Optimism and Prostate Cancer-Specific Expectations Predict Better Quality of Life after Robotic Prostatectomy

Psychological well-being in palliative care: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To review which are the most influential variables in achieving levels of psychological well-being at the end of life and to verify whether, as certain studies suggest, spirituality, resilience and social support are the pillars on which the psychological well-being construct is based.

METHOD

A systematic search through the Scopus, Pubmed and PsycInfo electronic databases was carried out using keywords such as: "wellbeing" OR "psychological-well-being" AND "resilience" AND "spirituality" AND "social support" AND "palliative care" and their multiple combinations.

RESULTS

Eleven studies were selected, in which terms such as spiritual well-being, absence of discomfort and quality of life were used in substitution of psychological well-being and a certain consensus was found regarding whether resilience, spirituality and social support are predictive variables of psychological well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Resilience, social support and spirituality are highly relevant variables at the end of life and contribute decisively towards psychological well-being.

Assessment of Optimism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case Control-Study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic endocrinopathy characterized by hyperandrogenism and anovulation that may pervade psychological dimensions such as dispositional optimism. Considering how PCOS influences mental health and the lack of studies on this matter, this research was aimed at assessing optimism and associated factors in PCOS. A case–control study of 156 patients with PCOS and 117 controls was conducted. All woman filled out the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), a self-report questionnaire for measuring dispositional optimism. Medication, pain severity, gynecological, and sociodemographic information was also collected. Lower optimism was found in patients with PCOS compared to controls, even after covariate adjustment (LOT-R global scores: 14.1 vs. 15.9, p = 0.020). Our study provides evidence that a personality characteristic with important implications in illness prognosis may be affected in PCOS. We propose to assess dispositional optimism with the LOT-R scale in the gynecological appointment and tailor medical attention accordingly as a way to improve the comprehensive care of these patients within a multidisciplinary team.

“Optimism Is a Strategy for Making a Better Future”

Abstract. Cancer is a deadly disease that can lead to psychological suffering and decreased quality of life (QoL). Personality has been proven to have an effect on QoL and, in particular, Dispositional Optimism (DO) has been studied in relation to overcoming health crisis. The aim of this systematic review is to deepen the state of art of the relationship between QoL and DO in cancer patients. PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched. Fifteen studies were included with a total of 5,249 cancer patients. All of the studies consider the relationship between DO and QoL, some studies analyze the correlation between the two variables and found a positive association. The majority of the studies investigate the predictive power of DO over QoL and most of them found DO to be predictive of a higher QoL. Results confirmed the association between DO and QoL in a sample of cancer patients. These results could influence the clinical practice as DO has been proven to have a beneficial effect on mental and physical health.

Psychological Resources, Personality Traits and Buddhism: A Study of Italian Young Adults

We aimed to examine whether young adults practicing Buddhism have elevated levels of psychological resources and specific personality traits compared to Catholics and Atheists. We recruited 184 participants: Soka Gakkai Buddhists (n = 60); non-practicing Roman Catholic Church believers (n = 62); Atheists (n = 62). We found that the Buddhists have higher optimism than both Catholics and Atheists. They also have higher self-efficacy and self-esteem than Catholics and higher perceived social support than Atheists. Concerning global personality factors, they are more extraverted than the other groups, and they are less tough-minded than Catholics. Differences also emerged relating some primary personality factors. Since we did not find differences between Catholics and Atheists about psychological resources, we speculate that religion alone does not provide an efficacious source of psychological resources; it could be that religious practice is determinant.

Men's experiences after prostatectomy: A meta-synthesis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review was to critically analyze, interpret, and synthesize the literature on men's experiences after prostatectomy.

DESIGN

A meta-synthesis was conducted.

DATA SOURCES

Six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AgeLine, and Sociological Abstract) were searched from the earliest year to 2016. From initial searches with main keywords (prostatectomy and qualitative study), 642 abstracts were retrieved. Based on inclusion criteria (English-language published qualitative study focusing on the experience of men after prostatectomy), this meta-synthesis included 15 studies.

REVIEW METHODS

Components of meta-study (meta-data-analysis, meta-method, and meta-theory) were employed to analyze, interpret, and synthesize the results of included studies. Three authors independently appraised the methodological quality of the included studies using a combined appraisal tool (The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Research Checklist and Paterson et al.'s Primary Research Appraisal Tool). The Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research Statement was used to strengthen the completeness of reporting.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria and quality appraisal guidelines, however, most did not identify or relate their findings to theory. Through meta-synthesis, five themes emerged: facing a life-changing situation, experiencing changes and their impact, striving to manage and adjust to changes, coping with masculinity, and anticipating the future.

CONCLUSIONS

After prostatectomy, men experienced physical, psychological, and social changes. Many men are physically and psychologically ill-prepared and suffer from lack of information and support. Health care providers need to be sensitive to men's needs including perceptions of masculinity, realize the importance of support as an essential component of men's adaptation post-prostatectomy, and provide comprehensive and individualized patient-centered interventions. Future studies need to use rigorous research methods, clearly identify methodological approaches, and consider employing or developing theory.

Quality of life among parents of children with epilepsy: A preliminary research study

PURPOSE

The current preliminary study was based on the principles of positive psychology orientation when examining the multidimensional construct of quality of life (QOL): the physical functioning, psychological functioning, functional state, and social functioning among parents of children with epilepsy. We assessed the contribution of loneliness and personal resources, namely optimism and flexibility, to parents' QOL.

METHOD

The study was conducted at a multidisciplinary center for epilepsy in a central hospital in Israel. Forty-eight parents agreed to participate in a preliminary research study and completed a battery of self-report questionnaires.

RESULTS

Significant negative correlations were found between flexibility and the scores on the four components of QOL (higher scores on the QOL scales indicated lower QOL). Optimism was not found to be associated with the scores on QOL. High levels of loneliness were found to be associated with higher scores on the four components of parents' QOL. Among sociodemographic variables, only the economic situation (due to illness) was linked negatively to the scores on QOL components. Flexibility and economic situation were the significant variables that accounted for the explained variance of total QOL.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study highlight the importance of flexibility in effectively managing the stressors that might be associated with childhood epilepsy. These results suggest that psychosocial intervention providing coping strategies for the family might improve QOL. Moreover, a parent's economic situation seems to be an essential part of the psychosocial assessment, and assurance of the optimal utilization of financial rights and facilities may improve their QOL.

Resilience in adults with cancer: development of a conceptual model

OBJECTIVE

Resilience is a construct addressed in the psycho-oncology literature and is especially relevant to cancer survivorship. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for resilience that is specific to adults diagnosed with cancer.

METHODS

To establish the proposed model, a brief review of the various definitions of resilience and of the resilience literature in oncology is provided.

RESULTS

The proposed model includes baseline attributes (personal and environmental) which impact how an individual responds to an adverse event, which in this paper is cancer-related. The survivor has an initial response that fits somewhere on the distress-resilience continuum; however, post-cancer experiences (and interventions) can modify the initial response through a process of recalibration.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature reviewed indicates that resilience is a common response to cancer diagnosis or treatment. The proposed model supports the view of resilience as both an outcome and a dynamic process. Given the process of recalibration, a discussion is provided of interventions that might facilitate resilience in adults with cancer.