Examining the relationship between civic engagement and mental health in young adults: a systematic review of the literature.

Researchers have examined civic engagement as a health promotion tool among older adults and adolescents, yet less is known about its mental health implications for young adults. This systematic review identified 53 articles on civic engagement and well-being in young adults. Five key themes emerged: (1) varying associations between type of civic engagement and well-being, (2) duration and frequency of civic behaviors, (3) directionality in the civic-to-well-being pathway, (4) mediation and moderation factors affecting the civic-to-well-being pathway, and (5) civic engagement as a tool for coping with adversity or systemic oppression.

Racial Microaggressions Mediate the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress and Alcohol Use Among Women of Color Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence.

Women of Color (WoC) experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) have elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use and related harm (e.g., increased alcohol use and negative consequences).

Development of transtheoretical model measures for assessing decisional balance and temptation to vape.

Vaping is common among young adults in the United States. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) has demonstrated success in smoking cessation efforts; however, it has not been comprehensively applied to vaping cessation, and core TTM vaping measures have not been developed. A cross-sectional survey including measures of stage of change (SOC), temptation to vape, and decisional balance (DCBL) was disseminated ( = 459).

Characterizing Social Connectedness and Associated Mental Health Symptoms among Sexual Minority Men Enrolled in a Substance Use Recovery Support Program.

Background: Sexual minority men (SMM; gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men) report higher rates of substance use compared to other populations. Social connectedness is a critical component for promoting and maintaining recovery from substance use disorders. However, the degree of social connectedness among SMM who report substance use is largely unknown.

A randomized trial of acceptance-based behavioral therapy to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ persons: Study protocol.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures limited social interactions as an effective and protective intervention for all. For many, however, this social isolation exacerbated mental health symptoms. People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) were already at elevated risk of anxiety and depression, relative to cisgender and heterosexual populations, and pandemic-related social isolation likely heightened these disparities.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Risk and Interstate Sexual Networks Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in New England.

By investigating relationships between sexual mobility and sexual transmitted infection (STI) risk factors among men who have sex with men, we found that STI history, number of sexual partners, and substance use are associated with increased odds of interstate sexual encounters, suggesting that interjurisdictional approaches to STI prevention are needed.

Civic engagement and well-being among noncollege young adults: Investigating a mediation model.

Young adults may benefit from civic engagement as a health promotion tool, as civic engagement is generally associated with positive well-being. However, more information is needed to examine civic engagement among lesser-educated young adults who are least likely to civically engage, and more likely to demonstrate mental health needs. We surveyed noncollege young adults (N = 621) to measure their civic engagement, meaning, civic efficacy, well-being, and sociodemographic factors.

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage among sexually active young adults aged 18 to 26 at a sexually transmitted infections clinic.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the most effective biomedical intervention for HPV infections. HPV vaccination rate among sexually active young adults is largely unknown.

Methods: Patients aged 18-26 years, who attended the Rhode Island Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic between 2013-2018, were included in the study.

Empathy, better patient care, and how interprofessional education can help.

Interprofessional education (IPE) has been promoted as one way to prepare healthcare students for interprofessional encounters they might experience in the workplace. However, the link between IPE, interprofessional care in the workforce, and better patient outcomes is tenuous, perhaps in part due to the inability of IPE programs to adequately address barriers associated with interprofessional care (e.g.

How Ready Are Young Adults to Participate in Community Service? An Application of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change.

Purpose: Engaging in community service, or unpaid work intended to help people in a community, is generally associated with greater overall well-being. However, the process of beginning and maintaining community service engagement has been sparsely examined. The current study applied the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change to understanding community service readiness among young adults.

Civic Engagement and Well-Being: Examining a Mediational Model Across Gender.

Purpose: The relationship between civic engagement and mental health is generally positive, yet particularly complex among those from low socioeconomic backgrounds and women. The current study examined pathways between civic engagement and well-being to clarify its merit as a health promotional tool for young adults.

Design: Cross-sectional design using an online questionnaire.

Interprofessional education for complex neurological cases.

There is a growing necessity for healthcare professionals to collaborate across disciplines in order to adequately treat patients. Interprofessional education (IPE) is one strategy that can be used to strengthen student attitudes, skill mastery, and preparedness toward working in interprofessional teams prior to joining the healthcare workforce. The current study evaluated the effects of a four-session IPE training program for students from four New England universities across nine different health professions.

Individual meaning-centered psychotherapy for the treatment of psychological and existential distress: A randomized controlled trial in patients with advanced cancer.

Background: Patients with advanced cancer have high rates of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and spiritual despair. This study examined the effectiveness of individual meaning-centered psychotherapy (IMCP) in comparison with supportive psychotherapy (SP) and enhanced usual care (EUC) in improving spiritual well-being and quality of life and reducing psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: Patients (n = 321) were randomly assigned to IMCP (n = 109), SP (n = 108), or EUC (n = 104).

Existential distress among healthcare providers caring for patients at the end of life.

Purpose Of Review: Existential distress is well documented among patients at end of life (EOL) and increasingly recognized among informal caregivers. However, less information is known about existential concerns among healthcare providers working with patients at EOL, and the impact that such concerns may have on professionals.

Recent Findings: Recent literature documents five key existential themes for professionals working in EOL care: (1) opportunity for introspection; (2) death anxiety and potential to compromise patient care; (3) risk factors and negative impact of existential distress; (4) positive effects such as enhanced meaning and personal growth; and (5) the importance of interventions and self-care.