A culturally sensitive approach towards psychological health in Singapore : constructing and validating a taoist value questionnaire

The current mind-body model approach might not be sufficient in Asian societies whereby cultural philosophical beliefs are major influence of help-seeking behaviour and psychological health. Specifically, adopting the principles of Taoist values have been shown to be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, trait-anger and physical chronic illness. The current study aims to construct and examine the psychometrics properties of a Taoist Value Questionnaire (TVQ), a scale that measures one’s level of identification with Taoist values. Moderation analysis was also conducted to examine how one’s level of individualism, collectivism and relationalism moderates the relationship between Taoist values and psychological health. Four hundred and thirteen participants were recruited from Nanyang Technological University. Participants completed questionnaires pertaining to depression, anxiety, trait-anger, and psychological and physical health-related quality of life. Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a five-factor structure best represented the TVQ scale. The five TVQ domains were acceptance of law of nature, contentedness, noncompetition, limiting desires and dynamic revertism. Except for noncompetition, each of the TVQ domains were correlated with better psychological and physical health outcomes. Moderation analysis revealed individualism and relationalism moderated the relationship between Taoist values and psychological health while collectivism did not. These findings demonstrated the importance of a spirit-body-mind model towards psychological health. The TVQ can be a beneficial tool for future research that seeks to further assess the effects of Taoist values or to develop therapies that incorporate Taoist values.Bachelor of Arts in Psycholog

Understanding the psychosocial impact of colorectal cancer on young-onset patients: a scoping review

The incidence of young-onset (<50 years) colorectal cancer (CRC) has been increasing internationally. The psychosocial experience of younger cancer patients is vastly different from older patients, especially in domains such as financial toxicity, body image, and sexual dysfunction. What is unknown is the cancer type-specific experience. The aim of the current scoping review was to examine (1) the psychosocial factors and/or outcomes associated with young-onset CRC and (2) other determinants that influences these outcomes.Ministry of Health (MOH)Published versionThis work was supported by the Singapore Ministry of Health's Clinician Scientist Award (Investigator Category) [MOH- 000333 (CSAINV19may- 0009)]

Supplemental Material - Differences in Attitudes and Barriers Towards Advance Care Planning Amongst Ischemic Heart Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Supplemental Material for Differences in Attitudes and Barriers Towards Advance Care Planning Amongst Ischemic Heart Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study by Alyssa Ng, Athena Ming-Gui Khoo, Jerrald Lau, Chermaine Ang, Hui-Wen Sim, and Ker-Kan Tan in American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®</p

Supplemental Material - Differences in Attitudes and Barriers Towards Advance Care Planning Amongst Ischemic Heart Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Supplemental Material for Differences in Attitudes and Barriers Towards Advance Care Planning Amongst Ischemic Heart Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study by Alyssa Ng, Athena Ming-Gui Khoo, Jerrald Lau, Chermaine Ang, Hui-Wen Sim, and Ker-Kan Tan in American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®</p

Preoperative Quality of Life and Mental Health Can Predict Postoperative Outcomes and Quality of Life after Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Background and Objectives: It remains unclear which domains of preoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health are predictive of postoperative clinical and patient-reported outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort of 78 CRC patients undergoing elective curative surgery was recruited. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and HADS questionnaires were administered preoperatively and one month after surgery. Results: Preoperative cognitive functioning scores (95% CI 0.131–1.158, p = 0.015) and low anterior resection (95% CI 14.861–63.260, p = 0.002) independently predicted poorer 1-month postoperative global QOL. When postoperative complications were represented using the comprehensive complication index (CCI), poorer preoperative physical function scores were associated with higher CCI scores (B = −0.277, p = 0.014). Preoperative social function score (OR = 0.925, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99; p = 0.019) was an independent predictor for 30-day readmission, while physical functioning score (OR = −0.620, 95% CI −1.073–−0.167, p = 0.008) was inversely related to the length of hospitalization. The overall regressions for 1-month postoperative global QOL (R2: 0.546, F: 1.961, p = 0.023) and 30-day readmission (R2: 0.322, χ2: 13.129, p Conclusions: Various QLQ-C30 domains were found to be predictive of postoperative outcomes, including complications, readmission, and length of hospitalization. Preoperative cognitive dysfunction and low AR were independent predictors of poorer postoperative global QOL. Future research should seek to examine the efficacy of targeting specific baseline QOL domains in improving clinical as well as patient-reported outcomes after CRC surgery