The relationship of smartphone addiction with depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students.

Introduction: An increasing amount of research has shown a link between psychopathological behaviors such as smartphone addiction, depression, anxiety, and stress. The aim of this study was to assess the association of smartphone addiction with depression, anxiety, and stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 26th January and 3rd March 2021. The sample was chosen using a convenient sampling technique and Raosoft tool. The survey assessed smartphone addiction using abbreviated versions of the Addiction Scale Short Version, a self-administered questionnaire that has been validated in the English and Arabic languages. Also, Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale was used to measure the level of depression, anxiety, and stress among the university students. Results: A total of 367 university students from the Medical and Health Sciences College participated. Our findings showed that smartphone addiction exhibited positive correlations with depression (r = 0.375, p < 0.01), anxiety (r = 0.253, p < 0.01), and stress (r = 0.328, p < 0.05). In addition, there was a strong positive correlation between depression and both anxiety and stress (r = 0.731, p < 0.01) (r = 0.778, p < 0.01), respectively. Finally, stress and anxiety showed a positive correlation (r = 0.708, p < 0.01). Conclusion: When combined, our data offer strong support for a bidirectional hybrid theory that takes into account the link between smartphone addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress. The current study's findings might assist national health authorities in strengthening their efforts to prevent depression, anxiety, and stress associated with the use of modern technology.

Psychometric Properties and Factorial Structure of Postpartum-Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS) Within Arabic Language in a Palestinian Context.

BACKGROUND: The Postpartum-Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS) is an international measure designed to evaluate anxiety experienced by mothers in the postpartum period from one day to six months; the scale was translated into Arabic and validated within Palestinian context to test postpartum anxiety among Palestinian women. AIMS: The current study aimed to test the psychometric properties and the factorial structure within the Arabic language in a Palestinian context using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The sample of this study consisted of 475 Palestinian women recruited from health centers in the West Banks of Palestine using a convenience sample. 61% were of ages 20-30 years and 39% percent ages 31-40 years. FINDINGS: The PSAS showed good validity and reliability indicators in assessing postpartum anxiety within Palestinian context. Results of CFA showed a stable construct of a four-factor structure in assessing postpartum anxiety among Palestinian mothers: (1) competence and attachment anxieties, (2) infant safety and welfare anxieties, (3) practical baby care anxieties and (4) psychosocial adjustment to motherhood, which is consisting with the original four-factor structure of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The PSAS showed good validity indicators within Palestinian context. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct similar studies with clinical and non-clinical groups in the Palestinian society. The PSAS can be a useful measure to assess anxiety levels among women during the postpartum months; which will enable mental health providers to provide psychological interventions for mothers whose anxiety levels are high.

The Factors Influencing Nurses' Clinical Decision-Making in Emergency Department.

In an emergency, making the correct decision is vital. It is a necessary element of professional nursing care, and the ability of nurses to make successful clinical decisions is the most critical element influencing care quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing nurses' clinical decision-making in the emergency department of Palestinan hospitals. A cross-sectional study was targeted at all nurses working in emergency departments at the Palestinian hospitals. The study was completed with 227 nurses, and collecting data was performed with the Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale. Results of the study revealed that the average score for the total clinical decision-making score was 3.3 (SD = 0.23). The subscales of clinical decision making were "search for alternatives or options," "canvassing of objectives and values," "evaluation and reevaluation of consequences," and "search for information and unbiased assimilation of new information." Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that degree and work hours accounted for 11.7% of the variance in clinical decision-making. The study confirmed the average score for clinical decision-making was slightly higher than the average score. Also, it approved that nursing degree and work hours were predictors of clinical decision-making among nurses in emergency departments.

Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise on Anxiety Among Male Nursing Students Undergoing Maternity Clinical Training.

Introduction: Student in a maternity nursing program must be engaged in practical training and they must be well prepared and directed along the way to becoming qualified professionals. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on anxiety among male nursing students undergoing maternity clinical training. Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-post study was conducted on nursing at Arab American University Palestine. The sample of the study consisted of 48 male nursing students enrolled in the maternity nursing course. They were selected through convenience sampling. This study was conducted on one group of male nursing students that received Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation exercise for five consecutive days per week. The S-anxiety scale (STAI Form Y-1) was applied to collect data before and after the intervention. Results: The magnitude of anxiety reduction after the progressive muscle relaxation exercise was greater than before (t (47) = 21.2, p < .05). Conclusion: The current study's findings indicated the influence of progressive muscle relaxation on maternity clinical setting anxiety reduction among male nursing students.

Quality of life for kidney transplant recipients and hemodialysis patients in Palestine: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important indicator of medical treatment and is a strong predictor of disability and mortality. The literature has shown mixed evidence about whether kidney transplantation improves HRQOL compared with other renal replacement modalities. The aim of this study was to compare the HRQOL in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 100 KTRs and 272 HD patients from two central kidney units in the West Bank, Palestine. The HRQOL was assessed using the Short Form-36 Health Survey. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate differences in mean HRQOL scores between KTRs and HD patients. RESULTS: As compared to HD patients, KTRs had higher clinically important HRQOL in main domains and subscales of the SF-36 including physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, mental health, ranging between 15.5 for social functioning (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 10.1, 20.7) to 32.6 for general health (95% CI 24.0, 41.1). CONCLUSIONS: We found that KTRs have better HRQOL than HD patients in physical and mental components of the SF-36 scale including physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. Further longitudinal research comparing HRQOL among KTRs and the general population may identify key modifiable factors associated with lower HRQOL among KTRs that are amenable to intervention.

Major depression across West Bank: a cross-sectional general population study.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades entire populations have been living under chronic strain, apprehension and violence. This is the case for Palestinians. Despite the increased volume of mass media attention on this situation, little is known about the psychological effects of this condition on this population. AIMS: The study was designed to investigate the lifetime and one-month prevalence of major depression episode (MDE) in a multi-stage sample of 916 adult Palestinians drawn from the Al-Aqsa Intifada. METHODS: The survey was based on personal interviews and was carried out from February to September 2007. The clinical examination used DSM-IV criteria for the detection of MDE, extracted from SCID-I. Data, suicidal behaviour, previous help seeking, medication use and exposure to trauma were also collected. RESULTS: Lifetime and one-month prevalence of MDE was found to be 24.3% and 10.6%, respectively. Male Palestinians suffered from slightly higher rates of MDE than their female counterparts, but this difference was not statistically significant. Being widowed and living in towns in West Bank also increased the likelihood to develop MDE. A comparison of prevalence rates in refugee and non-refugee populations showed no significant differences. This could be explained by the fact that though refugees were forcibly displaced, they were living among compatriots (non-refugees), thus both groups were experiencing the same sociopolitical adversities. Being also exposed to traumatic events increased the risk of suffering from MDE. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that a population under continuous strain and apprehension, living in unremitting socioeconomic deprivation, is more likely to suffer from major depression.

Posttraumatic stress disorders comorbid with major depression in West Bank, Palestine: a general population cross sectional study

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders(PTSD) comorbid with Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) were explored in fourareas of West Bank of Palestine in the aftermath of the second intifada. Methods: The sample consisted of 916 adult Palestinians representative of the general population. The interview was personal with the use of DSM IV criteria for PTSD and MDE (the SCID I modules). Results: The prevalence of chronic PTSD comorbid with lifetime MDE and chronic PTSDalone were found 18.7% and 26.5% respectively. Another 6.1% were diagnosed as suffering from lifetime MDE. Higher numbers of refugees were found to suffer from PTSD comorbid with MDE. The majority of respondents who reported previous suicidal behavior were comorbid cases of PTSD/MDE. The predictors differentiating between MDE alone and no diagnosis and between comorbid PTSD/MDE and no diagnosis were almost identical. Conclusions: This sample of adult Palestinians living under conditions of mass violence and continuous economic deprivation were found suffering from high rates of post PTSD and comorbid PTSD with MDE, a common finding among populations under serious traumatic exposure (AU)