Search Results (18)

Background: This longitudinal study aims to explore the stability and changes in child temperament dimensions between the ages of three and six, analyzing their relationship with emotional and behavioral problems, differentiated by gender. Method: This study involved 24 boys and 25 girls from various early childhood education centers in Málaga, Spain. To assess temperament, the Spanish adaptation of the Children’s Behavior Questionnaire was used, while emotional and behavioral problems were evaluated using the SPECI Screening for Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children. Results: Findings indicate that 9 out of the 15 temperament dimensions remained stable, while 4—anger/frustration, attentional focusing, perceptual sensitivity, and sadness—showed significant changes in the total sample. The gender-specific analysis revealed different developmental patterns for boys and girls. Girls exhibited changes in attentional focusing, fear, and perceptual sensitivity, while boys showed changes in anger/frustration and attentional focusing. In addition, girls scored higher in discomfort and fear, whereas boys stood out in activity levels. Regarding behavioral problems, girls’ externalizing symptoms were significantly associated with attentional focusing and smiling/laughter, while internalizing symptoms were linked to low-intensity pleasure and perceptual sensitivity. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of addressing temperament from a gender-differentiated perspective when designing educational and family interventions aimed at promoting socioemotional development. Full article

In the current clinical psychiatric practice in most of the world, treatment decisions are based on a person’s capacity to make these decisions. When a person lacks the capacity to understand and appreciate treatment decisions, in many jurisdictions a third-party substitute decision maker (SDM) is appointed on his or her behalf in order to promote safety and optimal clinical outcome. In Ontario, Canada, for example, family members (typically) or public guardians are appointed as SDMs, and they form an integral part of the medical–legal system in psychiatric care. Clinicians working with both patients and their SDMs in these circumstances encounter unique challenges and deliver care in specialized ways, though little research has focused on their experiences and reflections. Based on focus group data, this qualitative study uses a descriptive and interpretative phenomenological approach through thematic analysis to examine these aspects from clinicians working in both inpatient and outpatient settings of an urban teaching hospital’s psychiatric services in Toronto, Canada. Seven key themes emerged: Clinicians (1) appreciate hardships and challenges in lives of SDMs and patients—including the challenging emotions and experiences on both sides, and the risks and relational changes from being an SDM; (2) have an understanding of the patient’s situation and respect for patient autonomy and wishes—they are promoter of autonomy and mindful of patients’ prior wishes amidst patients’ fluctuating capacity, facilitating communication, keeping patients informed and promoting transitioning from SDM to self-determination; (3) have a special working relationship with family SDMs—including supporting SDMs, avoiding harm from delayed or denied treatment, and educating and collaborating with SDMs while maintaining professional boundaries; (4) at times find it difficult working with SDMs—stemming from working with over-involved or uninterested family SDMs, coping with perceived poor SDM decisions, and they sometimes ponder if SDMs are necessary; (5) delineate differences between family and Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) SDMs—they see PGT as closely aligned with medical decision makers, while family SDMs are more intimately involved and more likely to disagree with a physician’s recommendation; (6) recognize the importance of the SDM role in various contexts—through seeing social values in having SDMs, and acknowledging that having SDMS help them to feel better about their actions as they work to protect the patients; and (7) express ideas on how to improve the current system—at public, societal, and family SDM levels. We conclude that clinicians have unique mediating roles, with privilege and responsibility in understanding the different roles and challenges patients and SDMs face, and have opportunities to improve patient and SDM experiences, clinical outcomes, carry out education, and advocate for ethically just decisions. These clinical roles also come with frustration, discomfort, moral distress and at times vicarious trauma. Clinicians’ unique understanding of this complex and nuanced intersection of patient care provides insight into the core issues of autonomy, duty to care and protect, advocacy, and emotional dynamics involved in this sector as a larger philosophical and social movement to abolish SDMs, as advocated by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), is taking place. We briefly discuss the role of supported decision making as an alternative as. Full article

Background/Objectives: Boarding refers to the period when patients deemed stable in the emergency department (ED) are temporarily monitored, wait to be admitted, and receive appropriate care. As life expectancy increases, so does the importance of understanding the dynamics and experiences of older adults with frailty in emergency settings. The absence of a care environment tailored to specific needs could diminish the overall quality of care provided, threatening the health and well-being of this population. To our knowledge, how frail older adults experience this has not yet been synthesized in a qualitative systematic review. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of frail older adults during the emergency department (ED) boarding phase Methods: This systematic review was conducted using PubMed, OVID, and Scopus in October 2024. No time restrictions were settled and only articles published in English were included. Following the predefined inclusion criteria, two researchers independently extracted and synthesized the data using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) meta-aggregation methodology and instruments. Results: Seven studies were included. Thirty-one findings were identified and grouped into seven categories and three themes regarding the lived experiences of frail people in ED boarding areas. The themes we identified were discomfort, distress, frustration, the experience of positive/negative attitudes of healthcare providers, and the supportive role of family members during ED LOS (length of stay). Conclusions: Older frail adults experience significant physical and psychological distress during ED boarding. It is necessary to manage their specific needs through targeted actions aimed at improving their overall experience and quality of care in emergency settings. Full article

Teaching requires sustained emotional effort from educators, and the gap between reality and teachers’ expectations regarding student engagement can negatively affect their psychological well-being. The current research implemented a program to reduce their frustration discomfort. The main objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention program based on the Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) framework, specifically designed for middle school teachers. A sample of 54 teachers was gathered and conveniently divided into two equal groups: intervention and control. Participants in the intervention group participated in a weekly REBT group intervention program for six weeks, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Evaluations were conducted at four points: pretest, post-test, and follow-up assessments three and seven months after the intervention. Frustration discomfort was the primary dependent variable, while low frustration tolerance as an irrational belief, and pupil control ideology were treated as secondary dependent variables. The results indicated that the intervention effectively reduced frustration discomfort, and this positive effect was maintained during the follow-up assessments. Full article

Background/Objectives: In acute stroke, often-prolonged hospital transport times present an opportunity for early interventions to salvage brain tissue. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC), where brief cycles of ischemia–reperfusion in a limb are induced to protect the brain, is a promising treatment for this setting. We assessed the usability of a novel RIC system in a simulated emergency response scenario. Methods: Paramedics were asked to use the RIC device in an emergency stroke care and ambulance transport simulation, overseen by a confederate. Feedback on device use was collected through questionnaires, including the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and a semi-structured interview. Questionnaire responses were summarized using descriptive statistics; interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Results: Nine paramedics (including the confederate) participated, with a mean of 10.0 ± 10.3 years of professional experience. Questionnaire responses indicated high device usability (mean SUS score: 85.3 ± 12.9 out of 100) and low task-related demands, effort, and frustration (mean NASA-TLX domain scores: ≤3.9 out of 20). Seven paramedics stated they would use the device in daily practice. They expressed concerns related to display screen clarity, interference with standard procedures, cable management, device fragility, and patient discomfort. Suggested improvements included adding indicators of device performance and refining the cuff design. Conclusions: While the device was considered easy to use, paramedics also identified important areas of improvement. With a small, localized study sample, our findings are primarily applicable to the refinement of the RICovery system for use in future clinical trials in the same healthcare setting. However, feedback on the importance of mitigating potential interference of newly introduced procedures with those already established, robustness of equipment, and effective paramedic–patient communication may also help inform the design of other pre-hospital interventions. Full article

We investigated the effects of Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2716 on gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy adults with gastric complaints. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 174 healthy Japanese adults were randomly assigned to an OLL2716 or placebo group, and each group consumed 85 g of yogurt containing L. paragasseri OLL2716 or placebo yogurt daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in gastric symptoms from baseline as per the participants’ questionnaires at 6 and 12 weeks. The secondary endpoints were changes from baseline in the short-form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI), the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and the Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire-Japanese (CNAQ-J) scores at 6 and 12 weeks. The primary endpoint data showed that the changes in “epigastric pain” at 6 and 12 weeks were significantly decreased in the OLL2716 group compared with those in the placebo group. Additionally, the changes in “epigastric pain syndrome-like symptoms” were significantly decreased in the OLL2716 group compared with those in the placebo group at 6 weeks. The SF-NDI items that improved at 6 weeks were “irritable, tense, or frustrated”, “enjoyment of eating or drinking”, and “tension”, which are sub-scales related to mental stress. The items “Over-all” in the GSRS and “feeling hungry” in the CNAQ-J significantly improved in the OLL2716 group compared with the placebo group at 12 weeks. The results suggest that regular intake of L. paragasseri OLL2716 may improve both gastric discomfort and mental stress in healthy adults with gastric complaints, such as postprandial fullness or early satiety. Full article

Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent joint disease affecting millions of individuals globally. While total knee arthroplasty is an effective treatment for advanced stages of KOA, it may not be suitable for earlier stages or younger patients. Supervised exercise therapy has proven to be the first-line treatment of preference in tackling pain and disability caused by KOA. However, the high intensities required to induce positive muscle adaptations are not indicated in this population, as this is often accompanied by pain, discomfort, and frustration, leaving low-load resistance training as the only feasible method of treatment. Recently, the use of blood flow restriction training has begun to emerge as a substitute for high-load resistance training. With BFRT, a cuff is applied around the proximal aspect of the affected limb, causing partial arterial and full venous occlusion, thereby inducing localized hypoxia and the accumulation of metabolites, mimicking the effects of high-load resistance training, albeit with low loads. Consequently, BFRT might offer a suitable and more effective alternative for KOA patients who are not (yet) eligible for TKA compared to traditional exercise therapy. This review aims to summarize the current evidence as regards the application of Blood Flow Restriction in exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis patients, with particular consideration of the underlying mechanisms and its safety, as well as general guidelines for practical implementation in clinical practice. In doing so, this narrative review aims to create a framework for translating from theory into practice. Full article

Background: Women and girls account for more than 50% of the global HIV population. In Nigeria, the proportion of women living with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been on the rise. Despite this, little research exists on their experiences regarding antiretroviral therapy use, especially for women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Plateau State, Nigeria. This study investigates the barriers and facilitators influencing antiretroviral therapy use among women living with HIV. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research design, using focus groups, and included women (female sex workers, pregnant and non-pregnant women living with HIV) and the male partners of serodiscordant couples. Eligibility criteria were being 18 years of age or older, on antiretroviral therapy for more than one year/on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for more than one month, and speaking English, Hausa, or both. Data coding utilized both inductive and deductive approaches, and standard content analysis was applied to develop emerging themes. Results: Of the 106 participants, 88 were women living with HIV, and 18 were men in serodiscordant couples. The first facilitator shared by the participants was feeling healthier and stronger due to the antiretroviral therapy, which was also expressed by the male participants on PrEP as feeling good while taking the drug. Additional facilitators shared by the participants included weight gain and having a more positive outlook on life. Participants also disproportionately described barriers to using antiretroviral therapy, including experiences with emotional challenges, physical discomfort, and side effects of ART. Such barriers were linked to feelings of past regret, frustration, and disappointment. Conclusion: This study underscores the significance of maintaining a positive perspective on ART use, demonstrated by the connection between a positive outlook and weight gain, and highlights the hurdles that Plateau State’s women living with HIV face in adhering to antiretroviral therapy. Policymakers and healthcare providers can utilize these findings to formulate targeted strategies aimed at minimizing identified barriers and enhancing antiretroviral therapy utilization among this population via peer- support groups, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support. Full article

Background: The quality of life (QoL) of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) treated with allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) was studied to determine whether the QoL of dogs treated with ASIT (AG) improved compared with dogs not treated with ASIT (CG). Methods: The power of the study was calculated in advance assuming that the AG would assess QoL 20% better than the CG. The CG consisted of 21 dogs with CAD and the AG of 46 dogs with CAD. Validated QoL1 (pre-treatment) and QoL2 (post-treatment) questionnaires were emailed to owners. Results: AG dogs were significantly less disturbed during mealtimes (i.e., had better appetites and scratched less during mealtimes) and caused significantly less physical discomfort to their owners (due to unpleasant odor, the impression of a dirty apartment) than CG dogs. Owners of dogs treated with ASIT were able to significantly improve their daily activities (leisure, vacation, walks, work, hunting), significantly reduce their expenses (treatment costs, veterinary costs), feel significantly less emotional distress (less guilt, powerlessness, sadness, regret, fear, anger, disgust, rage, frustration), and experience less influence on relationships with family members and friends compared to owners of dogs not treated with ASIT. Conclusions: According to our results, the quality of life of dogs treated with ASIT and their owners seemed to improve significantly. Full article

Stress is a defining trait of our modern societies. The correlations between economic and social developments and the state of ill-being of populations have long been demonstrated. Today, negative environmental factors such as climate change, war and health crises have consequences on populations. Regardless of gender or age, more and more people are suffering from stress, of which there are many effects. According to studies, stress is an emotional response resulting from human–environmental interaction. They define stress as a state of discomfort and tension caused by external factors. This author believes that stress has a negative impact, which leads to frustration and increased difficulty in addressing issues. Authors describes stress as a physical and psychological state experienced by someone facing a real or potential. For students, stress can be caused by a number of factors. Some of these may include how the university functions, exam periods, relationships with teachers, the pressure that parents put on academic achievement, competition with other students, financial problems, uncertainty about the future, and lack of self-confidence. Symptoms of stress are now well identified. Students suffering from stress report feeling unhappy, having stomach pains, difficulty relaxing and sleeping, mental health problems, and even depression. When it comes to stress, Romanian students are no exception, especially because of the particularly volatile situation faced by the nation. The country has high immigration of skilled and qualified labour, inflation, and depreciation of the national currency. Students also claim to be stressed by the challenges of student life and the demands of the working world. They have a constant fear of failure and doubt themselves, their academic skills, and success in their careers after graduating. Our sociological study aims to deepen our knowledge in this field in Romania. In an already anxious context, it successively examines stress factors, symptoms experienced by students, conditions for organising studies, and ways to improve students’ quality of life. To conduct our study, we sampled students at the Dunărea de Jos University of Galați. We analysed 151 questionnaires sent to a sample of students listed in various first-year university courses. The results of this survey ultimately allow us to better identify the time-related, financial, and social factors of stress and the resulting symptoms. It is very clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on this already fragile young population. Our study is also an opportunity to discuss ways to better manage student stress. Full article

Confinement as a result of COVID-19 had a strong impact around the world and restricted mobility. The university community started to take routine classes in a virtual and sedentary way, causing negative effects on their health and habits. The objective of this research is to analyze the impact of confinement through surveys of students and interviews with university professors, in order to study the effects of confinement on physical activity, emotional state, and health. The methodology was as follows: (i) preliminary data; (ii) survey development, interviews, and information collection; (iii) data processing and multivariate presentation of the results, using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and multiple factor analysis (MFA). The results of 375 respondents show that there is a low level of physical activity (<300 METs, 49.6%), where women register sedentary behavior (73%). Emotionally, most of them show feeling bored. Some express anxiety, depression, discomfort, and frustration. In terms of health, there are rheumatic, circulatory, respiratory, and other diseases related to obesity. It is essential to create programs that promote physical exercise to reduce the consequences of sedentary lifestyles on the physical, social, and mental health of university students, especially engineering students, who experienced greater effects of confinement than those studying nutrition and social sciences. Full article

Traffic has a direct impact on local and regional economies, on pollution levels and is also a major source of discomfort and frustration for the public who have to deal with congestion, accidents or detours due to road works or accidents. Congestion in urban areas is a common phenomenon nowadays, as the main arteries of cities become congested during peak hours or when there are additional constraints such as traffic accidents and road works that slow down traffic on road sections. When traffic increases, it is observed that some roads are predisposed to congestion, while others are not. It is evident that both congestion and urban traffic itself are influenced by several factors represented by complex geospatial data and the spatial relationships between them. In this paper were integrated mathematical models, real time traffic data with network analysis and simulation procedures in order to analyze the public transportation in Oradea and the impact on urban traffic. A mathematical model was also adapted to simulate the travel choices of the population of the city and of the surrounding villages. Based on the network analysis, traffic analysis and on the traveling simulation, the elements generating traffic congestion in the inner city can be easily determined. The results of the case study are emphasizing that diminishing the traffic and its effects can be obtained by improving either the public transport density or its accessibility. Full article

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) report a higher frequency and severity of gastrointestinal disorders (GID) than typically developing (TD) children. GID-associated discomfort increases feelings of anxiety and frustration, contributing to the severity of ASD. Emerging evidence supports the biological intersection of neurodevelopment and microbiome, indicating the integral contribution of GM in the development and function of the nervous system, and mental health, and disease balance. Dysbiotic GM could be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of GID in children with ASD. High-fat diets may modulate GM through accelerated growth of bile-tolerant bacteria, altered bacterial ratios, and reduced bacterial diversity, which may increase the risk of GID. Notably, saturated fatty acids are considered to have a pronounced effect on the increase of bile-tolerant bacteria and reduction in microbial diversity. Additionally, omega-3 exerts a favorable impact on GM and gut health due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Despite inconsistencies in the data elaborated in the review, the dietary fat composition, as part of an overall dietary intervention, plays a role in modulating GID, specifically in ASD, due to the altered microbiome profile. This review emphasizes the need to conduct future experimental studies investigating the effect of diets with varying fatty acid compositions on GID-specific microbiome profiles in children with ASD. Full article

This study examined the relationships of cyberbullying and traditional bullying victimization and perpetration, perceived family function, frustration discomfort, and hostility with self-reported depressive symptoms and suicidality in adolescents diagnosed as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both the self-reported severity of depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the occurrence of suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt on the suicidality module of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia were assessed in 195 adolescents with ADHD. The adolescents completed the Cyberbullying Experiences Questionnaire, Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire, Frustration–Discomfort Scale, Buss–Durkee Hostility Inventory, and Family APGAR Index. Caregivers completed the ADHD problems component of the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6–18. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the correlates for each of self-reported depressive symptoms and suicidality. The results showed that after the effects of gender, age, ADHD symptoms, and family function were controlled, greater frustration discomfort and bullying perpetration significantly predicted self-reported depressive symptoms. Being cyberbullying victims and displaying hostility significantly predicted the risk of suicidality. Various types of bullying involvement, frustration intolerance, and hostility significantly predicted self-reported depressive symptoms and suicidality in adolescents with ADHD. By monitoring and intervening in these factors, we can reduce the risk of depression-related problems and suicidality in adolescents with ADHD. Full article

Victimization and perpetration of cyberbullying and traditional bullying are prevalent among adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined the associations of impulsivity, frustration discomfort, and hostility with victimization and with the perpetration of cyberbullying and traditional bullying in adolescents with ADHD. Self-reported involvement in cyberbullying and traditional bullying was assessed in 195 adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. Adolescents also completed questionnaires for impulsivity, frustration discomfort, and hostility. Caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist for adolescents’ ADHD, internalization, oppositional defiance, and problems with conduct. The associations of impulsivity, frustration discomfort, and hostility with victimization and perpetration of cyberbullying and traditional bullying were examined using logistic regression analysis. The results demonstrated that after the effects of demographic characteristics and behavioral problems were controlled for, frustration intolerance increased the risks of being cyberbullying victims and perpetrators whereas hostility increased the risks of being the victims and perpetrators of traditional bullying. Impulsivity was not significantly associated with any type of bullying involvement. Prevention and intervention programs should alleviate frustration intolerance and hostility among adolescents with ADHD. Full article