Characterizing "collateral damage" in men and women with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in New York City.

PURPOSE: Patients from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing undue social and financial burdens ("collateral damage") from a metastatic breast cancer (mBC) diagnosis; however, these challenges have not been well explored in diverse populations. METHODS: From May 2022 to May 2023, English- or Spanish-speaking adults with mBC treated at four New York-Presbyterian (NYP) sites were invited to complete a survey that assessed collateral damage, social determinants of health, physical and psychosocial well-being, and patient-provider communication. Fisher's exact and the Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum tests assessed differences by race and ethnicity. RESULTS: Of 87 respondents, 14% identified as Hispanic, 28% non-Hispanic Black (NHB), 41% non-Hispanic White (NHW), 7% Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), and 10% other/multiracial. While 100% of Hispanic, NHW, and AAPI participants reported stable housing, 29% of NHB participants were worried about losing housing (p = 0.002). Forty-two percent of Hispanic and 46% of NHB participants (vs. 8%, NHW and 0%, AAPI, p = 0.005) were food insecure; 18% of Hispanic and 17% of NHB adults indicated lack of reliable transportation in the last year (vs. 0%, NHW/AAPI, p = 0.033). Participants were generally satisfied with the quality of communication that they had with their healthcare providers and overall physical and mental well-being were modestly poorer relative to healthy population norms. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, NHB and Hispanic mBC patients reported higher levels of financial concern and were more likely to experience food and transportation insecurity compared to NHW patients. Systematically connecting patients with resources to address unmet needs should be prioritized to identify feasible approaches to support economically vulnerable patients following an mBC diagnosis.

Do parents engage in weight- and health-focused conversations with their emerging adult children and are there cross-sectional associations with weight and well-being outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Research indicates harmful associations between parental weight-focused conversations and markers of pediatric health and well-being. However, little is known about the prevalence and consequences of parent conversations focused on weight or health behaviors (i.e., physical activity or nutrition) with emerging adult children. METHODS: Data are from the 2018 follow-up survey of the population-based EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) in cohort from Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. Participants were emerging adults at follow-up with ages 18-26. Regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics were conducted. RESULTS: Over two-thirds (68%) of mothers and 44% of fathers engaged in weight-focused conversations with their emerging adult children; 25% of both parents reported engaging in conversations focused only on health behaviors; and 8% of mothers and 26% of fathers reported not engaging in either type of conversation. Health-focused conversations by both parents were associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating behaviors, higher intake of fruit and vegetables, and psychosocial well-being in emerging adult children. Weight-focused conversations with both parents were associated with higher BMI and disordered eating behaviors in emerging adults. There were gender moderated associations of paternal conversations about weight and health with vegetable intake, binge eating, and depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION: The high prevalence and negative health outcomes associated with weight-focused conversations coupled with the low prevalence and positive health outcomes associated with health-focused conversations by parents suggests the need for public health messaging and intervention development aimed at reducing parental weight talk with emerging adult children.

'Physical well-being is our top priority': Healthcare professionals' challenges in supporting psychosocial well-being in stroke services.

BACKGROUND: Following stroke, a sense of well-being is critical for quality of life. However, people living with stroke, and health professionals, suggest that well-being is not sufficiently addressed within stroke services, contributing to persistent unmet needs. Knowing that systems and structures shape clinical practice, this study sought to understand how health professionals address well-being, and to examine how the practice context influences care practice. METHODS: Underpinned by Interpretive Description methodology, we interviewed 28 health professionals across multiple disciplines working in stroke services (acute and rehabilitation) throughout New Zealand. Data were analysed using applied tension analysis. RESULTS: Health professionals are managing multiple lines of work in stroke care: biomedical work of investigation, intervention and prevention; clinical work of assessment, monitoring and treatment; and moving people through service. While participants reported working to support well-being, this could be deprioritised amidst the time-oriented pressures of the other lines of work that were privileged within services, rendering it unsupported and invisible. CONCLUSION: Stroke care is shaped by biomedical and organisational imperatives that privilege physical recovery and patient throughput. Health professionals are not provided with the knowledge, skills, time or culture of care that enable them to privilege well-being within their work. This has implications for the well-being of people with stroke, and the well-being of health professionals. In making these discourses and culture visible, and tracing how these impact on clinical practice, we hope to provide insight into why well-being work remains other to the 'core' work of stroke, and what needs to be considered if stroke services are to better support people's well-being. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS: People with stroke, family members and people who provide support to people with stroke, and health professionals set priorities for this research. They advised on study conduct and have provided feedback on wider findings from the research.

Socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being among adolescents under the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-regional comparative analysis in Hong Kong, mainland China, and the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence on socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being of adolescents under the COVID-19 pandemic, the explanatory factors and their potential variations across contexts remained understudied. Hence, this cross-regional study compared the extent of inequalities and the mediating pathways across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the Netherlands. METHODS: Between July 2021 and January 2022, 25 secondary schools from diverse socioeconomic background were purposively sampled from Hong Kong, Zhejiang (Mainland China), and Limburg (the Netherlands). 3595 junior students completed an online survey during class about their socioeconomic position, psychosocial factors, and well-being. Socioeconomic inequalities were assessed by multiple linear regressions using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII), whereas the mediating pathways through learning difficulty, overall worry about COVID-19, impact on family' financial status, resilience, trust in government regarding pandemic management, and adaptation to social distancing were examined by mediation analyses moderated by regions. RESULTS: The adverse psychosocial impact of COVID-19 was stronger in the Netherlands and Hong Kong compared with Mainland China. The greatest extent of socioeconomic inequalities in the change in psychosocial well-being was observed among students in the Netherlands (SII = 0.59 [95% CI = 0.38-0.80]), followed by Hong Kong (SII = 0.37 [0.21-0.52]) and Mainland China (SII = 0.12 [0.00-0.23]). Learning difficulty and resilience were the major mediators in Mainland China and Hong Kong, but to a lesser extent in the Netherlands. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being were evident among adolescents under the pandemic, with learning difficulty and resilience of students as the key mediators. Differences in the social contexts should be considered to better understand the variations in inequalities and mediating pathways across regions.

Well-being in healthy Icelandic women varies with extreme seasonality in ambient light.

Seasonal variation in photoperiod may affect psychosocial and physical well-being in healthy persons. We tested this hypothesis in healthy pre-menopausal women, without a history of mood disorders, living year-round in Reykjavik, Iceland (64.1°N). Participants reported daily self-assessments of well-being throughout a complete ovulatory menstrual cycle in summer and/or winter (70% participated in both seasons). Scores for mood, cognitive acuity, social support, physical health and a composite of these four indicators were each significantly higher in summer than in winter (linear mixed effects models: p < .001 for each model); tiredness did not differ by season. The effect of season was not significantly changed by inclusion of body mass index and/or age as covariates. Some prior studies have been hampered by sparse time sampling, inattention to covariates and/or relying on recalled data. This is to our knowledge the first investigation to test the study hypothesis with daily real-time data spanning complete ovulatory menstrual cycles in each of two seasons. This dense sampling has revealed modest seasonal variation in well-being in healthy women. Daylength (sunlight exposure) is likely a major, but not necessarily sole, factor in these seasonal differences in well-being; temperature is likely less important given Iceland's relatively moderate (for its high latitude) seasonal temperature swings.

Physical and mental health of breast cancer patients and survivors before and during successive SARS-CoV-2-infection waves.

PURPOSE: During the first SARS-CoV-2-infection wave, a deterioration in emotional well-being and increased need for mental health care were observed among patients treated or being treated for breast cancer. In this follow-up study, we assessed patient-reported quality of life (QoL), physical functioning, and psychosocial well-being during the second SARS-CoV-2-infection wave in a large, representative cohort. METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study was conducted within the prospective, multicenter UMBRELLA breast cancer cohort. To assess patient-reported QoL, physical functioning and psychosocial well-being, COVID-19-specific surveys were completed by patients during the first and second SARS-CoV-2-infection waves (April and November 2020, respectively). An identical survey was completed by a comparable reference population during the second SARS-CoV-2-infection waves. All surveys included the validated EORTC-QLQ-C30/BR23, HADS and "De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness" questionnaires. Pre-COVID-19 EORTC-QLQ-C30/BR23 and HADS outcomes were available from UMBRELLA. Response rates were 69.3% (n = 1106/1595) during the first SARS-CoV-2-infection wave and 50.9% (n = 822/1614) during the second wave. A total of 696 patients responded during both SARS-CoV-2-infection waves and were included in the analysis comparing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) during the second SARS-CoV-2-infection wave to PROs during the first wave. Moreover, PROs reported by all patients during the second SARS-CoV-2-infection wave (n = 822) were compared to PROs of a similar non-cancer reference population (n = 241) and to their pre-COVID-19 PROs. RESULTS: Patient-reported QoL, physical functioning, and psychosocial well-being of patients treated or being treated for breast cancer remained stable or improved from the first to the second SARS-CoV-2-infection wave. The proportion of emotional loneliness reduced from 37.6 to 29.9% of patients. Compared to a similar non-cancer reference population, physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, future perspectives and symptoms of dyspnea and insomnia were worse in patients treated or being treated for breast cancer during the second SARS-CoV-2-infection wave. PROs in the second wave were similar to pre-COVID-19 PROs. CONCLUSION: Although patients scored overall worse than individuals without breast cancer, QoL, physical functioning, and psychosocial well-being did not deteriorate between the first and second wave. During the second wave, PROs were similar to pre-COVID-19 values. Overall, current findings are cautiously reassuring for future mental health of patients treated or being treated for breast cancer.

Effectiveness of an educational intervention to promote psychosocial well-being of school-going adolescents in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: One-fifth of the Sri Lankan population consists of adolescents, with 71% of them schooling. An extreme need exists in the country for the introduction of evidence-based interventions for the psychosocial well-being of adolescents. The present study assessed the effectiveness of an educational intervention to promote the psychosocial well-being of school-going adolescents in grade nine in Western Province, Sri Lanka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among grade nine students in Western Province in 2019. Panadura Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area was selected as the interventional area (IA), and Kelaniya MOH area was identified as the control area (CA). Teachers at schools in the IA received training on psychosocial health promotion of adolescents. They delivered the activity-based educational intervention package to the grade nine students as 20-min classroom sessions for three months. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of attitudes and practices related to the psychosocial well-being of adolescents were conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Categorical data were compared using Chi-Square or Fisher's exact test. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to determine the difference between the medians of the pre-and post-intervention scores on attitude and practices for psychosocial well-being. RESULTS: A total of 1040 grade nine students were enrolled. There was a statistically significant increase in median score on attitudes [81.8 (IQR:75.5-85.5) to 82.3(IQR:78.6-87.2] and practices [81.7(IQR: 76.1-85.7) to 83.1(IQR: 79.1-86.9)] in the IA while there was no significant difference in the CA. The proportion of bullied adolescents in the past 30 days reduced significantly from 14.8% (n = 38) to 7.9% (n = 20) in IA(p = .03), whereas there was a slight reduction from 17.1% (n = 44) to 11.3% (n = 26) in CA (p = .17). CONCLUSIONS: The present psychosocial intervention is effective in improving the psychosocial well-being of school adolescents, though long-term effectiveness was not assessed. It is recommended to utilise study findings in deciding to introduce the present intervention to basic and in-service teacher training packages and school curricula with necessary modifications.

Influence of Pokémon GO on Physical Activity and Psychosocial Well-Being in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Pokémon GO, an augmented reality game with widespread popularity, can potentially influence players' physical activity (PA) levels and psychosocial well-being. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to systematically examine the scientific evidence regarding the impact of Pokémon GO on PA and psychosocial well-being in children and adolescents. METHODS: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) framework, we conducted keyword and reference searches in the PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. We performed title and abstract screening, full-text review, evidence synthesis, and identified research gaps. RESULTS: Our review included 10 studies that explored the effect of Pokémon GO on PA or psychosocial well-being among children and adolescents. These studies used diverse designs across multiple countries and regions. Pokémon GO use measures encompassed frequency, experience, adherence, and motivation. PA assessment methods ranged from self-reported questionnaires to technology-based evaluations and qualitative approaches. Psychosocial well-being measures included emotional intelligence, personal well-being, self-control, emotionality, and sociability. In general, the estimated impact of Pokémon GO on PA was positive, with gaming elements and engagement correlating with increased PA levels. However, the effect on psychosocial well-being presented mixed results, with positive associations for sociability but a complex relationship involving well-being and internet gaming disorder. The limitations of these studies comprised the absence of randomized controlled trials, heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures, and potential confounding bias. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, Pokémon GO tends to positively affect PA levels, while the impact on psychosocial well-being remains complex and requires further investigation. Future research should investigate the mechanisms connecting Pokémon GO use with PA and psychosocial well-being and the potential risks of excessive gameplay. These findings can help inform public health interventions to harness gaming technologies for promoting PA and enhancing well-being among the younger generation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42023412032; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=412032.

A systematic review on the impact of auditory functioning and language proficiency on psychosocial difficulties in children and adolescents with hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 20% to 40% of children with hearing loss encounter psychosocial difficulties. This prevalence may be outdated, given the advancements in hearing technology and rehabilitation efforts to enhance the psychosocial well-being of these children. A systematic review of up-to-date literature can help to identify factors that may contribute to the children's psychosocial well-being. DESIGN/STUDY SAMPLE: A systematic review was conducted. Original articles were identified through systematic searches in Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection. The quality of the papers was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and custom Reviewers' Criteria. RESULTS: A search was performed on 20 October 2022. A total of 1561 articles were identified, and 36 were included for review. Critical appraisal led to 24 good to fair quality articles, and 12 poor quality articles. CONCLUSION: Children with hearing loss have a twofold risk of experiencing psychosocial difficulties compared to normal hearing peers. Estimates for functioning in social interactions, like speech perception (in noise) or language proficiency, have proven to be more adequate predictors for psychosocial difficulties than the degree of hearing loss. Our findings can be useful for identifying children at risk for difficulties and offering them earlier and more elaborate psychological interventions.

Psychosocial factors addressed by occupational therapists in hand therapy: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Occupational therapists address occupations, performance skills, and client factors that interfere with the successful occupational engagement in everyday activities, including psychosocial factors. However, due to the biomechanical model focus within hand therapy clinics, provision of a holistic care plan remains challenging for occupational therapists. If a client's psychosocial functioning is not addressed, progress toward a full recovery may be limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify how occupational therapists who are certified hand therapists (CHTs), address and provide interventions to clients with psychosocial factors that negatively impact function. STUDY DESIGN: Mixed-Method. METHODS: CHTs completed an electronic survey (n = 117) followed by a virtual focus group (n = 9). Survey data analysis included descriptive and correlational statistics to highlight frequencies, ranges, and relationships between the participant demographics and the selection of assessment and the intervention approaches. Thematic analysis guided the qualitative coding of the focus group transcripts. RESULTS: Of the 117 survey respondents, 79% reported frequent use of the biomechanical approach. The most frequently administered assessment included the Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (n = 45; 40.9%). Five themes emerged from the focus groups: hand dysfunction impacts roles and routines; client rapport building takes time; CHT hesitation to address psychosocial factors; standardized assessments need to evaluate psychosocial factors that impact client function; and education and communication are critical intervention approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational therapy practitioners primarily utilize the biomechanical approach and are less likely to assess or treat psychosocial factors that impact a client's function. However, participants reported a need for a standardized assessment to identify the psychosocial factors that impact their clients' functional performance. Further research is warranted to increase the measurement and the use of holistic theoretical models of practice, assessments, and intervention approaches.

Type and Breadth of High School Extracurricular Activity Involvement and Postsecondary Psychosocial Well-Being among Diverse Youth.

Many youth experience declines in psychosocial well-being during the transition from high school to postsecondary. Hypothesizing that extracurricular activity involvement in high school functions as a resource factor, the current study examines type and breadth as predictors of psychosocial well-being one year postsecondary. The sample (N = 4070) consisted of students from diverse ethnic-racial and socio-economic status backgrounds (30% Latinx; 60% had a parent without a college degree; 47% cisgender female). Eleventh grade involvement in sports was linked with lower loneliness, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and higher self-worth, whereas special interest clubs were associated with lower social anxiety and depressive symptoms. Examining breadth, one or two activities were linked with optimal psychosocial well-being. The results suggest that sports and special interest clubs, and up to two activity domains, are associated with optimal psychosocial well-being, providing recommendations for extracurricular programming and youth involvement.

Emerging costs in a "hidden" workforce: The longitudinal psychosocial effects of caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic among Norwegian adults.

During COVID-19 many informal caregivers experienced increased caregiving load while access to formal and informal support systems and coping resources decreased. Little is known about the psychosocial costs of these challenges for an essential yet vulnerable and "hidden" frontline workforce. This study explores and compares changes in psychosocial well-being (psychological well-being, psychological ill-being, and loneliness) before and across up to three stages of the COVID-19 pandemic among caregivers and non-caregivers. We also examine predictors of psychosocial well-being among caregivers during the peak of the pandemic. We use longitudinal data collected online in the Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey (age: 18-92) in four counties and up to four data points (n = 14,881). Caregivers are those who provide care unpaid, continuous (≥ monthly across all time points) help to someone with health problems. Findings show that levels of psychosocial well-being first remained stable but later, during the peak stages of the pandemic, dropped markedly. Caregivers (13-15% of the samples) report lower psychosocial well-being than non-caregivers both before and during the pandemic. Caregivers seem especially vulnerable in terms of ill-being, and during the peak of the pandemic caregivers report higher net levels of worry (OR = 1.22, p < 0.01) and anxiety (OR = 1.23, p < 0.01) than non-caregivers. As expected, impacts are graver for caregivers who provide more intensive care and those reporting health problems or poor access to social support. Our study findings are valuable information for interventions to support caregivers during this and future pandemics.

Housing and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The loss of psychosocial well-being is an overlooked but monumental consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. These effects result not only from the pandemic itself but, in a secondary way, from the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) made to curb the spread of disease. The unprecedented physical distancing and stay-at-home requirements and recommendations provide a unique window for housing researchers to better understand the mechanisms by which housing affects psychosocial well-being. This study draws on a survey conducted with over 2,000 residents of the neighbouring Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta in 2021. We propose a new multi-dimensional model to examine the relationships between the Material, Economic, Affordances, Neighbourhood, and Stability (MEANS) aspects of housing and psychosocial well-being. Our analysis reveals the direct and indirect pathways by which deficiencies in each of these areas had negative effects on psychosocial well-being. Residential stability, housing affordances, and neighbourhood accessibility exert stronger direct impacts on psychosocial well-being than material and economic housing indicators (e.g. size of living space and tenure). Notably, we find no significant well-being differences between different homeowners and renters when we account for other housing MEANS. These findings have important implications for housing policy across pandemic and post-pandemic contexts, suggesting a need for research and policy focus on understanding housing and well-being in terms of non-material aspects, such as residential stability and affordances that housing provides.

Persistent Genital Arousal in Relationships: A Comparison of Relationship, Sexual, and Psychological Well-Being.

BACKGROUND: Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genitopelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is characterized by sensations of physiological genital sexual arousal (and/or other types of genitopelvic dysesthesia) that occur in the absence of subjective feelings of sexual desire. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare relationship, sexual, and psychological well-being in partnered individuals with and without distressing symptoms of PGAD/GPD. METHODS: The sample (N = 65 individuals with vulvas and vaginas, N = 11 individuals with penises) of 152 partnered individuals (N = 76 with and 76 without PGAD/GPD symptoms) participated in a one-time anonymous online survey. OUTCOMES: The questionnaires assessed relationship satisfaction (Couple Satisfaction Index-Short Form, CSI); sexual satisfaction (Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, GMSEX); sexual functioning (Female Sexual Functioning Index, FSFI, or International Index of Erectile Functioning, IIEF); sexual distress (Sexual Distress Scale, SDS); and psychological well-being, as determined by the presence of depression and/or anxiety symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS). RESULTS: Among individuals with vulvas and vaginas, those with PGAD/GPD symptoms reported significantly lower relationship and sexual satisfaction, greater sexual distress, and more symptoms of depression and anxiety than their counterparts in the control group. In addition, these individuals with PGAD/GPD symptoms also reported significantly worse sexual functioning (arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain), and they were significantly more distressed about each aspect of their sexual functioning difficulties compared to those in the control group. Among the small sample of individuals with penises (N = 11), descriptive analyses revealed that total sexual functioning scores did not differ across the PGAD/GPD symptom and control groups. In addition, 64.5% of the total sample with PGAD/GPD symptoms managed unwanted genital arousal by avoiding sex with their partner, while 55.3% managed their symptoms by having sex with their partner, and some individuals with PGAD/GPD used both strategies. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The finding that PGAD/GPD symptoms impact relationships indicates that treatment for PGAD/GPD should include consideration of the well-being of one's intimate relationship(s). STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study added to the small literature on experiences of PGAD/GPD in relationships, and it was the first to assess sexual satisfaction. Limitations include the small sample of individuals with penises, and the cross-sectional, correlational design, which does not allow for causal conclusions to be drawn. CONCLUSION: Results emphasize the importance of continued research of this population (and their partners) in order to improve diagnosis, intervention, and recognition within the medical community. Mooney KM, Poirier É, Pukall CF., Persistent Genital Arousal in Relationships: A Comparison of Relationship, Sexual, and Psychological Well-Being. J Sex Med 2022;19:234-248.

Health behaviors and well-being among those "living" with metastatic cancer in Alabama.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 5 million Americans are living with metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer survivors (MCS) are at risk for poor health behaviors, which may negatively influence well-being. METHODS: Using a modified Dillman protocol, 542 MCS were mailed a survey querying physical and mental health (PROMIS® measures), health behaviors, and supportive care interest. Returned surveys were double-key entered into REDCap®. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-seven surveys were returned (51% response). Respondents (51% female; 88% Caucasian; 12% African-American; Mage = 65 years; Msurvivorship = 38 months; 23% female cancers, 23% melanoma, 21% gastrointestinal, 15% genitourinary, 12% pulmonary, and 6% other) reported low daily fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake (M = 4.1) and weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) (M = 41.9), with 66% of respondents having overweight or obesity. While mean scores for physical (M = 43.6) and mental (M = 47.7) health were considered "good," scores in the "fair" to "poor" ranges were observed (40% physical; 23% mental). MCS meeting PA (≥ 150 min per week) and dietary (≥ 5 daily servings of F&V) guidelines reported better physical (p = .003; p = .056) and mental (p = .033, p = .549) health, respectively, compared to MCS who were not. While current supportive care use was low (12%), future interest was high (57%), with greatest interest for nutrition (46%), MCS support group (38%), and gardening (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that engaging in regular PA and consuming more F&Vs may enhance physical and mental health among MCS. Future research may explore supportive care approaches with high interest, such as gardening, to aid MCS in improving key health behaviors.

Psychosocial and sexual well-being in breast cancer survivors undergoing immediate breast reconstruction: The mediating role of breast satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore (1) the levels of quality of life (psychosocial, physical and sexual well-being) and breast satisfaction in breast cancer patients (BCP) after immediate reconstruction (IR), considering surgery reason and surgical technique, and (2) the explanatory and predictive capacity of psychosocial well-being on breast satisfaction, and of both on sexual well-being. METHODS: This prospective study included 36 BCP who underwent IR between June 2006 and December 2014. RESULTS: Highest levels of quality of life were found in psychosocial well-being and sexual well-being, with no statistically significant differences by surgery reason or surgical technique in any quality of life indicator or breast satisfaction. Psychosocial, physical well-being and breast satisfaction explained 56.16% of the variance in sexual well-being, where 44.67% was attributed to psychosocial well-being. In addition, breast satisfaction statistically significantly mediated the relationship between psychosocial and sexual well-being, independently of physical well-being. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the importance of IR in reducing psychological morbidity and preserving the quality of life and breast satisfaction. Furthermore, this research indicated that psychosocial well-being should be considered a useful personal resource for improving the sexual well-being of BCP undergoing IR both through its direct effect and the mediated effect of breast satisfaction.

Symptom burden profiles in men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.

To identify symptom burden profiles among men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy and examine their association with baseline sociodemographic and medical characteristics and psychosocial outcomes over time. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify distinct groups based on the Expanded Prostate Index Composite and the McGill Pain Questionnaire at baseline. Psychosocial outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Three profiles emerged: "high symptom burden," "high sexual bother," and "low symptom burden." Men with "high symptom burden" were younger and exhibited higher baseline levels of depression, stress, cancer-specific distress, and anxiety than men in the other two groups. However, men with "high symptom burden" also demonstrated improvement in these psychosocial outcomes over time. Men with advanced prostate cancer who experience multiple co-occurring symptoms demonstrate worse psychosocial adjustment. Patients with substantial symptom burden, and specifically young men, may benefit from prompt referral to supportive care services.

From one year to the next: Video gaming life-style predicts subsequent psychosocial risk in adolescent boys and girls.

AIM: The ubiquitous societal presence of screens and gaming software is ever growing in popularity. However, can this recreational life-style pose risks for children's psychosocial adjustment? We thus examine associations between gaming life-style and later psychosocial development. METHODS: The study sample originates from the 2120 boys and girls from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development birth cohort. At age 12, 625 boys and 702 girls from the original sample self-reported the number of hours engaged in video gaming per week and 1 year later, they self-reported psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: Among boys, higher weekly video gaming frequency at age 12 forecasted increases in subsequent reactive aggression, emotional distress and ADHD symptoms at age 13. For girls, higher weekly video gaming frequency at age 12 predicted increases in subsequent reactive aggression and ADHD symptoms at age 13. No association between video game use and emotional distress was found for girls. CONCLUSION: In both boys and girls, a more intense video gaming life-style predicted subsequent risks for reactive aggression and ADHD symptoms, compared with their same sex counterparts reporting less intensity. For boys only, video gaming was associated with subsequent reactive emotional distress, likely due to the gender differences in violent content. Our data were collected at a time when there were less versatile screen-based technologies; therefore, our findings can be interpreted as very conservative compared to current estimates. Paediatric professionals and allied disciplines must take preventive measures to ensure that parents are aware of the risks associated with excessive use by their sons and daughters.

Incidence of psycho-social well-being in a rural community of South Africa.

This article explores the incidence of psychosocial well-being within Lokaleng; a rural community located in the North West province of South Africa. While the community is unique, it shares similarities with many other rural communities in South Africa, such as being deprived of various resources and being impoverished, indicating a need to explore the incidence of psychosocial well-being in this community as there has been no research on this phenomenon in this community specifically. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed. A purposive sample of adult community members (n = 189) completed a battery of validated questionnaires and data were analyzed with the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 software package. The results are indicative that the sample experienced lower levels of psychosocial well-being, which supports similar findings of other South African studies that rural communities tend to report lower levels of psychosocial well-being.

Psychosocial well-being of Flemish foster children residing in their foster homes during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The measures implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected the lives of children and families all around the world, probably affecting children's psychosocial well-being. The negative consequences of lockdowns are presumed to hit even harder on vulnerable groups such as foster children who already struggle with their psychosocial well-being in normal circumstances and who face specific challenges during lockdowns such as: additional help that is no longer available or only offered digitally and physical contact with birth parents that is forbidden. Nevertheless, some scholars point to the positive side of lockdowns (e.g.: relief due to closure of schools). This study aims to asses the psychosocial well-being of Flemish foster children residing in their foster homes during the COVID-19 lockdown and the factors that are associated with the change in their psychosocial well-being. 888 foster parents reported on the psychosocial well-being of just as many foster children through the Brief Assessment Checklist for Children and Adolescents. The COVID-19 lockdown was not associated with a decreased psychosocial well-being of Flemish foster children residing in their foster homes during the lockdown. Foster parents reported a slight improvement in their relationship with their foster child during the lockdown which points to a positive consequence of the lockdown. In addition, this improvement was positively associated with an increased psychosocial well-being during adverse circumstances and should therefore be enhanced. The type and amount of contact with birth parents is significantly associated with foster children's changed psychosocial well-being during the lockdown. Foster parents who reported an increase in alternative contact (e.g., (video)calls and messages) between their foster child and his/her birth parent(s) during the lockdown, also reported an increase in their foster child's psychosocial well-being during that period.