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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes Oct 2021Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is determined by multiple factors that include components such as spirituality and religiousness (S/R). Even though various... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is determined by multiple factors that include components such as spirituality and religiousness (S/R). Even though various systematic reviews have investigated the association between S/R and improved health outcomes in the most different groups, healthy young individuals are seldom addressed.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between S/R and HRQoL among young, healthy individuals.
METHODS
Systematic review of papers published in the last ten years and indexed in four academic research databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) and two gray literature databases. Inclusion criteria were studies assessing S/R and HRQoL using validated instruments and assessing healthy adults (i.e., non-clinical patients, not belonging to any specific group of chronic diseases), aged between 18 and 64 years old.
RESULTS
Ten out of 1,952 studies met the inclusion criteria: nine cross-sectional and one longitudinal cohort study, in which 89% of the participants were college students. Nine studies report a positive association between S/R and HRQoL, while one study did not report any significant association. The main HRQoL domains associated with S/R were the psychological, social relationships, and environment domains, while the S/R most influent facets/components were optimism, inner strength, peace, high control, hope, and happiness.
CONCLUSIONS
Higher S/R levels among healthy adult individuals were associated with higher HRQoL levels, suggesting the S/R can be an important strategy to deal with adverse environmental situations even among those without chronic diseases, enhancing the wellbeing of individuals. Registration of systematic review: PROSPERO-CRD42018104047.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Status; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Spirituality; Young Adult
PubMed: 34674713
DOI: 10.1186/s12955-021-01878-7 -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2023The rapid growth of international human migration has positioned the UK in the top five countries in the world with 9.4 million immigrants in 2022. These immigrants... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The rapid growth of international human migration has positioned the UK in the top five countries in the world with 9.4 million immigrants in 2022. These immigrants originate from low- and middle-income countries and remain particularly at risk of developing TB. In the UK, the number of TB cases has been increasing, and the influx of immigrants could be a contributing factor.
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to map the burden of pulmonary TB among immigrants in the UK and investigate associated factors. It also reviews the TB management approaches among immigrants in the UK.
DESIGN
The study utilized PRISMA guidelines to search electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) for articles published from 2000 to 2022 on TB prevalence and factors in immigrants and explored government websites for TB management strategies.
RESULTS
Nineteen out of 530 initially identified articles were included. The included studies reported a prevalence rate of TB among immigrants ranging from 0.04 to 52.1%, showing a decrease in the burden over time. Additionally, a higher number of TB cases were observed among immigrants from the Asian region, particularly immigrants from South Asia, followed by those from sub-Saharan Africa. Stigma, misconception about the disease, language barrier, lack of confidentiality, and unfriendly healthcare system for immigrants were the main drivers of the TB burden among immigrants. The TB management approaches in the UK include pre-entry screening for active TB, LTBI testing for a specific population group, and antibacterial therapy for 3-6 months for TB patients.
CONCLUSION
The UK's control and prevention efforts in reducing tuberculosis prevalence among immigrants show optimism, but challenges persist. Key improvements include healthcare delivery, TB improvement programs, and policies addressing stigma and patient confidentiality.
PubMed: 38162319
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S441536 -
Psycho-oncology Jun 2015The aim of this study is to examine the relationships among demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and post-traumatic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to examine the relationships among demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in oncology populations.
METHOD
A systematic search identified k = 116 relevant studies published between 1990 and 2012. Meta-analyses synthesized results from studies that reported data on correlates of PTSS (k = 26) or PTG (k = 48). A meta-analysis was performed for k = 5 studies reporting the correlation between PTSS and PTG.
RESULTS
Post-traumatic stress symptoms were associated with depression (r = 0.56), anxiety (r = 0.65), distress (r = 0.62), social support (r = -0.33), and physical quality of life (r = -0.44). PTG was associated with age (r = -0.08), gender (r = -0.15), distress (r = -0.16), depression (r = -0.06), social support (r = 0.30), optimism (r = 0.27), positive reappraisal (r = 0.46), spirituality (r = 0.33), and religious coping (r = 0.36). There was a small positive relationship between PTSS and PTG (r = 0.13).
CONCLUSIONS
Post-traumatic stress symptoms and PTG appear to be independent constructs, rather than opposite ends of a single dimension. This is reflected in a small relationship between these variables and different psychosocial correlates. PTSS were strongly associated with variables reflecting a general state of negative affect. Optimism, spirituality, and positive coping styles were associated with PTG. It remains unclear how they are associated with PTSS, given the lack of relevant studies. Longitudinal research is required to examine how psychosocial factors influence the relationship between PTSS and PTG.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Anxiety; Depression; Humans; Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Religion and Psychology; Sex Factors; Social Support; Spirituality; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 25393527
DOI: 10.1002/pon.3719 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Sep 2023This study seeks to clarify the hope of cancer patients undergoing drug therapy and related factors through a systematic review. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study seeks to clarify the hope of cancer patients undergoing drug therapy and related factors through a systematic review.
METHODS
References were searched and selected in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.
RESULTS
Thirteen articles were selected. A meta-analysis found that the overall Herth Hope Index score for cancer patients undergoing drug therapy averaged 35.64 points. The hope of cancer patients was associated with anxiety/depression and quality of life (QOL). It was also associated with personal attributes such as age, family structure, economic situation, educational level, social support, internal factors such as coping, self-esteem, optimism, self-confidence, locus of control, etc., as well as disease/treatment-related factors such as the purpose of treatment, general condition, presence or absence of metastasis, symptoms, survival period, and estimated life expectancy.
CONCLUSION
Anxiety/depression, QOL, and other factors were found to be related to cancer patients' hope. In the future, studies that clarify the overall structure of various factors related to hope and longitudinal studies will be necessary.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Anxiety; Neoplasms; Adaptation, Psychological; Depression
PubMed: 37768425
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08046-1 -
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health Oct 2023Older refugees experience poor mental and emotional health outcomes compared to younger counterparts. Although older adults are instrumental in family/community... (Review)
Review
Older refugees experience poor mental and emotional health outcomes compared to younger counterparts. Although older adults are instrumental in family/community adjustment in postmigration settings, little is known about how to enhance psychosocial resilience in this population. The aim of this systematic review is to glean deeper insight into the protective factors and processes associated with older refugees' resilience and positive psychosocial health in postmigration settings. We searched eight electronic health and social science databases. Twenty-three articles met the criteria for inclusion; we analyzed these using a multisystemic resilience lens. Studies spanned 1991 to 2022; importantly, 15 of the 23 articles were published in the past decade, indicating growing attention to the mental and psychosocial health of older refugees. Only six of the included articles focused on older refugees living in low- and middle-income countries, revealing a contrast between where most of the world's refugees reside and where the majority of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) research is conducted. We found tremendous variation in determinants of psychosocial resilience based on the politico-historical contexts of migration; sociocultural backgrounds of refugees; and distinct postmigration needs, resources, and settings. Broadly, macrosystem determinants of resilience included security, access to basic services, and maintenance of culture and spirituality. Mesosystem factors were related to social support from families, ethnic communities, religious networks, and host country nationals. Finally, microsystem determinants of older refugees' resilience included language acquisition, cognitive reappraisal, and sense of optimism. Our findings suggest the importance of interdisciplinary, multilevel research designs to highlight how multiple ecosystems interact to promote psychosocial resilience among older refugees. Taken together, this systematic review offers important insight into multilevel protective factors and processes to enhance culturally and contextually meaningful MHPSS for older refugees.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Mental Health; Psychosocial Support Systems; Refugees; Ecosystem; Social Support
PubMed: 37453972
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01516-y -
Schizophrenia Research Aug 2022This review aimed to examine the evidence base for the use of personal recovery facilitators [non-psychopharmacological approaches] for adults with a diagnosis of...
This review aimed to examine the evidence base for the use of personal recovery facilitators [non-psychopharmacological approaches] for adults with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychoses. A systematic review (umbrella review) was conducted of reviews published in English between January 2010 and February 2022, which examined the effectiveness of personal recovery facilitators to support aspects of personal recovery as defined by the CHIME framework (connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning and purpose, and empowerment). Twenty-one systematic reviews on thirteen different types of personal recovery facilitators [PRFs] were included in this umbrella review. Only one review sought to directly measure personal recovery processes according to the CHIME framework. Outcome measures mostly aligned with the processes of hope (21 reviews) and connectedness (19 reviews). Those related to empowerment (2 reviews), identity (5 reviews) and meaning and purpose (1 review) were less frequently the focus of PRFs. Yoga and music therapy showed the most promise as PRFs. Vocational treatments and integrated supported employment show good potential as personal recovery facilitators. However, together with narrative photovoice, art making and exhibition, they require further robust research to fully examine their impact. Personal recovery is only beginning to be considered as an intended outcome of interventions for persons with schizophrenia and other psychoses. This may be due in part to the continued predominance of the biomedical model approach to recovery within statutory services. Future evaluations of PRFs should include outcome measures that directly assess personal recovery according to the CHIME framework or other measures developed in consultation with recipients of these approaches. Review registration number and date: PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020215471: 10/11/20.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Narration; Optimism; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 35777151
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.06.018 -
BMC Cancer Apr 2022Quality of life (QoL) is an important patient-reported outcome that has been studied extensively as an endpoint. There is a growing interest in factors that may...
BACKGROUND
Quality of life (QoL) is an important patient-reported outcome that has been studied extensively as an endpoint. There is a growing interest in factors that may influence QoL, such as personality. This descriptive systematic review examined the relationship between personality and QoL in women with non-metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: On November 24th, 2020, with a update on March 7th, 2022, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and Embase were systematically searched for studies that assessed the direct relationship between personality traits and QoL among adult women diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer. The National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality and risk of bias of the included studies. Three reviewers independently extracted data regarding objectives, population, setting, design, method, outcome measurements and key results. The results are descriptively reported.
RESULTS
Twelve studies (6 cohort studies and 6 cross-sectional studies) were included. Three studies were rated as poor, one study was rated as good, and the remaining studies were rated as moderate. There was a small to moderate effect of personality on QoL as correlation coefficients ranged from 0.10 to 0.77, and the explained variance ranged from 4 to 43%. The (strength of the) relationship depended on the personality trait and QoL domain that was measured and was most apparent for the personality traits 'optimism' and 'trait anxiety' on psychosocial QoL domains. The results for the personality traits (unmitigated) agency, agreeableness, conscientiousness, novelty seeking, and self-efficacy indicated a smaller but statistically significant correlation between these personality traits and QoL.
CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm that personality affects QoL in women with non-metastatic breast cancer and thus provides evidence that personality traits are indeed important influential factors of QoL. It is therefore strongly recommended for all future QoL research to measure personality traits and use these variables as predictive factors, as they are needed to accurately interpret QoL. Information regarding personality traits provide physicians and patients with an interpretation of low or deterioration of QoL, which could guide physicians to improve their patients' health outcomes and subsequently QoL using psycho-oncological support or treatment.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Breast Neoplasms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Personality; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35439953
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09408-4 -
Pain Mar 2023Placebo effects are ubiquitous yet highly variable between individuals and therefore strongly affect clinical trial outcomes such as pain relief. It is unclear whether... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Placebo effects are ubiquitous yet highly variable between individuals and therefore strongly affect clinical trial outcomes such as pain relief. It is unclear whether dispositional psychological traits influence responsiveness to placebo. This preregistered meta-analysis and systematic review synthesized the literature investigating the association between personality traits and placebo effects. Based on 21 studies with 798 participants, we performed formal meta-analyses for 10 different personality traits, including behavioral inhibition, fun seeking, goal-drive persistence, reward responsiveness, empathic concern, empathic fantasy, perspective-taking, personal distress, optimism, and anxiety. We did not find evidence of associations between any of these traits and magnitude of placebo effects, which was supported by equivalence tests. Furthermore, we did not find evidence for moderating factors such as placebo manipulation type (conditioning or nonconditioning) or condition (pain or nonpain). These findings challenge the notion that personality influences responsiveness to placebos and contradict its utility for identifying placebo "responders" and "nonresponders."
Topics: Humans; Placebo Effect; Personality; Empathy; Pain; Pain Management
PubMed: 35947877
DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002753 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Nov 2022Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a major surgery conducted in coronary heart disease management. Postoperative recovery is a crucial process for patients... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a major surgery conducted in coronary heart disease management. Postoperative recovery is a crucial process for patients undergoing CABG. This systematic review evaluates current evidence regarding the association between trait optimism and recovery outcomes in patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
METHODS
This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 Guideline. The inclusion criteria focused on observational study that examined study participants aged ≥18 years old undergoing elective CABG and measurement of trait optimism with validated methods (i.e. LOT, LOT-R) and at least one recovery outcome. Studies in non-English languages and duplicates were excluded. A systematic literature search was carried out on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Search results were screened based on the eligibility criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of each included study.
RESULTS
The search yielded a total of 1853 articles, in which 7 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were subsequently included in the analysis. Measurement of trait optimism was conducted on 1276 patients who underwent a non-emergency/elective CABG. Optimism was significantly associated with several categories of recovery, including reduced rehospitalization rate, complications, pain, and physical symptoms along with improved quality of life, rate of return to normal life, and psychological status.
CONCLUSION
Our review showed that trait optimism was associated with recovery outcomes following CABG surgery. However, the heterogeneity of recovery outcomes may hamper the clinical benefit of trait optimism in CABG. (PROSPERO CRD42022301882).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Humans; Coronary Artery Bypass; Coronary Disease; Observational Studies as Topic; Postoperative Period; Quality of Life
PubMed: 36170801
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111044 -
European Journal of Pain (London,... Nov 2016Due to the frequency of surgeries, acute postsurgical pain (APSP) is a common problem. However, the role of psychological factors in the experience of this kind of pain... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Due to the frequency of surgeries, acute postsurgical pain (APSP) is a common problem. However, the role of psychological factors in the experience of this kind of pain has not been well established. In this review, we focused on presurgical psychological factors associated with the experience of APSP. A systematic search of articles was performed using PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane and DARE. For each study, we assessed the risk of bias, the level of evidence, the corresponding score points and the degree of association with APSP. Separate meta-analyses were performed for the selected variables. Fifty-three relevant publications were selected. Pain catastrophizing, optimism, expectation of pain, neuroticism, anxiety (state and trait), negative affect and depression were classified as likely associated with APSP. Only one of the analysed psychological variables - locus of control - was recognized as shown unlikely association with APSP. Results of meta-analyses suggested that pain catastrophizing was most strongly linked with APSP. Results of the studies reviewed suggest that patients who do not exaggerate the negative aspects of the situation and who have positive expectation of the future before undergoing surgery report lower levels of APSP than patients who catastrophize pain and expect negative events in the future. An increasing interest in preoperative positive psychological variables has been observed over the last few years in studies of surgical patients. WHAT DOES THIS REVIEW ADD?: Pain catastrophizing, optimism, expectation of pain, neuroticism, anxiety (state and trait), negative affect and depression were classified as likely associated with acute postsurgical pain, and locus of control was classified as unlikely associated with acute postsurgical pain. Anxiety was the psychological variable most frequently measured before surgery. Pain catastrophizing was most strongly linked with acute postsurgical pain.
Topics: Acute Pain; Anxiety; Catastrophization; Depression; Humans; Pain, Postoperative
PubMed: 27136510
DOI: 10.1002/ejp.886