Quality Of Life In Physical Domains Research Articles

Association of categorical diagnoses and psychopathologies with quality of life in patients with depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveMajor depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and somatic symptom disorder (SSD) are associated with quality of life (QoL) reduction. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between these conditions as categorical diagnoses and related psychopathologies with QoL, recognizing their frequent overlap. MethodsWe recruited a total of 403 clinical patients and healthy individuals, administering diagnostic interviews based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. QoL and psychopathologies were assessed using the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and several self-administered questionnaires, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses examined the associations between psychiatric diagnoses, psychopathologies, and QoL. ResultsSSD and MDD were independently associated with impaired global (β = −0.318 and − 0.287) and all QoL domains (β = −0.307, −0.150, −0.125, and − 0.133, in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains respectively for SSD; β = −0.278, −0.344, −0.275, and − 0.268 for MDD). The Beck Depression Inventory-II score showed pervasive associations with QoL (β = −0.390, −0.408, −0.685, −0.463, and − 0.420, in global, physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains). The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and Health Anxiety Questionnaire scores were associated with global (β = −0.168 and − 0.181) and physical (β = −0.293 and − 0.121) QoL domain, while the Cognitions About Body and Health Questionnaire score was only associated with environmental QoL domain (β = −0.157). ConclusionSSD and MDD were independently associated with QoL impairment. Depressive symptoms were associated with all QoL domains, whereas somatic symptom burden and health anxiety primarily affected the physical QoL domain. Clinicians should consider concomitant psychopathologies when managing patients with depression, anxiety, or somatic symptoms.

Measuring the effects of nurse-led frailty intervention on community-dwelling older people in Ethiopia: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundDespite the critical need, interventions aimed at frailty in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce, attributed to factors such as insufficient healthcare infrastructure, the pressing need to address infectious diseases, maternal and child health issues, and a general lack of awareness. Hence, the aim of this research was to develop, implement, and evaluate the effect of a nurse-led program on frailty and associated health outcomes in community-dwelling older individuals in Ethiopia.MethodsThis study utilised a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up single-group quasi-experimental design. The main outcome measure was to determine changes in the frailty levels of older individuals living in communities at three different intervals: initially (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 12 weeks following the intervention (T2). Secondary outcomes were the observed changes in daily living activities, nutritional status, depression levels, and quality of life (QOL), evaluated at each of these data collection points. To analyse changes in frailty and response variables over these periods, Friedman’s ANOVA and Cochran’s Q test were employed, setting the threshold for statistical significance at P < 0.05.ResultsSixty-six older people with a high adherence rate of 97% completed the intervention and the follow-up measurements. Participants had an average age of 66.7 ± 7.9 years, with females comprising 79.4% of the group. Notably, 12 weeks post-intervention, there was a marked decrease in frailty (χ2(2) = 101.05, p < 0.001) and depression scores (χ2(2) = 9.55, p = 0.008) compared to the baseline. However, the changes in depression, physical, mental, and environmental domains of QOL were not sustained for 12 weeks post-intervention. Study participants showed an improvement in nutritional status (χ2(2) = 25.68, p < 0.001), activity of daily living (χ2(2) = 6.00, p = 0.05), and global quality of life (χ2(2) = 20.64, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe nurse-led intervention notably, 12 weeks post-intervention reduced frailty and depression. The intervention improved the nutritional status and some components of the quality of life of the participants. There is a need for further studies, especially with larger participant groups and stronger research designs such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05754398 (03/03/2023).

The influence of nutritional status and associated factors on the quality of life among COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundCOVID-19 adversely affects the nutritional characteristics of patients which may negatively impact their quality of life (QOL). The current study determined the association between the nutritional status of COVID-19 patients, its impact on their QOL, and the factors that affected patients' QOL. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Al Madinah Al Munawarah in Saudi Arabia. Patients confirmed with COVID-19 infection by a nucleic acid-positive test and identified as acute severe or acute non-severely ill were enrolled. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHO-BREF QOL) was used to assess the patients' QOL, and nutritional status was assessed using the Malnutrition Screening Tool. Demographic characteristics, food intake, and body mass index (BMI) were also assessed. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 28. Results515 patients were enrolled, with 391 (76%) having acute non-severe symptoms. Patients (15%) were malnourished and suffered from loss of appetite (32%), low food intake (19.4%) and weight loss (16%). Most patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their health (80.2%), and 76.2% rated their QOL as good or very good. Loss of appetite negatively impacted the physical (p = 0.004, 95% CI 0.086, 0.458) and psychological (p = 0.021, 95% CI 0.034, 0.405) QOL domains. Also, decreased food intake affected patients' physical (p = 0.034, 95% CI 0.018, 0.458) QOL domain. Greater weight loss influenced the psychological (p = 0.005.95% CI 0.002, 0.049) QOL domain. ConclusionsPoor nutritional status among COVID-19 patients was associated with adverse health outcomes and impaired QOL. Nutritional interventions should focus on patients with poor nutritional status or nutrition-related parameters such as weight loss, and loss of appetite which will help improve their QOL.

Social determinants of health rather than race impact health-related quality of life in 10-year-old children born extremely preterm.

Reducing healthcare disparities among children is extremely important given the potential impact of these disparities on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQL). Race and parental socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with child HRQL, but these associations have not been studied in infants born extremely preterm (EP), a population at increased risk for physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments. Achieving health equity for infants born EP across their life course requires identifying the impact of racism and SES on HRQL. We aimed to evaluate the association between self-reported maternal race, SES factors, and HRQL among 10-year-old children born EP. Participants were identified from an ongoing multicenter prospective longitudinal study of Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN Study), born between 2002 and 2004, and evaluated at 10 years of age using the Pediatric quality of life (QoL) Inventory completed by their parent or guardian, assessing physical, emotional, social, school, and total (composite) QoL domains. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between QoL scores and self-identified maternal race, adjusting for SES factors (education level, marital status, and public insurance). Of 1,198 study participants who were alive at 10 years of age, 863 (72.0%) were evaluated at 10 years of age. Differences in mean 10-year QoL scores across racial groups were observed and were significant on univariate analysis. However, these associations attenuated when adjusted for the marital status, public insurance status, and education status of mothers. A comparison of children with English as the primary language spoken at home vs. any other language revealed a significant difference only in school QoL, in which non-English language was associated with more favorable school QoL scores. Among 10-year-old children born EP, differences in parent-reported QoL were associated with maternal SES factors but not with race. Our results suggest that interventions designed to improve the SES of mothers may enhance the QoL of children born EP. Furthermore, these results underscore that race is a social construct, rather than a biological variable, as we work toward greater equity in care provision.

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Anxiety (but not Alexithymia) Mediate the Association Between Autistic Traits and Quality of Life.

Previous research has indicated that autistic individuals report lower quality of life (QoL) than non-autistic people. It is unclear whether it is the autism traits themselves or co-occurring thinking styles or mental health difficulties that most impair QoL. This study tested a hypothesised model to explore how 'intolerance of uncertainty' (IU), alexithymia (difficulty in identifying and describing own emotions), and anxiety play into the association between autistic traits and QoL. Online survey data were analysed from 116 autistic and 51 non-autistic adults who completed six standardised questionnaires measuring autistic traits, alexithymia, IU, anxiety and QoL (physical health, psychological health, social relations, and environment domains). The autistic group reported higher scores for alexithymia, IU and anxiety, and lower scores for QoL across domains, compared to the non-autistic group. Across the entire sample, autistic traits, alexithymia, IU and anxiety were positively correlated with one another, and negatively related to the four domains of QoL. Finally, IU and anxiety partially serially mediated the pathways from autistic traits to physical health and environment domains of QoL, and fully mediated the pathways from autistic traits to psychological health and social relations domains of QoL, across the full sample. The lower QoL experienced by autistic people may be explained in part by the mediating effect of both IU and anxiety (but not alexithymia). This study highlights the need for evidence-based interventions to address both IU and anxiety to improve QoL for autistic people/those with high levels of autistic traits.

Quality of Life in Alcohol Use Disorder: Exploration of Predictive Factors in a Cross-Sectional Study

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic and relapsing biopsychosocial condition that leads to various medical, psychological, social, economic, and personal issues. This study evaluated how sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables, impulsivity dimensions, and cognitive functions were associated with quality of life (QoL) among patients seeking treatment for AUD. Furthermore, the study investigated the predictors of QoL among patients seeking treatment for AUD based on attention, cognitive instability, motor impulsiveness, perseverance, and self-control dimensions of trait impulsivity. This study also investigated the potential mediating effect of anxiety and alcohol use severity in this relationship. After an initial assessment, the participants underwent comprehensive evaluations, including sociodemographic data, clinical history, and QoL domains. The evaluations also covered AUD severity, impulsivity dimensions, cognitive functions, craving intensity, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy. Multiple linear regression analyses were employed to identify associations between independent variables and QoL. The attention dimension of impulsivity and anxiety symptoms significantly predicted physical health domain of QoL. The self-control dimension and severity of alcohol use disorder predicted psychological domain of QoL. The indirect effect of attention dimension on physical health was significant [effect = −1.082, 95% CI (−2.008, −0.3598)]. The significance of impulsivity in influencing QoL for individuals with AUD has profound clinical implications. These findings underscore the importance of addressing anxiety and impulsivity in managing AUD, given their considerable impact, particularly on QoL, ultimately shaping treatment outcomes.

Psychosocial predictors of quality of life among women living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study in a VCT centre in Shiraz, Iran.

We aimed to assess psychosocial predictors of quality of life (QOL) among women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHIV). QOL has been considered as an important indicator in evaluating the outcome of psychological and physical healthcare in people living with HIV (PLHIV). This cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2021 to April 2022 at the Voluntary, Counselling, and Testing (VCT) center in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 452 WLHIV were included in this study. Socio-demographic and clinical data, social support (MSPSS questionnaire), food insecurity (HFIAS questionnaire), resilience (CD-RISC questionnaire), mental health status (DASS questionnaire), and QOL (WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire) were collected through direct interviews and patients' files at Shiraz VCT. Physical and social relationships domains of QOL had the highest (60.48 ± 18.00) and lowest (36.76 ± 23.88) scores, respectively. Higher clinical stage, psychotropic substances use, having a husband infected with HIV, history of hypertension, and higher socioeconomic status had a significant relationship with some domains of QOL. The score of social support, food insecurity, resilience, and mental health status had a significant relationship with all domains of QOL. Social relationships domain of QOL had the lowest scores in WLHIV. Also, the mental health status of WLHIV was more related to their QOL than the physical status related to HIV/AIDS. Interventions such as improving the mental health care and resilience skills of WLHIV, including their social network in counseling services to promote their social support, could help them to improve their QOL.

EFFECTS OF ENGAGEMENT IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BY INFORMAL CAREGIVERS ON THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract Informal caregivers are more likely to have poorer health and wellbeing than non-caregivers. Studies have shown the health benefits of engagement in physical activity (PA) among caregivers. However, little is known about whether and how caregiver engagement in PA promotes or protects caregiver wellbeing. We examined (1) the association of caregiver engagement in PA with caregiver quality of life (QoL) and (2) the moderating effect of caregiver engagement in PA on the relationship between caregiving stressors and QoL. We used data on 278 care-recipient/caregiver dyads from the baseline interview of a longitudinal study of caregivers of older adults in Singapore. Multivariable regression first examined whether caregiver engagement in PA (assessed by number of days in a week with at least 30 minutes of PA, self-reported) was associated with physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains of QoL. Subsequently, interaction terms between caregiving stressors (care-recipient physical, memory, behavioral, and mood impairments) and caregiver engagement in PA were introduced and tested. We found that caregiver engagement in PA had a positive association with psychological, social, and environmental domains of QoL. Furthermore, caregiver engagement in PA mitigated the negative association between care-recipient mood impairment and caregiver QoL in the physical and social domains. Our findings suggest that QoL of informal caregivers of older adults may be improved or protected by their regular engagement in PA, especially if their care-recipients have mood impairments. Providers serving caregivers should encourage caregivers to engage in PA and equip them with the necessary support to do so.

Comprehensive relationship between disease activity indices, mTSS, and mHAQ and physical function evaluation and QOL in females with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes significant physical disability. We comprehensively investigated the relationship between RA disease activity (Disease Activity Score 28-C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP], Simplified Disease Activity Index [SDAI], and Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI]), physical function (10-Meter Walk Test [10 MWT], Timed Up and Go test [TUG], Functional Reach Test [FRT], and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [DASH]), and quality of life (QOL) (Short-Form 36 [SF-36®]). We also investigated the relationship between van der Heijde’s modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS), modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ), and physical function and QOL assessments. Among 35 female patients with RA, DAS28-CRP correlated solely with DASH (r = 0.376), while SDAI and CDAI did not correlate with physical function. The mTSS-hand roentgenographic evaluation correlated with TUG (r = 0.359), FRT (r = − 0.415), and DASH (r = 0.533) among physical function assessments. The mHAQ correlated with 10 MWT (r = 0.347), TUG (r = 0.356), FRT (r = − 0.420), and DASH (r = 0.646). DAS28-CRP correlated with six of the eight subscales of SF-36®, and mTSS and mHAQ correlated with only one subscale. RA disease activity assessments may not reflect all physical functions and QOL domains of female patients with RA. Evaluating physical function and QOL in female patients with RA is essential.

Quality of life and associated factors of heroin-dependent patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine maintenance treatment.

Although studies in Western countries have investigated the quality of life (QoL) of heroin users, limited research on this topic has been conducted in Asia. The present study assessed QoL in patients with heroin dependence receiving medications to treat opioid use disorder. We performed a cross-sectional study of patients with heroin dependence receiving methadone and buprenorphine treatment. The demographic and substance use variables of patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine were compared. The Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ-12), Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Short Form Taiwan version (WHOQOL-BREF-T) were administered to measure patient mental health problems, addiction severity, and QoL, respectively. Multivariate regression was used to identify the factors associated with QoL. A total of 149 patients receiving methadone and 31 receiving buprenorphine completed the questionnaires. Individuals in the buprenorphine group were more likely to be married (p = 0.024) or employed (p = 0.024), have a higher educational level (p = 0.013), have lower drug craving (OCDUS: p = 0.035), or have higher QoL (WHOQOL-BREF-T: p = 0.004) than those in the methadone group. After adjustment for other variables, employment was positively associated with the physical, psychological, and environmental domains of QoL. Receiving buprenorphine treatment (p = 0.032) and longer treatment duration (p = 0.016) were associated with higher psychological QoL. Several factors were associated with QoL in patients with heroin dependence. Some measures may improve their QoL, such as reducing employment barriers, improving treatment adherence, or increasing accessibility to buprenorphine treatment.

Evaluating the Aspects of Quality of Life in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review Based on the WHOQOL Questionnaire.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) has become a significant public health concern and it profoundly impacts an individual's quality of life (QOL). This systematic review aimed to assess the QOL among patients with SUD, and to understand the differential impact of SUD on physical, mental, social, and environmental QOL domains, considering a variety of substances and identifying key factors that influence these outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus in January 2023, covering literature published until December 2022. The QOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) instrument and the brief version of the WHOQOL, identifying the same four domains of QOL (physical, mental, social, and environmental). A total of 19 studies were selected for inclusion in the systematic review, based on individuals' polysubstance use, and excluding those using only nicotine or alcohol. The analysis included 6079 patients, with only 40.3% women, and a mean age of 36.6 years. The substances most commonly involved in SUD were cocaine (47.1%), alcohol (46.3%), and amphetamine (43.6%), considering most individuals being polysubstance users. The highest variability in QOL scores was observed in the physical domain. Mental disorders were reported in 68.3% of the patients, while long-term use of drugs, criminal history, unemployment, and low levels of education were identified as significant predictors for lower QOL by some of the studies. Similarly, sleep problems and teeth decay were also identified as significant worsening factors for QOL. This systematic review highlights that the WHOQOL survey is widely accepted and applicable for individuals with SUD worldwide. The results suggest a substantial negative impact of SUD on the QOL of affected individuals. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive interventions to address the physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions of QOL among individuals with SUD.

Quality of life among adolescents with substance use disorders

Background: Adolescents are vulnerable to substance use, which profoundly affects their function, feelings and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains of QoL among adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from October 2020 to September 2021 among 44 adolescents selected purposively from Central Drug Addiction Treatment Center (CDC), Dhaka and Ashokti Punorbashon Nibash (APON), Manikganj. Clinical diagnosis was assigned using The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) by psychiatrists. Then, they were interviewed with a questionnaire and a Bengali Version of the World Health Organization quality of life scale brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: Among the 44 adolescents with SUD, 18 (40.9%) rated their QoL as poor, 14 (31.8%) as very poor, 8 (18.2%) as neither poor nor good, and only 4 (9.1%) as good. Nearly half of them (47.7%) reported that they were dissatisfied, one third (29.5%) were very dissatisfied with their health. Among the four domains, the psychological domain (9.8±2.3) had the lowest mean score, followed by physical health (10.5±2.7), social relationships (10.6±2.6), and environmental domain (11.5±2.2) of the WHOQOL-BREF. Multiple drug users had poorer scores of their QoL than single drug user. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that all domains of QoL (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) are impaired in adolescents with SUDs.

Insomnia among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in the United Arab Emirates and its Association to Work Productivity and Quality of Life

Background: A healthy workforce is essential for sustainable healthcare systems, disease control, and the provision of quality and safe healthcare services. Insomnia is a common problem among critical care nurses attributed to the hard nature of their work, long and irregular shifts, high levels of stress and tension, and exposure to traumatic situations associated with critical care environments. These issues compromise their professional and personal lives, have financial consequences for health organizations, and may reduce the quality of care provided to patients. Aim: To assess the prevalence of insomnia among ICU nurses and determine its impact on their Quality of Life (QoL) and work productivity. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 430 ICU nurses working in three major governmental hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. Nurses were selected via convenient sampling. Data collected included nurses’ demographic characteristics, insomnia levels using the Athens Insomnia Scale, work productivity using the workability index, and QoL using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief questionnaire Results: Approximately 237 (55%) of participants reported moderate to severe levels of insomnia, and 195 (45.3%) had moderate productivity levels. However, the majority of participants reported low QoL levels in physical, psychological, social, and environmental QoL domains (61.4%, 60.2%, 47.2%, and 70.5%), respectively. Bivariate correlations demonstrated a significant negative relationship; correlation coefficient of -0.517, between participants' insomnia levels and work productivity levels. Additionally, significant negative relationships were found between insomnia levels and the QoL domains, with correlation coefficients of -0.629, -0.568, -0.469, and -0.485, respectively. Conclusion: This study found that insomnia has a negative relationship with ICU nurses’ work productivity and QoL. This may impact care delivery patient care and safety.Regular counseling sessions, better working hours, less overtime, and a better work-life balance may contribute to increased productivity and improved QoL among ICU nurses in the UAE.

Employment and higher education in young adults with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional analysis of the SPARCLE study

IntroductionFor young people with disabilities, access to higher education and employment should lead to improved personal self-esteem and well-being and, in the long run, to increased inclusion in society. Our...

Implications of the composite free flap harvest site on quality of life after head and neck surgery: a prospective series

Quality of life (QOL) has become a primary determinant of the treatment outcome. There is a poor evidence base regarding the QOL implications of free flap harvest from the various different osseous composite donor sites. This prospective study assessed the impact of free flap harvest on QOL and compared QOL morbidity between fibula, scapula, and iliac crest (deep circumflex iliac artery; DCIA) donor sites in head and neck reconstructive surgery. This was a single-site prospective cohort clinical research study. Fifty-nine patients were recruited between 2017 and 2021; 30 underwent fibula flap reconstructive surgery, 17 scapula flap, and 12 DCIA flap. The patients were assessed using the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version 4 (UW-QOL v4) preoperatively and again at >12 months postoperatively. The results showed no significant change in the mean global QOL score postoperatively when compared to the preoperative baseline in any of the donor site groups. However, the mean postoperative scores for the appearance domain were significantly lower than the preoperative scores in all of the donor site groups. In addition, fibula flap patients had significantly reduced physical activity and recreation QOL domain scores postoperatively when compared to the preoperative scores.

Physiotherapy training and education prior to elective Caesarean section and its impact on post-natal quality of life: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCaesarean section (CS) is associated with numerous complications that lead to the delayed return to functional activities that have a negative influence on the post-natal quality of life (QOL). It is evident that providing regular evidence-based physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS helps to enhance the post-natal QOL by improving physical, mental, social, and general well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS on post-natal QOL.MethodsThis single-blind parallel randomized controlled study was carried out at De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW), Colombo. The study enrolled 54 women who were scheduled to undergo elective CS. The intervention group (n = 27) of women received physiotherapy training and education, while the control group (n = 27) received standard nursing care. In addition to the primary outcome measures, post-natal QOL was measured. The results were examined using descriptive statistics and the independent samples t-test in IBM SPSS 20.ResultsThe intervention group showed a higher post-natal QOL for the domains of physical function, role limitation due to physical health, energy/fatigue, and pain than the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionPhysiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS play a pivotal role in improving the physical health-related domains of QOL following CS.Trial RegistrationThe Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry (https://www.slctr.lk). Registration number: SLCTR/2019/029-APPL/2019/028; Registration date: 6th of September 2019.

Does satisfaction with the manual wheelchair have an impact on the quality of life in spinal cord injury?

Background: Customised wheelchairs are integral component for comprehensive rehabilitation and community integration for spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors, while inappropriate wheelchairs negatively impact their functional independence, mobility and quality of life (QOL). Keeping this in mind, this study aimed to determine the effects of manual wheelchair users' satisfaction on QOL in SCI.&#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional study, which included 112 SCI, was conducted at the Paraplegic Centre, Hayatabad, Peshawar, over a period of 6 months using "Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST)" and “World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF)” as study tools.&#x0D; Results: QUEST showed a significant positive correlation with physical health (rs = 0.375; p&lt; 0.001), social relationships (rs=0.234; p = 0.013), and environmental health (rs = 0.462; p&lt;0.001) of QOL except psychological health, and similarly, overall health and overall QOL was positively impacted. Furthermore, overall health and environmental, social relationships, and physical domains of QOL were statistically significantly impacted by the QUEST device and service aspects.&#x0D; Conclusion: A moderate level of satisfaction among participants for both devices and services was observed, which also impacts their physical, environmental, and social domains of QOL. Therefore, steps from the key stakeholders are required to provide satisfactory appropriate wheelchairs to patients so their QOL can be improved.

Mediating effect of symptom severity on the relationship between aggression, impulsivity and quality of life outcomes among patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses.

Aggression and impulsivity among individuals with schizophrenia have been associated with poor clinical outcomes including worsening of symptoms and substance abuse which have been linked to a lower quality of life (QoL). The current study aimed to look at the mediating effect of symptom severity on the relationship between aggression, impulsivity and QoL among outpatients with schizophrenia and related psychoses in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Data (n = 397) were collected from outpatients seeking treatment at the Institute of Mental Health. The World Health Organization quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale, the symptoms checklist-90 revised (SCL-90-R), Buss Perry aggression questionnaire (BPAQ), and the Barratt impulsiveness scales (BIS) were used to assess subjective well-being, symptom severity, aggression, and impulsivity, respectively. Mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro to understand the mediating effect of symptom severity. Motor impulsivity (MI) was indirectly associated with both the physical and psychological health domains of QoL while self-control was indirectly associated with the physical, psychological, and environmental health QoL domains through increased symptom severity. The significant indirect effect of symptom severity in our study highlights one potential pathway through which impulsivity impacts the QoL of individuals with schizophrenia and related psychoses. Elucidating other factors besides symptom severity that have an indirect effect on the QoL of individuals provides alternative approaches for treatment through which better clinical outcomes can be achieved.

Caregiver Quality of Life: Satisfaction and Burnout.

Informal caregivers (ICs) of cancer patients play a crucial role in health care. Several of the challenges they face can affect their quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study explored role of burnout and caregiving satisfaction in their relationship to QoL. Portuguese ICs of adult cancer patients (N = 92) answered a sociodemographic and caregiving questionnaire, the WHOQOL-SRPB BREF, assessing physical, psychological, social, environmental, and spiritual QoL domains; the Maslach Burnout Interview, assessing the dimensions of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and personal accomplishment; and a Visual Analogic Scale on caregiving satisfaction. We tested correlations and a parallel mediation model for each domain of QoL, considering burnout dimensions as possible mediators between satisfaction and QoL domains. Our results show that satisfaction, burnout dimensions, and almost all QoL domains are correlated. Together, burnout dimensions seem to mediate the relationship between caregiving satisfaction and psychological, environmental, and spiritual QoL. Satisfaction had a significant indirect effect solely through emotional exhaustion on psychological QoL (β = 1.615, 95% BCI [0.590; 2.849]), environmental QoL (β = 0.904, 95% BCI [0.164; 1.876]), and spiritual QoL (β = 0.816, 95% BCI [0.019; 1.792]). It seems essential for mental health professionals to address these dimensions when providing support to an IC.

Depression, anxiety and quality of life of Afghan women living in urban areas under the Taliban government: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesAccording to the World Health Organization, depression is a common mental health illness that is characterised by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. The present study examined...