Sub-fertility : the expectations and perceptions of couple members of medical consultation

Sub-fertility represents a major stress for couples requiring management by the partners. The interaction between couple member's strategies may influence the levels of sub-fertility related stress experienced by both partners, as such an understanding of sub-fertility as a couple level stressor is required. This review integrates existing data regarding sub-fertile couple members' individual coping and the influence of intracouple coping concordance on fertility problem stress. Eleven publications, comprising nine quantitative and two qualitative studies, were identified using a list of selection criteria applied to the results of defined searches in Psycinfo, Web of Knowledge and CINAHL and manual searches of articles' bibliographies. Females were found to experience greater distress and utilise more coping strategies than males, which may be influenced by the importance of motherhood to the female gender role. Couple members' coping was found to influence their partner's distress levels with the extent of intra-couple coping concordance and discordance for several coping strategies being found to impact upon partners' distress levels. The effect of intra-couple coping concordance and discordance upon partners' availability to support each other is considered. Further research specifically focusing upon the measurement of intra-couple coping of concordance/ discordance and the impact upon partners’ sub-fertility related distress within couples is required, as this is currently an under researched area, with little consensus about which coping strategies are investigated and, subsequently, the effects of intra-couple coping concordance

From a Year-long Delivery Pattern to a One Semester Delivery Pattern, the Impact on Student Performance in a UK University

Increasingly UK universities are adopting a more US-based approach of teaching subject- matter in modules across semesters This means that the teaching of a particular subject across a whole academic year is now changing to the same subject-matter being compressed into a single module taught in one semester across twelve weeks This study examines the effects of a transition over four years on 2 612 students at a UK university changing teaching methods from a year-long two semesters method of teaching to a more compressed US-style of only one semester long module method The main findings are that overall pass rates stay approximately the same but there is concern that the number of awards at a first class and upper second level has been diminished This is potentially due to the students not having the time to assimilate the course-material develop a deeper learning and understanding of the course material

Socio-Emotional Resilience Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The detrimental impact of social isolation on health and well-being has been reported in older adults (Prohaska, et al., 2020). Yet findings also demonstrate that older adults have a motivational shift to prioritize emotionally meaningful goals and experiences (Carstensen, 1993; Sakaki, et al., 2019), prioritize emotional meaning in situations, focus on positive emotions and stimuli over negative feelings and live in the present rather than focus on future preparedness. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) (Carstensen, 1993; Carstensen, Fung & Charles, 2003) suggests that older adults have a limited sense of time left in life and shift their focus to meaningful and positive experiences. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic most individuals became physically separated from family, friends and social activities that are so important to overall well-being. To explore the contradicting evidence in the literature about detrimental effects of social isolation and the SST theory, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 older adults ranging in age from 62 to 86 years old to explore their experiences during the pandemic and specifically to address emotional well-being, social experiences and coping mechanisms. Qualitative analyses revealed themes of problem-solving and emotion-focused coping, social support, and meaning making with ample evidence of the positivity effect. These findings support the SST theory as many participants expressed great resilience as they discussed how they engaged in emotionally meaningful activities and experiences and even made the best of adverse experiences during the pandemic

Equine nutrition: a survey of perceptions and practices of horse owners undertaking a massive open online course in equine nutrition

An online survey was designed to ascertain the following information: demographics, current feeding practices, and perceptions and knowledge of equine nutrition, including nutrition-related disorders. Response rate was 34% (6,538 respondents). More than 80% of respondents were horse owners or caretakers, with the majority owning between one and five horses (75%) aged 5 years and older (74%). Most kept their horses for pleasure (54%), with 33% using them mostly for competition and 13% using them for an equal mix of both pleasure and competition. Concentrates were fed by the majority (87%), and more than 70% stated that their horses had some access to pasture. Over half of respondents (60%) regularly monitored their horses' weight, with most doing this monthly. Weight tapes were most commonly used (62%), although many reported to guess the weight of their horse(s) with very few (5%) using weight scales. Under half (46%) stated that they regularly used body condition scoring (BCS), many did not use BCS at all (24%), and some did not know what BCS was (10%). Of those that did use BCS, most (36%) did this monthly, with others weekly (25%), daily (14%), and when they remembered (15%). Overall knowledge of nutrition was reported by most as average (median, 3 on Likert scale—average); however, respondents were less knowledgeable on the management of nutrition-related disorders

Development of materials to support parents whose babies cry excessively: findings and health service implications

Aim: To develop evidence-based materials which provide information and support for parents who are concerned about their baby's excessive crying. As well as meeting these parents' needs, the aim was to develop a package of materials suitable for use by the UK National Health Service (NHS). Background: Parents report that around 20% of 1-4 month-old infants in western countries cry excessively without apparent reason. Traditionally, research has focused on the crying and its causes. However, evidence is growing that how parents evaluate and respond to the crying needs to receive equal attention. This focus encompasses parental resources, vulnerabilities, wellbeing, and mental health. At present, the UK NHS lacks a set of routine provisions to support parents who are concerned about their baby's excessive crying. The rationales, methods and findings from a study developing materials for this purpose are reported. Method: Following a literature review, 20 parents whose babies previously cried excessively took part in focus groups or interviews. They provided reports on their experiences and the supports they would have liked when their baby was crying excessively. In addition, they identified their preferred delivery methods and devices for accessing information and rated four example support packages identified by the literature review. Findings: During the period their baby cried excessively, most parents visited a health service professional and most considered these direct contacts to have provided helpful information and support. Websites were similarly popular. Telephones and tablets were the preferred means of accessing online information. Groups to meet other parents were considered an important additional resource by all the parents. Three package elements - a Surviving Crying website, a printed version of the website, and a programme of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-based support sessions delivered to parents by a qualified practitioner, were developed for further evaluation

From a Year-Long Delivery Pattern to a One Semester Delivery Pattern, the Impact on Student Performance in a UK University.

Increasingly UK universities are adopting a more US-based approach of teaching subject-matter in modules across semesters. This means that the teaching of a particular subject across a whole academic year is now changing to the same subject-matter being compressed into a single module taught in one semester (across twelve weeks). This study examines the effects of a transition over four years on 2,612 students at a UK university, changing teaching methods from a year-long (two semesters) method of teaching to a more compressed US-style of only one semester long module method. The main findings are that overall pass rates stay approximately the same but there is concern that the number of awards at a first class and upper second level has been diminished. This is potentially due to the students not having the time to assimilate the course-material, develop a deeper learning and understanding of the course materials

A support package for parents of excessively crying infants: development and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Around 20% of 1- to 4-month-old infants cry for long periods without an apparent reason. Traditionally, this was attributed to gastrointestinal disorder ('colic'), but evidence shows that just 5% of infants cry a lot because of organic disturbances; in most cases, the crying is attributable to normal developmental processes. This has led to a focus on the impact of the crying on parents. Parental vulnerabilities influence how parents evaluate and respond to the crying and predict adverse outcomes. By developing evidence-based services that support parents, this study was designed to take the first steps towards national health services that enhance the coping and well-being of parents whose babies excessively cry. Related aims were to improve these infants' outcomes and how NHS money is spent. OBJECTIVES: To develop a novel intervention package to support parents of excessively crying infants and to examine the feasibility of delivering and evaluating it in the NHS. DESIGN: Stage 1 of this study aimed to (1) complete a literature review to identify example support materials, (2) obtain parents' guidance on the support needed when a baby cries excessively, together with their evaluation of the example materials, and (3) develop a support package based on the results. Stage 2 aimed to (1) recruit 60 parents whose babies were currently excessively crying, (2) assess parents' and NHS professionals' willingness to complete a study of the support package, (3) measure the use and evaluation of the package components, (4) estimate the package component costs and (5) provide evidence on the feasibility and methods for a large-scale trial. SETTING: Primary health care. PARTICIPANTS: Stage 1: 20 parents of previously excessively crying infants and 55 health visitors (HVs) or specialist community public health nurses (SCPHNs). Stage 2: 57 parents of currently excessively crying infants and 124 HVs/SCPHNs. INTERVENTIONS: The support package included a website, a printed booklet and a programme of cognitive-behavioural therapy-based sessions delivered to parents by a qualified practitioner. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Demographic data, (2) figures for parents' use of the package components and continuation in the study, (3) parents' and HVs'/SCPHNs' ratings of the package components and suitability for NHS use, (4) questionnaire measures of parental well-being and infant health and (5) costs. RESULTS: Most parents (95%) accessed the website or printed materials and half (51%) attended the practitioner sessions. All 52 parents and 85% of HVs/SCPHNs providing data would support the inclusion of the package in the NHS. It was associated with reduced parental frustration, anxiety, depression, reported infant crying and contacts with health professionals and increased knowledge about crying. Methods for a full trial and figures for the cost of excessive infant crying for the NHS and each package element were identified. LIMITATIONS: No control group was included. Most of the recruited parents were white, well educated and in stable relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Parents and HVs/SCPHNs recognise the need for NHS provisions that support parents of excessively crying babies and consider the materials developed to meet that need. A full-scale randomised controlled trial is feasible and desirable. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN84975637. FUNDING: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 56. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information

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