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Cancer Medicine Jan 2023In recent years, authors have repeatedly reported on the significance of social support in cancer survival. Although overall the studies appear to be convincing, little... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
In recent years, authors have repeatedly reported on the significance of social support in cancer survival. Although overall the studies appear to be convincing, little is known about which types of social support promote better survival rates, and which subgroups of cancer patients are more susceptible to the benefits of it. The aim of this study was to identify, organize, and examine studies reporting on the significance of social support in cancer survival.
METHODS
The PubMed, CINAHL and EBSCO databases were searched using the keywords social support/marital status, cancer, and survival/mortality. Where possible we used a meta-analytical approach, specifically a random effect model, in order to combine the results of the hazard ratios in studies from which this information could be obtained. When interpreting clinical relevance, we used the number needed to treat (NNT).
RESULTS
Better survival was observed in married patients when compared to unmarried (single, never-married, divorced/separated, and widowed) in overall and cancer-specific survival. Gender group differences showed that the association was statistically significant only in cancer-specific survival when comparing divorced/separated male and female cancer patients (p < 0.001), thus confirming results from the previous meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Being unmarried is associated with significantly worse overall and cancer-specific survival. The most vulnerable group found in our study were divorced/separated men. The results of this review can motivate physicians, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals to be aware of the importance of patients' social support, especially in the identified sub-group.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Marital Status; Neoplasms; Divorce; Single Person; Proportional Hazards Models
PubMed: 35789072
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5003 -
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy Jan 2012This review of controlled studies of marital and family therapy (MFT) in alcoholism treatment updates the earlier review by O'Farrell and Fals-Stewart (2003). We... (Review)
Review
This review of controlled studies of marital and family therapy (MFT) in alcoholism treatment updates the earlier review by O'Farrell and Fals-Stewart (2003). We conclude that, when the alcoholic is unwilling to seek help, MFT is effective in helping the family cope better and motivating alcoholics to enter treatment. Specifically, both Al-Anon facilitation and referral and spouse coping skills training (based on new findings) help family members cope better, and CRAFT promotes treatment entry and was successfully transported to a community clinic in a new study. Once the alcoholic enters treatment, MFT, particularly behavioral couples therapy (BCT), is clearly more effective than individual treatment at increasing abstinence and improving relationship functioning. New BCT studies showed efficacy with women alcoholics and with gay and lesbian alcoholics, and BCT was successfully transported to a community clinic, a brief BCT version was tested, and BCT was adapted for family members other than spouses. Future studies should evaluate the following: MFT with couples where both members have a current alcohol problem and with minority patients, mechanisms of change, transportability of evidence-based MFT approaches to clinical practice settings, and replication of MFT outcomes of reduced partner violence and improved child functioning.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Alcoholism; Attitude to Health; Behavior Control; Counseling; Evidence-Based Practice; Female; Homosexuality, Female; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Marital Therapy; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Patient Compliance; Research Design; Self Efficacy; Sex Factors
PubMed: 22283384
DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2011.00242.x -
Heliyon Jul 2020Having sexual relations plays a very important role in the success and scope of procreation. Understanding sexual function can lead to sexual satisfaction and ultimately...
BACKGROUND
Having sexual relations plays a very important role in the success and scope of procreation. Understanding sexual function can lead to sexual satisfaction and ultimately to marital satisfaction and reconciliation of spouses.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational programme on sexual function and marital satisfaction of Iranian couples.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a semi-experimental pre-test and post-test study with control group. The statistical population included all couples diagnosed with sexual dysfunction referred to Bahar Consulting Center in Mashhad in 2019. A total of 40 individuals were randomly assigned to the two treatment conditions which were experimental (n = 20) and control (n = 20) forming two groups. The individuals assigned to experimental condition experienced a 10 session psychoeducational program and the control condition comprised of Treatment As Usual (TAU) which was based on medical and general counseling regime. The data collection tool was marital satisfaction and sexual function questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 software.
RESULTS
there is a significant difference between the amount of sexual function and marital satisfaction before and after the test in experimental group (p < 0.01). The results of this study showed that Psychoeducational Group Therapy improved the sexual performance and improved marital satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
Psychoeducational Group Therapy helps to increase marital satisfaction and sexual functioning of married couples. Therefore, this intervention is recommended as an effective program for improving marital satisfaction and sexual performance of couples. It can help to strengthen the foundation of the family.
PubMed: 32775734
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04586 -
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience :... Sep 1991This paper outlines the advances made in the field of marital therapy in the last decade. The present status of clinical intervention, empirical research and theoretical... (Review)
Review
This paper outlines the advances made in the field of marital therapy in the last decade. The present status of clinical intervention, empirical research and theoretical conceptualization is reviewed. In addition, the challenges the field now faces are outlined, and proposals made for future directions, which would enable marital intervention to become a more comprehensive and systematic endeavor.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Depressive Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Marital Therapy; Marriage; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 1958653
DOI: No ID Found -
The Oncologist Jun 2022Limited and conflicting findings have been reported regarding the association between social support and colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes. We sought to assess the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Limited and conflicting findings have been reported regarding the association between social support and colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes. We sought to assess the influences of marital status and living arrangement on survival outcomes among patients with stage III colon cancer.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We conducted a secondary analysis of 1082 patients with stage III colon cancer prospectively followed in the CALGB 89803 randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial. Marital status and living arrangement were both self-reported at the time of enrollment as, respectively, married, divorced, separated, widowed, or never-married, and living alone, with a spouse or partner, with other family, in a nursing home, or other.
RESULTS
Over a median follow-up of 7.6 years, divorced/separated/widowed patients experienced worse outcomes relative to those married regarding disease free-survival (DFS) (hazards ratio (HR), 1.44 (95% CI, 1.14-1.81); P =.002), recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR, 1.35 (95% CI, 1.05-1.73); P = .02), and overall survival (OS) (HR, 1.40 (95% CI, 1.08-1.82); P =.01); outcomes were not significantly different for never-married patients. Compared to patients living with a spouse/partner, those living with other family experienced a DFS of 1.47 (95% CI, 1.02-2.11; P = .04), RFS of 1.34 (95% CI, 0.91-1.98; P = .14), and OS of 1.50 (95% CI, 1.00-2.25; P =.05); patients living alone did not experience significantly different outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Among patients with stage III colon cancer who received uniform treatment and follow-up within a nationwide randomized clinical trial, being divorced/separated/widowed and living with other family were significantly associated with greater colon cancer mortality. Interventions enhancing social support services may be clinically relevant for this patient population.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00003835.
Topics: Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Colonic Neoplasms; Disease-Free Survival; Humans; Marital Status; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
PubMed: 35641198
DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyab070 -
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Dec 2020Evidence about the impact of marital status before hematopoietic cell transplantation (hct) on outcomes after hct is conflicting.
BACKGROUND
Evidence about the impact of marital status before hematopoietic cell transplantation (hct) on outcomes after hct is conflicting.
METHODS
We identified patients 40 years of age and older within the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry who underwent hct between January 2008 and December 2015. Marital status before hct was declared as one of: married or living with a partner, single (never married), separated or divorced, and widowed. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine the association of marital status with outcomes after hct.
RESULTS
We identified 10,226 allogeneic and 5714 autologous hct cases with, respectively, a median follow-up of 37 months (range: 1-102 months) and 40 months (range: 1-106 months). No association between marital status and overall survival was observed in either the allogeneic ( = 0.58) or autologous ( = 0.17) setting. However, marital status was associated with grades 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (gvhd), < 0.001, and chronic gvhd, = 0.04. The risk of grades 2-4 acute gvhd was increased in separated compared with married patients [hazard ratio (hr): 1.13; 95% confidence interval (ci): 1.03 to 1.24], and single patients had a reduced risk of grades 2-4 acute gvhd (hr: 0.87; 95% ci: 0.77 to 0.98). The risk of chronic gvhd was lower in widowed compared with married patients (hr: 0.82; 95% ci: 0.67 to 0.99).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall survival after hct is not influenced by marital status, but associations were evident between marital status and grades 2-4 acute and chronic gvhd. To better appreciate the effects of marital status and social support, future research should consider using validated scales to measure social support and patient and caregiver reports of caregiver commitment, and to assess health-related quality of life together with health care utilization.
Topics: Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Marital Status; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33380875
DOI: 10.3747/co.27.6327 -
Singapore Medical Journal Mar 2015Most people spend a third of their lives sleeping, and thus, sleep has a major impact on all of us. As sleep is a function and not a structure, it is challenging to...
Most people spend a third of their lives sleeping, and thus, sleep has a major impact on all of us. As sleep is a function and not a structure, it is challenging to treat and prevent its complications. Sleep apnoea is one such complication, with serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. Local studies estimate that about 15% of Singapore's population is afflicted with sleep apnoea. The resulting sleep fragmentation may result in poor quality of sleep, leading to daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnoea may also be the underlying cause of high blood pressure, memory loss, poor concentration and work performance, motor vehicle accidents, and marital problems. Evaluation involves a sleep study, followed by patient education, and an individualised step-wise management approach should be explored. Many patients will require follow-up for a long period of time, as management options may not offer a permanent cure; other contributory causes may arise at different phases of their lives, compounded by genetic and hormonal issues, ethnicity and the modern hazards of a fast-paced society.
Topics: Humans; Life Style; Obesity; Polysomnography; Primary Health Care; Singapore; Sleep; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Snoring
PubMed: 25820844
DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2015039 -
Journal of Education and Health... 2023Marital satisfaction and positive emotional experience towards one's spouse has always been effective in preserving and surviving the family, therefore one of the...
BACKGROUND
Marital satisfaction and positive emotional experience towards one's spouse has always been effective in preserving and surviving the family, therefore one of the concerns of family specialists is to improve these two structures in the family. This research was conducted with the aim of the effectiveness of imago therapy on marital satisfaction and emotional experience towards spouse among married men with conflict in Isfahan city.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The research was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with experimental and control groups. The statistical population was all married and conflicted men of Isfahan city in the year 1400, from whom a sample of 40 people was selected as available and non-randomly placed in an experimental group and a control group. The measurement tools were Inridge marital satisfaction scale with Cronbach's alpha above 0.80 and emotional experience towards spouse with Cronbach's alpha above 0.92 for each subscale). Both research groups were evaluated by research tools before and after training. While the control group was on the waiting list, the experimental group received Imago therapy. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multivariate covariance analysis).
RESULTS
The results showed that imago therapy had a significant effect on the improvement of marital satisfaction and the dimensions of emotional experience towards the spouse ( = 0.01).
CONCLUSION
According to the present results, it can be said that this method can help family counselors to use this method to improve marital satisfaction and emotional experience towards the spouse and thereby reduce marital conflicts. He used this integrated method.
PubMed: 38333153
DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_520_22 -
Lakartidningen Dec 2022The group of people who undergo infertility treatments is multifaceted and affected in different psychological aspects. In general, individuals cope relatively well with...
The group of people who undergo infertility treatments is multifaceted and affected in different psychological aspects. In general, individuals cope relatively well with this life situation. Risk for decreased quality-of-life is associated with miscarriages and/or long time to pregnancy. Women often report more signs of anxiety and depression during the period of treatment compared to men. Psychological support is needed to be able to handle strains caused by treatment and/or childlessness per se; such as marital strains, impaired mental well-being, and negative consequences on sexuality. Psychological support is also wanted for those who will have to adjust to continued childlessness.
Topics: Male; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Infertility; Anxiety; Marriage; Mental Health; Quality of Life; Stress, Psychological; Depression; Adaptation, Psychological
PubMed: 36519704
DOI: No ID Found -
Reproductive Health Feb 2020Studies showed that decreased marital satisfaction and increased risk of depression and anxiety were mutually related. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Studies showed that decreased marital satisfaction and increased risk of depression and anxiety were mutually related. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of communication skills training with a couple focused approach on marital satisfaction and psychological symptoms among pregnant women.
METHODS
This experimental study was performed on 60 pregnant women with low marital satisfaction who were divided into two groups of intervention and control. The women in the intervention group and their husbands participated in a communication training program based on the couple focused approach. The levels of anxiety, depression, and marital satisfaction were evaluated before and then one and three months after the intervention using valid questionnaires.
RESULTS
The results indicated that after the intervention, compared to the pre-intervention period, the levels of marital satisfaction increased while the levels of depression and anxiety decreased significantly in the intervention group (p < 0.05). The comparison of the groups revealed significant differences in the scores of marital satisfaction, depression, and anxiety in the intervention and control groups at the intervals of one month and three months after the intervention (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The research findings indicated that communication skills training program based on the couple focused approach and an emphasis on the needs of pregnant women during the pregnancy can improve the marital satisfaction and psychological health of pregnant women.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017012932264N2, Date of registration: 2017-06-28 Retrospectively registered.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Communication; Depression; Female; Humans; Male; Marital Therapy; Marriage; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 32041615
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-0877-4