The CASE Programme Implemented Across the Primary and Secondary School Transition in Ireland

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.In the Irish education system, there is little continuity between the primary and secondary education systems. The transfer between these systems is particularly problematic in the area of science. In order to alleviate some of these problems, as well as to enhance the cognitive development of students, the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education programme was adapted for use and implemented across the primary–secondary school transition in Ireland. The programme was delivered in a variety of ways across the two levels, including the teacher and researcher teaching the programmes individually and team-teaching arrangements. The results on cognitive development measures showed that the students who were taught the programme in primary and secondary school made significant gains, when compared to the non-intervention group. There were also gains evident for students who only received one part of the programme (i.e. in either primary or secondary school). The greater gains, in terms of effect size, were evident at secondary school. The rationale, methodology and results are detailed in this paper

Anxiety Levels and Sibling Relationship Quality of Adults with Siblings with Down Syndrome Compared to those of Adult Siblings of Typically Developing Individuals

This study examined anxiety levels and relationship quality of adult siblings of individuals with and without Down syndrome. Adult participants between the ages of 18 to 29 years of age with either a biologically related sibling with Down syndrome or a typically developing sibling were recruited via email through the University of Vermont, Down syndrome organizations and programs and Special Olympics organizations within the Northeast. Qualified individuals completed Riggio’s Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale and Speilberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory online. Data were calculated using SPSS. The results showed that siblings of individuals with Down syndrome have lower anxiety levels than siblings of typically developing individuals. These findings indicate that having a sibling with Down syndrome does not warrant elevated concern of increased anxiety of the typically developing sibling. Similarly, relationship quality was not significantly different between both groups, indicating that having a sibling with Down syndrome does not have an adverse effect on the sibling relationship. Future research should attend to a larger, nationally representative sample, as well as expand comparison variables between sibling groups, including sociability and peer relationships

Using Strategic Planning to Improve Volunteer Recruitment and Retention for Nonprofits in the Post-Pandemic Era

COVID-19 has changed U.S. culture and negatively affected society worldwide, especially nonprofit organizations that provide community service. Since the pandemic, nonprofit agencies encountered many hardships, especially with the loss of personnel, primarily volunteers. The present study focused on implementing ways to improve recruitment and retention of volunteers for nonprofit organizations in the post-pandemic era through strategic planning. A qualitative approach was deemed the most feasible to conduct this study. This study utilized a SWOT analysis approach, a method of strategic planning used to collect data. A total of 10 interviews were conducted to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats regarding recruitment and retention of volunteer and the strategies nonprofit organizations can employ to improve recruitment and retention of volunteers in the post-pandemic era. Based on the results from interviews using thematic analysis to determine the SWOT, the data collected in this study was used to draw conclusions and make recommendations of what strategies to employ for positive social change in order to improve recruitment and retention of volunteers to meet current organizational demands. The deliverables in the form of a recommendations memo contained the results from the interviews from the analysis and recommendations related to the strategic plan for improving the recruitment and retention of volunteers

The Significance of Somatosensory Stimulation to the Hand: Implications for Occupational Therapy Practice

The hands contain numerous nerve endings that are intimately connected to the brain. Mounting evidence supports the concept that willful manipulation of objects contributes to expansion or reorganization of the somatosensory cortex and can produce therapeutic outcomes. In the past decade, research has demonstrated that cortical plasticity can continue throughout adulthood. Brain plasticity is a core principle that demonstrates the ability of the central nervous system to respond to stimuli and modify its structural organization and function as an adaptive response. Occupation-based interventions, which engage the use of the hands, are conceived in this article as a “mindbody” experience because of the vast potential for perceptual learning and neurologic reorganization. Many types of neuroplasticity have been identified, but “activity-dependent neuroplasticity” is an essential concept for occupational therapy practice. In addition, the concept of “cross-modal plasticity” will also be delineated with regard to implications to clinical practice. Guidelines for tactile or somatosensory stimulation will be derived from a systematic review of the neuroscience literature

Image correlation and sampling study

The development of analytical approaches for solving image correlation and image sampling of multispectral data is discussed. Relevant multispectral image statistics which are applicable to image correlation and sampling are identified. The general image statistics include intensity mean, variance, amplitude histogram, power spectral density function, and autocorrelation function. The translation problem associated with digital image registration and the analytical means for comparing commonly used correlation techniques are considered. General expressions for determining the reconstruction error for specific image sampling strategies are developed

Cancer-related trauma, stigma and growth: the 'lived' experience of head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer is associated with multiple layers of distress including stigma. Stigma attraction or devalued social identity is twofold: (1) it is a cancer associated with lifestyle risk factors and (2) treatment often results in confronting facial disfigurement. Subjective interpretations from nine head and neck cancer patients were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. An overarching superordinate theme - Distress, Stigma and Psychological Growth - encompassed four subordinate themes. Two themes captured the expressed trauma and terror as a result of diagnosis and treatment, and two the redefining of self despite stigma through meaning making. Distress was interpreted as a catalyst for awakening new life interpretations and combined with social support to facilitate two distinct pathways of growth: (1) psychological growth without support; (2) psychological and relational growth with support. Previously unfelt empathetic understanding and altruism for others with cancer emerged from the impact of stigma on 'self'. Acceptance allowed a new sense of identity that recognised cancer-related traumatic distress as integral to growth for these participants. The present study offers a unique insight into cancer-related trauma and stigma and the potential to redefine a more accepting, empathic and altruistic 'self' for psychological growth. Implications are discussed

An exploratory study of a new kink activity: “Pup Play”

his study presents the narratives and experiences of 30 gay and bisexual men who participate in a behavior known as “pup play.” Never empirically studied before, we use in-depth interviews and a modified form of grounded theory to describe the dynamics of pup play and develop a conceptual framework with which to understand it. We discuss the dynamics of pup play, demonstrating that it primarily consists of mimicking the behaviors and adopting the role of a dog. We show that the majority of participants use pup play for sexual satisfaction. It is also a form of relaxation, demonstrated primarily through the existence of a “headspace.” We classify pup play as a kink, and find no evidence for the framing of it as a form of zoophilia. We call for further research on pup play as a sexual kink and leisure activity from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives

It takes a village to break up a match: a systemic analysis of formal youth mentoring relationship endings

BACKGROUND Although early closure of formal youth mentoring relationships has recently begun to receive some attention, more information about factors that contribute to premature endings, and how those factors interact, is needed so that empirically-based program practices can be developed and disseminated to prevent such endings and to ensure that youth reap the benefits mentoring can provide. OBJECTIVE This qualitative interview study applies a systemic model of youth mentoring relationships (Keller in J Prim Prev 26:169–188, 2005a) to the study of mentoring relationship endings in community-based mentoring matches to understand why these matches ended. METHOD Mentors, parents/guardians and program staff associated with 36 mentoring matches that had ended were interviewed about their experiences of these relationships and their understanding of why they had ended. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and mentoring program case notes for each match followed by systemic modeling of the relationships yielded three major findings. RESULTS A strong mentor–youth relationship is necessary but not sufficient for match longevity. The mentor–youth relationship, even when relatively strong, is unlikely to withstand disruptions in other relationships in the system. Agency contextual factors, such as program practices and policies and staffing patterns, have a critical role to play in sustaining mentoring matches, as they directly influence all of the relationships in the mentoring system. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the importance of considering not just the mentoring dyad but also the parent/guardian and program context when trying to prevent match closures. They also point to several program practices that may support longer mentoring relationships.Accepted manuscrip