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The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic of 2003 was highly concentrated in health care settings and resulted in a high number of health care workers (HCWs) contracting the disease The SARS epidemic has improved our understanding of how trauma impacts frontline HCWs who serve as first responders during an infectious disease outbreak However, our insight into the trajectory of frontline HCWs' morbidity posttrauma continues to be limited, as the majority of the previous work has focused on the short-term or immediate impact of SARS on HCWs, with only a few studies dedicated to the evaluation of its long-term or sustained impact Previous research into the long-term impact of SARS on HCWs spans 1-3 years postoutbreak The present study extends previous research by examining HCWs up to 7 years postoutbreak More specifically, frontline HCWs who contracted and survived SARS were evaluated at 1 year (2004), 4 years (2007), and 7 years (2010) postoutbreak by using a within-participants design Across all three time points, frontline HCWs showed a lack of abatement in clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology In addition, HCWs reported below average and persistent functional outcomes, such as problems with pain, reduced vitality, and reductions in physical, mental, and social functioning Finally, we report on the particular psychiatric variables from 1 year postoutbreak that are significantly associated with functional debility at 4 and 7 years postoutbreak Findings of this study underscore the importance of understanding the long-term sequelae of infectious disease outbreaks on frontline HCWs, in order to decrease the likelihood of chronic adverse outcomes in this population This information is especially relevant now, given the current global outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (French) L'epidemie de syndrome respiratoire aigu severe (SRAS) de 2003 s'est grandement manifestee dans les milieux de soins de sante, et un grand nombre de travailleurs de la sante (TS) ont contracte la maladie L'epidemie de SRAS a grandement ameliore notre comprehension de l'incidence d'un traumatisme parmi les TS de premiere ligne qui constituent les premiers intervenants durant les eclosions d'une maladie infectieuse Toutefois, nos connaissances sur la trajectoire de la morbidite post-traumatique parmi les TS de premiere ligne restent limitees, car la majorite des recherches anterieures ont porte sur les effets immediats ou a court terme du SRAS sur les TS;quelques etudes seulement etaient destinees a evaluer son incidence soutenue ou a long terme Les recherches anterieures sur les effets a long terme du SRAS sur les TS s'etendaient sur 1 a 3 ans post-epidemie La presente etude pousse plus loin les recherches precedentes en examinant les TS jusqu'a 7 ans apres l'epidemie Plus precisement, les TS de premiere ligne qui ont survecu a une infection au SRAS ont ete evalues a 1 an (2004), a 4 ans (2007) et a 7 ans (2010) apres l'epidemie dans le cadre d'une etude de conception intrasujet Aux trois points, on a constate chez les TS de premiere ligne un manque de reduction des symptomes de depression, d'anxiete et du trouble de stress post-traumatique (TSPT) de niveaux cliniquement significatifs De plus, les TS ont rapporte des resultats fonctionnels inferieurs a la moyenne et persistants, tels que de la douleur, une vitalite diminuee et une diminution du fonctionnement physique, mental et social Finalement, nous rapportons des variables psychiatriques particulieres depuis l'annee 1 post-epidemie, qui sont significativement associees a une souffrance fonctionnelle aux annees 4 et 7 post-epidemie Les resultats de cette etude soulignent l'importance de comprendre les sequelles a long terme des eclosions de maladies infectieuses parmi les TS, afin de reduire les probabilites de problemes chroniques parmi cette population Cette information est particulierement pertinente aujourd'hui etant donne la pandemie de coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Public Significance Statement-The present study is one of a few studies that has thus far examined the long-term impact of an infectious disease outbreak on frontline healthcare workers A group of Canadian frontline healthcare workers who contracted and survived SARS were evaluated at 1 year (2004), 4 years (2007), and 7 years (2010) postoutbreak Across all three time points, frontline healthcare workers reported clinically significant levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptomatology, in addition to adverse functional outcomes (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been labelled a mental health catastrophe, an infectious atypical pneumonia condition that spread to 29 countries in 2002/2003, infecting over 8,000 people, 774 of whom died. A literature search on electronic databases, including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library was used to conduct a critical review of the English language literature on the psychological impact of SARS for survivors. Twenty original studies pertaining to the psychological experience of patients revealed prominent symptoms: in the acute and early recovery stages, psychotic symptomatology, fear for survival, and fear of infecting others; across all timeframes, stigmatization, reduced quality of life, and psychological distress; posttraumatic stress symptoms were prevalent across all stages post-SARS. Health care workers with SARS were found to be at increased risk. Limitations within many studies restrict the optimal usefulness of the findings. Studies included in our review consistently reported high rates of emotional distress among survivors, persisting for years postinfection. Recommendations to enhance comparability across studies for future outbreaks were proposed.Keywords: SARS, psychological, posttraumatic stress disorder, health care workers, infectious diseasesResumeLe syndrome respiratoire aigu severe (SRAS) a ete qualifie de catastrophe de sante mentale. Cette pneumonie atypique infectieuse s'est repandue dans 29 pays en 2002-2003, infectant plus de 8000 personnes, parmi lesquelles 774 en sont mortes. Une recherche a ete effectuee au moyen des bases de donnees electroniques MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL et la Cochrane Library, en vue d'un resume critique des articles en anglais sur les repercussions psychologiques du SRAS sur les survivants. Vingt etudes originales sur l'experience psychologique de patients ont revele les symptomes dominants suivants : dans les stades aigus et au debut du retablissement, on note des symptomes psychotiques, la peur pour la survie, la peur d'infecter autrui; a tous les stades, on note la stigmatisation, une qualite de vie amoindrie, la detresse psychologue; a tous les stades apres le retablissement, on note des symptomes de stress post-traumatique. Les travailleurs de la sante ayant eu le SRAS presentaient des risques plus eleves. Les limites de nombre des etudes restreignent l'utilite optimale des resultats. Les etudes utilisees dans notre revue de litterature rapportaient systematiquement de hauts taux de troubles emotifs parmi les survivants, lesquels persistaient des annees apres l'infection. Des recommandations sont formulees en vue d'ameliorer la comparabilite des etudes advenant de nouvelles poussees.Mots-cles : SRAS, psychologie, syndrome de stress posttraumatique, travailleurs de la sante, maladies infectieuses.After its first emergence in Asia in November 2002, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) spread throughout several parts of the world and was finally contained by July 2003. This epidemic, with its rapid spread and high mortality rate, generated considerable panic and anxiety around the globe (Campbell, 2006). The origin of SARS was traced to a novel strain of the corona-virus that causes flu-like symptoms, which for many sufferers escalated into clinical pneumonia. In 29 countries, 8,096 individuals were infected, and a wide range of severity was reported, from asymptomatic infection to severe illness and death. Between 20% and 25% of SARS patients became critically ill, requiring intensive care, and ^10%, or 774 individuals, died worldwide (World Health Organization, 2004). In the few studies reviewed to date that pertain to the psychological impact on SARS survivors, high rates of emotional distress were reported, including anxiety, depression, fearfulness, and stigmatization (Chan et al., 2003; Cheng & Wong, 2005; Tsang, Scudds, & Chan, 2004; Zhang, Liu, & He, 2004). However, because most of these studies looked at the period covering the acute phase of the illness and up to 6 months postinfection, we know very little about the longer-term psychological effects of SARS, and we know even less about how the psychological effects of SARS changed over time. …

In this article, the authors report on a qualitative study that explored the use of narrative therapy with a diverse group of older adults dealing with mental health and substance misuse issues. Narrative therapy supports individuals to critically assess their lives and develop alternative and empowering life stories that aim to keep the problem in its place. Although the literature suggests this is a promising intervention for individuals, there is a lack of research on narrative therapy and group work. Aiming to address this gap, the authors developed and researched a narrative therapy group for older adults coping with mental health and substance misuse issues in Toronto, Canada. Taking an ethnographic approach, field notes and interviews provided rich data on how, when, and for whom, such a group could be beneficial. Findings contribute to the literature on group work, older adults, and narrative therapy.

Pedometers are increasingly used in physical activity research and health promotion initiatives. This pilot study examines the efficacy of pedometers as motivational tools for increasing daily physical activity and exploring the practical issues related to pedometer use in research and intervention studies. A mixed-method design is used to collect data on the level of activity and in-depth information about participants’ experiences wearing the pedometers. Participants are 10 midlife women between the ages of 45 and 64 (mean age = 52.9). Analysis indicates pedometers function as important motivational tools for increasing daily physical activity and improving the awareness of activity patterns for participants. Findings provide new insights into participants’ experiences using the pedometers and understanding how these devices function as research tools. Several important methodological considerations for future research and intervention designs using pedometers are discussed.

Various factors including social isolation and financial worries put older adults at risk for addictions. Indeed, older adults are the largest consumers of medication, and alcohol consumption is rising. Yet interventions are limited and problems often go unreported. Unearthing “problem” stories in people’s lives (i.e., “the addiction story”) and retelling them in more empowering ways, narrative therapy offers a viable therapeutic alternative, and research on narrative therapy has proven encouraging. However, little is known about narrative therapy with older adults and with addictions. Seeking to address these gaps, an ethnographic study was conducted in Toronto, Canada, with a group of older adults receiving narrative therapy for addictions. Findings suggest that the therapy was “helpful” and participants were able to reduce or halt their substance misuse. Most important, aspects of narrative therapy such as storytelling may be particularly well suited to older adults, offering powerful possibilities for applied gerontology.

Gardner PJ, Knittel-Keren D, Gomez M. The posttraumatic stress disorder checklist as a screening measure for posttraumatic stress disorder in rehabilitation after burn injuries. Objectives To determine the profile of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among outpatients with burn injuries referred to psychology in a rehabilitation hospital, and the utility of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) as a screening measure for PTSD. Design Retrospective psychological chart review. Setting Outpatient burn clinic of a rehabilitation hospital. Participants Outpatients (N=132) with burns referred to psychology between December 1999 and January 2010. Interventions Psychological evaluation and self-report questionnaires measuring PTSD and depression. Main Outcome Measures The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition to assess clinical diagnosis of disorders, PCL-C to measure PTSD, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II to measure depression. Results Of 132 outpatients, 127 (96%) had work-related injuries, 116 (88%) were men, and 16 (12%) were women. Mean age ± SD at injury was 39.0±11.1 years. Mean time from injury to assessment was 15.7±42.7 months. Burn etiology included: electrical (46.2%), scald (28.0%), flame (16.7%), chemical (5.3%), and contact (3.8%). Most patients (75%) were diagnosed with PTSD, either clinical (39.4%) or subclinical (35.6%). PTSD (clinical or subclinical) was frequently diagnosed in the following etiology groups: scald (85.7%), flame (77.3%), and electrical (74.6%). There were significant relationships between PTSD and depression ( P P Conclusions There was a high prevalence of PTSD (clinical or subclinical) among outpatients with burns referred to psychology. Prospective screening of psychological symptoms, clinical assessment, and intervention is warranted, especially for patients with work-related burn injuries. Our results suggest that PCL-C is a useful screening measure for PTSD in patients with burns.

“Envelhecimento saudável”, como uma perspectiva particular para explorar o relacionamento entre saúde e envelhecimento, é um paradigma teórico poderoso na cultura e prática da gerontologia e uma força dominante nas agendas de pesquisa, organizações financiadoras e governos no mundo de língua inglesa. Escrito a partir de uma perspectiva norte-americana, essa resenha proporciona um resumo da extensa documentação em literatura de língua inglesa dedicada ao “envelhecimento saudável”, incluindo a identificação de críticas-chave e desafios da área. A seção final do trabalho considera o quanto um foco no “ir e vir” (“going and doing”) de idosos entre determinados lugares de envelhecimento representa uma direção nova e estimulante para as pesquisas futuras sobre envelhecimento saudável., “Aging Heal th” , as a particular perspective to explore the relationship between health and aging, is a powerful theoretical paradigm in the practical culture and of the gerontology and a dominant force in research agendas, organizations financiers and governments in the world of English language. Wr i t ing f rom a Nor th American perspective, this summary provides a summary of the extensive documentation in literature of dedicated English language to the “aging health”, including the identification of critical-key and challenges of the area. The final section of the work considers how much a focus in “going and coming” (“going and doing”) of aged between determined aging places represents a new direction and stimulant for the future research overageing health., “Envejecimiento saludable”, con una perspectiva particular para explorar la relación entre salud y envejeciemento, es un paradigma teórico poderoso en la cultura e práctica de la geriatria y una fuerza dominante en las agendas de pesquisa, organizaciones financieras y gobiernos en el mundo de la lengua inglesa. Escrito a partir de una perspectiva norte-americana, esa reseña proporciona un resumen de la extensa documentación en literatura en la lengua inglesa dedicada ao “envejecimiento saludable”, incluso la identificación de las críticas-clave e desafíos de la área. La sección final del trabajo considera o cuanto un foco en el “ir y venir” (“going and doing”) del ancianos entre determinados lugares de envejecimiento representa una dirección nuova e incitante para las pesquisas futuras sobre envejecimiento saludable.