Gabriela Ferreira

Quality of life in patients with skin tumors: the mediator role of body image and social support

This study analyzed the relationships between illness representations, psychological morbidity, family stress, and quality of life and whether these variables were mediated by body image and social support.

Partners’ representations of diabetes as mediators between patients’ representations and adherence to self-care behaviors, in type 2 diabetes

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze partners’ representations of diabetes as mediators between patients’ illness representations and adherence to all self-care behaviors, in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. The sample included 340 patients and their respective partners. The instruments used were: Revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (RSDSCA); Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS); and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief-IPQ). A mediational effect of partners’ representation of diabetes consequences was found between the same patients’ representations and exercise, foot care, and self-monitoring of blood glucose. Partners’ representations of personal and treatment control, were mediators between the same partners’ representations and self-monitoring of blood glucose. No partners’ representations mediated patients’ representation and adherence to medication or diet . This study emphasized partners’ representations on patient’s adherence to exercise, foot care and monitoring of blood glucose, in recent diagnosed T2DM patients. Interventions to promote adherence in T2DM should promote convergence between patients and partners’ diabetes representations. This study provides some evidence for the need to treat T2DM within the dyad to improve adherence, starting after the diagnosis.

Patients' and Spouses' Contribution Toward Adherence to Self-Care Behaviors in Type 2 Diabetes.

This article focuses on patients’ and partners’ variables regarding adherence to self-care, in recently diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes. One hundred four patients and partners were included. Instruments answered were Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (family stress), Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (family coping), Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (dyadic adjustment), Multidimensional Diabetes Questionnaire (partner support) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (psychological morbidity). Results showed adherence to diet to be positively predicted by patient dyadic adjustment and patient positive support and negatively by partner depression and partner negative support. Adherence to exercise was predicted by patient’s family stress and negatively by partner anxiety. Adherence to glucose monitoring was predicted by partner positive support. Psychological variables were not associated with adherence to foot care. Finally, positive partner support moderated the relationship between family stress and dyadic adjustment in patients. The results emphasize the need to treat the patient in the context of the dyad. Future research should focus on partners’ specific instrumental behaviors that promote patients’ self-care behaviors.

Health-related quality of life of adolescents: Relations with positive and negative psychological dimensions

Abstract This study aims to analyse: the relationship between socio-demographic variables and overall HRQoL and its domains; the predictor role of negative psychological dimensions (anxiety, depression and stress) and positive ones (subjective happiness, self-esteem and life satisfaction) on overall HRQoL and its domains. The sample consisted of 465 Portuguese students (53.5% girls), aged 13–18 years (M = 15.20, SD = 1.16). The students answered to the following measures: Kidscreen-27, Subjective Happiness Scale, Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale, Self-Esteem Rosenberg Scale and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-Children. Gender, age and chronic disease predicted perceptions of some HRQoL domains. The results showed that both negative and positive psychological dimensions predicted HRQoL and its domains. Depressive symptoms were a negative predictor and self-esteem a positive predictor of overall HRQoL and all of its domains. These results create opportunities for new insights into health and optimal functioning of adolescents from an ecological perspective.

Depression, distress, burden and social support in caregivers of active versus abstinent addicts

Abstract This study focuses on the relationships between clinical, demographic, and psychological variables, such as depression, distress, burden and social support in informal caregivers of addicts. The sample included 120 informal caregivers who answered the Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Symptom Inventory, Caregiver Reaction Assessment, and the Instrumental and Expressive Social Support Scale. Results pointed to significant associations between burden and patients’ number of detoxifications, patients’ arrest due to substance abuse, distress and social support. Differences in depression, distress and burden were found between caregivers of active versus abstinent addicts. Caregiver burden was predicted by the number of patients’ arrests and the number of patients’ detoxifications at home, as well as caregivers’ social support. According to the results, caregivers of addicts would benefit from interventions that increase social support, and decrease burden, depression and distress, particularly, those who care for non-abstinent family members.

Physical activity: The importance of the extended theory of planned behavior, in type 2 diabetes patients:

This study focused on the contribution of the extended theory of planned behavior regarding intention to perform physical activity, adherence to physical activity, and its mediator role in the relationship between trust in the physician and adherence to physical activity, in a sample of 120 patients with type 2 diabetes. The results revealed that positive attitudes and perception of control predicted a stronger intention to do physical activity. The intention to do physical activity was the only predictor of adherence to physical activity. Planning mediated the relationship between trust in the physician and adherence. Implications for patients with type 2 diabetes are discussed.

Apego aos pais, relações românticas, estilo de vida, saúde física e mental em universitários

This study focused on the understanding of the relationship among attachment to parents, characteristics of romantic relationships, physical symptoms, lifestyle and psychological morbidity in 250 university students, aged between 17 and 29 years (M=20.88; SD=2.03), who answered self-report questionnaires. We concluded that attachment to parents for young adults is related to physical symptoms, psychological morbidity and characteristics of romantic relationships. Being in a romantic relationship has effects on health, since it is related to a healthier lifestyle and less physical symptoms. We explored the predictors of physical symptoms and lifestyle, and analyzed the influence of sex, type of family and socioeconomic status on the variables studied. As a result, implications can be drawn to develop interventions with youngsters and parents.

Differences, predictors, and moderators of therapeutic adherence in patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes:

This study analyzed the differences over time in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients on reported adherence. A longitudinal design with two assessment moments was used with 268 patients who were assessed on adherence to self-care behaviors and medication, beliefs about medicines, psychological distress, trust in the physician, and satisfaction with care. HbA1c and general beliefs about medicines decreased from T1 to T2 while adherence to foot care, the needs of medicines, and psychological distress increased. Beliefs about medicines, satisfaction with communication/information, and trust in physician predicted adherence. Intervention should consider these variables when promoting adherence.

Unmet needs and quality of life in multiple myeloma patients

This cross-sectional study analysed the contributors and moderators of quality of life. The sample comprised 124 Portuguese multiple myeloma patients assessed on social support, spirituality, unmet needs, psychological morbidity and quality-of-life measures. Results showed that being older and a woman, as well as psychological morbidity and unmet emotional needs were significant predictors of worse quality of life as measured by the QLQ-C30. Unmet financial needs moderated the relationship between psychological morbidity and quality of life. Results emphasize the importance of intervening in patients’ unmet emotional needs and psychological morbidity in order to promote quality of life, in this population.

Spousal support and satisfaction with healthcare services as moderators between psychological morbidity and adherence to diet in Type 2 Diabetes patients

This study is part of a research project PTDC/SAU-ESA/67581/2006 supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal (FCT).