Impact of Psychosocial Factors on the Activity of Crohn's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Social Support, Stress, and Flare-Up Incidence.

Background/Objectives: Crohn's disease is a chronic and debilitating intestinal disorder that alternates between remission and active flare-ups, often leading to hospitalization. Social support is known to enhance adaptation to the disease and modulate stress perception in patients, while stress may exacerbate symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the roles of perceived stress and social support in Crohn's disease and their impact on the frequency of flare-ups. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, assessing stress and social support in a cohort of 91 patients with Crohn's disease during flare-up and remission phases. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and a Social Support Questionnaire were utilized for evaluation. We examined the relationship between stress and social support in Crohn's disease. The interaction between the variables studied was also observed, considering the stage of the disease. Finally, we carried out an analysis of the influence of these two variables on the development of flare-ups in Crohn's disease. Results: The study revealed that patients experience higher stress levels during flare-ups and that these levels are amplified by a lack of social support. A significant relationship was identified between the levels of social support and the occurrence of flare-ups, indicating that better social support is associated with fewer flare-ups. Conclusions: Patients with Crohn's disease in the flare-up phase are subject to considerable stress. A deficit in social support is linked to an increase in stress levels. The interaction between social support and stress plays a critical role in the development of flare-ups.

Adult Attachment Questionnaire: evidence of validity in a sample of IPVAW offenders.

Introduction: Adult attachment can be understood as a cognitive and emotional system concerning oneself and others, based on previous attachment experiences throughout life. This system automatically affects relationships with others. Because of its importance in the interpersonal domain, it has been studied on numerous occasions in research on intimate partner violence. The aim of this study was to obtain evidence of validity of the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ) in a sample of 331 men convicted of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW). Methods: The AAQ assesses adult attachment style in four dimensions that, together, yield four attachment categories. A psychometric analysis was performed, including reliability analysis and confirmatory factor analysis of the items, which ratified the factorial structure of the questionnaire. For a correct fit of the model, it was necessary to eliminate 4 of the items from the original scale. Results: A latent profile analysis was also carried out, which identified four attachment styles: secure, preoccupied/anxious, avoidant/dismissing and fearful. Reliability indices were adequate. In general, the attachment profiles obtained ranges and means similar to those found in the general population study. The distribution of attachment styles was not equal: 50.57% of the participants presented secure attachment, 4.57% avoidant/dismissing attachment, 36.9% preoccupied/anxious, and 8.57% fearful. Discussion: In conclusion, a valid and reliable instrument was determined based on the original AAQ scale to measure attachment in men convicted of IPVAW.

Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Influence of Psychosocial Factors.

(1) Background: In the treatment of colorectal cancer, it is important to consider different psychosocial factors. Our first objective was to measure the levels of perceived stress in subjects diagnosed with colorectal cancer awaiting potentially curative surgery. Also, we aimed to analyse what coping styles these patients used, how they perceived their illness, and the subsequent influence of these factors on their levels of stress. (2) Methods: Stress, coping styles and illness perception were assessed in a sample of 107 patients. The instruments used were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), the Stress Coping Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ-R). (3) Results: Patients using active coping styles have lower levels of perceived stress (p = 0.000; p = 0.002) than patients making use of passive coping styles (p = 0.000; p = 0.032; p = 0.001). A multi-linear regression model found that the perception of illness and the use of the negative approach coping style (p = 0.000; p = 0.001) influence an increase in perceived stress, and that a decrease in stress levels was influenced by the problem solving coping style (p = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Based on our results, we recommend preventive interventions in care patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Influence of Coping and Self-Efficacy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

(1) Background: Coping includes the specific cognitive processes and behaviours that the patient uses when faced with the stress of living with a chronic disease. Self-efficacy is the knowledge that individuals have about their abilities and their confidence to face a problem or cope with a situation (disease). The aim of this study was to explore the role of coping and self-efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease. (2) Materials and Methods: A total of 92 participants were included (33 had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, 23 with ulcerative colitis and 36 were healthy participants). The Coping Strategies Inventory was used to measure which coping strategies were employed, differentiating them as active or passive. The General Self-Efficacy Scale was used to measure self-efficacy. (3) Results: The results indicate that people with inflammatory bowel disease used strategies related to passive coping more than healthy people (mean of 36.39 ± 13.92 vs. 29.77 ± 10.70, p = 0.017). Additionally, people with inflammatory bowel disease used social withdrawal more than healthy participants (mean of 8.30 ± 5.07 vs. 4.47 ± 4.17, p < 0.001). In addition, there are significant differences in emotion-focused engagement coping strategies. People with inflammatory bowel disease used this strategy less than healthy people (mean of 21.77 ± 7.75 vs. 25.03 ± 7.00, p = 0.044). Finally, healthy participants used the emotion-focused disengagement strategy less than those diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (mean of 9.81 ± 7.74 vs. 15.61 ± 10.14, p = 0.004). (4) Conclusions: Actions aimed at the development of active coping strategies and patient socialisation must be included in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Flare-Ups in Crohn's Disease: Influence of Stress and the External Locus of Control.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to explore the role of perceived stress and the health locus of control in Crohn's disease and their influence upon the development of flare-ups of this disease. (2) Methods: Stress and the external locus of control were evaluated in a sample of 64 Crohn's patients (flare-up phase versus latency phase). The perceived stress scale (PSS-14) and the multidimensional health locus of control scale were the measurement instruments used. (3) Results: The results indicate that the patients have high stress levels during a flare-up (26.13; 27.44; 28.79; 29.67); high stress levels (28.07; 29.67; 27.44; 28.07) if they have a high external locus of control; and that the external locus of control and stress levels have a significant influence upon the existence of flare-ups in those patients with low external locus of control levels (χ2 = 11.127; df = 1: p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Actions aimed at reducing stress and external locus of control levels are necessary in Crohn's disease.

Afrontamiento de la muerte en estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud / Coping with death by students of Health Sciences

Introducción: La muerte es un proceso que está presente en la vida. Los estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud están especialmente expuestos al mismo, así como al hecho de estar presentes y acompañar en el proceso de morir a los pacientes. Objetivos: Conocer los niveles de afrontamiento ante la muerte en estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud. Conocer la influencia de otras variables tales como el género, edad, año académico, religión y experiencias previas ante la muerte en relación al afrontamiento de la muerte. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 227 estudiantes de la Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (Madrid-España). Para medir el afrontamiento de la muerte se utilizó la Escala Bugen de Afrontamiento de la Muerte-EBAM. Resultados: Los estudiantes de enfermería presentaron mayores niveles de afrontamiento de la muerte que los estudiantes de farmacia y Actividad Física y Deporte. La prueba de Chi Cuadrado mostró que existía relación entre la titulación cursada y el nivel de afrontamiento de la muerte (p< 0,01). La t de student también constató que no existían diferencias estadísticamente significativas al considerar el Afrontamiento de la muerte y haber tenido experiencias previas con moribundos (p< 0,01). No se constató influencia del género, edad, año académico y religión con el nivel de afrontamiento. Conclusiones: De este estudio se deduce la necesidad de incluir en los planes formativos asignaturas que traten el proceso de la muerte de manera que se puedan manejar de forma adecuada aspectos psicológico-emocionales del profesional, cuestión que repercutirá en el aumento de la calidad asistencial(AU)

Introduction: Death is a process that is present in life. Health science students are particularly exposed to it, as well as to the fact of being present and accompanying dying patients in such process. Objectives: To know the levels of coping with death in students of health sciences. To know the influence of other variables such as gender, age, academic year, religion and previous experiences with death in association to coping with death. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 227 students from Alfonso X el Sabio University in Madrid, Spain. For measuring coping of death, Bugen's Coping with Death Scale was used. Results: Nursing students showed higher levels of coping with death than Pharmacy or Physical Activity and Sport students. The chi-square test showed a relation between the degree completed and the level of coping with death (p< 0,01). The Student's t-test also showed no statistically significant differences when considering coping with death together with having previous experiences with dying (p< 0,01). No influence of gender, age, academic year and religion was found in association with the level of coping. Conclusions: This study shows the need to include, in the syllabuses, subjects that treat the process of death, so that psychological-emotional aspects of the professional can be handled appropriately, as it is an issue that will have an impact on the increase in the quality of healthcare(AU)