Effectiveness Of Psychosocial Support Research Articles

The effect of psychosocial support on caregivers\u2019 perceived criticism and emotional over-involvement of persons with dementia: an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMany relatives of close family members suffering from dementia have taken on the caregiver role. While intervention studies have revealed promising results on caregiver burden, distress, and depression, there is a lack of knowledge about how caregivers’ perceived relationship with their ill family member influences the burden of care.This study examined whether a psychosocial intervention influenced this perceived relationship from the caregivers’ perspective. We also explored whether the caregivers’ perception of the care receiver’s attitude and behavior changed over time, and whether caregiver stress and mood differed following the intervention.MethodsThe participating caregivers and care receivers were randomly assigned to a psychosocial intervention comprising education about dementia, counselling and group sessions, or to treatment as usual. The study investigated caregivers’ experience of expressed emotion using the Felt Expressed Emotion Rating Scale (FEERS), a self-report questionnaire that captures caregivers’ perception of criticism (CC) and emotional over-involvement (EOI) exhibited by the family members with dementia.ResultsA total of 208 dyads were enrolled in the study. There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in the studied variables. Caregivers’ perception of CC and EOI was low but fluctuated somewhat, whereas their mood and stress level were stable during the follow-up period.ConclusionsAccording to the FEERS, the intervention did not influence caregivers’ perception of CC and EOI, and there was no difference between the intervention and control groups regarding caregivers’ perceived relationship. Despite the increased symptoms of dementia, caregivers’ level of distress and mood remained stable, and they seemed to maintain a positive perception of the quality of their relationship with the care receiver.Trial registrationClinical.Trials.gov Sept. 2009, NCT 01287767.

Effect of psycho-social support by teachers on improving mental health and hope of adolescents in an earthquake-affected district in Nepal: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

IntroductionAdolescents can be prone to mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression following disasters. School teachers can provide timely psycho-social support that could instill hope and improve mental health among adolescents in a post-earthquake situation in a low-resource setting. This study examined the effect of training for school teachers on psycho-social support on adolescents’ mental health and hope in an earthquake affected district in Nepal.MethodsThis cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 15 schools in Dhading, a severely affected district by the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. The schools were randomized, as a result, 8 were in the intervention group and 7 in the control group. A total of 1,220 adolescents were recruited at baseline of which 605 adolescents belonged to intervention group and 615 to control group. The follow-up rate at 6 months was 83%. This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov with registration number NCT03387007.ResultsThe intervention did not show significant effects for PTSD symptoms (Intervention*time, β = 0.33, p = 0.536), depression symptoms (Intervention*time, β = 0.30, p = 0.249), and hope (Intervention*time, β = -0.23, p = 0.588), among the adolescents at 6 months follow-up.ConclusionThe intervention did not improve mental health symptoms and hope among adolescents at 6 months follow-up. More focused and longer training could be necessary to address mental health among adolescents affected by earthquake. Additionally, longer follow-up could be necessary to assess the changes taking place over time.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03387007.

CLINICAL outcomes and loss to follow-up among people living with HIV participating in the NAMWEZA intervention in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundPsychosocial factors have been linked with loss to follow-up (LTFU) and clinical outcomes among people living with HIV (PLH), however little is known about the effect of psychosocial support on LTFU among PLH in treatment and care. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of NAMWEZA (“Yes, together we can”) friends’ psychosocial support intervention on clinical outcomes and LTFU among PLH. NAMWEZA is based on a novel program using “appreciative inquiry”, positive psychology approaches to empower, promote positive attitudes and foster hope.MethodsPLH participating in the NAMWEZA intervention in HIV care clinics in Dar es Salaam Tanzania were compared with non-exposed PLH obtained from facilities that routinely collect clinical information and both followed longitudinally for 24 months. Baseline sociodemographic, clinical measures (CD4 cell count, hemoglobin (HGB), weight), and LTFU measures were collected. Chi square, Fisher’s exact tests, and t-tests were used to compare the frequencies for categorical variables and the means of continuous variables from the intervention and the comparison groups to identify variables that were significantly different across the two groups. Random effects models were performed to examine the bivariate associations between the intervention status and clinical outcomes.ResultsAt the end of 24 months of follow-up mean CD4 count and HGB levels increased significantly in both intervention and comparison groups (p = 0.009 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Weight increased significantly only in the intervention group (p = 0.003). Cumulative LTFU was three times higher in the comparison compared to the intervention (p < 0.001) group. Having a low CD4 count, extremes of weight, low HGB, younger age, and male gender were significantly associated with LTFU among the unexposed group, while being on ART for duration of 12 months or more was protective against LTFU in those intervened.ConclusionAmong PLH on ART, exposed or not exposed to NAMWEZA intervention, clinical care outcomes improved over time. LTFU was much higher in the comparison group with factors commonly known to predict LTFU only apparent in the comparison group. NAMWEZA could be a promising peer-facilitated model to reduce LTFU among PLH in care that can be integrated in ART services; however, more research is needed to evaluate its longer term effects.

The Effects of Psychosocial Support on Sexually Abused Children with Disability

Child sexual abuse has been addressed in Bangladesh since the early 1990s.Sexual abuse of children with disabilities, today, is an under-reported phenomenon due to the inability of victims to report, lack of awareness of direct service providers to recognise and understand the meaning of signs of sexual abuse, and due to their reluctance to comply with mandated laws and responsibilities. In a 2012 study the World Health Organization (WHO) found that worldwide children with disabilities are almost three times more likely to be sexually abused than non-disabled peers. The study also found that children with cognitive or mental health disabilities are nearly five times more likely to suffer such abuse. Another study was conducted jointly by the Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation (BPF) and Save the Children Sweden-Denmark in 2010. The results of this study showed that half of all the disabled children in Bangladesh are sexually abused, mostly by close relatives. Psychological approaches to helping children in Bangladesh recover from sexual abuse have emerged in the last few years. However, Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation has set up counseling units as psychosocial support and have tried to provide full recognition of the holistic approach required to address child sexual abuse with adequate training, standards and protocols necessary to produce healing environments and effective interventions in support of the child. Child sexual abuse has been addressed in Bangladesh since the early 1990s. Sexual abuse of children with disabilities, today, is an under reported phenomenon due to the inability of victims to report, lack of awareness of direct service providers to recognise and understand the meaning of signs of sexual abuse, and due to their reluctance to comply with mandated reporter laws and responsibilities.

Correlation between anxiety in labor and duration as well as outcome

Correlation between anxiety in labor and duration as well as outcome

Effects of Psychosocial Support on Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

This article reviews evidence that psychosocial support may influence the progression of cancer, as indicated by differences in length of survival. Psychotherapeutic methods that have proved to be effective involve direct confrontation of fears; expression of affect, including aegative feelings; provision of social support; and training in self-hypnosis for analgesia. Possible mechanisms for this psychosocial effect on progression of disease include changes in diet and exercise, better use and provision of health care, and positive effects on the sensitivity of the endocrine and immune systems to stress. The author reviews the limitations of these theories and offers suggestions for future research.

The effectiveness of psychosocial support during post-surgical treatment of breast cancer.

Sixty-four women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer in a residential setting which offered structured cognitive and emotional support, are compared for level of psychological distress and satisfaction with staff support with 104 women living at home during treatment. The outcome measures were the 30-item Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a 5-item author-constructed Treatment Support Index. A surprisingly large percentage of the sample did not, at any time, manifest appreciable psychological distress. For those women whose level of distress changed by a GHQ score of 3 or more over the three week course of treatment, residence in the Lodge was associated with decreased risk of change for the worse, and increased probability of change for the better. Results from the Treatment Support Index indicate that a significantly greater percentage of Lodge residents than non-residents were satisfied with the quantity, quality, and/or diversity of support available to them.