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Internet Addiction (IA) and phubbing are prevalent, disruptive behaviours among university students. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between IA and Phubbing with psychological variables (impulsiveness, self-esteem, and psychological distress), academic performance and self-perception of mathematical competence (SMC), as well as possible gender differences. Results showed (n = 715; Mean Age = 21.7) gender differences in lack of planning, emotional investment and somatisation and IA correlated positively with app addiction, mobile addiction, and psychopathology. A total of 26.3% of IA can be explained by a lack of self-control, time and performance management, mobile phone addiction, anxiety and psychological distress. Finally, 71% of students believe that the use of new technologies has worsened their SMC and this is correlated with impaired communication, obsession with mobile phones, IA (Total Phubbing Scale) and impulsiveness. Our results indicate the importance of taking into account psychological variables that affect the development of IA, phubbing, and SMC in the university population.

The therapeutic alliance is an important factor in successful cancer treatment, particularly for those with advanced cancer. This study aims to determine how the therapeutic alliance relates to prognostic preferences and satisfaction with the physician and medical care among patients with advanced cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the therapeutic relationship, trust, satisfaction with healthcare, and prognostic preferences among 946 patients with advanced cancer at 15 tertiary hospitals in Spain. Participants completed questionnaires with self-reported measures. Most were male, aged > 65 years, with bronchopulmonary (29%) or colorectal (16%) tumors and metastatic disease at diagnosis. Results revealed that 84% of patients had a good therapeutic alliance. Collaborative and affective bond was positively associated with a preference to know the prognosis and satisfaction with care and decision. There was no difference in a therapeutic alliance based on clinical or sociodemographic factors. The therapeutic alliance between patient and physician is essential for successful treatment outcomes and better overall satisfaction. Therefore, it is vital for healthcare providers to focus on establishing and maintaining a strong relationship with their patients. To achieve this, transparency and care should be prioritized, as well as respect for the preferences of patients regarding the prognosis of their illness.

Cancer causes distress, resulting in anxiety, depression or somatization. The aim was to investigate sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors associated with psychological distress in cancer patients. This prospective and multicenter study, conducted by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), included two cohorts of patients with cancer (localized resected or advanced unresectable). They completed surveys to evaluate psychological distress (BSI-18), coping (MINI-MAC), and spirituality (FACIT-sp). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. Between 2019-2022, 1807 patients were evaluated, mostly women (54%), average age 64 years. The most frequent primary cancers were colorectal (30%), breast (25%) and lung (18%). Older individuals (OR0.98, CI95% 0.97-0.99), and males (OR0.66, CI95% 0.51-0.84 and OR0.75, CI95% 0.58-0.97) had less anxiety and depression. Colorectal cancer patients had less depression (OR0.67, CI95% 0.47-0.95) and somatization (OR0.71, CI95% 0.52-0.97). Patients with localized cancer and with spiritual beliefs had lower levels of psychological distress, while those with anxious preoccupation had higher levels. After treatment, patients with pre-existing distress and anxious preoccupation experienced an increase in psychological distress while those with localized cancer showed reduced levels of anxiety and somatization. This study suggests that age, sex, extension and location of cancer, coping and spirituality influence psychological distress in cancer patients.

BackgroundCancer negatively affects patients’ physical and mental health. This work sought to analyze the sociodemographic and clinical variables that modulate psychological distress in individuals with resected vs unresectable cancer before and after receiving systemic antineoplastic treatment, and to evaluate how different coping strategies and spiritual well-being influence psychological distress in these subjects.MethodsObservational, prospective, consecutive study performed in 15 hospitals in Spain. The study consists of two cohorts: patients with resected locally and locally advanced cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (NEOcoping study, 2016 and 2018) and those with unresectable locally advanced and advanced cancer, eligible for systemic treatment (NEOetic study, 2020 and 2021). Participants completed the following scales: BSI-18 (psychological distress) at baseline and after antineoplastic treatment; MINI-MAC (coping), and FACIT-sp (spirituality), before initiating systemic treatment.ResultsFourteen hundred and fifty patients were recruited; 941 had resected cancer and 509 had advanced cancer. The advanced cancer sample included more males, older, less educated, and more unemployed individuals. Before starting systemic treatment, the advanced, unresectable disease group suffered more psychological distress than those with resected cancer (66.9 vs. 63.7, p=0.001) and used more coping strategies, especially positive attitude (79.1 vs. 75.6, p=0.001) and cognitive avoidance (64.3 vs. 53.6, p=0.001). Participants with resected cancer displayed greater spiritual well-being (36.5 vs 33.2, p=0.001). After receiving systemic treatment, psychological distress decreased in cases of advanced cancer and increased in resected cancer, albeit still higher in subjects with advanced cancer, particularly anxiety (61.4 vs 60.9) and depression (61.0 vs 60.6), (p=0.001 in both cases).ConclusionPatients with advanced cancer exhibit greater psychological distress, use more coping strategies, and have less spiritual well-being, but their psychological distress improves with antineoplastic treatment.