TABLE 1 Psychological Variables Before Treatment and at Follow-Up

Spiess K, Sachs G, Pietschmann P, Prager R. A program to reduce onset distress in unselected type I diabetic patients: effects on psychological variables and metabolic control. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;132:580–6. ISSN 0804–4643 This paper reports the results of a prospective controlled trial of a program addressing reduction of onset distress and better future adaptation in adults who were enrolled at the time of diagnosis of type I diabetes mellitus. Patients were assigned randomly to either standard intensive treatment and patient education with the distress reduction program (N = 10) or to standard intensive treatment and patient education without this program (N = 13). Prospective follow-up of patients with multiple validated measures of treatment outcome showed less anxious coping behavior, less depression and less denial at the 9-month follow-up and less denial at the 15-month follow-up in the group with the distress reduction program, but no differences in metabolic control between the two groups at any time. We conclude that our program has a positive impact on the crisis at diabetes onset; the lower denial in the treatment group may lead to improved regimen adherence in the long term. Klaus Spiess, Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Vienna, Severingasse 9, A-1090-Vienna, Austria

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LONELINESS AND SUICIDE IDEATION IN OLDER ADULTS: A LONGITUDINAL INVESTIGATION

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2205 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S594-S594

Author(s):

Marnin J Heisel

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Canadian City ◽

Psychological Risk

Abstract Older adults have the highest rates of suicide globally, necessitating theory and research investigating suicide and its prevention in later-life. The experience of loneliness is significantly associated with depression, hopelessness, negative health outcomes, and mortality among older adults. Yet, relatively little research has focused on the role of loneliness in conferring suicide risk in later life. The purpose of the present study was thus to investigate the potential associations between loneliness and suicide ideation and behavior in a sample of community-residing older adults recruited into a larger two-year longitudinal study of psychological risk and resiliency to later-life suicide ideation. We specifically recruited 173 adults, 65 years or older, from community locations in a medium-sized Canadian city, for a study on “healthy aging.” Participants completed measures of positive and negative psychological variables, including depression, loneliness, and suicide ideation at a baseline assessment, and again at 2-4 week, 6-12 month, and 1-2 year follow-up points. Findings indicated that loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale) was significantly positively associated with concurrent depression and suicide ideation, negatively associated with psychological well-being and perceived social support, and differentiated between participants who endorsed or denied having ever engaged in suicide behavior. Baseline loneliness also explained significant variability in the onset of suicide ideation over a 1-2 year period of follow-up, controlling for age, sex, and baseline depression and suicide ideation. These findings will be discussed in the context of the need for increased focus on psychosocial factors when assessing and intervening to reduce suicide risk in older adults.

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How Much Is Needed? Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Pain Education Dosages in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnz069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 782-793 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Juan J Amer-Cuenca ◽

Daniel Pecos-Martín ◽

Patricia Martínez-Merinero ◽

Enrique Lluch Girbés ◽

Jo Nijs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rating Scale ◽

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽

Pain Modulation ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

High Dose ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Pressure Pain Thresholds ◽

Nociceptive Processing ◽

Biomedical Education

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of different dosages of pain neuroscience education (PNE) programs on central nociceptive processing in patients with fibromyalgia. Second, to compare the effects of different dosages of PNE programs on numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), disability, and psychological variables.DesignSingle-blind randomized controlled trial.SettingThree fibromyalgia centers in Spain (Valencia, Alcorcón, Alcalá de Henares).SubjectsSeventy-seven patients with fibromyalgia.MethodsParticipants were randomized to four groups of PNE: 1) high-dose PNE (N = 20), 2) low–concentrated dose PNE (N = 20), 3) diluted low-dose PNE (N = 20), and (4) control treatment (N = 17), conducted in two 30–50-minute sessions in groups of four to six participants. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation (TS), and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at baseline and at three-month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale.ResultsThere were significant between-group differences for NPRS in favor of the groups receiving high-dose PNE, with a large effect size at three-month follow-up (P < 0.01, η2p = 0.170), but there were no significant differences between groups for the remaining variables (P > 0.05). All groups improved for central nociceptive processing, psychological variables, disability, and pain intensity (NPRS).ConclusionsIn patients with fibromyalgia, higher dosages of PNE produced a larger improvement in pain severity at three-month follow-up than other dosages of PNE and biomedical education. However, PNE was not superior to biomedical education in the central nociceptive processing, disability, or psychological variables in patients with fibromyalgia.

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Contribution of Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Psychological Variables to Quality of Life in Women with Cervical Cancer in the Follow-Up Phase

Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings ◽

10.1007/s10880-019-09644-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 603-614

Author(s):

Ana Clara Lopes ◽

Rosário Bacalhau ◽

Martim Santos ◽

Marta Pereira ◽

M. Graça Pereira

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Psychological Variables

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Tracking of physical activity during middle school transition in Iranian adolescents

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896911419341 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 631-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Parvaneh Taymoori ◽

Tanya R Berry ◽

David R Lubans

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High School ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Self Report ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Interpersonal Influences ◽

Factors Analysis ◽

Activity Behavior

Objective: The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine changes in physical activity behavior, psychological factors and interpersonal influences associated with exercise behavior during the transition from secondary school to high school in Sanandaj, Iran. Design: Data were collected from students in 2006 ( N = 1,073), of whom 844 provided follow-up data in 2009. Setting: The students were in high school in 2009 (51% male) with a mean age of 16.42 ± 1.73 years. Method: Physical activity-related cognitions, interpersonal influences, and physical activity behavior were measured using self-report questionnaires. To assess the effects of time and sex on psychosocial factors, analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were conducted. The relative stability of physical activity psychosocial correlates from wave 1 through wave 2 was assessed using Pearson product-moment correlations. Results: There were significant differences according to sex across time for physical activity, psychological variables and interpersonal influences associated with exercise activities. The girls were less active than boys at both time points. Girls reported lower self-efficacy and perceived more barriers and fewer perceived benefits for physical activity over time. Interpersonal influences on activity were more stable for girls than boys. Conclusion: The results offer evidence for decreasing physical activity in boys and girls and sex differences in cognitive variables and interpersonal influences. This is important for understanding how to address the problem of physical inactivity among Iranian youth.

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Psychological Predictors of Fatigue, Work and Social Adjustment, and Psychological Distress in Rheumatology Outpatients

European Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1027/2512-8442/a000024 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 25-29

Author(s):

Faith Matcham ◽

Sheila Ali ◽

Katherine Irving ◽

Trudie Chalder

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Social Adjustment ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Postal Questionnaire ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Behavioral Avoidance ◽

Outpatient Appointments ◽

Longitudinal Relationships

Abstract. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationships between psychological variables and follow-up levels of fatigue, work and social adjustment, and psychological distress in people with rheumatic diseases. The study is a prospective observational study. Patients attending rheumatology outpatient appointments completed a questionnaire during their hospital visit and were mailed a follow-up questionnaire either at their next appointment or via postal questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression models examined the association between baseline cognitive behavioral responses, personality, social support and acceptance and follow-up levels of fatigue, work and social adjustment, and psychological distress, adjusting for age, gender, disease duration, and the length of time between baseline and follow-up. A total of 108 patients completed the follow-up questionnaires. The biggest predictors of having high levels of fatigue at follow-up were increased baseline damage beliefs and behavioral avoidance. Behavioral avoidance at baseline also had a strong relationship with worsened work and social adjustment at follow-up. The biggest predictor of psychological distress at follow-up was a lack of fatigue acceptance at baseline.

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Psychological Factors and Long-Term Abstinence After Smoking Cessation Treatment

The Journal of Smoking Cessation ◽

10.1375/jsc.4.1.10 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 10-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hedwig Boudrez

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Postal Survey ◽

University Hospital ◽

Smoking Abstinence ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Smoking Cessation Treatment ◽

Cessation Treatment

AbstractThis study evaluated the association between psychological variables, measured by questionnaire at the start of a smoking cessation treatment, and smoking abstinence, 8 years after treatment. A total of 124 patients presenting at the stop-smoking clinic of the University Hospital in Ghent, Belgium, were included. Besides the Reasons for Smoking Scale (RSS), Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and smoking status, a psychological questionnaire (NEO PI-R) was presented at baseline. A postal survey after 8 years was executed in order to assess smoking status and smoke-free survival. In 2008, 103/124 answered the postal survey. 66/103 (64.1%) had relapsed. More men then women were smoke-free (46.2% vs. 18.4%; p = .004). Several associations between psychological baseline characteristics and smoking status at follow-up were detected: lower abstinence at follow-up was associated with lower self-discipline (p = .001), lower goal-directedness (p = .03), higher score on symptoms of depression (p = .03), higher anxiety score (p = .01), higher score on the variable shame (p = .02). Some of these associations are confirmed by Kaplan-Meier survival scores that show borderline significance in case of depression (p = .06), statistically significance in case of self-discipline (p = .05) and shame (p = .05) and clear statistical significance in case of anxiety (p = .007). An association between psychological variables at the start of a smoking cessation treatment and smoking abstinence, even after 8 years, can be accepted.

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Environmental Awareness Gained During a Citizen Science Project in Touristic Resorts Is Maintained After 3 Years Since Participation

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.584644 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Marta Meschini ◽

Francesca Prati ◽

Ginevra A. Simoncini ◽

Valentina Airi ◽

Erik Caroselli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Education ◽

Sample Size ◽

Citizen Science ◽

Environmental Behavior ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Short Term ◽

Economic Sectors ◽

Psychological Variables

Tourism is one of the largest economic sectors in the world. It has a positive effect on the economy of many countries, but it can also lead to negative impacts on local ecosystems. Informal environmental education through Citizen Science (CS) projects can be effective in increasing citizen environmental knowledge and awareness in the short-term. A change of awareness could bring to a behavioral change in the long-term, making tourism more sustainable. However, the long-term effects of participating in CS projects are still unknown. This is the first follow-up study concerning the effects of participating in a CS project on cognitive and psychological aspects at the basis of pro-environmental behavior. An environmental education program was developed, between 2012 and 2013, in a resort in Marsa Alam, Egypt. The study directly evaluated, through paper questionnaires, the short-term (after 1 week or 10 days) retention of knowledge and awareness of volunteers that had participated in the activities proposed by the program. After three years, participants were re-contacted via email to fill in the same questionnaire as in the short-term study, plus a new section with psychological variables. 40.5% of the re-contacted participants completed the follow-up questionnaires with a final sample size of fifty-five people for this study. Notwithstanding the limited sample size, positive trends in volunteer awareness, personal satisfaction regarding the CS project, and motivation to engage in pro-environmental behavior in the long-term were observed.

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Long-term Follow-up of Affected Residents After Lifting Evacuation Orders in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan: Findings from an Interview-Based Psychological Survey

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.191 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Yujiro Kuroda ◽

Yohei Koyama

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Living Environment ◽

Fiscal Year ◽

Psychological Variables ◽

Permanent Housing ◽

The Status ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Need For Support

Abstract We examined the relationship between social support and psychological variables, and investigated the status of social support among villagers whose evacuation order had been lifted. The survey used for the analysis is the data of FY 2018 and 2019. In fiscal year 2018, a written questionnaire was posted to 4828 registered residents of Iitate Village and 1405 valid responses were received. The main finding (in joint assessment by local and external experts) was the ‘need for professional support’ (191 respondents, 13.6%). Multivariate analysis found that among those living in permanent housing outside the village, the need for support was significantly more likely for those without emotional support, or instrumental support, and those not providing support. The 2019 follow-up showed a slight improvement in perceived social support (PSS). The associations between perceived social support and living environment suggest the need to strengthen social support measures in areas where evacuation orders are yet to be lifted, which will provide useful information with which to examine the effects of future support efforts.

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