Type 2 diabetes patients often experience higher levels of stigma than the general population, which has been extensively documented to adversely impact th

An impact study of the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) in Nigeria

Suicide, especially among emerging adults, has continued to be a global phenomenon, demanding more in-depth empirical attention. Emerging adulthood is a probable suicidal ideation predisposing period that has received less scholarly attention. We examined the contributions of depression, religiosity, parenting styles, and social support to suicidal ideation among emerging adults. We conveniently sampled 1007 undergraduates comprising 496 (49.2 %) males and 511 (50.8 %) females whose ages ranged from 18 to 30 years with a mean age of 24 years (SD = 2.18). Results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that while depression significantly predicted suicidal ideation, preoccupation and conviction for religiosity did not; guidance and emotional involvement negatively predicted suicidal ideation. Parenting styles (mother and father) were not significant predictors of suicidal ideation. However, support from family, friends, and significant others negatively predicted suicidal ideation. We adopted the Three-Step Theory (3ST) to explain our findings that illustrate the need for government and educational institutions to make governance and educational curriculum less stressful and depressive such that the complimentary religious knowledge, parental teachings, and support from other family members, friends, and significant others can help improve abilities to achieve important (academic) life goals that promote quality of life and healthy living.

Despite extensive research on the impact of stigma on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with sickle cell disease, gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms through which this association occurs. We investigated how stigma impacts HRQoL among people with sickle cell disease (SCD) through distress and the moderating role of social support in this association. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, we sampled 165 people with SCD in Nigeria, who completed relevant measures. Results showed that distress mediated the stigma-HRQoL link, and social support moderated this mediation. Intervention may do well to incorporate psychological therapies and strengthen social support networks to improve the HRQoL of people living with sickle cell disease.

Extant literature has consistently documented the adverse impact of fear of COVID-19 on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people living with HIV (PLWHIV), as they are more prone to being infected with this deadly disease than the normal population. However, studies on the mechanism that could mitigate this adverse impact are lacking. We investigated whether self-compassion could buffer the negative impact of fear of COVID-19 on HRQoL among PLWHIV. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 241 outpatients (41.5% male, 58.5% female) from two Nigerian healthcare facilities were conveniently sampled. Results showed that heightened fear of COVID-19 was associated with poorer HRQoL across four domains. Unexpectedly, self-compassion neither predicted HRQoL nor buffered the impact of fear of COVID-19 on HRQoL. Practical interventions should prioritize reducing fear of COVID-19 and addressing broader psycho-social factors to enhance HRQoL in this vulnerable population.