Personal Coping Mechanisms Research Articles

Anxiety management strategies on TikTok: a discourse analysis of collective coping mechanisms

Background: This study investigates the discourse on anxiety management strategies within the TikTok platform, analyzing a substantial dataset of 45,639 comments collected over a year. Aims: The primary aim is to explore the various strategies users employ to manage anxiety, focusing on how these strategies are discussed and shared on TikTok. Methods: A mixed-method approach was utilized, combining Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) for topic modeling with qualitative analysis. This methodology allowed for the identification of nine distinct topics, which were further grouped into three main categories: Self-Empowerment and Coping Strategies, Community Support and Social Connectivity, and Recognizing and Navigating Triggers. Results: The analysis revealed a diverse range of strategies users employ to manage anxiety, spanning personal coping mechanisms, social support networks, and the recognition and mitigation of triggers. These findings underscore TikTok’s role as a dynamic space for sharing, exploring, and validating experiences related to anxiety management. Conclusions: TikTok offers unique opportunities for identity construction and community support amidst the challenges of anxiety. However, the study acknowledges limitations, such as potential biases in keyword-based data collection and the complexity of capturing multimodal discourse on the platform. The conclusion emphasizes the need for further refinement of digital mental health platforms, calling for sophisticated algorithmic solutions to enhance user support and content relevance.

가족이 경험하는 어려움에 대한 가족의 대처방법과 가족서비스 인식

This study delved into coping mechanisms individuals employ to navigate familial difficulties, their perspectives on the need for family support services from local communities and public institutions, and the factors hindering their utilization. The study surveyed a sample of 1,500 adults aged 20-69 years and residing in South Korea. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA were conducted using SPSS 26. The results indicated that individuals primarily relied on personal coping mechanisms when dealing with difficulties. Second, there was widespread recognition of the need for support in areas such as childcare and family care. Third, ‘lack of awareness of family services’ was identified as the primary obstacle to accessing such services. Understanding the demographics and needs of potential users could aid the development of promotional and programmatic strategies to enhance the accessibility of family services.

Exploring The State of Spousal Communication among Shift Workers: A Case Study of Health Sector Workers in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Purpose: The study investigated spousal communication among shift workers in the health sector in Cape Coast, Ghana. The research was aimed at examining the association between different shift-work schedule types and three spousal communication parameters: frequency, quality, and satisfaction.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: This study adopted a quantitative research approach and a cross-section survey design. A survey of 128 married shift workers across three urban health facilities participated in the study. The participants responded to the questionnaire instrument and the collected data was processed through the use of quantitative tools. The researcher utilized box plots as well as analyses of variance to discuss the relationships between communication parameters and shift schedules of participants.
 Findings: The researcher found that the frequency, quality, and pleasure of spousal communication might not be inherently impaired by shift work. The study also found no significant differences in schedule types between rotating and fixed shifts, nor did the direction of rotation impact quality. It is concluded that variables other than shift type may affect couples, including cultural influences, social support, and personal coping mechanisms.
 Research Limitation/Implications: The findings of this research are limited to the opinions of the participants, which means that the results may not be generalized to other contexts.
 Practical Implication: There is a need for hospitals to consider scheduling spouses outside the afternoon schedule since it has a significant effect on the frequency of spousal communication.
 Social Implication: The study encourages reexamining shift work's effects in different cultural contexts and suggests tailored interventions to support shift workers.
 Originality/Value: The study is based on the design and implementation of the researcher, and there is no evidence of publication of this work in any other journal by either the researcher or others. The work is an original piece and there is no other contributor aside from the researcher.

Examining Resilience and its Role in Positive Psychological Outcomes

The deep connection between resilience and favorable psychological outcomes, such as life satisfaction, pleasure, and general well-being, was examined in this study. The study used a quantitative technique to try to understand how resilience affects people's subjective well-being.
 The study's findings showed that participants generally demonstrated a high level of resilience. Resilience was linked to moderate to high levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and general wellbeing. These findings support the corpus of prior research emphasizing resilience's critical contribution to the development of favorable psychological outcomes.
 The standard deviations, which show the data's variety, highlighted how different each person's experiences are. Although resilience has gained recognition as a resource for fostering positive outcomes, its impacts have been influenced by a variety of variables, such as personal coping mechanisms, social support networks, and unique life situations.
 These findings have useful ramifications for initiatives designed to improve wellbeing. Interventions that increase resilience give people the tools they need to overcome challenges, encourage happy feelings, and eventually improve their general happiness, well-being, and sense of fulfillment in life. The study also emphasizes the significance of tailored strategies for improving well-being that take into account and cater to individual characteristics and requirements.
 But it's important to recognize the study's drawbacks, like the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-report metrics. To provide a greater knowledge of the dynamic interaction between resilience and beneficial psychological effects, future research initiatives might take into account longitudinal designs and qualitative methodologies.
 In summary, this work offers important new understandings about how resilience affects psychologically beneficial consequences. The importance of resilience in fostering life satisfaction, pleasure, and general well-being is emphasized, and the necessity of individualized ways to enhancing well-being is also emphasized. In the end, people can negotiate life's problems while also thriving and cultivating a life that is marked by contentment, happiness, and flourishing by understanding and growing resilience.

Subjective social status and well-being of adolescents and young adults in Ghanaian schools: conditional process analysis

BackgroundWith the growing concern and interest in the mental health and well-being of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) including those in schools, many studies have explored the bivariate relationship between subjective social status (SSS) and AYAs’ subjective well-being (SWB). Acknowledging the spurious nature of this relationship, we assessed the relationship between SSS and SWB of AYAs in schools within Northern Ghana, focusing on the conditional indirect effect of monetary resource (MR) and sense of coherence (SoC).MethodsWe utilised a cross-sectional descriptive design to survey 1096 senior high school students from two regions in Ghana’s Northern zone through a stratified sampling method. A questionnaire consisting of a number of calibrated standardized measures was used for the data collection. The data were processed using SPSS and PROCESS Macro and analysed using Hayes’ conditional process analysis.ResultsThe results revealed that students’ MR significantly moderated the relationships between SSS and SoC as well as SSS and SWB. A significant moderated mediation effect of MR and SoC on the relationship between SSS and SWB was found. Particularly, AYAs who reported higher levels of MRl, SSS and SoC reported a better SWB.ConclusionThe findings underscore the relevance of providing sufficient financial support for students in secondary schools in Ghana; thus, highlighting the sheer relevance of economic capital as a leading factor for better well-being. The findings also place much emphasis on building students’ personal coping mechanisms as a key variable in explaining how the students’ SSS and MR translate into having positive mental health outcomes.

ЕМОЦІЙНЕ ВИГОРАННЯ ВІЙСЬКОВОСЛУЖБОВЦІВ ЗБРОЙНИХ СИЛ УКРАЇНИ ЯК ВИКЛИК ДО ПРОБЛЕМ ПСИХІЧНОГО ЗДОРОВ'Я В УМОВАХ ВІЙНИ

The article is devoted to the problems of emotional burnout and excessive professional stress of the Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel in special conditions. Various concepts of emotional burnout are considered. The role and place of excessive professional stress (distress) as a predictor of the development of emotional burnout and other persistent negative manifestations are reflected. The results of a psychological study of military law enforcement officers performing duties in the area of the Joint Forces operation for signs of emotional burnout were analyzed. The general features of the course of phases and symptoms of emotional burnout in servicemen of the permanent staff of the area of the Joint Forces operation (according to the method of diagnosing the level of professional burnout, developed by V. Boyko) are determined. It is noted that the severity and phenomenology of occupational stress is individual in nature, depending on the characteristics of emotional, volitional and personal spheres, individual experience, stress and personal coping mechanisms, and working conditions. The factors of development of emotional burnout in military law enforcement officers during service in special conditions at the present stage are analyzed. Factors of professional activity associated with excessive stress contribute to the development of emotional burnout and is one of the factors in the turnover of professional staff from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The way to prevent the development of emotional burnout in the early stages can be comprehensive prevention, which will include optimization of external conditions and control of the regime, self-regulation of mental and physical activity, positive interaction in the team. Also, the prospects of further research raised the issue of restoring the mental and physical health of the serviceman's personality after prolonged exposure to traumatic factors and burnout. At the moment, one of the ways out in the deep stages of this process is to change the profession, but this can contradict the vital meanings of the individual and as a result cause a deep personal crisis. When dismissing servicemen, it is advisable to consider more carefully the reasons for dismissal, use other opportunities to retain a specialist in the professional activity by choosing the strategy of career building and redistribution of functions that suit them.

Toward Useful Interventions for Burnout in Academic Medical Faculty: The Case for Unit-Specific Approaches

Despite a plethora of research on the topic of physician burnout, drivers and interventions are poorly understood. This study aimed to create a holistic picture of burnout drivers in academic medical faculty within a single department of a large, research university to better inform organization-sponsored interventions. The author used interpretive phenomenological analysis and the Job Demands-Resources model in this qualitative study. Full-time academic medical faculty completed two semistructured interviews approximately 6 months apart. Transcripts were coded using deductive and inductive coding. Twenty-two faculty members participated in both interviews. Factors affecting burnout depended on individual and unit-level context, but interpersonal factors such as relationships with colleagues and interaction with learners created meaning for faculty or drove intention to leave the university. All participants reported personal coping mechanisms, and none participated in organization-sponsored, individual-level interventions. In striving for meaningful burnout interventions, organizations should promote interpersonal factors (relationships with colleagues and meaningful interaction with learners) and provide protected time for faculty for their own personal coping. Research has suggested moving toward a universal burnout driver and intervention plan, but these data point toward the need for unit-specific study and interventions.

'It gives you the skills of how you can cope': Exploring the self-reported experience of patients receiving in-centre haemodialysis on participating in chosen art activities.

BackgroundIncreasing numbers of patients are receiving dialysis, particularly in high‐income countries. Patients receiving haemodialysis often experience fatigue, anxiety, depression and boredom. It is suggested that arts activities could have a therapeutic effect.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore patients' perspectives of participating while on dialysis in chosen arts and creative living activities provided by tutors at the bedside.DesignQualitative semi‐structured interviews in the interpretive tradition were conducted, with thematic analysis.Setting and ParticipantsFifteen patients of different ages, genders and ethnicities who participated in an arts activity while receiving haemodialysis in an inner‐city dialysis unit in England were included in this study.ResultsParticipants reported positive experiences of engaging in art activities. Their views on the value of the activities were grouped into five themes: diversion from receiving haemodialysis, a sense of achievement, contribution to a more positive self‐identity, increased confidence and motivation and a therapeutic talking relationship. Participants suggested that patient peer promotion of the activities could increase uptake, with patient choice of activity seen as important.ConclusionsParticipation in a chosen arts activity while receiving haemodialysis was perceived by patients to have positive psychosocial effects. We theorize three potential explanatory mechanisms for these effects: That the experience of participating in the activities engendered positive psychological states of ‘being in the flow’; enhanced self‐esteem to add to personal coping mechanisms; and offered additional facets to the patient's identity that countered the stigmatizing effect of receiving dialysis.Patient or Public ContributionPatients and public representatives advised on the design, research methods and tools.

The Influence of Psychological Stress on HPV Infection Manifestations and Carcinogenesis

Psychological stress is an important factor involved in disease manifestations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and it can participate in HPV-associated carcinogenesis. The impact or effect which stress can have (exert) depends on a person's genetic pool, experiences and behaviors. Due to inconsistencies in some study results, this issue remains a subject of research. Concerning the course of HPV manifestations, it has been observed that a higher number of life stressors in at least the previous 6 months, the absence of social support and the types of personal coping mechanisms employed, all influence HPV progression. In women with cervical dysplasia, a connection between greater stress experiences and dysregulation of specific immune responses has been observed. Once HPV enters a cell via the α6 integrin there are three possible sequences: latent infection, subclinical infection, and clinically manifest disease. HPV proliferation in differentiated epithelial cells induces morphologically cytopathic changes (koilocytosis, epidermal thickening, hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis). Oncogenic transformation requires the integration of the virus genome into the host genome. In doing so, DNA in the E1 region of E2 breaks down, leading to transcription disorders of E6 and E7. For the formation of irreversible malignancy, the following sequence is necessary: initial expression of E6 and E7 genes followed by suppression of apoptosis and the stabile expression of E6 and E7 proteins that protect transformed cells from apoptosis. A successful immune response is characterized by a strong, local cell-mediated immune response. Several factors are important for the regression of HPV manifestation/infection, among which is psychological stress which can prolong the duration and severity of HPV disease. Stress hormones may reactivate latent tumor viruses, stimulate viral oncogene expression, and inhibit antiviral host responses. In the regression of HPV infection, increased activity of Th1 cells was observed. However, during psychosocial stress, a decrease in the Th1 type of immune response is seen, and there is a shift towards a Th2 response. Understanding perceived stress and biological changes in stress, as well as the evaluation of immune parameters, gives researchers a better picture of how stress influences HPV infections and how to improve disease management and outcomes.

COVID-19 and Its Psychological Impacts on Healthcare Staff - A Multi-Centric Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundSince the first case of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in Pakistan was reported in February 2020, the medical and paramedical staff has been working on the frontlines to deal with this disease. They have been facing significant strain and stress due to the pandemic, affecting their social, mental, and personal life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, etiology, personal coping mechanisms, and the strategies that are being adopted to reduce stress by the healthcare workers (HCWs) working in COVID-19 dedicated wards (group 2) and compare it with staff working in other departments but not in COVID-19 wards amid this pandemic (group 1) in various hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan.MethodsThe comparative cross-sectional study was designed which included doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals from various hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. A questionnaire was designed which consisted of five sections, and 51 questions. A Chi-square test was used to compare the responses between these two groups.ResultsThe study questionnaire was submitted by 200 participants, 100 responses for each group (see the Appendix). In group 1, HCWs not working in COVID-19 dedicated floors were afraid of getting infected, transmitting the infection to their families and concerned about using personal protective equipment (PPE) improperly. They reported a lack of concentration and tense muscles. The coping mechanisms of this group were exercise, strict precautions at work, and social distancing measures. While HCWs serving in COVID-19 dedicated wards were concerned and afraid of putting their families at risk by working in the high-risk environment; the major stresses in this group were: lack of knowledge about proper strategies for treatment, they faced insecurity due to physical and verbal violence by caretakers of COVID-19 patients, and lack of concentration. The coping mechanism was the support of their families and taking strict precautions, with self-isolation if required, to avoid any disease transmission to their families. The proposed strategies to be implemented included teaching skills for self-rescue as well as the implementation of policies at the administrative level to reduce working hours and frequent shift rotation.ConclusionThe COVID-19 outbreak posed a great deal of mental stress among HCWs working on the COVID-19 floor as well as those serving in other departments of the hospital. The HCWs from group 1 were most afraid of getting infected and putting family members at risk, experienced tense muscles and lack of concentration, coped their stress by exercise and being more vigilant, and suggested the strategies of teaching skills for self-rescue and better community awareness. While the staff from the second group were most afraid of being the source of infection and violence from the caretakers of patients, experienced tense muscles, used family support, and strict isolation measures as coping mechanisms and suggested the strategies of self-rescue and increase in wages of directly exposed healthcare workers to deal with such pandemics in future in a better way.

10. CREATING A HOLISTIC MODEL OF BURNOUT DRIVERS AND MOVING TOWARD USEFUL INTERVENTIONS IN PEDIATRIC ACADEMIC MEDICAL FACULTY

Background Burnout drivers and interventions are poorly understood despite numerous studies addressing the topic. Burnout rates are steady or increasing in physicians although many organizations have implemented wellness interventions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to create a holistic picture of burnout drivers in academic medical faculty in a single department of a large, research university. Methods This qualitative interview study used Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and the Job Demands-Resources Model. Full-time faculty members completed two semi-structured interviews. Topics discussed included: job roles, stressors, resources, attitudes, organizational characteristics, and asked faculty to define burnout and describe their own levels of burnout. Interviews were transcribed and coded using deductive and inductive coding. A transferrable model of drivers was created. Results Twenty-two faculty were interviewed. Eight participants (36%) self-reported burnout; 9 (41%) denied burnout. Burnout was reported in multiple specialties, experience levels, and demographics. The most common theme was job demands, but stressors were unit- or context-specific, not universal. Faculty discussed interpersonal factors as meaningful aspects of their jobs. Faculty did not participate in organization-sponsored interventions due to a lack of time or interest but discussed their own personal coping mechanisms. Recognition salient in determining self-reported level of burnout. Conclusions Organizations should focus resources on interpersonal factors rather than individual interventions. Recognition scholars recommend promoting social and political recognition, which has been shown to increase feelings of personal accomplishment, an established dimension of burnout. Organizations should use caution using the term burnout to mask more serious mental health conditions. Scholars note no difference in symptoms between stress, burnout, and depression and add that burnout has been used as a catch-all. Recommendations were made to department leadership in four action areas.

Assessing and addressing practitioner burnout: Results from an advanced practice registered nurse health and well-being study.

Numerous nursing and physician studies have reported the effects of workload, environment, and life circumstances contributing to burnout. Effects may include job dissatisfaction, poor quality of life, and associated negative patient outcomes. Although assessing clinician burnout to determine effective interventions has become a topic of great importance, there are minimal studies specific to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This single-center study was conducted to assess the prevalence and impact of APRN burnout and to recommend targeted interventions toward improvement of overall health and well-being. A cross-sectional, mixed methods design was used. The voluntary, anonymous survey examined perceptions of wellness, inclusion, social support, personal coping mechanisms, and status of burnout. The 78-question survey was sent to 1,014 APRNs (94%) and PAs (6%), with a 43.6% response rate (n = 433); 76.4% were nurse practitioners. Participants were identified as currently experiencing burnout, formerly burned out, or never having experienced burnout. Profiles were developed, and similarities and differences between each group were compared. Of 433 respondents, 40.4% (n = 175) reported having never experienced burnout, 33.3% (n = 144) reported they had formerly experienced burnout, and 26.3% (n = 114) reported they were currently experiencing burnout. The results of the study identified that some APRNs report experiencing burnout at different times in their careers. Recommendations by participants to mitigate burnout included self-care, organizational promotion of health and well-being, career development, and leadership support. This study is one of the first to report on burnout among APRNs and potential interventions to build resilience; however, additional research is warranted.

Burnout Among Forensic Interviewers, How They Cope, and What Agencies Can Do to Help.

The current study used quantitative and qualitative responses from 250 forensic interviewers (FIs) in the United States to examine predictors of burnout and personal coping mechanisms. Findings indicated that burnout was primarily driven by work-related factors including frequently feeling overwhelmed with job-related duties, inadequate organizational support, and direct exposure to graphic materials involving children. Moreover, having a higher degree of compassion satisfaction and being non-White significantly mitigated symptoms of burnout. Qualitative findings indicated that FIs regularly experienced varied and personalized feelings of burnout and utilized a variety of coping methods to combat their stressors. FIs in this study also made individual suggestions regarding how their respective agencies can assist in the coping process. Policy implications are discussed.

Social Studies Teacher–Athletic Coaches' Experiences Coping with Role Conflict R2

The current study provides insight into the experiences of the most common content area teacher–coaches: social studies teacher–coaches. Substantial research findings support the idea that occupying the dual role of teacher–coach may lead to role conflict, role overload, and burnout in teacher–coaches. The purpose of the study is to illuminate the unique stressors associated with occupying the dual role of social studies teacher and athletic coach (SSTC) simultaneously, and to discover ways in which SSTCs manage such conflict. Through a case study of three football SSTCs in the southeastern United States, we explored participants’ experiences with role conflict, role overload, and burnout and investigated coping strategies utilized to manage stress. We conducted a series of interviews with the three SSTCs and administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Educators' Survey. Results indicate that participants experienced high levels of role conflict and overload; however, through a strong commitment to both roles, community support, and personal coping mechanisms, SSTCs were able to avoid burnout.

“It’s not really worth my while”: understanding contextual factors contributing to decisions to participate in community aphasia groups

Purpose: Community aphasia groups represent a formalised opportunity for social participation. The potential barriers and facilitators to accessing and maintaining group participation remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore environmental and personal factors contributing to community aphasia group participation.Methods: A framework analysis (FA) was used to analyse the semi-structured interview data from 22 current and past members of community aphasia groups.Results: People with aphasia weigh up the benefits of group participation in the context of a range of personal and environmental factors. These include personal coping mechanisms, perceptions of existing social support as well as the practicalities of accessing the group.Conclusions: Understanding factors that contribute to participation experiences is critical to ensure that, people with aphasia are well supported to access and engage in community aphasia groups. This study found that people may be more able to participate when they are accepting of the chronic nature of the aphasia, when they identify tangible benefits to participation, and when they have easy access to the group. This suggests a role for speech pathologists to recognise critical periods of need and support people with aphasia and their significant others to access and engage in group services.Implications for RehabilitationCritical stages exist when people with aphasia may feel more ready and able to participate in community aphasia groups.These critical stages include an acceptance of the chronic nature of aphasia, as well as a desire to make positive change.There is a need for clinicians to minimise barriers to participation early in the therapeutic relationship.Proliferation of community aphasia groups will function to alleviate environmental barriers associated with poor public awareness of groups and group accessibility.

Exposing Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Syndrome in a Trauma Team: A Qualitative Study.

Compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout syndrome (BOS) are identified in trauma, emergency, and critical care nursing practices. The purpose of this qualitative study was to measure CF and BOS in a trauma team and allow them to share perceptions of related stress triggers and coping strategies. Surveys to measure CF and BOS and a focus group allowed a trauma team (12 practitioners) to share perceptions of related stress triggers and coping strategies. More than half scored at risk for CF and BOS. Stress triggers were described as situation (abuse, age of patient) versus injury-related. Personal coping mechanisms were most often reported. Both CF and BOS can be assessed with a simple survey tool. Strategies for developing a program culturally sensitive to CF and BOS are provided.

Pioneers across war zones: The lived acculturation experiences of US female military expatriates

This exploratory study focuses on the lived acculturation experiences of United States (US) female career military expatriates who worked and lived in combat settings across five war zones. Based on an analysis of oral histories that spanned over 60 years, the research revealed that these pioneering women had a strong commitment to their profession, and that this, along with camaraderie, facilitated their adaptation to living conditions characterized by extreme danger, nominal domestic comforts, and unrelenting work requirements in culturally unfamiliar contexts. The research identified the multiple physical and psychological stressors of living and working as a female in a war zone and the variety of coping strategies employed for acculturation, particularly the prominent role of relational support from family and friends, and a combination of personal coping mechanisms (such as crying or compartmentalization) and religious faith. As extant expatriate research has overwhelmingly focused on male executives in multinational corporations, this research is significant in extending the literature to an analysis of the public sector, specifically women deployed overseas in highly dangerous settings and who were pioneering in both their roles in the military and as non-traditional expatriates at a time when few women worked internationally.

SUICIDAL PATIENTS

Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in adults and the second leading cause of death in the 15- to 24-year-old age group. Suicidal impulses and suicidal behavior result from emotionally unbearable feeling of mental suffering and cognitive narrowing that prevent resolution to experienced stress, that is, in a situation when personal coping mechanisms have failed. Suicide attempts are a frequent cause of hospital admissions, in particular to anesthesiology and resuscitation departments. Women attempt suicide three times more often than men. Four times more men than women complete suicide. More than 90% of people who complete suicide are diagnosed with severe mental illness and 50% suffer from depression at the time of suicide. Physicians should be aware of possible suicidal behavior in any patient with mental illness, especially if accompanied by depressive symptoms. The physician should approach the topic of suicide carefully and discreetly, only after a therapeutic relationship with the patient has been established. Patient protection, usually in the setting of a closed psychiatric ward, is necessary if he or she has a clear plan and means to commit suicide. After the patient's safety is secured, treatment may be initiated. If the patient is treated on an outpatient basis, his/her condition must be carefully monitored.

Fears and beliefs of patients regarding cardiac catheterization

The fears and beliefs patients hold about invasive medical interventions may affect their perceptions about risk and subsequent decisions to undergo those procedures. Little is known about fears and beliefs in patients undergoing invasive cardiac procedures and their relationship to perceptions of risks. Using a grounded theory approach, 10 men and 10 women referred for their first cardiac catheterization (CATH) from referral centers in Ontario, Canada were interviewed to identify fears and beliefs related to the procedure. Overall, women expressed more fears than men. Fears for both groups arose from: (1) lack of control about (i) physical aspects and (ii) psychosocial aspects of the CATH; (2) an unknown future; and (3) possible medical complications. Beliefs related to health personnel involved in the CATH, the technology used during the CATH and personal coping mechanisms. Men were more inclined to believe in technology, which overrode concerns about the procedure. Participants viewed CATH as a routine and necessary step in determining their future. Patients imputed previously held fears and beliefs and formulated new ones regarding the CATH during the process of anticipating the procedure. They viewed themselves as passive participants and not as actively consenting to the CATH. This paper offers previously undocumented insights from patients regarding CATH and provides the basis for developing future investigations.

Single-session early psychological interventions following traumatic events

Single-session early psychological interventions became widely advocated during the 1980s and 1990s as a way to prevent the development of psychological sequalae following traumatic events. There have now been 13 randomised controlled trials of single-session interventions within 1 month of a traumatic event. Notwithstanding their methodological shortcomings and clinical heterogeneity, the results are neutral overall in terms of clinical effectiveness. Possible explanations include a failure to encourage individuals' personal coping mechanisms and defence mechanisms and that insufficient time was allowed for habituation to intense exposure to occur. With the present evidence, the routine use of single-session interventions following traumatic events cannot be justified. This does not mean that there should be nothing offered, as many individuals involved in traumatic events clearly have emotional needs. Hopefully, future research will identify alternative forms of early intervention that prove useful to those individuals who would otherwise develop more significant psychological difficulties.