Change and Recovery from Substance Misuse: Native American Perspectives

This qualitative study investigated the constructs of change within the action and maintenance stages of the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TMC) and balance within the domains of the Medicine Wheel (MW). The guiding questions addressed: a) point of focus in sobriety and recovery phases within the domains of the MW, b) specific mechanisms at work, c) support systems, tools, temptations, motivating factors, maintenance, gains, losses, and personal reasons for change, d) spiritual component, e) connection between tribal culture and recovery, and f) distinction between sobriety and recovery. Eight adult Native Americans in sobriety or recovery for a minimum of 3 years participated. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and 3 quantitative measurement checks (Native American Acculturation Scale, Garret & Pichette, 2000 revised by Trahan, 2004; Decisional Balance Scale, Maddock, 1997; and the Self-Efficacy Scale, Maddock, 1997). A semi-structured interview format was utilized and interviews were audio-taped. A team of 6 multi-ethnic research assistants transcribed, checked the transcriptions for accuracy, and analyzed the interviews under the guidance of the lead researcher. The participants\u27 responses were analyzed and coded using a Grounded Theory strategy. The scores/findings from the measurement checks were calculated; the majority of participants indicated bicultural behaviors and scored in the expected ranges within the maintenance stage of change. Both models are applicable with this sample. The MW revealed the process of searching for balance and the TMC showed the process of utilizing the medicine within the MW in order to create change. Strategies that emerged were the utilization of medicine and shifting perspectives. Experiencing a spiritual moment, recollection of the reason one quit drinking alcohol, examination of self and others, and reinforcement were shifts in perspectives that required the utilization of medicine. These led to motivation, balance and new behaviors. A new theoretical model for change and recovery from alcohol misuse emerged; sobriety was described as an event and recovery as a process. When combining the conceptual frameworks of the Medicine Wheel and the TMC, specific mechanisms of change were revealed. The findings may offer clients and therapists a new conceptual framework to facilitate balance and change

RELATIONSHIP AMONG ENGAGEMENT IN HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIOURS, PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, AND PERSONALITY

This study examined health promoting behaviours in healthy, normal functioning adults to investigate the relationships among engagement in health promoting behaviours, perceptions of health-related quality of life, and personality. Three tests were used, including a 20-item Mini-International Personality Item Pool (Mini-IPIP), 26-item World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) measure, and an 81-item measure of Health Promoting Behaviours (HPB). Results based on 50 graduate students indicate that the HPB measure has good internal consistency for the full scale (Cronbach’s alpha = .884) and acceptable consistency for individual subscales. Correlations between HPB and WHOQOL subscales ranged from .052 to .821; correlations between HPB and Mini-IPIP subscales ranged from - .421 to .558. The strongest correlation was observed between the Psychological domains of the HPB and WHOQOL measures. The strongest correlation for the HPB and Mini-IPIP was between the Psychological domain of the HPB and the Conscientiousness domain of the Mini-IPIP. Results suggest that health promoting behaviours are related to personality and health-related quality of life

Effects of docosahexaenoic acid intake during pregnancy and lactation on infant growth and neurocognitive development and the associated effects of genetic variants of the FADS1 FADS2 gene cluster, The

2014 Summer.Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake during pregnancy and/or lactation has been positively associated with infant growth and neurocognitive development. However, randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) report mixed results. Several RCT that failed to demonstrate an effect of DHA supplementation have found correlations between DHA status and cognitive benefits, possibly due to a failure to account for total maternal DHA intake. The majority of studies to date investigating neurocognitive development have not examined the effect of supplementing women with DHA during both pregnancy and lactation and fail to determine the effects of maternal genetic variation on infant neurocognitive development. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the fatty acid desaturase (FADS)1 FADS2 gene cluster encoding for Δ5- and Δ6-desaturase enzymes were previously reported to be associated with altered omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acid proportions of erythrocyte, plasma phospholipids and breastmilk, possibly effecting DHA transfer to the infant. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between DHA intake in women obtaining varying amounts of DHA daily during pregnancy and lactation and infant neurocognitive development in the first year of life and the association of maternal SNPs in the FADS1 FADS2 gene cluster. One hundred and fifteen pregnant women were randomized to receive purified tuna oil supplement containing 300 mg of DHA and 67 mg EPA per day or an identical placebo (Sunola oil) for the last trimester of pregnancy through the first 3 months of lactation in a double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial. Two SNPs in the FADS1 FADS2 gene cluster, rs174575 and rs174561, were genotyped from maternal DNA and erythrocyte, plasma phospholipid and breastmilk fatty acids and daily DHA intake from food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) were analyzed. Neurocognitive development of the infants was measured using the Mental Development Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III (BSID-III) at 4 and 12 months of age. Gestational length in days was calculated based upon last menstrual period and birth date. Infant birth weights and lengths were obtained from pediatric medical records at delivery and at 2 months of age. Total daily DHA intake was estimated to range from 18 mg to 1.374 g per day calculated from all sources of DHA, including food and supplementation. Data was analyzed based on treatment group, placebo versus DHA, and by total daily DHA intake broken into three groups: low = 0-299 mg per day DHA, medium = 300-599 mg per day DHA, high = ≥600 mg per day DHA. DHA portion of 2 month breastmilk fatty acids directly correlated with daily DHA intake (r=0.37, p=0.0002). Erythrocyte and breastmilk DHA proportions significantly increased in women homozygous for the major allele (SNP rs174575, p=0.0002 and p=0.030, respectively; SNP rs174561, p=0.003 and p=0.040, respectively) in the high daily DHA intake compared to the low intake group. However, daily DHA intake had no effect significantly increasing DHA proportions in women homozygous for the minor alleles of both SNPs studied. Infants born to mothers in the high DHA intake group showed significantly higher scores on the 12 month cognitive scale of the MDI of the BSID-III (p=0.018), compared to the low intake group. No significant differences were seen between treatment groups or DHA intake groups on any of the 4 month infant cognitive testing. Genotype had no direct effect on BSID-III scores, however, ANCOVA for 12 month cognitive MDI subtest showed a statistically significant interaction between SNP rs174575 genotype and daily DHA intake group (p=0.023). Additionally, infants born to mothers in the DHA treatment group had an increase of 4.5 days in gestational age (p=0.048) and significantly lower incidence of preterm birth (5%; n=3) compared to infants born to mothers in the control group (18%; n=10; χ2=4.97, p=0.026). No significant differences were seen between treatment groups or DHA intake groups in infant growth measurements at birth or at 2 months of age, although 2 month breastmilk DHA proportion of fatty acids was negatively correlated with 2 month weight (r= -0.22, p=0.048). An intake of 600 mg of DHA per day or greater during the third trimester of gestation throughout the first three months of breastfeeding was associated with improved infant neurocognitive development. Genetic variants of the FADS1 FADS2 gene cluster influence erythrocyte and breastmilk fatty acids, and increased DHA intake does not effectively increase DHA proportions in minor allele carriers. Additionally, DHA supplementation increased gestational length and decreased preterm birth risk, however, did not affect infant birth weights. DHA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation could be beneficial for improving the neurocognitive development of infants, however, genetic variation may affect DHA transfer to the infant

Characteristics of farmers\u27 market vendors in West Virginia

The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of farmers\u27 market vendors in West Virginia, including products, season extension methods, promotional strategies, and sales levels, as well as to identify the obstacles and educational needs relevant to farmers\u27 market vendors. While the majority of products produced by vendors were vegetables, it was found that products such as processed products and live plants were used to extend marketing seasons. Meat and dairy were the least represented categories. Fewer than half of the vendors reported use of any season extension techniques.;While a slight majority of vendors appeared satisfied with current length of the market season and enforcement of market rules, many identified increased advertising as the most important priority for change. Common educational needs included education and outreach to consumers, pest control, value-added regulations, and ways of communicating with other regional farmers\u27 markets. Chief obstacles to success included resellers, unfair or inadequate market management, and a lack of advertising

Impact Of Teacher Perceptions On Instructional Practices In Alternative Public High Schools

Alternative schools are perceived by some as low performing schools with ineffective faculty and delinquent students. This perception affects the perceptions of some alternative school teachers about their students and influences the instructional practices they employ. By being aware of their perceptions and resulting practices, these educators can make a positive impact on the education of at-risk students in alternative settings. The purpose of this study was to understand how alternative school teachers’ perceptions of their students’ abilities influenced their instructional practices and how they perceived those practices support at-risk student academic success in public alternative high schools. To fulfill the purpose of this study, the following research questions were answered: (a) what are alternative school high school teachers’ perceptions of alternative students’ abilities and alternative education? (b) how do alternative high school teachers describe their experiences in promoting the academic success of their at-risk students? (c) how do alternative high school teachers’ perceptions of their students’ abilities influence their instructional choices? (d) how do alternative high school teachers perceive that their practices support at-risk student academic success? The research questions were answered through an exploratory case study using an open-ended, anonymous survey. The results indicated there are links between alternative teachers’ perceptions of their students’ abilities, their chosen instructional practices, and their perceptions of their instruction’s effectiveness. Further research is recommended to elaborate on some major findings of this study to increase its applicability and relevance to different alternative settings

Evaluating the Economic Impact of Farmers’ Markets Using an Opportunity Cost Framework

Farmers’ markets presumably benefit local economies through enhanced retention of local dollars. Unlike other studies, the net impact of farmers’ markets on the West Virginia economy is examined. Producer survey results are used in estimating annual direct sales ($1.725 million). Using an IMPLAN-based input-output model, gross impacts are 119 jobs (69 full-time equivalent jobs) and$2.389 million in output including $1.48 million in gross state product (GSP). When the effect of direct revenue losses are included (primarily for grocery stores), the impact is reduced to 82 jobs (43 full-time equivalent jobs),$1.075 million in output, and $0.653 million in GSP.farmers’ markets, input-output models, net economic impact, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, R15, Q13, Q18,