Emotional Well-being Scale Research Articles

Identifying Distinct Risk Factors for Vision-Specific Distress and Depressive Symptoms in People With Vision Impairment

To determine the relative importance and associated risk factors of vision-specific distress and depressive symptoms in people with visual impairments. In this cross-sectional study, 162 adult patients with visual acuity less than 6/12 were interviewed using telephone-administered questionnaires. Vision-specific distress was assessed with the emotional well-being scale of the Impact of Vision Impairment Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Other measures including vision-specific functioning, coping, and social support were also assessed. Multiple regression and commonality analysis were used to determine the relative contribution of factors explaining variance in vision-specific distress and depressive symptoms. Vision-specific distress and depressive symptoms were strongly associated. Vision-specific functioning (βs = 0.47, P < 0.001), avoidant coping (βs = -0.32, P < 0.001), social coping efficacy (βs = -0.17, P = 0.001), and depressive symptoms (βs = 0.18, P = 0.006) were significant determinants of vision-specific distress. Vision-specific functioning accounted for 37.7% of the unique variance in this model. Vision-specific distress was an important risk factor for depression, accounting for 36.6% of the unique variance in depressive symptoms. Vision-specific distress is related to a person's ability to manage the practical and social challenges of vision impairment. Further work is required to distinguish vision-specific distress and depression and to examine what interventions are best to target vision-specific distress.

Convergent and divergent validity of integrative versus mixed model measures of emotional intelligence

The construct of emotional intelligence (EI) has garnered increased attention in the popular media and scientific literature. Several competing measures of EI have been developed, including self-report and performance-based instruments. The current study replicates and expands on previous research by examining three competing EI measures (Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, MSCEIT; Bar-On Emotion Quotient Inventory, EQ-i; and Self-Rated Emotional Intelligence Scale, SREIS) and their relationships with cognitive functioning (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence; WASI), Big Five personality traits (NEO-PI-R) and emotional well-being (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, PANAS). Results indicated that significant variability in the self-report EI measures was accounted for by personality and emotional well-being measures, whereas the MSCEIT was more strongly associated with IQ. Overall, nearly two-thirds (62%) of the variance in EQ-i scores was accounted for by Big Five personality traits, emotional well-being and full scale IQ; whereas only 14% of the variance in MSCEIT scores was accounted for by these same variables. The present findings raise questions regarding the divergent validity of self-report EI measures from existing personality and emotional well-being measures. The implication of these results and directions for future research are discussed.

Minimally Important Differences of the UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument

To provide minimally important difference (MID) estimates for the UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract 2.0 (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) in a longitudinal observational cohort. We administered the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 to 115 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) at 2 timepoints 6 months apart. The UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 has 7 multi-item scales: Reflux, Distension/Bloating, Diarrhea, Fecal Soilage, Constipation, Emotional Well-being, and Social Functioning and a total GIT score. All scales are scored from 0 [better health-related quality of life (HRQOL)] to 3 (worse HRQOL) except the diarrhea and constipation scales (ranges 0-2 and 0-2.5, respectively). Patients also rated their overall and upper and lower GIT involvement during the second visit using a response scale with options "much better; somewhat better; almost the same; somewhat worse; or much worse." The minimally changed group was defined by those reporting they were somewhat better or somewhat worse compared to first visit. Study participants were 84% female and 81% white with a mean disease duration of 6.9 years. The MID estimates for improvement ranged from 0.07 for the Social Functioning scale to 0.36 for the Emotional Well-being scale. For worsening, the MID estimates ranged from 0.06 for the Fecal Soilage scale to 0.21 for the Social Functioning scale. We provide MID estimates for the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 scales. This information can aid in interpreting scale scores in future randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

Affective temperaments are associated with higher hopelessness and perceived disability in patients with open-angle glaucoma

The aims of the study were to study: (i) affective temperaments in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients with some degree of functional visual impairment; (ii) psychological well-being and perceived disability, and their associations with affective temperaments; and (iii) associations between visual impairment, affective temperaments and psychological well-being. Participants were 91 outpatients (39 women, and 52 men) with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) who were assessed for Visual Field Index, Mean Defect and Pattern Standard Deviation. Patients were also administered the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the TEMPS-A (Rome), the Gotland Male Depression Scale, the Emotional Well-being Scale, the Perceived Disability Questionnaire and the Suicidal History Self-Rating Screening Scale. Open-angle glaucoma patients (compared with a non-clinical sample of university students) had higher scores on the TEMP-A dysthimic and hyperthimic traits and lower scores on cyclothimic, irritability and anxiety traits. Such temperament variability was not linked to differences in severity of glaucoma. We did not find strong evidence supporting the fact that measures of visual impairment were linked to emotional well-being and depression. However, logistic regression analysis revealed that patients may have different patterns related to their illness according to specific temperaments. Patients with OAG may have different temperament profiles than non-clinical individuals. Such categorisation may be useful for predicting how they face the illness, for providing better care as well as for early recognition of mood disorders symptoms.

Expression and reception of treatment information in breast cancer support groups: How health self-efficacy moderates effects on emotional well-being

Objectives To examine the effects of exchanging treatment information within computer-mediated breast cancer support groups on emotional well-being, and to explore whether this relationship is moderated by health self-efficacy. Methods Sample: 177 breast cancer patients using an electronic Health (eHealth) program with discussion group. Measure: expression and reception of treatment information; emotional well-being scale (0, 4 months). Analyses: hierarchical regression. Results Effects of expression and reception of treatment information on emotional well-being were significantly greater for those who have higher health self-efficacy. Conclusions Results conditionally support prior research finding positive effects of treatment information exchanges among breast cancer patients. Such exchanges had a positive impact on emotional well-being for those with higher health self-efficacy, but they had a negative influence for those with lower health self-efficacy. Practice implications Given that the association between emotional well-being and exchanging treatment information was moderated by health self-efficacy, clinicians should explain the role of health self-efficacy before encouraging patients to use eHealth systems for treatment exchanges.

An Intentional Model of Emotional Well-Being: The Development and Initial Validation of a Measure of Subjective Well-Being

The major problem with the current emotional well-being scales is that they lack intentionality (being about something), which makes them incongruent with the definition of subjective well-being. A new emotional well-being scale with new affect adjectives has been developed by addressing intentionality. It focuses on individuals’ affective evaluations of their life and has showed good psychometric quality. In the first and second studies, the factor structure of the scale, the Emotional Well-Being Scale, was determined by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Study 3 showed that the scores on the scale were stable in time. The fourth and fifth studies indicated that this new construct did not overlap with personality dimensions of extraversion and neuroticism, with impressive predictive and incremental validity estimates.

Measurement Properties of the Chinese Language Version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General in a Singaporean Population

Health-related quality of life is an important aspect of health outcome. The assessment of it must be done by validated instruments. There is no published data on the validity, reliability and sensitiveness to change of the official Chinese translation of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (version 4; FACT-G). A Chinese questionnaire package comprising the FACT-G and Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC, which was translated, modified and validated in Singapore) was filled in by 165 ethnic Chinese patients recruited from the National Cancer Centre, Singapore. Four weeks later, the patients were assessed again by a postal questionnaire survey. The FACT-G and FLIC total scores were strongly correlated (r = 0.85). The Physical, Social/Family, Emotional and Functional Well-being scales of the FACT-G converged to and diverged from FLIC components as conceptually expected. The FACT-G and its 4 scales also demonstrated known-groups validity in differentiating patients with different performance status (each P <0.001). Their internal consistency ranged from 0.81 to 0.93 and test-retest reliability ranged from 0.74 to 0.85. The FACT-G and its Physical, Emotional and Functional Well-being scales showed trends of change in relation to change in performance status. The Social/Family Well-being scale was sensitive to decline but not improvement in performance status. The Chinese version of the FACT-G can be used to assess overall level and some specific aspects of health-related quality of life. However, researchers should be cautious in using this instrument to specifically investigate the social aspect of quality of life.

Mapping the English and Chinese Versions of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General to the EQ-5D Utility Index

Objective This study aims to develop a function for mapping the English and Chinese versions of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT–G) scores to the EuroQoL Group's EQ-5D utility index and to test whether a single function is sufficient for the two language versions. Methods A baseline survey of 558 cancer patients in Singapore using the FACT–G and EQ-5D was conducted (308 English and 250 Chinese questionnaires). Regression models were used to predict the EQ-5D utility index values based on the FACT–G scores and thus derive a mapping equation. Data from a follow-up survey of the patients were used to validate the results. Results The FACT–G Social/Family scale was not associated with the EQ-5D utility index ( P = 0.701). There was no interaction between language version and the predictors (each P > 0.1). An equation that maps the FACT–G Physical, Emotional, and Functional well-being scales to the EQ-5D utility index was derived. In the validation sample, the mean observed utility values was larger than the mapped by only 0.005 (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.006 to 0.016), but the mean absolute difference was 0.083 (95% CI 0.076 to 0.090). Conclusions At the group level, but not individual level, the equation developed can accurately map the English and Chinese versions of the FACT–G scores to the EQ-5D utility index.

Prospective assessment of the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Melanoma questionnaire.

The authors previously developed a melanoma-specific module for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-Melanoma), a tool for the assessment of quality of life (QOL) in patients with melanoma. The reliability and validity of the FACT-Melanoma was examined in this study. Patients with melanoma (N = 273; stages I-IV) completed a battery of questionnaires at the time of enrollment. The validity of the instrument was examined by comparing FACT-Melanoma scores with performance status, disease stage, treatment status, and other scales, including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Melanoma Module, the Profile of Mood States, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Patients were assessed after 1 week to assess test-retest reliability and at 3 months to determine the sensitivity of the instrument to change in performance status. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability (r) of the melanoma subscale (Cronbach alpha = .85; r = .81) and the total FACT-Melanoma (alpha = .95; r = .90) were excellent. Overall, the scales were correlated with other measures, as anticipated. Total FACT-Melanoma scores, along with scores for physical well-being, emotional well-being, functional well-being, and melanoma-specific scales, were lower for patients with advanced (stage III/IV) melanoma, poor performance status, and patients who were receiving active treatment. The FACT-Melanoma total score and the score for physical well-being were sensitive to changes in performance status (P = .0012 and P = .004, respectively). The results of the current study indicated that the FACT-Melanoma questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for patients with melanoma that can be used for the assessment of QOL in clinical trials.

Developing an item bank to measure psychological distress in cancerpatients using Rasch models

8104 Background Psychological distress (PsyD) is common in cancer patients (CP). Self-report screening instruments are disappointing in detecting CP needing specialist intervention for PsyD, and CP with increased PsyD below psychiatric disorder, needing support within cancer care. Items assessing PsyD may fit on a single scale, so we may reduce the number of items CP must answer and tailor questions to CP own level of PsyD. We aim to apply Rasch analyses to instruments measuring PsyD, to develop a bank of items, and to evaluate how these items fit a unidimensional scale across the range of severity of PsyD (in logits). Methods A Rasch common-item equating analysis was applied to our database. The Beck Depression Inventory, General Health Questionnaire, Mental Health Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, FACT Emotional Well-being scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and EORTC QLQ-C30 Emotional Functioning scale were analysed separately. Items that misfit the single scale (infit mean square >1.4) were removed. Then items from each instrument were added with common items as anchor points. Results A sample of 4923 CP provided an initial bank of 83 items. When 18 items were removed due to misfit, 65 items had infit and outfit mean square <1.4. No factor structure was evident in the residuals on principal components analysis, confirming a good unidimensional structure. Internal reliability was high (person separation index 0.85). Item locations ranged from -5 to +3 logits. Therefore many items assessed high levels of PsyD. Person abilities ranged from -5 to +1. Many CP reported low levels of PsyD. Limited overlap between item and person locations indicates a need to develop further items. Conclusions In a large sample of CP we have applied a Rasch model to items from widely used previously validated self-report PsyD questionnaires. Many items fit a single continuum of PsyD. Additional items may improve the item bank, leading in future to a fixed questionnaire and computer adaptive testing to measure PsyD in CP on a single continuum, using fewer items, tailored to the patient. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for Low Back Pain in the Elderly

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Stanford's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for chronic low back pain (LBP) in older Americans. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Community-based program offered at 12 locations. Subjects Community-dwelling seniors (n = 109) aged 60 and older with chronic LBP of mechanical origin. Methods Patients were randomly allocated to the CDSMP or to a 6-month, wait-list control group. The program included one 2.5-hour session per week for 6 weeks. Outcomes evaluated at 6 months included 100-point modified Von Korff pain and disability scales; days with pain and disability; SF-36 general health, energy-fatigue, and emotional well-being scales; 2 scales from the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, self-care attitudes/behaviors, and health services utilization. Results For pain at 6 months, the primary outcome, the adjusted mean difference between the program and control, was −1.0 ( P = .835). There was a sizable advantage for the program in disability averaged over the course of the entire 6-month study (−9.2, P = .027), but not at the 6-month follow-up (−5.8, P = .278). There was an interaction between intervention and baseline disability days favoring the program for higher baseline values ( P = .007). The CDSMP affected emotional well-being (7.6, P = .037) and energy-fatigue (5.1, P = .274). There were no differences for self-efficacy, pain days, and general health. Conclusion There was no advantage for the CDSMP over a wait-list control for improving pain, general health, self-efficacy, and self-care attitudes in older Americans with chronic LBP. A benefit was suggested for emotional well-being, fatigue, functional disability, and days with disability.

IMPROVEMENT IN EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND RELATIONSHIPS OF USERS OF SILDENAFIL

We estimated the association of sildenafil use with erectile function, relationship with sexual partner, functional status and emotional well-being in men with erectile dysfunction. Letters were mailed to eligible patients at a university hospital urology and internal medicine clinic, and university affiliated community primary care clinics by the primary care provider or urologist inviting them to participate in the study. Of the eligible sample 124 men (53%) completed and returned a survey, including 85 who reported current sildenafil use. Change scores in these patients were calculated using the International Index of Erectile Function, marital interaction scale from the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System Short Form, 5-item emotional well-being scale of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and 12-Item Short Form Health Survey. Sildenafil users reported an 88% increase in erectile function scores, 60% increase in overall sexual satisfaction and 36% increase in intercourse satisfaction related to the use of sildenafil (p <0.001). Of the respondents 38% indicated that using sildenafil had definitely improved quality of life. Likewise 29% of respondents indicated that using sildenafil had definitely improved the relationship with their partner. With sildenafil there was a statistically significant improvement in the scores of erectile and sexual function (p <0.001), sexual partner relationship (p = 0.007) and emotional well-being (p <0.001). In a multivariate model improved erectile function and sexual partner relationship were each significantly associated with improved emotional well-being (R2 = 0.20, p <0.001). Sildenafil users reported significant improvements in erectile and sexual function that were associated with positive changes in emotional well-being and the sexual partner relationships with their sexual partner.

Health-related quality of life in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection in the United States: results from the HIV cost and services utilization study

PURPOSE: To measure health-related quality of life among adult patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease; to compare the health-related quality of life of adults with HIV with that of the general population and with patients with other chronic conditions; and to determine the associations of demographic variables and disease severity with health-related quality of life. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 2,864 HIV-infected adults participating in the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study, a probability sample of adults with HIV receiving health care in the contiguous United States (excluding military hospitals, prisons, or emergency rooms). A battery of 28 items covering eight domains of health (physical functioning, emotional well-being, role functioning, pain, general health perceptions, social functioning, energy, disability days) was administered. The eight domains were combined into physical and mental health summary scores. SF-36 physical functioning and emotional well-being scales were compared with the US general population and patients with other chronic diseases on a 0 to 100 scale. RESULTS: Physical functioning was about the same for adults with asymptomatic HIV disease as for the US population [mean (± SD) of 92 ± 16 versus 90 ± 17) but was much worse for those with symptomatic HIV disease (76 ± 28) or who met criteria for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS; 58 ± 31). Patients with AIDS had worse physical functioning than those with other chronic diseases (epilepsy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, clinically localized prostate cancer, clinical depression, diabetes) for which comparable data were available. Emotional well-being was comparable among patients with various stages of HIV disease (asymptomatic, 62 ± 9; symptomatic, 59 ± 11; AIDS, 59 ± 11), but was significantly worse than the general population and patients with other chronic diseases except depression. In multivariate analyses, HIV-related symptoms were strongly associated with physical and mental health, whereas race, sex, health insurance status, disease stage, and CD4 count were at most weakly associated with physical and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial morbidity associated with HIV disease in adults. The variability in health-related quality of life according to disease progression is relevant for health policy and allocation of resources, and merits the attention of clinicians who treat patients with HIV disease.

How safe are intraocular lenses?

<h3>Abstract</h3> <h3>Purpose</h3> Our objective was to assess adolescent’s Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and psychological distress, from their own and their parents’ perspective, and to examine associated risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland. <h3>Methods</h3> A random sample of adolescents, aged 14-17 years, and their families was invited to a serosurvey in November and December 2020. Adolescents’ HRQoL was evaluated using the validated adolescent-reported KIDSCREEN-10 and parent-reported KINDL^® scales. Psychological distress was assessed with self-reported sadness and loneliness, and using the KINDL^® emotional well-being scale. Risk factors for adolescents’ low HRQoL and psychological distress were identified using generalized estimating equations and both adolescents’ and their parents’ perceptions were compared. <h3>Results</h3> Among 240 adolescents, 11% had a low HRQoL, 35% reported sadness and 23% reported loneliness. Based on parents’ perception, 12% of the adolescents had a low HRQoL and 16% a low emotional well-being. Being a girl (aOR=3.29; 95%CI: 1.64-6.57), increased time on social media (aOR=2.05; 95%CI: 1.08-3.88), parents’ <i>average to poor</i> mood (aOR=2.81; 95%CI: 1.21-6.56) and <i>average to poor</i> household financial situation (aOR=2.30; 95%CI: 1.00-5.29) were associated with an increased risk of sadness. Mismatches between adolescents’ and their parents’ perception of HRQoL were more likely for girls (aOR<b>=</b>2.88; 95%CI: 1.54-5.41) and in households with lower family well-being (aOR<b>=</b>0.91; 95%CI: 0.86-0.96). <h3>Conclusion</h3> A meaningful proportion of adolescents experienced low well-being during the second wave of COVID-19. Adolescents living in underprivileged or distressed families seemed particularly affected. Monitoring is necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of the pandemic on adolescents. <h3>Implications and Contribution</h3> This study describes the psychological well-being of a population-based sample of adolescents in Geneva, Switzerland amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and identifies adolescents at risk of distress. This study provides further insight by comparing adolescents’ well-being as reported by themselves and their parents.