The relationship of self-compassion and hope with quality of life for individuals with bleeding disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal research has been conducted examining the relationship of positive psychology variables with quality of life (QOL) for individuals with bleeding disorders. While many individuals manage their bleeding disorders well, some are at higher risk of developing psychosocial complications due to the daily stressors of managing illness-related symptoms. AIM: The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationships between two positive psychology variables, self-compassion and hope and QOL (overall, psychosocial and physical) among individuals diagnosed with bleeding disorders. METHODS: Participants completed a survey identifying demographic information as well as rating scales of self-compassion, hope and quality of life. We conducted Pearson correlational and standard multiple regression analyses to explore the bivariate and linear relationships between the aforementioned variables in a sample of 86 patients with bleeding disorders between the ages of 15 and 65. RESULTS: Self-compassion and hope were significantly related to QOL. Together, self-compassion and hope were predictive of overall QOL, psychosocial QOL and physical QOL. However, hope was the only individual predictor of all three QOL dimensions. CONCLUSION: Due to the significant relationships found between self-compassion, hope and QOL in this sample, it may be beneficial to incorporate positive psychology factors into the treatment of those diagnosed with bleeding disorders, especially those at higher risk for decreased QOL.

Health risks in American Indian adolescents: a descriptive study of a rural, non-reservation sample.

OBJECTIVE: To identify health risks among a rural, non-reservation group of American Indian adolescents. METHODS: A non-reservation sample of 243 American Indian students from a total sample of 1,815 students in a southwestern state completed health-risk screenings in the public schools. The students were between 14 and 18 years of age and in grades 9 through 12. Archival survey data were analyzed by age, gender, and race. RESULTS: Student reports of health-risk behaviors in the areas of physical health, substance use, emotional health, risk of injury, perceived grades, and academic expectations were examined. The majority of study participants reported average or below levels of health risks. CONCLUSIONS: Non-reservation American Indian students have average or better health habits and expect to continue their educations beyond high school. There are some differences by gender and age.

Interpersonal process-oriented group psychotherapy with offender populations.

This article discusses the application of interpersonal process-oriented group psychotherapy to offender populations. Group psychotherapy with offenders presents problems not encountered with other populations; thus, applying the group method requires special considerations. The particular focus of this article is on the relevance of therapeutic factors in group work with offenders, group process as it applies to work with offenders, and work with difficult clients.