Dataset Information

Evaluating the Acceptability and Social Validity of a Caregiver-Led Technology-Based Menstrual Hygiene Management Intervention for Youth on the Autism Spectrum.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a critical area of daily living skills for neurodiverse menstruators in which few evidence-based interventions exist. This study evaluated the acceptability and social validity of a caregiver-mediated intervention for youth on the autism spectrum utilizing behavior skills training, animated video modeling, task analysis, and telehealth services to improve changing a menstrual pad.

Methods

The consultant recruited three youth and caregiver dyads to test the intervention and collect acceptability and social validity assessments. Materials varied based on the phase of the study; however, a typical trial required data collection sheets, youth's underwear, a menstrual pad, and, during intervention, the video model and hardware technology. A multiple baseline design across participants and reversal design were used to demonstrate experimental effects. Due to the sensitive nature of the study, independence and accuracy data were collected by caregivers and analyzed later by the consultant through visual analysis.

Results

Overall, youth participants improved their percentage of independent and accurate steps of changing a menstrual pad. Furthermore, caregivers reported moderate to high levels of acceptability of the telehealth service delivery and animated video modeling, as well as the overall MHM training program measured by the Technology Acceptability Model-Fast Form (FF-TAM) and the Behavior Intervention Rating Scale (BIRS), respectively. Youth reported high levels of acceptability of the MHM training program as measured by the Child Intervention Rating Profile (CIRP).

Conclusions

Results suggest that a technology-based, caregiver-mediated MHM intervention for neurodiverse youth would be considered acceptable and socially valid by caregiver and youth participants.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41252-022-00261-x.

SUBMITTER: Lundy KM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9156825 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Reactive agility (RAG) and change of direction speed (CODS) are important determinants of success in football (soccer), but there is an evident lack of information on reliable and valid football-specific testing procedures which will be applicable in defining sport-specific RAG and CODS in youth players. This study evaluated reliability and construct validity of newly developed tests of football-specific RAG (FS_RAG) and CODS (FS_CODS), which involved the ball kicking football technique. Additionally, factors associated with FS_RAG and FS_CODS were evaluated. The participants were youth football players (n = 59; age: 13.40 ± 1.25 years) divided according to their age into U13 (11-12 years of age; n = 29), and U15 (13-14 years of age; n = 30) categories. Additionally, performance levels (starters [first-team] vs. non-starters [substitutes]) were observed in each age category. The dependent variables were newly developed FS_RAG and FS_CODS tests. The independent variables were sprinting capacities over 10 and 20 meters (S10M, S20M), countermovement jump (CMJ), the reactive strength index (RSI), and a generic CODS test of 20 yards (20Y). The newly developed FS_CODS and FS_RAG were observed as dependent variables. Results showed appropriate intra-testing and inter-testing reliability of the FS_RAG and FS_CODS, with somewhat better reliability of the FS_CODS (ICC=0.82 and 0.79, respectively). Additionally, better reliability was evidenced in U15 than in U13 (ICC: 0.82-0.85, and 0.78-0.80 for U15 and U13, respectively). Independent samples t-test indicated significant differences between U13 and U15 in S10 (t-test: 3.57, p < 0.001), S20M (t-test: 3.13, p < 0.001), 20Y (t-test: 4.89, p < 0.001), FS_RAG (t-test: 3.96, p < 0.001), and FS_CODS (t-test: 6.42, p < 0.001), with better performance in U15. Starters outperformed non-starters in most capacities among U13, but only in FS_RAG among U15 (t-test: 1.56, p < 0.05). Multiple regression calculations indicated nonsignificant association between independent and dependent variables in U13 (FS_CODS: 19%, FS_RAG: 21% of the explained variance, both p > 0.05), but independent variables explained significant proportion of both dependent variables in U15 (FS_CODS: 35%, FS_RAG: 33% explained variance, both p < 0.05). The study confirmed the applicability of newly developed tests in distinguishing studied age categories of players. Results indicate that superiority in all studied fitness capacities is translated into performance level in U13. Meanwhile, FS_RAG seems to be important determinant of quality in U15.

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