attitude, and beliefs on risk factors before and after stroke. Statistical Analyses. Means of continuous variables were compared using Student's unpaired t-test, while categorical variables between males and the females were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test. P < 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Mean age of men (64.81 ± 1.24 yrs) was significantly higher than that of women (61.39 ± 1.42 yrs) (F = 0.096, t = 1.79, df = 147; P < 0.05). More men than women were 60 years and above while more women than men were below 60 years. Pearson's chi-square test showed significant association of sex with education (χ 2 = 12.31; df = 3, P < 0.006), occupation (χ 2 = 23.65; df = 4, P < 0.001), alcohol intake (χ 2 = 24.23; df = 1; P < 0.001), and smoking (χ 2 = 9.823; df = 1; P < 0.001). The commonest risk factor suffered was hypertension (73.1%), followed by alcohol intake (59.1%), smoking (31.5%), and diabetes mellitus (26.7%); these affected men more than women. Male survivors unaware of their hypertensive status were more likely to have stroke than females, and age had a significant effect on the likelihood of developing a stroke; the same was occupation. CONCLUSIONS: These survivors suffered mainly from hypertension, triggered by psychosocial problems and diabetes mellitus; their stroke seemed fueled by unrecognized hypertension, unrecognized diabetes mellitus, ignorance of hyperlipidemia, and wide-scale belief in witchcraft as risk factor. Awareness programs in the third world should take these observations into consideration.

Mobile phone, social media usage, and perceptions of delivering a social media safer sex intervention for adolescents: results from two countries.

Purpose: Rates of sexually transmitted infections among adolescents remain high in the United States and Botswana. Mobile phone density rates in Botswana exceed those of the United States. Yet, in both countries, safer sex information continues to be delivered primarily via face-to-face curricula such as Becoming a Responsible Teen and Living as a Safe Teen. While social media shows promise as a medium for delivering risk-reduction information to youth, few studies have been conducted in either country to assess its effectiveness. This study examines adolescents in both countries, their mobile phone and social media usage, and their perceptions of safer sex interventions delivered via social media. Design and methods: Three focus groups were conducted with 28 adolescents 13-18 years of age who lived in the United States (n=14) and Botswana (n=14). Data analysis was ongoing, which informed the data collection process. After the first group, no additional revisions were made to the focus group protocol. An abridged method of analyzing the data was employed. Results: Adolescents in all groups discussed peer pressure and connectedness with mobile phones and social media and had general knowledge of STIs and HIV. The adolescents agreed that adaptation of risk reduction interventions for mobile phone and social media delivery was warranted, and they shared ideas for adaptation. Practice implications: Our findings provide a starting point for researchers interested in developing a social media intervention with global implications for sexual health promotion.

Culturally Appropriate Peer-Led Behavior Support Program for African Americans With Type 2 Diabetes.

Current literature poorly defines the specific ways trained peer supporter influences health care behaviors. This study attempts to identify the key defining features of a culturally appropriate peer support program for African Americans with type 2 diabetes by exploring participants experiences related to assistance with daily disease management, emotional support, linkage to clinic care and community resources, and ongoing support. We used a qualitative interpretive descriptive approach to collect data through semi-structured interviews from 20 African Americans with type 2 diabetes participating in a peer support program. Interviews captured participants' background and experiences with the peer supporter and evaluated the cultural appropriateness of the peer support intervention. Data was coded deductively using predetermined codes found in the peer support literature and inductively to identify emergent themes. Three specific themes were identified namely [1] healthy behaviors [2] frequent telephonic contact and [3] emotional support as a by-product of other support activities. These findings mirror the broader literature on what constitutes culturally appropriate peer support programs for ethnic minorities. We recommend the inclusion of culturally appropriate peer support program to complement diabetes management as targeted plan for improvement in clinical care and ultimately, diabetes outcome.