Health-related quality of life, mental health and caregiver burden in children with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD)

Objective: To examine whether established patient-reported outcome measures are suitable for capturing the impact of ARPKD in children and their families. Method(s): We assessed 44 children with ARPKD (40 families) with respect to patients' health-related quality of life ((hr- QOL) using PedsQLTM ESRD module) and mental health (strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)) as well as family and caregiver burden (Impact on family score (IFS) und Ulm inventory of parental caregiver QOL (ULQIE)) and compared them to published data and 36 healthy control children matched for age and time. Result(s): Patients were aged 9.5 +/- 5.9 years (vs. controls 8.8 +/- 5.0, p = ns) and 21 (48%) were female (vs. 19 controls (53%), p = ns). Mean eGFR was 81 ml/min*1.73m2 (range 4 - 165);7 received dialysis and 11 had functioning kidney transplants (KTX, 2 combined with liver transplants). Eight patients had developmental delay secondary to medical complications, while chronic illness was an exclusion criterion for healthy controls. 61 caregivers of affected children had same gender-distribution (61% vs. 60% mothers) and age (both 42 +/- 7 years) and number of dependent children (1.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.8) as 57 caregivers of healthy children. The mean proxy reported PedsQL Total score was 77.5 +/- 10.6 (range 59 - 96). It correlated significantly to eGFR (r = 0.5, p < 0.01, (also within the subpopulations pre- and post-KTX)). Parents reported greater mental health problems in affected than in control children with a higher SDQ total score mainly due to higher scores in the hyperactivity and peerinteraction subscales. ULQIE revealed that parents of affected children had significantly lower levels of physical functioning, self-fulfillment and general QOL, but despite higher emotional burden scores they indicated similar satisfaction with family life. Impact on family scores were in a similar range to those of children with moderate to severe disabilities. Conclusion(s): The good spread of PedsQLTM ESRD-scores and their correlation to renal function indicates that it captures significant aspects of ARPKD, however, it may need further adjustment to include liver complications. All four chosen instruments revealed significant impact of ARPKD on hrQOL and mental health of affected children as well as family life and parental wellbeing in comparison to healthy controls. More problems with peer-interactions may also be due to more stringent shielding of chronically ill children from social contacts during the COVID pandemic compared to healthy children.

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategies in Improving the Help-Seeking Behaviors in COVID-19 Pandemic: An Experience from Iran

Background: Currently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is recognized as a major threat to human public health. Obviously, accurate and in-depth identification of patients' help-seeking behavior not only explains the process but also is able to identify the related factors, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses, and depicts participants' expectations for optimization and improvement. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted based on content analysis and through individual interviews (in person and by phone) with people with a history of COVID-19 disease until data saturation was reached between June and September 2020 in Tehran, Iran. Findings: In this study, 15 in-depth individual interviews were conducted. Strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to improve the help-seeking behavior were extracted in four levels: individual, family, social, and health system. The most important strengths were self-care (individual level), empathy of family members (family), charitable activities (social), and human resources (health system). The most important weaknesses in these levels included lack of attention to health protocols, lack of requirements for full quarantine, economic problems, and lack of proper monitoring by the health system. Conclusion: The most important and key element to improve the help-seeking behavior is human resources and promoting the individual capabilities in various aspects. © 2023, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.

STRENGTHS AND TRANSFORMABILITY OF HEALTHCARE STRUCTURES IN CAMPANIA

In Italy the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed infrastructural and operational fragilities of the healthcare system, as well as a profound need for building modernization and upgrade as it emerges from the planned investments of the PNRR too. The Campania Region confirms the national trend in terms of consistency and age of the healthcare real estate, in some cases of artistic and cultural interest, which is underused and thus susceptible to possible regeneration. The paper aims at defining a decision support tool to track dimensional and typological parameters of the analyzed buildings and at defining a priority scale of possible enhancement and upgrade interventions. The methodology has three phases: mapping the real estate;defining a potentiality index which links building and urban characteristics to possible transformations;defining a transformability index to describe the predisposition of buildings to undergo interventions. From the cross-reading of the obtained indexes the decision maker can define the best strategy and perspective for a well informed and sustainable regeneration plan. © 2022, Luciano Editore. All rights reserved.

The Emerging Challenges and Strengths of the National Health Services: A Physician Perspective.

The National Health Services (NHS) is a British national treasure and has been highly valued by the British public since its establishment in 1948. Like other healthcare organizations worldwide, the NHS has faced challenges over the last few decades and has survived most of these challenges. The main challenges faced by NHS historically have been staffing retention, bureaucracy, lack of digital technology, and obstacles to sharing data for patient healthcare. These have changed significantly as the major challenges faced by NHS currently are the aging population, the need for digitalization of services, lack of resources or funding, increasing number of patients with complicated health needs, staff retention, and primary healthcare issues, issues with staff morale, communication break down, backlog in-clinic appointments and procedures worsened by COVID 19 pandemic. A key concept of NHS is equal and free healthcare at the point of need to everyone and anyone who needs it during an emergency. The NHS has looked after its patients with long-term illnesses better than most other healthcare organizations worldwide and has a very diversified workforce. COVID-19 also allowed NHS to adopt newer technology, resulting in adapting telecommunication and remote clinic. On the other hand, COVID-19 has pushed the NHS into a serious staffing crisis, backlog, and delay in patient care. This has been made worse by serious underfunding the coronavirus disease-19coronavirus disease-19 over the past decade or more. This is made worse by the current inflation and stagnation of salaries resulting in the migration of a lot of junior and senior staff overseas, and all this has badly hammered staff morale. The NHS has survived various challenges in the past; however, it remains to be seen if it can overcome the current challenges.

[Strengths and Difficulties of 3- to 15-Year-Old Children and Adolescents in the Second andThird Year of the Corona Pandemic - Results of a Household-Representative Survey in Germany]. / Stärken und Probleme von 3- bis 15-jährigen Kindern und Jugendlichen im zweiten und dritten Jahr der Corona- Pandemie ­ eine haushaltsrepräsentative Befragung.

Behavioural strengths and psychosocial problems in children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 15 are reported. The survey is based on a household-representative sample of 2,421 parents or guardians providing information on their everyday family-life in summer 2021 by online-questionnaire. 704 of the respondents participated again in the spring of 2022. In result, the behaviour of a quarter of the children and adolescents is described as psychosocially borderline/abnormal over the survey period (SDQ total). About a third of children and adolescents have emotional problems, behavioural problems or problems with their peers (respective SDQ-subscales). The proportion of primary-school children with emotional problems increases from summer 2021 to the following spring. Families in which children with disabilities live are disproportionally more affected. The results are discussed with regard to the SDQ standard values available for Germany, as well as the families' self-reported supportneeds and their planned use of professional support-services. Given the psychosocial burden of children, adolescents and their families presented here, which become apparent well after the closures of day-care centres and schools, or other contact-restricting measures to contain the pandemic, have ended, it remains of interest to observe how their well-being will further develop over time.

Comparison of the Effect of Cetylpyridinium Chloride 0.05% and Povidone-Iodine 1%, Two Types of Mouthwash Effective Against COVID-19, on the Shear Bond Strength of Metal Orthodontic Brackets: a Laboratory Study

Introduction: Povidone-iodine 1% and cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% mouthwashes have been used to remove microbial plaque and reduce gingivitis and the dysfunction of COVID-19. The present research was conducted to determine these two types of mouthwash effects on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets in laboratory conditions. Method: In this experimental-laboratory research, healthy human premolar teeth were selected and preserved in 1% thymol. The samples were divided into three groups, including control and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride and 1% povidone-iodine mouthwashes. The shear bond strength values of the brackets were measured with a UTM device and with a blade speed of 1 mm/min After keeping each group in mouthwash and applying thermal cycles. The Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) observed the amount of residual adhesive using a stereomicroscope at ten magnifications. The bond strength of brackets was investigated by one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in three groups, and pairwise comparisons were performed with Tukey's test. The chi-square test also analyzed the remaining adhesive degrees in the groups. Results: Significant differences were observed in the shear bond strength of brackets in three groups (p=0.02). The bond strength of the brackets in the povidone-iodine mouthwash group was significantly higher than the control group (p=0.01). However, in other pairwise comparisons, no significant differences were observed between the groups. There were no significant differences in the amount of residual adhesive in the different groups. Conclusion: Immersion in mouthwashes, effective against COVID-19, had no adverse effects on metal orthodontic brackets' shear bond strength values. Therefore, these mouthwashes can establish oral and dental hygiene and destroy COVID-19's function in orthodontic patients. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results is the property of ResearchTrentz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

The good gifts program: evaluation of a positive youth development intervention for opportunity youth

The hardships faced by youth experiencing or at-risk for experiencing homelessness, or opportunity youth, are well documented. Programs for these youth are often deficit-based, failing to recognize existing strengths to foster resilience. The Good Gifts Program is a positive youth development intervention created collaboratively with opportunity youth, service providers, and researchers to augment existing services with the goal of nurturing gratitude, generosity, and hope. We evaluated this pilot program during a period of wide-spread service disruption (in the summer of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic). Opportunity youth (n = 38;aged 16–24) completed up to four group sessions as well as pre- and post-test assessments, with daily diaries throughout. Results showed no overall evidence for program efficacy and, indeed, declines in gratitude, generosity, and hope with greater program attendance. The modest sample size and significant heterogeneity in program fidelity, participation, and context presented challenges to data interpretation and highlight considerations for future work. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Positive Psychology is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Character Strengths and Resilience in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the pandemic, older adults were perceived as a vulnerable group without considering their various strengths. This study explored the associations between character strengths and resilience, and verified if some of these could predict resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 92 participants (women = 79.1%), ≥ 70 years of age (mean = 75.6 years), completed an online version of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths - Positively keyed (VIA-IS-P) to assess 24 character strengths (grouped under six virtues) and the Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale. Results showed that 20 of the 24 strengths correlated positively and significantly with resilience. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the virtues of courage and transcendence, as well as attitudes toward aging, uniquely predicted the level of resilience. Interventions should be developed to improve certain strengths (e.g., creativity, zest, hope, humor, and curiosity), while reducing ageism, in order to promote resilience.

COVID-19 surveillance in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda: strengths, weaknesses and key Lessons.

INTRODUCTION: As part of efforts to rapidly identify and care for individuals with COVID-19, trace and quarantine contacts, and monitor disease trends over time, most African countries implemented interventions to strengthen their existing disease surveillance systems. This research describes the strengths, weaknesses and lessons learnt from the COVID-19 surveillance strategies implemented in four African countries to inform the enhancement of surveillance systems for future epidemics on the continent. METHODS: The four countries namely the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda, were selected based on their variability in COVID-19 response and representation of Francophone and Anglophone countries. A mixed-methods observational study was conducted including desk review and key informant interviews, to document best practices, gaps, and innovations in surveillance at the national, sub-national, health facilities, and community levels, and these learnings were synthesized across the countries. RESULTS: Surveillance approaches across countries included - case investigation, contact tracing, community-based, laboratory-based sentinel, serological, telephone hotlines, and genomic sequencing surveillance. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, the health systems moved from aggressive testing and contact tracing to detect virus and triage individual contacts into quarantine and confirmed cases, isolation and clinical care. Surveillance, including case definitions, changed from contact tracing of all contacts of confirmed cases to only symptomatic contacts and travelers. All countries reported inadequate staffing, staff capacity gaps and lack of full integration of data sources. All four countries under study improved data management and surveillance capacity by training health workers and increasing resources for laboratories, but the disease burden was under-detected. Decentralizing surveillance to enable swifter implementation of targeted public health measures at the subnational level was a challenge. There were also gaps in genomic and postmortem surveillance including community level sero-prevalence studies, as well as digital technologies to provide more timely and accurate surveillance data. CONCLUSION: All the four countries demonstrated a prompt public health surveillance response and adopted similar approaches to surveillance with some adaptations as the pandemic progresses. There is need for investments to enhance surveillance approaches and systems including decentralizing surveillance to the subnational and community levels, strengthening capabilities for genomic surveillance and use of digital technologies, among others. Investing in health worker capacity, ensuring data quality and availability and improving ability to transmit surveillance data between and across multiple levels of the health care system is also critical. Countries need to take immediate action in strengthening their surveillance systems to better prepare for the next major disease outbreak and pandemic.

An integrated framework to evaluate and improve the performance of emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mathematical programing approach.

The emergency department (ED) is one of the most critical and high-risk sections of the health system. Providing quality services at a fast pace is vital in this ward since it directly affects people's lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned into a serious challenge for physicians and emergency departments (EDs). The growing number of patients who refer to EDs creates congestion, which will reduce the quality of services. Consequently, managing and operating EDs will be more urgent during this pandemic. Considering this problem, we first used data envelopment analysis (DEA) to evaluate the performance of EDs in the central provinces of Iran. Then, sensitivity analysis was used to determine the main factors affecting the efficiency of this ward. Accordingly, the high number of admitted patients, the congestion of the ward, and the long time required to report the COVID-19 test results were found to be the most influential factors. Finally, drawing on the results of sensitivity analysis, we advance a number of measures to improve these three and other related indicators. Furthermore, appropriate strategies were presented for improving health, COVID-19 management, key performance indicators, and safety indicators in accordance with the results of strengths-weaknesses-opportunity-threat (SWOT) analysis.

The challenges and experiences of academics supporting psychological capital among students at the emergence of COVID-19: A qualitative investigation of award-winning educators at a British university.

BACKGROUND: Studies show that student mental health has continued to deteriorate over the years. Developing strengths-based approaches could aid educators in the development of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and positive protective factors in students to support their mental well-being and aid in their success; however, little is known of the subject experience of educators who attempt this. AIMS: This study aims to understand the experience of award-winning educators; both in their attempts to cultivate positive protective factors in students and in challenges to the pursuit of that goal during the shifting academic landscape at the emergence of COVID-19. SAMPLE: Six award-winning educators from a British university. METHODS: Participants were interviewed over video calls in this research design using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: The results showed two major themes; pressures for academics and strength-based approached to cultivating PsyCap. These themes reflected that educators saw an urgent need for students to develop resilience as they struggle to handle subjective failure and that students struggle with imposter syndrome. The educators identified the challenges as feeling taken for granted, having unmanageable workloads along high expectations placed on them. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 has added significantly to the workloads of educators and demonstrated students' need for resilience. This research identifies the experiences of educators trying to improve strengths-based practice while identifying the challenges of pursuing that goal in the changing pedagogy post-COVID-19.

Mexican Validation of the Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale, Short Form ( Isles-Sf)

Adapting by making meaning of adverse life situations such as unavoidable losses and other stressful events throughout life is crucial for people to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Holland et al. (2010, 2014) created and validated two versions -long and short- of a scale to assess the degree of adaptation of an individual to a loss or a stressful event. To adapt and validate the Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale-Short Form (ISLES-SF) to Mexican Spanish, an instrumental study was carried out. In the exploratory factorial analysis, the sample consisted of 227 participants (M = 19.51, SD = 1.67) and in the confirmatory factorial analysis, 550 participated (M = 19.86, SD = 3.38). Each factorial analysis corroborated the bifactorial structure, with a good fit of the model, satisfactory internal reliability, and good construct and instrumental validity, like the original scale validations.

Ressources personnelles, sens des études, persévérance et épanouissement: une étude longitudinale implémentant un dispositif pédagogique innovant auprès dé jeunes étudiant es français-es en contexte de COVID-19

This study explores from a longitudinal perspective the nature of correlations, changes in mean scores, and interrelations between personal resources (career adaptability and use of psychological strengths) and other variables such as meaning of education, perseverance, and flourishing. The study is conducted as part of the implementation of a reflective teaching approach during the C0VID-19 pandemic crisis. The sample includes sixty students from a French university. Correlational analyses indicate a conservation of the positive nature of the relations between some of these variables, the appearance and disappearance of some positive effects over time. While the mean score for meaning tends to increase over time, the mean score for flourishing tends to decrease. Finally, we notice a prevalence of the interrelations between the two resources and flourishing. The potential contribution of the implemented framework is discussed. © 2022 Institut National d'Etude du Travail et d'Orientation Professionnelle. All rights reserved.

"We Can Manage This Corona Disaster”: Psycho-Social Experiences of a Diverse Suburban Middle-Class Community in South Africa: Interview-Based Study

The study concerns psycho-social domains experienced in a diverse suburban middle-class community, reporting the most positive cases and the deepest suffering, and interactions towards adaptation in stressful situations, such as the Coronavirus pandemic. This qualitative investigation used a descriptive design, with a strengths-based perspective directing a two-phased method. Through non-probability convenience sampling, 80 participants completed a web-based qualitative questionnaire (phase one). From those, 20 purposely selected volunteers participated in individual, face-to-face, open-ended, and unstructured interviews (phase 2). Themes, interpreted as one set, show how strengths and resilience appear, despite extreme shock and uncertainty. Transitional processes in psycho-social spheres reveal conscious decisions towards dynamic engagement, embracing change, reflecting on life's value, and regarding novel meaningful priorities in contrast with "before”. Most prominent relational spaces have human connections in the inner (close) and outer (community) circles. Personal, meaningful relationships strengthen social bonds. Appreciative inquiry (AI) assisted in the transitional process to co-construct awareness of the positive core, emotional agility, and pride in embracing and expanding on newly developed strengths. Interpreted inductively, meaning described in ed knowledge can be transferred to and integrated with other contexts, identifying new initiatives and trans-, multi-, and inter-disciplinary debates mitigating psycho-social consequences and fostering resilience during disasters.

Mental Health Issues and Life Conditions of Adolescents with Juvenile Dermatomyositis and Other Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases during Covid-19 Quarantine

Background. Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) include various chronic conditions with high morbidity and mortality rates, and an increased risk of infections, including the new COVID-19. It is possible that adolescents with ARD have higher levels of psychological distress which may affect their mental health and life conditions. The objectives were to assess mental health and life conditions in adolescents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) and healthy controls in social isolation, emphasizing some demographic aspects and daily routine of adolescents with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods. A cross-sectional study, performed from July 2020 to October 2020, included 155 ARD adolescents and 105 healthy controls. Online survey composed by self-reported strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) and a semi-structured questionnaire was filled in regarding demographic data, daily home and school routine, physical activities and COVID-19 information during the pandemic. Results. The patients included in the study presented the following underlying diseases: 15% JDM, 29% juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and 56% juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Among adolescents with JDM, 71% were female, 54% Caucasian and the median age was 14 years (range 10-18). Regarding school data, 92% JDM participants attended school before pandemic, 75% studied in public schools and up to 17% did not present home schooling during the quarantine. All JDM patients agreed with stay-home policy after pandemic outbreak, and they reported change in life routine (96%), sleep problems (29%), sleep after midnight (75%) and increased screen time (87%). Worsening of family financial situation (37%) and increased family violence (8%) were also observed. Concerning mental health assessment, it was verified that one third of JDM subjects presented abnormal total difficulties and emotional scores of SDQ. No differences were found regarding sex, ethnicity and current age between ARD patients and controls (p>0.05). The frequencies of abnormal SDQ total (32% vs. 32%, p=0.901) and emotional (38% vs. 35%, p=0.653) were similar in both groups. Logistic regression analyses in ARD patients demonstrated that female (OR=2.4;95%CI 1.0-6.0;p=0.044) was associated with severe emotional SDQ dysfunction, whereas poor sleep quality was considered risk factor for both worse total SDQ (OR 2.6;95% CI 1.2-5.5;p=0.009) and emotional SDQ scores (OR=4.6;95%CI 2.2-9.7;p<0.001). Comparisons between ARD patients with and without current prednisone use showed higher median scores of peer problems in the first group [3(0-10) vs. 2(0-7), p=0.049]. The median and frequencies of SDQ scores and domains were similar between JDM, JSLE and JIA (p>0.05). Conclusions. Approximately one third of JDM, JSLE and JIA patients presented abnormal total difficulties and emotional scores of SDQ. Female sex and poor sleep quality were the main factor associated with emotional impact in these ARD adolescents.

Reflections on a nursing education institution transitioning to online education during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2022, nursing faculty reflect on the transition without global or national benchmarks or blueprints of a South African Nursing Education Institution to online education during the Covid-19 pandemic. Objective: To provide policy makers a resource in preparation for future crises in education. A theoretical-reflective study supported by a SWOT analysis aimed to understand the transition to online teaching and learning and assessments for the Nursing Discipline (nursing faculty n = 22; undergraduate students n = 291) of a select South African university. It revealed four key lessons learned. Firstly, whether change is planned or unplanned, policy frameworks should guide it. Secondly, resources exist within faculty, and at times, change agents might not be necessary as strengths can be drawn from within. Thirdly, through managing a crisis, faculty-service partnership can be strengthened. Lastly, a need exists for continual surveillance as the inequality gap in Higher Education students has become increasingly visible and amplified further marginalisation. Our reflections have highlighted that opportunities and strengths abound as the pandemic has fast-tracked nursing education institutions to embrace technology for teaching and learning and assessments. Three of the key lessons learned emphasise what is known about the successful outcome of working together.

Character strengths as a coping strategy in times of COVID-19

For about two years, we have collectively mourned material, economic, and emotional loss caused by COVID-19. Measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus have contributed to the deterioration in people's mental health. According to scientific evidence, boredom, isolation, helplessness, lack of control, uncertainty, fear of dying, have had an impact on the well-being. There is an increase in the exacerbation of symptoms and pre-existing conditions of psychopathologies and the appearance of new symptoms. However, it is argued that the COVID-19 pandemic has helped people learn more about themselves and their capacities. This article is a narrative review, not intended to be exhaustive, but aims to address emotional well-being by highlighting the identification and use of character strengths as a coping strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. I discuss how character strengths play a positive and significant role in increasing resilience in people who experienced adverse situations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (Spanish) Por aproximadamente dos anos hemos vivido un duelo colectivo por la perdida material, economica y emocional provocada por la pandemia de COVID-19. Las medidas tomadas para evitar la propagacion del virus han contribuido al deterioro de la salud mental de las personas. Se documenta en la literatura que el aburrimiento, aislamiento, impotencia, falta de control, incertidumbre, preocupacion, y miedo a morir, han tenido un impacto en todas las dimensiones del bienestar. Tambien, se registra un aumento en la exacerbacion de sintomas y condiciones preexistentes de psicopatologia y aparicion de nuevos sintomas. No obstante, se plantea que la pandemia de COVID-19 ha ayudado a las personas a aprender mas sobre si mismas y sobre sus capacidades. Este articulo es una revision narrativa, que no pretende ser exhaustiva, pero que tiene como objetivo abordar el bienestar emocional destacando la identificacion y el uso de las fortalezas de caracter como estrategia de afrontamiento durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Discuto como las fortalezas de caracter impactan y aumentan el desarrollo de la resiliencia en personas que experimentan situaciones adversas. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Examining the life experiences of first-generation students in urban 4-year institutions through a strengths-based lens

First-generation college students are the first in their families to pursue postsecondary education. As a result, they may lack the information and resources to navigate the college process and its transitions. More research is needed on how focusing on first-generation students' strengths can inform programs and support to assist with the postsecondary transition. This study further explores the assets that first-generation students bring to the college experience and how capitalizing on these strengths through programs and support can ease the transition process and help first-generation college students develop a sense of belonging. This qualitative, phenomenological research study was conducted through ten interviews with undergraduate, first-generation college students. The emerging themes were parents and family, peers, professors and staff, and programs and services, which aligned with the literature. This research study had two significant findings: (a) students with older siblings who completed college, extended-generation students viewed themselves differently from traditional first-generation students, and (b) first-generation students felt a sense of belonging and connectedness throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing effects. Suggestions for future research and implications for practice are also discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

CoviBand - Wearable Social Distancing and Contact Tracing Device Using Signal Strength Indicator Metrics

The Covid-19 pandemic has grown to be a highly hazardous threat to the survival of most of the human race. It has not only caused prolonged stay-at-home or lockdown policies in many countries but has also been eating away from the global economy. Staying at home for long durations has affected the lives of daily wage workers tremendously and has also had negative consequences on the mental health of many. This paper aims to reduce the risk of contracting the disease when people leave their homes for essential services and during the gradual lift of the lockdown restrictions. This is achieved through a wearable device (wristband) which constantly looks for other wristbands in the vicinity using a WiFi module. This WiFi module is inbuilt into a NodeMCU Amica board and the setup is used in addition to a buzzer which sounds an alarm when two wristbands are dangerously close. In addition to the warning feature using the buzzer, the device would also store the contact history and the duration of contact on a remote server which can then be used for contact tracing in case a person is found to test positive for Covid-19. The interface of the remote server would be such that it gives a detailed list of the other wristbands that came into contact with any particular wristband. This device would also have an edge over some of the contact tracing apps as many people fear that these apps are an invasion of privacy and drain their mobile batteries quickly. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

'I'm going to need a lot of therapy for this someday:' Finding your 'grit' in graduate school during COVID

Completing a social work graduate degree can be an exciting and a challenging time for students, but the addition of a global pandemic is likely impacting their educational experiences. Using a modified version of Photovoice, a photography-based research methodology, and reflection essays, this exploratory study sought to elevate the voices of graduate students' (N = 16) perspective on learning during COVID in an American university. Findings from the qualitative analyses of the photographs and their captions and the reflective essays suggested that many students realized their inner strength by persevering when life got very hard. Themes from these analyses were slightly more positive (i.e. support from others;developing coping strategies;improved graduate experience) than negative (i.e. loneliness;emotional;being sick). Students' viewpoint on learning during COVID provides insight into how instructors can develop creative pedagogies and support students as they persist in their pursuit of a social work degree. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)