Psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the MM-CGI-SF in caregivers of people with dementia

Background: Caregivers of people with dementia may experience characteristic grief linked to present and anticipated losses before the physical death of the care recipient occurs, which is related to physical and mental health problems. The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Inventory-Short Form (MM-CGI-SF) is an instrument that assesses this type of grief. Since there are no studies on an adaptation of the MM-CGI-SF to the Spanish population, the aim of the study was to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of caregivers of dementia patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. The tool was translated and adapted into Spanish, which was administered to 250 caregivers of people with dementia in the province of Huelva, together with other related instruments. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency reliability were calculated using Cronbach's alpha, for the total questionnaire and for each subscale. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed and the Spanish version of the MM-CGI-SF was correlated with the rest of the variables by calculating Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: 80.4% of the participants were female and had high levels of caregiver grief (x = 64.62, SD = 14.86). Cronbach's alpha for the general questionnaire was 0.927 and between 0.822-0.854 for its subscales. The fit values of the CFA were: x2 = 202.033, degrees of freedom = 121, x2 /df = 1.670, TLI = 0.954, CFI = 0.963, SRMR = 0.047, RMSEA = 0.052; and all the correlations were statistically significant. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the MM-CGI-SF shows adequate psychometric properties. Thanks to this instrument, health professionals may measure caregiver grief, get closer to the reality of dementia care, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to manage this grief.The Spanish Ministry of Universities has supported the first author of this research through the University Teacher Training Programme, with reference number (FPU19/04001). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA

Effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving grief and depression in caregivers of people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Caregivers of people suffering from dementia may go through a grieving process prior to the death of the cared-for person, which is related to mental health and physical problems. Interventions aimed at improving grief and depression are being used in response to these difficulties. The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving the grief process in home-based caregivers of people with dementia with the aim of reducing grief and depression. A systematic review, including a meta-analysis, was designed. Following the PRISMA guideline, original articles were searched in the databases: Medline, WOS, Scopus and PsycINFO, up to September 2022. Articles that evaluated interventions aimed at improving the grief process in caregivers of people with dementia, whose care recipients were alive at the beginning of the study at minimum and living at home were selected. Grief and depression were considered outcome variables. A meta-analysis was carried out with a fixed effects model for these variables and for the domains of the Caregiver Grief Scale (CGS). Eight articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of the interventions aimed at improving the grief process showed an improvement in grief and depression. The "emotional pain" and "absolute loss" domains of the CGS stood out with an improvement in these variables. Interventions aimed at improving the grief process are relatively effective in reducing grief and depression. Interventions that are even more effective and more robust studies are needed.The Spanish Ministry of Universities has supported the first author of this research through the University Teacher Training Programme, with reference number (FPU19/04001). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA

Affective Impact on Informal Caregivers over 70 Years of Age: A Qualitative Study

Given today’s rapidly ageing society, family members providing informal care to dependent older adults face ever-increasing challenges. The aim of this study was to describe the affective impact on older adults over 70 years of age caring for a dependent older person at home. A qualitative study was designed from a phenomenological perspective. Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers aged 70 or older. A content analysis of the interviews was carried out in five stages. Three themes were identified: “Emotions”, “Feelings”, and “Looking to the future”. Caregivers express negative emotions (sadness, anger, and fear) and feelings of social and emotional isolation, and they feel abandoned by health professionals, family, and friends. In conclusion, prolonged caregiving by older adults has a negative affective impact and creates uncertainty about the future. There is a need to devise social and healthcare policies and actions, creating social support networks to improve their health and emotional wellbeing

Psychometric Properties of the Emotional Eater Questionnaire in University Students

Emotional Eating (EE) patterns have been shown to play a relevant role in the development of overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to analyze the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) in university students from Huelva. The EEQ was administered to 1282 students (age 22.00 (±5.10), BMI 23.59 (±6.74)), belonging to the University of Huelva. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were carried out. The internal structure of the questionnaire, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity were analyzed. Principal component analysis of the questionnaire showed two dimensions, explaining 56% of the variance. Internal consistency showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.859 globally, and of 0.841–0.855 if the items were removed. The corrected item-total correlation yielded values of 0.444–0.687. The test-retest stability was ICC = 0.924 (p < 0.001). The data showed significant correlations between EEQ and the rest of the variables, and a Spearman’s Coefficient ranging from −0.367 to 0.400. The fit indexes were good for the confirmatory factor analysis. The results obtained with this structure found an adequate reliability and validity of the questionnaire in comparison with previous studiesThis research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, as allocated to the intern ESC, with reference number (FPU18/04620) The authors thank all the students participating in the study for their selfless collaboration in this research. We also extend a special thanks to Ester Molina for her assistance with the write-up and English review of this stud

Condiciones de vida y salud de la población inmigrante de los asentamientos de Huelva

Fundamentos: Debido a la oferta laboral agrícola de la provincia de Huelva, la población inmigrante ha ido creciendo, estableciéndose una situación de irregularidad que favorece las labores precarias y dificulta el acceso a una vivienda digna. Por ello, nuestro objetivo fue identificar las necesidades socio-sanitarias de la población inmigrante ante las condiciones de vida con las que habitan en los asentamientos irregulares de la provincia de Huelva. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal de método mixto sobre una población estimada de 2.500 residentes en 23 asentamientos. Se realizó estudio cuantitativo de variables socio-sanitarias mediante encuesta y guía de observación y estudio calidad de agua, aire y suelo. Se realizaron entrevistas semi-estructuradas a 13 habitantes de asentamientos hasta la saturación de los discursos. Resultados: Los asentamientos se localizaban alejados de los municipios. Rodeados de basura, sin agua corriente, electricidad, alcantarillado, inodoros ni duchas. Sus residentes se abastecían de alimentos comprados y agua procedente de campos, pozos y fuentes públicas, que almacenaban en garrafas de productos fitosanitarios. Mayoritariamente estaban en situación irregular. Un 49% tenían tarjeta sanitaria y un 48% acudieron alguna vez a un centro sanitario, manifestando mayoritariamente una buena percepción de salud. Destacaron como necesidades expresadas: el acceso al agua (demanda principal), protección ante el riesgo de incendio, mejora de la situación de irregularidad y las condiciones de trabajo, y la necesidad ayudar y proteger a su familia de origen. Conclusiones: Estas condiciones de vida pertenecen a un entorno sub-desarrollado dentro de una sociedad avanzada, siendo el acceso al agua, el problema principal. La irregularidad legal es clave para ellos, impidiéndoles contratos de trabajo regularizados y la percepción de poder acceder a un futuro mejor. Su autopercepción de salud es buena y no hacen un mayor uso de los servicios sanitarios, a pesar de las condiciones en las que habitan.Background: Due to the agricultural labor supply in the province of Huelva, the immigrant population has been growing, establishing a situation of irregularity that favors precarious work and hinders access to decent housing. Therefore, our objective was to identify the socio-sanitary needs of the immigrant population facing the living conditions with which they live in the irregular settlements of the province of Huelva. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study of mixed method on an estimated population of 2500 residents in 23 settlements. A quantitative study of socio-sanitary variables was carried out using a survey and observation guide, and a water, air and soil quality study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 inhabitants of the settlements until the saturation of the speeches. Results: The settlements were located far away from the towns. Surrounded by garbage, without running water, electricity, sewer, toilets or showers. Its residents were stocked up on purchased food and water from fields, wells and public fountains, which they stored in jugs of plant protection products. They were mostly in an irregular situation. 49% had a health card and 48% ever went to a health center, declared mostly a good perception of health. They stood out as expressed needs: access to water (main demand), protection from the risk of fire, improvement of the irregular situation and the working conditions, and the need to help and to protect their family of origin. Conclusions: These living conditions belong to an underdeveloped environment within an advanced society, with access to water being the main problem. Legal irregularity is key for them, preventing them regularized employment contracts and the perception of being able to access to a better future. Their self-perception of health is good and they do not make a greater use of health services, despite the conditions in which they live

Attitude towards the Promotion of Healthy Eating among Secondary School Teachers—Construction and Validation of a Questionnaire

Health promotion activities in secondary schools are scarce and have little involvement of the teaching staff. Most often, activities are developed from the curriculum that appears in school materials, with little capacity for adaptation and innovation. The aim of this study was to construct and validate a tool to find out teachers’ attitudes towards activities to promote healthy eating in secondary schools. For this purpose, a descriptive study was conducted. The total sample of the study consisted of 200 teachers from secondary schools. Internal consistency was determined by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient globally and by dimension, and with the corrected item–test correlation. The construct validity of the questionnaire was assessed by means of an exploratory factor analysis, for which the principal components method with Varimax rotation was used. A Likert-type scale with nine items and four response options about attitude was designed. The exploratory factor analysis showed a nine-factor solution, of which two had eigenvalues greater than 1. These two factors explained 63.4% of the variance. The Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency index obtained for the global scale was 0.81, and 0.75 and 0.85 for each component. The results obtained with this structure confirmed an adequate reliability and validity of the questionnaireWe really appreciate the participation of the management teams and teachers of all the centres included in this stud

Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Caregiver Strain, and Social Support with Dementia Grief in Family Caregivers

Background and Objectives: Dementia grief in family caregivers of people with dementia refers to grieving prior to the death of the care recipient. It is related to psychosocial risk factors that may have a negative impact on the health of these family caregivers. This study aimed to describe the relationship between depressive symptoms, caregiver strain, and social support with dementia grief in family caregivers of people with dementia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 250 family caregivers of people with dementia participated. Dementia grief was the main variable, and depressive symptoms, caregiver strain, and social support were assessed. Additionally, socio-demographic data were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a bivariate correlation analysis and a multiple linear regression analysis were performed for dementia grief. Results: Higher scores for dementia grief were found in women, in family caregivers of patients at advanced stages of dementia, and in family caregivers with a low level of education. High levels of depressive symptoms and caregiver strain and low levels of social support indicated greater intensity of dementia grief. Depressive symptomatology was the variable with the greatest influence on dementia grief. Caregiver strain and social support also related to dementia grief, but to a lesser extent. Conclusions: In family caregivers, depressive symptoms, caregiver strain, and social support are related to the intensity of dementia grief, with a greater influence of depressive symptoms. Moreover, being female, having a low level of education, and caring for a care recipient at an advanced stage of dementia are factors associated with increased dementia grief. Concerning study limitations, the sample was restricted, belonging to a specific region of Spain and to a Provincial Federation of associations. It is necessary to exercise caution in generalizing results due to the sociodemographic and geographical characteristics of the sample

Attitude towards health promotion in university students. Construction and validation of a scale

Objective: To construct and validate a questionnaire about the attitude of university students toward health promotion. Method: A cross-sectional study. A questionnaire of 14 questions was designed and administered to 1486 first-year undergraduates. The principal axes factoring method with oblique rotation was applied and a confirmatory factor analysis was carried out. Reliability was calculated through internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation for the global scale and its subscales. Results: A 14-item scale was constructed, with two dimensions. Its Cronbach's alpha was 0.872, and 0.852, and 0.718 for its subscales. The adjustment values of the confirmatory factor analysis were adequate. Conclusions: The attitude towards health promotion scale has shown to have adequate psychometric properties. It is an instrument that will help to detect referents and health assets for future interventions. Resumen: Objetivo: Construir y validar un cuestionario sobre la actitud de los estudiantes universitarios hacia la promoción de la salud. Método: Estudio transversal. Se diseñó un cuestionario de 14 preguntas y se administró a 1486 estudiantes universitarios/as de primer curso. Se aplicó el método de factorización de ejes principales con rotación oblicua y se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio. La fiabilidad se calculó mediante la consistencia interna con el alfa de Cronbach y la correlación ítem-total para la escala global y sus subescalas. Resultados: Se construyó una escala de 14 ítems con dos dimensiones. Su alfa de Cronbach fue 0,872, y para sus subescalas 0,852 y 0,718. Los valores de ajuste del análisis factorial confirmatorio fueron adecuados. Conclusiones: La escala de actitud hacia la promoción de la salud ha demostrado tener propiedades psicométricas adecuadas. Es un instrumento que ayudará a detectar referentes y activos de salud para futuras intervenciones