8,253 research outputs found

    Supporting employers and their employees with mental hEalth conditions to remain eNgaged and producTive at wORk (MENTOR):A feasibility randomised controlled trial

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    Employees with mental health conditions often struggle to remain in employment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these employees faced additional stressors, including worsening mental health and work productivity. In 2020, as part of a larger programme of work called the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP), we developed a new early intervention (MENTOR) that jointly involved employees, managers, and a new professional (Mental Health Employment Liaison Worker (MHELW). The intervention involved trained MHELWs delivering ten sessions to employees with existing mental health conditions and managers (three individual sessions and four joint sessions) over twelve weeks. These sessions aimed to improve psychological flexibility, interpersonal relationships, and engagement of employees. This feasibility randomised controlled trial aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention from the perspective of employees and managers using a mixed methods approach. The intervention was largely considered feasible and acceptable. Initial findings suggest there may be benefits for employee's productivity, mental health, and managers mental health knowledge. Logistical challenges acted as a barrier to the participation and retention of participants in the trial. The major strengths of this study were the co-design and inter-disciplinary approach taken. Overall, findings suggest that this novel intervention has potential but needs some adjustments and testing in a larger sample

    What makes an individual inclusive of others? Development and validation of the Individual Inclusiveness Inventory

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    This study develops and validates the ‘Individual Inclusiveness Inventory’. Collaboration and inclusion are key contributors to successful work outcomes in an increasingly diverse workforce. We capture what makes an individual inclusive of others at work. We define an inclusive individual as someone who actively includes individuals in a group and encourages diversity of thought and background but still encourages the group in a way as to maximise performance and productivity. To develop the ‘Individual Inclusiveness Inventory’ we combine a deductive and inductive approach: we generate scale items based on the existing literature on inclusion and interviews with 14 experts in diversity and inclusion. The items are then reduced using exploratory factor analysis and confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis in two samples of working professionals in the UK. This results in a two-factor solution where factor 1 ‘Belonging and Uniqueness’ captures the importance of fostering belonging and uniqueness at work and factor 2 ‘Challenge and Openness’ captures being open to challenge and being challenged. We test the predictive validity of the two-factor solution with respect to work outcomes. We find that ‘Challenge and Openness’ is positively related to all work outcomes studied including income. This link to productivity is intuitive for individuals who are open to challenge are also likely competitive and innovative. ‘Belonging and Uniqueness’ is positively related to the number of people managed and perceived comparative seniority and happiness. This factor is less predictive of productivity as fostering belonging and uniqueness is likely more about group outcomes or happiness

    The Comparative Intercultural Sensitivity of American Faculty Teaching Abroad and Domestically : A Mixed-Methods Investigation Employing Participant-Generated Visuals

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    This thesis aimed to identify and compare the intercultural sensitivity, or IS, of tertiary American instructors teaching mono-national, non-American student populations abroad in the UAE and that of American tertiary instructors in multinational, non-American student populations domestically in the US. The study investigated the use of reflexive photography and photo-elicitation interviews methods as both data collection approaches and possible cultivators of IS, as well as any variation in findings between the two participant groups. The study employed a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews following a four-week reflexive photography project. Qualitative data were analyzed through the lens of a developmental framework and inductively through thematic analysis to capture fuller images of participants’ environments. Both groups of participants self-report fairly high IS, with the US-based group’s sensitivity averaging higher than the UAE-based group. Both groups, on average, showed slightly increased IS quantitatively following the reflexive photography project and photo-elicitation interviews, with the UAE-based group experiencing a slightly greater increase. This research involves a small number of participants; findings should be considered for indicative purposes only. Participants’ IS, when observed through the theoretical lens, indicate more progressive sensitivity among US-based participants. Thematic analysis of interview data reflects distinct teaching contexts faced by each participant group, with five and six themes emerging from the UAE- and US-based groups, respectively. This research is the first to the best of the author’s knowledge to investigate the IS of tertiary American faculty teaching internationally diverse student populations domestically and is also the first to compare differences in IS between this group and America

    Configuration Management of Distributed Systems over Unreliable and Hostile Networks

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    Economic incentives of large criminal profits and the threat of legal consequences have pushed criminals to continuously improve their malware, especially command and control channels. This thesis applied concepts from successful malware command and control to explore the survivability and resilience of benign configuration management systems. This work expands on existing stage models of malware life cycle to contribute a new model for identifying malware concepts applicable to benign configuration management. The Hidden Master architecture is a contribution to master-agent network communication. In the Hidden Master architecture, communication between master and agent is asynchronous and can operate trough intermediate nodes. This protects the master secret key, which gives full control of all computers participating in configuration management. Multiple improvements to idempotent configuration were proposed, including the definition of the minimal base resource dependency model, simplified resource revalidation and the use of imperative general purpose language for defining idempotent configuration. Following the constructive research approach, the improvements to configuration management were designed into two prototypes. This allowed validation in laboratory testing, in two case studies and in expert interviews. In laboratory testing, the Hidden Master prototype was more resilient than leading configuration management tools in high load and low memory conditions, and against packet loss and corruption. Only the research prototype was adaptable to a network without stable topology due to the asynchronous nature of the Hidden Master architecture. The main case study used the research prototype in a complex environment to deploy a multi-room, authenticated audiovisual system for a client of an organization deploying the configuration. The case studies indicated that imperative general purpose language can be used for idempotent configuration in real life, for defining new configurations in unexpected situations using the base resources, and abstracting those using standard language features; and that such a system seems easy to learn. Potential business benefits were identified and evaluated using individual semistructured expert interviews. Respondents agreed that the models and the Hidden Master architecture could reduce costs and risks, improve developer productivity and allow faster time-to-market. Protection of master secret keys and the reduced need for incident response were seen as key drivers for improved security. Low-cost geographic scaling and leveraging file serving capabilities of commodity servers were seen to improve scaling and resiliency. Respondents identified jurisdictional legal limitations to encryption and requirements for cloud operator auditing as factors potentially limiting the full use of some concepts

    Information actors beyond modernity and coloniality in times of climate change:A comparative design ethnography on the making of monitors for sustainable futures in Curaçao and Amsterdam, between 2019-2022

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    In his dissertation, Mr. Goilo developed a cutting-edge theoretical framework for an Anthropology of Information. This study compares information in the context of modernity in Amsterdam and coloniality in Curaçao through the making process of monitors and develops five ways to understand how information can act towards sustainable futures. The research also discusses how the two contexts, that is modernity and coloniality, have been in informational symbiosis for centuries which is producing negative informational side effects within the age of the Anthropocene. By exploring the modernity-coloniality symbiosis of information, the author explains how scholars, policymakers, and data-analysts can act through historical and structural roots of contemporary global inequities related to the production and distribution of information. Ultimately, the five theses propose conditions towards the collective production of knowledge towards a more sustainable planet

    Philosophies of Empirical and Habitual Teaching: Healthy Vocal Methodologies in Higher Education for the Twenty-first Century

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    Despite research done on healthy vocal methodologies, there are continuous changes in how best to prepare collegiate music students, relating to their emotional health through empirical and habitual teachings. This study will show how healthy vocal methodologies can influence higher education vocal students of the twenty-first century. This qualitative study can build a bridge to related topics in an exploratory framework with perspectives on: Dr. William Hettler’s Emotional Well-Being and its seven dimensions, Jean Piaget\u27s Cognitive Construction Theory, Peter Salovey and John Mayer\u27s Emotional Intelligence Theory, Daniel Goleman’s Social Emotional Learning Methodology, Susan Brookhart’s “Classroometrics” Theory, Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Imagery-Based Learning Methodology, and Learning-Based Methodology. By applying these theories and methodologies to the study, one can gain a better understanding of the process of higher education music students\u27 vocal background. In addition, music educators can facilitate and address relevant concerns regarding healthy vocal techniques that one’s emotional condition may influence. This study highlights gaps in the research on constructive and adverse effects of habitual and empirical vocal technique studies through interviews and facilitated lessons with higher education participants, which is essential because a solid foundation for music students\u27 success begins with vocal health. Based on new and developing perspectives of empirical and habitual teachings, this research will seek to explore findings benefiting music educators, vocal students, and further develop music specialists’ knowledge of what may affect higher education music students\u27 vocal health by discovering constructive and adverse habits that arise from empirical and habitual musical experiences

    An investigation of mHealth and digital health literacy among new parents during COVID-19

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    IntroductionEspecially during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents were expected to understand increasingly sophisticated information about health issues and healthcare systems and access online resources as a part of their caregiving role. Yet little is known about parents' online digital technology use and digital health literacy skill. This study aimed to investigate parents' digital technology use, their self-reported digital health literacy skill, and demographic information as potential factors influencing their use of digital technologies.MethodsAn online survey utilizing convenience sampling was administered to new parents during the COVID-19 pandemic that inquired about their demographic information, digital technology use, and digital health literacy skills within Ontario, Canada.ResultsA total of 151 individuals responded to the survey; these were primarily mothers (80%) who self-reported as white (72%), well-educated 86%), heterosexual (86%) females (85%) with incomes over $100,00 per year (48%). Participants reported consistent and persistent online activity related to their parenting role and mostly via mobile smartphone devices (92%). Participants had moderate to high digital health literacy skills, greater than the Canadian national average. Almost half of participants reported negative health and well-being consequences from their digital online behaviours. There were no significant relationships between technology use, digital health literacy skill, and demographic variables.DiscussionThe COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for and importance of effective and equitable digital health services. Important opportunities exist within clinical practice and among parenting groups to proactively address the physical and mental health implications of digital parenting practices. Equally important are opportunities to insert into clinical workflow the inquiry into parents' online information-seeking behaviours, and to include digital health literacy as part of prenatal/postnatal health education initiatives

    MOTIVATION, LEARNING, AND THE WORKPLACE: A STUDY OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS AND CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

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    Continued professional learning is a consistent focus of attention for the field of student affairs within higher education. Yet, very little research has been conducted on the factors that influence the motivation of student affairs professionals to pursue continued professional learning, especially professionals within community colleges. This study utilized a quantitative research design to examine the physical and psychological factors of the work environment that can influence a community college student affairs professional’s motivation to pursue continued professional learning. Through the theoretical lens of Lewin’s Field Theory and Eccles’ Expectancy-Value Theory, I designed a 58-item survey (N = 41) that measured both the physical (institution orientation, institution policy, supervisor support, and coworker support) and psychological (expectancy, value, cost) factors within the work environment. Analysis of the survey results suggest that the institution’s orientation toward continued professional development has the strongest relationship with a student affairs professional’s motivation to pursue continued professional development. Secondary factors include supervisor support and expectancy, or an individual’s self-efficacy towards learning. Both showed to have moderately strong relationships to plans to participate in continued professional learning

    “If I want to be able to keep going, I must be active.” Exploring older adults’ perspectives of remote physical activity supports: a mixed-methods study

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    IntroductionPandemic-related public health restrictions limited older adults’ physical activity programs and opportunities. Physical activity supports shifted to remote options, however, information on their adoption and effectiveness is limited. This study aims to describe the remote supports received by older adults and their perceived effectiveness. Additionally, it aims to describe facilitators and barriers to remote supports for physical activity among older adults, particularly those reliant on technology.MethodsThis study used an explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods design. Community-dwelling older adults (≄ 60 years) were recruited to partake in a web-based survey and an optional semi-structured follow-up interview informed by the COM-B model. Participant characteristics, perceived effectiveness of remote supports, and the presence and severity of barriers were described. Changes in physical activity levels before and during the pandemic were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data underwent inductive thematic analysis.ResultsFifty seven older adults (68.3 ± 7.1 years, 43 Female) completed the survey, of which 15 participants (67.4 ± 5.8 years, 12 Female) participated in interviews. The majority were Caucasian, highly educated, and resided in Canada. Total physical activity levels showed no statistically significant change from before to during the pandemic (p = 0.74); however, at-home exercise participation and technology usage increased. Pre-recorded and real-time virtual exercise supports were perceived as most effective. Main barriers included limited contact with exercise professionals, limited access to exercise equipment or space, and decreased mental wellness. Thematic analysis identified five main themes: (i) Enabled by knowledge and resources; (ii) Diverse motivations for physical activity; (iii) Fostering participation through social connection; (iv) Supervision and safety: enabling adherence; and (v) Virtual exercise: a sustainable option with technological considerations.ConclusionVirtual platforms show promise in supporting older adults’ physical activity at home, especially for those with limited in-person access. Our study suggests that both real-time and pre-recorded virtual exercise supports are feasible, depending on technological capacity and support. While interactive real-time virtual programs allow interaction with professionals and peers, pre-recorded programs provide timing flexibility. Further research is needed to establish best practices for safe and effective virtual exercise programming, promoting its long-term adoption for supporting a wider range of older adults
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