Interaction effect of coping self-efficacy and received support in daily life of hematopoietic cell transplant patient-caregiver dyads

Classification of kinesiophobia in patients after cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation in China: latent profile and influencing factors analysis from a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential classification of kinesiophobia in patients after cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation from a psychosocial perspective, and analyse the characteristic differences among different latent levels of patients.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional study of Chinese adults after cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation, aged 18 years and older, recruited from a tertiary hospital in North China.

METHODS

This study uses latent profile analysis to identify potential classifications of kinesiophobia in questionnaires from 348 patients undergoing cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors at different latent classifications.

RESULTS

The average performance of each indicator in Model 3 is best suited for analysis, Entropy=0.873 and bootstrap likelihood ratio test (p)＜0.0001. The result of regression equation shows postoperative time (p<0.001), age, self-efficacy, pain and social support level (p<0.05) were the factors influencing the potential profile classification of patients after cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation.

CONCLUSION

The study identified three distinct classifications of patients: the low kinesiophobia group, the moderate kinesiophobia-high-risk perceived symptoms group and the high kinesiophobia-high exercise avoidance group (HK-HEAG). Addressing kinesiophobia, especially in older male patients during the early postoperative period, is crucial. Enhancing self-efficacy seems effective in reducing kinesiophobia, while increasing social support may not be as beneficial for the HK-HEAG. These findings provide a basis for implementing preventive interventions in cardiac rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The research is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200057895).

Social isolation, coping efficacy, and social well-being over time in patients with lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Little work has examined how coping efficacy and lung cancer-related social isolation relate to social well-being in the context of a patient's computed tomography (CT) scan. Researchers tested the cross-sectional relationship of social isolation and social well-being, and the longitudinal relationship between coping efficacy and social well-being before CT scans.

METHOD

25 patients with lung cancer, within 6 months of their upcoming CT scan, participated. Baseline surveys collected clinical information, demographics, and social isolation; repeated monthly surveys collected coping efficacy and social well-being every 30 days until one's scan.

RESULTS

[Cross-sectional] High levels of social isolation were associated with low levels of social well-being. [Longitudinal] On months patients reported high coping efficacy, they also reported increases in social well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Social interventions may improve well-being among those with lung cancer as our work shows that getting and receiving support are strongly related to well-being in the time surrounding a scan.

Behind the scenes of caregiving in patients with advanced cancer: A qualitative study on family caregivers

Objective

Family caregivers may have concerns that they do not want to disclose to others. This study aims to delve into the concealed facets of care provided by family caregivers to patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

A qualitative approach was conducted in Iran from June 2022 to February 2023. Face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 16 Iranian family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer, employing purposive sampling. The gathered data were analyzed using conventional content analysis, and Lincoln and Guba's criteria for rigor were applied to ensure the study's trustworthiness.

Results

The analysis of the data resulted in the identification of three main themes with nine subthemes. The key themes derived from the experiences of family caregivers encompassed (1) chaotic mentalities, (2) troubling interdependence, and (3) desperational emotions.

Conclusions

Caregivers of patients with advanced cancer commonly experience a highly fragile psychological state and are profoundly impacted by their concerns for the patient. Healthcare systems should prioritize ensuring that caregivers receive sufficient support and care.

A Model of Social Support for a Patient–Informal Caregiver Dyad

Background

Close persons (informal caregivers) are the most important providers of support indicated by cancer patients. Cancer affects couples as a codependent system. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the multidimensional aspect of social support in a cancer patient–informal caregiver dyad.

Methods

The research project was cross-sectional. The diagnostic survey method and the survey technique were used. The study was conducted using standardised research tools: BSSS, POS, SSCS, TIPI, ET, SPT, and the authors' own tool for sociodemographic assessment.

Results

Patients and caregivers experienced injustice, exclusion, and a sense of loss with a similar intensity. Statistically significant differences between the examined patients and their caregivers were obtained for the support currently received (p < 0.01), emotional support (p < 0.05), and the general level of protective buffering support (p < 0.001). A higher level of information support for caregivers increases the need for support and a sense of support for patients.

Conclusion

The quality of functioning and mental well-being of patients is directly influenced by the way their caregivers experience the situation of caring for them; negative or positive states of caregivers, affecting the condition of patients, may affect the course of treatment and contribute to or delay the improvement of the state of health. The subjective sense of support in patients during treatment depends on the need for help that is shown to their caregivers. The sense of support variable is subjective and sometimes disproportionate to the support received and given. Therefore, both the patient and their loved one should be provided with care during the treatment process. In the treatment process, both patients and their caregivers need more protective buffering support that allows them to overcome difficulties related to stress, anxiety, and insecurity, thus weakening their negative effects rather than functional support: emotional, information, instrumental, or material.