A Cluster Within the Continuum of Biopsychosocial Distress Can Be Labeled “Fibromyalgia Syndrome” — Evidence from a Representative German Population Survey

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 2806-2812 ◽  
Author(s):  
WINFRIED HÄUSER ◽  
GABRIELE SCHMUTZER ◽  
ELMAR BRÄHLER ◽  
HEIDE GLAESMER
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Cluster Solution ◽  
German Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
The Continuum

Objective.We tested the hypothesis that “fibromyalgia syndrome” is a biopsychosocial continuum disorder.Methods.A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of the German general population with persons ≥ 14 years of age was conducted based on face-to-face contacts. Physical distress was measured by the regional pain scale (RPS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 15 (PHQ-15), psychological distress by the PHQ-9, and social distress by the Oslo Social Support Scale. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured by the 12-item form of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey. A k-means clustering procedure with 2–8 clusters preset was used to classify the scores of the RPS, PHQ-9, and PHQ-15. The number of clusters retained was based on the stability and interpretability of the clusters. The cluster analysis was first performed with a randomly selected half of the sample and then cross-validated on the second half of the total sample.Results.A 4-cluster solution produced the most stable and meaningful results. Cluster 1 was very low on all symptom scores. Cluster 2 was low on pain sites, somatic symptoms, and depression. Cluster 3 was high on pain scores, moderate on somatic symptoms, and low on depression. Cluster 4 was high on all symptom scores. The centroids of cluster 4 met the survey criteria of fibromyalgia syndrome. Cluster 4 reported a lower HRQOL and less social support compared to the other 3 groups.Conclusion.A cluster within the continuum of biopsychosocial distress can be labeled fibromyalgia syndrome.

Testing the Strain Theory of Suicide – The Moderating Role of Social Support

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Lew ◽  
Ksenia Chistopolskaya ◽  
Yanzheng Liu ◽  
Mansor Abu Talib ◽  
Olga Mitina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Strains ◽  
Moderating Role

Abstract. Background: According to the strain theory of suicide, strains, resulting from conflicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, are hypothesized to precede suicide. But social support is an important factor that can mitigate strains and lessen their input in suicidal behavior. Aims: This study was designed to assess the moderating role of social support in the relation between strain and suicidality. Methods: A sample of 1,051 employees were recruited in Beijing, the capital of China, through an online survey. Moderation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and strains were assessed with the Psychological Strains Scale. Results: Psychological strains are a good predictor of suicidality, and social support, a basic need for each human being, moderates and decreases the effects of psychological strains on suicidality. Limitations: The cross-sectional survey limited the extent to which conclusions about causal relationships can be drawn. Furthermore, the results may not be generalized to the whole of China because of its diversity. Conclusion: Social support has a tendency to mitigate the effects of psychological strains on suicidality.

Social Influences, Social Norms, Social Support, and Smoking Behavior among Adolescent Workers

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 414-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pebbles Fagan ◽  
Marla Eisenberg ◽  
Anne M. Stoddard ◽  
Lindsay Frazier ◽  
Glorian Sorensen
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Social Influences ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Friendship Networks ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Never Smokers

Purpose. To examine the relationships between worksite interpersonal influences and smoking and quitting behavior among adolescent workers. Design. The cross-sectional survey assessed factors influencing tobacco use behavior. Setting. During the fall of 1998, data were collected from 10 grocery stores in Massachusetts that were owned and managed by the same company. Subjects. Eligible participants included 474 working adolescents ages 15 to 18. Eighty-three percent of workers (n = 379) completed the survey. Measures. The self-report questionnaire assessed social influences, social norms, social support, friendship networks, stage of smoking and quitting behavior, employment patterns, and demographic factors. Results. Thirty-five percent of respondents were never smokers, 21% experimental, 5% occasional, 18% regular, and 23% former smokers. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), results indicate that regular smokers were 30% more likely than experimental or occasional smokers to report coworker encouragement to quit (p = .0002). Compared with regular smokers, never smokers were 15% more likely to report greater nonacceptability of smoking (p = .01). χ2 tests of association revealed no differences in friendship networks by stage of smoking. Conclusions. These data provide evidence for the need to further explore social factors inside and outside the work environment that influence smoking and quitting behavior among working teens. Interpretations of the data are limited because of cross-sectional and self-report data collection methods used in one segment of the retail sector.

Poor social support and loneliness in chronic headache: Prevalence and effect modifiers

Cephalalgia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 033310242110203
Author(s):  
Maria Lurenda Westergaard ◽  
Cathrine Juel Lau ◽  
Karen Allesøe ◽  
Anne Helms Andreasen ◽  
Rigmor Højland Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Chronic Headache ◽  
Medication Overuse ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Poor Social Support ◽  
Very High

Objective To explore the prevalence of poor social support and loneliness among people with chronic headache, and how these might be effect modifiers in the relationships between chronic headache and stress, medication overuse, and self-rated health. Background Poor social support and loneliness are consistently linked to worse health outcomes. There are few epidemiologic studies on their effect on headache. Methods The Danish Capital Region Health Survey, a cross-sectional survey, was conducted in 2017. Participants were asked about headache, pain medication use, social support, loneliness, perceived stress, and self-rated health. Data were accessed from sociodemographic registers. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test for effect modification. Results The response rate was 52.6% (55,185 respondents) and was representative of the target population. People with chronic headache were more likely to report poor social support and loneliness compared to those without chronic headache ( p < 0.0001 for both). Odds ratios for the combination of chronic headache and poor social support were very high for stress (odds ratio 8.1), medication overuse (odds ratio 21.9), and poor self-rated health (odds ratio 10.2) compared to those without chronic headache and with good social support. Those who reported both chronic headache and loneliness had a very high odds ratio for stress (odds ratio 14.4), medication overuse (odds ratio 20.1), and poor self-rated health (odds ratio 15.9) compared to those without chronic headache and low loneliness score. When adjusted for sociodemographic factors, poor social support and loneliness were not significant effect modifiers in almost all these associations. Loneliness was a significant effect modifier in the association between chronic headache and medication overuse, but exerted greater effect among those who did not report they were lonely. Conclusion Poor social support and loneliness were prevalent among people with chronic headache. The combination of chronic headache and poor social support or loneliness showed higher odds ratios for stress, medication overuse, and poor self-rated health compared to those with good social support and low loneliness scores. The effect of loneliness in the relationship between chronic headache and medication overuse warrants further study.

scholarly journals Pharmacological neuroenhancement and the ability to recover from stress – a representative cross-sectional survey among the German population

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiana Bagusat ◽  
Angela Kunzler ◽  
Jennifer Schlecht ◽  
Andreas G. Franke ◽  
Andrea Chmitorz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
German Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with the Level of Physical Activity in Fitness Center Users: Croatian-Based Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4038
Author(s):  
Dinko Martinovic ◽  
Daria Tokic ◽  
Lovre Martinovic ◽  
Marko Kumric ◽  
Marino Vilovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
General Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fitness Center ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is based on the traditional cuisine of south European countries, and it is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide. The promotion of combined MD and physical activity has shown major benefits. However, the association between physical activity and the MD in regular fitness center users is still insufficiently investigated. This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted on 1220 fitness center users in Croatia. The survey consisted of three parts: general information, the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The results showed that 18.6% of fitness center users were adherent to the MD, and there was a significant positive correlation between the level of physical activity and the MDSS score (r = 0.302, p < 0.001). Moreover, after dividing the sample into tertiles based on the IPAQ-SF score, the third tertile (MET > 3150 min/wk) had the most fitness center users (34.4%) adherent to the MD, while the first tertile (MET < 1750 min/wk) had the least (6.1%). These outcomes emphasize the importance of physical activity as they imply that, with higher levels of physical activity, people are also possibly more aware of the importance that a healthy and balanced diet has on their well-being.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF INTERNET-ENABLED PHONES ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-42
Author(s):  
Asma Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Smart Phones ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Prolonged Time ◽  
Media Applications ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Smart phones usage is rapidly progressing day by day in young adults’ lives who have become habituated and less indulged in physical activities. Thus, this study is aimed to measure the impact of internet-enabled smart phones on physical activity of students. METHODOLOGY An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among students aged 18-30 years studying in tertiary institutions. Internet-Connectedness Index and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form were formulated in the Google Docs and distributed to participants via email or social media applications. RESULTS A total number of 252 students participated in study revealed that majority of users have own computer for prolonged time with broadband and 3G internet. Only (4.4%) participants have performed vigorous and (5.6%) moderate activities 7 days a week. Whereas (27.8%) participants spent their time sitting at desk, visiting friends, reading, sitting or lying down to watch TV for <2 hours (27.8%), <4 hours (21.8%) while >8 hours (23%) respectively. This showed that with the increased use of internet, young adults performed low physical activity. CONCLUSION It was concluded that majority of young adults have used internet for prolonged time on computer/laptop/cell phones whereas limited participants reported to have regular physical activity however, no significant association was found between the impacts of internet-connectedness with physical activity.

scholarly journals The Association Between Stress Mindset and Physical and Psychological Wellbeing: Testing a Stress Beliefs Model in Police Officers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J Keech ◽  
Kaitlyn L. Cole ◽  
Martin S Hagger ◽  
Kyra Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Proactive Coping ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effects Of Stress ◽  
Emergency Service Workers ◽  
Coping Behaviours

Objective: Emergency service workers like police officers experience high levels of stress in the course of their regular duties. Holding particular stress mindsets may help to mitigate the deleterious effects of stress and promote wellbeing in workers experiencing regular stress. The study aimed to examine the processes by which stress mindsets relate to health and wellbeing in police officers. A stress beliefs model in which perceived somatic symptoms and coping behaviours mediate effects of stress mindsets on outcomes was tested. Design: Police officers (N=134) completed an online cross-sectional survey. Main outcome measures: Perceived somatic symptoms, proactive coping behaviours, physical and psychological wellbeing, and perceived stress. Results: Bayesian path analysis with informative priors revealed indirect effects of stress mindsets on psychological wellbeing and perceived stress through proactive coping behaviours and perceived somatic symptoms. Physical and psychological wellbeing, and perceived stress were predicted by stress mindsets directly, and through perceived somatic symptoms. Conclusion: The findings support model predictions that behaviours aimed at proactively meeting demands and perceived somatic symptoms mediated the relationship between stress mindset and health-related outcomes. The findings provide further foundational knowledge on mechanisms through which stress mindset is associated with outcomes and can inform future longitudinal and experimental research.

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