Social Subscale Research Articles

Quality of Life in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cleft Lip and Palate with and Without Speech Therapy During COVID-19.

Cleft-related speech concerns can affect the quality of life (QOL) in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in-person speech therapy (ST) was restricted due to fear of getting infected. This study aimed to compare QOL in patients with CLP with and without ST during the pandemic. Cross-sectional Study. CLP team at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). Thirty-six CLP subjects with a mean age of 17.33 ± 4 years participated in two groups, including with and without ST. Fifteen subjects had cleft palate only (CPO) and others had CLP. ST group received at least 10 ST sessions, and group without ST didn't receive ST during COVID-19. A virtual link of demographic and QOL adolescent cleft (QoLAdoCleft) questionnaires were sent to fill out. Results were extracted and transferred to SPSS. Total and subscales' scores of QoLAdoCleft were lower in ST group than without ST but differences between them weren't statistically significant (P > .05). Furthermore, according to cleft type, there weren't any statistically significant differences in total, physical, and social subscales of QoLAdoCleft (P > .05); however, psychological subscale in CLP had a higher significant score than CPO (P < .05). QOL was weak in all patients with CLP, and receiving/not receiving ST couldn't make noticeable differences between them. It seems; COVID-19 pandemic can have an adverse effect on these results. Also, subjects with CLP had weaker psychological than CPO due to negative psychosocial feedback related to Orofacial deformities received from society.

Autistic Characteristics in a Nationally Representative Clinical Sample of Adolescents Seeking Medical Gender-Affirming Treatment in Norway.

Several studies have reported on the intersection of autism and gender incongruence (GI) in clinical populations. This study aims to investigate autistic characteristics and registered autism spectrum diagnoses (ASD) in a clinical cohort of 83 adolescents referred to the National Gender Team for Children and Adolescents in Norway during 2020. Parents completed the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Background information and registered psychiatric diagnoses were extracted from patient files. The results showed that 25% of the participants scored within the clinical range on the SRS: 27.4% of adolescents who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) and 19.0% of adolescents who were assigned male at birth (AMAB). AFAB had significantly higher scores on SRS Total Scale and the Social Motivation and Autistic Mannerisms subscales compared to the female norm group. AMAB had higher scores on the Social Motivation subscale and lower scores on the Social Awareness subscale, compared to the male norm population. Information from patient files revealed that 67.5% had one or more registered psychiatric diagnosis. 9.6% had received an ASD diagnosis, all AFAB. 18.1% had received an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. The most common psychiatric diagnoses were depression (25.3%) and anxiety disorders (18.1%). Further, 44.6% had a history of self-harm, and 15.7% had a history of a suicide attempt. The results showed an overrepresentation of ASD diagnoses and autistic characteristics measured by SRS for AFAB. There was an overrepresentation of psychiatric diagnoses for both the AFAB and the AMAB group in this study sample. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed.

The role of peer relationships and flow experience in the relationship between physical exercise and social anxiety in middle school students

The present study examined the relationship between physical exercise and social anxiety by testing a moderated mediation model that focused on how peer relationships mediate the relationship between physical exercise and social anxiety and how flow experience moderates this mediated relationship. A total of 1056 middle school students from six middle schools in Sichuan, China, volunteered to complete questionnaires comprising the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Student Peer Relationship Scale, Social Anxiety Subscale of the Self-Consciousness Scale, and Short (9-Item) Dispositional Flow Scales. Regression analysis indicated that physical exercise negatively influenced social anxiety through peer relationships (indirect effect = -0.04, 95% CI = [-0.067, -0.013]). In addition, a moderated regression analysis indicated that under high-flow experience, physical exercise suppresses social anxiety through positive effects on peer relationships (indirect effect = -0.04, 95% CI = [-0.087, -0.003]), and under low-flow experience, physical exercise exacerbates social anxiety through negative effects on peer relationships (indirect effect = 0.06, 95% CI = [0.016, 0.105]). Some practical implications have been discussed on the physical exercise intervention for suppressing social anxiety in middle school students.

Comparison of language development and social communication in 4-6 year old girls and boys in kindergartens in Qom province

Background and Aim: The main purpose of this causal-comparative research was to compare language development &amp; social communication in 4-6 year old boys and girls in kindergartens in Qom province.. Methods: The current research was applied in terms of purpose and experimental analytical research in terms of method.The statistical population of this causal-comparative study included all 4-6-year-old boys and girls in kindergartens in Qom province. To select the sample, a multi-stage cluster sampling method was used as follows. Two districts were randomly selected from the four educational districts of Qom province, and 10 kindergartens were selected from among the kindergartens in these districts. 30 people from each kindergarten were tested. The criteria for entering the research were: children present in the kindergarten educational program, who do not have behavioral, mental, and speech problems, and the language used in the child's speech must be Farsi, although the child may also be fluent in another language. In addition, the parents of the children as well as the child himself should have the consent to take the tests. The criteria for leaving the research were: parents' dissatisfaction (The children of the sample group were evaluated using the Told-p.3 language development test by taking a test from the child, and the social communication subscale of the Nyusha cognitive development test, social communication and movement in Farsi-speaking children, by asking the children's mothers. The data obtained from completing the questionnaires were analyzed after collection using SPSS software package version 25. The mean test of independent groups with t index and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.Results: The average values of two groups in language development indicated that in the main sub-test: related vocabulary, the average scores of boys are higher than girls. However, in the main sub-test: comprehension of grammar, the average scores of girls are higher than boys. And the difference between the mean scores of boys &amp; girls aged 4 to 6 years is not significant in the variable of social communication. Conclusion: In explaining the results in language development, the observed difference can be attributed to gender differences in brain structures and the fit and compatibility of the environment with the differences between the two sexes. Regarding the lack of influence of gender in the evolution of social communication, various variables such as social changes, cultural contexts and the creation of equal educational opportunities, the effectiveness of social learning and communication with peers, have been influential in this result.

Winner for Life: A three-year study of student-athletes’ life skills development in a training programme for coaches and teachers

Growing numbers of researchers have investigated how training programmes influence coaches’ and teachers’ ability to promote life skills development, and concurrently, athlete-related outcomes. This study aimed to examine high school student-athletes’ development of life skills through a three-year programme called Winner for Life (Gagnant pour la vie). Delivered online to high school coaches and teachers, the programme targeted five life skills: (a) Goal Setting and Concentration (Year 1), (b) Healthy Eating Habits and Safety Behaviours (Year 2), and Physical and Mental Recovery (Year 3). In all, 148 student-athletes participated in the programme and completed questionnaires at five time points to assess life skills development. A general linear repeated measures model was used to assess changes over time. Missing data were handled using multiple imputations. Student-athletes reported higher scores on Goal Setting subscale at time 2 (vs. time 1) and time 3 (vs. time 2) and on Social Recovery subscale at time 2 (vs. time 1). They also reported lower scores on Sleep Quality subscale at time 3 (vs. time 2) and time 5 (vs. time 4). Additionally, a significant interaction was observed between student-athletes’ age (mean = 13.5 years) at study start, and improvements on certain life skills subscales over time. Overall, the fact that student-athletes did not improve on all life skills could be explained by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, which limited the programme’s influence from time 3. Results should be considered in light of limitations regarding gender distribution and ceiling effects on student-athletes’ scores. Recommendations to improve future life skills programmes are discussed, such as involving parents in delivery and encouraging life skills teaching over time.

Nationwide Study: Public Adults' Perception of Cosmetic Surgery in Saudi Arabia.

Knowing what influences people to pursue cosmetic surgery can aid current and aspiring cosmetic surgeons as they develop their techniques and enhance their market practice. This study aimed to evaluate Saudi adults' perceptions of cosmetic surgery using the three subscales of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale, namely Social, Consider, and Intrapersonal. This cross-sectional, nationwide study involved members of the public from all provinces of Saudi Arabia. The inclusion criteria were being a Saudi resident over 18 years old and consenting to participate; those who did not meet the criteria were excluded. The study was implemented between October 25 and December 16, 2022. The electronic survey was composed of a demographic characteristics section and a previously constructed questionnaire modified for Arabic speakers to assess the population's perceptions of cosmetic surgery. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS 22 statistical package. Of the 8006 Saudi adults who participated in the study, 5551 (69.3%) were women, and 2245 (30.7%) were men. We found that intrapersonal factors were the primary motivator, followed by factors addressed by the Consider and Social subscales. However, attitudes differed by gender, age, and other demographic characteristics: men and younger individuals (18-29) showed the lowest score for likelihood to pursue cosmetic surgery, whereas women and older individuals (40-50) ranked the highest on total scale scores. Overall, the Saudi adult population showed diminished perceptions of cosmetic surgery nationwide. The results confirmed the authors' hypothesis that there is a diminished perception of cosmetic surgery among adults in Saudi Arabia.

Patient-Reported Outcomes of BMT CTN 1703: A Randomized Phase III Study for Gvhd Prophylaxis - a Quality of Life Evaluation

Introduction A randomized phase III trial of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy), tacrolimus, (Tac), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) versus tacrolimus/methotrexate (Tac/MTX) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis showed superior graft-versus-host disease-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) in the PTCy-containing arm (NEJM, 2023). Here, we report the effect of GVHD prophylaxis on patient-reported outcomes and impact on quality of life (QOL). Methods The QOL study component of BMT CTN 1703 employed four primary endpoints: Lee Chronic GVHD Symptom Score and the PROMIS subscales of physical function, gastrointestinal symptoms, and satisfaction with participation in social roles. Secondary endpoints included hemorrhagic cystitis symptoms and Lee symptom subscale differences, with questionnaires to English and Spanish-speaking participants at enrollment and on Days 100, 180, and 365 post-transplant. Given the risk of missing assessments, an inverse probability weighted-independent estimating equations (IPW-IEE) model was applied for score comparison between arms, adjusting for baseline score, assessment time, age, donor type, disease risk index (DRI), planned conditioning regimen, and planned use of post-transplant maintenance therapy. Significance was declared at a 1.25% level for score comparisons between arms after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. The analysis approach classified patients according to the intention-to-treat principle. Results QOL survey completion rates for patients at each timepoint were similar, exceeding 70% in each study arm. With the Lee Chronic GVHD Symptom Scale, higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. The IPW-IEE models indicated that the Lee Chronic GVHD Symptom Scale total scores were significantly lower in the PTCy arm compared to Tac/MTX at day 100 (mean difference [MD] -2.22, 99% confidence interval [CI] -5.05 to 0.61) and day 365 (MD -1.84, 99% CI -5.13 to 1.45, p=0.01 for overall treatment effect across all timepoints, Figure 1). Nutrition subscores were significantly better with PTCy at day 100 (MD -2.41, 99% CI -5.06 to 0.24, p=0.0014). Mouth scores were significantly better in the PTCy arm at day 365 (MD -7.09, 99% CI -13.21 to -0.98, p=0.0035). Patients over 65 years of age had better psychological subscores across the study population (MD -4.80, 99% CI -8.91 to -0.69, p=0.0026); no interaction was found between age and study treatment. Patient-reported hemorrhagic cystitis symptoms showed no significant difference between the study arms at any post-transplant time point. There was no significant treatment effect observed on the 3 PROMIS subscales. Across the entire study population, both relapse and acute GVHD were associated with worse scores on the Lee Symptom Scale, and PROMIS physical function, gastrointestinal symptoms, and social functions subscales. Chronic GVHD was associated with worse scores on the Lee Symptom Scale only, not the PROMIS subscales. No associations were found between patient-reported QOL at baseline and 1-year GRFS, disease-free survival, or overall survival. Conclusions The PTCy arm of BMT CTN 1703 showed superior GRFS, and this study confirms better patient-reported outcomes with PTCy. Patients who received PTCy showed better nutrition and mouth subscores on the Lee Chronic GVHD Symptom Scale compared to those who received Tac/MTX, possibly due to lower observed rates of severe acute and chronic GVHD in the PTCy arm. No association was found between patient-reported baseline quality of life and survival endpoints, suggesting the necessity of further research to elucidate the interplay of treatment strategies, patient factors, and their impact on long-term outcomes.

The relationship between childhood maltreatment and social anxiety among Chinese male individuals with drug use disorders: a moderated mediation model of fear of negative evaluation and self-construals

BackgroundSocial anxiety (SA) is prevalent among individuals with drug use disorders, playing a significant role in the etiology and maintenance of drug addiction. The etiological model of SA suggests a link between the development of SA and childhood maltreatment. Childhood maltreatment not only acts as a complex trauma with negative effects on individuals’ selves and other cognitions but also exerts a negative influence through early negative parent–child interactions on individuals’ internal working models, leading to the development of fear of negative evaluation and SA. Furthermore, self-construals, as a personality trait that emerges from the framework of the theory of sociocultural models, may exert a moderating effect on these mechanisms. The present study utilized a moderated mediation model to examine how childhood maltreatment relates to SA in individuals with drug addiction, aiming to provide support for a comprehensive understanding and effective resolution of SA in this group.MethodsA total of 618 Chinese male individuals with drug addiction (M = 34.13, SD = 8.76) participated, and they completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form, the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, the Self-Consciousness Scale’s Social Anxiety Subscale, and the Self-Construal Scale. SPSS PROCESS Macro was used to analyze the data.ResultCorrelation analysis revealed weak correlations among all variables but strong correlations between the SCS subscales. Mediation analyses revealed that fear of negative evaluation partially mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and SA. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that the link between fear of negative evaluation and SA was moderated by independent self-construal. The association was stronger among those with high independent self-construal than among those with low independent self-construal. An integrative moderated mediation analysis indicated that independent self-construal positively moderated the indirect association between childhood maltreatment and SA via fear of negative evaluation. However, interdependent self-construal did not show a moderated effect.ConclusionFear of negative evaluation plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and SA, while independent self-construal enhances the association between fear of negative evaluation and SA. Decreasing the fear of negative evaluation and intervening in self-construals may attenuate the association between childhood maltreatment and SA among Chinese male individuals with drug addiction.

Translation and Validation Testing of the Constipation-Related Quality of Life Scale for Use in Japan.

Introduction Establishing a scale that can easily be used to appropriately measure the impact of constipation on the quality of life in Japan is a first step toward addressing this important health issue. We developed a Japanese language version of the Constipation-Related Quality of Life scale, which has 18 items and four subscales, and then subjected it to validation testing. Methods After translation according to a standardized and commonly used procedure, the Japanese version of the Constipation-Related Quality of Life scale was administered to people in an internet-based panel, in March 2023. The participants included 1,276 adults who had constipation (median age: 60 years, 690 {54.1%} males). The outcome measures included the Constipation-Related Quality of Life scale, the Constipation Scoring System (an index of constipation severity), and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) eight-item short form (a measure of generic health-related quality of life). Results Confirmatory factor analysis (four-factor model) indicated that all 18 Constipation-Related Quality of Life items had sufficiently high factor loadings (0.686-0.926). Internal consistency reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha: 0.86-0.94). Scores on the social impairment subscale and on the distress subscale of the Constipation-Related Quality of Life scale were significantly worse in the participants who had worse scores on the social functioning and mental health domains, respectively, of the MOS eight-item short form, which indicates good concurrent validity. Regarding criterion-based validity, the four subscale scores differed significantly among the four constipation-severity groups. The four subscale scores were also 1.16-4.53 times more sensitive than the MOS eight-item short form's mental component score to differences among the four constipation-severity groups (relative validity: 1.16-4.53), which indicates good discriminant validity. Conclusion The Japanese version of the Constipation-Related Quality of Life scale can be used with confidence in its factor structure, its concurrent, criterion-based, and discriminant validity, and its internal consistency reliability.

An investigation of stigma and self-management in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy

AimThe complex nature of epilepsy disease confronts individuals with difficulties such as stigma. Stigma has a negative impact, particularly on individuals' coping with the disease. It is important for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy to adopt many self-management behaviors so that they can control these situations. This study aims to measure the stigma and self-management levels of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy and determine the relationship between stigma and self-management. MethodsThis descriptive and associational study was conducted in the Neurology Outpatient Clinic of a Training and Research Hospital and 295 patients were included in the sample based on various inclusion criteria such as having a diagnosis of epilepsy for at least six months and not having any psychiatric disorder that would prevent reading and comprehension. Data were collected through the Descriptive Information Form, the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy, and the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Concurrent User V 26 statistical package program. FindingsThe Stigma Scale of Epilepsy total mean score was found 60.62 ± 15.40 in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. The mean scores for the sub-scales were found 7.08 ± 2.20 for the false beliefs sub-scale, 18.86 ± 4.97 for the discrimination sub-scale, 21.64 ± 7.07 for the social isolation sub-scale, 8.46 ± 3.18 for the inadequacy sub-scale, and 5.45 ± 1.41 for the stigma resistance sub-scale. The ESMS total mean score of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy was found to be 140.54 ± 15.33. The mean scores for the ESMS sub-scales were 44.76 ± 4.29 for the medicine management sub-scale, 20.29 ± 5.98 for the information management sub-scale, 30.49 ± 4.80 for the safety management sub-scale, 23.95 ± 4.34 for the seizure management sub-scale, and 21.02 ± 4.65 for lifestyle management sub-scale. A significant and negative relationship was found between the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS) and the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy. ConclusionThis study found that individuals experienced a moderate level of stigma and had high levels of self-management. Stigma was found to decrease with the increase in the self-management level. In this regard, it is recommended to conduct intervention studies to increase self-management levels and reduce stigma for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy.

The impact of relationship status on IVF patients’ quality of life

ABSTRACT Infertility treatments are emotionally taxing and include invasive and time-consuming procedures over extended periods of time. In light of the growing numbers of single mothers by choice, the objective of this study was to apply the Conservation of Resources Theory in the context of infertility care and examine whether relationship status constitutes a psychological resource that buffers the decline in quality of life during IVF treatments. We used the FertiQol questionnaire to compare the quality of life of IVF patients between 422 patients who are involved in a couple relationship (“attached”) and 117 patients who are not (“unattached”). Results show that the total FertiQol was significantly higher among the attached participants; the Core FertiQol and the Treatment FertiQol were rated higher by the “attached.” No significant differences were found between the attached and unattached for the Emotional and Social subscales. “unattached” participants report significantly lower levels of quality of life in the “mind-body” and “treatment tolerability” subscales than the “attached” participants. It is concluded that being involved in a long-term couple relationship is to be seen as a resource that buffers the decline in quality of life of infertile women undergoing IVF treatments.

Validating the Korean Version of the Duke Social Support Index

Considering the increasing number of older people and one-person households of older people in South Korea as well as the importance of social support among older people, there is a need to develop an instrument that assesses both the structural and functional social support of older people. Accordingly, this is the first study to validate the Korean version of the 10-item Duke Social Support Index (DSSI-10), which is composed of the social interaction and satisfaction with social support subscales. A total of 293 respondents who were over 65 years old and attended welfare centers located in the surrounding area of Seoul participated in this study. We found that the Korean version of the DSSI is a reliable and valid social support instrument that exhibits a two-factor structure like its English version. The DSSI also has the advantage of being able to measure structural and functional social support simultaneously. Developing the Korean version of the DSSI will provide a valuable social support instrument for researchers and practitioners in South Korea, where social support scales measuring both types of social support for older people do not yet exist.

The effect of probiotic supplementation on the clinical and para-clinical findings of multiple sclerosis: a randomized clinical trial

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelination disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The gut-brain axis involves communication between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Probiotics can positively impact immune and inflammatory responses by regulating gut microbiota. A total of 40 MS patients (average age of 34.38 ± 6.65) were examined to determine the effect of the Saccharomyces boulardii supplement for four months compared to a placebo. The results showed that the Saccharomyces boulardii significantly decreased the inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) compared to the placebo (P < 0.001). The serum antioxidant capacity (TAC) also increased significantly in the probiotic group compared to the placebo (p = 0.004). Both the probiotic and placebo groups showed a reduction in the oxidative stress indicator malondialdehyde (MDA), but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Pain intensity (measured by Visual Analogue Scale) and fatigue severity (measured by Fatigue Severity Scale) significantly decreased in the probiotic group compared to the placebo (p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively). The probiotic group experienced significant improvement in some quality of life scales (measured by 36-Item Short Form Survey) and somatic and social dysfunction subscale of General Health Questionnaire scores compared to the placebo group (p = 0.01). The study suggests that the Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic supplement may benefit inflammatory markers, oxidative stress indicators, pain, fatigue, and quality of life in MS patients.

Digital Game Addiction Tendency and Social Competence in Preschool Children: The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between digital game addiction tendency and social competence in preschool children and the mediating role of self-regulation skills in this relationship. The sample included 310 preschool children aged 4-6 years (150 girls and 160 boys) studying in three kindergartens in the city center of Aydın. Digital Game Addiction Tendency Scale, Self-Regulation Skills Scale for 4–6-Year-Old Children (Mother Form), Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation-30 Scale - Social Competence Subscale, and Personal Information Form were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. The results of the Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that digital game addiction tendency was negatively correlated with self-regulation skills and social competence in preschool children. Moreover, the results indicated that there was a positive association between self-regulation skills and social competence in preschool children. The results of the structural equation model analysis revealed that digital game addiction tendency was directly related to self-regulation skills and indirectly related to social competence. Self-regulation skills have a full mediating role in the relationship between digital game addiction tendency and social competence. The research revealed the negative effects of digital game addiction on self-regulation skills which in turn affects social competence in preschool children. The results suggest that the effects of digital game addiction and self-regulation skills should be considered when assessing the social skills of preschool children.

Comparisons of EQ-5D-Y and PedsQL in pediatric patients with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease in longitudinal analyses

ObjectiveTo characterize longitudinal changes and correlations between the measures of EQ-5D-Y and generic PedsQL and their associations with clinical changes in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsParticipants were recruited from January 2017 to September 2021 in a medical center in Taiwan. Both instruments were administered in their initial visits and every 6-month subsequent visits. Spearman’s Rho (ρ) was used to assess correlations between the scores of EQ-5D-Y and PedsQL measures in longitudinal changes. Cohen’s effect size (ES) was used to evaluate the changes of scores/subscales over time. In addition, factors associated with longitudinal changes in the score/subscales were explored.ResultsA total of 121 participants were enrolled, and 83 with ≥ 3 HRQOL measures during the 3.5 years follow-up were assessed their changes of HRQOL measures. The correlations (ρ > 0.3) appeared between the changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) of EQ-5D-Y and emotional and social subscales of PedsQL. ES was small (< 0.5) in the VAS and level-sum-score (LSS) of EQ-5D-Y scores for the clinical changes in comorbidities, while some PedsQL subscales were medium to high (0.5–0.8 or > 0.8). Hypertension, mineral bone disorder/anemia, and hyperuricemia associated with the changes in both HRQOL scores were varied by their various domains.ConclusionBoth EQ-5D-Y and PedsQL of HRQOL measures were responsive to worsened childhood CKD-related comorbidities during the follow-up; however, convergent validity between them was limited in some domains. The LSS of EQ-5D-Y showed greater changes than the VAS by comorbidity status; further comparison with utility weight is needed to determine the better performance of EQ-5D-Y.

Social Competence of Omani Students with Learning Disabilities from their Teachers’ Perspectives

This research aims to identify the level of social competence among students with learning disabilities (LDs) from their teachers’ perspectives. The research sample consisted of 840 students with LDs enrolled in the resource room program (RRP) and general education classrooms (GECs) in Oman. Their RRP and general education teachers responded to the social competence scale. This scale consisted of 43 items distributed on three subscales related to teacher-preferred social behavior, peer-preferred social behavior, and school adjustment. The results indicated that the level of social competence was generally moderate among the students, but that this level was influenced by the educational alternative. The students enrolled in GECs had a higher level of social competence than their peers who had been referred to the RRP. The results also showed that there were statistical differences on the school adjustment subscale in favor of male students enrolled in GECs, and differences in favor of female students referred to the RRP on all social competence subscales.&#x0D; Keywords: Social competence; students with LDs; teachers of students with LDs; social behavior; social adjustment.

Poor Social Functioning: A Potentially Modifiable Risk Factor for Pneumonia in the Elderly.

Background Most risk factors for developing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are age-related and chronic medical conditions; modifying these factors can be challenging, especially in the elderly. Poor social functioning, however, has a negative impact on medical conditions but can be improved through interventions. Therefore, the social functioning domain of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) may be a modifiable risk factor for the development of CAP. This study investigated the association between poor social functioning and the incidence of CAP in elderly individuals. Methodology We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a dataset from 2018 to 2021, derived from an annual questionnaire-based survey of a cohort of community-dwelling people aged 75 years or older (the Sukagawa Study). The dataset included social functioning subscale scores of HRQOL obtained from the Eight-Item Short Form (SF-8) questionnaire. Health insurance claims data were matched with these HRQOL data. For each participant, the exposure (HRQOL) was measured, and outcomes (incidence of CAP) were observed yearly from 2018 through 2021. Results The four observation years had a total of 17,016 observation periods among 6,513 participants. The annual incidence rate of CAP was 0.90-1.77%. Lower social functioning was associated with a higher risk of CAP. Specifically, for each standard deviation difference in social functioning score, the adjusted rate ratio for CAP incidence was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-1.48). In a subgroup analysis, the association between social functioning and CAP differed by sex (p = 0.037). Specifically, the adjusted rate ratio for CAP incidence was 1.41 (95% CI = 1.17-1.70) in men and 1.00 (95% CI = 0.76-1.35) in women. Conclusions Poor social functioning is an important risk factor for CAP in the elderly, especially in men. Interventions that improve social functioning may help to prevent CAP.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health of Children with Embryonal Abdominal Tumors.

(1) Background: Embryonal abdominal tumors are one of the most common entities of solid childhood cancer. The present study investigates the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and the mental health of children to obtain a comprehensive picture of their health status and uncover a possible gap in healthcare. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 54 children who were treated for embryonal abdominal tumors and a control group of 46 children who received uncomplicated outpatient surgery. The HRQoL and the mental health were assessed by the parent proxy reports of the questionnaires Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). (3) Results: Children with embryonal abdominal tumors showed significantly lower HRQoL and mental health values compared to the norm data. The index group showed lower values in the social subscales of HRQoL and mental health compared to the control group. (4) Conclusions: Embryonal abdominal tumors affect the well-being of children. There is still a gap in healthcare due to children's HRQoL and mental health, especially regarding social development. It is essential to further advance the psychological care of children and improve their chances to develop social relationships.

Positive mental health in adults with bipolar disorder: exploring social support subtypes, negative social interactions and potential to flourish

BackgroundBipolar disorder (BD) (i.e., BD-I or BD-II) is a serious mental illness (SMI) that can cause significant life challenges, but its impact and management may be mediated by psychosocial factors. This study’s primary objectives were to investigate whether adults with BD differ from those without in terms of social support, negative social interactions (NSIs), and positive mental health (PMH). Secondly, examine whether gender differences exist in terms of these variables, as well as whether specific social support subscales and NSI predict PMH for those with BD.MethodsUsing data extracted from a national Canadian survey, 563 adults reporting a lifetime BD diagnosis were compared to a matched, non-BD sample using the Social Provisions Scale 10 Items (SPS-10), the NSI Scale, and the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF) Scale. For the BD sample, males and females were compared based on study variables, and hierarchical regressions were subsequently performed to assess whether SPS-10 subscales and NSIs predicted PMH.ResultsRespondents with BD reported significantly lower SPS-10 and PMH scores, and significantly higher NSI scores. Within the BD sample, females reported significantly higher SPS-10 and NSIs scores, and ‘social integration’ and ‘reassurance of worth’ positively predicted PMH, while NSI uniquely predicted lower PMH levels for both males and females.ConclusionsThe results implicate specific psychosocial factors and gender in the degree to which adults with BD might flourish, particularly in terms negative relationships. The implications of social erosion and the bi-directionality of social support are also considered.

Investigation of Attitudes towards Leisure Satisfaction of Individuals Attending Fitness Centers

This study was conducted to determine the attitudes of individuals attending fitness centers in Muş province towards leisure satisfaction in terms of some variables. The research is a mixed design research in which both quantitative and qualitative data are collected together. The margin of error was accepted as 0.05. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods (percentage/frequency) as well as Mann Whitney-U Test and Kruskal Wallis-H tests. Furthermore, the Mann Whitney-U Test was used to determine between which groups the significant difference arose from the results obtained from the Kruskal Wallis-H Test. While the population of the research consists of individuals who attend fitness centers in Muş province in Turkey, the sample group consists of 227 people who voluntarily participated in our study and were selected by the random sampling method. Accordingly, it is determined that the scores of the physiological and psychological subscales of the leisure satisfaction scale demonstrate a statistically significant difference according to the employment status variable (p&amp;lt;0.05) but the scores of the recreational, social, educational, and aesthetic subscales do not create a statistically significant difference according to the employment status variable(p&amp;lt;0.05). Based on the results of the study, it was determined that there was no significant difference in terms of the age, gender, educational status, and leisure duration variables of the participants, while the scores of physiological and psychological subscales created a statistically significant difference in terms of the employment status variable. In conclusion, it is important to conduct these and similar studies on a regional or national scale in terms of determining the attitude towards fitness centers.