Operational Definitions of Poly-Victimization: A Scoping Review.

Throughout the last two decades, research on poly-victimization (PV) has evolved from examinations of a core set of past-year victimization types in youth samples to investigations of a broad range of victimization types experienced during variable time intervals in diverse samples of varying ages. As the concept of PV expands, greater clarity regarding the definition and measurement of PV is needed to advance understanding of its risk and protective factors as well as its associated outcomes. This scoping review aimed to (a) identify approaches used to operationally define and measure PV across studies and (b) synthesize empirical findings concerning risk factors and outcomes associated with PV. A systematic search of peer-reviewed research published before 2022 across 12 databases yielded 98 studies that met inclusion criteria. Study characteristics including the research design, sample type, victimization timeframe, operational definition(s) of PV, measurement of PV, analytic methods, and key findings were synthesized across studies. Findings indicated that the majority of reviewed studies were cross-sectional investigations that utilized categorical measures of lifetime PV in samples of youth. Results also demonstrated that PV is robustly associated with a broad range of predictors, including mental health symptoms and diagnoses as well as family- and community-level factors. PV is also associated with numerous adverse outcomes including depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance use, and delinquency across diverse study types and populations. Future research that examines the conditional effects of PV is needed to identify subgroups of individuals at higher risk of adverse outcomes following PV and modifiable targets for interventions.

A systematic scoping review of post-treatment lifestyle interventions for adult cancer survivors and family members.

PURPOSE: Supporting the health of cancer survivors and their families from diagnosis through survivorship is a recognized priority. However, the extent to which health promotion efforts after the completion of acute treatment attend to the needs of adult survivors and families is unclear. This systematic scoping review summarizes the key characteristics of post-treatment lifestyle interventions aiming to improve diet, physical activity, and/or weight-related outcomes for adult cancer survivors and family members. METHODS: We retrieved relevant studies from six databases using keywords. Studies were appraised for quality and limited to English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles published in or after 2005. RESULTS: A total of 2,376 articles were obtained from the databases; 14 main articles (and 2 supplemental articles) representing 14 unique interventions were retained for our analysis. Most interventions were designed to modify aspects of participant diet and physical activity (in combination) or physical activity alone; cited social cognitive theory as a guiding or interpretative framework; included survivors of multiple cancer types; and were limited to one type of familial relationship (e.g., spouse/partner, sister). Where reported, intervention samples were predominantly White. CONCLUSIONS: Few post-treatment interventions concurrently target cancer survivor and family members' positive lifestyle behaviors. Positive findings highlight the potential for expanding this area of intervention research and increasing understanding of individual and familial factors that contribute to successful post-treatment family interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Promoting cancer survivors' healthy behaviors within the family context could capitalize on existing support networks and improve the health of family members in supportive roles.

Exercise during hemodialysis decreases the use of antihypertensive medications.

Most hemodialysis patients require antihypertensive therapy. Aerobic exercise has been suggested as a nonpharmacologic treatment for hypertension in many patient populations, including those with chronic renal failure. To test the effectiveness of this therapy in an outpatient long-term hemodialysis clinic, the hemodialysis staff instituted a stationary cycling program during dialysis and offered the program to all patients (n = 107). Forty patients agreed to participate, and 35 nonexercising patients served as controls. Patients performed stationary cycling during each hemodialysis treatment. Predialysis blood pressures, postdialysis blood pressures, and antihypertensive medication use were recorded during a 6-month period. Costs of the medication were analyzed at the end of the study. Of participants, 24 (60%) completed 6 months of exercise with a mean increase in total cycling time from 16.9 min/session to 45.5 min/session. No serious adverse events were reported. Predialysis and postdialysis blood pressures were not statistically different between the two groups at month 0 or month 6, but 13 (54%) in the exercise group had a reduction in antihypertensive medication versus 4 (12.5%) in the control group (P = 0.008). The average relative benefit of exercise was a 36% reduction in antihypertensive medications (P = 0.018) with an average annual cost savings of $885/patient-year (P = 0.005) in the exercise group. Stationary cycling is safe during hemodialysis and can lead to significant reductions in blood pressure medication use and cost savings, justifying the initial capital cost of equipment and small incremental increase in staff time.