METHODS: A total of 200 participants aged 50 years and older completed the questionnaire in which 81 participants completed in BM. A subsample of 30 participants was retested after a period of 2 weeks.
RESULTS: The DJGLS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.71) and high test-retest reliability (r = 0.93). Convergent validity was demonstrated by moderate positive correlation between total DJGLS loneliness score and UCLA loneliness scale (ULS-8) (r = 0.56, n = 81, P
AIMS: (1) to determine the degrees of shame and stigma towards cancer and psychological distress among cancer patients in Malaysia and (2) to examine the clinical and psychosocial predictors of psychological distress.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 217 cancer patients. The participants were administered the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics questionnaires, the Malay version of the Shame and Stigma Scale (SSS-M) to assess for the degree of cancer shame and stigma, and the Malay version of the Distress Thermometer and Problem List to assess for presence of psychological distress and identify its sources.
RESULTS: There was a significant level of shame and stigma among cancer patients with the total mean SSS-M score of 12.08 (SD = 6.09). Anger (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 11.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.96-86.8, p = 0.001), loss of interest or enjoyment (AOR = 14.84, 95% CI = 2.93-75.20, p = 0.001), loneliness (AOR = 8.10, 95% CI = 1.13-58.02, p = 0.001), feeling of worthlessness or being a burden (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI = 1.32-29.59, p = 0.021), fear (AOR = 4.52, 95% CI = 1.79-11.43, p = 0.001), pain (AOR = 4.07, 95% CI = 1.53-10.82, p = 0.005), financial constraint (AOR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.22-7.13, p = 0.016), and having regret (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.03-3.79, p = 0.039) increased the odds of developing psychological distress.
CONCLUSION: Treating clinicians should monitor for and provide psychosocial interventions for the biopsychosocial factors which may worsen psychological distress among cancer patients.
METHOD: Participants completed a questionnaire battery, which included the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, Beck's Depression Inventory, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Satisfaction With Life Scale.
RESULTS: Life satisfaction was negatively and significantly correlated with suicidal attitudes, loneliness and depression; and positively with health, which was negatively and significantly correlated with depression and loneliness. Self-concept was negatively correlated with loneliness and depression, depression was positively and significantly correlated with loneliness. Mediational analyses showed that the effects of loneliness and life dissatisfaction on depression were fully mediated by health.
CONCLUSION: Even though less satisfied, and particularly lonelier, individuals are more likely to report higher levels of depression, this is only the case because both higher loneliness and life dissatisfaction are associated with poorer health. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in developing nations.
METHODS: A total of 229 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older participated in this study. Variables were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Revised University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
RESULTS: There was an independent association between DSI and quality of life (P < .05) and between DSI and hearing loss alone and cognitive function (P < .05) in older adults. In addition, higher education was associated with better quality of life and cognitive function.
CONCLUSIONS: DSI is a significant factor affecting the quality of life and cognitive function in older adults. Sociodemographic factors such as education play an important role in improving quality of life and cognitive function. Thus, increasing the awareness of this disability is important to ensure that older adults receive the necessary support services and rehabilitation to improve their level of independence.
METHODS: Unstructured observations and a focus-group discussion were carried out with 18 participants involved in a six-week SRT program in a residential care facility in Kuala Lumpur.
RESULTS: Analysis revealed four themes: (i) Enthusiastic participation; (ii) Connections across boundaries; (iii) Expressing and reflecting; and (iv) Successful use of triggers.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the process of reminiscence, on which the program was based, was enjoyable for the participants and created opportunities to form connections with other members of the group. The use of relevant triggers in the SRT program that related to Malaysian cultures, ethnicities and religions was helpful to engage the participants and was acceptable across the different religions and ethnicities.