One-Hour Suicide Prevention Training Makes a Difference!

ABSTRACT: Nurses and other healthcare workers in the United States are at increased risk of suicide compared to non-healthcare workers. College students also experience high suicide risk. To impact suicide prevention in these populations, a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) 1-hour gatekeeper suicide prevention training program was implemented at the University of Detroit Mercy for faculty, staff, and administrators in the College of Health Professions (N = 43). Knowledge in seven areas of suicide significantly increased after the training (p < .001). Sixteen attitudes about suicide improved; however, only two showed a statistically significant change. Results support that 1-hour QPR training can be effectively implemented in a large organization.

Clinical Compass: Guiding the Relationship Between Clinical and Didactic Learning.

BACKGROUND: Evidence demonstrates there is a need for innovation and further investigation on how to best prepare nursing students for practice. A consistent framework is necessary to guide students, theory faculty, and clinical instructors. METHOD: A tool was created to transform the student learning experience. This tool, the Clinical Compass, provides opportunity to better integrate didactic knowledge within the clinical experience. The tool was evaluated by creating a questionnaire for both students and faculty. RESULTS: Survey data were collected from both student and instructor groups via an anonymous electronic survey. Both student and instructor surveys yielded positive results reflecting improved connection between theoretical and clinical knowledge. CONCLUSION: Data support continued use and ongoing revisions of the Clinical Compass tool. The tool will be adapted for use in the classroom, specialty areas, and virtual and simulation environments. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(5):286-288.].

Yoga to Enhance Self Efficacy: An Intervention for At-risk Youth.

OBJECTIVE: Yoga has demonstrated effectiveness in improving self-management in a variety of disease states however little is known about the impact of yoga as a health promotion intervention for adolescent females in an urban school based environment. This pilot study was conducted to determine if yoga could improve the self-efficacy and body core tone in at-risk adolescent female participants. METHOD: A quasi-experimental design was employed, with data collection at baseline, end of program, and 1month post-program. Fifteen participants ages 11-14 were recruited. Yoga was practiced twice weekly for eight weeks. Self-efficacy was measured using a standardized tool, the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C). Improvements in flexibility and core body tone were also examined. The researchers collected data on adverse childhood events using the Adverse Childhood Event (ACEs) scale. RESULTS: Fifteen participants were successfully recruited and 14 (87%) were retained through the duration of the project. Based on the small sample size, non-parametric tests were used (Freidman's test). Although there were no significant improvements in total SEQ-C, there were significant improvements in SEQ-C social subscale (p=0.028). Significant improvements were also identified in waist circumference (p=0.001) and in flexibility (p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Participant attendance/dose did not correlate to any of the outcomes, however with the physical and emotional improvements noted, it is assumed that any level of attendance was beneficial. Improvements in the social subscale of the SEQ-C could be the result of belonging to a group and strengthening healthy relationships.

Health Behaviors Survey: An Examination of Undergraduate Students' Substance Use.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the prevalence of alcohol, drug, and nonmedical prescription drugs at a small private university. In addition, risk and protective factors are examined. METHOD: The Core Institute (Southern Illinois University) was contracted to administer an anonymous, Web-based 49-item survey to matriculated undergraduate students, aged 18-23 years. Data were obtained on student behaviors, perceptions, consequences of substance use, risk factors, and coping strategies. Statistical analysis included descriptive measures, cross-tabs, t test, and chi-square. RESULTS: The response rate was 14%, which is consistent with other CORE Institute surveys. Almost half of the total respondents were from the college of nursing (46%), and most participants were female (82%). There was a significant association between heavy drinking and grades; the B students engaged in more binge drinking. Living on campus and being involved in Greek life confer a higher level of risk for sexual assault when alcohol was consumed. Most participants (57%) were unaware of campus resources for assistance with alcohol or drug problems. CONCLUSION: Campus administrators now have a better awareness related to the extent of drug and alcohol use among the student body. A faculty engagement workshop was developed to provide tools to assess and communicate with students. Improvements are anticipated to enhance student relationships and decrease incidents of drug- and alcohol-related sexual assault or misconduct.

Social Support, Postpartum Depression, and Professional Assistance: A Survey of Mothers in the Midwestern United States.

Transition into motherhood is generally a joyful life event; for some women, however, it is marked by emotional turmoil. Lack of support can be associated with postpartum depression and can compromise both the mother and infant. A descriptive, cross-sectional study (N = 61) was conducted to explore the relationship between social support and postpartum depression and to determine whether mothers overwhelmed with childcare, or overwhelmed with life in general since becoming a mother, sought professional help. The results revealed that screening for depression alone may not be sufficient, that mothers are willing to contact a professional for help in the postpartum period, and that assessments after birth should include a broader assessment of life's difficulties rather than focusing on childcare responsibilities alone.

Vitamin d, depression and coping self-efficacy in young women: longitudinal study.

Depression is a significant health issue in young women with few assessment strategies for early detection. It has been suggested that self-efficacy and vitamin D levels can predict and prevent depression. The authors examined the relationship between vitamin D levels, coping self-efficacy and depression in 77 college age women over three seasons. The results of the repeated measures analysis showed that a strong, inverse relationship existed between self-efficacy and depression but not vitamin D levels. These findings were consistent across the three data collection points. The results implied that strengthening perceived coping self-efficacy may be useful in order to maintain the mental health of young college age women.

Vitamin D and depression: is there a relationship in young women?

BACKGROUND: Depression is emerging as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young adults. New biological assessment strategies such as biological markers are needed to more accurately assess for depression in this age group. Vitamin D may present such an opportunity. OBJECTIVE: A descriptive correlational design with convenience sampling was used to address the research question: Is there a relationship between vitamin D serum levels and depression scores in young adult women? DESIGN: One hundred thirty-nine participants completed a health questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and had serum vitamin D, 25(OH)D, levels drawn. RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation between vitamin D level and depression was identified. Statistically significant differences between African American and Caucasian women were detected on vitamin D levels but not on the Beck Depression Inventory. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, vitamin D cannot be used as a biomarker for depression in women aged 18 to 24 years. Clinical implications of no relationship between vitamin D and depression will be explored and the cut-point for serum 25(OH)D levels will be discussed.