1,619 research outputs found

    An exploration of Keyes’ two-continuum model of mental health in athletes: resilience, mental illness and performance

    Get PDF
    Keyes’ (2005) two-continuum model of mental health posits two related, but distinct dimensions (1: the presence or absence of mental health – MH; 2: the presence or absence of mental illness - MI). Theoretically, athletes could experience both positive MH and symptoms of MI. Alternatively, athletes could be free from MI, but experience low levels of MH (what Keyes, 2005 terms languishing). This study presents preliminary results from an online survey examining (a) associations between resilience, MH, and MI, and (b) associations between MH, MI and performance. Participants comprised (male, n = 29; female, n = 28) athletes from a range of team (e.g., soccer, netball) and individual (e.g., triathlon, golf) sports (mean age = 23 ± 7 years). The survey comprised measures of MH (Keyes et al., 2008), MI (Connell et al., 2007), resilience (Wagnild & Young, 1987), and performance [the mean of 3 items assessing satisfaction in training, competition, and in sport generally from 0 (totally dissatisfied) to 100 (totally satisfied)]. Using proposed cut-off criteria (Connell et al, 2007; Keyes et al, 2008), some individuals (12%) reported both severe MI and high MH. In addition, a modest, negative relationship (r = -.40, p = .003) between MH and MI lends some support to Keyes’ model. Resilience (personal competence) was associated with MH (r = .50, p < .01), and MI(r = -.34, p = .01). Resilience (acceptance of self and life) was not associated with MI (r = -.24, p = .08), but was associated with MH (r = .39, p = .003). Zero-order correlations between MH and performance (r = .63, p < .001), and MI and performance (r = -.40, p = .003) are qualified by partial correlation analyses. The correlation between MH and performance remains significant when MI is controlled for (r = .59, p < .001). When MH is controlled for, the relationship between MI and performance (r = -.05, p = .76) is attenuated. Collectively, results provide some support for Keyes’ model and for considering MI and MH as separate factors influencing sport performance

    Assessing exposure of young children to common endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the home environment: A review and commentary of the questionnaire-based approach

    Get PDF
    Background: Although infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure, there is an absence of comprehensive exposure data for this age group. As young children spend the majority of their time indoors, improved methods of exposure assessment are needed to characterise the health risks from exposures in the home environment. Biologic assessment, which has been considered the gold standard for exposure assessment in recent years, is difficult to conduct in young children. Questionnaires are an alternative and indirect method of predicting exposure, which may overcome some of the limitations of direct exposure assessment. Research problem: The feasibility of using a questionnaire-based approach to predict exposure of young children to EDCs in the home has yet to be comprehensively reviewed. Moreover, there is no one questionnaire that has been validated for predicting the exposure of infants to common EDCs in the home. Aims and objectives: The aim of this review is to discuss the use and validation of the questionnaire-based approach to predict exposure of children to chemicals from three common classes of EDCs in the home, namely, plasticisers, flame retardants, and insecticides. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the questionnaire-based approach as well as the important pathways of exposure in the home environment, by which to guide the design and validation of future exposure questionnaires. Results: The findings from our review indicate that the questionnaire-based approach is a valuable tool in the prediction of exposure to persistent organic pollutants, as well as to toxicants that have consistent patterns of exposure. With improvements to the design and validation process, the questionnaire-based approach may also prove to be a reliable instrument in predicting exposure to EDCs with short-half lives, including bisphenol A, phthalates, and pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides

    Green space in health research : An overview of common indicators of greenness

    Get PDF
    Human environments influence human health in both positive and negative ways. Green space is considered an environmental exposure that confers benefits to human health and has attracted a high level of interest from researchers, policy makers, and increasingly clinicians. Green space has been associated with a range of health benefits, such as improvements in physical, mental, and social wellbeing. There are different sources, metrics and indicators of green space used in research, all of which measure different aspects of the environment. It is important that readers of green space research understand the terminology used in this field, and what the green space indicators used in the studies represent in the real world. This paper provides an overview of the major definitions of green space and the indicators used to assess exposure for health practitioners, public health researchers, and health policy experts who may be interested in understanding this field more clearly, either in the provision of public health-promoting services or to undertake research

    Why do we publish review articles on environmental health topics?

    Get PDF

    Evolution of pulmonary inflammation and nutritional status in infants and young children with cystic fibrosis

    Get PDF
    Introduction Improved nutrition is the major proven benefit of newborn screening programmes for cystic fibrosis (CF) and is associated with better clinical outcomes. It was hypothesised that early pulmonary inflammation and infection in infants with CF is associated with worse nutrition. Methods Weight, height and pulmonary inflammation and infection in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were assessed shortly after diagnosis in infants with CF and again at 1, 2 and 3 years of age. Body mass index (BMI) was expressed as z-scores. Inflammatory cells and cytokines (interleukin 1b (IL-1b), IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor a (TNFa)), free neutrophil elastase activity and myeloperoxidase were measured in BAL. Mixed effects modelling was used to assess longitudinal associations between pulmonary inflammation, pulmonary infection (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and BMI z-score after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results Forty-two infants were studied (16 (38%) male; 39 (93%) pancreatic insufficient); 36 were diagnosed by newborn screening (at median age 4 weeks) and six by early clinical diagnosis (meconium ileus). Thirty-one (74%) received antistaphylococcal antibiotics. More than two-thirds were asymptomatic at each assessment. Mean BMI z-scores wer

    Stability of interleukin 8 and neutrophil elastase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following long-term storage

    Get PDF
    AbstractBackgroundInterleukin-8 (IL-8) and neutrophil elastase (NE) are commonly measured markers of inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with cystic fibrosis. Longitudinal analysis assumes uniform stability during storage, however the effect of extended low-temperature storage on these markers remains unclear.MethodsBAL fluid from 104 children with cystic fibrosis was assayed for IL-8 and NE after storage at 4°C for 7days and −80°C for up to 6years and compared with the initial assays performed soon after collection.ResultsIL-8 levels were stable after any measured length of time at −80°C or 4°C. NE levels were stable for 6months at −80°C but decreased beyond that or after 7days at 4°C.ConclusionsOur data support the stability of IL-8 in BAL stored at −80°C for prolonged periods. NE in BAL decreases with storage and should be assayed as soon as practical after collection

    “It’s psychology Jim, but not as we know it!”: The changing face of applied sport psychology practice

    Get PDF
    Applied sport psychology has developed substantially in recent decades, and there exist a multitude of views regarding how contemporary practices can be best defined and conceptualized. In this paper, we reflect on these developments and draw from a growing body of literature on professional development, in an attempt to provide clarity on the expanding roles and responsibilities of the applied sport psychology practitioner. In so doing, we acknowledge the recent diversification of applied sport psychology practices, with an emphasis on competencies relating to: working with more diverse performance populations (e.g., in business, military, healthcare, education, and the performing arts); engaging in organizational psychological practices; positive youth development; promoting life skills; and mental health and counselling support provisions Further, we offer suggestions for the future of applied sport psychology education and training, in an effort to contribute to the profession’s continued journey toward maturation. This includes discussion surrounding the possible implementation of multi-supervisory pathways, extended placement opportunities and engagement in post training practices within specialist performance domains, in an effort to aid the development of more diverse competencies which reflect the multiplicity of current practice
    corecore