Standardized tools are needed to identify and prioritize the most harmful non-native species (NNS). A plethora of assessment protocols have been developed to evaluate the current and potential impacts of non-native species, but consistency among them has received limited attention. To estimate the consistency across impact assessment protocols, 89 specialists in biological invasions used 11 protocols to screen 57 NNS (2614 assessments). We tested if the consistency in the impact scoring across assessors, quantified as the coefficient of variation (CV), was dependent on the characteristics of the protocol, the taxonomic group and the expertise of the assessor. Mean CV across assessors was 40%, with a maximum of 223%. CV was lower for protocols with a low number of score levels, which demanded high levels of expertise, and when the assessors had greater expertise on the assessed species. The similarity among protocols with respect to the final scores was higher when the protocols considered the same impact types. We conclude that all protocols led to considerable inconsistency among assessors. In order to improve consistency, we highlight the importance of selecting assessors with high expertise, providing clear guidelines and adequate training but also deriving final decisions collaboratively by consensus.
College students experienced increased stress and anxiety during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study evaluated the effect of brief online Isha Upa Yoga modules on undergraduates' mental health and well‐being. Randomized control trial (RCT) with waitlist control crossover (N = 679). The intervention group was instructed to learn and practice the modules daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the 4‐week RCT, the control group was instructed to learn and practice the modules for the remaining 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included stress and well‐being. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, depression, resilience, positive affect and negative affect. Linear mixed‐effects models were used for analyses. Isha Upa Yoga significantly reduced stress (Group [intervention, control] × Time [baseline, Week 4] interaction, p = .009, d = .27) and increased well‐being (Group × Time interaction p = .002, d = .32). By the study's end, the intervention and control groups experienced significant improvements in well‐being (p < .001, p < .001), stress (p < .001, p < .001), anxiety (p < .001, p < .001), depression (p < .001, p = .004), positive affect (p = .04, p < .001), and negative affect (p < .001, p < .001). Online Isha Upa Yoga shows promise for mitigating the pandemic's negative impact on undergraduates' mental health and improving their well‐being.
PurposeThe study evaluated the effect of a comprehensive yogic methodology called “Inner Engineering Online” (IEO) on developing positive self-leadership. The authors hypothesized that IEO would equip participants with knowledge and skills to optimize their functioning in major experiential dimensions of the self (body, mind, emotion, and energy) and produce a synergistic effect in enhancing well-being and positive organizational behavior for employees, leaders, and entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a field quasi-experimental one group design with pre- and post-tests. The sample consists of 97 employees, 84 leaders and 76 entrepreneurs in various industries (N = 264).FindingsThe pairwise t-test results show that IEO has a positive effect on well-being (mindfulness, joy, vitality, and restfulness) and positive organizational behavior (meaningful work, psychological capital, and work engagement).Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited by the lack of a control group. Future research may use a randomized control design to confirm the present findings and explore the mechanisms through which IEO exercises its effect and other positive outcomes.Practical implicationsIEO complements the behavioral and cognitive strategies of self-leadership by including emotional and energetic strategies to produce a synergistic effect on positive outcomes. The program is multi-lingual and scalable and can be implemented in and outside of the organizational settings globally.Originality/valueThe study proposes the concept of positive self-leadership and is the first study to investigate the potentiality of an emerging program for developing positive self-leadership.
Purpose Community gardens are increasingly used as interventions during the resettlement of refugees and other migrants. Little is known about how garden programs might support their mental health and wellbeing. Given the links between climate change and forced migration, community gardens are especially relevant, as they can also support climate change mitigation. This study aims to document psychosocial outcomes of gardening programs for refugees and migrants, and mechanisms leading to these outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The authors searched major databases and the grey literature up to 2021, resulting in the inclusion of 17 peer-reviewed and 4 grey literature articles in a thematic, qualitative analysis. Findings Four consistent themes arose from the analysis: community gardening programs promoted continuity and adaptation (81% of articles), social connectedness (81%), overall wellbeing (95%) and a sense of meaning and self-worth (67%). The results suggest that community gardens can strengthen psychosocial pillars that are key to the recovery and resettlement of refugees and migrants. The land-based and social nature of community gardening may enable connections to the land and others, nurture a sense of belonging in the host country and provide a link to the past for those from agricultural backgrounds. Research limitations/implications Further participatory action research is needed to develop guidelines for the successful implementation of community gardens by resettlement organisations. Originality/value This review indicates that community gardens can be effective psychosocial interventions as part of a network of services supporting the resettlement of refugees and migrants.
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