| 1. |
- Meurling, Jennifer, et al.
(författare)
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An online tiered screening procedure to identify mental health problems among refugees
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-244X. ; 23:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Many refugees suffer from mental health problems due to stressful and traumatic events before, during, and after migration. However, refugees are facing a wide variety of barriers, limiting their access to mental health care. Internet-based tools, available in several languages, could be one way to increase the availability of mental health services for refugees. The present study aimed to develop and test a screening tool to screen for clinically relevant symptoms of psychiatric disorders common among refugees (i.e. Depression, Anxiety, Post-traumatic stress disorder, and Insomnia). We, designed, translated, and adapted an internet-based tiered screening procedure suitable for use with the largest refugee populations residing in Sweden. The tool aims to accurately identify symptoms of mental distress (Tier 1), differentiate between symptoms of specific psychiatric disorders (Tier 2), and assess symptom severity (Tier 3). We tested the overall efficiency of using a tiered screening procedure. METHODS: Seven hundred fifty-seven refugees residing in Sweden, speaking any of the languages Arabic, Dari, Farsi, English, or Swedish, completed an online questionnaire following a three-tiered procedure with screening instruments for each tier. In this study, the Tier 3 scales were used as reference standards for clinically relevant symptoms, to evaluate screening efficiency in terms of accuracy and reduction of item burden in previous tiers. RESULTS: The results show that the tiered procedure could reduce the item burden while maintaining high accuracy, with up to 86% correctly assessed symptoms and few false negatives with moderate symptoms and above (at most 9%), and very few with severe symptoms (at most 1.3%). DISCUSSION: This study generated an accurate screening tool that efficiently identifies clinically relevant symptoms of common psychiatric disorders among refugees. Using an adapted online tiered procedure to screen for multiple mental health issues among refugees has the potential to facilitate screening and increase access to mental health services for refugees. We discuss the utility of the screening tool and the necessity of further evaluation.
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| 2. |
- Sarkadi, Anna, Professor, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of the Teaching Recovery Techniques community-based intervention for unaccompanied refugee youth experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms (Swedish UnaccomPanied yOuth Refugee Trial; SUPpORT) : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: Trials. - : NLM (Medline). - 1745-6215. ; 21:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In 2015, 162,877 persons sought asylum in Sweden, 35,369 of whom were unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs). Refugee children, especially URMs, have often experienced traumas and are at significant risk of developing mental health problems, such as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, which can continue years after resettlement. The Swedish UnaccomPanied yOuth Refugee Trial (SUPpORT) aims to evaluate a community-based intervention, called Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT), for refugee youth experiencing PTSD symptoms.METHODS/DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in which participants will be randomly allocated to one of two possible arms: the intervention arm (n = 109) will be offered the TRT programme, and the waitlist-control arm (n = 109) will receive services as usual, followed by the TRT programme around 20 weeks later. Outcome data will be collected at three points: pre-intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2; about 8 weeks after randomisation) and follow-up (T3; about 20 weeks after randomisation).DISCUSSION: This study will provide knowledge about the effect and efficiency of a group intervention for URMs reporting symptoms of PTSD in Sweden. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN47820795. Prospectively registered on 20 December 2018.
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| 3. |
- Warner, Georgina, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of the teaching recovery techniques community-based intervention for accompanied refugee children experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms (Accompanied refugeeS In Sweden Trial; ASsIST) : study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 10:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Refugee children have often experienced traumas and are at significant risk of developing mental health problems, such as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, which can continue for years after resettlement. The Accompanied refugeeS In Sweden Trial (ASsIST) aims to evaluate a community-based intervention, called 'Teaching Recovery Techniques' (TRT), for accompanied refugee minors experiencing PTSD symptoms. METHODS/DESIGN: A cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted in which participants will be randomly allocated to one of the two possible arms: the intervention arm (n=113) will be offered the TRT programme and the waitlist-control arm (n=113) will receive services as usual, followed by the TRT programme around 20 weeks later. Outcome data will be collected at three points: pre-intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2; c.8 weeks after randomisation) and follow-up (T3; c.20 weeks after randomisation). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was granted by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala (Ref. 2018/382) (24th February 2019). Results will be published in scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS: ISRCTN17754931. Prospectively registered on 4th June 2019.
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| 4. |
- Aamodt, A., et al.
(författare)
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Case-based reasoning for assessment and diagnosis of depression in palliative care
- 2010
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Ingår i: Proceedings - IEEE Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems. ; , s. 480-485
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The goal of the research presented is to create a computational framework and system architecture for clinical decision support in palliative care. The application focused is the classification of depression. The method under investigation is case-based reasoning, motivated by the complexity of the domain and a lack of generalized principles of sufficient coverage and strength for diagnosis and treatment. A system architecture is described and exemplified through an implemented prototype. The outcome of the research so far is a system that captures the properties intended, and for which a clinical test set-up has been defined. © 2010 IEEE.
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| 5. |
- Arving, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Satisfaction, utilisation and perceived benefit of individual psychosocial support for breast cancer patients : A randomised study of nurse versus psychologist interventions
- 2006
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Ingår i: Patient Education and Counseling. - : Elsevier BV. - 0738-3991 .- 1873-5134. ; 62:2, s. 235-243
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: In a prospective, randomised study, individual psychosocial support performed by: (1) specially trained oncology nurses (INS) or (2) psychologists (IPS) were compared with respect to utilisation, satisfaction and perceived benefit. Methods: Between December 1997 and December 1999, consecutive breast cancer patients (n = 120) were included at start of adjuvant therapy (chemo-, endocrine and/or loco-regional radiotherapy). Data were collected by an extended version of the 'IPS-patient satisfaction questionnaire' within I week after termination of the support intervention. Questionnaires were also mailed to all patients 6, 12 and 18-24 months after inclusion. Levels of distress were collected with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Impact of Event Scale (IES) questionnaires. Results: The patients were highly satisfied with the individual psychosocial support intervention they received, irrespective of which profession provided the support. However, the patients in the INS group reported higher levels of benefit regarding disease-related problems, regardless if the patients at baseline reported low or high levels of distress. Conclusions: Patients were highly satisfied with an individual psychosocial support intervention. In areas dealing with somatic aspects, the group intervened by nurses were more satisfied than the one by psychologists. Practice implications: Individual psychosocial support by specially trained nurses is a realistic alternative in routine cancer care.
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| 6. |
- Bjärtå, Anna, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing Severity of Psychological Distress Among Refugees With the Refugee Health Screener, 13-Item Version
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. - 0022-3018 .- 1539-736X. ; 206:11, s. 834-839
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The recent inflow of refugees to Sweden has put pressure on health care as well as revealing a need for methods regarding assessment of refugees' mental health status. The present study investigated the use of the Refugee Health Screener (RHS; Hollifield et al., 2013) to distinguish among severity levels of symptoms of psychological distress in refugees. Refugees residing in asylum accommodations (n = 510) were screened with RHS-13, together with screeners for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Risk for mild, moderate, or severe levels of depression, anxiety, or/and PTSD was used as screening proxy. Receiver operating characteristic analysis rendered cutoff scores of 11, 18, and 25, for mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. Evaluated against each symptom scale separately, cutoffs performed well. Cutoff 11, previously identified by Hollifield et al. (2016), was also confirmed. However, utilization of additional cutoffs could improve refugee mental health by guiding clinical decision making.
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| 7. |
- Brenne, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Depressed patients with incurable cancer : which depressive symptoms do they experience?
- 2013
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Ingår i: Palliative & Supportive Care. - 1478-9515 .- 1478-9523. ; 11:6, s. 491-501
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Diagnosing depressive disorders in palliative care is challenging because of the overlap between some depressive symptoms and cancer-related symptoms, such as loss of appetite and fatigue. In order to improve future assessment of depression in palliative care, depressive symptoms experienced by patients receiving pharmacological treatment for depression were assessed and compared to the American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV) criteria for major depressive disorder.METHOD: Thirty Norwegian (n = 20) and Austrian (n = 10) patients with advanced cancer were included. Semistructured interviews on symptom experiences were conducted and transcribed verbatim. By the phenomenographic method, patients' symptom experiences were extracted and sorted by headings, first individually and then across patients. The patients subsequently rated 24 symptoms numerically including the DSM-IV depression criteria.RESULTS: Lowered mood and a diminished motivational drive were prominent and reflected the two main DSM-IV symptom criteria. A relentless focus on their actual situation, restlessness, disrupted sleep, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of guilt, and thoughts of death as a solution were variably experienced. Appetite and weight changes, fatigue and psychomotor retardation were indistinguishable from cancer symptoms. All these symptoms reflected DSM-IV symptom criteria. Some major symptoms occurred that are not present in the DSM-IV symptom criteria: despair, anxiety, and social withdrawal. The numerical ratings of symptoms were mainly in accordance with the findings from the qualitative analysis.SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Despair, anxiety, and social withdrawal are common symptoms in depressed patients with incurable cancer, and, therefore, hypothesized as candidate symptom criteria. Other symptom criteria might need adjustment for improvement of relevance in this group of patients.
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| 8. |
- Bring, Annika, et al.
(författare)
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Coping Patterns and Their Relation to Daily Activity, Worries, Depressed Mood, and Pain Intensity in Acute Whiplash-Associated Disorders
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1070-5503 .- 1532-7558. ; 20:2, s. 293-303
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUNDThere is a lack of knowledge regarding how individuals with acute whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) appraise and cope with situation-specific stressors.PURPOSEThe aim of the study was to describe the daily process of coping reported in a daily coping assessment by individuals with acute WAD within 1 month after the accident. More specifically, profiles of coping strategies were identified and patterns between stressors, primary and secondary appraisals, and coping strategy profiles were described in relation to reported level of activity, worries, depressed mood and pain intensity during the day.METHODA descriptive and exploratory design was applied. Two hundred and twenty-nine whiplash-associated disorders-daily coping assessment (WAD-DCA) collected during seven consecutive days from 51 participants with acute WAD in Sweden, were included. Cluster analysis was used to obtain coping strategy profiles and data were graphically visualised as patterns through the coping process.RESULTSWhen measuring coping as a daily process relating to the specific stressful situation, different coping pocess patterns appeared. During days with a high degree of physical and mental well-being, high self-efficacy beliefs seemed to be working as an important secondary appraisal, whereas during days with a low degree of physical and mental well-being primary appraisals of the stressor as a threat and catastrophic thoughts were present in the coping process.CONCLUSIONSEarly identification of situational- and individual-specific stressors, appraisals and coping efforts as measured by the WAD-DCA may contribute to the understanding of the coping process in the acute stage of WAD and its possible impact on recovery and adjustment.
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| 9. |
- Bring, Annika, et al.
(författare)
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Daily stressors in patients with acute whiplash associated disorders
- 2012
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 34:21, s. 1783-1789
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Stressors in acute whiplash associated disorders (WAD), as reported on a daily basis, have hitherto been neglected in research. The primary aim of this study was to describe the most stressful daily situation or event reported by individuals with acute WAD within a month of a whiplash trauma. Another aim was to describe the meaning and significance of these daily stressors, i.e. primary appraisal. Method: A descriptive design with a content analysis approach was used. 260 WAD-daily coping assessments (WAD-DCA) generated during 1 week by 51 participants with acute WAD were included in the study. Stressors were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The reported stressors generated 13 categories covering a wide range of stressful situations in daily life related to (i) work, (ii) physical symptoms, (iii) feelings and cognitions, (iv) family and home responsibilities and (v) recreation. The majority of the stressors were appraised as "expected" as well as "disabling". Most threatening stressors were related to work, driving and feelings/cognitions. Conclusions: The wide variety of stressors indicates that it is not only pain itself that influences daily life in acute WAD. Early identification of individual and situation-specific stressors gives new data regarding what bothers individuals suffering from WAD after a collision and may be helpful in understanding the coping process in relation to specific stressors and stressor appraisals.
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| 10. |
- Demetry, Youstina, et al.
(författare)
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Individually Tailored and Culturally Adapted Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Arabic-Speaking Youths With Mental Health Problems in Sweden : Qualitative Feasibility Study
- 2023
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Ingår i: JMIR Formative Research. - : JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC. - 2561-326X. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Most forcibly displaced refugees in Sweden originate from the Arab Republic of Syria and Iraq. Approximately half of all refugees are aged between 15 and 26 years. This particular group of youths is at a higher risk for developing various mental disorders. However, low use of mental health services across Europe has been reported. Previous research indicates that culturally adapted psychological interventions may be suitable for refugee youths. However, little is known about the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of such psychological interventions. Objective: This study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an individually tailored and culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrant youths in Sweden. Methods: A total of 17 participants were included to participate in an open trial study of an individually tailored and culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy targeting common mental health problems. To assess the intervention outcome, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist was used. To explore the acceptability of the intervention, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 participants using thematic analysis. Feasibility was assessed by measuring treatment adherence and by calculating recruitment and retention rates. Results: The intervention had a high dropout rate and low feasibility. Quantitative analyses of the treatment efficacy were not possible because of the high dropout rate. The qualitative analysis resulted in 3 overarching categories: experiences with SahaUng (the treatment), attitudes toward psychological interventions, and personal factors important for adherence. Conclusions: The findings from this study indicate that the feasibility and acceptability of the current intervention were low and, based on the qualitative analysis, could be increased by a refinement of recruitment strategies, further simplification of the treatment content, and modifications to the cultural adaptation.
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| 11. |
- Hansson Vikström, Nils, et al.
(författare)
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Anxiety and depression in women with urinary incontinence using E-health
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Urogynecology Journal. - : Springer. - 0937-3462 .- 1433-3023. ; 32, s. 103-109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction and hypothesis: Previous studies have found high prevalence rates of anxiety and depression in women with urinary incontinence (UI). This study investigates the prevalence in women who had turned to eHealth for treatment of UI and identifies possible factors associated with depression.Methods: We analyzed data from two randomized controlled trials evaluating eHealth treatment for UI, including 373 women with stress UI (SUI), urgency UI (UUI), or mixed UI (MUI). We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and defined a score of >= 8 as depression or anxiety. The ICIQ-UI-SF questionnaire was used to score incontinence severity. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with depression and anxiety.Results: Women with UUI or MUI were older than women with SUI, mean age 58.3 vs 48.6 years (p = <0.001). Four out of five participating women had a university education. The prevalence of anxiety and depression in women with SUI was 12.4% and 3.2% respectively. In women with MUI/UUI, 13.8% had anxiety and 10.6% had depression. In multivariate analyses, the odds ratio of having depression was 4.2 (95% CI = 1.4-12.3) for women with MUI/UUI compared with SUI when controlling for other risk factors.Conclusion: The odds of depression in women with MUI/UUI were increased compared with SUI. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was considerably lower than reported in large cross-sectional surveys. Socioeconomic differences may partly explain this finding, as the use of eHealth still is more common among highly educated women.
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| 12. |
- Knudsen, Anne Kari, et al.
(författare)
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Interviews with patients with advanced cancer-another step towards an international cancer pain classification system
- 2012
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 20:10, s. 2491-2500
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Patients' involvement in the development of assessment tools is recommended, and the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative has adhered to this when developing a shared language for cancer pain, an international assessment and classification system. Study objectives were to investigate how patients ranked the relevance of several previously identified pain domains, to investigate patients' perception of the pain experience and to disclose additional, relevant pain domains for cancer pain classification to those identified in the literature. Semistructured interviews with advanced cancer patients treated with opioids were performed and analysed verbatim. Patients scored the relevance of predefined pain domains on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale. Thirty-three Norwegian and Austrian patients were included (16 females and 17 males); the mean age was 63 years, and the mean Karnofsky performance score was 65. The ranking of domains was as follows etiology (mean Numerical Rating Scale score, 8.5), duration (8.0), intensity (7.4), coping (7.1), physical (5.9) and psychological functioning (5.8). Sleep was identified as a new candidate domain to include in the system. The patients emphasised consequences of having pain, for example, poor physical functioning and psychological distress. Previously identified pain domains were confirmed to be relevant to the patients; however, the ranking differed from the experts' ranking. Sleep disturbances may be added as a domain in a future classification system.
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| 13. |
- Leiler, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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A Pilot Study of a Psychoeducational Group Intervention Delivered at Asylum Accommodation Centers-A Mixed Methods Approach
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 17:23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Asylum seekers suffer high levels of distress but have restricted access to mental health care. This paper constitutes an evaluation of a psycho-educational group intervention, called AMIN, which was provided at two asylum accommodation centers in Sweden. A mixed-methods approach was used. To assess potential effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility, quantitative outcome measures were combined with qualitative information from interviews with both intervention participants and staff providing the intervention. Potential effectiveness in reducing symptoms of distress and insomnia and in increasing physical quality of life was found, even though the intervention participants suffered from more severe distress than expected. In general, the intervention seemed to be acceptable to both participants and staff, with concrete strategies seeming more meaningful than abstract psychological techniques. Finally, regardless of the asylum process itself being a complicating factor, the intervention seemed feasible to deliver to individuals with different backgrounds and conditions. Taken together, these results indicate that some sessions may need further elaboration, but also that the transition to a randomized control trial is reasonable.
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| 14. |
- Leiler, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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High levels of psychological distress among asylum seekers and refugees in Sweden
- 2018
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In 2015 there was an unforeseen increase of refugees worldwide. In order to face the high rates of psychological distress refugees suffer, the AMIR-project created a model for early assessment and intervention of mental health among refugees. Previous research might not be applicable to the groups seeking asylum in Europe from 2015, so as a first step, a study aiming to estimate the prevalence of mental health problems was conducted. Methods. Five hundred and ten refugees participated at open screenings conducted at refugee housing facilities. Of the participants, 367 were asylum seekers and 143 had received a residence permit. Instruments included measures of depressive symptoms, anxiety, risk of having PTSD and quality of life.Preliminary results. A high percentage of individuals (56-58.4%) reported clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety and risk of having PTSD. Prevalence estimates were significantly higher among asylum seekers than among those who had received their residence permit. Quality of life was generally rated below population norms and correlated significantly with mental health outcomes.Conclusions. Individuals residing in refugee housing facilities show high levels of psychological distress. Asylum seekers are worse off than those having received a residence permit. Actions should be taken to improve conditions in housing facilities, to shorten the time awaiting the asylum decision and to provide psychosocial support to help individuals manage their distress during the time of waiting.Key words: Refugee – asylum seeker – mental health – quality of life - prevalence
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| 15. |
- Leiler, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Mental Health and Quality of Life among Asylum Seekers and Refugees Living in Refugee Housing Facilities in Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. - : Springer. - 0933-7954 .- 1433-9285. ; 54:5, s. 543-551
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In 2015, there was a high influx of refugees to Sweden, creating an extreme situation where individuals were forced to remain in large housing facilities for long periods. The present study aims to describe the mental health and quality of life of these individuals. Methods. Data, based on 510 individuals, were obtained by means of a questionnaire at open screenings conducted at or nearby refugee housing facilities. Of the participating refugees, 367 were asylum seekers and 143 had received a residence permit but were still awaiting a more permanent housing solution. The questionnaire included measures of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7), risk of having post traumatic stress disorder (PC-PTSD), and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF).Results. Of the total sample, 56-58.4% reported clinically significant levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety and risk of having PTSD. Prevalence estimates were higher among asylum seekers than among those who had received their residence permit. Quality of life was generally rated below population norms and correlated negatively with mental health outcomes.Conclusions. Individuals residing in refugee housing facilities show high levels of psychological distress and rate their quality of life as low. Asylum seekers score higher than those having received a residence permit. These results are troublesome since the wait time for asylum decisions has lengthened considerably after 2015. The results of the present study calls for the urgency of societal actions to shorten the asylum process wait time and improve conditions at the housing facilities.
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| 16. |
- Leiler, Anna
(författare)
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Mental Health and Quality of Life Among Individuals in Asylum Accommodations : Screening and Intervention
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Refugees have often experienced traumatic events that could be classified as disasters before leaving their home countries. They are further distressed by difficult experiences while in flight and after reaching the new country. Since the experience of traumatic events is associated with an increased risk of subsequent mental health problems, recommendations regarding psychosocial support after disasters have been established. Two examples are the screen and treat approach, and active monitoring. According to these recommendations, individuals who have experienced a disaster ought to be screened for mental health problems one month after the disaster, and those with persisting symptoms of distress should be offered treatment. The general aim of this thesis is to assess the possibility and appropriateness of applying a screen and treat approach to the mental health of refugees.Four studies are included in the thesis. The first study assessed the mental health and quality of life among individuals living in refugee housing facilities in Sweden. The results showed that the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD was high, and that the included participants rated their quality of life as low. Individuals without residence permits generally had worse outcomes than those who had received a residence permit. In the second study, the ability of the Refugee Health Screener (RHS, an instrument developed for assessment of emotional distress among newly arrived refugees) to distinguish between different levels of symptom severity was assessed. By comparing the scores on the RHS with scores on other established scales with cutoffs indicating symptom severity, we identified cutoff values for mild, moderate, and severe distress. In the third study, these cutoffs were further assessed by an investigation of the association between suicidal ideation and symptom severity. The odds of an individual having suicidal ideation increased notably at each severity level. More than half of the individuals with severe distress had suicidal ideation, indicating that they needed support. The fourth study is a pilot study assessing potential effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility of a group psychoeducational intervention delivered at asylum accommodations. The results showed that the intervention was promising in alleviating symptoms of distress and insomnia. It also seemed to be acceptable to both participants and staff, even though some sessions require further elaboration. To deliver the intervention in the midst of the asylum process was demanding, but feasible. This was an early evaluation but shows that the transition to an RCT is reasonable. Taken together, the results of the four studies indicate that the mental health needs among newly arrived refugees are considerable, that the RHS can be used to identify individuals with differing needs of mental health care, and that high levels of distress are associated with suicidal ideation. The results also indicate that it is possible and meaningful to provide psychosocial interventions to individuals at asylum accommodations. This indicates that it could be possible to implement a screen and treat approach to the mental health of refugees. However, if access to treatment cannot be assured, only implementing the screening would neither be ethical nor appropriate.
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| 17. |
- Leiler, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Suicidal ideation and severity of distress among refugees residing in asylum accommodations in Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 16:15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Refugees worldwide suffer high levels of distress and are at increased risk for death by suicide. The Refugee Health Screener (RHS) was developed to screen for emotional distress among refugees and can be used to assess distress severity. This paper examines the association between distress severity and suicidal ideation in a sample of refugees residing in asylum accommodations. Data from the RHS and item 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was analyzed. Results showed that individuals at moderate and severe levels of distress were much more likely to exhibit suicidal ideation than individuals with low levels of distress. Even though we cannot conclude that individuals with low levels of distress do not have thoughts of ending their lives, further suicide assessment is warranted in asylum seekers with moderate to severe distress on the RHS.
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| 18. |
- Leiler, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Waiting for Life to Begin, Wishing it Would End : Suicidal Ideation among Newly Arrived Refugees
- 2021
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Ingår i: Intervention. - 1571-8883 .- 1872-1001. ; 19:2, s. 215-223
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Research indicates that subgroups of refugees may be at increased risk for suicidal ideation, but further knowledge on this topic is needed. This study aimed to assess both prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation among newly arrived refugees in Sweden. Assessing suicidal ideation was part of a larger project, aiming to develop a model for assessment and treatment of mental health problems among refugees. The included data were based on a cross-sectional survey among 510 asylum seekers and refugees, all under the care of the Swedish Migration Agency. The project group visited 12 asylum accommodations and 9 other locations, asking potential participants to answer a survey with questions on mental health, suicidal ideation and quality of life. Data were analysed using logistic regression. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, low physical and psychological quality of life, and being of young age were all independently associated with suicidal ideation. This study points to the importance of identifying refugees with mental health problems and of providing them with adequate care. It also indicates the importance of assuring a decent quality of life at asylum accommodations, and it shows that the young may constitute an especially vulnerable group.
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| 19. |
- Lindegaard, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
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Investigating the potential of a novel internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for Dari and Farsi speaking refugee youth : A feasibility study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Internet Interventions. - : Elsevier BV. - 2214-7829. ; 28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Over half of the world's forcibly displaced persons are under the age of 25, with many suffering from symptoms of psychological disorders. Many refugees from Afghanistan or Iran speak either Dari or Farsi, which are mutually intelligible dialects of the Persian language. Previous research on adult refugees and immigrants have shown that internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) can be a valuable complement to other forms of treatment. However, there is a lack of knowledge if ICBT is a feasible and acceptable treatment for adolescents and young adults with a refugee background. Method: Fifteen Dari/Farsi-speaking adolescents and young adults between 15 and 26 years of age participated in a feasibility study of a novel individually tailored guided ICBT intervention targeting symptoms of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) as the primary outcome measure. Four of the treatment participants and three additional non-treatment participants consented to be interviewed regarding the programme's acceptability. The interviews were analysed using Thematic Analysis. Results: The intervention suffered from low adherence, with only 3 participants completing the post-treatment assessment and with participants completing 0.9 modules on average, which meant that the intended quantitative analysis of the pre to post change was not possible. The thematic analysis resulted in two overarching categories, barriers and facilitators, that each contained four themes and related subthemes. Overall, the intervention was deemed culturally relevant and easy to understand. The most salient barriers to participation across interviews concerned interference of symptoms such as concentration difficulties, low energy, and a lack of human contact and support. Conclusion: The current version of the ICBT program demonstrated low feasibility and acceptability in the target population, which mainly seemed to be related to the delivery format. Future studies should investigate if a blended treatment format with regular phone/video calls with a therapist can increase adherence to the intervention.
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| 20. |
- Miller, Emelie
(författare)
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Life in a twilight landscape : Exploring the intersection of ethnic and sexual minority identities in sweden
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Historically speaking, sexual and ethnic minorities have been dreadfully treated by society at large, the legal system and the scientific world. Even today, homosexuality is associated with life-threatening risks in many countries, which is one migration motivator for sexual minorities. From a Swedish perspective, this dissertation explores what it’s like to be homosexual or bisexual and have an immigrant background; what lived experiences these individuals have and how these experiences affect self-identity and well-being. When I began my project, there existed quite a lot of research on immigrants, and on sexual minorities, but the Swedes who belong to both of these groups had been severely overlooked. From the international literature, it was clear that it was socially difficult to be neither heterosexual nor white. My overall aim with this dissertation was simply to try to bring some clarity in what the situation for this population looked like in Sweden. To achieve this, I conducted one or more interviews with 22 individuals, with first-generation immigrant background (N=11) or second-generation immigrant background (N=11). These in-depth interviews formed the basis for three separate studies. In addition, I conducted a study where I coded and analyzed roughly 700 profiles on a dating site for sexual minorities. The analytic methods I used were: phenomenological interpretive analysis (where the individual's lived experience and meaning-making is in focus), thematic analysis (where patterns in stories at a group-level are analyzed) and statistical methods (where possible differences between groups are clearly evident). Overall, the results demonstrated that homosexual and bisexual people with immigrant backgrounds in Sweden experience an in-betweenness, a sort of social twilight. The participants often experienced a sense of dis-belonging and felt that they were not seen as fully human in any group. The participants had been exposed to other people's prejudices, biased assumptions, bullying, racism, homophobia and misogyny. They had, as did the member profiles on the dating site, also wrestle with unattainable ideals within the LGBTQ world. At the same time, the results demonstrated people's impressive resilience, strength and ability to create new group affiliations and positive changes for both themselves and others. To better understand the results, I used critical and social psychological theories about, among other things, identity development, self-presentation, stress, mental health, separatism and belonging. In the discussion, I scrutinize my own work as well as the contemporary perspectives and terminologies used in subject-related research fields. Lastly, I propose some ways to create changes that could improve people's lives and lessen injustices.
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| 21. |
- Petit, Marleen MR, et al.
(författare)
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Smooth muscle expression of lipoma preferred partner is mediated by an alternative intronic promoter that is regulated by serum response factor/myocardin.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Circulation research. - 1524-4571. ; 103:1, s. 61-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lipoma preferred partner (LPP) was recently recognized as a smooth muscle marker that plays a role in smooth muscle cell migration. In this report, we focus on the transcriptional regulation of the LPP gene. In particular, we investigate whether LPP is directly regulated by serum response factor (SRF). We show that the LPP gene contains 3 evolutionarily conserved CArG boxes and that 1 of these is part of an alternative promoter in intron 2. Quantitative RT-PCR shows that this alternative promoter directs transcription specifically to smooth muscle containing tissues in vivo. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we demonstrate that 2 of the CArG boxes, including the promoter-associated CArG box, bind to endogenous SRF in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays show that the conserved CArG boxes bind SRF in vitro. In reporter experiments, we show that the alternative promoter has transcriptional capacity that is dependent on SRF/myocardin and that the promoter associated CArG box is required for that activity. Finally, we show by quantitative RT-PCR that the alternative promoter is strongly downregulated in SRF-deficient embryonic stem cells and in smooth muscle tissues derived from conditional SRF knockout mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that expression of LPP in smooth muscle is mediated by an alternative promoter that is regulated by SRF/myocardin.
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| 22. |
- Wadensten, Towe, et al.
(författare)
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A Mobile App for Self-management of Urgency and Mixed Urinary Incontinence in Women : Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications. - 1438-8871. ; 23:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Many women experience urgency (UUI) and mixed (MUI) urinary incontinence but commonly hesitate to seek care. Treatment access and self-management for these conditions can be supported through eHealth approaches.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the mobile app Tät II for self-management of UUI and MUI in women.METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included women ≥18 years old with UUI or MUI and ≥2 leakages per week. Those with red-flag symptoms were excluded. Participants were recruited via analog and digital advertisements and screened for initial selection through a web-based questionnaire. Data were collected using another questionnaire and a 2-day bladder diary. A telephone interview confirmed the symptom diagnosis. Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive access to a treatment app (including pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training, psychoeducation, lifestyle advice, tailored advice, exercise log, reinforcement messages, and reminders) or an information app (control group), with no external treatment guidance provided. The primary outcome was incontinence symptoms at the 15-week follow-up, measured using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ)-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). Urgency symptoms were assessed using the ICIQ-Overactive Bladder Module (ICIQ-OAB) and quality of life using the ICIQ-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life Module (ICIQ-LUTSqol). Incontinence episode frequency (IEF) was calculated per bladder diary entries. Improvement was measured using the Patient's Global Impression of Improvement. All outcomes were self-reported. Cure was defined as no leakages per the bladder diary. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed.RESULTS: Between April 2017 and March 2018, 123 women (mean age 58.3, SD 9.6 years) were randomized to the treatment (n=60, 2 lost to follow-up) or information (n=63) group. Of these, 35 (28%) women had UUI, and 88 (72%) had MUI. Mean ICIQ-UI SF score at follow-up was lower in the treatment group than in the information group (estimated difference -3.1, 95% CI -4.8 to -1.3). The estimated between-group difference was -1.8 (95% CI -2.8 to -0.99) for mean ICIQ-OAB score and -6.3 (95% CI -10.5 to -2.1) for the mean ICIQ-LUTSqol score at follow-up. IEF reduction from baseline to follow-up was greater in the treatment group (-10.5, IQR -17.5 to -3.5) than in the information group (P<.001). Improvement was reported by 87% (52/60) of treatment group participants and by 30% (19/63) of information group participants. The cure rate was 32% in the treatment group, and 6% in the information group (odds ratio 5.4, 95% CI 1.9-15.6; P=.002). About 67% (40/60) of the treatment group participants used the app more than thrice a week.CONCLUSIONS: The treatment app was effective for improving urgency and mixed incontinence in women. When self-management is appropriate, this app may be a good alternative to pharmacological treatment or other conservative management, thus increasing access to care.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03097549; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03097549.
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| 23. |
- Wasteson, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of a questionnaire commonly used for measuring coping with a daily-basis prospective coping measure
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychosomatic Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3999 .- 1879-1360. ; 61:6, s. 813-820
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Much research have investigated the relation between stress and health, with focus on the role of coping as a moderator. The use of the concept of coping is in need of more stringency since it is often used in a more or less careless manner. A contributory cause of the confusion within the research field is the often-negligent interpretation of results from the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) Scale (i.e., results are discussed in terms of coping strategies instead of mental adjustment). Furthermore, checklists are often used in research but seldom specify the stressor that patients are attempting to cope with. METHODS: Consecutive patients newly diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer were included in this study. Of 151 eligible patients, 95 (63%) participated. As soon as their physical condition so permitted, patients were asked to assess their coping by way of two methods: an instrument commonly used for measuring coping (MAC Scale) and a daily-basis prospective coping measure [Daily Coping Assessment (DCA)]. The study investigated the relations between these two methods, which are used to evaluate different ways of coping with cancer, and related these to specified stressful events and psychologic distress outcomes [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]. RESULTS: Among patients with GI cancers, a comparison of the DCA with the MAC Scale renders important differences regarding the use of coping strategies. Furthermore, coping as measured by the DCA is more clearly separated from both stressors such as psychologic aspects and psychologic distress outcomes as measured by the HADS. DISCUSSION: A comparison between the two measures renders differences regarding the use of coping strategies among patients with GI cancers. The daily-basis prospective coping measure seems to be better separated from both stressful events and psychologic distress outcomes. The DCA offers a promising alternative to the use of coping checklists. The difference between the measures is in accordance with the original intention that the MAC Scale be used to measure mental adjustment rather than coping (i.e., the results do not support the use of the MAC Scale as a coping measure).
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| 24. |
- Wasteson, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
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Daily assessment of coping in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
- 2002
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Ingår i: Psycho-Oncology. - : Wiley. - 1057-9249 .- 1099-1611. ; 11:1, s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ninety-five patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer participated in a study concerning stressful events, coping and emotional well-being. Participants were either potentially cured (n=62) after radical surgery or non-cured (n=33). For a period of 1 week, close to being informed about their diagnosis, they performed daily recordings of stressful events, the distress occasioned by these events and their perception of control over them, coping, worry and happiness/sadness. Anxiety and depression were assessed by a single retrospective assessment at the end of the week (Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale). The most commonly recorded stressful events were 'Somatic aspects' and 'Everyday concerns'. 'Somatic aspects', 'Social aspects' and 'Other consequences of the disease' were rated as most bothersome. Patients perceived that they had the highest degree of control over 'Returning home after hospital stay', whereas 'Contact with the medical services' was assigned low control. The most commonly used coping strategies were 'Acceptance' and 'Relaxation', and the least used was 'Religion'. Significant positive correlations between the occurrence of stressful events and the use of coping strategies were demonstrated between 'Somatic Aspects' and 'Acceptance'/'Direct Action', and between 'Social Aspects' and 'Seeking Social Support'. Daily assessment of stress-coping relationships represents a promising approach to the understanding of adaptation among cancer patients.
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| 25. |
- Wasteson, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
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Depression assessment and classification in palliative cancer patients : a systematic literature review
- 2009
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Ingår i: Palliative Medicine. - : SAGE Publications. - 0269-2163 .- 1477-030X. ; 23:8, s. 739-753
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of this study was to review the literature on depression in palliative cancer care in order to identify which assessment methods and classification systems have been used in studies of depression. Extensive electronic database searches in PubMed, CancerLit, CINAHL, PsychINFO, EMBASE and AgeLine as well as hand search were carried out. In the 202 included papers, 106 different assessment methods were used. Sixty-five of these were only used once. All together, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS) was the most commonly used assessment method. However, there were regional differences and while the HADS dominated in Europe it was quite seldom used in Canada or in the USA. Few prevalence and intervention studies used assessment methods with an explicit reference to a diagnostic system. There were in total few case definitions of depression. Among these, the classifications were in general based on cut-off scores (77%) and not according to diagnostic systems. The full range of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria was seldom assessed, i.e. less than one-third of the assessments in the review took into account the duration of symptoms and 18% assessed consequences and impact upon patient functioning. A diversity of assessment methods had been used. Few studies classified depression by referring to a diagnostic system or by using cut-off scores. Evidently, there is a need for a consensus on how to assess and conceptualize depression and related conditions in palliative care.
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| 26. |
- Wasteson, Elisabet, 1969-
(författare)
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Living and Coping with Cancer : Specific Challenges and Adaptation
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall aims of this thesis were to prospectively investigate how specific challenges among patients with commonly occurring cancers are related to adaptation and well-being, to predict later well-being using a range of psychosocial aspects and to compare two ways of measuring coping with cancer. This was studied at diagnosis in patients with gastrointestinal cancers and their spouses and at termination of cancer treatment and during follow-up in a heterogeneous group of cancers. At diagnosis, higher levels of psychological distress were accompanied both by more coping attempts and less perceived control over the stressful events. Somatic aspects and Everyday concerns were frequent stressful events. The most frequently used coping strategies were emotion-focused. The Daily Coping Assessment (DCA) rendered a varied picture of ways of handling the stressful events (Study I). When studying coping as a process, the DCA has advantages compared to the commonly used measure MAC, since DCA better separates coping from both the stressful event and outcome. A comparison of the DCA and the MAC rendered differences regarding the usage of coping strategies (Study II). Patients with higher levels of anxiety/depression also had higher discrepancies between attainment and importance for most life values compared to patients with less anxiety/depression. For the patients, but not for the spouses, the discrepancies for several life values along with anxiety and depression decreased over time (Study III). Anxiety/depression at termination of treatment are strong predictors for anxiety/depression and QoL at follow-up. However, other variables like psychiatric history, the bother an event caused, the coping strategy Acceptance, the stressful event Thoughts/affects and emotional and instrumental aspects of social support contributed to the prediction (Study IV). Thus, it is concluded that detailed information regarding specific and frequent situations among cancer patients is possible to reveal and necessary for a better understanding of what influences well-being.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
- Winterling, Jeanette, et al.
(författare)
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Factors associated with psychological distress and grief resolution in surviving spouses of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer
- 2010
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 18:11, s. 1377-1384
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- GOALS OF WORK:Patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer often have a short survival time. This means that spouses only have a short time to adjust to the approaching death. The aim was to explore whether psychological distress at diagnosis, the course of the illness (anti-tumour treatment, respite period and survival time), the spouses' experience of the care and of losing a loved one were related to distress and grief resolution after the patient had deceased.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Twenty-one spouses were followed prospectively from the patient's diagnosis of advanced gastrointestinal cancer to 6 months after the patient death. Spouses' experiences were measured with an interview, psychological distress with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and grief resolution with the Grief Resolution Index. MAINRESULTS:The spouses' anxiety at the time of diagnosis was related to their anxiety and grief resolution at follow-up. Two additional factors were associated with higher levels of anxiety at follow-up; the patient having received anti-tumour treatment and the spouse having experienced stress as a caregiver.CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that anti-tumour treatment, though it has the potential to prolong life, does not positively influence spouses' psychological distress and bereavement after the death of the patient.
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
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