The moderating role of social connectedness on the relationship between cancer caregiver burden and psychological outcomes

The moderating role of social connectedness on the relationship between cancer caregiver burden and psychological outcome

Experiences with health information among caregivers of people with cancer from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: A qualitative study

Abstract Objectives Although some research suggests that caregivers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities have higher unmet information needs compared to their English-speaking counterparts, few studies have examined determinants of information needs among CALD cancer caregivers and their satisfaction with received information. This study aimed to explore experiences with cancer-related information among caregivers of people with cancer from CALD communities. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 caregivers from Arabic and Chinese backgrounds (12 in each group). Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Results Participants’ mean age was 40.6 years, and most were female (83%). Six themes were identified: (a) lack of information to meet their needs; (b) challenges understanding cancer- and care-related information; (c) proactivity to make sense of, and understand information; (d) interpreting information: the role formal and informal services; and (e) engaging with health providers to access information. Conclusions Caregivers identified significant language and communication barriers impacting their capacity to understand cancer-related information given by providers and they invested personal effort clarifying information. The importance of access to formal interpreter services, even when caregivers and care recipients seem proficient in English, was highlighted. Cultural sensitivity of providers when discussing a cancer diagnosis and treatment was also identified as an important consideration. Significance of results Culturally tailored outreach programs designed to provide key cancer-related information which are accessible to CALD caregivers have the potential to improve the health outcomes of both caregivers and care recipients

“I'm not the anti-smoker now. I just don't smoke anymore”: social obstacles to quitting smoking among emerging adults

Background: Emerging adulthood presents unique challenges to smoking cessation that are not well understood. During this phase, smoking identities can develop that become obstacles for quitting, particularly in social situations where smoking is accepted and expected. Using a social identity approach, this study explores how social relationships and normative group behaviours can be barriers to transitioning from a smoker to non-smoker identity. Method: Six focus groups of five participants (N = 30) were conducted with participants aged 18-25 years (57% male). Participants’ smoking status was ascertained to construct six groups, two each of daily smokers, occasional (non-daily) smokers, and ex-smokers. Results: Salient in-group identities invoked out-group comparisons that could create barriers to change including feeling conflicted about becoming a “non-smoker”, and maintenance of pro-smoking group norms. Three subthemes were identified: 1) Managing the division between smoker and non-smoker groups; 2) The isolation associated with navigating others’ expectations about quitting when attempting to quit; and 3) Encountering normative in-group smoking-related behaviours when attempting to quit. Conclusions: The transition from smoker to non-smoker, when understood from a social identity approach, is not straightforward. Identifying as a smoker can invoke negative judgements from non-smokers while, conversely, attempting to quit may lead to perceived rejection among smokers. Further research is needed to explore whether perceptions of social risk can be reduced by increasing the salience of a transitional “quitter” identity that helps to reduce the perceived gap between “smoker” and “non-smoker”.</p

L'Écho : grand quotidien d'information du Centre Ouest

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Additional file 4: of Older Australians can adhere to a traditional Mediterranean style diet over two weeks: a pilot dietary intervention study

Nutrient intakes of participants according to the food frequency questionnaires during the habitual phase and the Mediterranean diet phase 8. (PDF 269 kb

Additional file 1: of Older Australians can adhere to a traditional Mediterranean style diet over two weeks: a pilot dietary intervention study

Nutrient content of the Mediterranean diet according to the literature review [unpublished observations, Davis et al. 2015] and the nutrient content of the Australianised Mediterranean diet designed for the pilot study, according to the three energy levels. (PDF 159 kb

Predicting men’s intentions to seek help for cancer symptoms: a comparison of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model

Targeted behavioural interventions are needed to address psychosocial factors leading to slower help-seeking for cancer symptoms among men. This study compared the variance in men’s help-seeking intentions explained by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model. A cross-sectional survey of 127 men was conducted, testing symptom knowledge and theory-derived constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour (attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioural control) and Health Belief Model (susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers). The outcome variable was intention to seek help for cancer symptoms. Separate and combined hierarchical regressions tested the relative predictive power of the two models, potential overlap in variance explained, and the most salient constructs within the models. Separate regressions (controlling for age and symptom knowledge) showed each model explained 10–12% variance in men’s help-seeking intentions over and above the adjusted variables. The combined regression indicated symptom knowledge, perceived benefits, and perceived behavioural control were significant predictors of men’s intentions (35% total variance explained). The Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model may not be optimal models for explaining men’s help-seeking intentions for cancer symptoms, however, select constructs are important correlates. Future interventions may usefully target symptom knowledge, health beliefs, and control beliefs.</p

Burden prediction in cancer caregivers: role of social support and connectedness

ObjectivesCaregivers play a key role in providing support to people with cancer. However, caregiving can be stressful and demanding, resulting in perceived caregiver burden. Social connectedness is considered partially independent from social support, yet few studies have examined whether social connectedness impacts caregiver burden. The current study sought to examine: (a) associations among social support, social connectedness and burden in a sample of cancer caregivers and (b) the mediating effect of social connectedness on the relationship between social support and caregiver burden.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected as part of a larger project. The sample included 125 caregiver-cancer care recipient dyads. Caregivers completed the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised, the Medical Outcomes Study–Social Support Survey and the Zarit Burden Interview. Descriptive statistics, hierarchical multiple regression and mediation analyses were used to examine relationships between variables.ResultsCorrelation analyses showed higher perceived social support and social connectedness were significantly correlated with lower-reported caregiver burden (p<0.05). The hierarchical regression model showed that both social support and social connectedness were independent predictors of caregiver burden (p<0.001). Social connectedness partially mediated the relationship between social support and caregiver burden.ConclusionsThis study provides new evidence that social support buffers the negative effects of burden in caregivers, suggesting these are potentially modifiable factors of caregiver burden. Increased understanding of the factors that contribute to burden among cancer caregivers will inform targeted supportive care strategies to improve psychological health and well-being in this underserved group

MOESM3 of Using a nominal group technique to approach consensus on a resilience intervention for smoking cessation in a lower socioeconomic population

Additional file 3. Figure S6 Nine-point Likert rating scales of how useful and feasible each of the strategies were perceive

MOESM1 of Using a nominal group technique to approach consensus on a resilience intervention for smoking cessation in a lower socioeconomic population

Additional file 1. Figure S4 Background information shee