"I Let Depression and Anxiety Drown Me ": Identifying Factors Associated With Resilience Based on Journaling Using Machine Learning and Thematic Analysis.

Over the years, there has been a global increase in the use of technology to deliver interventions for health and wellness, such as improving people's mental health and resilience. An example of such technology is the Q-Life app which aims to improve people's resilience to stress and adverse life events through various coping mechanisms, including journaling. Using a combination of sentiment analysis and thematic analysis methods, this paper presents the results of analyzing 6023 journal entries from 755 users. We uncover both positive and negative factors that are associated with resilience. First, we apply two lexicon-based and eight machine learning (ML) techniques to classify journal entries into positive or negative sentiment polarity, and then compare the performance of these classifiers to determine the best performing classifier overall. Our results show that Support Vector Machine (SVM) is the best classifier overall, outperforming other ML classifiers and lexicon-based classifiers with a high F1-score of 89.7%. Second, we conduct thematic analysis of negative and positive journal entries to identify themes representing factors associated with resilience either negatively or positively, and to determine various coping mechanisms. Our findings reveal 14 negative themes such as stress, worry, loneliness, lack of motivation, sickness, relationship issues, as well as depression and anxiety. Also, 13 positive themes emerged including self-efficacy, gratitude, socialization, progression, relaxation, and physical activity. Seven (7) coping mechanisms are also identified including time management, quality sleep, and mindfulness. Finally, we reflect on our findings and suggest technological interventions that address the negative factors to promote resilience.

The Q-Life experience: An evaluation of an employee resilience program.

BACKGROUND: Many employers are turning to training programs to help them cope or flourish in life. Many programs on the market have not been validated. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the effect building awareness and skill development can have on sustaining high resilience within a group of employees. METHODS: 524 participants completed the 44 itemed Q-Life assessment. A CFA model was conducted to determine whether the Q-Life score, adequately describes the data. 116 employees signed up to the Q-Life experience with 64 completing all requirements. RESULTS: The RMSEA index was less than 0.08, RMSEA = 0.07, 90%CI = [0.07, 0.07], which is indicative of a good model fit. The mean of score for resilience on the first test (M = 249.91) was significantly lower than the mean of post-test (M = 264.91). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the model demonstrated acceptable fit to the data and can be used as an assessment tool for the Q-Life. The Q-Life experience showed significant improvement in resilience.

The Relationship Between Maximal Aerobic Power and Recovery in Elite Ice Hockey Players During a Simulated Game.

Steeves, D and Campagna, P. The relationship between maximal aerobic power and recovery in elite ice hockey players during a simulated game. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2503-2512, 2019-This project investigated whether there was a relationship between maximal aerobic power and the recovery or performance in elite ice hockey players during a simulated hockey game. An on-ice protocol was used to simulate a game of ice hockey. Recovery values were determined by the differences in lactate and heart rate measures. Total distance traveled was also recorded as a performance measure. On 2 other days, subjects returned and completed a maximal aerobic power test on a treadmill and a maximal lactate test on ice. Statistical analysis showed no relationship between maximal aerobic power or maximal lactate values and recovery (heart rate, lactate) or the performance measure of distance traveled. It was concluded that there was no relationship between maximal aerobic power and recovery during a simulated game in elite hockey players.

Reliability and Validity of a Novel Trunk-Strength Assessment for High-Performance Sprint Flat-Water Kayakers.

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability and validity of a novel trunk maximal isometric force assessment involving 7 different tasks with 200-m times for elite sprint flat-water kayakers. METHODS: Ten elite sprint flat-water kayakers performed a series of maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MVCs) on 2 separate days to assess reliability. MVC force was assessed as the participants sat on a modified kayak ergometer and applied their maximal isometric force to a uniaxial load cell during 7 different tasks. The 7 tasks of interest were a seated trunk-forward flexion, bilateral (left and right) rotational pulls, bilateral rotational pushes, and a sport-specific bilateral kayak-stroke simulation. Twenty elite flat-water kayak athletes (10 male and 10 female) participated in the validity portion by completing the series of tasks in conjunction with a 200-m race. RESULTS: MVC force values ranged from 84 to 800 N across all participants and all tasks. The average coefficient of variation of the 7 tasks ranged from 2.4% to 7.7%. Regression analysis showed Pearson correlations ranging from -.84 to -.22 for both absolute and relative values with 200-m performance times. CONCLUSIONS: MVC force measured in each task was considered reliable as a small degree of variance between trials was found. The summation of the 7 trunk scores showed very strong correlations with on-water performance, indicating that this assessment is valid for elite sprint kayakers.