Heidi Ruotsalainen

Effectiveness of Facebook-Delivered Lifestyle Counselling and Physical Activity Self-Monitoring on Physical Activity and Body Mass Index in Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background. The aim was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week, Facebook-delivered lifestyle counselling intervention, with or without physical activity self-monitoring, on physical activity and body mass index (BMI) in overweight and obese 13–16-year-old adolescents. Methods. Three-arm randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 46) were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups: one group received Facebook-delivered lifestyle counselling and monitoring of their physical activity (Fb + Act, n = 15), whereas a second experimental group received the same Facebook-delivered lifestyle counselling without self-monitoring (Fb, n = 16) and a third group served as the control group (n = 15). Objective and self-reported physical activity assessment were used. Nonparametric statistical tests were used. Results. There were no significant intervention effects in terms of changes in physical activity levels or BMI from baseline to the 12-week postintervention measurements between the intervention and control groups. The Fb + Act group had lower sedentary time on weekdays compared to the control group during postintervention measurements (p = 0.021), but there was no interaction between time and group. Conclusions. Interventions were not effective at increasing physical activity in overweight and obese adolescents. Before implementing such interventions, more evaluations on their effectiveness are needed. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02295761 (2014-11-17).

Problematic Gaming Behavior Among Finnish Junior High School Students: Relation to Socio-Demographics and Gaming Behavior Characteristics

ABSTRACT Multiplatform digital media use and gaming have been increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine associations between sociodemographics and digital gaming behavior characteristics (i.e., gaming time, medium, and genres) with problematic gaming behavior in adolescents. A convenience sample of Finnish junior high school students (n = 560; mean age 14 years, ranging from 12 to 16 years) participated in the cross-sectional survey, of which, 83% (n = 465) reported having played digital games regularly. Sociodemographic data, different forms of digital media use, gaming behavior characteristics and problematic gaming behavior was assessed. Study participants spent on average one hour per day playing digital games; casual games (23.9%), shooting games (19.8%), and sport games (12.9%), were the most popular games among participants. By using regression analysis, a blended family structure and gaming time related positively to problematic gaming behavior. Preferences for game genres such as solo, Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing and strategy-management games were also positively associated with problematic use of digital games. These findings provide knowledge that can be utilized in the prevention of the possible negative consequences of digital gaming.

The competence of nurse mentors in mentoring students in clinical practice – A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Nurses play an important role in developing the competence of nursing students and acting as role models for students during clinical practice placements. Nurses need diverse competence to successfully mentor nursing student. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to describe and explain nurse mentor competence in mentoring nursing students in clinical practice settings based on self-evaluation, as well as identify different mentor profiles. DESIGN This study employed a cross-sectional, descriptive design involving a self-administered electronic version of the Mentor Competence Instrument. SETTINGS The study population included nurse mentors from all five university hospitals in Finland. PARTICIPANTS Through random sampling, 3355 nurse mentors were invited to take part in the study in 2016. METHODS Data was collected using Mentors Competence Instrument, which consists of 63 items structured in 10 mentoring competence categories. RESULTS Mentors (n = 576) evaluated their level of competence in various categories as middle- to high-level. They evaluated reflection during mentoring and identifying a students need for mentoring the highest, whereas student-centered evaluation and supporting a students learning process were rated lowest. Three distinct profiles of mentor competence were identified. These profiles differed in evaluation of mentoring competence level, previous participation in mentoring education, and time spent on reflective discussions with students. CONCLUSIONS According to their profiles, mentors have diverse needs for support in building their mentoring competence. We suggest that healthcare organizations should provide nursing mentors with education that is based on their individual levels of mentoring competence. Nurses should also be encouraged to use time for reflective discussion with students during clinical practice.

Psychometric Properties of the Problematic Gaming Questionnaire Used to Assess Finnish Adolescents

In recent years, problematic gaming behavior has been a phenomenon of growing interest and in need of further empirical research worldwide. Due to a lack of research into problematic gaming behavior in Finland, this study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire (POGQ). Data collection was carried out in two junior high schools by using an online survey administered during the school class. A convenience sample of 560 adolescents completed a Finnish version of the POGQ along with the questions relating to socio-demographic and gaming behavior variables. The final analytical sample consisted of 465 gamers (37.2% females). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated appropriate psychometric properties for the scale. Inter-item association across subscales of POGQ analyzed by using Cronbach’s alpha appeared to be satisfactory. Moderate positive correlations were found between time spent on games and problematic gaming behavior. The proportion of adolescents exhibiting problematic gaming behavior was 0.9% of the participants. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the suitability of the POGQ, in its Finnish version, for the assessment of problematic gaming behavior among adolescents.

Problematic gaming behaviour and health-related outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis:

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the interplay between problematic gaming behaviour and health-related outcomes at different developmental stages. A total of 50 empirical studies met the specified inclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis using correlation coefficients was used for the studies that reported adverse health implications regarding the impact of problematic gaming behaviour on depression, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive disorder and somatisation. Overall, the results suggested that problematic gaming behaviour is significantly associated with a wide range of detrimental health-related outcomes. Finally, the limitations of this review alongside its implications were discussed and considered for future research.