ABSTRACT
A major proportion of care for patients with laryngectomies is provided by their spouses. This study assessed caregiver strain and burden using two standardized measures. Questionnaires were completed by 75 spouses of individuals with laryngectomies. The correlates of perceived strain and burden, time since the diagnosis of cancer, the caregivers gender, the caregivers present health status, and the effects of current stressors were considerations in the analyses. The strain and burden of caregiving decreased as time from the diagnosis of cancer increased. Male caregivers reported less strain and burden than female caregivers. Subjects reported strain and burden independent of other current stressors in their lives. Implications for counseling and support groups for caregivers are discussed.
Subject(s)
Caregivers/psychology , Cost of Illness , Laryngeal Neoplasms/psychology , Laryngectomy/psychology , Marriage/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Laryngeal Neoplasms/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Sick Role , Speech, Alaryngeal/psychologyABSTRACT
Health locus of control, adjustment to cancer, and communication experiences after a laryngectomy were investigated in 63 laryngeal cancer survivors. Survivors who showed internal control also scored as better adjusted and had fewer communication problems. Scales were intercorrelated (.68 to .92).
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Internal-External Control , Laryngeal Neoplasms/psychology , Neck Dissection/psychology , Sick Role , Aged , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Laryngeal Neoplasms/surgery , Laryngectomy/psychology , Larynx, Artificial , Male , Middle Aged , Personality Inventory , Speech, Esophageal/psychologyABSTRACT
Cervical and vaginal epithelia are primary barriers against HIV type I (HIV-1) entry during male-to-female transmission. Cervical mucus (CM) is produced by the endocervix and forms a layer locally as well as in the vaginal compartment in the form of cervicovaginal mucus (CVM). To study the potential barrier function of each mucus type during HIV-1 transmission, we quantified HIV-1 mobility in CM and CVM ex vivo using fluorescent microscopy. Virions and 200-nm PEGylated beads were digitally tracked and mean-squared displacement was calculated. The mobility of beads increased significantly in CVM compared with CM, consistent with the known decreased mucin concentration of CVM. Unexpectedly, HIV-1 diffusion was significantly hindered in the same CVM samples in which bead diffusion was unhindered. Inhibition of virus transport was envelope-independent. Our results reveal a previously unknown activity in CVM that is capable of impeding HIV-1 mobility to enhance mucosal barrier function.