Early life programming as a target for prevention of child and adolescent mental disorders

This paper concerns future policy development and programs of research for the prevention of mental disorders based on research emerging from fetal and early life programming. The current review offers an overview of findings on pregnancy exposures such as maternal mental health, lifestyle factors, and potential teratogenic and neurotoxic exposures on child outcomes. Outcomes of interest are common child and adolescent mental disorders including hyperactive, behavioral and emotional disorders. This literature suggests that the preconception and perinatal periods offer important opportunities for the prevention of deleterious fetal exposures. As such, the perinatal period is a critical period where future mental health prevention efforts should be focused and prevention models developed. Interventions grounded in evidence-based recommendations for the perinatal period could take the form of public health, universal and more targeted interventions. If successful, such interventions are likely to have lifelong effects on (mental) health

Identified gaps and opportunities in perinatal healthcare delivery for women in treatment for opioid use disorder.

Pregnancy and the delivery of an infant mark a unique time of engagement in healthcare for women in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology calls for a comprehensive approach to perinatal healthcare delivery for pregnant women with OUD in order to facilitate improved health outcomes and increase patient-provider collaboration. Yet, there is little knowledge regarding the perceptions of women with OUD regarding the current delivery of healthcare which could inform a personalized, tailored approach to perinatal healthcare delivery. Methods: Four focus groups consisting of 22 women with OUD were conducted, transcribed, and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis methodology. Results: Women reported an overall lack of preparation for the birth and neonatal healthcare experiences and identified opportunities for greater support by the healthcare team. Women emphasized the desire for evidence-based preparation from trusted sources about delivery, neonatal abstinence syndrome, breastfeeding, and how their medications affect their pregnancy and baby. Women reported receiving a varied amount of support from healthcare providers in their transition to motherhood, but women predominantly reported receiving emotional and informational support from their mothers and partners. Conclusions: The knowledge obtained in this study points to gaps in perinatal healthcare delivery for women with OUD. Improving the delivery of perinatal healthcare may contribute to increased engagement by women with OUD, and ultimately improve outcomes for a vulnerable population

Cumberland [abstract]

Set in a fictional town on the coast of Georgia in July of 1972, Cumberland is the story of two fifteen-year-old twin sisters, Ansel and Isabel (“Izzy”) Mackenzie, who have lived with their frugal, eccentric grandmother since the age of eight when their parents were killed in a car accident and Isabel was paralyzed. Over the years, the burden of caring for her sister has fallen increasingly on Ansel. However, as Ansel cultivates a romantic relationship with a local boy, as well as an artistic apprenticeship with a visiting photographer, her growing desires for selfhood and independence compromise her ability to care for her sister, thereby threatening their sororal connection, and ultimately, Isabel’s life. Adviser: Jonis Agee Note: The full text of this work is not available. Only the abstract is included

A surreal synthesis: Robert Klippel's language of forms

This thesis will show the influence of surrealism in Robert Klippel's sculptures and drawings between 1947 and 1950 which he spent in London and Paris. It will identify the origins and development of Klippel's language of forms, which was based on a he used in his drawings and sculptures from the period. This language was based on forms he studied from the external world around him. The thesis argues that his engagement with surrealist strategies and principles came from an alternative position, supplanting the primacy of the human unconscious for the potential power and energy in the world around him

Cumberland

Set in a fictional town on the coast of Georgia in July of 1972, Cumberland is the story of two fifteen-year-old twin sisters, Ansel and Isabel (“Izzy”) Mackenzie, who have lived with their frugal, eccentric grandmother since the age of eight when their parents were killed in a car accident and Isabel was paralyzed. Over the years, the burden of caring for her sister has fallen increasingly on Ansel. However, as Ansel cultivates a romantic relationship with a local boy, as well as an artistic apprenticeship with a visiting photographer, her growing desires for selfhood and independence compromise her ability to care for her sister, thereby threatening their sororal connection, and ultimately, Isabel’s life

The effects of MARIO, a social robot, on the resilience of people with dementia: A multiple case study

Background: Resilience is a process of adapting to stress. For people with dementia, resilience is enhanced through having positive social relationships. Social robots, such as MARIO, can facilitate social engagement. However, the effect of social robots on resilience has not yet been determined. Objective: To investigate how MARIO, a social robot, affects the resilience of people with dementia. Method: Multiple case study methodology was used to explore the resilience of people with dementia during and after they used MARIO in 12 facilitated sessions. Data collection was conducted using: dementia care mapping; semi-structured interviews with people with dementia (n=10), caregivers (n=6), and relatives (n=7); and questionnaires including the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s disease and The Resilience Scale. During sessions, data was collected using the Observational Measure of Engagement. Data analysis was guided by framework analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed in NVIVO 12 and SPSS respectively. Then, all data was triangulated in a matrix, analysed for similarities and differences within and across cases, and themes were developed. Results: The cross-case analysis produced four themes: Resilience changes minute to minute; Initiating and maintaining readiness; Active co-creation of meaningful activity; Impact on resilience. The findings revealed that people with dementia required skilled facilitation to use MARIO. During interactions with MARIO, the resilience of eight out of ten people was supported. Sessions with MARIO increased the wellbeing of people with dementia by providing a meaningful activity that re-enforced their positive self-concept. Conclusion: Social robots need to have greater capability to interpret and respond to the emotional needs of users if they are to benefit the resilience of people with dementia without the presence of a supportive facilitator. Future research should explore how strength-based strategies can empower people with dementia to create a meaningful activity using social robots.peer-reviewe

An update on progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Target 11

In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a Strategic Plan for Biodiversity with 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets expected to be achieved by 2020. Target 11 sets out goals for protected and conserved areas in terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems. This paper, prepared on behalf of the Global Partnership on Aichi Target 11, reports on progress to date in meeting the quantitative and qualitative elements of Target 11 and identifies opportunities for further progress prior to the 15th Conference of the Parties in Kunming in 2020 and beyond.JRC.D.6-Knowledge for Sustainable Development and Food Securit

Implementation of a Dedicated Social Worker/Coach for Emergency Medicine (EM) Residents

Learning Objectives: The pandemic exposed the mismatch between trainee mental health needs and their access to support services; therefore, the objective of our innovation was to support an opportunity for residents to work with a social worker/coach who could provide coaching on an emergent, urgent, or regular basis.Introduction/Background: EM training requires sleep-wake disruptions, includes potentially traumatizing encounters, all during the COVID-19 pandemic while many residents relocate away from their customary psychosocial supports for training. The shift-based training model limits access to psychosocial care and services, so trainees need just-in-time resources which can support them before mental health concerns develop.Educational Objectives: The objective of our innovation was to support an opportunity for our residents to work with a professional social worker who could provide coaching on an emergent, urgent, or regular basis.Curricular Design: The leadership team identified a clinical social worker and trained coach to provide small group and individual coaching sessions to residents (4-year urban safety-net program with 68 residents) budgeted at an initial cost of $15,000. It was agreed that what was shared in the discussion would not be shared without consent and legal limits to confidentiality were followed.Impact: From October 1, 2020 when implemented to October 1, 2021 there were 49 group and 73 individual sessions. After implementation in 2021, we compared this rotational mean score as ranked by all residents to all other wellness initiatives. Overall response rate was 80.88%. The overall mean score of the initiative was 2.25 (1-lowest and 4-highest) versus 3.73, the mean of all other wellness initiatives. Summary comments from the residents revealed the innovation was useful but shared concern regarding ability to attend sessions and capacity of social worker to relate with them.  If other programs are considering implementation of a similar program recruiting someone with ED/graduate medical education experience or making sure they are oriented is key. Application of a social worker coaching program in an EM residency appears to be a feasible novel wellness intervention with potential to improve well-being, but needs framing to benefit trainees