The research literature has begun to demonstrate associations between personal strengths and enhanced psychosocial functioning of dementia caregivers, but these relationships have not been examined in the context of dementia caregivers in Latin America. The present study examined whether personal strengths, including resilience, optimism, and sense of coherence, were associated with mental and physical health related quality of life (HRQOL) in 130 dementia caregivers in Mexico and Argentina. Structural equation modeling found that the personal strengths collectively accounted for 58.4% of the variance in caregiver mental HRQOL, and resilience, sense of coherence, and optimism each had unique effects. In comparison, the personal strengths together accounted for 8.9% of the variance in caregiver physical HRQOL, and only sense of coherence yielded a unique effect. These results underscore the need to construct and disseminate empirically supported interventions based in part on important personal strengths, particularly sense of coherence, for this underrepresented group.

The findings of this study can contribute to the development of interventions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of male coping in group-focused supportive services in cancer care.

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Pediatric cancer survivor (PCS) rates have increased dramatically over the past several decades. Despite increased survival, research now indicates that overweight/obesity rates among PCS are greater than that in the general pediatric population. This article outlines a five-phase pilot study for the purpose of adapting a comprehensive parent psycho-educational intervention (NOURISH) to address the specific issues that contribute to overweight/obesity in PCS. The pilot consisted of medical record review of body mass indices (BMIs) among PCS to determine prevalence of overweight/obesity, health care provider (HCP) focus groups, parent focus groups, parent interviews, and pilot of the proposed six-session intervention (NOURISH-T). Study findings indicated the following: (1) High rates of overweight/obesity in PCS; (2) A great need for intervention expressed by HCPs and parents; (3) Interest in such a program by parents; and (4) Implementation of a small-scale intervention in a clinic is likely feasible.

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