Addressing Psychosocial Disabilities Through Social Interventions for Individuals With Severe Mental Disorders.

Mental disorders are prevalent worldwide, often causing significant distress and impairment across various life domains. Furthermore, they may lead to psychosocial disabilities exacerbated by stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion that hinder full societal participation and frequently result in human rights violations denying access to education, work, high-quality health, and reproductive rights. Therefore, a comprehensive and coordinated response to mental health requires a biopsychosocial approach and the integration of holistic promotion, prevention, support, care, and rehabilitation. Effective interventions need to be recovery-focused and should include social interventions. This editorial discusses the social interventions that can be utilized to address psychosocial disabilities in individuals with severe mental disorders. There is a need for developing innovative strategies, tools, and digital solutions, the provision of psychoeducation and caregiver support, along with conducting recovery-oriented research and provider training. Furthermore, the focus should be more on strengths instead of pathology and on cultivating a mental health-promoting environment. This requires inclusive policies, increased advocacy to decrease stigma and promote human rights, redirecting funds to community-based services from long-stay mental hospitals, and a multisectoral collaboration between different sectors such as employment, education, health, housing, social, and judicial sectors to provide support across different life stages, facilitate access to human rights, and attain equal opportunities to help individuals with severe mental disorders reach their full potential and live a meaningful life.

Health Coaching Improves Outcomes of Informal Caregivers of Adults With Chronic Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Caring for someone with heart failure takes an emotional and physical toll. Engaging in self-care may decrease stress and improve the health of informal caregivers. We conducted a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a virtual health coaching intervention, compared with health information alone, on the self-care, stress, coping, and health status of heart failure caregivers. METHODS: We enrolled 250 caregivers providing care at least 8 hours/week, reporting poor self-care, and able to use technology. All received a tablet device programmed with websites providing vetted information on heart failure and caregiving. Half were randomized to also receive 10 synchronous support sessions virtually with a health coach over 6 months. Data on self-care, stress, coping, and health status were collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the interaction between time and treatment group. RESULTS: The sample was majority female (85.2%), White (62.2%), spouses (59.8%), and aged 55±13.6 years. Many were employed full time (41.8%). They had been caring for the patient 8 hours/day for a median of 3.25 years. In the intention-to-treat analysis, caregivers who received the health coach intervention had statistically and clinically greater improvement across 6 months compared with the control group in the primary outcome of self-care maintenance (5.05±1.99; P=0.01) and stress (-4.50±1.00; P<0.0001). Self-care neglect declined significantly (-0.65±0.32; P=0.04), but the difference between the treatment arms disappeared when the results were adjusted for multiple comparisons. Mental health status improved statistically but not clinically (3.35±1.61; P=0.04). Active coping improved in both groups but not significantly more in the intervention group (P=0.10). Physical health status was unchanged (P=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: This virtual health coaching intervention was effective in improving self-care and stress in heart failure caregivers.

Experiences of cohabiting partners of women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with cancer, she faces complex and unique challenges while navigating both obstetric and oncological care. Despite often being the primary support for women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy (CDP), little is known about the experiences of their partners. We undertook an in-depth exploration of the experiences of partners of women diagnosed with CDP in Australia. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with partners of women diagnosed with CDP treated in Australia. Interviews explored partners' inclusion in decision making and communication with health professionals and their own coping experiences. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Data from interviews with 12 male partners (N = 12) of women diagnosed with CDP were analysed. Two unique themes relevant to partners were identified: 'Partners require support to adjust to changing roles and additional burdens' and 'Treating the couple as a team facilitates agency and coping, but partners' needs are placed second by all'. CONCLUSION: Partners of women diagnosed with CDP commonly experience unique stressors and a substantial shift in previously established roles across multiple domains including medical advocacy, household coordination and parenting. Partners' coping is interlinked with how the woman diagnosed with CDP is coping. Inclusion of partners in treatment decisions and communications, and considering partners' wellbeing alongside that of the woman with CDP, is likely to be supportive for partners. In turn, this is likely to enhance the quality of support that women diagnosed with CDP receive from their partners.

Understanding Young Adult Cancer Survivors' Engagement with Cancer Storylines in Entertainment Media Narratives.

Purpose: Some young adult cancer survivors (YACS; ages 18-39) struggle to incorporate their cancer experiences into their identities. Using stories, or narratives, is a new approach that could help YACS to integrate cancer and their identity. These stories offer opportunities to experience perspectives outside of oneself, which can build validation and self-compassion. However, little is known about whether stories about cancer (i.e., the threat itself) are beneficial. Method: YACS completed an online survey about their engagement with cancer storylines in entertainment media narratives (e.g., books, movies, and television shows). They also described their reactions to encountering these storylines in entertainment media. Results: Participants (n = 108) were primarily White. Participants who sought cancer storylines reported a more positive impact of cancer on their sense of purpose and identity. Among YACS who had completed treatment, cancer storylines were sought after treatment more than during treatment. In addition, compared with their peers, participants who identified as Black reported greater cancer storyline seeking both during and after treatment. Nearly half of participants (n = 45, 47.4%) described reactions to cancer-related storylines as positive or mixed, primarily owing to feelings of inspiration or validation. Conclusion: Consuming cancer storylines can offer some benefits for YACS, especially among those finished with treatment and those who identify as Black. However, not all YACS responded positively, so future research should investigate which YACS could benefit most from cancer-related storylines. Nonetheless, entertainment media narratives represent a novel approach to supporting YACS' integration of cancer into their identity.

The Influences of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Social Support on Male Teenagers' Gaming Motivation: A Moderated Network Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Strong gaming motivations can lead to gaming-related health problems, but how gaming motivations are formed is unclear. Therefore, we examined the impact of early life experiences on gaming motivations. METHODS: Questionnaire data on the gaming motivations, adverse childhood experiences, and social support of 2,171 teenaged online game players were modeled using moderated network analysis. RESULTS: All adverse childhood experience components positively correlated with achievement and escapism motivations (weight range: 0.08-0.40). Social support from friends (weight = -0.04) negatively moderated the relationship between achievement motivation and other adverse childhood experiences and positively moderated (weight = 0.01) the relationship between escapism motivation and familial dysfunction. DISCUSSION: The findings indicate that adverse childhood experiences foster negative gaming motivations. Additionally, social support moderates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and gaming motivations. These findings offer valuable insights that nursing practitioners can apply to gaming-related health problem interventions and prevention in teenagers.

Human rights and support groups to improve quality of life, self-care and disability in epilepsy: [Rights and support groups for epilepsy].

BACKGROUND: People with epilepsy have multiple barriers to recovering their quality of life. The objective of the present study was to determine the impact of a community group intervention focused on the components of mutual aid and human rights, to improve the quality of life in people with epilepsy. METHODS: Prospective quasi-experimental study, incorporating pre- and post-intervention evaluations. There were 102 people who underwent an intervention focused on the central components of mutual aid groups (Active agency, Coping strategies, Emotion recognition and management, Problem solving, Supportive interaction, Identity construction, Trust, and Social networks) and in the QualityRights strategy. As evaluation instruments, scales were used to determine quality of life (QOLIE-10), treatment adherence (Morisky Test), self-care behaviors, perception of disability and quality in the provision of health services. RESULTS: Correlations were shown between the variables proposed for quality of life. The intervention showed an improvement in all variables and a moderate to large effect in the self-care domain. There was a significant effect size in the self-care and quality of life variables with the intervention. Pharmacological adherence showed a moderate effect size in young people, adults and older adults. Regarding the perception of disability, the effect size was found only in adults. The pharmacological adherence variable also had a moderate effect size. This does specify the age groups, but not in the general sample. CONCLUSION: Seizure-free time constitutes a fundamental element in recovery. However, psychosocial conditions constitute key elements to achieve a better quality of life in people with epilepsy.

Perceptions of tech-based mental health screening.

Background: An estimated one-third of patients experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression in the year following a traumatic injury. The American College of Surgeons requires postinjury PTSD and depression screening in trauma centers, although implementation has been limited. Tech-based solutions have been proposed to improve uptake of postinjury mental health screening. The goals of this pilot study were to assess the usability and acceptability of Blueprint, a tech-based mental health screening platform, and explore attitudes toward tech-based screening and intervention. Methods: This pilot study included trauma patients (n=10) admitted to the trauma service. Participants completed the PTSD Checklist-5 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 using Blueprint to test usability and acceptability of the platform. Participants completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) and a semi-structured interview to assess several domains including attitudes toward tech-based screening, potential barriers to implementation, and its usefulness in a postinjury context. Summative Template Analysis, a data abstraction procedure, was used to analyze qualitative data. Results: Blueprint received an average SUS score of 93.25/100 suggesting participants found the interface to be an 'excellent' means to assess postinjury mental health concerns. Participants were supportive of universal screening and identified several benefits to engaging in tech-based routine monitoring of postinjury PTSD and depressive symptoms including convenience, personalization, and trauma-informed care. Regarding intervention, patients valued web-based psychoeducation on topics related to their overall care and local resources. Conclusions: Tech-based mental health screening was highly usable and valuable to trauma patients at risk for postinjury PTSD and depression. Participants valued web-based psychoeducation and resources, but overall preferred Blueprint be used to facilitate access to in-person mental health services. Further evaluation of Blueprint as a means of assessment, intervention, and referral is needed.

Psychosocial interventions aimed at family members caring for patients with cancer in the palliative period: A systematic review.

AIM: The purpose of this systematic review is to examine evidence-based psychosocial intervention research aimed at family members caring for patients with cancer in the palliative period. METHOD: In this systematic review, randomized controlled psychosocial intervention studies for the family member caring for patients with cancer published between January 1, 2016 and July 30, 2021 were reviewed. PubMed (including MEDLINE), Cochrane, APA PsycNet, ProQuest, Science Direct, TR Index, and Wiley Online Library databases were scanned. Eight publications were identified following a database review for English language articles published from 2016 to 2021. Sample, methods, content, and outcomes of included interventions are summarized. RESULTS: Only eight of the 4652 articles examined met the inclusion criteria. Psychosocial interventions such as mindfulness exercises, stress management, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral intervention, and meaning-centered psychotherapy for cancer caregivers were applied for relatives caring for patients with cancer in the palliative period. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial interventions applied to family members caring for patients with cancer during the palliative period lead to improvements in depressive symptoms, stress levels, the caregiver burden, quality of life, self-efficacy, coping skills, and awareness levels.

Design and validation of a scale of core components of community interventions in mental health.

AIMS: To develop and validate an instrument to identify the core components of community strategies for mental health, especially mutual aid groups: The Mutual Aid Scale . METHODS: 135 community strategies leaders participated in the study. The core components are active agency, coping strategies, recognition, and management of emotions, problem-solving strategies, supportive interaction, trust, self-identity construction, and strengthening of social networks. With these components a scale was designed. Content validity was carried out in addition to an exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: Two dimensions resulted, strengthening of agency capacity and Coping strategies, and the internal consistency of both factors was acceptable, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.722 and 0.727, respectively. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) statistic was used with a score of 0.831 and the Barlett Sphericity Test, with a significant value of 265.175. CONCLUSION: This scale identifies the components of community interventions for mental health and can contribute to a better implementation of these strategies. It also articulates autonomous community processes with strategies developed in health services.

Community-Based Doulas' Roles Within the Birth Support System: Young Black Mothers' Perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Doulas have been found to be beneficial to pregnant adolescents during childbirth, but little is known about their role within the larger system of people providing birth support, including family and health care providers. The purpose of this study was to examine, from the perspectives of young mothers, the role of the doula within their broader birth support system. METHODS: One hundred pregnant Black adolescents and young women (aged 13 to 21) who were provided perinatal community-based and racially concordant doula services at no cost to them were interviewed after the birth of their newborn, prior to hospital discharge. Interviews generated birth story narratives and responses to focused questions about their experiences of birth support. Thematic analysis was conducted to examine the role of the doula within the context of the broader system of birth support. RESULTS: Doulas functioned in 2 primary ways within the birth support system by (1) providing tandem support alongside family and health care providers and (2) filling gaps in health care not provided by family and providers. Laboring adolescents sometimes described their family members and doulas working in tandem to provide multiple types of support such as comfort measures, coaching, and help with pushing. They also identified gaps in their care or support filled by the doula, in particular gaps due to family members' physical or emotional unavailability or health care providers' many responsibilities. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the ways in which doulas support pregnant adolescents during childbirth through their deft navigation of the existing support system. Well-being was enhanced by the inclusion of the doula in the birth support system. The findings align with existing research that underscores the valuable role doulas play in supporting individuals during childbirth, particularly for those most affected by processes of marginalization.

Arranjos assistenciais em uma rede atenção psicossocial no sul do Brasil / Arreglos asistenciales en una red de apoyo psicosocial en sur de Brasil / Care arrangements on a psychosocial care network in southern Brazil

RESUMO. A implementação da reforma psiquiátrica é tema de recorrentes discussões no campo da saúde mental. Essa implementação não é padrão para todas as localidades brasileiras, uma vez que depende dos recursos materiais, humanos e aspectos culturais de cada região. A esta singularidade retoma-se a noção de arranjo assistencial. Este trabalho se propôs a conhecer a implementação numa regional de saúde da região Sul. Foi realizado um mapeamento descritivo, seguindo método empírico-fenomenológico. Descrevem-se serviços que acolhem todos os públicos, mas que encontram dificuldades no trabalho com a população usuária de álcool e outras drogas. Foram elencados sete dispositivos assistenciais: acolhimento, grupos terapêuticos, oficinas, atendimentos individuais, uso da medicação, encaminhamentos e reuniões de equipe. Expõe-se a ideia de que a estrutura de um serviço de saúde mental não pode ser estanque. Os arranjos assistenciais estão relacionados às vivências e soluções criativas e humanas como também práticas irrefletidas e normatizadoras na atenção do sofrimento mental.

RESUMEN. La implementación de la reforma psiquiátrica no se encuentra estandarizada para todas las regiones brasileras, una vez que eso depende de recursos materiales, humanos y de aspectos culturales. Por cuenta de esta singularidad, se retoma la noción de arreglo asistencial. En este trabajo se propone conocer la implementación en una regional de salud de sur de Brasil. Se realizó un mapeo descriptivo, siguiendo el método empírico-fenomenológico. Se describen servicios que acogen a todos los públicos, pero que encuentran dificultades en el trabajo con usuarios de alcohol y drogas. Fueran enumerados siete dispositivos asistenciales: Acogimiento, grupos terapéuticos, talleres, atendimientos individuales, uso de medicación, encaminamientos y reuniones de equipo. Se expone la idea de que la estructura de un servicio de Salud Mental no puede ser hermética. Los arreglos asistenciales están relacionados con las vivencias y soluciones creativas y humanas como también prácticas irreflexivas y normalizadoras en la atención del sufrimiento mental.

ABSTRACT. The psychiatric reform is not standard in all Brazilian places, as it depends on different factors such as material, human and cultural aspects of each region. As for its singularity, it is seen as a care arrangement. This article aims to study the psychosocial care network on a regional health department in south Brazil. A descriptive mapping has been performed, following the empirical-phenomenological method. The services described welcome the entire community, people from all walks of life, but when it comes Drug and Alcohol addicted, the approach becomes more challenging. There have been seven care services listed: Hosting, Therapeutic Groups, Workshops, Individual Treatment, Medication usage, Referrals and Support Group Meetings. The approach for care arrangement is related to the creative experiences and human solutions as well as thoughtless and normative practices in the attention of mental suffering.

Processos de desproteção e de proteção de crianças, adolescentes e suas famílias - uma análise de múltiplas evidências dos reflexos da pandemia / Processes of deprotection and protection of children, adolescents and their families - an analysis of multiple evidence of the consequences of the pandemic / Procesos de desprotección y protección de niños, adolescentes y sus familias - un análisis de múltiples evidencias de las consecuencias de la pandemia

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar uma visão geral de múltiplas evidências, levantadas de forma sistemática na literatura, sobre processos de desproteção de crianças, adolescentes e suas famílias, bem como estratégias de proteção e atuação durante a crise sanitária causada pela Covid-19 e no contexto pós-pandêmico. Para tanto, foram selecionados 13 artigos de revisão, entre 2020 e 2023, os quais trazem os principais aspectos que incidem nas desproteções de crianças e adolescentes, afetando a saúde mental, a convivência familiar e comunitária, bem como estratégias de intervenção para o enfrentamento dessas situações. Assim, este estudo traz uma discussão que pode ser subsídio para que profissionais do campo da proteção infantojuvenil possam planejar ações diante dos reflexos da crise pandêmica, política, social e econômica nos últimos tempos. Os efeitos das desproteções ligadas à insegurança de renda, à falta de acesso aos serviços, à redução de autonomia e a problemas de saúde mental ampliaram desproteções relacionais e contextos de violência. Por outro lado, o acesso a serviços e políticas públicas, com apoio às famílias, é o que a literatura destaca para ampliar a proteção infantojuvenil. Portanto, é fundamental identificar demandas para a busca de atuações com foco na melhoria das ofertas de serviços e na promoção de espaços de convivências protetivas.

The objective of this study is to present an overview of multiple evidence, systematically collected in the literature, on processes of deprotection for children, adolescents and their families, as well as protection and action strategies during the health crisis caused by Covid-19 and in the post-pandemic context. To this end, 13 review articles were selected, between 2020 and 2023, which bring the main aspects that affect the deprotection of children/adolescents, affecting mental health, family and community coexistence, as well as intervention strategies to combat these issues. Thus, this article brings a discussion that can provide support for professionals in the field of child and youth protection to plan actions in light of the consequences of this pandemic, political, social and economic crisis in recent times. The effects of lack of protection linked to income insecurity, lack of access to services, reduced autonomy and mental health problems have increased relational lack of protection and contexts of violence. On the other hand, access to services and public policies, with support for families, is what the literature highlights to expand child and youth protection. Therefore, it is essential to identify demands to seek actions focused on improving service offerings and promoting protective spaces.

El objetivo de este estudio es presentar un panorama de múltiples evidencias, recogidas sistemáticamente en la literatura, sobre procesos de desprotección de niños, niñas, adolescentes y sus familias, así como estrategias de protección y acción durante la crisis sanitaria provocada por el Covid-19 y en el contexto pospandemia. Para ello se seleccionaron 13 artículos de revisión, entre 2020 y 2023, que traen los principales aspectos que inciden en la desprotección de niños/adolescentes, afectando la salud mental, la convivencia familiar y comunitaria, así como estrategias de intervención para combatir estas situaciones. Así, este artículo proporciona una discusión que puede brindar apoyo a los profesionales del campo de la protección de niños y jóvenes para planificar acciones ante las consecuencias de esta pandemia, crisis política, social y económica de los últimos tiempos. Los efectos de la desprotección vinculados a la inseguridad de ingresos, la falta de acceso a servicios, la reducción de la autonomía y los problemas de salud mental han aumentado la desprotección relacional y los contextos de violencia. Por otro lado, el acceso a servicios y políticas públicas, con apoyo a las familias, es lo que destaca la literatura para ampliar la protección de niños y jóvenes. Por lo tanto, es fundamental identificar demandas para buscar acciones enfocadas a mejorar la oferta de servicios y promover espacios protectores de convivencia.

Uma abordagem qualitativa acerca da vivência de pacientes a partir do diagnóstico de câncer / A qualitative approach to the experience of patients from the diagnosis of cancer

Objetivo: compreender as vivências de pacientes oncológicos a partir do diagnóstico e as estratégias adotadas. Métodos: trata-se de uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa e transversal, de caráter exploratória e descritiva.A amostra foi constituída por 10 mulheres com câncer assistidas por uma associação de apoio a pacientes com câncer em João Pessoa/PB, selecionadas por amostragem não probabilística por conveniência. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se um questionário sociodemográfico e de saúde, e a entrevista semiestruturada, pautada no método História de Vida. Os dados sociodemográficos foram analisados através de estatística descritiva (frequência e porcentagem), e os dados provenientes da entrevista foram analisados pela técnica de Análise de Conteúdo temática, conforme proposta por Bardin. A média de idade das mulheres foi de 61,8 anos. Surgiram 4 categorias e 12 subcategorias. Resultados: o diagnóstico de câncer provocou impactos negativos na vida dos pacientes e na vida dos seus familiares. Ter uma rede de apoio é uma importante estratégia de enfrentamento utilizada pelas pacientes, devido ao sofrimento causado pelo câncer. Conclusão:Evidenciou-se a importância de estratégias de enfrentamento do sofrimento do paciente oncológico, sobretudo com relação à rede de apoio, sendo esta a categoria de maior destaque ente todas as encontradas.

Objective: to understand the experiences of cancer patients based on the diagnosis and the strategies adopted. Methods: this is a qualitative and transversal research, exploratory and descriptive. The sample consisted of 10 women with cancer assisted by a support association for cancer patients in João Pessoa/PB, selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. To collect data, a sociodemographic and health questionnaire was used, as well as a semi-structured interview based on the life history method. Sociodemographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), and data from the interview were analyzed using the Thematic Content Analysis technique proposed by Bardin. The average age of the women was 61.8 years. Four categories and 12 subcategories emerged. Results: the diagnosis of cancer caused negative impacts on the lives of patients and their families. Having a support network is an essential coping strategy used by patients due to the suffering caused by cancer. Conclusion: The importance of strategies for coping with the suffering of cancer patients was highlighted, especially concerning the support network, this being the most prominent category among all those found.

Social Control and Health Behaviors Among Individuals Living with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Positive health behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy eating habits, good sleep hygiene, treatment adherence) are important in ensuring optimal symptom management and health outcomes among individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD). While multiple factors may influence engagement in health behaviors, little is known about the occurrence of social control, or relationship partners' attempts to influence and regulate another's behavior, and its potential role in the adoption of health behaviors among individuals with PD. METHODS: To better understand the types of social control attempts employed and begin to explore the association between social control attempts and behavioral responses (e.g., engage in the targeted health behavior, hide the behavior) to those attempts, survey data were drawn from a cross-sectional, pilot study of married/partnered Veterans diagnosed with idiopathic PD (n = 25). Participants completed self-reported measures of sociodemographics, physical and mental well-being, relationship functioning, and both the frequency of and behavioral responses to positive and negative social control attempts. RESULTS: Although the majority of individuals reported their partners engaged in positive social control attempts, half also reported negative attempts. Bivariate analyses revealed more frequent positive social control attempts from one's partner were related to both positive and negative behavioral responses, and negative social control attempts were related to negative behavioral responses. However, when adjusting for covariates, positive social control attempts were related to positive behavioral responses, while negative social exchanges with one's partner (e.g., general conflict), rather than exposure to negative social control attempts, were related to negative behavioral responses. CONCLUSIONS: Findings lend preliminary evidence of the relationship between social control and exchanges and health behavior that may inform future, adequately powered observational and intervention studies that target interpersonal processes and health behaviors among individuals living with PD and their relationship partners.

Clinical Characteristics, Support System, and Personality Differences of Cannabis and Stimulant Users in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical characteristics, support system, and personality traits of cannabis and stimulant users in South Korea. METHODS: This study was based on electronic medical records. Among a total of 152 subjects who suspected of drug use and who underwent six types of urine-based drug screening tests at the National Center for Mental Health, 104 people who underwent both an interview with a psychiatrist and a psychological test were selected and classified according to the type of substance used. Psychological and personality characteristics were examined through the National Center for Mental Health psychological test battery for addiction. The differences in characteristics between cannabis (n=60) and stimulant (n=18) users were analyzed by an independent t-test for parametric data and chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for nonparametric data, and analysis of covariance for psychological tests. RESULTS: The average age of cannabis users was lower than that of stimulant users and they were more often single. Substance cravings were higher in stimulant users, who more often had a psychiatric history than cannabis users. Moreover, stimulant users had higher clinical scale scores for depression and anxiety. Among the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II clinical scale scores, there was a significant difference in social introversion scores between groups. CONCLUSION: We found differences in demographic, psychological, and personality characteristics between cannabis and stimulant users in South Korea. Considering the recent increase in illegal drug use in South Korea, further follow-up and policy research on drug users are needed.

Evaluating a Peer-Support Mobile App for Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents Over 12 Months During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that adolescents frequently turn to their friends for support around mental health and substance use problems, there are currently no evidence-based digital programs to support them to do this. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Mind your Mate program, a digital peer-support program, in improving mental health symptoms, reducing the uptake of substance use, and increasing help seeking. The Mind your Mate program consists of a 40-minute web-based classroom lesson and a companion smartphone mobile app. The active control group received school-based health education as usual. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted with 12 secondary schools and 166 students (mean age 15.3, SD 0.41 years; 72/166, 43.4% female; and 133/166, 80.1% born in Australia). Participants completed self-reported questionnaires assessing symptoms of mental health (depression, anxiety, and psychological distress), substance use (alcohol and other drug use), and help-seeking measures at baseline and at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: Students who received the Mind your Mate program had greater reductions in depressive symptoms over a 12-month period than controls (b=-1.86, 95% CI -3.73 to 0.02; Cohen d=-0.31). Anxiety symptoms decreased among students in the intervention group; however, these reductions did not meet statistical significance thresholds. No differences were observed in relation to psychological distress or help-seeking. CONCLUSIONS: Small to moderate reductions in depression symptoms were observed among students allocated to receive the Mind your Mate intervention. Although the current results are encouraging, there is a need to continue to refine, develop, and evaluate innovative applied approaches for the prevention of mental disorders in real-world settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12620000753954; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12620000753954. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/26796.

Caring for dependent children impacts practical and emotional problems and need for support, but not perceived distress among cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: More than one in 10 cancer patients care for dependent children. It is unclear whether this status makes a difference in terms of the distress and associated problems they experience, or whether it is linked to differences in the need for or utilization of psychosocial support. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional German study in National Comprehensive Cancer Centers using self-report standardized questionnaires administered to inpatients. Patients living with dependent children (n = 161) were matched by age and sex with a subsample of 161 cancer patients not living with dependent children. The resulting sample was tested for between-group differences in Distress Thermometer (DT) scores and the corresponding DT Problem List. Additionally, between-group differences in measures of the need for and utilization of psychosocial support were examined. RESULTS: More than 50% of all patients suffered from clinically relevant distress. Patients living with dependent children reported significantly more practical (p < 0.001, η2 p = 0.04), family (p < 0.001, η2 p = 0.03), and emotional problems (p < 0.001, η2 p = 0.01). Although reporting a greater need for psychological support, parents with cancer were not found to more frequently utilize any type of psychosocial support. CONCLUSIONS: The specific problems and needs of parents with cancer who care for dependent children are currently not sufficiently addressed in the clinical care pathways. All families should be helped to establish open and honest communication as well as understand the available support systems and what they can provide. Tailored interventions should be implemented for highly distressed families.

Corrigendum: First do no harm overlooked: Analysis of COVID-19 clinical guidance for maternal and newborn care from 101 countries shows breastfeeding widely undermined.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1049610.].

Is an Exercise Program for Pediatric Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Feasible and Supportive?-A Case Series.

(1) Background: Growing evidence indicates benefits through exercise programs in pediatric oncology throughout the whole cancer trajectory. This should include palliative care, too. This project analyzes the feasibility of a supervised exercise program offered during hospital and home-based care for children with advanced cancer diagnoses. (2) Methods: Four children (7-13 years old) with advanced cancer diagnoses participated in this project. It consisted of supervised exercise sessions offered once a week (30-90 min), mainly home-based, but also on an in- and outpatient basis. Regular data assessments included psychological and physical capacity-related endpoints and body composition. Details and contents of exercise sessions and adverse events were recorded. (3) Results: Exercise was feasible with 73 ± 9% adherence to the minimum number of planned sessions. The exercise offer was accepted until shortly before death. Effects on fatigue, quality of life and muscular endurance were noted. Participants showed major deviations from age-specific reference values. No exercise-related adverse events occurred. (4) Conclusions: The exercise program was safe, feasible, and might have served as a supportive tool to reduce overall burden. Evaluation of exercise as usual palliative care should be assessed by further studies.

Associations among navigational support and health care utilization and costs in patients with advanced cancer: An analysis based on administrative health insurance data.

BACKGROUND: Fragmented and complex healthcare systems make it difficult to provide continuity of care for patients with advanced cancer near the end of life. Nurse-based cross-sectoral navigation support has the potential to increase patients' quality of life. The objective of this paper was to evaluate associations between navigation support and health care utilization, and the associated costs of care. METHODS: The evaluation is based on claims data from 37 statutory health insurance funds. Non-randomized recruitment of the intervention group (IG) took place between 2018 and 2019 in four German hospitals. The comparison group (CG) was defined ex post. It comprises nonparticipating clients of the involved health insurance funds matched on age, gender, and diagnosis in a 1:4 ratio to the IG. Healthcare resource utilization was compared using incident rate ratios (IRRs) based on negative binomial regression models. Linear mixed models were performed to compare differences in lengths of hospital stays and costs between groups. RESULTS: A total of 717 patients were included (IG: 149, CG: 568). IG patients showed shorter average lengths of hospital stays (IG: 11 days [95% CI: 10, 13] vs. CG: 15 days [95% CI: 14, 16], p < 0.001). In the IG, 21% fewer medications were prescribed and there were on average 15% fewer outpatient doctor contacts per month. Average billed costs in the IG were 23% lower than in the CG (IG: 6754 EUR [95% CI: 5702, 8000] vs. CG: 8816 EUR [95% CI: 8153, 9533], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was associated with decreased costs mainly as a result of a non-intended navigation effect. The social care nurses had navigated patients within the hospital early, needs-oriented and effectively but interpreted their function less cross-sectorally. Linkage of hospital-based navigators with the outpatient care sector needs further exploration.