Optimism and pessimism are antithetically associated with post-operative knee function in patients' undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Personality traits, such as dispositional optimism and pessimism, have impact on a variety of health-related problems. Influence on outcome in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) could only be shown for other personality trait concepts, but not for dispositional optimism/pessimism. This study aims to examine the association of dispositional optimism/pessimism with pre-operative joint function and post-operative outcome in TKA. METHODS: Data were acquired in a multicentre, cross-sectoral, prospective study (the PROMISE Trial). Patients were followed for 12 months post-operatively. Dispositional optimism/pessimism was measured pre-operatively via the revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), pre- and post-operative function was measured via the 12 Item Knee-osteoarthritis outcome Scores (KOOS-12). Log-linear regression models considering known confounders and t-test were carried out to show the association of LOT-R scores with pre- and post-operative KOOS-12 scores. RESULTS: 740 patients were analyzed. Optimistic LOT-R was significantly positively associated to the mean scores of KOOS-12 pre- and post-operative, while pessimistic LOT-R was significantly associated negatively (pre-operative: optimistic p = 0.001, pessimistic p = 0.001; post-operative optimistic: 3M p = 0.001, 6M p = 0.001, 12M p = 0.001; post-operative pessimistic: 3M p = 0.01, 6M p = 0.004, 12M p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Optimism was positively associated with pre-operative joint function and, more importantly, post-operative functional outcome in TKA, while pessimism was associated with the opposite. Assessing patients' general personality traits prior to surgery to identify pessimistic patients, hence being at risk for poor outcome in TKA, should be considered to react to the patients' special needs and possible pessimistic expectations, i.e., through a cognitive-behavioral intervention, to potentially increase optimism and hereby post-operative outcome in TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III.

A mixed-method analysis of counterfactual thinking, negative event themes, and the transtheoretical model in a community sample of smokers.

The transtheoretical model has been used as a model of behavior change for tobacco users. However, it does not account for perceptions of past behavior that may provide additional guidance toward smoking cessation. No studies have examined associations between the transtheoretical model, content themes of smoking experiences, and counterfactual thoughts (i.e. "If only. . .then. . ."). Mturk participants (N = 178; 47.8% female) completed measures of smoking attitudes, behavior, and stage and processes of change use. Participants described a past negative smoking event and an event-related counterfactual thought-listing task. Participants in the precontemplation stage endorsed fewer processes of change. Also, participants in the action stage reported significantly more counterfactuals about cravings (e.g. If only I could have controlled my urge to smoke. . .) inferring that they may be identifying cravings or urges as relevant barriers toward smoking cessation. Identifying these self-relevant thoughts may provide additional ways to address and overcome barriers toward achieving long-term smoking cessation.

Association Between Hearing Loss and Multiple Negative Emotional States in the US Hispanic Population.

OBJECTIVE: Hearing loss (HL) has been linked to commonly studied detrimental mood states, such as loneliness and depression. However, its relationship with other negative emotions remained largely unstudied. We explore the association between HL and anxiety, anger, hostility, poor self-esteem, and pessimism in a national cohort of US Hispanic adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Multicentered US national epidemiologic study (Hispanic Community Health Study). METHODS: Subjects were ages 18 to 75 with completed audiometric and emotional survey data. Multivariable regressions controlling for age, gender, and education were conducted to analyze the association between HL, measured by 4-frequency pure-tone average (PTA), and emotional states. States included anxiety (Spielberger Trait Anxiety Scale-10), anger (Spielberger Trait Anger Scale), hostility (Cook Medley Cynicism Scale-13), poor self-esteem (Self-Esteem Scale-10), and pessimism (Revised Life Orientation Test). RESULTS: A total of 4120 to 4341 participants met inclusion criteria, depending on the specific survey; the average age was 46.7 years (standard deviation [SD] = 13.7), and the average PTA was 13.8 dB (SD = 10.1). Controlling for age, gender, and education, HL was associated with all outcomes. Specifically, for every 10 dB worsening in HL, the anxiety score worsened by 0.41 (0.23-0.60), the anger score worsened by 0.40 (0.22-0.58), the hostility score worsened by 0.16 (0.04-0.27), the self-esteem score worsened by 0.25 (0.12-0.38), and the pessimism score worsened by 0.17 (0.04-0.30) (all p < .01). CONCLUSION: HL is related to numerous negative mood states beyond loneliness and depression. This includes worse anxiety, anger, hostility, self-esteem, and pessimism. Future studies should investigate whether treating HL improves negative emotional states.

Socioeconomic, Behavioural, and Social Health Correlates of Optimism and Pessimism in Older Men and Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Optimism is a disposition characterised by positive future expectancies, while pessimism is characterised by expecting the worst. High optimism and low pessimism promote the health of older adults and may potentiate full engagement in life. We identified socioeconomic, behavioural, and social factors associated with optimism and pessimism in older adults. METHODS: Participants included 10,146 community-dwelling, apparently healthy Australian adults aged 70 years and over from the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP). Optimism and pessimism were measured using the revised Life Orientation Test. Cross-sectional ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the socioeconomic, behavioural, and social health factors associated with optimism and pessimism. RESULTS: Higher education, greater physical activity, lower loneliness, and volunteering were associated with higher optimism and lower pessimism. Low social support was associated with higher pessimism. Higher socioeconomic advantage, greater income, and living alone were associated with lower pessimism. Women were more optimistic and less pessimistic than men. The association of age, smoking status, and alcohol consumption with optimism and pessimism differed for men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with higher optimism and lower pessimism were also those demonstrated to support healthy ageing. Health-promotion action at the individual level (e.g., smoking cessation or regular physical activity), health professional level (e.g., social prescribing or improving access and quality of care for all older adults), and community level (e.g., opportunities for volunteer work or low-cost social activities for older adults) may improve optimism and reduce pessimism, possibly also promoting healthy ageing.

Percepções e expectativas de homens trans acerca dos relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais pós-transição / Trans men's perceptions and expectations of post-transition affective-sexual relationships / Percepciones y expectativas de los hombres trans sobre las relaciones afectivo-sexuales después de la transición

As identidades transmasculinas ganharam visibilidade social e acadêmica no Brasil a partir de 2010, contudo, as questões subjetivas dos homens trans ainda são pouco debatidas, em particular temas associados aos relacionamentos afetivos na experiência desses sujeitos. Este estudo qualitativo tem por objetivo identificar as percepções e expectativas dos homens trans acerca dos relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais no cenário pós-transição de gênero. Participaram da pesquisa 15 homens transexuais hormonizados, com idades entre 20 e 41 anos. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada nas modalidades presencial e on-line. Empregou-se análise temática reflexiva, que resultou em dois temas analíticos. Os resultados apontam que os homens trans, ao contrário de suas expectativas iniciais, percebem que tiveram menos oportunidades de relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais depois de sua transição de gênero. Os participantes atribuem essa dificuldade especialmente ao fato de não terem se submetido à cirurgia de redesignação sexual. O desconforto é acentuado por sua materialidade corpórea divergente da cisnormatividade, sistema regulador que associa pessoas pertencentes ao gênero masculino à presença de um pênis. Outra fonte de desconforto é o repúdio social, que alimenta a abjeção, exotização e fetichização dos corpos transmasculinos. Também são descritas as especificidades do relacionamento dos homens trans com mulheres cisgênero, heterossexuais e lésbicas. Os resultados evidenciam que a fixação persistente no genital, como referente e signo determinante do gênero e da sexualidade, modula e regula a busca e o encontro de parceira(o) íntima(o).(AU)

Transmasculine identities have gained social and academic visibility in Brazil since 2010, but subjective issues, especially those associated with affective relationships, are still little discussed. This qualitative study sought to identify trans men's perceptions and expectations regarding post-transition affective-sexual relationships. A total of 15 transsexual men undergoing hormone therapy, aged between 20 and 41 years, participated in the research. Data were collected by means of in-person and online semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, which resulted in two analytical themes. Results show that trans men, differently from their initial expectations, perceive fewer opportunities for affective-sexual relationships after their gender transition. The participants attribute this difficulty, especially, to the fact that they have not undergone sexual reassignment surgery. Discomfort isaccentuated by their bodily materiality diverging from cisnormativity, the regulatory system that associates people belonging to the male gender with the presence of a penis. Another source of discomfort is the social repudiation, which reinforces the abjection, exoticization, and fetishization of transmasculine bodies. The specifics of trans men's relationships with cisgender, heterosexual, and lesbian women are also described. The results show that the persistent fixation on the genital, as a referent and determinant sign of gender and sexuality, modulates and regulates the search for and encounter of intimate partners.(AU)

Las identidades transmasculinas han ganado visibilidad social y académica en Brasil desde 2010, sin embargo, las cuestiones subjetivas de los hombres trans son aún poco discutidas, en particular las cuestiones asociadas a las relaciones afectivas en la experiencia de estos sujetos. Este estudio cualitativo tiene como objetivo identificar las percepciones y expectativas de los hombres trans sobre las relaciones afectivo-sexuales después de la transición de género. Participaron en la investigación 15 hombres transexuales hormonados, de edades comprendidas entre los 20 y los 41 años. La recopilación de datos se realizó mediante una entrevista semiestructurada en las modalidades presencial y en línea. Se realizó un análisis temático reflexivo, que dio como resultado dos temas analíticos. Los resultados muestran que los hombres trans, al contrario de sus expectativas iniciales, perciben que han tenido menos oportunidades de relaciones afectivo-sexuales después de su transición de género. Los participantes atribuyen esta dificultad especialmente al hecho de no haberse sometido a cirugía de reasignación sexual. La incomodidad se acentúa por su materialidad corpórea divergente de la cisnormatividad, un sistema normativo según el cual las personas pertenecientes al género masculino deben tener pene. Otra fuente de malestar es el repudio social, que alimenta la abyección, la exotización y la fetichización de los cuerpos transmasculinos. También se describen las especificidades de las relaciones de los hombres trans con las mujeres heterosexuales, cisgénero y lesbianas. Los resultados muestran que la persistente fijación en los genitales, como referente y signo determinante del género y la sexualidad, modula y regula la búsqueda y el encuentro de parejas íntimas.(AU)

Orientação a pais por chamadas de áudio durante a pandemia de covid-19 / Support for parents via audio calls during the covid-19 pandemic / Orientación de los padres mediante llamadas de audio durante la pandemia de covid-19

O distanciamento social ocasionado pela pandemia de Covid-19 levou a profundas mudanças na rotina das famílias com crianças pequenas, aumentando o estresse no ambiente doméstico. Este estudo analisou a experiência de planejamento e implementação de um projeto de extensão universitária que ofereceu orientação a pais com filhos de 0 a 11 anos por meio de chamadas de áudio durante a pandemia. O protocolo de atendimento foi desenvolvido para atender às necessidades de famílias de baixa renda e listava problemas específicos relacionados ao confinamento em casa e ao fechamento das escolas seguidos por uma variedade de estratégias de enfrentamento. A análise de 223 queixas relatadas pelos usuários em 130 ligações revelou que 94% dos problemas referidos pelos pais foram contemplados pelo protocolo de atendimento e estavam relacionados aos problemas externalizantes (39%) ou internalizantes (26%) das crianças ou ao declínio do bem-estar subjetivo dos pais (29%). Serviços de apoio devem orientar os pais quanto ao uso de práticas responsivas e assertivas que promovam o bem-estar emocional da criança e estabeleçam expectativas comportamentais em contextos estressantes. A diminuição dos conflitos entre pais e filhos resultante do uso dessas estratégias tende a reduzir o sofrimento dos pais, aumentando sua sensação de bem-estar subjetivo. Recomenda-se ampla divulgação dessas iniciativas e seguimento dos casos.(AU)

The social distancing the COVID-19 pandemic entailed has led to profound changes in the routine of families with young children, increasing stress in the home environment. This study analyzed the experience of planning and implementing a university extension program that offered support to parents with children from 0 to 11 years old via audio calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service protocol was developed to meet the needs of low-income families and listed specific problems related to home confinement and school closure followed by a variety of coping strategies. The analysis of 223 complaints reported by users in 130 calls revealed that 94% of the problems reported by parents were addressed by the protocol and were related to children's externalizing (39%) or internalizing (26%) problems or to the decline in parents' subjective well-being (29%). Support services should guide parents on the use of responsive and assertive practices that promote the child's emotional well-being and set behavioral expectations in stressful contexts. The reduction in conflicts between parents and children resulting from the use of these strategies tends to reduce parents' suffering, increasing their sense of subjective well-being. Wide dissemination of these initiatives and case follow-up are recommended.(AU)

La distancia social causada por la pandemia de COVID-19 condujo a cambios profundos en la rutina de las familias con niños pequeños, aumentando el estrés en el entorno del hogar. Este estudio analizó la experiencia de planificar e implementar un proyecto de extensión universitaria que ofreció orientación a los padres con niños de cero a 11 años a través de llamadas de audio durante la pandemia COVID-19. El protocolo de atención se desarrolló para satisfacer las necesidades de las familias de bajos ingresos y enumeró problemas específicos relacionados con el confinamiento en el hogar y el cierre de la escuela, seguido de una variedad de estrategias de afrontamiento. El análisis de 223 quejas informadas por los usuarios en 130 llamadas reveló que el 94% de los problemas informados por los padres fueron abordados por el protocolo de atención y estaban relacionados con los problemas de externalización (39%) o internalización (26%) de los niños o la disminución del bienestar subjetivo de los padres (29%). Los servicios de apoyo deberían aconsejar a los padres sobre el uso de prácticas receptivas y asertivas que promuevan el bienestar emocional del niño y establezcan expectativas de comportamiento en contextos estresantes. La reducción de los conflictos entre padres e hijos como resultado del uso de estas estrategias tiende a reducir el sufrimiento de los padres, aumentando su sensación de bienestar subjetivo. Se recomienda una amplia difusión de estas iniciativas y seguimiento de casos.(AU)

Sobre dias em que me senti sem ar: desassossegos do pesquisar / On days when i felt breathless: unrest of search / Sobre días que me sentí sin aliento: disurbios de investigación

Resumo Conceitos como o de alteridade, encontro de saberes, polifasia cognitiva, o princípio de familiaridade e de representações sociais operaram na complexa tarefa de compreender como os encontros entre profissionais e usuários sustentavam e/ou transformavam as práticas de acolhimento. Entretanto, a experiência da minha pesquisa de doutorado me levou a questionar os próprios conceitos utilizados da Teoria das Representações Sociais. Ao final do ensaio, após discutir aspectos teórico-metodológicos, o princípio de familiaridade e a questão da tensão e dos afetos nas representações sociais, espero evidenciar como o movimento provocado pelo encontro com usuários e profissionais de uma Rede de Atenção Psicossocial levou-me a questionar pontos essenciais da teoria: o papel domesticador das representações, a forma ainda estática de evidenciar os fenômenos, a separação entre um sujeito que representa e o objeto representado e a dificuldade em usar suas ferramentas conceituais para acompanhar processos me fazem repensar meu lugar e minha função de pesquisador.

Abstract Concepts such as alterity, encounter of knowledge, cognitive polyphasia, the principle of familiarity and the very concept of social representations operated in the complex task of understanding how the encounters between professionals and users supported and / or transformed user embracement practices. However, the experience of my doctoral research led me to question the very concepts used in the Theory of Social Representations. At the end of the essay, after discussing theoretical and methodological aspects, the principle of familiarity and the issue of tension and affects in social representations, I hope to show how the movement caused by the encounter with users and professionals of a Psychosocial Care Network, led me to question essential points of the theory: the domesticating role of representations, the still static way of showing phenomena, the separation between a subject that represents and the object represented and the difficulty in using their conceptual tools to accompany processes makes me rethink my place and role as a researcher.

Resumen Conceptos como la alteridad, el encuentro de saberes, la polifasia cognitiva, el principio de familiaridad y el concepto mismo de representaciones sociales operaron en la compleja tarea de comprender cómo los encuentros entre profesionales y usuarios apoyaron y / o transformaron las prácticas de acogimiento. Sin embargo, la experiencia de mi investigación doctoral me llevó a cuestionar los propios conceptos utilizados en la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales. Al final del ensayo, después de discutir aspectos teóricos y metodológicos, el principio de familiaridad y el tema de tensión y afectos en las representaciones sociales, Espero mostrar cómo el movimiento provocado por el encuentro con usuarios y profesionales de una Red de Atención Psicosocial, me llevó a cuestionar puntos esenciales de la teoría: el rol domesticador de las representaciones, la forma todavía estática de mostrar los fenómenos, la separación entre un sujeto que representa y el objeto representado y la dificultad para utilizar sus herramientas conceptuales para acompañar procesos, me hace repensar mi lugar y rol como investigador.

Repetitive negative thinking during pregnancy and postpartum: Associations with mental health, inflammation, and breastfeeding.

INTRODUCTION: Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a transdiagnostic feature that predicts increased mental health risks, inflammation, and reduced engagement in health promoting behaviors. Depression, anxiety, stress, inflammation, higher body mass index (BMI), and low engagement in health behaviors are associated with adverse outcomes during pregnancy as well as postpartum. However, there is limited literature on the associations between RNT and these contributing factors in the perinatal period, an at-risk time during which women may benefit from clinical interventions directed at RNT. METHODS: This study examined the contribution of RNT to inflammation [interleukin (IL)-6] and breastfeeding duration through mediating indicators of mental health and BMI. Behavioral and biological assessments occurred during late pregnancy as well as at 4-6 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: RNT was positively associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and perceived stress (ps ≤ .001) at each assessment timepoint, with the strongest associations observed at the pregnancy assessment and significant, but attenuated, associations during postpartum (ps < .01). In modeling of the association between RNT and IL-6, the indirect effect of BMI was significant at each timepoint (95%CIs 0.0013, 0.0052). Women with lower RNT exhibited longer breastfeeding duration (p = .02). These effects were not significantly mediated by mental health indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically meaningful relationships, in which RNT predicts mental health, inflammation, and health behavior engagement during pregnancy and postpartum were observed. Clinical interventions to reduce RNT may have unique benefits this time. LIMITATIONS: Further research is warranted to determine if therapies to reduce RNT confer unique benefits for maternal and child health.

Propriedades psicométricas da Impact of Event Scale no contexto da COVID-19 / Psychometric properties of the Impact of Event Scale in the COVID-19 context / Propiedades psicométricas de la Impact of Event Scale en el contexto del COVID-19

A pandemia da COVID -19 tornou-se um dos eventos de vida mais impactantes da experiência humana contemporânea. Este estudo examinou as propriedades psicométricas de uma versão da Impact of Event Scale, medida de sofrimento subjetivo relacionada aos eventos estressantes de vida, adaptada ad hoc ao contexto pandêmico. Participaram 318 moradores do Rio de Janeiro/RJ, que foram divididos aleatoriamente em duas amostras. Os escores do primeiro grupo foram submetidos à Análise Fatorial Exploratória, que extraiu uma solução de dois fatores: Pensamentos Intrusivos e Evitativos. No segundo, foi testado um modelo de dois fatores oblíquos, por meio de Análise Fatorial Confirmatória, que apresentou um bom ajuste aos dados. Os resultados também indicaram evidências de validade convergente, validade discriminativa e consistência interna as duas dimensões da escala. Uma Análise de Regressão indicou os Pensamentos Intrusivos da IES como principal preditor de Afetividade Negativa, evidência de validade de critério. Foram encontradas evidências suficientes de validade e fidedignidade para a IES adaptada ao contexto da COVID-19.(AU)

The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the most impactful life events in recent human experience. This study examined the psychometric properties of a version of the Impact of Event Scale, a measure of subjective suffering related to stressful life events, adapted ad hoc to the pandemic context. A total of 318 residents of Rio de Janeiro / RJ took part in the study, and were randomly divided into two samples. The scores of the first group were submitted to Exploratory Factor Analysis, which extracted a solution of two factors: Intrusive Thoughts and Avoidant Thoughts. In the second, a model of two oblique factors was tested, through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, which presented a good fit to the data, evidence of convergent validity, discriminative validity and internal consistency for the two dimensions of the scale. Regression Analysis indicated the IES's Intrusive Thoughts as the main predictor of Negative Affectivity, providing evidence of criterion validity. Sufficient evidence of validity and reliability was found for the IES adapted to the context of COVID-19.(AU)

La pandemia de COVID-19 se ha convertido en uno de los eventos de vida más impactantes en la experiencia humana contemporánea. Este estudio examinó las propiedades psicométricas de una versión de la Impact of Event Scale, una medida del sufrimiento subjetivo relacionado con eventos vitales estresantes, adaptada ad hoc al contexto de la pandemia. Participaron 318 habitantes de la ciudad de Rio de Janeiro, que fueron divididos aleatoriamente en dos muestras. Las puntuaciones del primer grupo se sometieron al Análisis Factorial Exploratorio, que extrajo una solución de dos factores: Pensamientos Intrusivos y Evitativos. En el segundo, se probó un modelo bifactorial oblicuo, mediante Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio, que presentó un buen ajuste a los datos. Los resultados también indicaron evidencias de validez convergentes, validez discriminativa y consistencia interna en las dos dimensiones de la escala. Un Análisis de Regresión indicó que los Pensamientos Intrusivos son el principal predictor de Afectividad Negativa, evidencia de validez de criterio. Se encontró evidencias suficientes de validez y fiabilidad para la IES adaptada al contexto del COVID-19.(AU)

Biology of Perseverative Negative Thinking: The Role of Timing and Folate Intake.

Past-oriented rumination and future-oriented worry are two aspects of perseverative negative thinking related to the neuroticism endophenotype and associated with depression and anxiety. Our present aim was to investigate the genomic background of these two aspects of perseverative negative thinking within separate groups of individuals with suboptimal versus optimal folate intake. We conducted a genome-wide association study in the UK Biobank database (n = 72,621) on the "rumination" and "worry" items of the Eysenck Personality Inventory Neuroticism scale in these separate groups. Optimal folate intake was related to lower worry, but unrelated to rumination. In contrast, genetic associations for worry did not implicate specific biological processes, while past-oriented rumination had a more specific genetic background, emphasizing its endophenotypic nature. Furthermore, biological pathways leading to rumination appeared to differ according to folate intake: purinergic signaling and circadian regulator gene ARNTL emerged in the whole sample, blastocyst development, DNA replication, and C-C chemokines in the suboptimal folate group, and prostaglandin response and K+ channel subunit gene KCNH3 in the optimal folate group. Our results point to possible benefits of folate in anxiety disorders, and to the importance of simultaneously taking into account genetic and environmental factors to determine personalized intervention in polygenic and multifactorial disorders.

Validation of Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale in a Moroccan sample of breast cancer women.

BACKGROUND: The Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC) instrument is commonly used worldwide by professionals of oncology, but the scale has not, up to date, been validated in Arabic and Moroccan context, and there is an absence of data in the Moroccan population. This study aims to validate the Mini-MAC, translated and adapted to the Arabic language and Moroccan culture, in women with breast cancer. METHODS: Data were analyzed in two successive phases. First, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to assess the factor structure in the pilot sample (N = 158). Then, this structure was confirmed in the validation sample (N = 203) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed Watson's original structure underlying the Mini-MAC items: Helpless/Hopeless, Anxious Preoccupation, Fighting Spirit, Cognitive Avoidance, and Fatalism. Absolute, incremental, and parsimonious fit indices showed a highly significant level of acceptance confirming a good performance of the measurement model. The instrument showed sufficient reliability and convergent validity demonstrated by acceptable values of composite reliability (CR =0.93-0.97), and average variance extracted (AVE = 0.66-0.93), respectively. The square roots of AVE were higher than factor-factor pairs correlations, and the Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio of correlations values were lesser than 0.85, indicating acceptable discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: reliability; and both convergent and discriminant validity tests indicated that the Arabic version of the Mini-MAC had a good performance and may serve as a valid tool measuring psychological responses to cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The role of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs) in coping for patients with brain tumours and their parents: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: When children and young people (CYP) are diagnosed with a brain tumour, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is key to the clinical management of this condition. This can produce hundreds, and often thousands, of Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs). METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 14 families (15 parents and 8 patients), and analysed using Grounded Theory. Analysis was supported by the Framework Method. RESULTS: Although the focus of the research was whether paediatric patients and their families find viewing MRIs beneficial, all patients and parents discussed difficult times during the illness and using various strategies to cope. This article explores the identified coping strategies that involved MRIs, and the role that MRIs can play in coping. Coping strategies were classified under the aim of the strategy when used: 'Normalising'; 'Maintaining hope and a sense of the future'; 'Dealing with an uncertain future'; and 'Seeking Support'. CONCLUSIONS: Coping and finding ways to cope are clearly used by patients and their families and are something that they wish to discuss, as they were raised in conversations that were not necessarily about coping. This suggests clinicians should always allow time and space (in appointments, consultations, or impromptu conversations on the ward) for patient families to discuss ways of coping. MRIs were found to be used in various ways: to maintain or adapt normal; maintain hope and a sense of the future; deal with an uncertain future; and seek support from others. Clinicians should recognise the potential for MRIs to aid coping and if appropriate, suggest that families take copies of scans (MRIs) home. Professional coaches or counsellors may also find MRIs beneficial as a way to remind families that the child is in a more stable or 'better' place than they have been previously.

Visual impairment and depression in uveal melanoma: Optimism and pessimism as moderators.

OBJECTIVE: Uveal melanoma, a rare eye cancer, presents potential vision loss and life threat. This prospective, longitudinal study interrogated the predictive utility of visual impairment, as moderated by optimism/pessimism, on depressive symptoms in 299 adults undergoing diagnostic evaluation. METHOD: Depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), subjective (Measure of Outcome in Ocular Disease vision subscale) and objective (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) visual impairment, and optimism/pessimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised) were assessed before diagnostic evaluation and 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after diagnosis. Multilevel modeling, with repeated measures (Level 1) nested within individuals (Level 2) and imputation of missing data (Blimp software), was performed. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were significantly more elevated 1 week after diagnosis in cancer patients (n = 107) versus patients not diagnosed with cancer (n = 192). Higher subjective (but not objective) visual impairment predicted greater depressive symptoms (p < .001). Across the entire sample, the two-way (Optimism/Pessimism × Subjective Visual Impairment) interactions were statistically significant (ps < .05), but not the three-way interaction (with diagnosis). The positive association between subjective visual impairment and depressive symptoms was significant at low and moderate levels of optimism (ps < .001), but not at high optimism (p > .05). The association was significant at high and moderate levels (ps < .001), but not low (p > .05) levels of pessimism. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated depressive symptoms are evident in adults who do (vs. do not) receive a diagnosis of uveal melanoma but appear to remit within 3 months. Perceived impaired vision, especially coupled with low optimism or high pessimism, predicts depressive symptoms over time, with implications for intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Longitudinal changes in spiritual well-being and associations with emotional distress, pain, and optimism-pessimism: a prospective observational study of terminal cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit.

PURPOSE: Although spiritual well-being (SWB) is gaining increasing attention within the international palliative care (PC) guidelines, a lack of insight exists into the correlates and course of SWB among cancer patients. We therefore conducted a prospective observational study to capture trend of SWB and to identify their predictors in Chinese inpatients with terminal cancer receiving short-term PC. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted of terminal cancer inpatients in the hospice ward, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. A total of 108 patients completed self-report questionnaires on Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Numerical Rating Scales, and Life Orientation Scale-Revised anonymously at baseline; SWB, depression, anxiety, and pain were subsequently assessed at 1-week interval. Multilevel regression was used to analyze the temporal course and predictors of SWB. RESULTS: Patients' existential well-being (B = - 0.99, p = 0.008; 95%CI = - 1.72 to - 0.26) and meaning dimension (B = - 0.87, p < 0.001; 95% CI = - 1.29 to - 0.43) significantly decreased after admission to the PC unit, but peace and faith did not change over time. Increases in depression and pain were related to lower existential well-being, particularly in the meaning dimension. Optimism-pessimism moderated the linear trend of existential well-being and meaning domain, such that those with higher optimism and lower pessimism paired with a decrease in outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Terminal cancer patients experienced worsening existential well-being, particularly in the meaning facet while hospitalized, indicating that PC should include content that targets the existential concerns of spirituality in China. These findings also supported the need for an integrated PC to address personality traits and emotional and physical distress in this population.

Cancer blues? A promising judgment bias task indicates pessimism in nude mice with tumors.

In humans, affective states can bias responses to ambiguous information: a phenomenon termed judgment bias (JB). Judgment biases have great potential for assessing affective states in animals, in both animal welfare and biomedical research. New animal JB tasks require construct validation, but for laboratory mice (Mus musculus), the most common research vertebrate, a valid JB task has proved elusive. Here (Experiment 1), we demonstrate construct validity for a novel mouse JB test: an olfactory Go/Go task in which subjects dig for high- or low-value food rewards. In C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice faced with ambiguous cues, latencies to dig were sensitive to high/low welfare housing: environmentally-enriched animals responded with relative 'optimism' through shorter latencies. Illustrating the versatility of this validated JB task across different fields of research, it further allowed us to test hypotheses about the mood-altering effects of cancer in male and female nude mice (Experiment 2). Males, although not females, treated ambiguous cues as intermediate; and males bearing subcutaneous lung adenocarcinomas also responded more pessimistically to these than did healthy controls. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a valid mouse JB task, and the first demonstration of pessimism in tumor-bearing animals. This task still needs to be refined to improve its sensitivity. However, it has great potential for investigating mouse welfare, the links between affective state and disease, depression-like states in animals, and hypotheses regarding the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie affect-mediated biases in judgment.

A neurose como negativo da perversão: um estudo das perversões em Freud / Neurosis as negative of perversion: a study of perversions in Freud / La neurosis como negativa de la perversión: un estudio de las perversiones en Freud

Resumo Com base na afirmação freudiana de que a neurose seria o negativo da perversão, pretende-se trazer de volta ao contexto acadêmico essa entidade nosológica que paga um preço alto devido ao nome que carrega. O texto se propõe a discutir a perversão no decorrer da obra freudiana, além de desmistificar detalhes da dinâmica perversa, pouco explorada atualmente. Também são abordados os textos de Lacan, em que o psicanalista francês critica a proposta freudiana com outra expressão famosa no meio psicanalítico: a do Inconsciente a céu aberto. Realizou-se uma pesquisa minuciosa em textos nos quais as expressões freudiana e lacaniana surgem, atentando-se para a terminologia original proposta por esses autores. Isto posto e tomando como base a afirmação freudiana, verificou-se a existência de perversões negativas, constituídas por fantasias de conteúdos perversos por vezes causadoras de sintomas neuróticos, em oposição às perversões positivas - ou seja, quando essas fantasias são colocadas em prática sem a presença de sentimentos de asco, vergonha ou pudor. Buscou-se, portanto, entender a dinâmica das perversões em Freud, assim como compreender os critérios delimitadores entre traços perversos e perversões propriamente ditas que ganharam um status clínico ao decorrer de sua obra, servindo de base para o desenvolvimento das demais teorias a respeito do tema em questão.(AU)

Abstract From the Freudian claim that neurosis would be the negative of perversion, this article seeks to bring back to the academic context this nosological entity that pays such a high price because of its name. This article seeks to discuss perversion in the course of Freud's work, besides demystifying details of the perverse dynamics, little explored at present. Moreover, the texts of Lacan will be approached, from which the French psychoanalyst criticizes the Freudian proposal with another famous expression in the psychoanalytic environment: the unconscious in the open. A detailed research was conducted in texts in which the Freudian and Lacanian expressions appear, paying attention to the original terminology proposed by these authors. Having said this, and based on the Freudian assertion, negative perversions were constituted by fantasies of perverse contents, sometimes causing neurotic symptoms, as opposed to positive perversions, that is, when these fantasies are put into practice without the presence of feelings of disgust, shame or indecency. It was sought, therefore, to understand the dynamics of the perversions in Freud and understand the delimitating criteria between perverse traits and actual perversions, which gained a clinical status in the course of his work, serving as base for the development of other theories in respect theme.(AU)

Resumen Con base en la afirmación freudiana de que la neurosis sería lo negativo de la perversión, se pretende traer de vuelta al contexto académico esta entidad nosológica que tiene grandes consecuencias debido al nombre que lleva. El presente artículo intenta discutir la perversión en la obra freudiana, además de desmitificar detalles de la dinámica perversa, poco explorada actualmente. También se abordarán los textos de Lacan que hace críticas a la propuesta freudiana mediante otra expresión famosa en el medio psicoanalítico: la del Inconsciente a cielo abierto. Se realizó una investigación minuciosa en textos de ambos autores en que aparece la expresión, atentándose a la terminología original propuesta por ellos. Dicho esto, y con base en la afirmación freudiana, se encontraron perversiones negativas, constituidas por fantasías de contenido perverso por veces causando síntomas neuróticos, en contraposición a perversiones positivas, es decir, cuando estas fantasías se ponen en práctica sin la presencia de sentimientos de disgusto, vergüenza o pudor. Se buscó entender la dinámica de las perversiones en Freud, así como comprender los criterios delimitadores entre trazos perversos y perversiones propiamente dichas, que ganaron un status clínico en el curso de su obra, sirviendo de base para el desarrollo de otras teorías al respecto del tema en cuestión.(AU)

Optimismo disposicional, ansiedad, depresión y estrés en una muestra del Ecuador. Análisis inter-género y de predicción / Dispositional Optimism, Anxiety, Depression and Stress in a Sample of Ecuador. Inter-gender and Prediction Analysis

Resumen.Objetivo. Determinar las diferencias inter-género del optimismo disposicional, la depresión, la ansiedad, el estrés y el rol predictor sobre estos rasgos patológicos en una muestra de universitarios del Ecuador. Método. Investigación descriptiva, comparativa, predictora y de corte transversal con las pruebas de Orientación Vital y la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés con 288 participantes de una universidad pública de Ambato, Ecuador (63.9% son mujeres y 31% hombres). Con edades entre 17 a 39 años (M = 21.6 años; DT = 2.5). Resultados. Hay diferencias (p < .05) de género en ansiedad y estrés (con mayor presencia en mujeres que en hombres. También, hay correlaciones entre el optimismo disposicional y los rasgos patológicos. Finalmente, el optimismo disposicional explica en la depresión (15.2%), la ansiedad (9.7%) y el estrés (5.5%) los cambios de la varianza. Se concluye que el optimismo disposicional es un predictor de la depresión, la ansiedad y el estrés en estudiantes universitarios.

Abstract.Objective. To determine the inter-gender differences in dispositional optimism, depression, anxiety, and stress; as well as the predictive role of optimism on pathological features in a sample of Ecuadorian university students. Method. This is a descriptive, comparative, predictive and cross-sectional study using the Life Orientation (LOT-R) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) tests with 288 university students belonging to one university of Ambato; 63.9% women, 31% men aged between 17 to 39 (M = 21.6 years, SD = 2.5). Results. Gender differences were found at the Anxiety and Stress level, with greater presence in women than in men. As regards dispositional optimism and depression, gender is invariant. There were both slight and significant correlations between dispositional optimism and the dimensions evaluated by the DASS 21 test. Dispositional optimism also explains changes in variance in depression (15.2%), anxiety (9.7%) and stress (5.5%). As a conclusion, dispositional optimism is a relevant predictor of depression, as well as anxiety and stress in university students.

Pessimism is associated with greater all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but optimism is not protective.

Scores on an optimistic-pessimistic personality scale have been associated with mortality, but optimism and pessimism scores are separable traits and it is unclear which has effects on health or longevity. The Life Orientation Test (LOT), containing items for optimism and pessimism, was included in a twin study on health of Australians aged over 50 in 1993-1995. After a mean of 20 years, participants were matched against death information from the Australian National Death Index. 1,068 out of 2,978 participants with useable LOT scores had died. Survival analysis tested for associations between separate optimism and pessimism scores and mortality from any cause, and from cancers, cardiovascular diseases or other known causes. Age-adjusted scores on the pessimism scale were associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (Hazard Ratios per 1 standard deviation unit, 95% confidence intervals and p-values 1.134, 1.065-1.207, 8.85 × 10-5 and 1.196, 1.045-1.368, 0.0093, respectively) but not with cancer deaths. Optimism scores, which were only weakly correlated with pessimism scores (age-adjusted rank correlation = - 0.176), did not show significant associations with overall or cause-specific mortality. Reverse causation (disease causing pessimism) is unlikely because in that case both cardiovascular diseases and cancers would be expected to lead to pessimism.

The role of negative affect in the persistence of nicotine dependence among alternative high school students: A latent growth curve analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has demonstrated how negative affect (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress) is often a correlate of and precursor to nicotine dependence. Although recent evidence shows a gradual decline in tobacco use in the United States, subgroups that report higher levels of negative affect may continue to be at risk of becoming dependent on nicotine. One high-risk subgroup is students who attend alternative high schools. The current longitudinal investigation examined the effect of negative affect on nicotine dependence in this youth population. METHODS: 1060 students from 29 alternative high schools in Southern California completed a series of attitudinal and behavioral measures once per year over a three-year period. The main outcome was nicotine dependence i.e., feeling a strong urge to use nicotine products or experiencing withdrawal symptoms after a period of abstinence, measured using a version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire designed for adolescents. A latent growth curve model was utilized to examine the effect of negative affect on nicotine dependence during this timeframe. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that negative affect had both a concurrent and prospective relationship with nicotine dependence. Moreover, the association between negative affect and nicotine dependence in the present was not statistically significant once the influence of negative affect reported one year earlier was accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: Negative affect may play a critical role in the persistence of nicotine dependence among high-risk youth. Providing resources to help manage negative affect may be critical to curtailing nicotine dependence in this population.

Repetitive Negative Thinking, Depressive Symptoms, and Cortisol in Cancer Caregivers and Noncaregivers.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of informal cancer caregiving and repetitive negative thinking (RNT) on depressive symptoms and salivary cortisol levels. SAMPLE & SETTING: The sample was recruited from a hospital bone marrow unit and caregiver support organizations. It included 60 informal cancer caregivers (52% partners) of individuals with cancer who provided care for a median of 27.5 hours per week for 12 months, and 46 noncaregiver participants. METHODS & VARIABLES: In this cross-sectional study, participants completed questionnaires assessing RNT and depressive symptoms and provided saliva samples to measure cortisol levels. RESULTS: Cancer caregiving and RNT, but not the interaction, were associated with more depressive symptoms. RNT, but not cancer caregiving, was associated with salivary cortisol. A disordinal interaction effect suggests that cancer caregiving was associated with lower cortisol levels, and RNT in noncaregivers was associated with higher cortisol levels. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Given that RNT is related to depressive symptoms and cortisol, connecting cancer caregivers who experience RNT to resources and the development and evaluation of brief nurse-led interventions to reduce RNT in informal cancer caregivers seems warranted.