Life Orientation Test-Revised Research Articles

Health and Wellbeing of Regional and Rural Australian Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Baseline Cross-Sectional Findings from the Loddon Mallee Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Study—A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) has created complex pressures and challenges for healthcare systems worldwide; however, little is known about the impacts COVID-19 has had on regional/rural healthcare workers. The Loddon Mallee Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Study (LMHCWCS) cohort was established to explore and describe the immediate and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on regional and rural healthcare workers. Methods: Eligible healthcare workers employed within 23 different healthcare organisations located in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria, Australia, were included. In this cohort study, a total of 1313 participants were recruited from November 2020–May 2021. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Impact of Events Scale-6 (IES-6), and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), respectively. Resilience and optimism were measured using the Brief Resilience Scale and Life Orientation Test—Revised (LOT-R), respectively. Subjective fear of COVID-19 was measured using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Results: These cross-sectional baseline findings demonstrate that regional/rural healthcare workers were experiencing moderate/severe depressive symptoms (n = 211, 16.1%), moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (n = 193, 14.7%), and high personal or patient/client burnout with median total scores of 46.4 (IQR = 28.6) and 25.0 (IQR = 29.2), respectively. There was a moderate degree of COVID-19-related fear. However, most participants demonstrated a normal/high degree of resilience (n = 854, 65.0%). Based on self-reporting, 15.4% had a BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 kgm2 and 37.0% have a BMI of 25 kgm2 or over. Overall, 7.3% of participants reported they were current smokers and 20.6% reported alcohol consumption that is considered moderate/high-risk drinking. Only 21.2% of the sample reported consuming four or more serves of vegetables daily and 37.8% reported consuming two or more serves of fruit daily. There were 48.0% the sample who reported having poor sleep quality measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Conclusion: Regional/rural healthcare workers in Victoria, Australia, were experiencing a moderate to high degree of psychological distress during the early stages of the pandemic. However, most participants demonstrated a normal/high degree of resilience. Findings will be used to inform policy options to support healthcare workers in responding to future pandemics.

Post-COVIDmental health of librarians in Vietnam

This study aims to measure the mental well-being levels of librarians in Vietnamin the new normal context after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings are expected to advocate for future policy interventions regarding mental health carefor staffin Vietnam’s librariesand information centerssince the pandemic has made coping with crises recognised globally as an integral part of life. On this ground, a survey was designed and administered online for librarians across Vietnam to self-rate their 5 dimensions of psychological generalwell-being using the WHO-5 [1]together with the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) [2],and Strahan-Gerbasi’s 1972 short version of the Marlow‐Crowne Social Desirability Scale [3].The survey shows despite the low mid-COVID mental health, there was a statisticallysignificant increase in mental health scores in the new normal. There are abouttwo-thirds of the surveyed librarians areinfected with COVID-19. For either the mid-or post-COVIDmental health, there was a statistically significant difference in scores between the infected and uninfected ones. Threeindependent-samplet-tests on genders, marital and parenthood statuses only found statistically significant differences in mid-and post-COVIDmental health scores between different marital and parenthood statuses, with the unmarried and the ones with no children scoring higher on both mid-and post-COVIDmental health over their counterparts. Eight one-way between-groups ANOVA tests conducted on a wide range of demographics (geographical area, library type, library size, age, seniority, position, specialization, and qualification) only showed statistically significant differences in mid- 2and post-COVIDmental health scores between different age groups, seniority levels, and types of position.

Psychometric properties of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form (OHQ-SF) in a Greek student sample

BackgroundThe purpose of the current study was to adapt and explore the psychometric properties of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form (OHQ-SF) in a Greek student sample.AimThis quantitative cross-sectional study was applied in order to translate and validate the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form (OHQ-SF) into Greek and to assess the psychometric properties.MethodThe English version of OHQ-SF was translated into Greek using the forward and backward translation. The sample was consisted of 88 adult students from the Public Educational Training Institution in Thessaloniki. Two self-report measures the Greek version of OHQ-SF and the Greek version of the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R—to check the construct validity) were completed twice, for test and retest assessment, in full anonymity and confidentiality.Statistical analysisThe psychometric properties of OHQ-SF/GR, namely the internal–external reliability and construct validity, were assessed, and the expected unidimensional structure was tested with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).Results and discussionThe Greek version of OHQ-SF (OHQ-SF/GR), for both test and retest, has adequate internal reliability, satisfactory structural validity, and adequate construct validity. The CFA indicated the unidimensional structure of the OHQ-SF/GR, and the fit indexes displayed good fit with the data. One item was removed due to poor correlation with the latent factor of happiness. The current study reveals that the final seven-item OHQ-SF/GR has very satisfactory psychometric properties being useful instrument to measure happiness levels in Greek adult students and is a valid tool that can be utilised in research field.

Quality of life and its association with predictors in lung transplant recipients: a latent profile analysis.

Improving quality of life (QOL) is one of the main aims of lung transplantation (LTx). There is a need to identify those who have poor quality of life early. However, research addressing inter individual quality of life variability among them is lacking. This study aims to identify group patterns in quality of life among lung transplant recipients and examine the predictors associated with quality of life subgroups. In total, 173 lung transplant recipients were recruited from one hospital in Guangdong Province between September 2022 and August 2023. They were assessed using the Lung Transplant Quality of Life scale (LT-QOL), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Life Orientation Test-Revised scale (LOT-R), and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Latent profile analysis was used to identify QOL subtypes, and logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between latent profiles and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics. Two distinct QOL profiles were identified: "low HRQOL" profile [N = 53 (30.94%)] and "high HRQOL" profile [N = 120 (69.06%)]. Single lung transplant recipients, and patients who reported post-transplant infection, high levels of negative emotion or low levels of mindfulness and optimism were significantly correlated with the low QOL subgroup. Using the domains of the LT-QOL scale, two profiles were identified among the lung transplant recipients. Our findings highlighted that targeted intervention should be developed based on the characteristics of each latent class, and timely attention must be paid to patients who have undergone single lung transplantation, have had a hospital readmission due to infection, exhibit low levels of optimism, low levels of mindfulness or high negative emotions.

The impact of self-esteem, optimism and emotional intelligence on the professional development of future primary and pre-school teachers

ABSTRACT The way in which students can identify, regulate and manage their emotions can impact not only on their present positive attitude and increased self-esteem, but also on their subsequent professional performance. In this study, 798 pre-service teachers participated, with a mean age of 24.52 years (±5.48). The instruments used were: Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS-S), Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The aim was to determine the potential value of optimism and pessimism among the emotional intelligence and self-esteem of pre-service teachers. The results showed that emotional intelligence is related to optimism (R2 = .352) and moderately to pessimism (R2 = .148) and self-esteem (R2 = .135), with a root mean square error of .067. The practical consequences showed that emotional intelligence has a strong impact on socioemotional competencies, with optimism versus pessimism acting as mediating variables, which in turn contributes to the self-esteem of future teachers.

Role of Uncertainty in Illness and Coping Strategies in Advance Directive Completion in Patients With End-stage Liver Disease.

We examined the associations among advance directives (ADs) completion, coping, uncertainty in illness, and optimism and pessimism in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Although associations among ADs, coping, and uncertainty have been studied in patients with other life-limiting illnesses, these concepts have not been studied together in patients with ESLD. Patients were recruited at 2 health care institutions as part of a larger prospective study. They were enrolled if they had a diagnosis of nonhepatocellular carcinoma ESLD, Sodium Model for End-Stage Liver Disease ≥15, and no prior history of liver transplantation. Uncertainty, coping, optimism, and pessimism were assessed using the Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Adults, Revised Ways of Coping Checklist, and Life Orientation Test-revised. AD documentation at the time of study enrollment was retrospectively extracted from patient medical records. In the sample [N = 181; median age = 57 y, 115 (64%) males], male sex [odds ratio (OR) = 4.66; 95% CI: 1.53, 14.17], being listed or under evaluation for liver transplantation (OR = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.10, 8.67), greater Sodium Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.20), and greater uncertainty (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.07) were positively associated with AD documentation. Higher coping avoidance was negatively associated with AD documentation (OR = 0.915; 95% CI: 0.840, 0.997). Clinicians should consider the role of uncertainty and coping measures to improve patient-specific advance care planning conversations and expand opportunities for all patients with ESLD to file an AD, especially women and patients not listed or under evaluation for transplantation.

Exploring the Relationship between Self-esteem and Optimistic-Pessimistic Attitudes in English Majors at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade

The relationship between self-esteem and optimistic and pessimistic attitudes is significant in individual behavioral patterns in society and studying, according to educational psychology. The study will be done on 70 English majors at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT) with a quantitative research method and two scales: Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (1965) and Scheier, Carver, and Bridge's Life Orientation Test-Revised (1994) to determine this correlation. There are two hypotheses stated in this study: (1) Self-esteem and optimistic attitudes are positively correlated among English majors at HUIT, and (2) Self-esteem and pessimistic attitudes are negatively correlated among English majors at HUIT. To answer the above hypotheses, the study will employ SPSS 26.00 to perform descriptive statistics, Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. The data suggest that among HUIT English majors, there is a positive correlation between self-esteem and an optimistic attitude and also a positive correlation between self-esteem and a pessimistic attitude. These findings provide insight into the complicated link between self-esteem and optimistic and pessimistic attitudes, revealing that people with higher self-esteem might have both optimistic and pessimistic dispositions in academic life and daily life.

Longitudinal Associations Between Optimism and Objective Measures of Physical Functioning in Women.

Identifying factors contributing to sustained physical functioning is critical for the health and well-being of the aging population, especially as physical functioning may precede and predict subsequent health outcomes. Prior work suggests optimism may protect health, but less is known about the association between optimism and objective physical functioning measures as individuals age. To evaluate the longitudinal association between optimism and 3 physical functioning measures. This was a prospective cohort study using data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) with participants recruited from 1993 to 1998 and followed up over 6 years. Data analysis was conducted from January 2022 to July 2022. Participants included postmenopausal women older than 65 years recruited from 40 clinical centers in the US. Optimism was assessed at baseline using the Life Orientation Test-Revised. Physical functioning was measured at 4 time points across 6 years by study staff evaluating performance in grip strength, timed walk, and chair stands. The final analytic sample included 5930 women (mean [SD] age, 70 [4] years). Linear mixed-effects models controlling for demographics, depression, health status, and health behaviors showed that higher optimism was associated with higher grip strength (β = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21-0.50) and number of chair stands (β = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.01-0.10) but not timed walk at baseline. Higher optimism was also associated with slower rates of decline in timed walk (β = -0.09; 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.04) and number of chair stands (β = 0.01; 95% CI, 0-0.03) but not grip strength over time. Cox proportional hazards models showed that higher optimism was associated with lower hazards of reaching clinically defined thresholds of impairment for all 3 outcomes over 6 years of follow-up. For example, in fully adjusted models, for a 1-SD increase in optimism, hazard ratios for reaching impairment thresholds were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80-0.92) for grip strength, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.88-1.01) for timed walk, and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.85-0.98) for chair stands. In this cohort study of postmenopausal women, at baseline, higher optimism was associated with higher grip strength and number of chair stands but not with the time it took to walk 6 m. Higher optimism at baseline was also associated with maintaining healthier functioning on 2 of the 3 performance measures over time, including less decline in walking speed and in number of chair stands women could perform over 6 years of follow-up. Given experimental studies suggesting that optimism is modifiable, it may be a promising target for interventions to slow age-related declines in physical functioning. Future work should explore associations of optimism with maintenance of physical functioning in diverse populations.

Project managers: old, grumpy and suspicious or just “once bitten, twice shy?”

PurposeThis research aspires to contribute in the area of exploration of the psychological traits evolving by practitioners within the project management profession. Specifically, it investigates whether there is any difference in optimism levels among experienced project management practitioners and newcomers in the profession.Design/methodology/approachThe research used the life orientation test-revised (LOTR) (Scheier et al., 1994) to calculate respondents’ optimism scores. With these scores at hand, the researchers could then apply inferential statistics in order to deduce any differences observed among optimism score and the respondents’ characteristics (age, years of experience etc.).FindingsBased on the results of this research, several demographic variables were shown to be statistically significant with optimism. These were (1) the number of years of experience the respondent had in managing projects, (2) working in a government organisation and (3) possessing specific project management certifications, all of which were found to adversely affect the respondent’s optimism score.Originality/valueThis research was unique in applying a well-known psychological test instrument (LOTR) to provide insight into the psychological impacts of a career as an information technology (IT) project manager. It is also highly likely that this correlation between the length of time working as a project manager and the adverse impact on their optimism would also apply to not just IT project managers but all experienced project managers.

Prevalence And Associated Factors Of Burnout Among Bule Hora University Teachers

The present study intended to assess the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among teachers at Bule Hora University teachers, South East Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to achieve the objective of the study. Using a simple random sampling technique, 220 volunteer teachers who were actively working at Bule Hora University during the study period were selected. Standardized instruments like the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), General Self-efficacy Scale (GSE), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE), and Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) were used to collect the data, whereas quantitative data analysis techniques such as frequency, percentage, and linear regression analysis were utilized to analyze the collected data. In this study, a high percentage of emotional exhaustion (EE) (42.73%) and depersonalization (DP) (45.45%) and a low percentage of personal accomplishment (PA) (56.36%) indicated a prevalence of burnout. The study also showed a significant positive correlation between PA and self-efficacy, whereas optimism had a negative correlation with EE and DP. While self-efficacy significantly predicted PA, optimism significantly predicted both EE and DP. From this result, we can conclude that the prevalence of burnout is attributed to self-efficacy and optimism. Therefore, concerned bodies ought to design appropriate interventions that incorporate self-efficacy and optimism to manage university teachers' burnout.

Early-Pregnancy Resilience Characteristics Before Versus During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Resilience is associated with mental and somatic health benefits. Given the social, physical, and mental health toll of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we examined whether the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with population-level changes in resilience among pregnant people. Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of nulliparous pregnant people <20 weeks' gestation from a single hospital. Participants completed baseline assessments of resilience characteristics, including dispositional optimism (DO), mindfulness, and proactive coping. For this analysis, participants recruited before the COVID-19 pandemic were compared with those recruited during the pandemic. The primary outcome was DO, assessed as a continuous score on the validated Revised Life Orientation Test. Secondary outcomes included continuous scores on mindfulness and proactive coping assessments. Bivariable analyses were completed using chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests. Multivariable linear regression compared resilience scores by recruitment time frame, controlling for confounders selected a priori: maternal age, education, and marital status. Of the 300 participants, 152 (50.7%) were recruited prior to the pandemic. Demographic and pregnancy characteristics differed between groups: the during-pandemic group was older, had higher levels of education, and were more likely to be married/partnered. There were no significant differences in any of the resilience characteristics before versus during the pandemic in bivariable or multivariable analyses. In this cohort, there were no differences in early pregnancy resilience characteristics before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic. This affirms that on a population level, resilience is a stable metric, even in the setting of a global pandemic. · Resilience is associated with mental and somatic health benefits.. · No difference in early-pregnancy resilience in those recruited before versus during the pandemic.. · Consistent with conceptualization of resilience as an innate characteristic..

Time-Dependent Prediction Models for Individual Prognosis of Chronic Postsurgical Pain following Knee Replacement Based on an Extensive Multivariable Data Set

(1) Background: Clinically useful prediction models for chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) in knee replacement (TKA) are lacking. (2) Methods: In our prospective, multicenter study, a wide-ranging set of 91 variables was collected from 933 TKA patients at eight time points up to one year after surgery. Based on this extensive data pool, simple and complex prediction models were calculated for the preoperative time point and for 6 months after surgery, using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) 1se and LASSO min, respectively. (3) Results: Using preoperative data only, LASSO 1se selected age, the Revised Life Orientation Test on pessimism, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)—subscore pain and the Timed “Up and Go” Test for prediction, resulting in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.617 and a Brier score of 0.201, expressing low predictive power only. Using data up to 6 months after surgery, LASSO 1se included preoperative Patient Health Questionnaire-4, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)—subscore pain (pain) 3 months after surgery (month), WOMAC pain 3 and 6 months, KOOS subscore symptoms 6 months, KOOS subscore sport 6 months and KOOS subscore Quality of Life 6 months. This improved the predictive power to an intermediate one (AUC 0.755, Brier score 0.168). More complex models computed using LASSO min did little to further improve the strength of prediction. (4) Conclusions: Even using multiple variables and complex calculation methods, the possibility of individual prediction of CPSP after TKA remains limited.

Gratitude, optimism, and satisfaction with life and patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Associations between positive psychological well-being (PPWB) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs, e.g., quality of life [QOL]) have yet to be studied extensively in patients with hematologic malignancies who are allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors, despite substantial evidence that PPWB impacts PROs of other medical populations. We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data examining the association of PPWB and PROs at day 100 post-transplant among 158 allogeneic HSCT recipients. Optimism, gratitude, life satisfaction, and PROs (i.e., QOL, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms) were assessed using the Life Orientation Test-Revised, Gratitude Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Civilian Version, respectively. We used linear and multivariate regressions for all analyses and controlled for patient factors. Optimism was associated with better QOL (β=1.46; p<0.001) and lower levels of anxiety (β=-0.28; p<0.001), depression (β=-0.31; p<0.001), and PTSD (β=-0.58; p<0.001). Gratitude was associated with better QOL (β=1.11; p<0.001) and lower levels of anxiety (β=-0.21; p=0.001), depression (β=-0.14; p=0.021), and PTSD (β=-0.32; p=0.032). Finally, satisfaction with life was associated with better QOL (β=1.26; p<0.001) and lower levels of anxiety (β=-0.18; p<0.001), depression (β=-0.21; p<0.001), and PTSD (β=-0.49; p<0.001). Optimism, gratitude, and satisfaction with life were all associated with better QOL and lower levels of psychological distress in allogeneic HSCT survivors. These data support studies to harness PPWB as a therapeutic intervention for this population throughout HSCT recovery.

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Breathing and a Meditation Program for Burnout Among Physicians

Physicians are exposed to high stress and strain that results in burnout, which affects them, their families, their patients, and the entire health care system; thus, there is an urgent need to develop methods to increase the resiliency of physicians. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) is a comprehensive yoga breathing and meditation-based program that is a potential approach to mitigate physician burnout. To determine whether SKY can reduce psychological distress and improve wellness in physicians. This randomized clinical trial assessed the potential efficacy of SKY compared with a stress management education (SME) training as control. This study was conducted online from November 11, 2021, to March 14, 2022, and included physicians from Turkey, Germany, and Dubai. Both the SKY and the SME control groups received 1.5 hours of training for 3 consecutive days via a group video conference call. Participants were physicians willing to do some form of relaxation exercise everyday for 2 months. Exclusion criteria included presence of major illness and maintaining a regular mind-body program practice. Statistical analysis took place from March to November 2023. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 into 2 groups-the SKY group or the SME (control) group-using a computer algorithm. After the 3-day instruction period, the participants in the SKY group practiced for approximately 30 minutes per day on their own and participated in a weekly 1-hour, group-based online follow-up practice. After the 3-day instruction period, participants in the SME group reviewed and applied the notes from stress management education training at their initiative and had a weekly 1-hour group-based online follow-up session. The primary outcomes were stress and depression (measured by the 42-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale [DASS-42]) and insomnia measured by the Regensburg Insomnia Scale (RIS) with primary end point at 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included anxiety (DASS-42); optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised [LOT-R]); professional fulfillment, work exhaustion, interpersonal disengagement, and overall burnout (Professional Fulfillment Index [PFI]); and self-reported professional errors (Self-Reported Professional Error Questionnaire). This study included 129 participants (SME, 63 participants [48.9%]; SKY, 66 participants [51.1%]; 115 females [89.2%]; 14 males [10.8%]; mean [SD] age, 46.2 [9.0] years). Compared with the SME control group, participants in the SKY group had significantly decreased stress on the DASS-42 at posttraining (difference, -6.8 points; 95% CI, -9.6 to -4.1 points; P = .006) and at postintervention (difference, -6.0 points; 95% CI, -8.8 to -3.3 points; P = .03), significantly decreased depression at posttraining (difference, -5.7 points; 95% CI, -8.6 to -2.8 points; P < .001) and postintervention (difference, -5.4 points; 95% CI, -8.3 to -2.5 points; P < .001), and significantly decreased anxiety at postintervention. In addition, there was a significant decrease in insomnia from baseline to postintervention in the SKY group (difference, -0.3 points; 95% CI, -2.3 to 1.7 points; P = .01). The SKY group also showed significantly increased professional fulfillment as well as significant decreases in work exhaustion, interpersonal disengagement, and burnout. There was no effect on self-reported medical errors. In this randomized clinical trial, physicians who regularly practiced SKY throughout a 2-month period experienced improvements in wellness and decreased burnout. These data suggest that SKY may be an effective, practical, and safe strategy to increase wellness and mitigate burnout in physicians. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05956470.

Hair cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone and their associations with optimism and pessimism in older people

The cumulative negative effects of prolonged Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA axis) activation are associated with several age-related diseases. Some psychological traits such as optimism and pessimism have been shown to be related to both health and the stress response, although their relationship with the HPA axis is inconclusive. More stable HPA axis biomarkers, such as hair samples of cortisol (HC) and dehydroepiandrosterone (HDHEA), would help to clarify the association between these psychological traits and HPA axis functioning. The main aim of this study was to test the relationships between optimism and pessimism and chronic stress biomarkers measured in hair (HC and HDHEA). Additionally, a secondary objective was to explore sex differences in HC and HDHEA levels and their relationship with these psychological traits. We measured optimism, pessimism, and their combination (dispositional optimism) using the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) and chronic stress biomarkers (HC and HDHEA) in 119 healthy participants (46 men and 73 women) between 56 and 81 years old who belonged to a university program. Regression analyses controlling for perceived stress and BMI indicated that higher dispositional optimism was related to lower HC and HC:HDHEAratio (β = −0.256, p = .008 and β = −0.300, p = .002, respectively). More specifically, higher pessimism was related to higher HC (β = 0.235; p = .012) and HC:HDHEAratio (β = 0.240; p = .011), whereas higher optimism was associated with a lower HC:HDHEAratio(β = −0.205; p = .031). Moderation analyses showed no sex differences. To date, this is the first study to investigate the link between these traits and HC and HDHEA in older people. Our results confirm that positive and negative expectations about the future (i.e. optimism and pessimism) may play an important role in health due to their relationship with the HPA axis. They also strengthen the idea that the negative effects of pessimism have a greater weight than the protective effects of optimism in their relationship with HPA axis regulation.

The effects of psychological factors on urinary incontinence after robotic radical prostatectomy: pilot study

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a frequent complication of radical prostatectomy (RP), and identifying preoperative predictors may assist in patient selection and continence rehabilitation. We investigated the association between preoperative psychological factors and UI after RP. Consenting patients planned for RP were recruited prospectively to this pilot study. They responded to preoperative psychological surveys, including a depression anxiety stress scale, coping behavior questionnaire, general self-efficacy scale, revised life orientation test and locus of control scale (LCS). Incontinence severity was assessed by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and daily pad usage at 6 months after surgery. Correlation tests and linear regression models evaluated the association between psychological factors and UI. Twenty-five men with a median age of 69 years were enrolled. Continence outcomes at 6 months were a median ICIQ-SF score of 11 (Interquartile range (IQR) 7–14) and a median use of 2 pads per day (IQR 1–5). LCS was linearly correlated to ICIQ-SF scores (p = 0.05) and daily pad use (p = 0.005). Age and pathological staging were also linearly correlated to incontinence severity. LCS remained linearly associated with daily pad use on multivariate analysis adjusting for age and pathology (β = 0.61, p = 0.007). Locus of control is a psychological predictor for post-RP UI severity, and patients with external control may be prone to worse incontinence. The LCS may be used when counseling patients before surgery in order to clarify expectations regarding postoperative continence. Future studies to evaluate whether psychological intervention may be beneficial for continence rehabilitation are warranted.

Relationship between Vaccine Hesitancy and Psychological Distress in Elderly Population of South Punjab

Vaccines have eliminated and prevented several deadly diseases, yet they face skepticism from the public. This research aimed to find the moderating role of optimism in elderly people on the relationship between vaccine skepticism of COVID-19 booster dose and the psychological distress because of it. The purpose of this research was to find out hesitant attitude of elders towards COVID-19 booster dose, explore level of psychological distress among elderly people who were already vaccinated and find out life optimism among elderly people (age range of 45-65 years, M=55.75, SD=6.51). Correlational research design and systematic random sampling technique were used to collect data from elders (n=427, M= 264, F=161). The data was collected from different cities of Punjab province namely Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Multan, and Bahawalpur. Vaccine skepticism, psychological distress and optimism were checked using “Oxford COVID-19 Scale of Vaccine Hesitancy, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) and Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R). Data was analysed using Correlation, t test, and ANOVA. The results found a positive relationship between psychological distress and life orientation. On the other hand, vaccine hesitancy was found to be negatively correlated with psychological distress and life orientation. The males were found high on vaccine hesitancy and psychological distress. People above age 60 years had lowest psychological distress.

The ephemeral nature of wording effects.

This article explores the analysis and interpretation of wording effects associated with using direct and reverse items in psychological assessment. Previous research using bifactor models has suggested a substantive nature of this effect. The present study uses mixture modeling to systematically examine an alternative hypothesis and surpass recognized limitations in the bifactor modeling approach. In preliminary supplemental Studies S1 and S2, we examined the presence of participants who exhibited wording effects and evaluated their impact on the dimensionality of Rosenberg's Self-Esteem and the Revised Life Orientation Test, confirming the ubiquity of wording effects in scales containing direct and reverse items. Then, after analyzing the data for both scales (n = 5,953), we found that, despite a significant association between wording factors (Study 1), a low proportion of participants simultaneously exhibited asymmetric responses in both scales (Study 2). Similarly, despite finding both longitudinal invariance and temporal stability of this effect in three waves (n = 3,712, Study 3), a small proportion of participants was identified with asymmetric responses over time (Study 4), reflected in lower transition parameters compared to the other patterns of profiles examined. In both cases, we illustrate how bifactor models capitalize on the responses of individuals who do not even exhibit wording effects, yielding spurious correlations suggesting a substantive nature of the wording effect. These findings support the notion of an ephemeral nature underlying wording effects. The discussion focuses on alternative hypotheses to understand these findings and emphasizes the utility of including reverse items in psychological assessment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A randomized controlled trial of a targeted support program for informal caregivers in adult psychiatry

BackgroundThe importance of informal caregivers for persons with severe mental illness has been demonstrated. However, this role may cause a high care burden that considerably affects caregiver health. The Ensemble program is a five-session brief individual intervention designed to support informal caregivers. This trial aimed to assess the efficacy of the program versus SAU (support as usual) for participants with a high care burden.MethodsA single-center randomized controlled trial including 149 participants was conducted. Caregivers in the intervention arm participated in the Ensemble program. The effects of the intervention were assessed using mixed models for repeated measures analysis of variance on improvements in informal caregivers’ psychological health status, optimism levels, burden scores, and quality of life at three time points (T0 = pretest; T1 = posttest at 2 months, and T2 = follow-up at 4 months).ResultsAnalysis of the Global Psychological Index showed no significant effect at the two endpoints in favor of the Ensemble group. However, the Brief Symptom Inventory-Positive Symptom Distress Index was significantly lower at the two-month follow-up. A significant reduction in burden on the Zarit Burden Interview was observed post-intervention, along with an increase in optimism levels on the Life Orientation Test-Revised at follow-up in the Ensemble group. No significant differences were observed in quality of life. Clinical improvements in both psychological health status and burden levels were also identified.ConclusionThe Ensemble program offers an inclusive approach based on a recovery perspective that significantly reduces symptom distress and burden and increases optimism among informal caregivers.Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT04020497.

A Positive Psychology Intervention in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Survivors (PATH) to Promote Well-Being: Randomized Controlled Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy Trial

Background: Patients with hematologic malignancies who are allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors experience tremendous psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms) and low levels of positive psychological well-being (e.g., flourishing, gratitude), which further undermine multiple health-related outcomes such as quality of life (QOL). However, supportive oncology interventions which specifically target positive psychological well-being may buffer against psychological distress and promote QOL. Thus, we developed and piloted a novel phone-delivered positive psychology intervention (PATH) to improve QOL and symptoms of anxiety and depression in HSCT survivors transplanted for hematologic malignancies. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial (NCT05147311) to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the PATH intervention. From August 2021 to August 2022, 70 HSCT survivors who were 100-days post-HSCT were randomly assigned to either PATH or a usual care control group. The PATH group had 9 weekly 1:1 phone sessions of positive psychology exercises focused on gratitude, strengths, and meaning. The Usual care group had routine sessions with the transplant social worker. We defined feasibility as &amp;gt;60% of eligible participants enrolling in the study and &amp;gt;75% of intervention group participants completing at least 6 of the 9 positive psychology sessions. At baseline and 9 and 18 weeks after baseline, patients self-reported optimism (Life Orientation Test Revised), gratitude, (Gratitude Questionnaire-6), flourishing (Flourishing Scale), QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant) and depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). We used mixed effects regression analyses to determine the potential impact of PATH on QOL and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results: The average age (standard deviation) of participants was 56.8 (13.7) years; 50% (N=35) were female. The majority of the participants identified as White (91.4%; N=64), married or living with a partner (71.4%; N=50), had at least a college education (67.2%; N=47) and were on disability or retired (87.1%; N=67). The majority had a diagnosis of leukemia (68.6%; N=48), underwent reduced intensity conditioning (62.9%; N=44), and did not have acute graft-versus-host disease (68.6%; N=48). For our feasibility metrics, we enrolled 68.6% (72/105) of eligible patients, two of which were not randomized due to worsening physical symptoms. Additionally, 94% (95% CI: 79%-99%) of those who started the PATH intervention completed all nine intervention sessions. For acceptability, participants in the intervention group reported positive psychology exercises as easy to complete (mean [95% CI] = 7.40 [6.87, 7.92] on a scale of 0-10) and useful (mean [95% CI] = 8.23 [7.83, 8.63]). Compared with usual care, participants in the intervention group reported less symptoms of anxiety ( d=0.46, p=0.027), and demonstrated promising improvements in gratitude ( d=0.26) at 9 weeks. We did not observe significant differences in QOL and depression symptoms. Conclusions: A positive psychology intervention, PATH, is feasible, acceptable, and has potential to improve outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies who are allogeneic HSCT survivors. Larger trials are needed to examine the impact of PATH on psychological well-being and QOL in this population.