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1.
J Hematop ; 17(2): 109-114, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38573563

ALK-positive ( +) large B cell lymphoma (ALK + LBCL) is a rare distinct subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma presenting with high stage and aggressive behavior. Although B cell markers such as CD20, CD19, and CD22 are generally negative, plasmacytic markers including CD138, CD38, and MUM1 are positive. T cell markers are negative with rare exceptions. We report an unusual case of ALK1 + LBCL in a 58-year-old man with partial expression of CD3 without other T cell antigen expression. The tissue was evaluated with flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and gene rearrangement studies. Gene rearrangement studies for IGH and TCR gamma were performed. Flow cytometry did not demonstrate any abnormal lymphoid populations. Tissue sectioning shows a malignant plasmacytic large cell neoplasm which expresses CD45 but is negative for CD20, CD79a, and PAX5. Plasmacytic markers CD138 and MUM1 are positive with kappa light chain restriction. Strong granular cytoplasmic expression of ALK is present. FISH showing disrupted ALK supports the diagnosis while MYC, BCL6, and BCL2 are intact. Gene rearrangement studies show coexisting IGH and TCR gamma clones; however, the TCR peak was present within a polyclonal background suggesting the disputed cells are likely only a subset of the T cell population. ALK + LBCL can present with an ambiguous immunophenotype, which warrants the use of multiple B cell, T cell, and plasmacytic antibodies. CD3 expression in this entity is rare and of uncertain clinical significance, but warrants further study.


Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase , CD3 Complex , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , CD3 Complex/metabolism , CD3 Complex/genetics , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/genetics , Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase/metabolism , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/metabolism , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Gene Rearrangement , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Immunophenotyping
2.
Br J Community Nurs ; 29(3): 132-136, 2024 Mar 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38421895

Community nurses are at particular risk to compassion fatigue because their role attracts people who are compelled to help others, and because the work is emotionally challenging. This article explores the various ways in which compassion fatigue affects work and personal life, highlights three factors that make someone susceptible to it and provides recommendations on how to protect oneself from compassion fatigue. The authors also refer to their own research on super-helper syndrome to elucidate the understanding of what contributes to compassion fatigue.


Compassion Fatigue , Humans , Empathy
3.
Health Promot J Austr ; 35(1): 251-259, 2024 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37323033

ISSUE ADDRESSED: As the population ages the prevalence of dementia increases and children are increasingly experiencing family members and older friends living with dementia. Unfortunately, stigma about living with dementia is common. Increasing understanding about dementia among children has the potential to reduce this stigma. This paper reports on the qualitative findings of Project DARE (dementia knowledge, art, research and education), a school-based, multi-modal, arts program designed to increase understanding about dementia among children aged 8-10 years. METHODS: A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand students' experience of the intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes emerging from interviews with randomly selected students (n = 40) who had taken part in the program. RESULTS: The data analysis generated three themes related to students' awareness of dementia and experiences of the program: (1) nurturing empathy, (2) memory loss is complex, (3) learning about dementia through the arts to promote resilience. These themes show that the intervention increased students' awareness of dementia, and empathy towards people who are both directly and indirectly affected by dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Although dementia education can be viewed as too sensitive for primary aged students, the current study demonstrates that such initiatives are feasible and can be effectively implemented with this age group. SO WHAT?: Changing student's beliefs about dementia can positively impact their relationships with people living with dementia.


Dementia , Family , Child , Humans , Empathy , Schools , Students
4.
Br J Community Nurs ; 28(10): 513-516, 2023 Oct 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37793113

Chartered Psychologists Jess Baker and Rod Vincent coined the term Super-Helper Syndrome as a useful moniker for the net effects of compulsive helping and not meeting one's own needs-where helping others is to the detriment of one's own wellbeing. Together, they have written an award-winning book that includes excerpts from their qualitative research to offer insights into this common phenomenon that until now has gone unexplored. In this article, the authors provide an overview of Super-Helper Syndrome and why some people are more susceptible to it than others. They describe the range of practical interventions that have been most successful in ameliorating its harmful effects.

5.
PLoS Med ; 18(7): e1003512, 2021 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34252076

BACKGROUND: Schools play a key role in supporting the well-being and resettlement of refugee children, and parental engagement with the school may be a critical factor in the process. Many resettlement countries have policies in place to support refugee parents' engagement with their children's school. However, the impact of these programs lacks systematic evaluation. This study first aimed to validate self-report measures of parental school engagement developed specifically for the refugee context, and second, to identify parent characteristics associated with school engagement, so as to help tailor support to families most in need. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The report utilises 2016 baseline data of a cohort study of 233 Arabic-speaking parents (77% response rate) of 10- to 12-year-old schoolchildren from refugee backgrounds across 5 schools in Sydney, Australia. Most participants were born in Iraq (81%) or Syria (11%), and only 25% spoke English well to very well. Participants' mean age was 40 years old, and 83% were female. Confirmatory factor analyses were run on provisional item sets identified from a literature review and separate qualitative study. The findings informed the development of 4 self-report tools assessing parent engagement with the school and school community, school belonging, and quality of the relationship with the schools' bilingual cultural broker. Cronbach alpha and Pearson correlations with an established Teacher-Home Communication subscale demonstrated adequate reliability (α = 0.67 to 0.80) and construct and convergent validity of the measures (p < 0.01), respectively. Parent characteristics were entered into respective least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses. The degree of parents' psychological distress (as measured by the Kessler10 self-report instrument) and postmigration living difficulties (PLMDs) were each associated with lower school engagement and belonging, whereas less time lived in Australia, lower education levels, and an unemployed status were associated with higher ratings in relationship quality with the schools' cultural broker. Study limitations include the cross-sectional design and the modest amount of variance (8% to 22%) accounted for by the regression models. CONCLUSIONS: The study offers preliminary refugee-specific measures of parental school engagement. It is expected they will provide a resource for evaluating efforts to support the integration of refugee families into schools. The findings support the need for initiatives that identify and support parents with school-attending children from refugee backgrounds who are experiencing psychological distress or resettlement stressors. At the school level, the findings suggest that cultural brokers may be effective in targeting newly arrived families.


Emigration and Immigration , Refugees/psychology , Schools , Stress, Psychological/ethnology , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Students/psychology , Adult , Australia , Child , Cohort Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Iraq/ethnology , Male , Qualitative Research , Self Report , Syria/ethnology
6.
Health Promot J Austr ; 32 Suppl 2: 167-177, 2021 Oct.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32966642

ISSUE ADDRESSED: To develop, implement and evaluate the impact of a short education intervention on the understanding of dementia through visual art by primary school-aged children. METHODS: A series of three lessons were developed in consultation with a local schoolteacher and community artists and taught in a local primary school. Stage 2 students (8-10 years old) created an artwork about memory, learned about dementia and adapted their artworks to represent their developing understanding of dementia. Empirical data were collected through pre and postinterventions surveys and content analysis of the artworks. RESULTS: Matched pre and postintervention survey data were obtained for 74 students and showed a significant improvement in seven domains. This indicated that the students had an increased understanding of dementia and its impact on the individual following the intervention. Matched artwork was analysed from lessons 1 and 3 for 109 students using a coding schema developed specifically for this project. The students developed their artwork to show memories fading or being lost altogether. They also used abstract shapes to create a sense of disorder and chaos. CONCLUSION: Participation in the intervention was shown to increase students' understanding and knowledge of dementia using both qualitative and quantitative measures. SO WHAT?: It is likely that by educating children about dementia, we have the potential to reduce the stigma faced by people living with dementia and their carers. This is important, as the ageing population means that more people within the community, including children, will know someone living with dementia. Further, this represents the cornerstone in creating dementia-friendly communities.


Dementia , Schools , Caregivers , Child , Clinical Competence , Humans , Knowledge
7.
Front Public Health ; 8: 248, 2020.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32719762

Objectives: Children often have a lack of dementia understanding and poor attitudes toward people with dementia. Intergenerational programs are increasingly common, but the effects on knowledge and attitudes related to dementia are mixed, especially in the long-term (6 months). Using a RE-AIM framework, we quantitatively evaluated the effects of an educational dementia program (with and without an intergenerational program) on dementia attitudes in the short and long-term, and qualitatively, which elements of the program facilitated this change. Methods: Eighty-one children (9.63 ± 0.52 years, 35 males) from three classes participated in an 8-week dementia education program and 52 also interacted with older adults through an intergenerational experience. Program reach was measured as the percentage of children who participated in the study. The Kids Insight into Dementia Survey (KIDS) was implemented to measure dementia knowledge and attitudes: efficacy and maintenance. Qualitative interviews with all participant groups informed both adoption and implementation. Cost-benefit analysis was used as a secondary outcome measure for efficacy. Results: The program demonstrated strong levels of impact reaching 93% of school children across the three included classes. Efficacy was demonstrated by a positive change in children's dementia knowledge and attitudes immediately post program, which remained increased (as compared to baseline) 6- months post intervention; there were no differences between groups (those who interacted with older adults and those who did not). Interviews identified positive changes in children's empathy and improved community awareness. Barriers to adoption included the project scope, time constraints incurred by school terms and the management of children-to-adult ratios. Conclusions: These findings provide the first evidence that school-based dementia education improves knowledge of and attitudes toward people with dementia long-term. We demonstrated programs such as this can be successful in both primary school and wider community settings, with support from school and community partners key to the success.


Dementia , Health Education , Intergenerational Relations , Aged , Analysis of Variance , Child , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Female , Health Education/economics , Health Education/methods , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Parents
8.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth ; 8(4): e16085, 2020 04 23.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32324149

BACKGROUND: Web-based developmental surveillance programs may be an innovative solution to improving the early detection of childhood developmental difficulties, especially within disadvantaged populations. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to identify the acceptability and effectiveness of web-based developmental surveillance programs for children aged 0 to 6 years. METHODS: A total of 6 databases and gray literature were searched using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-informed protocol. Data extraction included variables related to health equity. RESULTS: In total, 20 studies were identified. Most papers implemented web-based versions of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up screener for autism spectrum disorder or Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status screeners for broad developmental delay. Caregivers and practitioners indicated a preference for web-based screeners, primarily for user-friendliness, improved follow-up accuracy, time, and training efficiencies. CONCLUSIONS: Although evidence is limited as to the necessity of web- versus face-to-face-based developmental screening, there are clear efficiencies in its use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019127894; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=127894.


Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosis , Autism Spectrum Disorder/epidemiology , Caregivers , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Internet , Mass Screening , Parents
10.
BMC Public Health ; 19(1): 812, 2019 Jun 27.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31242897

BACKGROUND: Children from refugee backgrounds are less likely to access appropriate health and social care than non-refugee children. Our aim was to identify refugee children's health/wellbeing strengths and needs, and the barriers and enablers to accessing services while preparing for primary and secondary school, in a low socio-economic multicultural community in Australia. METHOD: Ten focus groups were facilitated with Arabic-speaking refugee parents of children aged 2-5 years (n = 11) or in first year secondary school (n = 22); refugee adolescents starting high school (n = 16); and key service providers to refugee families (n = 27). Vignettes about a healthy child and a child with difficulties guided the discussions. Data was thematically analysed and feedback sought from the community via the World Café method. RESULTS: Personal resilience and strong family systems were identified as strengths. Mental health was identified as a complex primary need; and whilst refugees were aware of available services, there were issues in knowing how to access them. Opportunities for play/socialisation were recognised as unmet adolescent needs. Adults spoke of a need to support integration of "old" and "new" cultural values. Parents identified community as facilitating health knowledge transfer for new arrivals; whilst stakeholders saw this as a barrier when systems change. Most parents had not heard of early childhood services, and reported difficulty accessing child healthcare. Preschooler parents identified the family "GP" as the main source of health support; whilst parents of adolescents valued their child's school. Health communication in written (not spoken) English was a significant roadblock. Differences in refugee family and service provider perceptions were also evident. CONCLUSIONS: Refugee families face challenges to accessing services, but also have strengths that enable them to optimise their children's wellbeing. Culturally-tailored models of care embedded within GP services and school systems may assist improved healthcare for refugee families.


Child Health , Child Welfare , Health Services Accessibility , Needs Assessment , Refugees , Adolescent , Adult , Australia , Child , Child, Preschool , Cultural Diversity , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Mental Health , Parents/psychology , Poverty , Qualitative Research , Refugees/psychology , Refugees/statistics & numerical data , Schools
11.
Syst Rev ; 8(1): 107, 2019 Apr 30.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31039825

BACKGROUND: Schools can play a vital role in the resettlement of refugee children and their families. Yet, the body of research examining school environmental factors that support the mental health and acculturation of refugee children is methodologically heterogeneous, investigates numerous and disparate school factors, and is often "hidden" in broader qualitative studies. This limits the capacity to apply the findings in a practical manner. METHODS: Based on PRISMA statement principles, we review the relevant literature to investigate the relationship between school climate and the emotional wellbeing and resettlement outcomes of refugee students. Six electronic databases will be systematically searched: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAL, Web of Science, and ERIC, supplemented by a systematic review of the grey literature, relevant international websites, and sequential, site-specific internet searches. Finally, subject area experts will be consulted and backward and forward citation searches of included articles will be completed. Two independent reviewers will screen identified articles against eligibility criteria and extract data for included studies. Quality of included studies will be assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for mixed studies reviews. Data will be synthesised using a convergent qualitative narrative approach. DISCUSSION: Given the centrality of school in the daily lives of resettled refugee children, it is vital to assess the impact of school climate on the psychosocial wellbeing and resettlement trajectories of this population. This review will identify evidence-based school factors which support good mental health and resettlement outcomes for refugee students and make recommendations for translation of this knowledge into the school environment. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017077570.


Acculturation , Child Welfare , Emotions , Mental Health , Schools , Students/psychology , Child , Delivery of Health Care , Humans , Refugees/psychology , Systematic Reviews as Topic
12.
Aging Ment Health ; 22(8): 947-953, 2018 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28481643

OBJECTIVES: Children may have a foundational role in efforts to raise community awareness about dementia. There is some qualitative work with children with a relative with dementia, but little work into the insights of children as general citizens without affected family. One issue is an absence of measurement tools; thus the study aimed to design and pilot a psychometrically sound self-report measure of dementia attitudes for children. METHOD: Using a multi-staged scale development process, stakeholder and expert input informed a 52-item Kids Insight into Dementia Survey (KIDS). After a pretest of KIDS with 21 Australian schoolchildren aged 10-12 years, exploratory factor analysis and reliability and validity testing were run on a revised KIDS with data from 203 similar-aged schoolchildren. RESULTS: The KIDS was reduced from 52 to 14 items, and a three-factor solution identified: 'Personhood,' 'Stigma,' and 'Dementia Understanding.' A strong positive correlation with an adult measure of dementia attitudes (r = .76) and a moderate positive correlation with a child measure of attitudes towards older adults (r = .47) indicated good concurrent validity. Internal consistency of .83 indicated good reliability. CONCLUSION: Results support the use of KIDS as a tool to measure children's insight into dementia, and to evaluate dementia education initiatives targeting the youth.


Dementia , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Psychometrics , Child , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Male , Pilot Projects , Psychometrics/instrumentation , Psychometrics/methods , Psychometrics/standards
13.
Int Psychogeriatr ; 30(5): 673-684, 2018 05.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28965499

ABSTRACTBackground:The vision for dementia-friendly communities is challenged by limited public awareness and stigma about dementia. The study aim was to elicit stakeholder priorities for the message content of an education program to improve dementia awareness among youth; specifically, what do children need to know about dementia? METHODS: A qualitative inquiry using interviews and focus groups was used. Purposive sampling achieved maximum variation in dementia experience and participant characteristics. Focus groups with Scouts in the community aged 9-12 years old (n = 22) used innovative techniques to explore children's attitudes towards people with dementia. Participants with personal experience of dementia were five people with early-stage dementia; 12 adult primary carers; four non-primary carers; and six grandchildren of a person with dementia. They were asked what is important for children to understand about dementia and what attitudes they may like an education program to confer. Content analysis was performed using NVivo10. RESULTS: Strong themes to emerge were that children need to know the whole truth about dementia; that individuals with dementia are "still people," that it is "not the fault" of the person with dementia; and that dementia is different and typically unpredictable for everyone. Discussions also indicated a need to educate children about ways to relate to a person with dementia, and to appreciate "positives" within a relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Children are our future citizens. Developing an education program for children with this message content may be fundamental to de-stigmatizing dementia and laying the foundation to dementia-friendly communities.


Attitude , Caregivers , Dementia/psychology , Social Stigma , Child , Dementia/diagnosis , Family , Female , Focus Groups , Health Education , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Knowledge , Male , Qualitative Research
14.
Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen ; 32(4): 213-221, 2017 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28506126

Intergenerational programs are an authentic way to engage elders in meaningful activity and report benefits to both elders and youth. The Avondale Intergenerational Design Challenge (AVID) randomly assigned small teams of technology students aged 13 to 15 years (total N = 59) to 1 of 24 aged care residents with a range of cognitive impairment. Students met with the resident 4 times over 15 weeks and ultimately crafted a personalized item for them. Students showed no change in self-reported attitudes to elders, empathy, or self-esteem post-AVID or at 3-month follow-up, compared to a 3-month within-subject control period pre-AVID. Compared to usual lifestyle activities, residents showed significant improvements in self-reported positive affect and negative affect after student visits and were observed to be significantly more engaged during visits, especially residents with greater cognitive impairment. The personal and guided nature of intergenerational programs may be especially effective in engaging elders with cognitive impairment in meaningful activity.


Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Intergenerational Relations , Long-Term Care/psychology , Adolescent , Aged, 80 and over , Dementia/psychology , Empathy , Female , Humans , Male , Self Concept
15.
PLoS One ; 12(2): e0171879, 2017.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28207775

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs twice as commonly amongst women as men. Two common domains of trauma, network trauma and gender based violence (GBV), may contribute to this gender difference in PTSD rates. We examined data from a nationally representative sample of the Australian population to clarify the characteristics of these two trauma domains in their contributions to PTSD rates in men and women. METHODS: We drew on data from the 2007 Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being to assess gender differences across a comprehensive range of trauma domains, including (1) prevalence of lifetime exposure; (2) identification of an index trauma or DSM-IV Criterion A event; and (3) the likelihood of developing full DSM-IV PTSD symptoms once an index trauma was identified. RESULTS: Men reported more traumatic events (TEs) overall but women reported twice the prevalence of lifetime PTSD (women, 13.4%; men, 6.3%). Women reported a threefold higher level of exposure to GBV and were seven times more likely to nominate GBV as the index trauma as compared to men. Women were twice more likely than men to identify a network trauma as the index trauma and more likely to meet full PTSD symptoms in relation to that event (women, 20.6%; men, 14.6%). CONCLUSION: Women are more likely to identify GBV and network trauma as an index trauma. Women's far greater exposure to GBV contributes to their higher prevalence of PTSD. Women are markedly more likely to develop PTSD when network trauma is identified as the index trauma. Preventing exposure to GBV and providing timely interventions for acute psychological reactions following network trauma may assist in reducing PTSD rates amongst women.


Exposure to Violence , Psychological Trauma/epidemiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Australia/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Psychological Trauma/psychology , Sex Factors , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology
16.
Health Soc Care Community ; 24(3): 363-74, 2016 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25721569

The aim of the study was to develop and validate measures of client engagement in aged homecare. The Homecare Measure of Engagement-Staff questionnaire (HoME-S) is a self-complete measure of six dimensions of client engagement: client acceptance, attention, attitude, appropriateness, engagement duration and passivity. The Homecare Measure of Engagement-Client/Family report (HoME-CF) is a researcher-rated interview which obtains client and/or family perspectives regarding frequency and valence of conversational and recreational engagement during care worker visits. Care workers (n = 84) completed the HoME-S and a measure of relationship bond with client. Researchers interviewed clients (n = 164) and/or their family (n = 117) and completed the HoME-CF, and measures of agitation, dysphoria, apathy and cognitive functioning. The HoME-S and HoME-CF demonstrated good test-retest and inter-rater reliability, and showed significant negative correlations with apathy, agitation and non-English-speaking background. Controlling for client and care service characteristics, a stronger care worker-client relationship bond and English-speaking background were independently associated with higher HoME-S scores, and apathy was independently associated with higher HoME-CF scores. In conclusion, the HoME-S and HoME-CF are psychometrically sound engagement measures for use in homecare. Clients who are apathetic or from non-English-speaking backgrounds may be less responsive to traditional care worker engagement strategies. Engagement may be augmented in clients who have stronger relationships with their care workers.


Case Management/organization & administration , Health Services for the Aged/organization & administration , Home Care Services/organization & administration , Needs Assessment , Patient Participation , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Attention , Communication , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Professional-Patient Relations , Reproducibility of Results , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic Factors
17.
BMC Geriatr ; 13: 124, 2013 Nov 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24238067

BACKGROUND: Tailored psychosocial activity-based interventions have been shown to improve mood, behaviour and quality of life for nursing home residents. Occupational therapist delivered activity programs have shown benefits when delivered in home care settings for people with dementia. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of LEAP (Lifestyle Engagement Activity Program) for Life, a training and practice change program on the engagement of home care clients by care workers. Secondary aims are to evaluate the impact of the program on changes in client mood and behaviour. METHODS/DESIGN: The 12 month LEAP program has three components: 1) engaging site management and care staff in the program; 2) employing a LEAP champion one day a week to support program activities; 3) delivering an evidence-based training program to care staff. Specifically, case managers will be trained and supported to set meaningful social or recreational goals with clients and incorporate these into care plans. Care workers will be trained in and encouraged to practise good communication, promote client independence and choice, and tailor meaningful activities using Montessori principles, reminiscence, music, physical activity and play. LEAP Champions will be given information about theories of organisational change and trained in interpersonal skills required for their role. LEAP will be evaluated in five home care sites including two that service ethnic minority groups. A quasi experimental design will be used with evaluation data collected four times: 6-months prior to program commencement; at the start of the program; and then after 6 and 12 months. Mixed effect models will enable comparison of change in outcomes for the periods before and during the program. The primary outcome measure is client engagement. Secondary outcomes for clients are satisfaction with care, dysphoria/depression, loneliness, apathy and agitation; and work satisfaction for care workers. A process evaluation will also be undertaken. DISCUSSION: LEAP for Life may prove a cost-effective way to improve client engagement and other outcomes in the community setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612001064897.


Caregivers/psychology , Case Management , Home Care Services , Life Style , Social Support , Caregivers/trends , Case Management/trends , Home Care Services/trends , Humans , Motor Activity/physiology , Quality of Life/psychology
18.
J Abnorm Child Psychol ; 41(1): 81-95, 2013 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22836287

This three-wave longitudinal study explored developmental trajectories for various types of childhood anxiety symptoms (i.e., specific fears, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and separation anxiety) and examined how these trajectories were associated with several factors thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of anxiety. Parents of a community sample of 224 children aged 4 to 11 years repeatedly completed a standardized questionnaire of anxiety symptoms during a 2-year period. At Time 1, parents also filled out scales for measuring children's level of behavioral inhibition (BI), internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and prosocial behaviors, while an interview was conducted with children to assess Theory-of-Mind (TOM) ability. Growth Mixture Modeling identified multiple developmental trajectories in childhood anxiety symptoms of which the 'stable-low' or 'stable-medium' reflected the normative trajectories. Further, multinomial regression analyses indicated that the higher developmental trajectories of anxiety were associated with higher levels of BI and internalizing symptoms at Time 1. In sum, results show heterogeneity in the development of anxiety symptoms and underline the importance of early prevention programs for children at high risk for developing an anxiety disorder.


Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Child Development , Anxiety , Anxiety Disorders/prevention & control , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Regression Analysis , Social Behavior , Theory of Mind
19.
Appetite ; 43(2): 207-10, 2004 Oct.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15458807

Two experiments examined whether chewing spearmint gum can affect the initial learning or subsequent recall of a word list. Comparing those participants in Experiment 1 who chewed gum at the learning or the recall phases showed that chewing gum at initial learning was associated with superior recall. In addition, chewing gum led to context-dependent effects as a switch between gum and no gum (or no gum and gum) between learning and recall led to poorer performance. Experiment 2 provided evidence that sucking gum was sufficient to induce some of the same effects as chewing.


Chewing Gum , Memory/physiology , Adult , Cognition/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Recall , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Reaction Time
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