Lisa M. Stewart, Claudia Sellmaier, Marin Henderson-Posther, Jessica Lukefahr and Eileen M. Brennan
Understanding the role of mental health stigma in the workplace and its effect on employment for parents of children with mental health disabilities is limited. Using a conceptual…
Abstract
Understanding the role of mental health stigma in the workplace and its effect on employment for parents of children with mental health disabilities is limited. Using a conceptual approach to stigma that incorporates four interrelated stigma types, a scoping review of the literature was conducted to locate research on mental health stigma within the workplace directed at parents of children with mental health disabilities. Twenty-six research articles and 12 websites met the study inclusion criteria. Findings confirm parents of children with mental health disabilities experience public, self, courtesy, and structural stigma in the workplace, which affects their workforce participation. Articles in the review report limited strategies available to parents to combat stigma and discrimination due to public mental health stigma. Gaps in the literature and opportunities for parents, parent support organizations, workplaces, and policy-makers are discussed.
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Rebekah Brennan and Marie Claire Van Hout
Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant drug causing entactogenic and hallucinogenic effects. A systematic review of all existing empirical research and literature from 2009‐2012 on…
Abstract
Purpose
Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant drug causing entactogenic and hallucinogenic effects. A systematic review of all existing empirical research and literature from 2009‐2012 on this new psychoactive drug was conducted. This paper aims to report on that review.
Design/methodology/approach
The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases were utilised using the search terms “mephedrone” and product nomenclature; “Plant Food”, “Feeder”, “Meow Meow”, “Miaow”, “Drone”, “Meph” “Bubbles”, “Charge”, and “MCat”. The search was restricted to publications from 2009‐2012, and produced 702 results. Data were collected by one member of the research team and cross checked by another. A primary screening was carried out to exclude inaccurate search results and drugs other than mephedrone. The results were studied and duplicates removed; 598 results were discarded, with 104 deemed suitable for inclusion.
Findings
The review underscores mephedrone's popularity despite legislative controls. Drug displacement patterns from illicit to licit were observed prior to controls, with blending of mephedrone and other substitute cathinones with street drugs thereafter. User consumptive choices are grounded in availability, perceptions of legality and safety, curiosity and perceived quality of drug outcomes within poly drug taking repertoires. Clinical reports indicate that mephedrone has high abuse potential and toxicity, with several dependence symptoms. Risk assessment, detection, diagnosis and treatment of mephedrone use are difficult due to polydrug use and associated mental health disorders.
Research limitations/implications
The review points to the need for further research into the pharmacology and toxicity of mephedrone in order to better equip clinicians with assessment, diagnosis and treatment strategies to reduce morbidity.
Practical implications
The increasingly diversified new psycho stimulant market where mephedrone is a major player poses unprecedented challenges for drug surveillance, policy, community and clinical practice.
Social implications
Stricter legislative controls including internet vendor responsibility for supply of mephedrone have been suggested, along with raising public awareness on an international level through coordinated efforts.
Originality/value
The last review was published in 2009 by the Psychonaut Webmapping Group. This review brings together a comprehensive new set of data sources as they relate to this drug.
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Cathy Brennan, Sonia Saraiva, Elizabeth Mitchell, Richard Melia, Lydia Campbell, Natalie King and Allan House
There are calls for greater regulation of online content related to self-harm and suicide, particularly that which is user-generated. However, the online space is a source of…
Abstract
Purpose
There are calls for greater regulation of online content related to self-harm and suicide, particularly that which is user-generated. However, the online space is a source of support and advice, including an important sharing of experiences. This study aims to explore what it is about such online content, and how people interact with it, that may confer harm or offer benefit.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors undertook a systematic review of the published evidence, using customised searches up to February 2021 in seven databases. The authors included empirical research on the internet or online use and self-harm or suicide content that had been indexed since 2015. The authors undertook a theoretically driven narrative synthesis.
Findings
From 4,493 unique records, 87 met our inclusion criteria. The literature is rapidly expanding and not all the evidence is high quality, with very few longitudinal or intervention studies so little evidence to understand possible causal links. Very little content online is classifiable as explicitly harmful or definitively helpful, with responses varying by the individual and immediate context. The authors present a framework that seeks to represent the interplay in online use between the person, the medium, the content and the outcome.
Originality/value
This review highlights that content should not be considered separately to the person accessing it, so online safety means thinking about all users. Blanket removal or unthinking regulation may be more harmful than helpful. A focus on safe browsing is important and tools that limit time and diversify content would support this.
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George J.E. Crowther, Cathy A. Brennan, Katherine L.A. Hall, Abigail J. Flinders and Michael I. Bennett
People with dementia in hospital are susceptible to delirium, pain and psychological symptoms. These diagnoses are associated with worse patient outcomes, yet are often…
Abstract
Purpose
People with dementia in hospital are susceptible to delirium, pain and psychological symptoms. These diagnoses are associated with worse patient outcomes, yet are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Distress is common in people experiencing delirium, pain and psychological symptoms. Screening for distress may therefore be a sensitive way of recognising unmet needs. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and feasibility testing of the Distress Recognition Tool (DRT). The DRT is a single question screening tool that is incorporated into existing hospital systems. It encourages healthcare professionals to regularly look for distress and signposts them to relevant resources when distress is identified.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors tested the feasibility of using the DRT in people with dementia admitted on two general hospital wards. Mixed methods were used to assess uptake and potential mechanisms of impact, including frequency of use, observation of ward processes and semi-structured interviews with primary stakeholders.
Findings
Over a 52-day period, the DRT was used during routine care of 32 participants; a total of 346 bed days. The DRT was completed 312 times; an average of 0.9 times per participant per day. Where participants had an identified carer, 83 per cent contributed to the assessment at least once during the admission. Thematic analysis of stakeholder interviews, and observational data suggested that the DRT was quick and simple to complete, improved ward awareness of distress and had the potential to improve care for people with dementia admitted to hospital.
Originality/value
This is the first short screening tool for routinely detecting distress in dementia in any setting. Its uptake was positive, and if effective it could improve care and outcomes for people with dementia, however it was beyond the scope of the study test this.
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David Micallef, Lukas Parker, Linda Brennan, Bruno Schivinski and Michaela Jackson
This paper aims to understand the opportunities and challenges to engage emerging adult gamers (aged 18–25) in adopting healthier diet behaviours through online games and related…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand the opportunities and challenges to engage emerging adult gamers (aged 18–25) in adopting healthier diet behaviours through online games and related platforms such as esports and streaming. The study uses a socio-ecological approach to understand influences and suggests approaches to changing behaviours.
Design/methodology/approach
Purposive and convenience sampling were used to identify (n = 13) online gaming industry professionals and emerging adult (EA) gamers for interview. Qualitative thematic analysis of data using NVivo was undertaken.
Findings
Bi-directional influences were found that are potentially impacting EA diet behaviours. Food industry advertising and sponsorships were identified as dominant influences within the behavioural ecology, using microcelebrities and esports events to target EAs. The study identifies a need for social marketers to engage EA gamers in healthful behaviours through interventions across various levels of the behavioural ecology, including those upstream with industry and potential government regulation, to promote better health and balance food marketing. It also identifies future research avenues for engaging gamers in good health.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the impact of the gaming behavioural ecology on EA diet behaviour. It identifies new channels that social marketers can use to engage EAs, who are difficult to reach through more traditional marketing channels.
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Francisco Crespo Casado and Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
The purpose of this study is to investigate children’s school lunchboxes and explore the influence of carer’s perceived benefits and barriers towards healthy eating on the food…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate children’s school lunchboxes and explore the influence of carer’s perceived benefits and barriers towards healthy eating on the food contents packed for lunch.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on exchange theory, the study explores the relationship between carer’s perceived benefits and barriers towards healthy eating and the lunchbox contents a carer packs for their child. An online survey was completed by 876 parents and carers. Statistical analysis techniques, including one-way ANOVA and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to analyse the data.
Findings
The analysis revealed that perceived benefits and barriers towards packing healthy foods had a significant impact on the reported contents packed for lunch. Results indicate the segment with the highest perceived benefits and the lowest perceived barriers towards packing healthy lunches reported packing healthier foods than the remaining three segments.
Practical implications
Social marketers should develop interventions to promote the benefits of healthy eating, while overcoming the perceived (and real) barriers that prevent healthy lunches from being packed. Study limitations and future research directions are outlined.
Originality/value
Drawing on exchange theory, the current study demonstrated how simultaneous measurement of benefits and barriers that are later divided into high and low groups impacts lunchbox packing behaviours (Nelson et al., 2010). This study contributes to the literature providing further empirical evidence that use of commercial marketing theories in social marketing is warranted and that theoretically derived segmentation approaches are available for social marketing practitioners.
Muhammed Adem, Sadik J.A., Admasu Worku and Satheesh Neela
This paper aims to optimize feed moisture contents, barrel temperatures, blending ratios of maize and lupine for processing of protein-rich best quality extruded product using a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to optimize feed moisture contents, barrel temperatures, blending ratios of maize and lupine for processing of protein-rich best quality extruded product using a twin-screw extruder.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-factor three-level response surface methodology by Box-Behnken Design was applied to evaluate the effect of selected processing conditions of blending ratios of lupine (10-20 per cent), barrel temperatures (120°C-150°C) and feed moisture content (14-18 per cent) on functional, nutritional and sensory characteristics of produced snack food.
Findings
The results of functional properties such as radial expansion ratio, bulk density, water absorption index, water solubility index observed as 0.71-1.2, 0.33-0.92 g/cc, 4.4-6.4 per cent and 10.2-15.1 per cent, respectively. The snack food showed the moisture 5.6-7.2 per cent, protein 8.1-18.1 per cent, fiber 1.6-2.7 per cent, ash 1.6-2.2 per cent and carbohydrate 64.8-81.4 per cent. The independent variables (lupine blending ratio, barrel temperature and feed moisture content) posed significant effects on expansion ration (p = 0.0030), bulk density (p = 0.0026), water absorption index (p = 0.0075) and water-solubility index (p = 0.0116). Higher blending ratio of lupine was increase in the bulk density and water solubility index, but decrease in expansion ratio and water absorption index of snack food. Higher feed moisture content was led to a reduction in expansion ratio and water-soluble index of snack food. Whereas, higher feed moisture contents was lead to rise in bulk density and water absorption index. Fiber (p = 0.0145), ash (p = 0.0343) and carbohydrate (p = 0.0001) contents were significantly depended on blending ratio. Blending of lupine 15.06 per cent, barrel temperature of 150 °C and feed moisture content of 14.0 per cent produced the snack food with desirability value of 72.8 per cent.
Originality/value
Protein malnutrition is one of the major problems in child development in under developed countries including Ethiopia. Maize is a top producer in the country but least appreciated for cost. Lupine is one of the undervalued produce consumed in Ethiopia after boiling. Still data on the utilization of maize and lupine in the extruded snack preparation was very limited. Optimization of moisture and barrel temperatures for this snack was not reported clearly yet.
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Jonathan Spiteri and Marie Briguglio
This study looked at the relationship between good governance and trust in government. We used data on government trust across a sample of 29 European countries over the period…
Abstract
This study looked at the relationship between good governance and trust in government. We used data on government trust across a sample of 29 European countries over the period 2004–2015, as well as six different aspects of governance as captured by the Worldwide Governance Indicators. We also consider GDP growth and income inequality and their correlation with trust in government. The results showed that voice and accountability, which captures freedom of expression and citizen involvement in the democratic process, was significantly related to government trust, across all specifications of our regression models. None of the other indicators yields significant results, although the coefficient for control of corruption is significant in some specifications. We also found that real GDP growth rates have a significant relationship with trust in government. A comparison of the standardised regression coefficients indicated that voice and accountability is a stronger correlate of trust in government than GDP growth. Therefore, our results suggested that good governance was a key determinant of trust in government, over and above economic considerations. We discussed the implications of these findings in light of declining levels of public trust in government around the world.
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David Finkel, Craig E. Wills, Michael J. Ciaraldi, Kevin Amorin, Adam Covati and Michael Lee
Anonymous distributed computing systems consist of potentially millions of heterogeneous processing nodes connected by the global Internet. These nodes can be administered by…
Abstract
Anonymous distributed computing systems consist of potentially millions of heterogeneous processing nodes connected by the global Internet. These nodes can be administered by thousands of organizations and individuals, with no direct knowledge of each other. This work defines anonymous distributed computing systems in general then focuses on the specifics of an applet‐based approach for large‐scale, anonymous, distributed computing on the Internet. A user wishing to participate in a computation connects to a distribution server, which provides information about available computations, and then connects to a computation server with a computation to distribute. A Java class is downloaded, which communicates with the computation server to obtain data, performs the computation, and returns the result. Since any computer on the Internet can participate in these computations, potentially a large number of computers can participate in a single computation.
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Dominic Joannou, Mina Fernando, Carol Harrison‐Read and Nisha Wickramasinghe
The purpose of this paper is to explore models of community outreach to BME and faith communities in the London Borough of Harrow.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore models of community outreach to BME and faith communities in the London Borough of Harrow.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explores community outreach with a specific emphasis on the delivery of community mental health services through partnership working with BME faith groups.
Findings
The paper considers models of community outreach to BME and faith communities and explores the impacts of service cuts and the emerging Big Society agenda on BME and faith groups.
Practical implications
Having identified some of the challenges that exist, solutions are proposed that can help to enhance the likelihood of achieving funding through delivering flexible innovative models of working which play to pre‐existing strengths.
Originality/value
At a time of service cutbacks when people are increasingly reliant on locally based BME communities to provide essential services, the role of information provision and basic training is critical in delivering culturally accessible and tailored services.