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Author(s): Qiao Chu [sup.1] , Celia C. Y. Wong [sup.2] , Qian Lu [sup.3] [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.16821.3c, 0000 0004 0368 8293, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong [...], Research has demonstrated the association between social constraints and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among breast cancer survivors. Although perceived social support can buffer stress and improve emotional well-being, little is known about which type of social support is most effective in buffering the negative effects of social constraints among cancer survivors. We investigated the moderation of four types of social support (i.e., positive interaction, tangible support, emotional/informational support and affectionate support) on the association between social constraints and PTSD symptoms among Chinese American breast cancer survivors. One hundred and thirty-six Chinese American breast cancer survivors completed questionnaires that assessed social constraints, PTSD symptoms and perceived social support. Results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that only support of positive interaction exerted a buffering effect, with social constraints associated with greater PTSD severity among survivors with low but not high levels of support of positive interaction. In contrast, high levels of tangible support potentiated the association between social constraints and PTSD symptoms. There were no moderating effects of emotional/informational support and affectionate support. These results demonstrated the roles of different types of social support in moderating the stress imposed by social constraints. Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing the potential cultural sensitivity of ethnic minorities in PTSD intervention and mental health services for cancer patients.

Research shows that sociotropy, autonomy, and self-criticism are cognitive-personality vulnerability styles contributing significantly to the development of depression symptoms, but little is known about the factors that may protect sociotropic, autonomous, and self-critical individuals against mental health problems. The present study examined self-compassion components (i.e., self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) as potential moderators to protect these individuals from developing depression. On the basis of survey data from 345 Chinese adults in Hong Kong, the relationships between cognitive-personality vulnerability styles, self-compassion components, and depression were examined. The results of the present study show that when the effect of gender and the 2 other self-compassion components were controlled, self-kindness and mindfulness could moderate the association between autonomy and depression, and the association between self-criticism and depression, while common humanity could moderate the association between self-criticism and depression. Unexpectedly, interaction between sociotropy and mindfulness was found, with the association between sociotropy and depression being stronger among individuals with high mindfulness than it was with individuals with low mindfulness. These results suggest the differentiating role of the 3 self-compassion components in buffering autonomous and self-critical individuals from depression. Applications of self-compassion and the hypothesized moderation model in future psychological interventions are discussed. (Contains 2 tables.)

The present study tested whether the relationships among resilience, life satisfaction, and depression could be explained by positive views toward the self, the world, and the future (positive cognitive triad). Structural equation modeling and mediation analyses were conducted based on 1,419 college students in Hong Kong. The model of positive cognitive triad as mediator between resilience and well-being fit the data (comparative fit index = 0.94, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.93, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.08). Findings showed resilience to be significantly related to positive cognitions about the self, the world, and the future. Individuals who had higher level of resilience held significantly more positive cognitions and reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of depression. The utility of the positive cognitive triad as the mechanism through which resilience enhances well-being was supported. Applications in cultivating resilience and positive cognitions in counseling services are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)

Objective: Despite the increasing scholarly attention toward self-stigma among Asian breast cancer survivors, research is limited about the underlying psychological mechanisms by which self-stigma may influence quality of life for this population. The present study investigated how self-stigma is associated with quality of life among Chinese American breast cancer survivors by examining the serial mediating effects of concerns about breast cancer, self-efficacy for coping with cancer, and depressive symptoms.Methods: Chinese American breast cancer survivors (n = 112) completed a questionnaire packet assessing self-stigma related to breast cancer, concerns about breast cancer, self-efficacy for coping with cancer, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized serial multiple mediation model.Results: The hypothesized model was supported: self-stigma was negatively associated with quality of life through concerns about breast cancer, self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms. After the mediators were controlled for, the direct effect of self-stigma on quality of life was no longer significant.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that concerns about breast cancer, self-efficacy for coping, and depressive symptoms are important pathways through which self-stigma may influence quality of life among Chinese American breast cancer survivors. Healthcare practitioners should be aware of survivors' self-stigma and make efforts to alleviate survivors' excessive cancer concerns, facilitate their self-efficacy, and offer emotional support to improve quality of life for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aims to develop and validate a measure of resilience that reflects the influence of Confucian philosophies and Chinese cultural lay beliefs. Based on a representative sample of 1,419 college students from universities and a clinical sample of 214 cardiac patients in Hong Kong, reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity of the Resilience Style Questionnaire (RSQ) were examined. A two-factor structure of the RSQ was explored and validated in both samples. Results showed that the two factors of the RSQ (i.e., perseverance and optimistic approach to life) were significantly associated with a variety of mental health indicators in both samples. Furthermore, the RSQ explained additional variances above and beyond those explained by the Ego-Resiliency Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale in multiple mental health indicators among college students and cardiac patients. These findings showed that the RSQ is a reliable and valid tool in assessing resilience among Chinese and other groups influenced by Confucianism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study examines the association between social constraints and depressive symptoms among Chinese American breast cancer survivors, and the mechanism underling this association. A multiprocesses model is tested to examine the mediating roles of ambivalence over emotional expression (AEE), avoidance, intrusive thoughts, and social support in the association between social constraints and depressive symptoms among Chinese American breast cancer survivors.Methods: Ninety-six Chinese American breast cancer survivors were recruited from Chinese community organizations. They were asked to complete a questionnaire package that assessed social constraints, AEE, avoidance, intrusive thoughts, social support, depressive symptoms, and demographic information. Path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model.Results: The overall and specific indirect effects of social constraints on depressive symptoms through AEE, avoidance, intrusive thoughts, and social support are significant. When the mediators are controlled for, the direct effect of social constraints on depressive symptoms is no longer significant.Conclusions: A multiprocesses model of social constraints and depressive symptoms is tested in a sample of Chinese American breast cancer survivors. The findings suggest that the existence of multiple pathways through which social constraints may associate with depressive symptoms among Chinese American breast cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although the association between stigma and pain among stigmatized individuals has been well-established in the non-HIV chronic pain literature, little is known about the association between stigma and pain among PLHIV and the mechanisms that underlie this association. The present study examined the indirect effect of HIV stigma and pain via anxiety sensitivity (fear of anxiety symptoms). The sample included 97 PLHIV (60.2% male, Mage = 48.40, SD = 7.75). Results indicated significant and medium-sized indirect effects of HIV stigma on pain severity, pain interference, and psychological inflexibility in pain via anxiety sensitivity. Alternative models did not yield significant indirect effects. The results suggest anxiety sensitivity may explain the association between stigma and pain among PLHIV. These findings provide novel empirical insight into the nature of stigma-pain relation among PLHIV and could be used to guide pain-based intervention development for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions, self-compassion training, and cognitive behavioral therapy have garnered much evidence in its salutary effects on mental health. With increasing application of smartphone and mobile technology on health promotion, this study investigated the efficacy and possible moderators of mindfulness, self- compassion, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation training mobile apps in the improvement of mental health. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of 3 mobile app-based programs: mindfulness-based program, self-compassion program, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation program in improving mental well-being and reducing psychological distress. Changes in mindful awareness and self-compassion were also assessed. To further delineate the suitability of each program for different types of individuals, individual difference variables (ie, discomfort with emotions and tolerance for ambiguity) were explored for potential moderation. Methods: This study was a 3-arm, randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial examining the efficacy of mindfulness-based program, self- compassion program, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation. Participants were randomized into either 1 of the 3 conditions. Throughout the 4-week, 28-session program, participants spent 10-15 min daily reviewing the course content and practicing various related exercises. At preprogram, postprogram, and 3-month follow-up, participants also completed Web-based measures of mental well-being, psychological distress, mindful-awareness, and self-compassion as well as the proposed moderators. Results: Among the 2161 study participants, 508 and 349 completed the post- and 3-month follow-up assessment, respectively. All 3 conditions (mindfulness-based program: N=703; cognitive behavioral psychoeducation: N=753; self-compassion program: N=705) were found to be efficacious in improving mental well-being and reducing psychological distress. All conditions enhanced mindful awareness at postprogram. Significant interaction effect was found on self-compassion; cognitive behavioral psychoeducation and self-compassion program, but not mindfulness-based program, significantly enhanced self-compassion at postprogram. No significant differences regarding usage and users' satisfaction were found among the 3 conditions. None of the proposed moderators were found to be significant. Conclusions: Mindfulness-based, self-compassion, and cognitive behavioral psychoeducation mobile apps were efficacious in improving mental well-being and reducing psychological distress among adults at postprogram and 3-month follow-up. Future app-based psychological training programs should consider gamification and personalization of content or feedback to enhance engagement and mitigate the high attrition rates that are common in app-based health promotion programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Rural breast cancer survivors (BCS) have unique unmet psychosocial needs that affect quality of life (QOL). Expressive writing (EW) has been shown to improve QOL in cancer survivors, however, its applicability is unclear among rural individuals. This pilot study explores the feasibility and acceptability of an online expressive writing (EW) intervention among rural breast cancer survivors (BCS)., Methods: Participants (N = 34) were recruited from a cancer hospital's registry and randomly assigned to either a control group or the EW intervention group to read positive messages and to write about their cancer experience three times, once per week. Health outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the intervention. Feasibility and acceptability were also assessed., Results: The study yielded a satisfactory response rate, adherence rate, and completion rate. The majority of the participants reported enjoying the study. Preliminary analyses also demonstrated promising efficacy of the intervention, with improvements (medium effect size) observed for QOL (d = 0.51) and fatigue (d = -0.64) in the intervention group compared to the control group at 1-month follow-up., Conclusions: The study demonstrates feasibility and acceptability of an online EW intervention among rural BCS. Future research is warranted to examine the efficacy of the intervention in larger samples of rural cancer survivors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None declared., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Objective: There is growing interest in understanding people's positive changes after their negative life experiences. Previous studies have shown that coping resources, cognitive appraisal, and coping strategies are associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study aimed to extend previous findings by applying the stress and coping model and the self-determination theory to further understand the psychological factors (including basic psychological needs satisfaction and coping variables) that promote PTG., Method: An ethnically diverse sample of 454 college students participated in an online survey. A hierarchical regression was conducted to examine the associations among the coping variables and PTG., Results: After we controlled for gender, number of types of traumatic events, and the level of current distress due to the most traumatic event, results from a hierarchical regression analysis revealed that satisfaction of relatedness need, challenge appraisal, emotional expression, acceptance, and positive reframing were associated with higher PTG., Conclusions: Our findings support the facilitating role of these factors in promoting PTG. Interventions that help people to reevaluate the impact of the negative events, improve people's skills in using appropriate cognitive and emotional coping strategies, and facilitate supportive environment for psychological needs satisfaction may increase people's PTG. (PsycINFO Database Record, ((c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).)