Psychiatric morbidity and social capital in rural communities of the Greek North Aegean islands

Which facets of social capital affect mental health in rural settings? This study explores the association between different aspects of social capital and psychiatric morbidity in rural communities of the Greek North Aegean islands. A large number of individual and community characteristics which may influence psychiatric morbidity are concurrently examined in multilevel models to account for the clustering of individuals within rural settings. The current findings indicate that psychiatric morbidity is to a large extent clustered within rural communities. Individuals’ perceived divisions in the community, i.e., political party preference, landholdings etc., low social support networks and lack of perceived solidarity are associated with psychiatric morbidity according to theoretical expectation. At the community level this risk is lower in villages with over 250 residents, where there are youth clubs or a common threat, for instance, property crime

de Branges-Rovnyak spaces: basics and theory

For $S$ a contractive analytic operator-valued function on the unit disk ${\mathbb D}$, de Branges and Rovnyak associate a Hilbert space of analytic functions ${\mathcal H}(S)$ and related extension space ${\mathcal D(S)}$ consisting of pairs of analytic functions on the unit disk ${\mathbb D}$. This survey describes three equivalent formulations (the original geometric de Branges-Rovnyak definition, the Toeplitz operator characterization, and the characterization as a reproducing kernel Hilbert space) of the de Branges-Rovnyak space ${\mathcal H}(S)$, as well as its role as the underlying Hilbert space for the modeling of completely non-isometric Hilbert-space contraction operators. Also examined is the extension of these ideas to handle the modeling of the more general class of completely nonunitary contraction operators, where the more general two-component de Branges-Rovnyak model space ${\mathcal D}(S)$ and associated overlapping spaces play key roles. Connections with other function theory problems and applications are also discussed. More recent applications to a variety of subsequent applications are given in a companion survey article

When Collectivity Makes a Difference: Theoretical and Empirical Insights from Urban and Rural Communities in Colombia

[EN] In this paper, we analyse two Colombian communities using elements of the capability approach. The first, Comuna 8, is an urban community in Medellín, Colombia¿s second largest city. The second community is a Zona de Reserva Campesina (Peasant Farmer Reserve Zone) in the Cabrera municipality, in the Department of Cundinamarca. We explore the reasons why people value being part of a community, along with the collective capabilities that are expanded through community participation. As a product of these capabilities communities plan their own territories, which are examples of collective functionings. Social and environmental conversion factors, as well the historical background of the two communities, are key elements in the analysis. Finally, this research sheds light on individual and collective agency. This agency not only occurs in spaces recognised by Colombian law, but also in areas claimed by the communities themselves.This work was supported by Programa Adsideo 2015, Centro de Cooperacion al Desarrollo, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia. Ayudas Salvador de Madariaga, Subprograma de Movilidad, Plan Estatal de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnica y de Innovacion 2013-2016.Boni Aristizábal, A.; Millan Franco, GF.; Millan Franco, MA. (2018). When Collectivity Makes a Difference: Theoretical and Empirical Insights from Urban and Rural Communities in Colombia. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities. 19(2):216-231. https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2017.1412408S216231192Alkire, S. (2002). Valuing Freedoms. doi:10.1093/0199245797.001.0001Biggeri, M., & Ferrannini, A. (2014). Opportunity Gap Analysis: Procedures and Methods for Applying the Capability Approach in Development Initiatives. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 15(1), 60-78. doi:10.1080/19452829.2013.837036Boni, A., & Walker, M. (2016). Universities and Global Human Development. doi:10.4324/9781315742793Crocker, D. A., & Robeyns, I. (s. f.). Capability and Agency. Amartya Sen, 60-90. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511800511.005Deneulin, S. (2014). Wellbeing, Justice and Development Ethics. doi:10.4324/9781315867090Deneulin, S., and S. Alkire. 2009. “A Normative Framework for Development?” InAn Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach: Freedom and Agency, edited by S. Deneulin and L. Shahani, 19–31. London: Earthscan.Drydyk, J. (2013). Empowerment, agency, and power. Journal of Global Ethics, 9(3), 249-262. doi:10.1080/17449626.2013.818374Apsan Frediani, A., Boni, A., & Gasper, D. (2014). Approaching Development Projects from a Human Development and Capability Perspective. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 15(1), 1-12. doi:10.1080/19452829.2013.879014Gaventa, J. (2006). Finding the Spaces for Change: A Power Analysis. IDS Bulletin, 37(6), 23-33. doi:10.1111/j.1759-5436.2006.tb00320.xHill, J. L. (1996). Psychological sense of community: Suggestions for future research. Journal of Community Psychology, 24(4), 431-438. doi:10.1002/(sici)1520-6629(199610)24:43.0.co;2-tIbrahim, S. S. (2006). From Individual to Collective Capabilities: The Capability Approach as a Conceptual Framework for Self‐help. Journal of Human Development, 7(3), 397-416. doi:10.1080/14649880600815982McMillan, D. W., & Chavis, D. M. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14(1), 6-23. doi:10.1002/1520-6629(198601)14:13.0.co;2-iRamos-Vidal, I., & Maya-Jariego, I. (2014). Sentido de comunidad, empoderamiento psicológico y participación ciudadana en trabajadores de organizaciones culturales. Psychosocial Intervention, 23(3), 169-176. doi:10.1016/j.psi.2014.04.00

Loneliness, social support and cardiovascular reactivity to laboratory stress

Self-reported or explicit loneliness and social support have been inconsistently associated with cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) to stress. The present study aimed to adapt an implicit measure of loneliness, and use it alongside the measures of explicit loneliness and social support, to investigate their correlations with CVR to laboratory stress. Twenty-five female volunteers aged between 18 and 39 years completed self-reported measures of loneliness and social support, and an Implicit Association Test (IAT) of loneliness. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) reactivity indices were measured in response to psychosocial stress induced in the laboratory. Functional support indices of social support were significantly correlated with CVR reactivity to stress. Interestingly, implicit, but not explicit, loneliness was significantly correlated with DBP reactivity after one of the stressors. No associations were found between structural support and CVR indices. Results are discussed in terms of validity of implicit versus explicit measures and possible factors that affect physiological outcomes

Dinâmicas comunitárias em deslocados e não deslocados residentes em áreas de exclusão social em Barranquilla (Colômbia)

El sentido de comunidad, la participación y el empoderamiento permiten comprender el proceso de desplazamiento y reasentamiento en el contexto de recepción, así como las consecuencias derivadas de ambos fenómenos. Los objetivos de la investigación son a) evaluar los tres constructos mencionados, b) analizar la sinergia que existe entre estos y c) proponer estrategias para aumentar su capacidad de influencia en los procesos de toma de decisiones. Llevamos a cabo una investigación exploratoria y transversal con población desplazada (n=30) y no desplazada (n=32) en dos localidades de bajos ingresos en Barranquilla (Colombia). Existe retroalimentación positiva entre los procesos evaluados, aunque no se observan diferencias significativas entre el grupo de desplazados y el de no desplazados. La dimensión Pertenencia (sentido de comunidad) es la que mejor explica la varianza del empoderamiento y de la participación en ambos grupos. Presentamos iniciativas para reforzar el sentido de comunidad y facilitar el acceso a los recursos socio-comunitarios en población desplazada.The sense of community, participation and empowerment enable us to understand the process of displacement and resettlement in the context of reception, as well as the consequences of both phenomena. Our objectives are a) to assess the three constructs mentioned above, b) to analyze the synergy existing among them and c) to propose strategies for increasing their capacity to influence the decision-making processes. We carried out a cross-sectional exploratory study with displaced (n=30) and non-displaced (n=32) people in two low-income districts of Barranquilla (Colombia). There is positive feedback between the processes evaluated, although no significant differences are observed between the displaced and the non-displaced groups. The dimension of belonging (sense of community) is the one that best explains the variance of empowerment and participation in both groups. Finally, we present a set of initiatives to reinforce the sense of community and to facilitate access to the community’s social resources for the displaced population.O sentido de comunidade, a participação e o empoderamento permitem compreender o processo de deslocamento e reassentamento no contexto de recepção bem como as consequências derivadas de ambos os fenômenos. Os objetivos desta pesquisa são: a) avaliar os três construtos mencionados; b) analisar a sinergia que existe entre estes e c) propor estratégias para aumentar sua capacidade de influência nos processos de tomada de decisões. Realizamos uma pesquisa exploratória e transversal com população deslocada (n=30) e não deslocada (n=32) em duas localidades de baixa renda em Barranquilla (Colômbia). Existe retroalimentação positiva entre os processos avaliados, embora não se observem diferenças significativas entre o grupo de deslocados e o de não deslocados. A dimensão Pertencimento (sentido de comunidade) é a que melhor explica a variância do empoderamento e da participação em ambos os grupos. Apresentamos iniciativas para reforçar o sentido de comunidade e facilitar o acesso aos recursos sociocomunitários em população deslocada

The association of exposure, risk, and resiliency factors with PTSD among Jews and Arabs exposed to repeated acts of terrorism in Israel

Israel has faced ongoing terrorism since the beginning of the Al Aqsa Intifada in September 2000. The authors examined risk and resiliency factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 1,117 Jews and 394 Arab adult citizens of Israel during August and September 2004 through telephone interviews. Probable PTSD was found among 6.6% of Jews and 18.0% of Arabs. Predictors of probable PTSD in a multivariate model for Jews were refusal to report income, being traditionally religious, economic and psychosocial resource loss, greater traumatic growth, and lower social support. For Arabs, predictors were low education and economic resource loss among those exposed to terrorism. Findings for only those directly exposed to terrorism were similar to those for the overall national sample.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58032/1/20307_ftp.pd

Infant social attention: an endophenotype of ASD-related traits?

Background: As a neurodevelopmental disorder, symptoms of ASD likely emerge from a complex interaction between pre-existing genetic vulnerabilities and the child’s environment. One way to understand causal paths to ASD is to identify dimensional ASD-related traits that vary in the general population and that predispose individuals with other risk factors towards ASD. Moving beyond behavioral traits to explore underlying neurocognitive processes may further constrain the underlying genetics. Endophenotypes are quantitative, heritable, trait-related differences that are generally assessed with laboratory-based methods, can be identified in the general population, and may be more closely tied to particular causal chains that have a more restricted set of genetic roots. The most fruitful endophenotypes may be those observed in infancy, prior to the emergence of behavioral symptoms that they are hypothesized to cause. Social motivation is an ASD-related trait that is highly heritable. In this study, we investigate whether infant endophenotypes of social attention relate to familial risk for lower social motivation in the general population. Methods: We examined whether infant social attention (measured using habituation, EEG power and event-related potential tasks previously used in infants/toddlers with ASD) varies quantitatively with parental social motivation in 117 6-month-old and 106 12-month-old typically developing infants assessed cross-sectionally. To assess heritable aspects of social motivation, primary caregiver biological parents completed two self-report measures of social avoidance and discomfort that have shown high heritability in previous work. Results: Parents with higher social discomfort and avoidance had infants who showed shorter looks to faces but not objects; reduced theta power during naturalistic social attention; and smaller P400 responses to faces versus objects. Conclusion: Early reductions in social attention are continuously related to lower parental social motivation. Alterations in social attention may be infant endophenotypes of social motivation traits related to ASD

Effect of running therapy on depression (EFFORT-D). Design of a randomised controlled trial in adult patients [ISRCTN 1894]

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The societal and personal burden of depressive illness is considerable. Despite the developments in treatment strategies, the effectiveness of both medication and psychotherapy is not ideal. Physical activity, including exercise, is a relatively cheap and non-harmful lifestyle intervention which lacks the side-effects of medication and does not require the introspective ability necessary for most psychotherapies. Several cohort studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed to establish the effect of physical activity on prevention and remission of depressive illness. However, recent meta-analysis's of all RCTs in this area showed conflicting results. The objective of the present article is to describe the design of a RCT examining the effect of exercise on depressive patients.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The EFFect Of Running Therapy on Depression in adults (EFFORT-D) is a RCT, studying the effectiveness of exercise therapy (running therapy (RT) or Nordic walking (NW)) on depression in adults, in addition to usual care. The study population consists of patients with depressive disorder, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) ≥ 14, recruited from specialised mental health care. The experimental group receives the exercise intervention besides treatment as usual, the control group receives treatment as usual. The intervention program is a group-based, 1 h session, two times a week for 6 months and of increasing intensity. The control group only performs low intensive non-aerobic exercises. Measurements are performed at inclusion and at 3,6 and 12 months.</p> <p>Primary outcome measure is reduction in depressive symptoms measured by the HRSD. Cardio-respiratory fitness is measured using a sub maximal cycling test, biometric information is gathered and blood samples are collected for metabolic parameters. Also, co-morbidity with pain, anxiety and personality traits is studied, as well as quality of life and cost-effectiveness.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Exercise in depression can be used as a standalone or as an add-on intervention. In specialised mental health care, chronic forms of depression, co-morbid anxiety or physical complaints and treatment resistance are common. An add-on strategy therefore seems the best choice. This is the first high quality large trial into the effectiveness of exercise as an add-on treatment for depression in adult patients in specialised mental health care.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): <a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1894">NTR1894</a></p

The implementation evaluation of primary care groups of practice: a focus on organizational identity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since 2002 the Health Ministry of Québec (Canada) has been implementing a primary care organizational innovation called 'family medicine groups'. This is occurring in a political context in which the reorganization of primary care is considered necessary to improve health care system performance. More specifically, the purpose of this reform has been to overcome systemic deficiencies in terms of accessibility and continuity of care. This paper examines the first years of implementation of the family medicine group program, with a focus on the emergence of the organizational identity of one of the pilot groups located in the urban area of Montreal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An in-depth longitudinal case study was conducted over two and a half years. Face to face individual interviews with key informants from the family medicine group under study were conducted over the research period considered. Data was gathered throuhg observations and documentary analysis. The data was analyzed using temporal bracketing and Fairclough's three-dimensional critical discourse analytical techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three different phases were identified over the period under study. During the first phase, which corresponded to the official start-up of the family medicine group program, new resources and staff were only available at the end of the period, and no changes occurred in medical practices. Power struggles between physicians and nurses characterized the second phase, resulting in a very difficult integration of advanced nurse practitioners into the group. Indeed, the last phase was portrayed by initial collaborative practices associated with a sensegiving process prompted by a new family medicine group director.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The creation of a primary care team is a very challenging process that goes beyond the normative policy definitions of who is on the team or what the team has to do. To fulfil expectations of quality improvement through team-based care, health care professionals who are required to work together need shared time/space contexts to communicate; to overcome interprofessional and interpersonal conflicts; and to make sense of and define who they collectively are and what they do as a clinical team.</p