The problem of violence against individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) has received relatively, little notice, despite several studies suggesting an exceptionally high prevalence of victimization in this population. This paper describes the results of an investigation of the prevalence and correlates of past year physical and sexual assault among a large sample of women and men with SMI drawn from inpatient and outpatient settings across 4 states. Results confirmed preliminary findings of a high prevalence of victimization in this population (with sexual abuse more prevalent for women and physical abuse more prevalent for men), and indicated the existence of a range of correlates of recent victimization, including demographic factors and living circumstances, history of childhood abuse, and psychiatric illness severity and substance abuse. The research and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
A fixed 4-session "dose" of CBT produced similar benefits for patients with primary and those with comorbid insomnia across most measures examined. Thus, CBT appears to be a viable psychological insomnia therapy both for those with primary insomnia and for groups composed mainly of patients with insomnia and nonpsychotic psychiatric conditions.
Purpose
We examined the effects of an enhanced informal caregiver training (Enhanced-CT) protocol in cancer symptom and caregiver stress management to caregivers of hospitalized cancer patients.
Methods
We recruited adult patients in oncology units and their informal caregivers. We utilized a two-armed, randomized controlled trial design with data collected at baseline, post-training, and at 2 and 4 weeks after hospital discharge. Primary outcomes were self-efficacy for managing patients' cancer symptoms and caregiver stress, and preparedness for caregiving. Secondary outcomes were caregiver depression, anxiety, and burden. The education comparison (EDUC) group received information about community resources. We used general linear models to test for differences in the Enhanced-CT relative to the EDUC group.
Results
We consented and randomized 138 dyads: Enhanced-CT = 68 and EDUC = 70. The Enhanced-CT group had a greater increase in caregiver self-efficacy for cancer symptom management and stress management, and preparation for caregiving at the post-training assessment compared to the EDUC group but not at 2 and 4-week post-discharge assessments. There were no intervention group differences in depression, anxiety, and burden.
Conclusion
An Enhanced-CT protocol resulted in short-term improvements in self-efficacy for managing patients' cancer symptoms and caregiver stress, and preparedness for caregiving but not in caregivers' psychological well-being. The lack of sustained effects may be related to the single-dose nature of our intervention and the changing needs of informal caregivers after hospital discharge.
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