10-item Scale Research Articles

Changes in functional connectivity and suicidality after electroconvulsive therapy in depressed patients

ObjectiveSuicidality is a common and serious symptom of depression and patients with depression and suicidality often respond to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but the mechanism of its effect is poorly understood. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to explore changes in brain connectivity before and after ECT in depressed patients with suicidality.MethodsTwenty-three depressed patients with suicidality underwent rs-fMRI at baseline and after 8–12 ECT sessions. Thirty-two age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent rs-fMRI once. We used functional connectivity (FC) analysis to identify brain regions with altered connectivity in patients compared to HCs and assess changes in FC before and after ECT. We also assessed the clinical symptoms using the Hamilton Depression Scale, 17-item (HAMD-17), and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI).ResultsCompared to HCs, at baseline, patients had reduced FC between the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC_ Ant_L) and left angular gyrus (Angular_L) (t = 3.849, P < 0.05) with OFC_Ant_L as ROI. With left superior frontal gyrus (Frontal_sup_L) as ROI, patients also had reduced FC between Frontal_sup_L and left superior medial frontal gyrus, medial orbital (Frontal_Med_Orb_L) and left precuneus (Precuneus_L) (t = 3.650, P < 0.05), and increased FC between Frontal_sup_L and right middle frontal gyrus (Frontal_Mid_R) (t = -4.220, P < 0.05). After ECT, with Frontal_sup_L as ROI, patients showed increased FC between Frontal_sup_L and Angular_L after ECT (t = -3.982, P < 0.05) and decreased FC between Frontal_sup_L and right superior and inferior parietal gyrus (Parietal_Sup&Inf_R). In ECT responders, the change in FC between Frontal_sup_L and Angular_L was negatively correlated with the change of the score of BSSI (r = -0.645, P = 0.042), and the change in FC between Frontal_sup_L and Parietal_Sup&Inf_R was positively correlated with the change of the score of BSSI (r = 0.714, P = 0.023). There was no correlation between changes in FC with changes in HAMD-17 score (all P > 0.05).ConclusionOur findings suggest that FC between Frontal_sup_L and Angular_L, and FC between Frontal_sup_L and Parietal_Sup&Inf_R may be involved in the mechanisms by which ECT exerts its effects on suicidality in patients with depression. Our findings provide insights into the neural underpinnings of ECT and may inform the development of more targeted novel therapeutic strategies for suicidality.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100048182, Registered 04 July 2021, www.chictr.org.cn

Health-related quality of life and self-care in heart failure patients under telecare-insights from the randomized, prospective, controlled AMULET trial.

The growing population of heart failure (HF) patients places a burden on the healthcare system. Patient-centered outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-care behaviors are key elements of modern HF management programs. Thus, optimized strategies to improve these outcomes are sought. To assess the effects of a new model of medical telecare on HRQoL and self-care in patients with HF (the AMULET study). The study was prospective, randomized, open-label, and controlled with two parallel groups: telecare and standard care. In the telecare group, HF nurses performed patient clinical assessments with telemedical support by a cardiologist and provided education focused on the prevention of HF exacerbation. In the standard care group, patients were followed according to standard practices in the existing healthcare system. At the baseline and at 12 months, HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLwHF). The level of self-care was assessed with the 12-item standardized European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale (EHFScBS-12). In the overall study group, 79% of the subjects were male, the mean age was 67 ± 14 years, and 59% of the subjects were older than 65 years of age. The majority of the subjects (70%) had a left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%. After 12 months, statistically significant increases in physical component of the SF-36 (43.3 vs. 47.4 for telecare vs. 43.4 vs. 46.6 for standard care) and mental component of SF-36 (58.4 vs. 62 for telecare vs. 60.4 vs. 64.2 for standard care) were noted, with no intergroup differences. However, patients receiving telecare showed improvement in specific domains, such as physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. There was a significant decrease in MLwHF (29 vs. 35.0; lower is better) at follow-up for both groups. Telecare patients had a statistically significant decrease in EHFScBS-12 (lower is better) at 12 months. AMULET outpatient telecare, which is based on nurse-led non-invasive assessments supported by specialist teleconsultations, improved the HRQoL and self-care of HF patients after an episode of acute HF.

Quality of life and psychological distress in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis and transplantation.

Among diverse profound impacts on patients' quality of life (QoL), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) frequently results in increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis (HD) and transplantation (TX) are intended to enhance QoL, although their ability to alleviate psychological distress remains uncertain. This research posits the existence of a significant correlation between negative emotional states and QoL among ESRD patients, with varying effects observed in HD and TX patients. To examine the relationship between QoL and negative emotional states (depression, anxiety, and stress) and predicted QoL in various end-stage renal replacement therapy patients with ESRD. This cross-sectional study included HD or TX patients in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. The 36-item Short Form Survey and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was used for data collection, and correlation and regression analyses were performed. The HD and TX transplantation groups showed statistically significant inverse relationships between QoL and DASS scores. HD patients with high anxiety levels and less education scored low on the physical component summary (PCS). In addition, the results of the mental component summary (MCS) were associated with reduced depression. Compared with older transplant patients, TX patients' PCS scores were lower, and depression, stress, and negative working conditions were highly correlated with MCS scores. The findings of this study revealed notable connections between well-being and mental turmoil experienced by individuals undergoing HD and TX. The PCS of HD patients is affected by heightened levels of anxiety and lower educational attainment, while the MCS of transplant patients is influenced by advancing age and elevated stress levels. These insights will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of patient support.

Five-year radiological outcomes between decompression alone and decompression with an interlaminar device for lumbar spinal stenosis.

There is limited literature regarding radiological outcomes in the use of interlaminar devices as an adjunct to decompression compared to decompression alone (DA) for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). This study aims to assess and compare 5-year radiological outcomes following spinal decompression and decompression with ILD (D + ILD). We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of 94 patients who underwent spinal decompression with or without ILD insertion between 2007-2015. Patients with symptomatic LSS who met the study criteria were offered spinal decompression with or without ILD insertion. Those patients who accepted ILD insertion were placed in the D + ILD group (n=39); while those opting for DA, were placed in the DA group (n=55). Radiological indices were assessed preoperatively, immediate post-operative, 2 years and 5 years postoperatively. There were a total of 94 patients with 55 in the DA group and 39 in the D + ILD group. In both groups, there was no significant change post-operatively in the sagittal balance parameters namely, the mean pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope and pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PI - LL) during the 5-year follow-up. Comparing between the groups, there was no significant difference in sagittal balance parameters. Comparing between DA versus D + ILD, there was no significant difference in overall lordosis, but the D + ILD had a significant reduction in sagittal angle (at the index level) of 2.3° compared to the DA group (P=0.01). In the control group, there was no significant difference in the anterior disc, posterior disc and foraminal height post-operatively. In the D + ILD group, there was a significant mean increase of 1.3 mm in anterior disc height, 1.8 mm in posterior disc height and 4.7 mm in foraminal height compared to the control group. In both groups, there was significant improvement in all clinical outcomes namely 36-item short form survey physical component summary (SF36 PCS), 36-item short form survey mental component summary (SF36 MCS) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Comparing the groups, there was significant improvement in the D + ILD group in SF36 MCS (P=0.01) but no difference in SF36 PCS or VAS. Reoperation rates were equivalent. Our study found that in the management of lumbar stenosis, the use of an ILD as an adjunct device compared to DA had significant improvement in anterior disc, posterior disc and foraminal height with expected focal kyphosis at the level of intervention without change in the lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance at 5 years.

Abstract C013: Racial disparities in Interpersonal Processes of Care (IPC) during early stage breast cancer chemotherapy: Associations with symptoms and the ability to receive dose-intensive chemotherapy

Abstract Purpose: Documented racial disparities exist in the dose intensity of early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) chemotherapy, partly due to chemotherapy symptom toxicity and subsequent dose modifications. Effective communication is crucial for early symptom mitigation. We explored the associations between racial differences in patient-clinician communication, symptom experience, and the ability to receive the full dose of ESBC chemotherapy. Methods - A descriptive, correlational design compared clinician communication, symptoms, and the ability to obtain dose-intensive ESBC chemotherapy by race. Multi-site - large, urban breast cancer outpatient clinics. Patients completed the 18-item Interpersonal Processes of Care (IPC) and 13-item Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) at baseline and each chemotherapy visit. The IPC assesses clarity of communication, elicitation of concerns, explaining results, shared decision-making, compassion, discrimination due to race/ethnicity, and disrespectful office staff. Mean scores for IPC and SDS were calculated for each visit, and average scores across all visits were created for each participant; chemotherapy dose intensity - Receiving 85% or more of the prescribed chemotherapy within the projected timeline, dichotomized to yes or no—Analysis - IBM® SPSS®, version 27. Descriptive statistics were generated for raw data. Pearson’s correlations were used to examine bivariate associations and univariate and multivariate logistic or linear regression models to explore associations further. Results – N = 216 women, 37% - Black and 63% - White. The mean age was 52.99 ± 12.31 years. IPC - Black patients reported significantly higher (worse) IPC scores for "lack of clarity," "discrimination," and "disrespectful office staff" compared to White patients (all ps ≤ 0.01). Associations of SDS and IPC - Patients with higher IPC subscale scores for "lack of clarity," "discrimination," and "disrespectful office staff," and lower scores for "compassion and respect" experienced significantly higher levels of symptom distress (all ps &amp;lt; 0.05). Associations between IPC and Dose Intensity - Patients reporting higher (worse) discrimination scores were less likely to receive 85% of the prescribed chemotherapy. The IPC "discrimination" subdomain score was significantly associated with chemotherapy dose intensity (χ2(1)=6.910, p=0.009). Each one-unit increase in perceived "discrimination" subdomain score increased the likelihood of not receiving prescribed chemotherapy (B=0.985, OR=2.602, p=0.014) by approximately 160.2%. Conclusions - Black patients perceive poorer quality IPC than White patients during ESBC chemotherapy. Specific subdomains of IPC are associated with worse symptom distress and the inability to receive the full dose of ESBC chemotherapy, primarily driven by perceived discrimination. We must understand the relationship between race, communication, symptoms, and the ability to receive appropriate chemotherapy dose intensity. Citation Format: Margaret Q. Rosenzweig, Hiba Q. Abujaradeh. Racial disparities in Interpersonal Processes of Care (IPC) during early stage breast cancer chemotherapy: Associations with symptoms and the ability to receive dose-intensive chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C013.

Abstract C031: The association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and cancer history with resilience: Results from Alabama sites of the RURAL cohort study

Abstract Background: Prior studies have reported a significant association between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and various health outcomes, including cancer; however, these have been limited to descriptive and cross-sectional studies. These studies reported that resilience, or the ability to adapt to challenging life experiences, is inversely associated with ACEs and cancer history. To date, there are no studies evaluating the interaction of ACEs and a cancer diagnosis on resilience among adult survivors. The primary aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of ACEs among RURAL Alabama participants and to determine if the presence of ≥ 4 ACEs and a cancer history influences the odds of reporting self-perceived low and medium (vs. high) resilience compared to those with 0-3 ACEs and no cancer history. Methods: We utilized data from Alabama participants of the RURAL (Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal) Cohort Study, a prospective study designed to evaluate risk factors for heart and lung disorders in four rural southeastern states. Individuals aged 25-64 years and residents of two counties in Alabama were enrolled and completed a baseline and 3-month follow-up survey. The 30-item Early Trauma Inventory was used to assess the prevalence of ACEs, and the 10-item Connor Davidson-10 Resilience Scale was used to measure self-perceived resilience. Participants were categorized as having high resilience if their total resilience score was ≥75th percentile, medium resilience for scores ≥25th and &amp;lt;75th percentile, and low resilience for scores &amp;lt;25th percentile. Weighted multinomial logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between number of ACEs (0-3 ACEs vs. ≥ 4 ACEs) and resilience categories and tested interactions between ACEs and cancer history; a p-value &amp;lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 556 participants, 38.9% reported having 0-3 ACEs, and 61.1% reported ≥ 4 ACEs. In adjusted models among participants with no cancer history, those experiencing ≥ 4 ACEs had 2.38 times the odds of reporting low (vs. high) resilience (95% CI: 1.93, 2.94) and 1.18 times the odds of reporting medium (vs. high) resilience (95% CI: 1.04, 1.35) compared to those experiencing 0-3 ACEs. Among participants with a cancer history, those experiencing ≥ 4 ACEs had 1.82 times odds of reporting low (vs. high) resilience (95% CI: 1.01, 3.28) and 0.76 times odds of reporting medium (vs. high) resilience (95% CI: 0.49, 1.18) compared to those experiencing 0-3 ACEs. Interactions between ACEs and cancer history were not statistically significant for low and medium (vs. high) resilience (p-values: 0.4 and 0.06, respectively). Conclusion: Those with a cancer history and ≥ 4 ACEs were more likely to report self-perceived low resilience. Significant interactions between ACEs and cancer history were not observed in predicting low and medium resilience (vs. high). To better understand the cumulative effects of ACEs, it is necessary to longitudinally evaluate individuals’ ability to adapt, especially among cancer survivors. Citation Format: Stephie Abraham, Kathy B. Baumgartner, Richard Baumgartner, Jesse Hsu, Joanna Walsh, Mahasin S Mujahid, Viola Vaccarino, Stephanie Boone. The association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and cancer history with resilience: Results from Alabama sites of the RURAL cohort study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C031.

Prevalence of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Among Cancer Patients and Its Effects on Quality of Life: A Survey Study

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment, leading to nerve damage and impairing patients' quality of life.Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of CIPN among cancer patients and its effects on their quality of life.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Allied Hospital, Pinum Cancer Hospital, and Aziz Fatima Hospital in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The study included 54 cancer patients (20 males, 34 females) aged 13-71 years, undergoing chemotherapy for at least six months. Patients were assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20-item scale (EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20) and the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests performed to evaluate associations.Results: CIPN was prevalent in 90.7% of patients, with mild (59.3%), moderate (27.8%), and severe (3.7%) neuropathy levels. Neuropathy was significantly correlated with reduced quality of life (p = 0.663).Conclusion: CIPN is highly prevalent among cancer patients and significantly affects their quality of life. Early detection and management are crucial to mitigate these effects.

The Adoption of Holacracy in Higher Education: A Scale Development Study

This study aims to develop a valid, reliable, and convenient data collection tool to measure the level of faculty members’ adoption of the holacracy model in university administration. The data of this study were obtained from faculty members working in the faculties of education of state universities in Türkiye in the 2020-2021 academic year. Participation in the study was completely voluntary. The data were collected from a sample of 268 people. Within the scope of the research, the Higher Education Holacracy Scale (HEHS) was used as a data collection tool. The researcher developed the draft form of the HEHS in line with the literature on holacracy. The draft form was presented to 14 experts, one of whom was an expert in measurement and evaluation. Thus, the content validity of the research was ensured. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that the variance explained was 63.228%, the structure consisted of three components, and the fit index values were at a good level. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted for the validity of the scale, and Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient was calculated for reliability. Item-total correlations examined the discrimination of the scale items. After the analyses, it was determined that this 25-item scale, which is in harmony with its theoretical foundations, is a valid and reliable scale suitable for measuring faculty members’ opinions.

Factors Affecting Learners’ Motivation in English Language Education

This research investigates the factors influencing undergraduate students' interest in learning English at a public university. A quantitative methodology was used, with 250 students completing a 27-item Likert scale survey. The survey measured motivational factors, concerns, confidence, learning processes, benefits, attitudes, and self-regulation. Participants found it easy to participate because of the university's diverse student population and the researchers' affiliation. Questionnaires were distributed in class, with explanations in both Khmer and English to ensure clarity. The study revealed the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on English language learning in the Cambodian context. Recommendations are provided to assist educators and policymakers in improving motivation strategies and students' language proficiency for academic success.

Health survey on anxiety, depression, and stress in Afghanistan: A large-scale cross-sectional study amid ongoing challenges

BackgroundOne of the most significant events in recent Afghan history is the rise of the Taliban and the war that followed, which had profound impacts on the lives of Afghans. The present study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government.MethodsBetween June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key regions of Afghanistan. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) was utilized to assess depression, anxiety and stress of the Afghan population. Ethical permission for this study was granted by the Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies (ACES). Logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and depression, anxiety, and stress among 2,698 participants.ResultsThe prevalence of depression was 72.05%, anxiety was 71.94%, and stress was 66.49%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that gender (being female), economic status (being poor), residency (living in rural areas), education level (being illiterate), being a cigarette smoker, and having experienced a bad event during the past month were significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress.ConclusionThe findings of the present study show very high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, most likely reflecting the profound impact of recent political, social, and economic changes. Notably, a significant majority of participants, particularly females and individuals above 35 years of age, reported severe to extremely severe mental health symptoms. The mental health crisis in Afghanistan is a complex and urgent issue that requires a comprehensive and compassionate response.

Effect of Physical Activity Behaviors, Team Sports, and Sitting Time on Body Image and Exercise Dependence.

This study aimed to evaluate whether the type and degree of physical activity commitment (i.e., team sport athletes, highly active individuals, sedentary behavior) influence body image and exercise behavior. A total of 96 participants (46 women and 50 men; age: 22.7 ± 2.7 years; height: 170 ± 8.6 cm; weight: 67.6 ± 10.8 kg) were divided in six groups: female volleyball and male football players (student athletes classified as Tier 2), highly physically active women and men, with high sitting time completed the Body Image Dimensional Assessment and the 21-item Exercise Dependence Scale to evaluate body dissatisfaction and level of dependency on exercise. The Body Image Dimensional Assessment is a silhouette-based scale, where three direct indices are derived from the participants' responses: body dissatisfaction, sexual body dissatisfaction, and comparative body dissatisfaction. The Exercise Dependence Scale is a six-point Likert scale that evaluates seven dimensions of exercise dependence (tolerance, withdrawal, intention effects, lack of control, time, reductions in other activities, and continuance) and provides an overall score. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of different levels of physical activity, team sport participation (volleyball and football), and sedentary behavior (i.e., high sitting time) on participants' body image indices and dimensions of exercise dependence according to sex. Volleyball players showed significantly higher body dissatisfaction than football players (d = 0.99) and the physically active men group (d = 2.31), who had lower values than sedentary women group (d = 1.68). Football players had lower comparative body dissatisfaction values than volleyball players (d = 1.70) and sedentary women (d = 1.69), who had higher values than sedentary men (d = 1.04). Sedentary women had a significantly lower exercise dependence scale score than volleyball players (d = 1.71), football players (d = 1.12), and physically active men (d = 1.21). The findings highlight the impact of regular physical activity on body dissatisfaction and the variance in body image perceptions between the sexes. Moreover, the high exercise dependence values found in volleyball and football players and physically active men suggest an effect of intense training and maladaptive exercise behaviors, underlining the need for comprehensive strategies to address exercise dependence.

Development and Validation of the Isotretinoin Hesitancy Scale for Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Study.

Oral isotretinoin is the most effective systemic treatment for acne patients who fail to respond to other forms of therapies. However, hesitations and concerns regarding its side effect profile may detain the patients from treatment. This study aimed to develop and validate the Isotretinoin Hesitancy Scale (IHS) among acne patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 acne patients who had not used isotretinoin previously. A 22-item scale was created based on the related literature and expert opinions. The items of the scale related to beliefs and worries about isotretinoin were formatted with response options: agree, indecisive, and disagree. In this study, construct validity was tested with exploratory factor analysis, and reliability was tested with internal consistency and split-half reliability. The results of exploratory factor analysis indicated a three-factor solution with a total of 14 items, explaining 57% of the total variance. The first factor (Hesitancy Related to Reversible Adverse Effects: 6 items) accounted for 30% of the variance, the second factor (Hesitancy Related to Irreversible Adverse Effects: 4 items) accounted for 16% of the variance and the third factor (Isotretinoin-related Anxiety: 4 items) accounted 11% of the variance. The internal consistency of the three factors was calculated as 0.79, 0.78, and 0.72, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha score of the total scale was found to be 0.81, and split-half reliability was found to be 0.87. The IHS is the first scale that provides a valid and reliable assessment of isotretinoin hesitancy in acne patients. Eliminating isotretinoin hesitancy may reduce acne-related clinical and psychosocial consequences.

The interplay of knowledge, motivation, and treatment response in medication adherence among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with Imatinib

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) requires consistent medication adherence to Imatinib (IM) for optimal outcomes, however, adherence to oral chemotherapy is challenging. This observational study explores the relationship between patient knowledge, motivation, and adherence to IM therapy, and their collective impact on clinical outcomes. A prospective, observational study was conducted with 101 CML patients. The 6-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-6) was used to assess adherence, motivation, and knowledge levels. The study found that high motivation was significantly associated with lower BCR-ABL expression (p = 0.025). Patients with high knowledge and motivation had a 71% favorable response rate, compared to 0% in those with low knowledge and motivation (p = 0.01). As conclusion both patient motivation and knowledge are crucial for favorable treatment outcomes in CML. High levels of both significantly correlate with better clinical responses. Tailored interventions to enhance patient knowledge and motivation are essential.

Work engagement and organizational justice of nursing staff during COVID-19

During COVID-19 health crisis, the working conditions for nursing personnel in public hospitals were modified, nevertheless some factors remained present contributing to maintain their willingness to accomplish their duties. This article aims to analyze the effect of the pandemic on the Work Engagement and Organizational Justice of nursing staff in a public hospital. A quantitative correlational study that applied an online questionnaire to nursing personnel who remained active during the COVID-19 pandemic at a public hospital located in northwestern Mexico. In this study the 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale was used to assess Work Engagement, and the 40-item Colquitt scale was used to assess Organizational Justice. For test the differences between before and during the pandemic an ANOVA for repeated measurements or a t-Student test was used. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. A SPSS v21 software was used for statistical calculations. During the pandemic, a slight decrease in the Work Engagement of the nursing staff, without changes in the Engajamento no Trabalho were observed. For staff with lower academic degrees, the decrease in Work Engagement was greater. In Work Engagement`s dimensions vigor and dedication decreased significantly; these dimensions decreased to a greater degree among nursing staff with a lower academic degree or a lower job status. The nursing staff showed few variations in their levels of Work Engagement and Organizational Justice during the COVID-19 health crisis, confirming what other authors have found about their high level of vocational sense. Also, the perception of nursing personnel regarding what is fair from managers remained despite the pandemic. The COVID pandemic had a mild effect on Work Engagement and Organizational Justice in nursing staff of a public hospital.

Development and validation of the Upstream Social Interaction Risk Scale (U-SIRS-13): a scale to assess threats to social connectedness among older adults.

Social interactions are essential to social connectedness among older adults. While many scales have been developed to measure various aspects of social connectedness, most are narrow in scope, which may not be optimally encompassing, practical, or relevant for use with older adults across clinical and community settings. Efforts are needed to create more sensitive scales that can identify "upstream risk," which may facilitate timey referral and/or intervention. The purposes of this study were to: (1) develop and validate a brief scale to measure threats to social connectedness among older adults in the context of their social interactions; and (2) offer practical scoring and implementation recommendations for utilization in research and practice contexts. A sequential process was used to develop the initial instrument used in this study, which was then methodologically reduced to create a brief 13-item scale. Relevant, existing scales and measures were identified and compiled, which were then critically assessed by a combination of research and practice experts to optimize the pool of relevant items that assess threats to social connectedness while reducing potential redundancies. Then, a national sample of 4,082 older adults ages 60 years and older completed a web-based questionnaire containing the initial 36 items about social connection. Several data analysis methods were applied to assess the underlying dimensionality of the data and construct measures of different factors related to risk, including item response theory (IRT) modeling, clustering techniques, and structural equation modeling (SEM). IRT modeling reduced the initial 36 items to create the 13-item Upstream Social Interaction Risk Scale (U-SIRS-13) with strong model fit. The dimensionality assessment using different clustering algorithms supported a 2-factor solution to classify risk. The SEM predicting highest risk items fit exceptionally well (RMSEA = 0.048; CFI = 0.954). For the 13-item scale, theta scores generated from IRT were strongly correlated with the summed count of items binarily identifying risk (r = 0.896, p < 0.001), thus supporting the use of practical scoring techniques for research and practice (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80). The U-SIRS-13 is a multidimensional scale with strong face, content, and construct validity. Findings support its practical utility to identify threats to social connectedness among older adults posed by limited physical opportunities for social interactions and lacking emotional fulfillment from social interactions.

Organizational resilience and primary care nurses' work conditions and wellbeing: a multilevel empirical study in China.

Resilience is crucial for the health system better preventing and responding to public health threats and providing high-quality services. Despite the growing interest in the concept of resilience in health care, however, there is little empirical evidence of the impact of organizational resilience, especially in primary care settings. As the largest professional group in primary care, primary care nurses are taking more and more responsibilities during their daily practice, which influences both their work conditions and wellbeing. This study aims to examine the association between organizational resilience and primary care nurses' working conditions and wellbeing. Using a convenience sampling approach, we recruited 175 primary care nurses from 38 community health centers (CHCs) in four cities in China. Organizational resilience was operationalized as comprising two domains: adaptive capacity and planning capacity, and measured using a 16-item scale. The primary care nurses' working condition indicators comprised variables of psychological safety, organizational commitment, professional commitment, and self-directed learning; wellbeing indicators included depression and burnout. Hierarchical linear regression models were built for analysis. We found that the sampled CHCs have a relatively high level of organizational resilience. The organizational resilience was positively associated with the four indicators of working conditions: psychological safety (β=0.04, p<0.01), organizational commitment (β=0.38,p<0.01), professional commitment (β=0.39, p<0.01), and self-directed learning (β=0.28, p<0.01). However, organizational resilience was not significantly associated with the two wellbeing indicators. Furthermore, we found the adaptive capacity has stronger association compared with planning capacity. Therefore, primary care manager should build resilient organizations, especially the adaptive capacity, in order to enhance primary care nurses' psychological safety, commitment and learning behaviors. Further studies should also be conducted to understand the link between organizational resilience and primary care nurses' wellbeing.

Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary evaluation of a user co-facilitated psychoeducational programme: a feasibility proof-of-concept randomised control trial

BackgroundMental health settings are increasingly using co-facilitation of educational group interventions in collaboration with patient partners and service users. However, despite promising results, limited information is available regarding the feasibility and satisfaction levels of these programmes among adults newly diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity/impulsivity disorder (ADHD). Hence, this study aimed to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a user co-facilitated psychoeducational group programme for adults diagnosed with ADHD.MethodsThis feasibility proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial recruited outpatients from a Norwegian community mental health centre. Outpatients randomised to the intervention group (IG) received a psychoeducational programme supplementing Treatment As Usual (TAU), while the control group received TAU. Feasibility was determined by the acceptance rate, adherence rate, and dropout rate. Acceptability was measured with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire and a 3-item scale measuring satisfaction with the received information. To test the preliminary effects, self-efficacy, symptom severity, and quality of life were measured at baseline and pre- and post-intervention.ResultsFeasibility was demonstrated; most of the patients were willing to enrol, participants attended 82% of the psychoeducational programme, and only 13% dropped out of the study. The between-group analyses revealed that the IG reported significantly greater mean satisfaction than the CG. Moreover, the intervention group was more satisfied with the information they received during the psychoeducational programme. Concerning the preliminary effects, the linear mixed model showed improvement in quality of life (the subscale relationship); however, other patient-reported outcomes did not show improvements.ConclusionsThis proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial supports the feasibility and acceptability of the user co-facilitated psychoeducational programme for patients newly diagnosed with ADHD in an outpatient setting. While preliminary findings indicate promise in enhancing patient-reported outcomes, a larger study is warranted to assess the intervention’s effectiveness rigorously.Trial registrationNCT03425, 09/11/2017.

In-Service Training and Staff Discipline as Correlates of Non-Teaching Staff Productivity in Public Secondary Schools in Southwest, Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship between in-service training, staff discipline, and the productivity of non-teaching staff in public secondary schools in Southwest Nigeria. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, the study sampled 600 non-teaching staff from three randomly selected states, involving 120 public secondary schools. Data were gathered through two self-designed instruments: the In-service Training and Staff Discipline Questionnaire (ITSDQ) and the Non-Teaching Staff Job Productivity Questionnaire (NTSJPQ). The ITSDQ assessed in-service training and staff discipline through a 10-item Likert scale, while the NTSJPQ evaluated job productivity across 15 items. Reliability coefficients of 0.82 for the ITSDQ and 0.79 for the NTSJPQ indicated high reliability. Analysis using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) revealed significant relationships between in-service training and non-teaching staff productivity (r = 0.638, p &lt; 0.05) as well as between staff discipline and non-teaching staff productivity (r = 0.402, p &lt; 0.05). These findings suggest that both factors play crucial roles in enhancing job performance. Consequently, it is recommended that school administrations prioritize continuous professional development through regular workshops, seminars, and training sessions to equip non-teaching staff with up-to-date skills and knowledge.

Adaptation of the 12-item medication adherence scale ( the Questionnaire for assessment of adherence to Medication) on a Russian-speaking sample of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to treatment among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) hinders the effective use of antidiabetic agents and the achievement of optimal glycemic control, reducing their quality of life and outcomes. Assessing adherence to treatment using a questionnaire can help identify and eliminate factors and barriers that negatively affect adherence to medical recommendations and satisfaction with treatment.AIM: To conduct linguistic and cultural adaptation of the 12-item Medication Adherence Scale (MAS-12) questionnaire and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Russian version of the MAS-12 questionnaire among patients suffering from T1DM and T2DM.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 198 patients with T1DM and T2DM was carried out, including self-completion of the MAS-12 questionnaire in Russian. Average age: 47.1±18.62 years, proportion of women — 76%. Average duration of the disease: 13.08±10.05 years. The construct validity of the MAS-12 questionnaire was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. As an external criterion for assessing convergent validity, the KOP-25 method was used - the Russian Questionnaire for Quantitative Assessment of Treatment Adherence (KOP-25). Reliability of the MAS-12 was assessed using Cronbach’s α internal consistency and participant retest after 1 to 4 months.RESULTS: The factor structure of the MAS-12 questionnaire is reproduced for the first time on a Russian sample of patients with diabetes. Recommended fit indicators for the measurement model (CFI=0.983, RMSEA=0.049, TLI=0.968) were achieved by excluding two items (9 and 12) that did not demonstrate statistically significant contributions to their respective subscales. The internal consistency of the subscales (α ϵ [0.522; 0.857]) and the questionnaire as a whole (α=0.766) was assessed as sufficient. Significant correlations of the adapted methodology and its subscales with the scales of the KOP-25 questionnaire were obtained. The closest connections (r ϵ [0.333; 0.431], p&lt;0.010) are observed with the COP-25 scales related to drug therapy, which indicates good external validity of the adapted methodology.CONCLUSION: The Russian version of the MAS-12 questionnaire “Questionnaire for assessing adherence to medication treatment” (PML-10), consisting of 10 questions, has good psychometric properties, is a valid and reliable tool for assessing medication adherence among patients with T1DM and T2DM and can be recommended for use in clinical practice, including for monitoring treatment adherence in Russia.

20대 학습자의 학업마음챙김척도 개발 및 타당화

Objectives The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the “Academic Mindfulness Scale(AMS)” to measure learners’ level of mindfulness regarding Learning Strategies, facing Emotional and Physical Frustration due to academic work, and the urge to overstriving for academic work. Methods To this end, we conducted EFA and an internal consistency assessment with a sample of 208 learners in their 20s. Subsequently, we evaluated the model fit by carrying out CFA on a validation sample consisting of 207 learners. Convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion validity were examined through correlational analysis between the AMS and relevant variables. Results A final 3-factor 14-item scale was derived from an estimation sample of 208 individuals. CFA results showed good fit indices with CFI of .932, TLI of .917, RMSEA of .073, and SRMR of .061. Based on the reliability analysis conducted on a validation sample of 207 individuals, the reliability analysis for each subscale showed that Mindfulness in Learning Strategies was .87, Mindfulness in Dealing with Emotional and Physical Frustration was .82, and Mindfulness against overstriving was .70. Correlation analysis with related variables showed that all the three factors showed positive correlations with trait mindfulness scales(CAMS-R, FFMQ, K-MAIA), dedication, vigour, absorption in academic enthusiasm scale, trait academic self-efficacy, state academic self-efficacy, regular and consistent practice, and perserverance and consistency in grit scale, confirming convergent and criterion validity. On the other hand, all the three factors showed negative correlations with Difficulty in emotional clarity and Difficulty in attention to feelings in Emotional Awreness Difficulty Scale, Emotional Exhaustion, Cynicism, Reduced Academic Efficacy in the academic burnout scale, trait academic procrastination, and state academic procrastination, confirming that this scale has discriminant validity. Conclusions The AMS thus appears to be a reliable and valid self-report measure with practical utility for diagnosing and providing intervention for cultivating learners’ academic mindfulness competency.