Family Yoga For Self-Esteem and Stronger Caregiver-Child Relationships: A Pilot Study

Background: Children’s participation in yoga is becoming more widespread as a practice to promote physical health and psychological well-being. Previous research of yoga programs for children indicate that children respond well to yoga-based interventions and are receptive to the therapeutic benefits, both physical and emotional. There is extensive research examining the benefits of children’s yoga, however there is a paucity of research examining the potential benefits of family yoga. Objective: In this study the relationship with the primary caregiver is utilized in order to engage children and their caregivers in yoga and other mindfulness-based activities together. The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of a Family Yoga program to increase children’s self-esteem and enhance caregiver-child relationships. Self-esteem and close caregiver-child relationships are strong indicators of mental wellness for children and families. As there is minimal professional intervention required for children and their caregivers to practice yoga together it is a resource worth further investigation in regards to mental wellness. Methods: For the Family Yoga program children between the ages of 7 and 9 participate in a 60-minute yoga class with their primary caregiver once a week for an eight-week period. N = 13 child; N=13 caregiver; Child Age M=8.  Quantitative results are analyzed using a paired t-test to examine changes in the child’s self-esteem and the strength of the caregiver-child relationship, using both caregiver reported and child reported measures pre and post intervention. Qualitative results are analyzed using content analysis to examine the perceived benefits of the intervention from the perspective of the participants. Results: Quantitative results show a statistically significant increase in children’s self-esteem and closeness in the relationship with their primary caregiver. In the qualitative results, caregivers identified enhanced closeness in the relationship with their child, confidence of their child developing and benefiting from the opportunity to know their child better. Conclusion: The quantitative and qualitative results suggest that the Family Yoga may improve children’s self-esteem and enhance closeness in the caregiver-child relationship, leading to prospective improvements in the mental well-being of children and families

The diagnosis of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection in owned and group-housed rescue cats in Australia

A field study was undertaken to (i) measure the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) exposure and FeLV infection in a cross-section of healthy Australian pet cats; and (ii) investigate the outcomes following natural FeLV exposure in two Australian rescue facilities. Group 1 (n = 440) consisted of healthy client-owned cats with outdoor access, predominantly from eastern Australia. Groups 2 (n = 38) and 3 (n = 51) consisted of a mixture of healthy and sick cats, group-housed in two separate rescue facilities in Sydney, Australia, tested following identification of index cases of FeLV infection in cats sourced from these facilities. Diagnostic testing for FeLV exposure/infection included p27 antigen testing using three different point-of-care FeLV kits and a laboratory-based ELISA, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing to detect FeLV proviral DNA in leukocytes, real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) testing to detect FeLV RNA in plasma, and neutralising antibody (NAb) testing. Cats were classified as FeLV-uninfected (FeLV-unexposed and presumptively FeLV-abortive infections) or FeLV-infected (presumptively regressive and presumptively progressive infections). In Group 1, 370 FeLV-unexposed cats (370/440, 84%), 47 abortive infections (47/440, 11%), nine regressive infections (9/440, 2%), and two progressive infections (2/440, 0.5%) were identified, and 12 FeLV-uninfected cats (12/440, 3%) were unclassifiable as FeLV-unexposed or abortive infections due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. In Groups 2 and 3, 31 FeLV-unexposed cats (31/89, 35%), eight abortive infections (8/89, 9%), 22 regressive infections (22/89; 25%), and 19 progressive infections (19/89; 21%) were discovered, and nine FeLV-uninfected cats (9/89; 10%) were unclassifiable due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. One of the presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 was likely a focal FeLV infection. Two other presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 may have been classified as regressive infections with repeated testing, highlighting the difficulties associated with FeLV diagnosis when sampling cats at a single time point, even with results from a panel of FeLV tests. These results serve as a reminder to Australian veterinarians that the threat of FeLV to the general pet cat population remains high, thus vigilant FeLV testing, separate housing for FeLV-infected cats, and FeLV vaccination of at-risk cats is important, particularly in group-housed cats in shelters and rescue facilities, where outbreaks of FeLV infection can occur

Are Executive Function Difficulties Reported by Parents and Teachers Associated with Elevated Levels of Parenting Stress for Children Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, with and without Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

Parents raising children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience high levels of parenting stress, especially when ADHD is accompanied by comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ADHD/ODD). Children with ADHD experience difficulties with their executive functions in such areas as inhibition control, working memory, and emotional regulation. Despite evidence linking ADHD with parenting stress, and ADHD with executive function difficulties (EFDs), there is little research exploring whether EFDs within an ADHD population are associated with parenting stress. This dissertation’s main objective is to determine whether parent-reported and teacher-reported childhood EFDs are associated with elevated levels of parenting stress. A secondary data analysis was completed on a cross-section of parent and teacher completed psychiatric assessment measures for children (n=243) diagnosed with ADHD. Measures included the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale and the Parenting Stress Index, Long Form. A number of important findings were produced; key of which was the finding that a strong association exists between parent-reported EFDs and Child Domain parenting stress. Consistent with prior ADHD research, difficulties with emotional control and inhibition were found to be potent predictors of Child Domain parenting stress. To a lesser degree, children’s difficulties with initiation and self-monitoring were associated with Child Domain parenting stress, suggesting that daily hassles pose challenges for parents, especially when the child attends a new school. Also important was the finding that parent-reported oppositionality partially mediated the relationship between EFDs with emotional control, inhibition and shift, and Child Domain parenting stress. Despite teachers’ reports that children displayed more severe behaviours than were reported by parents, teacher-reported EFDs were not significantly associated with Child Domain parenting stress, with a few exceptions. Although not a well-explored concept within the literature on ADHD and parenting stress, parental acceptance of the child emerged as source of Child Domain parenting stress and a potential focus for assessment and treatment. Findings from the current study suggest that early identification and intervention with emotional control difficulties and ODD are vital due to their strong association with clinically significant levels of Child Domain parenting stress.Ph

Identifying Caregiver-infant Mental Health Interventions: A Scoping Review

The aim of this project is to conduct a scoping review to (1) identify caregiver-infant mental health interventions and (2) identify the barriers and facilitators to implementing these types of interventions

The Reunification of American Indian Children in Long-term Foster Care

Objective: The literature examining reunification for American Indian children reveals mixed findings regarding racial differences. Studies that isolate the impact of race on reunification while controlling for other covariates are needed, and this study fills that gap. Method: Data are from the long-term foster care sample of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW I). We examined a sample (N = 456) of American Indian, African American, and White children ages 2–15 at baseline (M = 7.98 years, SD = 4.17). Using nearest-neighbor propensity score matching, we estimated the effect of race on reunification at 18- and 36-month follow-up. We used logistic regression analyses to explore factors associated with reunification in addition to race. Results: Our findings suggest that reunification rates do not differ based on race after controlling for other factors. American Indian children were statistically no more or less likely to reunify than their White or African American peers. Conclusions: Lower rates of reunification for American Indian children may be better explained by covariates in the propensity score model and regression analyses (e.g., age, emotional–behavioral problems, type of placement) rather than race

A scoping review of mental health prevention and intervention initiatives for infants and preschoolers at risk for socio-emotional difficulties

Abstract Background Infant mental health has emerged as a unique area of practice and research distinguished from child and youth sub-specialties by its advocacy for a relational practice framework with an emphasis on parents/caregivers being integral to assessment, treatment, and prevention initiatives. A diverse array of initiatives offered across a broad spectrum of delivery methods is available to clinicians. However, to date, a large-scale mapping of the research evidence regarding these interventions has yet to be completed to help inform clinician’s decisions regarding the best approaches for their clients. To address this knowledge gap, this study aimed to report on the landscape of research pertaining to mental health interventions for infants and preschoolers (0–5 years), and their families at risk for socio-emotional difficulties and negative developmental outcomes. Method A scoping review methodology was used to conduct a large-scale mapping of the intervention research pertaining to infants and preschoolers (0–5) at risk for socio-emotional difficulties. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, LILACS, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source, World Cat, and ClinicalTrials.gov , from inception to December 31, 2012. We extracted information regarding publication date, geographical location, study design, level of risk, population, key intervention mechanism, and outcome measures. Results We identified 533 potential studies from 1233 title and abstracts after the first round of screening. Full text article review in the second round of screening resulted in a total of 162 included articles for the final analysis. Results indicated that over 50% of interventions evaluated were randomized controlled trials conducted in Westernized countries. Most studies could be subdivided by level of risk within a preventative public health framework including universal, selected, indicated, and direct treatment for children formally diagnosed with a mental disorder. Risk factors experienced by children and their families were heterogeneously defined and numerous outcome measures across included studies. The results of this study are limited to the last search date of 2012. Conclusions Key intervention mechanisms spanned a range of approaches including parenting groups, dyadic, in-home, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and day care-based interventions. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for broad trends and gaps in research and policy for this population

The diagnosis of Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) infection in owned and group-housed rescue cats in Australia

A field study was undertaken to (i) measure the prevalence of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) exposure and FeLV infection in a cross-section of healthy Australian pet cats; and (ii) investigate the outcomes following natural FeLV exposure in two Australian rescue facilities. Group 1 ( = 440) consisted of healthy client-owned cats with outdoor access, predominantly from eastern Australia. Groups 2 ( = 38) and 3 ( = 51) consisted of a mixture of healthy and sick cats, group-housed in two separate rescue facilities in Sydney, Australia, tested following identification of index cases of FeLV infection in cats sourced from these facilities. Diagnostic testing for FeLV exposure/infection included p27 antigen testing using three different point-of-care FeLV kits and a laboratory-based ELISA, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing to detect FeLV proviral DNA in leukocytes, real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) testing to detect FeLV RNA in plasma, and neutralising antibody (NAb) testing. Cats were classified as FeLV-uninfected (FeLV-unexposed and presumptively FeLV-abortive infections) or FeLV-infected (presumptively regressive and presumptively progressive infections). In Group 1, 370 FeLV-unexposed cats (370/440, 84%), 47 abortive infections (47/440, 11%), nine regressive infections (9/440, 2%), and two progressive infections (2/440, 0.5%) were identified, and 12 FeLV-uninfected cats (12/440, 3%) were unclassifiable as FeLV-unexposed or abortive infections due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. In Groups 2 and 3, 31 FeLV-unexposed cats (31/89, 35%), eight abortive infections (8/89, 9%), 22 regressive infections (22/89; 25%), and 19 progressive infections (19/89; 21%) were discovered, and nine FeLV-uninfected cats (9/89; 10%) were unclassifiable due to insufficient samples available for NAb testing. One of the presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 was likely a focal FeLV infection. Two other presumptively progressively-infected cats in Group 3 may have been classified as regressive infections with repeated testing, highlighting the difficulties associated with FeLV diagnosis when sampling cats at a single time point, even with results from a panel of FeLV tests. These results serve as a reminder to Australian veterinarians that the threat of FeLV to the general pet cat population remains high, thus vigilant FeLV testing, separate housing for FeLV-infected cats, and FeLV vaccination of at-risk cats is important, particularly in group-housed cats in shelters and rescue facilities, where outbreaks of FeLV infection can occur