Social support is an important determinant of a carer’s mental health. In recent decades, despite many studies reporting on the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of adult and older dependents, there are no systematic reviews synthesizing the available evidence. The purpose of the present study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of adults and older dependent people. We searched PubMed, CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (ProQuest), and Scopus, up to 15 January 2023 for studies. We applied no date or language limits to our search. A random-effects model was used to pool effect estimates. The included studies were also independently assessed for quality. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots, Egger’s regression test, and the Trim and Fill method. Ninety-three studies were included in the review, reporting on a total of 15,431 informal caregivers. We found a moderate negative association between perceived social support and caregiver depressive symptoms (78 studies; r = −0.35, 95% CI = −0.39, −0.31; low heterogeneity and low risk of publications bias) and a small negative association between received social support and caregiver self-reported depressive symptoms (12 studies; r = −0.14, 95% CI = −0.20, −0.07; low heterogeneity and low risk of publications bias). Our results indicate that social support is a clinically relevant construct for carer well-being and an important protective factor for depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of adult and older dependents.

Background: Clinical simulation is effective in nursing student education, fostering autonomous learning and critical skill development in safe environments. This method is adaptable to dynamic educational approaches and integrates technology. Satisfaction and self-confidence are key elements in its evaluation. The general objective of this research was to describe the levels of satisfaction and self-confidence among undergraduate nursing students regarding the use of clinical simulation in the field of family and community nursing. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the University of Jaén, Spain, during the 2023/2024 academic year. Data on sociodemographic aspects, satisfaction, and self-confidence were collected using a validated instrument. The statistical analysis included central measures, dispersion, and frequencies, with confidence intervals. Results: The study involved 96 students in scenario 1 (family assessment) and 97 in scenario 2 (family intervention), with the majority being women. In scenario 1, the mean satisfaction score was 4.38 out of 5, and self-confidence was scored 4.44 out of 5. Prior preparation time correlated significantly with higher levels of satisfaction and self-confidence. In scenario 2, the mean scores were slightly higher but not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated high levels of satisfaction and self-confidence among nursing students following clinical simulations. Prior preparation was associated with better outcomes, and the quality of the simulation positively impacted the results.

Background: The care of dependent people is eminently family-oriented, and often, there is a high level of dedication to this family care. Constant and continuous care leads to a series of negative psychological consequences. Social support has been related to improved mental health in family caregivers. We found heterogeneous results regarding the relationship between the types of social support received and the perceived level of support. In addition, to our knowledge, no reviews analyse this relationship among family caregivers. Objectives: Therefore, we objective to systematically synthesise the relationships between perceived and received social support in informal caregivers. Methodology: We have carried out a quantitative systematic review with a meta-analysis, registered in PROSPERO (id: CRD42023470047); the systematic search was carried out in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus, until November 2023. After the selection and review of the results, twelve studies were obtained, two of which were eliminated due to a high risk of classification bias. Results: Regarding the results, a medium-size positive statistical association was found (r = 0.43). The results were consistent, accurate, and robust. The Trim and Fill test showed a variation of 7%. Subgroup analysis indicated no differences in the age group of the people cared for (adults or children), selection bias, and confounding bias. Conclusions: In conclusions, perceived social support is related to more social support received by family caregivers.

Youth is a critical stage for developing healthy lifestyles, as the habits and behaviors formed during this period can persist into adulthood. Understanding the relationship between family factors and the lifestyles of university students can contribute to creating strategies to improve this important health determinant. This research aimed to analyze the relationship between social support, family dynamics, and lifestyles in young university students. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. A probability sample of 530 young university students was analyzed. The main measurements included social support, family dynamics, and lifestyles. Descriptive analysis of quantitative and qualitative variables was performed. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for bivariate analysis, and Student’s t-test was used to analyze differences between male and female participants. Additionally, multivariate analysis was conducted using multiple linear regression. For the total sample, a positive and moderate association was found between family dynamics (r = 0.28) and social support (r = 0.32) with the lifestyles of young individuals. Our results indicated that social support and family dynamics are possible protective factors that have a positive effect on the lifestyles of university students. The findings of this study highlight the importance of family and familial support in adopting healthy lifestyles among university students.

Background: Older adults are vulnerable to malnutrition due to physical, psychological, and social factors. Malnutrition, a prevalent and modifiable issue in this population, is associated with an elevated risk of adverse clinical outcomes. The purpose of the study is to assess the nutritional status of older adult individuals admitted to a general hospital and examine its correlation with socio-health and demographic variables. Methods: The study included 239 individuals aged 70 and above, employing a cross-sectional descriptive observational approach with a convenience sampling method. Sociodemographic information was gathered, and variables such as cognitive impairment, functional capacity, comorbidities, medication consumption, and nutritional status were evaluated. Statistical analysis involved descriptive calculations, bivariate analysis, and multivariate analysis, utilizing binary logistic regression. Results: Approximately half of the sample were at risk of malnutrition, with a more notable prevalence among women. Factors such as age (OR = 1.04), cognitive impairment (OR = 1.06), functional dependence (OR = 0.96), and comorbidities (OR = 1.08) were linked to an elevated risk of malnutrition. In our regression model, age, cognitive impairment, and drug consumption emerged as significant predictors of malnutrition risk. Conclusions: Individuals aged 70 and above have a notably high prevalence of malnutrition risk, particularly among those experiencing functional dependence and cognitive impairment. In our sample, cognitive impairment in older adults, coupled with above-median drug consumption, emerges as the primary predictor for malnutrition risk.

Background and Objectives: Although a substantial amount of research has focused on negative aspects of caregiving, less research has been conducted investigating positive aspects of providing informal care. The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal association between caregiving satisfaction and psychological distress in informal carers of dependent older people, and whether this relationship is mediated by caregiver burden.Research Design and Methods: Prospective longitudinal study with a probabilistic sample of 332 caregivers of older relatives, with data collected at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up. We measured caregiving satisfaction, psychological distress, subjective caregiver burden and several covariates (caregivers' sex, age and objective caregiver burden). Data were analysed using generalised estimation equations with multiple imputation. The STROBE checklist was used to support the writing of this document.Results: After controlling for covariates, caregiving satisfaction was significantly negatively associated with lower levels of subjective caregiver burden (B = −0.17, 95% CI: −0.23, −0.11) and emotional distress (B = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.36, −0.11). When subjective burden was included in the model, the relationship between caregiving satisfaction and psychological distress was no longer significant (B = −0.11, 95% CI: −0.23, 0.02), whereas the association between subjective burden and psychological distress remained (B = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.92). The Sobel test confirmed these results (p < 0.001), indicating that subjective caregiver burden mediates the relationship between caregiving satisfaction and psychological distress (complete mediation) over time.Discussion and Implications: Caregiving satisfaction exerts a longitudinal protective effect on carers' psychological distress via subjective burden. Our findings indicate that interventions aimed at strengthening caregiving satisfaction may play a significant role in maintaining positive mental health outcomes for informal caregivers.