Social Science Protocols is a fully peer reviewed open-access online journal platform. It is the only platform with a focus on publishing study protocols in the social sciences disciplines.
Older Adults’ Perspectives, Experiences, and Expectations of Ageing in England
Background: Pessimism about ageing can have negative impacts on older people’s health and wellbeing and foster negative societal views of ageing and older people. These negative views can impact how people age, with more negative views producing more negative outcomes. To reduce ageism in society, concepts such as ageing well have been developed. However, our understanding of what ageing and ageing well means to older adults is limited. In this study, we will explore the perceptions, experiences, and expectations of ageing of older adults in England and develop a theory of ageing and ageing well. Methods/Design: A constructivist grounded theory approach will be used to interview 30-60 older adults from diverse backgrounds and locations in England. We will include healthy adults, adults with physical illnesses, people with dementia, and carers of people with dementia. Discussion: The findings will help to provide much needed information about whether people can age well, and what is needed to achieve this for people from diverse backgrounds. This could help to develop and highlight interventions and services needed to effectively meet the needs of the diverse ageing population. This could highlight action points for providing adequate targeted services and care and support for people as they age.
Copyright (c) 2023 Laura J. Hughes, Martina Zimmermann
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Relationships among Post-secondary Students’ Attitudes Toward Statistics and Statistics Achievement
Background: An understanding of statistics is essential in our data-driven world. Accordingly, successful completion of a statistics course is required for undergraduate and graduate students from many disciplines. Attitudes toward statistics is a multidimensional construct that expresses individuals’ positive or negative dispositions to statistics. A wide body of research indicates that there are statistically significant relationships among attitudes toward statistics and statistics achievement. However, the reported magnitudes of these relationships differ across studies. Methods/Design: This review will examine the relationships among post-secondary students’ scores on the attitude components assessed by the Survey of Attitudes toward Statistics (SATS) and their statistics achievement assessed using a variety of measures. As the data allow, this review then will explore the impact of possible moderating research characteristics including, for example, those associated with research sources, institutions, courses, subjects, and the SATS and statistics achievement measures. Discussion: In the resulting journal article, this section will focus on the results and the strengths and limitations of the synthesized literature. We expect that the study will contribute to the literature on the relationship between attitudes toward statistics and achievement by synthesizing the individual research results. The availability of the required information and the quality of primary studies will be potential limitations for the current study.
Copyright (c) 2022 Esma Emmioglu Sarikaya, Muhammet Fatih Alkan, Magdalena Cladera Munar, Aisling Leavy, Özge Maviş Sevim, Charmayne I. Paul, Caterina Primi, Candace Schau, Ulas Ustun
Social Networks and Support to Older People in Refugee Situation in Western Countries
Background: Forced migration of humans as a result of conflict continues to be a global problem. Many of the refugees displaced and made vulnerable by conflict induced forced migration are older adults. These older adults may lose their social networks and support as a result of the conflicts leading to migration and be unable to recreate them, making them more vulnerable. This review aims to describe the social network and support situation of older adults in refugee situation as presented in global literature. Methods/Design: The five steps of Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework to search multiple databases from inception till June 2021 will be followed. MeSH terms and keywords, e.g., “older refugees”, “refugees”, and “social network”, “social support”, will be adopted for the following databases: SocINDEX, PsychINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Sociology Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts, Web of Science and/or Scopus, Canadian electronic library. Citations will be screened (title/abstract and full text) using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to describe the process of data inclusion and exclusion. Discussion: This review will reveal gaps in the provision of social support to older refugees and inform policy development for the improvement of support to older refugees.
aging, older adults, refugees, social networks, social support
Copyright (c) 2022 Prince Chiagozie Ekoh, Christine Walsh, Elizabeth Onyedikachi George, Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu
Background: This project builds upon a pilot study that documented innovative shelter/housing solutions that have not undergone rigorous evaluation but hold the promise of supporting “aging in the right place” for older persons (50+) with experiences of homelessness (OPEH) in Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. “Aging in the right place” means older adults remain in their homes and communities supported by housing, health, social services responsive to their unique lifestyles and needs. While our pilot study identified innovative shelter/housing solutions that support OPEH to establish and maintain a home and work towards aging in the right place, there remains a knowledge gap regarding what works, why it works, and for whom it works. Methods/Design: Through a community-based participatory research approach, we will conduct evaluations of 11 different promising shelter/housing practices to determine the types of practices that appear most useful in supporting aging in the right place, and the groups of OPEH for whom the promising practices work based on intersections of risk (e.g., age, gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, Indigenous status, and immigrant status). Our overall goal is to improve the shelter/housing options to meet the unique and complex health and social needs of OPEH across Canada. Discussion: Program evaluations will offer practice-based evidence of ways in which promising practices of shelter/housing might serve as best practices for supporting OPEH to establish and maintain a home and work towards aging in the right place. Project findings will inform housing, homelessness, health, and social service providers’ design and delivery of programs for OPEH to improve the sustainability of community housing, build provider capacity, and ensure supports that promote aging in the right place are sustained.
Copyright (c) 2022 Sarah L Canham, Atiya Mahmood, Christine A. Walsh, Tamara Sussman, Valerie Bourgeois-Guérin, Habib Chaudhury, Simon Colgon, James R. Dunn, Benjamin Henwood, Lara Nixon, Julian M. Somers, Andy Yan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Resilient and Sustainable Energy Infrastructure
Background: Critical infrastructure resilience and sustainability are key components of both the 2015 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (Panda & Ramos, 2020). The recent passing of the 2021 Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill in Australia, coupled with the lack of a governing document at the state level in Tasmania, necessitates a review to uncover the governance settings, which will aide in increasing the resilience and sustainability of energy infrastructures in Tasmania. Methods/Design: Following the 2015 PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols), the review will focus on scholarly sources that address the governance of energy infrastructures. An initial deductive data extraction template has been created to help structure data extraction from included studies. In addition to governance settings, secondary evidence will be sought regarding interruptions to energy infrastructures; policy problems and solutions; and resilience and sustainability definitions. Should other themes emerge, the data extraction template will be updated. Discussion: Findings from this review will contribute to a more complete understanding of how the resilience and sustainability of energy infrastructures may be increased via deeper knowledge of their governance settings. Tasmanian policy-makers, practitioners, industry specialists, and researchers may use this research to inform and enhance their decision-making on this important topic.
Systematic literature review, resiliency, sustainability, energy, infrastructure
Copyright (c) 2022 cameron frederick atkinson
Engagement of Parents in Child-focused Iinterventions
Background: Parent engagement in interventions for their children is considered necessary to the success of many allied health services. Currently, however, the concept of engagement is poorly defined and minimally understood. While literature on engagement is emerging, a coordinated overview of the topic from related disciplines is notably absent. Without this, it is difficult to translate insights of parent engagement into practical strategies for clinicians. The aim of this review is to systematically search the literature to identify factors relevant to parent engagement in child-focused interventions. Methods/Design: This review will follow a systematised literature review procedure, with a focus on comprehensive searching as well as application of quality appraisal and analysis steps. A search of five electronic databases will be undertaken, alongside citation tracking and hand searching of literature. Articles will be screened for relevance in a two-stage process (exclusion by title/abstract and exclusion at full text review), aligned with inclusion and exclusion criteria consistent with the review question. Included literature will be assessed for quality using a tool relevant to the study methods (quantitative or qualitative). Data analysis will include narrative synthesis for quantitative studies, and thematic synthesis for qualitative studies. Discussion: This review will explore literature on parent engagement across related child-focused interventions, to better define the concept of engagement and identify factors which contribute to parents being engaged in the treatment of their children. This information may guide further research on engagement of parents, and support practitioners working to develop interventions that maximally engage parents for optimal child outcomes.
Parent engagement; Systematised review; Allied health; Child-focused intervention; Behaviour analysis
Background: Acting as a change agent (CA) is a key role for Health and Social Services (HSS) professionals. It involves working collaboratively with actors across and outside the HSS system and influencing decision-makers. However, this role requires specific skills that HSS professionals generally feel that they have not mastered. The overarching goal of this research partnership is to explore the development of CA skills by HSS professionals using a customized training program. Methods/Design: Through a research partnership, 128 HSS professionals will receive 7 hours of training using a professional co-development approach and a checklist. The immediate and medium-term effects of the training on their skills development will be evaluated with a self-administered questionnaire before and immediately following the training and again nine months later. The data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Discussion: This study will shed light on the effects of a customized training program on CA skills development. It will also have three main benefits: (1) development of an easy-to-reuse CA training program and checklist; (2) partner’s ownership of these products through close involvement; and (3) development of a sustainable partnership between a team of researchers and a recognized organization with an extensive HSS network.
Copyright (c) 2022 Virginie Savaria, Emmanuelle Jasmin, Anne Hudon, Denis Bédard, Marie-Josée Drolet, Michaël Beaudoin, Emmanuelle Jasmin, Étienne Lavoie-Trudeau, Annie Carrier
Moral Stress and Moral Agency in Swedish Eldercare
Background: Ageing population, high levels of sick leave among eldercare personnel and financial constraints on municipal budgets impact eldercare. Daily care work is complex and ethical dilemmas are constantly present for eldercare personnel. This project aims to a) identify situations that give rise to moral stress, b) study the relationship between moral stress and moral agency c) explore how moral agency can be fostered in eldercare. The argument underpinning this research project is that ethical dilemmas in the work cause moral stress among staff in eldercare. While much research on moral stress highlights the connection between moral stress and negative effects on health and wellbeing, our focus is on the possible connection between moral stress and moral agency. Moral agency encompasses cognitive capacity, feelings, skills, and actions. Methods/Design: This project has a systemic approach to eldercare and interprets eldercare as an advanced system where a range of different skills is required. Participatory action research (PAR) will be used as an overall methodology. Focus-groups and research circles will be conducted with care workers, first line manages and needs assessors. Discussion: An ongoing discussion on relevant knowledge production in research, stresses the importance of participation. This is expressed by concepts such as deliberative democracy, user participation, empowerment, collaboration, follow-up research and citizen dialogue. In our research project we refer to robust knowledge as relevant knowledge that is valid in the eyes of care workers, care municipal needs assessors and first line managers. As the research is performed in collaboration with these three vocational groups, local politicians, and trade unions in three municipalities as well as two educational settings, different sorts of knowledge will be present. This unique stand will show how moral agency, as a response to moral stress, can be the ground for social changes and improve quality of care.
Copyright (c) 2022 Magdalena Elmersjö, Sara Hultqvist, Katarina Hollertz
Understanding Sexual Consent Among Adolescents
Background: Sexual consent remains one of the most important tools in the prevention of sexual violence, for which adolescents are an especially vulnerable group. However, it is unclear how sexual consent processes are defined and used by this population. To bridge this gap in knowledge, we present a protocol for a forthcoming scoping review that will identify and synthesize the available empirical research findings on sexual consent conceptualizations and processes among adolescents. Methods/Design: Using the framework by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), a systematic search of six academic databases (Education Source, ERIC, Gender Studies Database, PsycINFO, Social Services Abstracts, and Sociological Abstracts) will be conducted; this range has been selected due to the multi-disciplinary nature of sexual consent research. Following two levels of screening, data from the full-text articles will be charted and subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. Discussion: These collated results will provide a map of key concepts and establish gaps in the extant literature in order to guide future research on this topic. The findings will advance our knowledge of sexual consent as it is understood by the adolescent population; they may also inform the content and delivery of sexual education programs to ensure that they are relevant to their target audience and assist in the prevention of sexual violence.
Copyright (c) 2022 Carolyn O'Connor, Stephanie Begun
Background: With advancement in early detection and treatment number of breast cancer survivors are on the rise. Long term survivors have in addition to medical problems related to treatment, psychological distress and challenges related to body image, sexuality and stigma. The survivorship issues related to breast cancer are largely under studied in India. Methods/Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of breast cancer survivors from 2016 Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) of a Tertiary Cancer Centre (TCC). Baseline data will be collected from registry. Quantitative data on present status and issues of survivors will be done by a cross sectional survey. In depth interviews will be done to explore the challenges of survivors and lived experiences of the co- survivors. Documents about cancer will also be reviewed to find out existing guidelines on breast cancer control. Discussion: Understanding survivorship experiences will help to improve their quality of life and guide health workers and caregivers in providing the much-needed supportive care in their journey throughout the disease.
Survivorship, survivor, Cancer registry, Breast cancer, Kerala, Tertiary Cancer Centre
Copyright (c) 2022 Neethu Ambali Parambil, Dr, Srinivasan Kannan, Dr
Study Protocol: Development and Validation of a Framework on the Personality Characteristics of High-Potential Employees (Hi-pots)
Background: Modern organizations recognize the importance of identifying, developing, and retaining high potential employees (hi-pots) who can contribute to effective functioning. They try different talent management strategies and frameworks to meet this purpose. Research shows that the involvement of a hi-pot in a team could increase the effectiveness, nearly 5-15%. The prevailing methodologies and models to identify hi-pots lack scientific evidence and are descriptive. Methods/Design: The study will follow an exploratory sequential research design with four phases: 1) Meta-analysis review; a systematic review of the literature using category checklist 2) Qualitative; semi-structured interviews to explore the personality of hi-pots 3) Quantitative; exploring the framework on the characteristics of hi-pots 4) Tool development; developing a measure to identify hi-pots Discussion: In this study protocol, we present the methodological approach to develop & validate a framework on the personality characteristics of hi-pots. The framework will help organizations to facilitate better talent management strategies.
Copyright (c) 2022 Freeda Jelly Martharine
Resilient and Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Background: Lifeline critical infrastructures are pivotal for the uninterrupted flow of goods and services that are crucial to the functioning of society (Singh, 2021). This review will be the second in a series of four systematic literature reviews examining the resilience and sustainability of critical lifeline infrastructures in Australia, with a focus on the state of Tasmania. The first SLR examined energy infrastructure. The recent passing of the 2021 Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill in Australia, coupled with the lack of a governing document at the state level in Tasmania, necessitates a review to uncover the governance settings, which will aide in increasing the resilience and sustainability of water infrastructures, contributing to broader critical lifeline infrastructure resilience, in Tasmania. Methods/Design: Following the 2015 PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols), the review focuses on scholarly sources that address the governance of water infrastructures. In addition to governance settings, secondary evidence is sought regarding interruptions to water infrastructures; policy problems and solutions; and resilience and sustainability definitions. Discussion: Findings from this review will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how the resilience and sustainability of water infrastructures may be enhanced via deeper knowledge of their governance settings. This research is directed at Tasmanian policy-makers, practitioners, industry specialists, and researchers to inform and enhance their decision-making on this important topic.
Copyright (c) 2022 Cameron Atkinson, Steven Curnin, Hannah Murphy-Gregory
Study Protocol: Cannabis in the Closet? Older Persons' Perceptions of Stigma and their Influence on Use and Access to Medicinal Cannabis
Background: Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia. Stigma associated with cannabis use may influence older persons access to cannabis, information seeking about cannabis, and/or use of cannabis. Scant research has sought to examine the impact of older persons’ perceptions of stigma on the ways they learn about and use medicinal cannabis, with important implications for their health. Methods/Design: In this qualitative descriptive study, we will seek older persons’ information needs and challenges accessing cannabis from older persons and professionals who work in the cannabis industry. Using open ended questions, we will survey and interview older persons who use cannabis or are considering using it about their perceptions of stigma, information seeking, choice of cannabis product, and preferred vendor. Professionals who work with cannabis will be interviewed for their experiences with older persons seeking information about and access to cannabis. Discussion: Findings will identify what information related to medicinal cannabis use older Canadians most urgently need, shed light on any stigma they fear and/or experience when searching for such information, and inform the development of information products and knowledge mobilization strategies tailored to older Canadians’ knowledge needs.
Copyright (c) 2022 Sherry Dahlke, Kathleen F. Hunter, Madeline Toubiana, Maya R. Kalogirou, Melissa Scheuerman, Jeffrey I. Butler
Teaching Soft Skills in Healthcare and Higher Education: A Scoping Review Protocol
Background: Soft skills and the need for their development have been discussed across industries for many years, predominantly in engineering, hospitality, and IT sectors. The importance of soft skills to career success has been well-documented, but gaps exist on how to teach them. Inter-industry variability and a lack of consensus in identifying and defining important soft skills adds to the problem. New research in teaching soft skills needs to be formally incorporated into training curricula, especially within healthcare and education sectors. This scoping review will answer these research questions: How are soft skills conceptualised, taught and assessed in healthcare and higher education? Methods/Design: A search of health, education, and social science databases will be conducted including peer-reviewed and grey literature. Data will be extracted using a combination of the PRISMA ScR and PAGER framework. Analysis will be carried out utilising the PAGER framework and will yield descriptive summaries. Discussion: The review will collate literature on teaching and assessing soft skills in healthcare and higher education. It will map evidence in relation to current practices and research, gaps, evidence for practice, and research recommendations. The findings will be discussed in the full Scoping Review along with implications for teaching.
soft skills, teaching, assessment, healthcare, education
Copyright (c) 2022 Svetlana Daly, Clare McCann, Katrina Phillips
Influenza Vaccination Rates, and Barriers to Influenza Vaccination, in People who are Homeless
Background: Influenza is a highly infectious virus which is endemic in most high-income countries. People experiencing homelessness are at an increased risk of contracting influenza, and often have poorer outcomes associated with hospitalisation and mortality. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all adults, and highly recommended for ‘at-risk’ groups, including people who are homeless. Despite this, the vaccination uptake within the homeless community is low. This systematic review will identify influenza vaccination rates, and barriers to influenza vaccination, in people who are homeless. Methods: This review will consider primary studies about influenza vaccination in people who are homeless. Searches will be undertaken on five electronic databases and managed in EndNote X9. The literature will be screened by title/abstract, then by full-text, and citation chaining will be completed. Data about the influenza vaccination rates and barriers will be extracted. Each task, primarily the screening and extraction of data, will be completed by one researcher, and checked by at least one other. Discussion: This review will identify influenza vaccination rates, and barriers to influenza vaccination, in people experiencing homelessness. This will inform vaccination delivery and funding, and may contribute to reducing the health disparities in this at-risk, hard-to-reach population.
Copyright (c) 2022 Varun Amod Karnik, Laura K McCosker, Martin J Downes, Robert S Ware, Jack Kelso-Ribbe, Jeremy Hunt, Hannah Bates, Pele Toussaint
The Use of Synchronous Videoconference in Bipolar Patients
Background: A considerable literature has developed around demonstrating the clinical relevance of mentalizing as a construct. However, much of the emphasis has been on patients’ deficits rather than therapist’s abilities. Although it may be the case that therapist’s mentalization capacity can facilitate better outcomes in psychotherapy, there is a dearth of empirical evidence concerning the impact mentalization has on therapist competencies in psychotherapy and the implications of this in clinical practice dyads. Methods/Design: A pilot study will use an integrated design. A longitudinal case series alongside a qualitative grounded theory approach will be utilized to develop a context-specific, grounded micro theory model of therapeutic alliance rupture and resolution during online psychotherapy with patients with bipolar disorder. 10 dyads of therapists and patients will be assessed by pre-and post-session outcome ratings, as well as baseline and post-therapy performance ratings during the four-month intervention period. In addition, semi-structured grounded theory interviews will be conducted with participants to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences during the therapeutic process. Discussion: New research findings on videoconferencing-enabled clinical interventions have been needed since the COVID-19 pandemic began. According to an assessment of the available evidence, little is known about psychotherapy, and significant gaps remain. This paper describes a protocol of a pilot aimed to capture the explicit and implicit knowledge that emerge from therapists and patients during the therapeutic process in order to investigate the complex process of therapeutic interaction beyond “outcome effects”.
Copyright (c) 2022 Roberto Maluenda-Gatica, Matthias Schwannauer, Angus MacBeth
Rural Communities for Ageing-Well in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa
Background: A key action item of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing is to “Ensure that communities foster the abilities of older people” (WHO 2020, p. 9). The global focus on making communities age-friendly presumes community capacity to be supportive, although there has been little exploration of key features of rural communities that are central to their supportiveness. Knowledge gaps are especially evident in the global south and in rural and remote communities in these regions where a significant population of older people still lives and where communities themselves may be poorly resourced. Methods/Design: This scoping review is conducted to determine the state of knowledge of community capacity to foster wellbeing in older adults in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. It follows the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. To ensure a comprehensive review, searches are conducted across peer reviewed journals, published between 2010-2021, using databases such as Medline, CINHAIL, SOCIndex, PsychInfo and region-specific databases such as LILACS (Literature from Latina America and Caribbean on Health Sciences) and AJOL (African Journals OnLine). The search strategy allows for articles in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Afrikaans. Results of the review will inform the WHO age-friendly communities initiative in these regions. Discussion: This review will identify elements of rural and remote communities in SubSaharan Africa and Latin America that influence the health, social, material, and environmental wellbeing of older adults. The findings will inform policy and development actions at the community level.
Copyright (c) 2022 Nereide A Curreri, Jaco Hoffman, Jose Parodi, Norah Keating https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Well-Being Programme for Caregivers of Persons with Spinal Cord Injury
Background: SCI is a high-cost chronic disability, and it is a life-changing experience for family members and societies. For families, the unpredictable nature of the injury leads some of the members into an 'unexpected career' as family caregivers, the caregiver’s have to put enormous efforts, to provide continuous full-time caregiving for the recovery of Person with Spinal cord injury, which will affect the caregiver's physical and mental health. The current study aims to develop and test the feasibility of a well-being programme for caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury. Methods/Design: The current study adopts a Quasi-experimental study design, which have three phases; the first phase is to explore the needs of the caregivers by conducting in-depth interviews with different stakeholders. The second phase is to develop a well-being programme, and checking the feasibility of the programme is the third phase by recruiting 24 caregivers. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis, whereas quantitative data will be analyzed using appropriate parametric or non- parametric tests upon confirming normality of data distribution. Discussion: This study would help us to understand the psycho-social issues and unique needs of the caregivers at different time periods. It also gives information about psycho-social interventions and outcome measures for the well-being of the caregivers.
Spinal cord injury, caregivers, well-being, psycho-social
Copyright (c) 2021 Pallerla Srikanth, Shanivaram Reddy K., B. P. Nirmala, Janardhana N., Anupam Gupta
Background: Recent research has found that family (e.g., informal, unpaid) caregivers to those in long-term care can experience significant risk of social isolation, a harmful social outcome linked to poor health and wellbeing. For many, the COVID-19 global pandemic has been a time marked by challenges that have exacerbated existing risk of social isolation and has likely impacted mental health and wellbeing among caregivers. As such, this paper outlines a protocol to investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the psychological health and well-being of family caregivers of people living in residential long-term care. Methods/Design: A descriptive phenomenological design and photovoice methodology will be used alongside focus groups to capture the perspectives and voices of 15-20 family caregivers. Data will be analyzed thematically, and themes will be developed collaboratively alongside participants. A secondary analysis will be guided by a cumulative inequality lens to consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has differentially affected caregivers. Discussion: The results will fill a significant gap in the existing literature on caregiver isolation during this pandemic and inform the development and/or refinement of caregiver supports.
Social isolation, long-term care, caregiving, family caregivers, Covid-19, psychological wellbeing, mental health
Copyright (c) 2021 Sheila A. Boamah, Vanina Dal Bello-Haas, Dr., Rachel Weldrick, Dr.
Exploration of Loneliness Among Black Older Adults
Background: Loneliness is a public and social issue affecting older adults, but in varying degrees across ethnic groups. Black older adults (BOAs) are more prone to loneliness because they have unique and accumulated factors (e.g., low socioeconomic status, high number of chronic conditions) that predispose them to loneliness. This review aims to describe the extent and the nature of research activities on loneliness and identify the contributory factors to loneliness among BOAs as presented in the global literature. Methods/Design: We will follow the five steps of Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework to search multiple databases from inception till June 2021. MeSH terms and keywords, e.g., “older adults,” “blacks,” and “loneliness,” will be adopted for several databases, including CINHAL, Ageline, PsychINFO, Cochrane Central Registers of Control Trials, PubMed, Web of Science, Social Science Abstract. Multiple reviewers will independently screen citations (title/abstract and full text) and extract data using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. “Best fit” framework synthesis using the six social provisions of Weiss’ framework as a priori themes will guide the data analysis. Discussion: This review will inform policy development around contributory factors for loneliness among BOAs and the most relevant issues on loneliness related to BOAs.
Aging, Older adults, Blacks, Loneliness, Scoping review
Copyright (c) 2021 Blessing Ugochi Ojembe, Michael Ebe Kalu, Chigozie Donatus Ezulike, Makanjuola Osuolale John, Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola, Temitope Adebanke Osifeso, Prince Chiagozie Ekoh, Anthony Iwuagwu, Lydia Kapiriri
Humanitarian and Developmental Research Engagement during COVID-19
Background: Floods and storms are the most common natural hazards. Communities in remote, riparian areas are the most vulnerable in such disasters, particularly when local populations lack reliable energy and early warning systems for hazard response. Our study will investigate energy and flood resilience issues in such communities and use remote methods to enable research continuity in intra and post-pandemic contexts. Methods/Design: A two-round Delphi process will be used to interview 16 participants from Nepal and Greece to understand their priorities and preferred solutions for energy and flood resilience issues. In Round One we aim to understand the current capabilities and vulnerabilities of our focus communities in these areas. In Round Two, we seek feedback on potential options that are either market-available/evidence-informed solutions or co-developed conceptual systems. Remotely deployed semi-structured interviews are the principal method for both rounds. The Round Two structured comparative review also employs choice-based conjoint analysis and SCORE analysis. Discussion: By collecting information from both professionals and non-experts, we aim to understand what options are perceived as reliable, realistic and appropriate for flood-prone communities. The remote research design enables continuity and community access to development-focused research and its outputs, and a flexible, cost-effective approach for researchers and partner organizations.
Delphi method, choice-based conjoint analysis, SCORE analysis, humanitarian engineering, sustainable development, renewable energy, flood
Copyright (c) 2021 Spyros Schismenos, Garry J Stevens, Nichole Georgeou, Dimitrios Emmanouloudis, Surendra Shrestha, Biraj S Thapa
The Role of Mindfulness in Promoting Subjective Wellbeing and Mood Homeostasis in Patients with Crohn’s Disease
Background: The relationship between stress, symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and depression has not previously been considered using the theory of subjective wellbeing (SWB) homeostasis as a conceptual framework. It is proposed that mindfulness, as a mechanism of down-regulating challenging emotion, can aid in the restoration of mood homeostasis and reduce symptoms of both psychological and physiological stress. The study aims to identify whether individuals with Crohn’s disease (CD) and co-occurring psychological depression or stress are experiencing the defeat of SWB homeostasis. Further, the study aims to test whether a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention can restore homeostasis. The study would also identify whether this restoration of homeostasis is associated with a reduction in disease symptomatology. Methods/Design: An exploratory randomised control trial with 40 participants recruited from public health gastroenterology patients and randomly allocated to an 8-week MBSR program or wait-list control. Measures of SWB, depression, stress, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels will be collected prior to and after the intervention. Individual HPMood set points will be determined from affect data collected over 7 days through momentary sampling techniques prior to the commencement of the intervention. Measures will be repeated at 6-month follow-up. Following this, the wait-list group will be offered the same 8-week MBSR. Hypotheses will be tested using mixed ANOVA and clinical significance tests. Discussion: This study will be an important contributor to knowledge about psychological vulnerability and resilience for people with CD and will provide initial evidence that could contribute to the development of a larger future trial.
Crohn’s disease, depression, stress, mindfulness, resilience, SWB homeostasis
Interventions for Pre-School Children with Co-Occurring Phonological Speech Sound Disorder and Expressive Language Difficulties
Background: Pre-school children with co-occurring phonological speech sound disorder and expressive language difficulties are more likely to have ongoing communication and literacy needs compared to children with these difficulties in isolation. However, to date there has been no systematic or scoping review of the literature specific to interventions for this frequently seen and high-risk group. Aims: The objective of this paper is to provide a rigorous and detailed protocol for a scoping review of interventions, which target both phonological speech sound disorder and expressive language difficulties in pre-school children with primary speech, language and communication needs. The protocol includes details on the development of a search strategy, as well as the trial of an extraction tool. Methods/Design: Included studies must aim to concurrently improve both speech production and expressive language. Children within included studies must be aged between 2:0 and 5:11 years and have communication needs with no known cause. In accordance with the Joanna Briggs institute scoping review methods guidelines, an initial search of the Ovid Emcare and Ovid Medline databases was conducted. Following this a final search strategy for these databases were produced. A draft extraction form was developed by the first author; this was then trialed by two authors on four articles each. Discussion: Following the systematic development of an initial search strategy and extraction form, a scoping review of this topic can take place. The development of a rigorous scoping review protocol is essential in enhancing the transparency and reliability of the subsequent review. A pre-developed search strategy and trialing of an extraction form is a fundamental part of this process.
scoping review, protocol, speech, language, intervention, pre-school
Copyright (c) 2021 Lucy Rodgers, Sam Harding, Rachel Rees, Michael T Clarke
Do Motivated Teachers Enhance Students’ Learning?
Background: Educational literature emphasizes teachers’ intrinsic motivation as a critical aspect of student performance. However, the variety of interpretations, operational definitions, measures, and conceptual frameworks used to investigate this construct makes determining the extent of the impact of teachers’ intrinsic motivation on student outcomes difficult. As a result, the purpose of this scoping review, which is framed in the Self-determination Theory, is to collect, synthesize, and map existing quantitative evidence about the effects of teachers’ intrinsic motivation on students’ learning and other educational outcomes. Methods/Design: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the review will first focus on empirical sources and quantitative studies that address the concept of intrinsic motivation as the result of the fulfillment the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness; second, an inventory of operational definitions, instruments, measures, and analysis techniques used to explore the relationship between teacher motivation and student learning outcomes will be developed; and, third, the quality of the evidence reported will be assessed. Discussion: Findings of this review will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of socioemotional factors on students’ learning and achievement, and will provide educational practitioners, researchers, and policymakers with useful information to make informed decisions.
Intrinsic motivation, self-determination theory, teacher, student achievement, scoping review protocol, autonomy, competence, relatedness
Copyright (c) 2021 Ana María Suárez-Mesa, Ricardo León Gómez
Protocol for a Scoping Review of Research Practices in the Investigation of Bilingual Effects on Inhibition and Attentional Function in Young People
Background: While there is evidence in support of a bilingual advantage in executive function in children and adults, little work supports these effects in young people. This lack of support may result as consequence of a developmental ceiling effect on task performance in this age group. An alternative explanation can be found in the treatment of bilingualism as a categorical variable, and the use of exclusively fixed-effects methods of analysis. These methods treat bilinguals as a homogenous group, ignoring nontrivial differences between participants, and may contribute to this lack of evidence. This scoping review aims is to identify and summarize research practices in the investigation of bilingual effects in inhibition and attentional function in young people. Methods: The proposed scoping review will follow the five-stage framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). Searches will be conducted across five databases using inclusive search strings. Study selection will follow the guidance of the PRISMA-ScR checklist. This review will include both published and unpublished work. A standardized data extraction spreadsheet will be used and data will be presented in tabular and graphic format in alignment with the objectives of the review. Discussion: This review aims to provide a current understanding of research practices in the investigation of bilingual effects in young people as well as identify gaps in the literature. This review may also draw attention to methodological trends in the current literature that limit the conclusions researchers can draw.
Studying Resilient Action Strategies of First Line Managers
Background: One important key to an organization’s long-term competitiveness is the ability of first line managers (FLMs) to handle their role as a leader in daily work. FLMs main task is to contribute to a high and stable production output according to customer demands from an input that is characterized by instability and variability. To do so, FLMs must develop resilient action strategies – ways of working and daily problem solving that systematically facilitate to cope with instability. In this study protocol we present a methodological approach developed to evaluate and improve these. Methods/Design: The research approach is collaborative and developmental and performed together with two companies. The approach integrates and extends the theory and application of a model on interactive research and a framework on activity analysis. It will be applied using data collection techniques like interviews, diaries, observations, document analysis, and questionnaires. The analysis and development stages will be performed both separate and in collaboration in workshops and the result is planned to end up in the joint writing of a generic handbook on advantageous action strategies for FLMs’. Discussion: This study contributes with a new integration of two methodological approaches which provides a novel way to understand and develop dynamic on-the-job behaviour in work settings.
Copyright (c) 2021 Johan Karltun, Associate professor, Anette Karltun, Associate professor, Karin Havemose, Assistant professor, Magnus Karlsson, M.Sc., PhD Candidate, Sofia Kjellström, Professor
Field Feasibility and Acceptability Testing of Action-Based Psychosocial Reconciliation Approach in a Post-Genocide Rural Community in Rwanda
Background: Interpersonal/psychosocial reconciliation is highly prioritized in post-Genocide Rwanda. Despite the need, empirically sound strategies have been extremely scarce. The proposed study is a segment of a broader services-research effort to develop, evaluate, and implement a novel and empirically supported interpersonal/psychosocial reconciliation approach termed Action-Based Psychosocial Reconciliation Approach (ABPRA), that is authentically founded on Rwandan people’s lived experiences of reconciliation. Methods/Design: The proposed study consists of two major steps. The purpose of step 1 is to develop and empirically validate a set of outcome measures, termed the psychosocial reconciliation impact scales module (PRISM) to assess beneficial impacts native to ABPRA. We will employ hermeneutic phenomenological analysis (van Manen, 2016) of pilot interview data to generate item pool. The purpose of step 2 is to field-test the delivery of ABPRA in Rwanda to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, exploring and illuminating potential procedural uncertainties in conducting a larger-scale evaluation of ABPRA. We will follow the guidance on pilot study by Thabane et al. (2010). Discussion: The study is an essential step to advance the project to a full-scale experimental evaluation of ABPRA. The project holds the possibility of making available and accessible, an empirically supported and meaningful approach to conflict resolution, genocide/war prevention and peacebuilding in Rwanda and other war/conflict-affected regions around the globe.
Protocol of Explanatory Study on Social, Economic and Political Dimensions of Nutritional Status of Children Aged Six to Sixty Months from Low Socio-Economic Strata in Kerala, India
Background: Despite having better human development indicators, one-fifth of under-five children in Kerala are undernourished. The demographic, socio-economic, cultural and political transition in Kerala necessitates a revisit on the causes of undernutrition among children given that it tackled many of the immediate causes of undernutrition. The present study aims at the multi-dimensional factors' influence on nutritional status of children from low socio-economic strata in Kerala. Methods/Design: The conceptual framework for the present study adapted the ecosocial theory by Nancy Krieger. We use an explanatory study design, by adopting both quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample size for the quantitative phase is 600 children of age six to 60 months and their mothers. The qualitative phase includes in-depth interviews with key informants. The data collection tools include weighing scale and stadiometer for taking anthropometric measurements, household survey questionnaire, interview schedule for mothers, interview guide for key informants, field diary and checklist for document analysis. Discussion: Contextual evidence that the study generates will have implications at individual, service provision and policy perspectives of undernutrition among children in Kerala. It will help improve the nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive policies and programs in Kerala, which in turn will improve the nutritional status of the children.
Nutritional status, Under-five children, Multidimensional causes, Kerala, India
Copyright (c) 2021 Rajeev Jayalakshmi, Kannan Srinivasan
Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Migrants and Refugees in Developed Countries
Background: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases among migrant and refugee populations living in developed countries. This systematic review aims to examine the DBM among migrants and refugees in developed countries. It aims to appraise, synthesise, and summarise literature to create an evidence base that looks at multiple faces of DBM. Methods/Design: This protocol is informed by the standard Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. A systematic review of peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies on DBM among migrants and refugees in developed countries will be undertaken. The review will include only studies published in English. Eight bibliographic databases will be searched: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, and web of science. Grey literature will also be searched. Studies that meet the inclusion criteria will be imported to Covidence. Screening for eligible studies will be conducted by two independent researchers. The quality of included studies will be appraised for risk of bias using validated tools. A narrative synthesis approach will be undertaken to report retrieved data. Discussion: The protocol provides insight into the scope and parameters of the systematic review to be conducted.
Double burden of malnutrition; undernutrition; overnutrition; micro-nutrient deficiency; non-communicable diseases; migrants; refugees
Copyright (c) 2021 Blessing Akombi-Inyang, Md. Nazmul Huda, Judith Byaruhanga, Andre Renzaho
Health and Wellness Literacy Initiatives for Immigrant Populations Delivered Through Faith-Based Entities
Background: Health literacy has been shown to be low among immigrant populations globally, leading to limited ability to locate, access and use health information. Religious entities are often the initial contact for many immigrants regarding health and social supports, there are a lack of knowledge about how initiatives to improve health literacy of the immigrant population may be offered through faith-based entities. The objective of this proposed scoping review is to identify available evidence on health literacy initiatives delivered through faith-based entities for immigrant populations. Methods/Design: Using a scoping review framework we will complete a comprehensive search of relevant keywords in major academic and grey literature databases. Eligible articles will be identified through screening by two independent reviewers according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to include articles relevant to our research question. Selected articles will be charted into data extraction tables for analysis, synthesis and presentation of narrative description and visual graphics. Discussion: This scoping review will identify and assess existing health literacy initiatives delivered through faith-based entities to improve health literacy of immigrant communities. This review will inform which initiatives are commonly practiced, and which immigrant groups are most benefitted from and can potentially be benefitted. It will also describe how to conduct those initiatives and what resources are needed and identify the stakeholders of such initiatives those needed to be engaged with to conduct a successful and acceptable program. The challenges and facilitators of those initiatives will also be identified.
Copyright (c) 2021 Olivia Genereux, Nashit Chowdhury, Ayisha Khalid, Tanvir C. Turin