(1) The COVID-19 pandemic is a global epidemic crisis situation with negative health consequences. This study aimed to determine the mediatory role of self-efficacy in correlations between dispositional optimism and loneliness (both general loneliness and social and emotional loneliness) among Polish nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) The study involved 894 students from six Polish universities. A diagnostic survey was used as the research method, and the Scale for the Measurement of Loneliness Scale (DJGLS), Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), and the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) were used to collect data. (3) The mean subject age was 20.73 years (SD = 1.81). More than half (51.01%) of the respondents scored high on the GSES scale, indicating an individual’s belief in the self-efficacy in coping with difficult situations and obstacles. However, 40.60% scored low on the LOT-R scale, indicating that the respondents were pessimistic. The mediation analysis revealed that self-efficacy plays a partial mediatory role in correlations between dispositional optimism and loneliness in general, social and emotional loneliness. (4) It is important to undertake loneliness prophylactic and prevention activities among nursing students and to develop personal resources, i.e., optimism and self-efficacy, to effectively offset the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the IPOS-Pol for patient self-reporting. Method: Patients (>18 years of age) with advanced cancer admitted to three palliative care centers (inpatient units and home-based) were recruited to a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational, prospective study. Participants provided responses to the IPOS-Pol Patient version and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire – Core 15 – Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) Polish version at baseline (T1) and four to seven days later (T2). We assessed test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the tool. Results: One hundred and eighty patients were included. Test–retest reliability demonstrated no statistically significant differences in the average outcomes of the IPOS-Pol between T1 and T2 (27.2 ± 9.2 vs. 26.5 ± 8.7; p > 0.05). The intra-class correlation coefficient between T1 and T2 was r = 0.83 (p < 0.0001), the intra-class correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability of the IPOS-Pol items ranged from 0.63 to 0.84 (p < 0.0001), and the Cronbach's α coefficient for internal consistency was 0.773. The correlation coefficient between the IPOS-Pol and EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL total score was 0.79 (p < 0.001). Significance of results: The patient version of the Polish adaptation of IPOS is a valid and reliable outcome measure for assessing symptoms and concerns of individuals receiving palliative care, as well as the quality of care provided.

(1) Background: An individual’s health status can be perceived as a consequence of their health behaviours. This research aimed to determine the intensity of health-promoting behaviours and to identify factors determining the health behaviours of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: This study included 894 nursing students from six universities in Poland, and it was conducted between 20 March and 15 December 2021. A diagnostic survey was applied as the research method, and the data were collected using the Health Behaviour Inventory and the Satisfaction With Life Scale. (3) Results: Nearly half of the students participating in the study (48.43%) declared that the intensity of their general health behaviours was low. A positive and significant correlation (r = 0.426) was found between general health behaviours and satisfaction with life. A regression model demonstrated general satisfaction with life to be a predictor of taking up health-related behaviours (18%; β = 0.34), as well as in terms of proper eating habits (4%; β = 0.15), prophylactic behaviours (6%; β = 0.21), positive mental attitudes (26%; β = 0.44) and applied pro-health practices (10%; β = 0.25). (4) Conclusions: Most nursing students showed low levels of health-promoting behaviours. More research is needed on health behaviours and their determinants among nursing students, as it may be important in explaining the mechanisms of health behaviour formation.

Introduction. Shortage of nurses reported in the EU (European Union) among other causes is related to: non-attractive work conditions, lack of willingness to take up job as a nurse (despite their education), and high risk of professional burnout. Encouraging graduates to take up a job in the profession and remain is a challenge for employers and institutions involved in the problems of modern nursing. Teaching nurses how to: protect themselves from professional burnout, how to combine career ambitions, family needs and above all personal satisfaction is of utmost importance. Amongst possible solutions which enhance planning of career and personal development in a deliberate manner, as is the case in other professions, it may be worth considering the support of a coach. Aim. Analysis of the professional situation of nurses in the context of need for individual development using the coaching method. Method. A method of analysis and criticism of the literature was used. Conclusions and results. Coaching gives an opportunity for conscious planning process of nurse professional development in synchrony with needs and expectations for personal, family and social life. Better stress management, maintaining work-life balance and professional burnout prevention are benefits provided by this approach.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis are one of the leading causes of death in Poland and worldwide. Atherosclerosis develops from the earliest years of life and is influenced by modifiable risk factors resulting from health behaviors, which provides opportunities to reduce cardiovascular risk, especially in young people, by addressing these factors. Aim of the study: assessment of health behaviors adopted by young adults in the context of preventing cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis. Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 200 people aged between 18 and 35, with the application of a diagnostic survey method, a questionnaire technique using the Health Behavior Inventory (Inwentarz Zachowań Zdrowotnych — IZZ) and a self-designed questionnaire. Results: The average score obtained by the respondents in the Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ) test was 80.44 ± 13.0 points, with the highest average score obtained in the area of positive mental attitude (3.43 ± 0.69 points) and the lowest in the category of preventive behaviors (3.26 ± 0.68 points). In the knowledge test, the respondents scored an average of 19.68 ± 2.60 points. Among the socio-geographic factors, gender had the most significant impact on the respondents’ health behaviors — it significantly influenced the overall result, as well as all its components, except for positive mental attitude. Conclusions: The largest percentage of respondents presented average or low levels of health behaviors, and the level of knowledge was also average among the largest percentage of respondents. Among the variables analyzed, gender had the most significant impact on health behaviors, while health behaviors did not differ significantly depending on the respondents’ level of knowledge.

Introduction. Allergic diseases belong to the most important health problems responsible for the incidence of various types of discomfort. The application of specific allergen therapy (SAI) is becoming a more and more frequent method aimed at treating allergic diseases. However, this approach requires a strict adherence to medical treatment, which may affect patients’ quality of life. Aim. Assessment of quality of life and everyday functioning in the group of patients who underwent a specific allergen therapy. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 80 adult patients who decided to undergo SAI treatment and were treated in two health care facilities in Małopolska region. The study included an assessment of life quality and selected aspects of functioning (as well as their retrospective assessment). As far as the applied methods are concerned, the study was based on the authors’ own questionnaire and an abbreviated version of the World Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire. Results. SAI treatment made it possible to reduce both the incidence (Me=4.00 to 2.00; p<0.001) and intensity (Me=4.00 to 2.00; p<0.001) of allergic symptoms. Also the discomfort caused by the allergy was decreased (Me=4.00 to 2.00; p<0.001). Moreover, some improvement in general well-being (Me=4.00 to 5.00; p<0.001) and life satisfaction (Me=4.00 to 5.00; p<0.001) was observed. Conclusions. Specific allergen immunotherapy seems to be worth considering as it improves patients’ life satisfaction and reduces discomfort caused by the allergy itself.