Holly Blake - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Holly Blake

The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Wellbeing, 2021

Clinical Rehabilitation, 2002

Objective: To assess the effect of cognitive assessment on the functional outcome of stroke patie... more Objective: To assess the effect of cognitive assessment on the functional outcome of stroke patients and quality of life for both patients and their carers. Design: A multicentre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting and participants: Two hundred and twenty-eight stroke patients were recruited from hospital wards in three UK centres. Interventions: Patients were screened for cognitive impairment and randomly allocated to either routine care (116 patients) or routine care plus a detailed cognitive assessment (112 patients). Main outcome measures: Outcome was assessed three and six months after recruitment by an independent assessor blind to the intervention on Extended ADL, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire-28 for patients and carers and Carer Strain Index. Results: There was no signi”cant difference between the two groups in patients’ functional outcome, perceived cognitive ability, level of psychological distress or satisfaction with care....

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Green prescribing is gaining in popularity internationally for the promotion of mental wellbeing.... more Green prescribing is gaining in popularity internationally for the promotion of mental wellbeing. However, the evidence base is limited, particularly in young pregnant women, a population with known risk factors for anxiety and depression. The aim of this mixed-methods study was to provide insights into the availability, processes, and suitability of nature-based interventions for young pregnant women. First, an online mapping survey of nature-based activities in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom (UK) was undertaken. Second, focus groups (n = 6) were conducted with nature activity providers and young mothers (n = 11). This study found there were many diverse nature-based activities available to promote mental wellbeing. The organisational challenges highlighted include a lack of sufficient funding for service provision and disappointing experiences with some green prescribing programmes. The young women felt that nature-based activities helped to promote their mental we...

PLOS ONE

Background The aim of the study was to ascertain the views and experiences of those working in ur... more Background The aim of the study was to ascertain the views and experiences of those working in urgent and emergency care (UEC) settings towards screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol, to inform future practice. Objectives To explore i) views towards health promotion, ii) views towards and practice of SBIRT, iii) facilitators and barriers to delivering SBIRT, iv) training needs to support future SBIRT practice, and v) comparisons in views and attitudes between demographic characteristics, geographical regions, setting and occupational groups. Methods This was an open cross-sectional international survey, using an online self-administered questionnaire with closed and open-ended responses. Participants were ≥18 years of age, from any occupational group, working in urgent and emergency care (UEC) settings in any country or region. Results There were 362 respondents (aged 21–65 years, 87.8% shift workers) from 7 occupational groups including physici...

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Introduction: People with long-term conditions or recovering from serious injuries can struggle t... more Introduction: People with long-term conditions or recovering from serious injuries can struggle to return to work. The evidence for occupational therapy supporting return to work is limited. We aimed to identify and explain how occupational therapy interventions work. Methods: Systematic review. Seven databases were searched between 1 January 1980 and 15 June 2022. Studies measuring work-related outcomes among individuals receiving occupational therapy during absence from paid work were included. Multiple reviewers independently contributed to screening, quality appraisal and data extraction processes. Data were analysed as a narrative. Results: Twenty studies with 3866 participants were included; 17 were assessed as having high risk of bias. Occupational therapy was inconsistently acknowledged affecting study identification and occupational therapy components were poorly described. Meta-analysis was unfeasible due to outcome heterogeneity. Individually tailored occupational therapy...

BACKGROUND Mental health problems affect 1 in 6 workers annually and are one of the leading cause... more BACKGROUND Mental health problems affect 1 in 6 workers annually and are one of the leading causes of sickness absence, with stress, anxiety, and depression being responsible for half of all working days lost in the United Kingdom. Primary interventions with a preventative focus are widely acknowledged as the priority for workplace mental health interventions. Line managers hold a primary role in preventing poor mental health within the workplace and, therefore, need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively carry out this role. However, most previous intervention studies have directly focused on increasing line managers’ understanding and awareness of mental health rather than giving them the skills and competencies to take a proactive preventative approach in how they manage and design work. The Managing Minds at Work (MMW) digital training intervention was collaboratively designed to address this gap. The intervention aims to increase line managers’ knowledge an...

PLOS ONE

Employees with mental health problems often struggle to remain in employment. During the COVID-19... more Employees with mental health problems often struggle to remain in employment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these employees face multiple additional stressors, which are likely to worsen their mental health and work productivity. Currently, it is unclear how to best support employees with mental health problems (and their managers) to improve wellbeing and productivity. We aim to develop a new intervention (MENTOR) that will jointly involve employees, managers, and a new professional (mental health employment liaison worker, MHELW), to help employees who are still at work with a mental health condition and currently receiving professional support for their mental health. A feasibility pilot study will then be undertaken to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention from the perspective of employees and line managers. The study involves a feasibility randomised controlled study comparing outcomes of participants randomised to receive the intervention (MENTOR) with ...

Research Square (Research Square), Dec 8, 2022

European Journal of Public Health

Background Late diagnosis of HIV remains a challenge and the construction workforce has several r... more Background Late diagnosis of HIV remains a challenge and the construction workforce has several risk factors for HIV. In the Test@Work programme, we delivered HIV tests embedded within a general health check to construction workers, with high uptake and acceptability. Here, we report the experiences of construction managers and health professionals involved in Test@Work and explore the suitability of construction worksites as a venue for opt-in HIV testing. Methods Qualitative interviews (n = 24) were conducted with construction managers who facilitated events (n = 13), and HIV/health check delivery partners (n = 11) at 21 Test@Work events held on construction sites. Interviews explored experiences of events and views towards workplace HIV testing. Event exit questionnaires (n = 107) completed by delivery partners provided qualitative data identifying facilitators and barriers to effective delivery. Thematic analysis identified themes that were mapped against a socioecological frame...

Frontiers in Psychiatry

BackgroundThe impact of emotion regulation (ER) interventions on mental health and wellbeing has ... more BackgroundThe impact of emotion regulation (ER) interventions on mental health and wellbeing has been extensively documented in the literature, although only recently have digital technologies been incorporated in intervention design. The aim of this review is to explore available published literature relating to the efficacy, barriers and facilitators of digital technologies in enhancing emotion/mood regulation skills.MethodsA review of the literature was performed to explore the effectiveness of digital technology in enhancing ER skills. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 31st August 2020. In addition, the first 10 pages of Google Scholar were examined for relevant articles. The following MeSH term and key words were used to identify relevant articles: “emotion regulation OR mood regulation” AND “intervention OR treatment OR program$ OR therap$” AND “digital technologies OR web-based OR mobile application OR App.” Reference lists...

Perspectives in Public Health

Aims: Development and rollout of vaccines offers the best opportunity for population protection a... more Aims: Development and rollout of vaccines offers the best opportunity for population protection against the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. However, hesitancy towards the vaccines might impede successful uptake in the United Kingdom, particularly in young adults who demonstrate the highest rates of hesitancy. This prospective study explored COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in young adults and whether the reasons behind these attitudes changed during the initial stages of the United Kingdom’s vaccine rollout. Method: Data on vaccination intention were collected from a British university student cohort at three time points: October 2020, February 2021, and March 2021. This online survey included items on intention to receive a vaccine and a free-text response for the reasons behind this intention. Cochran’s Q tests examined changes in rates of hesitancy and acceptance over time and free-text responses were analysed thematically. Results: At baseline, 893 students provided data, with 476 partic...

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2022

Background Psychological factors can influence susceptibility to viral infections. We examined wh... more Background Psychological factors can influence susceptibility to viral infections. We examined whether such influences are evident in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Methods Participants (n = 102) completed measures of anxiety, depression, positive mood, and loneliness and provided a blood sample for the measurement of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins. Results SARS-CoV-2 was significantly negatively associated with anxiety and depression. The model remained significant after adjustment for age and gender, although anxiety and depression were no longer significant independent predictors. Conclusions These findings offer early support for the hypothesis that psychological factors may influence susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ObjectiveThis study examined the COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health of university studen... more ObjectiveThis study examined the COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health of university students on returning to campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was completed during the first four weeks of the academic year (October 2020) by 897 university students. The survey included demographics and measures of experiences of COVID-19 testing, self-isolation, shielding, perceived risk, mental health and indices capturing related psychological responses to the pandemic.ResultsWe observed higher levels of depression and anxiety, but not stress, in students compared with pre- pandemic normative data, but lower than levels reported earlier in the pandemic in other similar cohorts. Depression, anxiety and stress were independently associated with greater loneliness and reduced positive mood. Greater worry about COVID-19 was also independently associated with anxiety and stress. Female students and those with pre-existing mental health disorders were at greatest...

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2011

The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Wellbeing, 2021

Clinical Rehabilitation, 2002

Objective: To assess the effect of cognitive assessment on the functional outcome of stroke patie... more Objective: To assess the effect of cognitive assessment on the functional outcome of stroke patients and quality of life for both patients and their carers. Design: A multicentre, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting and participants: Two hundred and twenty-eight stroke patients were recruited from hospital wards in three UK centres. Interventions: Patients were screened for cognitive impairment and randomly allocated to either routine care (116 patients) or routine care plus a detailed cognitive assessment (112 patients). Main outcome measures: Outcome was assessed three and six months after recruitment by an independent assessor blind to the intervention on Extended ADL, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire-28 for patients and carers and Carer Strain Index. Results: There was no signi”cant difference between the two groups in patients’ functional outcome, perceived cognitive ability, level of psychological distress or satisfaction with care....

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Green prescribing is gaining in popularity internationally for the promotion of mental wellbeing.... more Green prescribing is gaining in popularity internationally for the promotion of mental wellbeing. However, the evidence base is limited, particularly in young pregnant women, a population with known risk factors for anxiety and depression. The aim of this mixed-methods study was to provide insights into the availability, processes, and suitability of nature-based interventions for young pregnant women. First, an online mapping survey of nature-based activities in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom (UK) was undertaken. Second, focus groups (n = 6) were conducted with nature activity providers and young mothers (n = 11). This study found there were many diverse nature-based activities available to promote mental wellbeing. The organisational challenges highlighted include a lack of sufficient funding for service provision and disappointing experiences with some green prescribing programmes. The young women felt that nature-based activities helped to promote their mental we...

PLOS ONE

Background The aim of the study was to ascertain the views and experiences of those working in ur... more Background The aim of the study was to ascertain the views and experiences of those working in urgent and emergency care (UEC) settings towards screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol, to inform future practice. Objectives To explore i) views towards health promotion, ii) views towards and practice of SBIRT, iii) facilitators and barriers to delivering SBIRT, iv) training needs to support future SBIRT practice, and v) comparisons in views and attitudes between demographic characteristics, geographical regions, setting and occupational groups. Methods This was an open cross-sectional international survey, using an online self-administered questionnaire with closed and open-ended responses. Participants were ≥18 years of age, from any occupational group, working in urgent and emergency care (UEC) settings in any country or region. Results There were 362 respondents (aged 21–65 years, 87.8% shift workers) from 7 occupational groups including physici...

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Introduction: People with long-term conditions or recovering from serious injuries can struggle t... more Introduction: People with long-term conditions or recovering from serious injuries can struggle to return to work. The evidence for occupational therapy supporting return to work is limited. We aimed to identify and explain how occupational therapy interventions work. Methods: Systematic review. Seven databases were searched between 1 January 1980 and 15 June 2022. Studies measuring work-related outcomes among individuals receiving occupational therapy during absence from paid work were included. Multiple reviewers independently contributed to screening, quality appraisal and data extraction processes. Data were analysed as a narrative. Results: Twenty studies with 3866 participants were included; 17 were assessed as having high risk of bias. Occupational therapy was inconsistently acknowledged affecting study identification and occupational therapy components were poorly described. Meta-analysis was unfeasible due to outcome heterogeneity. Individually tailored occupational therapy...

BACKGROUND Mental health problems affect 1 in 6 workers annually and are one of the leading cause... more BACKGROUND Mental health problems affect 1 in 6 workers annually and are one of the leading causes of sickness absence, with stress, anxiety, and depression being responsible for half of all working days lost in the United Kingdom. Primary interventions with a preventative focus are widely acknowledged as the priority for workplace mental health interventions. Line managers hold a primary role in preventing poor mental health within the workplace and, therefore, need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively carry out this role. However, most previous intervention studies have directly focused on increasing line managers’ understanding and awareness of mental health rather than giving them the skills and competencies to take a proactive preventative approach in how they manage and design work. The Managing Minds at Work (MMW) digital training intervention was collaboratively designed to address this gap. The intervention aims to increase line managers’ knowledge an...

PLOS ONE

Employees with mental health problems often struggle to remain in employment. During the COVID-19... more Employees with mental health problems often struggle to remain in employment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these employees face multiple additional stressors, which are likely to worsen their mental health and work productivity. Currently, it is unclear how to best support employees with mental health problems (and their managers) to improve wellbeing and productivity. We aim to develop a new intervention (MENTOR) that will jointly involve employees, managers, and a new professional (mental health employment liaison worker, MHELW), to help employees who are still at work with a mental health condition and currently receiving professional support for their mental health. A feasibility pilot study will then be undertaken to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention from the perspective of employees and line managers. The study involves a feasibility randomised controlled study comparing outcomes of participants randomised to receive the intervention (MENTOR) with ...

Research Square (Research Square), Dec 8, 2022

European Journal of Public Health

Background Late diagnosis of HIV remains a challenge and the construction workforce has several r... more Background Late diagnosis of HIV remains a challenge and the construction workforce has several risk factors for HIV. In the Test@Work programme, we delivered HIV tests embedded within a general health check to construction workers, with high uptake and acceptability. Here, we report the experiences of construction managers and health professionals involved in Test@Work and explore the suitability of construction worksites as a venue for opt-in HIV testing. Methods Qualitative interviews (n = 24) were conducted with construction managers who facilitated events (n = 13), and HIV/health check delivery partners (n = 11) at 21 Test@Work events held on construction sites. Interviews explored experiences of events and views towards workplace HIV testing. Event exit questionnaires (n = 107) completed by delivery partners provided qualitative data identifying facilitators and barriers to effective delivery. Thematic analysis identified themes that were mapped against a socioecological frame...

Frontiers in Psychiatry

BackgroundThe impact of emotion regulation (ER) interventions on mental health and wellbeing has ... more BackgroundThe impact of emotion regulation (ER) interventions on mental health and wellbeing has been extensively documented in the literature, although only recently have digital technologies been incorporated in intervention design. The aim of this review is to explore available published literature relating to the efficacy, barriers and facilitators of digital technologies in enhancing emotion/mood regulation skills.MethodsA review of the literature was performed to explore the effectiveness of digital technology in enhancing ER skills. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 31st August 2020. In addition, the first 10 pages of Google Scholar were examined for relevant articles. The following MeSH term and key words were used to identify relevant articles: “emotion regulation OR mood regulation” AND “intervention OR treatment OR program$ OR therap$” AND “digital technologies OR web-based OR mobile application OR App.” Reference lists...

Perspectives in Public Health

Aims: Development and rollout of vaccines offers the best opportunity for population protection a... more Aims: Development and rollout of vaccines offers the best opportunity for population protection against the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. However, hesitancy towards the vaccines might impede successful uptake in the United Kingdom, particularly in young adults who demonstrate the highest rates of hesitancy. This prospective study explored COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in young adults and whether the reasons behind these attitudes changed during the initial stages of the United Kingdom’s vaccine rollout. Method: Data on vaccination intention were collected from a British university student cohort at three time points: October 2020, February 2021, and March 2021. This online survey included items on intention to receive a vaccine and a free-text response for the reasons behind this intention. Cochran’s Q tests examined changes in rates of hesitancy and acceptance over time and free-text responses were analysed thematically. Results: At baseline, 893 students provided data, with 476 partic...

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2022

Background Psychological factors can influence susceptibility to viral infections. We examined wh... more Background Psychological factors can influence susceptibility to viral infections. We examined whether such influences are evident in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Methods Participants (n = 102) completed measures of anxiety, depression, positive mood, and loneliness and provided a blood sample for the measurement of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins. Results SARS-CoV-2 was significantly negatively associated with anxiety and depression. The model remained significant after adjustment for age and gender, although anxiety and depression were no longer significant independent predictors. Conclusions These findings offer early support for the hypothesis that psychological factors may influence susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ObjectiveThis study examined the COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health of university studen... more ObjectiveThis study examined the COVID-19 risk perceptions and mental health of university students on returning to campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was completed during the first four weeks of the academic year (October 2020) by 897 university students. The survey included demographics and measures of experiences of COVID-19 testing, self-isolation, shielding, perceived risk, mental health and indices capturing related psychological responses to the pandemic.ResultsWe observed higher levels of depression and anxiety, but not stress, in students compared with pre- pandemic normative data, but lower than levels reported earlier in the pandemic in other similar cohorts. Depression, anxiety and stress were independently associated with greater loneliness and reduced positive mood. Greater worry about COVID-19 was also independently associated with anxiety and stress. Female students and those with pre-existing mental health disorders were at greatest...

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2011