Positive Coping, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Esteem as Mediators Between Seizure Severity and Life Satisfaction in Epilepsy

Self-esteem, job insecurity, and psychological distress among Chinese nurses

BACKGROUND

Many studies investigate the variables relating to psychological distress among nurses, but little is known about the underlying mechanism(s) among job insecurity, self-esteem, and psychological distress.

AIMS

This cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of psychological distress among nurses and the relationships among job insecurity, self-esteem, and psychological distress; it also explores how self-esteem might mediate between job insecurity and psychological distress.

METHODS

Questionnaires that assess job insecurity, self-esteem, and psychological distress were collected from 462 nurses in a tertiary hospital in Shandong Province, China.

RESULTS

Our results show an 83.3 % prevalence rate for psychological distress among nurses. Regression analysis results show that job insecurity positively correlates with psychological distress, explaining 17.5 % of the variance in psychological distress. Mediation analysis results show that self-esteem partially mediates the effect of the two dimensions of job insecurity on psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological distress is prevalent among Chinese nurses. Nursing administrators should take effective measures to improve self-esteem and reduce the negative impacts of job insecurity on nurses, including psychological distress.

Reducing the Effect of Functional Disability on Life Satisfaction Among Persons With a Lived Experience of an Infectious Viral Disease in Taiwan: A Tri-Mediation Model

The purpose of the study was to examine whether disability acceptance, hope, and resilience mediate the relationship between functional disability and life satisfaction in people with a lived experience of an infectious viral disease (i.e., polio and postpolio syndrome [PPS]). Participants consisted of 157 individuals diagnosed with polio or PPS who were recruited from two community support organizations in Taiwan. Participants completed self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed with a simultaneous regression analysis. The tri-mediation model indicated that disability acceptance, hope, and resilience were associated with life satisfaction, accounting for a large effect size of 46% of the variance in the life satisfaction scores. The direct effect of functional disability on life satisfaction became insignificant when the mediators were controlled for in the model. Hope, disability acceptance, and resilience were found to fully explain the association between functional disability and life satisfaction. This study demonstrated that positive psychosocial factors might help to buffer the indirect and direct negative effects of functional disability on life satisfaction. Implications of these findings for future research and clinical practice when supporting individuals with a lived experience of an infectious viral disease, including COVID-19, are discussed.

Written Accounts of Living With Epilepsy or Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures: A Thematic Comparison

This study examines the subjective experience of living with epilepsy or psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) by thematically comparing individuals' written accounts of their condition. Five key differences emerged. Theme 1: "Seizure onset" revealed differences in how individuals think about and ruminate over the possible causes of their condition. Theme 2: "Emotive tone" demonstrated that writings of those with epilepsy reflected stable emotions (no intense emotional reactions), whereas those of writers with PNES reflected anxiety and low mood. Theme 3: "Seizure symptoms" showed differences in the conceptualization of seizures. Theme 4: "Treatment" explored differences in the diagnostic journey and experiences of health care professionals. Theme 5: "Daily life" revealed that those with epilepsy perceived sequelae and seizures as something that must be fought, whereas those with PNES tended to describe their seizures as a place they enter and something that has destroyed their lives. The findings have implications for treatment and management.

Symptom severity and life satisfaction in brain injury: The mediating role of disability acceptance and social self-efficacy

BACKGROUND

Although the negative impact of symptom severity on subjective well-being outcomes has been established among individuals with brain injury, the mediating and protective role that positive human traits might have on this relationship has not been adequately explored.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of social self-efficacy and disability acceptance on the relationship between symptom severity and life satisfaction among individuals with brain injury.

METHODS

Hierarchical regression analysis and correlation techniques were used to test a hypothesized dual-mediation model of life satisfaction in a sample of 105 adults with acquired brain injury.

RESULTS

Results indicated that social self-efficacy and disability acceptance fully mediated the relationship between symptom severity and life satisfaction, lending support for a dual-mediation model with disability acceptance being the strongest contributor.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest there may be considerable value for rehabilitation providers to develop strengths-based service strategies and/or specialized intervention programs that focus on capitalizing these positive human traits to promote life satisfaction and well-being for clients with brain injury. Implications for clinical practice and future research direction are also discussed.

Predictors of job satisfaction among individuals with disabilities: An analysis of South Korea's National Survey of employment for the disabled

This study aims to explore the influences of personal, vocational, and job environment related factors that are associated with job satisfaction of individuals with disabilities in South Korea. Data for wage-based working employees from a nationwide survey were obtained, which resulted in a total number of 417 participants. The six hypotheses and mediation effects of personal and work related environmental factors were tested using the structural equation modeling drawn from existing research evidence. Results revealed that (a) life satisfaction and job related environments directly influenced job satisfaction; (b) the relationship between personal experience and job satisfaction was mediated by life satisfaction for both mild/moderate and severe/profound disabilities group; and (c) the mediating role of job environment between vocational preparedness and job satisfaction was only observed for individuals with mild/moderate disabilities. Summary of findings and implications for future research and practices are discussed.

Mediators of the Relationship Between Core Self-Evaluations and Life Satisfaction in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries

The objective of this study was to test a meditational model of the relationship between core self-evaluations (CSE) and life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injuries. A quantitative descriptive design using multiple regression analysis was used. Two hundred forty-seven persons with spinal cord injuries participated in the online study. Hope, perceived health, autonomy, and social support were found to partially mediate the relationship between CSE and life satisfaction. CSE affected life satisfaction by first increasing hopeful thinking, positive health perceptions, a sense of autonomy, and support from others in persons with spinal cord injuries. Future research should explore the development of interventions to increase CSE to increase the positive variables that affect life satisfaction in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Introduction to Positive Psychology in Rehabilitation

Positive psychology has received increasing attention in rehabilitation counseling research and practice. The rehabilitation counseling philosophy shares a similar emphasis of personal assets and strengths, which provides a solid foundation for the integration of positive psychology into the professional practice of rehabilitation counseling. In this article, the guest editors present their rationale for developing this special issue on positive psychology and rehabilitation research. They highlight some of the exciting findings reported in the articles included in this special issue on positive psychology and rehabilitation research. The goal of this special issue is to stimulate thinking and discussion about applying positive psychology theory, research, assessment, and interventions in rehabilitation counseling for promoting overall well-being, quality of life, and happiness for people with chronic illness and disabilities.