Search results for "Health psychology"

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown Measures on Quality of Life among Italian General Population

2021

The COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world in the year 2020 has put a strain on our ability to cope with events and revolutionized our daily habits. On 9 March, Italy was forced to lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection, with measures including the mandatory closure of schools and nonessential activities, travel restrictions, and the obligation to spend entire weeks in the same physical space. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on quality of life (QoL) in a large Italian sample, in order to investigate possible differences in QoL levels related to both demographic and pandemic-specific variables. A total of 2251 Italian a…

Evolución y futuro de la Psicología de la Salud

2014

Se realiza una visión crítica de la Psicología de la Salud para plantear el desarrollo de nuevos planes de integración. La Psicología de la Salud superó la fase de crecimiento en la que pudo estancarse, perdiendo sentido y proyección social. En la fase de profesionalización se produjo la dispersión y proliferación de enfoques que se cerró más por razones externas que por la reflexión interna del campo. Hoy la cuestión central es integrar las políticas sanitarias de la mayoría de los países por medio de actuaciones colectivas y globales. Estas actuaciones intentan poner orden y homogeneizar los servicios sanitarios. Los nuevos profesionales de la psicología de la salud tendrán que alejarse d…

Evolution and future of health psychology

2014

This paper addresses the development of new plans of integration, with the aim of undertaking a critical review of the present status of health psychology. We emphasize that health psychology has overcome its growing stage when the risk of stagnation and a consequent loss of relevance and social projection existed. During its period of professionalization there was a spreading and proliferation of approaches due more to external reasons than to reflection within the field. Today the central issue, in many countries relates to the integration of health policies through collective and global actions. Health psychology professionals should move away from the traditional academic and scientific…

Occupational Health Psychology

2011

Cognitive thought diary in supportive psychology for people undergoing radiotherapy: a feasibility study

2017

BAC KGROUND: Radiation therapy (RT ) has become one of the most widely-used and efficient treatments for cancer; nevertheless, people who undergo radiotherapy suffer the physical and psychological consequences of this stressful treatment, in addition to the psychosocial distress related to cancer. However, a Radiotherapy Unit is often a place where several patients crowd in from various hospitals with restricted timetables and, for logistic reasons, it is not easy to provide regular psychological sessions for each one. It is important to find a setting that allows us the involvement of the largest number of patients referred to the unit. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility a…

Perceived family cohesion, social support, and quality of life in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders compared with patients wi…

2021

Abstract Purpose Support from family and other social network elements can be important in helping patients to cope with practical and emotional consequences of diseases. The aim of the study was to examine perception of family and social support and quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). We compared them with patients in treatment for mental disorders (MDs) and physical disorders (PDs). Methods We used data from a national multicenter study that recruited patients (N  =  518) from three treatment domains; SUD treatment units, MD treatment units, and PD treatment units (severe neurological conditions or cancer). Data on family cohesion, so…

A pilot study on aesthetic treatments performed by qualified aesthetic practitioners: efficacy on health-related quality of life in breast cancer pat…

2019

Purpose Cancer treatments often produce undesirable side-effects, such as skin toxicity, impacting on everyday functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This experimental study sought to determine whether aesthetic products and treatments could significantly decrease perceived skin symptoms, psychological distress and improve skin-related QoL (SRQoL). Methods An experimental group composed of 100 breast patients was enrolled for specialized aesthetic treatments at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) and compared to a control group of 70 breast patients who did not receive any aesthetic treatment. A measure of SRQoL (i.e., Skindex-16) and a distress thermometer were admini…

Healthy lifestyles and academic success in a sample of Italian university students

2019

Scientific literature has shown that healthy lifestyles are implicated both in the risk reduction of several disorders and in the improvement of cognitive functions. The present study evaluated the association between lifestyle behaviors and academic performance in university students from twelve different degree courses at the University of Palermo, Italy. It was hypothesized that healthy lifestyles, measured as the practice of a good diet, satisfying quality of sleep, low-stress levels, perceived social support, abstention from the use of illegal drugs, non-problematic Internet use, and regular sports habits, were associated to academic success. A total of 466 students were surveyed (26.5…

Reflections on the Proposed Definition and Scope of Behavioral Medicine

2016

Purpose To respond to comments on our proposal for an update of the definition and scope of behavioral medicine. Methods We identify common themes in the comments and provide a response. Results We discuss the relationship of behavioral medicine to other disciplines and fields, the scope of behavioral medicine, and issues related to the application of behavioral medicine. Conclusion Based on the comments of our esteemed colleagues and our reflection on those comments, we now offer the following refined definition and scope of behavioral medicine. ‘Behavioral medicine can be defined as the field characterized by the collaboration among multiple disciplines concerned with the development and …

Cardiovascular Management Self-efficacy: Psychometric Properties of a New Scale and Its Usefulness in a Rehabilitation Context.

2015

Self-efficacy beliefs have been shown to affect various effective health-promoting behaviors in patients. Unfortunately, availability of reliable and valid measures of self-efficacy in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is still very limited. Background: Self-efficacy beliefs have been shown to affect various effective health-promoting behaviors in patients. Unfortunately, availability of reliable and valid measures of self-efficacy in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is still very limited. Purpose: The aims of this study were to present a new scale measuring self-efficacy beliefs in managing CVD and to examine its psychometric properties. Methods: The study involved 172 patients (mean age = 66.4…