Forest Bathing Increases Adolescent Mental Well-being And Connection To Nature: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study

Previous research has demonstrated that practicing forest bathing has significant positive effects on well-being. However, few studies have investigated whether forest bathing increases adolescent well-being despite the growing adolescent mental health crisis in the United States. Similarly, few studies have explored forest bathing’s impacts on connectedness to nature. Considering the ongoing environmental crisis, determining if forest bathing increases connectedness to nature is a critical expansion of forest bathing research, as connectedness to nature is linked to environmental care and concern. This study investigated the possibility that forest bathing, a nature-based mindfulness practice, could increase adolescent mental well-being and connectedness to nature and sought to determine participants’ experiences of practicing forest bathing. This study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design that was partially co-created with 24 participants aged 16-18 as part of a youth participatory action research (YPAR) project where participants practiced forest bathing three times over three weeks. After practicing forest bathing, participants’ mental well-being increased significantly, as measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale. Connectedness to nature also increased significantly as measured by the Connectedness to Nature Scale. Participants described reduced stress and increased feelings of relaxation, peace, and happiness as well as increased connection to nature, gratitude for nature, concern for nature, and desire to care for nature. Although this is one of the first studies to examine forest bathing impacts on participants\u27 connectedness to nature, these findings correlate with other studies showing that spending time outside in nature increases connectedness to nature and care and concern for the environment. People working with adolescents could consider forest bathing as a practice that increases connectedness to nature while also increasing mental well-being

ANALYSIS OF MARKET DEMAND AND QUALITY OF INFANT TODDLER CARE PROGRAMS IN MISSOULA, MONTANA

In order to test the hypothesis that there are not enough high quality infant toddler care programs in Missoula to meet the demand of the market, creating an opportunity for a local child care provider to open a high quality infant toddler program as part of the child care services that they offer, an observational study of the current infant toddler care programs in Missoula, Montana was conducted. Spirit at Play, a child care center in Missoula, Montana, is evaluating the current child care market in Missoula to see if, and how many, quality infant toddler programs are being offered and if there is an opportunity for Spirit at Play to enter this market by opening their own infant toddler care program to serve children ages six weeks through two years old. A quality checklist was created and used in program visitations to evaluate the quality level of one third of the infant toddler programs in Missoula. Due to the results of the study, it has been determined that there is an opportunity for Spirit at Play to expand its current services into infant toddler care. The results of this research were used to develop a business plan for the organization

Evaluating variables of patient experience and the correlation with design

The objective of this paper was to understand the variables of patient experience by analyzing recent and relevant evidence and to identify design solutions within the hospital environment that positively impact those variables. A systematic review of literature published from 2008-present was conducted to identify variables that contribute to patient experience benefits. Identified variables were documented and categorized into a design, organizational, and outcome variable matrix. Interviews were conducted with professionals from healthcare institutions, architecture firms and organizations committed to improving the patient experience. Data from healthcare facilities, with high patient experience scores, was also examined to derive effective design solutions. The results showed patient engagement, satisfaction - patient and staff, clinical effectiveness, personalization, patient safety and, admission and discharge process were the variables that demonstrated a strong correlation with patient experience benefits. Analysis of the variables resulted in a range of design solutions, such as private and public interaction spaces, decentralized care models, designated staff areas etc. that could potentially improve the outcomes associated with each variable. This study illustrates that aspects of patient experience adopted before, during, and after the delivery of care have the ability to affect adherence, communication, and ultimately the relationship with the patient. It also shows that design of the physical space has a significant impact on the model of care and the overall experience of the patient and family

Performing Artists\u27 Perceptions on the Importance of Certified Athletic Trainers Through Production

Please enjoy Volume 7, Issue 1 of the JSMAHS. In this issue, you will find Professional, Graduate, and Undergraduate research abstracts, and case reports. Thank you for viewing this 7th Annual OATA Special Edition

Cognitive biases in depression affect semantic processing

Thesis (B.S.) in Psychology--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-44)Microfiche of typescript. [Urbana, Ill.]: Photographic Services, University of Illinois, U of I Library, [1993]. 2 microfiches (67 frames): negative. s1993 ilun

Peer Mentoring for Undergraduates in a Research-Focused Diversity Initiative

To provide multi-dimensional support for undergraduates from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to careers in research, the BUILD EXITO project, part of a major NIH-funded diversity initiative, matches each scholar with three mentors: peer mentor (advanced student), career mentor (faculty adviser), and research mentor (research project supervisor). After describing the aims of the diversity initiative, the institutional context of the BUILD EXITO project, and the training program model, this article devotes special attention to the rationale for and implementation of the peer mentoring component within the context of the multi-faceted mentoring model

Loudness discomfort levels: A retrospective study comparing data from Pascoe (1988) and Washington University School of Medicine

Loudess discomfort levels (LDLs) were gathered from three Washington University School of Medicine sites, for a total of 325 subjects (total ears=454). These levels were compared to mean LDLs reported by Pascoe (1988). The results revealed that the mean LDL measured at WUSM (ie., the IHAFF procedure) is significantly different that the LDL reported by Pascoe (1988)

Regulation and Function of the Mitotic Checkpoint Protein CHFR.

Regulation of mitosis through mitotic checkpoints is critical to prevent propagation of DNA damage and to ensure proper DNA content of the resulting daughter cells. Loss of these checkpoint functions may lead to neoplasias or cancers. The protein checkpoint with forkhead associated and RING domains (CHFR) has been implicated as a tumor suppressor in a multitude of cancers. Originally identified as a major component of the antephase checkpoint, CHFR has recently been associated with the spindle assembly checkpoint through its interaction with MAD2. To further understand the role of CHFR in this checkpoint, we deleted key functional domains from the CHFR protein and investigated the effects on MAD2 binding and function. We found that the C-terminal cysteine-rich domain of CHFR is required for the CHFR/MAD2 interaction. In addition, this domain is important for MAD2 localization, interaction with CDC20, and prevention of chromosome segregation defects. These data indicate an important role for CHFR in the function of MAD2 and the spindle assembly checkpoint. CHFR loss is observed in a wide array of cancers, supporting its role as a tumor suppressor. Most often, CHFR is lost via hypermethylation of the CHFR gene promoter. However hypermethylation is not observed in the majority of breast cancers. Using a panel of breast cancer lines we explored the role of microRNA in reducing CHFR levels. We found a correlation between expression of miR-26 and decreased transcription of CHFR, suggesting that this miRNA could target the CHFR mRNA to reduce protein levels. These data suggest that miR-26 could be useful in the future as a biomarker indicating CHFR protein loss.Ph.D.Cell and Developmental BiologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89849/1/jakeller_1.pd