Youth in modem society can be seen as a synonym for the term problems. No longer children, yet not adults, youth are exposed to most of the stressors of adulthood. Alcohol, drugs and other illegal substances are freely available and provide youth with the easy way of handling the problems that they face in becoming adults. The objective of this study was to determine whether an adventure experiential learning programme had an effect on the self-perception as an emotional component of youth, as well as the sustainability of the proposed change. The participants (N=28) were tested before the five-month adventure experiential learning programme, directly afterwards and a month after the programme. Participants were from all over South Africa and the training took place at Beyond Adventure School located in the Alexandria vicinity in the Eastern Cape Province. There were boys (n=18) and girls (n=10) within the group that included white (n=26) and other (n=2) race groups. The effect on self-perception was determined by means of two tests, the Self-perception Scale (SPS) and the Comprehensive Functioning Inventory: Post-matric (CFI-post). The tests include the following dimensions: inner insecurity, guilt feelings, lack of self-worth, anxiety, responsibility for consequences for others and lack of assertiveness. The data received from the two tests was processed in conjunction with PASWIN 2000. The SAS System for Windows Release (SAS Institute lnc.. 1999) was used to determine the effect sizes and calculate the sustainability of the effect. The study shows that the adventure experiential learning programme had a medium effect (d = 0.59) on the self-perception of participants. All the different dimensions improved after the second testing. Inner insecurity (d = 0.47), lack of self-worth (d = 0.67) and anxiety (d = 0.53) were the biggest contributors towards the medium effect. Adventure experiential learning programmes were results oriented and had a significant effect on the participants. In other words, the effect was medium-sustainable (d = 0.46). The effect could have been greater if more time had been available and if more participants had been involved. Responsibility for consequences (d = 0.90) for others showed the largest sustainability in the long run. The presence of change could be related to several factors. One, the participants were pre-assessed, which helped to plan the programme according to the identified needs of the participants. Two, the programme had a duration of more than 20 days, which created a greater and more sustainable effect on the participants. Three, there was more time for reflection on activities during this programme to make the participants aware of what they had actually accomplished. There were also some shortfalls. In future, more participants should be involved in the programme to create more sustainability. Secondly in experiential learning programmes provision must be made for diversity. Boys and girls experience certain aspects differently and the programme should be planned accordingly. In the third instance, individual attention should be paid to the dimensions instead of the bigger aspects (i.e. total self-perception) to ensure a more results-oriented adventure experiential learning programme. / Thesis (M.A. (Recreation Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

No description available.

Although explicit attitudes have traditionally been used in predictive models of health behaviour, recent theorizing suggests that implicit attitudes might be more useful in predicting socially undesirable or addictive behaviours. In Studies 1 through 3, smokers’ explicit and implicit attitudes were examined to compare the predictive utility of each. Results confirmed that implicit attitudes are better at predicting impulse-driven behaviours, such as smoking consumption. Consequently, implicit attitudes also predict whether a quit attempt will be successful. In contrast, explicit attitudes are better at predicting deliberative outcomes, such as having intentions to quit, and making planned quit attempts. Extending these findings, in Studies 4 and 5, the effectiveness of a novel affirmation intervention designed to break the association between smoking and stress-reduction is evaluated. Preliminary results demonstrate that an affirmation intervention designed to break the smokers’ reliance on smoking as a means of coping with stress can have beneficial and sustainable effects in cessation outcomes. The impact on smokers’ implicit attitudes as a possible mediating role is discussed. Implications for more effective health interventions are also discussed.

Traumatic experiences can have a profound and lasting impact on the mental health of children and adolescents. In this meta-analysis, psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents who have been exposed to traumatic experiences were systematically reviewed. Twelve main intervention components were identified. Of the main intervention components, cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was the most common and the most effective at reducing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) /Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) in children and adolescents. These findings on the effectiveness of CBT add to the findings of previous reviews on intervention effectiveness on alleviating trauma symptoms in children and adolescents. Components of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Meditation- Relaxation Therapy, Family-Focused Therapy, Psychological Debriefing, Resiliency-Focused Therapy, Sensory Therapy, Psychoeducational Therapy, Time-Limited Dynamic Therapy (TLDP-A), and general unspecific counselling were used in the various treatments. Taking into account methodological quality, there was evidence for effectiveness for school-based and sexual trauma-based interventions in alleviating trauma symptoms. More research is needed to understand the effect of methodological quality on effect sizes based on intervention type. The implications for researchers and clinicians are discussed.

Background: The central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is the most debilitating aspect of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Affected children exhibit numerous cognitive and behavioural deficits which can severely affect quality of life. As the diagnosis of FASDs often requires specially trained physicians, there is a need for sensitive and specific tools that screen PAE-related CNS dysfunction in order to identify individuals who require further consultation. Additionally, objective measures of intervention end-points are critical to assess potential treatments for this population. As saccadic eye movement behaviours reflect the integrity of multiple brain structures, a battery of oculomotor tasks may serve both these functions. This study sought to test the hypothesis that oculomotor performance in FASD would differ from typically developing children and would allow the objective measure of cognitive improvements resulting from a strength-based motor skills intervention. Methods: A cohort of 31 children with FASD, and 31 age- and sex-matched controls completed prosaccade, antisaccade, delayed memory-guided sequential (DMS) and predictive eye movement tasks. Additionally, a selection of these children were involved in an intervention study and therefore tested on three separate occasions using the eye movement tasks and computerized neuropsychological tests. Results: Compared to controls, children with FASDs elicited increased direction and anticipatory errors in the antisaccade task, increased timing and sequence errors in the DMS task, and increased anticipatory and decreased express saccades in the predictive task. The FASD group also exhibited an increase in the error of saccade trajectories in the pro- and antisaccade tasks, in addition to increased velocities of visually-guided saccades in the predictive task. Furthermore, those involved in the intervention study improved in measures of response inhibition in the DMS task. Conclusion: This study indicates that frontostriatal and cerebellar dysfunction can be assessed in children with FASDs using a battery of eye movement tasks. In addition, children involved in the strength-based motor skills intervention improved in the ability to perform complex oculomotor tasks. These findings suggest that select eye movement tasks may be utilized to identify CNS dysfunction in FASD and to measure cognitive improvements resulting from behavioural interventions. / Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-08-17 09:55:59.382

Background: Canadian children's physical inactivity levels are a public health concern due to their association with chronic diseases and mental health. Families are considered gatekeepers to children’s behaviours, and may influence their physical activity (PA). Purpose: To investigate the influence of family PA factors (i.e. parental PA, parents’ perspectives on family support for PA and family PA rules) on children’s PA levels and their free-play PA facility use. Methods: Kingston Gets Active distributes the Grade 5 Community PA Pass to approximately 2,500 grade 5 students in Kingston and surrounding areas yearly. The pass grants students free access to local pools (n=4), YMCA (n=1), and arenas (n=8) for recreational PA for 10 months. In fall 2006, 292 grade 5 students (54% girls; mean age=9.99, SD=0.35) from 24 elementary schools completed a baseline (BL) questionnaire that assessed demographics, children’s PA levels, PA facility use, and family support for PA. In spring 2007, 272 students completed a follow-up (FU) questionnaire with additional items assessing pass use. In spring 2007, 189 parents (83% mothers) participated in a telephone interview assessing family PA variables and community resources influencing pass and PA facility use. Results: The majority of students (69%) reported using their pass at least once; and although children’s PA did increase (t(230) = -4.91, p < .05), free-play PA facility use did not increase from BL to FU. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis indicated that individual-level variables were better predictors of children’s PA (ΔR2 = .28, F(2, 136) = 26.99, p < .001) and their free-play PA facility use (ΔR2 = .36, F(4, 151) = 21.55, p < .001) as compared to family-level PA variables (children’s PA: ΔR2 = .001, F(3, 133) = 0.089, p =.97; free-play PA facility use: ΔR2 = .007, F(3, 148) = 0.54, p =.65). Parents indicated that other social, organizational, and community factors influenced children’s free-play PA facility use. Conclusions: Children’s PA and free-play PA facility use are influenced by a multitude of interrelated factors within the socio-ecological model. More research should explore associations between family factors and children’s free-play PA facility use. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2010-09-24 02:48:17.239

No description available.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Workplace sedentary behavior has been associated with many chronic diseases. A nine-month study has been initiated to determine participation and benefits of shared treadmill workstations. It would be an advantage to understand factors that would increase the use of these types of workplace interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behavior. To address some of these factors, characteristics of nineteen office workers willing to participate in this study were investigated. Baseline anthropometric measurements were taken. Participants provided seven-day exercise and sleep logs and three-day dietary records. Accelerometers were given to measure energy expenditure, step counts and activity durations. Participants also completed the questionnaires assessing their expectations and perceptions of a workplace intervention. The willing participants were generally overweight and sedentary middle aged individuals with below average daily energy expenditures and they had low fatigue and pain levels, poor sleep quality ratings, and wanted to reduce their sedentary behavior to achieve health benefits.

Syftet med studien var att beskriva hur anhöriga upplevde att deras dagliga liv påverkades av att vara anhörigvårdare till en strokedrabbad person och vilken effekt riktade sjuksköterskeinterventioner hade för anhörigvårdarna. Studien genomfördes som en litteraturstudie. Databaser som användes var PubMed, Cinahl och Scopus. Resultatet visade att många anhörigvårdare upplevde oro och stress i olika situationer och detta skapade begränsningar i deras dagliga liv. Anhörigvårdarnas psykiska och fysiska hälsa påverkades av att vårda sin anhörig. Relationen mellan anhörigvårdaren och den strokedrabbade upplevdes förändrad efter stroke både till det positiva och det negativa. Anhörigvårdare som fick ett stöd- och utbildningsprogram från sjuksköterskan fick en ökad livskvalité och bättre kunskap kring stroke. Även då praktisk träning kombinerades med stöd- och utbildningsprogram ökade livskvalitén. De anhörigvårdare som fick ett anpassat utskrivningsprogram och sedan fick uppföljning kunde bättre prioritera de dagliga aktiviteterna men deras livskvalité blev inte bättre. Slutsats: Anhörigas dagliga liv påverkades av att vara anhörigvårdare till en strokedrabbad person till både det positiva och negativa. När sjuksköterskeinterventioner gavs ökade anhörigvårdarnas livskvalité, välbefinnande och de gav vård av bättre kvalitet.