Social support and education groups for single mothers: a randomized controlled trial of a community-based program. (1/14)

BACKGROUND: Members of families headed by single mothers are at increased risk of psychosocial disadvantage and mental health problems. We assessed the effect of a community-based program of social support and education groups for single mothers of young children on maternal well-being and parenting. METHODS: We recruited 116 single mothers of children 3 to 9 years old through community advertisements. Eligible mothers were randomly assigned either to participate in a 10-week program of group sessions (1.5 hours per week) offering social support and education, with a parallel children's activity group, or to receive a standard list of community resources and the option to participate in group sessions at the end of the follow-up period. Interviewers blinded to the randomization collected assessment data from all mothers at baseline and at 3 follow-up visits (immediately after the intervention and at 3 and 6 months after the intervention). Outcome measures were self-reported mood, self-esteem, social support and parenting. RESULTS: Between February 2000 and April 2003, the program was offered to 9 groups of single mothers. Most of the mothers in the trial reported high levels of financial and mental health problems. In the short term (after the intervention), mothers in the intervention group had improved scores for mood (p < 0.01, standardized effect = 0.55) and self-esteem (p < 0.05, standardized effect = 0.29) compared with mothers in the control group; scores for the other 2 measures did not differ between the groups. Growth curve analysis of program effects over the follow-up period showed improvement in all 4 outcomes, with no significant difference between the intervention and control groups. INTERPRETATION: This community-based program of group sessions offering social support and education to low-income single mothers had positive short-term effects on mood and self-esteem but not on social support and parenting. Longer follow-up showed attenuation of these effects.  (+info)

At what age can schoolchildren provide effective chest compressions? An observational study from the Heartstart UK schools training programme. (2/14)

OBJECTIVE: To determine at what age children can perform effective chest compressions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Four schools in Cardiff. PARTICIPANTS: 157 children aged 9-14 years in three school year groups (ages 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were taught basic life support skills in one lesson lasting 20 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Effectiveness of chest compression during three minutes' continuous chest compression on a manikin. RESULTS: No year 5 pupil (age 9-10) was able to compress the manikin's chest to the depth recommended in guidelines (38-51 mm). 19% of pupils in year 7 (age 11-12) and 45% in year 9 (age 13-14) achieved adequate compression depth. Only the 13-14 year olds performed chest compression as well as adults in other reported studies. Compression depth showed a significant relation with children's age, weight, and height (P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that, if the age and weight of the children were both known, the height (which is closely related to both) was no longer significant (P=0.95). No association was found between pupils' age, sex, weight, or height and the average rate of chest compressions over the three minute period. Similarly, no relation was found between year group and ability to place the hands in the correct position. During the three minutes' compression, compression rate increased and depth decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The children's ability to achieve an adequate depth of chest compression depended on their age and weight. The ability to provide the correct rate and to employ the correct hand position was similar across all the age ranges tested. Young children who are not yet physically able to compress the chest can learn the principles of chest compression as well as older children.  (+info)

Learning scientific and medical terminology with a mnemonic strategy using an illogical association technique. (3/14)

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Recruitment to a randomized web-based nutritional intervention trial: characteristics of participants compared to non-participants. (4/14)

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Using behavioral skills training to promote safe and correct staff guarding and ambulation distance of students with multiple physical disabilities. (5/14)

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Embodied learning across the life span. (6/14)

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Support-seeking behavior among Japanese mothers at high-risk of mental health problems: a community-based study at a city health center. (7/14)

AIM: The aim of this small-scale study is to explore support-seeking behavior among mothers at high-risk of mental health problems on community basis in Japan. METHODS: A survey using one month home visit data was conducted among mothers who registered their pregnancy at Shirakawa City Health Center, Fukushima, from April to September 2010. Probable postpartum depression at one month postpartum was assessed using the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the mother's bonding to her child at one month postpartum was measured by the Bonding Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 118 out of 217 registered mothers were available for analysis. The proportion of probable depression among first time and experienced mothers was 12% and 3%, and that of low bonding was 43% and 13%, respectively. Factors that showed significant associations with probable depression and/or low-bonding among first-time mothers were financial difficulty, obstetrical problems, unhappy feeling towards pregnancy, younger maternal age, later gestational week at registration; associated factors among experienced mothers were financial difficulty and obstetrical problems. At the time of pregnancy, 35 (90%) of first-time mothers and 22 (31%) of experienced mothers expressed the intention to attend antenatal classes. None of the risk factors for probable depression or low-bonding were associated with the mother's intention to attend antenatal classes in this study. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy history, obstetrical problems, sociodemographic information and maternal feeling toward pregnancy should be carefully screened in antenatal phase, and those at risk of postpartum mental health problems should be screened and actively invited to antenatal classes.  (+info)

Brief parenting intervention for parents of NICU graduates: a randomized, clinical trial of Primary Care Triple P. (8/14)

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