International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

South Asian Americans experience multifaceted sociocultural and acculturative stressors that influence mental well-being, yet few studies have applied contemporary behavioral theories to understand relaxation behaviors in this population. This cross-sectional study examined predictors of initiating and sustaining relaxation behaviors using the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of health behavior change. A web-based survey of 271 South Asian adults incorporated the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), MTM constructs, and sociodemographic characteristics. Reliability was high across MTM subscales (Cronbach’s α = 0.81–0.93). Structural equation modeling demonstrated acceptable fit (CFI > 0.90, TLI > 0.90, RMSEA < 0.08, SRMR < 0.08). Hierarchical regressions revealed that among participants practicing relaxation (n = 202), behavioral confidence significantly predicted initiation (β = 0.481, p < 0.001), followed by participatory dialogue (β = 0.194, p < 0.05) and changes in the physical environment (β = 0.242, p < 0.01). Emotional transformation strongly predicted sustenance (β = 0.395, p < 0.001), along with practice for change (β = 0.307, p < 0.05) and changes in the social environment (β = 0.210, p < 0.05). MTM constructs explained 69.8% of initiation variance and 70.4% of sustenance variance. Among non-practitioners, participatory dialogue predicted initiation (β ≈ 0.18–0.34, p < 0.05), and emotional transformation predicted sustenance (β = 0.570, p < 0.001). These findings underscore MTM’s strong predictive utility and support culturally tailored interventions enhancing confidence, emotional regulation, and social/environmental supports to promote relaxation behaviors in South Asian communities in the United States.

Family care partners for persons living with dementia (PLwD) adopt a variety of care management strategies to navigate care. We utilize a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to integrate family care partners’ descriptions of care challenges and associated management approaches. Primary family care partners for PLwD (n = 100) were interviewed about their management of a care challenge (qualitative), the PLwD’s function, behavior and cognition (quantitative), and their management strategies (qualitative/quantitative). Care challenges and strategies were compared across qualitative content analysis and t-tests. Care partners providing more functional (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and cognitive (r = 0.30, p < 0.01) care used more active management strategies, whereas care partners providing greater behavioral care (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) reported more criticism, with similar themes seen qualitatively. Active management may be required when dementia severity increases, yet criticism may emerge with greater behavioral severity. Because criticism is associated with more negative outcomes, future interventions should help care partners practice more adaptive behavioral management.

Background: This study compared the reasons for dental presentations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian adults at the Nepean Centre for Oral Health, NSW, Australia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult patients presenting between 1 July and 31 December 2019. Clinical notes were audited and categorized as either ‘emergency’ (pain, dental infection, dental trauma, loose teeth or dental implants, bleeding) or ‘conservative’ (dental check-ups, examinations, prosthodontic, restorative, periodontal, or non-emergency endodontic therapy). Results: A total of 4663 patients met the inclusion criteria; 61.6% were female, and 6.4% were identified as Indigenous Australians. Overall, 41.3% of presentations were for emergency dental care. Indigenous Australians were significantly more likely to present for dental emergencies compared with non-Indigenous (58.2% vs. 40.2%; χ²(1, N = 4663) = 53.4, p < 0.00001; OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.64–2.63), and were also more likely to undergo emergency tooth extractions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Indigenous Australians demonstrated a higher proportion of emergency and oral surgery-related presentations and underwent tooth extractions as the primary treatment compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. These findings suggest a higher burden of oral disease and delayed access to general dental services among Indigenous Australians, highlighting the need for targeted and culturally appropriate public health interventions.