| 1. |
- Andersson, Claes, et al.
(author)
-
Academic self-efficacy : Associations with self-reported COVID-19 symptoms, mental health, and trust in universities' management of the pandemic-induced university lockdown
- 2022
-
In: Journal of American College Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0744-8481 .- 1940-3208.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate perceived changes in academic self-efficacy associated with self-reported symptoms of COVID-19, changes in mental health, and trust in universities’ management of the pandemic and transition to remote education during lockdown of Swedish universities in the spring of 2020. Methods: 4495 participated and 3638 responded to self-efficacy questions. Associations were investigated using multinomial regression. Results: Most students reported self-experienced effects on self-efficacy. Lowered self-efficacy was associated with symptoms of contagion, perceived worsening of mental health and low trust in universities’ capacity to successfully manage the lockdown and transition to emergency remote education. Increased self-efficacy was associated with better perceived mental health and high trust in universities. Conclusion: The initial phase of the pandemic was associated with a larger proportion of students reporting self-experienced negative effects on academic self-efficacy. Since self-efficacy is a predictor of academic performance, it is likely that students’ academic performance will be adversely affected.
|
|
| 2. |
- Andersson, Claes, et al.
(author)
-
Associations between compliance with covid-19 public health recommendations and perceived contagion in others : a self-report study in Swedish university students
- 2021
-
In: BMC Research Notes. - : BioMed Central. - 1756-0500. ; 14:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: During the COVID pandemic, government authorities worldwide have tried to limit the spread of the virus. Sweden's distinctive feature was the use of voluntary public health recommendations. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this strategy. Based on data collected in the spring of 2020, this study explored associations between compliance with recommendations and observed symptoms of contagion in others, using self-report data from university students.Results: Compliance with recommendations ranged between 69.7 and 95.7 percent. Observations of moderate symptoms of contagion in "Someone else I have had contact with" and "Another person" were markedly associated with reported self-quarantine, which is the most restrictive recommendation, complied with by 81.2% of participants. Uncertainty regarding the incidence and severity of contagion in cohabitants was markedly associated with the recommendation to avoid public transportation, a recommendation being followed by 69.7%. It is concluded that students largely followed the voluntary recommendations implemented in Sweden, suggesting that coercive measures were not necessary. Compliance with recommendations were associated with the symptoms students saw in others, and with the perceived risk of contagion in the student's immediate vicinity. It is recommended that voluntary recommendations should stress personal relevance, and that close relatives are at risk.
|
|
| 3. |
- Andersson, Claes, et al.
(author)
-
Does the management of personal integrity information lead to differing participation rates and response patterns in mental health surveys with young adults? A three-armed methodological experiment
- 2021
-
In: International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1049-8931 .- 1557-0657. ; 30:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: This study evaluates whether initiation rates, completion rates, response patterns and prevalence of psychiatric conditions differ by level of personal integrity information given to prospective participants in an online mental health self-report survey.Methods: A three-arm, parallel-group, single-blind experiment was conducted among students from two Swedish universities. Consenting participants following e-mail invitation answered the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health-International College Student (WMH-ICS) mental health self-report survey, screening for eight psychiatric conditions. Random allocation meant consenting to respond (1) anonymously; (2) confidentially, or (3) confidentially, where the respondent also gave consent for collection of register data.Results: No evidence was found for overall between-group differences with respect to (1) pressing a hyperlink to the survey in the invitation email; and (2) abandoning the questionnaire before completion. However, participation consent and self-reported depression were in the direction of higher levels for the anonymous group compared to the two confidential groups.Conclusions: Consent to participate is marginally affected by different levels of personal integrity information. Current standard participant information procedures may not engage participants to read the information thoroughly, and online self-report mental health surveys may reduce stigma and thus be less subject to social desirability bias.
|
|
| 4. |
- Andersson, Claes, et al.
(author)
-
Symptoms of COVID-19 contagion in different social contexts in association to self-reported symptoms, mental health and study capacity in Swedish university students
- 2022
-
In: BMC Research Notes. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1756-0500. ; 15:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The present study investigates if symptoms of COVID-19 contagion in different social contexts (cohabitants, family, acquaintances, and others) are associated with university students' own self-reported symptoms of COVID-19 contagion, mental health, and study capacity. This was investigated by a cross-sectional survey administrated in Sweden during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the time when universities were locked down to limit viral spread and contagion.Results: Mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in cohabitants and family members were associated with student’s self-reported symptoms of contagion, while no associations could be seen in relation to mental health and study capacity. Symptoms of COVID-19 contagion in acquaintances and others were not associated with students’ self-reported symptoms, nor with their mental health and study capacity.To conclude, during the initial lockdown of universities students’ self-reported symptoms of contagion were mainly associated with cohabitants and family members, while symptoms of contagion in different social contexts were not associated with mental health and study capacity. Findings suggest that lockdown of universities may have contributed to limiting infection pathways, while still allowing students to focus on their studies despite significant contagion among others known to the student.
|
|
| 5. |
- Berman, Anne H., Professor, et al.
(author)
-
Compliance with recommendations limiting COVID-19 contagion among university students in Sweden : associations with self-reported symptoms, mental health and academic self-efficacy
- 2022
-
In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 50:1, s. 70-84
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: The COVID-19 containment strategy in Sweden uses public health recommendations relying on personal responsibility for compliance. Universities were one of few public institutions subject to strict closure, meaning that students had to adapt overnight to online teaching. This study investigates the prevalence of self-reported recommendation compliance and associations with self-reported symptoms of contagion, self-experienced effects on mental health and academic self-efficacy among university students in Sweden in May–June 2020.Methods: This was a cross-sectional 23 question online survey in which data were analysed by multinomial regression, taking a Bayesian analysis approach complemented by null hypothesis testing.Results: A total of 4495 students consented to respond. Recommendation compliance ranged between 70% and 96%. Women and older students reported higher compliance than did men and younger students. Mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms were reported by 30%, severe symptoms by fewer than 2%; 15% reported being uncertain and half of the participants reported no symptoms. Mental health effects were reported by over 80%, and changes in academic self-efficacy were reported by over 85%; in both these areas negative effects predominated. Self-reported symptoms and uncertainty about contagion were associated with non-compliance, negative mental health effects, and impaired academic self-efficacy.Conclusions: Students generally followed public health recommendations during strict closure of universities, but many reported considerable negative consequences related to mental health and academic self-efficacy. Digital interventions should be developed and evaluated to boost coping skills, build resilience and alleviate student suffering during the pandemic and future similar crises.
|
|
| 6. |
- Berman, Anne H., Professor, et al.
(author)
-
Transdiagnostic and tailored internet intervention to improve mental health among university students : Research protocol for a randomized controlled trial
- 2024
-
In: Trials. - : Springer Nature. - 1745-6215. ; 25:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Emerging adulthood is often associated with mental health problems. About one in three university students report symptoms of depression and anxiety that can negatively affect their developmental trajectory concerning work, intimate relationships, and health. This can interfere with academic performance, as mood and anxiety disorders are key predictors of dropout from higher education. A treatment gap exists, where a considerable proportion of students do not seek help for mood and anxiety symptoms. Offering internet interventions to students with mental health problems could reduce the treatment gap, increase mental health, and improve academic performance. A meta-analysis on internet interventions for university students showed small effects for depression and none for anxiety. Larger trials are recommended to further explore effects of guidance, transdiagnostic approaches, and individual treatment components.Methods: This study will offer 1200 university students in Sweden participation in a three-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating a guided or unguided transdiagnostic internet intervention for mild to moderate depression and anxiety, where the waitlist control group accesses the intervention at 6-month follow-up. Students reporting suicidal ideation/behaviors will be excluded and referred to treatment within the existing healthcare system. An embedded study within the trial (SWAT) will assess at week 3 of 8 whether participants in the guided and unguided groups are at higher risk of failing to benefit from treatment. Those at risk will be randomized to an adaptive treatment strategy, or to continue the treatment as originally randomized. Primary outcomes are symptoms of depression and anxiety. Follow-ups will occur at post-treatment and at 6-, 12-, and 24-month post-randomization. Between-group outcome analyses will be reported, and qualitative interviews about treatment experiences are planned.Discussion: This study investigates the effects of a transdiagnostic internet intervention among university students in Sweden, with an adaptive treatment strategy employed during the course of treatment to minimize the risk of treatment failure. The study will contribute knowledge about longitudinal trajectories of mental health and well-being following treatment, taking into account possible gender differences in responsiveness to treatment. With time, effective internet interventions could make treatment for mental health issues more widely accessible to the student group.
|
|
| 7. |
- Forsström, David, et al.
(author)
-
Further Exploration of the Psychometric Properties of GamTest : A Rasch Analysis
- 2021
-
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 18:9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- GamTest is a self-rating scale of negative consequences of gambling, included in the popular responsible gambling tool Playscan as part of an overall risk assessment and feedback feature. Two previous psychometric evaluations of this instrument yielded contradictory results: in an online high-gambling population, a five-factor model was supported and the instrument had overall good psychometric properties, but in a low-gambling population, the same factor structure was not supported. Because GamTest is used with both low- and high-gambling populations, more psychometric research is needed to fully understand how the instrument works. The current study examined, for the first time, psychometric performance among a sample of low-gambling respondents using a Rasch analysis. Results indicated that the instrument could be improved by decreasing the scale-steps and removing several problematic items demonstrating misfit. Furthermore, the findings indicated that some items functioned differently depending on gender, and that a shortened, improved nine-item version could not differentiate between different levels of risk. Our findings suggest that the instrument would arguably benefit from being adapted for use in a low-gambling population.
|
|
| 8. |
- Guidetti, Susanne, et al.
(author)
-
F@ce: a team-based, person-centred intervention for rehabilitation after stroke supported by information and communication technology : a feasibility study
- 2020
-
In: BMC Neurology. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-2377. ; 20:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Globally, there is a growing use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including mobile phones, tablets and computers, which are being integrated into people's daily activities. An ICT-based intervention called F@ce was developed in order to provide a structure for the process in stroke rehabilitation and facilitate change by integrating a global problem-solving strategy using SMS alerts. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of i) F@ce within in-patient and primary care rehabilitation after stroke, ii) the study design and outcome measures used, and iii) the fidelity, adherence and acceptability of the intervention.METHODS: Three teams comprising occupational therapists and physiotherapists who work in neurological rehabilitation participated in a preparatory workshop on F@ce and then enrolled 10 persons with stroke to participate in the intervention. Goals were set using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the participants with stroke rated their performance and satisfaction with the activities associated with the three goals every day for 8 weeks. Data were collected at inclusion, at four and 8 weeks, using the COPM, Stroke Impact Scale, Frenchay Activities Index, Life Satisfaction Checklist, Self-Efficacy Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, follow-up survey, daily ratings on the web platform and logbooks.RESULTS: All of the participants showed increased scores in the primary outcome (COPM) and a clinically meaningful improvement of ≥2 points was found in four participants regarding performance and in six participants regarding satisfaction. Overall fidelity to the components of F@ce was good. The response rates to the F@ce web platform were 44-100% (mean 78%). All of the participants stated that F@ce had supported their rehabilitation.CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the most beneficial part of F@ce was the person-centred, goal-setting process and SMS alerts. All participants were satisfied with F@ce and highlighted the benefits of receiving daily alerts about their goals. This encouraged them to be more active. The only downside mentioned was that they felt under an obligation to practice, although this was described as "a positive obligation".
|
|
| 9. |
- Hasslöf, Helen, et al.
(author)
-
Students' qualification in environmental and sustainability education-epistemic gaps or composites of critical thinking
- 2016
-
In: International Journal of Science Education. - Abingdon : Taylor & Francis. - 0950-0693 .- 1464-5289. ; 38:2, s. 259-275
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In an 'age of measurement' where students' qualification is a hot topic on the political agenda, it is of interest to ask what the function of qualification might implicate in relation to a complex issue as Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and what function environmental and sustainability issues serve in science education. This paper deals with how secondary and upper secondary teachers in discussions with colleagues articulate qualification in relation to educational aims of ESD. With inspiration from discourse theory, the teachers' articulations of qualification are analysed and put in relation to other functions of education (qualification, socialisation and subjectification). The results of this study show three discourses of qualification: scientific reasoning, awareness of complexity and to be critical. The discourse of 'qualification as to be critical' is articulated as a composite of differing epistemological views. In this discourse, the teachers undulate between rationalistic epistemological views and postmodern views, in a pragmatic way, to articulate a discourse of critical thinking which serves as a reflecting tool to bring about different ways of valuing issues of sustainability, which reformulates 'matter of facts' towards 'matter of concerns'
|
|
| 10. |
- Ottosson, Lisa, et al.
(author)
-
People ’out of place’? Advocates’ Negotiations on Children’s Participation in the Asylum Application Process in Sweden
- 2013
-
In: International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family. - : Oxford University Press. - 1360-9939 .- 1464-3707. ; 27:2, s. 266-287
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article concerns legal representatives’ negotiations around the principle of children’s best interests and children’s right to participation according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in cases of families applying for asylum in Sweden. Using material from nine interviews with children’s advocates, we analyse their strategies for obtaining narratives from children without putting them in a vulnerable position and examine the tension between migration control and children’s interests. The study shows that children are often assumed to be adequately represented by their parents and that they are perceived as ‘people out of place’ in the asylum process. The right to a customised asylum process, in which children’s needs and perspectives are taken into consideration, tends to be overlooked. Also, the principle of children’s best interests is overshadowed by an ambition to prepare the parents’ claims for asylum in a credible and strategic manner or it may be used as a last resort when all other efforts to get an application granted have been exhausted. In addition, although representatives occasionally develop successful ways of bringing child-specific persecution to the attention of the migration authorities, bureaucratic, and economic barriers constitute a limitation. This ultimately results in the child’s right to seek asylum being overshadowed by the state’s highly technical migration control.
|
|
