Developing a text-message library for tobacco prevention among adolescents: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Communicating the risks associated with nicotine and tobacco use to adolescents can be challenging, especially with the current tobacco market's attempt to capture the attention of youths. Text message interventions have emerged to address the need to improve tobacco risk communication. This article informs the design of a message library for tobacco risk communication that is based on the transtheoretical model and addresses the risk of multiple tobacco products. METHODS: We draw findings from this study from two phases. Phase 1 involved six remote focus group discussions (n = 25) and an in-depth interview, and Phase 2 involved online ideation sessions (n = 11) that led to the current version of the messages. We conducted the study within a larger project for the design and testing of a tobacco prevention program. With thematic analysis and the affinity mapping technique, two research team members identified repeated topics and relevant quotes to organize them into themes and subthemes. RESULTS: In Phase 1, thematic analysis revealed four major themes: 1) Adolescents' gap in tobacco knowledge, 2) Social influence and popularity, 3) Attitude toward marketing, and 4) Text message framing preferences. During Phase 2, participants generated 1-to-7 iterations of the original messages. Votings and discussions resulted in a library of 306 messages under 7 sections, categorized based on the processes of change from the transtheoretical model. CONCLUSION: The current study presents key insights crucial for developing and evaluating a library of tobacco prevention text messages that is scientifically valid and successfully resonates with today's adolescents. Our future plan is to go beyond this initial message development and vet the message library by adolescents and expert reviewers in tobacco risk communication. Future research may consider developing messages that are tailored based on gender, ethnicity, and other factors that are predictive of tobacco use.

Identifying adolescents' gaming preferences for a tobacco prevention social game: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the dangers of adolescent tobacco use, the successful design of behavioral programs is crucial for tobacco prevention. According to preliminary research, social game interventions can improve adolescent tobacco outcomes. The current qualitative study aims to (1) uncover the gaming elements that adolescents deem important for a positive learning experience, and (2) confirm these gaming elements with adolescents who are presented with a tobacco prevention game concept that applies these elements. METHODS: Findings from this study are drawn from two phases. Phase 1 involved in-person focus group discussions (n = 15) and Phase 2 included three online focus groups and a paired interview with another set of adolescents (n = 15). The study was conducted under a project that aimed to design and test a social game-based tobacco prevention program for adolescents (Storm-Heroes). With open coding and thematic analysis, two research team members identified repeated topics and relevant quotes to organize them into themes. The themes evolved as new content was identified during the process. This process was repeated until thematic saturation was reached. RESULTS: Thematic analysis across Phase 1 and Phase 2 revealed four major themes: 1) Balance during gaming challenges, 2) Healthy social interaction, 3) Performance and creative freedom, and 4) Fictional world and game mechanics for tobacco prevention. CONCLUSION: This study identified specific intervention features that best fit the needs of adolescents in the context of a social game for tobacco prevention. For future research, we will use a participatory approach to allow adolescents to take part in the design process, improve Storm-Heroes, and develop health promotional messages that can be incorporated into the program. Ultimately, a board game for tobacco prevention is expected to bring adolescents together to create lasting memories that nudge them away from tobacco use and the harm it can cause.

A locus coeruleus-dorsal CA1 dopaminergic circuit modulates memory linking.

Individual memories are often linked so that the recall of one triggers the recall of another. For example, contextual memories acquired close in time can be linked, and this is known to depend on a temporary increase in excitability that drives the overlap between dorsal CA1 (dCA1) hippocampal ensembles that encode the linked memories. Here, we show that locus coeruleus (LC) cells projecting to dCA1 have a key permissive role in contextual memory linking, without affecting contextual memory formation, and that this effect is mediated by dopamine. Additionally, we found that LC-to-dCA1-projecting neurons modulate the excitability of dCA1 neurons and the extent of overlap between dCA1 memory ensembles as well as the stability of coactivity patterns within these ensembles. This discovery of a neuromodulatory system that specifically affects memory linking without affecting memory formation reveals a fundamental separation between the brain mechanisms modulating these two distinct processes.

Applying a Trauma Informed School Systems Approach: Examples from School Community-Academic Partnerships.

Objectives: Schools can play an important role in addressing the effects of traumatic stress on students by providing prevention, early intervention, and intensive treatment for children exposed to trauma. This article aims to describe key domains for implementing trauma-informed practices in schools. Design: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) has identified trauma-informed domains and principles for use across systems of care. This article applies these domains to schools and presents a model for a Trauma-Informed School System that highlights broad macro level factors, school-wide components, and tiered supports. Community partners from one school district apply this framework through case vignettes. Results: Case 1 describes the macro level components of this framework and the leveraging of school policies and financing to sustain trauma-informed practices in a public health model. Case 2 illustrates a school founded on trauma-informed principles and practices, and its promotion of a safe school environment through restorative practices. Case 3 discusses the role of school leadership in engaging and empowering families, communities, and school staff to address neighborhood and school violence. Conclusions: This article concludes with recommendations for dissemination of trauma-informed practices across schools at all stages of readiness. We identify three main areas for facilitating the use of this framework: 1) assessment of school staff knowledge and awareness of trauma; 2) assessment of school and/or district's current implementation of trauma-informed principles and practices; 3) development and use of technology-assisted tools for broad dissemination of practices, data and evaluation, and workforce training of clinical and non-clinical staff.

Resultados de la capacitación a cuidadores de Adultos Mayores en el Departamento de Risaralda 2011 (Colombia) / Results of the adult caregivers training of Ederly adults in the Department of Risaralda 2011 (Colombia) / Resultados da capacitação a cuidadores de Adultos Maiores no Departamento de Risaralda, 2011 (Colômbia)

Introducción: se presentan los resultados de la capacitación realizada a los cuidadores de adultos mayores en el departamento de Risaralda 2011.Métodos: estudio evaluativo con abordaje cualitativo. Se incluyeron todos los 121 cuidadores directos e indirectos de los 15 Centros de Bienestar del Anciano (CBA) de los 14 municipios de Risaralda que tienen apoyo estatal; en total participaron 121personas. Se organizaron 22 grupos focales. La información se grabó, transcribió, codificó y categorizó.Resultados: los cuidadores mostraron motivación e interés en aprender nuevasformas de satisfacer las necesidades del adulto mayor institucionalizado. Se relevan tres categorías de análisis: compañía, actividad física y protección.Conclusión: la intervención educativa recoge la contribución y el interés dedirectivas, trabajadores y cuidadores voluntarios de los CBA, en el mejoramiento de calidad de vida de los adultos mayores.

Introduction: we present the results of the training provided to caregivers of older adults in the department of Risaralda 2011.Methods: a qualitative approach evaluation. In total 121 direct and indirect caregivers of the 15 Elderly Welfare Centers (EWC) of the 14 municipalities of Risaralda, with government support. 22 focus groups were organized. The information was recorded, transcribed, coded and categorized.Results: caregivers showed motivation and interest in learning new ways to meet the needs of the institutionalized elderly. The relevant three categories of analysis was company, physical activity and protection.Conclusion: the educational inte rvention reflects the contribution and interest of directors, employees and volunteers caregivers of the EWC in improving quality of life of older adults.

Introdução: resultados da capacitação de cuidadores de adultos maiores no Departamento de Risaralda, em 2011.Métodos: estudo avaliativo com abordagem qualitativa. Foram incluidos os 121 cuidadores diretos e indiretos dos 15 Centros de Bem-estar do Ancião (CBA) dos 14 municipios de Risaralda, que tem apoio estatal; no total participaram 121 pessoas. Foram organizados 22 grupos nucleadores. A informação foi gravada, transcrita, codificada e classificada.Resultados: os cuidadores mostraram motivação e interesse por aprender novas formas de satisfazer as necessidades do adulto maior institucionalizado. Se destacam três categorías de análise: companhia, atividade física e proteção.Conclusão: a intervenção educativa recolhe a contribuição e o interesse de diretores, trabalhadores e cuidadores voluntários dos CBA, na melhoria da qualidade de vida dos adultos maiores.