Mark Forshaw

New, normative, English-sample data for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4).

This article provides population norms for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and investigates the relationship between PSS-4 scores and sociodemographic variables. The PSS-4 was administered to an English sample (n = 1568) and was found to have acceptable psychometric properties. Sociodemographic variables explained 19.5% of variance in PSS-4 scores, and mean PSS-4 scores were significantly different from the mean scores reported in Cohen and Williamson’s original study. Greater levels of perceived health status, greater levels of social support, being male and being older were predictive of lower PSS-4 scores. Norm values for interpreting PSS-4 scores are presented.

The experience of amputation and prosthesis use for adults: a metasynthesis

Purpose: To identify and synthesize qualitative literature on the experience of amputation and prosthesis use for adults, and to make recommendations based on these findings for rehabilitation services. Methods: A systematic search of three databases for qualitative research exploring the experience of amputation and prosthesis use for adults was undertaken. Included papers were evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) quality guidelines. Data were extracted and themes synthesized in accordance with accepted procedures for qualitative metasyntheses. Results: From the 15 papers (13 studies) included in there view, five concepts were identified: (i) Becoming an amputee and facing prosthesis use; (ii) Adjustment to and coping with amputation and prosthesis use; (iii) The role of valued relationships in recovery; (iv) Amputation and prosthesis use in social interaction; and (v) Prosthetically enabled identities. Conclusions: The findings provide a base from which to make suggestions regarding the provision of health rehabilitation services for this population. It is recommended that such services make greater use of psychological interventions and education, include patients’ social support networks, use psychotherapy to support and develop positive coping strategies, and facilitate peer support from those who have already made positive adjustments to amputation and prosthesis use. Implications for Rehabilitation Amputation of a limb and subsequent prosthesis use present major physical, psychological and social challenges. Qualitative research on these topics is important in informing the design, organisation and delivery of health rehabilitation services which meet the needs of this population. The findings of this systematic review indicate that rehabilitation for this group make greater use of psychological interventions and education, involve patients’ social support networks, use psychotherapy to support positive coping strategies, and provide peer support from patients who have already made positive adjustments.

Assessing the efficacy of appearance-focused interventions to prevent skin cancer: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract Purpose. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is associated with adverse health effects. Although the immediate appearance values of tanning seem to outweigh the long-term health consequences, interventions emphasising the negative effects of UV exposure on appearance may be effective in modifying such behaviour. Method. A systematic review assessing the efficacy of appearance-focused interventions in modifying UV exposure and/or protection. Relevant publications were identified from a comprehensive search strategy of 16 electronic bibliographic databases from inception to March 2009, hand searches of six subject relevant journals and references lists of identified articles. Results. Data were extracted from 12 studies that were found to be eligible. Significant effects were found for UV protection behaviour in favour of the interventions. Though the interventions only had moderate success in modifying UV exposure behaviour, plausible explanations were provided. There was no clear pattern to suggest that quality of the studies or type of intervention was associated with effectiveness of the interventions. Conclusion. Appearance-focused interventions represent a promising method for modifying tanning behaviour. There is scope to evaluate the generalisability of these interventions on different populations and regions.

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Psychological Ramifications of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

With a substantial number of individuals diagnosed with Hand—Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and the preponderance of research focused on the medical and paramedical issues, the psychological and mental health sequelae of HAVS are largely neglected within the published literature. A series of focus groups and interviews were conducted involving nine people who had been diagnosed with HAVS. Transcripts of these interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four key themes were identified within the discourse of individuals affected by HAVS: machismo; coping; psychological impacts; and the development of support services for HAVS. Clinical implications are briefly discussed.

Effectiveness of Feedback Provision for Undergraduate Psychology Students

Research on feedback for undergraduate students has usually focused on either the tutor or the student perspective. Some tutors perceive that students do not read or learn from feedback, whilst students sometimes claim that feedback can be difficult to understand and unconstructive. We investigated tutor and student perspectives through online questionnaires. Fifty-seven staff and 213 psychology undergraduates responded. The questionnaires were used to determine the extent to which students learn from feedback, and the extent to which tutors employ feedback as a teaching tool. Our preliminary findings suggest that both groups agree that written feedback is not ideal, and that the two-way dialogue intended is not always effective. There may be a lack of understanding of communication on both sides. Staff feel that their feedback is clear, but students sometimes disagree, and students do not value feedback on grammar and referencing, whereas staff believe that this is useful. Further research is now being conducted to develop understanding of staff and student perspectives on feedback, and to use the findings to inform improved accessibility of feedback for students, and efficiency of feedback provision for tutors.

Why we shouldn't normalise the use of e-cigarettes.

We welcome Gornall’s article because we think it will promote much needed debate about an important public health concern.1 However, many of the issues covered are not new. More than 30 years ago, Taylor published a seminal book that provided a comprehensive insight into the world of public health politics.2 The Smoke Ring discusses the political and …

Insights from the experiences of older people with hearing impairment in the United Kingdom: recommendations for nurse-led rehabilitation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study aims to explore, and develop a greater understanding of the experience of living with age-related hearing impairment from the perspectives of older people themselves to highlight possible recommendations for the improvement of hearing aid (HA) services and rehabilitation. BACKGROUND Hearing impairment (HI) is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting older people. HI can have a huge impact on a wide variety of life factors including physical, mental and social health and can lead to a reduction in quality of life. With the current ageing population, the numbers living with hearing impairment in old age is likely to increase. Currently, the diagnosis of hearing impairment in older people can be slow with individuals living with hearing impairment for around 10 years before being diagnosed. METHODS The research utilises a descriptive qualitative method in the form of descriptive thematic analysis. Findings are reported from semi-structured interviews with nine participants with self-reported HI, aged 61-93. RESULTS Themes include; the loss itself, communication, using HAs, isolation, and coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The results highlight the need for early diagnosis of HI and the development of nurse-led rehabilitation strategies and support services that address the felt stigma and potentially isolating experiences of older people with HI.

In defence of psychology: a reply to Goodley and Lawthom (2005)

Goodley & Lawthom discussed the role of a community psychology approach in conducting emancipatory disability research. While their aims are entirely laudable, they portrayed mainstream psychology as ‘pathologising, voyeuristic, individualising, [and] impairment‐obsessed’. This paper presents a reply to Goodley and Lawthom’s somewhat outdated arguments for the dismissal of mainstream psychology and argues that the focus on a single ‘best’ method of researching disability does not serve the best interests of disabled people within society. It is argued that to create a ‘new’ psychology distinct from the ‘mainstream’ is unnecessary, undesirable and counter‐productive. Mainstream psychology has much to offer disabled people and to dismiss it is to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Using a randomised controlled trial (RCT) methodology in CAM research with gynaecological cancer patients: A commentary on the perks and pitfalls.

This paper provides a commentary on several challenges faced by researchers when conducting randomised controlled trials (RCTs) utilising complementary therapies with cancer patients. Several factors, such as research design and recruitment to the intervention are discussed. Examples are drawn from an RCT conducted by the lead author regarding the use of yoga to improve the quality of life of gynaecological cancer patients undergoing treatment for their cancer. This paper gives methodological insights into some of the difficulties experienced when conducting research with cancer patients, and provides a number of recommendations based on the available evidence and practical application of these methods.

“Look and feel your best”: representations of artificial limb users in prosthetic company advertisements

Abstract Purpose: Artificial limbs (prosthetics) are considered important for keeping the person physically active and avoiding an array of negative health outcomes associated with non-use. Increasingly, the potential users of these limbs are the focus of commercial prosthetic company advertisements. It has been argued that it is important to examine such media representations, not least because people’s beliefs regarding health and illness are often forged from the discourses and constructions available to them in such material, but because these representations mediate individual lived experience. Method: This article provides a thematic analysis, drawing upon discourse analysis and semiotics, of textual–pictorial representations of artificial limb users in the advertisements of prosthetic companies. The data set was comprised of advertisements that appeared over a 2-year period in inMotion, an international magazine produced and distributed by a major amputee advocacy group. Results: The findings indicate that dominant societal constructions of work, gender and family are drawn on in depicting artificial limb users. These offer generally positive representations that draw on socially pervasive stereotypes. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in relation to literature concerning the experience and meaning of prosthesis use, and the implications for health professionals working with this group are set out. Implications for Rehabilitation People who lose a limb are increasingly being exposed to advertisements from prosthetic companies. Such advertisements have the potential to foster unrealistic expectations regarding rehabilitation following amputation. Healthcare professionals need to be mindful of how these advertisements mediate lived experience and impact on rehabilitation when planning personal care plans.