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Background: Diabetes complications are prevalent in people with diabetes, causing considerable individual suffering and increased health costs. However, the relationships of multidimensional, modifiable, and nonmodifiable factors to diabetes complications and the role of diabetes distress have been rarely examined. Objective: The aims of this study were to examine the associations of age, sex, knowledge, self-efficacy, self-compassion, resilience, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, diabetes distress, social support, and body mass index with diabetes complications and to investigate the mediating role of diabetes distress. Methods: In this cross-sectional, correlational study, data on all study variables were collected from 148 people with diabetes through REDCap in 2023. Multiple regression analysis and the PROCESS macro for SPSS were used to address the aims. Results: Older age and higher levels of diabetes distress were associated with more diabetes complications. Depressive symptoms were associated with diabetes distress; and diabetes distress, but not depressive symptoms, was associated with diabetes complications, controlling for all other variables. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms and diabetes distress were directly or indirectly associated with diabetes complications, and diabetes distress was a mediator in the relationship between depressive symptoms and diabetes complications. Health care providers can target reduction of depressive symptoms and diabetes distress to reduce diabetes complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationships of patient factors and caregiver contribution to patients' self-care to different types of self-care have been rarely examined in Korean patients with heart failure. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine patient (ie, age, depressive symptoms, and self-care confidence) and caregiver (ie, caregiver contribution to self-care maintenance and self-care management, and caregiver confidence in contributing to self-care) factors related to different types of self-care (ie, self-care maintenance, symptom perception, and self-care management) and self-care confidence in Korean patients with heart failure. Methods: In this cross-sectional, correlational study, data from 41 pairs of patients (mean age, 68.0 years) and caregivers (mean age, 54.1 years) were collected and analyzed using multiple regression. Results: Higher levels of self-care confidence in patients were related to higher levels of self-care maintenance in patients. Higher levels of self-care confidence in patients were related to higher levels of symptom perception. Higher levels of self-care confidence in patients and caregiver contribution to self-care maintenance were related to higher levels of self-care management. Less severe depressive symptoms in patients and higher levels of caregiver confidence in contributing to self-care were related to higher levels of self-care confidence. Conclusion: Different patient and caregiver factors were related to different types of self-care and self-care confidence in Korean patients, but patients' self-care confidence was related to all types of self-care. Clinicians and researchers need to develop and deliver effective interventions to both patients and their caregivers to improve patients' self-care confidence and, in turn, self-care, considering different factors associated with each type of self-care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Little is known about attitudes toward advance directives and factors associated with them among emergency and palliative care nurses who often or daily face end‐of‐life circumstances. Thus, we aimed to compare the levels of attitudes toward advance directives, communication skills, knowledge about end‐of‐life care (knowledge), and awareness of the concept of a good death (good death awareness) between emergency and palliative care nurses, and to examine factors associated with attitudes toward advance directives in the total sample. Methods: In this cross‐sectional, correlational study, data were collected from 153 nurses (59 emergency and 94 palliative care nurses) at three tertiary hospitals using online or offline surveys and were analyzed using t‐tests and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The levels of attitudes, communication skills, knowledge, and good death awareness were moderate in both groups. Attitudes in emergency compared to palliative care nurses were less positive (46.78 vs. 48.38; p =.044), and knowledge was significantly lower (13.64 vs. 15.00; p =.004). Communication skills and good death awareness between the two groups were similar. In the total sample, emergency practice (B = –1.59, p =.024), and lower levels of good death awareness (B = 0.30, p <.001), communication skills (B = 0.18, p =.001), and education (B = –2.84, p =.015) were associated with less positive attitudes (F = 9.52, p <.001; R2 = 0.35). Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the need for improvements in attitudes, knowledge, communication skills, and good death awareness in both groups, especially emergency nurses. Two modifiable targets of interventions to improve nurses' attitudes were also noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of a brief attitudes and beliefs toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination instrument in college students. Design: Cross‐sectional, observational study. Sample: Eighty‐six nursing students. Measurements: The Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination was used to test the reliability (Cronbach's alpha), homogeneity (item‐analyses), and validity (factor analysis and correlations). Results: The reliability of this 8‐item instrument was supported by a Cronbach's alpha of.854. Item homogeneity was supported by coefficients for all items >.30. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations of attitudes and beliefs assessed by this instrument to attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control assessed by different instruments (all ps <.001). Construct validity was supported by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (all factor loadings ≥.40). Predictive validity was supported by a significant relationship of attitudes and beliefs to completion of the vaccination (p <.001). Conclusions: The Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Questionnaire was a reliable and valid instrument. This short instrument can be used to assess and improve attitudes and beliefs toward HPV vaccination, and, in turn, to facilitate the completion of the vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine factors associated with overall human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status, completion of HPV vaccination, and intention to receive vaccination among nursing students. A Cross-sectional, correlational study Data from 86 students were analyzed using logistic and multiple regression. Among knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and recommendation, more positive attitudes and beliefs were the only factors associated with initiation and/or completion of HPV vaccination and the intention to receive HPV vaccination. More positive attitudes and beliefs need to be enhanced for HPV vaccination. Changes in attitudes and beliefs can be important targets of interventions to increase HPV vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determination of modifiable factors associated with changes in health perception can be beneficial for improvement in health perception and health-related quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine if changes in physical symptoms, functional status, and depressive symptoms were associated with changes in health perception at three months and the mediator effect of physical symptoms. Data were collected at baseline and three months later (N = 65). Process Macro for SPSS was used to analyze the data. Only changes in depressive symptoms (p <.001) were associated with changes in physical symptoms. Then, only changes in physical symptoms (p =.026) were significantly associated with changes in health perception. Changes in physical symptoms played significant roles in changes in health perception directly and also through the mediator role. Clinicians and researchers need to assess and manage these two modifiable factors to improve health perception in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor self-care is prevalent in patients with heart failure and adversely affects heart failure symptoms, hospitalization, and mortality. Adherence rates to different types of self-care vary in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with medication adherence, dietary sodium adherence, and symptom management in patients with heart failure. Data were collected using questionnaires, Medication Electronic Monitoring System, and 24-hour urine sodium output (N = 94). In logistic regression analysis, social support, education level, and race were associated with medication adherence (p =.002). Gender, race, perceived control, and depressive symptoms were associated with dietary sodium adherence (p =.030). Gender, education level, and depressive symptoms were associated with symptom management (p =.006). Different factors were associated with each type of self-care. Thus, clinicians need to manage each type of self-care by considering factors associated with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The completion rates of advance treatment preferences in patients with hematologic malignancies are low. To improve these rates, the modifiable factors associated with completion need to be determined. This study aimed to examine the associations of patient attitudes toward, and knowledge about, advance directives (ADs) with the patient–caregiver dyadic completion of advance treatment directive surveys. Methods: Using a nonexperimental correlational design, 44 patient–caregiver dyads completed the questionnaires, including a Korean-Advance Directive model. Cohen's kappa coefficient and multiple logistic regression analyses examined the extent of dyadic agreement and patient factors for the dyadic completion of the advance treatment directive survey, respectively. Results: A minor group of patients (4.5%–11.4%) and caregivers (11.4%–18.2%) preferred aggressive end-of-life treatments, whereas more patients (47.7%) and caregivers (68.2%) supported hospice care. The only significant patient–caregiver dyadic concordance on treatment directives was for chemotherapy with a moderately high agreement (kappa = 0.60: 95% CI: 2.51–3.73). One score increase in AD knowledge and having a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) increased the likelihood of dyadic completion of the treatment directive survey by 43% (p = 0.039) and 917% (p = 0.047), respectively. Conclusions: The patient–caregiver dyads in the setting of hematologic malignancy had a moderately high concordance with chemotherapy but were not associated with other treatment options. A higher level of AD knowledge and HSCT were associated with dyadic completion of the AD survey. Educational support is important to increase knowledge regarding ADs through ongoing palliative discussions among hematologic patients and their caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients' perceptions of the causes and consequences of heart failure (HF) symptoms may impact effective self-management. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore patients' perceptions of HF symptom status and the causes and consequences on their daily lives in patients with HF. Descriptive and qualitative data were obtained from 20 patients using a semistructured interview guide. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Participants reported 15 symptoms (median = 4). Five themes were (a) multiple causes and multiple symptoms; (b) knowing some causes, but still unclear; (c) not being able to live life as previously did; (d) facing emotional distress due to HF symptoms; and (e) development of new priorities and lifestyles. The findings demonstrate that all participants perceived considerable difficulties living with HF symptoms. More comprehensive interventions need to be delivered to patients to manage multiple causes and symptoms effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Data-based research has rarely addressed advance directives (ADs) in community-dwelling Korean cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between AD treatment choices and decisional conflicts among low-income, home-based cancer management recipients. Method: This study uses a cross-sectional, correlational design. The cancer survivors completed the questionnaires (Korean-Advance Directive model and Decisional Conflict Scale). Results: Among the 103 participants (average age 67.92 years), 56.3% had solid cancer. Hospice care was the most desired (68.9%), followed by hemodialysis (18.4%), cardiopulmonary resuscitation/ventilation support (15.5% for each), and chemotherapy (12.6%). Patients who were older, unmarried, unemployed, or underweight/obese; lived alone; or had lower education experienced greater decisional conflicts. In the multivariate analyses, no hospice preference was associated with greater decisional conflicts (t = −2.63, p =.01). Discussion: Early integration of AD discussion with the nurse-led, home-based service for this vulnerable population could serve as a liaison for quality and continuity of cancer survivorship care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive decline, which often occurs in heart failure, is likely to decrease health-related quality of life and increase morbidity and mortality (major events), but it has been scantly addressed. Aims: To examine whether baseline cognitive domains of global cognition, memory and executive function predict baseline health-related quality of life and 15-month major events among patients with heart failure. Methods: This prospective study included 117 patients (mean age 65.5 ± 9.42 years; men 58.1%; New York Heart Association class III/IV 25.6%), who completed questionnaires, including neuropsychological testing for cognitive evaluation, depressive symptoms, self-care and health-related quality of life measures. Their 15-month major events were extracted from medical record reviews. Results: Approximately one-third of the sample had cognitive impairment. Forty-one patients (35.0%) experienced major events. Patients with major events had significantly worse memory (immediate recall memory 13.9 vs. 11.5, P =0.030; delayed recall memory 4.3 vs. 3.1, P =0.014) and reduced executive function (trail-making test A 28.1 vs. 38.0 seconds, P =0.031). After controlling for age, sex, heart failure severity and comorbidity, memory loss with depressive symptoms was associated with worse health-related quality of life, and odds ratios of experiencing major events increased only with reduced cognitive function in global cognition and executive function. Conclusion: Cognitive function is an important factor for health-related quality of life and major events, and memory loss – worsened health-related quality of life and poor executive function was more likely to increase the risk of major events. Future studies should consider both cognitive function and depressive symptoms when designing heart failure interventions to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Concerns over the creation of advance directives (ADs) and the factors associated with treatment directive decisions among Korean community‐dwelling older people with chronic diseases have rarely been addressed. Objectives: This study aimed to examine knowledge, attitudes and barriers/benefits regarding ADs and their associations with AD treatment preferences among chronically ill, low‐income, community‐dwelling older people. Methods: Using a descriptive, correlational design, older people who were recipients of home visiting service for chronic disease management participated in this study. Home visiting nurses collected data on knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers/benefits and treatment directives using questionnaires during home visits. Results: Older people (N = 112, mean age = 74.9 years, women = 83.9%) who had chronic diseases such as hypertension (56.3%), diabetes mellitus (40.2%) and cardiovascular disease/stroke (22.3%) participated. Approximately half of the participants preferred hospice care (54.5%), while a few of them preferred aggressive treatments: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (14.3%), ventilation support (9.8%) and haemodialysis (8.9%). Being married was associated with the likelihood of preferring CPR (odds ratio [OR] = 11.79) and ventilation support (OR = 9.99), higher education with CPR (OR = 1.23) and haemodialysis (OR = 1.16), and having a cardiovascular disease (CVD)/stroke with CPR (OR = 6.46) and hospice care (OR = 3.06). Among the modifiable factors, greater perceived barriers increased the likelihood of CPR preference (OR = 1.12) but decreased the likelihood of hospice care preference (OR = 0.96). Greater perceived benefits decreased the likelihood of CPR preference (OR = 0.81) and ventilation support (OR = 0.89), and AD knowledge decreased the likelihood of haemodialysis preference (OR = 0.23). Conclusion: The multidimensional factors were differently associated with each of the AD treatment preferences. Modifiable factors, including perceived barriers and benefits and knowledge, should be improved to help low‐income, community‐dwelling older people select adequate AD treatment preferences. Implications for practice: Additional information regarding AD treatments and some modifiable and non‐modifiable correlates can be integrated into primary and palliative/supportive care in public health. The current home visitation service may also benefit from incorporating AD discussions while extending the service to embrace AD issues in addition to disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]