Psychological variables and quality of life in women with endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition which has been found to have a detrimental impact upon women's quality of life (QoL). This study investigated the impact of pain self-efficacy, health locus of control (HLOC), coping style and illness uncertainty on QoL in women with endometriosis. METHOD: Two hundred and thirty women completed online questionnaires. Standard multiple regressions assessed the relationship between the psychological predictors and QoL. RESULTS: The psychological variables accounted for a statistically significant proportion of the variance (p < .0005) in scores across the four QoL domains. The model accounted for 55, 26, 10 and 32% of the scores in physical, psychological, social and environmental QoL domains, respectively. Pain self-efficacy made the largest unique contribution, followed by illness uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: Women's perception of their ability to manage their pain and how uncertain they felt about their condition, were important factors in QoL, particularly in the physical domain.

The Experience of Partner Relationships for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Synthesis.

Research has documented wide-ranging psychological impacts of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) for male survivors, but their experience of relationships is understudied. This qualitative review aimed to synthesize the qualitative literature concerning the experience of partner relationships for male CSA survivors. Electronic searches were conducted across PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed, complemented by hand searches of references. Searches were limited to English-language peer-reviewed studies. Studies were included if they sampled adult male CSA survivors and reported qualitative data on their experience of partner relationships. Sixteen studies met the review criteria. Articles were quality-appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist (2018), and narrative synthesis derived five themes: "sexual orientation confusion," "sexual intimacy difficulties," "the barrier of emotional intimacy," "navigating agency," and "healing and growth through love." Key findings were male CSA survivors can face considerable barriers to relational intimacy; however, romantic relationships also offer a space to heal and experience post-traumatic growth (PTG). Clinicians should be aware of the diffuse impacts CSA can have upon male survivors' intimate relationships. Helping survivors and their partners build a safe space in which to process CSA, reassert agency and relational boundaries, and express love and validation can support survivors toward PTG.

Women's Experiences of Vulvodynia: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Journey Toward Diagnosis.

Vulvodynia is the experience of idiopathic pain characterized by burning, soreness, or throbbing in the external female genitalia or vulva and is estimated to be experienced by 4-16% of the female population, yet only half of women seek help regarding their symptoms. Of the women who do seek help, only around 2% obtain a diagnosis. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of women with vulvodynia on their journey toward diagnosis, by using semi-structured interviews and an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology. Eight women were interviewed, and their experiences were analyzed and interpreted into three master themes, each with constituent sub-themes: (1) The Journey Is a Battle, (2) "What Is Vulvodynia?": Ambivalence Toward Diagnosis, and (3) Patriarchy, Women, and Sex. Overall, women perceived a healthcare system which was dismissive and shaming, with an inadequate knowledge of vulvodynia. This in turn impacted on women's psychological well-being. Psychological understanding, one-to-one therapy, and consultation and training for healthcare professionals may help to improve the psychological well-being of women with vulvodynia.

Understanding mothers' experiences of positive changes after neonatal death.

Background: The death of a neonatal baby has the potential for parents to experience many negative outcomes. Post traumatic growth describes positive personal change from the struggle with a traumatic event. This has not been explored in this context. Objective: This study sought to understand the experiences of mothers whose neonatal baby had died; in particular, whether mothers were able to experience any positive changes in their lives since the death of their baby. The study also sought to explore what factors may have facilitated or prevented these changes. Method: Ten mothers were recruited, whose baby had died in the neonatal period between two and 10 years previously. Mothers completed semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using Template Analysis. Results: Despite ongoing sadness, mothers recognized positive personal changes in their self-perception, relationships and life philosophy which were consistent with the post-traumatic growth model. Mothers also identified facilitators and barriers to these changes which were categorized into five themes: 'Person-centred care', 'making sense', 'personal coping strategies', 'learning to live with it' and 'identity'. Conclusions: This study identified that the mothers made a conscious personal decision to cope with their experience. This is a unique finding which requires further exploration. Facilitators and barriers of growth both occurred as elements within the same five themes, indicating that all identified domains before and after the death have the potential to facilitate or to prevent personal growth. Importantly, these findings indicate that person-centred services, which are responsive to individual needs at all stages, are vital when providing maternity care in the context of loss.

Antecedentes: la muerte de un bebé neonato tiene el potencial de que los padres experimenten muchos resultados negativos. Contrariamente, el crecimiento postraumático describe cambios personales positivos, que pueden ocurrir al enfrentarse con un evento traumático, no ha sido explorado en este contexto.Objetivo: Este estudio buscó comprender las experiencias de las madres cuyo bebé recién nacido había muerto, y en particular si las madres podían experimentar algún cambio positivo en sus vidas, desde la muerte de su bebé. El estudio también buscó explorar qué factores pudieron haber facilitado o impedido estos cambiosMétodo: Se reclutaron diez madres cuyo bebé había muerto en el período neonatal, entre dos y 10 años previos. Las madres completaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, una a una. Las transcripciones de la entrevista se analizaron mediante el análisis de plantillas.Resultados: A pesar de la tristeza en curso, las madres reconocieron cambios personales positivos, en su autopercepción, relaciones y filosofía de vida que eran consistentes con el modelo de crecimiento postraumático. Las madres también identificaron facilitadores y barreras para estos cambios que se categorizaron en cinco temas: 'Atención centrada en la persona', 'sentido', 'estrategias personales de afrontamiento', 'aprender a vivir con eso' e 'identidad'.Conclusiones: este estudio identificó que las madres tomaron una decisión personal consciente para sobrellevar su experiencia; este es un hallazgo único que requiere mayor exploración. Los facilitadores y las barreras de crecimiento se presentaron como elementos dentro de los mismos cinco temas, lo que indica que todos los dominios identificados antes y después de la muerte tienen el potencial de facilitar o prevenir el crecimiento personal. Es importante destacar que estos hallazgos indican que los servicios centrados en la persona, que responden a las necesidades individuales en todas las etapas, son vitales cuando se brinda atención de maternidad en el contexto de la pérdida.

What aspects of post-traumatic growth are experienced by bereaved parents? A systematic review.

Background: The death of a child of any age can be traumatic and can leave bereaved parents experiencing negative psychological outcomes. Recent research has shown the potential utility for understanding more about the development of post-traumatic growth following bereavement. Objective: This paper sought to identify the aspects of post-traumatic growth experienced by bereaved parents and the factors that may be involved in facilitating or preventing post-traumatic growth. Methods: A systematic search of peer-reviewed articles with a primary focus on positive personal growth in bereaved parents was conducted. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and were analysed and synthesized according to common and divergent themes. Results: Bereaved parents were able to experience elements of growth proposed by the post-traumatic growth model (changes in self-perception, relationships, new possibilities, appreciation of life and existential views). The papers also indicated that (1) mothers appeared to experience more growth than fathers, (2) cultural variation may impact on some participants' experience of growth, and (3) participants were able to identify growth only once some time had passed. Potential facilitators of post-traumatic growth involved making meaning, keeping ongoing bonds with the child, being with bereaved families, and family and personal characteristics. Social networks were identified as having the potential to be either a facilitator or a barrier to growth. Conclusions: In addition to experiencing grief, bereaved parents may experience aspects of post-traumatic growth, and a variety of factors have been identified as potential facilitators and barriers of these changes. The findings may have implications for support services (e.g. expert-by-experience services).

Antecedentes: La muerte de un niño de cualquier edad puede ser traumática y provocar resultados psicológicos negativos a los padres en duelo. Investigaciones recientes han demostrado la utilidad potencial de comprender más sobre el desarrollo del crecimiento postraumático luego del duelo.Objetivo: Este artículo buscó identificar los aspectos del crecimiento postraumático experimentados por los padres en duelo y los factores que pueden estar involucrados en facilitar o prevenir el crecimiento postraumático.Métodos: se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de artículos revisados por pares con un enfoque principal en el crecimiento personal positivo en padres en duelo. Trece artículos cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y se analizaron y sintetizaron de acuerdo con temas comunes y divergentes.Resultados: Los padres en duelo fueron capaces de experimentar los elementos de crecimiento propuestos por el modelo de crecimiento postraumático (cambios en la autopercepción, relaciones, nuevas posibilidades, apreciación de la vida y perspectivas existenciales). Los artículos también indicaron que (i) las madres parecían experimentar más crecimiento que los padres, (ii) la variación cultural puede afectar la experiencia de crecimiento de algunos participantes, y (iii) los participantes solo pudieron identificar el crecimiento una vez que pasó el tiempo. Los posibles facilitadores del crecimiento postraumático incluían encontrar significado, mantener lazos constantes con el niño, estar con familias en duelo y las características familiares y personales. Se identificó que las redes sociales tienen el potencial de ser tanto un facilitador como una barrera para el crecimiento.Conclusiones: Además de experimentar dolor, los padres en duelo pueden experimentar aspectos de crecimiento postraumático, y se han identificado una variedad de factores como posibles facilitadores y barreras de estos cambios. Los hallazgos pueden tener implicaciones para los servicios de apoyo (por ejemplo, servicios de expertos por experiencia).

Women's Subjective Experiences of Living with Vulvodynia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography.

Vulvodynia, the experience of an idiopathic pain in the form of burning, soreness, or throbbing in the vulval area, affects around 4-16% of the population. The current review used systematic search strategies and meta-ethnography as a means of identifying, analyzing, and synthesizing the existing literature pertaining to women's subjective experiences of living with vulvodynia. Four key concepts were identified: (1) Social Constructions: Sex, Women, and Femininity: Women experienced negative consequences of social narratives around womanhood, sexuality, and femininity, including the prioritization of penetrative sex, the belief that it is the role of women to provide sex for men, and media portrayals of sex as easy and natural. (2) Seeking Help: Women experienced the healthcare system as dismissive, sometimes being prescribed treatments that exacerbated the experience of pain. (3) Psychological and Relational Impact of Vulvodynia: Women experienced feeling shame and guilt, which in turn led to the experience of psychological distress, low mood, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Moreover, women reported feeling silenced which in turn affected their heterosexual relationships and their peer relationships by feeling social isolated. (4) A Way Forward: Women found changing narratives, as well as group and individual multidisciplinary approaches, helpful in managing vulvodynia. The findings of the review conclude that interventions at the individual level, as well as interventions aimed at equipping women to challenge social narratives, may be helpful for the psychological well-being of women with vulvodynia.

Male partner experiences of females with an acquired brain injury: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) not only has an impact on the survivor, but also on the partner and personal relationships as a whole. The present study aimed to investigate the male partner experience of living with a female with an ABI; exploring role change, intimacy and future expectations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six male partners of five females with a subarachnoid haemorrhage and one female with a traumatic brain injury. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed in depth using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four main themes captured the male partner's lived experience; "Entering the unknown world of ABI", "Imprisoned by the ABI", "Compassion without self-compassion", and "Holding on to hope". The accounts uncovered the male partner's journey following ABI; the unpredictability, sorrow, frustration, and finally acceptance and commitment to their partner. They identified the limited support available for partners following ABI; the sense of feeling forgotten by services and the need for information and support in the acute stages. Rehabilitation needs to take a systemic and longer-term focus, supporting both the survivor and their partner through the journey of ABI.

'It's one of the hardest jobs in the world': the experience and understanding of qualified nurses who work with individuals diagnosed with both learning disability and personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the experiences of qualified nurses working with individuals diagnosed with both intellectual disability and personality disorder (PD) in a medium-secure forensic intellectual disability setting. Potential training needs are highlighted, as well as other ways in which services could better support staff to work effectively with this client group. METHOD: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to explore the nine participants' experiences; the narratives were analysed with interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). RESULTS: Four master themes emerged from (i) disorder overriding disability; (ii) resilience; (iii) ambivalence towards label and (iv) knowledge. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight that for these participants, the clients' intellectual disability appeared to be lost under the complexity of the PD diagnosis. The clinical implications are discussed in terms of developing training, supervision and support.