British journal of health psychology
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Br J Health Psychol · Feb 2016
How sickle cell disease patients experience, understand and explain their pain: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the UK's most common blood disorder causing sickle shaped red blood cells to block small blood vessels inducing both acute and chronic pain. A crucial factor in determining quality of life for those with SCD is the severity, timing and number of painful sickling episodes. However, little research focuses on the nature of pain and so it is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to provide an in-depth and meaning led account of the experience of SCD pain. ⋯ What is already known on this subject? Sickle cell disease (SCD) has an impact on all aspects of a person's life (Edwards et al., 2005, International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12, 171). Strickland , Jackson, Gilead, McGuire, and Quarles (2001, Journal of the National Black Nurses' Association, 12, 36) suggest that one of the crucial factors in determining quality of life for those with SCD is the severity, timing and number of painful sickling episodes. Exacerbations of pain are also cited as explanation for the majority of medical contacts for people with SCD (McClish et al., 2009, Pain, 145, 246). The majority of research focuses on the consequences of pain in terms of handicap, and its impact on emotional well-being, relationships and the need for medication/hospital treatment (Booker et al., 2006, Chronic Illness, 2, 39; Weisberg et al., 2013, Journal of Hospital Medicine, 8, 42) rather than how SCD patients experience and understand their pain. However, the actual nature of pain experience in SCD is poorly understood and sub-optimally managed (Booker et al., 2006; Taylor et al., 2010, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 40, 416). What does this study add? The experience of SCD pain is indescribable without the use of analogy, as it is unbearable, agonising, constant, inescapable and without limit. Difficulty describing pain creates a perception of being misunderstood or minimized by professionals. Personification of pain is often employed by patients to attempt to form a relationship with pain. Current pain measures used in clinical practice are inadequate at capturing the acute and chronic SCD pain experience.
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Br J Health Psychol · Nov 2015
Adjustment following chronic spinal cord injury: Determining factors that contribute to social participation.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event that may result in diminished physical, social, and mental health. The main objective of this research was to establish inpatient factors that contribute to social participation following discharge into the community. ⋯ These results provide direction for enhancing existing psychosocial health strategies within SCI rehabilitation, affording an opportunity for every person who sustains a permanent SCI to have optimal capacity for social participation. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with significant challenges to wellbeing, including a high risk of secondary chronic illnesses, risk of co-morbid mental health problems, financial insecurity and social isolation. Research has shown poor social participation can lead to problems in re-integration into society following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Research to date has examined various factors related to poor social participation, but the majority of this research has been survey based with convenience samples. What does this study add? This study adds results of prospective longitudinal research on adjustment following SCI, where adjustment was defined by the rate of social participation when living in the community. About one-third of SCI participants were found to have very poor social participation, and only one-third had found some form of employment 6 months after discharge. Multiple factors were found to predict and contribute to poor social participation, including older age when injured, more severe medical complications, cognitive deficits, poor perceptions of control or self-efficacy, and poor social support.
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Br J Health Psychol · Nov 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of a non-drinking mental simulation intervention for reducing student alcohol consumption.
To assess the impact of a mental simulation intervention designed to reduce student alcohol consumption by asking participants to imagine potential positive outcomes of and/or strategic processes involved in not drinking during social occasions. ⋯ This study provides preliminary evidence that mental simulation interventions focused on non-drinking can successfully promote behaviour change. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? UK drinking recommendations advise two 'dry days' per week (NHS, 2014). Benefits of, and strategies involved in, social non-drinking exist (Conroy & de Visser, 2014). Mental simulation interventions may help reduce student drinking (Hagger, Lonsdale, & Chatzisarantis, 2012; Hagger, Lonsdale, Koka et al., 2012). What does this study add? Demonstrates efficacy of a novel 'non-drinking' mental simulation exercise. Suggests that healthier alcohol prototypes can be encouraged via a health promotion intervention. Shows potential utility of 'episodic non-drinking' as an indicator of health-adherent drinking.
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Br J Health Psychol · Sep 2015
Intrusive memories of hallucinations and delusions in traumatized intensive care patients: An interview study.
Psychological morbidity, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is common in survivors of intensive care. Intrusive memories of trauma are important symptoms of PTSD. Research has not established which aspects of intensive care are most traumatizing; invasive medical procedures, fear of dying from life-threatening illness or injury, or effects of psychoactive drugs, including hallucinations and delusions. Our study aimed to investigate the roots of post-intensive care trauma by interviewing survivors with symptoms of PTSD. Were their intrusive memories primarily of real events or hallucinations and delusions from intensive care? ⋯ We found that patients in this in-depth study were more traumatized by frightening hallucinations/delusions than real events, suggesting they may have post-psychosis PTSD, rather than classic PTSD. Interventions are needed to diagnose and treat intensive care hallucinations/delusions, or minimize effects, to prevent PTSD.
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Br J Health Psychol · Sep 2015
Men and women with fibromyalgia: Relation between attentional function and clinical symptoms.
This study was the first to explore whether individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) have different cognitive alterations (i.e., in alertness, orienting, and executive control) depending on their sex. We also analysed possible gender differences in the relationships between cognitive functioning and some of the main symptoms of FM. ⋯ Therapy strategies aimed at reducing emotional distress and sleep disruption are likely to improve cognitive function by enhancing vigilance. Therapies aimed at reducing emotional distress seem to improve attentional function more in women than in men; those aimed at improving sleep quality are likely to reduce a vigilance/alertness deficit in women and executive problems in men.