Life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injury across the seasons.

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine level and variations of life satisfaction (LS) across the seasons in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Polish sample of persons with SCI. METHODS: The study included 56 persons with SCI, who repeatedly completed the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSaT-9), and a study-specific questionnaire across the four seasons in a calendar year. Mixed model analyses were performed to: (1) examine seasonal changes in LS; (2) explore the possible moderating factors on seasonal changes in LS. RESULTS: There were significant seasonal trends in overall and domain-specific LS scores; yet, these changes differed in terms of shape (i.e. linear vs. quadratic). In general, the highest LS scores occurred in spring across all domains, followed by a significant reduction in summer; yet, there were u-shape trends in LS domain scores for life as a whole, vocational, and financial situation and partner relations (P-for-quadratic trends ≤0.05). Five individual characteristics, i.e. place of living, education, gender, physical activity, and time since injury significantly moderated seasonal trends in LS scores (P's for interaction ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Life satisfaction in persons with SCI differs significantly in relation to different seasons throughout a year. The season of the year should be considered in future studies on LS and included in evaluating and projecting healthcare interventions or programs for persons with SCI.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety among Ukrainian children displaced to Poland following the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war: Associations with coping strategies and resilience.

This study sought to discern the association of resilience, coping, and contextual factors on depression and anxiety among Ukrainian children displaced to Poland following the Russo-Ukrainian war. A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken with 284 Ukrainian children, aged 11-15 years, relocated to Poland in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict. Participants were assessed using validated tools for anxiety, depression, resilience, and coping, alongside a study-specific questionnaire. Notable associations emerged between depression and variables including age (Mage = 12.04, 49% females), emotional coping, relational resilience, and significant loss, accounting for 39% of the variance (p < .001). Anxiety was intricately linked with heightened emotional coping and diminished problem-solving capabilities, accounting for notable variances (state: 32%, trait: 45%, p < .001). Resilience, particularly in relational contexts, and the experience of bereavement stood out as paramount determinants of mental health outcomes. Children's mental health in conflict zones is shaped by a convoluted interplay of individual and environmental factors. This study accentuates the pivotal role of relational resilience, bereavement, and coping mechanisms in modulating depression and anxiety amidst war-related adversities. It underscores the imperative for targeted interventions, fostering positive relationship frameworks, and enhancing adaptive coping mechanisms.

Relationship between Pre-Competition Mental State and Sport Result of Disabled Boccia Athletes.

The relationship between sport result and pre-competition mental state of 109 boccia athletes was analyzed. Mental state was described by: athletic identity, self-esteem, self-efficacy for sports, hope for success, fear of failure, anxiety, and expectancy of success. Correlation analyses were made for all four boccia classes (BC1, BC2, BC3, and BC4) and revealed that only athletic identity was associated with sport result in class BC4. Four hierarchical multiple regression models (for BC1, BC2, BC3, and BC4 boccia classes) were created, with sport result as the dependent variable. Only the BC4 model was significant and included athletic identity, anxiety, self-efficacy for sports, and expectancy of success, which explained 49% of variance in sport result. BC4 class results indicate that psychological variables have a potential impact on sport performance in boccia, and the type and level of disability should be taken into account.

Perception of Multiple Sclerosis Impact and Treatment Efficacy Beliefs: Mediating Effect of Patient's Illness and Self-Appraisals.

CONTEXT: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience many negative, seriously aggravating disease symptoms, and hence, research studies are utmost required to improve their coping with symptoms. Our research is an attempt to show ways to increase participation of patients with MS in the treatment and treatment planning process, as well as in managing the symptoms of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between perception of MS impact and treatment efficacy beliefs in patients with MS and the extent to which self and illness appraisals can be regarded as mediator variables in this relationship. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 278 MS patients who completed the Treatment Beliefs Scale, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants were collected with a self-report survey. RESULTS: Illness perception and general self-efficacy mediated the relationship between perception of MS impact and treatment efficacy beliefs under the control of age and time from diagnosis. The standardized indirect effects for illness perception and general self-efficacy were -0.131 95% CI [-0.2029, -0.0739] and -0.086 95% CI [-0.1663, -0.0165], respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that worse perception of physical condition in patients with MS is associated with more negative treatment efficacy beliefs, and that this association is mediated by self-efficacy and illness perception. To inhibit the increase of negative treatment efficacy beliefs, health care specialists can work on improving self-efficacy and illness appraisals.