Computers and Games for Mental Health and Well-Being

Computers and Games for Mental Health and Well-Being PDF Author: Yasser Khazaal
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889454967
Category : Video games in education
Languages : en
Pages : 311

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Book Description
Recent years have seen important developments in the computer and game industry, including the emergence of the concept of serious games. It is hypothesized that tools such as games, virtual reality, or applications for smartphones may foster learning, enhance motivation, promote behavioral change, support psychotherapy, favor empowerment, and improve some cognitive functions. Computers and games may create supports for training or help people with cognitive, emotional, or behavioral change. Games take various formats, from board games to informatics to games with interactive rules of play. Similarly, computer tools may vary widely in format, from self-help or assisted computerized training to virtual reality or applications for smartphones. Some tools that may be helpful for mental health were specifically designed for that goal, whereas others were not. Gamification of computer-related products and games with a numeric format tend to reduce the gap between games and computers tools and increase the conceptual synergy in such fields. Games and computer design share an opportunity for creativity and innovation to help create, specifically design, and assess preventive or therapeutic tools. Computers and games share a design conception that allows innovative approaches to overcome barriers of the real world by creating their own rules. Yet, despite the potential interest in such tools to improve treatment of mental disorders and to help prevent them, the field remains understudied and information is under-disseminated in clinical practice. Some studies have shown, however, that there is potential interest and acceptability of tools that support various vehicles, rationales, objectives, and formats. These tools include traditional games (e.g., chess games), popular electronic games, board games, computer-based interventions specifically designed for psychotherapy or cognitive training, virtual reality, apps for smartphones, and so forth. Computers and games may offer a true opportunity to develop, assess, and disseminate new prevention and treatment tools for mental health and well-being. Currently, there is a strong need for state-of-the-art information to answer questions such as the following: Why develop such tools for mental health and well-being? What are the potential additions to traditional treatments? What are the best strategies or formats to improve the possible impact of these tools? Are such tools useful as a first treatment step? What is the potential of a hybrid model of care that combines traditional approaches with games and/or computers as tools? What games and applications have already been designed and studied? What is the evidence from previous studies? How can such tools be successfully designed for mental health and well-being? What is rewarding or attractive for patients in using such treatments? What are the worldwide developments in the field? Are some protocols under development? What are the barriers and challenges related to such developments? How can these tools be assessed, and how can the way that they work, and for whom, be measured? Are the potential benefits of such products specific, or can these additions be attributed to nonspecific factors? What are the users’ views on such tools? What are the possible links between such tools and social networks? Is there a gap between evidence-based results and market development? Are there any quality challenges? What future developments and studies are needed in the field?

Computers and Games for Mental Health and Well-Being

Computers and Games for Mental Health and Well-Being PDF Author: Yasser Khazaal
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889454967
Category : Video games in education
Languages : en
Pages : 311

Get Book Here

Book Description
Recent years have seen important developments in the computer and game industry, including the emergence of the concept of serious games. It is hypothesized that tools such as games, virtual reality, or applications for smartphones may foster learning, enhance motivation, promote behavioral change, support psychotherapy, favor empowerment, and improve some cognitive functions. Computers and games may create supports for training or help people with cognitive, emotional, or behavioral change. Games take various formats, from board games to informatics to games with interactive rules of play. Similarly, computer tools may vary widely in format, from self-help or assisted computerized training to virtual reality or applications for smartphones. Some tools that may be helpful for mental health were specifically designed for that goal, whereas others were not. Gamification of computer-related products and games with a numeric format tend to reduce the gap between games and computers tools and increase the conceptual synergy in such fields. Games and computer design share an opportunity for creativity and innovation to help create, specifically design, and assess preventive or therapeutic tools. Computers and games share a design conception that allows innovative approaches to overcome barriers of the real world by creating their own rules. Yet, despite the potential interest in such tools to improve treatment of mental disorders and to help prevent them, the field remains understudied and information is under-disseminated in clinical practice. Some studies have shown, however, that there is potential interest and acceptability of tools that support various vehicles, rationales, objectives, and formats. These tools include traditional games (e.g., chess games), popular electronic games, board games, computer-based interventions specifically designed for psychotherapy or cognitive training, virtual reality, apps for smartphones, and so forth. Computers and games may offer a true opportunity to develop, assess, and disseminate new prevention and treatment tools for mental health and well-being. Currently, there is a strong need for state-of-the-art information to answer questions such as the following: Why develop such tools for mental health and well-being? What are the potential additions to traditional treatments? What are the best strategies or formats to improve the possible impact of these tools? Are such tools useful as a first treatment step? What is the potential of a hybrid model of care that combines traditional approaches with games and/or computers as tools? What games and applications have already been designed and studied? What is the evidence from previous studies? How can such tools be successfully designed for mental health and well-being? What is rewarding or attractive for patients in using such treatments? What are the worldwide developments in the field? Are some protocols under development? What are the barriers and challenges related to such developments? How can these tools be assessed, and how can the way that they work, and for whom, be measured? Are the potential benefits of such products specific, or can these additions be attributed to nonspecific factors? What are the users’ views on such tools? What are the possible links between such tools and social networks? Is there a gap between evidence-based results and market development? Are there any quality challenges? What future developments and studies are needed in the field?

Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Older Adults with Low Vision

Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Older Adults with Low Vision PDF Author: Jennifer Kaldenberg
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781569003428
Category : Low vision
Languages : en
Pages : 119

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Book Description
The U.S. population is aging, and occupational therapy practitioners working with older adults must have the skills to address multiple health issues, including vision loss. Although typical aging does not cause low vision, four major causes of vision impairment are directly related to the aging process: (1) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), (2) diabetic retinopathy, (3) glaucoma, and (4) cataracts. Instances of these impairments are expected to double by the year 2050, making low vision a significant public health issue. This Practice Guideline includes occupational therapy assessment and intervention guidelines for older adults who have visual acuity impairments, visual field impairments, or both as a result of a low vision diagnosis. Screening, referral, and evaluation are covered for clients for central visual field impairments, such as AMD and cataract; peripheral field impairments, such as glaucoma, hemianopsia, and quadrantanopsia; and mixed visual field loss, such as diabetic retinopathy. This work can help occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, as well as individuals who manage, reimburse, or set policy regarding occupational therapy services, understand the contribution of occupational therapy to treating older adults with low vision. Appendixes include selected diagnostic and billing codes and evidence tables.

Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders PDF Author: Sam Goldstein
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9781493921676
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Children are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders at a staggering rate—as many as one in 110, according to some studies. To this sobering statistic add the familiar figures of the toddler disengaged from his peers, the middle schooler shunned in the lunchroom, and the adult struggling with social cues on the job, and professionals are faced with a mounting challenge: to assist and support young people with these disorders to ensure their successful transition to adolescence and adulthood. The first volume dedicated solely to its topic, Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders provides a comprehensive overview of programs currently in use. Contributors explore programs focusing on long-term outcomes, home- and classroom-based strategies, resilience training for parents, and pharmacological management of symptoms. Background chapters review issues in reliability and validity of interventions and evaluating treatment effectiveness. And an especially cogent chapter discusses the centrality of treatment integrity to best practice. Comprehensive programs and targeted interventions covered include: The Early Start Denver Model for young children. The TEACCH program for children, adults, and families. The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and CARD eLearning. PROGress: a program for remediating and expanding social skills. Evidence-based strategies for repetitive behaviors and sensory issues. Self-regulation strategies for students with autism spectrum disorders. Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders is an essential resource for researchers, professionals/practitioners, and clinicians in a wide array of fields, including clinical child, school, and developmental psychology; child and adolescent psychiatry; education; rehabilitation medicine/therapy; social work; and pediatrics.

Phonology for Communication Disorders

Phonology for Communication Disorders PDF Author: Martin J. Ball
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1317716841
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
This textbook describes the approaches to phonology that are most relevant to communication disorders. It examines schools of thought in theoretical phonology, and their relevance to description, explanation and remediation in the clinical context. A recurring theme throughout the book is the distinction between phonological theories that attempt elegant, parsimonious descriptions of phonological data, and those that attempt to provide a psycholinguistic model of speech production and perception. This book introduces all the relevant areas of phonology to the students and practitioners of speech-language pathology and is a companion volume to the authors’ Phonetics for Communication Disorders.

Conversations with a Rattlesnake

Conversations with a Rattlesnake PDF Author: Theo Fleury
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781771410717
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Following the release of his mind-blowing first book, Playing with Fire, Theo Fleury joins forces with world-renowned therapist Kim Barthel in a new book, Conversations with a Rattlesnake, coming out November 2014. The book is a raw and honest conversation, loaded with personal insights and cutting-edge information about healing from trauma and abuse. Fleury calls Barthel the "Wayne Gretzky of therapy" and within their emotionally safe relationship he bares his soul so that others can learn from his mistakes, triumphs and new learnings. Fleury's story will inspire not only those overcoming their own trauma but friends, parents, teachers, coaches, therapists and health practitioners--anyone who is in the critical position of supporting someone who needs to share their own story. Co-author Kim Barthel provides an in-depth explanation of early childhood attachment and addiction that ties into the reasoning behind our behaviours and the science of how our brains work. Barthel explains how understanding groundbreaking scientific and psychological research can eliminate the unnecessary and damaging shame that so often accompanies abuse and trauma. Her dialogue with Fleury illuminates self-awareness, mindfulness and the power of relationships. Fleury's life experiences and Barthel's informed interpretation combine to provide a unique look at the healing process that is easy to read, entertaining and transformational.

Africa's Critical Choices

Africa's Critical Choices PDF Author: Dunod Editeur
Publisher: Europa Regional Perspectives
ISBN: 9780367150518
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 98

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Book Description
This volume examines contemporary Africa, a vast continent which, while entering the era of globalization, is also confronted by a number of issues, including the environment and climate change, demographics, trade issues, internal and external migration, education, economic Issues, governance, and the influence of other countries. Written by former Prime Minister of Niger and current Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, this book offers an overview of Africa, and looks to the next generation of leaders in the continent, aiming to offer a manifesto for future change.

Handbook of Adult Resilience

Handbook of Adult Resilience PDF Author: John W. Reich
Publisher: Guilford Press
ISBN: 146250647X
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 562

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Book Description
What enables people to bounce back from stressful experiences? How do certain individuals maintain a sense of purpose and direction over the long term, even in the face of adversity? This is the first book to move beyond childhood and adolescence to explore resilience across the lifespan. Coverage ranges from genetic and physiological factors through personal, family, organizational, and community processes. Contributors examine how resilience contributes to health and well-being across the adult life cycle; why—and what happens when—resilience processes fail; ethnic and cultural dimensions of resilience; and ways to enhance adult resilience, including reviews of exemplary programs.

Handbook of Resilience in Children

Handbook of Resilience in Children PDF Author: Sam Goldstein
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031147286
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 594

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Book Description
The third edition of this handbook addresses not only the concept of resilience in children who overcome adversity, but it also explores the development of children not considered at risk addressing recent challenges as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new edition reviews the scientific literature that supports findings that stress-hardiness and resilience in all children leads to happier and healthier lives as well as improved functionality across the lifespan. In this edition, expert contributors examine resilience in relation to environmental stressors as phenomena in child and adolescent disorders and as a means toward positive adaptation into adulthood. The significantly expanded third edition includes new and significantly revised chapters that explore strategies for developing resilience in families, clinical practice, and educational settings as well as its nurturance in caregivers and teachers. Key areas of coverage include: Exploration of the four waves of resilience research. Resilience in gene-environment transactions. Resilience in boys and girls. Resilience in family processes. Asset building as an essential component of intervention. Assessment of social and emotional competencies related to resilience. Building resilience through school bullying prevention. Resilience in positive youth development. Enhancing resilience through effective thinking. The Handbook of Resilience in Children, Third Edition, is an essential reference for researchers, clinicians and allied practitioners, and graduate students across such interrelated disciplines as child and school psychology, social work, public health as well as developmental psychology, special and general education, child and adolescent psychiatry, family studies, and pediatrics.

Risk and Protective Factors in the Development of Psychopathology

Risk and Protective Factors in the Development of Psychopathology PDF Author: Jon Rolf
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521439725
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 580

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Book Description
Chapters by distinguished investigators in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and child development, many of whose work led to the new developmental model of psychopathology, provide a unique review of current research on vulnerability and resistance to disorder.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury PDF Author: Richard J. Roberts
Publisher: Plural Publishing
ISBN: 9781597564236
Category : Brain
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury proposes that there is a diagnosable and treatable sub-type of Persistent Post-Concussive Syndrome (PPCS) following mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This sub-type of PPCS is characterized by: (a) multiple intermittent (or "partial seizure-like") symptoms in the absence of a conventional epileptic syndrome; (b) untriggered, ego-dystonic mood-swings in the absence of clear environmental precipitants; (c) memory lapses and brief gap of "lost time;" and a high prior probability of responding well to treatment with anti-convulsant mood-stabilizers, such as valproic acid (Depakote, Divalproex) and carbamazepine (Tegretol). Both pediatric and adults patients may suffer from this loosely-defined syndrome and may go untreated for months or even years following one or more instances of mild TBI.. The authors and contributors, from diverse professional backgrounds-including Adult Neuropsychology, Child Neuropsychology, Sports Medicine, and Neuropsychiatry-present a valuable, expert insight into the needs and methods of treatment for this large and often underserved population. Clearly written, practical, and requiring little knowledge of brain structure and function, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury provides all involved in client care with the tools they need to ensure good outcomes. Of particular value will be the near-unique coverage of the the mechanisms underlying blast-induced neuro-trauma, a subject of great concern to military personnel, care-providers, and their families..