The purposes of this study were 1) to explore the associations between individual factors, disease factors, family factors, social factors and quality of life ( QoL ), 2) to predict QoL in patients with chronic mental illness ( CMI ), and 3) to understand the needs of caregivers. A cross-sectional and cluster sampling was employed. Structured questionnaires, including a living conditions questionnaire and a psychotic symptom assessment scale, Caregiver Burden Scale, 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale ( BSRS-5 ), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 ( MOS SF-12 ) were used to collect data. Totally, 2023 patients were recruited, males 52.9%, females 47.1%, and a mean age of 44.99¡Ó12.09. Most of these cases were high school educated, unemployed, and had been hospitalized. 12.6% had a history of violence, 8.4% had a history of attempted suicide, 10% had substance abuse, and 5.4% had legal related issues. The most common diagnoses were schizophrenia¡]70.5%¡^and affective disorder¡]19.7%¡^. Single-factor analysis showed those who were unmarried, employed, younger, having less psychological problems, and low levels of psychological distress had better QOL. Besides, sex and education were not related to QOL in personal factors. Current psychotic symptoms and positive symptoms were negatively correlated with QOL. Schizophrenic patients and hospitalized patients reported higher QOL than bipolar patients and community patients in disease factors. Caregiver¡¦s attitude and caregiver¡¦s burden were negatively correlated with QOL in family factors. The unstable housing and community life dysfunction were negatively correlated with QOL in social factors. All significantly correlated variables were entered into hierarchical regression analysis followed the sequence of social factors, family factors, disease factors and individual factors. The results showed all four of these dimensions were significant predictors of MCS and PCS of QoL, explained variance 48.2¢H and 21.2¢H, respectively. Conclusions: Individual factors and disease factors are the most important factors in predicting QoL in CMI patients. Second, family factors are more important than social factors in MCS, and social factors are more important than family factors in PCS. The above evidence indicates a wide range of factors must be considered to improve the QoL in CMI patients.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the health related quality of life (QoL) of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with cancer-free survival after treatment and to investigate the factors correlated with their health-related QoL. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) questionnaire and the EORTC head and neck cancer-specific questionnaire (QLQ H&N-35) were self-administered by all participating patients. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire specifically designed for the study and through the medical chart reviewed. The patients who have been treated radiotherapy in our department of radiation oncology were invited to participate Health-related quality of life was assessed 3 months or later after completion of radiotherapy. Data relating to sociodemographic factors, disease characteristics and treatment factors of HNC survivors were analyzed. A total of 141 head and neck cancer patients completed the questionnaires. After data analysis, the results are described as follows: In the results of EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, the score of ¡§global health status¡¨ is 69.34. Most of the patient could maintain good functional quality of life. ¡§Fatigue¡¨ is the most impaired symptom score in the patient. In the results of EORTC QLQ-H&N35, the three head and neck specific symptom scores indicating the most impaired in QOL were ¡§Weight loss¡¨, ¡§Nutrition supplements¡¨ and ¡§dry mouth¡¨. After analysis through the multiple regression model, we found sex, age, tumor subsite, radiotherapy technique and surgery were the independent factors significantly correlated with the QoL scales This study is helpful for us to understand the QoL status and the factors affecting the QoL for patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 223-247). Also available online.

Thesis (doctoral)--Malmö University, Sweden, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 1999. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-145). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ39309.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-165). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-95).

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2009. / "May 2009." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-36). Also available online.

Bakgrund: Uppfattningen har länge varit att Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, är en diagnos som växer bort och inte kvarstår in i vuxenlivet och därav har forskning runt ADHD, fram till det senaste decenniet, nästan uteslutande bedrivits runt barn. Då symtomyttringen ter sig annorlunda hos vuxna än hos barn saknas kunskap och förståelse bland annat inom vården och om hur dessa vuxna ska vårdas och bemötas. För att vårda vuxna med ADHD på ett medmänskligt sätt behövs kunskap om hur de upplever sin hälsa mätt som livskvalitet.  Syfte: Studien syftar till att beskriva hur vuxnas livskvalitet påverkas av ADHD. Metod: Litteraturstudie med kvalitativa och kvantitativa artiklar som underlag. Materialet har analyserats med WHO:s definition av livskvalitet med dess sex olika domäner som utgångspunkt. Resultat: Livskvaliteten hos vuxna med ADHD påverkades negativt inom samtliga domäner. Positiva aspekter framkom under domänen psykiskt välbefinnande och grad av oberoende. Vuxna som diagnostiserats i tidig ålder har högre livskvalitet än de som får diagnosen senare i livet. Slutsats: Vuxna med diagnosen har en generellt lägre livskvalitet jämfört med om de varit utan diagnosen. Tidig diagnostisering och kontinuerligt stöd är faktorer som kan öka livskvaliteten för vuxna med ADHD. / Background: Previous perceptions of the ADHD-diagnosis are that children grow out of it; therefore research about ADHD, until the last decade, has been conducted almost exclusively around children. Since symptoms appear differently in adults and children there’s a lacking in knowledge and understanding from amongst other the care system in how these adults should be treated and cared for. Caring for adults with ADHD in the most humane manner possible requires knowledge in how they perceive their health measured in quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe how adult’s quality of life is affected by ADHD. Method: A literature review based on both qualitative and quantitative studies. The collected data is analyzed using WHOs’ definition of quality of life with its six domains as a foundation. Results: The quality of life in adults with ADHD was negatively affected by their diagnosis in all the six domains. Positive aspects of the diagnosis where found under the domains Psychological well-being and Level of independence. Adults diagnosed at an early age generally have a higher quality of life than those who are diagnosed later in life. Conclusion: Adults with ADHD-diagnosis have a generally lower quality of life than those without the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and continuous support are factors that can increase the quality of life for adults with ADHD. / <p>Röda Korsets sjuksköterskeförening stipendium juni 2015</p>

The purpose of this study is to describe how nurses in Kerala experience the caring of terminally ill patients and how the nurses provide care to promote the wellbeing among these patients. Being terminally ill is threatening for the quality of life and palliative care is important to promote the wellbeing of the patient. The number of immigrants in Sweden is increasing which makes it relevant to study various cultures to acknowledge patients’ different needs and wishes. Six registered nurses in one hospital in Kerala, India, were interviewed. All the nurses had experience of palliative care. The interviews were recorded and analyzed using an inductive approach. Three categories emerged from the analyzed material and they were; loneliness, wellbeing and dealing with work related emotions. It was evident in the result that the nurses found it important to care for the patient’s physical and psychological needs to promote the wellbeing. The result also showed that encountering patients like a fellow human being is essential when treating terminally ill patients, which is especially important to prevent feelings of loneliness. It is important to care for the patient’s emotional and basic needs. To care with a holistic perspective it is essential treat the patient like a fellow human being.