Differences In Psychosocial Outcomes Research Articles

Healthcare communication satisfaction and psychosocial outcomes in adolescents and young adults with differences of sex development

ObjectivesWe examined: (1) healthcare communication satisfaction and psychosocial outcomes (resilience, QoL, and psychological adjustment) in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with differences of sex development (DSD), (2) differences in psychosocial outcomes between those who were highly satisfied and those who were less satisfied, and (3) group differences between adolescents (ages 12–17) and young adults (ages 18–26) regarding associations with healthcare communication and psychosocial outcomes. MethodsAYA with DSD across four study sites reported on satisfaction with healthcare communication and psychosocial outcomes. Analyses included descriptive statistics (aim 1), independent samples t-tests (aim 2), and Pearson’s correlations (aim 3). ResultsParticipants reported high levels of satisfaction with healthcare communication. Higher healthcare communication satisfaction was associated with greater resilience (p = .01), better QoL (p = .02), and fewer internalizing problems (p = .04). For adolescents, higher healthcare communication satisfaction was associated with better psychosocial outcomes (p values ranging from.01–.04). No significant associations were found in the young adult group. ConclusionsSatisfaction with healthcare communication is related to positive psychosocial outcomes in adolescents with DSD. Practice ImplicationsThese data underscore the importance of optimizing communication with families, engaging AYA in early and ongoing discussions about their care, and including psychosocial providers in DSD care.

“Queer people are excellent caregivers, but we’re stretched so very thin”: Psychosocial wellbeing and impacts of caregiving among LGBTQI cancer carers

BackgroundLGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex) communities are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable and high-risk population in oncology. LGBTQI cancer carers, including carers who are LGBTQI and other carers of LGBTQI people, experience many of the same stressors as LGBTQI patients but their support needs are often overlooked in the cancer literature.MethodThis mixed-methods study examined distress and quality of life in LGBTQI cancer carers. Online surveys were completed by 129 carers and 31 carers took part in a one-to-one semi-structured interview. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) tested for differences in psychosocial outcomes and carer experiences by gender, sexuality, age, carer relationship and carer/patient LGBTQI status. Reflexive thematic analysis of interviews and open-ended survey responses facilitated in-depth examination of subjective experiences.Results42.6% of participants reported high or very high distress. Distress was significantly positively correlated with discrimination in cancer care, health impact, financial impact and lack of family support; it was negatively correlated with comfort in LGBTQI sexuality and gender identity, social support and quality of life. Four themes were identified in thematic analysis of qualitative data: (1) Identity on the sidelines: LGBTQI sexuality and gender pushed aside during cancer caregiving; (2) Fear of being shut-out: rejection and exclusion of LGBTQI cancer carers; (3) Lack of support for LGBTQI caregivers; and (4) Closer and stronger relationships due to a culture of mutual caregiving.ConclusionsLGBTQI cancer carers must contend with typical caregiving demands whilst also managing additional minority stressors, including discrimination, rejection from family, isolation from LGBTQI communities, and invisibility in healthcare and support services. Despite this, LGBTQI carers showed resilience in building their own mutually supportive networks to rally around the person with cancer, which were reported to ameliorate psychosocial vulnerabilities. Service providers need to recognize the needs of LGBTQI cancer carers through inclusive and reflective practices. This will facilitate trust and patient and carer sexuality and gender identity disclosure, with positive consequences for wellbeing and satisfaction with cancer care.

Gender Differences in Psychosocial Outcomes and Coping Strategies of Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Gender is an important factor impacting cancer experience. This review mainly aimed to summarize colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' gender differences in psychosocial outcomes and coping strategies. (2) Methods: Relevant studies were searched for in four electronic databases from 2007 to July 2023. And manual searching was performed on the included studies' reference lists to identify additional eligible studies. (3) Results: A total of 37 eligible articles were included in this review. These studies were conducted in 19 countries, and they targeted CRC patients at various treatment stages. Significant results showed that female patients tended to have more psychological distress, complex social functioning, and less sexual distress and to choose more positive coping strategies than male patients. But there was no gender difference in psychosocial outcomes and/or coping strategies in some studies, which implied that gender similarity also existed. (4) Conclusions: The findings support the fact that there are both gender differences and similarities in CRC patients' psychosocial outcomes and coping strategies. A perspective beyond the simple masculine-feminine binary improved our in-depth understanding of gender tendency. Importantly, taking gender tendency into account is critical for medical staff to provide more personalized support and communication interventions.

Perfectionism in OT, SLP, and PT Students on Psychosocial Outcomes: A Pilot Study

This study determined rates of perfectionism among graduate rehabilitation students and compared rates of depression and anxiety between perfectionists and non-perfectionists. Fifty-four students completed an emailed survey, Almost-Perfect Scale-Revised, the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale, and the Clinically Useful Anxiety Outcome Scale. High levels of perfectionism, anxiety, and depression were found. No significant differences in psychosocial outcomes for perfectionism were identified. Trends emerged: (1) higher numbers of moderate to severe anxiety and depression among perfectionistic students, and (2) higher numbers of moderate to severe anxiety among maladaptive perfectionistic students. Programming and resources are needed to promote mental health in OT students.

81 Post-Burn Psychosocial Outcomes in Pediatric Minority Patients: A Burn Database Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction Racial and ethnic minority burn patients often face barriers to longitudinal psychosocial support after injury. Studies utilizing the Burn Model System (BMS) National Database show adult minority patients report worse psychosocial outcomes during burn recovery in domains such as body image or social re-integration. No study to date has investigated differences in psychosocial outcomes by racial or ethnic category in the pediatric population using the BMS database. This study examines eight outcomes in minority pediatric patients to better characterize potential differences in the pediatric patient population. Methods Patients under 18 years old treated for burn injury between 2009 and 2019 consented to participate in a multi-center longitudinal study were included in the current sample. We analyzed eight outcomes using the National Institute of Health Toolbox and PROMIS-25 measures with higher reported scores indicating worse symptom severity. Multi-level, linear mixed effects, regression modeling analyzed associations between race/ethnicity and outcomes at three time points (discharge after index hospitalization, 6- and 12- month post-injury. Results The total cohort of 277 patients were 81% male (n = 182) and on average 8.78 years old (range: 3-18 years at time of injury). When surveyed 12 months after injury, pediatric Hispanic patients reported a mean fatigue score of 45.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 41.6, 49.9) compared to pediatric non-Hispanic patient score of 43.0 (95% CI: 37.1, 48.9). At 12 months, Hispanic patients reported a mean anxiety score of 46.1 (95% CI: 42.7, 49.5), compared to 41.4 (95% CI: 25.8, 47.1) reported by non-Hispanic patients. At 12 months after injury, Hispanic patients reported a mean peer relationship score of 51.1 (95% CI: 47.2, 55.1) compared to non-Hispanic patients' score of 55.5 (95% CI: 50.3, 60.6). Hispanic patients also reported a mean pain interference score of 44.7 (95% CI: 42.3, 47.0) compared to non-Hispanic patients' score of 38.3 (95% CI: 34.9, 41.6) at 12 months after injury. Conclusions Following burn injury, pediatric Hispanic patients report worse outcomes in several psychosocial domains compared to pediatric non-Hispanic patients, although differences were not statistically significant. However, as significant differences in outcomes exist in adult Hispanic/Latino patients, this study supports the need for further evaluation into potential factors that lead to worse outcomes in Hispanic populations. Applicability of Research to Practice Although pediatric Hispanic patients do not report significantly worse outcomes than non-Hispanic patients in short term burn recovery, these patients may benefit from further counseling and psychosocial support after injury.

Psychosocial outcomes and peer influences among multiracial adolescents in the United States.

To examine racial and ethnic self-identification among adolescents and explore psychosocial outcomes and peer treatment for multiracial adolescents in the United States. Data are from the 2014 Child Development Supplement, a subsample of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Data were weighted to be nationally representative. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population and to explore family and parent demographics. Multivariable regressions tested for differences in psychosocial outcomes and peer treatment and group behaviors for multiracial youth in comparison to their single race peers. Black multiracial youth had significantly lower scores on the children's depression index compared to single race Black youth, and White multiracial youth reported significantly higher rates of peer mistreatment in comparison to White single race youth. Black multiracial and White multiracial adolescents reported similar positive and negative peer group behaviors. Complex patterns emerge when examining the psychosocial and peer treatment variables presented in this analysis for multiracial adolescents and their single-race peers. The findings regarding depressive symptoms and peer bullying point to signs of different relationships between multiracial groups. White multiracial adolescents report worse outcomes than their White single-race peers, but Black multiracial adolescents reporting better outcomes than their Black single-race peers.

Is it okay to choose to receive bad news by telephone? An observational study on psychosocial consequences of diagnostic workup for lung cancer suspicion

Background In-person meeting is considered the gold standard in current communication protocols regarding sensitive information, yet one size may not fit all, and patients increasingly demand or are offered disclosure of bad news by, e.g., telephone. It is unknown how patients’ active preference for communication modality affect psychosocial consequences of receiving potentially bad news. Aim To explore psychosocial consequences in patients, who themselves chose to have results of lung cancer workup delivered either in-person or by telephone compared with patients randomly assigned to either delivery in a recently published randomised controlled trial (RCT). Methods An observational study prospectively including patients referred for invasive workup for suspected lung cancer stratified in those declining (Patient’s Own Choice, POC group) and those participating in the RCT. On the day of invasive workup and five weeks later, patients completed a validated, nine-dimension, condition-specific questionnaire, Consequences of Screening in Lung Cancer (COS-LC). Primary outcome: difference in change in COS-LC dimensions between POC and RCT groups. Results In total, 151 patients were included in the POC group versus 255 in the RCT. Most (70%) in the POC group chose to have results by telephone. Baseline characteristics and diagnostic outcomes were comparable between POC and RCT groups, and in telephone and in-person subgroups too. We observed no statistically significant between-groups differences in any COS-LC score between POC and RCT groups, or between telephone and in-person subgroups in the POC group. Conclusion Continually informed patients’ choice between in-person or telephone disclosure of results of lung cancer workup is not associated with differences in psychosocial outcomes. The present article supports further use of a simple model for how to prepare the patient for potential bad news.

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the postpartum experience of women living in Eastern Canada during the early pandemic period: A cross-sectional study.

To (1) compare changes in parenting self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression in Canadian women before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic; (2) explore how women with a newborn felt during the pandemic; (3) explore ways that women coped with challenges faced. A cross-sectional design was used. Prior to the pandemic, an online survey was conducted with women who an infant 6 months old or less in one of the three Eastern Canadian Maritime provinces. A similar survey was conducted during the pandemic in mid-2020. Pre-COVID, 561 women completed the survey, and 331 women during the pandemic. There were no significant differences in parenting self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and depression between the cohorts. Difficulties that women reported because of COVID-19 restrictions included lack of support from family and friends, fear of COVID-19 exposure, feeling isolated and uncertain, negative impact on perinatal care experience, and hospital restrictions. Having support from partners and families, in-person/virtual support, as well as engaging in self-care and the low prevalence of COVID-19 during the summer of 2020 helped women cope. Women identified challenges and negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although no differences in psychosocial outcomes were found. Consideration of public health policy during the postpartum period for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is needed. While there were no significant differences in psychosocial outcomes, there were still challenges and negative impacts that women identified.

A longitudinal examination of the family stress model of economic hardship in seven countries

The Family Stress Model of Economic Hardship (FSM) posits that economic situations create differences in psychosocial outcomes for parents and developmental outcomes for their adolescent children. However, prior studies guided by the FSM have been mostly in high-income countries and have included only mother report or have not disaggregated mother and father report. Our focal research questions were whether the indirect effect of economic hardship on adolescent mental health was mediated by economic pressure, parental depression, dysfunctional dyadic coping, and parenting, and whether these relations differed by culture and mother versus father report. We conducted multiple group serial mediation path models using longitudinal data from adolescents ages 12–15 in 2008–2012 from 1,082 families in 10 cultural groups in seven countries (Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States). Taken together, the indirect effect findings suggest partial support for the FSM in most cultural groups across study countries. We foundassociations among economic hardship, parental depression, parenting, and adolescent internalizing and externalizing. Findings support polices and interventions aimed at disrupting each path in the model to mitigate the effects of economic hardship on parental depression, harsh parenting, and adolescents’ externalizing and internalizing problems.

The power of friendship: The developmental significance of friendships from a neuroscience perspective

AbstractForming and maintaining friendships is one of the most important developmental tasks in adolescence. Supportive and high‐quality friendships have been related to positive developmental outcomes and mental health, both concurrently and in the long term. Friendships also protect against negative effects of adverse experiences, such as peer victimization and internalizing behaviors. Despite this ample evidence relating friendships to well‐being, we know relatively little about the underlying mechanisms involved. In this article, I review brain imaging research on friendships and highlight its contribution to our understanding of how interactions with friends relate to well‐being. Studies suggest that friendships involve reward and motivational processes (involving the ventral striatum and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex), and self‐ and other‐related mentalizing processes (involving the medial prefrontal cortex and the temporoparietal regions). I conclude with suggestions for research on how neural patterns relate to individual differences in psychosocial outcomes and mental health.

Text Messaging Intervention for Mental Wellness in American Indian and Alaska Native Teens and Young Adults (BRAVE Study): Analysis of User Engagement Patterns.

BackgroundMany American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN or Native) communities express concern about high rates of suicide and poor mental health. Technology-based health interventions that nurture resilience, coping skills, connectedness, and help-seeking skills may be an effective strategy for promoting health and wellbeing among AI/AN youth. The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board designed the BRAVE intervention for AI/AN youth. BRAVE is delivered via SMS text messaging and includes role model videos, mental wellness strategies, links to culturally relevant resources, and social support from family and friends.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore system data from the BRAVE intervention to determine patterns of user engagement and differences in psychosocial outcomes based on the number of clicks on BRAVE content.MethodsThe BRAVE study included 1030 AI/AN teens and young adults nationwide (15 to 24 years old). The message series in the BRAVE and STEM study arms included 3 to 5 SMS text messages per week, featuring 1 role model video and 1 image per week. Messages were sent out via Mobile Commons (Upland Software Inc), a mobile messaging provider that supports text, picture, and video SMS.ResultsOf the 509 participants in the original BRAVE analysis, 270 had sufficient data to analyze user engagement, with at least 1 trackable click on a study SMS text message. Of the 270, 184 (68.1%) were female, 50 (18.5%) were male, and 36 (13.3%) selected another gender category. The average participant was 20.6 years old, with a minimum and maximum age of 15 and 26 years. Most participants had relatively low engagement measured by the number of clicks (median 2; mean 3.4), although others clicked message content as many as 49 times. Users engaged most frequently with the YouTube-based content (viewing 1 of 7 role model videos), with 64.8% (175/270) of total clicks coming from the role model videos, and earlier episodes receiving the highest number of clicks. Most baseline psychosocial measures were not significantly associated with the number of links clicked. However, help-seeking behavior was highly significant (P<.001), with a rate ratio of 0.82 (0.73, 0.92), indicating that each 1-unit increase in help-seeking score at baseline was associated with an 18% decrease in the expected number of study content clicks.ConclusionsThis is the first study to set initial standards for assessing user engagement in an mHealth intervention. Our work underscores the feasibility of exploring the impact of engagement on intended outcomes, allowing for more precise exploration of the dose-response relationship that may be realized through these low-touch interventions that offer promising potential for reaching high numbers of program participants.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04979481; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04979481

Gender Differences in Psychosocial Outcomes of Hair Loss Resulting from Childhood Irradiation for Tinea Capitis.

Recent studies have linked hair loss due to childhood irradiation for tinea capitis, a fungal infection of the scalp, to adverse psychosocial and health outcomes in women. However, no study to date has examined gender differences in the outcomes of this type of hair loss. The current study aimed to investigate gender differences in health and psychosocial outcomes of hair loss resulting from childhood irradiation for tinea capitis, and to identify the risk factors associated with depression in both men and women. Medical records held at the archives of the Israel National Center for Compensation of Scalp Ringworm Victims were retrospectively reviewed for 217 women and 105 men who received maximum disability compensation due to severe hair loss resulting from irradiation for tinea capitis. We found that women were at increased risk of developing psychosocial symptoms, including depression. Gender emerged as a significant predictor of depression, distinct from other predictors, such as marital status, age at radiation, exposure to verbal and physical bullying, low self-esteem, social anxiety, and physical health problems. Thus, the psychosocial needs of patients, particularly female patients, who were irradiated for tinea capitis during childhood need to be taken into account by the healthcare professionals treating them.

Culturally Targeted Video Improves Psychosocial Outcomes in Latina Women at Risk of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer.

Latina women at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) have lower awareness, knowledge, and use of genetic counseling and testing services (GCT) than non-Latina Whites. Few interventions have been developed to reduce these disparities among at-risk Latinas. This pilot study assessed the impact of a culturally targeted narrative video developed by our team. The study included 40 Latina immigrants living in the United States who were at risk of HBOC, including affected and unaffected women. We assessed pre-post differences in psychosocial outcomes. Participants were 47.35 years old on average (SD = 9.48). Most (70%) were unaffected with cancer, had an annual income of $40,000 or less (65%), an education of High School or less (62.5%), and were uninsured (77.5%). The video significantly enhanced knowledge (p < 0.001), positive attitudes (p < 0.05), anticipatory positive emotions (p < 0.05), and intentions to participate in counseling (p < 0.001). Importantly, the video also significantly reduced negative attitudes (p < 0.05), and attitudinal ambivalence (p < 0.001). The culturally targeted video shows preliminary evidence in improving psychosocial outcomes related to GCT uptake in Latinas at risk for HBOC. This intervention is a promising easily-disseminable strategy to address disparities in GCT utilization.

Impact of the mental health and dynamic referral for oncology (MHADRO) program on oncology patient outcomes, health care utilization, and health provider behaviors: A multi-site randomized control trial

ObjectiveThe MHADRO assesses psychosocial and medical needs, provides tailored feedback reports, and connects patients to mental health providers. This study examined the MHADRO’s effect on patient outcomes, health care utilization, and oncology provider documentation and behaviors. Methods836 patients were part of a multi-site RCT and assessments were conducted at baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months. ResultsThe intervention group engaged in less emergency calls to providers. There were no differences in psychosocial outcomes at follow up assessments. Providers of patients in the intervention group were more likely to: document psychosocial symptoms and history; refer to psychosocial services; encourage support groups; seek psychological evaluations during visits. Patients who agreed to a mental health referral had decreased hospitalizations, increased mental health care interactions, and stronger ratings of counseling potential benefits. This group also reported increased psychosocial distress at all follow-up assessments. ConclusionThe MHADRO may increase access to mental health care, lessen utilization, and improve providers’ management of psychosocial needs, but does not appear to impact overall functioning over time. Practice ImplicationsProviders are encouraged to consider incorporating programs, like the MHADRO, into patient care as they may have the potential to impact screening and management of patients’ psychosocial needs.

An evaluation of the psychosocial impact of epilepsy on marriage in the United Kingdom

ObjectivesThe primary objective of this study was to measure the psychosocial burden for persons with epilepsy (PWEs) and for their spouses and to compare and correlate this with the clinical burden of seizures. A secondary objective was to examine the presence of gender-specific differences in the perception of psychosocial burdens by both PWE and their spouses, as well as in the factors that may influence this perception. We also sought to delineate differences in perceived stigmatization if the onset of epilepsy was within matrimony or if seizure onset was prior to marriage. MethodsA questionnaire was constructed from previously validated instruments to measure stigma and was administered to 50 PWE–spouse pairs. A copy was applied to the PWE, and another was administered separately to the spouse. The medical notes were scrutinized by a Consultant Neurologist to enable an assessment of seizure severity for each type of seizure that the PWE experienced. Pearson correlation significance was examined at 95% level of significance. ResultsHigher seizure severity over the month prior to data collection correlated with smaller reporting differences in psychosocial outcome between spouses and the PWE (p = 0.005), an effect that maintained significance when the period over which seizure severity was evaluated was extended to one year (p = 0.021). Regarding gender-specific differences, low mood over the month prior to administration of the questionnaire was associated with worse psychosocial scores in females only (p = 0.001). Significant impairment in driving was correlated with worse outcomes in males only (p = 0.008). Male spouses' judgment on the ‘overall health’ of their wife correlated to seizure severity (p = 0.003). However, the psychosocial scores reported by male spouses were inversely correlated to those of the PWE (p = 0.042). Finally, in PWE with seizure onset within marriage, a high degree of perceived stigmatization (p = 0.025) and low mood (p = 0.004) was correlated to worse psychosocial functioning. This group also tended to be more anxious when the PWE was experiencing severe seizures (p = 0.013). ConclusionAlthough severe seizures in this sample of couples were correlated with a smaller discrepancy in perceived seizure burden, gender-specific differences in perception of epilepsy-related psychosocial burden exist. This is true for both PWE and their spouses. Irrespective of gender, onset of epilepsy within matrimony was correlated with higher levels of anxiety and stigma. These factors need to be considered during efforts to reduce epilepsy-related stigmatization, as well as in tailoring therapies that aim to support the spouse as well as the PWE.

Gender differences in psychosocial outcomes of psychotherapy trial in patients with depression and coronary artery disease

IntroductionThe biological and psychosocial risk profile differs between women and men with coronary artery disease (CAD). Depressive symptoms and Vital Exhaustion (VE) predict an unfavourable course of CAD. The secondary analysis of the SPIRR-CAD trial offered the possibility to examine gender as exposure variable of the clinical and psychological situation at baseline and in a variety of psychosocial measures as outcomes. MethodsIn this trial, 450 men (78.9%) and 120 women (21.1%) with CAD (age ≤ 75 y), with mild to moderate depression (scoring ≥8 on the HADS), were randomized to usual care with or without a stepwise psychotherapy intervention. Beside clinical measures exhaustion and other indicators of depressive symptoms were collected at baseline and 18-month follow up. ResultsMen had more signs and symptoms of heart disease at baseline, whereas women had higher psychosocial burden (e.g. negative affect). Women were more likely to live alone, had lower educational levels and employment rates and higher levels of depression and exhaustion. The psychotherapy intervention differed as a function of gender: In women, VE decreased from 29.4 ± 8.1 to 22.1 ± 11.7 in the intervention group (IG) and from 29.2 ± 8.2 to 25.1 ± 11.3 in the control group (CG). In men VE decreased from 23.3 + −10.8 to 21.2 ± 9.7 in the IG and from 23.6 ± 10.7 to 19.3 ± 11.3 in the CG (time x intervention x gender; F = 4.97; p = .026). DiscussionWomen had a higher psychosocial burden than men. VE compared to other rating instruments of depressive symptoms suggested a stronger response to the intervention in women. VE may help to understand gender differences in psychotherapeutic treatment studies of CAD.ISRCTN:76240576; clinicaltrials.gov

Psychosocial outcomes in active treatment through survivorship.

The objective of the study is to understand potential differences in psychosocial outcomes from active treatment to survivorship. Using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Experiences with Cancer Survivorship Supplement (n=1360), we examined and compared psychosocial outcomes among respondents in active treatment with survivors by year(s) since treatment ended. Survey-weighted regression models were used to test associations between year(s) since treatment and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), psychological distress (K6), and cancer-specific worry related to recurrence. Unadjusted estimates showed no significant differences in depressive symptoms or psychological distress between those in active treatment and cancer survivors at any time posttreatment. In contrast, the prevalence of cancer-specific worry was lowest among survivors more than 5years since treatment (10%), slightly higher among those with less than 1year since treatment (15%), and highest among those in active treatment (32%). In models controlled for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, the year(s) since treatment ended was inversely associated with the odds of cancer-specific worry but was not associated with depressive symptoms or psychological distress. In this population-based sample, worry about cancer recurrence may diminish with years since treatment ended, while depressive symptoms and distress are persistent across the trajectory. These findings highlight unmet psychosocial needs among cancer survivors and demonstrate the importance of targeted interventions across the survivorship continuum.

Prosociality from early adolescence to young adulthood: A longitudinal study of individuals with a history of language impairment

BackgroundLongitudinal research into the development of prosociality contributes vitally to understanding of individual differences in psychosocial outcomes. Most of the research to date has been concerned with prosocial behaviour in typically developing young people; much less has been directed to the course of development in individuals with developmental disorders. AimsThis study reports a longitudinal investigation of prosocial behaviour in young people with language impairment (LI), and compares trajectories of development to typically developing age-matched peers (AMPs). Methods and proceduresParticipants were followed from age 11 years to young adulthood (age 24 years). Outcomes and resultsParticipants with LI perceived themselves as prosocial; their ratings – though lower than those for the AMPs – were well within the normal range and they remained consistently so from 11 to 24 years. Two different developmental trajectories were identified for the LI group, which were stable and differed only in level of prosociality. Approximately one third of participants with LI followed a moderate prosociality trajectory whilst the majority (71%) followed a prosocial trajectory. We found evidence of protective effects of prosociality for social outcomes in young adulthood. Conclusions and implicationsThe findings indicate that prosociality is an area of relative strength in LI. What this paper adds?To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine developmental changes in levels of prosociality from early adolescence to young adulthood in a cohort of young people with LI. Approximately one third of participants with LI followed a moderate prosociality trajectory whilst the majority (71%) followed a prosocial trajectory. We argue that prosociality is different to other areas of functioning in LI. Prosociality appears to be an area of relative strength and can act as a protective factor in social functioning. Prosociality was associated with better community integration in young adulthood and was significantly protective against friendship difficulties for individuals with LI. This paper also raises the thought-provoking issue of potential distal effects of early identification and intensive support for LI. It is important to note that all of the participants with LI in this study had been identified as having language difficulties in childhood and had received intensive intervention for their difficulties in language units attached to mainstream schools across England. The early identification of language difficulties and the context of early, intensive language support received in educational contexts such as language units may have nurtured socialisation processes and the development of emphatic concern, which in turn influence the development of prosociality later in young adulthood. More individual differences in prosociality have been reported for other samples drawn from a variety of schools with different educational provision and levels of language support and younger age groups, such as primary school-aged children with LI.

Subthreshold and threshold attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in childhood: psychosocial outcomes in adolescence in boys and girls

ObjectiveTo examine the association between different levels of childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and sex differences in psychosocial outcomes during adolescence.MethodSwedish children (n = 4635) were screened for neuropsychiatric symptoms at age 9 or 12. ADHD symptoms were divided into three levels: screen‐negative, screen‐intermediate, and screen‐positive. At follow‐up (age 15), parents and teenagers filled out questionnaires regarding (i) hyperactivity/inattention, (ii) peer problems, (iii) school problems, (iv) internalizing problems, (v) antisocial behaviour, (vi) alcohol misuse, and (vii) drug misuse. All outcomes were controlled for symptoms of diagnostic categories other than ADHD.ResultsIncreasing levels of ADHD symptoms in childhood were associated with higher proportions of adolescents who displayed negative psychosocial outcomes. More girls than boys reported internalizing problems (all levels) and risky drug use (screen‐intermediate and screen‐positive only). More boys reported antisocial behaviour at the screen‐negative and screen‐intermediate levels, but at the screen‐positive level, similar proportions of girls and boys displayed antisocial behaviour.ConclusionThe findings support the view that ADHD symptoms, as well as their negative outcomes, are dimensionally distributed in the population and that adolescent girls and boys display different risk profiles. The findings confirm that ADHD symptoms are associated with higher risk of drug misuse in girls.

A randomized clinical trial investigating treatment choice in Chinese men receiving sildenafil citrate and tadalafil for treating erectile dysfunction.

Sildenafil and tadalafil are efficacious and well tolerated in Chinese men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Recent study results indicate that men with ED in China who were naïve to phosphodiesterase inhibitor type 5 (PDE5) therapy prefer tadalafil 20-mg (on-demand) versus sildenafil 100-mg (on-demand). Differences in psychosocial outcomes may help to explain treatment preference in favor of tadalafil. This open-label, randomized, crossover study compared psychosocial outcomes and drug attribute choices between tadalafil and sildenafil in Chinese men with ED naïve to PDE5 inhibitor therapy. Eligible patients were randomized to sequential 20-mg tadalafil/100-mg sildenafil (n = 190) or 100-mg sildenafil/20-mg tadalafil (n = 193) for 8 weeks each and were asked which treatment they preferred to take for the 8-week extension phase. Psychosocial outcomes were assessed using the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scale (PAIRS), Drug Attributes Questionnaire (DRAQ), and Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire (SLQQ). When taking tadalafil versus sildenafil, men had a higher mean endpoint score on the PAIRS Spontaneity Domain (tadalafil = 2.86 vs sildenafil = 2.72; P < 0.001), and a lower mean endpoint score on the Time Concerns Domain (tadalafil = 2.41 vs sildenafil = 2.55; P < 0.001). A numerical increase in the Sexual Self-Confidence Domain was observed when taking tadalafil versus sildenafil (tadalafil = 2.76 vs sildenafil = 2.72; P = 0.102). The most frequently chosen drug attributes explaining treatment preference were able to get an erection long after having drug, and ability to get an erection every time. SLQQ results were comparable between treatment groups. These psychosocial outcomes may explain why more Chinese men preferred tadalafil versus sildenafil for the treatment of ED in this clinical trial.