The mediating role of social support in the relationship between psychosocial problems and sleep patterns of adolescents with epilepsy.

AIM: This study was conducted to examine the mediating role of social support in the relationship between psychosocial problems of adolescents with epilepsy and their sleep patterns. METHODS: The data were collected with Adolescent Information Form, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in this descriptive and correlational study. The mediating role of multidimensional social support that children with epilepsy received with the Process Macro program was examined in the relationship between their psychosocial problems and their sleep status. Process model 4 was used and analysis was made based on the Bootstrap method. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, it was found that the participants had been diagnosed with epilepsy for a mean of 6.0 ± 1.61 years and had a mean of 3.1 ± 2.48 seizures per week. It was found that the sleep problems experienced by adolescents with epilepsy affected their psychosocial health and this effect was at the level of 84 % (ß = 0.933; p < 0.001). The effect of perceived social support on the dependent variable sleep disturbance in adolescents with epilepsy was found to be statistically significant (ß = -0.540; p < 0.001). It was determined that the Psychosocial Health Status score of adolescents diagnosed with epilepsy explained 87 % of the change in sleep disturbance experienced with perceived social support (p < 0.001). The effect of social support perceived by adolescents with epilepsy on sleep disturbance was found to be statistically significant. Perceived social support has no effect on the psychosocial problems they experience. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that social support was not a mediator in the relationship between psychosocial problems of adolescents with epilepsy and their sleep status.

The impact of earthquakes on women: assessing women's mental health in aftermath of the Kahramanmaras-centred earthquake in Türkiye.

BACKGROUND: Earthquakes disproportionately affect women and exacerbate gender and social inequalities. This study aims to investigate the psychological impact of the earthquake in Türkiye on women and the associated factors. METHODS: This is a survey-based study. We collected data from 498 women residing in cities most affected by the earthquake. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 27.72 ± 5.4. Over 78% of the participants lost at least one family member, and 43.7% lost at least one child due to the earthquake. The mean average of Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) scores was 100.8 (SD = 8.37), and the Global Severity Index was 1.9 (SD = 0.16). Regression analysis showed that higher education levels predicted poor outcomes across most BSI dimensions. Losing a family member and shelter and injury status were also predictors for several mental health outcomes of the BSI subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Earthquakes significantly impact women's well-being and may have a broader impact on the whole family. There is an urgent need to provide psycho-social interventions in the response and recovery phases of the crisis to meet the affected women's needs. This includes providing basic needs with attention to women-specific needs, restoring social networks, addressing gender-based violence and providing gender-sensitive specialized interventions for those who need further support.

Psychosocial conditions of children after liver transplant: Post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.

AIM: This study aimed to determine psychosocial conditions, post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety of children who underwent a liver transplant. METHOD: This is a relational descriptive study, which was conducted between March 2019 and December 2020 in the Inonu University Liver Transplantation Institute Pediatric Liver Transplant Clinic. The "Child Information Form," "Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index," "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children-Trait Form," and "Children's Depression Inventory" were used to collect data. The study was conducted with 71 children who had a previous liver transplant. RESULTS: Of the participating children, 56.3% were girls, 63.4% continued their primary school education after the transplant, 32.5% were diagnosed with cirrhosis, 39.4% received the transplant in 2017, 32.4% received it from the mother, and 25.4% received it from a cadaveric donor. Although it had been at least 3 years since the transplant, 47.9% exhibited moderate and 43.7% severe post-traumatic stress responses. There was a significant negative relationship between the age of children with a liver transplant and trait anxiety and post-traumatic stress responses (path coefficients ß = -0.268, p = 0.002; ß = -0.166, p = 0.023, respectively). There was a significant positive relationship between anxiety and post-traumatic stress responses of the children after the transplant and there was a statistically significant relationship between the path coefficients (ß = 0.750; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Children who underwent a liver transplant had post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and trait anxiety.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Mental Health Status and Sleep Patterns of Children Who Experienced the Kahramanmaras Earthquake: Data From the Earthquake Region.

BACKGROUND: The psychological conditions of children exposed to earthquakes, such as somatization, obsessive-compulsive, hostility, and paranoid thought, have not been adequately studied. AIM: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the mental states and sleep patterns of children who experienced the Kahramanmaras earthquake. METHOD: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and relational study that included 867 children from 11 provinces of Turkey affected by the earthquake that occurred in Kahramanmaras on February 6th. The Child Follow-up Form, Mental Symptom Screening Scale, and Child Sleep Habits Scale were used to collect data. RESULTS: The psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, somatization, anger-hostility, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychotic symptoms, and other issues) experienced by children after the earthquake explained 96.9% of their sleep disturbance. Some of the demographic characteristics, such as age, the status of experiencing loss in the earthquake, the survival status of their mother and father, the survival status of their siblings, the total number of losses after the earthquake, the total number of losses in the nuclear family, total hours spent under the rubble, the hours children waited for their father, mother, and siblings to come out of the rubble, accounted for 77.9% of the mental symptoms (SCL-90). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed the importance of early recognition and treatment of sleep disturbances to prevent possible psychiatric disorders after children have been exposed to natural disasters. It is of great importance to evaluate the mental states of children after the earthquake and to apply appropriate psychiatric interventions.

The effect of perceived social support on the psychosocial status of parents whose child had liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe parental psychosocial outcomes following paediatric liver transplantation and the relationship between parental psychosocial outcomes and social support. METHOD: This is a correlational, descriptive study conducted between April 2021 and October 2021 in the paediatric hepatology polyclinics of the liver transplantation institute of a university hospital. The SPSS 25 and AMOS 23 package programmes were used to perform data analyses. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that the parents' social support level was low (44.6 ± 14.8), while their levels of trait anxiety (51.5 ± 4.8) and loneliness (48.5 ± 5.4) were high, and their depression level was moderate (26.4 ± 5.8). Established structural equation modelling demonstrated that the social support parents received had a significant effect on their levels of loneliness (ß = -0.88; p < 0.001), trait anxiety (ß = -0.37; p < 0.001), and depression (ß = -0.44; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that in parents of children who have had a liver transplant, increased levels of perceived social support result in decreased levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The authors recommend that healthcare professionals can contribute to reducing the anxiety, loneliness and depression in parents of paediatric liver transplant recipients by strengthening their social support systems.

Investigation of the Effect of Human Milk Expression Techniques on Milk Content: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: If the mother and infant cannot meet after birth, it is recommended to express milk and give it to the infant. There was evidence indicating that there might be decrease in essential nutrient values in human milk content depending on the expression technique in literature. The goal of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of human milk expression techniques on the macronutrient milk content and establish an evidence base for future studies. METHODS: Studies investigating the effect of human milk expression techniques on milk content were reviewed without year limitations. A literature review was conducted in six electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL and Cochrane) until 30 May 2021, using the keywords of breast milk expression techniques, milk content and breast milk pumping. RESULTS: From 258 articles initially screened, we included 6 articles in the systematic review. The fat, protein and lactose content of human milk was analyzed in the studies reviewed. It was concluded that there was no significant effect on the protein (9.7-9.8 g/dl and 2.1-2.1 g/dl, respectively) and lactose (6.50-6.53% and 6.1-6.1 g/dl, respectively) content of milk. However, the fat (58.30, 48.81g/l; 2.6-2.2 g/dl) content was affected. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated the effect of milk expression techniques on the macronutrient content of human milk, and it was concluded that there was no significant effect on the protein and carbohydrate content of milk. However, the fat content was affected. Limitation of this study is that some factors that might affect the content of human milk were not standardized sufficiently in the included studies.

The Effects of a Therapeutic Play/Play Therapy Program on the Fear and Anxiety Levels of Hospitalized Children After Liver Transplantation.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of a therapeutic play/play therapy (TP/PT) program on anxiety levels and fear of medical procedures in children with liver transplant. DESIGN: The study had a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. METHODS: Sixty-five children aged between 6 and 12 years were included in this study. A children's information form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, and the Medical Procedure Fear Scale were used for data collection. FINDINGS: The application of the TP/PT program resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the children's anxiety levels and fears about medical procedures (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The TP/PT program had a positive effect on the children's fear and anxiety levels regarding certain medical procedures. Pediatric nurses can use the TP/PT program to reduce children's anxiety and fears about medical procedures.

Mental Health Problems of Syrian Refugee Children: Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression and Anxiety.

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the levels of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety in Syrian children who live in refugee camps. DESIGNS AND METHODS: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted using the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children-Trait Form (STAIC-Trait Form) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). The study sample included 1115 Syrian refugee children. RESULTS: The mean age of refugee children was 10.53 ±â€¯2.79 years. Of them, 52% were males and 38% had no diseases while 74% were smokers and smoked 8.39 ±â€¯6.85 cigarettes per day. The children's mean score on CPTS-RI, STAIC-Trait Form and CDI was found to be 60.59 ±â€¯14.50, 54.11 ±â€¯14.55 and 47.57 ±â€¯10.97, respectively. The regression analysis revealed that anxiety and depression had a statistically significant association with post-traumatic stress. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings revealed that refugee children have physical and psychosocial health problems and experience a high level of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In this context, the study recommends that nursing practices should be developed considering that children may have mental health problems due to war.

Reducing Children's Pain and Parents' Anxiety in the Postoperative Period: A Therapeutic Model in Turkish Sample.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of a new therapeutic model (a therapeutic play/play therapy (TP/PT) program) on alleviating pain in children receiving inpatient treatment in paediatric surgery units and parents' anxiety levels in the post-operative period. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was designed as a semi-experimental model using the TP/PT program. Four measurements (pre-test, two interim tests and post-test) for children and two measurements (pre-test and post-test) for parents were performed. The data were collected using the Child and Parent Information Form, the Wong-Baker Faces Pain (WBFP) Rating Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: The mean pain score for children after TP/PT decreased in each measurement, and a significant difference was found between these measurements. The mean state anxiety score for parents significantly decreased after the TP/PT program, and a statistically significant difference was found between these measurements (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: This study determined that the post-operative TP/PT program was an effective method to reduce acute post-operative pain in children. Parental anxiety levels were found to correlate with levels of pre- and post-operative pain in children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study provide a basis for using a new therapeutic model that is easy to apply and effective for reducing children's pain and parents' anxiety.

Comparison of Quality of Life and Caregiving Burden of 2- to 4-Year-Old Children Post Liver Transplant and Their Parents.

A literature search determined there are no studies on children between 2 and 4 years of age who have had a liver transplant and their parents. For this reason, this study aimed to compare the quality of life of children between 2 and 4 years of age who have had a liver transplant, and the caregiving burden of their parents. The study was carried out as a descriptive cross-sectional study on 47 children who visited Inonu University Liver Transplant Institute outpatient clinic between March 2017 and March 2018. This study found that 59.6% of the children with transplants were male and 38.3% had their organ donated by their mother. There was a positive relationship between the quality of life of the parents and the quality of life and subdimensions of the children. There was a negative relationship between parental quality of life and care burden. This study found that the quality of life of children with liver transplants and their parents was low and, as the quality of life of children was impaired, the caregiving burden of parents increased. Healthcare professionals' awareness of the effect of caregivers' care load on quality of life after liver transplantation can positively affect the healing process.

A Comparison of Caregiving Burden and Social Support Levels of Parents of Children Undergoing Liver Transplant.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare caregiving burden and social support levels of parents of children who have undergone a liver transplant. DESIGNS AND METHODS: This study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional research design. Data were collected using a parent information form, the Zarit Burden Interview, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were collected via face-to-face interview after written consent was obtained from the parents of children who had received a liver transplant. RESULTS: Parent participants were found to have a high caregiving burden and low levels of social support from their surroundings. Parents who experienced change in their work life, social and family relationships, and had economic problems post-transplant, had a higher caregiving burden and may have lower social support. Parents whose children had a transplant from a cadaveric donor and continued to attend school were found to have a lower caregiving burden. There was a negative correlation between parent caregiving burden and social support scores; that is, caregiving burden (R2 = 0.57, p < 0.01) was significantly affected by social support (B = -0.682, ß = -0.757). CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that parents receiving social support may have a lower caregiving burden, and some of their socio-demographic characteristics may have a positive effect on social support and caregiving burden. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health professionals need to pay special attention to the social support and caregiving burden of parents whose children have had an organ transplant.

The association between posttraumatic stress disorder and mental health of adolescents who exposed to the worst disaster of the century: Extensive data from southeast Turkey.

PROBLEMS: This study was conducted to examine the association between posttraumatic stress disorder and mental health status of adolescents exposed to the worst disaster of the century. METHODS: This study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational. This research was conducted between March 31 and July 1, 2023. The study was conducted with earthquake survivors who migrated from Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the earthquake, and Adiyaman and Hatay, the other two cities where it was most effective, to Sanliurfa. The study was conducted with a total of 947 adolescents. "Personal Information Form," "Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index," and "Symptom Distress Check List- (SCL-90)" were used to collect data. Linear regression method was used in the analysis of the research. Path analysis was performed using PATH analysis. FINDINGS: The mean age of the adolescents participating in the study was 16.69 ± 1.41 years. It was found that the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the adolescents was at the pathological level with a mean of 2.36 ± 0.68. Posttraumatic stress reactions of the adolescents who experienced the earthquake was found to explain 97.2% of their mental symptoms (anxiety, depression, somatization, anger-hostility, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychotic symptoms, other problems, and GSI) (p < 0.001). It was found that the age of the adolescents, total number of losses in the earthquake, the time they stayed under the rubble, the time they waited for siblings to be pulled from under the rubble and the state of having loss due to the earthquake explained 74.4% of the posttraumatic stress reactions (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion, it was found that the adolescents who experienced the earthquake experienced severe posttraumatic stress symptoms. It was also found that adolescents who experienced high levels of trauma symptoms showed pathological mental symptoms. After the earthquake, adolescents should be evaluated periodically in terms of posttraumatic stress symptoms. In the evaluations to be made, it is important to determine how adolescents are affected especially mentally. In this context, interventions should be implemented for the identified mental symptoms (anxiety, depression, somatization, etc.).

A follow up study on the effects of massage on preterm infants: A randomized controlled research.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants who leave the intrauterine environment early are deprived of tactile stimuli. This affects the physical, emotional and social developments of infants and their physical growth parameters such as weight, height and head circumference negatively. AIM: This research was conducted to determine the effects of massage on the development of preterm infants. MATERIAL-METHOD: This research was conducted as randomized controlled research with two groups (massage-control). The infants in the intervention group received massage for 30 days. Height, weight and head circumference values of the infants were recorded on days 5, 10, 20 and 30. Amount of feeding was recorded before intervention, on day 15 after intervention and on day 30 after intervention. Discharge times of the infants were recorded according to groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in height and weight of the preterm infants on days 20 and 30 when compared with the control group. Discharge time of the infants in the massage group was found to be 10 days shorter on average when compared with the control group. Significant difference was also found between day 15 and 30 in terms of amount of feeding. CONCLUSION: Massage was found to have significant effects on physical growth parameters such as height, weight and head circumference. It was found that massage increased amount of feeding and weight intake in infants and decreased discharge time. In this case, hospital cost per infant may be reduced.

The effects of massage therapy and white noise application on premature infants' sleep.

AIM: Sleep is vital to premature infants' physical, social and emotional development. The significance of sleep duration, efficiency, and function in premature infants regarding growth development, behavior and neurological development has been increasing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a randomized controlled experimental design with three groups. Premature infants at 28-37 weeks of gestation who were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Sanliurfa Mehmet Akif Inan Training and Research Hospital Haliliye Annex Building were the research population. The sample of the present study consisted of 120 premature infants in the massage therapy group (40), white noise group (40), and control group (40). RESULTS: The sleep duration and sleep efficiency of the premature infants in the massage group increased compared to before the application, whereas the number of awakenings and WASO values decreased. The sleep duration of premature infants in the massaged group increased by some five hours. In the white noise group, the sleep duration increased by about two hours than the pre-treatment, and there was an increase in sleep efficiency. White noise application provided a significant decrease in the number of awakenings and WASO values in premature infants. CONCLUSION: In this experimental study, which was designed with three groups, it was revealed that massage and white noise application in premature infants were significant non-pharmacological methods to increase sleep duration and sleep efficiency. It was concluded that massage therapy and white noise application is one of the considerable interventions regarding sleep duration, efficiency and functions in premature infants who left the intrauterine period early.

The effects of the posttraumatic stress and general health status on paediatric burns and their sleep habits.

BACKGROUND: Burns are serious injuries that can require hospitalization and have physical and emotional sequelae. Sleep disturbance can occur after trauma as evidenced by posttraumatic stress symptoms such as re-experiencing of a trauma with repetitive dreams, memories and flashbacks. This area has been minimally examined with pediatric burn survivors; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of posttraumatic stress and general health on sleep habits of pediatric burn survivors from. METHOD: This is a correlational descriptive study. Its sample included 7-18-year-old inpatients at the burn clinic of a university hospital from January to November 2019. This study used the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index, the General Health Questionnaire (12) and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire for data collection. RESULTS: Of the participants, 58.6% were male, 46.5% were primary school students, and 62.6% had no diseases other than their burns. 20.2% of the children had epilepsy, 14.2% had diabetes and 3% had pneumonia. Of the child burn victims, 45.5% were brought to the hospital because of contact with fire. All of them had first-degree burns, 59.6% had second-degree burns, and 80.8% had third-degree burns. After their burns, infections developed in 20.2% during trauma and in 43.4% during burn treatment. A structural equation model indicated that the child burn victims' general health perceptions did not significantly affect their sleep habits (p > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between the children's posttraumatic stress disorder and their sleep habits (p < 0.05). Posttraumatic stress disorder explained 7.2% of their sleep habits. A positive and significant correlation was found between the children's general health perceptions and posttraumatic stress disorder (r = 0.74, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Burns of any kind can cause posttraumatic stress, sleep disorders and impairment of health status in children.

Determination of psychosocial conditions of refugee children living in society.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the psychosocial conditions of refugee children living in society. DESIGNS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional research which used the Socio-demographic Information Form for Children, Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) included 738 children. RESULTS: Social factors like the educational levels and professions of their parents, as well as economic status could affect the children's level of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. The regression analysis revealed that depression and anxiety explained 72% of posttraumatic stress disorder in the children studied. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should be aware that the effects of trauma on children who were exposed to war and migration can continue even after much time has passed since the war started.

The effects of technology use on working young loneliness and social relationships.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of technology use on working young loneliness and social relationships. DESIGNS AND METHODS: The relational descriptive study was conducted with 1,312 young using a young information form, the Internet Addiction Scale, the Peer Relationship Scale, and the Smart Phone Addiction Scale. CONCLUSION: It was determined that young, who are exposed to violence, smoke, and work as unskilled labor force have a high dependence on the Internet and smartphones. Young with the Internet and smartphone addiction were found to have high levels of loneliness and poor social relations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It has been determined that young who are weak in the social aspect fill these deficiencies by using the Internet and telephone.