Depression, social support, executive functioning, functionality, and quality of life in institutionalized elderly people

Aim Our aim was to study the executive functioning, functionality, and quality of life of institutionalized old aged persons and to determine the potential roles of self-reported depression and satisfaction with social support on these domains. Method The sample comprised 36 volunteers (13 males and 23 females) aged between 71 and 94 years. The measures used consisted of well-established battery of neuropsychological tests. A comparative study was performed. Results Participants with depressive symptoms shown impaired executive functioning. Cognitive flexibility, functionality in instrumental activities of daily living, and quality of life are more affected in participants with higher levels of depression that also report higher levels of satisfaction with social support. Conclusion This result is intriguing and may highlight the relevance of considering not only depression, but also factors related to social isolation and loneliness in the explanation of cognitive performance, functionality, and quality of life.

Association between cancer stigma, pain and quality of life in breast cancer

Aim We examined the association between cancer stigma and quality of life. We further explored the role of pain intensity in this association among women with breast cancer in the first months following diagnosis. Methods 105 women with breast cancer within 8 months of diagnosis completed self-report measures assessing cancer stigma, pain intensity and quality of life. Results Our findings show that stigma among breast cancer patients is associated with worse quality of life. Pain intensity partially mediated the relationship between cancer stigma and quality of life. We recruited a convenience sample of women with breast cancer, which may be subject to selection bias. The cross sectional design of the study precludes inferences regarding causality. Conclusions Health professionals should recognize and mitigate the impact of stigma as an important factor that is associated with impaired quality of life among patients with breast cancer. Continued attention should be paid to pain intensity and the complex relationship between stigma and pain in predicting quality of life.

Investigating relationship between psychological trait resilience and forgiveness among internally displaced persons

Aim In general, conflict has many adverse effects on individuals’ lives. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological trait resilience and forgiveness among internally displaced persons (IDPs). Method The sample consisted of 244 IDPs (111 males and 133 females) who have been exposed to various stressful situations. Age of participants ranged between 18 and 60 years (M = 32.63 years, SD = 8.18). Psychological Trait Resilience Scale and Enright Forgiveness Inventory were used through a cross-sectional study to collect data. Results The results showed that IDPs reported low levels of resilience and forgiveness. The results also indicated that ecological resilience was positively related with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive forgiveness, while engineering resilience was positively related with emotional and cognitive forgiveness. Adaptive resilience was found to be positively related with emotional forgiveness. Regression analysis indicated that ecological resilience uniquely predicted emotional, behavioral, and cognitive forgiveness after controlling for demographic characteristics. Conclusion These results suggest that higher levels of resilience are important for forgiveness among IDPs. Interventions aiming to enhance IDPs’ forgiveness should account for psychological trait resilience.

Adaptação e validação cultural de questionário de aconselhamento na diabetes do tipo 2

Objetivo O objetivo do estudo é contribuir para a validação do Questionário de Avaliação dos Fatores Associados ao Aconselhamento na Diabetes do Tipo 2 (CSRBQ), que avalia os fatores psicossociais envolvidos na prestação de aconselhamento nutricional, de atividade física e de educação continuada (e.g., autoeficácia). Método Foi utilizada uma metodologia mista, com recurso a questionário e entrevistas individuais com profissionais de saúde. Primeiro foram feitas análises à sensibilidade e fiabilidade do instrumento numa amostra de 74 profissionais de saúde envolvidos diretamente na consulta de Diabetes do Tipo 2 (médicos e enfermeiros); posteriormente, foi feita uma análise facial do instrumento através da análise de conteúdo de 17 entrevistas individuais. Resultados A versão portuguesa do CSRBQ apresenta medidas descritivas e consistência interna aceitáveis para quase todas as escalas e, de um modo geral, foi bem aceite e interpretada pelos profissionais de saúde. A análise das entrevistas sugere a necessidade de ajustamento do questionário ao nível da sua organização e clarificação. Conclusão O CSRBQ pode oferecer informação relevante acerca das barreiras e facilitadores à prestação de aconselhamento pelos profissionais de saúde na diabetes do tipo 2.

Awareness and knowledge about gestational diabetes mellitus among antenatal women

Aim The study examined the awareness and knowledge about gestational-diabetes-mellitus (GDM) among antenatal-women and found its influential factors through three phases. Method The sample for phase I was 523 antenatal women. In phases II and III, 33 participants who were identified to be aware of GDM from Phase I were included. Measures used were Gestational-Diabetes-Knowledge-Questionnaire (GDKQ) and an open-ended questionnaire. Results Age and “number of Pregnancies to date” significantly predicted awareness. Kruskal-Wallis H test indicated that antenatal-women differed in their ‘knowledge' across the trimesters. Mann-Whitney U showed a difference in ‘knowledge' among participants, ‘with' and ‘without' a history of diabetes. Electronic and print-media were identified to be the significant sources of knowledge. Conclusion The study highlights the importance of implementing methods that enhance the awareness and knowledge of GDM among the antenatal women.

Quem tem medo da felicidade? - versão Portuguesa da escala do medo da felicidade

Objetivo O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa da Escala do Medo da Felicidade. Este conceito é definido como o medo que tem subjacente a crença de que a felicidade traz consequências negativas. Método Os participantes foram 323 estudantes universitários entre os 18 e os 54 anos de idade cujos dados foram recolhidos presencialmente (n = 118) e online (n = 205). Resultados Os resultados da análise paralela e das análises fatoriais exploratória e confirmatória confirmaram a estrutura unidimensional da escala que demonstrou uma boa consistência interna. O medo da felicidade apresentou uma correlação negativa moderada com a satisfação com a vida, o afeto positivo e a esperança e uma correlação também moderada mas positiva com o afeto negativo. Através de uma análise de regressão linear hierárquica verificou-se que o medo da felicidade, controlando variáveis sociodemográficas e psicossociais, estava negativamente associado à satisfação com a vida. Conclusão A versão portuguesa da Escala do Medo da Felicidade apresentou boas qualidades psicométricas. A disponibilização deste instrumento permitirá contribuir para os estudos sobre a felicidade, especificamente, como é que pode ser experienciada de uma forma negativa e, por vezes, evitada.

Perceções e comportamentos dos médicos oncologistas relativos à promoção de atividade física

Objetivo Descrever e explorar determinantes da promoção de Atividade Física (AF) por parte dos oncologistas, analisar a perceção de capacidade, oportunidade e motivação dos médicos quanto à promoção de AF, e analisar as preocupações relacionadas com a prática de exercício físico dos doentes oncológicos. Método Um total de 76 oncologistas preencheram um questionário constituído por demografia, questões sobre a promoção da AF ligadas às perceções de capacidade, oportunidade, motivação, comportamento, e necessidades. Foram realizadas análises de correlação de Pearson e Spearman, regressão linear múltipla, teste-t paramétrico e não paramétrico. Resultados Foram detetadas perceções de capacidade e oportunidade baixas e uma motivação elevada. A grande maioria promove atividade física, mas não promove exercício físico estruturado, contudo, reconhecem a sua importância. A capacidade é a variável mais preponderante no comportamento, mas as restantes variáveis estão associadas ao mesmo. É reportada uma necessidade de melhoria de condições para a promoção de AF. Conclusão Os resultados devem ser analisados com cautela devido à amostra reduzida, no entanto, sugerem que os médicos valorizam a prática de AF dos seus doentes mas não se sentem capazes para promovê-la, o que legitima a presença de fisiologistas do exercício nos serviços de saúde. A presença do fisiologista do exercício pode ser um fator desencadeador da promoção de AF e exercício físico.

Alexithymia and help-seeking attitudes in college-aged students

Aim This epidemiological study focused on prevalence of the personality trait, alexithymia – the inability to recognize and describe one’s own emotions – among college-aged students. Method Levels of normative alexithymia (measured by the NMAS), clinical alexithymia (measured by the TAS), as well as attitudes towards help seeking behavior (measured by the ATSPPH) were assessed. Results A total of 547 participants were collected from over 48 colleges and universities, primarily in Western New York. Results indicated that 89.5% of college students displayed moderate to high levels of normative alexithymia and 48.7% displayed moderate to high levels of clinical alexithymia. Additionally, there were no significant differences between the scores of men and women on either alexithymia measure. Significant findings indicated that there was a positive relationship between clinical alexithymia scores and attitudes toward help-seeking. Conclusion These results call into question previous literature, which states that there is no correlation between alexithymia and help-seeking behavior (Berger et al., 2005, https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.6.1.73). The results of this study suggest a shift in culture, as well as a need for more research regarding alexithymia.

Establishment of a reliable change index for the GAD-7

Aim It is increasingly important for mental healthcare providers and researchers to reliably assess client change, particularly with common presenting problems such as anxiety. The current study addresses this need by establishing a Reliable Change Index of 6 points for the GAD-7. Method Sample size included 116 online community participants using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and archival data for 332 clinical participants. Participants completed measures of the GAD-7 and the MDI in 2 rounds. Using previously established cutoff scores and Jacobson and Truax’s (1991) method, we establish a Reliable Change Index which, when applied to 2 administrations of the GAD-7, indicates if a client has experienced meaningful change. Results For the GAD-7, the mean score for the clinical sample was 10.57. For the community sample at Time 1, the mean score was 4.14. A Pearson’s correlation was computed to assess the 14-28-day test-retest reliability of the GAD-7, r(110) = .87, indicating good test-retest reliability. Conclusion Using the RCI equation, this resulted in an RCI of 5.59. For practical use the RCI would be rounded to 6.

Drinking, smoking and type a polydrug behaviours: Psychosocial factors among Portuguese university students

Aim This paper aims to describe alcohol, tobacco and type A polydrug consumption among university students. Method A cross-sectional study was performed. Through a convenience sampling, a total of 338 were included (51.8% male with a mean age of 20.6 years, SD = 3.4). Data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed by sociodemographic and substance consumption and behaviours variables. Spearman's correlation coefficients were assessed to measure the strength and direction of the association between sociodemographic and substance consumption variables. To evaluate type A polydrug consumption, multivariate logistic regression models were performed. Results It was observed significant correlations between tobacco consumption with cannabis and alcohol involvement, and coping, conformity, social, enhancement drinking motives. About alcohol consumption, there were observed relations with students’ social environment, and with enhancement, conformity and social drinking motives. Regarding sociodemographic factors on type A polydrug consumption it was verified that students who have parents and friends who smoke are more likely to polydrug. Conclusion Findings suggest that interventions focused on substance consumption may need to address descriptive and injunctive norms, drinking motives and social environment as part of the student’s consumption behaviours.