Be Kind to Your Mind: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Benefits of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion vs. Social Skills Training Among Children and Adolescents

Childhood and adolescence can be difficult for young people as they navigate a variety of significant transitions. Thus, it is imperative that researchers focus on programs that support children and adolescents during this time. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two such programs that may promote positive youth development. Mindfulness and self-compassion have been explored in the adolescent context, and mindfulness has been explored with young children, however research on self-compassion for children is currently lacking. The present studies were designed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a combined mindfulness + self-compassion program for children and adolescents in the summer camp setting. In Study One, adolescent camp counsellors (n=25) were randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: mindfulness + self-compassion (n=13) or social skills training (n=12). Throughout the summer, counsellors led activities for their campers that related to their respective conditions. It was expected that adolescent camp counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, empathy and sympathy, emotion regulation, authenticity, and life satisfaction, when compared to their control condition (social skills training) counterparts. Additionally, it was expected that adolescents in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater decreases in social anxiety and depression, when compared to participants in the control condition. Results indicated that counsellors in both conditions experienced significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and life satisfaction. Additionally, compared to their control condition counterparts, counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition experienced greater increases in life satisfaction and authenticity, with their increases in resilience approaching statistical significance. Study Two focused on the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for young campers (n=231). It was expected that young campers would experience the same benefits as the aforementioned adolescent camp counsellors. Contrary to hypotheses, campers in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition did not experience greater benefits than their social skills training condition counterparts on any of the assessed outcomes, demonstrating that further research is needed in order to examine the potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for children. Limitations and suggestions for future research are included in the general discussion. The present set of studies expands upon the research on mindfulness and self-compassion, and explores the potential benefits for young children and adolescents innovatively by using active control groups and conducting research in the summer camp setting. Overall, the present set of studies contributes to existing literature that suggests mindfulness and self-compassion promote positive development for adolescents, and illustrates the need for additional research for mindfulness and self-compassion in the context of childhood. Childhood and adolescence can be difficult for young people as they navigate a variety of significant transitions. Thus, it is imperative that researchers focus on programs that support children and adolescents during this time. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two such programs that may promote positive youth development. Mindfulness and self-compassion have been explored in the adolescent context, and mindfulness has been explored with young children, however research on self-compassion for children is currently lacking. The present studies were designed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a combined mindfulness + self-compassion program for children and adolescents in the summer camp setting. In Study One, adolescent camp counsellors (n=25) were randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: mindfulness + self-compassion (n=13) or social skills training (n=12). Throughout the summer, counsellors led activities for their campers that related to their respective conditions. It was expected that adolescent camp counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, empathy and sympathy, emotion regulation, authenticity, and life satisfaction, when compared to their control condition (social skills training) counterparts. Additionally, it was expected that adolescents in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater decreases in social anxiety and depression, when compared to participants in the control condition. Results indicated that counsellors in both conditions experienced significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and life satisfaction. Additionally, compared to their control condition counterparts, counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition experienced greater increases in life satisfaction and authenticity, with their increases in resilience approaching statistical significance. Study Two focused on the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for young campers (n=231). It was expected that young campers would experience the same benefits as the aforementioned adolescent camp counsellors. Contrary to hypotheses, campers in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition did not experience greater benefits than their social skills training condition counterparts on any of the assessed outcomes, demonstrating that further research is needed in order to examine the potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for children. Limitations and suggestions for future research are included in the general discussion. The present set of studies expands upon the research on mindfulness and self-compassion, and explores the potential benefits for young children and adolescents innovatively by using active control groups and conducting research in the summer camp setting. Overall, the present set of studies contributes to existing literature that suggests mindfulness and self-compassion promote positive development for adolescents, and illustrates the need for additional research for mindfulness and self-compassion in the context of childhood

Be Kind to Your Mind: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Benefits of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion vs. Social Skills Training Among Children and Adolescents

Childhood and adolescence can be difficult for young people as they navigate a variety of significant transitions. Thus, it is imperative that researchers focus on programs that support children and adolescents during this time. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two such programs that may promote positive youth development. Mindfulness and self-compassion have been explored in the adolescent context, and mindfulness has been explored with young children, however research on self-compassion for children is currently lacking. The present studies were designed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a combined mindfulness + self-compassion program for children and adolescents in the summer camp setting. In Study One, adolescent camp counsellors (n=25) were randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: mindfulness + self-compassion (n=13) or social skills training (n=12). Throughout the summer, counsellors led activities for their campers that related to their respective conditions. It was expected that adolescent camp counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, empathy and sympathy, emotion regulation, authenticity, and life satisfaction, when compared to their control condition (social skills training) counterparts. Additionally, it was expected that adolescents in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater decreases in social anxiety and depression, when compared to participants in the control condition. Results indicated that counsellors in both conditions experienced significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and life satisfaction. Additionally, compared to their control condition counterparts, counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition experienced greater increases in life satisfaction and authenticity, with their increases in resilience approaching statistical significance. Study Two focused on the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for young campers (n=231). It was expected that young campers would experience the same benefits as the aforementioned adolescent camp counsellors. Contrary to hypotheses, campers in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition did not experience greater benefits than their social skills training condition counterparts on any of the assessed outcomes, demonstrating that further research is needed in order to examine the potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for children. Limitations and suggestions for future research are included in the general discussion. The present set of studies expands upon the research on mindfulness and self-compassion, and explores the potential benefits for young children and adolescents innovatively by using active control groups and conducting research in the summer camp setting. Overall, the present set of studies contributes to existing literature that suggests mindfulness and self-compassion promote positive development for adolescents, and illustrates the need for additional research for mindfulness and self-compassion in the context of childhood. Childhood and adolescence can be difficult for young people as they navigate a variety of significant transitions. Thus, it is imperative that researchers focus on programs that support children and adolescents during this time. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two such programs that may promote positive youth development. Mindfulness and self-compassion have been explored in the adolescent context, and mindfulness has been explored with young children, however research on self-compassion for children is currently lacking. The present studies were designed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a combined mindfulness + self-compassion program for children and adolescents in the summer camp setting. In Study One, adolescent camp counsellors (n=25) were randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: mindfulness + self-compassion (n=13) or social skills training (n=12). Throughout the summer, counsellors led activities for their campers that related to their respective conditions. It was expected that adolescent camp counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, empathy and sympathy, emotion regulation, authenticity, and life satisfaction, when compared to their control condition (social skills training) counterparts. Additionally, it was expected that adolescents in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater decreases in social anxiety and depression, when compared to participants in the control condition. Results indicated that counsellors in both conditions experienced significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and life satisfaction. Additionally, compared to their control condition counterparts, counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition experienced greater increases in life satisfaction and authenticity, with their increases in resilience approaching statistical significance. Study Two focused on the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for young campers (n=231). It was expected that young campers would experience the same benefits as the aforementioned adolescent camp counsellors. Contrary to hypotheses, campers in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition did not experience greater benefits than their social skills training condition counterparts on any of the assessed outcomes, demonstrating that further research is needed in order to examine the potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for children. Limitations and suggestions for future research are included in the general discussion. The present set of studies expands upon the research on mindfulness and self-compassion, and explores the potential benefits for young children and adolescents innovatively by using active control groups and conducting research in the summer camp setting. Overall, the present set of studies contributes to existing literature that suggests mindfulness and self-compassion promote positive development for adolescents, and illustrates the need for additional research for mindfulness and self-compassion in the context of childhood

Two-Sentence Horror Story - Feltis

Library Literary Contest Fall 2022: “Two-Sentence Horror Story” Entrants were invited to submit a two-sentence horror story for this contest.https://digitalcommons.cortland.edu/librarystudentworks/1002/thumbnail.jp

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles as radiosensitisers: An in vitro and phantom-based study

Objective: Radiosensitisation caused by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) is investigated using phantoms (PRESAGE® dosimeters) and in vitro using two types of cell lines, cultured human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and prostate cancer (DU145) cells. Methods: Anatase TiO2-NPs were synthesised, characterised and functionalised to allow dispersion in culture-medium for in vitro studies and halocarbons (PRESAGE® chemical compositions). PRESAGE® dosimeters were scanned with spectrophotometer to determine the radiation dose enhancement. Clonogenic and cell viability assays were employed to determine cells survival curves from which the dose enhancement levels "radiosensitisation" are deduced. Results: Comparable levels of radiosensitisation were observed in both phantoms and cells at kilovoltage ranges of x-ray energies (slightly higher in vitro). Significant radiosensitisation (~67 %) of control was also noted in cells at megavoltage energies (commonly used in radiotherapy), compared to negligible levels detected by phantoms. This difference is attributed to biochemical effects, specifically the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH), which are only manifested in aqueous environments of cells and are non-existent in case of phantoms. Conclusions: This research shows that TiO2-NPs improve the efficiency of dose delivery, which has implications for future radiotherapy treatments. Literature shows that Ti2O3-NPs can be used as imaging agents hence with these findings renders these NPs as theranostic agents

The effect of event repetition on the production of story-grammar in children’s event narratives

Objective: This study examined the effect of event repetition on the amount and nature of story grammar produced by children when recalling the event. Method: Children aged 4 years (N = 50) and 7 years (N = 56) participated in either one or six occurrences of a highly similar event where details varied across the occurrences. Half the children in each age and event group recalled the last/single occurrence 5-6 days later and the other half recalling the last/single occurrence after 5-6 weeks (the final and single occurrence was the same). Children’s free recall responses were classified according to the number and proportion of story grammar elements (Stein & Glenn, 1979 - setting, initiating event, internal response, plan, attempt, direct consequence and resolution) as well as the prevalence of causal links between the individual story-grammar elements. Results: More story grammar detail and more links between individual story grammar elements were reported about the final compared to single occurrence. The amount of story grammar increased with age and decreased over time. Further, an interaction was revealed such that the effect of retention interval on the production of story grammar was negligible for older children who experienced the repeated event. Conclusions: Event repetition has a beneficial effect on the production of children’s story grammar content in situations where event details varied from occasion to occasion. Practical Implications: This study highlights the importance of eliciting free recall when conducting evidential interviews with child witnesses about repeated events

Enhancing narrative coherence in simulated interviews about child abuse

Purpose &ndash; Simulated child interviews, where adults play the role of a child witness for trainee investigative interviewers, are an essential tool used to train investigators to adhere to non-leading, open-ended questions. The aim of this study is to examine whether the use of a training procedure that guides persons playing the role of a child in simulated interviews results in interviewees producing more coherent narratives (measured by the number of story grammar details).Design/methodology/approach &ndash; A total of 80 police officers individually engaged in ten-minute interviews, whereby an untrained (colleague), or trained respondent, played the role of the child interviewee. For each child respondent condition, the interviews varied according to child age (five or eight years).Findings &ndash; As predicted, trained respondents reported a higher proportion of story grammar elements and a lower proportion of contextual information than the untrained respondents, as well as more story grammar elements in response to open-ended questions. However, there were limitations in how well both groups tailored their story grammar to the age of the child they were representing.Originality/value &ndash; These findings demonstrate that our training procedure promotes a more coherent interviewee account, and facilitates a response style that is more reinforcing of open-ended questions.<br /

The helminth product, ES-62, protects against airway inflammation by resetting the Th cell phenotype

We previously demonstrated inhibition of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway hyper-responsiveness in the mouse using ES-62, a phosphorylcholine-containing glycoprotein secreted by the filarial nematode, Acanthocheilonema viteae. This inhibition correlated with ES-62-induced mast cell desensitisation, although the degree to which this reflected direct targeting of mast cells remained unclear as suppression of the Th2 phenotype of the inflammatory response, as measured by eosinophilia and IL-4 levels in the lungs, was also observed. We now show that inhibition of the lung Th2 phenotype is reflected in ex vivo analyses of draining lymph node recall cultures and accompanied by a decrease in the serum levels of total and OVA-specific IgE. Moreover, ES-62 also suppresses the lung infiltration by neutrophils that is associated with severe asthma and is generally refractory to conventional anti-inflammatory therapies, including steroids. Protection against Th2-associated airway inflammation does not reflect induction of regulatory T cell (Treg) responses (there is no increased IL-10 or Foxp3 expression) but rather a switch in polarisation towards increased T-bet expression and IFNγ production. This ES-62-driven switch in the Th1/Th2 balance is accompanied by decreased IL-17 responses, a finding in line with reports that IFNγ and IL-17 are counter-regulatory. Consistent with ES-62 mediating its effects via IFNγ-mediated suppression of pathogenic Th2/Th17 responses, we found that neutralising anti-IFNγ antibodies blocked protection against airway inflammation in terms of pro-inflammatory cell infiltration, particularly by neutrophils and lung pathology. Collectively, these studies indicate that ES-62, or more likely small molecule analogues, could have therapeutic potential in asthma, in particular for those subtypes of patients (e.g. smokers, steroid-resistant) who are refractory to current treatments

Basement membrane and vascular remodelling in smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little is known about airway remodelling in bronchial biopsies (BB) in smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We conducted an initial pilot study comparing BB from COPD patients with nonsmoking controls. This pilot study suggested the presence of reticular basement membrane (Rbm) fragmentation and altered vessel distribution in COPD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To determine whether Rbm fragmentation and altered vessel distribution in BB were specific for COPD we designed a cross-sectional study and stained BB from 19 current smokers and 14 ex-smokers with mild to moderate COPD and compared these to 15 current smokers with normal lung function and 17 healthy and nonsmoking subjects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thickness of the Rbm was not significantly different between groups; although in COPD this parameter was quite variable. The Rbm showed fragmentation and splitting in both current smoking groups and ex-smoker COPD compared with healthy nonsmokers (p < 0.02); smoking and COPD seemed to have additive effects. Rbm fragmentation correlated with smoking history in COPD but not with age. There were more vessels in the Rbm and fewer vessels in the lamina propria in current smokers compared to healthy nonsmokers (p < 0.05). The number of vessels staining for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the Rbm was higher in both current smoker groups and ex-smoker COPD compared to healthy nonsmokers (p < 0.004). In current smoker COPD VEGF vessel staining correlated with FEV1% predicted (r = 0.61, p < 0.02).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Airway remodelling in smokers and mild to moderate COPD is associated with fragmentation of the Rbm and altered distribution of vessels in the airway wall. Rbm fragmentation was also present to as great an extent in ex-smokers with COPD. These characteristics may have potential physiological consequences.</p

Understanding Ricin from a Defensive Viewpoint

The toxin ricin has long been understood to have potential for criminal activity and there has been concern that it might be used as a mass-scale weapon on a military basis for at least two decades. Currently, the focus has extended to encompass terrorist activities using ricin to disrupt every day activities on a smaller scale. Whichever scenario is considered, there are features in common which need to be understood; these include the knowledge of the toxicity from ricin poisoning by the likely routes, methods for the detection of ricin in relevant materials and approaches to making an early diagnosis of ricin poisoning, in order to take therapeutic steps to mitigate the toxicity. This article will review the current situation regarding each of these stages in our collective understanding of ricin and how to defend against its use by an aggressor