-
International Psychogeriatrics Apr 2023The identification of protection factors regarding older adults' mental health is essential. Self-compassion, the capacity to be kind towards the self during challenging... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The identification of protection factors regarding older adults' mental health is essential. Self-compassion, the capacity to be kind towards the self during challenging times, may be one such factor. Although still scarce, some research in this field has already been conducted with older adults. Our research question was the following: what is currently known about the role of self-compassion in the psychological (mal)adjustment of older adults?
OBJECTIVES
To review any study designs, in any setting, where self-compassion and any indicators of psychological (mal)adjustment were assessed in participants aged ≥60 years.
DESIGN
A scoping review of English, Portuguese, and Spanish published and unpublished materials, using the EBSCOhost Research and PubMed databases and reference lists. Search terms included self-compassion, self compassion, older adults, elderly, seniors, and geriatrics. After screening and selection of the studies, we charted the relevant data.
RESULTS
Eleven published studies (2012-2018) were reviewed. Self-compassion was associated with, and a predictor of, diverse mental health indicators in older adults. Self-compassion was also associated with indicators of physical health, moderated the relationship between physical health indicators and mental health indicators, and mediated the relationship between diverse mental health indicators. Results were obtained with participants of different nationalities and age. All studies had a cross-sectional design, and most studies recruited well-functioning community residents.
CONCLUSIONS
Self-compassion is beneficial for the psychological adjustment of older adults and may also benefit their biological functioning. Self-compassion seems particularly relevant for those experiencing more negative life events. Studies with more robust methodologies are needed in order to replicate these findings.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Self-Compassion; Empathy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Mental Health; Emotional Adjustment
PubMed: 32624077
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610220001222 -
Stress and Health : Journal of the... Oct 2021Mental healthcare providers face many difficult interactions with patients that can be emotionally demanding and have adverse effects on their well-being. Recent...
Mental healthcare providers face many difficult interactions with patients that can be emotionally demanding and have adverse effects on their well-being. Recent theoretical models suggest that the interpretation of stressful episodes may be more important for psychological adjustment than the nature of the episodes. This study examined whether care providers' interpretations of mechanical restraint episodes were related to their adjustment. We asked 80 mental healthcare providers to recall mechanical restraint episodes and to rate them on centrality to identity and positive and negative influence on self-understanding. They also completed scales measuring current symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression, life satisfaction, and well-being. The results showed that care providers who interpreted mechanical restraint episodes as having a central negative influence on their identity experienced more symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Care providers who gave higher ratings of positive self-change following episodes reported more well-being. Our findings suggest, that considering care providers' subjective interpretations of episodes and not merely the objective facts surrounding them is critical if we wish to mitigate the negative emotional impact of episodes.
Topics: Emotional Adjustment; Emotions; Health Personnel; Humans; Mental Recall
PubMed: 33527630
DOI: 10.1002/smi.3032 -
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry Feb 2022While it is known that being mechanically restrained during hospitalization can, in severe cases, lead to PTSD in individuals with mental illness, less is known about...
AIM
While it is known that being mechanically restrained during hospitalization can, in severe cases, lead to PTSD in individuals with mental illness, less is known about why some develop posttraumatic stress reactions following restraint while others do not. This study examined whether the amount of exposure to mechanical restraint and patients' interpretations of the episodes' centrality to their identity were related to symptoms of PTSD in individuals with schizophrenia.
METHODS
We asked 20 individuals to recall mechanical restraint episodes and rate them on centrality to identity. They also completed scales measuring symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, trauma history, and were rated on positive and negative symptoms. Objective information about the number of times they had been restrained was obtained through Danish health registries.
RESULTS
Amount of exposure to mechanical restraint was not significantly related to PTSD symptoms, potentially due to limitations of our small sample. However, interpreting episodes as more central to identity was. This relationship remained significant when controlling for trauma history, positive symptoms, and depression.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that clinically significant levels of PTSD are common in this population, and that considering patients' subjective interpretations of restraint episodes, and not merely the objective facts surrounding them is important for patients' psychological adjustment.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Emotional Adjustment; Humans; Restraint, Physical; Schizophrenia; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
PubMed: 34182878
DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1939417 -
Pediatric Blood & Cancer Oct 2020Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are at significant risk for psychological adjustment difficulties, including greater depressive and anxious symptomology.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) are at significant risk for psychological adjustment difficulties, including greater depressive and anxious symptomology. Systematic reviews have identified this heightened risk among youth with medical conditions, but these reviews have not been specific to PBTS. Therefore, the current study aimed to directly examine the psychological adjustment of PBTS as compared to healthy peers.
PROCEDURE
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PubMed, PsychInfo, and Academic Search Premier databases. The search yielded 2833 articles, with 22 articles meeting inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
A statistically significant overall medium effect size (Hedge's g = 0.32) indicated that PBTS exhibited poorer overall psychological adjustment relative to healthy comparison groups. Studies that included younger children were associated with larger between-group differences. When evaluating specific outcomes, PBTS had relatively higher levels of depressive symptoms (Hedge's g = 0.36), anxious symptoms (Hedge's g = 0.11), and general distress (Hedge's g = 0.22), but not more externalizing problems.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study confirmed that PBTS are indeed at greater risk for psychological adjustment difficulties relative to healthy comparison groups. These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial screening among this population. Given that depressive symptoms were the most elevated relative to healthy peers, investigation of such symptomatology among PBTS is particularly important.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Cancer Survivors; Child; Emotional Adjustment; Humans; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Survival Rate
PubMed: 32761992
DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28644 -
Patient Education and Counseling Sep 2023This study examined the degree to which breast cancer patients' psychological well-being is facilitated through empathic provider communication. We explored...
OBJECTIVES
This study examined the degree to which breast cancer patients' psychological well-being is facilitated through empathic provider communication. We explored symptom/prognostic uncertainty reduction as a mechanism through which provider communication influences patient psychological adjustment. Additionally, we tested if treatment status moderates this relationship.
METHODS
Informed by uncertainty in illness theory, current (n = 121) and former (n = 187) breast cancer patients completed questionnaires about perceptions of their oncologists' empathy and their symptom burden, uncertainty, and adjustment to their diagnosis. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test hypothesized relationships between perceived provider empathic communication, uncertainty, symptom burden, and psychological adjustment.
RESULTS
SEM supported the following: (1) higher symptom burden was associated with increased uncertainty and reduced psychological adjustment, (2) lower uncertainty was associated with increased adjustment, and (3) increased empathic communication was associated with lower symptom burden and uncertainty for all patients (χ(139) = 307.33, p < .001; RMSEA = .063 (CI .053, .072); CFI = .966; SRMR = .057). Treatment status moderated these relationships (Δχ = 264.07, Δdf = 138, p < .001) such that the strength of the relationship between uncertainty and psychological adjustment was stronger for former patients than for current patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study reinforce the importance of perceptions of provider empathic communication as well as the potential benefits of eliciting and addressing patient uncertainty about treatment and prognosis throughout the cancer care continuum.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
Patient uncertainty should be a priority for cancer-care providers both throughout and post-treatment for breast cancer patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Empathy; Breast Neoplasms; Uncertainty; Emotional Adjustment; Communication
PubMed: 37244129
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107791 -
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 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022Public health emergencies are inevitable major development crises, and there are almost no omens of any emergency. The current social development would inevitably affect...
Public health emergencies are inevitable major development crises, and there are almost no omens of any emergency. The current social development would inevitably affect the psychological situation of civil servants. Grass roots civil servants have a wider range of tasks, more difficult working conditions and a more difficult environment. Under the strong social pressure, civil servants would also have negative factors such as fear and negative attitude. The mental health of grass-roots civil servants depends not only on the image and efficiency of the government, but also on creating a harmonious atmosphere and the quality of economic development. Therefore, people must pay attention to the psychological health of civil servants. It is mainly through psychological intervention and psychological adjustment to improve mental health. By analyzing the psychological characteristics of civil servants under emergencies and under pressure, and according to the importance of their coping ability under emergencies, this paper conducted corresponding psychological adjustment and psychological intervention to ensure the psychological health of civil servants, improve their ability to deal with public emergencies, and enable them to use correct and positive psychology to deal with public emergencies. It can be seen from the firefly algorithm that the prediction error value of the comprehensive quality of civil servants was declining, while the evaluation effect of the comprehensive quality was rising. The average value of the prediction error value of the comprehensive quality was about 0.49, and the average value of the evaluation effect of the comprehensive quality was about 0.73. In the whole process, the prediction error value of comprehensive quality decreased by 0.37, and the evaluation effect of comprehensive quality increased by 0.33. The comprehensive psychological quality and psychological adjustment ability of civil servants after psychological intervention were better than those before psychological intervention. The comprehensive psychological quality of civil servants after psychological intervention was 8.56% higher than that before psychological intervention, and the psychological adjustment ability was 8.47% higher than that before psychological intervention.
Topics: Humans; Emotional Adjustment; Emergencies
PubMed: 36743172
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1114518 -
Head & Neck Feb 2023Low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (LR-PTC) can be managed by immediate surgery (IS) or active surveillance (AS). We compare the psychological impact of these...
BACKGROUND
Low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (LR-PTC) can be managed by immediate surgery (IS) or active surveillance (AS). We compare the psychological impact of these treatments on patients with LR-PTC.
METHODS
Psychological data were collected over 1 year, with assessments at the time of treatment decision (T1), at 6 months (T2) and 12 months (T3) follow-up. Assessments included 13 validated psychological tools.
RESULTS
Of 27 enrolled patients, 20 chose AS and 7 chose IS. The average times to T2 and T3 were 5.7 and 11.3 months, respectively. For both groups, Impact of Events Scale scores significantly decreased (p = 0.001) at T2, and depressive/anxiety symptoms remained low.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the feasibility of assessing psychological outcomes among patients treated for LR-PTC. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of AS versus IS on quality of life and changes that patients experience over longer time periods following their treatment decision.
Topics: Humans; Emotional Adjustment; Thyroidectomy; Quality of Life; Thyroid Neoplasms; Risk; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36495223
DOI: 10.1002/hed.27265 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Jan 2018Psychological adjustment has a major impact on chronic disease health outcomes. However, the classification of psychological adjustment is unclear in the current version...
PURPOSE
Psychological adjustment has a major impact on chronic disease health outcomes. However, the classification of psychological adjustment is unclear in the current version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). We aim (i) to characterize the process of psychological adjustment to chronic disease, and (ii) to analyze how various categories of the psychological adjustment process could be incorporated into the ICF.
METHOD
We provide a summary of models of psychological adjustment to chronic disease. We also evaluate various options for incorporating categories of psychological adjustment into the ICF.
RESULTS
Acute and ongoing illness stressors; emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses; personal background; and social and environmental background are major categories in the adjustment process. These categories could, in principle, be integrated with various components of the ICF. Any future revision of the ICF should explicitly incorporate psychological adjustment and its (sub)categories.
CONCLUSION
The ICF could incorporate categories of psychological adjustment to chronic disease, although several adaptations and clarifications will be required. Implications for Rehabilitation In the context of an ageing society and large numbers of people living with chronic diseases, it is essential to understand psychological adjustment to chronic disease. However, the classification of psychological adjustment to chronic disease is unclear in the current version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). We demonstrate that the ICF could incorporate categories of psychological adjustment to chronic disease, although several adaptations and clarifications would first be required. We suggest that these adaptations and clarifications should be considered in any future revision of the ICF.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Chronic Disease; Disabled Persons; Emotional Adjustment; Humans; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; Models, Psychological; Self-Management
PubMed: 27830936
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1247469 -
Applied Neuropsychology. Adult 2023This systematic review explored the psychological adjustment needs of individuals following an acquired brain injury (ABI). Whilst the landscape of rehabilitation in ABI...
This systematic review explored the psychological adjustment needs of individuals following an acquired brain injury (ABI). Whilst the landscape of rehabilitation in ABI has changed rapidly over the last decade, there is still a lack of emphasis on psychological processes in this area. An electronic search of PsycArticles, PsycINFO, PubMed, JSTOR, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted for records between January 2009 and December 2019 detailing the psychological adjustment needs of individuals in a general ABI population. A total of 17 studies with varying methodologies were initially extracted. Methodological quality was then independently assessed by the three authors, with 14 articles meeting the quality threshold. Across methodologies, key themes emerged in relation to: difficulties adjusting to a new sense of self, the critical nature of social support, and the multifaceted nature of the adjustment process which incorporates many internal and external factors. These results illustrate the importance of psychological factors in ABI rehabilitation and as such highlight that the emphasis on functional outcomes in ABI may be an obstacle to the facilitation of the process of psychological adjustment. This provides justification for a more psychologically informed, holistic approach and inspires further debate as to the fundamental importance of psychological adjustment for individual's post-ABI.
Topics: Humans; Emotional Adjustment; Brain Injuries
PubMed: 34340606
DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2021.1956927