Quality of life, depression, adherence to treatment and illness perception of patients on haemodialysis.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life, depression, perception of seriousness of illness and adherence to treatment among Jordanian patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis. The study was carried out using a descriptive, correlation design. A convenience sample of 244 participants was recruited from four major dialysis units in Amman. A self-report questionnaire included demographic data, adherence to treatment and perception of seriousness of illness. Quality of Life Index and Beck Depression Inventory were used for data collection. There was a negative correlation between quality of life and depression (r = -0.05, P = 0.000). Depression was higher among women than men, whereas both gender had low quality of life scores. Higher quality of life has been associated with perceived seriousness of illness and more adherence to treatment regimen. This study provides preliminary evidence to develop culturally sensitive nursing strategies to asses and manage depression, enhance quality of life and adherence to treatment of patients on haemodialysis.

Attitudes of Jordanian mental health nurses toward mental illness and patients with mental illness.

The purpose of this study was to examine Jordanian mental health nurses' attitudes toward mental illness and patients with mental illness. A descriptive correlational design was utilized to collect data from 92 mental health nurses in Jordan. Data was collected on nurses' attitudes toward mental illness and patients with mental disorder and their satisfaction with nursing care delivery. The Jordanian mental health nurses who participated in this study had negative attitudes toward mental illness and toward patients with mental disorders. About 60% of the mental health nurses had perceived patients with mental illness to be dangerous, immature, dirty, cold hearted, harmful, and pessimistic. In only two descriptions-being polite and adult-did nurses have positive perception about patients with mental illness. Mental health nurse were not satisfied with nursing care delivery. More than 70% of nurses were proud to be a mental health nurse. Age and gender were significant influential factors in forming the nurses' attitudes or satisfaction. Immediate intervention is needed to improve the quality of patient care provided by mental health nurses.

Measuring Care Needs of Parents of Children With Cancer: Psychometric Properties of the FIN-PED II Arabic Version.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was conducted to test the Arabic version of the Family Inventory of Needs-Pediatrics II (FIN-PED II). METHODS: The Arabic FIN-PED II was developed using the translation/back-translation method. Then, an expert panel of 5 parents of children with cancer rated the tool for clarity and content validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was evaluated in a convenience sample of 113 parents of children with cancer. RESULTS: The FIN-PED II was found to be acceptable and clear to almost all parents. The FIN-PED II demonstrated good psychometric properties. The internal consistency was high with alpha values > 0.70 and high test-retest correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Arabic FIN-PED II needs further psychometric testing, it is an acceptable, reliable, and valid measure of perceived parents need during child's treatment.

Screening for anxiety symptoms and social desirability in children and adolescents living with chronic illnesses in Jordan.

This research aims to investigate the rate and nature of anxiety symptoms in a group of children and adolescents living with chronic illnesses in Jordan, and their relation to social desirability in a cultural sample not previously researched. Using the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (R-CMAS), anxiety and social desirability data were obtained from 114 children diagnosed with chronic illnesses and 162 healthy control participants. Based on children's self-report, participants were categorized according to their adaptive style paradigm as either high anxious, low anxious, or repressor. It was proposed that children who score high on social desirability and low on anxiety are repressors. The prevalence of these categories was compared across the two groups. Anxiety was reported in 9.64 percent of the chronic illnesses and 12.34 percent of the healthy peers. Using the data obtained in the present study, the rate and nature of anxiety in children with chronic illnesses were lower for children in Jordan when compared to previous studies. However, social desirability values were similar to those established in Western societies suggesting a significantly higher percentage of children identified as repressors in children with long-term illnesses. These results supported the hypothesis regarding the relationship between social desirability and expressed anxiety symptoms.