Search Results (764)

Caring for adult children with disabilities represents a prolonged and emotionally demanding experience for family caregivers, frequently associated with psychological distress and reduced well-being. This study examined the effects of a group-based parent training program on key psychological dimensions in caregivers of adults with disabilities. One hundred and nine caregivers participated in a psychoeducational intervention and completed measures of self-compassion, perceived self-efficacy, emotional maturity, empathy, and adult attachment. Results showed significant improvements in self-compassion and self-efficacy, with trends toward more secure attachment patterns, while empathy remained stable. Overall, findings suggest that parent training can foster emotional regulation and caregiving processes. Full article

Patterns of footfall counts in urban environments show regularity at various spatial and temporal scales. In this work, we study a lightweight hierarchical approach in which forecasts use four lagged higher-level aggregates as predictors trained with simple CPU-only models. For a fair comparison, the baseline is expanded to use a horizon-matched lag window, so that the variants have access to the same maximum lookback in time. The study uses hourly pedestrian counts from 13 sensors on two shopping streets in Newcastle upon Tyne, aggregated across spatial and temporal levels. Combined spatial and temporal aggregate predictors reduced forecast error by adding information from higher aggregation levels without changing the base learner. The best-performing configuration was SHTH+CP, which combines spatial and temporal parent features with a spatio-temporal cross-parent, and yielded an average pooled 4.3% improvement in RMSE and 3.5% in MAE, with the largest gains at 12 h directional counts, where RMSE decreased by 6.7% and MAE by 11.4%. Full article

Background: The impact of screen time is having serious adverse effects on people’s lives. Unfortunately, early childhood is the most vulnerable stage in the lifespan, and most children are using television, computers, parents’ and mothers’ mobile phones, or tablets, for longer than recommended. For this reason, the interest of the education community in proposing programs for reducing screen time has grown, which could be of interest for families and professionals in early childhood development and care for children adhering to a healthy lifestyle. For this reason, the objective of this study is to compile programs including families that have tried to reduce preschool-aged children’s time in front of screens. Method: The search strategy is designed based on the PICOS framework. A review was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest Central) on 11 October 2024, following the PRISMA guidelines. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO. Results: A total of 287 articles were initially found, and 15 met all inclusion criteria. Conclusions: The results reveal that programs based on training parents in addition to performing games with children have positive effects for reducing screen time in children up to six years old, even in a specific population. Full article

School-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs have the potential to meaningfully foster healthy development. NaliniKIDS is a school-based program designed to focus on promoting SEL and school connectedness by bridging physical and mental health through exercises, a book series, and schoolwide activities. This mixed-method study explored the effects of NaliniKIDS on students’ mental health and school climate and the teachers’ perspectives regarding the implementation in a racially diverse, urban, Title I public elementary school. Quantitative data comprised of student (N = 253) and parent (N = 29) self-reports at pre- and post-test; qualitative data were collected via two focus groups with teachers (N = 10 participants). Survey results showed small increase in prosocial behavior among students after NaliniKIDS implementation. Focus groups highlighted the importance of training, protecting time and resources, and adapting the program to students’ background to maximize its implementation and relevance. NaliniKIDS may be a promising SEL program that facilitates the integration of physical and emotional health. The findings emphasize the health benefits of investments and policies focused on school-based programs that are integrated in the school. The successful implementation of SEL programs such as NaliniKIDS may significantly promote elementary student physical and mental health. Full article

Children gifted for music are often described as possessing heightened perceptual and sensory abilities, yet little is known about how these abilities are understood within different family contexts or how giftedness is experienced as an identity. This mixed-methods study examined alignment between gifted children’s and parents’ perceptions of children’s mental–perceptual abilities, the role of parental musical background, and how giftedness is explained and emotionally negotiated. Twenty-two children identified as gifted for music and 25 parents completed a survey based on Gagné’s Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent assessing six mental–perceptual abilities, followed by semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analyses revealed a strong positive association between child and parent ratings, alongside a consistent tendency for parents to provide higher evaluations. Parental professional musical background did not significantly moderate alignment but was associated with greater variability in both children’s and parents’ ratings. Qualitative findings indicated shared experiential understandings of ability across families, alongside systematic differences in evaluative frameworks: musician parents more frequently drew on technical, comparative, and training-based standards, whereas non-musician parents relied on affective and everyday observations. Children across contexts often expressed modesty or ambivalence toward being labeled gifted, while parents balanced pride with concern about pressure. Overall, perceptions of mental–perceptual ability emerged as relationally constructed within family environments that shape how musical giftedness is recognized and supported. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for treating childhood ADHD, yet the mechanisms through which they produce effects remain unclear. This study provides the first direct comparison of treatment mechanisms between a mindfulness-based family intervention (MYmind) and methylphenidate. Methods: Data were drawn from a preregistered trial combining randomized and preference arms, comparing MYmind (2-month parallel parent–child mindfulness training) with 4-month methylphenidate in children aged 8–18 with ADHD (N = 120 children, 224 parents). Families were assessed at baseline, 2, 4 and 10 months. Multilevel mediation analyses tested whether treatment effects on ADHD symptoms were transmitted through 111 treatment-to-mediator-to-outcome pathways across three mechanism categories: child emotion regulation and coping (all children); adolescent self-regulation and mindfulness (ages 11+); and parent-level mechanisms, including mindful parenting, parental mindfulness, parenting style and self-compassion. Results: Direct treatment effects favored methylphenidate for ADHD symptom reduction at 4 months, with mindfulness catching up by 10 months. MYmind produced significantly greater improvements than methylphenidate in adolescent healthy self-regulation, parental self-compassion, mindful parenting and over-reactive parenting. Treatment did not differentially affect the remaining mechanisms. Across model sets, observed emotion regulation, maladaptive coping, parental self-compassion and mindful parenting each predicted ADHD outcomes. Across 111 pathways tested in 18 models, numerous significant individual pathways were consistent with theoretical predictions, yet no complete mediation chains reached statistical significance. Conclusions: MYmind engages distinct psychological and family-level processes compared to methylphenidate that are separately associated with ADHD symptom improvement. The absence of significant mediation effects likely reflects power limitations. These findings support mindfulness-based family intervention as a viable alternative to medication and highlight the need for larger-scale mechanism research. Full article

Problematic smartphone use among adolescents can lead to various negative consequences. Parental active mediation has been identified as an effective strategy to mitigate these problems. In response, numerous parent training programs have been developed. However, it remains unclear whether these programs can effectively enhance parents’ active mediation. A 2 (group: experimental vs. control) × 3 (time: pretest, post-test, follow-up) mixed factorial design was employed to examine the effects of parent training on parents’ active mediation. A total of 60 parents of adolescents with problematic smartphone use participated in the experiment. Parents in the experimental group attended a six-session parent training program, while those in the control group received no intervention. Parental active mediation was assessed using a validated self-report scale at all three time points. Results indicated significant main effects of group and time, as well as a significant group × time interaction. Among parents with the same initial level of active mediation, those who participated in the training demonstrated higher levels of active mediation than those in the control group, and this improvement was maintained two months later. These findings provide empirical evidence that parent training can sustainably enhance parents’ active mediation in managing adolescents’ smartphone use. Full article

Background: The misuse of technology and the consequences of addiction are topics that are increasingly addressed by researchers. Specifically, more attention is being paid to strategies aimed at preventing such addiction in minors. In all likelihood, this is the first systematic review to focus on the role of moral values in preventing minors from developing digital addictions. The aim of the study is to review the scientific research on the issue in order to answer the following questions: (1) Is character strength (or related variables) linked to an increased probability that minors will develop a technology addiction? (2) What types of character strengths protect minors from these problems? (3) What kinds of training programmes have been provided to instil these values in both minors and parents? Methods: The authors systematically examined the peer-reviewed literature from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOS), Medline, and Scopus while adhering to the PRISMA statement. Only articles published until 26 April 2025, and which were written in the English language, were reviewed. The search was conducted with no year restrictions. Results: A total of 609 studies were obtained, of which 9 were finally selected. The results provide a complete overview of the presence of moral values as a protective factor against digital addiction. Conclusions: Several challenges remain with regard to enhancing the knowledge of moral values, as well as their importance as an instrument available to minors for their safe interaction with technology. Full article

This practice-based implementation report describes the adoption of the My Abilities First (MAF) initiative for children with developmental delays in Taiwan. Grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, MAF emphasizes a strengths-based, participatory, and human rights-oriented approach to early childhood intervention. The purpose of this report is to describe the development of the MAF framework and the details of its innovative, culturally sensitive implementation in Taiwan, using implementation science principles to support the national adoption of My Abilities ID Cards (ABIDs). Central to the MAF initiative is the ABID, a tool that empowers children to express their abilities, preferences, and support needs using their own voice or preferred mode of communication. Guided by implementation science, the MAF team in Taiwan engaged stakeholders in urban and rural centers, developed training programs, and integrated ABID into early intervention and special education systems. Preliminary outcomes indicate that from 2021 to 2025, 140 training sessions reached a total attendance of 6961. Notably, satisfaction with training was high (>95%), and practitioner subjective competence adopting positive language improved. The number of children under age 12 creating ABIDs grew to approximately 700. Preliminary evidence suggests that ABIDs might increase systematic adoption of children’s opinions in assessments and interventions. Qualitative feedback from parents and professionals highlights the contribution of ABIDs, ensuring self-expression, motivation, and meaningful participation. The pioneering Taiwanese experience demonstrates the feasibility and impact of MAF and ABIDs in promoting children’s rights and participation, offering practical insights for global adaptation in diverse contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cutaneous fungal infections, specifically tinea pedis, pityriasis versicolor, and tinea unguium (onychomycosis), are common yet under-researched in swimming. This study aimed to evaluate their prevalence and associated risk factors among competitive swimmers in Greece. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 1047 participants, comprising parents of minor swimmers and adult athletes. Data collected included demographics, infection history, training characteristics, and hygiene behaviors. Results: The overall prevalence was 16% for tinea pedis, 3.2% for pityriasis versicolor and 3.3% for tinea unguium. Infection rates increased significantly with age and cumulative training years. Behavioral analysis revealed that placing towels and clothes on communal benches was associated with tinea pedis (p = 0.031) and pityriasis versicolor (p < 0.007). Sharing kickboards correlated with all three infections, while sharing flip-flops was specifically linked to tinea pedis and tinea unguium. Family history was a strong predictor for pityriasis versicolor. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of fungal skin infections in Greek swimmers, likely due to moisture exposure, shared equipment, and specific hygiene habits. Full article

Parents of children with special educational needs (SEN) experience elevated stress, anxiety, and depression, a challenge compounded by insufficient emotional support services. This study developed and evaluated a culturally adapted online counselling programme for Hong Kong Chinese parents of adolescents with SEN, integrating Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Mindfulness Training. The 8-week programme aimed to reduce parental distress and improve family dynamics by emphasising strengths, fostering self-compassion, and enhancing empathetic interactions. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining standardised self-report measures such as the Parental Stress Scale (PSS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), with qualitative interviews and behavioural observations. Quantitative analysis of pre–post data via paired samples t-tests indicated significant within-group reductions in anxiety across all groups and in depression for the active control group. However, between-group comparisons of post-test scores did not show clear superiority of the experimental intervention. Qualitative findings highlighted perceived benefits, including increased emotional regulation, a shift towards a strengths-based perspective, and enhanced self-compassion, with the programme’s cultural adaptation deemed crucial for engagement. The study addresses a significant service gap and provides preliminary evidence for the acceptability and potential mechanisms of an integrative online model, while highlighting the need for further research with larger samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: Social vulnerability is linked to unhealthy eating habits, low physical activity, and, overall, increased health risks and low well-being. This study examined self-perceived barriers and facilitators to engaging in obesity prevention policies for children at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Greece from the perspective of parents, caregivers, and community representatives. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted from November to December 2023 in three geographically diverse Greek regions, namely Attica, Thessaly, and Crete. A qualitative study was conducted between November and December 2023 in three geographically diverse regions of Greece. In total, seventy-two individuals participated in the study through individual interviews and focus groups. Forty-five parents of children with disabilities took part in individual interviews, equally represented in all three regions (fifteen participants per region). Among focus group participants: Twenty-one caregivers from child protection units participated in six focus groups (two per region), with focus group sizes ranging from three to five participants. In addition, six Roma community representatives participated in three focus groups (one per region), with focus group sizes ranging from one to four participants. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis were performed using NVivo 14 software to identify key themes. Results: Most factors that increased engagement were perceived by participants as both barriers and facilitators. These factors were classified at the individual, sociocultural, or structural level, and similar themes emerged across groups. Common barriers to poor engagement included low health literacy, financial difficulties and underfunding, social exclusion, a lack of targeted nutrition interventions, concerns related to training opportunities and support, and the adequacy and safety of built environments. Common facilitators of enhanced engagement included increased awareness and motivation to support vulnerable children, the availability of community- and school-based initiatives, and free school meal provision. Conclusions: Engagement in obesity prevention policies targeting vulnerable children is influenced by multiple interrelated factors. Understanding these barriers and facilitators from the participants’ perspectives can guide policymakers and practitioners in designing more effective obesity-related interventions for socially vulnerable groups of children. Full article

Reliable fault detection along transmission corridors is essential for preventing small defects from developing into long outages and costly emergency operations. This study aims to improve the field reliability of an open vocabulary vision language backbone without retraining the large model in an end-to-end manner. The work focuses on four operational fault classes in multi-region corridor imagery collected during routine inspections and uses a Florence-2 vision language model as the base recognizer. On top of this backbone, three domain-specific components are introduced. A subclass-aware fusion scheme keeps probability mass within the active parent concept so that insulator icing and conductor icing produce stable, action-oriented decisions. A Power-Line Focus Then Crop normalization uses an attention-guided corridor window together with isotropic resizing so that thin conductors and small fittings remain visible in the processed image. A corridor geo prior reduces scores as the distance from the mapped centerline increases and in this way suppresses detections that lie outside the corridor. All methods are evaluated under a shared preprocessing and scoring pipeline in training-free and parameter-efficient tuning modes. Experiments on unseen regions show higher accuracy for skinny and low-contrast faults, fewer false alarms outside the right-of-way, and improved score calibration in the confidence range used for triage, while keeping throughput and memory usage suitable for unmanned aerial vehicles and substation edge devices. Full article

This paper presents a usability evaluation of EduAbility, an Android application that supports inclusivity through assistive technology recommendations and training to pupils with disabilities, teachers, teaching assistants and parents/carers. EduAbility consists of a Recommendation System and Training Package that increases awareness of assistive technology (AT) to improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Following a previous usability evaluation at a higher education institution, EduAbility was subsequently developed from the qualitative feedback. A further evaluation at a secondary school and college (n = 9) are presented, where System Usability Scale (SUS) and NASA Task Load Index (TLX) quantitatively measure usability and workload, with Think Aloud providing qualitative data. The results highlight the significant potential of EduAbility to educate teachers, teaching assistants and parents/carers on AT, with the product recommendations being particularly valuable to increase awareness. Suggestions for future work are also discussed as well as the wider impacts of EduAbility on promoting the use of AT in education. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Hungarian general practitioners (GPs) concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical cancer prevention, and HPV vaccination, and to identify physician-level factors associated with proactive recommendation practices. Methods: A cross-sectional nationwide survey was conducted between 30 April and 1 June 2024. The online questionnaire was distributed to practicing Hungarian GPs listed in the National Health Insurance Fund database. Anonymous responses were collected on demographic data, knowledge of HPV transmission and oncogenic potential, awareness of vaccination guidelines, and clinical counseling habits. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. A total of 413 responses were received. Results: Most respondents were female (72.6%) with an average of 22.4 ± 9.6 years of professional experience. Although 89.8% correctly identified the causal link between HPV and cervical cancer, only 56.2% were aware of the complete vaccination schedule recommended for adolescents initiating after age 15. Knowledge scores were significantly higher among female physicians, urban practitioners, and those with postgraduate preventive medicine training. While the overall attitude toward HPV vaccination was positive (mean 4.6/5), 38.4% of respondents reported parental hesitancy as a common barrier, often citing misinformation regarding vaccine safety (64.9%) and lack of perceived need for boys (58.7%). Regression analysis revealed that familiarity with WHO and national vaccination guidelines independently predicted proactive vaccine recommendation (β = 0.43, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Hungarian general practitioners demonstrate good baseline awareness of HPV and its oncogenic role; however, knowledge gaps persist regarding vaccination schedules and counseling practices. Enhancing continuous medical education and communication training could strengthen GPs’ role as key advocates in HPV vaccine promotion. Full article