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This article reports the results of a study designed to describe and analyze the effect of a psychological intervention with psychoeducational components and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques in a sample of informal primary caregivers of patients with a first psychotic episode. The experimental study involved 37 subjects, 18 of whom received the intervention and 19 of whom were on the waiting list. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were performed of the variables: perceived overload, burnout syndrome and stress coping. Treatment consisted of eight weekly group sessions. Prior to treatment, the scores of the variables studied in the control and experimental groups were equivalent. After the intervention, compared to the control group and after the possible influence of time on the results had been analyzed, it was found that those who had received treatment reported a significant decrease in "perceived overload" and "burnout syndrome", as well as an increase in the use of "active coping" strategies. The changes were found to have small and medium effect sizes. Clinicians working in early care services for psychosis may consider this multi-component intervention an effective support strategy for enhancing the psychological well-being of caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients living with HIV who do not adhere to antiretroviral treatment (ART) have a high viral load, increasing the risk of developing AIDS, as well as new treatment-resistant strains. There are several psychological factors that must be studied to understand the reasons for non-adherence to ART. We studied whether the goals reported by patients with HIV, as well as their sense of meaning in life, influence ART adherence in a sample of adult patients attending HIV outpatient care in Mexico. Participants completed the Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence Assessment Questionnaire, the Dimensional Scale of Meaning in Life and were asked to write both short-term and long-term goals. The most frequent goals reported were those categorized as "personal development," followed by "being healthy." Participants with the highest adherence had more short-term "personal development" goals. Moreover, they showed the lowest levels of existential vacuum (lack of meaning in life). These variables predicted treatment adherence. We conclude that the design of programs to improve ART adherence should promote the establishment of personal development goals and offer tools that allow having a sense of meaning in life to reduce AIDS-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the risk posed by attachment type in the development of anxiety or depression symptomatology in Mexican adults. This was case-control study in which anxiety and depression symptomatology levels were compared according to the attachment type reported by 3,666 participants. It was found that insecure attachment is a risk factor (p≤.001) for the development of severe levels of depression (OR = 2.12, CI 95%: 1.66–2.70) and anxiety symptomatology (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.30–1.77). Findings are discussed based on their implications for psychiatric nursing practice. The findings of this study enable nurses to consider the empirical validity of attachment theory for studying psychosocial aspects of mental health and to design intervention strategies that promote secure attachment in populations without psychiatric diagnoses to prevent anxiety and depression symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early insulinization therapy is regarded as an efficient aid to improve long term control and quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). Nevertheless, both patients and medical staff confront barriers in using this therapeutic tool. This study employs a qualitative approach to explore the barriers to early insulinization among medical staff from the public sector in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Between 2015 and 2016, in-depth interviews were conducted with general and specialist physicians offering primary health care to patients with DM2. The transcribed interviews were analyzed to extract and organize categories and subcategories of barriers among medical staff. These barriers were then grouped into three categories and exemplified with interview excerpts: barriers coming from the medical staff itself, barriers emerging from the doctor-patient interaction, and institutional barriers. Uses for the classification obtained are discussed, as are some of the solutions proposed by study participants.