Sacred space: a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis of women's experiences of supportive birthing environments.

BACKGROUND: In the United States there are roughly three million births a year, ranging from cesarean to natural births. A major aspect of the birthing process is related to the healing environment, and how that helps or harms healing for the mother and child. Using the theoretical framework, Theory of Supportive Care Settings (TSCS), this study aimed to explore what is necessary to have a safe and sacred healing environment for mothers. METHOD: This study utilized an updated Qualitative Interpretive Meta-synthesis (QIMS) design called QIMS-DTT [deductive theory testing] to answer the research question, What are mother's experiences of environmental factors contributing to a supportive birthing environment within healthcare settings? RESULTS: Key terms were run through multiple databases, which resulted in 5,688 articles. After title and abstract screening, 43 were left for full-text, 12 were excluded, leaving 31 to be included in the final QIMS. Five main themes emerged from analysis: 1) Service in the environment, 2) Recognizing oneself within the birthing space, 3) Creating connections with support systems, 4) Being welcomed into the birthing space, and 5) Feeling safe within the birthing environment. CONCLUSIONS: Providing a warm and welcoming birth space is crucial for people who give birth to have positive experiences. Providing spaces where the person can feel safe and supported allows them to find empowerment in the situation where they have limited control.

"Gutting It Out" Does Not Work: Why Mental Health Days are Needed.

College student mental health issues negatively impact academic performance. Over half of college students in the U.S. report a mental health issue, with 60% reporting one at the two-year mark. Even when aware of such mental health issues, students are still hesitant to seek treatment. As such, investigating perceptions of mental health time off may illuminate perceived usefulness of such policies as well as potential processes for defining and implementing such policies. This study sought to answer the question, "What are the perspectives of time-off for mental health?" Using Reddit's responses, this study extracted (N = 392) quotes and used thematic analysis to identify four main themes. Implications include the need for school-level mental health time-off policies or integration of instructors' policies into their syllabi for transparency to students, which may alleviate student stress and further stigmatization.

Suicide in U.S. Women Veterans: An Interpersonal Theory Perspective on Suicide Prevention Policies.

Increases in suicide rates for U.S. women Service Members and Veterans have emerged as a public health issue of great concern. Women Veterans are more likely than their civilian counterparts to die by suicide, and rates of suicide for women Veterans are rising faster than rates for male Veterans. Given higher rates of suicide in combat-exposed males and increased rates of suicide associated with military deployment for women, the expansion of women into direct combat roles may further escalate their rates of suicide. The interpersonal theory of suicide provides a framework for the examination of women Veterans' risk factors and how implementation of policy provisions can more effectively ameliorate suicide risk. Recent suicide prevention policy initiatives that target women Veterans' unique needs are important steps; however, suicide prevention efforts should address specific risk factors contributing to thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and the acquired capability for suicide in Veteran women.

Military suicide coverage: AP news wire & suicide guidelines.

The authors evaluated how well Associated Press News Wire stories adhered to the Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide™ during 2012, a peak year of military suicide. They included individual suicide stories (N = 167) from randomly selected days. They also evaluated differences in the military versus civilian coverage. Military and civilian stories typically had about five negative practices, and less than one positive practice, with military stories significantly more likely to miss valuable opportunities to promote help-seeking. The findings, combined with previous evidence, suggest the need for the development of specific military suicide reporting guidelines.

Deciphering the Lived Experience of Latinos with Diabetes and Depression: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis.

The purpose of this study was to understand Latinos' experiences with diabetes and depression. The authors conducted a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis of studies describing Latinos' experiences with diabetes and depression. Themes included (a) perceptions of diabetes, (b) bidirectional relationship between emotions and diabetes, (c) perceptions of depression, (d) perceptions of depression treatment, and (e) religion as strength. Additionally, a negative case was identified and is discussed. Practice implications are that Latinos are in need of psychoeducation to improve diabetes literacy, understand the comorbidity of depression and diabetes, and understand depression and diabetes treatment. Also, there is a need for policies removing barriers to health care and promoting depression assessment among Latinos who have a high prevalence of diabetes. Finally, there is a need for further research on spirituality and health.

The Challenges and Opportunities Associated with Sickle Cell Disease Prevention, Education, and Management.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder affecting the shape of the red blood cells that block blood vessels leading to organ damage and frequent erratic painful episodes. SCD is a global public health issue affecting millions of people throughout the world. This article explores (a) what SCD is; (b) the physical and psychosocial impacts of the disease;

Knowledge is (not) power: healthy eating and physical activity for African-American women.

African-American women are more likely to be overweight or obese as compared to other ethnic groups. The purpose of this Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) was to explore the experiences that African-American women encounter when trying to eat healthily and maintain physical activity to inform practice and research. The QIMS included studies from various disciplines to understand the experiences of African-American women with eating healthily and being physically active. Five themes were identified: family; structured support; translating knowledge into behavior modifications; barriers to physical activity; and God is my healer. These themes enhance understanding of what African-American women know, their support system(s), and how cultural barriers impact nutrition and physical activity.