Women's experiences of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain: A systematic review

Objective: To systematically review the available studies which relay the experience of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain and how this affects women psychologically and emotionally. Method: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of the experiences of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain was conducted for qualitative studies dated between 2005 and 2016. Predefined terms were used to search nine central databases and hand searches of two reference lists of identified studies were carried out. Findings: 614 records were identified, eight studies met the inclusion criteria for review. Pain from pelvic girdle pain impacted on women's daily lives both at home and the workplace. This had a negative emotional and psychological impact on women as it took away their feeling of independence. Women reported feelings of frustration, guilt, irritability and upset at being unable to carry out their normal roles. Pelvic girdle pain also affected the women's sense of identity and ability to care for their children. Conclusions and implications for practice: Health professionals working with pregnant and postnatal women need to be aware of the anger, frustration and negative emotions resulting from PGP. These women may become socially isolated and there is a risk they could abuse analgesics in attempt to manage the pain especially if they do not have the social support. For women with young children, it is important to be aware of safety issues they face with carrying babies and controlling toddlers. It is therefore important that health professionals recognise PGP as a serious health issue, approach this condition sensitively and refer to appropriate treatment as soon as PGP is suspected

The relationship between procrastination and sexual orientation

Procrastination can lead to reduced mental well-being and life satisfaction. In this study, levels of procrastination were examined as a function of sexual orientation using a correlational design. Through an internet survey, a sample of 437 participants completed the Pure Procrastination Scale, the conscientiousness related items of the International Personality Item Pool, and an adapted version of the Rasch Derived Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-Short Form. Participants were divided in to one of four groups based on their gender and sexual orientation. Procrastination scores were higher for heterosexual men compared to heterosexual women (r=.142). Non heterosexual women were found to procrastinate more than heterosexual women (r=.162). Both relationships were mediated by conscientiousness, but not depression. Results suggest that certain sexual orientation groups may be more vulnerable to procrastination and this has implications for their well-being, which raises further awareness of issues pertinent to disparity in health equity

Grief, after death communications and childhood abuse: two substance use case reports

The following two case reports discuss the effect of grief on their drug-use behaviour. Both case descriptions of substance use disorders are comorbid with depression and/or an anxiety-related disorder. Case 1 and 2 have a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse and report multiple drug relapses as a consequence of unresolved grief associated with the abuse. The maladaptive grief process of case 1 and 2 had presented itself in the subjective belief of having after death communications with the deceased. The application of cognitive behavioural techniques driven by psychodynamic insights, revealed a relationship between the grief experienced, childhood abuse and the use of prescription medication and illicit drug use. The case descriptions of grief are discussed in the context of substance misuse, mental health and the triggers associated with relapse in an attempt to further our understanding of substance abuse and therapy

The use of cognitive behavioural therapy on two case reports of paraphilic infantilism, substance misuse and childhood abuse

Very limited research has looked at the use of cognitive behavioural therapy on paraphilic infantilism. Two case descriptions of paraphilic infantilism coexisting with substance use disorders and anxiety and/or a mood disorder are discussed. Both cases presented with a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse. One of the cases also reported engaging in transvestism during periods of stimulant abuse and paraphilic infantilism during substance misuse stabilisation or opiate intoxication. The application of cognitive behavioural techniques revealed that both cases’ paraphilic conduct was associated with their substance misuse and whilst they attended a drug maintenance programme, they did not wish to pursue any treatment intervention regarding their paraphilic behaviours. Both case descriptions of paraphilic behaviour are discussed in the context of substance misuse, mental health and the triggers associated with relapse