Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Ting Guan, Paz Cook, Shenmeng Xu, Lisa Hart Ranzinger, Jamie L. Conklin, Abdulrahman Abdulmuslih S. Alfahad, Yu Ping, Karl Shieh, Susana Barroso, Natalia Villegas, Lixin Song
Summary: This study systematically examined the characteristics and outcomes of family-based psychosocial interventions for adult Latino patients with cancer and their caregivers. The interventions had beneficial effects on the psychosocial outcomes of both patients and caregivers. However, there is a lack of research on psychosocial interventions specifically focused on adult Latino cancer patients and their caregivers.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Grace Laura Rose, Elizabeth Mary Stewart, Briana Kristine Clifford, Tom George Bailey, Alexandra Jane Rush, Claudia Rose Abbott, Sandra Christine Hayes, Andreas Obermair, Alexandra Leigh McCarthy
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the efficacy of exercise intervention for women during/following treatment for gynaecological cancer. The results showed that exercise intervention can improve aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and agility, but the effects on quality of life, body composition, balance, and flexibility were inconsistent.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Ting Guan, Mimi V. Chapman, Yousef Qan'ir, Lixin Song
Summary: This review systematically describes the characteristics of psychosocial interventions for siblings of children with cancer, assesses the effects of these interventions on SCCs' outcomes, and explores SCCs' experiences and perceptions of these interventions. Group interventions were found to be the most common among SCCs, with primary outcomes focusing on depression, anxiety, and quality of life. While quantitative studies lacked sufficient evidence, qualitative studies indicated benefits for SCCs such as enhanced sense of belonging, improved family relationships, increased self-awareness and confidence, increased cancer knowledge, and decreased somatic symptoms.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wiebke Geertz, Wiebke Frerichs, Laura Inhestern, Corinna Bergelt
Summary: This review summarizes peer-group interventions for children and adolescents of cancer patients, where affected individuals have the opportunity to exchange and normalize their feelings among peers. The analysis of ten articles reveals high acceptance, feasibility, and positive effects of peer-group support, particularly in relation to psychological well-being, quality of life, and coping skills.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Qi Liu, Ka Yan Ho, Katherine Ka Wai Lam, Jacqueline Mei Chi Ho, Winsome Lam, Polly Ma, Hammoda Abu-Odah, Getaneh Mulualem Belay, Dong-Lan Ling, Shirley-Siu-Yin Ching, Frances-Kam-Yuet Wong
Summary: This paper describes a protocol to systematically summarize the characteristics of studies related to existing spiritual interventions and synthesize their effectiveness on psychological outcomes and quality of life among children with cancer. The study plans to search ten databases to identify appropriate literature and include all randomized controlled trials that meet the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome will be quality of life as evaluated by self-reported measures, and the secondary outcomes will be self-reported or objectively measured psychological outcomes including anxiety and depression.
Review
Oncology
Jocelyn Zhi Jia Lee, Hui-Chen Chen, Jia Xin Lee, Piyanee Klainin-Yobas
Summary: This systematic review found that psychosocial interventions had significant improvement on quality of life and depression symptoms among caregivers of advanced cancer patients, but not on anxiety symptoms, with non-significant effects at follow-up assessments. The overall quality of evidence was rated very low, and caution is needed when interpreting the results. Future randomized control trials with lower risk of bias, larger sample size, detailed participant characteristics, and informative interventions are desirable.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Florence Lui, Malwina Lewicka, George C. C. Bao, Anne Moyer, Lindsay Boyce, Jennifer Leng
Summary: This article conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions conducted with immigrant and/or LEP cancer patients. The findings suggest that these interventions have small but beneficial effects on psychosocial outcomes for this population. However, the effect sizes were smaller compared to previous meta-analyses conducted with majority U.S.-born, non-Hispanic White, English-speaking cancer patients. Therefore, more research is needed to identify key components and adaptations of interventions that can strengthen their effects for this underserved population.
Review
Oncology
Isaiah Gitonga, Deirdre Desmond, Natalia Duda, Rebecca Maguire
Summary: This study assessed the impacts of interventions delivered using connected health technologies on psychological and quality of life outcomes in cancer patients. The results showed that connected health interventions were moderately effective in improving psychological wellbeing and quality of life. However, the considerable heterogeneity observed highlights the need for more rigorous studies.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qin Liu, Fang Ye, Xiaolian Jiang, Changtao Zhong, Jinmei Zou
Summary: The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether psychosocial interventions have a positive effect on the quality of life, depression, and anxiety of caregivers of breast cancer patients. The results showed that these interventions significantly improved the caregivers' quality of life and reduced their levels of depression and anxiety. Face-to-face methods should be considered when conducting psychosocial interventions. Future studies should focus on long-term interventions for spouses or partners of breast cancer patients.
Review
Oncology
Danielle Keane, Grace Phillips, Nicola Mitchell, Roisin M. Connolly, Josephine Hegarty
Summary: This systematic review summarizes the available evidence on the effectiveness of supportive care interventions in improving quality of life and symptom experience for individuals living with metastatic breast cancer. Among the 13 studies included, 3 reported significant improvement in quality of life, and 2 reported improved symptoms. Additionally, 3 physical activity interventions showed improvement in at least one symptom. Therefore, multimodal and frequently administered interventions are effective in improving quality of life and symptom experience.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lauren J. Breen, Taha Huseini, Anne Same, Carolyn J. Peddle-McIntyre, Y. C. Gary Lee
Summary: Research shows that mesothelioma patients and family caregivers desire better diagnosis delivery and access to palliative care. Patients seek emotional support, patient-centered treatment, and more information about disease progression and death, while caregivers require one-on-one practical and emotional support.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
Catarina Nahlen Bose
Summary: Chronic heart failure has a negative impact on both physical and mental dimensions, leading to comorbid depression and anxiety and reduced quality of life. This meta-review aims to synthesize the outcomes of psychosocial interventions for heart failure based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The results show some short-term benefit of psychosocial interventions in reducing depression and anxiety and improving quality of life, but long-term effects are poorly studied. Further research is needed to explore the gaps in current evidence and incorporate clinical outcomes and measures of stress processes.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Crystle-Joie Agbayani, Jo A. Tucker, Edward L. Nelson, Freddy Martinez, Haydee Cortes, Dina Khoury, Zeev N. Kain, Carol Lin, Lilibeth Torno, Michelle A. Fortier
Summary: This study compares the immune profiles and psychosocial outcomes of parents of children with cancer to parents of healthy children. The results show that parents of children with cancer have altered immune profiles, with higher monocyte percentages, and also report poorer psychosocial outcomes. These findings suggest that parents of children with cancer may have long-term psychosocial needs and health issues.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jennifer Brunet, Jenson Price, Aurelie Baillot
Summary: This study aims to review the current evidence on the feasibility and acceptability of psychosocial interventions for body image targeting women diagnosed with breast cancer, providing recommendations for future research. The study will evaluate the methods and findings of selected studies to optimize the success of psychosocial interventions.
Review
Oncology
Asli Akdeniz Kudubes, Remziye Semerci, Murat Bektas, Melahat Akgun Kostak
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effects of interventions on the quality of life of children with cancer in Turkey. The results showed that these interventions have a positive effect on improving the quality of life among children with cancer. This study provides high-level evidence for Turkish healthcare professionals and significantly raises awareness of the importance of improving quality of life among children with cancer.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Caitlin Liddelow, Amber Ferrier, Barbara Mullan
Summary: This study examined the psychosocial predictors of engaging in proper hand hygiene through the application of a combined theory of planned behavior and temporal self-regulation theory. The results showed that subjective norm was the strongest predictor for intention, while intention was the strongest predictor for hand hygiene behavior. Environmental cues also moderated the relationship between intention and behavior. Therefore, incorporating subjective norm messages in advertisements and including environmental cues in recommended hand washing areas may help increase hand hygiene behavior.
PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marlene Kritz, Cecilie Thogersen-Ntoumani, Barbara Mullan, Afroditi Stathi, Nikos Ntoumanis
Summary: This study aims to determine the perceived need-supportive behaviors of peer walk leaders among older adults, primarily drawing from Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with experienced peer leaders and walkers, and the data were analyzed using framework analysis. Eight main themes were identified, including eliciting walker interest, acknowledging and adapting to walkers' requirements, ensuring comfort and social integration, supporting confidence, and promoting success experiences. Future peer leaders can use these behaviors to motivate older adults during group walks and should be educated about potential differences in perception between different sub-groups.
PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Brooke Nickel, Hankiz Dolan, Nehmat Houssami, Erin Cvejic, Meagan Brennan, Jolyn Hersch, Melanie Dorrington, Angela Verde, Lisa Vaccaro, Kirsten McCaffery
Summary: This study examined factors associated with women's intentions for supplemental screening after receiving notification of dense breasts. The results showed that women with higher levels of breast cancer worry, private health insurance, a family history of breast cancer, and previous mammography screenings were more likely to have intentions for supplemental screening. Understanding these factors is important for health systems considering widespread notification of dense breasts and discussing the benefits and harms of supplemental screening.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCREENING
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jessica Charlesworth, Hayley Breare, Barbara A. Mullan, Henry Tan, Bree Abbott
Summary: This study aimed to determine if behavior change techniques are effective in improving safe egg handling behaviors among consumers. The results showed that behavior change techniques were effective in improving knowledge and certain psychological constructs, but were not more effective in improving behavior compared to watching a video or mere participation in the study.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Indita Dorina, Barbara Mullan, Mark Boyes, Caitlin Liddelow
Summary: This review aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of temporal self-regulation theory to understand behavior. The findings suggest that the theory can explain behavior, although the effect sizes vary from weak to moderate. The strength of associations also varies across different behavior types and contexts. The study highlights the importance of assessing and reporting interactions to better understand the drivers of behavior and develop effective interventions.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Jessica Charlesworth, Thomas McAlpine, Annegret Martin, Jane Scott, Barbara Mullan
Summary: Subjective norms play an important role in breastfeeding behaviors, but there is a lack of consistent measurement. This study aimed to develop a reliable and valid subjective norms scale specific to breastfeeding for both mothers and fathers.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Caitlin Liddelow, Courtney S. Hitchcock, Barbara A. Mullan
Summary: Many aspects of society have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to negative impacts on people's quality of life. Research has found that better adaptive coping, decreased COVID-19 anxiety, and lower perceived health risk are associated with better quality of life. However, the influence on other domains of quality of life is still unknown.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
L. Alison Phillips, Barbara Ann Mullan
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW
(2023)
Review
Surgery
Georgina L. L. Irish, Alison Weightman, Jolyn Hersch, P. Toby Coates, Philip A. Clayton
Summary: This article conducted a study on patient decision aids (PDAs) for solid organ transplantation and found that these aids can improve patients' knowledge and are mostly accepted by patients. However, there is limited evidence on whether PDAs can improve other components of decision-making.
CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah E. E. Ratcliffe, Clare S. S. Smylie, Rebecca T. T. Pinkus, Ilan Dar-Nimrod, Ilona Juraskova, Haryana M. M. Dhillon
Summary: There are various methods available to measure abortion stigma, but there are still gaps in terms of psychometrics, geography, and structural-level stigma. Continued development and testing of tools to measure abortion stigma is necessary for valid and reliable measurement, models, and interventions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CONTRACEPTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Tess M. D. Fletcher, Barbara Mullan, Amy Finlay-Jones
Summary: This study aimed to explore alcohol use intentions during pregnancy, using variables from the theory of planned behavior, the prototype/willingness model, and personality variables. The study also investigated whether priming participants with exposure to prototypes describing different alcohol use behaviors had an impact on intentions. The results showed that positive attitudes toward alcohol use in pregnancy were the most significant predictor of intentions, and intentions did not differ between groups according to prototype exposure.
SUBSTANCE USE & MISUSE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Darren Haywood, Ashleigh Pantaleo, Barbara A. Mullan, Karen R. Heslop, Frank D. Baughman
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between different levels of alcohol involvement and mental health symptoms. The results showed significant differences in the severity of mental health symptoms between lower and moderate/high alcohol involvement, with somatization symptoms offering unique predictive utility.
SUBSTANCE USE & MISUSE
(2023)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Elizaveta Novoradovskaya, Barbara Mullan, Penelope Hasking
Summary: Plastic pollution is a serious issue, and adopting sustainable behaviors and using reusable items can effectively reduce it. This study employed behavior change techniques to increase the use of reusable coffee cups and found that the intervention was acceptable and useful. However, men had lower participation rates compared to women.
EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jessica Charlesworth, Barbara A. Mullan
Summary: This study explored the differences in safe food-handling knowledge, behavior, and related psychological constructs between individuals at higher risk of food poisoning and the general population. The findings showed that while individuals at higher risk of food poisoning had stronger risk perceptions in certain safe food-handling behaviors, they did not have significantly different knowledge, intention, habit strength, self-efficacy, subjective norms, and behavior compared to the general population. Therefore, targeting other psychological constructs in addition to risk perceptions is necessary to promote safer food-handling behaviors in high-risk populations.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Thomas Mcalpine, Barbara Mullan, Patrick J. F. Clarke
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the daily association of a wide range of sleep hygiene behaviors on sleep duration in a non-clinical university sample, using a two-week repeated measures design and linear mixed effect modeling. The results showed that some behaviors were positively or negatively related to sleep duration, while others were not significantly associated.
JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Christine J. McPherson, Alanna Devereaux
Summary: This study examines the dyadic effects of patient and caregiver attachment orientations on mutually supportive care in cancer treatment. It highlights the interdependence within the cancer caregiving relationship and emphasizes the importance of considering individual and relational ways of responding in providing support. Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding and therapeutic intervention.
