Experience High Levels Of Anxiety Research Articles

Swedish massage as an adjunct approach to Help suppOrt individuals Pregnant after Experiencing a prior Stillbirth (HOPES): a convergent parallel mixed-methods single-arm feasibility trial protocol

BackgroundWomen experiencing pregnancy after stillbirth experience high levels of anxiety, fear and depression. Standard antenatal care may be emotionally unsuitable for many women at this time, and there is a lack of evidence on what interventions or approaches to care might benefit these women. Therapeutic massage may assist women after stillbirth by decreasing anxiety, worry and stress.ObjectiveThis paper outlines the objectives, methodology, outcome and assessment measures for the Helping suppOrt individuals Pregnant after Experiencing a Stillbirth (HOPES) feasibility trial which evaluates massage as an adjunct approach to care for pregnant women who have experienced a prior stillbirth. It also outlines data collection timing and considerations for analysing the data.MethodsHOPES will use a convergent parallel mixed-methods, single-arm repeated measures trial design in trained massage therapists’ private clinics across Australia. HOPES aims to recruit 75 individuals pregnant after a previous stillbirth. The intervention is massage therapy treatments, and participants will receive up to five massages within a 4-month period at intervals of their choosing. Primary quantitative outcomes are the feasibility and acceptability of the massage intervention. Secondary outcomes include determining the optimal timing of massage therapy delivery and the collection of measures for anxiety, worry, stress and self-management. A thematic analysis of women’s experiences undertaking the intervention will also be conducted. A narrative and joint display approach to integrate mixed-methods data is planned.DiscussionThe HOPES study will determine the feasibility and preliminary evidence for massage therapy as an intervention to support women who are pregnant after a stillbirth.Trial registration.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05636553. Registered on December 3, 2022, and the trial is ongoing.

Exploring Anxiety and Perceived Stress among Women with and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This study explores the connection between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and psychological well-being, with a specific focus on anxiety levels and perceived stress in females. Through a review of existing literature, it highlights the significant impact of PCOS on mental health, particularly the prevalence of heightened anxiety and stress levels among females with this condition. The study involved 100 Indian females aged 20-40, with 40 diagnosed with PCOS and 60 without any diagnosis. Anxiety and perceived stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Self Rating Anxiety Scale. Results confirm that females with PCOS experience higher levels of anxiety compared to those without the condition. Interestingly, there was no difference in perceived stress levels between the two groups. These findings underscore the nature of perceived stress while emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing its psychological impact in healthcare settings for individuals with PCOS. While this research offers insights, it acknowledges limitations such as a relatively small sample size and reliance on self-reported data. Further studies are needed using comprehensive screening approaches to enhance our understanding of the psychological aspects related to PCOS, which can ultimately be used to find targeted interventions.

Comparison of the Effects of Aromatherapy With Damask Rose and Chamomile Essential Oil on Preoperative Pain and Anxiety in Emergency Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PurposePatients who are awaiting emergency surgery experience high levels of anxiety and pain. This study aimed to compare the effects of aromatherapy with damask rose and chamomile essential oil on the preoperative pain and anxiety associated with emergency orthopedic surgery. DesignA parallel-group randomized controlled design was used. MethodsNinety participants were selected and randomly assigned to three groups: the damask rose group (n = 30), the chamomile group (n = 30), and the control group (n = 30). In the damask rose and chamomile groups, three drops of 40% essential of each plant were used for inhalation aromatherapy (three drops every hour for 3 hours) Visual Analog Scales were used to evaluate participants’ pain and anxiety levels at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 hour after the intervention. FindingsThe results of repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that both of the intervention groups experienced a decrease in pain and anxiety over time compared to the control group (P < .001). ANOVA results showed that immediately after the intervention, the anxiety level of the damask rose group compared to the chamomile and control groups was significantly lower (P = .01). However, there was no significant difference in terms of anxiety between the damask rose and chamomile groups 1 hour after the intervention (P = .07). ConclusionsThe use of damask rose and chamomile in aromatherapy was found to effectively lower anxiety and pain levels in emergency orthopedic surgery patients. The antianxiety effect of damask rose is faster than chamomile.

Relationships between Anxiety, Depression, and Illness Perceptions in Lung and Breast Cancer Patients throughout the Cancer Continuum.

Cancer is a devastating disease that has significant psychological and biological impacts. Generally, lung cancer primarily affects men while breast cancer primarily affects women. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the levels of anxiety and depression in patients with these prevalent cancer types, as well as their perceptions of the illness and any potential connections between them. The study included a total of 252 participants, consisting of 110 breast cancer patients, 112 lung cancer patients, and 30 healthy individuals as controls. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to assess mood, while the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) was used to evaluate cancer perceptions. Results revealed that both breast cancer and lung cancer patients had significantly higher BDI and BAI scores compared to the control group. Furthermore, the BDI and BAI scores were lower in breast cancer patients compared to lung cancer patients. The IPQ causal representation-immunity score was significantly higher in lung cancer patients than in breast cancer patients (p = 0.01). Positive correlations were found between BDI scores and BAI scores, as well as between BDI scores and certain subscale scores of the IPQ related to illness representation and causal representation. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between BAI scores and the IPQ illness representation-timeline acute/chronic subscale, while a negative correlation was found between BAI scores and the IPQ causal representation-accident or chance scores. Overall, the study findings demonstrated that breast and lung cancer patients possess negative perceptions of their disease and experience high levels of anxiety and depression. To enhance the quality of life and promote resilience in these patients, it is recommended to incorporate psychological interventions that consider anxiety, depression, and disease perception.

USING HEALTH BELIEF MODEL IN COVID-19 TEACHING PROTOCOLS FOR PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY TECHNICIANS:IMPACT ON INFECTION PREVENTIVE BEHAVIORS AND ANXIETY

ntroduction: Emergency medical technicians, being the first-line medical team in emergency situations, experience higher levels of anxiety. On one hand, strict regulations regarding the use and management of protective equipment and specialized trainings on COVID-19 patients can reduce anxiety resulting from perceived unfamiliarity and uncontrollable risks. On the other hand, the Health Belief Model is one of the effective models in health education. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of teaching COVID-19 coping protocols based on the Health Belief Model on infection preventive behaviors and anxiety among pre-hospital emergency technicians. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 40 technicians who expressed their willingness to participate were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups using random allocation (via random allocation of bases). The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the COVID-19 anxiety scale, and a self-developed questionnaire on infection preventive behaviors based on the Health Belief Model, which were completed before and one month after the intervention. During the intervention, educational content was delivered through e-mail or WhatsApp in four sessions. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis. Results: According to the Bonferroni test, a significant difference was observed in the mean total score of infection preventive behaviors based on the Health Belief Model and all its dimensions. However, according to the independent t-test, there was no significant difference in anxiety scores between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model did not have an impact on anxiety among pre-hospital emergency technicians in dealing with COVID-19. However, the study identified the efficacy of all dimensions of this model in observing preventive behaviors against COVID-19 in these technicians. In other words, by applying this model, there is an opportunity to improve awareness and understanding of risk factors and the benefits of behavior change. This, in turn, helps in overcoming barriers, enhancing self-efficacy, and improving preventive behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended to utilize this model in designing preventive programs to increase the likelihood of the intervention success.

Topical Aromatherapy: Increasing Staff Knowledge and Alleviating Anxiety in Patients With Cancer.

Individuals with cancer experience high levels of anxiety. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve staff knowledge of topical aromatherapy and evaluate its impact on the level of anxiety experienced by.

Pengaruh Guided Imagery terhadap Tingkat Kecemasan dan Depresi Ibu Hamil Selama Pandemi Covid 19 di Puskesmas Koni Kota Jambi

One of the most vulnerable groups during the coronavirus-19 outbreak is pregnant women. Pregnant women are more prone to anxiety because they see about vertical spread to the fetus. Disturbance during mental health is a common morbidity of pregnancy, about 12% of women experience depression and up to 22% experience high levels of anxiety in late pregnancy. Another study related to anxiety and depression during the pandemic in Turkey in 2019 stated that the Covid-19 outbreak negatively affected the mental health of pregnant women which in turn could harm pregnant women. Problems during pregnancy can be overcome by using non-pharmacological therapy. One of the non-pharmacological techniques is Guided Imagery. Guided imagery or guided imagination technique is the development of mental functions that are expressed dynamically through psychophysiological processes involving all senses and leading to changes in behavior, perception, or physiological responses with someone's guidance or through the media. Methods The research conducted at the Koni Health Center in Jambi City, will be carried out from January to November 2021 with a total of 40 respondents. Quantitative research using a quasi-experimental design with One Group Pretest Posttest Design is to measure the effect (effect) of an intervention carried out on research subjects. Collecting data from primary data obtained from questionnaires. Research Results There is an effect of anxiety level and depression level of pregnant women before and after being given guided imagery. Hopefully, the results of this study will serve as another alternative in providing midwifery care in an effort to overcome anxiety and depression in pregnant women during the Covid-19 pandemi

Quality of sleep among healthcare workers treating patients with coronavirus disease-19

IntroductionSince the declaration of the first Covid-19 case on December 08th ,2019, and to curb the spread of this pandemic, each country and notably Tunisia, has implemented a preventive strategy dominated by general lockdowns in accordance with social distancing and basic hygiene measures. These measures were not applicable in the health care sector as health care workers are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19. This condition affects not only their physical health caused by elevated workload, but also their mental health causing anxiety, fear, and depression. Previous studies have reported that health care professionals feel stigmatized, experience high levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression, and have sleep problems. Impaired Quality of Sleep (QoS) can affect their efficiency in providing medical services and adequate psychological support for patients suffering from COVID-19.ObjectivesTo evaluate the QoS among health care professionals treating patients with COVID-19 and quantifying the symptoms of depression and levels of anxiety.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 75 health care professionals matched by age and sex working in public hospital Taher Sfar Mahdia. The study was based in a self administred, French language questionnaire containing three validated questionnaires: 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Scale, 9-items Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and additional survey constructed for the purpose of the study.ResultsHealthcare professional treating COVID-19 patients (Group I) group was predominately females mean aged of 32.67±7.04. The health professionals treating COVID-19 patients had poorer Quality of Sleep; Pittsburgh score 10.6 ± 742 vs 7.89 ± 6.14 in the group not treating COVID-19 patients ( p=0.001). Levels of anxiety and depression were significantly higher in the group I (respectively p=0.005 and 0.03). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that higher scores on GAD (beta = .809, p &lt; .01) and the lower one was the number of persons in charge (beta = –0.632; p &lt; .01) were independent predictors of a poorer quality of sleepConclusionsThis study has revealed the heavy mental health burden health care professionals treating infected patients in Tunisia during the COVID-19 pandemic are exposed to. Providing early psychological support and a psychologically safe environment for these healthcare workers may alleviate their stress and, consequently, ameliorate their QoS. More attention should be devoted to their quality of sleep and work schedules. In many countries, online training, telehealth supports, behavioral group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy have been deployed for frontier Healthcare workers and have proven effective in such circumstances.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Psychological well-being in persons with dementia: The role of caregiver expressed emotion.

Dementia is a growing health concern. Persons with dementia experience higher levels of anxiety and depression, which correlates with poorer quality of life, disability and hospitalization. This is one of the few studies to use a longitudinal design to assess the impact of expressed emotion (EE) on well-being in dementia over time. Sixty-one people with dementia and their main informal caregiver were recruited from memory services. Caregiver EE was coded from a Camberwell Family Interview conducted at time one. Person with dementia's outcome measures (quality of life, depression and anxiety) were collected at time one and at 6-months follow-up. Caregiver high EE was associated with higher levels of depression in people with dementia and greater anxiety at follow-up. Emotional over involvement predicted greater anxiety and critical comments predicted greater depression. Low EE appeared to have a protective effect on well-being in people with dementia. People with dementia with low EE caregivers experienced a small reduction in depression and anxiety over time, whereas those with high-EE caregivers maintained baseline levels of depression and anxiety. Caregiver high EE is associated with poorer psychological outcomes for people with dementia over time. Psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy informed family interventions should be used to reduce high EE within carer and person with dementia relationships.

THE KIND OF MINDFULNESS INTERVENTION FOR ANXIETY IN UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Background: Undergraduate nursing students have experience high levels of anxiety caused by academic, clinical practice and final assignments. This anxiety results in a decrease in students’ intellectual abilities and the risk of experiencing academic failures. Mindfulness is an effective intervention for reducing anxiety.&#x0D; Objectives: This scoping review aims to determine the kind of mindfulness interventions to reduce anxiety in undergraduate nursing students.&#x0D; Design: This study used a scoping review through a review of articles the kind of mindfulness interventions to reduce anxiety in undergraduate nursing students.&#x0D; Data Sources: Search for articles accessed through a database, including: Science Direct, Scopus, Semantic Scholar, ProQuest and SpringerLink with a range of search years 2017 to 2021. The search for articles uses the boolean method of the “OR/AND” operator. The keywords used in the article search were “Mindfulness” AND “Anxiety” AND “Undergraduate”, AND “Nursing” OR “Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy” OR “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction” OR “Mindfulness Based”.&#x0D; Review Methods: This article uses Arksey and O'Melley's model in the analysis. Identification and analysis using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scooping Review (PRISMA-SR).&#x0D; Results: The result of this literature review show contains 5 quantitative articles. This article summarizes the kind of mindfulness interventions used to reduce anxiety in nursing students are mindfulness based cognitive therapy, mindfulness meditation, virtual community mindfulness, mindfulness through smartphones, and spiritual mindfulness. Mindfulness intervention provides serenity, focus on the situation with full awareness, acceptance, improvement in physical health, psychological, empathy, and well-being. The mindfulness was carried out 6 times in a series of interventions. The stages of mindfulness interventions vary widely, but the point is to focus attention and acceptance with awareness.&#x0D; Conclusion: The kind of mindfulness interventions used to reduce anxiety in nursing students including: mindfulness based cognitive therapy, mindfulness meditation, virtual community mindfulness, mindfulness spiritual Islam and acceptance, and spiritual mindfulness.

Integrative review of non-pharmacological intervention and multidimensional evaluation for intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia.

Patients under spinal anaesthesia experience high levels of anxiety during surgery. Clinical nurses tried to manage patient's anxiety under spinal anaesthesia using non-pharmacological interventions for its benefit. Thus, it is required to identify comprehensive evidences of various non-pharmacological interventions and of how to measure anxiety under spinal anaesthesia. This study aims to review current research on the non-pharmacological interventions to relieve intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia and to identify subjective and objective measures of intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia. Wittemore and Knafl's integrative review methodology was used. Researchers conducted five scientific rigor steps; problem identification, searching literature, evaluation of literature, analysis of literature and presentation of results. The PRISMA checklist was used. To evaluate the level of evidence, critical appraisal tools of Joanna Briggs Institute were used. Eleven studies were included in this integrative review. Delivering music is the most frequently used as non-pharmacological intervention by researchers. They tried to manage intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia with using diverse genre and application of music. In addition, dry cupping method, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercise and virtual reality (VR) goggles were used in included studies. Researchers measured intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia with objective or subjective way. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and visual analogue scale were used as subjective method to approach intraoperative anxiety. In contrary, researchers tried to obtain objective evidence of intraoperative anxiety with vital signs, cortisol, blood glucose, alpha-amylase and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Various types of non-pharmacological interventions are effective to manage patient's intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia. It is recommended to measure intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia with using both objective and subjective methods. Clinical nurses can use non-pharmacological interventions to manage intraoperative anxiety under spinal anaesthesia by comprehensive monitoring with diverse measures.

Second-year student perceptions and use of technology during emergency remote teaching to connect with peers and instructors

Learning is a social experience and having meaningful connections with peers and instructors is important for student learning. The interpersonal relationships between students and their instructor can positively influence students’ well-being, motivation and self-efficacy (Aguilera-Hermida, 2020; Almendingen et al., 2021; Gillis &amp; Krull, 2020; Kim &amp; Sax, 2009; Marković et al., 2021; Parpala et al., 2021; Pitsick, 2018). Creating productive interpersonal relationships with peers contributes to students’ beliefs of being supported, respected, and valued, and increases the likelihood of students asking their peers for help (Mäkitalo-Siegl &amp; Fischer, 2011). When students feel connected to their peers they are more likely to engage with their peers in ways that support their learning and deepen their knowledge as a result (Shim et al., 2013). Interaction with instructors can also positively influence learning outcomes and student well-being (Pitsick, 2018), and instructors can be a valuable source of help and guidance (Ryan et al., 2001). However, during the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to emergency remote teaching and learning, students’ relationship with peers was significantly impacted (Motz et al., 2022) and forcing peer-to-peer interaction through mandating camera feeds on during live synchronous video classes disproportionately affected students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those experiencing anxiety or depression (Castelli &amp; Sarvary, 2021). As students were adapting to learn during the pandemic, they increased their reliance on their instructor and highly ranked instructor engagement as a factor that positively influenced their motivation (Nguyen, 2021). As motivation increases, so does self-efficacy, and when students feel supported, engaged, connected and valued by their peers and instructors, they are more likely to be successful students (Zepke, 2018).&#x0D; This study examines students’ experiences in using technology to connect with peers and their instructors during the COVID-19 pandemic when learning remotely. The research inquiry focusses on the second-year cohort as prior research has revealed that this group of learners tend to struggle with their learning (Kyndt et al., 2017; Milsom, 2015; Milsom &amp; Yorke, 2015; Southgate et al., 2014; Virtue et al., 2017; Webb &amp; Cotton, 2019) and experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to students in other years of university study prior to the COVID 19 pandemic (Liu et al., 2019). To examine their experience in peer-to-peer networks and their interactions with instructors for help seeking, interviews were undertaken at a large metropolitan Australian University in 2021 with 26 second-year students across different disciplines who had experienced emergency remote teaching in their first and second year of study.&#x0D; The findings reveal that students resist using the discussion board in the Learning Management System because of perceptions of exposure and embarrassment in asking questions when they feel they are expected to know the answer. Students report that synchronous video classes using technology such as Zoom, increase feelings of isolation and they reach out to their peers via social media technology instead. Students are intentional in their choice of technology in connecting with peers, however in the absence of physical connections, there remains a gap in productive engagement with peers. The findings show that second-year students are reluctant to reach out to their instructor when technology is their only mode of interaction, and students report that they would have been more likely to ask for help during a face-to-face class.

Examining Change in Student Anxiety and Depression After the First Year of a Professional Program Secondary to Perceived Stress: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Background: Research has shown that students in the health sciences experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. Objectives: In this study, we endeavor to investigate these results among first-year pharmacy and veterinary students at Auburn University and among first-year medical students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (VCOM) Auburn Campus. Methods: We surveyed students after their first year in their respective professional programs using a modified Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) survey. The survey was modified to establish changes in depression and anxiety levels before and after the first year of coursework. Results: Two hundred ninety-five students participated in the survey, 95 veterinary students, 127 pharmacy students, and 73 VCOM students. All programs showed a statistically significant increase in student-reported levels of depression and anxiety. Students from the Harrison School of Pharmacy showed the greatest increase in anxiety and depression, followed by students from VCOM and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Females in all programs entered their programs with higher levels of anxiety than males and also completed their first year with higher anxiety scores than males in the same programs. Conclusions: Students in all three professional programs reported increased levels of anxiety and depression with the largest increase reported in pharmacy students. Efforts to identify the triggers, understand the consequences, and develop interventional methods to improve student wellbeing are recommended.

Psychosocial needs of adolescents and young adults with eczema: A secondary analysis of qualitative data to inform a behaviour change intervention

This study aimed to explore adolescents and young adults' experiences of symptoms related to their eczema in order to determine their psychosocial needs. A secondary qualitative analysis of two data sources collected through semi-structured interviews for two different projects, SKINS project and Eczema Care Online project. In total, there were 28 transcripts with adolescents and young adults with eczema having a mean age of 19.5years available to analyse. Interview data were collected from face-to-face interviews that were recorded and transcribed. Inductive thematic analysis explored data about symptoms and organized according to psychosocial needs. Adolescents and young adults with eczema experience both visible symptoms (such as flaky, dry, and inflamed skin) and invisible symptoms (such as itch, pain, exhaustion, and mental distress) that elicit different psychosocial needs. These psychosocial needs are to (i) be understood; (ii) be perceived as normal; and (iii) receive emotional support. Interviewees described a struggle between wanting their peers and family to understand but take their eczema seriously whilst not wanting to stand out and instead to be perceived as 'normal', which they would define as being perceived as other adolescents. This has implications on behaviours, such as seeking support, avoiding going out, hiding their skin, as well as emotional implications, such as social isolation and feeling anxious and low. Having a better understanding of young people's experiences and psychosocial needs will provide a framework on how best to support adolescents and young adults when managing symptoms related to eczema. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Eczema has a high impact on children and is considered a burden by children and adults with eczema. However, it is unclear what impact eczema has on adolescents and young adults. Adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions are known to be vulnerable to negative psychosocial outcomes but psychosocial needs and how to best support this age group with eczema are unknown What does this add? Three psychosocial needs were developed from evaluating the impact of visible and invisible symptoms of eczema: The need to feel understood (mostly reflective of invisible symptoms such as itch and pain and visible symptoms such as scratching). The need to be perceived as 'normal': visible symptoms such as flaky, inflamed skin make them stand out in comparison with their peers and a need emerged to blend in. The need for emotional support: adolescents and young adults searched for this from their health care providers, from shared experiences and from online resources. Adolescents and young adults with eczema appear to feel ambivalent about wishing the impact of the condition to be acknowledged whilst wishing the condition to be invisible to others. This ambivalence had further impact on feeling self-conscious, seeking support, and dealing with unsolicited advice.

Factors Associated with Anxiety and Depression among Family Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Palliative Radiotherapy

Objective:The family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care experience high levels of anxiety and depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with family caregivers’ anxiety and depression when caring for patients with advanced cancer in Greece.Methods:The sample consisted of 100 patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy and their respective caregivers. Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. Their respective caregivers completed the Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale, the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale, and the HADS. Correlational and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify potential predictors of anxiety and depression.Results:The majority of patients were male (63.0%), whereas the majority of their caregivers were female (76.0%). The mean ages of patients and caregivers were 63.9 ± 10.8 and 53.3 ± 12.6 years, respectively. Caregiving anxiety and depression were associated with patients’ variables, such as gender (P < 0.0005), primary cancer (P = 0.008), and past surgery (P = 0.002), and caregiver's variables, such as gender (P = 0.001), co-residence (P = 0.05), previous care experience (P = 0.04), and means of transport (P = 0.038). In multiple regression analyses, caregiving anxiety and depression were significantly predicted by caregivers’ and patients’ characteristics, in a model that accounted for 48% of the anxiety variance (P < 0.0005) and 39% of the depression variance (P < 0.0005).Conclusion:The caregivers who experienced more anxiety and depression shared the following traits: they were women, cared for men with lung cancer, cared for patients not undergoing surgery, lived together, were younger, went to the hospital by private means of transport, had previous care experience, and perceived an increased degree of general burden. Further investigation of the factors that may affect caregivers’ psychological state is required to better identify parameters that may predict it.

Harms from a partner’s drinking: an international study on adverse effects and reduced quality of life for women

ABSTRACT Background: Partners of heavy drinking individuals can be detrimentally affected as a result of their partner’s drinking. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of heterosexual intimate partner relationships with a heavy drinking male that resulted in reported alcohol-related harm and to investigate the impact of this on well-being in 9 countries. Methods: This study used survey data from the Gender and Alcohol’s Harm to Others (GENAHTO) Project on Alcohol’s Harm to Others in 9 countries (10,613 female respondents, 7,091 with intimate live-in partners). Respondents were asked if their partners drinking had negatively affected them as well as questions on depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life. Results: The proportion of partnered respondents that reported having a harmful heavy drinking partner varied across countries, from 4% in Nigeria and the US to 33% in Vietnam. The most consistent correlate of experiencing harm was being oneself a heavy episodic drinker, most likely as a proxy measure for the acceptability of alcohol consumption in social circles. Women with a harmful heavy drinking partner reported significantly lower mean satisfaction with life than those with a partner that did not drink heavily. Conclusions: Harms to women from heavy drinking intimate partners appear across a range of subgroups and impact on a wide range of women, at least demographically speaking. Women living with a heavy drinking spouse experience higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms and lower satisfaction with life.

Effect of Guided Imagery on Maternal Fetal Attachment in Nulliparous Women with Unplanned Pregnancy

Background & aim: Nulliparous women with unplanned pregnancy experience high levels of anxiety, which may adversely affect maternal-fetal attachment. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the effect of guided imagery on maternal-fetal attachment in nulliparous women with unplanned pregnancy. Methods: In this clinical trial, 67 nulliparous women with unplanned pregnancy were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n=35) and control (n=32) in 2015. Data collection tools included a demographic form and London, DASS 21, and Cranley's maternal-fetal attachment questionnaires. In the intervention group, one session of guided imagery on maternal role was performed in 34th week of pregnancy in groups of four to seven. Afterwards, guided imagery CDs were given to mothers to be performed at home twice a week for two weeks; the control group only received the routine care. Maternal-fetal attachment was assessed before and two weeks after the intervention. To analyze the data, independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test, and Mann-Whitney U tests were run using SPSS version 21. Results: Maternal mean age was 24.1±4.3 years, and most mothers (49.3%) had high school education. Mean score of maternal-fetal attachment was significantly different between the intervention (94.26±6.7) and control (90.22 ± 9.5) groups after the intervention (P=0.04). Also, there was a significant difference between mean score of maternal-fetal attachment at the beginning and end of the intervention in the intervention and control groups (5.86±7.2 vs. 1.72±3.2; P=0.004). Conclusion: Guided imagery promoted maternal-fetal attachment in women with unplanned pregnancy; thus, it is recommended to use this method in prenatal care for these women.

A qualitative analysis of staff-client interactions within a breast cancer assessment clinic

ObjectivesBreast screening clients recalled to an assessment clinic experience high levels of anxiety. The culture of the assessment clinic may impact upon client experience, which may influence their future re-engagement in screening. This study aimed to explore the culture of staff-client interactions within a breast cancer assessment clinic. Materials and methodsFollowing an ethnographic approach, twenty-three client journeys were observed, followed by semi-structured interviews with the clients. The observation and interview data were analysed to produce research themes, which were then explored within two focus groups to add a practitioner perspective. ResultsMultiple staff-client interaction events were observed over a period of several weeks. Client interview feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Three recurrent and sequential themes emerged: breaking down barriers, preparing the ground and sign-posting. These themes outline the changing focus of staff-client interactions during the client's clinic journey, encompassing how anxieties were expressed by clients, and responded to by practitioners. ConclusionThis study was the first to explore in depth the staff-client interaction culture within a breast assessment clinic using an ethnographic approach. A new perspective on professional values and behaviours has been demonstrated via a model of staff-client interaction. The model documents the process of guiding the client from initial confusion and distress to an enhanced clarity of understanding. A recommendation most likely to have a positive impact on the client experience is the introduction of a client navigator role to guide the clients through what is often a lengthy, stressful and confusing process.

Overly Regulated Thinking and Autism Revisited.

Humans exist within a socially mediated dynamical system. Frequent demands are experienced to respond to change in the environment to adapt and flourish. People with autism have impaired behavioral and thinking flexibility and experience high levels of anxiety, as change and adaptation do not come naturally. The disability inherent in autism is by definition the impaired social and occupational functioning that results from lack of adaptation. The point of the behavioral triad of restricted and repetitive interests, activities, and behaviors has received relatively little attention as compared to the other two points of the triad. A review of the literature related to restricted and repetitive interests and activities and behaviors and autism was conducted to inform this theoretical review. This paper considers the overly regulated thought and behavior inherent in autism spectrum disorders through the lens of dynamical systems, and an explanatory model is generated. The mathematical tools applied to understand dynamical systems may be a fruitful basis of further research to enable the movement from a theoretical concept of overly regulated thinking and behavior in autism to an empirically derived understanding.

Changes of anxiety in Chinese military personnels over time: a cross-temporal meta-analysis.

BackgroundPrevious cross-temporal meta-analyses have demonstrated that anxiety would get severer over time. The changes of anxiety in Chinese military personnels over time remain unclear.AimTo explore the changes of anxiety in Chinese military personnels over nearly past two decades.MethodsStudies using the Chinese version of Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in Chinese serviceman on active duty were primarily collected. Mean, standard deviation and sample size of each study were extracted for meta-analysis. With sample size of each study as weighted least-squares weight, we regressed the mean scores on the data collection year to evaluate changes in anxiety from 1991 to 2011. Correlations between the anxiety scores and some social indicators were also examined.ResultsThe final sample consisted of 45 separate studies with a total of 18,106 participants for state anxiety and 21,047 participants for trait anxiety. Both state anxiety and trait anxiety significantly increased over the past two decades. The effect sizes for state anxiety and trait anxiety were 0.88 and 0.63, respectively. Anxiety scores were significantly correlated with some social indicators (e.g., crime rate, unemployment rate) of the corresponding years or 5 years prior to the anxiety data collection.ConclusionsSome measures must be taken to tackle the problem of the rising anxiety scores. Given that Chinese military personnels are continuing to experience high levels of anxiety, it is crucial to consider the implications for mental health care and treatment. More cross-temporal meta-analyses are needed to examine the changes of mental health in Chinese military personnels over time.