Quality of life and fear of cancer recurrence in patients and survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

  

Title of publication

Quality of life and fear of cancer recurrence in patients and survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract 

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a common haematological cancer that is comprised of approximately 30 subtypes, of which Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare incurable form. It is typically managed using a watch-and-wait strategy that can contribute to illness uncertainty which may result in fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and poor health-related quality of life (QOL). However, few studies have examined the correlates of FCR and QOL in NHL patients, including WM patients. One-hundred males and 92 females with a mean age of 62.7 years who were an average of 6.8 years from diagnosis completed the online questionnaire which asked about demographics, medical history, QOL, FCR, stress, anxiety and depression. Few NHL patients reported significant stress or affective distress, most had moderate-high QOL and 41% experienced recent FCR, relative to published cut-off scores. Poorer QOL was related to depression symptoms, FCR, higher illness burden (i.e. comorbidity) and fewer personal resources (i.e. unemployed), whereas FCR was related to shorter time since diagnosis and more depressive symptoms. Results suggest that FCR and depressive symptoms may adversely impact QOL, whereas a recent cancer diagnosis and depression-related pessimism may contribute to FCR.

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Check institutional access via https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13548506.2021.1913756  

Cite

Ellis, S., Brown, R. F., Thorsteinsson, E. B., Pakenham, K. I., & Perrott, C. (2021, online first). Quality of life and fear of cancer recurrence in patients and survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Psychology, Health & Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2021.1913756 

Antenatal depression and the experiences of Australian women in the maternity system during the COVID-19 pandemic

  

Title of publication

Antenatal depression and the experiences of Australian women in the maternity system during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract 

The mitigation efforts of COVID-19 have led to significant changes to the delivery of routine healthcare globally. In Australia, the way maternal health services have been delivered since the beginning of the pandemic has also changed. Maternity care and support are known to influence maternal mental health. One hundred and eighty-eight English-speaking pregnant women residing in Australia were recruited using social media advertising between September and November 2020 as part of a larger study. Participants were aged between 19 and 42 (M = 31.05, SD = 4.68). Compared with previous Australian prevalence rates of around 7% for antenatal depression, rates in this study were 15.9% overall and 19% for those in Melbourne. Antenatal depression was positively associated with COVID-19 distress in relation to having a baby during a COVID-19 outbreak r(186) = 0.30, p < 0.001. It is suggested that increased vigilance with screening and assessment will be required to identify and support mothers who are not coping during the pandemic.

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Full text at https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=111990

Cite

Frankham, L. J., Thorsteinsson, E. B., & Bartik, W. (2021). Antenatal depression and the experiences of Australian women in the maternity system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Open Journal of Depression, 10, 155-167. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojd.2021.104010 

  

Title of publication

The association between loneliness, mental wellbeing, and self-esteem among adolescents in four Nordic countries

Abstract 

Positive mental health is central to adolescent well-being. The present study examines the prevalence of loneliness and positive mental health indicators (mental well-being and self-esteem) in four Nordic countries and associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and high self-esteem. This study is based on data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study which was conducted in 2018 in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. Participants were 5883 15-year-old boys and girls. To examine the associations between loneliness, mental well-being, and self-esteem, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. In the comparison of Nordic countries, the prevalence of loneliness was highest among Finnish and Icelandic adolescents. High mental well-being and high self-esteem were most prevalent in Denmark and Sweden. In general, boys scored higher on positive mental health indicators and girls on loneliness. Loneliness was also a strong indicator of low mental well-being and low self-esteem in all Nordic countries. Loneliness is not only associated with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, but it is also a risk factor for adolescents’ positive mental health. Positive mental health is important for healthy maturation and there is a need to develop initiatives to reduce adolescent loneliness and so support positive development.

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Full text at https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/14/7405  

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Lyyra, N., Thorsteinsson, E. B., Eriksson, C., Madsen, K. R., Tolvanen, A., Löfstedt, P., & Välimaa, R. (2021). The association between loneliness, mental wellbeing, and self-esteem among adolescents in four Nordic countries. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, Article 7405. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147405 

Perceptions of gender equality among Icelandic year 10 adolescents

 

Title of publication

Perceptions of gender equality among Icelandic year 10 adolescents: Population studies 1992, 2006, and 2014

Abstract 

The aim of this research is to outline, for the first time, the changes in attitudes towards gender equality among 10th graders in Iceland based on data obtained from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) in 1992, 2006, and 2014. The sampling proportions were high (85.1% in 1992, 43.2% in 2006, and 77.9% in 2014), thereby reflecting parameters (population values) rather than statistics (sample values). Boys and girls are viewing gender roles as being more equal with time, while, concurrently, girls tend to have more gender-equal attitudes than boys. The present paper provides an unparalleled examination of changes in attitudes towards gender equality. After a backlash in adolescents’ attitudes, revealed in the 2006 study, there are positive signs of more gender-equal attitudes in the 2014 results.

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Full text at https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/1/3/22/htm 

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Thorsteinsson, E. B., Hjálmsdóttir, A. S., & Bjarnason, T. (2021). Perceptions of gender equality among Icelandic year 10 adolescents: Population studies 1992, 2006, and 2014. Adolescents, 1, 294-305. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents1030022 

Mental health literacy of depression and postnatal depression

 

Title of publication

Mental health literacy of depression and postnatal depression: A community sample

Abstract 

Objectives: The present experiment aimed to explore the mental health literacy of postnatal depression (PND) in a community sample. 

Method: Five hundred and twenty Australians (427 females) participated in an experimental study. Participants were randomly presented with one of three vignettes describing a ‘depressive’ episode and then completed an online questionnaire examining mental health literacy and the capacity to recognise PND and its risk factors as well as the ability to source appropriate information. 

Results: Generally, the ability to recognise PND and the overall mental health literacy of the sample were high. Causation, however, was often misattributed to biological or environmental/social factors. PND recognition was found to be significantly affected by perception of the attachment relationship presented in two of the vignettes. 

Conclusion: Perception of attachment impacts PND recognition and this may negatively impact help seeking behaviours.

Resources

The three vignettes used in the study and the questions related to the vignettes.  

Cite

Thorsteinsson, E. B., Loi, N. M., & Moulynox, A. L. (2014). Mental health literacy of depression and postnatal depression: A community sample. Open Journal of Depression, 3, 101-111. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojd.2014.33014