Psychosocial Study Research Articles

Psychosocial care for patients and their families is integral to supportive care in cancer: MASCC position statement

This position paper, written on behalf of the MASCC Psychosocial Study Group, reviews the most common psychosocial concerns and needs of cancer patients during all phases of the cancer continuum, from diagnosis to death or survivorship. Developments in psychosocial care at both individual and systems levels are surveyed and summarized, along with gaps in knowledge and research and needed improvements in the dissemination and application of acquired knowledge and expertise. The roles of culture, spirituality, and religion as part of psychosocial care are reviewed, along with families' and caregivers' specific psychosocial concerns and needs, and areas of needed psychosocial interventions in supportive cancer care. Deficits in recognizing and meeting patients' psychosocial needs at the system level are examined, and international guidelines and models of psychosocial care are reviewed, including their potential applications to local contexts. The paper calls for a shift to a new paradigm of care through adoption of an integrated approach to identify and meet the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and survivors as part of supportive care worldwide.

Life Satisfaction, Perceived Health, Violent and Altruistic Behaviour of Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents: Only Children Versus Children with Siblings

In China, with one-child family being the predominant form, the psycho-social study of only child is particularly important. In a random sample of 4502 Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong, controlling the underlying socio-demographic variables like gender, age, level of study, economic well-being, family structure, and migrant status, we found very distinctive differences in psycho-behavioural characteristics between only children and children with siblings. In compliance to previous research, relative to their counterparts with siblings, the only children had similar level of mental health and high satisfaction in academic performance. In many areas not covered in the literature, the only children outperformed. They had health advantages in three areas, overall health, physical health, and activity limitation. In life satisfaction, they also had higher levels in overall life and most specific life domains. They had less participation in violent behaviour like fighting, self-injury, and suicide, and higher involvement in making donation to benevolent organizations.

Prevalence of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia in Taiwan: A population-based National Health Insurance study

Objective We conducted this study to investigate the prevalence and correlates of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia in Taiwan. Methods The National Health Research Institute provided a database of 1,000,000 random subjects for study. We obtained a random sample aged 18 years and over of 766,427 subjects in 2005. Those study subjects who had at least one service claim during this year for either ambulatory or inpatient care, with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or with a prescription for treatment of diabetes, were identified. Results The prevalence of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia was higher than in the general population (7.90% vs. 5.57%, odds ratio [OR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61–2.03). Compared with the general population, patients with schizophrenia revealed a higher prevalence of diabetes in all age groups, except age 70 or more years; among females (10.30% vs. 5.42%, p < 0.001), and males (5.93% vs. 5.73%, p < 0.001); among all insurance amount groups; among those living in the northern (7.56% vs. 4.89%, p < 0.001), central (8.26% vs. 5.61%, p < 0.001), southern regions (8.45% vs. 6.62%, p < 0.001); and among residents living in urban (8.18% vs. 5.19%, p < 0.001) and rural areas (7.99% vs. 6.15%, p < 0.001). Conclusions Patients with schizophrenia had a much higher prevalence of diabetes in younger adult age groups and in females than in the general population, a finding that deserves further biological and psychosocial study in the future.

Working with young people to challenge discrimination against mental health service users: A psychosocial pilot study

This article argues that biomedical approaches to challenging mental health discrimination have been largely unsuccessful. We describe a pilot study advocating psychosocial understandings of mental health difficulties and active service user involvement to challenge young people’s negative beliefs about people experiencing mental health problems.

A menina que se constituiu no contexto do tráfico: o estudo psicossocial forense e o resgate da função paterna

Neste artigo discutimos a questão da complementaridade entre a Psicologia e o Direito. O texto tem seu centro no estudo psicossocial forense de um pedido de guarda de um pai sobre sua filha e envolve ligação com o tráfico de drogas. Este estudo oportuniza o resgate do valor da Justiça como um momento propício para que significados ocultos dos conflitos familiares sejam esclarecidos. A questão é como o Setor Psicossocial pode garantir o melhor interesse da criança? Apontamos a concepção de pai de família, como aquele que tem um lugar e uma responsabilidade social. A Justiça clama por este pai.

Grupo multifamiliar: espaço para a escuta das famílias em situação de abuso sexual

We present an evaluation research of the participation of families, who received a notification and were handed over by the Justice, in the Multifamiliar Groups. These families passed by the psychosocial study as a consequence of having one child or adolescent in a situation of sexual abuse. Twenty eight families were contacted but we could only interview eight. Our objective was to focus on the relation among the families, among the internal groups of each family unit and among the families and the professionals present in the Multifamiliar Group sessions. We sought to know the benefits and limits of the psychosocial intervention. The evaluated changes occurred in the relationships with a higher physical contact with the children, in a higher conversation among the family members and in the acceptance of orientation from professionals. The results also indicated the need for creating leisure opportunities with the children/adolescents who were abused and for having time available to listen to them.

Mothers Raising Children with Sickle Cell Disease at the Intersection of Race, Gender, and Illness Stigma

This qualitative study used the long interview method with Canadian mothers of African and Caribbean descent to understand the underresearched experience of raising a child with sickle cell disease (SCD). Mothers' realities were explored through three levels of social organization: daily caregiver coping (micro level); community views of SCD, such as stigma (meso level); and systemic SCD health care provision (macro level). Through the use of population health and structural social work perspectives, mothers' experiences were examined in the context of perceived gender and racial oppression. Saturation was achieved after initial interviews with 10 participants and a four-month postinterview with half of the participants. Mothers commonly reported several daily coping challenges: fear of their children's death, separation anxiety, loss of control over life, helplessness, and loneliness/isolation. SCD stigma interacted with racism, contributed to social isolation, and prevented families from organizing as a group. All mothers perceived racism as a salient factor behind inadequate mainstream SCD health care. Recommendations to improve SCD health care and implications for social work practice and research are discussed. This is the first known Canadian psychosocial study of SCD and investigation into SCD stigma outside of rural Nigeria.

P2-257: Oral health of elderly with newly diagnosed Alzheimer's disease

tients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess the correlation between independently obtained statements regarding driving in recently diagnosed patients with mild AD in Denmark and their caregivers. Methods: Baseline data from a cohort of patients with mild AD recruited for a psychosocial intervention study (Danish Alzheimer Intervention Study) in five different regions of Denmark. Information regarding driving status was obtained independently from both patient and caregiver. Correlations were measured by Kappa testing. Results: A total of 321 patients, with a mean age of 76.1 and a mean MMSE score of 24.1 participated in the study. According to caregivers, a total of 131 (40%) of the patients were holding valid driving license, 72 (22%) were still driving, and 99 (30%) had stopped driving within 12 months. In general, there was an excellent correlation between statements from patients with mild AD and their caregivers regarding possession of a valid driving license (r 0.80) and current driving status (r 0.88), and good correlation between statements regarding recent driving cessation (r 0.60). Multiple regression analysis revealed that impaired insight and younger age were significant predictors for disagreements between patients and caregivers regarding having a valid driving license. Conclusions: A significant proportion (22%) of patients with mild AD are still driving, despite the limitations in driving capability caused by the disease. In general, good correlations were found between statements from patients with mild AD and their caregivers regarding driving status. However, age and impaired insight were significant predictors for disagreements for having a valid driving license. Thus, it is important to obtain information from both patient and caregiver regarding driving status.

O estudo psicossocial forense como subsídio para a decisão judicial na situação de abuso sexual

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo aprofundar os conhecimentos na interface Psicologia/Direito, envolvendo uma situação de violência intrafamiliar. Buscou-se conhecer as reflexões dos vários atores que participaram das decisões referentes a um processo sobre abuso sexual cometido pelo pai contra duas filhas crianças. O contexto foi uma Vara Criminal e o método o de estudo de caso. A análise dos resultados seguiu a orientação da Hermenêutica de Profundidade. Os resultados foram discutidos segundo três eixos de compreensão da função do estudo psicossocial forense: A quem serve? Quando deve ser realizado? E o que subsidia o processo judicial: o laudo ou o relatório? Concluímos que é necessário promover a interação entre os vários atores que complementam suas decisões, para que se possa ampliar a compreensão da realidade que cerca as situações de violência na família, e assim o contexto judicial participar na promoção da cidadania nesses casos.

Action, Participation and Social Practices: a psychosocial study of older woman who are in a responsability position of power

In this paper I present the results of a study on social practices of older women who are involved in different kinds of associations in responsibility positions. This study is a subproject of the investigation &ldquo;Older women, daily life and social participation. Strategies for the promotion of Active Ageing&rdquo;, whose aim was improving the comprehension of older women&rsquo;s social practices taking as a reference the WHO perspective. A qualitative methodology was used based on 7 discussion groups and 5 interviews in which 50 informants participated. The results report how older women who are in formal power positions understand their activity, which activities are they doing and in which conditions, as well as the relationship between life trajectory and the practice of leading roles.

Action, Participation and Social Practices: a psychosocial study of older woman who are in a responsability position of power

In this paper I present the results of a study on social practices of older women who are involved in different kinds of associations in responsibility positions. This study is a subproject of the investigation &ldquo;Older women, daily life and social participation. Strategies for the promotion of Active Ageing&rdquo;, whose aim was improving the comprehension of older women&rsquo;s social practices taking as a reference the WHO perspective. A qualitative methodology was used based on 7 discussion groups and 5 interviews in which 50 informants participated. The results report how older women who are in formal power positions understand their activity, which activities are they doing and in which conditions, as well as the relationship between life trajectory and the practice of leading roles.

Resilient Coping

Social marginalization is associated with poor health outcomes for affected people. However, in a psychosocial study of treatment for hepatitis C infection conducted in Sydney, Australia, participants living in socially disadvantaged circumstances applied adaptive approaches learned from past experiences of drug dependence, living with symptoms of chronic illness, coping with depression and childhood sexual abuse to enable them to cope with severe treatment-related side-effects. This finding has implications for the clinical management of hepatitis C treatment; the factors and processes that facilitate adaptive coping to adversity associated with social marginalization can be assessed for their clinical contribution to coping with an arduous regimen.

Una tensa oscuridad: interrogando el abordaje psicosocial de la subjetividad

Abordamos en este artículo algunas reflexiones en torno al estudio psicosocial de la subjetividad, subrayando el diálogo transdisciplinar y la obra de autores alejados del marco convencional de la Psicología Social. El texto señala algunas de las tensiones y paradojas que el estudio del self plantea, así como algunas de las aportaciones teóricas cruciales para reflexionar acerca de ellas. Brevemente, y con una perspectiva foucaultiana, bosquejaremos los nudos de complejidad en torno al estudio de la historicidad del sujeto, su experiencia temporal y coherente, las dimensiones corporales y materiales, la dimensión inconsciente, la tensión entre sujeción y agencia y el carácter generizado de la subjetividad.

Comparison of Participants and Non-Participants in a Randomized Psychosocial Intervention Study Among Patients With Malignant Melanoma

The authors investigated barriers for entering a randomized psychosocial intervention study among patients with malignant melanoma. Data on age, sex, prognostic factors, social class, marital status, mood, coping, social relations, and social desirability from participants and non-participants were compared in a regression model. More patients in lower socioeconomic classes declined participation. Non-participation was associated with low levels of distress and adaptive coping and higher levels of empathy and congruence from spouses. The type of intervention offered in this study may have more appeal to patients belonging to higher socioeconomic classes.

A One-Year Randomized Controlled Psychosocial Intervention Study among Family Carers of Dementia Patients – Effects on Patients and Carers

Objective: To test the effect of a short-term psychosocial intervention programme for family carers of patients with dementia and identify characteristics of carers and patients that responded positively. Methods: The study was a multi-centre randomized controlled trial. Carers of 180 patients suffering from dementia recruited at 7 memory clinics at geriatric or psychiatric departments participated in the study. Carers of the intervention group were educated about dementia and in 6 group meetings taught how to use structured problem-solving. The control group received treatment as usual. The effect on patients was measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and on carers with the Relatives’ Stress Scale (RSS). Results: The intention-to-treat efficacy analysis included 171 carer/patient dyads. The intervention did not have any effect on the primary outcome variables. The burden measured by the RSS increased in both groups; however, more carers of the control group converted from a low-burden group to a medium- or high-burden group after 4.5 months. In a subgroup analysis we found a statistically significant difference in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory score in favour of the intervention group among female patients. Conclusion: The predominately negative result of this study emphasizes the need of individually tailored interventions for carers and the use of narrow inclusion criteria when performing group-based interventions, such as the extent of burden as well as gender and kinship.

Invited commentary

Invited commentary

Clinical and Psychosocial Follow-Up Study of Children Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Serious heart and pulmonary failure may be treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The aim of this follow-up study was a multimodal assessment of outcome in children surviving ECMO at our hospital from 1991 to 2004. Twenty-two children were, on average, 1.18 years old (SD = 1.92; range, 0.1 to 7.8) when ECMO was initiated. Average age at follow-up was 7.2 years (range, 1.8 to 13.9). Thirteen children were treated for cardiac and nine for pulmonary failure. Venoarterial ECMO was performed in 21 patients and venovenous ECMO in one patient. The protocol included a review of patients records, clinical, neurologic and neuropsychologic, and radiological examinations, electroencephalogram, and interviews with the parents. Moderate or severe impairment in at least two clinical assessments were found in 16 (72.7%) children. Five (22.7%) children had cerebral palsy and 15 (68.2%) had moderate or severe cognitive impairment. Eight (36%) children had pathological radiologic findings. Pathological electroencephalograms were found in 11 (50%) patients including four (18.2%) with epileptic activity. Children with radiologic findings had a slightly worse cognitive outcome. There was no association between the neurophysiologic findings and the neuropsychologic performance or the radiologic findings. Based on parental assessment, only four children had pathological scores. All children, except for two, came walking to the follow-up visit. All parents were positive to the ECMO treatment, and reported a good or slightly reduced quality of life for their child. Cerebral sequelae were frequently found in children treated with ECMO. The need for treatment and support should be assessed in order to optimize their physical and psychosocial functioning.

328* Psychosocial case study: infant diagnosed with CF through newborn screening

328* Psychosocial case study: infant diagnosed with CF through newborn screening

Kreative Methodenintegration in der musiktherapeutischen Forschung

»Multiple methods« (or »mixed methods») is a new concept in music therapy research. It is inspired by recent methodological developments in social science, and it covers the interaction of quantitative and qualitative methods in one and the same research study. Multiple methods are not the same as the diversity or pluralism of methods advocated by many scholars who are critical towards the principles of evidence-based medicine. This article presents a concrete example of multiple methods in music therapy research: a psycho-social study of music therapy with cancer survivors. Ontological, epistemological and methodological problems are illustrated and discussed, and the perspective is broadened into a discussion of the core concept »triangulation« as related to validity.

Impact of Frontal Systems Behavioral Functioning in Dementia on Caregiver Burden

Impact of Frontal Systems Behavioral Functioning in Dementia on Caregiver Burden