BACKGROUND: Experiencing gender-based violence (GBV) is common among refugees. Intersecting systems of oppression can increase the risk of GBV and of suffering detrimental consequences, while concurrently creating barriers to meaningful support. Despite this, refugees with lived experience of GBV are rarely involved in the development, planning and adaptation of services and policies.
METHODS: This article reports on a formative research process that aimed to involve public contributors (refugee victim-survivors of GBV) and relevant stakeholders in co-designing a service model aimed at improving psychosocial support in Sweden. Led by a partnership of public contributors and academic researchers, the research process consisted of iterative cycles of co-design workshops, complemented by scoping of existing literature.
RESULTS: The co-design process resulted in a characterisation of the psychosocial service system needs, as perceived by the survivor co-researchers and stakeholders, and a two-level empowerment and support service model. The model included (i) a community-based intervention to promote help-seeking and (ii) psychosocial group support delivered in specialist clinics. Outcomes of the project included perceived benefits for those involved, service-led direct changes and acquisition of funding for continued research on the co-designed model.
CONCLUSIONS: Improving psychosocial support for refugees in Sweden affected by GBV requires safe spaces to connect with peers and familiarise with available services, laws and rights in the society. Further, strengthened collaborations across sectors are necessary to meet the variety of needs. Co-design workshops were an effective way to initiate changes in the service delivery model for psychosocial support for refugees in Sweden affected by GBV.
UNASSIGNED: This is a participatory reflection on a participatory process. The survivor co-researchers contributed to designing and carrying out the PPI process and have co-authored this manuscript.

UNASSIGNED: Assessing the level of psychosocial assistance provided for healthcare workers (HCWs) at and outside of work is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial support provided to HCWs and analyze its effectiveness during COVID-19 at one of the biggest hospitals in Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. In this study, we hypothesized that psychosocial support for HCWs will enhance their performance and total welfare.
UNASSIGNED: This study followed a cross-sectional analytic design, and its sample comprised 380 HCWs from many specialties. Two well-known psychosocial scales, DASS-21 and MSPSS, were used to assess the availability of institutional psychosocial support and the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among HCWs.
UNASSIGNED: The majority of HCWs reported a tremendous increase in working hours and level of anxiety during COVID-19, and they denied receiving institutional support at work. Moreover, the majority reported receiving support from family and friends. Primarily, the most statistically significant finding in this study was that female HCWs had much higher levels of stress and anxiety during COVID-19 than their equivalent male colleagues. In addition, a significant difference was found regarding the presence of immediate supervisors for HCWs and its effectiveness in burden relief.
UNASSIGNED: The results show a marginally significant association between psychosocial support and the mental health of HCWs during COVID-19. However, we found a slightly favorable effect on the minority of HCWs who received regular check-ins or targeted interventions or had immediate supervisors.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the value of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) support groups, and factors that affect attendance, from the perspective of people with MBC.
METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 women with MBC (support group attendees n = 16; non-attendees n = 12) between January 2022 and July 2023. Data were analysed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Three themes were generated: the value of sharing experiential knowledge, spaces for open and honest conversations, and opportunities to find connection and community. These factors were the main reasons that some participants valued, and chose to attend, an MBC support group. Stage-specificity and professional facilitation were identified as important aspects of group structure. Key reasons for non-attendance were concerns about misinformation, confronting the death of group members, and satisfaction with existing support networks.
CONCLUSIONS: MBC support groups are beneficial for some people with MBC, providing opportunities to connect with others with the same diagnosis. For others, different forms of peer support such as online forums or one-on-one support may be preferred. We argue that ensuring those with MBC have equal access to the peer support they need will be essential in supporting people to live as well as possible with MBC.
CONCLUSIONS: MBC support groups, if appropriately led, can provide emotional and informational benefits for people with MBC. This research may also have relevance to other metastatic cancers where novel therapies are extending survival, resulting in an emerging cancer population with distinct supportive and survivorship needs.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women worldwide. Quality of life (QoL) is significantly affected by both surgical and oncological treatment. The aim of this study was to assess and compare QoL, resilience and depression scores among women who had breast cancer treatment. We assessed 170 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in a non-experimental, descriptive study through anonymized questionnaires from January to March 2024. Patients were invited to fill in the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23) questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, the CD-RISC 10 questionnaire, and the MOS Social Support Survey. Clinical information and demographical data were obtained and statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate factors that affect QoL, resilience and depression scores. QoL was significantly influenced by chemotherapy and surgery. Women with higher resilience scores had lower anxiety and depression scores and reported a better QoL. Women with strong social support and high resilience reported a better QoL during and after breast cancer treatment. The results of our study show that breast cancer surgery and chemotherapy have an important impact on patients\' QoL. Moreover, the results reflect the importance of both medical treatment and social support as resilience-building strategies in managing and improving the QoL of patients.

BACKGROUND: On February 6, 2023, a catastrophic earthquake struck the Kahramanmaras region in Turkey. Among the most vulnerable demographic groups in the wake of such disasters are children. To provide effective psychosocial support to these young individuals, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of their specific needs resulting from the earthquake experience.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the disaster experiences and psychosocial support needs of children between the ages of 7 and 12 who were affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Turkey with drawings.
METHODS: This research used a descriptive qualitative design, employing purposive and snowball sampling approaches to select 32 children aged 7-12 for the study. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data, revealing six distinct themes as expressed through the drawings of school-aged children. The reporting in this study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).
RESULTS: These six themes are associating precipitation with earthquakes, security and relocation, emotional chaos, expressing the earthquake symbolically, death and physical damage and longing for normalcy.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of acknowledging and attending to children\'s requirements through psychosocial interventions tailored to their age.
UNASSIGNED: It underscores the complex nature of the psychosocial needs of children impacted by earthquakes and promotes collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals and nurses to provide more effective support to these children during challenging circumstances.

Background: Losing a family member during childhood is a potentially traumatic event and increases the risk of mental health difficulties. Adolescents have the right to express their views in research of relevance to them, but few studies have involved bereaved adolescents as collaborators (i.e. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)). Furthermore, to ensure meaningful and non-tokenistic involvement, bereaved adolescents\' levels of participation and experiences of taking part in research need to be evaluated.Objectives: The aim was to describe and evaluate a PPI process working with bereaved adolescents to develop a self-management mobile app for adolescents in grief.Methods: The PPI process consisted of four workshops during which the app\'s logo, colours, name, content, and layout were discussed with six parentally bereaved adolescents aged 13-18 years. The adolescents were recruited through a non-profit organisation providing support for adolescents in grief. The PPI process was documented and evaluated using participant observations and an online survey completed by the adolescents, covering the themes of social context, participation, and influence.Results: The adolescents perceived the social context as comfortable and inclusive, where their knowledge was valued. Their participation was characterised by ownership and motivated by a desire to help others with similar experiences. The adolescents\' ability to participate in PPI activities was assisted by the researchers\' flexibility, although challenging assignments may have made participation harder. Throughout PPI activities, adolescents contributed with relevant input and reported feeling influential. The study reached the intended levels of participation and appeared to adequately fulfil the adolescents\' right to participation.Conclusions: Engaging adolescents who have undergone a potentially traumatic event, such as the loss of a family member, in research can enhance the overall relevance of the study. Moreover, it can entail a meaningful and positive experience for the participating adolescents, while also fulfilling their fundamental right to participation.
A collaborative process with parentally bereaved adolescents to develop a psychosocial self-management mobile app for adolescents in grief was described and evaluated.Adolescents made significant contributions, took ownership, and experienced having influence over the decisions made, which increased the relevance of the intervention.The collaborative process reached the intended level of participation and created a positive and meaningful experience for the adolescents.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at high risk of mental health problems. However, little is known about this risk in HIV-infected patients with hemophilia (HPH) who contracted the virus through blood products. This cross-sectional, observational study assessed patients\' mood states and the factors associated with them among Japanese HPH to evaluate the need for psychosocial support. HPH completed self-administered questionnaires (Profile of Mood States [POMS] and General Health Questionnaire-28), neuropsychological tests, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography scans. HIV-infected patients with no hemophilia (HPnH) completed POMS and neuropsychological tests. Socio-demographic characteristics and HIV- and hemophilia-related data were obtained from participants\' medical records and interviews. A Mann-Whitney U test and chi-squared analyses were conducted. Fifty-six HPH and 388 HPnH completed the questionnaires and neuropsychological tests. HPH had a significantly lower prevalence of tension-anxiety (HPH, 7%; HPnH, 18%; p = 0.049) and a significantly higher prevalence of low vigor (HPH, 63%; HPnH, 32%; p < 0.001). Low vigor in HPH was significantly associated with impaired executive function (low vigor, 66%; high vigor, 33%; p = 0.019) and a social dysfunction score ≥ 3 (moderate; low vigor, 26%; high vigor, 5%; p = 0.047). Our results highlight the high prevalence of low vigor among HPH, leading to impairments in executive and social functions. Therefore, healthcare workers need to pay attention to the vigor, executive function, and social function of HPH.

UNASSIGNED: Healthcare workers (HCW; e.g., nurses, social workers) work in stressful conditions, a situation that has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A review of the supportive role of Psychological first aid (PFA) suggested that it can protect HCW from psychological distress. Despite the growing interest of PFA among public health organizations, there is a dearth of literature on its potential impact for the psychological well-being of HCW and its implementation within organizations.
UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to evaluate whether PFA met the psychological needs of HCW in Montreal, Quebec.
UNASSIGNED: A sample of 15 HCW who received PFA by a peer within their organization were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Qualitative research using thematic analysis was conducted.
UNASSIGNED: Five themes were identified: 1) PFA satisfied participants\' psychosocial needs; 2) PFA provided by peers allowed participants to feel understood and supported; 3) High availability and multiple modalities facilitated PFA access; 4) Occupational and organizational cultures hindered PFA access; and 5) Recommendations to promote the use of the PFA service.
UNASSIGNED: Results describe four psychosocial needs met by the PFA intervention: to have resources/strategies, to be validated, to obtain a better understanding of the psychological reactions they were experiencing, and to be guided and supported in their difficulties at work. Overall, these findings illustrate how PFA goes beyond the reduction of distress symptoms in the aftermath of a potentially traumatic event. The relevance to further the assessment of PFA\'s positive effects on psychological adaptation and/or recovery is also highlighted.

UNASSIGNED: Higher education was gravely affected by the pandemic which caused academic occupational disruptions and affected students. Challenges in successful engagement in occupations influence the health and well-being of the individual. Consequently, it is vital for occupational therapist (OT) educators to be informed on how to manage academic occupational disruptions to minimize its occurrence, mitigate its impact, and support students\' academic occupations.
UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to determine the strategies, facilitators, and barriers in managing academic occupational disruptions encountered by Filipino OT educators.
UNASSIGNED: Respondents were ninety (90) Filipino OT educators coming from the different HEIs in the Philippines offering BSOT who completed an online cross-sectional survey. A 4-point Likert-scale was used to determine the strategies, facilitators, and barriers in managing academic occupational disruptions. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Respondents often (M = 2.95, SD = 0.94) utilize strategies for managing academic occupational disruptions, highlighting scheduling of synchronous and asynchronous sessions to balance online workload as the most utilized strategy. Respondents often (M = 3.00, SD = 0.70) encounter facilitators of managing academic occupational disruptions, citing flexibility of the school in adapting existing courses based on the context of delivery as the most common facilitator. Respondents sometimes (M = 2.19, SD = 0.95) encounter barriers to managing academic occupational disruptions, indicating need to work for income as the top barrier.
UNASSIGNED: Despite the utilization of strategies and presence of facilitators in managing academic occupational disruptions, Filipino OT educators still encountered barriers. Psychosocial support and needs were also highlighted across strategies, facilitators, and barriers in managing academic occupational disruptions. This prompts for further sustainable development of OT competence to inform occupational therapy educators on how to minimize academic occupational disruptions, to mitigate its impact, and to support students\' academic occupations.

UNASSIGNED: Family caregivers of people with high-grade glioma often report high rates of psychological distress, which has been attributed to the unique aspects of the disease and onerous care demands. Clinical practice guidelines advocate for caregiver support from diagnosis through to end-of-life and bereavement. Yet, research has identified that caregivers\' support needs are often overlooked.
UNASSIGNED: To explore caregivers\' experiences of psychological support and perceptions of what constitutes optimal psychological support for caregivers in the context of high-grade glioma.
UNASSIGNED: Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Eighteen current (n = 11) and bereaved (n = 7) family caregivers (73% female, aged 33-69 years) of adults with high-grade glioma participated. Interviews explored caregivers\' perceptions of psychological support.
UNASSIGNED: Two major themes were generated. The first theme, \'It was never about me\', reflected caregivers prioritise for people with high-grade glioma to be well supported despite experiencing their own unmet psychological support needs. The second theme, \'Continuous, coordinated and personalised support\', highlighted the importance of timely and tailored interventions addressing caregivers\' practical, educational and emotional support needs throughout the illness journey.
UNASSIGNED: Caregivers commonly prioritise the support needs of people with high-grade gliomas; yet, have their own distinct needs that vary throughout the illness. Primary care providers have a potential role in facilitating timely access to palliative care, practical support and brain tumour-specific psychological support to meet caregivers\' diverse needs across the care continuum in the context of high-grade glioma.