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Social Support Questionnaire (social + support_questionnaire)
Selected AbstractsPsychosocial effects in long-term head and neck cancer survivorsHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2005Richard L. Holloway PhD Abstract Background. To identify and rate the importance of several psychosocial and physiologic influences on quality of life (QOL) among a cohort of 5-year head and neck cancer survivors, we conducted a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample that used both questionnaires and physiologic evaluations. Methods. QOL was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) and the FACT Head and Neck additional concerns (FACT-H&N) questionnaires. Psychosocial characteristics (or risk factors) potentially influencing QOL were measured by the Millon Behavioral Health Inventory (MBHI) and the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQSR). Physiologic risk factors were measured in examinations that included shoulder and neck range of motion, whole and stimulated saliva measurements, and oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency. We evaluated the association of selected QOL measures with three groups of potential risk factors: psychosocial factors, consisting of selected MBHI and SSQSR scales; physiologic factors, consisting of selected physical ability measures; and a combination of psychosocial/physiologic factors. Results. The entire study population of 105 subjects completed the FACT and FACT-H&N questionnaires; 86 of these completed the physiologic tests as well. Combined psychosocial/physiologic models best predicted all QOL measures considered. Psychosocial models alone, compared with physiologic models alone, better predicted FACT physical and social/family well-being measures. Physiologic models alone, compared with psychosocial models alone, better predicted FACT-H&N additional concerns measures. Premorbid pessimism (MBHI) was consistently the best predictor of QOL measures. Conclusions. Both psychosocial and physiologic factors influence QOL in patients with head and neck cancer, but many QOL measures are most strongly influenced by psychosocial considerations. Physicians and surgeons caring for long-term head and neck cancer survivors should be cognizant of the importance of psychosocial risk factors in the QOL of their patients. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX,XXX, 2005 [source] Factors Influencing Migraineur-Consulting Behavior in a University PopulationHEADACHE, Issue 5 2006Monica L. Skomo PharmD Objective.,The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to treatment-seeking behavior in migraineurs in a large employer population. Specifically, the impact of psychographic variables, such as social support, attitudes toward medication, locus of control, and migraine-associated disability, are considered concomitantly with demographic and disease severity variables. Background.,Migraine remains an underconsulted condition. Previous explorations of demographic factors and headache characteristics have not adequately predicted migraineur physician-consulting behavior. Methods.,University employees and students experiencing headaches were interviewed by pharmacists to determine whether they suffer from migraine using the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria for migraine. Identified migraineurs were categorized into 3 groups: (1) never-consulter, (2) lapsed-consulter, and (3) current-consulter. Each group was asked to complete an instrument that assesses perceived social support (Headache Social Support Questionnaire), medication attitudes (Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire), locus of control (Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale), and migraine-associated disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire). Univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (logistic regression) approaches were used to identify factors associated with migraineur-consulting behavior. Results.,A total of 100 subjects participated in the study. Eighty-two participants met IHS criteria for migraine, of whom 22 were never-consulters, 20 were lapsed-consulters, and 40 were current-consulters. The consulter groups differed on scores acquired from the Social Support Active Involvement subscale (P= .04) and the Healthcare Professional Locus of Control subscale (P= .010). The logistic regression procedures confirmed the contributions of social support and healthcare locus of control in predicting migraineur-consulting behavior. Conclusion.,Results suggest that attitudes concerning the role of healthcare professionals and the presence of a supportive social network have greater influence on migraineur-consulting behavior than do patient demographic characteristics, beliefs about medications, and migraine frequency and severity. With an understanding of the link between psychosocial variables and consulting behavior, healthcare professionals may be able to positively impact migraineur physician consultation rates, drug therapy, and quality of life. [source] Social support buffers the impact of functional impairments on caregiver psychological well-being in the context of brain tumor and other cancersPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 10 2010Tamara Ownsworth Abstract Objective: This study investigated the association between functional impairments of individuals with cancer and caregiver psychological well-being, and examined the moderating effect of social support. Methods: Sixty-three caregivers (71% female) of individuals with brain tumor (n=27) and other cancers (n=36) were recruited from community services. Caregivers rated their psychological well-being on the World Health Organisation Quality of Life measure Brief version, social support on a brief version of the Social Support Questionnaire, and the individuals' functional impairments on the Patient Competency Rating Scale. Results: For caregivers of individuals with brain tumor, better psychological well-being was associated with lower functional impairment in all domains (rs=0.33,38, p<0.05), except for cognitive difficulties. For caregivers of individuals with other cancers, better psychological well-being was associated with lower functional impairment in all domains (rs=0.30,0.49, p<0.05), with the exception of activities of daily living. For the total caregiver sample, better psychological well-being was significantly correlated with overall functional impairment (r=0.34, p<0.005) and satisfaction with support (r=0.40, p<0.005). Caregivers supporting individuals with greater functional impairment had better psychological well-being if they were highly satisfied with their social support. Conclusions: Effective social support is particularly important for caregivers who support individuals with poorer functional status, and this study highlights the need to evaluate caregiver social support interventions in the context of cancer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Formal support of stroke survivors and their informal carers in the community: a cohort studyHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 6 2008Chantal Simon PhD MSc MRCGP Abstract This cohort study, aims to explore formal care provision to stroke survivors and their informal carers in the community in the UK. An initial cohort of 105 cohabitant carers of first-time stroke patients was recruited while the stroke patient was in hospital. Structured face-to-face interviews were carried out with carers prior to discharge of the stroke patient home, at 6 weeks after discharge, and 15 months after stroke. Questionnaires included measures of psychological health (CIS-R), physical health (self-rated health), social well-being (relationship quality and Sarason's social support questionnaire), handicap of the stroke survivor (Oxford Handicap Scale) and formal community support (amount of formal support and carer satisfaction). Multiple services were involved with most survivor,carer pairs (mean 5.4; range 2,9; SD = 1.7), and 74% of carers were satisfied with formal support provided. Number of services decreased with time (5.5 versus 4.1, t = 4.201, d.f. = 52, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 0.71,2.01) but not time allocated. Using stepwise linear regression, service provision early after discharge was predicted by: level of handicap, recruitment centre, carer self-rated health, number of informal supporters and other care commitments. Satisfaction was predicted by quality of informal support and activity restriction. Fifteen months after stroke, predictors of formal care were: level of handicap, quality of informal support and previous caring experience. Predictors of satisfaction were: quality of the relationship between the stroke survivor and carer, age and mood. Quality of services was good, but carers lacked information, had insufficient help and were not consulted enough. Carer distress is common, yet not currently a factor influencing support provision. Formal care provided adapts with time reflecting the importance of quality of support from friends and family rather than quantity of informal supporters. These factors should be taken into consideration when planning and providing formal support for stroke survivors and their carers. [source] | ||||||||||