Nicola Swain

How ‘other people matter’ in a classroom-based strengths intervention: Exploring interpersonal strategies and classroom outcomes

Interventions that identify and develop character strengths have been shown to benefit well-being, academic engagement and achievement. Strengths research within positive psychology has focused primarily on individual outcomes with less attention on group or relationships effects. This study (N = 193) examined the effect of a classroom-based strengths intervention on class cohesion and friction, relatedness, engagement, well-being and strengths use. A six-session programme was trialled with 9–12-year-old students. Students learned to recognise strengths and practised strengths-related goal setting. At three-months post-test, multi-level modelling indicated that intervention group participants scored significantly higher on class cohesion and relatedness need satisfaction, and lower on class friction than the non-randomised control group. Programme participants also reported higher levels of positive affect, classroom engagement, autonomy need satisfaction and strengths use. School-based strengths interventions may influence individual perceptions of class climate, engagement and student relatedness in addition to individual well-being.

Taking personal responsibility for well-being increases birth satisfaction of first time mothers

Birth satisfaction has been found to enhance a mother’s capacity to develop a sense of maternal identity. This study used a phenomenological form of thematic analysis to gain in-depth insights into the birth experiences of first-time New Zealand mothers. Taking personal responsibility (the choices participants made in relation to being in control of and accountable for their own birth processes) was a core theme. Those participants who described the neoliberalist ideal of taking personal responsibility to be well informed and well prepared for any birth experience felt more confident that they would be able to work with whatever labour and birth event eventuated.

The Effects of Hippocampal and Area Parahippocampalis Lesions in Pigeons: I. Delayed Matching to Sample

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of bilateral damage to the hippocampus and area parahippocampalis (Hp-APH) on visual memory in pigeons using the delayed matching-to-sample (DMS) procedure. In Experiment 1, we generated visual retention gradients with delays of 0, 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 sec both preoperatively and postoperatively in three pigeons with considerable preoperative visual DMS experience. Bilateral Hp-APH lesions had no effect whatsoever on visual retention. In Experiment 2, we examined the effects of Hp-APH lesions on both the acquisition of a visual DMS task with a 0-sec delay, and the subsequent retention performance with delays of 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 sec. There was no difference between unoperated control pigeons and Hp-APH pigeons either in terms of the number of sessions required to learn the visual DMS task or in terms of their subsequent visual retention performance levels. In Experiments 3 and 4, we examined whether Hp-APH pigeons might be more sensitive than control pigeons to the effects of proactive interference (by reducing the duration of the intertrial interval) and retroactive interference (by introducing delay-interval illumination). Although reducing the duration of the intertrial interval and increasing the level of delay-interval illumination both resulted in lower performance levels on the visual DMS task, there was no indication that the Hp-APH pigeons were any more affected by the changes in interference levels than were unoperated control pigeons. These findings support the view that the Hp-APH in pigeons plays little role in the processing and retention of purely visual information.

Alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction in young adulthood.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS To examine the associations between substance abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction, before and after adjustment for fixed and time-dynamic sources of confounding. DESIGN AND METHODS Data were drawn from a 30year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 987 individuals. Associations between alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms, cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction were examined using repeated measures regression models. Associations were adjusted for fixed and time-dynamic sources of confounding, including family background, personality, demographics, recent life events, current employment and recent mental illness. RESULTS There were significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P<0.0001) and between cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P<0.0001). These significant associations remained after adjustment for fixed sources of confounding. However, adjusting for time-dynamic sources of confounding substantially reduced the associations. After adjustment for time-dynamic sources of confounding there were no significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P>0.17) or cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P>0.25). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that associations between life substance abuse/dependence and life satisfaction can be explained by time-dynamic factors, such as employment, life events and comorbid mental illness that are associated with reduced life satisfaction. When due allowance is made for confounding, alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence are not associated with reduced life satisfaction.

Life satisfaction and mental health problems (18 to 35 years).

BACKGROUND Previous research has found that mental health is strongly associated with life satisfaction. In this study we examine associations between mental health problems and life satisfaction in a birth cohort studied from 18 to 35 years. METHOD Data were gathered during the Christchurch Health and Development Study, which is a longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 children, born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1977. Assessments of psychiatric disorder (major depression, anxiety disorder, suicidality, alcohol dependence and illicit substance dependence) using DSM diagnostic criteria and life satisfaction were obtained at 18, 21, 25, 30 and 35 years. RESULTS Significant associations (p < 0.01) were found between repeated measures of life satisfaction and the psychiatric disorders major depression, anxiety disorder, suicidality, alcohol dependence and substance dependence. After adjustment for non-observed sources of confounding by fixed effects, statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) remained between life satisfaction and major depression, anxiety disorder, suicidality and substance dependence. Overall, those reporting three or more mental health disorders had mean life satisfaction scores that were nearly 0.60 standard deviations below those without mental health problems. A structural equation model examined the direction of causation between life satisfaction and mental health problems. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) reciprocal associations were found between life satisfaction and mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS After adjustment for confounding, robust and reciprocal associations were found between mental health problems and life satisfaction. Overall, this study showed evidence that life satisfaction influences mental disorder, and that mental disorder influences life satisfaction.

Patient aggression perceived by community support workers

Objective: Aggression by patients is a known risk factor for hospital workers. Within New Zealand, the bulk of ongoing care for physical and mental disabilities and health issues is not hospital based, but contracted to various non-governmental agencies. The rate of client aggression towards care workers from these organizations, to our knowledge, has not been assessed. Method: Two hundred and forty-two support workers in non-governmental agencies caring for people with disabilities responded to an anonymous mailed survey on client aggression, personal distress, and communication style. Results: Most support workers did experience verbal forms of aggression or destructive behaviour, fewer experienced physical aggression, and a minority were injured, sexually harassed, stalked or harassed by means of formal complaint. The median total violence score was five (interquartile range 12.25). A higher total violence score (using the POPAS-NZ) was associated with age and gender, the primary disability of clients, and the numbers of hours worked. The length of time worked was not associated with total violence risk. Communication style, after correcting for other factors, was a predictor of aggression. Almost 6% of care workers reported distress symptoms at a level associated with clinically significant stress reactions. Conclusions: Patient aggression is common among care workers, and can cause distress in the minority. We suggest that further research to clarify risk factors and develop interventions for care workers is needed.

First-time mothers' perspectives on relationships with and between midwives and doctors: Insights from a qualitative study of giving birth in New Zealand

OBJECTIVE to explore the experience of giving birth for first-time New Zealand mothers. DESIGN qualitative methodology was employed to obtain an in-depth insight into the birth experience using semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face 11 days to 16 weeks (median 13.5 weeks) after giving birth were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. SETTING the interviews were of a small group of New Zealand mothers. PARTICIPANTS ten first-time mothers aged 24-38 years (median 31.5 years) participated. MEASUREMENTS transcripts were analysed using a phenomenological form of thematic analysis. FINDINGS a core theme was relationship issues. Two subthemes were delineated: lack of relationship between mothers and midwives and doctors; and the conflict between midwives and doctors. KEY CONCLUSIONS personal, caring and co-operative relationships with all maternity care professionals were basic to New Zealand mothers feeling good about their birth experience. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTISE relationships, with and between, all maternity care professionals merit further investigation in an effort to optimise birth satisfaction.

Evaluating communication in healthcare: Systematic review and analysis of suitable communication scales

Abstract Communication influences health outcomes such as health status, adherence, and satisfaction. It is also highly modifiable, so it should be a target of intervention studies. However, measurement of communication can be difficult, as many scales exist and there is no clear guidance on which to use in a healthcare setting. We performed a systematic review conducted in four article databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO). The initial search yielded nine satisfactory scales. An in-depth analysis based on their content, readability, and psychometric properties determined two communication scales to be most suitable: the Communication Adaptability Scale and the Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale. This finding may make selection of an instrument to measure communication in intervention studies in healthcare more straighforward.

A qualitative study of pain experiences in patients requiring hip and knee arthroplasty

The aim of this study was to conduct an in-depth investigation of experiences with pain before knee and hip replacement surgery. A total of 20 patients were interviewed, and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify themes. These were as follows: living with pain, pain conceptualised, pain treatments and healthcare system. Pre-surgical pain is very disabling and is viewed as biological. There was an associated loss of independence. Pharmaceutical management is used by all but not entirely effective, psychological therapies are underutilised. Patients were frustrated, angry, and confused about qualifying for surgery. Many areas of care could be improved to help these pre-surgical patients.

First-time fathers’ perception of their childbirth experiences:

Birth satisfaction impacts on a man’s adjustment to his new role as father. Fathers have been found to have needs similar to those of mothers during pregnancy and childbirth. Research suggests that these needs may not be being met for first-time fathers. In a quantitative survey, fathers’ birth satisfaction was similar to mothers. This study then used a phenomenological form of thematic analysis to gain an insight into the birth experiences of 155 first-time New Zealand fathers. Core themes included safety of mother and baby, understanding support role, mother in control and managing pain and care and communication after birth. Fathers commented on what impacted on their childbirth experiences and in so doing outlined their needs for a positive experience. Fathers experienced a high level of satisfaction along with a need to be involved and included.