Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community最新文献

In non-western hierarchically structured cultures, older women, or grandmothers, play a central role especially in the care and socialization of women and girls. In the Global South, programs supporting girls' rights and development consistently ignore the grandmother resource. In Senegal, the assets-based, grandmother-inclusive, Girls' Holistic Development (GHD) program addresses major issues regarding girls' education, child marriage, teen pregnancy and female genital mutilation. GHD empowers grandmother to support girls. A meta-synthesis of 14 earlier studies on GHD identified the impact of grandmother-inclusion on grandmothers themselves. Thematic analysis revealed positive changes in: community recognition of grandmothers' role with girls; grandmothers' knowledge on GHD; grandmothers' increased influence in family decision-making; and grandmothers' empowerment to promote community-wide change in social norms affecting adolescent girls. Based on the research data, a pathway was constructed linking grandmother-inclusion and empowerment to collective action by grandmothers to change social norms affecting girls. Empirical results of the GHD program supports the conclusion that grandmother-inclusion, can build their collective agency to actively promote change supporting girls. These results suggest that programs supporting girls' development should adopt grandmother-inclusive strategies.

Past research on trans and nonbinary (TNB) people has primarily addressed minority stress and discrimination. Recently, researchers began to examine the positive dimensions of TNB identities, conceptualizing the construct of "minority joy". The present study aimed to contribute to the theoretical development of this construct by analyzing the experiences of Italian TNB individuals. Data were drawn from two studies exploring the well-being of 12 trans men, 8 trans women and 8 nonbinary individuals (age range = 19-54; mean = 27.5) using semi-structured interviews. Using a codebook thematic analysis, we identified four domains of positive experiences associated with TNB identities: (1) Gender Euphoria from authenticity to recognition; (2) Feeling pride and playing with gender norms; (3) Critical awareness as a form of liberation from norms; (4) Queer Community as a source of individual and collective support. These findings emphasize the role of interventions and prevention strategies promoting gender identity pride, authenticity, and self-affirmation.

Our Stories of Strength, a developmentally aligned, culturally responsive positive psychology intervention, is designed for small groups of adolescents in school settings. Grounded in Covitality, a positive psychology-derived theoretical framework, and incorporating youth voice strategies, it centers the process of integrating life experiences into a narrative of strength, endurance, and resilience. This pilot study employs narrative research techniques to document how, over the course of two years of program participation, three adolescent participants interpreted program components, applied program-inspired insights, and perceived the program's impact on their well-being. Qualitative coding of project artifacts revealed seven themes: (1) building intentional community, (2) embracing vulnerability, (3) developing mindful presence, (4) developing agency, confidence, and courage, (5) reflecting on adult allyship, (6) exploring the narrated identity, and (7) considering the future and the nature of change. Each theme is described, and future directions for expanding the program and evaluating its impact are outlined.

The integration of critical positive and community psychology provides a way to support the wellbeing of individuals until structural change happens. This case study illustrates the possibilities of this approach using mixed-methods analysis of surveys conducted with 103 female-identifying sexual assault survivors, examining the connection between wellbeing and participation in activism. Quantitative analyses indicate that survivors engaged in activism were older, more educated, had higher income, and had more time pass since the assault. Survivors engaged in activism had fewer depression symptoms and more indicators of post-traumatic growth. Qualitative analyses suggest that activism engagement promoted healing, agency, and sense of solidarity that bolstered resistance to silencing. Findings are interpreted through an exploration of how critical positive community psychology can support both the individual and society, but not without tension. We argue for a more intentional focus on the role of relationality in processes of healing and justice-oriented social change.

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), which affect both cardiovascular and metabolic health, remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Texas, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death, and the prevalence of diabetes is significantly higher than the national average. This study investigates CMDs and general health risks both within and across racial/ethnic groups in Texas using survey-weighted linear and logistic regression models. We collected 76,456 individual-level observations of cardiometabolic measures and general health outcomes from the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2011 to 2021. To assess disparities in these health risks, we used stratified models with racial/ethnic groups as the primary grouping variable. Compared to White individuals, Black individuals had significantly higher BMI (β = 5.06, CI: 3.75-6.84), and greater odds of developing CVDs (OR: 1.44, CI: 1.15-1.80), diabetes (OR: 1.75, CI: 1.48-2.08), heart disease (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.08-1.69), and reporting poorer general health (OR: 1.33, CI: 1.16-1.53). Hispanic individuals also had higher BMI (β = 2.67, CI: 1.92-3.71), greater odds of diabetes (OR: 1.63, CI: 1.44-1.86), and poorer general health (OR: 1.38, CI: 1.23-1.54) compared to White individuals. Although older age, male, lower education and income, and smoking are risk factors for most CMDs and general health outcomes, disparities in these risks exist across racial/ethnic groups. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to address health disparities and the elevated risks faced by Black and Hispanic communities.

We examine: (1) sources of pride/joy and optimism reported during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) the co-occurrence of sources of pride/joy and optimism among Black and Latinx emerging adults. Participants (Mage = 20; SD = 0.74) completed an online survey during the summer of 2021 (N = 257). They responded to two open-ended questions that asked about sources of pride/joy and hope. Their responses were inductively coded to identify content domains. A total of nine codes were identified and applied to all responses across both questions: Education; Career; Independence; Starting a Family; Success and Achievement; Wellness; Strength, Growth, and Fulfillment; Relationships; Humanitarian. The highest points of co-occurrence occured within content domain (e.g. responses to both questions mention "Education"). These findings highlight how college and career readiness programs might leverage diverse experiences of pride and joy to motivate young adults for their futures.

Limited research has focused on the experiences of adolescents in extracurricular programs and their potential to enhance their optimal development. Moreover, less studies examine the participation in such programs for those developing in extreme conditions (i.e., extreme poverty, sexual exploitation, refugee camps, conflicted areas, areas affected by climate changes). This study focused on the experience of youth living in the difficult context of Southern Madagascar, where youth face daily challenges such as malnutrition, arduous work, lack of freedom, limited access to healthcare, insecurity, and scarcity of basic resources. The aims of this study were to explore and gain a better understanding of the experience of adolescents engaging in extracurricular activities within this extreme context. A total of 14 (N = 14) semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Malagasy participants (M = 7; F = 7), aged 15-19 years old, involved in extracurricular programs like art, music and sport, provided by a local non-governmental organization. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke), with independent coding by one Malagasy and one non-Malagasy researcher, followed by systematic discussion. Five themes emerged: the results showed that extracurricular programs support the process of socialization (building meaningful connections with peers and adults), personal growth (developing skills, values, and identity), and give a sense of protection (from violence and risky behaviors). Such programs also support psychological well-being and basic psychological needs in a challenging and insecure environment, and attempt to bridge the gap in basic resources (through educational and nutritional support). These findings have implications for policy, practice, and research in supporting youth in extreme contexts. Overall, these results offered interesting insights on the value of these programs for youth living in extreme contexts of development.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 37M U.S. adults, driven by type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Latino populations have 35% higher kidney failure prevalence, worse outcomes, and lower engagement in care and prevention. We co-developed and pilot tested a Train the Trainer CKD curriculum for Community Health Workers (CHWs) serving Latinos with or at risk of CKD to assess feasibility, acceptability, and perceived knowledge gains. CHWs were trained to deliver a culturally tailored one-on-one CKD education. Co designed with Caridad Awareness and Education for Kidney Disease advisory board using community-engaged research principles, adult learning methodologies, and insights from diabetes education, the 20 hour, four session program integrated role play, problem solving, and motivational interviewing. Twelve CHWs participated. Post training evaluations showed high feasibility/acceptability and gains in CKD knowledge, confidence, satisfaction, and empowerment to provide CKD education. Future research should evaluate the long-term impact of CHW-led education on CKD outcomes to identify best practices and sustainable workforce development for CHW.

Food banks can successfully deliver diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services, which improve glycemic control and reduce adverse outcomes among people with diabetes (PWD). However, consequences of providing produce packages with DSMES in food banks are unknown. This study assessed pre-to-post intervention changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), food security, and other outcomes among PWD (type 1 or 2) in two 8-week interventions delivered by a Texas food bank, one providing DSMES services alone (Diabetes Hands On [DHO], n = 31) and one providing DSMES services plus fruit/vegetable packages (Diabetes Hands On Plus [DHO+], n = 48). At pre- and post-intervention, HbA1c and body mass index (BMI) were directly measured, and surveys assessed food security, diabetes distress, diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, medication-taking, perceived social support, fruit and vegetable intake, and diabetes-specific food security. Post-intervention questionnaires gauged program satisfaction. Participants in both DHO and DHO+ showed significant improvements in HbA1c, BMI, diabetes distress, diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, vegetable intake, and some measures of diabetes-specific food security (p < .05 for each outcome). Average decreases in HbA1c were greater among DHO (-0.6%) versus DHO+ participants (-0.2%). Food security improved significantly in DHO participants only (pre: 32% very low; post: 10%, p = .001), as did medication-taking (p = .03). Fruit intake increased significantly in DHO+ participants only (p = .04). When asked to assess DHO/DHO+ overall, over 95% of both programs' participants provided "excellent" ratings. This study suggests that this food bank's DSMES services, with or without produce, may have been effective for improving HbA1c and other clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes among PWD. Benefits of providing produce alongside DSMES remain unclear. Further research may be needed to explore factors such as dose, duration, and household-level use. Studies in other geographies and non-food-bank settings may increase understanding of the generalizability of findings.