Journal of behavioral medicine
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It is unclear if anxiety sensitivity may serve as mechanism underlying the relation between posttraumatic stress symptom severity and opioid misuse and dependence among trauma-exposed persons with chronic pain. Therefore, the current study evaluated the explanatory role of anxiety sensitivity in the relations between posttraumatic stress symptom severity and opioid misuse and dependence. Participants included 294 trauma-exposed adults with chronic pain (71.4% female, Mage = 37.79 years, SD = 10.85, Mpain rating = 7.32/10) that reported current moderate to severe chronic pain and prescription opioid use. ⋯ There were statistically significant indirect effects of posttraumatic stress symptom severity via anxiety sensitivity in relation to opioid misuse and dependence. The indirect effects of the reverse models for opioid misuse and dependence also were significant and suggest the potential for bi-directional relations; however, the magnitude of the effect was smaller in the tests of specificity than in the original models. The present findings provide initial empirical evidence that greater posttraumatic stress symptom severity is related to anxiety sensitivity, which in turn, is associated with increased opioid misuse and dependence among trauma-exposed individuals with chronic pain.
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Use of alternative tobacco products, as well as regular cigarettes, is widespread among unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness. However, little is known about their level of motivation for quitting use of these products, factors associated with motivation to quit, or how these might vary by type of tobacco product. Unaccompanied homeless youth were sampled from 25 street and service sites in Los Angeles County (N = 469). ⋯ Correlates of lower motivation to quit differed somewhat by product type, with the most consistent being race, more frequent use, lower perceived riskiness of the product, and using the product because of its good taste or smell. Results from this study identify a set of psychosocial and behavioral factors, some that are common across tobacco products and others that are product-specific, that may be particularly important to address in efforts to reduce tobacco use among youth experiencing homelessness. Future regulations on the sale of flavored tobacco products may also serve to increase motivation to quit in this population.
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Patient perceptions of the causes of preoperative symptoms, expected impact of surgery on symptoms and anticipated timeline of recovery are likely to affect the risk of readmission following elective surgical procedures. However, these perceptions have not been studied. A qualitative study was designed to explore these perceptions, using the common-sense model of self-regulation (CSM) as the conceptual framework. ⋯ Misattribution of symptoms, unrealistic expectations for outcomes (e.g. expecting complete resolution of symptoms unrelated to the surgical procedure) and timelines for recovery (unrealistically short), and the (baseline) "normal healthy self" as distinct from the (temporarily) "sick self" were recurrent themes. Findings suggest that patient perceptions and the actual recovery process may be misaligned. The results underscore the importance of assessing patients' perceptions and expectations, actively engaging patients in their own healthcare, and providing adequate support during the transition to home.