Dual Role Transition among First Time Pregnant Social Work Student Trainees

Since most social work student trainees are women of child bearing age, every year at least some of them become pregnant in the course of their fieldwork. This study investigates the dual transitions of becoming a mother while becoming a professional among 10 married social work student trainees whose fieldwork training coincided with their first pregnancy. The findings obtained from a cross-case thematic analysis of the contents of semi-structured interviews show that these trainees come to their fieldwork preoccupied with their pregnancy, torn between that and their clients, and feeling guilty and, in some cases, professionally inadequate as a result. They also show that some of them cope with their pregnancies by pushing themselves to over-function in matters that do not involve direct client interaction. The paper ends with practical recommendations to help pregnant trainees free up room for their clients' needs by providing them with opportunities to talk about their own.     

Third award: Constructing an experience table to predict the client's continuation in treatment

This study evaluated a community-based treatment program in Sweden for mothers subjected to intimate partner violence. Results based on group means indicated that the mothers showed significantly reduced trauma and psychological symptoms and improved sense of coherence after participating in the program. Surprisingly, no improvement regarding perceived parental locus of control was found. Furthermore, as a complement to group statistics a reliable change index was used, which resulted in more modest results regarding the effectiveness of the treatment.     

A Good Death for Residents of Long-Term Care

Abstract

Little research has been done on the topic of end-of-life care in long-term care settings to identify important themes regarding end-of-life care structures, processes, and outcomes. This study utilized data gathered in a stratified, random sample of 437 family members of residents who died in 31 nursing homes (NHs) and 199 residential care/assisted living facilities. Structural components of care including staffing adequacy, training, and consistence as well as facility environment and size were important factors for family members interviewed. “Being there” and manner of care delivery (e.g., staff attitudes/empathy) were major elements in the process of care. These factors were mentioned more than direct care, Hospice, or resident preferences. Family members identified themes of [dying at] home and being comfortable and clean as important outcomes of care. These identified structural components, processes, and outcomes have implications for the role of social workers in these settings despite that social work support is notably absent in these findings.     

Effect of body image on gestational weight gain in overweight and obese women

Problem or backgroundThere is little information available describing how women who are overweight or obese in pregnancy perceive their bodies, and in particular the effect of body image dissatisfaction on gestational weight gain.QuestionTo describe how women who are overweight or obese in pregnancy perceive their body, and the effect of body image on gestational weight gain.MethodsThis prospective nested cohort study evaluated self estimation of body weight, preferred body shape, dieting behavior, satisfaction with body weight and shape, and gestational weight gain in pregnant women who were overweight or obese, through self-completed questionnaire in early pregnancy in South Australia from October 2010 to February 2012.FindingsOf the 442 women who completed the questionnaire, 25.8% correctly identified their BMI, with 70.1% under-estimating and 4.1% over-estimating their BMI. Women who were obese were significantly less likely to correctly identify their BMI, as were younger women. Women who incorrectly identified their BMI were significantly more likely to have higher gestational weight gain (P < 0.001). Approximately 45% of women indicated dissatisfaction with their weight or body shape, with this being more common in women of higher parity and higher BMI. Dissatisfaction was significantly related to gestational weight gain.ConclusionWomen who report increasing dissatisfaction with their body size and shape are more likely to gain excessive weight during pregnancy. Further research should explore insights about maternal body image and diet related behaviors.     

社会医疗保险对老年人健康水平的影响：基于浙江省的实证研究

本研究根据2010年浙江省城乡老年人口生活状况调查的数据认为,对于老年人的社会医疗保险问题,不仅要关注保险覆盖面的扩大,更应关注不同保险项目参保老人之间的健康平等。在揭示医疗服务使用与健康水平负向关系这一主效应的基础上,研究发现,职工医保作为moderator可以改善使用较多医疗服务老人的健康水平,新农合的作用则相反。研究希望对医疗保险的改革思路进行反思,全民医保的改革思路不仅是医疗服务可及性的提高,更应该是不同社群享有平等的医疗福利,并最终促进健康结果的平等。     

Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit (I-BMS) Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Review of the Outcome Literature

ABSTRACT

Background: A growing interest in integrative body-mind-spirit (I-BMS) approaches to treatment of PTSD has resulted in a significant increase in related research. Method: This study conducted a synthesized review of randomized controlled trials of I-BMS treatments for PTSD, yielding thirteen studies that included: mindfulness/meditation (7), yoga (3), acupuncture (1), spiritually-based intervention (1), and relaxation (1) from 2004–2015. The study used a modified Delphi List (mDL) and the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC) to evaluate study rigor and level of research support for each practice. Results: Overall, I-BMS interventions demonstrated positive outcomes. Based on an mDL range between 0 and 7, scores were: 6 for meditation/mindfulness, 5.67 for yoga, 7 for acupuncture, 3 for spiritually-based intervention, and 4.5 for relaxation training. All interventions were recommended as practices with Promising Research Evidence (Level 3). Effect sizes (d) ranged from .51 to 1.88 for relaxation, .38 to 1.02 for spiritual, .31 to 1.4 for acupuncture, .1 to 1.54 for yoga and .2 to 1.53 for mindfulness meditation. Discussion: This study identified acupuncture, meditation, and yoga as high-quality alternative therapeutic practices for PTSD with promising evidence as effective and safe approaches. Future studies should assess long-term effects to further elevate the level of research support.     

School‐to‐work transition in South Korean young adults: Stratified or Individualized?

This study examines the relationship between family background and school‐to‐work transition (STWT) patterns in South Korean young adults. The transition from school to work has been linear, a simple change in status from full‐time student to full‐time worker. In the recent past, however, segmented (unemployment) and unstable (frequent status changes) patterns (have been increasing). While individualization theorists propose that family background is no longer a strong influence on STWT, stratification theorists posit that family background still plays a key role in STWT. There are a few studies that examine these theoretical arguments using empirical data. The research question is whether nonlinear and low labor market attachment STWT patterns stem from a disadvantaged family background (i.e., parents with low levels of education or low family income). This study applies Group‐Based Trajectory Analysis (GBTA) to the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS). Results show that young adults from disadvantaged family backgrounds are more likely to have segmented and unstable STWT patterns compared to those from advantaged family backgrounds, suggesting that family background still plays a significant role as young adults prepare and enter the labor market. This study supports the use of stratification theory for understanding STWT in labor market uncertainty.     

Simulation studies:do data generation techniques play favourites?

When comparing the performances of several classification procedures utilizing simulated data, it is necessary to ensure that the method of data generation does not unfairly favor one or more of the procedures. This study was undertaken to examine the influence of five methods of generation of data with dichotomous independent variables and an ordinal response. One generation method considered was model-free and four were model-based; it was hypothesized that the model-based generation techniques would unfairly favor their respective underlying models. In the three outcome category situation, it was found that the interaction between generation procedure and classification model, although statistically significant, was always very small. Thus, these results indicate that the choice of generation procedure may usually be made based on issues other than potential interaction between generation procedure and classification model.     

Joint models for multiple longitudinal processes and time-to-event outcome

ABSTRACT

Joint models are statistical tools for estimating the association between time-to-event and longitudinal outcomes. One challenge to the application of joint models is its computational complexity. Common estimation methods for joint models include a two-stage method, Bayesian and maximum-likelihood methods. In this work, we consider joint models of a time-to-event outcome and multiple longitudinal processes and develop a maximum-likelihood estimation method using the expectation–maximization algorithm. We assess the performance of the proposed method via simulations and apply the methodology to a data set to determine the association between longitudinal systolic and diastolic blood pressure measures and time to coronary artery disease.     

The Charisma and Deception of Reparative Therapies: When Medical Science Beds Religion

ABSTRACT

In this article, I examine the history and resurgence of interest in sexual reorientation or reparative therapies. I begin with a critique of the contemporary “ex-gay” movement, interrogating Exodus as the prototype of a politico-religious transformational ministry that works to “cure” homosexuals, and examine how Exodus utilizes ex-gay testimony to deceive harried homosexuals looking for escape from the effects of internalized and cultural homophobia. Next, I investigate how reparative therapies function as orthodox treatments that charismatically meld conservative religious perspectives with medical science to produce a pseudoscience promising to treat homosexuality effectively. In this regard, I assess the ongoing debate regarding gay-affirming versus reparative therapies by first looking at the history of medicalizing homosexuality and then surveying the debate spurred by Robert L. Spitzer's research. I conclude with a consideration of research needed to measure whether efficacious change in sexual orientation is possible.