-
Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Jun 2024Alcohol use is prevalent among college students. Research has found that psychological distress in the form of depression, anxiety, or loneliness has been consistently...
Alcohol use is prevalent among college students. Research has found that psychological distress in the form of depression, anxiety, or loneliness has been consistently associated with greater alcohol use. Because Students of Color (SoC) disproportionately experience greater psychological distress than White students, it is critical to determine buffers against psychological distress and subsequent alcohol use consequences. Previous literature found that social support can protect against the effects of psychological distress and weaken its link with alcohol use. This study aimed to determine the moderating effect of social support in the relation between psychological distress and alcohol use among SoC. College Students of Color from across the U.S. ( = 211, = 27.51, = 9.63) were recruited Prolific to answer an online survey through Qualtrics. Linear regression analyses showed that psychological distress variables (i.e., depression, anxiety, and loneliness) were positively associated with alcohol use. However, moderation analysis did not find any form of social support to moderate the relation between psychological distress variables and alcohol use. Future research needs to identify other protective factors against alcohol use to support SoC in their academic journey.
PubMed: 38884615
DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2024.2367243 -
Psychiatry and Clinical... Mar 2024This study aims to examine the levels and the relationship between resilience and marital adjustment in mothers of a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
BACKGROUND
This study aims to examine the levels and the relationship between resilience and marital adjustment in mothers of a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
METHODS
Seventy mothers with a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who have been followed up in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Bakırköy Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry Neurology and Neurosurgery and 74 mothers with a typically developing child to form the control group were included in the study. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale was applied to assess the severity of autism symptoms in children. Sociodemographic form, Beck Depression Scale and Beck Anxiety Scale were applied. The Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults was used to assess resilience. The Marital Adjustment Scale was applied to evaluate the participants' marital adjustment.
RESULTS
The level of resilience ( < .001) and marital adjustment ( = .002) in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder were found to be lower when compared to mothers with a typically developing child. There is a negative correlation between the level of resilience and the severity of autism ( = .002) ( = -0.361). A positive correlation was found between marital adjustment and resilience ( < .001) ( = 0.465). High levels of depressive symptoms ( = .003), low marital adjustment ( = .003), and low educational level were found to be predictive of low resilience ( = .044).
CONCLUSION
Taking advantage of the fact that resilience is a dynamic process, there is a need to develop strategies to increase resilience in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder, which will also give rise to individual and marital well-being.
PubMed: 38883886
DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2023.22592 -
Journal of the American Heart... Jun 2024Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a burdensome condition that inflicts both physical and psychological impairment on those with the disease, negatively impacting... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a burdensome condition that inflicts both physical and psychological impairment on those with the disease, negatively impacting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Given the abundance of evidence suggesting a role of physical activity (PA) in modulating HRQoL in healthy populations of children, we sought to determine the relationship between HRQoL and PA in children diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A multicenter prospective observational cohort study was conducted, with patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy aged 10 to 19 years being provided a wrist-worn activity tracker (Fitbit Charge HR) to wear for 14 days. Patients self-reported on Pediatric Quality of Life 4.0 quality of life inventory items, which were associated with PA metrics following covariate adjustment using linear regression. A total of 56 participants were recruited to the study. The median age at enrollment was 15.5 years (interquartile range, 13.8-16.8), and 16 out of 56 (29%) of the cohort were girls. The cohort reported decreased metrics of physical, psychosocial, and total summary scores compared with health reference populations, with scores comparable with that of published populations with chronic disease. Increased physical HRQoL scores were significantly associated with increased daily steps taken, distance traveled, and flights of stairs climbed.
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that impaired PA correlates with reduced HRQoL in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggesting PA may partially mediate HRQoL in this population.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Female; Adolescent; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Male; Prospective Studies; Child; Exercise; Young Adult; Fitness Trackers; Health Status
PubMed: 38879453
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.033968 -
Journal of Cancer Survivorship :... Jun 2024Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with permanent stomas might be at higher risk of social isolation, and stigma can play an important role in the development of social...
PURPOSE
Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with permanent stomas might be at higher risk of social isolation, and stigma can play an important role in the development of social isolation. However, the underlying psychological mechanisms are understudied. The current study examined how stoma acceptance and valuable actions mediated the relationships between stigma and social isolation among CRC survivors with permanent stomas.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 303 CRC survivors with permanent stomas. The chain mediation models were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS to explore the pathways through which stigma can be associated with CRC survivors' social isolation, mediated by stoma acceptance and valuable actions.
RESULTS
The results indicated that higher stigma was related to lower stoma acceptance, less personal values enactment, and higher social isolation, as well as lower objective social connectedness and subjective social belongingness among CRC survivors with permanent stomas. Additionally, the mediational analyses revealed that stoma acceptance and valuable actions jointly mediated the relationships between stigma and social isolation.
CONCLUSION
Social isolation among CRC survivors during the adjustment to both stoma and stigma may be alleviated through tailored interventions that improve stoma acceptance and valuable actions.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
The chain mediating roles of stoma acceptance and valuable actions highlight that tailored interventions, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, can be targeted for this population, considering this population's unique needs.
PubMed: 38878118
DOI: 10.1007/s11764-024-01614-2 -
Journal of School Psychology Aug 2024Peer defending has been shown to protect bullied peers from further victimization and social-emotional problems. However, research examining defending behavior has...
Peer defending has been shown to protect bullied peers from further victimization and social-emotional problems. However, research examining defending behavior has demonstrated positive and negative social-emotional adjustment effects for defending students themselves. To explain these mixed findings, researchers have suggested that associations between defending behavior and social-emotional adjustment may be buffered by protective factors (i.e., defender protection hypothesis) or exacerbated by vulnerability or risk factors (i.e., defender vulnerability hypothesis). Consistent with these hypotheses, the present study aimed to investigate whether relationships with teachers and peers would moderate the association between defending behavior and social-emotional adjustment. This three-wave longitudinal study examined the association between peer nominated defending behavior and later self-reported depressive symptoms and self-esteem in 848 Belgian students in Grades 4-6 (53% girls; M = 10.61 years, SD = 0.90 at Wave 1). Peer nominated positive and negative teacher-student relationships (i.e., closeness and conflict) and peer relationships (i.e., acceptance and rejection) were included as moderators. Clustered multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that defending behavior did not predict later depressive symptoms (β = -0.04, p = .80) or self-esteem (β = -0.19, p = .42). The lack of these associations could be explained by the defender protection and vulnerability hypotheses. However, contrary to our expectations, teacher-student closeness and peer acceptance did not play a protective role in the association between defending behavior and social-emotional adjustment (β = -1.48-1.46, p = .24-0.96). In addition, teacher-student conflict and peer rejection did not put defending students at risk for social-emotional maladjustment (β = -1.96-1.57, p = .54-0.97). Thus, relationships with teachers and peers did not moderate the association between defending behavior and later depressive symptoms and self-esteem.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Peer Group; Bullying; Child; Students; Interpersonal Relations; Self Concept; Longitudinal Studies; Schools; Social Adjustment; Emotional Adjustment; Depression; Crime Victims; Belgium; School Teachers
PubMed: 38876544
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2024.101315 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Jun 2024This study aims to describe maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) trajectories in a longitudinal study extending from pregnancy to 27 years after the birth of the...
BACKGROUND
This study aims to describe maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) trajectories in a longitudinal study extending from pregnancy to 27 years after the birth of the firstborn child. We also explored the associations of both MDS trajectories and child internalizing and externalizing problem trajectories with maternal adjustment (adaptive functioning, emotional and behavioral problems).
METHODS
The population-based study was conducted in Tampere, Finland, and the sample comprised 356 first-time mothers. MDS were screened with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during pregnancy, first week after delivery, 2 and 6 months postnatally, and when the child was 4-5, 8-9, 16-17, and 26-27 years of age. The internalizing and externalizing problems of the children were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist when the child was 4-5, 8-9, and 16-17 years of age. Maternal adaptive functioning and internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed with the Adult Self Report at 26-27 years after the birth of the first child. Complete follow-up data were available for 168 mothers.
RESULTS
We describe a three-group trajectory model of MDS (High Stable, Low Stable, Very Low). Elevated depressive symptom patterns were associated with less optimal maternal outcomes regarding both adaptive and problem dimensions. The child's internalizing and externalizing problem trajectories were associated with maternal internalizing and externalizing problems but not with maternal adaptive functioning.
LIMITATIONS
Maternal and child measures were based on maternal reports only.
CONCLUSIONS
The interconnectedness of the well-being of the mother and child should be noted in health and mental health services for adults and children.
PubMed: 38876318
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.027 -
European Journal of Preventive... Jun 2024Exposure to work-related sexual harassment may increase the risk for certain adverse behavioural and emotional outcomes but less is known about its association with...
AIMS
Exposure to work-related sexual harassment may increase the risk for certain adverse behavioural and emotional outcomes but less is known about its association with somatic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. This study investigated the prospective association of work-related sexual harassment and risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
METHODS AND RESULTS
This cohort study included 88 904 Swedish men and women in paid work who responded to questions on workplace sexual harassment in the Swedish Work Environment Survey (1995-2015) and were free from cardiometabolic diseases at baseline. Cardiometabolic diseases (CVD and type 2 diabetes) were identified from the National Patient Register and Causes of Death Register through linkage. Cox proportional hazard regression was used, adjusting for socio-demographic, work-related psychosocial, and physical exposure at baseline. Overall, 4.8% of the participants (n = 4300) reported exposure to workplace sexual harassment during the previous 12 months. After adjustment for sex, birth country, family situation, education, income, and work-related factors, workplace sexual harassment was associated with increased incidence of CVD [hazard ratio (HR) 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.51] and type 2 diabetes (1.45, 1.21-1.73). The HR for CVD (1.57, 1.15-2.15) and type 2 diabetes (1.85, 1.39-2.46) was increased for sexual harassment from superior or fellow workers, and sexual harassment from others was associated with type 2 diabetes (1.39, 1.13-1.70). The HR for both CVD (1.31, 0.95-1.81) and type 2 diabetes (1.72, 1.30-2.28) was increased for frequent exposure.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study support the hypothesis that workplace sexual harassment is prospectively associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Future research is warranted to understand causality and mechanisms behind these associations.
PubMed: 38875457
DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae178 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Patients with cancer experience significant psychosocial distress. Stressors include interpersonal difficulties like loneliness, isolation, thwarted belongingness,...
OBJECTIVE
Patients with cancer experience significant psychosocial distress. Stressors include interpersonal difficulties like loneliness, isolation, thwarted belongingness, communication impediments, and conflicts. Interventions are required that address their specific psychosocial needs. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a promising concept for the treatment of psychosocial distress associated with cancer because it addresses patients' interactions and role transformations. This review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence regarding interventions for patients with cancer based on IPT.
METHODS
A systematic review following PRISM guidelines was conducted, including randomized controlled trials of IPT-based interventions in patients with cancer, assessing effects on distress, depression, and anxiety.
RESULTS
Eight studies were included, sampling 390 patients in total. Seven out of eight studies assessed exclusively women with breast cancer. Two studies described IPT interventions and showed stronger improvement in depression and anxiety compared to TAU and equal improvement in depression compared to other psychotherapy interventions. Six studies described remote Interpersonal Counselling (IPC). One found remote IPC to be superior to control conditions regarding depression, and one found remote IPC to be superior to attention control, but not active control conditions. No study found remote IPC to be superior to control conditions regarding distress.
DISCUSSION
There are few randomized controlled trials of IPT for patients with cancer. Results regarding depression and anxiety are promising for in-person IPT, but mixed for remote IPC.
CONCLUSION
The review suggests in-person IPT, but not remote IPC, may yield benefits for patients with cancer. Research on the subject is scarce, and to inform implementation of IPT interventions, research with diverse groups of patients with cancer is required.
SYSTEMATIC TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO, Identifier CRD42023410687.
PubMed: 38873503
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1367807 -
Blood Cancer Journal Jun 2024Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) survivors suffer early-onset chronic diseases classically associated with aging. Normal aging is accompanied by organ...
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) survivors suffer early-onset chronic diseases classically associated with aging. Normal aging is accompanied by organ dysfunctions, including immunological ones. We hypothesize that thymic immunosenescence occurs in cALL survivors and that its severity may correlate with early-onset chronic diseases. The PETALE study is a cALL survivor cohort with an extensive cardiovascular and metabolic evaluation. The thymic immunosenescence biomarker, signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC), was evaluated and was highly correlated with age in healthy participants (n = 281) and cALL survivors (n = 248). We observed a systematic thymic immunoage accentuation in each cALL survivor compared to controls ranging from 5.9 to 88.3 years. The immunoage gain was independent of age at diagnosis and treatment modalities and was more severe for females. Thymic aging was associated with several pathophysiological parameters, was greater in survivors suffering from metabolic syndrome, but there was no significant association with global physical condition. The decrease in TREC was independent from blood cell counts, which were normal, suggesting a segmental aging of the thymic compartment. Indeed, increased plasmatic T cell regulatory cytokines IL-6, IL-7 and GM-CSF accompanied high immunoage gain. Our data reveal that cALL or its treatment trigger a rapid immunoage gain followed by further gradual thymic immunosenescence, similar to normal aging. This leads to an enduring shift in accentuated immunoage compared to chronological age. Thus, accentuated thymic immunosenescence is a hallmark of cALL survivorship and TREC levels could be useful immunosenescence biomarkers to help monitoring the health of cancer survivors.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Child; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Adolescent; Adult; Thymus Gland; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Aged; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cancer Survivors; Immunosenescence; Survivorship
PubMed: 38871704
DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01071-1 -
Disability and Health Journal Jun 2024A congenital anomaly of the hand can affect both function and appearance, and places a stressful psychological burden on the family, especially parents. Surgery during...
"As a parent, I want to do more for my child": A phenomenological approach to understanding the experiences of parents involved in surgical decision-making for children with congenital hand anomalies.
BACKGROUND
A congenital anomaly of the hand can affect both function and appearance, and places a stressful psychological burden on the family, especially parents. Surgery during infancy may prevent later disabilities, but little is known of the importance of parents' involvement in these decisions in terms of psychological adjustment or treatment satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
To understand parents' perceptions of involvement in their child's surgery for limb anomaly, and their preferences for the support of healthcare professionals. Results should lead to recommended interventions to improve familial adjustment to the child's condition.
METHODS
Qualitative data was collected from semi-structured confidential self-reported interviews of 35 parents (65.7 % mothers) of children who had received reconstructive surgery for congenital hand anomaly (at age 24.89 ± 9.26 months); interviews were coincident with the 1-month postoperative follow-up. The parents ranged in age, gender, educational background, economic status, and type of anomaly. Data analysis referenced Colaizzi's phenomenological approach.
RESULTS
The concerns of the parents were consolidated into three themes: attitudes toward Parental involvement in surgical decision-making; status of parental involvement in Surgical decision-making; and need for help and support.
CONCLUSIONS
Some parents were comfortable leaving surgical decisions entirely to the medical staff, but most preferred active participation and were disappointed at their lack of inclusion. The maximum benefit from surgery for congenital abnormalities in infancy is achieved when the parents and extended families have access to the expertise, skills, encouragement, and psychological support of healthcare providers.
PubMed: 38871575
DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101647