Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form Research Articles

Primary dysmenorrhea with and without premenstrual syndrome: variation in quality of life over menstrual phases.

The majority of studies on quality of life (QoL) of women with menstrual disturbances have not taken menstrual cycle phase into account. We aimed to determine the size of changes in QoL score during perimenstrual week compared to those during late follicular phase in women suffering from dysmenorrhea with or without premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and also to compare the two groups. In this observational analytical study, participants were selected purposively from among single students aged 18-30years, who were residing at university dormitories in Tabriz, Iran, and had moderate or severe dysmenorrhea. They reported quality of their life during the past week using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) at two time points, days 3-4 and 11-12, of their menstrual cycle. Among 52 participants with PMS and 64 without PMS, about half reported severe dysmenorrhea. The mean total quality score was significantly lower during perimenstrual week than during late follicular phase in both group with PMS [48 vs 79, mean difference - 31 (95% confidence interval - 37 to - 26)] and group without PMS [56 vs 78, - 1 (- 27 to - 18)]. The score was significantly lower in the group with PMS than in those without PMS during perimenstrual week [- 8 (- 13 to - 2)] but not during late follicular phase [2.1 (- 2.9 to 7.0)]. Dysmenorrhea with or without PMS significantly reduces QoL of women during perimenstrual week. The QoL is slightly lower in group with PMS during perimenstrual week but not during late follicular phase.

Factor structure of the Q-LES-Q short form in an enrolled mental health clinic population

PurposeThe Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) is a recovery-oriented, self-report measure with an uncertain underlying factor structure, variously reported in the literature to consist of either one or two domains. We examined the possible factor structures of the English version in an enrolled mental health population who were not necessarily actively engaged in care.MethodsAs part of an implementation trial in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mental health clinics, we administered the Q-LES-Q-SF and Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) over the phone to 576 patients across nine medical centers. We used a split-sample approach and conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multi-trait analysis (MTA). Comparison with VR-12 assessed construct validity.ResultsBased on 568 surveys after excluding the work satisfaction item due to high unemployment rate, the EFA indicated a unidimensional structure. The MTA showed a single factor: ten items loaded on one strong psychosocial factor (α = 0.87). Only three items loaded on a physical factor (α = 0.63). Item discriminant validity was strong at 92.3%. Correlations with the VR-12 were consistent with the existence of two factors.ConclusionsThe English version of the Q-LES-Q-SF is a valid, reliable self-report instrument for assessing quality of life. Its factor structure can be best described as one strong psychosocial factor. Differences in underlying factor structure across studies may be due to limitations in using EFA on Likert scales, language, culture, locus of participant recruitment, disease burden, and mode of administration.

Toward a very brief quality of life enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire

ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate a new brief self-report measure of satisfaction/quality of life in depressed outpatients. MethodsUsing the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) self-report from Step-1 (n = 2181) of the STAR*D trial, items were selected based on their magnitude of change with treatment and correlation with 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR16). Psychometric analyses were conducted. Replication of scale performance was assessed with STAR*D Step-2 data (n = 250). ResultsThe 7 items selected (“Mini-Q-LES-Q”) rated satisfaction with work, household activities, social and family relations, leisure time activities, daily function and sense of well-being in the past week. This uni-dimensional scale captured 83–94% variance in Q-LES-Q-SF and had acceptable Item Response and Classical Test Theory characteristics. Baseline to exit percent changes in the Mini-Q-LES-Q and the QIDS-SR16 were significantly, modestly related (r = -0.552) (Step-1) and replicated (r = -0.562) (Step-2). The Mini-Q-LES-Q detected the expected improvement in satisfaction/quality of life in acute treatment, yet also identified residual deficits expected in many at acute-phase exit. LimitationsPopulation norms are yet undefined. Concurrent validity with detailed, well-validated scales that assess the seven Quality of Life domains incorporated in the Mini-Q-LES-Q remains unestablished. Sensitivity to symptom changes induced by psychotherapy or somatic therapies or sensitive to the effects of therapies aimed at enhancing quality of life enjoyment and function is unknown. ConclusionThe 7-item Mini-Q-LES-Q self-report measure satisfaction/quality of life has acceptable psychometric properties, reflects change with depressive symptom reduction, and detects residual deficits in this key clinical outcome.

Safety and effectiveness of escitalopram in an 8-week open study in Chinese patients with depression and anxiety.

BackgroundAnxiety symptoms usually worsen depression and functional impairment. The present study was aimed to evaluate the impact of escitalopram on social function and quality of life in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with anxiety symptoms.Patients and methodsAdult MDD patients with functional impairment (Sheehan Disability Scale [SDS] score ≥9) and anxiety symptoms (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A] score ≥14) received escitalopram (10–20 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Symptom status was assessed by SDS, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), HAM-A, and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report scales. Safety was evaluated by treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).ResultsOverall, 208 (79.7%) of 261 enrolled patients completed the 8-week treatment. Mean (SD) SDS and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form total scores were 17.4 (5.87) and 39.3 (14.43) at baseline, which improved to 7.6 (6.71) and 61.6 (15.80), respectively, at week 8. Totally, 59.2% of patients achieved functional remission (SDS≤6) and 61.7% of patients achieved depression remission (MADRS≤10) at week 8; 48.1% of patients achieved both functional and depression remission (SDS≤6 and MADRS≤10). The change in SDS total score was positively correlated with the change in MADRS and HAM-A total scores at each visit. Patient’s baseline SDS score was related with depression score (regression coefficient=0.40582, p=0.0005); remission of SDS was statistically related to a reduction of week 2 and week 6 HAM-A score (p<0.0001) and reduction of MADRS score (p<0.0001). Overall, 25.7% of patients reported ≥1 TEAEs. Most frequently reported TEAEs were nausea (5.8%), diarrhea (2.3%), and dizziness (2.7%). Most TEAEs were mild to moderate in severity. Four patients reported serious TEAEs, two patients reported suicide attempts, and one patient completed suicide.ConclusionEscitalopram (10–20 mg/day) treatment was efficacious in reducing depression, improving social function, and quality of life in MDD patients with anxiety symptoms. No new safety signals were identified.

Quality of Life across Mental Disorders in Psychiatric Outpatients

Literature has shown that individuals with various psychiatric disorders experience a lower quality of life (QoL). However, few have examined QoL across disorders. The current study explored differences in QoL and symptom severity across 4 psychiatric diagnostic groups: anxiety disorders (including obsessive compulsive disorder [OCD]), depressive disorders, schizophrenia, and pathological gambling. Data analysed was from a previous study that examined the prevalence of hoarding symptoms among outpatients (n = 500) in a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore. Measures utilised included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction QuestionnaireShort Form (Q-LES-Q-SF). Sociodemographic information and details on type and number of comorbidities were also collected. The depressive disorder group had the highest level of depressive and anxiety symptoms and the lowest QoL whereas; the schizophrenia group had the lowest level of depressive symptoms and the highest QoL. Age and employment status were the only sociodemographic correlates which were significantly associated with QoL. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, only the type of mental disorder was found to have a significant effect in explaining BAI, BDI-II and Q-LES-Q-SF. Findings offer insight in terms of the burden associated with the various disorders.

Treatment Within an Adult Mental Health Day Program: Examining Psychosocial Outcomes.

Day hospital programs provide stabilization, medication optimization, and therapeutic intervention for individuals experiencing acute psychiatric illnesses. The current study investigated treatment impact within an adult day hospital setting in a large Canadian general acute care hospital. A total of 196 patients were sampled in a naturalistic design. Participants filled out measures at admission and discharge, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale-24, the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Paired sample t-tests revealed significant improvements from admission to discharge on all but one measure, the ERQ Suppression scale. Overall, patients improved during treatment in terms of psychopathology and disability, and perceived quality of life. When the emotion regulation strategy of reappraisal was increasingly used over the duration of the treatment, improvements were observed in symptomatology, quality of life, and enhanced functionality. This article highlights the impact of therapeutic interventions received within a Canadian day hospital program.

F56. IMPACT OF SIDE EFFECTS DUE TO SECOND-GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS ON THE FUNCTIONING OF PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA: AN OBSERVATIONAL, PATIENT CENTERED, WEB SURVEY

BackgroundIn patients with schizophrenia, antipsychotic medications, including second-generation antipsychotics, may cause many side-effects (SE) often leading to treatment discontinuation, and possible relapse as a consequence. The impact of treatments on patient-centered outcomes such as health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is less well understood. Even less well understood is the impact of side effects on patient-centered outcomes such as daily functioning and HRQOL. Therefore, the study’s primary goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of SEs of second generation antipsychotics on patients’ day to day functioning.MethodsA cross-sectional, web-based, patient-reported survey was fielded in the United States between July and November 2017. The final survey included patient socio-demographics, a quality of life measure (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form, Q-LES-Q-SF), questions on treatment satisfaction, SEs experienced (Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-Effect Scale, GASS), and questions about the impact of SEs on functioning and emotions. Patients were recruited through patient advocacy and support groups, and medical research panels. Patient inclusion criteria: Self-reported schizophrenia diagnosis; 18 to 65 years old; stable for at least one month at time of screening; prescribed a second-generation antipsychotic medication for 1–12 months; the final sample consisted of those individuals who reported experiencing one or more side-effects based on the GASS.ResultsThe total sample (n=180) had a mean age of 35 (range 18–61) years old, of which 58.3% were females. Approximately a quarter (27.8%) of the sample had a college degree or higher; 69.4% identified as White, followed by 16.7% Black/ African American, and 6.1% Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islanders. Most prevalent SEs reported on the GASS were ‘difficulty sleeping’ (81.1%), ‘feeling sleepy during the day’ (77.2%), ‘dry mouth’ (70.6%), and ‘feeling restless (60.6%). The SEs most commonly reported as distressing, for those patients experiencing that SE, were difficulty passing urine (23.3%), and feeling drugged/like a zombie (19.4%). The minimum impact from SEs on daily functioning was 53.2 on a 0–100 Visual Analogue Scale (higher number reflects more negative impact on daily functioning; 0=no impact and 100=very highly impacted). Across the SEs further probed about, the most severe impact was on one’s ‘ability to get or do a job’; specifically, for the SEs ‘shaky hands or arms’ the mean impact was 76.1, followed by 69.8 for restlessness. ‘Problems enjoying sex’ had the greatest effect on one’s ‘intimate relationships’ (mean 74.8), and feeling drugged/like a zombie had the greatest effect on one’s ‘ability to concentrate’ (mean 70.2).DiscussionThe study indicates the importance of incorporating the patient with schizophrenia’s perspective when assessing SE experiences and impact on functioning due to second generation antipsychotic agents. Findings suggest that both activating SEs (restlessness) and sedating SEs (feeling drugged and sleepiness) have pronounced undesirable impact on daily patient functioning.

Abstinence and reduced frequency of use are associated with improvements in quality of life among treatment-seekers with cannabis use disorder.

Many patients with cannabis use disorder (CUD) do not achieve or do not have abstinence as a goal of treatment, rather they reduce their use. Assessing outcome measures as they relate to functioning and reductions in cannabis use is an important area of study. Quality of life (QoL) shows promise as one such measure. Past studies have demonstrated gender differences in QoL and CUD. We aim to assess (1) the relationship between cannabis use and QoL and (2) gender effects in an outpatient medication treatment study for CUD. Data from an 11-weeks, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lofexidine and dronabinol for CUD (n = 62) was analyzed. Pearson's correlations between baseline QoL as measured with the Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (QLES-Q-SF) and cannabis use assessed with modified timeline follow-back (TLFB) were examined. Multiple linear regression models of cannabis use on end of study QLES-Q-SF were analyzed, while adjusting for baseline QLES-Q-SF, study arm, and gender. Moderation effects with gender were also tested. No significant association between baseline cannabis use and QoL was found. End of study abstinence (F1,47 = 8.34, p = .006) and reduced proportion of using days (F1,47 = 9.48, p = .004) were each significantly associated with end of study QoL. Reduction in grams (F1,27 = 0.25, p = .62) was not associated with QoL at end of study. Gender was not a significant moderator. Abstinence and lower frequency of use are associated with higher QoL, regardless of gender. This is the first time QoL has been demonstrated to change over the course of CUD medication treatment. QoL is an important outcome in CUD treatment. NCT01020019. (Am J Addict 2018;27:101-107).

The impact of video nasal endoscopy on patient satisfaction.

Video nasal endoscopy has significant associated expense for practices, but its use has been justified by the benefit it provides to the examiner. No study has examined the perceived benefit to the patient. In this study, the impact of video endoscopy on patient satisfaction is evaluated. A prospective, randomized, single-blinded study was performed on new patients receiving care in the rhinology clinics of a tertiary-care center. Patients were randomized into the standard endoscopic examination (SEE) or video endoscopic examination (VEE) groups. SEE patients had their examination performed with the physician viewing the exam through the eyepiece, without a video camera, and subsequently had their examination explained. VEE patients had their examination performed with a video camera attached to the scope, recorded, and then used for the explanation. All patients were asked to complete the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and the 18-item Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form (PSQ-18). Statistical analysis was performed to identify differences between cohorts. There was no significant demographic difference between groups. SNOT-22 total and domain scores were similar between both groups (p > 0.05). VEE patients had significantly higher general satisfaction (p = 0.048) and communication (p = 0.028) domains within the PSQ-18. There was no difference between other domains (p > 0.05). VEE is a valuable tool for otolaryngologists and patients. Further studies evaluating variance in patient compliance and symptomatology may provide further justification for its use.

Vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: protocol for a pilot self-controlled trial

Background and objectives: Patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) show no improvement after treatment with a series of drugs. Previous reports have described positive effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on the emotional states of patients with epilepsy. VNS for TRD has not been explored in China. We will investigate the efficacy and safety of VNS for the treatment of TRD in a Chinese cohort. Design: A pilot self-controlled trial. Methods: The study population will comprise 10 consecutive patients with TRD admitted to Beijing Anding Hospital at Capital Medical University in Beijing, China. The patients will receive routine treatment supplemented with VNS starting at 2 weeks after surgery. Follow-up evaluations will be performed at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months of nerve stimulation. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure will be the change in the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) total score from baseline to 12 months of nerve stimulation. The secondary outcome measures will include the proportion of patients who achieve ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in the HAMD-17 total score, complete remission rate, and the Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology-Self Report, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Global Assessment of Function, Clinical Global Impression-severity, Clinical Global Impression-improvement, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, Young Mania Rating Scale, Patient Health Questionaire-15, Sheehan Disability Scale, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression, Frequency, Intensity and Burden of Side Effects Rating, and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale scores. Discussion: The trial will provide objective data on the potential of the clinical implementation of VNS as a treatment for TRD in China. Ethics and dissemination: This study protocol was approved by the Institution Review Board of Beijing Anding Hospital of Capital Medical University in China (approval No. 201775FS-2) at October 2017. Design of the study was finished in August 2017, participant recruitment was started at December 2017, and data analysis will be completed until December 2021. The results of the study will be disseminated through presentations at peer-reviewed publications. Trial registration: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with registration No. ChiCTR-ONC-174013430 (version 2.0) in November 2017.

Development of a self-care program satisfaction questionnaire for cardiovascular patients in Iran.

Introduction: Evaluating patient satisfaction with self-care program can increase the likelihood of complying with treatment. There is no valid and reliable tool to be used in measuring Iranian patient’s satisfaction with self-care program. So, this study intends to develop the patient satisfaction questionnaire in the context of cardiac rehabilitation and test its validity and reliability in Iranian patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to develop and validate the patient satisfaction with self-care program questionnaire using structural modeling. A total of 155 cardiovascular patients referring to cardiovascular rehabilitation center in Isfahan were participated in this study. Construct and criterion validity, and test-retest reliability were used to validate the scale. Results: After reviewing literature and receiving expert’ comments for items pooling as well as conducting exploratory factor analysis, 10 statements in the model remained which are loaded on 2 factors. These 2 subscales explained about 63 percent of variance of all constructs. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged between 0.87 and 0.89 for the whole questionnaires and its subscales. Besides, scale had excellent stability (intraclass correlation = 0.86). Criterion validity analyzed through correlational analyses revealed significant relationships between the current scale and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (PSQ11). CFA revealed an acceptable overall fit for two-factor model. Conclusion: The scale integrated 10 items in two dimension including patient satisfaction with rehabilitation program and patient satisfaction with personnel of rehabilitation team. In total, most of the psychometric properties of the 10-item patient satisfaction with self-care program scale achieved the standard level and were sufficient to recommend for cardiac rehabilitation settings.

JOB SATISFACTION LEVELS OF VOLLEYBALL REFEREES SERVING AT TURKISH 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD LEAGUES (ISTANBUL SAMPLE)

Job satisfaction is defined as the result of individuals’ attitudes towards their jobs, which is affected by such factors as job related wage, supervision, working conditions, improvements opportunities, acknowledgement of skills, job evaluation, human relations in the organization and environment. It is the most important problem of human resources in every area, from public sector to private sector, industry to sports, teachers to officers, athletes to referees. Job satisfaction has social, economic and psychological consequences on individuals. The purpose of the present research is studying the job satisfaction levels of volleyball referees as one of the human resources sports sector. The universe of the research consists of referees working for Turkish Volleyball Federation, while the sample consists of 134 volleyball referees selected via simple sampling method among the universe. Job Satisfaction of the participants was evaluated with Satisfaction Questionnaire short form. At the first step, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) scores of participants were calculated. With these scores, referees’ satisfaction levels from external and internal environment factors were determined. At the second step, variation in these scores by gender was analysed. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was utilized at 0.05 significance level, to analyse the variation in average scores from job satisfaction factors. The findings of the present research are as follows: General job satisfaction of volleyball referees ranges between 3.73 and neutral satisfaction level, increasing towards satisfaction level. This is a positive development for Volleyball Federation. For the institutions to survive and compete, they need to use the resources they have efficiently and increase their general performance accordingly. Average satisfaction score of referees from internal environmental conditions is 3.9200 and the average satisfaction from external environmental conditions is 3.3582. This finding indicates that referees are more satisfied with the refereeing job than they are with the opportunities provided by the federation. Article visualizations:

The impact of type D personality on the quality of life and on microangiopathic and macroangiopathic complications in outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

IntroductionIn 2015, the worldwide point prevalence for diabetes mellitus was 8.8%. Type D personality was found as being more prevalent in type 2 diabetes than in the general population.ObjectivesWe aimed to reveal the frequency of type D personality and to analyze the impact of type D personality on both quality of life and angiopathic complications, in patients with type 2 diabetes from our region.MethodsA cross-sectional research was performed on 79 outpatients that were monitored for diabetes mellitus at Timisoara diabetes, nutrition and metabolic diseases clinic. Type D personality was assessed with the DS-14 scale. Quality of life was quantified by using the Q-LES-Q-SF scale (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form). The angiopathic complications were abstracted from medical records.ResultsType D personality was present in 38 subjects with diabetes mellitus (48.10%). Compared to those without type D personality, patients with type D personality and diabetes had significant lower mean scores for the following domains of the Q-LES-Q-SF scale: social relationships (P &lt; 0.001), daily life function (P = 0.027), sexual activity (P = 0.005), to get around physically (P &lt; 0.001), work or hobbies (P = 0.008) and raw score (P = 0.003). Type D personality did not make any difference regarding micro and macroangiopathic complications of type 2 diabetes patients.ConclusionsType D personality, a highly frequent entity, did not make the difference with respect to diabetic complications; however, it may interfere significantly with several facets of the quality of life of these patients. These results should be taken into account for an interdisciplinary approach to these patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Likert Scales Require Validation before Application - Another Cautionary Tale

Investigating the structure and assessing the psychometric properties of Likert scales before their application is a prerequisite of scaling theory. However, there are instances in the literature where Likert scales that were developed as a multidimensional measurement of the underlying construct have been applied without first validating their structure and reporting on their reliability. In this paper, to discourage such applications, the required sequence of decisions for such an investigation and assessment based on current theory and practice is demonstrated using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-form (PSQ-18), a six-dimensional Likert measurement instrument. Although the findings did not confirm the dimensionality of the PSQ-18, they did provide an overall valid and reliable scale, emphasizing the need of validating its structure before application.

The Quality of Life in Chronic Patients in the Process of Rehabilitation.

Objective:The aim of this study was to examine whether there is a correlation between self-evaluated quality of life, anxiety, depression, motivation, subjective-rated financial status, education, age and autonomous movements in patients with chronic conditions.Respondents and Methods:The study consecutively included 68 chronically ill patients, the average chronological age of 56.21 years. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for self-evaluation of the quality of life of respondents was used to evaluate the presence of anxiety and depression, the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form was used for self-evaluation of the quality of life, and the Visual analogue scale of motivation was used for self-evaluation of the level of motivation.Results:It was found that anxiety, depression, education, financial status, chronological age and mobility have a significant impact on the sense of satisfaction with the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases.Conclusions:These results are important for clinical practice, planning and delivery of health services, evaluation of the implemented public health measures.

Transition of Adolescents with Chronic Neurologic Disorders into Adult Health Care

Transition of care from pediatric to adult services is a complex process. Factors influencing the success of health care transition of adolescents with chronic neurological disorders are poorly understood. Young adults with chronic neurological disorders who had been cared for in an Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center participated in this study. Using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-form (PSQ-18) we investigated whether satisfaction of these patients with their medical care in adult services was depending on the severity and complexity of their condition. They were assigned to a group of severely disabled patients (group 1; intellectual disability or learning disability plus motor handicap or degree of disability≥80, n=11) or a group 2 of patients with milder impairment (N=39). We used descriptive and t-statistics to compare both groups. Patients of group 1 reported slightly lower satisfaction with their present medical care in adult services (M=3.25; 95%-KI=[2.96-3.55]) compared to patients of group 2 (M=3.59; 95%.KI=[3.37-3.81]; p=0.084). Satisfaction with transition was significantly lower in group 1 (M=2.65; 95% KI=[2.29-3.01]) than in group 2 (M=3.11; 95% KI=[2.89-3.33], p=0.045). The difference of mean values of 0.46 reflects a moderate effect size (Hedges' g=0.68). Health care transition of adolescent patients with chronic neurological disorders is significantly more successful in patients with minor impairment compared to patients with severe complex neurological conditions.

Health Related Quality of Life after ECT for depression: A study exploring the role of different electrode-placements and pulse-widths

IntroductionPrior research has shown large improvements in HRQOL after a course of ECT for depression. However, the effect of different types of ECT on HRQOL outcomes has not been explored. This is important due to the considerable range of ECT treatment modalities that currently exist in clinical practice. MethodsHRQOL data from 355 depressed patients in three Australian clinical hospitals, who received ECT given with a range of treatment modalities (combinations of pulse-width and electrode-placement), were analysed. HRQOL was measured at baseline and after ECT, using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF). The association between type of ECT and HRQOL after ECT was examined by regression analysis, controlling for variables that may affect HRQOL outcomes. ResultsThere was a significant increase in HRQOL scores after ECT (p<0.0001; t=−23.4). The magnitude of change was large (54% increase, Cohen's d=1.43). Multiple regression analysis yielded a significant model (P<0.001, R2=0.18). Baseline HRQOL score (t=4.83; p<0.0001), age (t=2.75, p<0.01) and type of ECT received [Right Unilateral brief vs Bitemporal Ultrabrief (t=−2.99; p<0.01) and Right Unilateral brief vs Bifrontal Ultrabrief (t=−2.70; p<0.01)] were significant predictors of HRQOL after the ECT course. LimitationsData was collected naturalistically from clinical services, thus ECT modality was not randomly assigned. Site could have confounded results. ConclusionsAn acute course of ECT for depression produced statistically and clinically significant improvements in HRQOL. ECT treatment modality can substantially impact HRQOL outcomes, with the possibility of bilateral ultrabrief forms of ECT being less beneficial.

Stress and Self-Esteem Mediate the Relationships between Different Categories of Perfectionism and Life Satisfaction

This study was conducted to explore the unclear relationships among stress and self-esteem and life satisfaction of perfectionists. A sample of 1957 Chinese undergraduates completed Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-short form (Q-LES-Q). Cluster analysis was used to define categories of perfectionists and nonperfectionists. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were also used. Results showed that adaptive perfectionists had higher RSES scores and Q-LES-Q scores and lower PSS scores than maladaptive perfectionists (all p < 0.01). All variables were correlated significantly (all p < 0.01) and were included in the final structural equation model, which fitted the data well. These results indicated that both stress and self-esteem mediated the relationships between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and life satisfaction, and self-esteem suppressed the negative effect of stress on life satisfaction.

Impact of job satisfaction and burnout on attitudes towards strike action among employees of a Nigerian university

ABSTRACTThe Nigerian tertiary educational system has been ravaged by incessant strike action, which appears to defy all attempts to find solutions. This paper reports on a study that examines the impact of job satisfaction and burnout on attitudes towards strike actions among employees of a Nigerian university. A total of 576 employees participated in the study, 263 men and 313 women, with a mean age of 38.49 years. The Attitude to Strike Scale, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form, and Teacher’s Burnout Scale were used to collect data. Findings showed that employees with low job satisfaction and high burnout reported significantly a more positive attitude towards strike action than those with higher job satisfaction and lower burnout. It was suggested that governments and administrators of Nigerian tertiary institutions should device strategies to improve workers’ job satisfaction and reduce burnout as ways of reducing the workers’ likelihood to embark on strike actions.

Effects on health-related quality of life in patients treated with lurasidone for bipolar depression: results from two placebo controlled bipolar depression trials.

BackgroundDepressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The efficacy of lurasidone in reducing depressive symptoms has been previously demonstrated. The objective of this study was to examine the direct and indirect effect (mediated through improvement in depression symptoms) of lurasidone in improving patient HRQoL.MethodsA secondary analysis of data was conducted of two 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials assessing the effect of lurasidone (lurasidone monotherapy [20–60 mg/day or 80–120 mg/day]; lurasidone adjunctive to lithium or valproate [20–120 mg/day]) in patients with bipolar depression. Patient HRQoL was measured using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q SF). Depression symptoms were measured using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to estimate the effect of lurasidone on improvement in the Q-LES-Q SF percentage maximum score from baseline to 6 weeks. Path analysis was used to evaluate the total effect (β1), as well as the indirect (β2*β3) and direct (β4) effect of lurasidone on Q-LES-Q SF change through improvements in MADRS.ResultsA total of 340 and 485 patients from the monotherapy and adjunctive therapy, respectively, were included in the analysis. At 6-weeks, ANCOVA analyses demonstrated that lurasidone provided significant improvement in adjusted mean Q-LES-Q SF scores in comparison to placebo for monotherapy (22.9 and 22.7 vs. 15.2, both p < 0.01) and adjunctive therapy (23.1 vs. 17.9, p = 0.01). Path analyses indicated that lurasidone treatment predicted MADRS improvement (monotherapy: β2 = −0.44, p < 0.001; adjunctive therapy: β2 = −0.34, p = 0.003), which subsequently predicted improvement in Q-LES-Q SF (monotherapy: β3 = −0.73, p < 0.001; adjunctive therapy: β3 = −0.75, p < 0.001); however, the effect of lurasidone on improvement in Q-LES-Q SF was largely mediated by change in MADRS (monotherapy: β4 = 0.11, p = 0.13; adjunctive therapy: β4 = 0.02, p = 0.77).ConclusionsLurasidone as a monotherapy and adjunctive to lithium or valproate is an effective treatment for improving HRQoL in patients with bipolar depression. However, improvement in HRQoL was not independent of improvement in depression, indicating that the effect of lurasidone on improving patient HRQoL may act through a reduction in depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT00868699 and NCT00868452 (both registered March 23, 2009)