Psychosocial Health Research Articles

Women living with HIV: identifying and managing their menopause, age-related, and psychosocial health needs in a metropolitan sexual health service in Sydney, Australia.

Background Aging women living with HIV are significantly affected by menopause and comorbidities, yet international and Australian HIV guidance on the management of women is scarce. This study aimed to identify gaps in clinical management of menopause, age-related comorbidities, and psychosocial health of women living with HIV attending our metropolitan sexual health service. Methods A clinical audit of all cisgender women who attended Sydney Local Health District Department of Sexual Health Medicine for ongoing routine HIV care between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2023 was undertaken. Results Twenty-seven patient files were examined. Half (13/27, 48.1%) of women were age 45years and older, of whom 6/13 (46.2%) were postmenopausal and 4/13 (30.8%) did not have menopause status recorded. In the prior 12months, most women had their blood pressure (19/27, 70.4%), total cholesterol (21/27, 77.8%), glycated haemoglobin (21/27, 77.8%), estimated glomerular filtration rate (27/27, 96.3%), and liver function tests (26/27, 96.3%) measured. Smoking and alcohol intake was documented for less than half of women (13/27, 48.1%; and 12/27, 44.4%; respectively). In women aged 45years and older, absolute cardiovascular disease risk was calculated in 2/13 (15.4%), and none had a Fracture Risk Assessment Tool score or cognitive screen performed in the prior 12months. One-fifth (5/27, 18.5%) had a documented history of depression or anxiety. Of those screened, half (4/8, 50.0%) disclosed past intimate partner violence. Conclusions Our service has now implemented a reference tool to guide routine monitoring of women living with HIV, with sections dedicated to reproductive health and psychological wellbeing. Australian HIV management guidelines would benefit from specific guidance for women.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN TRANS AND GENDER-DIVERSE PATIENTS: Psychosocial counseling of transgender and gender-diverse individuals in fertility and reproductive medicine: a narrative review.

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people have similar desires for parenting as cisgender individuals but are likely to face greater barriers in accessing fertility treatment than their cisgender peers. Mental health professionals are well-positioned to advocate for and support TGD individuals seeking fertility care through pre-fertility treatment implications counseling regarding the psychosocial aspects of fertility treatment and family building. Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience significantly greater all-cause mortality and mental health disparities compared to their cisgender peers. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is a safe and effective treatment option for gender dysphoria that dramatically improves psychosocial health outcomes but may adversely impact fertility. Medical society guidelines recommend medical fertility preservation (FP) counseling and pre-fertility treatment psychoeducational implications consultation from qualified, reproductive mental health professionals (MHPs) for TGD individuals pursuing FP or third-party reproductive treatment. However, sparse literature exists specific to the structure of mental health psychoeducational consultation for TGD individuals pursuing FP. This narrative review highlights important areas for discussion in pre-fertility treatment mental health consultations. Results indicate that implications counseling should be conducted by an MHP with specialized training in reproductive mental health with TGD populations to reduce the risk of harm and promote successful emotional navigation of fertility treatment. Such counseling should be psychoeducational and not gatekeeping in nature and may include consideration of the psychosocial (e.g. emotional, relational, ethical, spiritual, social) risks and benefits of various family-building options. During these consultations, TGD individuals can explore their hopes and fears related to fertility and future family-building plans and discuss realistic treatment expectations, individual strengths, coping and communication strategies, and identify key support network members who may aid in navigating the fertility treatment process. MHPs can provide referrals to appropriate resources if necessary to help TGD individuals navigate treatment while coping with psychological symptoms and promoting behavior change.

Preliminary Effectiveness of a One-Week Summer Day Camp for Improving Children's Health Behaviors and Psychosocial Well-Being Outcomes.

Summer day camp offers children opportunities to grow knowledge and skills, be physically active, and have fun. Compared to healthy children, at-risk children (i.e., overweight, or with obesity and chronic health conditions) typically display less optimal health behaviors and psychosocial well-being, especially during summer months. This study examined the preliminary effectiveness of an American-Diabetes-Association-sponsored summer day camp at improving children's health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, screen time, diet, sleep) and psychosocial well-being outcomes (i.e., quality of life [QoL], enjoyment, weight-related self-efficacy). The sample consisted of 39 participants, including 19 boys and 20 girls, with majority being overweight (n = 4 or 10%) or with obesity (n = 26 or 67%), who attended the day camp for one week. Significant improvements were observed in screen time, quality of life, and physical function. The results further showed significant time by gender interaction effect for overall QoL (p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.15), physical health (a dimension of QoL; p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.18), and significant time by household income for the psychosocial health (another dimension of QoL), favoring boys and those from higher income families. The findings indicate a positive preliminary effectiveness of the summer camp at reducing children's screen time and improving their QoL, especially in boys and those from higher-income families. Future research should focus on health disparities and expansion of this camp for the potential of longer-term and more robust effects related to wellness, nutrition literacy, physical activity promotion, and obesity prevention.

Psychological Balances in the Digital World: Dynamic Relationships Among Social Media Addiction, Depression, Anxiety, Academic Self-Efficacy, General Belongingness, and Life Satisfaction.

In the present era, the rapidly growing social media trends of the digital age have the potential to affect the psychological well-being of individuals. In this context, understanding how Social Media Addiction (SMA) interacts with various factors is important to understanding its potential impact on individuals' psychosocial health. In particular, the prevalence of SMA and its strong relationship with important variables such as anxiety, depression, stress, academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, and life satisfaction have received considerable attention from researchers and the society. This research aims to address the relationship between SMA and these variables in a holistic manner. The research further explored the relationship between life satisfaction and depression, anxiety, academic self-efficacy, and general belongingness. The research is based on a study conducted with 616 students (388 female and 228 male; 17-32 age range) at a state university in the Southeast of Turkey. Personal information form, Smartphone Addiction Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, General Belongingness Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale were used as data collection tools. Using a structural equation modeling approach, the research not only examined the significant relationships but also examined the mediating and moderating effects in more detail. According to the research results, SMA significantly affects academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, stress and anxiety. Academic self-efficacy and general belongingness both impact life satisfaction. However, SMA does not have a significant effect on life satisfaction. Moreover, it is revealed general belongingness play effective roles in the relationship between SMA and life satisfaction. As a result of the research, it was revealed that gender plays a moderating role in the relationship between SMA and life satisfaction. It has been observed that gender has a moderating role in the relationships between academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, anxiety and stress and life satisfaction. Conversely, there is no moderating influence of gender on the impact of SMA on academic self-efficacy, general belongingness, depression, anxiety, or stress. Consequently, the relationships between SMA and other variables play an important role in understanding their effects on individuals' mental health.

Quality of Life and Psychosocial Outcomes Among Children With Cleft Differences.

Introduction Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and craniofacial differences can lead to diminished speech and swallowing function resulting in communication and social challenges throughout childhood. To monitor changes in patients' psychosocial health and velopharyngeal function, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) and Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Effects on Life Outcomes (VELO) survey tools can be utilized. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between VPI quality-of-life outcomes and psychosocial disturbances through a comparative analysis of PSC and VELO parental surveys among children followed by a craniofacial team. Methods A retrospective chart review was completed using data from asingle, multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial team. Previously completed parental survey responses between 2010 and 2022 were collated and resultswere analyzed using a Spearman's rank correlation test (rs). Results There were 89 subjects who completed both surveys on the same day (n = 148 survey pairs (s)). Patients aged three to five years old (s = 88) had a mean VELO of 17.9 (0-65) and a mean PSC of 7.9 (0-27), while patients aged six to eight years old (s = 60) had a mean VELO of 16.6 (0-74) and a mean PSC of 12.0 (0-37). The strongest correlation observed for both age groups was between the total PSC and VELO Speech Limitations sub-scores (three to five years old: rs = 0.537, p < 0.001; six to eight years old: rs = 0.330, p = 0.010). Similarly, children in the six- to eight-year-old group with cleft lip and palate showed a correlation between the total PSC and VELO Speech Limitations (rs = 0.583, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study suggests arelationship between PSC and VELO scores among childrenages three to eight years old with cleft differences and demonstrates that specific domains within theVELO questionnaireshould be considered as being associated with a higher riskfor psychosocial impairment. Specifically, higher VELO Speech Limitations sub-scores may portend a greater risk for poor psychosocial outcomes supporting the importance of early interventions in this group.

Reproductive Health and Domestic Violence: An Evidence Based Study from District Gujrat (Pakistan)

Domestic violence is generally part of the patterns of violent behavior and control rather than an isolated act of physical aggression. Domestic violence can take a variety of forms, including physical assault, psychological apprehension, constant belittling, intimidation, humiliation, and coercive sex, among others. It frequently can include controlling behavior such as isolating women from family, friends, self-esteem, and movements and restricting their access to fundamental human rights that are significantly associated with the psycho-social and reproductive health of women. Keeping in consideration the importance and sensitivity of the issue, the researcher tries in this study to explore the primary motives behind domestic violence that leads to aggressive behaviors and its impacts on women's reproductive health in our society. The researcher approached the researcher's district police office and obtained the list of registered cases regarding domestic violence in the district of Gujrat, Punjab. The findings of the study indicated that most of the women are the victims of domestic violence (physically, mentally, and sexually) and face discrimination and limited access to reproductive health services and pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. Results highlighted that domestic violence intensively influenced women's physical as well as psychological conditions that led them towards mental, social, and economic disruptions. The sexual violence, including forced or coerced relationships and unwilling pregnancies, among others, significantly affected the reproductive health and well-being of women.

A Comprehensive and Longitudinal View of Pregnancy from the Perspective of the Couple, Maternal Mental Health and Fetal Growth.

This study investigates the impact of both maternal psychopathological factors and adaptive psychological changes within the couple on fetal growth, emphasizing the importance of evaluating pregnancy from the perspectives of the couple, the mother, and the fetus collectively. A "couple" in this context refers to heterosexual partners engaged in the pregnancy process together, whether married or in a stable relationship. We included 189 pregnant women in their first trimester, tracking maternal depression, anxiety, body appreciation, prenatal attachment, and the couple's adjustment level across each trimester. Fetal growth parameters measured include biparietal diameter, femur length, humerus length, abdomen circumference, head circumference, β-HCG, and amniotic fluid levels, with relationships between these variables being modeled accordingly. Our findings indicate stable levels of maternal depression, anxiety, body appreciation, and couple's adjustment throughout the pregnancy, with a significant increase in prenatal attachment levels in each subsequent trimester. Prenatal attachment in the first trimester and maternal depression levels in the second and third trimesters were found to directly influence fetal growth, while other variables exhibited indirect effects. Fetal growth is influenced by a myriad of biopsychosocial factors. Ensuring healthy pregnancy and fetal development necessitates close monitoring and support of the mother's adaptive psychological changes, early identification and treatment of potential psychopathologies, and maintenance of the psychosocial health of the couple.

Psychosocial Adaptation in Lung Cancer Patients: a Literature Review

ABSTRACT Lung cancer is one type of cancer with the highest mortality rate, this is often due to delays in diagnosis and the impact of prognosis which can affect the psychosocial adaptation of lung cancer patients. Analyze psychosocial adaptation problems in lung cancer patients, their impacts, and treatment strategies. Systematic review used the PRISMA protocol and JBI scoring tool to determine eligible articles. Five electronic databases were used (Pubmed; Science Direct and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included research on lung cancer published in English in the last ten years (2014-2024). The results showed that 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results of the review show several common problems experienced by lung cancer patients, including depression, anxiety, social isolation, stigmatization, mental health problems, and difficulties in adaptation. The impact is a decrease in emotional well-being, a reduction in quality of life, an increase in physical symptoms, and a worsening of the disease prognosis. Several prevention strategies include providing multidisciplinary therapy through supportive and palliative care, improving the quality of psychosocial health services, cognitive behavioral therapy, social support therapy, psycho-education, increasing social support, spiritual treatment, increasing healthy behavior, and using confrontation and stress coping. Psychosocial problems experienced by lung cancer patients are often complex and can include various aspects. Several common issues experienced by lung cancer patients are related to psychosocial problems. The impact of psychosocial problems can worsen the prognosis of lung cancer so several treatment efforts are needed to overcome psychosocial problems in lung cancer patients. Keywords: Adaptation, Lung Cancer, Literature Review, Psychosocial

Scrolling through adolescence: unveiling the relationship of the use of social networks and its addictive behavior with psychosocial health

BackgroundUnderstanding the relationship of social network use and addictive behaviors with adolescent psychosocial health is crucial in today’s digital age.AimTo verify the associations between social network use, messaging applications, and the addictive behaviors to social network with psychosocial health in Spanish adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional study was developed with 632 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years from the Region of Murcia, Spain. The assessment of social network use (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok) involved evaluating the frequency of use of each social network individually using a single-item scale with five response options. WhatsApp use (i.e., a messaging application) was evaluated in the same manner. The Short Social Networks Addiction Scale-6 Symptoms was employed to assess potential addictive behaviors to social network use. The psychosocial health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Generalized linear regression models were conducted, and predictive probabilities of having psychosocial health problems were calculated.ResultsThe predicted probability of presenting psychosocial health problems in the medium users and high users of social networks was 19.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.0 to 27.7), and 16.2% (95% CI 10.2 to 24.6) higher compared to low users, respectively. High usage of Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook was associated with increased probabilities of psychosocial health problems, with Facebook showing the highest probabilities, at 31.3% (95% CI 14.8 to 54.2) for medium users and 51.9% (95% CI 26.5 to 76.3) for high users. Additionally, adolescents with addictive behaviors to social network use had from 19.0 to 25.2% probabilities of experiencing psychosocial health problems. Finally, the highest probabilities of having psychosocial health problems were identified in adolescents with high addictive behaviors when using social networks (28.9%; 95% CI 19.3 to 40.8%) and the lowest in those with low addictive behaviors (6.8%; 95% CI 3.3 to 13.6%).ConclusionAdolescents who use social networks more frequently and exhibit more addictive behaviors related to their use are more likely to experience psychosocial health problems compared to those who do not. Facebook showed the strongest association, followed by Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. Our data also revealed that adolescents exhibit various signs of addictive behaviors to social network use.

Psychosocial Health of the Badjao People During COVID-19 in Jolo, Philippines: An Exploratory Study

Background: The Badjao, a nomadic maritime group in Southeast Asia, face heightened vulnerability during public health crises due to their reliance on maritime livelihoods, limited healthcare access, and historical marginalization—challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a significant research gap in understanding their unique needs and vulnerabilities especially its specific impacts on their health and well-being due to pandemic.Methods: This study explores the psychological and social health of the Badjao and the factors affecting theme during the COVID-19 pandemic using an exploratory qualitative design. Guided interviews were conducted through focus-group discussions with 10 purposively selected Badjao respondents from Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo-Sulu, Philippines. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: The study identified five key themes related to the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on the Badjao community. These included Feelings and Apprehension, with anxiety over contracting the virus and financial instability; Responses to the Pandemic, marked by fear of death, job loss, and hospitalization concerns; Coping Mechanisms, where the community relied on traditional remedies, social support, and quarantine adherence; Social Status, highlighting food insecurity and disrupted social interactions; and Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health, focusing on the importance of support systems and access to accurate information and resources.Conclusion: The pandemic has significantly disrupted the social and economic stability of the Badjao community, exacerbating their existing vulnerabilities. They need a culturally sensitive interventions that address both their immediate and long-term needs. Collaboration with local government units and stakeholders are crucial in supporting the resilience and well-being of the Badjao in future crises.

The Role and Importance of Quality of Life among Preschool Children as a Prerequisite for a Positively Oriented Upbringing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (QoL) in a sample of healthy preschool children in the Republic of Croatia and comment on whether and how the research results open the preconditions for positive individual scenarios of the future related to positively oriented upbringing. The Pediatric quality of life inventory generic core scales (PedsQLTM) was completed by 230 healthy preschool children (5-6 years old) and their parents as a proxy-report. The data was descriptively analysed first. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. The statistically significant difference between the PedsQLTM scales (physical, emotional, social, kindergarten and psychosocial functioning) for preschool children and their parent’s proxy-report were analysed. The PedsQLTM scale score means for children’s self-report ranged 71.32-76.49, with the total score was 74.53. Score means for their parent’s proxy-report scale ranged 73.59-85.46, with the total score of 80.93. All the self-report and proxy-report scales showed satisfactory reliability with Cronbach’s alpha varying between 0.64 and 0.89. Statistically significant difference between scales in self-report and proxy-report was for physical (t=-7.12, p&lt;0.01), social (t=-6.42, p&lt;0.01) and school functioning (t=-2.62, p&lt;0.01) as well as psychosocial (t=-4.82, p&lt;0.01) and total health (t=-6.85, p&lt;0.01). The Croatian PedsQLTM is valid and reliable generic pediatric health-related QoL measurement that can be recommended for children’s self-reports and their parent’s proxy-reports. The results of the research open a precondition for positive individual scenarios of the future related to positively oriented upbringing.

Persistent low job control and subsequent major depression: A prospective cohort study of Australian working males

Workers' perception of control over work is a key construct in the relationship between the psychosocial work environment and health. While exposure to low job control has been prospectively linked to poor mental health including depression and anxiety, there is less research examining the impact of prolonged exposure to low job control on mental health. Data from 5054 employed men from 2013 to 2021 in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health was used to examine persistent and intermittent low job control and subsequent major depression symptoms. Persistent low job control was based on consecutive self-reports of low job control over waves 1 and 2. Combinations of low and high job control were classified as intermittent exposure and continuous high job control exposure over both waves was classified as persistent high job control. Major depression symptoms, derived from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, was measured in wave 3. Generalised linear models and augmented inverse probability weighting were undertaken. There was a strong stepwise relationship between low job control and major depression. Compared to persistent high job control, intermittent low job control was associated with an increased risk of subsequent major depression symptoms by 32% (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.82, 2.15); and persistent low job control by 103% (RR 2.03, 95% CI 1.21, 3.41). Compared to men exposed to persistent high job control, the average treatment effect for persistent low job control was 0.036 (95%CI 0.014, 0.058) and intermittent low job control 0.019 (95%CI 0.006, 0.032) equating to a risk ratio of 2.46 (95%CI 1.43, 3.50) and 1.79 (95% CI 1.14, 2.45) respectively. This study's findings have implications for public health and occupational policies, as they underscore the importance of reducing prolonged exposure to low job control to protect against the risk of major depression in the working population.

The added value of the cognition, dining, gastrointestinal problems, sleep and tiredness bolt-on dimensions to the EQ-5D-5L in patients with coeliac disease.

Multiple studies suggest that the EQ-5D may overestimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with coeliac disease (CD). We aimed to develop and psychometrically test potentially relevant bolt-on dimensions to improve the measurement performance of the EQ-5D-5L in CD patients. The development and selection of bolt-ons were informed by a literature review on HRQoL in CD, expert and patient input. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted amongst 312 adult CD patients. Respondents completed the EQ-5D-5L, two condition-specific bolt-ons newly-developed for the present study [dining (DI) and gastrointestinal problems (GI)] and three existing bolt-ons [cognition (CO), sleep (SL) and tiredness (TI)]. The following psychometric properties were tested: ceiling, informativity, convergent and known-group validity, and dimensionality (confirmatory factor analysis). Adding the TI, SL, GI, DI and CO individual bolt-ons reduced the ceiling of the EQ-5D-5L (39%) to 17%, 23%, 24%, 26% and 37%, respectively. GI excelled with strong convergent validity with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale total score (rs=0.71) and improved the discriminatory power for all known-groups. GI was the only bolt-on loading on a different factor from the five core dimensions, whereas the other four bolt-ons loaded onto the same 'psychosocial health' factor as the EQ-5D-5L anxiety/depression dimension. The DI, GI, SL and TI bolt-ons, especially the GI, enhance the validity of EQ-5D-5L in patients with CD, suggesting their value in capturing important HRQoL aspects potentially missed by the five core dimensions. These bolt-ons can be used in sensitivity analyses supporting health technology assessments and subsequent resource allocation decisions.

Effects of time-restricted eating and low-carbohydrate diet on psychosocial health and appetite in individuals with metabolic syndrome: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background & aimsTime-restricted eating (TRE) and low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) can improve multiple cardiometabolic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), but their effects on psychosocial health and satiety are unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of TRE, LCD, and their combination (TRE+LCD) on quality of life (QoL), sleep, mood, appetite, and metabolic hormones in patients with MetS. MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a single-center, 3-month, open-label, randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of TRE, LCD, and TRE+LCD on weight and cardiometabolic parameters in individuals with MetS. This secondary analysis examined QoL, sleep, mood, and appetite using the Rand 36-Item Short Form (SF-36); Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; and Eating Behavior Rating Scale, respectively, as well as measured levels of metabolic hormones including leptin, amylin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and peptide YY. Between-group comparisons were conducted via one-way ANOVAs and post hoc LSD tests for normally distributed variables or Kruskal‒Wallis H tests and the Nemenyi test for abnormally distributed variables. P < 0.017 was considered significant in multiple comparisons following Bonferroni adjustment. ResultsA total of 162 participants (mean [SD] age, 41.2 [9.9] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 29.3 [3.4] kg/m2; 102 [63%] men) who started the intervention were analyzed. After 3 months, only the TRE group decreased GLP-1 levels (-0.9 [95% CI, -1.9 to -0.3] pg/mL; P = 0.002), increased PP levels (8.9 [95% CI, -7.6 to 71.8] pg/mL; P = 0.011), physical functioning in the SF-36 (5.2 [95% CI, 1.9 to 8.5]; P = 0.001), social functioning in the SF-36 (9.1 [95% CI, 2.5 to 15.6]; P = 0.005), role-physical in the SF-36 (24.1 [95% CI, 11.8 to 36.4]; P < 0.001), role-emotional in the SF-36 (22.4 [95% CI, 12.6 to 32.2]; P < 0.001), and sleep efficiency in the PSQI (0.29 [95% CI, 0.03 to 0.55]; P = 0.021). Compared with changes in LCD, TRE further increased general health in the SF-36 (9.7 [95% CI, 3.3 to 16.0]; P = 0.006). Relative to the changes of TRE+LCD, TRE significantly increased role-emotional in the SF-36 (19.9 [95% CI 4.9 to 34.8]; P = 0.006). Changes in sleep quality, mood status, appetite, and metabolic hormones did not differ among three groups. Greater weight loss was associated with decreased leptin levels (r = 0.538), decreased amylin levels (r = 0.294), reduced total appetite scores (r = 0.220), and improved general health (r = -0.253) (all P ≤ 0.01). ConclusionsTRE, LCD, and TRE+LCD all could improve psychosocial health and reduce appetite. Notably, TRE yielded greater benefits in QoL compared with LCD or TRE+LCD in individuals with MetS. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04475822.

Psychosocial burden in mothers with epilepsy and their caregiver: Feasibility and preliminary results of a digital screening procedure

ObjectiveThe present study aims to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing a digital procedure to screen for anxiety and depression as well as impairments in psychosocial aspects, such as social support, social activity and quality of life (QoL) in women with epilepsy (WWE) after childbirth. Furthermore, the study intends to digitally screen for burden of the respective caregivers in WWE compared to a healthy control group. Materials and methodsThis comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the post-partum period on 30 WWE and 33 healthy controls who gave birth between 01/2018 and 05/2021. Additionally, 24 caregivers of WWE and 26 caregivers of healthy mothers took part in this study. Information on psychosocial health and psychosocial burden was collected digitally using the short version of the Social Support Questionnaire, the Social Activity Self-Report Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The caregiver burden was digitally assessed with the Zarit Burden Scale in its German adaptation (i.e., Zarit Burden Interview and the Family Burden Questionnaire). Furthermore, QoL was assessed with the QOLIE-31 (Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory) in WWE and with the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire in healthy controls. ResultsWhen comparing WWE and healthy controls, the groups were comparable on psychosocial aspects, such as self-reported social support, anxiety, depression and social activity, when assessed with self-report measures in a digital screening procedure.Although not significantly different between groups, anxiety, depression, self-reported social support and social activity were correlated with overall QoL in both, WWE and healthy controls.Caregivers of WWE and healthy controls were neither significantly different in their objective burden nor in their subjective burden as reported in digitally applied self-report measures. ConclusionAlthough not significantly different between groups, given the correlation between psychosocial aspects and QoL, it is worthwhile to include these aspects in standard clinical screening extending beyond the screening of anxiety and depression in WWE.Overall, the preliminary psychosocial data presented in this study suggest that a digital assessment of psychosocial burden seems reasonable in WWE and warrants integration into further research and clinical practice.Nevertheless, since no significant differences concerning psychosocial aspects were found in the present study, one may argue that highly specialized clinical care, as provided in the present study, may counteract potential psychosocial impairment experienced by WWE who do not receive such specialized care.Hence, further investigations outside of specialized outpatient clinics as well as prospective investigations of subjective factors that may dynamically change during pregnancy ought to be addressed in clinical practice and research for improving care during and after pregnancy in WWE.

Psychosocial benefits of dental corrections in adolescents and adults

Dental corrections play a pivotal role in enhancing psychosocial health among adolescents and adults, offering significant improvements in self-esteem, social interactions, and overall psychological well-being. Adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to social pressures and self-esteem issues, benefit greatly from orthodontic treatments that address malocclusions and misalignments. These treatments lead to heightened self-confidence, reduced social anxiety, and fewer instances of bullying, fostering healthier social development and mental health. In adults, dental corrections not only improve aesthetics but also enhance professional and personal interactions. Improved dental health leads to increased social engagement, better communication, and higher levels of life satisfaction, reducing social withdrawal and depressive symptoms. The ability to smile confidently, speak clearly, and eat comfortably without feeling self-conscious is crucial for mental well-being. Individuals with enhanced dental aesthetics report significant improvements in their quality of life, engaging more in social activities and forming meaningful relationships. Research supports the profound impact of dental corrections on reducing anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Adolescents and adults who undergo these treatments experience a notable boost in self-esteem and confidence, which translates into improved academic performance, career opportunities, and overall life satisfaction. The broader implications of these findings emphasize the need for dental care practices to incorporate psychosocial considerations, enhancing the overall patient experience and promoting long-term mental health benefits. By prioritizing the psychosocial outcomes of dental treatments, dental professionals can significantly improve the quality of life for their patients, contributing to their overall well-being and societal participation.

Correlation between Fatigue and Quality of Life in Adolescent Oncology Patients in Jordan

Background Adolescence represents a distinct and multifaceted developmental stage characterized by profound physical and cognitive transformations. Adolescents undergoing cancer treatment frequently have unique needs that remain unmet, leading to a notable decline in their quality of life. Cancer treatment often results in problems like fatigue, which affects patients' quality of life. Assessing quality of life and fatigue among adolescent cancer patients is essential for enhancing nursing care and improving outcomes. Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlation between fatigue and quality of life among adolescent cancer patients in Jordan. Methods A “cross-sectional” study was performed, with the participation of 127 Jordanian adolescent cancer patients, and data was collected through a nameless online survey of Jordanian adolescent cancer patients. The study commenced in February 2024 and concluded in June 2024. Demographic data and responses from two self-reported questionnaires—the Arabic versions of “Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory” “Multidimensional Fatigue Scale” and “Generic Core 4.0”—were collected. Descriptive statistics of means, frequencies, standard deviations, and percentages were used with demographics while inferential statistics were conducted using independent t-tests, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS, version 26. Results Significant and potent correlations were found between various types of fatigue “general, sleep/rest, cognitive, and total” and quality of life “physical, emotional, social, school, psychosocial health”. Notably, the total fatigue scores showed a potent correlation with the total summary scores (r=0.946), with a p-value significant at the &lt;0.001 level for all correlations, indicating that adolescents with cancer experienced high fatigue and low quality of life. Conclusion The study demonstrated a potent link between fatigue and quality of life. The study's outcomes can help enhance guidelines for routine evaluation of fatigue and quality of life by nurses and healthcare providers in adolescent cancer patients to implement and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing fatigue in patients, highlighting fatigue as a significant concern. Future research should explore interventions such as exercise, leisure activities, and sleep to alleviate fatigue. Longitudinal research is essential to assess fatigue at diverse times of the day and week; this could help develop tailored fatigue management strategies to augment the quality of life among adolescent oncology patients.

Evaluating the combination of in-person and electronic social networking services for family caregivers of stroke survivors: A quasi-experimental analysis.

The effectiveness of health interventions delivered via a combination of in-person and electronic social networking services for caregivers of stroke survivors remains uncertain. This study evaluates the feasibility of implementing educational and peer support programs for these caregivers through such platforms. Quasi-experimental design. This study included 105 caregiver-survivor dyads, with 54 dyads allocated to the intervention group and the remaining 51 to the control group. The LINE intervention comprised a combination of in-person and electronic social networking services including stroke and rehabilitation education, problem-solving skills training, long-term care information support, and 24-h peer and professional support for caregivers. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 1 month, and after 3 months, and encompassed caregivers' care burden, depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and quality of life, as well as the rehabilitation adherence and depressive symptoms of stroke survivors. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine group differences. The data were collected between August 2021 and October 2022. The average age of the caregivers was 48.3 years. Caregivers in the intervention group reported reduced care burdens and enhanced perceptions of social support and quality of life as compared to those in the control group. Additionally, stroke survivors in the intervention group were less likely to exhibit high-risk depressive symptoms. Delivering a stroke caregiver support intervention via in-person and electronic social networking services, such as LINE, effectively reduced the care burden for caregivers of stroke survivors. Additionally, it enhanced caregivers' perceived social support and quality of life. This study demonstrated that caregiver education and peer support programs administered through a combination of in-person and electronic social networking services can serve as an effective support system for the psychosocial health of stroke caregivers. These findings support the integration of such interventions into standard clinical practice by healthcare providers or governmental bodies.

Putting person-centred psychosocial diabetes care into practice: two psychosocial care pathways based on outcome preferences of people with diabetes and healthcare professionals

BackgroundDiabetes increases the risk of psychosocial health problems. Person-centred psychosocial care is therefore advocated. However, several barriers to implementation exist, including uncertainty about how to approach psychosocial problems in consultations.ObjectiveWe...

Family member and service provider experiences and perspectives of a digital surveillance and service navigation approach in multicultural context: a qualitative study in identifying the barriers and enablers to Watch Me Grow-Electronic (WMG-E) program with a culturally diverse community

BackgroundChildren and families from priority populations experienced significant psychosocial and mental health issues to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet they also faced significant barriers to service access, particularly families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. With most child and family health nurse clinics ceasing in-person consultations due to the pandemic, many children missed out on health and developmental checks. The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives and experiences of family members and service providers from an urban, CALD community regarding the implementation of a digital, developmental surveillance, Watch Me Grow-Electronic (WMG-E) program.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 family members, service navigators, and service providers in a multicultural community in South Western Sydney, Australia. This qualitative study is an implementation evaluation which formed as part of a larger, two-site, randomised controlled trial of the WMG-E program. A reflexive thematic analysis approach, using inductive coding, was adopted to analyse the data.ResultsParticipants highlighted the comprehensive and personalised support offered by existing child and family health services. The WMG-E was deemed beneficial because the weblink was easy and quick to use and it enabled access to a service navigator who support family access to relevant services. However, the WMG-E was problematic because of technology or language barriers, and it did not facilitate immediate clinician involvement when families completed the weblink.ConclusionsFamilies and service providers in this qualitative study found that using WMG-E empowered parents and caregivers to access developmental screening and learn more about their child’s development and engage with relevant services. This beds down a new and innovative solution to the current service delivery gap and create mechanisms that can engage families currently not accessing services, and increases knowledge around navigating the health and social care services. Notwithstanding the issues that were raised by families and service providers, which include accessibility challenges for CALD communities, absence of clinical oversight during screening, and narrow scope of engagement with available services being offered, it is worth noting that improvements regarding these implementation factors must be considered and addressed in order to have longevity and sustainability of the program.Trial registration.The study is part of a large randomised controlled trial (Protocol No. 1.0, Version 3.1) was registered with ANZCTR (registration number: ACTRN12621000766819) on July 21st, 2021 and reporting of the trial results will be according to recommendations in the CONSORT Statement.