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Objectives:The relationship intimacy model of psychosocial adjustment to illness indicates that a patient's willingness to communicate about their illness, as perceived by the spouse, is a strong predictor of spouse relational and psychological well-being. Inspired by the relationship intimacy model, the current study examined the psychological adjustment of spouses of individuals with dual-sensory loss (DSL), a disability where interpersonal communication is of particular concern. Method:Surveys were sent to all known individuals and their partners who were 50 years of age or older and were enrolled in services for acquired DSL in Denmark. A total of 65 spouses met the inclusion criteria of which 45 (69%) returned a partner survey. Results:Results showed a significant association between couples’ sensory loss-related communication, relationship satisfaction, perceived support and psychological well-being. Perceived support significantly mediated the association between couples’ sensory loss communication and spouse psychological well-being. Conclusion:The current study's findings provide support for a relationship-focused perspective of spousal psychological adjustment in the context of DSL. Further, couples’ sensory loss-related communication is presented as a potential intervention target to enhance spouse perceived support and psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Loss of vision and hearing (dual sensory loss: DSL) presents risk factors for self-harm and/or suicidal ideation, although this has rarely been examined for older adults., Objectives: This study estimated the prevalence of thoughts about self-harm and suicide ideation in a national sample of adults with DSL in Denmark., Methods: All 513 people aged 50 years or older who were registered with the national provider of service for people with DSL in Denmark were eligible to participate. Surveys were returned by 290 participants. Participants were mostly female (70%) and aged 50-100 years (M = 81). Surveys contained questions related to thoughts of self-harm and suicide as well as physical, mental, and social wellbeing., Results: In total, 17% of participants reported thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide in the past two weeks. Not participating in social activities, poorer self-rated health, and presence of more depressive symptoms were associated with self-harm and suicidal ideation. Factors that were associated with self-harm and suicidal ideation were lower levels of emotional support, non-participation in social activities, and symptoms of depression., Conclusions: These finding highlight the importance of ongoing mental health screening and support for older adults with DSL, especially in ensuring accessible mental health services., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Late effects after cancer diagnosis and treatment are common, but only few studies have examined the role of social factors in developing these late effects. The aim of this study was to examine the association between educational level and physical function and pain among cancer survivors two years after diagnosis., Material and Methods: The study population consisted of adult Danish patients with a first-time cancer diagnosis who were sent a questionnaire in 2010 and followed up in 2012. In total, 4346 returned the first questionnaire shortly after diagnosis and 2568 returned the follow-up questionnaire. After exclusion of 177 due to missing information, we included 2391 cancer survivors in the analyses. Physical function and pain were measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30. Linear regression analyses were conducted separately for men and women, and adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. Additionally, analyses were stratified on comorbidity., Results: Differences in mean scores according to educational level were small. Physical function was better in women with medium (2.8; 95% CI 0.1;5.4) and higher education (3.4; 95% CI 0.9;5.9) compared to women with short education. In contrast, men with medium education reported lower physical function (-2.9; 95% CI -5.7;-0.1) than men with short education. Compared to women with short education, we found lower pain scores among women with medium (-5.0; 95% CI -8.7;-1.4) and higher education (-3.4; 95% CI -6.7;0.0). Similarly, men with higher education experienced lower pain score (-3.4; 95% CI -6.9;0.1) than men with short education. The role of educational level differed between those with and without comorbidity., Conclusion: Educational level is slightly associated with physical function and pain among cancer survivors. However, mean differences in this study were small and below what is considered clinically relevant.