Profiles of social constraints and associated factors among breast cancer patients: a latent profile analysis

Childhood cancer and parental mental health: role of disease severity, socioeconomic status, and social dynamics

BACKGROUND

The impact of childhood cancer extends beyond the affected child, significantly influencing the mental health of their families. Since research in psycho-oncology has been carried out almost exclusively in high-income countries, little is known about the impact of childhood cancer on the family level in low- and middle income countries (LMICs). This is a notable gap in the evidence-base, as many LMICs are collectivist cultures, where social and family networks are crucial elements of health care.

METHODS

This prospective, cross-sectional study examined the mental health of 307 Kurdish parents of children undergoing cancer treatment in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Data were collected through structured interviews at two major oncology hospitals in the KRI, utilizing standardized instruments to assess mental health symptoms, socioeconomic status, and social constraints. The study focused on understanding the effects of socioeconomic challenges, disease severity, and social support limitations on parental mental health.

RESULTS

Significant mental health challenges were observed among parents, with mothers experiencing higher symptom levels than fathers. Lower socioeconomic status was linked to poorer parental mental health. Additionally, parents of children with more severe cancer and those reporting their child's reduced engagement in daily activities experienced heightened mental health symptoms. Social constraints on expressing feelings about the child's illness further intensified parental stress, underscoring the cumulative impact of economic strain, disease severity, and limited social support on parental mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the intricate relationship between socioeconomic factors, the disease severity of the child, and social dynamics in shaping parental mental health in the context of pediatric cancer. Psychosocial interventions that target these specific stressors may aid in better supporting families, particularly those in low-resource settings.

Association between illness perception and social alienation among maintenance hemodialysis patients: The mediating role of fear of progression

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of fear of progression on illness perception and social alienation among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.

BACKGROUND

MHD is frequently accompanied by increased pain and complications such as itchy skin, chronic fatigue, and muscle spasms. Cardiovascular disease rates are also elevated among MHD patients, which can heighten their anxiety regarding prognosis and treatment discomfort. This chronic fear may severely impact social functioning, leading patients to withdraw from interpersonal interactions and experience heightened helplessness and loneliness. Further investigation is necessary to understand the factors behind the high level of social alienation in MHD patients and their underlying mechanisms.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study guided by the STROBE.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 230 MHD patients were enrolled from January to May 2023. Data including demographic and clinical characteristics, illness perception, fear of progression, and social alienation were collected. Descriptive analysis and Pearson correlations were conducted using IBM SPSS version 25.0. The mediating effect was analyzed using Model 4 of the PROCESS macro for SPSS, with the Bootstrap method employed to assess its significance.

RESULTS

The score of social alienation in MHD patients was high, with illness perception and fear of progression both significantly correlated with social alienation. In the mediating effects model, illness perception can predict social alienation in MHD patients, and fear of progression use plays a part in mediating the process by which illness perception affects social alienation. The Kappa Squared (κ2) value of 21.9%, suggests a medium effect size.

CONCLUSIONS

Illness perception directly predicts social alienation in MHD patients and exerts an indirect effect through the mediating role of fear of progression. Suggests that healthcare professionals should concentrate on MHD patients with high negative illness perceptions to alleviate their fear of progression, thereby decreasing the level of social alienation and enhancing their integration into society.

Fear of disease progression among breast cancer patients in China: a meta-analysis of studies using the fear of progression questionnaire short form

Background

Fear of disease progression (FoP) is among the most prevalent and major psychological burdens breast cancer patients encounter. Excessive FoP may result in serious adverse effects for patients. FoP in breast cancer patients has gained attention recently; however, its prevalence in China is unknown.

Objectives

This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to assess the overall FoP among Chinese breast cancer patients to make recommendations for treatment and care.

Methods

Systematic search databases included PubMed, EMbase, The Cohrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO and 4 Chinese databases (Wan Fang Data, CBM, VIP and CNKI). The retrieval time ranged from the database's establishment to March 20, 2023. After two researchers independently evaluated the literature, retrieved information, and assessed the risk of bias for the included literature, Stata 15.1 software was used to conduct a meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 37 moderate or high-quality studies involving 9,689 breast cancer patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the pooled mean score of FoP for Chinese breast cancer patients was 33.84 [95% CI (31.91, 35.77)], prediction interval (21.57 ~ 46.11). The subgroup study found that FoP levels varied among breast cancer patients of different regions, ages, educational levels, marital statuses, residences, illness stages, and disease statuses.

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients have higher FoP scores. Healthcare workers should be concerned. We expect that more relevant research will be undertaken and more effective interventions will be developed. Patients can manage their illness and improve their quality of life by reducing their fears.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: PROSPERO CRD42023408914.