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Reproductive Biomedicine Online Nov 2022Is there a relationship between disclosure and psychological adjustment in heterosexual-couple families following oocyte donation and sperm donation when the child is 7...
RESEARCH QUESTION
Is there a relationship between disclosure and psychological adjustment in heterosexual-couple families following oocyte donation and sperm donation when the child is 7 years old?
DESIGN
This was a cross-sectional study of heterosexual couples with 7- to 8-year-old children conceived with identity-release oocyte donation (n = 83, response rate 56%) or sperm donation (n = 113, response rate 65%). Participants individually completed instruments for the assessment of parents' emotional distress (HADS), parenting stress (SPSQ) and relationship quality (ENRICH), and their child's psychological adjustment (SDQ-Swe) and reported whether they had talked with their child about their donor conception.
RESULTS
About half of parents had talked with their child about their donor conception (oocyte donation 61%, sperm donation 58%). Separate analyses for mothers and fathers showed no main effects of disclosure or type of donation on the outcomes, nor were there any interaction effects. Overall, mothers and fathers in oocyte donation and sperm donation families were found to be well adjusted, reporting within-normal range levels of anxiety, depression and parental stress, and a high relationship quality. The children were well adjusted, with low levels of emotional and behavioural problems.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the present results confirm previous research indicating that early disclosure of the donor conception to children is not associated with negative outcomes for parents or children. Heterosexual couples using oocyte or sperm donation should be informed that disclosure when the child is 7-8 years old is not detrimental to the psychological adjustment of families.
Topics: Male; Animals; Heterosexuality; Emotional Adjustment; Cross-Sectional Studies; Semen; Oocyte Donation; Tissue Donors; Disclosure; Spermatozoa; Oocytes
PubMed: 35953415
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.06.011 -
Anxiety, Stress, and Coping Sep 2023Cultivation of self-care is believed to foster more well-being and to mitigate the psychological difficulties that mental health professionals experience. However, how...
Cultivation of self-care is believed to foster more well-being and to mitigate the psychological difficulties that mental health professionals experience. However, how the well-being and psychological distress of these professionals impact their personal self-care practice is rarely discussed. In fact, studies have yet to investigate whether the use of self-care improves mental health, or whether being in a better place psychologically makes professionals more prone to using self-care (or both). The present study aims to clarify the longitudinal associations between self-care practices and five indicators of psychological adjustment (well-being, posttraumatic growth, anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue). A sample of 358 mental health professionals were assessed twice (within a 10-month interval). A cross-lagged model tested all associations between self-care and psychological adjustment indicators. Results showed that self-care at T1 predicted increases in well-being and in post-traumatic growth, and a reduction in anxiety and depression at T2. However, only anxiety at T1 significantly predicted greater self-care at T2. No significant cross-lagged associations were found between self-care and compassion fatigue. Overall, findings suggest that implementing self-care is a good way for mental health workers to "take care of themselves." However, more research is needed to understand what leads these workers to use self-care.
Topics: Humans; Emotional Adjustment; Compassion Fatigue; Mental Health; Self Care; Anxiety; Depression
PubMed: 36794327
DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2023.2178646 -
Journal of Epidemiology and Community... Jul 2018Engaging in sport has been suggested to be mitigate against psychological distress. Using a prospective-longitudinal design, we examine whether sport participation is...
BACKGROUND
Engaging in sport has been suggested to be mitigate against psychological distress. Using a prospective-longitudinal design, we examine whether sport participation is associated with reduced psychological difficulties in adolescents and whether associations differ by sport and personal characteristics.
METHODS
17 550 adolescents from grade 7 to 10 (mean age=14.4 years old) self-reported on sport participation, depressive symptoms, social anxiety symptoms and loneliness in Spring 2007 and 1 year later. Analyses tested the association between sport participation and subsequent psychological difficulties using linear regression, while adjusting for pre-existing psychological and sociodemographic characteristics. Analyses also verified whether associations differed by sport frequency (weekly/more than weekly) and type (team/individual) using Wald tests of parameter constraints, as well as sex, age and pre-existing psychological difficulties using interaction terms.
RESULTS
After adjusting for potential confounders, sport participation predicted lower social anxiety symptoms (beta=-0.02 (-0.04, -0.01)) and loneliness (beta=-0.04 (-0.05, -0.02)), but not depressive symptoms. Moderation analyses showed that sport participation predicted greater reductions in depressive symptoms, social anxiety symptoms and loneliness in adolescents with higher baseline scores on each outcome. Associations did not differ by sport frequency and type, sex and age. Post hoc analyses revealed bidirectional associations between sport participation and social anxiety symptoms and loneliness.
CONCLUSIONS
Sport participation predicts small reductions in adolescent psychological distress. Reductions seem most important in youth experiencing greater pre-existing psychological difficulty. Our findings suggest that sport participation represents a protective factor that supports psychological resilience in at-risk youth.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Depression; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Loneliness; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Prospective Studies; Psychology, Adolescent; Quebec; Sports
PubMed: 29540466
DOI: 10.1136/jech-2017-209656 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2019Social and emotional factors such as emotional competence and self-esteem are protective factors that promote adolescent mental health and well-being. In this paper, we...
Social and emotional factors such as emotional competence and self-esteem are protective factors that promote adolescent mental health and well-being. In this paper, we will examine the combined contribution of these socio-emotional factors in addition to personal factors, in the prediction of psychological adjustment and subjective well-being in adolescence. The study included 840 adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years old ( = 13.37, = 1.16, 51.4% girls). We measured personal variables (sex, age, number of siblings), socio-emotional variables (emotional competence and self-esteem), psychological adjustment (emotional and behavioural problems) and subjective well-being (life satisfaction and affect balance). Besides descriptive analysis and Pearson bivariate correlations, two different methodologies were performed, including hierarchical regression models and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results show that emotional competence is a protective factor for optimal adjustment and well-being, and suggest that self-esteem reinforces this relation. Different patterns were observed for female and male adolescents of different ages and with different family backgrounds. The practical implications of our findings for intervention programs have been discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Emotional Adjustment; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Problem Behavior; Psychology, Adolescent; Self Concept; Siblings
PubMed: 31766641
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234650 -
Child: Care, Health and Development Nov 2017In China, there are around 274 million rural-urban migrants, an estimated 61 million children left behind in rural areas by parents, and 29 million children who...
BACKGROUND
In China, there are around 274 million rural-urban migrants, an estimated 61 million children left behind in rural areas by parents, and 29 million children who accompany their parents to cities. The aim of this study was to compare the psychosocial adjustment and behaviours of left-behind children and migrant children.
METHODS
Full data were available for 761 left-behind children and 1,392 migrant children aged 11 to 17 in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. Participants completed a questionnaire focusing on migration status, risks behaviours, and psychological well-being, measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
RESULTS
There were more left behind girls and more urban migrant boys (p < .001). The mean scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were all higher in left-behind children than migrant children: for emotional symptoms (3.82 vs. 3.03, p < .001), conduct problems (2.55 vs. 2.41, p = .048), hyperactivity (4.25 vs. 3.81, p < .001), and total difficulties (13.46 vs. 12.00, p = .020), whereas the prosocial score was lower (6.68 vs. 6.90, p < .001), all indicating lower levels of well-being in left-behind children. Overall, 11.4% of left-behind children and 8.8% of migrant children scored in the abnormal range for total difficulties. Left behind girls were particularly vulnerable to emotional problems. Left-behind children were more likely to admit to stealing and cheating on exams, but there were no differences in other risks behaviours, such as smoking and drinking.
CONCLUSIONS
Migration with parents, rather than separation from parents, was associated with better psychological well-being and fewer behavioural problems. Our findings have relevance for migrant parents in helping to inform decisions about where to raise their children as well as for policymakers in countries where migration is a major issue. When children are left behind, models of community support need to be considered, especially for those who are most vulnerable.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Behavior; Child Behavior Disorders; Child Welfare; China; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emigration and Immigration; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Parent-Child Relations; Risk-Taking; Rural Health; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Transients and Migrants; Urban Health
PubMed: 28752588
DOI: 10.1111/cch.12499 -
Psychology & Health Mar 2017A congenital craniofacial anomaly (CFA) is expected to impact upon several domains of psychological, emotional and social functioning, yet no recent reviews have... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
A congenital craniofacial anomaly (CFA) is expected to impact upon several domains of psychological, emotional and social functioning, yet no recent reviews have comprehensively summarised the available literature. Further, existing reviews tend to draw upon literature in the field of cleft lip and palate, and do not give substantive attention to other types of CFAs.
DESIGN
A review of 41 papers published between January 2000 and March 2016 pertaining to psychological adjustment to CFAs.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Findings are presented according to key psychological domains: General Psychological Well-being, Quality of Life, Behaviour, Emotional Well-being, Social Experiences, Appearance, and Treatment-Related Experiences.
RESULTS
Current literature offers a contradictory picture of adjustment to CFAs. Psychological adjustment appeared to be comparable to norms and reference groups in approximately half of the papers related to non-syndromic CFAs, while more variation was found across domains among samples with syndromic CFAs. Associations were found between adjustment, physical health and cognitive function in several papers. The review identified a number of gaps in the literature, such as the inclusion of a wide range of diagnoses within research samples.
CONCLUSIONS
This review demonstrates the complexity of findings, both within and across domains, and highlights a number of methodological challenges.
Topics: Craniofacial Abnormalities; Emotional Adjustment; Humans
PubMed: 27925479
DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2016.1247838 -
The Clinical Teacher Aug 2019Well-being and uncertainty are intimately related, although less easily defined from a health care perspective. Uncertainty is intrinsic to both the science and practice... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Well-being and uncertainty are intimately related, although less easily defined from a health care perspective. Uncertainty is intrinsic to both the science and practice of health care, and dealing with uncertainty can bring feelings of stress, avoidance and resistance, all of which are detrimental to an individual's well-being.
CONTEXT
Contrary to the majority of the literature, which suggests promoting resilience as a way to improve health care professionals' well-being, our paper argues that a better understanding of the relationship between well-being and uncertainty can support health care professionals in managing the complexity of everyday clinical interactions.
INNOVATION
Various strategies and educational exercises around being comfortable in not knowing, preserving uncertainty through effective communication and the use of reflective silence are discussed to support clinical educators in recognising the impact of uncertainty on individual well-being. The relationship between uncertainty and well-being is poorly understood and vaguely defined … IMPLICATIONS: Our paper calls for a broader understanding of the term well-being, recognising the interplay between individual and environmental factors that contribute to maintaining our well-being. The recommended strategies and exercises can be considered in faculty member development sessions and used to promote the incorporation of curriculum initiatives in this area.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Curriculum; Delivery of Health Care; Education, Medical; Emotional Adjustment; Health Personnel; Humans; Uncertainty
PubMed: 31295790
DOI: 10.1111/tct.13051 -
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aug 2022Although acculturation is considered a mutual process, no measure assesses attitudes toward mutual acculturation. Through a novel four-dimensional measurement, this...
Although acculturation is considered a mutual process, no measure assesses attitudes toward mutual acculturation. Through a novel four-dimensional measurement, this study addresses this research gap by assessing attitudes toward minority and majority acculturation and its relation to psychological adjustment for immigrant-background minority and non-immigrant majority adolescents in public secondary schools in three European countries: in Germany (n = 346, 46% female, M = 12.78 years, range 11-16), Greece (n = 439, 56% female, M = 12.29 years, range 11-20), and Switzerland (n = 375, 47% female, M = 12.67 years, range 11-15). Latent profile analyses led to three distinct acculturation profiles in all three countries: strong and mild mutual integration profiles, where both migrant and majority students are expected to integrate, and a third profile assuming lower responsibility upon the majority. Additionally, those in the strong- and mild-integration profiles reported stronger psychological adjustment than those assuming lower responsibility upon the majority, which held for all students in Switzerland and mostly for those without a migration background in Germany. The findings demonstrate the importance of a mutual acculturation framework for future research. Moreover, as most adolescents fit in with one of the mutual integration patterns, findings stress that no matter their migration background, adolescents favor mutual integration including the expectation on schools to enhance intercultural contact.
Topics: Acculturation; Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Attitude; Child; Emigrants and Immigrants; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Male; Young Adult
PubMed: 35384532
DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01604-6 -
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology Feb 2018Children who live in the context of maternal incarceration (MI) are exposed to both general environmental risk and incarceration-specific risk increasing the probability...
Children who live in the context of maternal incarceration (MI) are exposed to both general environmental risk and incarceration-specific risk increasing the probability of their developing externalizing and internalizing behaviors problems. Little research has examined the socio-emotional mechanisms that account for the psychological effects of MI. This research examined children's anger and sadness regulation as mediators between environmental and incarceration-specific risk and psychological functioning. Participants were 117 children (60% Black; 52% boys; M age = 9.85 years, SD = 1.65 years), their incarcerated mother, and current caregiver. All informants completed questionnaires assessing children's anger and sadness regulation as well as externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Mothers and caregivers provided information concerning children's exposure to environmental risk and all three reporters provided information on incarceration-specific risk experiences (ISRE). Structural equation modeling was used to test indirect effects of risk variables (ISRE, environmental) on psychological functioning (externalizing, internalizing behaviors) via emotion regulation (anger, sadness). Gender, age, and race were covariates. The analyses revealed significant indirect effects of incarceration-specific risk on both externalizing and internalizing behavior problems via anger regulation but not via sadness regulation. The findings highlight the centrality of emotion regulation as a mechanism that helps explain the negative psychological outcomes experienced by children exposed to ISRE with implications for preventive interventions.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Anger; Child; Child Behavior; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Male; Maternal Deprivation; Middle Aged; Mothers; Prisoners; Risk; Sadness; Self-Control; Young Adult
PubMed: 28188560
DOI: 10.1007/s10802-017-0275-8 -
European Journal of Oncology Nursing :... Feb 2024The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between distress, psychological adjustment, and quality of life in patients with colon cancer.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between distress, psychological adjustment, and quality of life in patients with colon cancer.
METHOD
This study employed a cross-sectional design and included 104 colon cancer patients treated at AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. The assessment tools used encompassed the Distress Thermometer, MINI-MAC scale, and FACT-C to evaluate distress, psychological adjustment, and quality of life. Statistical analysis, conducted in SPSS software, encompassed correlation tests and linear regression to explore the interplay between these variables in colon cancer patients.
RESULTS
Correlation tests revealed that patients' quality of life is positively correlated with a fighting spirit (r = 0.719, p < 0.001), cognitive avoidance (r = 0.634, p < 0.001), and fatalism (r = 0.518, p < 0.001), and negatively with helplessness and hopelessness (r = -0.756, p < 0.001), and anxious preoccupation (r = -0.679, p < 0.001). OLS regression findings verified these results partially for a significance level of 5% but indicated no statistically significant effect of cognitive avoidance and fatalism on quality of life, which was further found unaffected by total distress.
CONCLUSIONS
The intricate links between quality of life, distress, and psychological adjustment in colon cancer patients call for deeper investigation. A personalized approach in psycho-oncology care is essential for comprehensive treatment. These findings highlight the significance of addressing the psychological and emotional needs of colon cancer patients, as observed in the study's results.
Topics: Humans; Emotional Adjustment; Adaptation, Psychological; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Colonic Neoplasms; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38006715
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102467