ABSTRACT Aims We aimed to understand what factors have impeded and enhanced Long COVID recovery among Latinos in South Texas. Methods Through community partners, 78 participants were part of seven focus groups. We analyzed the data following Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results Factors that impeded recovery were: (1) Working while ill due to labor needs, expectations, and limited safety nets, (2) Mistrusting health care due to invalidating systemic barriers, (3) Grieving former self, and (4) Obsessing over the known and unknown. Factors that enhanced recovery were: (1) Focusing on a conscious fight to preserve life, (2) Leveraging cultural knowledge to reconnect with their sense of wholeness as a person, (3) Choosing Western medicine as one method of healing, and (4) Relying on God and trusted ones. Conclusion Long COVID recovery interventions among South Texas Latinos must account for structural and social determinants of health and cultural ways of healing.
Recent decades have witnessed a rapid expansion of community music projects, and findings have highlighted their potential to build important psychological resources such as positive emotions, a sense of accomplishment, engagement, purpose and social skills. Despite the collaborative nature of this type of work, the experiences of the musicians who facilitate it remain largely undocumented. This study emerged from two innovative initiatives that brought together primary school children and musicians from two of London's major orchestras (London Philharmonic Orchestra and London Contemporary Orchestra) to work together to prepare and perform new music written by emerging composers. The aim was to investigate musicians' lived experiences of community engagement through these collaborations. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was adopted as the research framework. Fifteen musicians (six females, nine males), ranging from 26 to 57 years of age, took part in one-to-one semi-structured interviews after experiencing a month of community-based work with the children. Data analyses revealed the experience of community engagement to be accounted for through three supraordinate themes, encapsulating 12 subordinate themes: (1) identity development (personal and collective), (2) well-being (positive emotions, engagement, accomplishment, purpose and social contribution) and (3) skill development (personal, interpersonal, musical, teaching and creativity). The role of community engagement in fostering professional orchestral musicians' mental health is discussed.
ABSTRACT Distal and proximal life stressors, including past trauma, subjective social status, and perceived stress can accumulate over time, placing strain on the body and contributing to increased allostatic load. Consequently, those with heightened stress experiences are at elevated risk of both mental and physical health concerns. However, research suggests that resilience may be a seminal protective factor, often safeguarding against negative health outcomes in the context of stress. Despite the extensive research base in stress and resilience, limited investigations have focused on how they co‐occur and shape emotion processes. The current study strives to address these gaps by (1) exploring patterns of distal and proximal stress and resilience and (2) mapping these patterns onto two emotion processes found to have significant influence on health outcomes: emotion regulation and emotionality stigma. A sample of 329 adults ( M age = 37.83, SD age = 11.86) were recruited using an online recruitment system and reported on their experiences of distal and proximal stress, resilience, emotion regulation, and emotionality stigma. Participants primarily identified as non‐Hispanic (90.2%) and White (77.8%), with a household income of less than $55,000 (52.8%). Using latent profile analysis (LPA), three unique subgroups emerged based on the co‐occurrence of distal and proximal stressors with resilience: (1) low stress, high resilience , (2) high proximal stress, low resilience , and (3) high distal stress, moderate resilience . These profiles were significantly associated with emotion processes such that those in the high proximal stress, low resilience profile reported significantly lower emotion regulation than those in the other two profiles. Participants in both higher‐stress profiles reported significantly greater emotionality stigma than those in the low stress, high resilience profile. Finding implications for future research and practice are discussed.
ABSTRACT Little is known about how mentors support mentees in strengthening social capital. It is theorized that mentors support mentees in building new connections and strengthening existing relationships (i.e., connection‐building support). This mixed‐methods study examines how connection‐building support contributes to mentee's network mobilization in pursuit of life goals. Survey data were gathered from youth ( n = 122) ages 13–18 (88% youth of color; 57% female). A path model tested the association between connection‐building support and mentee goal attainment and occupational identity via network mobilization. Interviews with 12 mentor‐mentee pairs further elucidated how mentors support mentee social capital. Connection‐building support was indirectly associated with greater progress toward life goals and stronger occupational identity via network mobilization. Qualitative findings added nuance on mentor actions that support mentee social capital. Findings highlight implications for practice and offer considerations for strengthening youth social capital in mentoring relationships.
ABSTRACT This study investigates the culturally relevant implementation of a mindfulness‐based program (MBP) in Western County, focusing on the role of family, school, and community partnerships (FSCPs) in fostering alignment and sustainability. Data were gathered through interviews, observations, and document analysis, using a qualitative case study approach. Thematic analysis identified key themes related to cultural alignment and partnership‐building. Findings highlight the significance of aligning MBPs with community values and leveraging strong FSCPs for successful integration and long‐term sustainability. This study highlights the critical importance of collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement in the successful implementation of MBPs. It provides practical insights for educators, leaders, and policymakers on how to customize mindfulness programs to meet the unique needs of diverse communities. By linking mindfulness practices with local cultural values and fostering strong partnerships, MBPs can contribute to lasting educational and social change. The research also highlights the need for leadership that prioritizes cultural relevance and community input, offering a model for driving educational innovation through FSCPs.
