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Introduction Health professionals who work in mental healthcare settings need to use standardised, objective instruments; however, it is also extremely important that they maintain a client-focused perspective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the ‘Traditional Chinese version of the Occupational Self-Assessment’ (TC-OSA). Methods A total of 593 participants with mental illnesses participated in the study. The data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis as well as the Rasch measurement model. Results The results of our analysis revealed that the TC-OSA encompasses four domains: self-performance (11 items), self-habituation (5 items), self-volition (5 items) and environment (8 items). Most of the items within each domain were found to have a good fit with the Rasch measurement model, whereas the CFA index was found to have a good fit for only three of the domains, the one exception being the environment domain. Conclusions We suggest applying the scale in clinical practice to identify the priority of intervention and as a measure for changes in outcomes. Further development and refinement of the environmental domain is guaranteed.

Objective/Background: To investigate the efficacy and feasibility of the Quality of Life Enhancement Programme (QOLEP) for individuals with mood disorder. Methods: Twenty-one individuals with mood disorder were recruited from psychiatric rehabilitation centres in Taipei City and were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (N = 11) or the control group (N = 10). The treatment group received an 8-week QOLEP. The control group received only “phone contact”, which included support for everyday situations pertaining to daily life and emotions. The primary outcome measure was evaluating improvements in quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF-Taiwan version questionnaire. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by the recruitment rate, dropout rate of the participants, and by its content and delivery. The content and delivery were assessed by the group satisfaction questionnaire. The mixed-effects linear model was applied to analyze the efficacy of QOLEP. Results: The individuals who participated in the eight-session QOLEP showed significant improvement in their level of depression compared with the control group [pre vs. post, treatment group: 25.8 (19.2) vs. 17.8 (13.1); control group: 13.3 (17.3) vs. 13.3 (14.4)]. The criteria of feasibility were met in this study. Most of the participants were satisfied with engaging in the QOLEP activities within a supportive environment. Conclusion: The participants who received the 8-week QOLEP demonstrated significant improvement in the level of depression. Studies with a sample size of at least 104 participants are recommended in the future.

Objective/Background: The Kinetic-House-Tree-Person (KHTP) drawing test is widely used by psychiatric occupational therapists in Taiwan; however, very little support has been provided through studies examining its psychometric properties. The aim of the study is to validate a scoring system for the KHTP on a group of people with psychiatric disorders. Methods: A total of 66 individuals with psychiatric disorders were recruited for this study along with 53 college students as a comparative group. Each participant completed the KHTP test. Half of the individuals with psychiatric disorders (33 people) completed the KHTP again following a 2-week period. The KHTP scoring system contains 54 items representing drawing characteristics. Two independent raters determined the score of the drawings, with the validity and reliability of the KHTP scoring system being subsequently examined by the Rasch and traditional analysis. Results: The results reveal both validity and unidimensionality of the KHTP scoring system, demonstrating acceptable test–retest reliability. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the scoring system's inter-rater reliability was .76, with significant statistical differences found between the KHTP scores of college students and individuals with psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The KHTP scoring system has acceptable construct validity, inter-rater reliability, and test–retest reliability. Because drawing tests have the advantage of expressing nonverbal characteristics, the scoring system should prove to be very useful for those who are unwilling or unable to communicate verbally. This study therefore provides valuable information for clinical application, particularly for the psychiatric rehabilitation professions.

Studies of outpatient clinical training in AIDS care have shown positive effects on residents' knowledge, attitudes and intentions. In this study, residents' knowledge, attitudes and intentions regarding the care of HIV-infected patients were used as outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1-month residency training in an AIDS inpatient unit. Methods: From April 2000 through April 2001, 33 internal medicine residents completed pretest-posttest questionnaires evaluating changes in their knowledge, attitudes and intention to care for HIV-infected patients. Of these 33 residents, 25 participated in a posttest interview, reflecting on their learning experience during the 1-month clinical rotation. Results: At the posttest, residents were significantly more accurate in assessing HIV-associated risk (p < 0.001), and were significantly more knowledgeable about the necessary protective equipment to prevent HIV transmission (p < 0.01). Residents were significantly less concerned about the risk of infection (p < 0.01) and interpersonal concerns (p < 0.05). Residents' reluctance to care for HIV-infected patients was significantly lower (p < 0.05), as was their tendency to avoid invasive procedures or treatment of HIV-infected patients (p < 0.001). Residents designated after their training were more likely to practice universal precautions and less likely to be afraid and to stereotype HIV-infected patients. They also reported gaining insight into HIV diseases and patients' multifaceted needs, and appreciating the importance of teamwork in AIDS care. Conclusion: A 1-month AIDS residency training can effectively enhance residents' HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and intention to care for patients infected with HIV.

Internal medicine residents are usually on the front line of caring for HIV-infected patients. In the second decade of the AIDS epidemic in Taiwan, a qualitative study was conducted to recognize the concerns of internal medicine residents in caring for HIV/AIDS patients and to identify possible strategies to promote HIV patient care that have not been addressed in previous research. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 47 internal medicine residents at a university hospital in Taiwan. Seven factors (stereotypes of AIDS; fear of transmission; concerns of families, friends, and colleagues; lack of clinical expertise; lack of collegial support; lack of a sense of accomplishment; and lack of worker's compensation if infected) were found to be the chief concerns of participants in providing HIV/AIDS care. Four strategies (education, clinical experience, safe working environment, and employee benefits) were voiced as those that could promote health care professionals' well-being and willingness to provide HIV/AIDS care. The results of this study are explained in light of the historical, social, and medical contexts in Taiwan.

Aims and objectives. This study aims to understand the effects of culturally enriched body–mind–spirit group therapy on anxiety, depression and holistic well-being among women with breast cancer and to examine patients’ views on what aspects of group therapy worked to enhance their health. Design. The study was designed using multiple methods, which consisted of a randomised controlled trial and a focus group interview. Methods. A total of 16 subjects in the control group received the standard care of a physician’s treatment at the outpatient department. In addition to standard care, 12 subjects in the experimental group received 10 sessions of weekly body–mind–spirit group therapy for 180 minutes each. This therapy integrates concepts and practices of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine (e.g. positive psychology and forgiveness therapy). The subjects in the experimental group were invited to participate in a focus group interview regarding their perceptions of the change mechanisms that occurred in group therapy. Results. The results of analysis of covariance indicated that after a two-month trial, there was a similarity between the experimental and control groups in reducing the scores of Beck depression inventory and increasing the scores of body–mind–spirit well-being. However, subjects in the experimental group had a better reduction of the scores of state anxiety inventory than subjects in the control group. The qualitative analysis yielded eight domains: (i) imparting of information, (ii) interpersonal learning, (iii) catharsis, (iv) universality, (v) group cohesiveness, (vi) altruism, (vii) instillation of hope and (viii) existential factors. These domains illustrate how the therapeutic effects of group therapy worked to reduce patients’ anxiety. Conclusion. The culturally sensitive body–mind–spirit group therapy reduced anxiety among outpatients with breast cancer. Relevance to clinical practice. The involvement of mental health nurses in providing group therapy for cancer patients could enhance the quality of care in psycho-ontological nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the two generic instruments, the WHOQOL and the SF-36, for assessing health-related quality of life in 224 patients with HIV infection. The internal consistency ranged from 0.75 to 0.86 across the WHOQOL-BREF domains and from 0.72 to 0.93 across the SF-36 scales. The scores of all WHOQOL-BREF domains and SF-36 scales correlated positively with the measure of happiness, Sat-HRQOL and self-perceived health status, and correlated negatively with the number and intensity of symptoms. Patients with higher CD4 cell counts scored significantly higher on G4 (general health), three WHOQOL-BREF domains, seven SF-36 scales, and PCS (physical component summary). Patients with fewer symptoms and with less intensity of symptoms had significantly higher scores on all four domains of WHOQOL-BREF, eight scales, PCS, and MCS (mental component summary) of the SF-36 scale. The correlations between the physical, psychological, and social domains of the WHOQOL-BREF and PF (physical functioning), MH (mental health), and SF (social functioning) of the SF-36 were 0.51, 0.75, and 0.54, respectively. There is also good correlation between PCS of the SF-36 and the physical domain of the WHOQOL-BREF (r= 0.48), and between MCS and all four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF (rrange = 0.60-0.75). The WHOQOL-BREF domains showed fewer floor or ceiling effect than the SF-36 scales. We concluded that both the WHOQOL-BREF and the SF-36 are reliable and valid health related quality-of-life instruments in patients with HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on attribution theory has focused on a number of different social contexts. Close personal relationships and marriage in particular have been investigated widely. Cross-cultural differences in attribution patterns have also been explored, although mostly in relation to academic achievement or employment. This article focused on cross-cultural variations in marital attributions. Thirty-six couples from the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) and 32 couples from the United States (U.S.) were included. Marital attributions were correlated with marital distress for both groups. However, the P.R.C. spouses tended to report more relationship-enhancing causal attributions than did U.S. spouses. There were also some differences in attributions of responsibility and blame across cultures. These findings are discussed in relationship to current marital attribution theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]