The importance of hope for quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis

Aims: This study intends to describe the importance of hope for the quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis. Evidence has indicated that Hope is important as a buffer between risk factors, physical and psychological health status, and quality of life for patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The study was exploratory and descriptive. Setting: A general Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. Participants: 280 patients with Multiple Sclerosis. We explore the relationship between Hope and Quality of Life. The instruments used are the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life scale (MSQol-54) and the Hope Scale. Results: The correlation between the Hope Scale and the domains of MSQOL-54: Physical Health (r=0.24, p<0.05), Physical Role Limitations (r=0.25, p<0.05), Emotional Role Limitations (r=0.35, p<0.05), Pain (r=0.28, p<0.05),Well-being (r=0.48, p<0.01), Energy (r=0.42, p<0.01), Health in General (r=0.41, p<0.01), Social Function (r=0.45, p<0.01), Cognitive Function (r=0.28, p<0.05), Health Distress (r=0.52, p<0.01), Overal Qol (r=0.49, p<0.01), Sexual function (r=0.33, p<0.05), Change in Health (r=-0.17, p<0.05), and Satisfaction with sexual function (r=0.33, p<0.05). Conclusions: There is a statistically significant correlation between the variables, suggesting that hope can play an important role in the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis, especially in domains such as the perception of well-being, health in general, and social function, and distress.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Psychosocial Aspects Associated with Pain Perception in Individuals Undergoing Coronary Surgery

Objectivo: Identificar os factores psicossociais que influenciam a percepção da dor pós-operatória em doentes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM). Material e Métodos: Estudo exploratório correlacional de 91 doentes (71 homens e 20 mulheres) submetidos a CRM (pontagem aortocoronária) por esternotomia. A idade média era de 63,8 ± 9,6 anos (entre 39 e 84). Foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: Escala Analógica Visual às 24, 48 e 96 horas do pós-operatório; Questionário de Caracterização Demográfica; Mental Health Inventory de 5 itens; Percepção de Saúde Geral (SF-36); Escala de Expectativas de Dor; Escala de Percepção de Apoio; Escala de Expectativas de Auto-eficácia; Satisfação com o tratamento, médicos e enfermeiros (American Pain Society Questionnaire) aplicados às 96 horas após a cirurgia. Resultados: Os doentes que apresentaram expectativas elevadas de dor, percepcionaram maior apoio, apresentaram níveis elevados de auto-eficácia para lidar com a dor ou, se pertenciam ao sexo masculino, sentiram menos dor. De igual modo, os doentes que apresentaram melhor saúde mental, percepcionaram a sua saúde como boa e os doentes que expressaram maior satisfação com o tratamento sentiram menos dor. A dor não foi influenciada pela idade, grau de escolaridade ou pela satisfação com a conduta de médicos e enfermeiros. Conclusão: Após as primeiras 48 horas do pós-operatório, a experiência de dor é influenciada por factores psicossociais, em particular pela expectativa de dor, expectativa de auto-eficácia, apoio percebido, percepção da saúde geral, percepção de saúde mental e satisfação com o tratamento para a dor. Perante os resultados, evidencia-se a necessidade de conjugar conhecimentos no sentido de dar respostas mais alargadas e de carácter multidisciplinar no tratamento da dor pós-operatória em CRM devendo, a par de outros aspectos, focar-se na gestão das expectativas dos doentes

Validation of the Portuguese version of impulsive-premeditated aggression scale in an inmate population

Aggression is one of the core symptoms of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) with therapeutic and prognostic relevance. ASPD is highly prevalent among inmates, being responsible for adverse events and elevated direct and indirect economic costs for the criminal justice system. The Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) is a self-report instrument that characterizes aggression as either predominately impulsive or premeditated. This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the IPAS in a sample of Portuguese inmates. A total of 240 inmates were included in the study. A principal component factor analysis was performed so as to obtain the construct validity of the IPAS impulsive aggression (IA) and premeditated aggression (PM) subscales; internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient; convergent and divergent validity of the subscales were determined analyzing correlations with the Barratt Impulsiveness scale, 11th version (BIS-11), and the Psychopathic Checklist Revised (PCL-R). The rotated matrix with two factors accounted for 49.9% of total variance. IA subscale had 11 items and PM subscale had 10 items. The IA and PM subscales had a good Cronbach's alpha values of 0.89 and 0.88, respectively. The IA subscale is correlated with BIS-11 attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsiveness dimensions (p < 0.05). The PM subscale is correlated with BIS-11 attentional, motor impulsiveness dimensions (p < 0.05). The PM subscale is correlated with PCL-R interpersonal, lifestyle, and antisocial dimensions (p < 0.05). The IA subscale is not correlated with PCL-R. The Portuguese translated version of IPAS has adequate psychometric properties, allowing the measurement of impulsive and premeditated dimensions of aggression

Satisfação sexual e percepção de saúde em mulheres com incontinência urinária

A incontinência urinária (IU) é um problema comum entre as mulheres de quase todas as idades. O problema de higiene associado ao conceito de IU tem impacto na vida do dia a dia das mulheres, na sua percepção de saúde e qualidade de vida e na vida sexual, nomeadamente na satisfação sexual. O objectivo do presente estudo era descrever as relações entre variáveis demográficas, variáveis clínicas relacionadas com a IU, percepção de saúde e satisfação sexual. Participaram 93 mulheres com diagnóstico de IU. Responderam a um conjunto de questionários que incluíam variáveis demográficas, variáveis relacionadas com a IU (duração da IU, frequência da perda de urina, percepção da gravidade da IU), à versão portuguesa do Urogenital Distress Inventory, de Dugan et al. (1998), do Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire, de Cappeleri et al. (2002), e o SF-8, uma forma reduzida do SF-36 desenvolvido por Ware et al. (1993). Os resultados mostram que a idade, a escolaridade, o tempo de existência de sintomas, sintomas de IU segundo o UDI, frequência de relações sexuais e percepção de saúde mental são as variáveis que descrevem melhor a satisfação com as relações sexuais. A análise de regressão linear mostra que as variáveis que permanecem na equação e que explicam a variância da satisfação sexual são a escolaridade, a frequência de relações sexuais e a saúde mental (mais escolaridade, mais relações sexuais e mais educação), com particular relevância para a saúde mental. Os resultados sugerem que o apoio psicológico visa a melhoria da saúde mental e pode contribuir para um melhor ajustamento em geral e à IU em particular

Estudo exploratório da relação entre função eréctil, disfunção eréctil e qualidade de vida em homens portugueses saudáveis

A disfunção eréctil (DE) é uma situação de elevada prevalência nas sociedades moderna, em parte devido ao envelhecimento da população. A função eréctil (FE) é um componente importante do funcionamento sexual mas com uma relação moderada com a DE. O objectivo deste estudo é avaliar a relação entre DE, FE e qualidade de vida (QDV). Participaram 133 homens Portugueses saudáveis, com idades entre 21 e 78 anos (M=43,86; DP=14,39), que responderam a um questionário de auto resposta segundo uma metodologia mail type. A DE foi definida segundo os critérios do IEEF-5, uma versão reduzida do IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function). A QDV foi avaliada com recurso ao SF-36. Os resultados mostram que o grupo DE (32,8% da amostra) manifesta valores de QDV mais baixos dos que o grupo não DE principalmente nas dimensões do componente físico. A FE enquanto resultado proveniente de todos os domínios do IIEF aumenta (principalmente nos domínios do Componente Físico). Os dois componentes do SF-36 (físico e mental) mostram tendência para aumentar quando a FE aumenta. Em conclusão encontrámos uma associação clara e positiva entre a percepção de FE e a QDV com preponderância para as dimensões do componente físico desta mas com uma clara interacção com o Componente Mental

Relationship between optimism, disease variables, and health perception and quality of life in individuals with epilepsy.

Epilepsy Behav. 2007 Aug;11(1):33-8. Epub 2007 May 29. Relationship between optimism, disease variables, and health perception and quality of life in individuals with epilepsy. Pais-Ribeiro J, da Silva AM, Meneses RF, Falco C. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, 4200-392 Porto, Portugal. [email protected] Abstract Epilepsy is a relatively frequent chronic condition with an important impact on the health perception and quality of life (QOL) of patients. The aim of the present study was to identify variables related to health status perception and QOL in persons with epilepsy. Participants were 200 persons with epilepsy, 53.5% of whom were males. The mean age was 39.6; 95% had seizures, and 99% were taking antiepileptic medication. The self-report questionnaire administered assessed four types of variables: demographic, disease, epilepsy-specific optimistic attitude, and outcome variables. Results demonstrated that an optimistic orientation is related to better perception of physical and mental health status and better perception of QOL. The variables that best predict positive outcomes are optimistic orientation, perception of cognitive functioning, and perception of seizure control. These results question the importance attributed to seizure characteristics for everyday functioning and everyday life of individuals with epilepsy, and stress the importance of facilitating an epilepsy-specific optimistic orientation. PMID: 17537679 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLIN

Predictors of the perceived risk of COVID-19 and adherence to confinement guidelines in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: Complete adherence to public health guidelines is essential to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Studies on the factors associated with increased/decreased adherence to these measures have the potential to inform public policies directed at increasing adherence, and thus helping to control the spread of the current pandemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at assessing the demographic and psychosocial predictors of the perceived risk of the COVID-19 and adherence to confinement guidelines during the first mandatory lockdown in Portugal. METHODS: A convenience sample of 430 adults living in Portugal between March 19(th) and May 2(nd,) 2020 completed an online survey asking participants about the perceived risk of the COVID-19 and adherence to confinement guidelines. Participants also completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and measures of psychological function. Multiple regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Teleworking and Risk and COVID-19 controllability were significant predictors of the perceived risk of COVID-19 as measured by the perceived risk of being infected with COVID-19. Teleworking participants and those perceiving COVID-19 as less controllable reported a higher perceived risk of being infected with COVID-19 than those who were not in telework and perceived COVID-19 as a controllable condition. Adherence to confinement guidelines was predicted by the mental health status and perceived risk of COVID-19. Participants who reported worse mental health status, who perceived COVID-19 as a dangerous condition, and who trusted the public health system reported greater adherence to confinement guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will be discussed considering their implications to public health policymaking to promote adherence to public health policies. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships

'But we survived': older adults' strategies to cope with the lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Older adults are one of the most vulnerable groups to severe illness associated with the SARS-COV-2 virus. Therefore, it would be expected that the elderly would suffer great impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health. However, it seems not to be the case, possibly due to contextual aspects and the strategies used by them to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study aimed at exploring the strategies older adults in Portugal deployed during the mandatory lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 to protect their mental health. Methods: A total of 22 older adults were interviewed and included in this study (36% women; age range between 66 and 92 years old). Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews between Jan-Sept 2020 and analysed according to codebook thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified. The first theme - ‘finding things to do and activities that can protect me’ - referred to behavioural coping strategies adopted to deal with the pandemic (e.g., preventing behaviours to avoid COVID-19 infection, social support). The second theme - ‘identifying how my thoughts can protect me’ - encompassed cognitive coping strategies, such as engaging in meaning-making processes to make sense out of the circumstances. Finally, the third theme - ‘counting myself lucky: me and my home advantages’ - included aspects perceived as beneficial to the wellbeing of participants during lockdowns (e.g., being healthy, living in a rural area). Conclusions: The thematic strategies identified by older adults to manage the pandemic and lockdown-related stresses could be linked to meaning-centred coping and could be further developed via existential therapy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio