Participation In Support Groups Research Articles

Autonomy support and reduced feedback frequency have trivial effects on learning and performance of a golf putting task.

Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning (OPTIMAL) Theory proposes that choices of any kind support an individual's need for autonomy, motivating them to learn and perform motor skills more effectively. Notably, the authors suggest asking learners to choose when to receive feedback in order to increase autonomy. Conversely, the guidance hypothesis predicts an impact of feedback schedule independent of motivational influences. The purpose of this experiment was to compare the relative and combined effects of autonomy and feedback schedule for the acquisition of a golf putting task without vision of results. Autonomy support (autonomy support vs. yoked) and knowledge of results (KR) schedule (100%-KR vs. 50%-faded-KR) were combined in a 2×2 factorial design. Participants (N=56) in the autonomy support groups were asked to choose from three colours of golf balls for each putt during 10 acquisition blocks. Yoked groups were yoked to the golf ball colour choices of their autonomy support group counterparts. Participants in the 100%-feedback schedule groups were provided x- and y-coordinate KR following every putt during acquisition, while participants in the 50%-faded groups received KR after half of their putts, with feedback frequency decreasing over acquisition blocks. All participants completed a 24-h delayed retention and transfer test without KR. The results were somewhat consistent with OPTIMAL Theory yet the effects were not statistically significant and trivially small. The results were inconsistent with the guidance hypothesis.

Smart defence: Joint geospatial support in NATO

Abstract Smart defence in NATO may in its very nature represent not only automated remote solutions for battle activities, but harmonized and efficient system of geospatial support of deployed units as well. The objective of this study is to uncover the essence of allied geospatial support mechanism, determine critical spots and propose appropriate system enhancements. Wealth of experience of members of the Armed forces of the Czech Republic was utilized to summarize the state of geospatial support in NATO. It is preferentially experience from foreign operations ISAF and KFOR, cooperation with NATO Headquarters SHAPE and from participation in Multinational Geospatial Support Group. Presented proposals for improvements of geospatial support might have significant impact on intelligence service and military units themselves. Highlights for public administration, management and planning: • Multinational Geospatial Support Group will become a single complex executive component of NATO geospatial support for foreign operations. • Financial and capacity means for geospatial support must be centralized directly within NATO structure to reach maximum efficiency. • Production of standardized-only scale set maps covering territory of NATO and areas of interest is to be obligatorily for all member nations. • Access to the web service CoreGIS should be granted for all NATO nations at a national level.

Advance care planning in COPD: guidance development for healthcare professionals

ObjectivesTo examine current practices, attitudes and levels of confidence related to advance care planning (ACP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among healthcare professionals working in Ireland. This...

The impact of participation in support groups on mental health of parents having children with autism

Abstract Introduction Whilst there is accumulated evidence about the high prevalence of stress and mood disorders in parents of children with autism, few studies have shown that participating in parental support groups was associated with less mental health problems. This study was aimed to explore the association of participation in support groups with stress and mood disorders in parents of children with autism in Kazakhstan. Methods Participants (n = 146) were recruited to this cross-sectional survey from autism non-governmental organizations and Republican Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Nur-Sultan city during April-December 2018. A 59 item survey consisted of questions on parental socio-demographics, needs, participation in support groups, depression, anxiety and stress (DASS), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in STATA 15. Results 44.4% of parents reported experiencing stress, and almost half of the sample had elevated depressive (53.7%) and anxiety symptoms (47.4%). 45.3% of participants were members of parental organizations; there were no significant differences in the prevalence of stress and mood disorders among members and non-members of parental support groups. Results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that parents with older autistic children (OR 1.37, p-value 0.001), less family support (OR 0.894, p-value 0.044) and higher income (OR 3.01, p-value 0.025) were more likely to be members of support groups. Conclusions These findings indicate the need to increase support groups to under-served populations of Kazakhstan’s families with autistic children. Additional efforts are needed to strengthen the role of support groups in meeting the emotional needs of the parents. Key messages Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder experience elevated level of stress and mood disorders; however participation in support groups was not beneficial for relieving parental distress. Further research is warranted to explore the benefits of participation in support groups, and interventions are needed to strengthen the role of support groups in meeting the needs of parents.

ESupport: Feasibility trial of telehealth support group participation to reduce loneliness in multiple sclerosis

Background: Loneliness is a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality. Persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are at increased risk for loneliness. Support groups facilitate meaningful social connections. Objective: To conduct a feasibility trial of eSupport: online support groups. Methods: Participants engaged in 1 hour/week eSupport or eJournal (active control). Primary outcome was feasibility (completion and adherence). We evaluated loneliness and depressive symptoms for preliminary efficacy. Results: Feasibility outcomes were met: completion rate was 96.4%; 88.9% were adherent. Loneliness and depression showed trend-level decreases in both conditions. Conclusion: Feasibility of telehealth support group participation for pwMS was supported. eSupport is accessible, affordable, acceptable, and scalable. Results warrant a randomized controlled trial to support efficacy.

Support Group Participation: Effect on Perceptions of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis.

Patients newly diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis (MS) face an overwhelming number of questions about how it will affect their lives. Participation in a support group is one way to obtain information and receive support from others. However, existing support groups are often attended by patients with significant disability, resulting in newly diagnosed patients being hesitant to return. This qualitative pilot study explored perceptions of patients with newly diagnosed MS before and after participation in two monthly meetings. A support group was conducted each month using nursing staff, a physician, and a social worker. Prior to the first meeting, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire with open-ended questions to share their thoughts about how MS may affect their lives. After the two meetings, they were asked to complete the same questionnaire again. Eight themes were identified: uncertain disease course; insecure future; physical, emotional, and cognitive impacts; effect on relationships with family and/or spouse/significant other; ability to develop future relationship with significant other; impact on career plans; impact on ability to achieve future goals; and impact on ability to care for self and family. Five of six participants who attended both meetings and one of four who attended only the first meeting expressed a change in their perception of how MS may affect their lives. A support group dedicated exclusively to newly diagnosed patients may provide an opportunity for patients to experience a change in perceptions of MS.

Factors associated with the use of diet and the use of exercise for prostate cancer by long-term survivors.

To assess the use of diet and the use of exercise for prostate cancer (and/or its treatments' side effects) by long-term survivors and whether such use is associated with selected socio-demographic, clinical, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and psychological factors. Population-based cohort study in New South Wales, Australia of prostate cancer survivors aged <70 years at diagnosis and who returned a 10-year follow-up questionnaire. Validated instruments assessed patient's HRQOL and psychological well-being. Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted relative proportions (RRs) of prostate cancer survivor groups who were currently eating differently ('using diet') or exercise differently ('using exercise') to help with their prostate cancer. 996 (61.0% of 1634) participants completed the 10-year questionnaire of whom 118 (11.8%; 95%CI[9.8-13.9]) were using diet and 78 (7.8%; 95%CI[6.2-9.5]) were using exercise to help with their prostate cancer. Men were more likely to use diet or use exercise for prostate cancer if they were younger (p-trend = 0.020 for diet, p-trend = 0.045 for exercise), more educated (p-trend<0.001, p-trend = 0.011), support group participants (p-nominal<0.001, p-nominal = 0.005), had higher Gleason score at diagnosis (p-trend<0.001, p-trend = 0.002) and had knowledge of cancer spread (p-nominal = 0.002, p-nominal = 0.001). Use of diet was also associated with receipt of androgen deprivation therapy (RR = 1.59; 95%CI[1.04-2.45]), a greater fear of cancer recurrence (p-trend = 0.010), cognitive avoidance (p-trend = 0.025) and greater perceived control of cancer course (p-trend = 0.014). Use of exercise was also associated with receipt of prostatectomy (RR = 2.02; 95%CI[1.12-3.63]), receipt of androgen deprivation therapy (RR = 2.20; 95%CI[1.34-3.61]) and less satisfaction with medical treatments (p-trend = 0.044). Few long-term prostate cancer survivors use diet or exercise to help with their prostate cancer. Survivors may benefit from counselling on the scientific evidence supporting healthy eating and regular exercise for improving quality-of-life and cancer-related outcomes.

Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement reduces opioid misuse risk via analgesic and positive psychological mechanisms: A randomized controlled trial.

Despite the heightened urgency of the current prescription opioid crisis, few psychotherapies have been evaluated for chronic pain patients receiving long-term opioid analgesics. Current psychological pain treatments focus primarily on ameliorating negative affective processes, yet basic science suggests that risk for opioid misuse is linked with a dearth of positive affect. Interventions that modulate positive psychological processes may produce therapeutic benefits among patients with opioid-treated chronic pain. The aim of this study was to conduct a theory-driven mechanistic analysis of proximal outcome data from a Stage 2 randomized controlled trial of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), an integrative intervention designed to promote positive psychological health. Patients with opioid-treated chronic pain (N = 95; age = 56.8 ± 11.7; 66% female) were randomized to 8 weeks of therapist-led MORE or support group (SG) interventions. A latent positive psychological health variable comprised of positive affect, meaning in life, and self-transcendence measures was examined as a mediator of the effect of MORE on changes in pain severity at posttreatment and opioid misuse risk by 3-month follow-up. Participants in MORE reported significantly greater reductions in pain severity by posttreatment (p = .03) and opioid misuse risk by 3-month follow-up (p = .03) and significantly greater increases in positive psychological health (p < .001) than SG participants. Increases in positive psychological health mediated the effect of MORE on pain severity by posttreatment (p = .048), which in turn predicted decreases in opioid misuse risk by follow-up (p = .02). Targeting positive psychological mechanisms via MORE and other psychological interventions may reduce opioid misuse risk among chronic pain patients receiving long-term opioid therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Shared experiences and the social cure in the context of a stigmatized identity.

In an attempt to combat the social isolation and stigma associated with the incarceration of a family member, increasingly efforts are made to support families affected by imprisonment. Many of these forms of support are delivered in groups. Participation in support groups generates benefits, sometimes referred to as the social cure, by enhancing a sense of belonging, social connection, and subjective identification with the group. Where an identity is stigmatized, subjective group identification may be resisted and this could potentially undermine the effectiveness of group-based support. We used semi-structured interviews with 12 partners of incarcerated men participating in group-based support, to explore their identity constructions as well as their perceptions of the value of the support group. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a material-discursive perspective. Findings emphasize the importance of shared experiences as a basis for connection with others in this context where subjective identification with an identity is problematic. Three themes are documented in the data that emphasize shared experience. These themes - Experiences of a 'situation' as the basis for social isolation; Experience of a 'situation' as the basis for inclusion; and Victims of circumstance - all orient to the role of shared experience in participants' talk. The theoretical discussion of these findings highlights the important role of shared experience as a basis for social connections for those affected by stigma. The implications of these findings for supporting families affected by incarceration are discussed, as is the more general potential of group-based approaches for those affected by stigma.

Psychosocial adjustment and parental stress in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess psychosocial adjustment of children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and to explore its possible association to parental stress. 34 children with DMD, 9-14.1 years of age, and their parents were included in the study. Caregivers completed the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), the Psychosocial Adjustment and Role Skills Scale III (PARS-III) and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). Patients older than 11 years completed the Youth Self Report (YSR). Regression analyses including parental stress, socio-demographic and disorder-related factors were performed to determine how these aspects influence the psychosocial adjustment in children with DMD. Depending on the measure, 15%-47% of children with DMD were found to be psychosocially "at risk" for emotional and behavioural problems. Age showed no association with psychosocial adjustment. Half of the caregivers experienced very high parenting stress. Moreover, the two aspects parent-child dysfunctional interaction and difficult child scores were associated to psychosocial adjustment. Regression analyses showed that both parental stress and participation in a DMD support group are related to the psychosocial adjustment. The PARS-III represents a more suitable instrument assessing psychosocial adjustment in DMD, since compared to the CBCL it excludes physiological symptoms regarding chronic diseases. Decreased parents' stress levels and participation in a DMD support group positively contributed to good psychosocial adjustment. A family-centered approach is crucial for interventions in order to improve the psychosocial adjustment of these children and their families even while living with the significant burdens associated with DMD.

Amputees' Attitudes Toward Participation in Amputee Support Groups and the Role of Virtual Technology in Supporting Amputees: Survey Study.

BackgroundAcquiring information about and living with an amputation (or limb differential) is a lifelong endeavor. Although medical institutions address the immediate medical needs of amputees, information regarding how to live life as an amputee is provided from numerous sources, one of which is amputee support groups.ObjectiveThis study aimed at understanding why amputees join support groups, leave support groups, and possibly return to support groups as well as how technology, specifically virtual reality, might play a role in supporting patients’ needs. The results are intended to provide data for support groups, to increase their impact on amputee participants.MethodsA 38-item online survey was developed based on the findings of a previous randomized trial. The survey was administered between April and September 2018 and divided into four sections: Demographics, Limb Loss History, Amputee Support Group Participation, and Technology Usage. Items used multiple-choice, drop-down menu, check-box formats with explanation boxes for open-ended responses. Descriptive analyses were performed for both qualitative (open-ended questions) and quantitative data.ResultsOf the 59 amputees enrolled, 54 completed the survey. All the respondents were aged 20-39 years, and nearly half of the older respondents thought audio and video teleconferencing or avatar-based technology would increase participation in support groups. The results suggest that an early goal for amputees who join support groups is to focus on regaining mobility and functionality in order to return to their normal life. Once achieved, the goal transitions to one of social connection with other amputees, although there is a caveat: Simply being an amputee may not provide sufficient connections for developing long-term social relationships. The strongest reason for joining a support group was to learn about living with an amputation, followed by networking and learning new skills.ConclusionsThe results suggest four key takeaways regarding amputee participation in support groups: (1) the needs of participants in amputee support groups change over time; (2) meeting content needs to be relevant to agendas primarily driven by participants; (3) support group participation is also driven by the desire to increase functionality by developing skills, become familiar with prosthetic technology, have more than amputation in common with other participants, and participate at the designated meeting time and location; and (4) the use of technology should support patients’ needs.

Support groups for carers of a person with dementia who lives at home: A focused ethnographic study.

To explore and understand carer participation in support groups when caring for a person with dementia who lives at home. Focused ethnographic design. Participant observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted from January-December 2015. The data were collected from four support groups in the Danish primary healthcare system. Interviews were conducted with 25 carers. An inductive content analysis of the data was performed. Three themes were identified: emotional well-being due to peer and family support, emotional sense of togetherness despite hardships and emotional and ethical considerations in caregiving. Support group participation with positive peer interaction increases carer self-esteem and feelings of togetherness, and an awareness of maintaining the care receiver`s dignity and prevention of conflicts with families, resulting in an improvement in carer well-being, leading to increased motivation to continue caring. Carers who hid their group participation face a potential conflict with the care receiver. By sharing positive experiences, carers have increased self-esteem and feelings of togetherness, which can have a positive impact on their motivation to continue caring. Positive peer interaction encouraged a shift in focus from negative to positive experiences, resulting in an improvement in carer well-being. Joint group participation prevented conflicts in families. To protect the care receivers, carers kept support group participation a secret. Healthcare professionals could improve carer well-being by focusing on positive caring experiences in support groups.

Online Support Group Participation and Social Support: Incorporating Identification and Interpersonal Bonds

An increasing number of people with chronic diseases exchange social support using online support groups (OSGs). However, there is little understanding of group communication mechanisms that underpin the relationship between OSG participation and social support. Drawing on Prentice, Miller, and Lightdale’s common-identity and common-bond framework, we propose and test a theoretical model that explains group communication mechanisms through which members’ participation influences their perceived social support. In the process, we identified and empirically validated a three-factor solution for an OSG participation scale. Based on 356 users across 12 popular OSGs, we find that two group communication mechanisms—identification with the community and interpersonal bonds with other members—mediate the relationship between OSG participation and perceived social support. Specifically, identification has a stronger mediating effect than interpersonal bonds in the relationship between OSG participation and perceived social support. We also discuss theoretical and practical implications.

The experience of men who participated in interventions to improve demand for and utilization of maternal and child health services in northern Nigeria: a qualitative comparative study

BackgroundMen in northern Nigeria are considered the leaders and ultimate decision makers, including decisions about health-related behaviours of their wives and children. Yet many men in the region consider pregnancy and childbirth to be in the woman’s domain (even if she cannot make related decisions), and may not see a need to educate themselves on the issues. These dynamics directly influence demand for, and utilization of, maternal, newborn, and child health services. This study examines an intervention that educated married men in northern Nigeria about health issues related to pregnancy, labour, delivery, and the postpartum period, as well as newborn and child health, through participation in male support groups. The curriculum also included interpersonal relationship and household decision making, with an emphasis on the need for men to give their wives standing approval to seek health services as needed, for themselves and their children.MethodsWe conducted 12 focus group discussions with married men in Kaduna and Katsina states in northern Nigeria – half with men who had participated in the male support groups and half with men from areas that the intervention had not reached. Analysis was thematic, focusing on participants’ perceptions of the male support groups, the benefits of the intervention, and enablers and barriers to support group participation.ResultsPerceptions of the male support groups were overwhelmingly positive. Participants internalized important messages they learned, which influenced their decisions related to the health of their wives and children. Some take it upon themselves to educate others in their communities about what they learned, and many say they see changes at the community level, with more utilization of maternal, newborn, and child health services.ConclusionsIn the northern Nigeria context, educating men about danger signs of pregnancy, labour, delivery, newborn, and child health, is crucial to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes. Our intervention was successful not only in educating men, but also in converting some into advocates such that the effect of the intervention went beyond participants to the community. Programmes that aim to improve health-service utilization in northern Nigeria should consider scaling up this, or similar, interventions.

Women\u2019s freedom of movement and participation in psychosocial support groups: qualitative study in northern India

BackgroundDepression, the world’s leading cause of disability, disproportionately affects women. Women in India, one of the most gender unequal countries worldwide, face systemic gender disadvantage that significantly increases the risk of common mental disorders. This study’s objective was to examine the factors influencing women’s participation in psychosocial support groups, within an approach where community members work together to collectively strengthen their community’s mental health.MethodsThis community-based qualitative study was conducted from May to July 2016, across three peri-urban sites in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, Northern India. Set within an NGO-run mental health project, data were collected through focus group discussions with individuals involved in psychosocial support groups including women with psychosocial disabilities as well as caregivers (N = 10, representing 59 women), and key informant interviews (N = 8) with community members and mental health professionals. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.ResultsThe principal barrier to participating in psychosocial support groups was restrictions on women’s freedom of movement. Women in the community are not normally permitted to leave home, unless going to market or work, making it difficult for women to leave their home to participate in the groups. The restrictions emanated from the overall community’s attitude toward gender relations, the women’s own internalized gender expectations, and most significantly, the decision-making power of husbands and mothers-in-law. Other factors including employment and education shaped women’s ability to participate in psychosocial support groups; however, the role of these additional factors must be understood in connection to a gender order limiting women’s freedom of movement.ConclusionsMental health access and gender inequality are inseparable in the context of Northern India, and women’s mental health cannot be addressed without first addressing underlying gender relations. Community-based mental health programs are an effective tool and can be used to strengthen communities collectively; however, attention towards the gender constraints that restrict women’s freedom of movement and their ability to access care is required. To our knowledge, this is the first study to clearly document and analyze the connection between access to community mental health services in South Asia and women’s freedom of movement.

Perceived Benefits of Peer Support Groups for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers in Rural North Carolina.

BACKGROUND Significant geographical disparities exist in stroke prevalence among southeastern states, including North Carolina. Additionally, stroke is more prevalent in rural areas. Peer support groups play an important role in stroke recovery by providing tools for effective coping, alleviating psychological stress, and creating an outlet for stroke survivors and caregivers. However, their perceived benefits have not been clearly defined for rural stroke survivors and their families.METHODS This qualitative study describes the experiences of survivors and caregivers in rural North Carolina who have participated in stroke peer support groups. Four focus groups were conducted with 32 participants (average age 67 years, 72% female) in 4 rural North Carolina counties, using a semi-structured discussion guide and an inductive coding approach.RESULTS Thematic analysis revealed that participants in rural support groups seek and receive knowledge from their support groups and feel empowered by providing and receiving this knowledge. Shared experiences cultivate a sense of community, and participants viewed support outside of the support group as necessary to their recovery process.LIMITATIONS This study reflects the views of a small group of predominantly non-Hispanic, white stroke survivors and caregivers who voluntarily participated. We did not conduct separate focus groups with survivors and caregivers.CONCLUSION Peer support groups are a sparse, but critical resource for rural stroke survivors and caregivers because they provide information and community that can assist with recovery to health and independence.

Alcohol Rehabilitation Within 30 Days of Hospital Discharge Is Associated With Reduced Readmission, Relapse, and Death in Patients With Alcoholic Hepatitis

Patients admitted to the hospital for alcoholic hepatitis (AH) are at increased risk of readmission and death. We aimed to identify factors associated with readmission, alcohol relapse, and mortality. We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted with AH to a tertiary care hospital from 1999 through 2016 (test cohort, n = 135). We validated our findings in a prospective analysis of patients in a multi-center AH research consortium from 2013 through 2017 (validation cohort, n = 159). Alcohol relapse was defined as any amount of alcohol consumption within 30 days after hospital discharge. Early alcohol rehabilitation was defined as residential or outpatient addiction treatment or mutual support group participation within 30 days after hospital discharge. Thirty-day readmission rates were 30% in both cohorts. Alcohol relapse rates were 37% in the test and 34% in the validation cohort. Following hospital discharge, 27 patients (20%) in the test cohort and 19 patients (16%) in the validation cohort attended early alcohol rehabilitation. There were 53 deaths (39%) in a median follow-up time of 2.8 years and 42 deaths (26%) in a median follow-up time of 1.3 years, respectively. In the test cohort, early alcohol rehabilitation reduced odds for 30-day readmission (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.65; P=.01), 30-day alcohol relapse (AOR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.53; P < .001), and death (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05-0.56; P = .001). In the validation cohort early alcohol rehabilitation reduced odds for 30-day readmission (AOR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.09-0.98; P = .04), 30-day alcohol relapse (AOR 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.73; P = .02), and death (AHR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.01-0.94; P = .04). A model combining alcohol rehabilitation and bilirubin identified patients with readmission to the hospital within 30 days with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.73. In an analysis from two cohorts of patients admitted with AH, early alcohol rehabilitation can reduce risk of hospital readmission, alcohol relapse, and death and should be considered as a quality indicator in AH hospitalization treatment.

Fortalecimento da inserção política e socio familiar do idoso: o papel dos grupos de apoio no desenvolvimento da autonomia e independência

Objetivos: Integrar a comunidade de idosos da USF da Visconde por meio da participação em grupos de novas atividades multidisciplinares. O estudo visa também avaliar o desempenho cognitivo, o índice de depressão e declínio funcional através da aplicação de testes específicos. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal, de base populacional, com intervenção em participantes, sendo o público alvo, idosos cadastrados na USF da Visconde e que possuam capacidade funcional de se deslocar até a unidade. Foram realizados 6 encontros, nos quais estava presente um profissional que realizou palestras e oficinas com os idosos. Foram aplicados três questionários: MEEM, Caracterização biossocial, familiar, econômica e de saúde e WHOQOL-OLD. A tabulação estatística foi realizada usando Microsoft Excel e Biostat 5.0 e utilizado níveis de significância de 95%. Resultados: Foram incluídos 28 pacientes no estudo, sendo a média de idade 68.6 anos. Todos alegaram possuir uma doença crônica, sendo a hipertensão arterial sistêmica a mais frequente (66,7%). O estudo teve impacto positivo sobre a “Autonomia, Passado, presente e futuro, Participação social e a Qualidade de vida”. Antes da intervenção, indivíduos que praticavam exercício físico tiveram, maior índice de qualidade de vida avaliado pelo WHOQOL quando comparados aos indivíduos que não praticam. Conclusão: O projeto obteve resultados satisfatórios, alcançando integração comunitária entre idosos e manutenção da capacidade funcional, por meio da participação nos grupos de apoio. Portanto, essas ações de fortalecimento sociofamiliar e político da população idosa são fundamentais para melhorar o desempenho cognitivo, os índices de depressão e até mesmo o declínio funcional.

Mindfulness-Based Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Provoked Localized Vulvodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based group cognitive behavior therapy (M-gCBT) versus education support group therapy for the pain and distress associated with provoked localized vulvodynia. Participants were randomized to M-gCBT or education support group therapy. Mindfulness-based group cognitive behavior participants attended 8 weekly sessions. Education support group participants received 8 weeks of online education with 3 in-person group visits. Vaginal insertion pain (tampon test) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7, Beck's Depression Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale, Female Sexual Function Index, and Pain Catastrophizing) were administered before intervention and at the completion of the study period, 3 months, and 6 months. Sample size was based on the ideal number for group dynamics of 6 to 12 participants per group. Participants were enrolled from August 1, 2016, to January 30, 2017. Thirty-two participants were enrolled and 31 were randomized: 14 to M-gCBT and 17 to education support. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly. Vaginal insertion pain decreased in both groups but was not statistically different between groups (difference of 1.23; 95% CI = -0.52 to 2.98). At 6 months, participants in the M-gCBT group showed statistically significant improvement in the Female Sexual Function Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7, and Beck's Depression Index compared with the education support group. Mindfulness-based group cognitive behavior and education support group therapy are effective in reducing pain and distress. However, women in the M-gCBT program showed greater improvement in certain secondary outcomes, indicating that M-gCBT may offer some advantages in reducing distress associated with provoked localized vulvodynia.

Seeing Others Receive Support Online: Effects of Self-Disclosure and Similarity on Perceived Similarity and Health Behavior Intention

Participation in online support groups leads to improved health. While viewing others’ interactions is one of the major activities in online support groups and lurkers comprise the majority of online support group participants, the literature on how participants benefit from viewing others’ posts and comments is sparse. Building upon the Social Penetration Theory and the narrative persuasion process, this study focused on two key features of online support groups, self-disclosure and similarity. It tested their direct effects on viewers’ perceived similarity with the poster and indirect effects on viewers’ behavior intention through three mediators: perceived similarity, identification, and perceived support availability. A 2 (similarity vs. dissimilarity) by 3 (factual vs. cognitive vs. emotional self-disclosure) online experiment involving 280 overweight adult participants was conducted. Findings showed similarity of health status led to increased level of perceived similarity and moderated the effects of self-disclosure. Self-disclosure and similarity increased dieting intention through increasing perceived similarity, identification, and perceived support availability. This study provides experimental evidence suggesting viewers can benefit from online support groups through a narrative persuasion process.