摘要:

Benefit finding (BF) is a meaning‐making construct that has been shown to predict carer and care recipient adjustment.PurposeThis longitudinal study investigated the dimensions, stability, and validity of the benefit finding in multiple sclerosis caregiving (BFiMSCare) scale.MethodsParticipants were 232 carers of persons with MS and their care recipients. Questionnaires were completed at Time 1 and 12 months later (Time 2).ResultsFactor analysis of the BFiMSCare scale revealed six psychometrically sound factors: enriched relationship; spiritual growth; family relations growth; life‐style gains; inspiration; and relationship opportunities. Results of regression analyses indicated that the Time 1 BFiMSCare factors and the total score accounted for significant amounts of variance in each of the Time 1 positive adjustment outcomes (life satisfaction, positive affect, dyadic adjustment) and in Time 2 positive affect and dyadic adjustment. The BFiMSCare total score predicted all Time 2 adjustment domains (positive affect, dyadic adjustment, care recipient adjustment ratings of carer) except life satisfaction and distress, whereas the six factors as a block predicted positive affect and life satisfaction.ConclusionsFindings delineate the dimensional structure of BF in caregiving and the differential links between BF dimensions and adjustment, and have implications for the measurement of

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X250848

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesIn aromatherapy, lavender aroma is reputed to assist with relaxation. However, while there is much anecdotal evidence to that effect, the empirical literature is very inconsistent. Failure to employ adequate placebos, proper blinding, objective measures, or screening of prior beliefs about aromatherapy means that many previous findings could have been influenced by expectancy biases. The present study sought to establish whether lavender aroma and/or expectancies affect post‐stress relaxation.DesignA double‐blind, 3 (aroma)×3 (instruction)×10 (time in minutes) mixed‐factorial placebo‐controlled trial.MethodIn a laboratory, 96 healthy undergraduate women were exposed to lavender, placebo, or no aroma during physiologically assessed relaxation after an arousing cognitive task. Where an aroma was presented, an instructional priming procedure was used to manipulate participants' expectancies about the aroma's likely impact on their ability to relax.ResultsResults showed no effect of aroma on galvanic skin response during relaxation. However, the nature of instructional prime was associated with relaxation patterns: when expecting the aroma to inhibit them, participants relaxed more; when expecting facilitation, participants relaxed less. The effect was not seen with regard to self‐reported relaxation (as represented by changes in state anxiety) and was independent of ratings of attitudes towards aromatherapy.ConclusionsThe findings imply that the previous associations of lavender aroma with assisted relaxation may have been influenced by expectancy biases, and that the relevant expectancies are easily

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X238734

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesTo document mood, self‐efficacy, and resiliency in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) following a brief group psychological intervention, and to examine whether benefits were greater than those derived from provision of education or group social interaction.DesignA randomized controlled intervention trial assessing outcomes at five time points over a 1‐year follow‐up.MethodsParticipants with MS were assigned to one of three groups: one receiving brief group psychological intervention (PG) comprising three 90 minute cognitive behavioural sessions supported by an Information Booklet dealing with mental and emotional issues relating to MS; a group provided only with educational material – the information booklet group (IBG); and a group who not only received the booklet but also participated in non‐structured social discussion (SDG) sessions similar in length and number to PG participants. Outcomes were documented using questionnaires.ResultsOutcomes were assessed using area under the curve (AUC) analysis: a summary measure that considers individual changes serially over time to provide a more meaningful picture than the one based on single time points. Ninety participants were followed up over the 12‐month post‐intervention, and their data are included in the analysis. Analyses indicated benefits in all outcome dimensions for the psychotherapeutic (PG) and social discussion groups (SDG) relative to theIBGgroup, but no differences betweenPGandSDG.ConclusionThe study indicates benefits from psychosocial intervention compared with bibliotherapy, with some additional benefit from psychological intervention compared with a social discussion group. Results suggest that much of the benefit may derive from non‐specific therapeutic components. Without psychosocial intervention, the psychological status of people with MS wor

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X241505

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Goals of workTo develop the Greek version of the Post‐traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI‐Gr), and assess its psychometric properties in a palliative care patient sample.Patients and methodsThe scale was translated with the forward–backward procedure to Greek. It was administered twice, with a 3‐day interval, to 131 eligible patients with advanced cancer. Together with the PTGI, the patients also completed the Greek version of the Impact of Events Scale‐Revised scale (IES‐R‐Gr). The reliability was assessed by the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficients), test/retest (Spearman'srvalue), and inter‐item correlations. Validity was demonstrated by factor analysis, inter‐scale correlations, construct validity with the IES‐R‐Gr, and combined with the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status.Main resultsThe PTGI‐Gr yielded a five‐factor structure, explaining 73.5% of the variance. Cronbach's alphas for the five factors ranged from .66 to .87, respectively. Overall test–retest reliability was satisfactory with a range between .85 and .92 (p<.0005), and inter‐item correlations ranged between .47 and .63. Inter‐scale correlations were found satisfactory (p<.0005,p<.005, andp<.05). Validity as performed using combined validity analysis showed good results. Satisfactory construct validity was supported by the correlation analysis between the PTGI‐Gr and the IES‐R‐Gr scales.ConclusionsPTGI‐Gr is an instrument with satisfactory psychometric properties, and is a valid research tool for the post‐tra

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X246177

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesDespite the widely‐held view that psychological stress is a major cause of poor health, few studies have examined the relationship between stressful life‐events exposure and death. The present analyses examined the association between overall life‐events stress load, health‐related and health‐unrelated stress, and subsequent all‐cause mortality.DesignThis study employed a prospective longitudinal design incorporating time‐varying covariates.MethodsParticipants were 968 Scottish men and women who were 56 years old. Stressful life‐events experience for the preceding 2 years was assessed at baseline, 8–9 years and 12–13 years later. Mortality was tracked for the subsequent 17 years during which time 266 participants had died. Cox's regression models with time‐varying covariates were applied. We adjusted for sex, occupational status, smoking, BMI, and systolic blood pressure.ResultsOverall life‐events numbers and their impact scores at the time of exposure and the time of assessment were associated with 17‐year mortality. Health‐related event numbers and impact scores were strongly predictive of mortality. This was not the case for health‐unrelated events.ConclusionsThe frequency of life‐events and the stress load they imposed were associated with all‐cause mortality. However, it was the experience and impact of health‐related, not health‐unrelated, events that proved predictive. This reinforces the need to disaggregate these two classes of exposures in

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X258886

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesMessages designed to motivate participation in physical activity usually emphasize the benefits of physical activity (gain‐framed) as well as the costs of inactivity (loss‐framed). The framing implications of prospect theory suggest that the effectiveness of these messages could be enhanced by providing gain‐framed information only. We compared the effectiveness of gain‐, loss‐, and mixed‐framed messages for promoting moderate to vigorous physical activity.DesignRandomized trial.MethodSedentary, healthy callers to the US National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (N=322) received gain‐, loss‐, or mixed‐framed messages on three occasions (baseline, Week 1, and Week 5). Social cognitive variables and self‐reported physical activity were assessed at baseline, Week 2, and Week 9. Separate regression analyses were conducted to examine message effects at each assessment point.ResultsAt Week 2, gain‐ and mixed‐framed messages resulted in stronger intentions and greater self‐efficacy than loss‐framed messages. At Week 9, gain‐framed messages resulted in greater physical activity participation than loss‐ or mixed‐framed messages. Social cognitive variables at Week 2 did not mediate the Week 9 framing effects on physical activity participation.ConclusionsUsing gain‐framed messages exclusively may be a means of increasing the effi

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X246186

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesHope is important in determining positive outcomes in a range of chronic illnesses. This study examined the role of hope in adjustment to end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) and consequent dialysis.DesignA cross‐sectional design examined the ability of hope to predict adjustment to ESRF over and above other relevant variables.MethodsIndividuals receiving dialysis at 4 units in the North‐West UK were invited to take part in the study. 103 questionnaire packs were included in the analysis. Multiple regression equations determined whether hope was able to predict significant variance in adjustment over and above that accounted for by other factors (demographic and illness‐related factors, perceived control, and social support). Measures of anxiety, depression, and quality of life constituted a multidimensional measure of adjustment to ESRF.ResultsEach of the regression models was significant. Hope emerged as an independent significant predictor in five of the multiple regressions: anxiety; depression; effects and symptoms of kidney disease; and mental health quality of life. Age also emerged as an important predictor of outcome.ConclusionsIt appears that hope is a significant predictor of adjustment to ESRF. Clinical implications of this research are discussed, along with suggestions for future r

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X248959

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by large numbers of the general public and is increasingly becoming integrated into the mainstream. An understanding of why people use CAM in general has been developed in the literature, but relatively little is known specifically about adherence to CAM. We tested hypotheses (derived from a dynamic extended version of Leventhal's common‐sense model) that patients' beliefs about treatment, perceptions of illness, and treatment appraisals would predict adherence to CAM.DesignA prospective self‐report questionnaire study was carried out with a 3‐month follow‐up period.MethodsA total of 240 patients from five CAM clinics completed self‐report questionnaire measures of treatment beliefs, illness perceptions, and treatment appraisals at baseline. Three months later, they completed self‐report measures of adherence to therapists' recommendations concerning attendance, remedy use, and life‐style changes.ResultsLogistic regression analyses showed that positive perceptions of one's therapist and belief that mental factors do not cause illness independently predicted adherence to appointments. Positive beliefs in holistic health and finding it difficult to travel to appointments predicted adherence to remedy use. Using homeopathy was the only independent predictor of adherence to life‐style changes.ConclusionsTreatment appraisals, treatment beliefs, and illness perceptions explain modest proportions of the variance in adherence to CAM. This study highlights the value of operationalizing the appraisal element of the common‐sense model when investigating adher

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X249570

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesThe stages of change component of the transtheoretical model have been applied to safe sex behaviours in cross‐sectional analyses, but have not yet been subject to prospective analysis. It was predicted that: (a) cross‐sectional analyses would demonstrate good discrimination between the stages of change; (b) prospective analyses would allow for the identification of predictors of stage transitions; and (c) implementation intentions would explain progression from the preparation stage.DesignThis study employed an experimental longitudinal design. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (implementation intention) or control conditions and completed questionnaires at baseline and at 2‐month follow‐up.MethodsFive hundred and twenty‐five adolescents who were broadly representative of the UK population completed questionnaires at baseline and follow‐up (N=393) measuring: demographic variables; stage of change; theory of planned behaviour constructs; anticipated regret; and moral norm in relation to condom‐carrying behaviour. The experimental condition completed a self‐generated implementation intention to carry condoms at the end of the baseline questionnaire.ResultsDiscriminant function analyses indicated that the stages of change could be accurately discriminated from one another cross‐sectionally and that, longitudinally, the measured variables were able to predict transitions between most stages. Implementation intentions caused people to progress from the preparation stage.ConclusionsTransitions between most stages were reliably predicted, thereby providing potential targets for intervention. The brief implementation intention intervention was effective and could easily be utilized and expanded to encompass a broader range of sexual

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X249589

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether a breast cancer diagnosis, personal assertiveness (i.e. frequency of assertive behaviour and tension associated with this behaviour), and partners' relationship‐focused coping (i.e. active engagement and protective buffering) were sources of variation in patients' relationship satisfaction, cross‐sectionally and over time.Designand method This longitudinal case‐control study assessed the two dimensions of personal assertiveness and relationship satisfaction in both women with cancer (N=72) and comparison controls (N=62). In addition, patients completed a measure assessing their partners' active engagement and protective buffering.ResultsCases (i.e. women with breast cancer) were not found to report more relationship problems than controls. Women with breast cancer who tended not to express their concerns and feelings and who experienced much tension when they did, reported relatively low marital satisfaction. Moreover, partners' protective buffering was associated with less relationship satisfaction in especially more assertive (i.e. high frequency of assertive behaviour and low tension) women with cancer, while active engagement was associated with more relationship satisfaction, regardless of the women's personal assertiveness.DiscussionThe results of the present study indicate that a breast cancer diagnosis by itself may not be a risk factor for relationship problems. However, in the context of an illness such as cancer, personal assertiveness, and a partner's relationship‐focused coping strategies do seem to play a role in maintaining a satisfactory relationship with one's

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910707X252431

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2008

数据来源: WILEY