Impact Of Event Scale Research Articles

Patient perception and satisfaction in awake burr hole trepanation under local anesthesia for evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma

Evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) will be one of the most common neurosurgical procedures in the future in the increasingly aging societies. Performing cranial surgery on awake patients may place a psychological burden on them. Aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological distress of patients during awake CSDH relief. Patients with awake evacuation of CSDH via burr hole trepanation were included in our monocentric prospective study. Patient perception and satisfaction were measured using standardized surveys 3–5 days and 6 months after surgery. Among other questionnaires, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression and the Impact of Event Scale, were used to quantify patients' stress. A total of 50 patients (mean age 72.9 years (range 51 – 92)) were included. During surgery, 28 patients reported pain (mean 4.1 (SD 3.3)). Postoperatively, 26 patients experienced pain (mean 2.7 (SD 2.6)). Patients’ satisfaction with intraoperative communication was reported with a mean of 8.3 (SD 2.1). There was a significant negative correlation between intraoperatively perceived pain and satisfaction with intraoperative communication (p = 0.023). Good intraoperative communication during evacuation of CSDH in awake patients is associated with positive patient perception and correlates with pain reduction.

Psychological impact of additional findings detected by genome-wide Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): TRIDENT-2 study.

In the Netherlands, genome-wide non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is offered to all pregnant women as part of the nationwide TRIDENT-2 study. Findings other than trisomy 21, 18, or 13, which are called "additional findings", are reported only on request of the pregnant woman. This study examined: (1) women's pre-test perceptions and reasons to opt for additional findings and (2) women's experiences with- and the psychological impact of being informed about an additional finding. A questionnaire, consisting of the anxiety measure State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), distress measure Impact of Event Scale (IES) and questions developed specifically for this study, was retrospectively administered to 402 women who received an additional finding. A total of 227 (56.5%) women completed the questionnaire. Most (60.2%) chose to know additional findings because they wanted as much information as possible about the health of their fetus. Almost all (92%) stated that receiving the additional finding was unexpected, a shock, and/or they were in disbelief, for 85% it caused a lot of worry. Post-test, high anxiety (STAI) levels were reported in 15.5% of women, and 7.5% reported severe distress (IES). Women who gave birth to an affected child (n = 10) experienced most psychological impact (STAI and IES). Eighty-six percent of women with a fetal aberration would opt for additional findings again, compared to 49.2% of women whose result was confined to the placenta. Pre-test counseling should focus on explaining the different results NIPT can generate. Post-test counseling should focus on guiding pregnant women through this uncertain and anxious time.

Is Oxytocin Administration During Childbirth Associated With Increased Risk for Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms?: A Preliminary Investigation.

Synthetic oxytocin is one of the most regularly administered medications to facilitate labor induction and augmentation. The present study examined the associations between oxytocin administration during childbirth and postpartum posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). In a multicenter longitudinal study, women completed questionnaires during pregnancy and at 2 months postpartum ( N = 386). PTSS were assessed with the Impact of Event Scale. Logistic regression was used to examine the difference in PTSS at Time 2 between women who received oxytocin and women who did not. In comparison with women who did not receive oxytocin, women who received oxytocin induction were 3.20 times as likely to report substantial PTSS ( P = .036, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-9.52), and women who received oxytocin augmentation were 3.29 times as likely to report substantial PTSS ( P = .036, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-10.03), after controlling for being primiparous, preeclampsia, prior mental health diagnosis, mode of birth, postpartum hemorrhage, and satisfaction with staff. Oxytocin administration was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of PTSS. The findings may reflect biological and psychological mechanisms related to postpartum mental health and call for future research to establish the causation of this relationship.

Disclosure of Amyloid PET results to Cognitively Impaired and Unimpaired Participants Enrolled in Alzheimer’s Disease Research Studies

AbstractBackgroundPrior studies have demonstrated the safety of amyloid PET scan disclosure to research participants. However, existing research has been conducted in predominantly white, cognitively intact, and highly educated samples. The Wake Forest Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) implemented a protocol to provide amyloid PET disclosure to a diverse cohort of participants with and without cognitive impairment.MethodEligible participants who complete an amyloid PET scan at the Wake Forest ADRC may consent to receive amyloid PET scan results. Prior to consent, participants are informed of possible results (elevated/not elevated) and how these results are related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. The disclosure process involves three phases: 1) pre‐disclosure assessment of anxiety and depression, 2) feedback session with a trained clinician, and 3) post‐disclosure completion of the Impact of Events Scale (IES). Additionally, a qualitative survey was developed to collect participant feedback following the disclosure session.Results170 participants (CN = 103, MCI = 48, dementia = 17, other = 2) have received amyloid disclosure; age: 70.5 (7.9); education: 15.7 (2.7); 62% female; 87% white). There was a statistically significant difference in IES scores between CN/MCI participants (CN = 4.3(7.2), MCI = 8.6(10.7), t(165) = 2.8, p = 0.005). There was no significant difference between IES scores in other cognitive pairs (CN‐Dementia = t(165) = 1.5, p = 0.134, MCI‐Dementia = t(165) = 0.36, p = 0.729).Post‐disclosure feedback surveys were completed by 41 participants (age = 71.7 (6.7) years, education = 15.9 (2.4) years, 63% female, 83% white) who reported (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) that receiving their results was a positive (M = 4.6 (0.6)) and informative (M = 4.78 (0.47)) experience, and given what they now know, they would chose to receive their results again (M = 4.58 (0.87)). There were no significant differences in responses between cognitive groups. Participants also reported that knowledge of their PET results will impact their future thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (M = 4.00 (1.02)).ConclusionAmyloid disclosure is safe and well tolerated by a diverse cohort, though participants with MCI reported higher IES scores post‐disclosure. Participants reported positive experiences on a feedback questionnaire and would choose to receive results again.

A pragmatic randomized controlled exploratory trial of the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy for psychotic disorder

BackgroundPeople with severe mental illness are often excluded from trials related to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Principal concerns are that they may not tolerate treatment, might risk relapse or that psychotic symptoms may worsen. There is however building evidence of a traumatogenic etiology of psychotic disorder that may benefit therapeutically from EMDR. However, EMDR in this role is done mainly in specialist tertiary settings. AimTo conduct a randomized exploratory trial of prospective treatment of EMDR for people with psychotic disorder and a history of trauma in an adult community mental health service. MethodsA randomized exploratory trial with a controlled pilot design was employed to conduct a prospective treatment and six-month follow-up study with an interim 10-week analysis in a rural county in the UK (population 538,000). We recruited participants with psychotic disorder who had a reported history of trauma and were interested in receiving trauma therapy. They were then randomized to either receive EMDR or treatment as usual (TAU). The primary instrument used was the Impact of Events Scale (IES) with secondary instruments of Positive and Negative Symptoms of Psychotic Disorder (PANSS), PTSD Checklist (PCL-C), and subjective Quality of Life (MANSA). ResultsIES scores showed significant improvements in the EMDR group (n = 24, age 42.0 SD (14.5), 42% male) compared to the TAU group (n = 12, age 34.4 SD (11.3), 50% male) at 10 weeks and at six months (p < 0.05). There were significant improvements in PCL-C and PANSS negative symptoms scores associated with treatment (p < 0.05). All other scales showed positive trends. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that EMDR can reduce the impact of traumatic events for patients with a psychotic disorder in a clinical setting in the UK. The improvements in psychotic disorder persisted for six months after treatment. Trial registrationISRCTN43816889.

Psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and nurses' coping mechanisms: A correlational study

Many nurses have suffered mental health problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses' workload and stress have increased as they care for infected patients and their families. Lockdowns and quarantines have exacerbated the problem, causing psychological distress. To determine the psychological impact of COVID-19 on hospital nurses and their coping mechanisms. A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling study using the original impact event scale (IES) and stress scale (SS) in the analysis. A total of 241 nurses from government and private hospitals in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia participated voluntarily. Most respondents were female (96.7%), 31-40 years old (48.1%), married (61.8%), dominant participants were Filipino nurses (47.7%), the majority worked in private hospitals (54.8%), and those with more than ten years of hospital experience were the largest group (39.4%). COVID-19 had a significant psychological impact on 81.33% of the respondents and a severe impact on 9.5%. The respondents' coping mechanisms are adaptive (MS=37.56, STD=4.02) in terms of complete problem-solving (MS=14.76, STD=2.93) and symptom management (MS=8.93, STD=1.90). There is a significant relationship between psychological impact and coping mechanisms, specifically in terms of social support (p-value-0.000) and symptom management (p-value-0.047). Healthcare institutions should prioritize programs to support nurses, especially during outbreaks, as this can improve patient outcomes and care for all. Healthcare workers need social support and adaptability training from policymakers to cope with stress and uncertainty.

Assessment of Psychological Consequences of Violence in Psychiatric Nurses.

Workplace violence, particularly within psychiatric nursing environments, is an emerging concern globally and has been recognized as a significant occupational stressor with considerable psychological consequences, yet it remains underexplored, warranting an in-depth study. This study aimed to assess the psychological consequences of violence on psychiatric nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 198 psychiatric nurses working in two hospitals with psychiatric departments in Jeddah. A self-administered questionnaire and the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 22 (IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Out of the 198 psychiatric nurses who participated in the study, 80.8% reported experiencing violence in their workplace, highlighting the need for effective interventions to prevent and manage violence in psychiatric settings. The majority of the participants had a diploma (68.2%), and 54.5% of the nurses had more than 10 years of experience. Among patient-related factors related to violence, drug abuse had the highest mean score of 4.07 (SD=0.89) and was ranked as the most significant factor, while among nursing-related factors, a lower level of experience in psychiatric care had the lowest mean score of 3.43 (SD=1.11) and was ranked as the least important factor. The nurses tended to avoid discussing the traumatic event, as indicated by the highest mean score of 2.10 (SD=1.18) for item 22, "I tried not to talk about it." The mean score for the avoidance subscale of the IES-R was 1.55 (SD=0.78), the highest mean score among the subscales and ranked first in terms of severity. This study highlighted the significant psychological consequences of violence on psychiatric nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 Preparedness, Stressors, and Data-Driven Solutions for Healthcare Workers at a Regional Rural-Urban Hospital System: A Longitudinal Total Worker Health® Study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, healthcare workers were devastated by the insufficient preparedness to respond to their patients' and personal health needs. A gap exists in resources to prevent or reduce acute and long-term healthcare worker mental illnesses resulting from COVID-19 frontline response. We performed an exploratory, mixed methods, longitudinal study of healthcare workers at a regional rural-urban hospital system in the Midwest United States during the COVID-19 response (4 timepoints, 2020). Using the Total Worker Health® (TWH) participatory needs assessment approach, self-identified frontline COVID-19 workers participated in a survey including Health-Related Quality of Life, Impact of Event Scale, and a modified version of the American Nursing Association COVID-19 survey; and a hospital timeline tracked system-level activities. Response rate at Timepoint (T)1 was 21.7% (N = 39) and of those, 14 (36%) completed all four surveys. From T1 to T4, the rate of COVID-19 patients steadily increased, staff exceeded the threshold for post-traumatic stress disorder at T1 and T4; staff reported not enough rest or sleep 50% of the month, T1-T4. Helpfulness of family support increased but community support decreased, T1-T4. Concerns with performing new tasks increased; the challenges related to lack of protective equipment and negative media decreased. Workers wanted to be involved in decision-making, desired timely communication, and needed adequate physical, environmental, and psychological supports. Utilization of a TWH® strategy for describing health needs, hospital response, and multi-level staff suggestions to workplace health solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic identified evidence-based health promotion interventions in a hospital system.

Effects of an online information tool on post-traumatic stress disorder in relatives of intensive care unit patients: a multicenter double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (ICU-Families-Study).

Intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization is challenging for the family members of the patients. Most family members report some level of anxiety and depression, sometimes even resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An association has been reported between lack of information and PTSD. This study had three aims: to quantify the psychological burden of family members of critically ill patients, to explore whether a website with specific information could reduce PTSD symptoms, and to ascertain whether a website with information about intensive care would be used. A multicenter double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in Austria and Switzerland. In total, 89 members of families of critically ill patients (mean age 47.3 ± 12.9 years, female n = 59, 66.3%) were included in the study. 46 relatives were allocated to the intervention website and 43 to the control website. Baseline Impact of Event Scale (IES) score was 27.5 ± 12.7. Overall, 50% showed clinically relevant PTSD symptoms at baseline. Mean IES score for the primary endpoint (~ 30days after inclusion, T1) was 24 ± 15.8 (intervention 23.9 ± 17.9 vs. control 24.1 ± 13.5, p = 0.892). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS - Deutsch (D)) score at T1 was 12.2 ± 6.1 (min. 3, max. 31) and did not differ between groups. Use of the website differed between the groups (intervention min. 1, max. 14 vs. min. 1, max. 3; total 1386 "clicks" on the website, intervention 1021 vs. control 365). Recruitment was prematurely stopped in February 2020 due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Family members of critically ill patients often have significant PTSD symptoms and online information on critical illness did not result in reduced PTSD symptoms.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the mental health of critical care workers

The coronavirus pandemic has focused attention on the importance of critical care and highlighted the shortage of critical care specialists. Due to increasing workloads and high mortality rates, healthcare professionals were exposed to higher levels of physical and psychological stress during the pandemic than before. Our study investigated the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the emotional, mental and moral stress of intensive care professionals. Our workgroup performed paper-based surveys among caregivers in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy at Semmelweis University. The first survey was conducted at the start of the pandemic in 2020, the second survey was conducted after the third wave in 2021. We applied validated questionnaires (Professional Quality of Life, Demoralization Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Impact of Event Scale, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory), collected demographic data and information on lifestyle, recreation, dietary habits, and accepting psychological support. The number and demographic characteristics of the participants in the two studies are different, reflecting the changes in the workforce during the pandemic. Our results revealed no differences between the working and socio-demographic groups before the outbreak, however, one year later, nurses scored significantly higher on all negative psychological scales compared to other groups. Only a minority of the respondents had sought psychological support (9.5-12.7%), although more than a third of respondents reported the need for psychological support. Employees in new work positions showed significantly increased posttraumatic growth (2.91 ± 0.82 vs. 2.20 ± 1.06, p = 0.016). These findings demonstrate that nurses are the most strained workgroup during an uncertain and stressful period. The available mental support alone is not enough to help caregivers. Further steps are needed to improve the mental health of critical care workers. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(42): 1646-1655.

Exploration of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in treating posttraumatic stress-disorder in patients with acquired brain injury: a retrospective case series

ABSTRACT Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in people with acquired brain injury (ABI). Despite the established efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD in general, evaluation studies on EMDR in ABI patients with PTSD are limited. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore clinical features, treatment characteristics, feasibility and first indications of efficacy of EMDR in adult ABI patients with PTSD. Method: This retrospective consecutive case series included ABI patients, who received at least one session of EMDR for PTSD between January 2013 and September 2020. PTSD symptoms were measured using the Impact of Event Scale (IES) pre- and post-treatment. Affective distress was measured using the Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) pre- and post-treatment of the first target. Results: Sixteen ABI patients (median age 46 years, 50% males), with predominantly moderate or severe TBI (50%) or stroke (25%) were included. Treatment duration was a median of seven sessions. Post-treatment IES scores were significantly lower than pre-treatment scores (p < .001). In 81% of the cases there was an individual statistically and clinically relevant change in IES score. Mean SUD scores of the first target were significantly lower at the end of treatment compared to scores at the start of treatment (p < .001). In 88% of the patients full desensitization to a SUD of 0–1 of the first target was accomplished. Only few adjustments to the standard EMDR protocol were necessary. Conclusions: Findings suggest that EMDR is a feasible, well tolerated and potentially effective treatment for PTSD in ABI patients. For clinical practice in working with ABI patients, it is advised to consider EMDR as a treatment option.

Validation of the Arabic version of the resilience scale for adolescents (READ)

IntroductionAdolescents react differently to challenging negative life events. Resilience, a dynamic characteristic of individuals, was studied to be a protective factor against such events. In order to study the resilience among Arabic-speaking adolescent populations, age-appropriate measures that are fully apprehended by younger respondents are needed. In this context, the present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Resilience Scale for Adolescents (READ) in a community sample of native Arabic–speaking adolescents aged 13–18 years.MethodsA sample of 546 community Arabic-speaking adolescents from Lebanon was recruited (n = 328 females, with a mean age of 15.76 ± 1.65 years). Through an online questionnaire, participants were requested to complete the READ, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-8) and the 13-item Children’s Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13).ResultsFollowing the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA-to-CFA) strategy, a unidimensional model of the Arabic version of the READ was met after 10 items were removed from the scale, and showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.943). Additionally, the one-factor solution of the Arabic version of the READ was identical across male and female adolescents at the three levels of invariance (Configural, Metric and Scalar). Finally, higher resilience scores were significantly correlated with lower levels of psychopathology, namely depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD, thus attesting to the concurrent validity of the Arabic READ.ConclusionFindings lend support to the psychometric reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the READ, and therefore its suitability for use among Arabic-speaking adolescents. The availability of this tool facilitates the implementation of interventions that foster resilience, especially in adolescents who have faced a number of negative life events.

Perception and Mental Health Status Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Among Taiwanese Adolescents and Their Caregivers.

Vaccinating adolescents is a vital strategy to enhance population protection without imposing overly restrictive measures on our daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. As teenagers gain more independence, their willingness to get vaccinated may depend on their own understanding of the pandemic, vaccines, and mental well-being, as well as that of their caregivers. Our study aimed to examine how Taiwanese adolescents and their caregivers perceive COVID-19 vaccination and assess their mental health status. We invited a total of 138 vaccinated adolescents and their caregivers to complete several questionnaires, including the Drivers of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Scale (DrVac-COVID19S), Impact of Event Scale (IES), and Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Among the adolescents, 76.8% considered the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) as the ideal option for COVID-19 vaccination, while 27.5% of caregivers expressed acceptance of any available vaccine. Adolescents scored higher than caregivers in terms of vaccine value (p<0.001) and autonomy (p<0.001), but lower in knowledge (p<0.001), as assessed by the DrVac-COVID19S subscales. The adolescents' intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (DrVac-COVID19S total score) showed a positive correlation with their perception of the pandemic's impact (IES scores, r=0.214, p=0.012) and their caregivers' vaccination intention (r=0.371, p<0.001). Furthermore, adolescents' mental health demonstrated a positive association with the mental health of their caregiver (CHQ total scores, r=0.481, p<0.001). During the COVID-19 outbreak, caregivers have encountered heightened levels of mental stress, and this stress has been found to be positively correlated with the mental stress experienced by adolescents and their intentions regarding vaccination. These findings can serve as crucial references for healthcare providers and governments when formulating vaccination policies for adolescents in the future.

Psychological impact over time of women with pregnancy loss due to gestational trophoblastic disease compared with miscarriage

ObjectivesPregnancy loss, occurring after miscarriage or after gestational trophoblastic disease, has a psychological impact. Besides pregnancy loss, women diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic disease have to deal with a prolonged period...

Exploring factors influencing depression among Polish nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been recognized as an international public health emergency. The aim of our study was to identify contributors to nurses' depression. This survey-based study was conducted in the Pomeranian Medical University Hospital no. 1 in Szczecin and involved 207 nurses. The following standardized research instruments were applied: the World Assumptions Scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a questionnaire of our own authorship. The study showed that 72.95% of the subjects experienced severe stress, and 40.58% suffered from insomnia. In addition, 65.7% of the respondents had anxiety symptoms of varying degrees of severity, and 62.8% had depressive symptoms of mild to severe severity. The mean score on the IES-R scale, reflecting a psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was 34.25. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the psychological health of medical staff, particularly through increased stress and anxiety symptoms. Anxiety levels and insomnia significantly affect the prevalence of depression among nurses. The COVID-19 pandemic has been recognized as an international public health emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the psychological health of medical staff, particularly through increased stress and anxiety symptoms. It is important to conduct further research after the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.

Remotely Delivered Cancer Genetic Testing in the Making Genetic Testing Accessible (MAGENTA) Trial

Requiring personalized genetic counseling may introduce barriers to cancer risk assessment, but it is unknown whether omitting counseling could increase distress. To assess whether omitting pretest and/or posttest genetic counseling would increase distress during remote testing. Making Genetic Testing Accessible (MAGENTA) was a 4-arm, randomized noninferiority trial testing the effects of individualized pretest and/or posttest genetic counseling on participant distress 3 and 12 months posttest. Participants were recruited via social and traditional media, and enrollment occurred between April 27, 2017, and September 29, 2020. Participants were women aged 30 years or older, English-speaking, US residents, and had access to the internet and a health care professional. Previous cancer genetic testing or counseling was exclusionary. In the family history cohort, participants had a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer. In the familial pathogenic variant (PV) cohort, participants reported 1 biological relative with a PV in an actionable cancer susceptibility gene. Data analysis was performed between December 13, 2020, and May 31, 2023. Participants completed baseline questionnaires, watched an educational video, and were randomized to 1 of 4 arms: the control arm with pretest and/or posttest genetic counseling, or 1 of 3 study arms without pretest and posttest counseling. Genetic counseling was provided by phone appointments and testing was done using home-delivered saliva kits. The primary outcome was participant distress measured by the Impact of Event Scale 3 months after receiving the results. Secondary outcomes included completion of testing, anxiety, depression, and decisional regret. A total of 3839 women (median age, 44 years [range 22-91 years]), most of whom were non-Hispanic White and college educated, were randomized, 3125 in the family history and 714 in the familial PV cohorts. In the primary analysis in the family history cohort, all experimental arms were noninferior for distress at 3 months. There were no statistically significant differences in anxiety, depression, or decisional regret at 3 months. The highest completion rates were seen in the 2 arms without pretest counseling. In the MAGENTA clinical trial, omitting individualized pretest counseling for all participants and posttest counseling for those without PV during remote genetic testing was not inferior with regard to posttest distress, providing an alternative care model for genetic risk assessment. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02993068.

Posttraumatic growth in family members of individuals with methamphetamine use disorder

Objectives: This study aimed to determine post-traumatic growth and its predictors in female relatives of patients with methamphetamine use disorder. Methods: The volunteers in our study consisted of 80 adult women who were first-degree relatives of male patients diagnosed with MUD. The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, the Impact of Events Scale , and the short form of the Coping with Stressful Situations Inventory were given to the relatives of the patients. Results: In our study, being employed and being married were found to affect task-oriented coping and changes in self-perception positively. Task-oriented coping or seeking emotional support from others predicted higher PTG. Task-oriented coping was positively associated with emotional coping and a change in the philosophy of life. The regression analysis determined that task-oriented and avoidant coping mechanisms were the best predictors of post-traumatic growth. Conclusions: The findings suggest that environmental and personal factors, such as being married, being employed, and the quality of social relationships that emerge with emotional and instrumental support, influence the experience of life crises. In addition, the duration of methamphetamine uses, the problem's, and the search for solutions were all associated with higher post-traumatic growth. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate that task-oriented coping, seeking emotional support, and the duration of methamphetamine use may contribute to post-traumatic growth.

A survey of pediatric intensive care unit clinician experience with restricted family presence during COVID-19

PurposeLimiting family presence runs counter to the family-centred values of Canadian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). This study explores how implementing and enforcing COVID-19-related restricted family presence (RFP) policies impacted PICU clinicians nationally.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, online, self-administered survey of Canadian PICU clinicians to assess experience and opinions of restrictions, moral distress (Moral Distress Thermometer, range 0–10), and mental health impacts (Impact of Event Scale [IES], range 0–75 and attributable stress [five-point Likert scale]). For analysis, we used descriptive statistics, multivariate regression modelling, and a general inductive approach for free text.ResultsRepresenting 17/19 Canadian PICUs, 368 of 388 respondents (94%) experienced RFP policies and were predominantly female (333/368, 91%), English speaking (338/368, 92%), and nurses (240/368, 65%). The mean (standard deviation [SD]) reported moral distress score was 4.5 (2.4) and was associated with perceived differential impact on families. The mean (SD) total IES score was 29.7 (10.5), suggesting moderate traumatic stress with 56% (176/317) reporting increased/significantly increased stress from restrictions related to separating families, denying access, and concern for family impacts. Incongruence between RFP policies/practices and PICU values was perceived by 66% of respondents (217/330). Most respondents (235/330, 71%) felt their opinions were not valued when implementing policies. Though respondents perceived that restrictions were implemented for the benefit of clinicians (252/332, 76%) and to protect families (236/315, 75%), 57% (188/332) disagreed that their RFP experience was mainly positive.ConclusionPediatric intensive care unit-based RFP rules, largely designed and implemented without bedside clinician input, caused increased psychological burden for clinicians, characterized as moderate moral distress and trauma triggered by perceived impacts on families.

COVID-19 Associated Anxiety, Grief, Anger, and Perceived Stress in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all segments of society. In this study, the level of anxiety, grief, anger and perceived stress related to pandemic conditions were evaluated in multiple sclerosis (MS) cases, healthcare professionals and lay public and, the stress experienced by individuals with MS was compared with health care professionals and lay public. &#x0D; Study sample were composed of 63 persons with MS, 59 healthcare professionals (HCP), and 99 healthy volunteers (HV). All participants were administered UCLA-Covid-19 screening test, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - symptom checklist, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, Impact of Events Scale, K-10 scale and Trait Anger Scale. Socio-demographic features of the groups were almost same except for female preponderance and relatively low education in MS group. Hospitalization, test-positivity and quarantine rates due to COVID-19 did nor differ among groups. Pandemic conditions have made everyone feel helpless and hopeless, however, this was remarkably much more evident in HCPs. The most significant concern related with COVID-19 was contracting the disease for persons with MS, transporting the disease to their family members for HCP, and job/income loss due to lockdown for HVs. The stress level experienced by individuals with MS and health care professionals was significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers. In a similar way, the perceived stress level was the same in MS and HCP groups, but significantly higher than in the HV group. Persons with MS were as anxious and depressed as HCPs. Nevertheless, HVs stated that they experienced more psychological distress than both HCPs and persons with MS. Our results yield that depression, anxiety and stress were high among persons with MS during the pandemic.

Association between problematic Internet use and specific Internet activities and COVID-19- and earthquake-related stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among Croatian young adults.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant earthquakes in Croatia in 2020, increased Internet use (IU) and Internet-based addictive behaviors were associated with decreasing mental well-being. We determined the changes in IU, problematic IU (PIU), and problematic specific Internet activities in young adults during the prolonged stress caused by the pandemic and earthquakes, age differences in PIU and differences in perceived source of stress (pandemic or earthquakes), and association between PIU and increase in specific Internet activities and stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms in young adults. A cross-sectional online survey conducted from September 30, 2021 to October 17, 2021 included 353 young adults aged 22.6 ± 2.1 years, 382 early adults aged 32.1 ± 4.4 years, and 371 middle-aged adults aged 49.0 ± 6.5 years. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, stressors (without perceived stressors, only pandemic-related stressor, only earthquake-related stressor, and both pandemic and earthquake-related stressors), PIU and IU were collected with a self-report questionnaire. The Impact of Event Scale and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale were used to evaluate mental symptoms. PIU and problematic specific Internet activities were assessed using Tao et al.'s criteria. Data were anaylzed with paired-sample Wilcoxon test, McNemar's and Pearson's chi-square tests, and structural equation modeling. In 17% of young adults, we found increased PIU (OR = 5.15, 95% CI [2.82, 10.18]), problematic social media use (OR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.56, 5.14]), and uncontrolled online shopping (OR = 5.75, 95% CI [1.97, 22.87]) (p < 0.001 for all). PIU and problematic social media use were more common among young adults (60.8%), as well as problematic online gaming (25.9%). Problematic social media use was more frequent among young adults reporting pandemic stress than among those without perceived stress (69.9% vs. 43.2%). Increased online gaming predicted more severe avoidance symptoms (p = 0.041), increased social media use predicted more severe depression symptoms (p = 0.017), increased online shopping predicted more severe intrusion (p = 0.013) and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.001). PIU predicted more severe intrusion (p = 0.008), avoidance (p = 0.01), anxiety (p < 0.001), and depression (p = 0.012) symptoms. Different effects of the pandemic and earthquakes on IU could reflect a different effect of various stressors on Internet behavior of young adults. Type of problematic Internet behavior may predict for the type of mental health problem.