Psychosocial wellbeing in active older adults: a systematic review of qualitative literature

Physical activity and wellbeing in older adults is a global priority in combating negative economic consequences associated with population aging. Quantitative research using a medicalized model clearly associates physical activity with physiological health benefits. However, it is argued that a review of qualitative literature exploring individual experiences of active older adults can provide important insights into physical activity, aging, and wellbeing – specifically, how discourses of ageing and self-identity may interact with physical activity levels. A literature search on electronic databases PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and ProQuest was used to identify qualitative studies of older adults who exercise or engage in competitive sport. Findings reveal that both groups tend to resist dominant negative stereotypes of ageing and view physical activity as central to self-identity. Yet approaches to ageing varied with the competitive sport group adopting a more negative view of the ageing process. Whilst results suggest that different levels of physical activity may impact on the psychosocial wellbeing of older adults, inconsistent definitions of exercise and competitive sport make it impossible to group these differences according to specific physical activity levels. More precise definitions of physical activity constructs in future research may provide a better understanding of these differences

Die evaluering van die verkoelingsvermoe van werwelingsbuise wat gebruik maak van verskillende konfigurasies van spuitstukke

ThesisThe project deals with the improvement of the cooling capacity of a simple vortex tube to have a cooling device available with a good efficiency and cooling capacity. Three Ranque-Hilsch Vortex tubes, with different diameters and lengths, were developed and manufactured . The vortex tube is an unique device with no working parts and has the ability to deliver hot and cold air simultaneously. The vortex tube is a simple, low cost device, which is easy to manufacture. Different sizes of orifices were manufactured and different configurations of nozzles were designed and manufactured to investigate the performance of the three vortex tubes. The smaller diameter vortex tube gave better efficiencies and temperature drops in the cold air than the bigger diameter vortex tube with all the different nozzles and against the different inlet pressures. The bigger diameter orifice gave better efficiencies and temperature drops in the cold air than the smaller diameter. The smaller diameter nozzles gave better efficiencies and temperature drops in the cold air than the bigger diameter nozzles against the different inlet pressures. In general, the convergent nozzle gave better efficiencies and temperature drops in the cold air than the other nozzle shapes. The maximum efficiency of the 22 mm diameter vortex tube is improved from 8,9% against a cold fraction of 0,630 (with the 6 mm x 2 tangential nozzle block) to J 8,92% against a cold fraction of 0,644 (with the 3 mm x 4 tangential nozzle block) against an inlet pressure of 500 kPa. The maximum drop in temperature of the cold air is improved from 27,0°C against a cold fraction of 0, 120 (with the 6 mm x 2 tangential nozzle block) to 42,3°C against a cold fraction of 0,284 (with the 4 mm x 2 tangential nozzle block) against an inlet pressure of 600 kPa

Dolus eventualis : the subjective test to establish the “reconciliation with the risk” or “the taking into the bargain” of the foreseen result by the accused with specific reference to S v Pistorius.

Master of Law in Criminal Justice. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2016.Abstract not available

The experiences of students with mental health difficulties at an Australian regional university: overcoming barriers to successful educational and employment outcomes

Educational achievement is consistently linked to better employment outcomes for individuals, but navigating through higher education can be particularly challenging for regional, rural, and remote students. Some individuals face additional difficulties linked to personal disability, and a particularly vulnerable group are those individuals with an identified mental health issue. Flexibility in study options can enable many students to access higher education, with distance education, a choice for many living regionally, providing both opportunities and challenges for study. The research presented here is part of a project funded by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE), which explored the lived experiences of individuals with a disability at a regional Australian university. The overall focus for the research was to understand individual resilience and what enables some students with mental health problems to be successful in their educational achievement. The present research draws on findings from semi-structured interviews with nine individuals identifying with mental health difficulties. Subsequent analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) approach to thematic analysis. The key themes identified were those of disclosure and the decision to register or not with disability services; interactions with ‘faculty’; and strategies for positive educational engagement. We concluded that a major challenge in the higher education sector relates to building disability support services that are responsive to the needs of students with a psychological disability. The findings from this study advance knowledge in understanding what strategies a successful student with a mental health issue draws upon in order to succeed, and what implications this may have for the shaping of student support services

Counseling men: treatment recommendations from Australian men’s therapists

Many of the contemporary treatment recommendations and guides for adapting therapy for men originates from the context of the United States. This qualitative study invited 15 Australian therapists, who advertised themselves as working with men, to describe their recommendations for male-friendly counseling. Three themes and 14 subthemes were identified, each explained from an understanding of their male client group’s experiences and common male norms. The themes included ensuring a safe space, to enact masculinity-informed respect, and to enhance client awareness and motivation. Therapists’ suggestions for working with Australian men were congruent with recommendations in the existing literature; however, variations were noted in how traditionally masculine or feminine-consistent their emphasis was

Older parents caring for adults with intellectual disability

Background: Older parents of adults with intellectual disability (ID) face a lifetime of care. Despite the physical and psychological strains of caring many are reluctant to ‘retire’ and plan for their child’s external residential placement. Method: Using a case study approach, parents and siblings of adults with ID from three families were interviewed in relation to their understandings of past and current care and also future planning. Results: Parents who viewed the carer role as a parental obligation were at risk of isolating themselves from siblings of ID child thereby leaving siblings ill-prepared in an emergency situation. Though all families had considered residential planning, no plans had been established. Explicit barriers included complexity of disability, negative transitioning experiences in the past, and unpredictable changes within the family system. Enablers included personal growth of the adult with ID, and encouragement from professional supports such as psychologists. Discourses of ID may also be a factor, with descriptions of the adult as ‘child-like’ potentially preventing transition into adulthood, such as leaving home. Clinical Implications: Psychologists could play a pivotal role in assisting families who are faced with such non-normative development of the family system, and so encourage future planning for care. Psychologists could also support parents in negotiating complex support systems such as the NDI

Suicidal behaviours and moderator support in online health communities: a scoping review

Objectives: Online support can be a crucial source of support for individuals experiencing suicidal behaviours, with forum moderators being pivotal in terms of the role they play in times of personal mental health emergencies. This study identified what is empirically known about the professional practices of health professionals who are online mental health forum moderators and provide support to individuals experiencing suicidal behaviours. Design: The Levac, Colquhoun and O’Brien extension of the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework was used. Search strategy: The Psychology Collection (EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO), Web of Science, Taylor and Francis Online, SAGE Journals and Science Direct databases were searched for articles that featured a result relating to an online forum; included participants who worked as online moderators or facilitators and focused on suicide or self-harm. Results were limited to peer-reviewed articles published in English from 1990 onwards. As a quality assurance measure, grey literature (nonacademic literature) was not included. Reference lists of included articles were hand-searched. Results: There were 397 articles initially identified after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, with five articles included for synthesis. All articles received a moderate quality rating. Only one article featured a moderator who was a qualified health professional; the moderators in the remaining articles were volunteers who undertook preservice training. We found that there is little research that examines the professional working practices of online moderators who support individuals experiencing suicidal behaviours. Conclusions: The dearth of research focusing on the professional practices of online forum moderators is cause for concern given that individuals experiencing suicidal behaviours are increasingly turning to online forums when in crisis. Future research should focus on online moderators’ practice through interviewing moderators about their professional practices and by examining online moderator practice as it occurs in situ

A systematic literature review of the career choice of helping professionals who have experienced cumulative harm as a result of adverse childhood experiences

The pervasive effects of cumulative harm resulting from adverse childhood experiences influence all aspects of an individual’s life course. Research highlights a relationship between early trauma and career choice; however, there is a dearth of research pertaining specifically to cumulative harm and the influence on career choice in the helping professions. A systematic literature review was conducted to explore the associations of cumulative harm and childhood trauma on career decision making in people in the helping professions. A search was conducted across databases between February 1990 and February 2019 relevant to searches combining three areas of interest: (a) 'childhood trauma', (b) 'career choice', and (c) 'helping professionals'. Database searches and further manual searches yielded a total of 208 articles, and 28 studies satisfied all inclusion criteria. Only studies that were peer-reviewed and published between February 1990 and February 2019 were included. The evidence from the review indicated that family of origin dysfunction, parentification, individual characteristics, and traits developed through adversity, and experiential motivations were associated with the career choice in the helping professions. Further research is required to explore different professional cohorts and the utility of life themes as both a source of data for research and reflexive practice in helping professionals