BackgroundThere are two main coping styles regarding information seeking under medical threat; monitoring (information-seeking) and blunting (information-avoiding). The aim of this study is to (1)... Show moreBackgroundThere are two main coping styles regarding information seeking under medical threat; monitoring (information-seeking) and blunting (information-avoiding). The aim of this study is to (1) determine factors associated with a monitoring or blunting coping style in gastro-intestinal stromal tumour (GIST) patients and (2) investigate its association with psychological distress, cancer-related concerns, health-related quality of life and satisfaction with healthcare.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, Dutch GIST patients completed the shortened version of the Threatening Medical Situations Inventory to determine their coping style, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Cancer Worry Scale, EORTC QLQ-C30 and part of the EORTC QLQ-INFO25.ResultsA total of 307 patients were classified as blunters (n = 175, 57%) or monitors (n = 132, 43%). Coping style was not associated with tumour or treatment variables, but being a female (OR 2.5; 95%CI 1.5–4.1; p= <.001) and higher educated (OR 5.5; 95%CI 2.5–11.9, p= <.001) were associated with higher odds of being a monitor. Monitors scored significantly lower on emotional functioning (mean = 86.8 vs mean = 90.9, p=.044), which is considered a trivial difference, more often experienced severe fear of cancer recurrence or progression (53.0% vs 37.7%, p=.007), and had more concerns about dying from GIST in the future (60.6% vs 47.4%, p=.025). Compared to blunters, monitors were less satisfied with the received healthcare and information, and would have liked to receive more information.ConclusionGIST patients with a monitoring coping style experience a higher emotional burden. Additionally, monitors exhibit a greater need for information. Although this need for information could potentially result in fears and concerns, recognising it may also create an opening for tailored communication and information. Show less
Background: Medical procedures can cause considerable stress and anxiety among children. Current interventions mainly diminish stress and anxiety during procedures, while stress and anxiety often... Show moreBackground: Medical procedures can cause considerable stress and anxiety among children. Current interventions mainly diminish stress and anxiety during procedures, while stress and anxiety often build up at home. Moreover, interventions often focus on either distraction or preparation. eHealth can combine multiple strategies and provide a low-cost solution that can be used outside the hospital. Objective: To develop an eHealth solution to diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety, and to evaluate the app on use, usability and user experience in practice. We also aimed to gain in-depth insights in children's and caregivers' opinions and experiences to inform future improvements. Methods:This is a multi-study report on the development (Study 1) and evaluation (Study 2) of a first version of the developed app. In study 1 we adopted a participatory design approach in which children's experiences were central to the design process. We performed an experience journey session with stakeholders (n = 13) to map the child's outpatient journey, identify pains and gains, and formulate the desired experience journey. Iterative development and testing with children (n = 8) and caregivers (n = 6) resulted in a working prototype. The prototype was tested with children, resulting in a first version of the Hospital Hero app. The app was evaluated on use, user-experience and usability during an eight-week pilot study in practice (Study 2). We triangulated data from online interviews with children and caregivers (n = 21) and online questionnaires (n = 46). Results: Multiple stress and anxiety experience touchpoints were identified. The Hospital Hero app supports children in their hospital journey by facilitating preparation at home and providing distraction at the hospital. The pilot study showed that the app was evaluated positively on usability and user-experience and is considered feasible. Qualitative data showed five themes: (1) user-friendliness, (2) coherence and power of storytelling, (3) motivation and reward, (4) fit with real hospital journey, (5) procedural comfort. Discussion: Using participatory design, we developed a child-centered solution that supports children in the entire hospital journey and may diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety. Future efforts should create a more tailored journey, define an optimal engagement window and formulate implementation strategies. Show less
Background: Medical procedures can cause considerable stress and anxiety among children. Current interventions mainly diminish stress and anxiety during procedures, while stress and anxiety often... Show moreBackground: Medical procedures can cause considerable stress and anxiety among children. Current interventions mainly diminish stress and anxiety during procedures, while stress and anxiety often build up at home. Moreover, interventions often focus on either distraction or preparation. eHealth can combine multiple strategies and provide a low-cost solution that can be used outside the hospital.Objective: To develop an eHealth solution to diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety, and to evaluate the app on use, usability and user experience in practice. We also aimed to gain in-depth insights in children's and caregivers' opinions and experiences to inform future improvements.Methods: This is a multi-study report on the development (Study 1) and evaluation (Study 2) of a first version of the developed app. In study 1 we adopted a participatory design approach in which children's experiences were central to the design process. We performed an experience journey session with stakeholders (n = 13) to map the child's outpatient journey, identify pains and gains, and formulate the desired experience journey. Iterative development and testing with children (n = 8) and caregivers (n = 6) resulted in a working prototype. The prototype was tested with children, resulting in a first version of the Hospital Hero app. The app was evaluated on use, user-experience and usability during an eight-week pilot study in practice (Study 2). We triangulated data from online interviews with children and caregivers (n = 21) and online questionnaires (n = 46).Results: Multiple stress and anxiety experience touchpoints were identified. The Hospital Hero app supports children in their hospital journey by facilitating preparation at home and providing distraction at the hospital. The pilot study showed that the app was evaluated positively on usability and user-experience and is considered feasible. Qualitative data showed five themes: (1) user-friendliness, (2) coherence and power of storytelling, (3) motivation and reward, (4) fit with real hospital journey, (5) procedural comfort.Discussion: Using participatory design, we developed a child-centered solution that supports children in the entire hospital journey and may diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety. Future efforts should create a more tailored journey, define an optimal engagement window and formulate implementation strategies. Show less
Background: Medical procedures can cause considerable stress and anxiety among children. Current interventions mainly diminish stress and anxiety during procedures, while stress and anxiety often... Show moreBackground: Medical procedures can cause considerable stress and anxiety among children. Current interventions mainly diminish stress and anxiety during procedures, while stress and anxiety often build up at home. Moreover, interventions often focus on either distraction or preparation. eHealth can combine multiple strategies and provide a low-cost solution that can be used outside the hospital.Objective: To develop an eHealth solution to diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety, and to evaluate the app on use, usability and user experience in practice. We also aimed to gain in-depth insights in children's and caregivers' opinions and experiences to inform future improvements.Methods: This is a multi-study report on the development (Study 1) and evaluation (Study 2) of a first version of the developed app. In study 1 we adopted a participatory design approach in which children's experiences were central to the design process. We performed an experience journey session with stakeholders (n = 13) to map the child's outpatient journey, identify pains and gains, and formulate the desired experience journey. Iterative development and testing with children (n = 8) and caregivers (n = 6) resulted in a working prototype. The prototype was tested with children, resulting in a first version of the Hospital Hero app. The app was evaluated on use, user-experience and usability during an eight-week pilot study in practice (Study 2). We triangulated data from online interviews with children and caregivers (n = 21) and online questionnaires (n = 46).Results: Multiple stress and anxiety experience touchpoints were identified. The Hospital Hero app supports children in their hospital journey by facilitating preparation at home and providing distraction at the hospital. The pilot study showed that the app was evaluated positively on usability and user-experience and is considered feasible. Qualitative data showed five themes: (1) user-friendliness, (2) coherence and power of storytelling, (3) motivation and reward, (4) fit with real hospital journey, (5) procedural comfort.Discussion: Using participatory design, we developed a child-centered solution that supports children in the entire hospital journey and may diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety. Future efforts should create a more tailored journey, define an optimal engagement window and formulate implementation strategies. Show less
Background: Childhood trauma and combat-related trauma are both associated withdecreased psychosocial functioning. Coping strategies play an important role in the adjust-ment to traumatic events... Show moreBackground: Childhood trauma and combat-related trauma are both associated withdecreased psychosocial functioning. Coping strategies play an important role in the adjust-ment to traumatic events.Objective: The present study examined childhood trauma and the mediating role of copingstrategies in adult psychological symptoms in a non-clinical military population afterdeployment to Afghanistan. Additionally, the moderating role of coping strategies invulnerability to combat events was explored.Method: Participants (N = 932) were drawn from a prospective study assessing psychologi-cal complaints (SCL-90), early trauma (ETISR-SF), combat-related events and coping strate-gies (Brief COPE). Mediation analyses via joint significance testing and moderation analyseswere performed.Results: Childhood trauma is related to adult symptoms of general anxiety, depression andproblems concerning interpersonal sensitivity through the mediation of self-blame asa coping strategy. Some evidence was found that self-blame moderated vulnerability tocombat-related events resulting in psychological complaints, specifically symptoms of anxi-ety and depression.Conclusions: Military personnel should be made aware of self-criticizing maladaptive beliefsystems when dealing with aversive events. Negative beliefs about oneself and distortedtrauma-related cognitions may have a basis in childhood events. Self-blame cognitions maybe a potential mechanism of change in empirically supported trauma interventions such ascognitive processing therapy. Show less
Conclusion. In patients with hand OA, joint-specific factors and coping styles decreasing activity and pacing were both associated with disability. Our results suggest that interventions should aim... Show moreConclusion. In patients with hand OA, joint-specific factors and coping styles decreasing activity and pacing were both associated with disability. Our results suggest that interventions should aim at joint specific complaints as well as changing coping styles to improve functional outcome. Show less
Have, M. van der; Brakenhoff, L.K.P.M.; Erp, S.J.H. van; Kaptein, A.A.; Leenders, M.; Scharloo, M.; ... ; Fidder, H.H. 2015
