Persistent misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females in Malawi

Background

The prevalence of HIV in Malawi is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, and misconceptions about its mode of transmission are considered a major contributor to the continued spread of the virus.

Methods

Using the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, the current study explored factors associated with misconceptions about HIV transmission among males and females.

Results

We found that higher levels of ABC prevention knowledge were associated with lower likelihood of endorsing misconceptions among females and males (OR?=?0.85, p?<?0.001; OR?=?0.85, p?<?0.001, respectively). Compared to those in the Northern region, both females and males in the Central (OR?=?0.54, p?<?0.001; OR?=?0.53, p?<?0.001, respectively) and Southern regions (OR?=?0.49, p?<?0.001; OR?=?0.43, p?<?0.001, respectively) were less likely to endorse misconceptions about HIV transmission. Moreover, marital status and ethnicity were significant predictors of HIV transmission misconceptions among females but not among males. Also, household wealth quintiles, education, religion, and urban–rural residence were significantly associated with endorsing misconceptions about HIV transmission.

Conclusion

Based on our findings, we recommend that education on HIV transmission in Malawi should integrate cultural and ethnic considerations of HIV/AIDS.

     

Associations of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">PON1</Emphasis> rs662 polymorphism with circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein and lipid levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Several meta-analyses have demonstrated that the rs662 polymorphism in Paraoxonase 1 gene (PON1) gene is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is still uncertain whether this polymorphism is associated with the plasma levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and lipids. This meta-analysis is aimed to clarify the relationships between the rs662 polymorphism and plasma levels of Ox-LDL and lipids.

Methods

By searching in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP and CNKI databases, 5 studies (1369 subjects) and 85 studies (46,740 subjects) were respectively identified for Ox-LDL association analysis and lipid association analysis. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to estimate the effects of the rs662 polymorphism on plasma Ox-LDL and lipid levels.

Results

The carriers of the variant R allele had higher levels of Ox-LDL (SMD?=?0.23, 95% CI?=?0.10–0.36, P?<? 0.01), triglyceride (TG) (SMD?=?0.06, 95% CI?=?0.01–0.11, P?=?0.02), total cholesterol (TC) (SMD?=?0.04, 95% CI?=?0.00–0.07, P?=?0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (SMD?=?0.04, 95% CI?=?0.00–0.08, P?=?0.04) than the non-carriers.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that the association between the PON1 rs662 polymorphism and CHD may partly be mediated by abnormal Ox-LDL and lipid levels caused by the R allele.

     

Brief report: the association between recreational versus therapeutic marijuana use on hazardous alcohol consumption and alcohol-associated behavioral consequences among adults living with HIV in Florida

Background

Though marijuana use has previously been associated with risky alcohol use, studies often do not delineate between the effect of recreational versus therapeutic marijuana use, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWH). In this study, we examined the association between recreational versus therapeutic marijuana use to manage HIV symptoms (i.e., improve appetite/gain weight, induce sleep, relieve nausea/vomiting, relieve pain, relieve anxiety/depression/stress) on hazardous alcohol consumption and associated behavioral consequences among PLWH.

Methods

PLWH (N?=?703) recruited from community health centers in Florida completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographics, marijuana use motives (i.e., recreational versus therapeutic), alcohol use, and alcohol-associated behavioral consequences. Hazardous alcohol use was defined as consuming 5 or more drinks on one occasion at least monthly or >?14 drinks per week for men, or 4 drinks on one occasion at least monthly or >?7 drinks per week for women over the past 12?months, while alcohol-associated behavioral consequences were assessed via the Short Inventory of Problems Revised (SIP-R). A one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) assessed differences in average number of alcohol-associated behavioral consequences between recreational and therapeutic marijuana users, and non-users, while multivariate logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between reason for marijuana use and hazardous alcohol consumption.

Results

There was a significant effect of marijuana use group on SIP-R score after controlling for covariates [F (2, 579)?=?3.04, p =?0.048], with post hoc analysis demonstrated significantly fewer alcohol-associated behavioral consequences among therapeutic marijuana users (1.27) compared to recreational users (3.35; p =?0.042). Compared to non-users, therapeutic marijuana users demonstrated significantly lower odds of hazardous drinking (AOR?=?0.42, 95% CI?=?0.18–0.96, p?=?0.041), while recreational marijuana users were 64% more likely to report hazardous drinking (AOR?=?1.64, 95% CI?=?1.08–2.50, p?=?0.019).

Conclusions

Findings from this study add to the literature by demonstrating how differing marijuana use motives are associated with hazardous alcohol consumption among PLWH. Given our findings showing greater risk of hazardous alcohol consumption among recreational marijuana users and lower risk among therapeutic marijuana users, results from this study may help inform interventions to reduce harmful alcohol consumption and associated adverse consequences among PLWH.

     

Estimating levels of HIV testing coverage and use in prevention of mother-to-child transmission among women of reproductive age in Zambia

Background

Mother to child transmission of HIV (MTCT) still remains a challenge affecting many countries. Globally, an estimated 150,000 children were newly infected with HIV in 2015, over 90% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa through MTCT. In Zambia approximately 500,000 babies are born and 40,000 acquire the infection vertically if there is no intervention annually. This study estimated the HIV testing coverage and associated factors among Zambian women of reproductive age 15–49?years.

Methods

A cross-sectional study based on data extracted from the Zambia Demographics and Health Survey [Zambia Demographic and Health Survey. Central Statistical Office (CSO), Ministry of Health (MOH), Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC), University of Zambia, and Macro International Inc. 2009. 2014]. Women aged 15–49?years, 15,388 who reported having ever tested for HIV or not comprised the de facto eligible sample. Extracted data comprised women’s demographic characteristics; their full birth history and records of antenatal care for the most recent birth within a 5?year period preceding the survey. A weighted multiple logistic regression model was done to determine factors associated with the odds of HIV testing coverage among women of reproductive age.

Results

Out of 15,388 women in the study, 12,413 (81%) reported ever tested for HIV. Of the 6461 women who attended antenatal care (ANC) 6139 (95%) reported ever tested for HIV. Additionally, 6139 (95%) out of 6461 of the women were given information on PMTCT during ANC sessions. Testing coverage was higher among women aged 20–24?years compared to women aged 15–19?years [AOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.14–3.84; p?=?0.017]. Women with higher socio-economic status had 6.6 times the odds of having ever tested compared to women with lower status [AOR 6.6, 95% CI 3.04–14.14; p?<?0.001].

Conclusions

In this study we have demonstrated that HIV testing coverage is higher among women of reproductive age. HIV testing among women attending ANC is also higher. Older women with higher socio-economic status are more likely to take up HIV testing compared to their young counterparts.

     

Quality of life and stability of tooth color change at three months after dental bleaching

Purpose

Intracoronary bleaching is a minimally invasive, alternative treatment that addresses aesthetic concerns related to non-vital teeth discoloration. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have assessed the psychosocial impacts of such procedures on patients’ aesthetic perceptions. The aim of this study was to evaluate aesthetic perceptions and the psychosocial impact of patients up to 3 months after their teeth had been bleached with hydrogen peroxide (35%) and carbamide peroxide (37%) using the walking bleach technique.

Methods

The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the bleaching agent used: G1?=?hydrogen peroxide 35% (n?=?25) and G2?=?carbamide peroxide 37% (n?=?25). Non-vital bleaching was performed in four sessions. Color was objectively (ΔE) and subjectively (ΔSGU) evaluated. Aesthetic perception and psychosocial factors were evaluated before, 1 week and 1 month after the bleaching using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) and Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) questionnaires.

Results

The color change (ΔE) values at 1 month were G1?=?16.80?±?6.07 and G2?=?14.09?±?4.83. These values remained stable until the third month after treatment (p?>?0.05). There was a decrease in the values of OHIP-aesthetics and PIDAQ after treatment versus baseline (p?<?0.05). This status was maintained through the third month after treatment.

Conclusions

Both agents were highly effective and had a positive impact on the aesthetic perception and psychosocial impact of patients, values that also remained stable over time. Non-vital bleaching yields positive and stable impacts on aesthetic perception and psychosocial factors. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02718183.

     

A sex-role-preference model for HIV transmission among men who have sex with men in China

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are much more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population. China has a sizable population of MSM, including gay, bisexual men, money boys and some rural workers. So reducing HIV infection in this population is an important component of the national HIV/AIDS prevention and control program.

Methods

We develop a mathematical model using a sex-role-preference framework to predict HIV infection in the MSM population and to evaluate different intervention strategies.

Results

An analytic formula for the basic reproduction ratio R₀ was obtained; this yields R₀ = 3.9296 in the current situation, so HIV will spread very fast in the MSM population if no intervention measure is implemented in a timely fashion. The persistence of HIV infection and the existence of disease equilibrium (or equilibria) are also shown. We utilized our model to simulate possible outcomes of antiretroviral therapy and vaccination for the MSM population. We compared the effects of these intervention measures under different assumptions about MSM behaviour. We also found that R₀ is a decreasing function of the death rate of HIV-infected individuals, following a power law at least asymptotically.

Conclusion

HIV will spread very fast in the MSM population unless intervention measures are implemented urgently. Antiretroviral therapy can have substantial impact on the reduction of HIV among the MSM population, even if disinhibition is considered. The effect of protected sexual behaviour on controlling the epidemic in the MSM population largely depends on the sex-ratio preference of different sub-populations.

     

Is caregiving by baby boomer women related to the presence of depressive symptoms? Evidence from eight national surveys

Background

A common hypothesis is that caregiving is deleterious to women’s mental health. International studies continue to emphasize the importance of mental health issues for women. Yet only a few researchers have used population-based surveys to explore the association between caregiving and depressive symptomatology in the context of the community, and even less is known about this aspect of Baby Boomer women in a global context.

Methods

The present study uses eight international surveys covering nineteen nations (N?=?15,100) and uses multilevel logistic models to examine possible linkages between caregiving and the likelihood of depressive symptoms among Baby Boomer women, when taking individual-level and country-level social factors into consideration.

Results

The various analyses found a significant variation in the likelihood of depressive symptoms among these Boomer women across the nations investigated and across both individual-level and country-level characteristics. The significant association of caregiving by women and the likelihood of depressive symptoms is related to their social status in some nations (OR?=?1.30; p?<?0.001). Boomer women living in countries with high rates of female participation in managerial/professional work (OR?=?1.04; p?<?0.05) and living in countries where women are often in vulnerable employment (OR?=?1.01; p?<?0.05) are at greater risk of depressive symptomatology.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that the depressive consequences of caregiving by women are, to some degree, contingent upon social context and structure. Policies aimed at promoting mental health among female Baby Boomers should therefore be context specific.

     

The impact of a microsavings intervention on reducing violence against women engaged in sex work: a randomized controlled study

Background

Women who engage in sex work are at risk for experiencing violence from numerous perpetrators, including paying partners. Empirical evidence has shown mixed results regarding the impact of participation in microfinance interventions on women’s experiences of violence, with some studies demonstrating reductions in intimate partner violence (IPV) and others showing heightened risk for IPV. The current study reports on the impact of participation in a microsavings intervention on experiences of paying partner violence among women engaged in sex work in Mongolia.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2013, we conducted a two-arm, non-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing an HIV/STI risk reduction intervention (HIVSRR) (control condition) to a combined microsavings and HIVSRR intervention (treatment condition). Eligible women (aged 18 or older, reported having engaged in unprotected sex with paying partner in past 90 days, expressed interest in microsavings intervention) were invited to participate. One hundred seven were randomized, including 50 in the control and 57 in the treatment condition. Participants completed assessments at baseline, immediate post-test following HIVSRR, and at 3-months and 6-months after completion of the treatment group intervention. Outcomes for the current study include any violence (physical and/or sexual), sexual violence, and physical violence from paying partners in the past 90 days.

Results

An intention-to-treat approach was utilized. Linear growth models revealed significant reductions over time in both conditions for any violence (β?= ?0.867, p?<?0.001), physical violence (β?= ?0.0923, p?<?0.001), and sexual violence (β?= ?1.639, p?=?0.001) from paying partners. No significant differences between groups were found for any violence (β?=?0.118, p?=?0.389), physical violence (β?=?0.091, p?=?0.792), or sexual violence (β?=?0.379, p?=?0.114) from paying partners.

Conclusions

Microsavings participation did not significantly impact women’s risk for paying partner violence. Qualitative research is recommended to understand the cause for reductions in paying partner violence in both study conditions.

Trial registration

Evaluating a Microfinance Intervention for High Risk Women in Mongolia; NCT01861431; May 20, 2013.

     

“Areas of Worklife scale” (AWS) short version (Spanish): a confirmatory factor analysis based on a secondary school teacher sample

Background

This study examines the construct validity of the Areas of Worklife Short Scale, a practical instrument to measure employees’ perceptions of their work environments in the sample of secondary obligatory education teachers in Spain.

Methods

Conducted in 33 centers of secondary obligatory education in Spain (N?=?677). Confirmatory Factor analysis for 3 different models for the 29-items version and 1 model for the 18-items version was tested.

Results

Results confirmed that the short AWS short version had the best fit to the data than any other model proposed (GFI-Satorra-Bentler scaled chi-squared?=?320.19, ×?2/df?=?2.337) and good fit indices (CFI?=?0.911; RMSEA?=?0.046).

Conclusions

This analysis ultimately supports the appropriateness of AWS short version to explore areas of worklife and therefore can indicate the factors that contribute to burnout in the sample of secondary obligatory education teachers in Spain. Therefore it has been confirmed that this tool is able to assess the 6 domains of work environment of secondary schools teachers.

     

Chairing the internal medicine department- analysis of current state and future trends in Israel

Background

Professional skills and academic records of the highest degree are essential requirements for the chairmanship of internal medicine departments. Whether the new generation and future successors of Israeli chairmen is endowed with these attributes is not known.

Purpose

To determine whether there is a lack of future suitable successors for the current heads of internal medicine departments in Israel and to compare the demographic, academic and professional characteristics of the older and newer generations of department heads.

Methods

An online anonymous questionnaire was nationally distributed during 2016 to all active heads of internal medicine departments in Israel (n?=?101). First round was followed by two runs of personal phone calls to promote participation.

Results

Sixty-seven (67%) of chairmen responded. The vast majority of current chairs of internal medicine departments are males (N?=?59, 88%) over 50 years of age (N?=?58, 86%) with established academic background with lecturer degree or higher (N?=?57, 85%).Only 19 (28%) of current heads assigned a future successor. Comparison of chairmen who did and did not assigned successors demonstrated that assignment of successors was associated with higher academic status (P?<?0.02) and longer chairmanship (p?<?0.01) but not with mean age of current chairmen (p?<?0.08). Nevertheless, most assignments (55%) were done by chairmen in the 61 to 67 years age group. As compared to current chairmen, the designated successors have lesser academic status (p?<?0.01) and are characterized by a higher female prevalence (P?<?0.03).

Conclusions

Significant demographic, professional and academic differences exist between the current chairs of internal medicine departments in Israeli hospitals and their future successors. This underscores the need for reassessment of the availability and requirements of this crucial position.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichomonas vaginalis</Emphasis> infection and the diagnostic significance of detection tests among Ghanaian outpatients

Background

There is little data on Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Ghana. This study evaluated the prevalence of trichomoniasis using different diagnostic methods and determined the risk factors for infection in patients.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was administered. Vaginal swabs, urethral swabs and urine specimens were obtained from consenting patients; and the samples processed following standard protocols. The presence of T. vaginalis was determined using wet mount microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as gold standard. We also assessed the diagnostic performance the JD’s Trichomonas V® rapid antigen test to inform clinical practice.

Results

The PCR assay detected T. vaginalis positivity in 64 of 150 patients (42.6, 95%CI:35.0, 50.6) including all positive samples of wet mount microscopy and JD’s Trichomonas V® test. Wet mount microscopy showed low sensitivity (31.6%), high specificity (100%), moderate positive predictive value (75.0%), moderate positive likelihood ratio (3.0), and weak agreement (Cohen’s kappa, 0.283) with PCR assay. The JD’s Trichomonas V® test displayed lower sensitivity (25.0%), specificity (83.3%), and weaker measure of agreement (Cohen’s kappa, 0.233) with PCR. In multivariate analysis, the strongest independent predictor for T. vaginalis was female gender [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 24.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.58, 51.21; P-value<?0.001]. Knowledge of STI showed a protective effect against infection with the parasite (AOR, 0.13; 95%CI: 0.07, 0.29; P-value<?0.017).

Conclusion

The sensitivity of wet mount microscopy was low for T. vaginalis screening in our region. The JD’s Trichomonas V® test should not be considered as an alternative test. We recommend mandatory PCR assay for confirmation of negative wet mount results.

     

Cross sectional study on attitudes of Serbian mothers with preschool children: should a HIV-positive female teacher be allowed to continue teaching in school?

Background

HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious challenge to public health and human rights in the new millennium. The objective of this survey was to identify the correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers with preschool children, and their attitude towards whether a HIV-positive female teacher should be allowed to continue teaching in school.

Method

This survey was additional study analysis of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in the Republic of Serbia conducted in the period November–December 2010 following the UNICEF methodology. Women deemed eligible for the survey were those who had children under five, had never lost a child, were not pregnant at the time of inquiry and who had a clear attitude (“yes” or “no”) towards whether a HIV-positive female teacher should be allowed to continue teaching in school. The criteria were met by 2309 out of 2992 interviewed women. Pearson chi-square and t-test were used to analyse the differences in respondents’ attitude towards whether a HIV-positive female teacher should be allowed to continue teaching in school. Variables that were significantly associated with the dependent variable (p?<?0.05) were entered into a multiple logistic regression model.

Results

The respondents who were more likely to think that a HIV positive teacher should not be allowed to teach in school were those: who did not know that a healthy-looking person can be HIV-positive (OR?=?1.84; 95 % CI?=?1.19–2.83), who would not buy (OR?=?29.90; 95 % CI?=?22.52–39.71) or did not know/were not sure (OR?=?2.21; 95 % CI?=?1.46–3.33) whether they would buy vegetables from a HIV-positive vendor and women who did not know/were not sure (OR?=?2.97; 95 % CI?=?1.64–5.39) whether they would take care of a family member sick with AIDS in their own home.

Conclusion

Misconceptions about HIV transmission represent a major barrier to combating HIV/AIDS epidemic and HIV/AIDS-related stigma. It is, therefore, necessary to continue education and raising awareness of human rights both among the population living with HIV and the general population.

     

Effects of a 9-month resistance training intervention on quality of life,sense of coherence,and depressive symptoms in older adults: randomized controlled trial

Purpose

(1) To determine the effects of a 9-month resistance training intervention on quality of life, sense of coherence, and depressive symptoms in older adults, and (2) to compare effects between different training frequencies.

Methods

Men and women aged 65–75 (N?=?106) were randomized to four groups according to training frequency: training groups RT1 (n?=?26), RT2 (n?=?27), and RT3 (n?=?28) and non-training control group (n?=?25). All training groups attended supervised resistance training twice a week for 3 months. For the following 6 months, they continued training with different frequencies (1, 2 or 3 times per week). Psychological functioning was measured by quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref), sense of coherence (Antonovsky’s SOC-13), and depressive symptoms (Beck’s Depression Inventory II). Measurements were conducted at baseline and 3 and 9 months after baseline. The effects of the intervention were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Results

After 3 months, there was an intervention effect on environmental quality of life (group?×?time p?=?.048). Between 3 and 9 months, environmental quality of life decreased among RT1 compared to RT2 and RT3 (group?×?time p?=?.025). Between baseline and 9 months, environmental quality of life increased in RT2 compared to all other groups (group?×?time p?=?.011). Sense of coherence increased in RT2 compared to the control group and RT3 (group?×?time p?=?.032).

Conclusion

Resistance training is beneficial for environmental quality of life and sense of coherence. Attending resistance training twice a week seems to be the most advantageous for these aspects of psychological functioning.

     

Factors influencing self-reported anxiety or depression following stroke or TIA using linked registry and hospital data

Purpose

Approximately 30–50% of survivors experience problems with anxiety or depression post-stroke. It is important to understand the factors associated with post-stroke anxiety or depression to identify effective interventions.

Methods

Patient-level data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (years 2009–2013), from participating hospitals in Queensland (n?=?23), were linked with Queensland Hospital Emergency and Admission datasets. Self-reported anxiety or depression was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L, obtained at 90–180 days post-stroke. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression, with manual stepwise elimination of variables, was used to investigate the association between self-reported anxiety or depression, patient factors and acute stroke processes of care. Comorbidities, including prior mental health problems (e.g. anxiety, depression and dementia) coded in previous hospital admissions or emergency presentations using ICD-10 diagnosis codes, were identified from 5 years prior to stroke event.

Results

2853 patients were included (median age 74; 45% female; 72% stroke; 24% transient ischaemic attack). Nearly half (47%) reported some level of anxiety or depression post-stroke. The factors most strongly associated with anxiety or depression were a prior diagnosis of anxiety or depression [Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 2.37, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.66–3.39; p?<?0.001], dementia (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.24–2.93; p?=?0.003), being at home with support (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.12–1.69; p?=?<?0.001), and low socioeconomic advantage compared to high (aOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.21–2.10; p?=?0.001). Acute stroke processes of care were not independently associated with anxiety or depression.

Conclusions

Identification of those with prior mental health problems for early intervention and support may help reduce the prevalence of post-stroke anxiety or depression.

     

The effectiveness of an NaF rinse containing fTCP on eroded enamel remineralization

Objective

The authors investigated the effectiveness of a functionalized tricalcium phosphate (fTCP) combined with a low fluoride level in a mouthrinse to reharden eroded enamel lesions.

Methods

Ninety enamel slabs attached in pairs to removable appliances were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (n?=?30/group): (T1) NaF rinse (225 ppm F?+?40 ppm fTCP), (T2) NaF rinse (225 ppm F; ACT^®), and (T3) no mouthrinse (saliva). While wearing the in situ appliance for 14 days, subjects brushed their teeth with 1100 ppm F toothpaste (Crest©) for 2 min, rinsed with 15 ml of water for 10s, and then rinsed with 15 ml of their assigned treatment mouthrinse. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using surface microhardness (SMH) and transverse microradiography (TMR). Intra- and intergroup comparisons (α?=?0.05) were performed using the t-test and ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (HSD).

Results

With SMH, intragroup comparison (t-test) indicated significant rehardening of the eroded lesion with exposure to T1 (p?<?0.001) and T2 (p?<?0.01) but not with T3 However, with TMR, remineralization was only significant (p?=?0.01) with T1, but not with T2 and T3. In the intergroup comparison with percentage change in SMH, T1 was significantly different from T3 (p?<?0.01; Tukey HSD) but not from T2, and T2 was significantly different from T3. Intergroup comparison based on percentage mineral gain showed that T2 (p?=?0.02) and T3 (p?=?0.01) differed significantly from fTCP, but not between each other.

Conclusion

Addition of low level fluoride to functionalized β-tricalcium phosphate promoted rehardening of eroded enamel lesions.

     

Latent profile analysis of the three-dimensional model of character strengths to distinguish at-strengths and at-risk populations

Purpose

Studies that focus on the development of the typology of individual strength profiles are limited. Thus, this study aimed to determine strength profiles with different health outcomes based on the Three-Dimensional Inventory of Character Strengths (TICS).

Methods

The TICS was used to measure three-dimensional strengths: caring, inquisitiveness, and self-control. A total of 3536 community participants (1322 males and 2214 females with ages ranging from 17 to 50, M?=?23.96, SD?=?5.13) completed the TICS. A subsample (n?=?853; female?=?68.2%, male?=?31.8%) was further required to complete the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and Flourishing Scale. A latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted in the total sample to identify the latent strength profiles. Then, a three-step method was implemented to compare the mental health outcomes between strength profiles in the subsample.

Results

The LPA helped determine two subgroups based on the entire sample: the at-strengths group (high scores on all dimensions) and the at-risk group (low scores on all dimensions). As expected, the at-strengths group had less significant negative emotional symptoms (at-strengths group?=?0.57, at-risk group?=?0.83, χ²?=?33.54, p?<?.001) and had better psychological well-being (at-strengths group?=?5.81, at-risk group?=?4.64, χ²?=?276.64, p?<?.001).

Conclusions

This study identified two character strength profiles with different health outcomes. Specifically, populations with low-character strengths (caring, inquisitiveness, and self-control) were more likely to demonstrate poor mental health outcomes. Our findings also showed that a particular trait subtype can be considered in identifying high-risk populations and further implementing targeted strength-based interventions.

     

Relationship between cyberbullying and health-related quality of life in a sample of children and adolescents

Purpose

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a well-known construct that refers to a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Its relationship with multiple forms of violence, including bullying, has been widely explored, but this is not the case for cyberbullying. The main objective is to analyze how HRQoL varies depending on the role played in cyberbullying, its temporal stability, and gender and age differences.

Method

An analytical and longitudinal study was conducted at two temporal moments. At Time 1 (December 2015), 920 Spanish students aged between 11 and 18 years participated (M_age?=?13.36, SD?=?1.83: 48.9% boys and 51.1% girls). At Time 2 (April 2016), there were 313 participants (M_age 12.81 years, SD?=?1.59: 53.4% boys and 46.6% girls). We used the Cyberbullying Test (technological scale) and the Spanish version of the KIDSCREEN-52.

Results

Cybervictims and cyberbully–victims present worse scores in all dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 (p?<?.001), compared to cyberbystanders or uninvolved individuals. There are gender differences only in cyberaggression and cyberbystanding. There are significant inverse correlations between all the dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 and cybervictimization, with Bullying (r?=???.603, p?<?.001), Mood (r?=???.329, p?<?.001), and School environment (r?=???.327, p?<?.001) being particularly relevant. There were statistically significant differences between T1 and T2 for cyberbystanding (lower scores at T2).

Conclusion

Cybervictims and cyberbully–victims have worse quality of life in all the dimensions than uninvolved individuals, especially in Psychological well-being, School environment, and Bullying.