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Journal of Health Psychology Mar 2019In palliative care, a biopsychosocial-spiritual model is essential to address the patient in totality. Spirituality is often a relevant issue in such settings, yet there...
In palliative care, a biopsychosocial-spiritual model is essential to address the patient in totality. Spirituality is often a relevant issue in such settings, yet there is a need to differentiate spirituality from religion. Spirituality in palliative care focuses on the psychological and spiritual aspects of care, helping to relieve the physical, emotional, social and spiritual distresses of the patient, family members and healthcare professionals, produced in such conditions. Psychologists, according to their ethical responsibilities, may include the assessment of their patients' spiritual needs in therapy, as it will help to identify the patients' values, belief systems, spiritual history, distress and needs. All patients have different needs, some may need religious/spiritual guidance, in collaboration with spiritual care workers, and others may not demonstrate needs regarding these issues. The essential is that each patient is treated as a 'whole', addressing his physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
Topics: Humans; Palliative Care; Spirituality
PubMed: 27531369
DOI: 10.1177/1359105316664138 -
Social and Personality Psychology... Jun 2021Aspects of couples' romantic relationships are some of the most powerful psychosocial forces shaping mental and physical health, but even high-quality relationships are...
Aspects of couples' romantic relationships are some of the most powerful psychosocial forces shaping mental and physical health, but even high-quality relationships are not universally beneficial for patients. Dyadic health theories have largely focused on chronic illness management that occurs after the couple understands the disease and prognosis, rather than focusing on couples' interdependence in the days and weeks following a sudden and disruptive medical event (e.g., an acute coronary syndrome [ACS] or a stroke). To address this gap, I propose Dyadic Disruption Theory to guide research on couples' reactions to acute medical events and their consequences for individual and dyadic mental health, physical health, and behavior. I propose that dyadic processes of social support, shared reality, and co-rumination can precipitate harmful patient and partner dynamics when couples are distressed early post-event and offer three propositions that inform testable hypotheses. Finally, I discuss implications for early dyadic intervention and future directions for research.
PubMed: 34322163
DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12604 -
Intensive Care Medicine Sep 2014To test an intervention bundle for thirst intensity, thirst distress, and dry mouth, which are among the most pervasive, intense, distressful, unrecognized, and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
To test an intervention bundle for thirst intensity, thirst distress, and dry mouth, which are among the most pervasive, intense, distressful, unrecognized, and undertreated symptoms in ICU patients, but for which data-based interventions are lacking.
METHODS
This was a single-blinded randomized clinical trial in three ICUs in a tertiary medical center in urban California. A total of 252 cognitively intact patients reporting thirst intensity (TI) and/or thirst distress (TD) scores ≥3 on 0-10 numeric rating scales (NRS) were randomized to intervention or usual care groups. A research team nurse (RTN#1) obtained patients' pre-procedure TI and TD scores and reports of dry mouth. She then administered a thirst bundle to the intervention group: oral swab wipes, sterile ice-cold water sprays, and a lip moisturizer, or observed patients in the usual care group. RTN#2, blinded to group assignment, obtained post-procedure TI and TD scores. Up to six sessions per patient were conducted across 2 days.
RESULTS
Multilevel linear regression determined that the average decreases in TI and TD scores from pre-procedure to post-procedure were significantly greater in the intervention group (2.3 and 1.8 NRS points, respectively) versus the usual care group (0.6 and 0.4 points, respectively) (p < 0.05). The usual care group was 1.9 times more likely than the intervention group to report dry mouth for each additional session on day 1.
CONCLUSION
This simple, inexpensive thirst bundle significantly decreased ICU patients' thirst and dry mouth and can be considered a practice intervention for patients experiencing thirst.
Topics: Critical Care; Female; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Single-Blind Method; Thirst; Xerostomia
PubMed: 24894026
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-014-3339-z -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022An increased incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) has been reported in many countries. However, the prevalence and impact factors of...
An increased incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) has been reported in many countries. However, the prevalence and impact factors of psychological distress and resilience in patients with GEP-NETs are unclear. We recruited 200 patients with GEP-NETs to assess psychological distress and resilience. Measures comprised the Distress Thermometer, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience scale and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire. Our results found that the prevalence of distress, anxiety, depression and low resilience were 31.5%, 31%, 17.8%, and 25.9%, respectively. Female patients were more likely to be distressed, as were those with NET Grade 1, were partly aware of diagnosis, and had known the diagnosis less than 3 months. Distress positively correlated with acceptance-resignation, and resilience positively correlated with confrontation and avoidance. Resilience negatively correlated with psychological distress. Patients coping disease with acceptance-resignation had higher odds of anxiety, depression, and low resilience. Our findings indicate that psychological distress and low resilience were common in patients with GEP-NETs. This suggests a need to integrate psychosocial domain into GEP-NETs clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Psychological Distress; Resilience, Psychological
PubMed: 36465662
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.947998 -
AIDS and Behavior Apr 2022Interrelationships among HIV-associated neurocognitive dysfunction, avoidant coping, cognitively-oriented coping, and psychological distress were examined using...
Interrelationships among HIV-associated neurocognitive dysfunction, avoidant coping, cognitively-oriented coping, and psychological distress were examined using structural equation modeling in an ethnically diverse sample of 209 adults predominantly in the mid-range of illness. Global neurocognitive deficits, assessed with the HIV-dementia scale, were associated with higher levels of avoidant coping, lower levels of cognitive coping, and a higher avoidant/cognitive coping ratio, which were each in turn associated with higher psychological distress measured by a latent factor comprising symptoms of depression, anxiety, and HIV-related distressing thoughts. There were significant indirect effects through avoidant coping and a higher avoidant/cognitive coping ratio. Results suggest the presence of HIV-associated neurocognitive deficits may interfere with the utilization of cognitive-based coping strategies and increase reliance on more maladaptive strategies, which in turn may translate to elevated reports of psychological distress. Findings may help inform interventions aimed at reducing avoidant coping and psychological distress, two factors associated with accelerated HIV disease progression.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Anxiety; Cognition; HIV Infections; Humans; Psychological Distress; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 34537911
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03462-y -
Cancer Medicine Jul 2023Distress is prevalent among lymphoma patients/survivors. Current processes of distress identification rely on self-reporting by patients/survivors, which may be limited... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Distress is prevalent among lymphoma patients/survivors. Current processes of distress identification rely on self-reporting by patients/survivors, which may be limited by their willingness to report symptoms. To help identify patients/survivors at greater risk, this systematic review aims to comprehensively review factors that may contribute to distress in lymphoma patients/survivors.
METHODS
PubMed was systematically searched for peer-reviewed primary articles (1997-2022) consisting of standardised keywords "lymphoma" and "distress." Information from 41 articles was integrated via narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
Consistent risk factors of distress include younger age, relapsed disease, and greater comorbidities and symptom burden. Active treatment and the transition from treatment to post-treatment could be challenging phases. Adequate social support, adaptive adjustment to cancer, engaging in work and healthcare professionals' support may mitigate distress. There is some evidence that older age may be associated with greater depression and life changes/experiences may shape how individuals cope with lymphoma. Gender and marital status were not robust predictors of distress. Other clinical, psychological and socioeconomic factors are understudied or have mixed findings.
CONCLUSIONS
While several factors of distress align with that of other cancers, more research is needed to identify significant factors of distress in lymphoma patients/survivors. The identified factors may support clinicians in identifying distressed lymphoma patients/survivors and providing interventions where necessary. The review also highlights avenues for future research and a need to routinely collect data on distress and its factors in registries.
Topics: Humans; Stress, Psychological; Quality of Life; Lymphoma; Neoplasms; Psychological Distress
PubMed: 37199079
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6069 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Feb 2022Parents of patients with a serious illness experience psychological distress, which impacts parents' wellbeing and, potentially, their ability to care for their...
CONTEXT
Parents of patients with a serious illness experience psychological distress, which impacts parents' wellbeing and, potentially, their ability to care for their children. Parent psychological distress may be influenced by children's symptom burden and by families' financial difficulty.
OBJECTIVES
This study examined the associations among parent psychological distress, parent-reported patient symptoms, and financial difficulty, seeking to determine the relative association of financial difficulty and of patient symptoms to parent psychological distress.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study of baseline data for 601 parents of 532 pediatric palliative care patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study conducted at seven US children's hospitals. Data included self-reported parent psychological distress and parent report of child's symptoms and family financial difficulty. We used ordinary least squares multiple regressions to examine the association between psychological distress and symptom score, between psychological distress and financial difficulty, and whether the degree of financial difficulty modified the relationship between psychological distress and symptom score.
RESULTS
The majority of parents were moderately to severely distressed (69%) or severely distressed (17%) and experienced some degree of financial difficulty (65%). While children's symptom scores and family financial difficulty together explained more of the variance in parental psychological distress than either variable alone, parental distress was associated more strongly, and to a larger degree, with financial difficulty than with symptom scores alone.
CONCLUSIONS
Parent psychological distress was associated with parent-reported patient symptoms and financial difficulty. Future work should examine these relationships longitudinally, and whether interventions to improve symptom management and ameliorate financial difficulties improve parental outcomes.
Topics: Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family; Humans; Palliative Care; Prospective Studies; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 34425212
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.08.004 -
Hormones and Behavior Jul 2023Comforting is a crucial form of prosocial behavior that is important for maintaining social unity and improving the physical and emotional well-being of social species.... (Review)
Review
Comforting is a crucial form of prosocial behavior that is important for maintaining social unity and improving the physical and emotional well-being of social species. It is often expressed through affiliative social touch toward someone in distress, providing relief for their distressed state. In the face of increasing global distress, these actions are paramount to the continued improvement of individual welfare and the collective good. Understanding the neural mechanisms responsible for promoting actions focused on benefitting others is particularly important and timely. Here, we review prosocial comforting behavior, emphasizing synthesizing recent studies carried out using rodent models. We discuss its underlying behavioral expression and motivations, and then explore both the neurobiology of prosocial comforting in a helper animal and the neurobiology of stress relief following social touch in a recipient as part of a feedback loop interaction.
Topics: Animals; Social Behavior; Touch; Motivation; Emotions; Altruism
PubMed: 37301130
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105391 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Mar 2022The prevalence of distress, problems and need for rehabilitation among women treated for gynecological cancer is largely unknown. The aims of this study were to examine...
INTRODUCTION
The prevalence of distress, problems and need for rehabilitation among women treated for gynecological cancer is largely unknown. The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence of distress, problems and unmet rehabilitation needs in the first years after treatment for gynecological cancer.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Women treated for gynecological cancer within the last 2 years were invited. Participants responded to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and Problem List measuring distress and problems. They also answered a questionnaire regarding physical endurance, muscle strength, and need for rehabilitation services.
RESULTS
Of 114 eligible women, 92 (81%) agreed to participate. Mean time since last treatment was 7.6 months (range 0-24.5 months). A total of 57% of the participants reported distress. The four most common problems reported were fatigue (58%), tingling in hands/feet (54%), worry (53%), and problems with memory/concentration (50%). Problems associated with distress were: dealing with partner, all emotional problems (i.e. depression, fears, nervousness, sadness, worry, and loss of interest in usual activities), appearance, memory/concentration, pain, sex, sleep, and problems with physical endurance and muscle strength. Fifty-two percent reported unmet needs for rehabilitation services. Women with distress reported more unmet rehabilitation needs than those in the non-distressed group.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of distress in this population of women treated for gynecological cancer was high. Having a high number of problems and having unmet needs for rehabilitation services were both associated with distress. Hence, measurement of distress seems to be helpful when assessing the need for rehabilitation services.
Topics: Anxiety; Female; Humans; Neoplasms; Prevalence; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34964982
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14310