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Background: Foetal development and the long‐term outcomes of the infant are influenced by the intrauterine environment. Strategies to enhance maternal health in pregnancy are needed to improve health outcomes for childbearing women and babies, advancing the well‐being of our general population. Aim: To synthesise the existing literature to determine the impacts of mindfulness and yoga practice upon birth outcomes and maternal health. Methods: An integrative literature review using Whittemore and Knafl's framework was undertaken in 2016–2017. Two search strategies included database peer‐reviewed journal articles and ancestry searching, that is exploring the reference list of relevant research articles. After screening and checking the eligibility, a total of 12 articles were included in this review. Data analysis involved coding, visual displays, thematic analysis and comparison, and conclusion drawing. Results: The results of this review identified a broad theme that mindfulness and yoga practice is associated with improved maternal mental health antenatally and postnatally. Subthemes have been presented under the central theme including the following: increased mindfulness correlates with decreased fear of childbirth; reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression; and supportive group settings found to be beneficial by pregnant women. Conclusion: The evidence presented in this review suggests that mindfulness and yoga practice are feasible and cost‐effective interventions to enhance maternal mental health, particularly for women experiencing mental health challenges. Mindfulness and yoga practised regularly in the antenatal period can significantly promote the health of pregnant women and potentially their developing babies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss findings from a research project in which barriers to and facilitators for promotion with women academics were explored. Four focus groups of women academics at an Australian university were held. Data including responses to semi-structured questions were analysed and interpreted using coding and thematic analysis. We found that multiple barriers and facilitators still exist in the university sector for women applying for promotion, covering structural, organisational, and individual levels. The barriers for promotion included workloads and huge expectations, the multi-pronged promotion process, competition, not being valued, juggling family life and not wanting to risk happiness. Facilitators for promotion included mentoring and collaborative nurturing, giving back to others including the university and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To explore in detail how women perceived their experience of domestic violence and leaving or ending the abuse. This research also examined how service providers identified their professional role in assisting women to end such relationships. Background Domestic violence against women continues to occur internationally. Reliable statistics are difficult to capture because of inconsistent definitions, contradictory methods of acquiring data and unreported incidents. Design A qualitative study, undertaken in two phases, was conducted in Australia. Methods Twelve women who had experienced domestic violence and ended those relationships participated in one semistructured interview (Phase 1). Twenty-five professionals from health, social sciences and law, whose work included assisting women experiencing domestic violence, participated in three focus groups (Phase 2). Thematic analysis guided by a narrative inquiry approach forms the framework for information collection and interpretation of data in this project. Findings The barriers that impede women from disclosing abuse and taking action to end domestic violence are complex and varied between participants. Women did not always acknowledge or realise their relationship was precarious and often denied or minimised the abuse to cope with the domestic violence. Professionals identified that women did not always identify or acknowledge abuse inherent in their relationship although this delayed the provision of appropriate services. Conclusion Whether women disclose abuse or deny violence in their relationship, acceptance by service providers and the offer of support is crucial to assisting women in violent relationships. Relevance to clinical practice It is hoped that the findings may assist health practitioners, including nurses, to provide nonjudgemental support to women experiencing domestic violence whether women acknowledge the abusive relationship or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past 4 years, undergraduate students from the Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, have undertaken a two week cultural study tour in Thailand, being exposed to a broad range of cultural interactions, health settings in rural and remote areas, and health-treatment approaches, including traditional and complementary therapies. Student evaluations and reflections were collected after the 2010 and 2011 study tours. This paper reports on findings following thematic analysis of the data, which identified central themes, including connectivity to others, 'awakenings', 'embodiment', and looking to the future. Findings included a recognition by students of a growth in awareness and change in perspective, which they felt would impact on their future approach in caring for patients from culturally- and linguistically-diverse backgrounds. We conclude that the study tour provided an effective way of sensitizing students to cultural differences and promoting cross-cultural awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]