A novel questionnaire for evaluating digital tool use (DTUQ-D) among individuals with type 2 diabetes: exploring the digital landscape.

Introduction: Effective healthcare currently incorporates a patient-centric system and accessible technology for patient self-management. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel questionnaire titled the Digital Tool Use Questionnaire for Diabetes (DTUQ-D) - a screening tool identifying the type, number, and frequency of digital tools used by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients with within HMOs, online, and via applications. Methods: The questionnaire was administered to two ethnic groups and both genders. A mixed-methods approach was used. In the qualitative phase, the questionnaire was developed through phone surveys of 29 T2DM patients, two endocrinologists and two technology experts. In the quantitative phase, involving 367 participants, convergent validity, construct validity, and reliability were examined. Results: Findings indicated that the DTUQ-D is valid and reliable, successfully identifying digital tools utilized by T2DM patients, notwithstanding variations in factor structures between ethnic groups. This questionnaire provides a foundation for future research, offering a standardized approach to evaluating digital tool usage. Discussion: The study enhances understanding of the role of digital tools in healthcare, especially for T2DM self-management. It also can be easily adapted to assess digital tool use for other illnesses by adjusting instructions and the wording of certain items.

How is the loss of a parent in youth related to attachment and adult separation anxiety among women?

This study aimed to examine attachment and adult separation anxiety (ASA) among women who lost a parent in their youth. We hypothesized that insecure attachment and increased ASA from a romantic partner would be found among women who have lost a parent in youth, compared to women whose parents were both alive. Sixty women who lost one or both parents in their youth and 60 who had living parents participated in the study (mean age: 32.3, range: 18-62 years). Participants filled out the ASA and Short Attachment questionnaires. Women who lost a parent reported higher levels of anxious attachment and ASA from partner; the two groups did not differ, however, in terms of avoidant attachment. Additionally, similar effects on ASA and attachment were found among adult women who lost a father or a mother in their youth. In conclusion, the loss of a parent early in life may be associated with an insecure attachment style and increased ASA.

The experience of children and adolescents in the school setting a few years after losing a parent.

A parent's death shakes the child's world and unbalances the family structure. School can be a source of support, yet there is scarce research on the experience of bereaved children in school a few years after the loss and from their own perspective. In this qualitative-phenomenological study we set out to identify the subjective experience of parentally bereaved children and adolescents in school, at least one year after the death. Twenty parentally bereaved children and adolescents were interviewed. Findings indicated that most felt they were regarded differently by staff at school. For some, this felt right, while others were uncomfortable. Most needed consideration and flexibility and wished the staff would discuss their needs with them. We conclude that it is important to directly inquire about and address each student's needs. School personnel should be better informed about how to deal with students' loss to help them in the long term.

Parenting among mothers exposed to ongoing military conflict in childhood: An exploratory study.

Mothers living in areas exposed to ongoing military conflict are at higher risk for psychological difficulties, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, than those not living in such areas. The aim of this two-part exploratory study was twofold. The first aim was to examine differences between mothers who grew up under ongoing military conflict in childhood and mothers who did not grow up in affected areas in terms of their levels of differentiation of self and parental self-efficacy (PSE). The second aim was to identify and describe the parenting experiences of mothers who were exposed to military conflict in childhood. In Part 1 of the study, the sample included 120 mothers (half of whom reported on being exposed to ongoing military conflict in childhood). Findings showed that mothers exposed to ongoing military conflict in childhood reported lower levels of differentiation of self and PSE than their counterparts. In Part 2, 10 mothers who were exposed to ongoing military conflict as children were interviewed about their experience as parents and their PSE. Results indicated that the mothers felt their childhood experiences affected their parenting and PSE negatively, resulting in anxiety, difficulty dealing with stress and sometimes posttraumatic symptoms as well as parental patterns of overprotectiveness, separation anxiety and intergenerational transmission of anxiety. The results highlight the consequences of exposure to ongoing military conflict during childhood on levels of differentiation of self and parenting practices.

Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: An Exploratory Study of Their Experience of Family Relationships and Coping With the Illness.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore familial patterns that may be related to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to patients' ways of coping with the illness. METHODS: A purposive sample of 32 Israeli Jewish (n = 12) and Arab (n = 20) individuals with T2DM were recruited from a community population and interviewed about their familial experiences and their illness. Interview data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: Many participants, particularly from the Arab society, reported familial patterns that suggest fused relationships and emotional cutoff. They described highly close and positive family relationships, on one hand, but demonstrated unwillingness to share their difficulties with their family members, on the other hand. Precipitating stressful or traumatic events and day-to-day stress appeared as leading perceived causes of the illness. Maintaining an appropriate lifestyle, stress reduction, and family support were the main coping strategies with the illness. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a possible avenue in which fusion with family members and inability to attenuate emotional distress by sharing difficulties with others may contribute to the development of T2DM. Assessment of such family dynamics and ways of coping with stress could lead to more appropriately nuanced treatment for individuals with T2DM and prediabetes.