To Leave is to Die a Little: Assessing the Symptom Structure of Separation Anxiety Disorder in Left-Behind Emerging Adults.

The literature on separation anxiety disorder (SAD) presented two contentious issues relating to its assessment. First, studies are scarce in assessing the symptom structure of DSM-5 SAD among the adult population. Second, the accuracy in assessing the severity of SAD through measuring the intensity of disturbance and the frequency of occurrence of symptoms is yet to be studied. To address these limitations, the present study aimed to: (1) examine the latent factor structure of the newly developed separation anxiety disorder symptom severity inventory (SADSSI); (2) evaluate the necessity of using frequency or intensity formats through comparison of differences in the latent level; and (3) investigate SAD latent class analysis. Utilizing 425 left-behind emerging adults (LBA), the findings showed that a general factor with two dimensions (i.e., response formats) measuring frequency and intensity symptom severity separately has excellent fit and good reliability. Finally, the latent class analysis yielded a three-class solution best fitting to the data. Overall, the data provided evidence for the psychometric soundness of SADSSI as an assessment tool for separation anxiety symptoms among LBA.

Meaning-making following loss among bereaved spouses during the COVID-19 pandemic (the CO-LIVE study).

This study investigates how individuals construe, understand, and make sense of experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with bereaved spouses focusing on meaning attribution to the death of their partner. The interviewees were lacking adequate information, personalized care, and physical or emotional proximity; these challenges complicated their experience of a meaningful death of their partner. Concomitantly, many interviewees appreciated the exchange of experiences with others and any last moments together with their partner. Bereaved spouses actively sought valuable moments, during and after bereavement, that contributed to the perceived meaning.

Development of three African language translations of the FACT-G.

This pilot study investigated the feasibility of translating a quality of life instrument, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General version (FACT-G) and the breast cancer version (FACT-B), which consists of the FACT-G plus 10 additional items, into three South African languages (Pedi, Tswana, and Zulu). The international, interdisciplinary research team hypothesized that we could develop reliable and valid translations, and that valuable information could be gleaned from the responses of the three groups of traditional African people, which could inform the Western-trained medical profession. Understanding of cross-cultural views of cancer including its diagnosis and treatment could lead to better communication between the two cultures (Western and Traditional) resulting in increased utilization of Western medical treatment and increased treatment compliance by three of the underserved black populations. A total of 167 respondents completed one of three translated questionnaires, which assessed the patients' quality of life in 5 domains: Physical Well-Being, Social and Family Well-Being, Relationship with Doctor, Emotional Well-Being, and Functional Well-Being, plus for breast cancer patients the additional items on the FACT-B. However, only the items from the FACT-G (the 'core' of the FACT-B) were statistically analyzed for this pilot project. Results showed that it was possible to develop a reliable instrument in the three languages by modifying the standard translation methodology. Translation of physical and functional concepts was most straightforward. Translation of emotional items posed some difficulty. As expected, based upon observations about cultural differences in social values and functioning, the Social/Family Well-Being subscale was problematic. Analysis of this subscale provides information on cultural differences which may be important to physicians desiring to effectively treat this population with sensitivity and dignity. Methodology may be generalizable to other third world patient populations in translation of existing health status questionnaires.

Using cross-cultural input to adapt the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) scales.

Cross-cultural quality of life measurement and psychosocial assessment in oncology have become reality with the translation and international validation of quality of life questionnaires. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) Measurement System, under development since 1987, produced its 4th version in November 1997. The FACIT system includes the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT), the Functional Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (FAHI) and the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS). These questionnaires were developed in North America and, to date, many have been translated into almost 30 languages. One of the strengths of this ongoing translation project is its use of input from patients, linguists, psychologists and physicians internationally to assure that the wording of Version 4 is more cross-culturally relevant and more sensitive to measuring the psychosocial impact of illness in cultures outside the United States. Statistical analysis, aggregation of patient comments, and comments from linguists and users of the translated versions are used as needed to revise item wording to ensure clarity and consistency across languages. A 'decentering' approach is also used to adapt the source (English language) document in response to problems encountered during its translation.