Benefits, challenges, and needs of people living with cancer and their companion dogs: An exploratory study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The study examined whether the bond with a companion dog is associated with well-being among people with cancer, and described the perceived benefits, challenges, and needs accompanying the relationship with the dog. DESIGN: The design was cross-sectional. SAMPLE: Participants were 140 people recently diagnosed with cancer with at least one dog in their household. METHODS: The online survey included measures of the human-pet bond, depressive symptoms, positive affect, and health-related quality of life, as well as open-ended questions about the experience of having a dog since being diagnosed with cancer. FINDINGS: Although the bond with a companion dog was not directly linked with well-being, the association between the human-pet bond and depressive symptoms depended in part on treatment status. CONCLUSIONS: Companion dogs may play an important role in the lives of people recently diagnosed with cancer. Implications for psychosocial providers: Health care providers can help to support the bond with a companion dog.

Mood Changes After Indoor Tanning Among College Women: Associations with Psychiatric/Addictive Symptoms.

Indoor tanning (IT) has been linked with psychiatric and addictive symptoms, and frequent tanning may indicate tanning dependence (addiction). The current study evaluated the effects of an IT episode on mood states and the association of these effects with psychiatric and addictive symptoms among young adult female indoor tanners. One-hundred thirty-nine female university students aged 18-25 years who had indoor tanned completed an online survey including the Positive and Negative Affects Scales and a standardized psychiatric interview (the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview) via telephone. Psychiatric and addictive symptoms were relatively common among these young adult female indoor tanners. Overall, participants reported significant decreases in both negative (upset, scared, irritable, nervous, jittery, afraid) and positive (feeling interested) mood states after their most recent tanning episode. Multivariable linear regression analyses showed that more frequent indoor tanning in the past month and symptoms of illicit drug use disorders were associated with decreases in negative mood, and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder were associated with a decrease in feeling interested. In summary, indoor tanners report relatively high rates of psychiatric and substance use symptoms, including symptoms of tanning dependence, and indoor tanning appears to alter mood. Women with certain substance use and psychiatric characteristics may be more vulnerable to such mood changes after tanning indoors. Further research is needed to clarify the relationships among these variables.

Psychiatric and addictive symptoms of young adult female indoor tanners.

PURPOSE: Indoor tanning (IT) increases risk for melanoma and is particularly common among young adult women. IT has also been linked with some psychiatric symptoms, and frequent tanning may indicate tanning dependence (addiction) associated with endorphin release during ultraviolet radiation exposure. The objective of the current study was to investigate associations between IT, tanning dependence, and psychiatric and substance use symptoms in young adult women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey and psychiatric interview. SETTING: Online, except for the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), which was completed over the telephone. SUBJECTS: Participants were 306 female university students aged 18 to 25 years. MEASURES: MINI, Seasonal Scale Index, tanning dependence scales, reporting ever having used a tanning bed or booth with tanning lamps (single item), reporting smoking a cigarette in the last 30 days (single item). ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, χ(2) analysis, multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Forty-six percent of the sample reported a history of IT, and 25% were classified as tanning dependent. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that IT was significantly associated with symptoms of alcohol use disorders, generalized anxiety, and not having social anxiety. Tanning dependence was associated with symptoms of alcohol use disorders. CONCLUSION: Tanning is of concern not only for its association with skin cancer but for its association with psychiatric and substance use symptoms. Young women with certain psychological problems may seek relief from their symptoms by IT. These findings suggest that indoor tanners may benefit from health behavior and other psychosocial interventions.

Psychosocial correlates of sunburn among young adult women.

Skin cancer is an increasingly common disease, particularly among young adult women. Sunburn early in life is a risk factor for skin cancer. Few studies have reported on psychosocial correlates of sunburn. The current study consisted of an online survey of undergraduate women from a university in the northeastern part of the USA. A logistic regression demonstrated that young women who reported a history of four or more sunburns were significantly more likely to report fair skin, higher perceived susceptibility to skin cancer, greater perceived benefits of tanning (e.g., appearance enhancement), lower perceived control over skin protection, and more frequent sunscreen use. Sunbathing was not associated with a greater number of sunburns. These results suggest that young women who sunburn more often possess other skin cancer risk factors, are aware of their susceptibility to skin cancer, and try to use sunscreen, but feel limited control over their skin protection behavior and are not less likely to sunbathe than others. Therefore, interventions are needed to assist high risk young women in asserting more control over their sun protection behavior and perhaps improve the effectiveness of the sunscreen or other skin protection methods they do employ.

Brief report: ultraviolet radiation exposure, considering acculturation among Hispanics (project URECAH).

Very few studies have examined acculturation of Hispanics as it relates to skin cancer prevention attitudes and behaviors. This pilot study used the Abbreviated Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II to classify 14-25-year-old Hispanics as traditional, bicultural, or acculturated. More acculturated individuals reported significantly higher perceived benefits of ultraviolet radiation exposure and lower worry about skin damage than traditional individuals. Bicultural individuals reported using sunscreen significantly more often than acculturated individuals. These preliminary data suggest that more acculturated Hispanic young adults may demonstrate riskier skin cancer-related attitudes and behaviors than others.

A pilot randomized clinical trial of two medication adherence and drug use interventions for HIV+ crack cocaine users.

BACKGROUND: Crack cocaine use undermines adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This pilot randomized clinical trial tested the feasibility and efficacy of 2 interventions based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skill model to improve HAART adherence and reduce crack cocaine problems. METHODS: Participants were 54 adults with crack cocaine use and HIV with <90% HAART adherence. Most participants were African-American (82%) heterosexual (59%), and crack cocaine dependent (92%). Average adherence was 58% in the past 2 weeks. Average viral loads (VL) were detectable (logVL 2.97). The interventions included 6 sessions of Motivational Interviewing plus feedback and skills building (MI+), or Video information plus debriefing (Video+) over 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were adherence by 14-day timeline follow-back and Addiction Severity Index (ASI) Drug Composite Scores at 3 and 6 months. Repeated measure ANOVA assessed main effects of the interventions and interactions by condition. RESULTS: Significant increases in adherence and reductions in ASI Drug Composite Scores occurred in both conditions by 3 months and were maintained at 6 months, representing medium effect sizes. No between group differences were observed. No VL changes were observed in either group. Treatment credibility, retention, and satisfaction were high and not different by condition. CONCLUSIONS: A counseling and a video intervention both improved adherence and drug problems durably among people with crack cocaine use and poor adherence in this pilot study. The interventions should be tested further among drug users with poor adherence. Video interventions may be feasible and scalable for people with HIV and drug use.