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1.
Brain Behav Immun Health ; 38: 100783, 2024 Jul.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38818371

Background: Caregivers of adults with cancer often report significant distress yet remain difficult to engage in supportive services. While the field of Psychosomatic Medicine has continued to identify important markers of physiologic stress, and demonstrated disruption in these markers in caregiver populations, no research has investigated whether biomarker information on caregivers' reaction to stress could impact their willingness to address their ongoing distress. Methods: Here, we report on a qualitative study (N = 17) in which we conducted individual interviews with cancer caregivers to explore their key attitudes towards, and subjective experience of, mock stress biomarker data. A total of 17 caregivers of patients (M age = 56.1 years; SD = 12.3) with primarily metastatic brain tumors (glioblastoma) were interviewed regarding four commercially available biomarkers (telomere length; hair cortisol, activity levels and heart rate variability). Once presented with information about stress biomarkers, caregivers were asked to discuss their subjective reaction as if it was their own data as well as their motivation and willingness to seek support after receiving such information. We identified and extracted relevant themes. Results: Analysis utilizing the framework method revealed four emerging themes. The first theme described caregivers' ability to manage stress and willingness to engage with supportive services. Second, caregivers generally accepted the biomarker data but preferred it to be presented in a specific way. The third theme demonstrated that for some, biomarker data may actually increase their subjective distress (e.g., whether or not something could be done to improve their mental state). The last theme described how biomarkers were generally received as meaningful motivators that could increase caregivers' willingness to engage with supportive services. Conclusions: In addition to the more general identified theme of CG's willingness to engage with additional support, we gained insights into caregivers' reaction to the stress biomarkers presented. Findings will set the stage for the utility of stress biomarker information and whether it influences cancer caregivers' willingness to address their distress and motivation to engage in supportive services.

2.
J Pain Symptom Manage ; 68(1): e36-e45, 2024 Jul.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38599533

CONTEXT: Opioid therapy is a cornerstone for treatment of cancer-related pain, but standardized management practices for patients with cancer and aberrant urine drug test (UDT) results are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of UDT ordering (both screening and definitive testing) in the oncology setting and to examine clinician management practices for patients with cancer on opioid therapy with aberrant definitive UDT results. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with cancer on opioid therapy at an academic cancer center in the United States. Outcomes included UDT ordering patterns and clinician management practices in response to aberrant definitive UDT results. RESULTS: Our study revealed an overall UDT ordering rate of 3.7% among 10,371 patients with cancer on opioid therapy. Among 143 patients for whom definitive UDTs were ordered, oncologists only ordered 14 (9.8%) UDTs, while palliative care ordered the majority (n = 129; 90.2%). Fifty-five (38.5%) patients had aberrant results, and the most common aberrancy was presence of illicit drugs 22 [15.4%]. Clinicians rarely made medication changes (20 [36.4%]) when UDT results were aberrant, and in the setting of possible fentanyl use (n = 8), only 3 (37.5%) patients were started/switched to methadone, and none were started/switched to buprenorphine. CONCLUSION: Overall UDT ordering was infrequent for patients with cancer on opioid therapy, especially by oncologists, and clinicians rarely made prescribing changes when definitive UDT results were aberrant. More definitive guidance related to UDT ordering and opioid management are needed for patients with cancer and aberrant UDT results.


Analgesics, Opioid , Cancer Pain , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Female , Middle Aged , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Analgesics, Opioid/urine , Cancer Pain/drug therapy , Aged , Substance Abuse Detection , Palliative Care , Adult , Cancer Care Facilities , Neoplasms/complications , Neoplasms/urine
3.
J Palliat Med ; 27(1): 63-74, 2024 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37672598

Background: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) is a widely used quality-of-life measure. However, no studies have examined the FACT-G among patients with life-limiting illnesses who present to emergency departments (EDs). Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the FACT-G among patients with life-limiting illnesses who present to EDs in the United States. Methods: This cross-sectional study pooled data from 12 EDs between April 2018 and January 2020 (n = 453). Patients enrolled in the study were adults with one or more of the four life-limiting illnesses: advanced cancer, Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or End-Stage Renal Disease. We conducted item, exploratory, and confirmatory analyses (exploratory factor analysis [EFA] and confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]) to determine the psychometric properties of the FACT-G. Results: The FACT-G had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha α = 0.88). The simplest EFA model was a six-factor structure. The CFA supported the six-factor structure, evidenced by the adequate fit indices (comparative fit index = 0.93, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.92, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.05; 90% confidence interval: 0.04 - 0.06). The six-factor structure comprised the physical, emotional, work and daily activities-related functional well-being, and the family and friends-related social well-being domains. Conclusions: The FACT-G is a reliable measure of health-related quality of life among patients with life-limiting illnesses who present to the ED. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03325985.


Neoplasms , Quality of Life , Adult , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Psychometrics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Physical Therapy Modalities , Reproducibility of Results , Neoplasms/therapy
4.
Harv Rev Psychiatry ; 31(6): 259-266, 2023.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37948154

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THIS CME ACTIVITY, THE PSYCHIATRIST SHOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO: • Outline the risk factors involved with opioid accessibility in patients receiving treatment for cancer.• Identify factors to address in order to mitigate risk for opioid misuse during cancer care. ABSTRACT: Most patients with advanced cancer receive treatment for related pain. Opioid accessibility, however, is a risk factor for misuse, which can present care challenges and quality-of-life concerns. There is a lack of consistent universal screening prior to initiation of opioid prescribing. One crucial issue in treating this population is adequately identifying and mitigating risk factors driving opioid misuse. Drawing on theory and research from addiction science, psychology, palliative care, and oncology, the presented conceptual framework suggests that risk factors for opioid misuse during cancer care can be stratified into historical, current, malleable, and unmalleable factors. The framework identifies necessary factors to address in order to mitigate risk for opioid misuse during cancer care, and offers key directions for future research.


Chronic Pain , Neoplasms , Opioid-Related Disorders , Humans , Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects , Chronic Pain/psychology , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy , Adaptation, Psychological , Models, Psychological , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/chemically induced , Neoplasms/complications
5.
J Contextual Behav Sci ; 28: 226-234, 2023 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37333769

This paper describes the iterative development of an evidence-based behavioral intervention for individuals with cancer at risk for opioid use disorder, using the National Institutes of Health Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development. Adult patients with cancer from an outpatient palliative care clinic at an academic cancer center, with moderate to high risk of opioid misuse, were enrolled in a treatment development study that aimed to increase psychological flexibility. In this intervention, psychological flexibility is the posited mechanism of change for reduction of opioid use disorder risk. Patients completed baseline (pre-intervention) assessments, a six-session behavioral intervention based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, post-intervention assessments, and a semi-structured exit interview. Ten patients with moderate to high risk of opioid misuse completed the intervention. Patients rated the intervention as highly acceptable and were generally highly satisfied. Patients reported finding the coping skills helpful (e.g., mindfulness, cognitive defusion) and reported a preference for more sessions. These treatment development efforts have implications for the development and design of acceptance- and mindfulness-based, targeted interventions for individuals with cancer, receiving palliative care and at risk for opioid use disorder. Specifically, this six-session behavioral intervention to increase psychological flexibility was acceptable to patients and ready to be studied in a pilot RCT.

6.
Transl Behav Med ; 13(7): 511-517, 2023 07 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36940406

Psychosocial distress screening, mandated by the American College Surgeons' Commission on Cancer, continues to be implemented across cancer centers nationwide. Although measuring distress is critical to identifying patients who may benefit from additional support, several studies suggest that distress screening may not actually increase patients' utilization of psychosocial services. While various investigators have identified barriers that may impede effective implementation of distress screening, we posit that patients' intrinsic motivation, which we term patients' willingness, may be the biggest predictor for whether cancer patients choose to engage with psychosocial services. In this commentary, we define patient willingness towards psychosocial services as a novel construct, distinct from the intention toward a certain behavior described across pre-existing models of health behavior change. Further, we offer a critical perspective of models of intervention design that focus on acceptability and feasibility as preliminary outcomes thought to encompass the willingness construct described herein. Finally, we summarize several health service models that successfully integrate psychosocial services alongside routine oncology care. Overall, we present an innovative model that acknowledges barriers and facilitators and underscores the critical role of willingness in health behavior change. Consideration of patients' willingness toward psychosocial care will move the field of psychosocial oncology forward in clinical practice, policy initiatives, and study design.


This commentary focuses on individual motivation to pursue psychosocial support within the context of routine oncologic treatment. We term this novel idea as patients' willingness to pursue psychosocial treatment and review how this construct is discussed across various models of intervention design, health behavior change, and health delivery. We conclude that patients' willingness towards psychosocial support is one of the most important predictors to whether a patient with cancer may choose to engage with psychosocial services.


Neoplasms , Psychiatric Rehabilitation , Humans , United States , Psychosocial Support Systems , Neoplasms/psychology , Medical Oncology , Health Behavior
8.
Psychooncology ; 32(2): 203-213, 2023 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36371618

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review examined the agreement of proxy ratings of depression and anxiety in neuro-oncology patients. METHODS: Searches were conducted across 4 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science) to identify studies that compared proxy ratings (non-health care providers) of anxiety and depression in patients with brain cancer. Methodological quality and potential risk of bias were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. RESULTS: Out of the 936 studies that were screened for inclusion, 6 were included for review. The findings were mixed in terms of whether patient and proxy ratings were accurate (e.g., deemed equivalent), with many of the selected studies suggesting moderate level of agreement for several of the selected studies and, when both depression and anxiety were included, depression ratings from proxy raters were more accurate than for anxiety. We identified important limitations across the selected articles, such as low sample size, clarity on defining proxy raters and the different instructions that proxy raters are given when asked to assess patients' mood symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that proxy ratings of depression and anxiety should be interpreted with caution. While there is some agreement in proxy and patients with brain cancer ratings of depression and anxiety (greater agreement for depression), future work should recruit larger samples, while also remaining mindful of defining proxy raters and the instructions given in collecting these ratings.


Brain Neoplasms , Psychological Well-Being , Humans , Anxiety , Affect , Health Personnel , Proxy
9.
J Palliat Med ; 25(9): 1418-1421, 2022 09.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35679600

Background: Patients with cancer employ medicinal cannabis for poly-symptom management and as cancer-directed therapy. Little is known about their perspectives on the medicinal cannabis "high." Methods: Qualitative interviews across eight states with medicinal cannabis users with physician-verified cancer diagnoses (n = 24). Results: Every participant referenced and 15 spoke in depth about the medicinal cannabis "high." Antitheticals characterized it: sleepiness versus heightened attention; calm versus "agitation." The intensity of the "high" served as a proxy metric by which participant's judged medicinal cannabis' cancer-directed therapy and symptom management efficacies. Overall, however, study participants viewed the "high" as a barrier to medicinal cannabis use and worked to avoid experiencing for prolonged periods. Conclusions: The "high" is central to the manner with which patients with cancer experience medicinal cannabis. Clinicians should be aware that patients may struggle to fine-tune medicinal cannabis dosing in the setting of the "high," and this challenge should be included in clinical discussions regarding oncological medicinal cannabis use.


Cannabis , Medical Marijuana , Neoplasms , Humans , Medical Marijuana/therapeutic use , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Palliative Care
10.
J Pain Symptom Manage ; 64(4): 400-409, 2022 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35716959

CONTEXT: Advanced heart failure (HF) patients often experience distressing psychological symptoms, frequently meeting diagnostic criteria for psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. Patients with device-based HF therapies have added risk for psychological disorders, with consequences for their physiological functioning, including adverse cardiac outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study used natural language processing (NLP) for computer-assisted chart review to assess documentation of mental health and substance use in HF patients awaiting cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), a device-based HF therapy. METHODS: We applied NLP to clinical notes from electronic health records (EHR) of 965 consecutive patients, with 9821 total clinical notes, at two academic medical centers between 2004 and 2015. We developed and validated a keyword library capturing terms related to mental health and substance use, while balancing specificity and sensitivity. RESULTS: Mean age was 71.6 years (SD = 11.8), 78% male, and 87% non-Hispanic White. Of the 544 patients (56.4%) with documentation of mental health history, 9.7% had their mental health assessed and 6.6% had a plan documented. Of the 773 patients (80.1%) with documentation of substance use history, 10 (1.0%) had an assessment, and 3 (0.3%) had a plan. CONCLUSION: Despite clinical recommendations and standards of care, clinicians are under documenting assessments and plans prior to CRT. Future research should develop an algorithm to prompt clinicians to document this content. Such quality improvement efforts may ensure adherence to standards of care and clinical guidelines.


Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy , Heart Failure , Mental Disorders , Substance-Related Disorders , Aged , Computers , Documentation , Electronic Health Records , Female , Heart Failure/therapy , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/therapy , Natural Language Processing , Substance-Related Disorders/therapy
11.
Health Qual Life Outcomes ; 20(1): 6, 2022 Jan 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35012566

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an aggressive medical procedure which significantly impacts the shared emotional well-being of patients and family caregivers (FC). Prior work has highlighted the significant overlap in well-being among patients and FCs; however, how this interdependence may change over the course of HSCT has received less attention. METHODS: We conducted secondary analyses of a supportive intervention delivered to 154 FCs of HSCT patients and examined relationships at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months post-HSCT. Actor Partner Interdependence Modeling examined patient quality of life (QOL) and FC anxiety/depression. RESULTS: The data did not fit a multigroup approach limiting our ability to test intervention effects; however, bivariate analyses indicated FC depression significantly correlated to patient QOL at baseline (r = - .32), 6 weeks (r = - .22) and 6 months post-HSCT (r = - .34; p's < .05); whereas FC anxiety was only correlated with patient QOL at the first two timepoints (p's < .05). There was an unexpected, partner effect such that worse patient QOL at 6-weeks significantly related to lower FC depression at 3-months (B = .193; p = .026) and changed direction with patient QOL at 3-months being related to more FC depression at 6-months (B = - .187; p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the significant, yet nuanced, interdependence of patient QOL and FC well-being during HSCT. Specifically, greater interdependence was observed between patient QOL and FC depression compared to FC anxiety, suggesting potential treatment targets for patients and their families. Trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02037568; first registered: January 16, 2014; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02037568.


Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation , Quality of Life , Anxiety , Caregivers , Depression , Humans
12.
J Interpers Violence ; 37(7-8): NP5566-NP5593, 2022 04.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32990140

The current study sought to examine how heavy-drinking college men describe communication of sexual interest and sexual consent. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 12 heavy-drinking college men identified three themes. Themes included: (a) expectations about parties and sexual activity, (b) observing and communicating sexual interest, and (c) communication of sexual consent. Men reported visiting drinking environments to locate women who they assumed would be open to sexual advances. In these environments, sexual interest was inferred indirectly through shared alcohol use. Anticipating token resistance men reported "trying and trying again" to pursue escalating types of sexual activity. Consent was inferred when participants did not hear "no" from a sexual partner, highlighting the importance of continued education on verbal consent in the context of sexual assault prevention programs.


Sex Offenses , Students , Alcohol Drinking , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Offenses/prevention & control , Sexual Behavior , Universities
13.
J Subst Abuse Treat ; 132: 108507, 2022 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34214925

Anxiety sensitivity, or the fear of anxiety-related sensations, has demonstrated relevance to a broad range of psychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders (SUDs). Anxiety sensitivity is typically measured through self-report instruments, most commonly the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3). Despite the widespread use of the ASI-3 in studies of SUDs, little is known about its psychometric properties within this population. Patients on an inpatient detoxification unit seeking treatment for SUDs (N = 1248) completed a battery of self-report measures, including the ASI-3. Psychometric properties of the ASI-3 were examined. An exploratory factor analysis with half of the sample (n = 624) supported a 3-factor structure corresponding to the ASI-3 subscales (Social Concerns, Cognitive Concerns, Physical Concerns). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate this 3-dimensional structure in a separate subsample (n = 624), resulting in adequate fit when testing a second-order hierarchical model. Internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity results also supported the use of the ASI-3 in people with SUDs. Despite its widespread use in SUD research, this is the first psychometric investigation of the ASI-3 among individuals seeking treatment for SUDs.


Anxiety Disorders , Substance-Related Disorders , Adult , Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Humans , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Substance-Related Disorders/therapy
14.
J Sleep Res ; 31(1): e13421, 2022 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34128264

Black women are under-represented in insomnia research. Further, cancer treatments increase the risk of late effects, thus affecting the sleep of psychologically and medically vulnerable cancer survivors. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is widely used, but has not been researched in black women, and research in cancer survivors is limited. Prior studies demonstrate that psychometric properties of the ISI are not consistent across samples. This study examined the internal consistency and factor structure of the ISI in 29,500 participants from the Black Women's Health Study, an epidemiological study of black women in the United States. This cohort included 28,214 women without a cancer history and 1,286 cancer survivors. Exploratory, confirmatory and multigroup analyses were conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the ISI in these groups. The mean ISI score was 7.18 (standard deviation [SD] = 6.82). Findings supported the internal consistency reliability of the ISI in black women with (Ω = 0.896) and without (Ω = 0.892) a cancer history. Exploratory factor analyses supported a one-factor structure. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that fit of this one-factor model was not robust in survivors (Satorra-Bentler chi-square [χSB2 (14)] = 197.78, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.928, root mean-square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.143) or in women with no cancer history (χSB2 (14) = 2,887.93, CFI = 0.945, RMSEA = 0.121), but the alternative models we examined were not superior. Although factor structures in previous studies have varied considerably, we found a one-factor structure. Although internal consistency reliability was strong, factor analytic results did not further support the ISI. Inconsistencies in ISI measurement properties across studies may reflect differences in sample sizes and populations.


Neoplasms , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Severity of Illness Index , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/diagnosis , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires
15.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 68(12): e29328, 2021 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34523798

Parents of children with cancer are prone to psychosocial distress, yet little is known about intervention response among diverse parents. Our systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of psychosocial interventions on anxiety and depression among parents of children with cancer and explored race and/or ethnicity differences in the efficacy of these interventions. Twenty articles met inclusion. The aggregate effect size on anxiety (-0.01, 95% CI: -0.95, 0.93, p = .97) and depression (-0.56, 95% CI: -1.65, 0.54, p = .32) showed micro to medium effects, with larger negative effect sizes indicating that anxiety and depression scores after treatment were lower for parents in intervention group as compared to control group. Neither aggregate effect size was statistically significantly different from zero. Due to underrepresentation of minorities, we could not perform subgroup or moderator analyses. Several efficacious psychosocial interventions were found to reduce parental anxiety. Future studies to examine psychosocial interventions in minority parents are warranted.


Neoplasms , Psychosocial Intervention , Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety/therapy , Anxiety Disorders , Child , Humans , Neoplasms/therapy , Parents/psychology
17.
J Affect Disord ; 281: 279-288, 2021 02 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33341010

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have established inconsistent associations between body weight and mental health. However, most work has relied on body mass index (BMI) and examination of a single mental health variable. The present study examined associations of BMI and waist circumference with multiple mental health variables in a transdiagnostic psychiatric sample. METHODS: Nursing staff measured waist circumference and calculated the BMI of 742 adults (54.6% female, 45.4% male) presenting for psychiatric treatment. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-24), and Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) as part of standard clinical monitoring. Suicide risk was assessed using the clinician-administered Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). For curve fit estimation regression models, we entered BMI and waist circumference as independent variables separately; we entered seven dependent variables separately: 1) depression, 2) anxiety, 3) substance use, 4) self-harm, 5) interpersonal functioning, 6) well-being, and 7) suicide risk. RESULTS: Increased BMI was associated with decreased well-being and increased depression. Increased waist circumference was associated with worse interpersonal functioning. Non-linear (quadratic) associations were observed between weight and depression, substance use, self-harm, and suicide. LIMITATIONS: Most of the sample was White and only 2.6% was in the underweight category, limiting broad applicability of findings. Cross-sectional design precludes causal attributions. CONCLUSIONS: Given associations between well-being, depression, interpersonal functioning, substance use, self-harm, and suicide with weight, findings may be used to inform mental health treatment, particularly by tailoring interventions to high-risk weight categories (underweight, obese) in psychiatric populations.


Mental Disorders , Substance-Related Disorders , Adult , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Waist Circumference
18.
J Psychosoc Oncol ; 39(5): 686-693, 2021.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33107411

OBJECTIVES: Uptake of psychosocial services during cancer treatment remains relatively low. To use these services efficiently, novel approaches - based on evidence-based theory - are needed to understand cancer patients' readiness to seek psychosocial services. Guided by the transtheoretical model (TTM), we investigated individuals' readiness to use psychosocial services by assessing decisional conflict (pros/cons) and self-efficacy, which are established as the most important constructs of predicting a specific behavior. METHODS: In these secondary analyses, we examined demographic and treatment-related factors in a national sample of adult cancer patients and survivors in the United States as predictors of decisional balance (pros/cons) and self-efficacy (i.e., two core TTM constructs) of engaging in psychosocial services. Participants were recruited through an online survey. In addition to examining demographic factors (age, sex, race, and marital status) as independent variables using t tests and correlations, treatment-related variables, such as having multiple cancers, type of cancer, type of treatment, and treatment setting were included. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-six participants completed the survey. The sample was primarily Caucasian (79%) and female (54.7%); average age was 47.9 (SD = 14.8). While no significant relationships emerged for self-efficacy, younger age and non-Caucasian race were significantly related to greater cons of seeking psychosocial care. Finally, those with multiple cancers versus reporting only one malignancy endorsed more cons of seeking psychosocial care. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight the importance of measuring the cons of seeking psychosocial care during cancer treatment, with younger age, non-Caucasian, and those reporting experience with multiple cancers endorsing greater cons. This may impact eventual uptake of available services. Future research should identify individuals at risk for declining services based on perceived cons of seeking psychosocial care during cancer.


Decision Making , Neoplasms , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/therapy , Self Efficacy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Survivors , United States
19.
J Am Coll Health ; 69(8): 959-970, 2021.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32027242

Objective: Most sexual assault prevention approaches are universal in nature. The present study evaluated a Transtheoretical Model (TTM)-based Stages of Change (SOC) measure assessing readiness to utilize sexual assault risk reduction skills. The measure was evaluated with regard to Decisional Balance and Self-Efficacy. Participants: Survey data were collected from 300 college women (Mage=18.5, SD = 0.79). Methods: Three SOC measures were developed and evaluated for using: 1) assertive responding; 2) self-protective dating behaviors; and 3) open sexual communication. Item development was followed by exploratory, confirmatory, and external validation analyses. Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) indicated two, six-item factors (Positive Outcomes α=.91; Negative Outcomes α=.85) for Decisional Balance. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) supported a two-factor correlated model, χ2(66)=2101.70, p<.001, CFI=.946, RMSEA=.083. For Self-Efficacy, EFA indicated one, six-item factor (α=.81). Conclusions: These readiness assessments may guide understanding of factors influencing sexual assault risk reduction program outcomes and aid in tailoring program content.


Transtheoretical Model , Universities , Communication , Decision Making , Female , Humans , Students , Surveys and Questionnaires
20.
Breast Cancer Res Treat ; 185(1): 53-62, 2021 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32918659

PURPOSE: Non-adherence to the oral anti-estrogen therapies (AET) tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors in early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer is associated with numerous negative clinical outcomes. Prior studies have identified that non-adherence is associated with psychological and menopause-related factors which are present during AET, but the presence of these characteristics prior to AET initiation has not been investigated. METHODS: Psychological and menopause symptoms (depression, generalized anxiety, insomnia, somatosensory amplification, hot flash frequency, and hot flash-related interference) were assessed pre-AET initiation as predictors of subsequent non-adherence in 73 participants (Mage = 55.0, SD = 10.1 years). Participants self-reported treatment adherence after three and 6 weeks on AET. Participants who did not initiate treatment were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Discriminant function analyses revealed that the hypothesized set of psychological and menopause symptoms at baseline (pre-AET) together statistically distinguished between those who were non-adherent (n = 19; 26.0%) from adherent (n = 54; 74.0%) at 6 weeks. Model classification accuracy was statistically significant (Wilks' ƛ = 0.782, χ2(6) = 15.50, p = 0.017) at the 6-week timepoint. Results were consistent at 3 weeks. Pre-AET psychological and menopause symptoms correctly classified 6-week treatment adherence 77.9% of the time. Depression contributed most to distinguishing between adherers and non-adherers. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a composite profile of psychological and menopause symptoms prior to AET initiation may help to identify early treatment non-adherence. Results can be used to identify patients at risk for non-adherence and to guide psychological and symptom management interventions.


Breast Neoplasms , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Female , Humans , Medication Adherence , Middle Aged , Treatment Adherence and Compliance
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