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ABSTRACTNCAA student-athletes are at risk for various physical (e.g. injury), psychosocial (e.g. depression), and spiritual (e.g. identity development) health concerns. Consequently, researchers and NCAA athletics’ personnel have prioritized conducting research and developing interventions designed to improve the overall health and well-being of student-athletes. This systematic review was guided by the biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) framework to account for student-athletes’ overall health experience. We incorporated Cooper’s [2010. Research synthesis and meta-analysis: A step-by-step approach(4th ed.). Sage] seven-step protocol for research synthesis to examine the effectiveness of interventions targeting BPSS health outcomes among NCAA student-athletes. Of the 420 studies retrieved from five electronic databases, a total of 20 studies published between 1989 and 2017 were included for review. Results indicated that mindfulness- and cognitive-behavioral-based interventions may be effective at improving BPSS health outcomes among student-athletes. However, the majority of studies had poor methodological quality and demonstrated high risk of bias, raising concern for the generalizability and validity of findings. Implications are discussed.

Women make up approximately 15% of today’s active duty (AD) military. Not only are more women volunteering for military service now than ever before in America’s history, but due to recent policy changes, they are also allowed to apply for more jobs. Therefore, since the number of women in the military is continuing to rise and there are more job opportunities for women in the military, it is important to understand the unique health effects they experience that differ from civilian women and AD males. Although there is current literature on the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual health of veteran women, few researchers have explored the biopsychosocial–spiritual effects of military service on AD women. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review was to explore the existing research on the biopsychosocial–spiritual health factors associated with military service in AD women. The results of this study indicated that there is more data on the biological health compared to the psychological and social health of AD women. There is even less research demonstrating the interconnectedness among biological, psychological, social, and spiritual health with AD women. Future research recommendations and policy implications are provided.

This systematic review of the literature focused on demographic/biopsychosocial-spiritual factors impacting cardiac rehabilitation (CR) referral and participation for African American patients. Seven studies that fit the search criteria reported that African Americans were less likely to be referred and participate in or complete CR due to low-socioeconomic-status–related factors.