scholarly journals Quality of Life and Sleep Among Brazilian Speech-Language Pathology Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s):  
Kelly da Silva ◽  
Raphaela Barroso Guedes-Granzotti ◽  
Vanessa Veis Ribeiro ◽  
Rodrigo Dornelas ◽  
Pablo Jordão Alcântara Cruz ◽  
...  

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the factors that are related to the quality of life and sleep of Brazilian speech-language pathology students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This study adopted a cross-sectional, descriptive observational design. A total of 161 undergraduate speech-language pathology students participated in this study. The relationship between quality of life and sleep, socioeconomic characteristics, and health problems was examined using correlational analysis. Participant data were collected using an online form, which included questions that assessed their socioeconomic and health characteristics during the pandemic; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; and the first two questions of the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Brief Version. Results There were relationships between sleep dysfunction, a reduction in household income during the pandemic, membership to a risk group, living with at-risk individuals, time spent on the Internet (hours), and the purpose underlying Internet use. Satisfaction with health was related to membership to a risk group. Perceptions of the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health were related to sleep dysfunction and quality of life during the pandemic. Conclusion The present findings underscore the need for policies that promote health, prevent diseases, and address mental health problems during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author(s):  
Romany H. Gabra ◽  
Doaa F. Hashem ◽  
Gellan K. Ahmed

Abstract Background Most autism spectrum disorder (ASD) interventions evaluated child outcomes and ignoring the role of parent and family factors on both the immediate- and long-term effects of therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stigma, parent mental health problems, and quality of life and burden in families of children with ASD in Egypt and its risk factors. Seventy parents of ASD children were recruited from two child intervention centers. Participants were divided into two groups based on burden scale: caregivers of moderate burden (n = 27) and caregivers of severe burden (n = 43). All parents were evaluated for demographic data, zarit Burden Interview, socioeconomic scale, symptom checklist–90 (SCL90), Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale (EMIC-CSS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Results Half of the parents reported significant stigma, particularly caregivers with a severe burden. Caregivers with severe burden had more depression and about twice the frequency of sensitivity and somatization problems, lower QoL (20%) as compared with caregivers with moderate burden. Parents with ASD had many associate factors such as work, male autistic children and their caregiver, age of children and parents, the severity of the condition, and disease duration with burden, stigma, QoL, and mental health problems. Conclusions This study linked the interrelationships between increased burden and stigma, impaired quality of life, and parental mental health problems; the presence of one of these variables was found to increase the risk of other variables.


Author(s):  
Galateja Jordakieva ◽  
Igor Grabovac ◽  
Margarete Steiner ◽  
Wolfgang Winnicki ◽  
Sabine Zitta ◽  
...  

Kidney transplantation (KTx) in end-stage renal disease is associated with a significant increase in quality of life (QoL) and self-perceived health, optimally leading to the maintenance of employment or return to work (RTW) in working-age patients. The aim of this study was to assess individual factors including the QoL and mental health of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) associated with employment after transplantation. A cross-sectional study including working-age patients with a history of KTx after 2012 was conducted at two Austrian study centers (Vienna and Graz). Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) and Workability Index (WAI) were assessed along with detailed questionnaires on employment status. Out of n = 139 KTRs (43.2 ± 9.07 years; 57.6% male), 72 (51.8%) were employed. Employed patients were more frequently in a partnership (p = 0.018) and had higher education levels (p = 0.01) and QoL scores (<0.001). Unemployed KTRs reported fatigue and mental health issues more often (p < 0.001), and had significantly higher anxiety, depression and somatization scores (BSI-18). In unadjusted logistical regression, workability score (WAS; odds ratio (OR) = 3.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.97–5.82; p < 0.001), partnership (OR = 5.47; 95% CI 1.43–20.91; p = 0.013) and no psychological counseling after KTx (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.003–0.969; p = 0.048) were independently associated with employment. Self-assessed mental health, workability and QoL were significantly associated with employment status after KTx. Thus, in order to facilitate RTW after KTx in Austria, vocational rehabilitation and RTW programs addressing KTRs should focus on increasing social support and care for their mental health.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia K. Y. Lai ◽  
Justina Y. W. Liu ◽  
Daphne S. K. Cheung ◽  
Kenny C. W. Chin ◽  
Mimi M. Y. Tse

Abstract Background This prospective observational study examined changes in the mental health status of frail and pre-frail older adults over a 1-year period, a topic lacking in-depth exploration in the literature. Method Fried Frailty Index was used to differentiate frailty status in participants recruited from community centres and residential care facilities in Hong Kong. Demographic and clinical data were collected using face-to-face interview at baseline and repeated after 12 months. Results Physical functioning, comorbidities, and psychological and environment domains (World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument) impacted the cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms, and sense of loneliness in the sample (N=107). Functional health and vision had a significant impact on cognitive status; depression negatively associated with comorbidity, functional health, and quality of life domains (psychological and environment); loneliness was affected by both age and environment. Conclusion The findings showed that frail and pre-frail older adults have complex needs in relation to their mental health even just over a 1-year period. Intervention programs on frailty that focus on physical aspects will not suffice. Programs for frailty also need to incorporate mental health components to enhance health and wellbeing.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuka Kotozaki

Abstract Objective There is a need for safer and more effective programs to address postpartum women's mental health dysfunction. The objective of this study was to clarify the effects on mental health, including postpartum depression, by implementing Japanese postpartum women with gardening activities by a pilot single-arm trial. Results 15 women about a year after giving birth, recruited through newspaper advertisements, took part in this pilot study. I used the Japanese version of Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) score as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were parenting stress, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL). Data collected at pre and post-test were analyzed using a paired t test. The EPDS, stress regarding parents, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-state, and STAI-trait of post-test were significant decreased than pre-test (p < 0.05). Also, physical health and psychological health of the World Health Organization Quality of life 26 (WHOQOL-26) of post-test were significantly increased than pre-test (p < 0.05). The gardening activity might be promising for mitigating depressive mood in postpartum women.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherphard Chidarikire ◽  
Merylin Cross ◽  
Isabelle Skinner ◽  
Michelle Cleary

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental disorder affecting more than 20 million people worldwide. Although understanding peoples’ experiences of living with an illness is core to assessment, planning and delivering culture specific health care, little is known about the experiences of people living with schizophrenia in resource-poor countries. This article reports on a study that explored the everyday lives of eighteen people living with schizophrenia in Zimbabwe and its impact on their quality of life. Methods This focused ethnography was conducted over a three-month period in 2015. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, non-participant observational fieldwork, and the short form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. Interview data were digitally recorded, transcribed and translated from Shona (local language) to English. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used to analyse questionnaire data. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using an established framework. Results Survey data indicate internal consistency in the psychological and social relationships domains and poor quality of life for people aged 20-40. The major factors related to quality of life were: age, gender, family dislocation: living with stigma and discrimination; and limited and variable access to treatment and support. Obtaining and paying for antipsychotic medications were challenging and female participants recounted experiencing gender-based stigma. Conclusions Findings from our study suggest that age, gender, family dislocation, stigma, discrimination, and variable limited access to affordable medications and support undermine quality of life by disrupting participants’ ability to function in socially acceptable ways, their sense of belonging and self-worth, and family, work and social relations. Strengthening access to mental health services, addressing the affordability and availability of medications and initiatives to alleviate stigma and promote a sense of belonging, especially for younger adults and women should be a priority for government and health service providers. Further research on managing mental health issues such as schizophrenia in Zimbabwe, should focus on initiatives to strengthen quality of life.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa J. Rowthorn ◽  
D. Rex Billington ◽  
Christian U. Krägeloh ◽  
Jason Landon ◽  
Oleg N. Medvedev

Author(s):  
Elainy da S. Camilo Loiola ◽  
Tiago Oliveira Loiola ◽  
Renan Santos Mugrabi

The literature indicates a high prevalence of mental disorders in the university population and reveals the vulnerability of this public to psychic illness. Thus, exploring protective and risk constructs related to mental health problems in higher education students is important to collaborate with more effective interventions. Studies already associate personal and academic characteristics including age, income, and academic performance with mental illness of university students. However, there is still little scientific knowledge about psychosocial predictors such as quality of life to psychological disorders in this population. This study analyzed the predictive effect of quality of life on mental health of academics from a Public University of western Amazonia of Brazil. A cross-sectional design was carried out with 301 university students, who responded to the instruments: Quality of Life of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-bref); Maslach Burnout Invetory/Student SurveyBI (MBI-SS); General Health Questionnaire (QSG); and a socio-demographic and academic characterization form. The results of the regression analyses indicated that the Quality-of-Life domains predicted the dimensions of emotional exhaustion and professional efficacy of burnout syndrome and influenced the five factors of general health, namely psychic stress, desire for death, distrust in performance capacity, sleep disorders and psychosomatic disorders. These findings suggest that strategies focused on increasing quality of life can mitigate mental health problems among university students.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247970
Author(s):  
Kang-Hyun Park ◽  
Ah-Ram Kim ◽  
Min-Ah Yang ◽  
Seung-Ju Lim ◽  
Ji-Hyuk Park

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose significant challenges to nations. The Korean government aimed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through stay-at-home strategies and maintaining social distance, which are likely to result in major changes in the lifestyle, mental health, and quality of life of citizens. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these factors in Koreans over 20 years old. Methods The study sample consisted of 104 adults in South Korea aged over 20 years. An online survey was conducted between August and October 2020, in which participants were asked to complete the Yonsei Lifestyle Profile to assess lifestyle changes, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale abbreviated version. To investigate the changes in people’s lifestyles, depression, and quality of life post COVID-19, descriptive statistics were calculated for these indicators before and after the onset of the pandemic. The p-value was two-sided, and values <0.05, were regarded as statistically significant. Results There was a significant decline in physical and other meaningful activities, including activities of daily living, leisure, social activity, and education. However, there were no significant changes in nutrition, except in the consumption of carbohydrates and minerals. Participants reported that their quality of life and mental health had decreased after the pandemic struck. Conclusions We obtained novel data on the changes in the lifestyle, mental health, and quality of life of South Korean adults before and after the onset of the pandemic. The results of our study may assist health policymakers and practitioners in the development of health education or relevant interventions to deal with the pandemic situation as well as future crises.


Author(s):  
Jasmina Mahmutović ◽  
Najda Veladžić ◽  
Amra Mačak Hadžiomerović ◽  
Suada Branković ◽  
Hadžan Konjo ◽  
...  

Introduction: The primary source of strength and support is the child’s family. A special role in caring for a child with developmental disabilities is played by his mother. The objective of this research is to find out the assessment of the quality of life (QOL) of disabled children mothers as well as to research the relation of sociodemographic variables of the respondents, as specified in this study and estimate the quality of their life and health.Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed by the use of the descriptive-analytical method. In a targeted association of families which have children and persons with difficulties was conducted this research on a sample of 100 registered mothers. The research instrument was the standardized questionnaire for QOL, the World Health Organization QOL-BREF and the users’ records of the mothers in the association.Results: The average age of the respondents was M = 48. 01 ± 11. 68. About 62% of the respondents are married, 54% have a high school diploma, 67% are not employed, 68% of the respondents did not declare to have health problems, and among those who declared to have health problems, the most common disease was diabetes mellitus. The average number of household members was M = 3. 44 members. The number of the household members was significantly and positively related to the domain of social interaction (rs = 0. 219; p < 0. 05), the domain of the environment (rs = 0. 220; p < 0. 05) and to the general QOL (rs = 0. 227; p < 0. 05). The age of the respondents was significantly and positivelyrelated only to the environmental domain (rs = 0. 205; p < 0. 05). The respondents who drive a car showed a significantly higher level of QOL in the field of mental health (p = 0. 042) and the environment (p = 0. 005). Concerning mothers with higher incomes rate, their QOL was better in the following domains: Physical health (p = 0. 030), mental health (p = 0. 002), environment (p = 0. 000001), and general QOL (p = 0. 0002).Conclusion: The respondents with a larger number of household members, those who have the support of family members, who were without health problems, and who independently use own car for transportation, consider their QOL as being better. Therefore, a promotional – preventive program for improving the life quality of mothers of children and persons with disabilities should include accessible life in the community and the ability to recognize the unique needs of the entire family of children and persons with disabilities.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enisa Sljivo ◽  
Aida Rudic ◽  
Fatima Jusupovic

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) as a predictor of work abilities of employees in a tobacco factory.Methods: The study was performed in the period between 2011 and 2012. The sample comprised of 270 workers, males and females, aged from 20-65, with different educational backgrounds. The study was performed as cross-sectional research, on a voluntary basis, using two standardized and anonymous questionnaires: The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Work Ability Index questionnaire (WAI).Results: The participants subjectively perceived high values of QOL in general, with the highest values in the area of living environment. The lowest value was in the area of social interactions. Statistically significant differences were observed in the subjective assessments of QOL, especially in three defined areas (physical health, mental health, and social interactions).  Workers age 50-65 years and workers with basic (primary) level of education exhibited a suboptimal (<70%) values in total value and the values of individually defined areas of QOL.Conclusions: Strong predictors of exemplary work ability of employees are good physical and mental health, younger age, and higher level of education. A link was observed between suboptimal work ability and dissatisfaction with profession and working environment, frequent illness, absenteeism, and exposure to health risks at the workplace. 


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