Symptom clusters and predominant symptoms in lymphoma survivorship: a cross-sectional study using trend analysis

PURPOSE

This study explored symptom clusters (SCs) and predominant symptoms in lymphoma survivorships at least 1 month after treatment.

METHODS

A cross-sectional trend study design was adopted. Inclusion criteria were participants who were over the age of 20, diagnosed with lymphoma, and 1 month after treatment concluded. The symptoms were assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-Lymphoma Subscale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, latent profile analysis (LPA), and comparisons of means and frequencies of each symptom in each SC.

RESULTS

A total of 234 lymphoma survivors completed this study. Three SCs were identified at < 2 and > 5 years and two SCs at 2-5 years. Worrying about getting new symptoms and infections emerged as predominant symptoms across all SCs over time. This study provides insights into the symptom experiences of survivors of lymphoma and highlights the significant role of worry-related symptoms in their survivorship.

CONCLUSION

Through the use of LPA and a trend study design, we identified distinct SCs in lymphoma survivors, providing valuable insights into their longitudinal symptom experiences. The findings emphasize the complexity of symptomatology in lymphoma survivorship and underscore the importance of employing advanced statistical methods to explore and understand these clusters comprehensively, informing targeted interventions and improved care strategies.

Trust and compliance: Milieu-specific differences in social cohesion during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in social cohesion was observed during the first wave and its aftermath. A closer look reveals heterogeneous responses regarding aspects of cohesion-such as trust in others and compliance with containment measures-that differ by individual socioeconomic and cultural characteristics. How these characteristics affect social cohesion in combination is rarely investigated. Therefore, we introduce the concept of social milieus, which addresses the interrelation of socioeconomic and cultural characteristics on the level of social groups, into the international debate. While previous studies have applied this concept to the analysis of social cohesion during the pandemic, they exhibit theoretical and empirical shortcomings. Hence, we develop a new theoretical model of social milieus and an empirical typology using the German sample of the European Social Survey. This typology is matched with data from the Research Institute Social Cohesion (RISC) for a milieu-specific analysis of social cohesion. Results show considerable heterogeneity in social cohesion during the first wave of the pandemic in Germany. Three social milieus with potentially conflicting modes of social cohesion regarding trust and compliance stand out while other milieus are less diverging as presumed in the literature. These modes can be interpreted as emerging from a combination of the milieus' socioeconomic position and basic human values. Thus, the new theoretical model and empirical typology of social milieus contribute to the understanding of how social cohesion has been contested between social milieus early in the pandemic.

A within-study cross-validation of the values-as-ideals measure: levels of value orientation explain variability in well-being

There is a consensus that values serve as ideal standards that motivate and influence behavior. Previous research concludes that certain universal values promote well-being and others undermine it. In line with the idea that values behave as a dynamic system and do not influence well-being as independent elements, the present findings indicate that all universal values may contribute to well-being. A new measure assessing the degree 10 universal value domains serve as ideals is administered on an online sample (N = 933) from the United Kingdom. Participants completed three well-being measures. Latent Profile Analysis in a within study cross-validation (Sample 1: n = 468, Sample 2: n = 465) replicates three distinct latent value profiles denoting high, moderate and low levels of value orientation. Analysis of Variance shows that the level of value orientation explains differences in average levels of well-being. A high-level of value orientation is associated with higher average levels of well-being compared to a low-level of value orientation. This evidence suggests that the degree values influence well-being depends on the level they represent people's ideals. In conclusion, the type of value pattern and not the type of prioritized values can systematically explain variability in well-being. Implications are discussed.

Relationship of self-determined motivation with time-related academic behavior in Korean primary school students: A person-centered approach

This study aimed to determine the relationship between self-determined motivation and time-related academic behavior (T-AB) of Korean primary school students, using a person-centered approach, and identified differences in the fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and level of achievement to explore the characteristics of each profile. This study is unique, as previous studies on this topic have used a variable-centered approach. To this end, the current study involved a latent profile analysis of 451 fifth and sixth graders (male: 48.3%, female: 51.7%) in three primary schools located in medium- and small-sized cities in the G province of Korea. First, the analysis resulted in four profiles of self-determined motivation: “low motivation” (3.3%), “controlled regulation” (43.5%), “external regulation dependent” (12.4%), and “autonomous” (40.9%). Second, three profiles were derived for T-AB: “low approach” (6.9%), “timely engagement-approach” (55.2%), and “procrastination-approach” (37.9%). Third, this study examined the relationship between the profiles of self-determined motivation and T-AB through a chi-squared test. “Low approach” represented the largest proportion in the “low motivation” profile of self-determined motivation; “procrastination-approach” represented the largest proportion in the “controlled regulation” and “external regulation dependent” profiles; and “timely engagement-approach” represented the largest proportion in the “autonomous” profile. Fourth, analysis of variance was performed (ANOVA) to understand the differences in the FNE and level of achievement of each derived type. Among the self-determined motivation profiles, “low motivation” was associated with the highest level of FNE, and “autonomous” had the highest level of achievement. Furthermore, among profiles of T-AB, “low approach” was associated with the highest level of FNE, and “timely engagement-approach” had the highest level of achievement. However, the interaction effect between self-determined motivation and T-AB profiles showed significant differences only for FNE that were highest in the “low motivation” profile of self-determined motivation and in the “low approach” profile of T-AB, and lowest in the “autonomous” and “timely engagement-approach” profiles. Lastly, the positive types of motivation and academic behavior in primary school students and some important educational implications are presented.

Processed Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy Are Associated with Low Birth Weight at Term among Women of Advanced and Non-Advanced Age

Inappropriate dietary intake during pregnancy is a key factor in low birth weight (LBW). This study compares LBW between healthy and processed dietary patterns by focusing on women of advanced maternal age. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 327 postpartum women in Taiwan. The participants were assigned to two groups according to their age (≥35 years, n = 151; and 20−34 years, n = 176). An online questionnaire asked women how often they consumed 27 food items during their pregnancy. The prevalence of LBW was higher in the processed dietary pattern (79.3%) than in the healthy pattern (13.78%, p < 0.001). LBW was positively correlated with advanced maternal age (≥35 ages), low pre-pregnancy weight (BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2), insufficient gestational weight gain (GWG), and processed dietary patterns. Older mothers were 5.8 times more likely to have infants with LBW (odds ratio = 5.8; 95% confidence interval 2.0−16.6). A processed dietary pattern was 9.4 times more likely to result in LBW. Insufficient GWG was significantly positively associated with LBW (OR = 4.0; 95%CI 1.4−11.6). Maternal diet during pregnancy is an important modifiable factor for LBW. Prenatal advice should emphasize optimal nutrition, especially in older and underweight women.