The prevalence of mental health problems have been found to be higher among university students compared to their non-student peers. Nursing students in particular face a range of additional ...stressors which may impact their undergraduate performance and their careers. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) aims to increase mental health literacy and to reduce stigma and may positively impact on the student population. This paper describes a MHFA randomised controlled trial targeting nursing students at a large Australian university. This study aimed to measure the impact of the MHFA course on mental health literacy, mental health first aid intentions, confidence in helping someone with a mental health problem and stigmatising attitudes including social distance.
Participants were first year nursing students (n = 181) randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 92) or control (n = 89) group. Intervention group participants received the standardised MHFA course for nursing students. Online self-report questionnaires were completed at three time intervals: baseline (one week prior to the intervention: T
) (n = 140), post intervention (T
) (n = 120), and two months post intervention (T
) (n = 109). Measures included demographics, mental health knowledge, recognition of depression, confidence in helping, mental health first aid intentions and stigmatising attitudes including social distance. Repeated measures ANOVA was computed to measure if the impact of time (T
, T
, T
) and group (intervention and control) on the outcome variables.
There was a significant improvement among intervention compared to control group participants across the three time periods for knowledge scores (p < 0.001), confidence in helping (p < 0.001), mental health first aid intentions (p < 0.001), total personal stigma (p < 0.05), personal dangerous/unpredictable stigma (p < 0.05) and social distance (p < 0.05) scores.
MHFA is useful training to embed in university courses and has the potential to enhance mental health literacy and reduce stigmatising attitudes and social distance. While this course has particular salience for nursing and other health science students, there are broader benefits to the general university population that should be considered and opportunities accordingly explored for all students to complete the course.
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12614000861651 . Retrospectively registered 11 August 2014.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Female sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent and reportedly has adverse impacts on quality of life. Although it is prevalent after childbirth, women rarely seek advice or treatment from health care ...professionals.
The aim of this study was to assess the sexual functioning of Australian women during the first year after childbirth.
Postpartum women who had given birth during the previous 12 months were invited to participate in this cross‐sectional study. A multidimensional online questionnaire was designed for this study. This questionnaire included a background section, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐8), and the Relationship Assessment Scale. Responses from 325 women were analyzed.
Almost two‐thirds of women (64.3%) reported that they had experienced sexual dysfunction during the first year after childbirth, and almost three‐quarters reported they experienced sexual dissatisfaction (70.5 %). The most prevalent types of sexual dysfunction reported by the affected women were sexual desire disorder (81.2%), orgasmic problems (53.5%), and sexual arousal disorder (52.3%). The following were significant risk factors for sexual dysfunction: fortnightly or less frequent sexual activity, not being the initiator of sexual activity with a partner, late resumption of postnatal sexual activity (at 9 or more weeks), the first 5 months after childbirth, primiparity, depression, and relationship dissatisfaction.
Sexual satisfaction is important for maintaining quality of life for postpartum women. Health care providers and postpartum women need to be encouraged to include sexual problems in their discussions. Khajehei M, Doherty M, Tilley PJM, and Sauer K. Prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in postpartum Australian women. J Sex Med 2015;12:1415–1426.
Sexual function of women can be affected by many factors resulting in female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Sexual dysfunction is a common problem among women of all ages and has negative effects not only ...on their quality of lives but also on the sexual function and quality of life of their partners. It can also affect mental health of the entire family and society. Regarding the multidimensional nature of female sexual dysfunction and considering its consequences, this condition needs to be recognised in its early stages in order to prevent future consequences and impacts. This article discusses biopsychosocial aspect of female sexual function, classifications and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction and investigates current approaches to identify and treat this problem.
Several studies have demonstrated that culture plays a fundamental role in individuals' beliefs, attitudes, and values toward sexuality, and influences their ability to enjoy sex. It follows that ...culture may influence sexual satisfaction or dissatisfaction.
To examine and compare cognitive–emotional variables related to women's sexual dissatisfaction in Iran and New Zealand.
In total, 196 Iranian women and 207 New Zealand women participated in the study, answering questionnaires evaluating dysfunctional sexual beliefs, automatic thoughts, emotional and sexual response during sexual activity, as well as sexual satisfaction.
Sexual beliefs were measured by the Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire, thoughts and emotional responses were measured by the Sexual Modes Questionnaire, and sexual satisfaction was measured by the Sexual Satisfaction Index.
Findings indicated that in both Iranian and New Zealand women, failure and disengagement thoughts, lack of erotic thoughts, and emotions of fear during sexual activity were significant predictors of sexual dissatisfaction. Besides these common predictors, results also indicated that sexual conservatism and women's sexual passivity beliefs, sexual abuse thoughts, and fear during sexual activity were significant predictors of sexual dissatisfaction in Iranian women. Beliefs of sexual desire and pleasure as a sin; age-related beliefs; and emotions such as sadness, disillusion, and hurt were significant predictors of sexual dissatisfaction in New Zealand women.
The present findings could facilitate a better understanding of cultural differences in the roles played by dysfunctional sexual beliefs, negative automatic thoughts, and negative emotions during sexual activity, and the value of these beliefs, thoughts, and emotions in predicting sexual dissatisfaction.
The strength of this study is in providing an examination of the role of culturally bound beliefs in predicting sexual dissatisfaction in women from different cultural backgrounds. Limitations include the lack of evaluation of psychological and interpersonal variables that may impact on women's sexual dissatisfaction. These findings suggest that there may be a role of culture in shaping beliefs, attitudes, and values toward sexuality; and provide evidence for the effect of cognitive–emotional variables in predicting women's sexual dissatisfaction.
Abdolmanafi A, Nobre P, Winter S, et al. Culture and Sexuality: Cognitive–Emotional Determinants of Sexual Dissatisfaction Among Iranian and New Zealand Women. J Sex Med 2018;15:687–697.
Transgender (heretofore shortened to ‘trans’) people remain largely excluded from involvement and leadership in the research conducted with their communities. As a result, few trans insiders (i.e. ...trans people who are also researchers) are ever in the position of designing, conducting, and disseminating knowledge from trans research. As such, social narratives of trans experiences are often inaccurate, lacking nuance, or directly damaging. This paper argues that insider–outsider IO research exists on a value ‘staircase’, moving from no involvement to full leadership. Using this staircase model, the researchers suggest that elevating and empowering trans people to consult in, conduct, and lead trans research benefits both the trans and research communities. Meaningful trans involvement in research provides more in-depth data, builds more constructive rapport with community members, and produces more effective research than the norm of purely outsider research in the field. The paper then details the results from a study of 6 trans women’s experience of undergoing IO-led trans research, with Shoshana as the main researcher and interviewer. The study identified three main themes: ‘The Impact of Trans-Led Research,’ ‘Constructive Approaches to the Research Process,’ and ‘Community-Controlled Narratives as a Priority’. This paper concludes that IO-led research facilitates an empowering research process for participants, communities, and researchers, and that future research in the area should consider trans representation and control as a priority.
Despite the increased visibility and knowledge in the area of transgender health, the sexual health and experiences of transgender women undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) are still ...under-researched; often, the effects of GAHT on trans women’s sexuality are broadly miscategorised as ‘erectile dysfunction’. This study aimed to provide an exploration of trans women’s negotiation of the psycho- and physiosexual shifts which result from GAHT. Twelve participants (including one pilot) took part in hour-long semi-structured interviews, with two providing a secondary interview for further data triangulation. These interviews were manually transcribed, coded, and final themes were identified and titled from participants’ own words. The interviewer also maintained a journal that was used to provide further depth, reflection, and insight to the emerging themes. The final analysis identified four themes: overall experiences, physiological changes, psychological changes, and shifts in experiences of orgasm. Most participants had positive and/or affirming experiences of sexuality while medically transitioning. One important, and significantly under-researched, experience described by participants was the development of new erogenous zones; for many, their source of sexual pleasure and climax had shifted partially if not entirely away from their genitals and towards nipples, legs, backs, or other body parts. These findings highlight the dearth of medical knowledge in the area of sexual function and pleasure for trans women undergoing GAHT and provide an impetus for a systematic reimagining of how clinical practitioners might negotiate their treatment of a transgender client.
This study explored school Australian teachers' beliefs towards, and comfort around, socialising with same-sex attracted and trans and gender diverse people, as well as beliefs aboutinclusive ...school-based policy and other school strategies to enhance the wellbeing of same sex attracted and trans and gender diverse students. Teachers (n = 109) in Australia demonstrated positive attitudes and beliefs towards, and comfort engaging with same sex attracted and trans and gender diverse people, although participants were significantly more positive in their reactions towards same sex attracted people. While participants were generally supportive of inclusive school strategies and policies, over half reported that policies that were inclusive of sexual and gender minorities were not implemented in their school. Less than one third of participants indicated inclusive education was included in the curriculum at their school. Ongoing professional development was identified as essential by almost all participants. Findings support the need for Australian government policy mandating inclusive education be included in the curriculum and whole school strategies.
The impact of mental health problems and disorders in Australia is significant. Mental health problems often start early and disproportionately affect young people. Poor adolescent mental health can ...predict educational achievement at school and educational and occupational attainment in adulthood. Many young people attend higher education and have been found to experience a range of mental health issues. The university setting therefore presents a unique opportunity to trial interventions to reduce the burden of mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) aims to train participants to recognise symptoms of mental health problems and assist an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Training nursing students in MHFA may increase mental health literacy and decrease stigma in the student population. This paper presents a protocol for a trial to examine the efficacy of the MHFA training for students studying nursing at a large university in Perth, Western Australia.
This randomised controlled trial will follow the CONSORT guidelines. Participants will be randomly allocated to the intervention group (receiving a MHFA training course comprising two face to face 6.5 hour sessions run over two days during the intervention period) or a waitlisted control group (not receiving MHFA training during the study). The source population will be undergraduate nursing students at a large university located in Perth, Western Australia. Efficacy of the MHFA training will be assessed by following the intention-to-treat principle and repeated measures analysis.
Given the known burden of mental health disorders among student populations, it is important universities consider effective strategies to address mental health issues. Providing MHFA training to students offers the advantage of increasing mental health literacy, among the student population. Further, students trained in MHFA are likely to utilise these skills in the broader community, when they graduate to the workforce. It is anticipated that this trial will demonstrate the scalability of MHFA in the university environment for pre-service nurses and that implementation of MHFA courses, with comprehensive evaluation, could yield positive improvements in the mental health literacy amongst this target group as well as other tertiary student groups.
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12614000861651 .
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Sexual experiences and behaviour are particularly open to social and cultural influences; this is especially true within the area of female sexuality. While research into the social and cultural ...aspects of sexuality proliferated throughout the 1970s and 1980s, contemporary biomedical approaches to sexuality research have largely ignored the complex interplay of such dimensions. In this methodological paper, we reflect upon how Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) can be used by sexuality researchers to explore women's sexual experiences and difficulties and to locate these experiences within cultural and social contexts. By drawing on the authors' experiences of using IPA to explore how women cope with the sexual side effects of antidepressant medication, we provide an overview of IPA as a research approach, briefly summarise studies which have used IPA to explore women's sexual experiences and difficulties and outline a series of steps on how to conduct an IPA study. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate debate, and encourage sexuality researchers to explore and consider the use of IPA to contribute to a research agenda based on women's individual needs and desires.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Evaluation of public health programs, services and policies is increasingly required to demonstrate effectiveness. Funding constraints necessitate that existing programs, services and policies be ...evaluated and their findings disseminated. Evidence-informed practice and policy is also desirable to maximise investments in public health. Partnerships between public health researchers, service providers and policymakers can help address evaluation knowledge and skills gaps. The Western Australian Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Applied Research and Evaluation Network (SiREN) aims to build research and evaluation capacity in the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector in Western Australia (WA). Partners’ perspectives of the SiREN model after 2 years were explored. Qualitative written responses from service providers, policymakers and researchers about the SiREN model were analysed thematically. Service providers reported that participation in SiREN prompted them to consider evaluation earlier in the planning process and increased their appreciation of the value of evaluation. Policymakers noted benefits of the model in generating local evidence and highlighting local issues of importance for consideration at a national level. Researchers identified challenges communicating the services available through SiREN and the time investment needed to develop effective collaborative partnerships. Stronger engagement between public health researchers, service providers and policymakers through collaborative partnerships has the potential to improve evidence generation and evidence translation. These outcomes require long-term funding and commitment from all partners to develop and maintain partnerships. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation can ensure the partnership remains responsive to the needs of key stakeholders. The findings are applicable to many sectors.
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