Introdução: Embora haja fortes evidências mostrando que a atividade física tem um papel essencial no tratamento dos pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, o aconselhamento médico isoladamente tem se mostrado pouco eficaz na promoção desta mudança de comportamento, tão necessária para o controle clínico destes pacientes. Neste sentido, outros possíveis fatores que poderiam influenciar esta resposta têm sido investigados, entre eles os sintomas depressivos e o nível socioeconômico. Entretanto, até o presente momento o papel destes fatores como também do perfil de personalidade no incremento da atividade física ainda não está plenamente estabelecido na literatura. Objetivos: determinar a influência do suporte telefônico como um incentivo à realização de caminhadas em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 durante seis semanas. Determinar também o papel do perfil de personalidade, das características clínicas, laboratoriais e demográficas, do nível referido de atividade física, da classificação socioeconômica, do nível de qualidade de vida, da presença de sintomas de depressão e de comorbidades nesta resposta. Casuística e Métodos: trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, de desenho quasi-experimental, randomizado, controlado e sem mascaramento. Foram incluídos os pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, maiores de 18 anos de idade, seguidos no Ambulatório de Clínica Geral (ACMG-HC FMUSP) por mais de 1 ano, que não apresentaram limitação física para caminhar, que disponibilizaram um número telefônico para contato e que assinaram do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. As variáveis independentes estudadas foram: características clínicas, laboratoriais e demográficas, o perfil de personalidade (Escala de Comrey), a presença de comorbidades (Escala de Charlson), a classificação socioeconômica (instrumento CCEB), a qualidade de vida (questionário FACIT-sp12), os sintomas de depressão (PRIME MD), o nível referido de atividade física (questionário IPAQ) e o estágio comportamental para a prática de atividade física (questionário Prochaska). Os pacientes foram então randomizados em dois grupos. O grupo intervenção recebeu contatos telefônicos padronizados uma vez a cada dez dias por 6 semanas, com intuito de reforçar estratégias para realização de atividade física. Os pacientes do grupo controle receberam um único contato telefônico na primeira semana. O desfecho avaliado foi o incremento na atividade física obtido pela diferença de número de passo entre a sexta e a primeira semana do estudo. A associação entre as variáveis independentes e o incremento da atividade física foi analisada por regressão logística univariada e multivariada. Foram obtidos os odds ratios e os respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% e os níveis de significância estatística. Em relação à intervenção foram determinados o risco absoluto e relativo, a eficácia e o número necessário para tratar. Resultados: Foram randomizados 54 pacientes e destes, 48 completaram o estudo, sendo que 29 participaram do grupo controle e 19 foram incluídos no grupo intervenção. A glicemia de jejum foi menor (p=0,003) no grupo intervenção e este grupo apresentava também um menor número de comorbidades (p=0,04) comparativamente ao grupo controle. Em relação às demais variáveis estudadas. não observamos diferenças significativas. Na análise por regressão logística multivariada permaneceram como variáveis independentes associadas ao desfecho (incremento do número de passos entre a primeira e a sexta semana) a idade maior de 65 anos (OR:11,4; IC 95%: 1,05-123,5; p=0,04) e o suporte telefônico (OR:8,9; IC 95%: 2,01-39,3; p=0,004). As demais variáveis não permaneceram no modelo final. Com a análise por intenção de tratar observamos que o suporte telefônico apresentou uma eficácia 90%. A redução do risco absoluto foi de 75% e foi necessário fornecer suporte telefônico para três pacientes para que um apresentasse incremento no número de passos entre a primeira e a sexta semana do estudo (NNT=2,7). Conclusão: o suporte telefônico se mostrou uma intervenção eficaz para promover a realização de caminhadas durante 6 semanas em pacientes com DM2, principalmente naqueles com idade superior 65 anos de idade. / Introduction: Although there is evidence supporting the essential role of physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetic patients, only the physician counseling has shown lesser efficacy in promoting behavior changes, which are so necessary for the clinical control of these patients. In this sense, other possible factors that may influence these responses have been investigated, such as depressive symptoms and socioecononomic level. However, until the present moment the role of these factors such as personality profile in the increment of physical activity has not been clearly established in the literature. Objectives: to assay the influence of phone call support as an incentive to promote walking in type 2 diabetic patients during six weeks. We also determined the role of personality profile, clinical, laboratorial and demographic characteristics, the referred level of physical activity, the socioeconomic classification, the quality of life, the presence of depressive symptoms and comorbidities in this response. Casuistic and Methods: it is a prospective, quasi-experimental, randomized, controlled and without masking study. We enrolled type 2 diabetic patients, with more than 18 years old, accompanied in the Internal Medicine Ambulatory (ACMGHC- FMUSP), for more than a year, without any type of physical limitation for walking, with a phone number for contact and the ones that signed the Written Consent Form. The independent variables studied were: clinical, laboratorial and demographic characteristics, personality profile (Comrey Scale), comorbidities (Charlson Scale), socioeconomic classification (CCEB instrument), quality of life (FACIT-sp12 questionnaire), depressive symptoms (PRIME-MD questionnaire), the referred level of physical activity (IPAQ questionnaire) and the behavior stage for practicing physical activity (Prochaska questionnaire). The patients were then randomized into two groups. The intervention group received phone calls (one every other ten days) in order to reinforce the strategies for doing physical activity. The control group patients received only one phone call at the first week. The outcome evaluated was the increment of physical activity measured by the difference between the number of steps obtained in the sixth and in the first week of the study. The association among the independent variables and the increment of physical activity was analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. We obtained the odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals and the statistical significance levels. In relation to the intervention, we determined the absolute and relative risks, the efficacy and the necessary number to treat (NNT). Results: We randomized 54 patients and 48 of these patients completed the study: 29 participated of the control group and 19 were included in the intervention one. The fasting glycemia (p=0.003) and the number of comorbidities (p=0.04) were lower in the intervention group in comparison to the control group. There were no significant differences between the other analyzed variables. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the independent variables associated with the outcome were the age (>65 years: OR: 11.4; CI 95%: 1,05-123,5; p=0.04) and the phone call support (OR:8,9; CI 95%: 2,01-39,3; p=0,004) The other variables were not included in the final model. Using the intention to treat analysis the phone call support showed an efficacy of 90%. The absolute risk reduction was 75% and it was necessary to give a phone call support for three patients in order to obtain an increment in the number of the steps between the sixth and the first week of the study (NNT=2.7). Conclusions: the phone call support was an efficient intervention for promoting walking during six weeks in type 2 diabetic patients, mainly in the ones older than 65 years.

A review of the research related to Medical Family Therapy demonstrates that the inclusion of marriage and family therapists as part of the healthcare team offers benefits such as decreased utilization of healthcare, decreased costs, increased positive outcomes for patients and healthcare systems. However, studies demonstrate the difficulty with communication between providers limiting access to marriage and family therapists. Results of this study identified benefits to working with medical family therapists including broadening the understanding and using a collaborative effort to help the patient improve and get better. Participants also identified barriers to collaboration such as the lack of knowledge of and access to MedFTs, their inclusion in the system, MDs finding value in the MedFT profession, and that the communication process is lacking. Further need for improved communication at the referral and follow-up stages in collaborative practices is shown. In order to move more toward collaborative practices, PCPs and MedFTs need to develop and disseminate training on treatment notes, communication, team meetings, and continuance of collaborative work with one another.

Developmental disabilities (DEVDIS) such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and learning disabilities, affect 14% of US youth, who also experience higher rates of obesity, approximately 19%, than youth without these conditions. Screen time is a risk factor for obesity, though it is not well-studied among youth with developmental disabilities. Youth with developmental disabilities experience challenges with learning, have underdeveloped social skills, and problematic behaviors. These predispositions can often result in peer rejection. The resulting social isolation may make these youth particularly vulnerable to engaging in solitary activities such as screen time. The objectives of this dissertation were to compare screen time rates among youth with developmental disabilities to typically developing youth and to examine the associations between social and family engagement with screen time among youth with developmental disabilities. Data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a national cross-sectional study that assesses the physical and emotional health of US children (N = 91,642), were used. Youth 6-17 years, with ADHD (n = 7,024), ASD (n = 1,200), DD (n = 3,276), LD (n = 7,482), and without special health care needs (n = 44,461) were studied. Unadjusted analyses found that children with DEVDIS engage in higher rates of screen time than youth without special health care needs. For youth with DEVDIS who were medicated for their ADHD, these associations attenuated. Thus ADHD symptoms, a common comorbidity across developmental disabilities, drove associations between the other developmental disabilities and screen time. Across all developmental disability groups, television in the bedroom was a significant screen time risk factor in both children and adolescents. Among children with ADHD, additional screen time risk factors included lack of caregiver knowledge of the child’s friends and any social engagement outside of the household. Among adolescents with ADHD, additional screen time risk factors included lower frequency that caregiver attends adolescent’s events and sport social engagement. Findings of this dissertation elucidate modifiable screen time risk factors that could potentially be adapted to decrease screen time among youth with developmental disabilities.

Background. Emerging evidence suggests that youth with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may engage in sub-optimal health behaviors including high levels of screen time, low physical activity participation, and consumption of poor diets. These are independent risk factors for adverse health outcomes, and health-related behavior patterns established in childhood can track into adulthood. Thus, identifying and addressing dietary and physical activity habits in sub-populations of youth have important implications for health over the lifespan. The specific aims of this dissertation were to: (1) compare screen time between youth with and without ADHD and to assess its relationship to ADHD symptomatology; (2) compare participation in physical activity (PA) between adolescents with and without ADHD and to assess the relationship of PA participation to ADHD symptomatology; and (3) evaluate the association of diet quality and dietary patterns to ADHD symptomatology among youth ages 8-15 years. Methods. The aforementioned outcomes of interest were analyzed using data from the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004. These waves of NHANES included a structured DSM-IV-based interview administered to parents that identified youth with ADHD and also yielded symptom counts for hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention. Screen time and physical activity data were obtained from questionnaires that queried the amount of time spent watching television, playing videos, or using the computer outside of school time, and also surveyed the types, frequency, and duration of PA in which youth participated. Diet quality and dietary patterns, which included consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), total calorie intake, and eating frequency, were obtained by a 24-hour dietary recall using the Automated Multiple Pass Method of interviewing. Linear and logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors and anxiety/depression were employed to address the specific aims. Results. The findings suggest that youth with ADHD are at the same, if not higher, risk for engaging in suboptimal health behaviors. Overall, youth participating in NHANES engaged in excessive amounts of screen time, failed to acquire sufficient physical activity, and consumed diets of poor quality. However, our findings suggest that ADHD symptomatology places youth at higher risk for sedentary behavior and poor diet quality. Relative to screen time, youth with ADHD showed a trend toward increased screen time, as did youth who took medication. ADHD symptoms were also associated with over two hours of daily TV viewing and overall increased screen time, and this was particularly true for children ages 8-11 years. Relative to physical activity, the outcomes did not differ between youth with and without ADHD, but the majority of youth did not meet the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous PA each day. Diet quality was poor across the population of youth who participated in NHANES, and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms were associated with an even greater decrease in diet quality in both children and adolescents. In males, the presence of hyperactive/impulsive symptoms was associated with a decrease in diet quality, whereas in females, inattentive symptoms accounted for a decrease in diet quality. No differences in the other dietary patterns (i.e., SSB consumption, total energy intake, and eating frequency) were observed. Conclusions. The diagnosis of ADHD and/or its symptoms are associated with less-than-recommended levels of screen time and poor diet quality, though youth in general were found to be engaging in suboptimal sedentary, physical activity, and dietary behaviors. The mechanisms for why youth with ADHD may have increased vulnerability to poorer health behaviors are not yet well understood. The findings from this dissertation support the need for ongoing efforts to address lifestyle factors among the nation’s youth generally, but may also stimulate new hypotheses about the needs of youth with ADHD from both public health and clinical perspectives, and encourage research on the implications of ADHD symptomatology on health-related behaviors and lifestyle factors.

Deaf individuals experience significant obstacles to participating in behavioral health research when careful consideration is not given to accessibility in the design of study methodology. To inform such considerations, we conducted a secondary analysis of a mixed-methods study that explored 16 Deaf trauma survivors’ help-seeking experiences. Our objective was to identify key findings and qualitative themes from consumers' own words that can be applied to the design of behavioral clinical trials methodology. In many ways, the themes that emerged are what we would expect of any research participant, Deaf or hearing – a need for communication access, empathy, respect, strict confidentiality procedures, trust, and transparency of the research process. However, additional considerations must be made to better recruit, retain, and engage Deaf trauma survivors. We summarize our findings in a “Checklist for Designing Deaf Behavioral Clinical Trials” to operationalize the steps researchers should take to apply Deaf-friendly approaches in their empirical work.

Breastfeeding has been established as providing the best and most complete nutrition for newborns, as this method promotes the infant’s health and supports infant growth (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], 2005). Mass media have been suggested as powerful and universal means of communication with the potential to impact social norms. Thus, this qualitative descriptive study explored, within the context of the Socioecological Framework, women’s decision making on whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed their infants and the effect of mass media on their decision. Data were collected in individual audiotaped interviews with participants recruited from the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition and UMass Memorial Medical Center. Interview data were compared to text and visual representation from 12 Internet sites on parenting and infant feeding. Data analysis was conducted simultaneously with data collection and was continued until saturation was achieved. The comparison findings demonstrated that the emerging themes from the participant interviews reflected the information represented on the Internet sites. The main theme Media Matters Not suggested that mass media did not influence infant feeding decisions for this group of mothers. What did have an important impact on infant feeding decisions was the information and emotional support provided by partners, family, and HCPs (subtheme of Influences on Decisions). The participants offered suggestions of media messages they would like see in the future such as public service announcements of women breastfeeding their infants. In addition, the participants discussed media issues that had potential for influencing infant feeding decisions (Media Messages—Good and Bad), emphasized the need for public opinion to be altered so that breastfeeding in public would be viewed as more acceptable (Community/Public Opinions), and described suggestions for enhancing media messages about breastfeeding (Recommendations for Future Media Messages). The implications for nursing practice, public policy, and future research related to the topic were discussed.

In the United States, approximately 7.7 million individuals are affected by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at any given time. Though women are likelier to develop PTSD symptoms, men are exposed to more traumatic events in their lifetimes. Empirically- supported PTSD options exist, however clinical application of these treatments may not consistently culminate in beneficial outcomes. Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) has demonstrated positive treatment outcomes for a variety of mental and physical disorders. Nonetheless, there is a lack of robust research related to the treatment experiences of men who have participated in DMT for trauma-related symptoms. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore this research gap. Focusing on adult male trauma survivors, the research question addressed the lived experiences of participating in DMT and the meaning ascribed to this involvement. Eleven adult male participants were interviewed via audio-recorded telephone interviews consisting of semistructured interview questions. Through a constructivist lens, the modified Van Kaam method of analysis was implemented revealing 4 emergent themes. The findings of this explorative study suggested positive PTSD symptom outcomes for all 11 participants including improvements in social belongingness, social acceptance, quality of life, and a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression. Accordingly, the findings of this research may help to advance social change through broadening clinical awareness of the beneficial neurogenic treatment advantages of somatic and creative interventions such as DMT for PTSD. Moreover, these findings may augment existing research related to movement- based treatment options for individuals coping with PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.

This arts-based intervention program was designed to reduce anxiety and aggressive behavior in adolescent girls who were being reared without their fathers during the period of 2010–2015. The research questions were designed to investigate the scope, frequency, and severity of the problem of increased aggressive behavior and anxiety by girls being reared without their fathers; to evaluate the effectiveness of an arts-based intervention in reducing aggressive behavior and anxiety in girls being reared without their fathers; to investigate the ways that the use of an arts-based intervention might improve feelings about family relationships for single mothers and girls being reared without their fathers; and to gather observations and perceptions of all participants of the arts-based intervention regarding its impact on aggressive girls being reared without their fathers. Eight children between the ages of 8 and 17 completed the study. Data collection consisted of administering the following surveys: the Adolescent Anger Rating Scale, the Children’s Aggression Scale, the Parent Adolescent Relationship Questionnaire, and a confirmation interview with parents. An anger-management intervention utilizing the arts as an outlet for self-expression was implemented during the winter 2013 semester. Results showed the implementation fostered peer collaboration and resulted in reduced anger and aggression as well as increased communication and family cohesion. Expression through the arts, coupled with anger-management training, enabled girls to cope with their anger rather than acting out.

Helicopter parenting has emerged as a prevalent phenomenon in families with adult children. Due to its developmentally inappropriate nature, helicopter parenting sometimes serves as a risk factor for children. In addition, culture and parents’ gender shape parenting and adult children’s outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to identify multidimensional constructs of helicopter parenting among college students and describe how latent classes of helicopter parenting of mothers and fathers are related to college students’ game and social media addictive behaviors in the United States and China. Using a three-step latent class approach, data from 1402 mother and young-adult child (MC) and 1225 father and young-adult child (FC) pairs in the United States and 527 MC and 426 FC pairs in China were analyzed. Four helicopter parenting latent classes (strong, strong but weak direct intervention, weak but strong academic management, and weak) were identified among MC and FC pairs in the United States, but three latent classes (strong, strong but weak direct intervention, and weak) were identified in China. In addition, college students whose parents were in the strong helicopter parenting class reported a higher level of game and social media addictive behaviors than those in weak and weak but strong academic management classes in the United States, but not in China. These findings indicate that helicopter parenting is multidimensional in nature in both American and Chinese families, but the impact of helicopter parenting on college students’ game and social media addictive behaviors differs between the two countries.

Purpose of the Study The thesis of this study is that personality characteristics can be shown as factors in the variation of behavior which occurs during labor and childbirth. It is felt that if personality traits can be measured by a standard device they will correlate with various types of behavior expressed during labor. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is one instrument which tests all of the more important phases of personality. This test was chosen as the device to be used in this study to determine the personality traits of the women involved. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if the scores obtained in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory can be used to correlate personality traits with the behavior expressed during labor. Assuming that behavior can be predicted, it can be hypothesized that doctors could use the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory or some other personality test to study their patients personalities early in pregnancies and could counsel them in overcoming emotional and personal problems. This should make the patients labors and deliveries much easier. With the increased interest during the past few years in the psychological factors involved in pregnancy, it is felt that a study of personality traits might point a way to further study in this field. To this end the chief objective of this research has been to determine whether a positive correlation can be found between observed types of behavior during labor and delivery and scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Method of procedure Seven basic behavior types showing reactions expressed during labor and delivery were devised by six nurses with obstetrical experience. Patients were chosen who had no previous childbearing experience and who received a limited amount of medication. The patients were observed during labor and then placed in one of the behavior categories. The day after delivery the patients were given the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. This method of procedure is discussed more fully in Chapter Three.