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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimTo examine the effects of self-care training workshops for primary healthcare workers on frequently attending patients.BackgroundInterventions to promote self-care in frequent users of primary care services have had mixed results. This paper reports an evaluation of a self-care initiative that aimed to develop a practice-based strategy to support self-care.MethodsA 12-month longitudinal-matched comparison study was carried out in seven intervention and four comparison practices. The intervention was a multidisciplinary training package delivered to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and practice staff in three workshops, over a three- to six-month period. Twenty-one managers, health professionals and other staff from participating practices and PCTs and 1454 patients were involved in the study. ‘Frequently attending’ patients were defined as having visited the practice more than eight times in the previous year, and were identified from practice registers and recruited by letter.Three sets of data were obtained: psychometric scores and other data from structured questionnaires; routinely collected data on use of healthcare services; and self-care beliefs and behaviour from qualitative interviews.FindingsStudy recruitment rate was 20% and retention rate 75%. Of those recruited 66% were female and the majority (94.8%) were White. There was poor uptake of the training programme within the participating practices, with few changes agreed or implemented. Few healthcare professionals consented to take part in the evaluation. No significant changes were seen in patients’ use of health services, psychometric scores or self-care beliefs or behaviour.ConclusionThe initiative did not show any effects during its pilot phase. Uptake and implementation were adversely affected by competing pressures for time and resources in primary care, coupled with a lack of engagement from primary health care professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research on psychological aspects of physical activity and exercise by young adults. A questionnaire is used to determine the predictive ability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) of the intention and behavior of young adults related to physical activity. It is found that TPB had significant predictability although its strength was dependent on gender.

A letter to the editor is presented on the potential of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to introduce people to traditional cigarettes.

Long-term physical health conditions (LTPHCs) are associated with poorer psychological well-being, quality of life, and longevity. Additionally, individuals with LTPHCs report uncertainty in terms of condition aetiology, course, treatment, and ability to engage in life. An individual's dispositional ability to tolerate uncertainty—or difficulty to endure the unknown—is termed intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and may play a pivotal role in their adjustment to a LTPHC. Consequently, the current review sought to investigate the relationship between IU and health-related outcomes, including physical symptoms, psychological ramifications, self-management, and treatment adherence in individuals with LTPHCs. A systematic search was conducted for papers published from inception until 27 May 2022 using the databases PsycINFO, PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL Plus, PsycARTICLES, and Web of Science. Thirty-one studies (N = 6,201) met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that higher levels of IU were associated with worse psychological well-being outcomes and poorer quality of life, though impacts on self-management were less clear. With the exception of one study (which looked at IU in children), no differences in IU were observed between patients and healthy controls. Although findings highlight the importance of investigating IU related to LTPHCs, the heterogeneity and limitations of the existing literature preclude definite conclusions. Future longitudinal and experimental research is required to investigate how IU interacts with additional psychological constructs and disease variables to predict individuals' adjustment to living with a LTPHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate associations between parent–child relationships, children's externalizing and internalizing symptoms, and lifestyle responses to the COVID-19 epidemic, we conducted an online survey of a random, representative sample of residents with children aged 3–17 years during mid-March 2020 in Wuhan and Shanghai, China. A total of 1655 parents and children were surveyed with a response rate of 80.1% in the survey. During the epidemic, the frequency of children enquiring about the epidemic (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.06), parents explaining the epidemic to them (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.80, 4.58), parents expressing negative emotions in front of them (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI = 2.08–3.30), and parents with more irritable attitudes (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.33–2.81) were significantly associated with children's externalizing symptoms. For internalizing symptoms, significant associations were found with worse parent–child closeness (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI = 1.80–4.79), the frequency of parents expressing negative emotions in front of them (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.68, 4.12), and more irritable attitudes (AOR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.42–3.55). We also found that each indicator of parent–child relationships had the significantly similar associations with children's lifestyle behaviors. These findings suggest that improving parents' attitudes towards their children and parent–child closeness during the epidemic, especially among parents with lower educational levels, are important to ensure the wellbeing of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence suggests that financial crises and poor mental health are reciprocally related, but no systematic review has been conducted to synthesise the existing literature on the impact of national and international financial crises on population-level mental health and well-being., Aims: The aim of this study was to systematically review the available literature on the global impact of financial crises on mental health and well-being outcomes., Methods: After registration on PROSPERO, a systematic search was conducted in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Wiley, and Web of Science for papers published until 21 November 2022. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement, 98 papers were identified as meeting eligibility criteria. Included studies were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and results were presented in a formal narrative synthesis., Results: Our findings show that financial crises are significantly associated with well-being and occurrence of psychological conditions. Several socio-demographic, cultural, and country-specific characteristics played a crucial role in the prevention of population mental health decline in periods of financial crises., Conclusions: Based on the findings of this review, evidence-based recommendations were developed to guide the design of policy actions that protect population mental health during and after financial crises.

Background and Aims: The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have not been equal, with a disproportionate impact among ethnic minority communities. Structural inequalities in social determinants of health such as housing and employment have contributed to COVID-19's impact on deprived communities, including many ethnic minority communities. To compare (1) how the UK government's "social distancing" restrictions and guidance were perceived and implemented by ethnic minority populations compared to white populations, (2) the impact of restrictions and guidance upon these groups., Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study incorporated a quantitative survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews to explore individual perceptions and experiences of COVID-19 and the national restrictions. Survey participants ( n  = 1587) were recruited from North West England; 60 (4%) participants were from ethnic minority communities. Forty-nine interviews were conducted; 19 (39%) participants were from ethnic minority communities. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach. Data collection was between April and August 2020., Results: Significant differences in demographics and household overcrowding were observed between white vs ethnic minority survey respondents, who were also significantly less confident in their knowledge of COVID-19, less likely to be high-risk drinkers, and marginally more likely to have experienced job loss and/or reduced household income. There were no group differences in wellbeing, perceptions, or nonfinancial impacts. Two inter-related themes included: (1) government guidance, incorporating people's knowledge and understanding of the guidance and their confusion/frustration over messaging; (2) the impacts of restrictions on keyworkers, home-schooling, working from home and changes in lifestyle/wellbeing., Conclusions: Further research is needed on the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on ethnic minority communities. If policy responses to COVID-19 are to benefit ethnic minority communities, there is a need for future studies to consider fundamental societal issues, such as the role of housing and economic disadvantage., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Health Science Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)