Unjustly Neglected: Siblings of People with a Schizophrenic Psychosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
B. Schrank ◽  
I. Sibitz ◽  
M. Schaffer ◽  
M. Amering

Objective:Siblings of individuals suffering from schizophrenia are often overseen as relatives in need in clinical practice and they are an underrepresented group in research focussing on the needs of carers and relatives of psychiatric patients. We investigated differences between siblings and parents as well as spouses, in regards to help seeking, utilisation of an open group for relatives, their subjective burden and quality of life.Methods:147 relatives of in-patients and patients attending a day hospital where assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Family Problem Questionnaire (FPQ), WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and a questionnaire inquiring about their utilisation of various sources of information and help throughout the course of the illness.Results:Siblings had less contact with patients compared to both parents and spouses, and their quality of life showed less impairment than that of the other groups. However, siblings’ subjective burden was comparable to that of spouses. Still, compared to the other groups, they reported significantly less utilisation of any source of information and help and were far less likely to be invited to support offers specifically aimed at relatives.Conclusions:Siblings of patients with schizophrenia are a particularly neglected group regarding support aimed at relatives. They are heavily distressed, yet there is little offer of professional support for them.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Yong Adilah Shamsul Harumain ◽  
Nur Farhana Azmi ◽  
Suhaini Yusoff

Transit stations are generally well known as nodes of spaces where percentage of people walking are relatively high. The issue is do more planning is actually given to create walkability. Creating walking led transit stations involves planning of walking distance, providing facilities like pathways, toilets, seating and lighting. On the other hand, creating walking led transit station for women uncover a new epitome. Walking becomes one of the most important forms of mobility for women in developing countries nowadays. Encouraging women to use public transportation is not just about another effort to promote the use of public transportation but also another great endeavour to reduce numbers of traffic on the road. This also means, creating an effort to control accidents rate, reducing carbon emission, improving health and eventually, developing the quality of life. Hence, in this paper, we sought first to find out the factors that motivate women to walk at transit stations in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey with 562 female user of Light Railway Transit (LRT) was conducted at LRT stations along Kelana Jaya Line. Both built and non-built environment characteristics, particularly distance, safety and facilities were found as factors that are consistently associated with women walkability. With these findings, the paper highlights the criteria  which are needed to create and make betterment of transit stations not just for women but also for walkability in general.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2648
Author(s):  
Shila Minari Hargreaves ◽  
Eduardo Yoshio Nakano ◽  
Heesup Han ◽  
António Raposo ◽  
Antonio Ariza-Montes ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the general quality of life (QoL) of Brazilian vegetarians. A cross-sectional study was conducted with Brazilian vegetarian adults (18 years old and above). Individuals were recruited to participate in a nationwide online survey that comprised the WHOQOL-BREF as well as sociodemographic and characterization questions related to vegetarianism. The WHOQOL-BREF is composed of 24 items which are divided into four domains (domain 1: physical health; domain 2: psychological well-being; domain 3: social relationships; and domain 4: environment), plus two general items which were analyzed separately, totaling 26 items. The answers from the questionnaire were converted into scores with a 0–100 scale range, with separate analyses for each domain. Results were compared among groups based on the different characteristics of the vegetarian population. A total of 4375 individuals completed the survey. General average score results were 74.67 (domain 1), 66.71 (domain 2), 63.66 (domain 3) and 65.76 (domain 4). Vegans showed better scores when compared to the other vegetarians, except in domain four, where the statistical difference was observed only for semi-vegetarians (lower score). Individuals adopting a vegetarian diet for longer (>1 year) showed better results for domains one and two, with no difference for the other domains. Having close people also adopting a vegetarian diet positively influenced the results for all domains. On the other hand, it was not possible to distinguish any clear influence of the motivation for adopting a vegetarian diet on the scores’ results. Adopting a vegetarian diet does not have detrimental effects on one’s QoL. In fact, the more plant-based the diet, and the longer it was adopted, the better the results were.


Author(s):  
Juan P. Martínez ◽  
Inmaculada Méndez ◽  
Esther Secanilla ◽  
Ana Benavente ◽  
Julia García Sevilla

Starting from previous studies in professional caregivers of people with dementia and other diseases in institutionalized centers of different regions, the aim of this study was to compare burnout levels that workers present depending on the center, to create a caregiver profile with high professional accomplishment and to describe the quality of life that residents perceive Murcia and Barcelona. The instruments used were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Professional Caregiver Survey developed ad hoc and the Brief Questionnaire of Quality of Life (CUBRECAVI in Spanish) on residents. The results show, on the one hand, that levels of professional accomplishment may be paradoxically higher in the case of catastrophe and, on the other hand, the 98.2% of users are satisfied with the residence in which is located and 81.8% with the manner in which occupy the time. The conclusions that are extrapolated from the study shed light on the current situation of workers and residents and the influence that an earthquake can have on them.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. McFarquhar ◽  
A. Bowling

Aims:To investigate the relationship between psychological well-being and measures of active ageing in a British sample of older people. Active ageing is the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security to embrace quality of life as people age.Methods:A national survey of quality of life and psychological well-being including 999 people aged ≥65 years living in private households in Britain commenced in 1999. in the most recent follow up of 2007, 323 survivors aged ≥72 years completed a postal survey regarding their quality of life and specifically the process of active ageing. A subset of 42 participants was also interviewed qualitatively in 2008 about their perceptions of active ageing. Psychological well-being at baseline was measured using the 12 item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) and correlated with measures of active ageing at baseline and in subsequent follow ups. Measures of active ageing included number and frequency of leisure and social activities, physical ability and access to support networks.Results:A significant positive relationship between psychological well being and measures of active ageing was found at baseline (p< 0.05). Measure of active ageing in 2007 were also correlated with psychological well-being at baseline (p< 0.05). Qualitative interviews in 2008 provided additional insights into this relationship.Conclusions:Results suggesting a strong relationship between psychological health and ageing actively. Good psychological health may allow the elderly to maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle and reduce isolation and dependence, which in turn may protect against some aspects of poor mental health.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
V. Porsdal ◽  
O.K. Kleivenes ◽  
C. Beal ◽  
P. Svanborg

Aims:It is known that psychiatric disorders often lead to unhealthy life styles and reduced quality of life, which can lead to weight gain, possibly enhanced by psychotropic treatment.Solutions for Wellness (SfW) is an educational program for life style changes for psychiatric patients. This observational study evaluated the effectiveness of SfW.Method:30 psychiatric clinics collected data for the study. Quality of life was measured by the Subjective Wellbeing under Neuroleptics scale (SWN), at baseline and at the end of SfW participation at 3 months. Demographic, disease and treatment data were also collected. A control group consisted of patients from centers that did not offer the SfW program.Results:314 patients were enrolled in SfW group, 59 in the control group. 54% of the total group had schizophrenia, 67% received atypical antipsychotics. The baseline mean BMI in the SfW group was 31.7 kg/m2.SWN scores for the SfW group improved significantly from baseline to the end of the program (mean increase 3.3 ± 12.2), but not significantly more than for the control group (mean difference 1.4, p = 0.4158 (t-test)). The SfW group demonstrated a significant decrease in BMI, weight and waist circumference from baseline. The decreases were significantly larger compared to the control group for BMI (p = 0.0018) and weight (p = 0.0027) (t-tests).Conclusion:Patients in the SfW program improved in BMI, weight, waist circumference and SWN total score. Changes in weight and BMI were significantly larger in the SfW group compared to the control group.


Author(s):  
Karolina Bezerra ◽  
José Machado ◽  
Vitor Carvalho ◽  
Filomena Soares ◽  
Bruno Silva ◽  
...  

From Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) perspective it is important to have information regarding the type of care needed by bedridden elderly people (BEP) living in their homes, in order to support independence, autonomy and maximize their quality of life. Some basic tasks as eating, taking a bath and the hygiene cares may be difficult to execute, regarding that almost always the main caregiver is the other element of the couple (husband or wife). Following this trend, the development of mechatronic devices is of upmost importance in creating solutions to facilitate these tasks. This paper presents the conceptual design of a mechatronic system especially devoted to the assistance during the bath of BEP. Issues as reducing the number of caregivers to only one to assist the bath and reducing the system’s handling complexity (because most of the time it will be used by an aged person) are considered. Visits to rehabilitation centers and hospitals, and respective working meetings, are considered in the development of the proposed mechatronic system.


Author(s):  
Lea Mayer ◽  
Patrick W. Corrigan ◽  
Daniela Eisheuer ◽  
Nathalie Oexle ◽  
Nicolas Rüsch

Abstract Purpose The decision whether to disclose a mental illness has individual and social consequences. Secrecy may protect from stigma and discrimination while disclosure can increase social support and facilitate help-seeking. Therefore, disclosure decisions are a key reaction to stigma. The first aim of this study was to test a newly developed scale to measure disclosure attitudes, the Attitudes to Disclosure Questionnaire (AtDQ). The second aim was to examine the impact of attitudes towards disclosing a mental illness on quality of life and recovery. Methods Among 100 participants with mental illness, disclosure attitudes, quality of life, recovery, benefits of disclosure, secrecy, social withdrawal, self-stigma, and depressive symptoms were assessed at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Psychometric properties of the AtDQ were analysed. Longitudinal associations between disclosure attitudes at baseline and quality of life and recovery after 6 weeks were examined in linear regressions. Results The analyses of the AtDQ indicated one-factor solutions, high acceptability, high internal consistency, and good retest reliability for the total scale and the subscales as well as high construct validity of the total scale. Results provided initial support for sensitivity to change. More positive disclosure attitudes in general and in particular regarding to family at baseline predicted better quality of life and recovery after 6 weeks. Conclusion The current study provides initial support for the AtDQ as a useful measure of disclosure attitudes. Disclosing a mental illness, especially with respect to family, may improve quality of life and recovery of people with mental illness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-272
Author(s):  
Amanda Cristina dos Santos Nogueira ◽  
Constance Rezende Bonvicini

The COVID-19 pandemic reflects in an intense and complex way in social, economic and cultural processes globally, also due to its sanitary nature in the work environment, a phenomenon that impacts and can have repercussions on workers' health. The general objective of this article was to analyze the influence that the pandemic scenario has on the mental health of professionals working in the health area, taking into account their work, quality of life and satisfaction with the organization. The methodology selected for the research was descriptive, qualitative, classified as a bibliographic research, in which the following descriptors were applied: satisfaction and quality of life in the work context, selecting academic sources of information that responded to the proposed objectives and that presented in the context of the pandemic. The results point to the fact that teams from healthcare organizations can be more affected in the context of the scenario, such as the nurses' class. It is portrayed that these professionals are doubly affected by the pandemic, in their work environment, while occupying the front line in the fight against the virus, and in their personal life, when they face the effects of social isolation, the absence of schools as partners, financial insecurity and related issues. Thus, it is concluded that the satisfaction and quality of life in the work environment was significantly affected by the pandemic, contributing to the development even psychological suffering in various spheres, including work stress, especially in environments where professionals from health.


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