Chinese American and Non-Hispanic White Breast Cancer Patients' Knowledge and Use of BRCA Testing.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Chinese American women. Knowing the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) gene mutation status can improve breast cancer patients' health outcomes by guiding targeted treatment towards preventing breast cancer recurrence and other BRCA-related cancers. Nevertheless, it is unclear if there is a disparity in knowledge and use of BRCA testing among Chinese American breast cancer patients. This cross-sectional study investigated the possible presence of differences in the knowledge and the use of BRCA testing between Chinese American and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) breast cancer patients. We surveyed 45 Chinese American and 48 NHW adult breast cancer patients who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the previous two years through telephone interviews. The results showed that race was not statistically related to the use of BRCA testing. BRCA testing utilization was associated with family history (p < 0.05) and age (p < 0.05). However, Chinese American participants' understanding of BRCA testing was significantly lower than that of NHW participants (p = 0.030). Our findings suggest that a disparity exists in BRCA testing knowledge between Chinese American and NHW breast cancer patients. Genetic education and counseling are needed to improve BRCA testing knowledge and uptake among Chinese American breast cancer patients.

Exploring Racial Differences in Treatment Decision-making in Chinese Immigrant and White American Breast Cancer Patients: the Role of Patient-Provider Communication.

Chinese immigrant cancer patients report suboptimal patient-provider communication, which increases the likelihood of decisional conflict and unsatisfactory treatment decision-making (TDM) outcomes (e.g., low satisfaction and perceived control over cancer care). This cross-sectional study explored whether (1) communication and decisional conflict factors associated with TDM outcomes differed between Chinese immigrant and non-Hispanic White breast cancer patients, and (2) the association between patient-provider communication and the outcomes were mediated by TDM factors, regardless of race. Ninety-eight breast cancer patients, diagnosed at stage I-III participated in cross-sectional survey interviews. TDM outcomes and possible predictors of the outcomes (e.g., patient-provider communication, decisional conflict, preference for who makes the treatment decision) were assessed. Linear regression and mediational testing were performed to examine associations among variables of interest. Of the 98, 85 were included for analysis. Chinese patients with limited English proficiency (n = 37) had poorer patient-provider communication, higher decisional conflict, and preferred providers to make decisions than non-Hispanic White patients (n = 48; all p < .05). They also had lower satisfaction with their TDM process after controlling for predictors (e.g., patient-provider communication) (p < .001). There were no significant racial differences in perceived control, controlling for covariates. Regardless of race, patients who reported quality patient-provider communication reported less decisional conflict. These patients also reported increased satisfaction and perceived control. The disparities Chinese immigrant cancer patients experienced in the TDM process may be related to their cultural communication style with providers. Facilitating Chinese patients' communication and partnership with providers may reduce decisional conflicts and increase their TDM outcomes.

Longitudinal Effects of an Intergenerational mHealth Program for Older Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Rural Taiwan.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to test the longitudinal efficacy of a mHealth intervention (Intergenerational Mobile Technology Opportunities Program, IMTOP) for older type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in rural Taiwan. Few mHealth programs targeted rural older adults and the longitudinal effects are unknown. METHODS: Ninety-seven T2DM patients aged 55+ were recruited from an outpatient in Hualien, Taiwan. The intervention comprised 8-week technology and diabetes self-management training and 4-week technical support. College student tutors facilitated T2DM patients to learn technology. Participants used a diabetes self-management app to track health behaviors. Outcomes measured at baseline and at 4 and 8 months including patient-reported self-care behaviors, T2DM symptoms, clinical outcomes, health resource utilization, and medical expenditure. Linear mixed-effect regressions of repeated measures were conducted for each outcome. RESULTS: At 4 months, improvements in self-care behaviors were reported in diet, exercise, smoking, and blood glucose testing. Patients paid less endocrinology clinic visits, spent less on endocrinology medications, and improvements in fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol were observed. At 8 months, the statistical significance of improvements in diet and smoking were maintained, and the averaged endocrinology clinic visits remained less than baseline. However, more frequent occurrence of diabetes symptoms were reported at both follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: IMTOP had lasting effects on diet and decreased smoking behavior, clinic visits, and medication costs over 8 months. Self-monitoring through an app increased awareness and may explain the increased reporting of diabetes symptoms. IMTOP is a promising model for promoting T2DM self-management in rural areas.

Incarceration history, social network composition, and substance use among homeless youth in Los Angeles.

Background: Homeless youth in the United States have high rates of substance use. Existing research has identified social network composition and street-associated stressors as contributing factors. Incarceration is a highly prevalent stressor for homeless youth. Its effect on youth's social network composition and substance use, however, has been neglected. Aims: This study investigated the direct and indirect associations between incarceration history and substance use (through social networks) among homeless youth in Los Angeles, California. Methods: A sample of 1047 homeless youths were recruited between 2011 and 2013. Computerized self-administrated surveys and social network interviews were conducted to collect youth's sociodemographic characteristics, incarceration history, social network composition, and substance use. Bootstrapping was used to identify the direct and indirect associations between youth's incarceration history and substance use. Results: Incarceration history was positively associated with youth's cannabis, methamphetamine, and injection drug use. The percentage of cannabis-using peers partially mediated the associations between incarceration history and youth's cannabis, cocaine, and heroin use. The percentage of methamphetamine-using peers partially mediated the associations between incarceration history and youth's methamphetamine, cocaine, and injection drug use. The percentage of heroin-using peers partially mediated the association between incarceration history and youth's heroin use. Moreover, the percentage of peers who inject drugs partially mediated the associations between incarceration history and youth's methamphetamine, heroin, and injection drug use. Discussion: Incarceration history should be taken to a more central place in future research and practice with homeless youth in the United States.

Training needs for dementia care in China from the perspectives of mental health providers: who, what, and how.

ABSTRACTBackground:Acknowledging increasing demand of dementia care for patients in China, this paper aims to understand the training needs of dementia care from the perspectives of mental health providers by examining who should be the trainees, what should be the contents of training, and how to deliver the training in China. METHODS: Using purposive sampling, data were gathered via four focus group discussions with 40 mental health providers in Beijing, China, in 2011. Data were transcribed by independent investigators and then translated into English. Researchers used content analysis to separately identify themes and codes. Discrepancies were discussed until final agreement achieved. RESULTS: To improve the quality of dementia care, all participants agreed there is a significant need to train both formal or professional (physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, community workers) and informal caregivers (family, friends, or non-kin hired caregivers). For formal or professional caregivers, suggested training content included clinical knowledge of dementia (i.e. pathogenesis, approaches for preventing dementia deterioration) and clinical practice skills (i.e. diagnostic, treatment, caregiving, counseling, communicating skills). For informal caregivers, basic dementia knowledge and home-based caregiving skills such as safety, restorative, stress management, and communication were identified as key training contents. Multilevel support from the government and community centers were considered crucial factors to delivering the training and educating the public to enhance awareness of dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally, sensitive education and specific trainings for formal and informal dementia caregivers are urgently needed in China. Policy and program implications are discussed.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Clinical Practices for Patients With Dementia Among Mental Health Providers in China: City and Town Differences.

Mental health providers are the major resource families rely on when experiencing the effects of dementia. However, mental health resources and manpower are inadequate and unevenly distributed between cities and towns in China. This study was conducted to examine similarities and differences in knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices concerning dementia and working with family caregivers from mental health providers' perspectives in city versus town settings. Data were collected during focus group discussions with 40 mental health providers in the Xicheng (city) and Daxing (town) districts in Beijing, China in 2011. Regional disparities between providers' knowledge of early diagnosis of dementia and related counseling skills were identified. Regional similarities included training needs, dementia-related stigma, and low awareness of dementia among family caregivers. Culturally sensitive education specific to dementia for mental health providers and a specialized dementia care model for people with dementia and their family caregivers are urgently needed. Implications for geriatric practitioners and educators are discussed.

Health literacy issues in the care of Chinese American immigrants with diabetes: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate why first-generation Chinese immigrants with diabetes have difficulty obtaining, processing and understanding diabetes related information despite the existence of translated materials and translators. DESIGN: This qualitative study employed purposive sampling. Six focus groups and two individual interviews were conducted. Each group discussion lasted approximately 90 min and was guided by semistructured and open-ended questions. SETTING: Data were collected in two community health centres and one elderly retirement village in Los Angeles, California. PARTICIPANTS: 29 Chinese immigrants aged ≥45 years and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Eight key themes were found to potentially affect Chinese immigrants' capacity to obtain, communicate, process and understand diabetes related health information and consequently alter their decision making in self-care. Among the themes, three major categories emerged: cultural factors, structural barriers, and personal barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of cultural sensitivity when working with first-generation Chinese immigrants with diabetes. Implications for health professionals, local community centres and other potential service providers are discussed.

Does productive role occupancy prevent depression among older rural Chinese adults? A latent difference score analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Depression has been reported as common among older rural Chinese adults, who often face limited access to healthcare services and resources. Empirical studies conducted in the West have shown beneficial effects of productive engagement on psychological well-being. However, the mechanisms by which engagement in productive activities leads to and results from improved mental health remain unclear. METHOD: Utilizing role enhancement and social resource theories, the present study investigated the relationship between productive role occupancy and depression among older Chinese adults in rural areas over 8 years. Using four waves of data from the Well-Being of Elderly in Anhui Province of China study, we employed bivariate latent different score analysis to examine the temporal sequence of productive role occupancy and depression among 1696 older adults. RESULTS: Findings indicated that trajectories of productive role occupancy and depression rose across the four waves. There is evidence for self-feedback effects in productive role occupancy and depression. Depression had a significant effect on subsequent changes in productive role occupancy (ß = -0.042, p = 0.000), whereas productive role occupancy had no significant effect on subsequent changes in depression. CONCLUSION: The mental well-being of participants worsened over time. Engaging in productive activities had no effect on mental health status, and rural older adults with poor mental health were less likely to engage in productive activities over time. Findings suggest that psychological well-being as a personal resource significantly affects how productively Chinese adults age in late life.

Intensity of grandparent caregiving and life satisfaction among rural Chinese older adults: a longitudinal study using latent difference score analysis.

This study examined how life satisfaction and grandparent caregiving intensity changed over time among rural Chinese older adults, and whether there was a leading predictor between grandparent caregiving intensity and life satisfaction. Using 4 waves of data from the Well-being of Elderly in Anhui Province of China (N = 1704), we applied latent difference score analysis to explore this relationship. Results indicated that grandparent caregiving intensity decreased and life satisfaction increased over time. There was a lagged effect between grandparent caregiving intensity and life satisfaction, and life satisfaction demonstrated a leading prediction role between these 2 variables. This study confirmed the potentially rewarding aspect of grandparent caregiving, which may lead to greater life satisfaction. The results also revealed that psychological well-being among grandparents is very important for performing activities, such as caregiving.