The associations of illness perceptions and self-efficacy with psychological well-being of patients in preparation for joint replacement surgery

Predictors of self-regulation fatigue patterns in patients before total knee arthroplasty: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Patients with total knee arthroplasty encounter stressful events that consume their coping resources, resulting in self-control fatigue. Few studies have focused on this phenomenon.

AIM

To identify subgroups of patients before total knee arthroplasty according to the heterogeneous patterns of self-regulation fatigue and to analyse the predictors of subtypes.

METHODS

A total of 210 patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty were enrolled. Data of demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, psychological and social factors were collected. Latent profile analysis was employed to define the subgroups. Predictors of patterns were identified using multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Three latent classes were identified: the low, medium, and high self-regulation fatigue classes. For the high self-regulation fatigue class, lower levels of hope, social support, self-efficacy and education were major predictors.

CONCLUSION

These predictors of patients with different levels of self-regulation fatigue provide evidence for the identification of vulnerable populations and lay a foundation for targeted interventions.

Can You Hear Me Now? Effects of Patient-Centered Communication With Young Adults Aged 26 to 39

Patient-centered communication (PCC) is critical to the delivery of quality health care services. Although numerous health outcomes have been connected to patient–provider communication, there is limited research that has explored the processes and pathways between communication and health. Research among young adults (ages 26-39 years) is even more scarce, despite findings that health communication does vary with age. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2014 Health Interview National Trends Survey to explore the relationship between PCC, patient trust, patient satisfaction, social support, self-care skills, and emotional well-being among young adults aged 26 to 39 years. Our results showed that income, history of depression diagnosis, PCC, patient trust, social support, and patient self-efficacy (self-care skills) were all significantly related to emotional well-being. These findings suggest the need to explore the means through which communication can impact emotional well-being, specifically among young adults who are in poor health or have a history of depression. Future research should also include longitudinal studies, in order to determine causality and directionality among constructs.

The General Self-Efficacy of Older Adults Receiving Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives

General self-efficacy (GSE) encourages health-promoting behaviors in older adults. It is unsurprising then that older adults receiving health care services are reported to have a greater risk of low GSE than older adults who are not. Despite this, there is currently limited evidence investigating whether the effect differs based on the environment in which care is received. This review aims to determine whether the GSE of older adults is affected by the receipt of health care services and whether GSE varies based on the setting in which care is received.

Research Design and Methods

In accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration number CRD42018092191), a systematic search was undertaken across 7 databases. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and mean General Self-Efficacy Scale scores, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), were pooled for meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 40 studies were identified, they consisted of 33 population cohorts that were included in the meta-analysis. Older adults receiving health care services were found to be at greater risk of having lower GSE than those who do not (SMD = −0.62; 95% CI: −0.96 to −0.27, p < .0001). Following identification of sources of heterogeneity, older adults receiving acute inpatient care were more likely to have lower GSE than those receiving care in other health care settings.

Discussion and Implications

Older adults receiving inpatient care have a greater risk of lower GSE, and consequently, poorer health-promoting behaviors. Further research is recommended that focuses on the GSE of older adults and health outcomes following discharge from inpatient care.

Illness perception and high readmission health outcomes

This review identified associations between illness perception and health outcomes of patients with a medical diagnosis included in the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. Inclusion criteria were English language, use of quantitative methodology, health outcomes specified, and identifiable effect size and statistical significance of the relationship. Most of the 31 studies in this review showed that favorable illness perception has been associated with better health outcomes, while unfavorable illness perception has been associated with worse outcomes. A multifaceted approach might include behavioral, clinical, educational, and psychosocial components to improve one’s illness perception through educative, cognitive-behavioral, or psychodynamic counseling.