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1.
Omega (Westport) ; : 302228241259647, 2024 Jun 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38844415

ABSTRACT

Background: Research has predominantly focused on the post-traumatic consequences of grief. Less is known about the factors associated with the capacity for recovery and growth. Objective: The main goal of this study is to analyse the mediating role of coping strategies in the relationship between the impact of the event and posttraumatic growth, considering the degree of kinship and the cause of death. Methods: This exploratory and correlational study, which used a cross-sectional design, involved a community sample of 889 adults who had lost a loved one. Results: Emotion and problem-focused coping strategies mediate the relationship between the impact of loss and posttraumatic growth, specifically when a spouse or a child dies. Conclusions: Individuals who experience greater suffering also undergo higher levels of post-traumatic growth. Coping strategies are crucial in post-trauma reconstruction and growth. Furthermore, the degree of kinship and the cause of death are decisive factors.

2.
Res Psychother ; 27(1)2024 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38357990

ABSTRACT

Research in psychotherapy has emphasized the relevance of the therapist's role, particularly the impact of deliberate practice and self-awareness (SA). This study aims to explore how SA is presented in the accounts of psychotherapists and assess the impact of attending to actual performance. Twenty cognitive behavioral therapy psychotherapists in training were interviewed before and after listening to their session recordings. The interview was based on five domains of self-awareness: recognition of emotional experience, assessment of personal skills, recognition of prejudices and implicit biases, and awareness of personal values. Results show that SA is frequently attained in skills identification and emotional experience. Recognizing the influence of personal values and bias, and emotional regulation was less frequently identified. There were minor differences before and after listening to the recording. There is an increase of SA in identifying the therapist's personal skills, and aspects such as our prejudices and biases are more internalized and difficult to change. This article suggests the importance of deliberate practice strategies to promote SA and increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

3.
Behav Sci (Basel) ; 13(11)2023 Nov 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37998659

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted the mental health of the general population and particularly vulnerable individuals and groups. A wealth of research allows for estimating this impact and identifying relevant factors contributing to or mitigating it. The current paper presents and synthesizes this evidence into a multiaxial model of COVID-19 mental health impacts. Based on existing research, we propose four axes: (1) Exposure to COVID-related events; (2) Personal and social vulnerability, such as previous mental health problems or belonging to a vulnerable group; (3) Time, which accounts for the differential impacts throughout the development of the pandemic; and (4) Context, including healthcare and public policies, and social representations of the illness influencing individual emotional reactions and relevant behaviors. These axes help acknowledge the complexity of communities' reactions and are pragmatic in identifying and prioritizing factors. The axes can provide individual information (i.e., more exposure is harmful) and account for interactions (e.g., exposure in an early phase of the pandemic differs from a later stage). This model contributes to the reflections of the evidence and informs the mental health response to the next pandemic.

4.
Cien Saude Colet ; 28(10): 2785-2796, 2023 Oct.
Article in Portuguese, English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37878923

ABSTRACT

The present study aims to describe the sociodemographic and health profile of nursing professionals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and propose a reflective analysis on the essentiality of the category facing the intrinsic demands of patients and the Brazilian health system, especially in the context of the public health emergency triggered by the exponential advance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study reveals the relationship between historical injustices and the different types of inequality that impacted and caused the vulnerability of the profession, with an emphasis on the presentation of potential perspectives arising from this historical process and recent events.


A pesquisa tem por objetivo descrever o perfil sociodemográfico e de saúde dos profissionais de enfermagem no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19 e propõe uma análise reflexiva sobre a essencialidade da categoria frente às demandas intrínsecas dos pacientes e do sistema de saúde brasileiro, especialmente, no contexto da emergência de saúde pública deflagrada pelo avanço exponencial do vírus SARS-CoV-2. O estudo revela a relação entre as injustiças históricas e os diferentes tipos de desigualdade que afetam e causam a vulnerabilidade da profissão, com fulcro na apresentação de potenciais perspectivas decorrentes desse processo histórico e dos acontecimentos recentes.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Pandemics , Brazil/epidemiology
5.
Cien Saude Colet ; 28(10): 2823-2832, 2023 Oct.
Article in Portuguese, English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37878926

ABSTRACT

This is an original article that addresses the healthcare workforce (HW) in Brazil, as well as comorbidities and mental health changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and collected data through an online questionnaires from a total of 36,612 participants, health professionals (HP, with higher education level), and invisible healthcare workers (IHW, with a technical mid-level education). The overall prevalence of comorbidities in Brazil was 26.1% and 23.9%; the highest was arterial hypertension (27.4% and 31.9%), followed by obesity (18.4% and 15.1%), chronic respiratory diseases (15.7% and 12.9%), diabetes mellitus (10.3% and 10.4%), and depression/anxiety (9.1% and 11.7%), in the HW and IHW, respectively. The region with the highest frequency was the southeast, where the largest contingent of workers is located. The HW, affected with a high burden of non-communicable chronic diseases and exposed to SARS-CoV-2, proved to be vulnerable to illness and death. Mental symptoms and intense psychological suffering have been reported. These results allow us to estimate the impacts upon physical and mental health, as well as upon living and working conditions of the HW. The health and life of workers, leading role in facing health challenges of the pandemic, are a high priority in public policies.


Trata-se de um artigo original que aborda a força de trabalho (FT) em saúde no Brasil, suas comorbidades e alterações da saúde mental na pandemia da COVID-19. O estudo conduzido pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz coletou dados por meio de questionário on-line com um total de 36.612 participantes: profissionais de saúde (PS, formação de nível superior), e trabalhadores invisíveis (TI, nível técnico). A prevalência de comorbidades no Brasil foi de 26,1% e 23,9%, a maior foi hipertensão arterial (27,4% e 31,9%), seguida da obesidade (18,4% e 15,1%), doenças crônicas respiratórias (15,7% e 12,9%), diabetes mellitus (10,3% e 10,4%), e depressão/ansiedade (9,1% e 11,7%), nos PS e TI, respectivamente. A região com maior frequência foi a sudeste onde concentra-se o maior contingente de trabalhadores. A FT acometida com alta carga de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e exposta ao SARS-CoV-2, torna-se vulnerável para o adoecimento e morte. Sintomas mentais e intenso sofrimento psíquico foram relatados. Os resultados deste estudo nos permitem estimar o impacto na saúde física e mental, e nas condições de vida e de trabalho da FT. A saúde e a vida dos trabalhadores, protagonistas no enfrentamento dos desafios da pandemia, são prioridade nas políticas públicas.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , Pandemics , Mental Health , Brazil/epidemiology , Depression/epidemiology , Health Personnel , Anxiety/epidemiology
6.
Ciênc. Saúde Colet. (Impr.) ; 28(10): 2785-2796, out. 2023. tab, graf
Article in Portuguese | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1520611

ABSTRACT

Resumo A pesquisa tem por objetivo descrever o perfil sociodemográfico e de saúde dos profissionais de enfermagem no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19 e propõe uma análise reflexiva sobre a essencialidade da categoria frente às demandas intrínsecas dos pacientes e do sistema de saúde brasileiro, especialmente, no contexto da emergência de saúde pública deflagrada pelo avanço exponencial do vírus SARS-CoV-2. O estudo revela a relação entre as injustiças históricas e os diferentes tipos de desigualdade que afetam e causam a vulnerabilidade da profissão, com fulcro na apresentação de potenciais perspectivas decorrentes desse processo histórico e dos acontecimentos recentes.


Abstract The present study aims to describe the sociodemographic and health profile of nursing professionals in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and propose a reflective analysis on the essentiality of the category facing the intrinsic demands of patients and the Brazilian health system, especially in the context of the public health emergency triggered by the exponential advance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study reveals the relationship between historical injustices and the different types of inequality that impacted and caused the vulnerability of the profession, with an emphasis on the presentation of potential perspectives arising from this historical process and recent events.

7.
Ciênc. Saúde Colet. (Impr.) ; 28(10): 2823-2832, out. 2023. tab
Article in Portuguese | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1520615

ABSTRACT

Resumo Trata-se de um artigo original que aborda a força de trabalho (FT) em saúde no Brasil, suas comorbidades e alterações da saúde mental na pandemia da COVID-19. O estudo conduzido pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz coletou dados por meio de questionário on-line com um total de 36.612 participantes: profissionais de saúde (PS, formação de nível superior), e trabalhadores invisíveis (TI, nível técnico). A prevalência de comorbidades no Brasil foi de 26,1% e 23,9%, a maior foi hipertensão arterial (27,4% e 31,9%), seguida da obesidade (18,4% e 15,1%), doenças crônicas respiratórias (15,7% e 12,9%), diabetes mellitus (10,3% e 10,4%), e depressão/ansiedade (9,1% e 11,7%), nos PS e TI, respectivamente. A região com maior frequência foi a sudeste onde concentra-se o maior contingente de trabalhadores. A FT acometida com alta carga de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e exposta ao SARS-CoV-2, torna-se vulnerável para o adoecimento e morte. Sintomas mentais e intenso sofrimento psíquico foram relatados. Os resultados deste estudo nos permitem estimar o impacto na saúde física e mental, e nas condições de vida e de trabalho da FT. A saúde e a vida dos trabalhadores, protagonistas no enfrentamento dos desafios da pandemia, são prioridade nas políticas públicas.


Abstract This is an original article that addresses the healthcare workforce (HW) in Brazil, as well as comorbidities and mental health changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and collected data through an online questionnaires from a total of 36,612 participants, health professionals (HP, with higher education level), and invisible healthcare workers (IHW, with a technical mid-level education). The overall prevalence of comorbidities in Brazil was 26.1% and 23.9%; the highest was arterial hypertension (27.4% and 31.9%), followed by obesity (18.4% and 15.1%), chronic respiratory diseases (15.7% and 12.9%), diabetes mellitus (10.3% and 10.4%), and depression/anxiety (9.1% and 11.7%), in the HW and IHW, respectively. The region with the highest frequency was the southeast, where the largest contingent of workers is located. The HW, affected with a high burden of non-communicable chronic diseases and exposed to SARS-CoV-2, proved to be vulnerable to illness and death. Mental symptoms and intense psychological suffering have been reported. These results allow us to estimate the impacts upon physical and mental health, as well as upon living and working conditions of the HW. The health and life of workers, leading role in facing health challenges of the pandemic, are a high priority in public policies.

8.
Psychol Rep ; : 332941231204304, 2023 Sep 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37770026

ABSTRACT

Recalled parental emotion socialisation has been associated with psychological distress in adulthood. Since emotional schemas develop from interpersonal interaction and can result in pathological reactions, they can be an important mechanism. The present study analyses the mediator role of emotional schemas in the relationship between recalled parental emotion socialisation and psychological distress. A community sample of 246 Portuguese adults, between 18 and 73 years old (M = 34.3, SD = 13.32), completed the following self-report measures: Emotional (In)Validation Experiences Scale; Leahy Emotional Schema Scale; and Brief Symptom Inventory 18. Two mediation models were estimated, one for each parent. Emotional schemas mediated the relationship between recalled parental emotion socialisation and psychological distress. Negative evaluation of emotion was the strongest mediator in the relationship between emotional invalidation and psychological distress while difficulties in reappraisal was the strongest mediator in the relationship between emotional validation and psychological distress. Differences were observed between the mother's and father's models. Results highlight the importance of emotional schemas in understanding the role of parental emotion socialisation in psychological distress, which may have important implications for intervention and prevention.

9.
Res Psychother ; 26(2)2023 Jul 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37403924

ABSTRACT

The Real Relationship is a relational construct that has influenced other constructs, like the working alliance, although empirically neglected. The development of the Real Relationship Inventory provides a reliable and valid way of measuring the Real Relationship in research and clinical applications. This study aimed to validate and explore the psychometric properties of the Real Relationship Inventory Client Form with a Portuguese adult sample in the context of psychotherapy. The sample includes 373 clients currently in psychotherapy or concluded recently. All clients completed the Real Relationship Inventory (RRI-C) and the Working Alliance Inventory. The confirmatory analysis revealed the same two factors in the RRI-C for the Portuguese adult population, Genuineness and Realism. The observation of the same factor structure suggests the cross-cultural value of the Real Relationship. The measure demonstrated good internal consistency and acceptable adjustment. A significant correlation was found between the RRI-C and the Working Alliance Inventory and significant correlations between the Bond and Genuineness and Realism subscales. The present study reflects on the RRI-C while also contributing to the importance of the Real Relationship in different cultures and clinical contexts.

11.
Adv Radiat Oncol ; 8(4): 101171, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37152490

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To develop a specialist-based consensus of cochlear contouring to be used in patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment for vestibular schwannoma. Methods and Materials: Representative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used for cochlear contouring. The semicircles, cochlea, vestibule, and internal acoustic meatus were delineated by 7 radiation oncology department physicians and reviewed by neuroradiologists. A total of 12 cases accrued from a single academic institution were studied for a similarity analysis by the Dice coefficient. Results: The suggested guideline is an easily reproductive tool that allows radiation oncologists to accurately contour the vestibulocochlear system to avoid toxicity due to inadequate dosimetry of organs at risk. This could be a useful tool even for non-vestibular schwannoma radiation therapy. The Dice coefficient suggests reproducible results as long as the following contouring recommendations are observed. Conclusions: The template for vestibulocochlear delineation may be useful for an adequate organs at risk definition. Future studies are required to find specific constraints for each segment of the vestibulocochlear system, and to mitigate interobserver variations.

12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37239546

ABSTRACT

The effects of the pandemic on mental health can be studied through different variables, such as the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, and the stress responses. Understanding the sources of mental strain is crucial for developing effective interventions. The present study analyzed the relationship between these COVID-19-related variables and positive and negative mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 666 individuals from the Portuguese general population, mostly females (65.5%) between 16-93 years old. They completed self-report measures regarding the number of COVID-19 stressors, the stressor types, the stress responses (IES-R), and positive (MHC-SF) and negative mental health (BSI-18). The results demonstrated that a higher number of COVID-19-experienced stressors and more stress responses were related to worse mental health. Regarding stressor types, experiences not related to the COVID-19 infection (e.g., tension at home) presented the largest effects on mental health. The strongest predictor was the stress responses for negative (ß = 0.50) and positive mental health (ß = -0.17). The predictors explained more about negative mental health than positive. These findings support the idea that individual appraisals play a crucial role in mental health.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mental Health , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , COVID-19/epidemiology , Ethnicity , Pandemics
13.
Global Health ; 19(1): 25, 2023 04 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37069677

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Identifying common factors that affect public adherence to COVID-19 containment measures can directly inform the development of official public health communication strategies. The present international longitudinal study aimed to examine whether prosociality, together with other theoretically derived motivating factors (self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility and severity of COVID-19, perceived social support) predict the change in adherence to COVID-19 containment strategies. METHOD: In wave 1 of data collection, adults from eight geographical regions completed online surveys beginning in April 2020, and wave 2 began in June and ended in September 2020. Hypothesized predictors included prosociality, self-efficacy in following COVID-19 containment measures, perceived susceptibility to COVID-19, perceived severity of COVID-19 and perceived social support. Baseline covariates included age, sex, history of COVID-19 infection and geographical regions. Participants who reported adhering to specific containment measures, including physical distancing, avoidance of non-essential travel and hand hygiene, were classified as adherence. The dependent variable was the category of adherence, which was constructed based on changes in adherence across the survey period and included four categories: non-adherence, less adherence, greater adherence and sustained adherence (which was designated as the reference category). RESULTS: In total, 2189 adult participants (82% female, 57.2% aged 31-59 years) from East Asia (217 [9.7%]), West Asia (246 [11.2%]), North and South America (131 [6.0%]), Northern Europe (600 [27.4%]), Western Europe (322 [14.7%]), Southern Europe (433 [19.8%]), Eastern Europe (148 [6.8%]) and other regions (96 [4.4%]) were analyzed. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that prosociality, self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 were significant factors affecting adherence. Participants with greater self-efficacy at wave 1 were less likely to become non-adherence at wave 2 by 26% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.74; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.77; P < .001), while those with greater prosociality at wave 1 were less likely to become less adherence at wave 2 by 23% (aOR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.79; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that in addition to emphasizing the potential severity of COVID-19 and the potential susceptibility to contact with the virus, fostering self-efficacy in following containment strategies and prosociality appears to be a viable public health education or communication strategy to combat COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Adult , Humans , Female , Male , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Pandemics/prevention & control , Longitudinal Studies , Europe , Surveys and Questionnaires
14.
Enferm. foco (Brasília) ; 14: 1-6, mar. 20, 2023. tab
Article in Portuguese | LILACS, BDENF - Nursing | ID: biblio-1428839

ABSTRACT

Objetivo: Atualizar o censo dos enfermeiros imigrantes no Brasil. Métodos: estudo descritivo e quantitativo sobre a dimensão e as características do censo dos enfermeiros imigrantes, segundo os estados e as regiões de destino, países de origem, idade e sexo. Os dados foram obtidos da base de dados do Conselho Federal de Enfermagem e analisados de forma descritiva. Resultados: Do total de 176 imigrantes, 145 são mulheres e 31 são homens, mostrando a prevalência feminina na profissão de enfermagem. Destes, 96 são peruanos, 126 sul americanos, 28 europeus, 9 cubanos, 5 norte americanos 8 imigrantes originários de diversos países. Conclusão: O censo de 1973 a 2021 mostra a predominância de imigrantes peruanos, com alta concentração na região norte e sudeste do Brasil, respectivamente no estado do Amazonas e de São Paulo. (AU)


Objective: To update the census of immigrant nurses in Brazil. Methods: descriptive and quantitative study on the dimension and characteristics of the census of immigrant nurses, according to the states and regions of destination, countries of origin, age, and sex. Data were obtained from the Federal Nursing Council database and analyzed descriptively. Results: Of the total of 176 immigrants, 145 are women and 31 are men, showing the female prevalence in the nursing profession. Of these, 96 are Peruvians, 126 South Americans, 28 Europeans, 9 Cubans, 5 North Americans, and 8 immigrants from different countries. Conclusion: the census from 1973 to 2021 shows the predominance of Peruvian immigrants, with a high concentration in the north and southeast of Brazil, respectively in the state of Amazonas and São Paulo. (AU)


Objetivo: Actualizar el censo de enfermeros inmigrantes en Brasil. Métodos: estudio descriptivo y cuantitativo sobre la dimensión y características del censo de enfermeras inmigrantes, según estados y regiones de destino, países de origen, edad y sexo. Los datos fueron obtenidos de la base de datos del Consejo Federal de Enfermería y analizados descriptivamente. Resultados: Del total de 176 inmigrantes, 145 son mujeres y 31 son hombres, mostrando el predominio femenino en la profesión de enfermería. De estos, 96 son peruanos, 126 sudamericanos, 28 europeos, 9 cubanos, 5 norteamericanos y 8 inmigrantes de diferentes países. Conclusion: el censo de 1973 a 2021 muestra el predominio de inmigrantes peruanos, con una alta concentración en el norte y sureste de Brasil, respectivamente en el estado de Amazonas y São Paulo. (AU)


Subject(s)
Nurses, Male , Personnel Management , Emigration and Immigration , Emigrants and Immigrants , Nursing Staff
15.
Quad. psicol. (Bellaterra, Internet) ; 25(2): e1867, 2023. graf, tab
Article in English | IBECS | ID: ibc-223895

ABSTRACT

Awareness of ethics codes and professional guidelines is crucial to a professional role in psychotherapy practice. Psychotherapy practice is increasingly heterogeneous, and there is much discussion about their effectiveness for clients. In some countries, psychotherapy is an autonomous profession. In others, is part of the professional features of psychologists and psychiatrists, and it is possible to find other health professionals working as psychotherapists in some countries. Considering that ethical principles are central to the performance of a profession, we intend to find connections between the ethical principles for psychotherapists and psychologists or psychiatrists. A critical review was done to promote an integrative vision of ethics codes in psychotherapy. Content analysis of the ethics codes in psychotherapy was per-formed. Confidentiality, competence, and integrity were the principles more frequently found. Psychotherapists seem to have a major concern with interpersonal relationshipsand are less linked to social responsibility. (AU)


El conocimiento de los códigos éticos y las directrices profesionales es crucial para desempeñar un papel profesional en la práctica de la psicoterapia. La práctica de la psicoterapia es cada vez más heterogénea y se discute mucho sobre su eficacia para los clientes. En algunos países, la psicoterapia es una profesión autónoma. En otros forma parte de las características profesionales de psicólogos y psiquiatras, y es posible encontrar a otros profesionales de la salud trabajando como psicoterapeutas en algunos países. Considerando que los principios éticos son centrales para el desempeño de una profesión, pretendemos encontrar conexiones entre los principios éticos para psicoterapeutas y psicólogos o psiquiatras. Se realizó una revisión crítica para promover una visión integradora de los códigos de ética en psicoterapia. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de los códigos de ética en psicoterapia. La confidencialidad, la competencia y la integridad fueron los principios más frecuentemente encontrados. Los psicoterapeutas parecen tener una mayor preocupación por las relaciones interpersonales y están me-nos vinculados a la responsabilidad social. (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Principle-Based Ethics , Codes of Ethics , Ethics, Professional , Psychotherapy/ethics , Ethical Theory , Psychology/ethics
16.
Front Psychol ; 13: 1011195, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36507011

ABSTRACT

Objective: Illness perceptions (IPs) are important in understanding human reactions to illnesses, including mental health disorders. They influence risk perceptions and several variables relevant to the adjustment to a disorder, treatment seeking, and health outcomes. This study sought to compare IP, risk perception, and help-seeking intention for depression and schizophrenia in a community sample and to assess the mediating role of risk perception in the relationship between IP and help-seeking intention. Materials and methods: A total of 380 adults participated in this study and filled out self-report measures of IPs, risk perceptions, and help-seeking intention. The previous diagnosis of depression was used to control the comparisons between the two disorders. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the mediation relationship. Results: Perceived consequences, expected timeline, lack of personal control, and symptom identity were higher for schizophrenia, while lack of treatment control and concern were higher for depression. An interaction occurred with a previous diagnosis of depression for several dimensions of IP. Concerning the SEM, a valid model was obtained for depression, explaining 15.5% of help-seeking intentions, but not for schizophrenia. Conclusion: The results show that the general population represents depression and schizophrenia differently. These representations are influenced by having experienced depression, and that illness and risk perceptions contribute to explaining the intention to seek help. Considering these illness representations makes it possible to understand the general population's emotional and cognitive reactions to mental health disorders.

17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36232223

ABSTRACT

(1) Background: Breast cancer (BC) shows significant epidemiological differences between Eastern and Western countries. These may arise from socio-cultural factors influencing how healthy young women perceive this condition, their risk of getting cancer, and the implications for preventive screening behaviors. In this study, the illness perceptions, individual risk perception, compared risk, and beliefs about preventive behaviors for BC of female university students were compared using an anonymous online survey between a European country (Portugal) and the United Arab Emirates. (2) Method: A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to investigate the hypothetical relationship between illness perceptions and compared risk as predictors of perceived risk for BC. (3) Results: There were significant differences between the study variables. The SEM was invariant, but the differences between regression coefficients in both countries were highly statistically significant. Mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of compared risk on individual risk and a significantly stronger direct effect for the Emirati sample. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that cultural research may help to explain factors that may shape social comparison of individual risk characteristics and influence perceived risk. Moreover, providing culturally appropriate strategies to be designed and implemented can promote early detection behaviors for BC.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Early Detection of Cancer , Female , Health Status , Humans , Portugal/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires
18.
BMC Womens Health ; 22(1): 193, 2022 05 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35614444

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the Middle East region, the incidence of breast cancer (BC) has substantially increased in the last years. Despite a considerable body of research about BC in Arab countries, how illness perceptions of healthy women about BC may influence risk perception is unknown. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 298 young Emirati women. The measures included demographic information, illness perceptions, and risk perception. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed to assess illness perceptions about BC, perceived individual risk and comparative risk. A structural equation modelling (S.E.M.) was built to investigate the relationship between illness perceptions and perceived individual risk. RESULTS: Participants reported negative illness perceptions about BC The individual risk perception and the compared risk perception for BC were low. Participants with a family history of BC reported more negative illness and higher risk perceptions. The relationship between illness perceptions and perceived individual risk was significant and mediated by compared risk. The S.E.M. explained 55.9% of the variance in predicting perceived individual risk for BC. CONCLUSION: Women's views of BC are important factors in risk perception and may provide culturally sensitive clues to promote early screening for BC in Arab countries. This may be important for policymakers to design intervention strategies to lower health risks, considering the different ways in which women perceive their risks for BC.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Perception , Students , Universities
19.
20.
Cancers (Basel) ; 13(24)2021 Dec 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34944913

ABSTRACT

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted during the first COVID-19 wave, to examine the impact of COVID-19 on mental health using an anonymous online survey, enrolling 9565 individuals in 78 countries. The current sub-study examined the impact of the pandemic and the associated lockdown measures on the mental health, and protective behaviors of cancer patients in comparison to non-cancer participants. Furthermore, 264 participants from 30 different countries reported being cancer patients. The median age was 51.5 years, 79.9% were female, and 28% had breast cancer. Cancer participants reported higher self-efficacy to follow recommended national guidelines regarding COVID-19 protective behaviors compared to non-cancer participants (p < 0.01). They were less stressed (p < 0.01), more psychologically flexible (p < 0.01), and had higher levels of positive affect compared to non-cancer participants. Amongst cancer participants, the majority (80.3%) reported COVID-19, not their cancer, as their priority during the first wave of the pandemic and females reported higher levels of stress compared to males. In conclusion, cancer participants appeared to have handled the unpredictable nature of the first wave of the pandemic efficiently, with a positive attitude towards an unknown and otherwise frightening situation. Larger, cancer population specific and longitudinal studies are warranted to ensure adequate medical and psychological care for cancer patients.

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