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Psychosocial Impact (psychosocial + impact)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	90%
2 Other Domains	10%

Selected Abstracts

Psychosocial Impact of Headache and Comorbidity with Other Pains among Swedish School Adolescents

HEADACHE, Issue 8 2002
Åsa Fichtel MSc
Background.,The psychosocial impact of headache combined with other pains has previously been insufficiently investigated. Objective., The present study examined the prevalence of headache, its comorbidity with other pains and psychosocial impact among adolescents. Methods., 793 adolescents in a sample recruited from 8 schools in the middle of Sweden were assessed. Results.,Forty-five percent of the adolescents reported ongoing pain during assessment and more than half of the adolescents reported at least one frequent pain during the previous 6 months. The most common pain among girls was headache (42%), but for boys muscle pain (32%) was most prevalent. Number of pains and perceived pain disability were also higher among girls than boys. One-third of the headache sufferers had headache only, while one-third reported one other frequent pain and the others had at least two other frequent pains. Overall, adolescents with frequent headaches had higher levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms, in addition to functional disability and usage of analgesic medication. Frequent headache sufferers reported more problems in everyday life areas than those with infrequent headaches. Conclusions.,It is recommended that adolescents suffering from recurrent headaches routinely should be asked about the presence of other pains, anxiety and depressive symptoms, medication usage, in addition to psychosocial consequences in their everyday life activities. Longitudinal research is also needed to delineate causal relationships between psychosocial factors and recurrent pains, in particular regarding possible sex differences. [source]

Psychosocial impact among the public of the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in Taiwan

PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 4 2006
CHIH-HUNG KO md
Abstract, During the 2003 outbreak, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) spread to more than 30 countries. Not only did it cause severe health problems but it also imposed a great psychological impact on the public. SARS emerged in Taiwan during April 2003. This study investigates the psychosocial impact and the associated factors of depression of the SARS epidemic in Taiwan when the epidemic had just been controlled. A total of 1552 respondents were recruited in the study by random selection from the telephone book. Demographic data, SARS experience, self-perceived health state, neighborhood relationships, and depression were surveyed by telephone interviewing. Respondents were grouped as ,impacted group' and ,non-impacted group' according to whether they or their friends and family had been quarantined, or suspected of being infected. The psychosocial impact and associated factors were compared between the two groups. The ,impacted group' had higher depressive levels, poorer neighborhood relationships, poorer self-perceived health, and a higher economic impact than the ,non-impacted group'. The poorer self-perceived health and economic impact factors were associated with depression. The neighborhood relationship factor was negatively associated with depression for the ,impacted group', but not for the ,non-impacted group'. The ,impacted group' had experienced greater psychosocial impact possibly due to the SARS impact, the economic downturn, poor self-perceived health conditions, and decreased social support systems. An appropriate mental health intervention to improve the self-perceived health condition, to provide instrumental and psychological support for the ,impacted group', and to decrease the stigmatization and discrimination from the public could have buffered the psychological impact from this epidemic disaster. [source]

Psychosocial adjustment in head and neck cancer: The impact of disfigurement, gender and social support

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 2 2003
FRCPC, Mark R. Katz MD
Abstract Background. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial impact of disfigurement, gender, and social support after surgical treatment of head and neck cancer. Method. Eighty-two ambulatory head and neck cancer patients, 6 months or more after treatment and free of active disease were assessed. Ratings of disfigurement were obtained using a valid and reliable 9-point scale developed for the study. Standardized measures of social support, depressive symptoms, well-being, and life happiness were used. Results. The sample as a whole displayed high levels of life happiness, low levels of depression, and positive feelings of well-being. Women demonstrated higher levels of depression and lower life happiness; subjects with greater disfigurement were more depressed. Social support seemed to buffer the impact of greater levels of disfigurement on well-being for women but not for men. Conclusion. These results suggest that women with head and neck cancer who experience low social support and face disfiguring treatment are at greatest risk for psychosocial dysfunction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 103,112, 2003 [source]

Psychosocial Impact of Headache and Comorbidity with Other Pains among Swedish School Adolescents

Oral health-related quality of life of children with oligodontia

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2010
DAVID LOCKER
Objectives., To assess the functional and psychosocial impact of oligodontia in children aged 11,14 years. Methods., Children aged 11,14 years with oligodontia were recruited from orthodontic clinics when they presented for orthodontic evaluation. All completed a copy of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for 11- to 14-year olds, a measure of the functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders. Information on the number and pattern of missing teeth for each child were obtained from charts and radiographs. Results., Thirty-six children were included in the study. The number of missing teeth ranged from one to 14 (mean = 6.8). Just over three-quarters of the subjects reported experiencing one or more functional and psychosocial impacts ,Often' or ,Everyday/almost everyday'. Correlations between scale and sub-scale scores and the number of missing teeth were weak and nonsignificant. Conclusions., Children with oligodontia experience substantial functional and psychosocial impacts from the condition. When compared with other clinical groups, children with oligodontia appear to have worse oral health-related quality of life than children with dental decay and malocclusion, but better oral health-related quality of life than children with oro-facial conditions. [source]

Review paper: more than ringing in the ears: a review of tinnitus and its psychosocial impact

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 21 2009
Susan Holmes
Aim and objectives., To provide an overview of tinnitus, current management and its psychosocial impact offering strategies for managing acute and chronic tinnitus in practice. Background., Tinnitus, characterised by the perception of sound in the absence of external stimuli, is experienced by about 10% of the population at some time in their lives. It may be temporary/longstanding; approximately 5% adults experience severe, persistent tinnitus affecting their lifestyle. Although many adjust successfully, others are disabled by the condition. Though often unrecognised, tinnitus affects many patients regardless of their presenting illness. Design., A literature review including descriptive, theoretical and empirical material. Databases were searched using the keyword ,tinnitus' providing diverse information which was used to address the research questions. Results., Tinnitus represents more than ,simple' ringing in the ears and may be accompanied by many distressing changes. It may be acute or chronic. It is difficult to treat, care may be directed towards management rather than cure. Many patients are, however, told that ,nothing can be done'. Relevance to clinical practice., Despite the high prevalence of tinnitus, there is a paucity of relevant nursing literature suggesting that there is an information deficit amongst nurses. The information provided shows that understanding the full impact of the condition and identification of patients' needs are essential to effective care. Strategies to help affected patients are given. Conclusions., Tinnitus, a widespread, often intractable condition, affects millions of people; there is considerable debate about its causes. Tinnitus is distressing and may be severe enough to affect lifestyle and quality of life. Affected patients need considerable support and advice on healthcare options, encouragement to try different treatments and recognition that help and hope are available. Though patients may have to learn to live with tinnitus, the most important thing is that they recognise that help is available. [source]

Verifying the operational definition of neighborhood for the psychosocial impact of structural deterioration

JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Daniel J. Kruger
The physical decay of neighborhoods is associated with social conditions such as disease risk, poor mental health, and fear of crime. Researchers assessing neighborhood effects commonly operationalize neighborhoods via municipal boundaries such as U.S. Census Tracts, although more sophisticated analyses examine structures within a defined radius of respondents, typically .25-mile. This study verifies the .25-mile heuristic as a sound operational definition for neighborhood residential structures consequential to social conditions with measures of social contact with neighbors, perceptions of social capital, fear of neighborhood crime, and satisfaction with neighborhood quality of life. Deteriorating commercial structures cluster in smaller areas than deteriorating residential structures; however, the peak consequential radius appears to occur at 4 times the distance of residential structures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Prevalence of pigmentary disorders and their impact on quality of life: a prospective cohort study

JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
Anne Taylor PA-S
Summary Background, Pigmentary disorders are commonly seen in dermatology practice and can have a negative psychosocial impact on patients. Objective, This study aims to examine the prevalence of pigmentary disorders and their level of psychological and physical impact on patients. Methods, A prospective cohort study involved a sample of 140 patients undergoing skin exams at a private dermatology practice in North Carolina. Patient demographics and pigmentary diagnoses were obtained, and participants were asked to fill out a skin discoloration impact evaluation questionnaire. Descriptive and frequency analyses were performed. Results, Around 80% of the participants were diagnosed with one or more pigmentary disorders. About 47.3% of patients admitted of feeling self-conscious about their skin to some degree, 21.8% felt others focused on their skin, 32.7% felt unattractive because of their skin, 32.7% put effort into hiding pigment changes, and 23.6% felt their skin affected their activities. A limitation was the lack of diversity in the population studied (gender and skin type). Conclusions, Pigmentary disorders such as melasma, vitiligo, and lentigo pose significant negative impact on a person's health-related quality of life. Hence, there is a need for effective treatments of pigmentary disorders based on their prevalence and effect on quality of life. Healthcare providers should consider the impact of pigmentary disorders on health-related quality of life and educate patients on possible treatments. [source]

Diagnostic sub-types, psychological distress and psychosocial dysfunction in southern Chinese people with temporomandibular disorders

JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 3 2008
L. T. K. LEE
Summary, The study aimed to assess the distribution of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) sub-types, psychological distress and psychosocial dysfunction in southern Chinese people seeking treatment for TMD using Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) and investigate potential cross-cultural differences in sub-type prevalence and psychosocial impact. Eighty-seven consecutive patients (77 females; 10 males) with a mean age of 39·3 years (s.d. 12·8) newly referred to the specialist TMD clinic at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong over a 20-month period took part in the study. RDC/TMD history questionnaire and clinical assessment data were used to derive Axis I and II findings. Group I muscle disorders were the most common and found in 57·5% of patients. Group II (disc displacement) disorders were found in 42·5% and 47·1% of the right and left temporomandibular joints (TMJ) respectively. Group III disorders (arthralgia/arthrosis/arthritis) were revealed in 19·5% and 23·0% of right and left TMJ's respectively. In the Axis II assessment, 42·5% of patients had moderate/severe depression scores, 59·7% had moderate/severe somatization scores and based on graded chronic pain scores 15·0% had psychosocial dysfunction (grade III and IV). While acknowledging the small sample size, the distribution of RDC/TMD Axis I and II diagnoses was fairly similar in Chinese TMD patients compared with Western and other Asian patient groups. However, in Chinese patients, myofascial pain with limited jaw opening and TMJ disc displacement with reduction were more common and a significant number experienced psychological distress and psychosocial dysfunction. The findings have implications for the management of TMD in Chinese people. [source]

Behavior and quality of life measures after anesthesia for tonsillectomy or ear tube insertion in children

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 10 2010
KELLY HOWARD BSc (HONS)
Summary Background:, Past research examining the psychosocial impact of general anesthesia and day case surgery on children has been hampered by a lack of valid and reliable assessment tools. Aim:, The purpose of the current study was to assess the feasibility of using a well-validated scale (i.e. the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales Version 4.0, PedsQL) in the perioperative setting and to establish changes seen in a sample of children having day case surgery when using this scale. Method:, Eighty-nine children (aged 3,12 years) scheduled for general anesthesia for day case tonsillectomy or ear tube insertions were recruited into a prospective study in Melbourne, Australia. Parents completed the PedsQL and the Post Hospitalization Behavioral Questionnaire (PHBQ), and children completed the PedsQL (child self-report) at baseline (preanesthesia), 7 days following anesthesia and 30 days following anesthesia. Results:, The response rate at day 7 and day 30 was modest but when returned the PedsQL and PHBQ had minimal missing data. On the PedsQL, parents rated children's physical functioning as worse at day 7 than at baseline but psychosocial functioning did not differ significantly from baseline. At 30 days, both physical and psychosocial functioning was rated by parents to be better than baseline levels. From children's perspective, there was little evidence of a change in their physical or psychosocial functioning on the self-report PedsQL at day 7, but by day 30 both physical and psychosocial functioning was above baseline levels. A similar pattern was observed on the PHBQ, with little difference in ratings of behavioral problems between baseline and day 7, but less behavioral problems reported at day 30 compared with baseline. Conclusions:, The PedsQL is feasible for use in the perioperative setting. Future studies should take into account the possibility that deterioration of psychosocial functioning is uncommon at 1 -month postsurgery compared to the preoperative baseline. [source]

Cyber Bullying Behaviors Among Middle and High School Students

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2010
Faye Mishna
Little research has been conducted that comprehensively examines cyber bullying with a large and diverse sample. The present study examines the prevalence, impact, and differential experience of cyber bullying among a large and diverse sample of middle and high school students (N = 2,186) from a large urban center. The survey examined technology use, cyber bullying behaviors, and the psychosocial impact of bullying and being bullied. About half (49.5%) of students indicated they had been bullied online and 33.7% indicated they had bullied others online. Most bullying was perpetrated by and to friends and participants generally did not tell anyone about the bullying. Participants reported feeling angry, sad, and depressed after being bullied online. Participants bullied others online because it made them feel as though they were funny, popular, and powerful, although many indicated feeling guilty afterward. Greater attention is required to understand and reduce cyber bullying within children's social worlds and with the support of educators and parents. [source]

Psychosocial impact among the public of the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in Taiwan

Psychosocial adjustment of siblings of children with cancer: a systematic review

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2010
Melissa A. Alderfer
Abstract Objectives: To promote a broader understanding of the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer on siblings, a systematic review was undertaken. Directions for future research are proposed and clinical strategies are suggested for addressing the needs of these children. Methods: Searches of Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL revealed 65 relevant qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods' papers published between 1997 and 2008. These papers were rated for scientific merit and findings were extracted for summary. Results: Siblings of children with cancer do not experience elevated mean rates of psychiatric disorders, but a significant subset experiences post-traumatic stress symptoms, negative emotional reactions (e.g. shock, fear, worry, sadness, helplessness, anger, and guilt), and poor quality of life in emotional, family, and social domains. In general, distress is greater closer to time of diagnosis. School difficulties are also evident within 2 years of diagnosis. Qualitative studies reveal family-level themes such as loss of attention and status as well as positive outcomes including increased sibling maturity and empathy. Conclusions: Research regarding siblings of children with cancer continues to be methodologically limited. The conclusions of qualitative and quantitative studies differ considerably. We propose a research agenda to propel this field forward including greater attention to alterations in normative development (as opposed to psychiatric conditions), development of more appropriate quantitative measures, examination of potential moderators of adaptation, and use of prospective longitudinal designs. Siblings of children with cancer are a psychosocially at-risk group and should be provided with appropriate supportive services. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Psychosocial issues in genetic testing for familial adenomatous polyposis: a review of the literature

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2008
K. F. L. Douma
Abstract Objectives: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is characterized by the development of multiple adenomas in the colon that can lead to colorectal cancer. Being a carrier for FAP is hypothesized to have a negative impact on psychosocial well-being. This paper reviews the current literature on the psychosocial aspects of FAP. Methods: Four literature databases were used to identify all papers published between 1986 and 2007 about psychosocial and behavioral issues in FAP related to genetic testing. The following topics were reviewed: uptake and psychosocial impact of genetic testing, endoscopic screening behavior and psychosocial well-being in general. Results: Seventeen papers were identified. Across studies, genetic test uptake varied between 62 and 97%. Two out of three studies showed clinical levels of anxiety and/or depression after genetic testing. A minority of individuals were not reassured by a negative test result, and intended to continue endoscopic surveillance. Well-being (e.g. quality of life, family functioning) was found to be lower in some studies, while comparable to the general population in other studies. The studies had several shortcomings, such as mixed patient population (e.g. colorectal and breast cancer) and small sample sizes, and provided no information on other potentially important issues, such as psychosexual development. Conclusions: Future studies should employ larger sample sizes and standardized measurements. Additionally, future studies should address the long-term consequences of genetic testing for FAP, psychosexual development and consequences of FAP for the family as a whole. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Measuring the psychosocial impact of population-based prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer in the UK

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2006
Lucy A. Brindle
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the psychosocial impact of participation in a population-based prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing programme, akin to screening, and to explore the relationship between urinary symptoms reported before PSA testing and the response to the subsequent PSA result. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective questionnaire study was nested within the case-finding component of the ProtecT (prostate testing for cancer and treatment) feasibility study (ISRCTN20141297). Men aged 50,69 years from 18 general practices in three cities in the UK completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey, and the International Continence Society ,male' (ICSmale) questionnaires before giving consent for a PSA test in a community clinic (baseline). Men with an ,abnormal' PSA result returned for further investigation (including biopsy) and repeated these questionnaires before biopsy. RESULTS At baseline, study participants had similar levels of anxiety and depression to the general male population. There was no increase in the HADS scores, or reduction in the SF-12 mental health component summary score, on attendance at the biopsy clinic after receiving an ,abnormal' PSA result. Urinary symptoms were associated with levels of anxiety and depression before receiving a PSA result (baseline), but were not associated with anxiety and depression at biopsy independently of baseline scores. Therefore changes in anxiety or depression at biopsy did not appear to differ between those with and without urinary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the findings of other studies that the deleterious effects of receiving an abnormal PSA result during population screening are not identified by generic health-status questionnaires. Comparisons with outcomes of studies measuring cancer-specific distress and using qualitative research methods raise the question of whether a prostate cancer screening-specific instrument is required. However, a standardized measure of anxiety identified differences at baseline between those who did and did not report urinary symptoms. These findings suggest that it might be advisable to better inform men undergoing PSA testing about the uncertain relationship between urinary symptoms and prostate cancer, to minimize baseline levels of psychological distress. [source]

Significant impact of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma on patients' quality of life

CANCER, Issue 10 2006
Results of a 2005 National Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation Survey
Abstract BACKGROUND. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) can have a profound impact on a patient's health-related quality of life; however, little is known about its actual impact. The authors evaluated patients' perspectives on the impact of CTCL on physical functioning, lifestyle, emotional well being, and satisfaction with treatment. METHODS. A 4-page, self-administered questionnaire was mailed and made available online in March 2005 to the entire United States membership of the Mycosis Fungoides Foundation (n = 930 members). Outcome measures were patients' perspectives on the psychosocial impact of CTCL and the management of their disease. RESULTS. The response rate was 68%, and 93.6% of respondents were white. The majority of respondents had mycosis fungoides (89%). Respondents were bothered by skin redness (94%) and by the extent of symptoms that affected their choice of clothing (63%). For most patients, the disease had a functional impact, rendering them tired or affecting their sleep. Health distress was reported by almost all respondents, with 94% reporting that they worried about the seriousness of their disease and 80% worrying about dying from the disease. Sixty-two percent of respondents reported that their disease made them feel unattractive, 85% reported that their treatment made their disease seem more manageable, but 61% reported that they felt burdened financially by their disease. CONCLUSIONS. The high response rate and patients' responses to the survey provided compelling evidence that patients believed CTCL had a profound and severe impact on their functioning, emotional, and social well being. A striking health distress was prevalent in almost all respondents. Although the majority of patients reported that treatments made their disease more manageable, a significant proportion reported that they felt burdened financially by their disease. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society. [source]

The personal experience of juvenile Huntington's disease: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of parents' accounts of the primary features of a rare genetic condition

CLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2006
Section Editor: Barbara Bowles Biesecker, email: barbarab@mail.nih.gov
There has been a paucity of research into the psychosocial impact of juvenile Huntington's disease (JHD) on the child and the family. The study reported here is part of larger project that aimed to address this and investigate the social and health care needs of those affected by JHD. Ten semistructured interviews with the main caregiver(s) were carried out and were analyzed using the qualitative methodology interpretative phenomenological analysis. The main themes arising from the analysis are reported here: first becoming aware something is wrong; physical symptoms; speech and communication difficulties; behavioral problems; a slow but relentless process. These are discussed in relation to extant literature. We hope the article will be helpful to clinicians working with families where a child is affected by JHD and also contribute to the general literature on understanding symptoms in childhood illness. [source]

Assessing the impact of oral health on the life quality of children: implications for research and practice

COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Colman McGrath
Abstract , Traditionally, child oral health has been assessed using clinical parameters of disease and deformity. However, there is a growing interest in the psychosocial impact of oral health among children. This commentary outlines the value and need for assessing child oral health-related quality of life (COHQoL). COHQoL has implications for oral health needs assessment (at an individual and population level) and for evaluating outcomes from specific treatments, initiatives and dental services overall. In addition, it could prove to be a useful adjunct tool for evidence-based dentistry research and practice. Theoretical and practical considerations in assessing the complex psychosocial construct of oral health among children are discussed: the use of general versus oral health-specific measures, the development of tools for children, the use of generic versus condition-specific measures, and the measurement of ,positive' oral health. Recommendations for research and practice are presented. [source]

Oral health-related quality of life of children with oligodontia

Experience with Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy in Grown-Ups with Congenital Heart Disease

PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2008
MAREN TOMASKE M.D.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) are increasingly implanted for primary or secondary prevention of sudden death in young patients with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, or channelopathies. Although major advances in ICD technology and implant techniques have facilitated ICD therapy in young patients, complications such as lead failures, inappropriate shocks, system infections, and negative psychosocial impacts are of concern. The various underlying cardiovascular disease states and a lack of standardized ICD protocols for young patients often necessitate individualized implant techniques, ICD programming, and follow-up. Young ICD patients need a thorough follow-up to ensure adequate therapy, and psychosocial problems have to be addressed. [source]