Interactions Between Caregiving and Sex and the Antibody Response to COVID-19 Vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Antibody response to vaccination is a powerful paradigm for studying the effects of chronic stress on immune function. In the present study, we used this paradigm to examine the interaction between caregiving (as a type of chronic stress) and sex on the antibody response to a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccination; recent research has called for examination of sex differences on health outcomes among family caregivers. A three-way interaction between caregiving, sex, and psychological distress was also examined. METHODS: COVID-19 antibody data were extracted from 165 caregivers (98 females) and 386 non-caregivers (244 females) from the UK's Understanding Society COVID-19 study. Relevant sociodemographics, health and lifestyle, and distress variables were gathered as potential covariates. RESULTS: In a 2 × 2 ANOVA, we found that the interaction between caregiving and sex was significant; male caregivers had a lower antibody response to the vaccine compared to female caregivers ( F (1,547), =24.82, p < .001, η2p = 0.043). Following adjustment, male caregivers had the lowest antibody response relative to all other groups. The three-way interaction model, controlling for covariates, was also significant ( R2 = 0.013, p = .049); the conditional effects for the three-way interaction revealed that male caregivers, compared to the other groups, had a lower antibody response at both low and medium levels of psychological distress. CONCLUSION: This study found evidence of a three-way interaction between caregiving, sex, and distress on antibody response. Male caregivers had poorer antibody response to a single shot of the COVID-19 vaccination than female caregivers and male and female non-caregivers, and this was evident at low and medium levels of distress. Our findings will be discussed in relation to the caregiver and sex interactions during the pandemic.

Promoting physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis through a physiotherapist led behaviour change-based intervention (PIPPRA): a feasibility randomised trial.

Physical activity (PA) is recommended as a key component in the management of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of a physiotherapist led, behaviour change (BC) theory-informed, intervention to promote PA in people with RA who have low levels of current PA. A feasibility randomised trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03644160) of people with RA over 18 years recruited from outpatient rheumatology clinics and classified as insufficiently physically active using the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants were randomised to intervention group (4 BC physiotherapy sessions in 8 weeks) delivered in person/virtually or control group (PA information leaflet only). Feasibility targets (eligibility, recruitment, and refusal), protocol adherence and acceptability were measured. Health care professionals (HCPs) involved in the study and patients in the intervention and control arms were interviewed to determine acceptability. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data with SPSS (v27) with interviews analysed using content analysis using NVivo (v14). Three hundred and twenty participants were identified as potentially eligible, with n = 183 (57%) eligible to participate, of which n = 58 (32%) consented to participate. The recruitment rate was 6.4 per month. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the study, recruitment took place over two separate phases in 2020 and 2021. Of the 25 participants completing the full study, 23 were female (mean age 60 years (SD 11.5)), with n = 11 allocated to intervention group and n = 14 to control. Intervention group participants completed 100% of sessions 1 & 2, 88% of session 3 and 81% of session 4. The study design and intervention were acceptable overall to participants, with enhancements suggested. The PIPPRA study to improve promote physical activity in people with RA who have low PA levels was feasible, acceptable and safe. Despite the impact of COVID-19 on the recruitment and retention of patients, the study provides preliminary evidence that this physiotherapist led BC intervention is feasible and a full definitive intervention should be undertaken. Health care professionals involved in the study delivery and the patient participants described a number of positive aspects to the study with some suggestions to enhance the design. These findings hence inform the design of a future efficacy-focused clinical trial.

Cluster analysis reveals distinct patterns of childhood adversity, behavioral disengagement, and depression that predict blunted heart rate reactivity to acute psychological stress.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable evidence documenting associations between early life adversity, behavioral disengagement, and depression with blunted cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress. However, while often examined as independent predictors, it is also likely that a combination of these factors uniquely relate to cardiovascular reactivity. PURPOSE: The present study employed multivariate cluster analysis to examine if distinct combinations of these outcomes relate to cardiovascular stress reactivity. METHODS: Participants (N = 467) were predominantly female (60.6%) with a mean age of 19.30 years (SD = 0.82). Measures of early life adversity, behavioral disengagement, and depression were completed; in addition, participants had their blood pressure and heart rate monitored throughout a standardized stress testing session. Cardiovascular reactivity was calculated as the difference between mean stress and mean baseline cardiovascular values. RESULTS: Analyses revealed two clusters with distinct patterns of exposure to early life adversity, levels of behavioral disengagement and depression, uniquely related to cardiovascular reactivity. In unadjusted models, Cluster 1 that was characterized by greater exposure to early life adversity, higher levels of behavioral disengagement and depression, was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) reactivity. Cluster 2 was characterized by reactivity values similar to the sample means. In fully adjusted models, Cluster 1 predicted heart rate reactivity to stress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identifies a behavioral cluster that is characteristic of a blunted heart rate reactivity profile, significantly extending the research in this area.

Social Identity and Online Support Groups: A Qualitative Study with Family Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore whether a sense of collective or shared group identity was developed in one established online social support group for family caregivers and, if so, what did group identification mean for the group members and how was this cultivated in the group. METHODS: Eighteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with members of a family caregiver online support group in Ireland. Inductive and deductive reflexive thematic analysis drawing on the social identity approach (SIA) generated four main themes and several related subthemes. RESULTS: The first main theme generated was The group are a Tribe and the Tribe gets it, with subthemes: Invisibility as a common experience, my Tribe understands I am more than just a carer and Just being part of the Tribe can be enough. The second main theme generated was the Tribe is a lifeline and life-changing, with related subthemes: Our connection relieves experiences of loneliness and social isolation and Sharing knowledge, experience and support made me feel visible. The third and fourth main themes generated were The leadership of group moderators helped create the Tribe identity and Lessons that can be learnt. These findings are discussed in relation to the social identity approach, social isolation and loneliness. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that group identity can be cultivated through considered, active and balanced moderation, creating a safe, welcoming and supportive space where family caregivers are able to have fun and seek information, advice and emotional support, which helps relieve loneliness and social isolation.

Online Support Groups for Family Caregivers: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Caregiving can affect people of all ages and can have significant negative health impacts on family caregivers themselves. Research has shown that social support acts as a buffer against many negative health impacts. A common source of social support is support groups. Although traditionally, these groups were conducted in a face-to-face setting, the advent of the internet, social media applications, and the smartphone have seen online support groups (OSGs) develop as a space where many caregivers seek support. The number of OSGs has increased exponentially, but there is no clear consensus on what factors or characteristics of OSGs contribute to social support development within them or what types of OSGs are available to family caregivers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a scoping review to contribute to the understanding of the types and characteristics of OSGs for family caregivers. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, the CINAHL, PsychInfo, Psych Articles, Social Sciences, Communication Source, Medline, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies (caregiver focused, adults aged 18 years or older, online social support groups, caring for a living person, peer-reviewed journal publications on empirical research). In total, 19 studies were included in the review. The research questions were (1) what type of social support groups are online for adult family caregivers, (2) what the communication mediums and characteristics of these OSGs are, and (3) what psychosocial or other factors make OSGs successful or unsuccessful for participants. RESULTS: In response to the first research question, we found that the majority of OSGs took place on public text-based forums and were illness specific. Where demographics were reported, participants were predominately women, White, and working with university-level education. There were a variety of caregiving relationships. For the second research question, the most common communication medium found was text-based communication, with the use of emojis, photos, and GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) files as part of these exchanges. Most frequently, the OSGs were asynchronous with a degree of anonymity, not time-limited by the frequency of contact or duration, and moderated by peer or professional moderators or facilitators. Results for the third research question explored the overarching categories of safe communication and engagement and group management. These described successful OSGs as having a focus on similar others with shared lived experiences communicated in a nonjudgmental space overseen by trained peer or professional facilitators. CONCLUSIONS: There are several key considerations for OSGs to be successful for family caregivers. A general recommendation for practitioners is to give importance to building active moderation and multifaceted structures of support to meet different levels of caregiver needs and the ability to engage.

'I learnt so much about being active': experiences of people with rheumatoid arthritis on the impact of a physiotherapist-led intervention to encourage physical activity.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is an important component in improving the health of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A Physiotherapist-led Intervention to Promote PA in people with RA (PIPPRA) was undertaken using the Behaviour Change (BC) Wheel. A qualitative study was conducted post intervention involving participants and healthcare professionals who participated in a pilot RCT. METHODS: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with the schedule exploring: experience and views of the intervention; experience and suitability of outcome measures used; and perceptions of BC and PA. Thematic analysis was used as an analytical approach. The COREQ checklist provided guidance throughout. RESULTS: Fourteen participants and eight healthcare staff participated. Three main themes were generated from participants: (1) positive experience of intervention - 'I found it very knowledgeable to help me get stronger'; (2) improvement in self-management - '… motivate me maybe to go back to doing a little bit more exercise'; and (3) negative impact of COVID-19 - 'I don't think doing it online again would be really good at all'. Two main themes were generated from healthcare professionals: (1) positive learning experience of delivery - 'Really made me realise the importance of discussing physical activity with patients'; and (2) positive approach to recruitment - 'Very professional team showing the importance of having a study member on site'. DISCUSSION: Participants had a positive experience of being involved in a BC intervention in order to improve their PA and found it acceptable as an intervention. Healthcare professionals also had a positive experience, in particular the importance of recommending PA in empowering patients.

Feasibility of a physiotherapist-led behaviour change intervention to improve physical activity in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) interventions incorporating behaviour change (BC) theory are needed to improve PA levels in people with rheumatoid arthritis. A pilot feasibility study of a Physiotherapist-led Intervention to Promote PA in Rheumatoid Arthritis (PIPPRA) was undertaken to obtain estimates for recruitment rate, participant retention and protocol adherence. METHODS: Participants were recruited at University Hospital (UH) rheumatology clinics and randomly assigned to control group (physical activity information leaflet) or intervention group (four BC physiotherapy sessions in 8 weeks). Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of RA (ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria), aged 18+ years and classified as insufficiently physically active. Ethical approval was obtained from the UH research ethics committee. Participants were assessed at baseline (T0), 8 weeks (T1) and 24 weeks (T2). Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyse the data with SPSS v22. RESULTS: 320 participants were approached about the study with n=183 (57%) eligible to participate and n=58 (55%) consented to participate (recruitment rate: 6.4 per month; refusal rate 59%). Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the study, n=25 (43%) participants completed the study (n=11 (44%) intervention and n=14 (56%) control). Of the 25, n=23 (92%) were female, mean age was 60 years (s.d. 11.5). Intervention group participants completed 100% of BC sessions 1 and 2, 88% completed session 3 and 81% completed session 4. DISCUSSION: The intervention to promote physical activity was feasible and safe and provides a framework for larger intervention studies. Based on these findings, a fully powered trial is recommended.

Early Life Adversity and Blunted Cardiovascular Reactivity to Acute Psychological Stress: The Role of Current Depressive Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The pathways underlying the early life adversity and cardiovascular reactivity association remain unclear. The current study examined the role of current depressive symptoms on this relationship. METHODS: Mediation analyses were conducted using data from 639 participants drawn from the Midlife Development in the United States 2 Biomarker Project. Responses were derived from the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Participants had their systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart rate monitored throughout a standardized stress testing protocol. RESULTS: The association between early life adversity and reactivity was mediated by current depressive symptoms; all adversity factors were linked to higher levels of current depressive symptoms, which, in turn, were associated with lower cardiovascular reactivity. For emotional abuse, this was noted for SBP (ß = -0.06 [95% confidence interval {CI}, -0.13 to -0.01]) and DBP (ß = -0.04 [-0.07 to -0.01]), physical abuse (SBP: ß = -0.05 [-0.11 to -0.01]; DBP: ß = -0.03 [-0.06 to -0.01]), sexual abuse (SBP: ß = -0.04 [-0.09 to -0.01]; DBP: ß = -0.02 [-0.05 to -0.01]), emotional neglect (SBP: ß = -0.04 [-0.09 to -0.01]; DBP: ß = -0.02 [-0.05 to -0.01]), physical neglect (SBP: ß = -0.09 [-0.17 to -0.02]; DBP: ß = -0.05 [-0.09 to -0.02]), and total Childhood Trauma Questionnaire score (SBP: ß = -0.02 [-0.03 to -0.00]; DBP: ß = -0.01 [-0.02 to -0.00]). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings extend research and demonstrate that depression is an underlying mechanism linking early life adversity and blunted cardiovascular reactivity.

Social cohesion and loneliness are associated with the antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has suggested that psychosocial factors influence the antibody response to vaccine, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccines. Here we investigated whether social cohesion and loneliness were predictive of antibody response to a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. We also tested if the association between social cohesion and antibody response was mediated by feelings of loneliness. METHODS: Participants (N = 676) COVID-19 antibody data were extracted from March 2021 wave of the Understanding Society COVID-19 study from the UK. Relevant socio-demographics, health and lifestyle, loneliness, social cohesion indices were also used in a series of hierarchical linear regression to test our main hypotheses. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates (e.g., age and chronic health conditions), lower social cohesion was associated with a lower antibody response. Further, the association between social cohesion and poorer antibody responses was mediated by loneliness; those reporting lower social cohesion also reported higher loneliness, which in turn was associated with lower antibody response. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that feelings of 'being in it together' relate to the strength of the antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination, emphasising the importance of the social cohesion agenda during the pandemic.

Association between work status and depression in informal caregivers: a collaborative modelling approach.

BACKGROUND: Care is regularly provided on an informal basis by family and friends and it is well established that caregivers experience high rates of depression. The majority of research on caregivers tends to focus on older, full-time caregivers, with less attention paid to working caregivers (in paid employment). The aim of this study is to explore the impact of work status on depression in caregivers. METHODS: A sample of individuals from the 2014 European Social Survey dataset, aged 18 and older, who reported being a caregiver, were investigated (n = 11 177). Differences in sociodemographic, mental and physical health and social network variables, between working and non-working caregivers, were investigated. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to investigate associations between the caregivers' work status and depression. This study was developed in partnership with a panel of caregivers who contributed to the conceptualization and interpretation of the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Findings showed that 51% of caregivers reported being in paid employment. Non-working caregivers were more likely to be female, older, widowed, have lower education levels and provide intensive caring hours. They were also more likely to report depressive symptoms than working caregivers after controlling for sociodemographic, social networks and intensity of caring (adjusted odds ratio = 1.77, 95% confidence interval = 1.54-2.03). The panel considered policies to support continued work important as a means of maintaining positive mental health for caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Supportive policies, such as flexible working and care leave, are recommended to allow caregivers to continue in paid work and better manage their health, caring and working responsibilities.