Psychology

Diabetes is a major public health concern and is significantly linked to mental illness and adverse health outcomes. Aim The overarching goal of this study was to characterize the association between biopsychosocial factors and glycemic control among inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subjects and methods A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted to examine biopsychosocial variables obtained from 345 inpatients of a general hospital in Puerto Rico. Results Descriptive and non-parametric analyses revealed the mean age of this sample was 62.75 years of age, 95% CI [61.17, 64.32]. and 53% were female. Sixty-two percent (62.6%) evidenced poor glycemic control and the average glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 8.18%, 95% CI [7.94, 8.43]. Younger age was significantly linked to higher HbA1c levels r(N = 345) = − 0.276, p ≤ 0.001 and patients with lower monthly household income evidenced poorer glycemic control, χ 2 (5) = 13.12, p = 0.022. Conclusion These findings reveal a significant relationship between age, income level, and glycemic control. Future studies exploring the psychosocial mechanisms that uniquely link social determinants and glycemic control are warranted.

OBJECTIVE To assess needs perceptions regarding the importance of and satisfaction with psychosocial support among cancer patients and survivors in Puerto Rico. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in 181 participants (70 men and 111 women) who were either undergoing cancer treatment (patients) or had completed cancer treatment (survivors). Participants completed a sociodemographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, and the Psychosocial Needs Inventory (PNI). RESULTS The participants reported having or having had prostate (36%) or breast (32%) cancer or some other cancer type (32%). Of the 149 participants reporting cancer type, 130 were classified as having a high perceived level of health and quality of life, and 19 were classified as having a low perceived level of health and quality of life. In terms of perceived needs, the highest level of importance were assigned to the Support Network (e.g. family, friends, neighbors, care professionals; M = 2.88, SD = 0.43)...

George Scott (  [email protected] ) Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Ponce Health Sciences University https://orcid.org/00000002-3132-9488 Alessandra Beauchamp-Lebrón Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Ponce Health Sciences University Ashley Rosa-Jiménez Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Ponce Health Sciences University Javier Hernández-Justiniano Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Ponce Health Sciences University Axel Ramos-Lucca Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Ponce Health Sciences University Gloria Asencio-Toro Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Ponce Health Sciences University Julio Jiménez-Chávez Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Ponce Health Sciences University

Cancer education is essential for improving cancer prevention and biobanking knowledge among racial-ethnic minorities, with the goal of increasing diversity and representativeness of biospecimen collections. However, little is known about the communication modalities for optimal delivery of information. We examined feasibility of recruitment and compared communication modalities for delivering cancer prevention and biobanking education to Hispanics. Communication modalities were evaluated using participation rates and change in knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, intention, receptivity, and trust. Enrollment in a biobanking registry was a behavioral outcome. Community members in Ponce, Puerto Rico and Tampa, Florida were recruited. Participants (N = 254) were randomized to one of three communication modalities: standard dissemination (mailed materials); enhanced dissemination (mailed materials plus follow-up call); and 'charla' (face-to-face group discussion). Participants ...

Early life stress, such as maternal separation, has been associated with depressive-like symptoms in adult rats. Previous studies have linked depression with reduced activation of microglia in different parts of the brain. Microglia are important for neuronal transmission and plasticity, both of which are affected by stress. However, whether developmental stress alters microglial function to cause depression in adulthood is not fully understood. We hypothesized that exposing rats to early life stress would lead to depressive-like symptoms in adults that would be associated with reduce microglial levels in the brain. To test this hypothesis, male and female rats were maternally separated for 3 hours a day starting at post-natal day 1 for 14 days. After the rats reached adolescence (P28), they were exposed to repeated restraint stress for 2 hours a day for 14 days. Rats were then housed in their home cages until adulthood. Then, the rats were tested in the zero maze to measure their a...