Syrian refugee women's experiences of barriers to mental health services for postpartum depression.

OBJECTIVE: To describe Syrian refugee women's experiences of the barriers to access mental health services for postpartum depression (PPD). DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. METHODS: Fifteen purposefully selected Syrian refugee women who scored ≥10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale participated in the semi-structured telephone interviews. Transcripts were coded verbatim and analysed thematically according to the dimensions of Levesque's model of patient-centred access to healthcare. Data were collected between August 2022 and February 2023. RESULTS: Five themes with 14 subthemes were identified: (1) approachability covered lack of knowledge and misconceptions related to PPD and its treatment, lack of awareness of available psychosocial services and perceived need of mental health treatment; (2) acceptability comprised being a refugee, stigma of mental illness, cultural preferences of healthcare provider and language barrier; (3) availability and accommodation encompassed transportation barrier and location of the centre, no support for childcare and lack of time; (4) affordability included financial difficulties and health insurance coverage; (5) appropriateness comprised no screening for PPD and intermittent services with limited focus on mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study reveal that Syrian refugee women experienced multi-faceted complex barriers to access mental health services for PPD. It is important for health professionals, including nurses, and policymakers to address the cultural mental health needs of this population and establish strategies to protect their legal and health rights. IMPACT: Our study has important practice and policy implications for establishing strategies designed specifically for refugee mothers to mitigate their perceived barriers to PPD treatment and ultimately improve their mental health. REPORTING METHOD: The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research was used. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. Participants were Syrian refugee women with PPD symptoms and contributed only to the interviews and member checking.

The effect of a mindfulness-based intervention on stress overload, depression, and mindfulness among nurses: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Nurses experience various health-related issues due to the nature of their work. AIM: This study aimed to examine the effect of a mindfulness-based intervention on stress overload, depression and mindfulness among nurses. A secondary objective was to examine the role of the setting (i.e., in and out of the hospital as a natural setting) on mindfulness-based intervention effectiveness. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with three groups' pretest-posttest design was used in this study. A total of 195 nurses were recruited-65 intervention-inside hospital, 60 intervention-outside hospital, and 63 control. The mindfulness-based intervention was delivered by a certified mindfulness practitioner over 4 weeks in Jordan. Data were collected using a demographics questionnaire, the Stress Overload Scale Short, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant effect of the intervention on the linear combination of the dependent variables V = 0.44, F[6, 368] = 17.56, p < .001. Follow-up analyses showed that a mindfulness-based intervention significantly decreased stress overload, depression, and increased mindfulness levels among nurses in intervention groups compared with the control group. In addition, conducting a mindfulness-based intervention outside the hospital has a better effect on mindfulness levels than the inside hospital. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: The effect of a mindfulness-based intervention on stress overload, depression, and mindfulness should be considered when planning for nurses' well-being and the quality of care provided. Nurse managers are encouraged to use the study's findings to promote nurses' well-being.

Telehealth Care for Perinatal Depression in Immigrant and Refugee Women: A Scoping Review.

Immigrant and refugee women have higher rates of perinatal depression compared to native-born women. Innovative telehealth interventions provide opportunities for prevention and treatment of perinatal depression. However, little is known about telehealth for perinatal immigrant and refugee women with depression. The aims of this scoping review were to identify available literature addressing the use of telehealth care for perinatal depression in immigrant and refugee women, and to determine the content, mode of delivery, and outcomes of telehealth care when provided for this population. A systematic literature search from 2000 to July 2023 was conducted in six databases and grey literature. The initial search resulted in 988 articles which were screened for their titles and abstracts. Eighty-one full-text articles were reviewed, yielding five articles included in this review. One quantitative study (a feasibility descriptive study), three qualitative studies, and a commentary supported the user satisfaction and potential effectiveness of telehealth care, delivered via telephone and text messaging, in improving perinatal depression symptoms. This review revealed a dearth of data-based studies on the outcomes of telehealth care for perinatal depression among immigrant and refugee women. Collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and technology engineers is required to improve telehealth care for this population.

Cigarette smoking cessation and mental health treatment receipt in a U.S national sample of pregnant women with mental illness.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) compare the probability of cigarette smoking cessation for pregnant women with and without past-year mental illness by the trimester of pregnancy; and (2) examine the association between the receipt of past-year mental health treatment and prenatal cigarette smoking cessation among pregnant lifetime-smokers with mental illness. METHODS: We conducted secondary analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2008-2014. The NSDUH included 2019 pregnant lifetime smokers aged 18-44 years, 528 of whom had a mental illness. We used multiple logistic regression to model the probability of prenatal cigarette smoking cessation. RESULTS: Pregnant lifetime-smokers with mental illness had a lower rate of cigarette smoking cessation than women without mental illness (47.9% vs. 61.7%, p = 0.001). Compared to pregnant women without mental illness, pregnant women with mental illness had a significantly lower odds of smoking cessation in the first trimester (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.34, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.18-0.66), but not in the second (AOR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.46-1.63) and third trimesters (AOR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.51-1.72). The likelihood of quitting smoking did not differ significantly for pregnant lifetime-smokers with mental illness who received and did not receive mental health treatment (AOR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.87-3.28). CONCLUSION: Pregnant lifetime-smokers with mental illness are less likely to quit smoking than those without mental illness; overall, pregnant women tended to quit smoking as they progressed in their pregnancy. The receipt of mental health treatment was not associated with quitting smoking. Mental health care providers need to screen for cigarette use among pregnant women and strengthen smoking cessation efforts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pregnancy presents a unique opportunity for mental health care providers to screen for cigarette use in women with mental illness and support their smoking cessation efforts.

Perceived barriers to mental health and substance use treatment among US childbearing-aged women: NSDUH 2008-2014.

This study compared and contrasted perceived barriers to mental health and substance use treatment among pregnant and non-pregnant women from 2008-2010 to 2011-2014. A trend study was conducted using secondary data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2008-2014 from a propensity score-matched sample of pregnant (n = 5,520) and nonpregnant women (n = 11,040) aged 18 to 44 years. The most frequently perceived barriers to mental health treatment among all women ranked similarly in 2008-2010 compared to 2011-2014: cost (45.2% vs. 50.6%), opposition to treatment (41.9% vs. 41.4%), and stigma (28.2% vs. 24.7%). The rank order of barriers to substance use treatment in 2008-2010 among all women was cost (38.7%), stigma (18.2%), and time/transportation limitations (17%), whereas in 2011-2014, stigma ranked first (35.5%), followed by cost (25.9%) and time/transportation limitations (22.2%). In 2011-2014, the women were significantly more likely than women in 2008-2010 to report not knowing where to go (8.2% vs. .9%, p = .003) and a lack of substance use treatment programs (17.7% vs. 3.0%, p = .014). Perceived barriers to mental health treatment did not change overtime; however, there was a decrease in reported availability of substance use treatment programs between 2008-2010 and 2011-2014.

Self-care behavior: a new insight of the role of impulsivity into decision making process in persons with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Self-care behavior has been reported to be below optimum in persons with heart failure, while the underlying decision making is not well understood. The Hot/Cool System model is a psychological model that may have potential applications in decision making process in persons with heart failure. The aim of this study was to examine the decision making process in self-care behavior in persons with heart failure in the light of the Hot/Cool System model. METHODS: We used the Hoot/Cool System Model to guide this study. Participants with heart failure from in-patients setting (N = 107) were recruited. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Moderated mediation analysis was used to study complex relationships among study variables. RESULTS: The current study showed that impulsivity and perceived stress were negatively associated with self-care behavior. The results also showed that self-care confidence and impulsivity significantly predict self-care maintenance. The moderated mediation analysis revealed that self-care confidence mediated the relationship between impulsivity and self-care maintenance at lower levels of perceived stress, but not at higher levels of perceived stress. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that persons with heart failure tend to make impulsive choices that may negatively affect disease progression under higher levels of perceived stress. This study provides foundational knowledge regarding the decision making process in persons with heart failure.

Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Receipt Among Pregnant Women in the United States: A Systematic Review of Trend and Population-Based Studies.

The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize findings of trend and population-based studies on depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders and treatment receipt among pregnant women in the United States. Twenty-eight articles (nine trend studies and 19 population-based studies) were included for review. Two trend studies showed that illicit drug use disorder increased in pregnant women over the past decade, particularly opioid and marijuana use disorders. Three studies reported an increase in treatment admissions for these disorders from 1992 to 2012; however, the overall treatment admission rate for pregnant women remained relatively stable at 4%. Three studies identified an increase in antidepressant use from 1995 to 2010 in pregnant women. Nine of 19 population-based studies revealed that White ethnicity, older reproductive age, college education, and health insurance coverage were associated with mental health and substance use treatment receipt among pregnant women. Further studies are warranted among a nationally representative sample of pregnant women.

Factors related to prenatal smoking among socioeconomically disadvantaged women.

Socioeconomically disadvantaged pregnant women are especially at risk for smoking. To understand better this health behavior disparity, this systematic, integrative, comprehensive review aimed to identify factors related to prenatal smoking among socioeconomically disadvantaged women in the United States. A comprehensive literature search yielded 67 articles published between 2008 and 2016. Associated factors included any study variable related to persistent prenatal smoking. The Social Ecological Model (SEM), a multidimensional ecological framework, was used to organize the findings. Thirty-eight factors were explored in the reviewed studies and categorized according to SEM dimensions: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, public policies and laws. At the individual level, most studies identified the socioeconomically disadvantaged prenatal smoker as older, US-born, White, unmarried, and multiparous. Other individual-level factors included alcohol abuse, nicotine dependence, and psychosocial factors such as stress and depressive symptoms. For broader levels of the SEM, associated factors included abuse/trauma, secondhand smoke exposure, lack of prenatal care, smoking cessation interventions, neighborhood risk, and state level initiatives such as cigarette taxes. The results of this review suggested multiple directions for future research to move science toward effective, scalable, and sustainable approaches that effectively address prenatal smoking among socioeconomically disadvantaged women.

Pathways From Socioeconomic Status to Prenatal Smoking: A Test of the Reserve Capacity Model.

BACKGROUND: Low-income, unemployed women with low levels of education are more likely to smoke during pregnancy compared to their higher-income, employed, and well-educated counterparts. The reserve capacity model (RCM) offers a theoretical framework to explain how psychosocial factors may serve as pathways connecting socioeconomic status (SES) to health behaviors. Research supports the link between prenatal smoking and several psychosocial variables such as chronic stressors, depressive symptoms, and social support. How these variables interrelate to explain the predominance of prenatal smoking in lower socioeconomic groups of pregnant women has not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the RCM to evaluate the roles of early pregnancy levels of chronic stress, quality of the primary intimate relationship, and depressive symptoms in explaining the relationship between SES and persistent prenatal smoking. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from 370 pregnant nonsmokers, spontaneous quitters, and persistent prenatal smokers was conducted. On the basis of the RCM, chronic stressors, depressive symptoms, and the quality of the primary intimate relationship were evaluated as potential mediating variables linking SES with persistent prenatal smoking using path analysis. RESULTS: Path analyses indicated that a simple model with all three psychosocial variables as mediators of the relationship between SES and persistent prenatal smoking provided the best fit. DISCUSSION: Findings indicated that chronic stressors, depressive symptoms, and the quality of the primary intimate relationship play important roles in the pathway from SES to prenatal smoking status. This knowledge can assist in the development of prevention and intervention strategies to target these variables and ultimately reduce prenatal smoking.

Factors associated with quality of life in Arab patients with heart failure.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships of demographic characteristics, medical variables and perceived social support with quality of life (QOL) in Arab patients with heart failure. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify factors associated with QOL in Arab patients with heart failure. Participants with heart failure (N = 99) were enrolled from a nonprofit hospital and an educational hospital. Data were collected on QOL using the Short Form-36 survey. Perceived social support was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. The majority of the patients reported significant impairment in QOL as evidenced by subscale scored. Left ventricular ejection fraction was the strongest correlate of most QOL domains. Tangible support was significantly associated with most QOL domains. Other social support dimensions were not significantly related to QOL domains. Most patients with heart failure had significant disrupting pain and limitations in performing activities which interfered with their usual role. Due to the importance of understanding QOL and its determinants within the context of culture, the outcomes of this study may provide valuable guidance to healthcare providers in Arabic countries as well as Western society in caring for these patients. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between social support and QOL among patients with heart failure in the Arabic culture.

Quality of life in Arab Muslim cancer survivors following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: comparison with matched healthy group.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to determine if quality of life (QOL) among Arab Muslim hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors differs from that of a healthy matched comparison group and to examine the relationships of demographic and medical variables and perceived social support with post-HSCT QOL. METHODS: HSCT survivors (n = 63) were recruited from the King Hussein Cancer Center outpatient clinic. A matched (age, gender, education), healthy comparison group (n = 63) was recruited through public advertisements. Participants completed the EORTC-30 QOL scale and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. RESULTS: Differences were found between the Arab Muslim HSCT survivor and healthy comparison groups for physical functioning (p < .0001), role functioning (p < .01), social functioning (p < .0001) QOL domains, and an overall symptom score (p = .003) with the HSCT group reporting poorer status than the healthy comparison group. Effect sizes for the three QOL domains ranged from .50 (role functioning) to 1.20 (social functioning). No significant difference was noted between the Arab Muslim HSCT and comparison groups in emotional and cognitive QOL domains. Higher overall symptom scores were significantly associated with poorer QOL across all QOL domains. CONCLUSION: Similar to prior research with HSCT survivors, results suggest that HSCT has a significant negative impact on QOL. However, despite this general similarity, results suggest that the needs and experience of Muslim Arab HSCT survivors might differ from those of Western HSCT survivors in the social and emotional QOL domains. Given growing numbers of Arab and Muslim cancer survivors in the USA and other Western countries, future research is warranted.

Promoting self-transcendence and well-being in community-dwelling older adults: A pilot study of a psychoeducational intervention.

Self-transcendence changes how older adults perceive themselves, their relationships with others, the material world, and the metaphysical or spiritual dimension. It is associated with multiple indicators of well-being. The purpose of this pilot study (N = 20) was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention to increase self-transcendence and well-being in older adults. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. All variables trended in the directions hypothesized. Self-transcendence increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group but not significantly. The group × time interaction for life satisfaction was significant (z = 2.89, p = .004). This feasibility study supports further investigation to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in a larger sample.

Psychometric Testing of the Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory-Spanish Version.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Hispanic population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. There is a lack of validated health-related tools culturally and linguistically appropriate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory-Spanish version (ARI-S). METHODS: We recruited a convenience sample of 100 pregnant Hispanic women. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the ARI-S total scale was .92. Factor analysis yielded a similar factor structure as reported with the ARI-English version. As hypothesized, the ARI-S was inversely correlated with depressive symptoms and positively correlated with social support. CONCLUSIONS: ARI-S provides a psychometrically sound method for measuring the quality of intimate relationships. This is particularly important considering the limited inclusion of Hispanic women in current research.

Development of a short version of the Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale.

Lung cancer stigma is an important phenomenon experienced by many lung cancer patients that can be a barrier to medical help-seeking behavior. The purpose of this study was to shorten the Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale (CLCSS). The original 31-item scale had excellent internal consistency reliability but item redundancy. The majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and patient burden with survey completion may be higher in this population. To reduce patient burden with participation in lung cancer stigma-related research, a psychometrically sound short measure of lung cancer stigma is valuable. Factor analysis was used to evaluate the dimensionality of the CLCSS. Results were used to shorten the measure to 21 items. The shortened scale showed strong evidence of internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha =.93). Results also indicate the scale is three dimensional with reliable subscales: stigma and blame, social isolation, and discrimination.

Postdischarge nausea and vomiting: management strategies and outcomes over 7 days.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine patient management strategies and outcomes for self-care of postdischarge nausea and vomiting (PDNV). DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, descriptive, and longitudinal study. METHODS: The sample consisted of 248 patients aged 18 years or older undergoing a procedure requiring general anesthesia. Patients recorded incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting, the impact of symptoms, and actions taken to alleviate symptoms for 7 days postdischarge. FINDINGS: The prevalence of PDNV was 56.9%. The methods used to relieve symptoms included antiemetic use by a minority and nonpharmacologic techniques of self-management by some. The effect of nausea on QOL, patient functioning, and patient satisfaction was significantly worse for those who experienced postdischarge nausea on all days. CONCLUSION: Patients with PDNV use minor self-care strategies to manage symptoms. The presence of PDNV affects overall quality of life, patient functioning, and patient satisfaction.

Factors in the Perioperative Nurses' Work Environment That Predict Work Engagement.

Perioperative nurse engagement and certification are associated with a culture of safety, which is crucial in perioperative environments. Therefore, examining relationships between engagement, the practice environment, and certification is warranted. The purposes of this study were to examine the relationships between the perioperative practice environment and reported nurse engagement, determine differences in engagement based on certification, and identify facilitators and barriers to attaining and sustaining certification. In this multiphase mixed-methods study, we used a convenience sample of perioperative nurses (N = 379) to examine relationships between engagement, the practice environment, and certification. Qualitative interviews were conducted (n = 15) to supplement the quantitative findings. Leadership support (ß = 0.23, P = .001) and nursing foundations for quality care (ß = 0.21, P = .01) were significant predictors of engagement. Certified nurses did not have significantly higher mean engagement scores when compared with noncertified peers. Qualitative interviews corroborated the findings.

Anxiolytic medication use is not associated with anxiety level and does not reduce complications after acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of anxiety level and anxiolytic medication use with in-hospital complications in patients following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: There are conflicting data about the protective effect of anxiolytic medication used in patients after acute myocardial infarction. Examination of the interaction of anxiolytic medication and anxiety level may explain these disparate results. DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of existing data from a multisite, prospective study of the impact of anxiety on in-hospital complications in patients with AMI. METHODS: Patients were primarily men, Caucasians, with Killip class 1 or 2, from the USA and Australia (n = 156). Anxiety level in the emergency department and intensive care unit and in-hospital complications were collected using self-report measures and medical record review. Logistic regression analyses examined whether the use of anxiolytic medication influenced the relationship between anxiety and in-hospital complications after controlling for demographic and clinical covariates. RESULTS: In the ED, 31% of participants were very or extremely anxious; anxiolytic medication was given to only 5%. In the intensive care unit, nearly half of participants received anxiolytic medication. There was no association between anxiety level and use of anxiolytic medication. Anxiety was an independent predictor of the probability of in-hospital complications. The administration of anxiolytic medication did not alter the relationship between anxiety and in-hospital complications. CONCLUSION: Use of anxiolytics in patients with AMI was not associated with anxiety level and did not reduce the probability of in-hospital complications. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinicians need to regularly assess anxiety and treat it appropriately. Regular anxiety assessment may promote appropriate use of anxiolytic medication. Clinical guidelines for the management of patients with an AMI should address anxiety assessment and appropriate use of anxiolytic medication to improve patients' outcomes.

Advanced practice psychiatric nurses' outcomes of care: a pilot study.

This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse (APPN) in improving clinical outcomes of depressed clients and measured their clients' level of satisfaction with APPN care. A longitudinal study design using repeated measures was conducted to evaluate clinical outcomes and satisfaction with care of depressed clients treated by APPNs. The findings suggest that APPNs are highly effective in treating clients with depression and that clients are very satisfied with the care they receive from APPNs.

Stressors and resilience are associated with well-being in young adult college students.

Objective: The purposes were to describe stressors and resilience behaviors of college students and examine the relationships among stressors, resilience, and well-being. Hypothesis: Resilience will modify the relationship between stressors and well-being. Participants: The sample included 1,010 college students, ages 18-26, from an urban Midwestern university. Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from an anonymous survey was conducted using multiple regression and simple slopes analysis. Results: Resilience did not modify the relationship between stressors and well-being. Stressors (ß = -.44, p < .0001) and resilience (ß = .33, p < .0001) accounted for 42% of the variance in well-being (adjusted R2 = .42, F2,999 = 365.98, p < .0001). The most frequently endorsed stressors were sleep problems, anxiety, and relationships. Conclusions: Stressors and resilience warrant special attention in the allocation of resources and development of programs to improve student well-being.

Cigarette Smoking Cessation Counselling in Pregnant Smokers with Mental Illness/Substance Use Disorders.

Our objective was to determine if past-year mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD) among pregnant smokers predicted the probability of receipt of counselling for cigarette smoking cessation. A secondary analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2016-2019 was conducted. We found that approximately 83% of pregnant smokers (N = 373) received screening for cigarette smoking, and 65% received cessation counselling. Having mental illness predicted the probability of receipt of counselling for smoking cessation in pregnant smokers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-11.27). However, having SUD (alcohol [AOR: 2.30; 95%CI: 0.57-9.26] or illicit drug use [AOR: 1.32; 95%CI: 0.26-6.82]) or comorbid mental illness and SUD (AOR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.03-2.03) was not associated with receipt of counselling for smoking cessation. Practice guidelines and policy initiatives are needed to reduce cigarette use and its related adverse health outcomes in pregnant smokers with SUD.