At least one in five Canadians lives with chronic pain, and the prevalence rate is rising. Chronic pain can be a result of injury, disease, surgery, and in some cases, the cause remains unknown. Due to the complexity and variability in the etiology and presentation of chronic pain, it can often be a challenge to implement an appropriate and effective treatment plan. Often, the effects of chronic pain are so debilitating that relief is only available temporarily with pain medication. However, there is the concern and possibility of addiction, health issues, and even increased risk of death with some medicinal interventions. Living with chronic pain can have widespread ramifications, affecting more than just the physical body. This includes psychological, emotional, interpersonal, and vocational challenges. In essence, all aspects of one’s quality of life can be affected by chronic pain. As chronic pain often persists over many years or even the lifetime, it is important to better understand how one might adapt to living with chronic pain. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a structured 8-week program that is commonly used as an intervention for people living with chronic pain, as several research studies have shown promising effects on pain outcomes and quality of life. Using hermeneutic phenomenology, the purpose of this study is to learn about the lived experiences of participating in an 8-week MBSR program from those living with chronic pain. Particularly, it explores how, if at all, an MBSR program may play a role in the participants’ adaptation to living with chronic pain. In depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 3 participants at the end of the MBSR program. They were then analyzed, interpreted and checked by the researcher. The interpretative analysis involved the researcher explicitly detailing their own positioning in order to inform the interpretations and allow for a well-informed continued interpretation and understanding from readers. Overall, participants described several key aspects which may shed light into the benefits that MBSR can have in regards to adaptation to chronic pain as delineated by the following categories: physical pain and pain management, self-perception and identity, relationship dynamics, and emotional equilibrium. Lastly, broader themes included: being heard and understood, letting go and being here, the healing perspective, and moving from surviving to living. The results of this study speaks to the experience of living with chronic pain, and how an MBSR program offers the tools to help facilitate the adaptation process to living with chronic pain, thereby improving quality of life.

Epileptic seizures are usually stressful episodes for individuals, not least as they are often experienced in public. Most research into epilepsy has been conducted in Western cultures, and we know little about the experiences of people with epilepsy and living in Middle Eastern countries. This study aims to examine the influence of social comparison on the perception of quality of life for people with epilepsy in Iran and in the United Kingdom. Three studies were completed. Two studies were qualitative; exploring individuals’ experiences of living with epilepsy and investigating coping strategies, respectively, (UK = 10, Iran = 10), for each study. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The third quantitative study was examined to determine whether social comparison dimensions, (upward negative, upward positive, downward negative, downward positive), predict quality of life in both countries, (N = 100 for each country), and a hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyse data. The first study indicated people compare themselves to others and the unpredictable nature of a seizure causes individuals to perceive negative feelings and experience anxiety, furthermore urinary incontinence attached to seizures appeared to leave people feeling ashamed and anxious. Study two revealed that whilst Iranian people used emotion-focused coping strategies, individuals from the United Kingdom applied problem-focused coping strategies. In Iran religious coping strategies were used to cope with incontinency; however positive social comparison (downward) was used as a coping strategy for incontinency in the United Kingdom. Study three found that self-esteem was the main predictor for quality of life in Iran and the United Kingdom. Whilst a seizure’s severity negatively predicts quality of life in the United Kingdom, positive social comparison (upward) accounted for quality of life in Iran. This study suggests that providing positive role models can help Iranians have a better perception for their quality of life, whereas British people potentially maximise their quality of life through seizure management.

A obesidade mórbida é uma doença crônica, de causas multifatoriais e de tratamento difícil, que apresenta alto risco para a saúde. A cirurgia bariátrica tem se mostrado a opção mais eficaz de tratamento para a redução das comorbidades, mas pode ser seguida de problemas físicos que causam dificuldades nos relacionamentos interpessoais, dificultando a adaptação psicossocial do indivíduo ao meio ambiente social. Em longo prazo o sucesso depende da mudança de comportamento, principalmente em relação aos hábitos alimentares, da complementação necessária de vitamina e sal mineral e da prática regular de exercícios físicos de forma contínua. Ao longo do tempo, fatores psicológicos exercem influência sobre a capacidade de o paciente adaptar-se às condições de vida para a necessária manutenção da redução do peso corpóreo. O período de tempo decorrido após a cirurgia, entre 4 e 12 anos, foi investigado em uma amostra composta por 75 pessoas; todos os pacientes foram operados com a utilização da mesma técnica cirúrgica e pelo mesmo cirurgião, também coordenador da equipe multidisciplinar. A idade mínima foi de 26 e máxima de 76 anos. Foram utilizados três instrumentos de avaliação psicológica com a seguinte finalidade: medir o Nível de Coping e Habilidade Social; pesquisar a opinião dos sujeitos de forma categorizada pelo método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, mediante a aplicação de instrumento desenvolvido especificamente para a presente investigação; e avaliar a insatisfação com a imagem corporal pela aplicação da Escala de Silhuetas de Stunkard (SMT). Os resultados, tratados estatisticamente, revelaram pessoas com médio e alto nível de coping e habilidade social, que demonstram condições adequadas de enfrentamento e de formação de vínculos sociais; contudo encontram-se acima do peso esperado, cujo Índice de Massa Corporal indica situação de obesidade grau 1, de acordo com a OMS. Estão insatisfeitos com a silhueta atual, conscientes de que se encontram acima do peso desejado, mas valorizam altamente a opção que fizeram pela realização da cirurgia bariátrica, que lhes proporcionou autonomia, elevação da autoestima e os livrou da discriminação social. A discussão se fez com o aporte teórico de conceitos extraídos da psicologia cognitiva, da psicologia positiva, da psicanálise, da sociologia e da antropologia. Concluiu-se que a gastroplastia produz efeitos colaterais fisiológicos perenes, como engasgos, vômitos e mal-estar, que dificultam, mas não impedem, a adaptação psicossocial; que os entrevistados têm consciência de que o peso e a imagem não correspondem ao padrão esperado por eles, contudo apresentam adequado sentido de adaptação social; e para eles a cirurgia bariátrica ocupa um lugar que envolve representações mentais de rito de passagem, como transposição metafórica para um novo status da condição social / Morbid obesity is a chronic condition, of multi-factor causes, difficult to treat and which carries a high risk of health problems. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be the most effective treatment for reducing comorbidities, but it may be followed by physical problems that cause difficulties in interpersonal relationships, hindering the individual\'s psychosocial adaptation to the social environment. Long-term success depends on changing behavior especially in relation to food habits, use of vitamin supplements and mineral salt, as appropriate, and regular practice of physical activity. Over time, psychological factors may influence the ability of patients to adapt to their living conditions and maintain the weight loss. A period of time after surgery between 4 and 12 years was investigated in a sample of 75 people. All patients underwent the procedure using the same surgical technique, performed by the same surgeon and coordinator of the multidisciplinary team. The patients were aged between 26 years and 76 years. Three psychometric measures were used to investigate the level of coping and the participants\' opinion through an interview conducted in a categorized manner: the method of Discourse of the Collective Subject, including a questionnaire developed specifically for this research, and the assessment of body image dissatisfaction according to the Stunkard Silhouette Matching Task (SMT). The results, analyzed in statistical terms, revealed individuals with medium and high levels of coping and social skills, who demonstrate appropriate coping conditions and ability to establish social bonds. Nevertheless, they are still above the expected weight and present body mass indexes that indicate a status of grade 1 obesity, according to the WHO. These individuals are dissatisfied with their current silhouettes, aware that they are above the desired weight, but strongly value the choice they made for bariatric surgery that gave them autonomy and increased selfesteem, protecting them against social prejudice. The discussion was based on theoretical concepts drawn from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, psychoanalysis, sociology and anthropology. Conclusions: gastroplasty produces continuing physiological side effects that make psychological and social adaptation difficult, although it does not prevent them from occurring; the respondents are aware that their weight and body image do not match the pattern of their expectations, nevertheless they do present an adequate sense of social adaptation and, for them, bariatric surgery occupies a place that involves mental representations of rite of passage, as a metaphorical transposition to a new social status

A obesidade mórbida é uma doença crônica, de causas multifatoriais e de tratamento difícil, que apresenta alto risco para a saúde. A cirurgia bariátrica tem se mostrado a opção mais eficaz de tratamento para a redução das comorbidades, mas pode ser seguida de problemas físicos que causam dificuldades nos relacionamentos interpessoais, dificultando a adaptação psicossocial do indivíduo ao meio ambiente social. Em longo prazo o sucesso depende da mudança de comportamento, principalmente em relação aos hábitos alimentares, da complementação necessária de vitamina e sal mineral e da prática regular de exercícios físicos de forma contínua. Ao longo do tempo, fatores psicológicos exercem influência sobre a capacidade de o paciente adaptar-se às condições de vida para a necessária manutenção da redução do peso corpóreo. O período de tempo decorrido após a cirurgia, entre 4 e 12 anos, foi investigado em uma amostra composta por 75 pessoas; todos os pacientes foram operados com a utilização da mesma técnica cirúrgica e pelo mesmo cirurgião, também coordenador da equipe multidisciplinar. A idade mínima foi de 26 e máxima de 76 anos. Foram utilizados três instrumentos de avaliação psicológica com a seguinte finalidade: medir o Nível de Coping e Habilidade Social; pesquisar a opinião dos sujeitos de forma categorizada pelo método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo, mediante a aplicação de instrumento desenvolvido especificamente para a presente investigação; e avaliar a insatisfação com a imagem corporal pela aplicação da Escala de Silhuetas de Stunkard (SMT). Os resultados, tratados estatisticamente, revelaram pessoas com médio e alto nível de coping e habilidade social, que demonstram condições adequadas de enfrentamento e de formação de vínculos sociais; contudo encontram-se acima do peso esperado, cujo Índice de Massa Corporal indica situação de obesidade grau 1, de acordo com a OMS. Estão insatisfeitos com a silhueta atual, conscientes de que se encontram acima do peso desejado, mas valorizam altamente a opção que fizeram pela realização da cirurgia bariátrica, que lhes proporcionou autonomia, elevação da autoestima e os livrou da discriminação social. A discussão se fez com o aporte teórico de conceitos extraídos da psicologia cognitiva, da psicologia positiva, da psicanálise, da sociologia e da antropologia. Concluiu-se que a gastroplastia produz efeitos colaterais fisiológicos perenes, como engasgos, vômitos e mal-estar, que dificultam, mas não impedem, a adaptação psicossocial; que os entrevistados têm consciência de que o peso e a imagem não correspondem ao padrão esperado por eles, contudo apresentam adequado sentido de adaptação social; e para eles a cirurgia bariátrica ocupa um lugar que envolve representações mentais de rito de passagem, como transposição metafórica para um novo status da condição social / Morbid obesity is a chronic condition, of multi-factor causes, difficult to treat and which carries a high risk of health problems. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be the most effective treatment for reducing comorbidities, but it may be followed by physical problems that cause difficulties in interpersonal relationships, hindering the individual\'s psychosocial adaptation to the social environment. Long-term success depends on changing behavior especially in relation to food habits, use of vitamin supplements and mineral salt, as appropriate, and regular practice of physical activity. Over time, psychological factors may influence the ability of patients to adapt to their living conditions and maintain the weight loss. A period of time after surgery between 4 and 12 years was investigated in a sample of 75 people. All patients underwent the procedure using the same surgical technique, performed by the same surgeon and coordinator of the multidisciplinary team. The patients were aged between 26 years and 76 years. Three psychometric measures were used to investigate the level of coping and the participants\' opinion through an interview conducted in a categorized manner: the method of Discourse of the Collective Subject, including a questionnaire developed specifically for this research, and the assessment of body image dissatisfaction according to the Stunkard Silhouette Matching Task (SMT). The results, analyzed in statistical terms, revealed individuals with medium and high levels of coping and social skills, who demonstrate appropriate coping conditions and ability to establish social bonds. Nevertheless, they are still above the expected weight and present body mass indexes that indicate a status of grade 1 obesity, according to the WHO. These individuals are dissatisfied with their current silhouettes, aware that they are above the desired weight, but strongly value the choice they made for bariatric surgery that gave them autonomy and increased selfesteem, protecting them against social prejudice. The discussion was based on theoretical concepts drawn from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, psychoanalysis, sociology and anthropology. Conclusions: gastroplasty produces continuing physiological side effects that make psychological and social adaptation difficult, although it does not prevent them from occurring; the respondents are aware that their weight and body image do not match the pattern of their expectations, nevertheless they do present an adequate sense of social adaptation and, for them, bariatric surgery occupies a place that involves mental representations of rite of passage, as a metaphorical transposition to a new social status