Ladder Of Life Research Articles

The Role of Sexual Function in Quality of Life Among Midlife and Older Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Objective: To examine how (1) partnered sexual activity, and (2) sexual functioning, contribute to global quality of life (QOL) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) among midlife and older women, and whether importance of sex modifies these associations. Materials and Methods: Women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a multiethnic/racial cohort study, aged 42-52 at recruitment, were followed for ∼20 years. The Ladder of Life and Short Form-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) assessed Global QOL (N = 3,263) and HRQL (N = 2,576), respectively. Primary predictors were (1) having partnered sexual activity (yes/no), and (2) sexual functioning among those with partnered sexual activity. Sociodemographic, health, lifestyle, and psychosocial covariates were included. Results: Importance of sex modified covariate-adjusted association of having partnered sexual activity with global QOL. Adjusted associations of partnered sexual activity with PCS and MCS were not statistically significant. Sexual functioning, among women with partnered sexual activity, was positively associated with global QOL (adjusted p = 0.03), regardless of importance of sex; unrelated to PCS; but positively associated with MCS (adjusted p = 0.03), particularly when sex was "very/quite important." Conclusions: Partnered sexual activity and better sexual functioning are related to QOL for mid-aged and older women, and are stronger when sex is considered important. Partnered sexual activity and sexual functioning are less consistently related to HRQL when adjusted for covariates, and importance modifies only the association between sexual functioning and MCS. Understanding the importance of sex to midlife and older women contextualizes the impact of sex on QOL.

Economy and happiness in the Visegrad Four and Scandinavian Four countries

This study examines whether there is a connection between certain economic indicators (gross domestic product, the aggregate amount of investment, inflation, average consumer prices, unemployment rate, general government revenue and expenditures, general government net borrowing costs and general government net debt, current account balance, and general well-being) and the indicators published in World Happiness Report, Life Expectancy, Ladder of Life, Ecological Footprint, Happy Planet Index, and the Human Development Index. The scope of the research extends to the Scandinavian Four (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) and the Visegrad Four countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia). The research findings indicate the existence of such a connection determined by general government revenue.

Psychological Health Among Older Adults During and After Quarantine: A Multi-Method Study.

Depression among older adults is a growing problem. With aging being a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, depression in this population may have been exacerbated. This study aimed to describe experiences and changes in depressive symptoms and well-being of older adults during and after the COVID-19 first wave in Spain. The study used a multi-method design. Participants self-reported depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale) and well-being (Cantril Ladder of Life). Participants were asked about changes in depressive symptoms or well-being during quarantine. If a change was perceived, they were asked to describe the change. In addition, the Patient Global Impression of Change scale was used. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the data. 111 participants (mean age: 71±5 years; 76% women) completed the study. Sixty-three percent reported mild and 2% reported major depressive symptoms. Nearly half (47.7%) reported changes in depressive symptoms during the lockdown. While 37% reported feeling better during the lockdown, about 11% reported depressive symptoms were worse now compared with during the lockdown. 60% reported worsening well-being during the quarantining period. The qualitative analysis revealed 2 main themes: (1) psychological discomfort (mood deflection, fear/worries, and boredom/inactivity) and (2) social issues (inability to go out, missing family members and others). Worsening depressive symptoms and lowering of well-being were noticed in this sample of older adults during and post-COVID lockdowns. Evaluation of mental health in the primary care setting and providing referrals for mental health services is essential for older adults who experienced COVID-19-related lockdowns.

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Heart Failure Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

The COVID-19 lockdown has been associated with reduced levels of physical activity, quality of life, and sleep quality, but limited evidence exists for its impact on heart failure patients. This study examined the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on these aspects in heart failure patients, with specific comparisons by age and sex. A quasi-experimental cross-sectional study of patients with heart failure was conducted. The assessment involved two time points: during the COVID-19 lockdown (March to June 2020) and post-lockdown (July to October 2020). A total of 107 HF patients participated, with assessments of overall PA (using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire), QoL (employing the Cantril Ladder of Life), and sleep quality (utilizing the Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale) conducted during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. HF patients reported lower levels of total PA (p = 0.001) and walking PA (p < 0.0001) during lockdown than after lockdown, whilst no differences were observed in QoL nor sleep quality. In addition, both younger and older patients reported lower walking PA and total PA during lockdown than after lockdown, while older patients reported lower QoL during lockdown than after lockdown. Moreover, both men and women reported lower walking PA and total PA during lockdown than after lockdown, whilst women reported lower QoL. HF patients need improved PA programs during lockdowns, as these programs can elevate PA levels and enhance QoL, especially when faced with the risk of decompensation during health crises.

Effects of exergaming and yoga on exercise capacity, symptoms, functional capacity, and physical and mental health in patients with heart failure

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swedish National Science Council and The Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation Background Many people with chronic heart failure have a sedentary lifestyle. Alternative forms of physical activity might be beneficial, and should be considered, especially for patients with heart failure who are less inclined to start programs using traditional modes of exercise. Exergaming and yoga are promising interventions for improving functional capacity, fatigue, shortness of breath, health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients with heart failure. Objective To explore effects of exergaming at home and medical yoga in a group on functional capacity, fatigue, shortness of breath, health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients with heart failure. Methods This is a sub-study within a larger randomized controlled trial (the HF-Wii trial) with a three-months intervention and outcomes measures at baseline, three, six, and twelve months. Study particpants were recruited from nurse-led heart failure clinics at two university hospitals in Sweden. Randomization was in a 1:1:1 ratio to either an exergame intervention, a medical yoga intervention, or an active control group. Exercise capacity was assesed using the six-minute walk test. Symptoms (shortness of breath and fatigue) were assessed with a numeric rating scale ranging from 0-10. Well-being was assessed with Cantril’s ladder of life. Health-related quality of life was examined by the Minnesota Living with Heart failure Questionnaire. Anxiety and depression were measured with the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Treatment effects in change of outcomes were tested in an analysis of mixed-effects models with repeated measures. Change in outcomes was the dependent variable. The independent fixed-effect parameters were treatment group, time, and the interaction between treatment group and time. Results In total, 104 patients (37% women, mean age 71±12, 48% in New York Heart Association Class II and 42% in III) were randomized to exergaming (n=35), medical yoga (n=33), or an active control group (n=36). No statistically significant differences were found between these three groups on any of the outcome measures. Exergaming improved exercise capacity, fatigue, shortness of breath, and physical health-related quality of life (all p&amp;lt; 0.05) and medical yoga improved symptoms of fatigue and emotional health-related quality of life. The control group did not change on the exercise capacity, symptoms, health-related quality of life, or depressive or anxiety symptoms. The well-being score in patients in the control group significantly decreased at three months (p = 0.047). Conclusions This randomized sub-study showed that both exergaming and medical yoga had favorable effects on outcomes, with exergaming, with its higher physical intensity, having effects on physical health and with medical yoga being a mind-body intervention with effects on emotional well-being.

Fatigue, shortness of breath and well-being in patients with heart failure: A daily trend analysis over 12 weeks

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work is supported by the Swedish National Science Council (2020-01109); The Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation (20200190); the Kamprad Foundation (20210074) and the Research Council in South East Sweden (FORSS-940933) Introduction Patients with heart failure (HF) experience symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath (SoB) that may worsen over time and negatively impacts their well-being. Repeated admissions are partly related to delays in responding to HF symptoms. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the trend of fatigue, SoB and well-being over 12 weeks in patients with HF. Methods Diary data were collected as part of the HF-Wii study. From the 605 patients included in this study, 234 patients completed a 12-week diary. Patients rated their fatigue and SoB daily on a Likert scale (0 = no symptom, 10 = worst possible symptom). Patients also rated their daily well-being with the Cartrils Ladder of Life with 0 representing the worst possible life and 10 for the best possible life. The weekly differences in symptoms and well-being were assessed over 12 weeks. Also, the overall correlation over 12 weeks between symptoms and well-being was calculated. Results In total, 234 patients with HF were included in this analysis, mean age: 68±11 years, 31% female, 11% NYHA-class I, 65% NYHA-class II and 24% NYHA-class III. Over 12 weeks, patients had mild symptom experience. The minimum and maximum mean SoB score was 3.3(±2.1) and 3.8 (±2.5). The minimum mean fatigue score was 3.4 (±2.1) and the maximum was 3.9 (±2.4). The mean well-being minimum score was 5.8(±.9) and the maximum was 6.8 (±1.8). The trend analysis showed that when patients experience more symptom burden over time, this negatively impacted their well-being (Figure 1). A significant negative overall correlation between fatigue and well-being (r = -0.43) and between shortness of breath and well-being (r = -0.42) was noted. Conclusions Symptom experience has a significant influence on patient-reported daily well-being in patients with HF. Close monitoring of symptoms to improve well-being in this population is essential.

Well-Being, Physical Activity, and Social Support in Octogenarians with Heart Failure during COVID-19 Confinement: A Mixed-Methods Study.

This study aimed to compare well-being and physical activity (PA) before and during COVID-19 confinement in older adults with heart failure (HF), to compare well-being and PA during COVID-19 confinement in octogenarians and non-octogenarians, and to explore well-being, social support, attention to symptoms, and assistance needs during confinement in this population. A mixed-methods design was performed. Well-being (Cantril Ladder of Life) and PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) were assessed. Semi-structured interviews were performed to assess the rest of the variables. 120 participants were evaluated (74.16 ± 12.90 years; octogenarians = 44.16%, non-octogenarians = 55.83%). Both groups showed lower well-being and performed less PA during confinement than before (p &lt; 0.001). Octogenarians reported lower well-being (p = 0.02), higher sedentary time (p = 0.03), and lower levels of moderate PA (p = 0.04) during confinement. Most individuals in the sample considered their well-being to have decreased during confinement, 30% reported decreased social support, 50% increased their attention to symptoms, and 60% were not satisfied with the assistance received. Octogenarians were more severely impacted during confinement than non-octogenarians in terms of well-being, attention to symptoms, and assistance needs. Well-being and PA decreased during confinement, although octogenarians were more affected than non-octogenarians. Remote monitoring strategies are needed in elders with HF to control health outcomes in critical periods, especially in octogenarians.

Exergaming in patients with a left ventricular assist device: a feasibility study.

Exercise games (exergames) have been recently proposed as a mode of facilitating physical activity in patients with chronic diseases. Although patients supported with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) benefit from physical activity, specific LVAD-related issues hinder their ability to exercise properly. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of exergaming in LVAD-supported patients. Eleven LVAD-supported patients were enrolled in a 4week exergaming programme using Nintendo Wii console with five sport games. Patients were instructed to play for 30min a day, 5days a week. Data on exercise capacity and exergaming were collected by using the 6min walk test (6MWT) and a daily self-report diary, respectively. Feasibility of using the console and its safety was assessed by a semi-structured patient interview. Quality of life was assessed by the Minnesota Living with Heart failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the Cantril's Ladder of Life. Safety was assessed by patient's report in interview and diary. The study group consisted of 10 male patients and 1 female patient, mean age of 67±7years, of whom 10 were supported with the HeartMate 3 LVAD for a median of 10 (interquartile range 3, 21) months. Baseline exercise capacity assessed by the 6MWT ranged from 240 to 570m (mean 448±112). After 4weeks of exergaming, 6MWT distance increased from a mean of 448±112 (evaluated in six patients) to 472±113m (P=0.023). Patients' Cantril's Ladder of Life score improved numerically from an average of 6.13 to 7.67, as did their MLHFQ score from 45.9±27 to 38.7±18, with higher and lower scores, respectively, reflecting higher quality of life. No specific LVAD-related safety issues regarding exergaming were reported. Exergaming was found to be a safe and feasible mode for encouraging physical activity in LVAD-supported patients and carries a potential for improving exercise capacity and quality of life in these patients. Larger scale studies are warranted to further investigate the effect of exergaming in this patient population.

SOSIALISASI UU ITE BAGI SISWA SMK ISLAM AL BAROKAH LAMPUNG TENGAH

The progress of communication and information technology deserves to be acknowledged. Sophistication is increasingly dominating the ladder of life that begins to move to an area without limits. Every progress does have a positive and negative effect. We just need to be aware and avoid negative effects. The rise of crimes in cyberspace such as the spread of viruses, fake news, violence, fraud, data theft, distribution of personal photos/videos, pornography, and so on is clear evidence that internet users must have sufficient knowledge about the dangers and anticipation so as not to become a victim of crime in cyberspace. cyberspace. The need for Central Lampung regional government in disseminating information through the Communications and Informatics Service to provide socialization of the ITE Law, this activity is motivated by a large number of young people, especially students who do not understand how to use social media properly and correctly, therefore it is necessary to be socialized about the ethics of using the internet, especially social media among school-age children. Based on these problems, this activity aims to provide an understanding to vocational students about the importance of ethics using internet media and social media.

Relationship between generic instruments used to measure healthrelated quality of life same or different

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Swedish research Council for Medicine and health - VR Swedish Research Council for health, working life and welfare - FORTE Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one and possibly the most important follow-up measure that is used to assess outcomes after long term and critical illness, such as heart failure. There is today an abundance of available generic measures relevant for all types of diseases and health states, and therefore suitable in heterogenous patient cohorts. Globally, two of the most common generic measures of HRQoL in use today are the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and the RAND-36/36-item short-form SF-36. Another commonly used instrument is Cantril’s ladder of life. With the purpose to create a valid but not burdensome survey before and after an intervention in a cohort of former critically ill patients after a period of cardiac care, the question was raised what instrument to choose, and if the instruments correlates. If so, not all items have to be used if they measure the same outcome. Purpose To examine the relationship between different generic instruments for HRQoL in patients with heart failure. Methods For EQ-5D the separate five separate dimensions, the index from the combined dimensions, and a visual analog scale (VAS) can be used. For RAND-36 the eight dimensions created from 35 of the 36 questions, and the extern item as a single item called "Health Transition" can be used. Finally, for the Ladder of life the three questions can be used as separate items. The items chosen and measured in a cohort of former critically ill cardiac patients (n=246) were EQ-5D VAS, EQ-index, RAND-36 health transition question, and ladder of life question 1 and 3. Higher scores indicates higher perceived HRQoL on the scales except for RAND-36. The patients had a mean age of 66 years (SD 11.8), 67.3% (n=165) were men. The most common diagnoses in the sample were heart failure 68% (n=148), diabetes 22% (n=31), cancer (17% (n=36), and pulmonary disease 14% (n=31). The Spearman´s rank correlation was used to analyze the strength of association in the nonparametric data. Results Up to moderately strong correlation was seen between the items (see table). The strongest correlation was found between the EQ-5D VAS and RAND-36 Health Transition item (-0,629 (p=0.01)), followed by both RAND-36 and EQ-5D VAS and the ladder of life question "Where on the ladder do you feel you personally stand right now" (0,615 (p=0.01)) and (0.606 (p=0.01)) respectively. The two ladder of life questions correlated moderately (0.689, (p=0.01)). Conclusions Albeit the same focus area, the chosen general instruments, and items for measuring HRQoL was not strongly correlated indicated that they do not measure the exact same concepts and dimension. This is of importance when chosen instruments for HRQoL follow-up. There might be a need to combine more than one generic instrument considering the balance between the burden for the patient and the purpose and depth of the investigation. Further conceptual consideration regarding to these different generic instruments are warranted.

Psychological Well-Being, Cognitive Functioning, and Quality of Life in 205 Adolescent and Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors Compared to Healthy Peers.

The majority of the studies underlined how adolescent and young adult (AYA) Cancer Survivors had no significant differences in their well-being and quality of life compared with a control group of healthy counterparts, although French et al. (2013) found less years of education among cancer survivors. The present study aimed at comparing AYA cancer survivors and a control group of peers who had no history of serious illness, in terms of well-being, cognitive functioning, and perceptions of life. Participants in this study were 205 AYA cancer survivors, 126 males, off therapy from a mean of 10.87 years (SD = 4.91), with a mean age of 18.96 (SD = 3.08), recruited during follow-up visits and healthy counterparts (n = 205), matched for age and gender. They all completed self-report questionnaires: Ladder of Life, BSI-18 and Cognitive problems. Paired t test evidenced significant differences between survivors (Mean = 6.19; SD = 2.07) and controls (Mean = 6.88; SD = 2.02) in perceptions of quality of life regarding 5 years before the current time [t(204) = −3.39; p = 0.001], with a lower level for childhood cancer survivors. Specifically, Hierarchical regression (R2 = 0.05, p = 0.04) identified a shorter time since the completion of treatment (β = 0.18, p = 0.03) and a trend of stem cell transplantation experience (β = −0.11, p = 0.06) as factors associated with negative perception of precedent quality of life. The AYA cancer survivors reported lower cognitive difficulties (Mean = 1.46) than controls (Mean = 1.56) [t(204) = −3.41; p = 0.001]: in memory (Meanclinical = 1.32 vs Meancontrol = 1.50) [t(204) = −4.52; p = 0.001], in concentration (Meanclinical = 1.36 vs Meancontrol = 1.54) [t(204) = −4.66; p = 0.001] and in mental organization skills (Meanclinical = 1.47 vs Meancontrol = 1.56) [t(204) = −2.56; p = 0.01], even if they had a lower educational attainment [X = 131.28; p = 0.001]. They showed similar satisfaction with their psychological well-being and their lives as healthy counterparts, except for past life perceptions associated with the cancer period. Important recommendations for future research and clinical suggestions could be given.

An Analysis of Affecting Factors on the Recognition of 'Ladder of Life' in Middle-Aged Adults : Focused on 60-70s

An Analysis of Affecting Factors on the Recognition of 'Ladder of Life' in Middle-Aged Adults : Focused on 60-70s

Health Locus of Control in Parents of Children with Leukemia and Associations with Their Life Perceptions and Depression Symptomatology

In childhood cancer, parents have an important role in the promotion of their children’s wellbeing and in their adoption of a locus of control style towards their children’s health. The current study aimed at identifying types of locus of control in parents of children with leukemia and the possible association with depressive symptomatology and current life perception. One hundred and four parents were recruited at the Hematology–Oncology Clinic of the Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health, University of Padua, one month after a leukemia diagnosis. Participants were Caucasian with a mean age of 37.28 years (SD = 5.89), mostly mothers (87.5%) and with a mean of 12.16 years of education (SD = 3.82). After signing the informed consent, they filled in the Ladder of Life, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and the Parental Health Locus of Control (PHLOC) questionnaires. Paired-samples t-test (t = −14.42; df = 103; p = 0.0001) showed that parents of children with leukemia were more inclined to have an external locus of control than an internal one. The hierarchical regression analysis model (R2 = 0.34; F = 4.32; p = 0.0001) identified health professional influence (ß = −0.28; p = 0.004), current life perception (ß = −0.3; p = 0.013) and future life perception (ß = −0.26; p = 0.012) as significant predictors of parental depression. Current life perception was best predicted (R2 = 0.25; F = 3.96; p = 0.01) by the parental influence locus of control style (ß = 0.25; p = 0.03). Improving trust in the medical staff care and strengthening the internal locus of control in parents could be a preventive program to cope with parental depression symptomatology.

A vulnerabilidade como condição antropológica segundo o motivo “Escada da vida” em uma xilogravura do século 19

Este artigo se dedica ao aparecimento do tema da vulnerabilidade, a partir do século 18, em xilogravuras cuja narrativa visual se refere ao processo de envelhecimento das pessoas em analogia com o motivo da escada ou dos degraus da vida. A ausência da consideração da deficiência como um possível atravessamento do ciclo da vida disparou o problema investigativo: Como se dá o aparecimento do tema da vulnerabilidade em xilogravuras cuja narrativa visual se refere ao motivo da escada ou dos degraus da vida, acompanhada por uma narrativa religiosa? Apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa documental exploratória, realizada nos acervos do Museu da Imagem na cidade de Epinal, França, do Museu das Culturas, na cidade de Basileia, Suíça e da Igreja Estadual de Estugarda, Alemanha, no mês de julho de 2017. Argumenta, como primeiro resultado, comparando as narrativas visuais educacionais e religiosas, que há uma modificação da narrativa visual do motivo da escada da vida e que seu aparecimento antecipa, na área da educação, mas não na área da teologia, a consideração do respeito à vulnerabilidade como condição antropológica. Como segundo resultado, mostra-se a importância da cultura visual como narrativa própria e fonte essencial para as ciências humanas, em especial, para educação e as ciências da religião, neste caso a ressignificação da vulnerabilidade humana no campo da educação inclusiva que exige um novo olhar para a condição humana.

Is the mind-body relationship mysterious?

AbstractWhy do some philosophers (Nagel, McGinn, Chomsky), despite all we know about evolution and embryology, think that consciousness makes the mind-body relation a problem still unsolved and perhaps insoluble by those with human brains? They ask how consciousness arises in matter, not in living organisms, whereas non-philosophers ask how far down the ladder of life it extends and when it arises in individuals of sentient and intelligent species. They desire the privacy of Locke's closet, furnished with phenomenological properties; and besides replacing Aristotle's ‘folk’ conception of causation by Hume's, they mathematicise physical explanation in line with Newton's First Law of Motion. Non-philosophers operate with ‘vague’ concepts of life, sentience and intelligence which allow them to treat these things as truly and naturally emergent. Machines that perform intelligent tasks are no more conscious of the reasons for their movements than actors performing them on the stage.

Ladder of life of a modern woman: how to maintain health. Opportunities and prospects of phytotherapy (to help a practitioner)

The article provides a modern view on features of different stages of a woman’s life. It presents information on pathogenetic basis and effectiveness of modern phytotherapy with a use of certified agents for a treatment of main pathological conditions associated with different stages of a woman’s life when the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian system’s function is formed, actively functions and then undergoes a gradual involution. The features of the use of herbal remedies in pathological conditions of the reproductive system (premenstrual syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, menopausal syndrome, mastalgia, etc.) are described. The article is illustrated with figures and tables for better understanding by clinicians. It emphasis on the features of herbal therapy, its high acceptability, safety and efficacy in the age aspect.

Infertility-related distress following cancer for women and men: A mixed method study.

Infertility-related distress is recognised to be a long-term effect of cancer. There have been attempts to examine predictors of such distress, but there is inconsistency in the findings. This study examined the psychological impact of infertility-related distress in women and men cancer survivors, across age group, parity, cancer type, time since diagnosis, and relationship context; and the association of distress with acceptance of illness and relationship satisfaction. 693 women and 185 men completed a self-report survey examining infertility-related distress (fertility problem inventory [FPI], acceptance of cancer (acceptance of illness scale [AIS]), psychological distress (Kessler psychological distress scale [K10]), quality of life (QoL) (ladder of life), and relationship satisfaction relationship assessment scale [RAS]); 61 women and 17 men took part in one-to-one interviews to examine subjective experiences of infertility distress. Infertility distress was positively correlated with psychological distress and negatively correlated with QoL, relationship satisfaction, and acceptance of cancer across gender, cancer type and stage, relationship status, and age. Women reported significantly higher infertility distress than men. In multiple regression analysis, unique statistical predictors of infertility distress for women were childlessness, cancer acceptance, and QoL. Childlessness and relationship satisfaction were unique predictors for men. Thematic analysis of interviews identified loss and grief, identity threat, relationship concerns or support, and acceptance of cancer and infertility as key themes. Concern about cancer-related infertility is associated with decrements in psychological well-being and QoL, particularly for those without children. Psychological support to address cancer-related infertility distress should acknowledge the different meanings of infertility across gender, and the impact of acceptance of cancer and relationship satisfaction.

Violence and the formation of hopelessness: Evidence from internally displaced persons in Colombia

Abstract We explore the impact of violence on beliefs about socioeconomic mobility. For this purpose, we bring together data on the severity of the household-level experience of violence, symptoms of psychological trauma, and subjective probabilities of future positions in a ladder of life for a sample of internally displaced persons in Colombia. After controlling for current socioeconomic circumstances and asset losses, we find that the experience of more severe violence dampens the beliefs about socioeconomic mobility. The estimated impacts are large: a one standard deviation increase in the number of violent events experienced by the household raises the perceived probability of extreme poverty in the following year by 54 percent relative to the mean. In the long run, the expected likelihood of extreme poverty is almost three times higher for victims at the 4th quartile of the distribution of the severity of violence than for victims at the 1st quartile. Additional evidence suggests that psychological trauma explains this result, identifying a channel by which these hopeless beliefs can become self-confirming. Together, the results point to the existence of a behavioral poverty trap and highlight the importance of rethinking the strategies to promote the socioeconomic recovery of victims of violence.

Patient empowerment and general self-efficacy in patients with coronary heart disease: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn managing a life with coronary heart disease and the possibility of planning and following a rehabilitation plan, patients’ empowerment and self-efficacy are considered important. However, currently there is limited data on levels of empowerment among patients with coronary heart disease, and demographic and clinical characteristics associated with patient empowerment are not known.The purpose of this study was to assess the level of patient empowerment and general self-efficacy in patients six to 12 months after the cardiac event. We also aimed to explore the relationship between patient empowerment, general self-efficacy and other related factors such as quality of life and demographic variables.MethodsA sample of 157 cardiac patients (78% male; age 68 ± 8.5 years) was recruited from a Swedish hospital. Patient empowerment was assessed using the SWE-CES-10. Additional data was collected on general self-efficacy and well-being (EQ5D and Ladder of Life). Demographic and clinical variables were collected from medical records and interviews.ResultsThe mean levels of patient empowerment and general self-efficacy on a 0–4 scale were 3.69 (±0.54) and 3.13 (±0.52) respectively, and the relationship between patient empowerment and general self-efficacy was weak (r = 0.38). In a simple linear regression, patient empowerment and general self-efficacy were significantly correlated with marital status, current self-rated health and future well-being. Multiple linear regressions on patient empowerment (Model 1) and general self-efficacy (Model 2) showed an independent significant association between patient empowerment and current self-rated health. General self-efficacy was not independently associated with any of the variables.ConclusionsPatients with a diagnosis of coronary heart disease reported high levels of empowerment and general self-efficacy at six to 12 months after the event. Clinical and demographic variables were not independently associated with empowerment or low general self-efficacy. Patient empowerment and general self-efficacy were not mutually interchangeable, and therefore both need to be measured when planning for secondary prevention in primary health care.Trial registrationNCT01462799.

Changes in the Dimensions of Life of Filipino Deportees from Malaysia

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This research examined the life experiences of Filipinos deported from Malaysia. Anchored on the symbolic interaction theory, the study sought to investigate how the interpretation of these experiences defined and shaped their personhood. It documented the life experiences of Filipino deportees before and after deportation from Malaysia to determine the consequences of such forcible repatriation on their health, socio-economic, cultural and psychosocial dimensions of life. The study looked into coping strategies with life changes focusing on deportation as a main turning point and identified this event’s differential treatment considering the variables of age and sex group. The research utilized a exploratory design and presented extensive case studies of 24 Filipino deportees, eight of which are included in this paper synthesized from in-depth interviews of deportees and key informants. Other technique used were non-participant observation and data gathering from records of government offices assisting the repatriates including the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 9 and the Zamboanga City Philippines Social Welfare and Development Office. The study showed varying consequences of deportation with respect to the deportees’ health, socio-economic, cultural, and psychosocial condition. While all the respondents admitted having been adversely affected by their deportation there is evidence of remarkable resiliency and optimism as gleaned from their narrations. Deportees have varied interpretations of deportation in their lives. For some respondents, the experience meant re-connection and re-union with the family in the place of origin. For others, the experience meant free travel to their homeland. A number of respondents reported deportation was an opportunity to be free from detention, an experience which they described as "hell". Most of the deportees were stigmatized with the new identity, that of a Halau. Deportation was a shameful event to the family and friends but it has to be accepted because it happened and they made it happened. The respondents interpreted experience as evidence they were “meant to be at the lower rung of the ladder of life due to many reasons. Many reported the deportation experience meant they lost loved ones and felt diminished in individual worth and dignity. The recommendations that the study can make have been elucidated in the findings of the study which can be realize through policy formulation, advocacy, education/information, social networking and social services.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;