Social Marketing Approach to Recruit Cancer Survivors for Research and Treatment

Recruitment is fundamental to project success and the production of clinically and statistically meaningful results. However, researchers have been challenged to recruit adequate numbers of participants for supportive interventions for cancer survivors (Buss et al., 2008). The purpose of this dissertation was to use social marketing theory as a framework to better understand recruitment for a web-based psychosocial intervention for cancer survivors. The study sample included cancer survivors from the Loma Linda University cancer registry or reached via population-level recruitment efforts (e.g., web and print advertisements). Of the 384 eligible potential participants, 197 fully enrolled in the intervention. Among potential participants, greater distress was associated with younger age, being female and lower SEER score, and study enrollment was higher among individuals with greater distress. Additionally, further progression through the recruitment process (i.e., full study enrollment versus just registration) was associated with higher income, being male, non-Hispanic White ethnicity, and a high level of distress. Consistent with previous research, perceived barriers/costs of enrollment were identified among individuals who declined participation, including personal reasons and health factors. With regard to effectiveness, generalized population-level strategies (e.g., web and print advertisements) were more effective and less resource intensive overall, but did not yield a representative sample. The results of this study may serve to guide selection of appropriate strategies in recruitment and intervention design in future cancer research. This study also demonstrates the feasibility of using social marketing theory as a framework within which to evaluate existing recruitment and intervention data

Predictors of anxiety in multiple sclerosis

Purpose/Objectives: The aims of this study were to (1) identify the predictors of symptoms of anxiety, and (2) evaluate the differential association of somatic and nonsomatic symptoms of depression on anxiety over time in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method/Design: Participants were 513 persons with MS who previously enrolled in a study exploring the experience of living with MS and completed a 4-month follow-up survey. The main outcome measure used was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety. Demographic, disease-associated variables (time since onset of MS, Expanded Disability Status Scale Mobility, pain, and fatigue), and Time 1 psychological variables were entered into a hierarchical regression model to examine predictors at baseline for anxiety symptoms at Time 2. Results: A large portion of the sample was White (92%), female (82%), and had relapsing-remitting MS (57%). After adjusting for demographic and disease related variables, anxiety (

An empirical investigation of a biopsychosocial model of pain in multiple sclerosis

Pain is a significant problem for many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Pain is often associated with other MS symptoms (eg, physical, sensorimotor, cognitive declines), and both pain and MS symptoms are hypothesized to contribute to psychosocial problems (eg, depression), other symptoms (eg, fatigue, sleep disturbance), and functional impairments (eg, pain interference). On the basis of a biopsychosocial model, we sought to: (1) examine the associations between pain, MS symptoms, depression, psychosocial, and functional variables and (2) identify possible risk and protective factors associated with pain in MS.A cross-sectional survey was completed by 424 individuals with MS. Pain, MS symptoms, demographics, MS diagnostic factors, and psychosocial and functional variables were assessed. Data were analyzed by structural equation models.Participants were predominantly white (92%), middle-aged (mean=50.7 y), and female (80%). Results indicated that pain severity and depression accounted for >50% of the variance in pain interference. Although pain contributed minimally to fatigue and sleep quality, depression and MS symptoms predicted 49% of the variance in fatigue, and depression was largely responsible for the 40% of predicted variance in sleep quality. Identified risk factors for pain were low educational attainment and lack of a committed/marital relationship, even while controlling for diagnostic and other key demographic variables.Results highlight the importance of targeting interventions toward improving coping skills and social support within the context of pain and MS. Research is needed to determine whether effectively targeting depression in MS results in improvements of other critical psychosocial and physical functioning domains