The COVID-19 outbreak has had an immense impact on academic life and public health. Graduate students had experienced obligatory curfews and quarantines due to the COVID-19 outbreak directly impacting their mental health and triggering academic burnout. In this cross-sectional study, we address the issue of mental health in graduate students by relating it to the factors associated with burnout syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 519 graduate students from master's and Ph.D./DLA degrees across universities in Hungary and other European countries participated in this study. The Copenhagen burnout inventory student version was used to evaluate burnout syndrome as an outcome. Our findings displayed burnout significantly lower among graduate students who had good sleep quality, receive high levels of support from their university, and were satisfied with how their university dealt with the pandemic. The excessive consumption of alcohol, the use of antidepressants, being single, and thinking about dropping out showed as predictive factors of burnout. The results add to emergent evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the predicted factors of academic burnout among master and doctoral students.
Academic burnout and the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly impacted the academic life and mental health of graduate students. This study aims to address the mental health issue in graduate students by relating it to family functionality, perceived social support, and coping with academic burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were gathered from a cross-sectional study with 519 graduate students across universities in Hungary and other European countries. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Student, Family APGAR Index, the brief form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, and the Brief Resilient Coping Scale were used to measure academic burnout, family functionality, perceived social support, and coping, respectively. Structural equations modeling was used for statistical analysis. The results revealed a negative effect of family functionality, perceived social support, and coping on academic burnout. The inverse relationship between perceived social support and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was identified, and mediated by coping and family functionality. These findings may offer patterns and predictors for future graduate students and higher-education institutions to identify outside factors that are implicated in academic burnout, especially in outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
23 September 2019 in Issues in Mental Health Nursing
With the aging process, disease rates such as diabetes mellitus and depression increase. These factors, in turn, interfere in the family relationships and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between depressive symptomatology and family functionality in the elderly with diabetes mellitus. This is a cross-sectional study, developed with 236 elderly people with diabetes in the interior of Bahia, Brazil. The Geriatric Depression Scale and the family APGAR were used as collection instruments and the Structural Equations Modeling was used as the analysis. The model presented adequate adjustment indices with RMSEA 0.05 [IC90% 0.020-0.085], TLI 0.931 and IFC 0.951. The study revealed an association between depressive symptomatology in elderly with diabetes and family dysfunction. Implications for actions and policy change are discussed.
Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) face unique challenges in accessing cancer prevention measures. Caregivers play a crucial role in facilitating these measures, yet their perspectives are under-researched. Methods: This systematic literature review explores caregiver perspectives on cancer prevention for adults with IDs in institutional and home care settings, aiming to understand their roles, knowledge, and challenges. Thirteen articles from the UK, the USA, Canada, and Ireland were analyzed through thematic synthesis. Four overarching themes were identified: breast cancer screening perspectives, caregivers’ knowledge and barriers to cancer prevention, caregivers’ perspectives, and cultural context and decision-making. Results: Caregivers, including healthcare professionals and family members, are essential in facilitating breast cancer screening for individuals with IDs. Challenges include explaining screening procedures, limited awareness, and logistical barriers, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions. Disparities in access underscore the necessity for comprehensive training programs. Healthcare professionals’ perspectives reveal existing disparities and suggest interventions for improved accessibility and understanding. Cultural context influences decision-making, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive care. The role of family caregivers in decision-making necessitates empowering and supporting them through tailored interventions. Conclusions: This review provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in cancer prevention for individuals with IDs, suggesting the need for educational interventions, training programs, and systemic changes to address disparities. It lays the groundwork for future research and the development of holistic and inclusive strategies in this critical healthcare domain.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with long-term consequences that is often associated with depressive symptoms. This relationship predicts increased morbidity and mortality rates, leading to serious health consequences. To identify the prevalence and health factors associated with depressive symptoms among older adults with diabetes mellitus. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 236 older adults in the Basic Healthcare Units of Jequié, Brazil. A survey containing sociodemographic, behavioral, and health conditions was used as a data collection instrument, in addition to the Geriatric Depression Scale. The main inclusion criterion was older adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. To identify the risk factors associated with depressive symptoms among older adults with diabetes mellitus, logistic regression analysis was conducted for calculating the odds ratio (OR), and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered statistically significant. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 24.2% among older adults with diabetes, corroborating the Brazilian average of 30%. The final multivariate analysis model for the risk of depressive symptoms showed a significant association with diabetes complications [OR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.318–4.74)] and osteoporosis [OR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.285–5.891)]. A high prevalence of depressive symptoms was observed among older adults with diabetes. Critically examining older adults with diabetes mellitus is necessary, and screening for depressive symptoms is highly recommended, especially for those with complications resulting from diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal comorbidities, such as osteoporosis, as it seems to be associated with depressive symptoms.
2 November 2024 in Research in Developmental Disabilities
Background: Cancer awareness and screening among individuals with intellectual disabilities face unique challenges. To bridge this gap, educational interventions have been developed. Aims: This review comprehensively analyzes educational interventions aimed at enhancing cancer awareness among individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs). It addresses key questions regarding intervention types and effectiveness, influencing factors, and recommendations for impactful programs. Methods and procedures: A robust search strategy was deployed across reputable databases yielding 2512 articles. After meticulous screening and eligibility assessments, eight studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing qualitative research, a feasibility study, and randomized control trials. Outcomes and results: The studies employed diverse interventions and assessment methods, leading to varying outcomes. Interventions included educational materials, communication packs, health education DVDs, and healthcare professional support, typically delivered over a short period with limited follow-up. Assessment methods comprised surveys, interviews, and knowledge surveys. However, a comprehensive evaluation of knowledge gains and screening uptake was often absent. While some studies reported modest increases in knowledge, none measured actual screening uptake and long-term effects. The strengths and limitations of these studies underscore the need for more comprehensive research in this area, considering factors such as sample size, study design, and long-term impact. Conclusion and implications: In conclusion, this review provides valuable insights into educational interventions for cancer awareness among individuals with intellectual disabilities. Its comprehensive methodology and findings underscore the significance of tailoring interventions, extending their duration, and involving caregivers to optimize outcomes for this vulnerable population.