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Journal of Pediatric Psychology Oct 2021The current study examined the roles of constructive and dysfunctional problem-solving strategies in the relationships between illness uncertainty and adjustment...
OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the roles of constructive and dysfunctional problem-solving strategies in the relationships between illness uncertainty and adjustment outcomes (i.e., anxious, depressive, and posttraumatic stress symptoms) in caregivers of children newly diagnosed with cancer.
METHODS
Two hundred thirty-eight caregivers of children (0-19 years of age) newly diagnosed with cancer (2-14 weeks since diagnosis) completed measures of illness uncertainty, problem-solving strategies, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress.
RESULTS
A mediation model path analysis assessed constructive and dysfunctional problem-solving strategies as mediators between illness uncertainty and caregiver anxious, depressive, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Dysfunctional problem-solving scores partially mediated the relationships between illness uncertainty and anxious, depressive, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Constructive problem-solving scores did not mediate these relationships.
CONCLUSIONS
The current findings suggest that illness uncertainty and dysfunctional problem-solving strategies, but not constructive problem-solving strategies, may play a key role in the adjustment of caregivers of children newly diagnosed with cancer. Interventions aimed at managing illness uncertainty and mitigating the impact of dysfunctional problem-solving strategies may promote psychological adjustment.
Topics: Caregivers; Child; Depression; Emotional Adjustment; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Neoplasms; Uncertainty
PubMed: 34350968
DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsab065 -
AIDS and Behavior Feb 2022The effect of chronic HIV-infection on psychological adjustment, including the impact of HIV-related stigma in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) youth across Africa is...
The effect of chronic HIV-infection on psychological adjustment, including the impact of HIV-related stigma in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) youth across Africa is largely unknown. This study examined psychological adjustment and HIV-related stigma using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and a 10-item stigma questionnaire in a cohort of PHIV+ youth in Cape Town, South Africa. The relationships between SDQ scores, elevated viral load, and suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence were also explored. Among 473 PHIV+ youth (aged 9-14 years, on ART > 6 months at enrollment), higher perceived HIV-related stigma was associated with higher scores across all adolescent and caregiver-reported SDQ difficulty subscales. Higher socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with lower scores on adolescent self- and caregiver-reported hyperactivity subscales. Higher adolescent-reported prosocial scores were associated with lower odds of self-reported suboptimal ART adherence, and higher caregiver-reported conduct scores were associated with higher odds of elevated viral load. No associations were observed between perceived HIV-related stigma and treatment outcomes. These findings highlight the potentially detrimental impact of perceived stigma on psychological adjustment in PHIV+ youth. The use of psychosocial metrics and interventions aimed at reducing illness related stigma in PHIV+ youth is also considered.
Topics: Adolescent; Emotional Adjustment; HIV Infections; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Social Stigma; South Africa
PubMed: 34318399
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03398-3 -
Child Abuse & Neglect Aug 2022Children and youth residential care institutions were forced to introduce adaptations to their regular functioning in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic...
BACKGROUND
Children and youth residential care institutions were forced to introduce adaptations to their regular functioning in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic challenges.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the lockdown on the adolescents' psychological adjustment and whether adolescents' perceived cohesion mitigated the increase of adolescents' psychological adjustment problems.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants were 243 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, living in 21 different residential care institutions.
RESULTS
The results suggested a moderating role of cohesion on the stability of adolescents' emotional distress across time. Lower levels of cohesion were related with higher emotional distress stability across time. On the contrary, as cohesion increased, the association between adolescents' emotional distress at T0 and T1 decreased.
DISCUSSION
Results are discussed considering the mechanisms raised by the institutions to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and minimize the negative effects on the psychological adjustment of adolescents living in residential care.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Child; Communicable Disease Control; Emotional Adjustment; Humans; Pandemics; Psychological Distress
PubMed: 34756741
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105370 -
Journal of the National Cancer Institute Mar 2020
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Research; Survivorship
PubMed: 31233139
DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djz129 -
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Mar 2024Positive and negative leadership styles may influence classroom norms and be related to the school and psychological adjustment of children in general, and victims in...
Positive and negative leadership styles may influence classroom norms and be related to the school and psychological adjustment of children in general, and victims in particular. This study tested the relation between leadership styles and children's adjustment, and the moderating effects of leadership on the association between self-reported victimization and school and psychological adjustment (self-esteem, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms); and it tested for potential gender differences. Classrooms were classified into those with only positive leaders, only negative leaders, both positive and negative leaders, and without leaders. The sample contained 8748 children (M = 10.05, SD = 1.22; 51.2% girls) from 392 classrooms, in grades three to six, in 98 Dutch schools. Multilevel analysis revealed that, in general, children in negative leader classrooms experienced lower school well-being than children in other classrooms. In positive leader classrooms, male and female victims had lower school well-being. For psychological well-being, female victims had lower self-esteem and more depressive symptoms in positive leader classrooms. Male and female victims in negative leader classrooms did not suffer from additional maladjustment. These results demonstrate that negative leadership styles are related to lower school well-being of all children, whereas victimization in classrooms with positive leaders is negatively related to male and female victims' school well-being and girls' psychological adjustment (depressive symptoms); this is in line with the 'healthy context paradox'.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Female; Emotional Adjustment; Peer Group; Schools; Students; Bullying; Crime Victims
PubMed: 38183532
DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01937-w -
JAMA Oncology Sep 2020
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Survivorship
PubMed: 32644102
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.2496 -
JAMA Oncology Sep 2020
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Survivorship
PubMed: 32644098
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.2482 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022Pesticides used to control insects, such as pyrethroids, are neurotoxicants, yet adolescent researchers often overlook their potential role in adolescent psychological...
Pesticides used to control insects, such as pyrethroids, are neurotoxicants, yet adolescent researchers often overlook their potential role in adolescent psychological adjustment. This brief report is guided by bioecological theory and considers the possible independent and interactive effects of environmental pyrethroid pesticide exposure for adolescent depressive symptoms. Self-reported adolescent appraisals of the parent-child relationship and depressive symptoms were obtained from a convenience sample of impoverished, predominantly Latino urban youth ( = 44). Exposure to environmental pyrethroids was obtained from wipe samples using a standardized protocol. Parent-adolescent conflict was higher in households with bifenthrin than those without, and adolescent depressive symptoms were elevated in homes where cypermethrin was detected. In addition, the presence of bifenthrin in the home attenuated the protective effects of parental involvement on adolescent depressive symptoms. The current results suggest that adolescent mental health researchers must consider the synergistic combinations of adolescents' environments' physical and social features. Given the endemic presence of pesticides and their neurotoxic function, pesticide exposure may demand specific attention.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Depression; Emotional Adjustment; Humans; Parent-Child Relations; Parenting; Pesticides
PubMed: 35010800
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010540 -
PloS One 2021Previous literature on the psychological impact of COVID-19 has shown a direct relationship between family conflicts and psychological distress among parents and their...
Previous literature on the psychological impact of COVID-19 has shown a direct relationship between family conflicts and psychological distress among parents and their children during the domestic lockdown and social isolation; but there are also opportunities to enhance family bonding, encourage collective problem-solving and improve personal relationships. This study aimed to explore psychological adjustment processes of Spanish adolescents and their parents during the first month of lockdown by analyzing their narratives, perceived outcomes, protection and risk factors. A total of 142 people agreed to participate in this study. Of all participants, 61 were adolescents (M = 13.57; SD = 1.74; 57% women) and 81 were parents (M = 46.09; SD = 4.72; 91% mothers). All were Spanish residents and completed an online survey during the domestic lockdown in March 2020. From a qualitative design, methodology followed a mixed approach to analyze data. The results showed three different types of adaptation to lockdown and social isolation in both adolescents and their parents: 1) positive adjustment, 2) moderate adjustment, and 3) maladjustment. Most participants reported a good adjustment and only a 20% of parents and a 16% of adolescents stated that they had not been able to achieve a positive psychological adjustment. There are few significant quantitative differences between adolescents and their parents. The qualitative analysis of data showed that adolescents reported less psychological distress than their parents. The two most important protective factors were social support and keeping busy during lockdown. The most significant risk factors were loss of mobility and social isolation. The conclusions stressed that regarding psychological maladjustment, parents experienced feelings of uncertainty whereas adolescents experienced a kind of mourning process. These findings can be used to design and implement effective intervention measures for mental health and psychological well-being in such a difficult situation as domestic lockdown.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; COVID-19; Emotional Adjustment; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Parents; Psychological Distress; Social Isolation; Spain; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34324579
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255149 -
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland :... 2023The aim: Establishment of emotional and behavioral ways of student response to the coronavirus pandemic, the assessment of dominant coping strategies, and the prevalence...
OBJECTIVE
The aim: Establishment of emotional and behavioral ways of student response to the coronavirus pandemic, the assessment of dominant coping strategies, and the prevalence of neurotic states and stress among students.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and methods: The research used a specially developed questionnaire and a block of psychodiagnostic methods for diagnosing manifestations of neurotic conditions in students (Clinical questionnaire for the detection and assessment of neurotic conditions by K.K. Yakhin, D.M. Mendelevich), the level of psychological stress (Psychological Stress Scale PSM-25) and basic coping strategies (R. Lazarus' "Coping Strategies" questionnaire). The sample consisted of 213 respondents (119 girls, and 94 boys).
RESULTS
Results: Among Ukrainian students, the dominant reactions to the pandemic are depressive disorders, anxiety, and fears, a third of students self-reported autonomic disorders. The stress level is moderate. Girls react to the pandemic situation with more serious mental health disorders compared to boys. The use of all coping strategies was recorded at a high level of stress, which suggests that students have already exhausted their adaptation potential and are maladapted to the current conditions.
CONCLUSION
Conclusions: The study confirms the negative impact of the pandemic on the mental health of young people. The relationship between the type of response to the pandemic and the severity of neurotic disorders and stress was established. Available mental resources to cope with a difficult situation are exhausted, so students prefer to avoid and ignore stressful information. This creates the need for psychological support and educational activities regarding healthcare techniques.
Topics: Male; Female; Adolescent; Humans; Emotional Adjustment; Pandemics; COVID-19; Adaptation, Psychological; Students
PubMed: 37740975
DOI: 10.36740/WLek202308116