Search

Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent psychological comorbidities within the patient group with AMI (acute myocardial infarction) and correlate with harmful effects. This research aimed to examine the predictive value of anxiety and depression on HRQoL (health-related quality of life) and prolonged cardiovascular outcomes within individuals with AMI in Baghdad, Iraq. Methods: This study, designed as a prospective cohort, enrolled 1,000 AMI patients from three tertiary care hospitals in Baghdad. Anxiety and depression were evaluated through the use of the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at baseline. Over a 5-year follow-up period, the main endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular events, including recurrent AMI, cardiovascular mortality, and heart failure. Secondary outcomes included HRQoL, which was evaluated using the SF-36 (Short Form-36) questionnaire. Data analysis was performed employing linear mixed-effects models and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: At baseline, the prevalence of depression and anxiety was 42.6% (95% Cl: 39.5-45.7) and 38.4% (95% Cl: 35.4-41.4) (HADS) or 35.2% (95% Cl: 32.2-38.2) (PHQ-9), respectively. After adjusting for confounders, baseline HADS-Anxiety (adjusted HR: 1.08, 95% Cl: 1.04-1.12), HADS-Depression (adjusted HR: 1.06, 95% Cl: 1.02-1.10), and PHQ-9 scores (adjusted HR: 1.05, 95% Cl: 1.02-1.08) were significant predictors of cardiovascular events. Higher levels of depression and anxiety were additionally linked with lower SF-36 Mental and Physical Component Summary scores within the 5-year follow-up timeframe. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among AMI patients in Baghdad and are significant predictors of reduced QoL and adverse cardiovascular events over five years. The results highlight the importance of comprehensive management and regular evaluation to identify depression and anxiety in individuals with AMI to improve outcomes and QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is a major contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular diseases, affecting over 1.28 billion adults worldwide. One of the primary contributors to the progression of cardiovascular diseases is hypertension, influenced by various psychosocial factors, including personality traits. The distinguishing attributes of Type D personality (TDP) are linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes; however, its influence on the progression of hypertension is less understood. This investigation endeavored to analyze the affiliation between the onset of hypertension and TDP during five years in a sample of initially normotensive adults. Methods: A prospective cohort study included 500 initially normotensive participants in Baghdad, Iraq. The DS14 scale was used at baseline to assess TDP, and blood pressure was measured annually for five years. Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed to examine the association between TDP and incident hypertension, adjusting for traditional risk factors. Path analysis explored potential mediators, including physiological reactivity and health behaviors. Results: The incidence of hypertension was significantly higher among participants with TDP compared to non-type D participants (22.4% vs. 12.9%, P = 0.007). Individuals with TDP had a 1.63-fold increased risk of hypertension (95% Cl: 1.02-2.60; P = 0.040) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, physical activity, and family history of hypertension. Path analysis revealed that physiological reactivity and health behaviors partially mediated the association between TDP and incident hypertension. Conclusion: TDP is independently associated with the development of hypertension in initially normotensive adults. Physiological reactivity and health behaviors partially explain the relationship between TDP and incident hypertension. Assessing the presence of TDP and implementing targeted interventions could help prevent the onset of hypertension and improve cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with hypertension (HTN) are likely to be threatened by mental health issues like anxiety and depression, which can limit their personal and social lives. Cognitive therapy is one of the proposed treatments for these issues. The present research aims to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy intervention on the mental health of patients with HTN. Methods: The current clinical trial study was examined by considering the pre- and posttest stages and the control group. In 2022, the statistical population contained 861 patients with HTN referred to Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. A simple random sampling procedure chose a statistical sample of 120 patients and separated them into two experimental and control groups (60 people per group). For data analysis, the independent t-test and the paired t-test were utilized in SPSS software; moreover, P- value was less than 0.05. Results: No significant difference was observed between the both groups regarding general health and its subscales in the pre-test stage (P > 0.05), while in the post-test stage, there was a significant difference between the both groups (P < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference in general health in the experimental group between the pre-test (60.47 ± 9.17) and post-test (45.55 ± 8.43) (P < 0.001). In the control group, there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test stages (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Cognitive therapy intervention has appropriate effectiveness on the mental health of patients with HTN and reduces physical symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mental health and job satisfaction of an organization's members are two of the most essential factors in its progress. The present research was conducted with the aim to assess the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the mental health and job satisfaction of hospital staff. Methods: The current semi-experimental study was performed with a pretest-posttest design and a control group in 2022. The statistical population included the medical personnel of Baghdad Hospital, Iraq. Using a simple random sampling method, 140 people were chosen as a statistical sample and divided into two experimental and control groups. A demographic characteristics questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ; Goldberg, 1972) and Job Descriptive Index (JDI; Smith et al., 1969) were utilized for data collection. The data analyses were performed utilizing analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS software. Results: The results showed that ACT was effective on job satisfaction (F = 7.76; P < 0.001) and mental health subscales including physical symptoms (F = 9.42; P < 0.001), anxiety (F = 16.84; P < 0.001), social dysfunction (F = 10.34; P < 0.001), and depression (F = 10.64; P < 0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that ACT improved hospital treatment staff's mental health and job satisfaction. As a result, special consideration should be given to issues concerning the mental health of treatment personnel such as doctors and nurses. Psychological interventions can be very effective in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of several learning strategies, including surface, deep, and strategic approaches, on the academic achievement of science students in Iraq. In addition, the present study has investigated the potential mediating influence of academic self-efficacy on the association between learning techniques, specifically surface, deep, and strategic approaches, and the academic performance of science students in Iraq. Methodology: In order to achieve the research objectives, which involve investigating the direct and mediating relationships between learning techniques, academic self-efficacy (ASE), and academic performance, the study has utilized a quantitative methodology. A questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from participants, with the aim of attaining the study's objectives. The current study exhibits a response rate of 62.23%. The Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) are commonly employed for conducting data analysis. Results: The findings suggest that there is a significant and favorable relationship between learning strategies and academic self-efficacy. Furthermore, academic self-efficacy acts as a mediator between learning strategies and the academic performance of science students in Iraq. The results indicate that the utilization of surface learning strategies has a discernible impact on the acquisition of adaptive self-regulated learning skills, thereby influencing overall academic achievement. Implications: Educators and policymakers can employ these findings to devise more efficacious programs aimed at facilitating students' acquisition of academic competencies and bolstering their self-assurance. Novelty: This study is a pioneering investigation into the interplay between learning practices, academic self-efficacy, and the academic performance of science students in Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The primary objective of the present study is to examine the influence of job stress on job satisfaction among instructors in the TSL (Teaching as a Second Language) sector in Iraq. In addition, the present study has conducted an examination of the mediating influence of self-efficacy and selfesteem on the association between job stress and job satisfaction within the context of TSL (Teaching as a Second Language) teachers in Iraq. Methodology: The selected research methodology employs a survey-based strategy, wherein questionnaires were distributed to a total of 600 English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers in Iraq. The researchers have successfully received 430 completed questionnaires, out of which 390 were deemed suitable for inclusion in the subsequent analysis. The instruments included in this investigation have been derived from previous studies, which have undergone validation and reliability testing. The assessment of the instrument's validity and reliability is conducted through the utilization of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. Results: The findings obtained from the Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) study indicate a statistically significant positive association between job stress and job satisfaction among English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers in Iraq. The findings of the study indicate that the presence of self-efficacy and self-esteem have notable effects as mediators in the correlation between job stress and job satisfaction. Implications: The potential consequences of these findings have great importance for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in Iraq. By gaining an awareness of the various elements that impact the job satisfaction of English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors, policymakers and program developers can create initiatives aimed at supporting teachers in effectively managing job-related stress and fostering higher levels of self-efficacy and selfesteem. Novelty: This study is a pioneering effort in examining the interplay between job stress, selfefficacy, self-esteem, and job happiness within the context of ESL teachers in Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]