Biomedical subjects

Tracey D Wade

Publications and source records attributed to Tracey D Wade.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

The contribution of optimism and quality of life to depression in an acute coronary syndrome population.

BACKGROUND: Numerous longitudinal studies have revealed that depression following an acute cardiac event poses a risk factor for poor cardiac outcomes. It is therefore important to identify modifiable predictors of depression in order to develop a variety of interventions with this population. AIMS: The aim of the present research was to determine whether the relationship between optimism and depressive symptoms was mediated by self-reported quality of life (QOL) in acute coronary syndrome patients. METHODS: Two weeks following hospital discharge (Time 1) 59 participants completed a self-report questionnaire. Four weeks later (Time 2), 49 of these participants completed the same questionnaire. RESULTS: At Time 1, the relationship between optimism and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by functional QOL and symptom QOL. Furthermore, the relationship between Time 1 optimism and Time 2 depressive symptoms was partially mediated by Time 1 functional QOL. When each of the Time 1 variables were used to predict Time 2 depressive symptoms, only optimism continued to predict depressive symptoms over and above the influence of Time 1 depressive symptoms and other covariates. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the underlying importance of optimism in influencing depressive symptoms in acute coronary syndrome patients, and indicate that optimism and perceptions of functional QOL may be a possible rehabilitation target for this population.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

The measurement of coping responses: validity of the Billings and Moos Coping Checklist.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of the study was to investigate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the modified Coping Checklist. METHODS: Self-report questionnaires asking about coping responses and mental health were administered to 515 undergraduate university students and to 119 patients awaiting elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory factor analyses (PCA) were used to summarize and describe coping responses. RESULTS: CFA indicated that the subscale structure originally proposed for the Coping Checklist did not adequately fit the data. Subsequent PCA resulted in four factors: (1) Positive reappraisal; (2) Seeking support; (3) Avoidance; and (4) Information seeking. Internal consistencies ranged between .41 and .62 and 12-week test-retest reliability ranged between .59 and .71. Evidence for the concurrent validity of the solution generated by PCA was demonstrated by low to moderate correlations between the four factors identified and demographic and psychosocial measures. CONCLUSION: Even with modifications to the Coping Checklist, it is recommended that researchers investigate alternative methods of assessing coping responses in health psychology settings.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

A preliminary controlled evaluation of a school-based media literacy program and self-esteem program for reducing eating disorder risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the efficacy of a media literacy program and a self-esteem program designed to reduce general and specific risk factors for eating disorders. METHOD: Four classes of 86 grade 8 students (53 boys and 33 girls), mean age of 13 years, were randomly assigned to either a control condition or one of the two intervention conditions. Assessment of general and specific risk factors was carried out at baseline, postintervention and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: At postintervention the media literacy group had lower mean scores on weight concern than the control group (p =0.007) but the self-esteem group did not. There were some differences on self-esteem measures at the 3-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: Media literacy programs combined with an interactive, student-centered framework may potentially be a safe and effective way of reducing risk factors for eating disorders. The impact of teaching style needs to be further evaluated in prevention research.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Factors influencing attendance at cardiac rehabilitation among coronary heart disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined predictors of, and reasons for, non-attendance at cardiac rehabilitation (CR) among coronary heart disease patients. METHODS: Measures of demographics, surgical procedures, cardiac risk factors, cardiac damage, and psychological variables (depression, trauma, anxiety and alexithymia) were obtained at baseline in 85 coronary heart disease patients, of whom 34 (40%) attended CR. Patients not attending CR reported reasons for their non-attendance. RESULTS: Men who had a sedentary lifestyle or were obese were significantly more likely to attend CR. Women were significantly more likely to attend CR if they had a partner. Patients reported numerous personal reasons for their non-attendance, some of which reflect a dislike of a group format. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the presence of obstacles to attendance and completion of CR that may differ for men and women. Innovative approaches are needed to encourage participation, including the development and evaluation of alternative formats of CR.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Variables associated with disturbed eating habits and overvalued ideas about the personal implications of body shape and weight in a female adolescent population.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies exist that examine risk factors for the overvalued ideas about the personal implications of body shape and weight that are viewed as the central cognitive substrate of eating disorders. METHOD: In a female adolescent population (mean age = 14 years, SD = 0.7), we examine variables previously identified in the literature as risk factors for eating disorders, namely, self-esteem, comments from others about eating/weight/shape, perfectionism, childhood and parental weight/shape, and parental conflict. RESULTS: These variables were all correlated significantly with current (past 4 weeks) levels of overvalued ideas and disturbed eating patterns in the predicted directions. Self-esteem was found to mediate partially the relationship between the overvalued ideas and comments about weight and perfectionism. Self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between the overvalued ideas and parental conflict. A family index of body size had an independent influence on the overvalued ideas, that is, the bigger the size, the greater the overvalued ideas. Finally, the overvalued ideas fully accounted for the relationship between self-esteem and disturbed eating patterns. DISCUSSION: The cognitive model of bulimia nervosa is supported by the results of this study. Self-esteem represents an important gateway to the overvalued ideas that contribute substantially to disturbed eating patterns.

Adolescent↗