Demoralization in End-of-Life Cancer Patients’ Family Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of demoralization in a sample of end-of-life cancer patients’ family caregivers and investigate the association between demoralization and different factors, such as distress, hope, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and 142 participants were sampled. Family caregivers were included if they were caring for a cancer patient in palliative care with a limited life expectancy. Socio-demographic data were gathered, and Italian versions of the following scales were administered: Demoralization Scale (DS), Herth Hope Index (HHI), Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Distress Thermometer (DT). Results: The average total demoralization score was 29.04 (SD = 13.62). 19.50% of caregivers was the low scorers at DS (0-25th percentile), 27.50% was the middle scorers (25th-75th percentile), and 39.00% was the high scorers (75th-100 percentile). 19.50% of the caregivers showed mild demoralization, 27.50% moderate demoralization, and 39.00% showed severe demoralization. Strong Moderate correlations were found between the total DS score and the Temporality and Future HHI subscale (ρ = .520); the HHI total score (ρ = .528); the Social functioning (ρ = .536) and Mental health (ρ = .675) SF-36 subscales. The HHI total score and the Mental health SF-36 subscale emerged as the main predictors of demoralization. Conclusions: The results show that not only end-of-life patients but also family caregivers may experience demoralization. This demoralization seems to be more associated to spiritual and psychological suffering rather than difficulties relating to caregivers’ personal time, social roles, physical states, and financial resources.

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Factors associated with quality of life of adult patients with acute leukemia and their family caregivers in China: a cross-sectional study

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-020-1269-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chunfeng Wang ◽

Jie Yan ◽

Jingyi Chen ◽

Ying Wang ◽

Ying Chun Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Acute Leukemia ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Short Form ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Sf 36

Abstract Background Acute leukemia (AL) not only impairs the quality of life (QOL) of patients, but also affects that of their family caregivers (FCs). Studies on QOL of AL patients and their FCs are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the QOL of AL patients and their FCs, and to explore the factors associated with QOL of patients and of FCs. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. The QOL of 196 patient–FC dyads was assessed. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Leukemia (FACT-Leu) was used for patients, and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used for FCs. Independent-samples t-tests or one-way analysis of variance were used to compare QOL subscale scores between groups with different sociodemographic/clinical characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with QOL of AL patients and their FCs. Results The total FACT-Leu score for AL patients was 76.80 ± 16.44, and the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores for FCs were 64.67 ± 15.44 and 52.50 ± 13.49, respectively. All QOL subscales for patients (t = 12.96–34.73, p < 0.001) and FCs (t = 2.55–14.36, p < 0.05), except role emotional (t = − 0.01, p = 0.993), were lower than those reported in previous studies. Sex, employment, and chemotherapy were significantly associated with total FACT-Leu score in AL patients (p < 0.05). Age, sex, marital status, education, employment, and relationship to patients were significantly associated with SF-36 PCS or MCS (p < 0.05). Conclusions AL patients and their FCs both have lower QOL than the population in previous studies. These findings suggest that not only AL patients’ physical and mental health but also overall family QOL should be assessed. Interventions supporting patient–FC dyads should be developed to improve their QOL.

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Compounding Impacts of Hazard Exposures on Mental Health in Houston, TX

10.21203/rs.3.rs-412401/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Garett Sansom ◽

Courtney Thompson ◽

Lindsay Sansom ◽

Leanne Fawkes ◽

Elizabeth Boerlin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Large Scale ◽

Short Form ◽

Demographic Data ◽

The United States ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Metropolitan Statistical Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Repeat Exposure

Abstract Purpose Natural and anthropogenic hazards are increasingly becoming commonplace due to climate change and population pressures. The state of Texas is particularly vulnerable to these hazards and is ranked first in the United States due to the immense variety and frequency of large-scale events. While much research has looked at the immediate impacts these incidents have on mental health, little research has addressed the effects of compounding and repeated exposure to hazards. Methods This cross-sectional study (N = 1,224) collected survey data from a representative sample within the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area. Utilizing the 12 item Short Form Health Survey version 2 a general composite score assessing mental health was compared against the type and frequency of hazard exposures. Results Findings revealed an observed reduction in mental health scores as participants had repeated exposures to major disasters. Further, the only significant result (P < 0.001) in dictating a reduced mental health scores was repeat exposure to hazards even after adjusting for demographic data and socioeconomic variables. Conclusion This research reveals the long-term mental impact hazard exposures can have and underscores the need for target public health interventions and engaged community efforts.

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Discrimination and Health: The Mediating Effect of Acculturative Stress

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105312 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5312

Author(s):

Alfonso Urzúa ◽

Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ◽

Diego Henríquez ◽

David R. Williams

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Racial Discrimination ◽

Acculturative Stress ◽

Short Form ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Ethnic Discrimination ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Cross Sectional

There is not much evidence on the effects of south–south migration and its consequences on physical and mental health. Our objective was to examine the mediating role of Acculturative Stress in the association between ethnic discrimination and racial discrimination with physical and mental health. This research is a non-experimental, analytical, cross-sectional study. A total of 976 adult Colombian migrants living in Chile were interviewed. We used the Everyday Discrimination Scale, the acculturative stress scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-12) for health status; we found that racial and ethnic discrimination had a negative effect on physical and mental health. In the simultaneous presence of both types of discrimination, racial discrimination was completely absorbed by ethnic discrimination, the latter becoming a total mediator of the effect of racial discrimination on mental and physical health. Our findings are consistent with the literature, which suggests that there are various types of discrimination which, individually or in their intersectionality, can have negative effects on health.

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Attitude toward Aging Mediates the Relationship between Personality and Mental Health in Older Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050594 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 594

Author(s):

Teshome Sirak Bedaso ◽

Buxin Han

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personality Factors ◽

Health Issues ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Mediator ◽

The Relationship

This study aimed to examine attitude toward aging as a potential mediator of the relationship between personality factors and mental health in terms of depression and life satisfaction among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 Ethiopian elderly individuals aged 60 to 69. The results of the regression-based path analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic data, the relationship between agreeableness and depression in older adults was partially mediated by attitude toward aging. Likewise, attitude toward physical change due to aging and psychological growth subscales jointly mediated the correlation between neuroticism and depression. However, a significant direct path between neuroticism and depression persisted. On the contrary, openness had no significant direct association with depression apart from an indirect through psychosocial loss. The link between life satisfaction and agreeableness as well as openness to experience were partially mediated by psychosocial loss. Therefore, a person’s attitude toward aging and personality characteristics should be taken into consideration while designing interventions for managing mental health issues among older adults.

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Predictors of quality of life among patients on dialysis in southern Brazil

Sao Paulo Medical Journal ◽

10.1590/s1516-31802008000500002 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 126 (5) ◽

pp. 252-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Maristela Bohlke ◽

Diego Leite Nunes ◽

Stela Scaglioni Marini ◽

Cleison Kitamura ◽

Marcia Andrade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Short Form ◽

Outcome Measurement ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Dialysis Facilities

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Quality of life (QoL) is considered important as an outcome measurement, especially for long-term diseases such as chronic renal failure. The present study searched for predictors of QoL in a sample of patients undergoing dialysis in southern Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study developed in three southern Brazilian dialysis facilities. METHODS: Health-related QoL of patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis was measured using the generic Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire. The results were correlated with sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory variables. The analysis was adjusted through multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were assessed: 94 on hemodialysis and 46 on peritoneal dialysis. The mean age was 54.2 ± 15.4 years, 48% were men and 76% were white. The predictors of higher (better) physical component summary in SF-36 were: younger age (β-0.16; 95% confidence interval, CI: -0.27 to -0.05), shorter time on dialysis (β-0.06; 95% CI: -0.09 to -0.02) and lower Khan comorbidity-age index (β 5.16; 95% CI: 1.7-8.6). The predictors of higher mental component summary were: being employed (β 8.4; 95% CI: 1.7-15.1), being married or having a marriage-like relationship (β 4.56; 95% CI: 0.9-8.2), being on peritoneal dialysis (β 4.9; 95% CI: 0.9-8.8) and not having high blood pressure (β 3.9; 95% CI: 0.3-7.6). CONCLUSIONS: Age, comorbidity and length of time on dialysis were the main predictors of physical QoL, whereas socioeconomic issues especially determined mental QoL.

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Utility of telemedicine in COVID-19 pandemic: our experience at a tertiary cancer center in North East India

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20204898 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 4027

Author(s):

Ashok Kumar Das ◽

Sumanjit S. Boro ◽

Anupam Das ◽

Partha Pratim Medhi ◽

Kaberi Kakati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Task Force ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ongoing Treatment ◽

North East ◽

Phone Calls

Background: Telemedicine is a very useful tool of communication between the doctor and the patient. The aim of this study was to find out the utility of telemedicine during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic in North East India.Methods: It is a cross sectional study among the cancer patients at our center on follow up or ongoing treatment and analysis of all the data acquired from telephonic conversation with our patients from 30th March, 2020 to 3rd May, 2020. Have contacted 4181 patients during this period over phone. All phone calls were done by respective department doctors.Results: From the demographic data, we get that 35.4% of patients were at good physical condition, 3.5% with poor general condition, 11.6% patients having ongoing treatment in our institute, 21.1% patients expired, 0.9% patients have nonmalignant diagnosis, 1.4% patients left the institute due to various reasons. Analyzed this data with brain storming sessions amongst the COVID-19 task force doctors and tried to find out solutions of each problem.Conclusions: Telemedicine cannot replace conventional method of in person treatment, but it proved to be a useful tool during the COVID-19 pandemic for patient follow up and treatment of cancer patients.

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Study of psychiatric morbidity of patients attending free mental health check up camp, Simara, Bara district of Nepal

Journal of Psychiatrists Association of Nepal ◽

10.3126/jpan.v2i1.8572 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 30-34

Author(s):

CP Sedain

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Community Mental Health Clinics

Introduction: Maryknoll Nepal has been running community mental health clinics different part of the country. The aim of the study was to find out psychiatric morbidity of patients attending Maryknoll free check up clinic Simara, Bara district of Nepal. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study comprised of all consecutive patients attending Maryknoll free check up clinic Simara, Bara district, Nepal. All the patients attending the free clinics were taken as cases. The study was conducted in January 2009. Demographic data and disease profile of 87 patients attending the clinic were analyzed. The ratios and proportions were used for statistical analysis. Results: Data from Simara free mental health clinic shows that the male to female ratio was 0.55:0.44.The age group 30-39(N-25, 28.74%) followed by age group 20-29 (N-19, 21.84%) was the commonest. The farmer were (N-49, 56.31 %) the most common visitor. The highest number of cases were depressive disorder (N-16, 18.93 %) followed by mania/BPAD (N-14, 16.09 %) and Schizophrenia (N-12, 13.73 %). Conclusion: The commonest incidence of psychiatric illness attending the free clinic is depressive disorder and mania/BPAD. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v2i1.8572 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol .2, No.1, 2013 30-34

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Association of shift work with depression and anxiety in middle-aged adults: a large cross-sectional study among Iranian industrial manufacturing employees

Journal of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1108/jpmh-12-2019-0103 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 291-300

Author(s):

Zeinab Alizadeh ◽

Hamidreza Roohafza ◽

Awat Feizi ◽

Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Shift Work ◽

Short Form ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Steel Company ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type

Purpose This study aimed to examine the association of shift work with depression and anxiety in a large sample of formal and contractual employees of a mill steel company, Isfahan, Iran. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was performed in 2014 among 3,060 formal and contractual employees of a mill steel company Isfahan, Iran, randomly selected from 16,000 people. Data gathering was done by some validated Iranian version of self-administered questionnaires including, International Physical Activity – Short Form, Effort–Reward Imbalance, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Logistic regression was used as the main statistical method. Findings The results showed individuals in the rotating shift compared with day shift had a higher risk of depression (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.12–1.84). Whereas after adjustment for various confounders, this relationship was not significant (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 0.81–1.76). Anxiety was not associated with shift work, both in crude and adjusted models (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.81–1.44) and (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.67–1.19), respectively. Research limitations/implications Owing to the cross-sectional design of this study, cause–effect relationships could not be inferred from our findings. All the data used in the present analysis were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Practical implications Although our findings did not show significant association between shift work and mental health, further studies are suggested for obtaining informative data worldwide in this regard among workforce particularly among industrial employees. Originality/value Few studies have addressed the effects of shift work on mental health among industrial employees worldwide, and there is no study in developing countries.

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Resiliency and mental health of school teachers in Okinawa

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-11-2019-0248 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Paul Ratanasiripong ◽

Takashi China ◽

Nop T Ratanasiripong ◽

Shiho Toyama

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Teaching Profession ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

School Teachers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the mental health issues among teachers globally and to investigate the significant factors that specifically impact the mental health of school teachers in Okinawa, Japan.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study examined depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem and resiliency among 174 teachers from seven schools in Okinawa, Japan. The study questionnaire consisted of four parts, including demographic data, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS-42), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and Connor-Davidson Resiliency Scale (CD-RISC). Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of mental health variables.FindingsOf the 174 teachers, 111 were females (64%) and 60 were males (35%). Average age of participants was 41.65 (SD = 10.07). Average number of years being a teacher was 15.50 (SD = 9.88). There was a significant gender difference in the level of self-esteem. Significant differences in anxiety were found among varying grade levels taught. Regression analyses indicated that resiliency and self-esteem significantly predicted depression, anxiety and stress among school teachers in Okinawa.Originality/valueThis is the first study among school teachers in Okinawa that examined the impact of resiliency and self-esteem on their mental health. To reduce psychological distress common within the teaching profession, social and environmental support should be provided within the school to better foster the successful promotion of teacher resiliency and self-esteem.

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Mental Well-Being and Its Associated Factors Among Myanmar Migrant Workers in Penang, Malaysia

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1010539520940199 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (6-7) ◽

pp. 320-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mila Nu Nu Htay ◽

Swe Swe Latt ◽

Khine Sandar Maung ◽

Wai Wai Myint ◽

Soe Moe

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Support Groups ◽

Migrant Workers ◽

Short Form ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mental Health Support ◽

Health Support ◽

Mental Well Being

International migration has become a global phenomenon bringing with it complex and interrelated issues related to the physical and mental well-being of the people involved. This study investigated the mental well-being and factors associated with mental health among Myanmar migrant workers (MMW) in Malaysia. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Penang, Malaysia by using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index Scale (WHO-5) and the Mental Health subscale of 36 items in the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Among 192 migrant workers who were understudied, 79.2% had poor mental well-being according to the WHO-5 scale. The duration of stay in Malaysia and without receiving financial aid from their employers despite having a physical illness were significantly associated with poor mental well-being. Mental health support groups should target migrant workers for mental health education and find ways to provide assistance for them. Furthermore, premigration training should be delivered at the country of origin that also provides information on the availability of mental health support in the host country.

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