Stress and coping patterns of participants and non-participants in self-help groups for parents of the mentally ill

The authors examined differences in stress and coping patterns as well as in situationally-related variables between participants and non-participants in self-help groups for parents of the mentally ill in Israel. Participants, who were higher on socio-economic status indicators, reported coping patterns that tended to be both more active and interactive. They also reported greater concerns around psycho-social issues than non-participants. The authors discuss the possible interrelationships among these findings.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44305/1/10597_2004_Article_BF00752453.pd

Family and carer participation in mental health care: perspectives of consumers and carers in hospital and home care settings

It is widely accepted that family and carer participation in adult mental health care is desirable. However, rarely is service development informed by representative opinions of both carers and service users. This study took place in the context of a larger project to introduce and evaluate practice standards relating to family participation. The aim of this paper is to explore the perceptions of service users and carers to carer participation in adult mental health services. One hundred and twenty-nine service users and 86 family members recruited via hospital and community settings completed a survey which addressed obstacles to family participation, perceived benefits of participation and areas for improvement. Many service users and family were entirely satisfied with existing levels of family participation. Different needs for information, support and the nature of participation in mental health care are highlighted in acute hospital and community settings. Across settings, the provision of support and accessing services were identified as the most useful aspects of family participation. Meaningful carer and family participation in mental health care should proceed from respectful connection with carers and be informed by need which will vary depending on setting and circumstances

Influence of pH on hydrothermal treatment of swine manure: Impact on extraction of nitrogen and phosphorus in process water

This study investigates the influence of pH on extraction of nitrogen and phosphorus from swine manure following hydrothermal treatment. Conditions include thermal hydrolysis (TH) at 120°C and 170°C, and hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) at 200°C and 250°C in either water alone or in the presence of 0.1M NaOH, H2SO4, CH3COOH or HCOOH. Phosphorus extraction is pH and temperature dependent and is enhanced under acidic conditions. The highest level of phosphorus is extracted using H2SO4 reaching 94% at 170°C. The phosphorus is largely retained in the residue for all other conditions. The extraction of nitrogen is not as significantly influenced by pH, although the maximum N extraction is achieved using H2SO4. A significant level of organic-N is extracted into the process waters following hydrothermal treatment. The results indicate that operating hydrothermal treatment in the presence of acidic additives has benefits in terms of improving the extraction of phosphorus and nitrogen