Sexual identities and sexual health within the Celtic nations: An exploratory study of men who have sex with men recruited through social media.

Associations of sexual identity with a range of sexual and sexual health behaviours were investigated amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). Data from 1816 MSM recruited from 4 Celtic nations (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) were collected via a cross-sectional online survey advertised via social media. About 18.

Catastrophizing Mediates the Relationship Between the Personal Belief in a Just World and Pain Outcomes Among Chronic Pain Support Group Attendees.

Health-related research suggests the belief in a just world can act as a personal resource that protects against the adverse effects of pain and illness. However, currently, little is known about how this belief, particularly in relation to one's own life, might influence pain. Consistent with the suggestions of previous research, the present study undertook a secondary data analysis to investigate pain catastrophizing as a mediator of the relationship between the personal just world belief and chronic pain outcomes in a sample of chronic pain support group attendees.

Interventions to increase condom use among middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review of theoretical bases, behaviour change techniques, modes of delivery and treatment fidelity.

This systematic review collates, examines and syntheses condom use interventions for middle-aged and older adults. Associations between effectiveness and theoretical basis, behaviour change techniques, mode of delivery and treatment fidelity were explored. Five interventions were included; one was effective.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening as a patient safety initiative: using patients' experiences to improve the quality of screening practices.

Aims And Objectives: To explore the patient experience and acceptability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening of inpatient admissions to acute hospital settings.

Background: Prevention of healthcare-associated infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a major patient safety concern internationally. Screening of patients for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonisation is becoming a routine aspect of hospital admission; however, evidence of the patient experience and acceptability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening is limited.

Factors associated with recency of HIV testing amongst men residing in Scotland who have sex with men.

Rates of HIV testing are increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Scotland and the UK. However, it remains vital to encourage MSM to test for HIV. The aim of the current study was to determine which factors discriminated among three groups of MSM: those tested for HIV within the previous year, those who had tested over one year previously, and those who had never tested.

Breaking the habit: a qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation in people with enduring mental health problems.

Background: Smoking in people with mental health problems (MHPs) is an important public health concern as rates are two to three times higher than in the general population. While a strong evidence base exists to encourage and support smoking cessation in the wider population, there is limited evidence to guide the tailoring of interventions for people with MHPs, including minimal understanding of their needs. This paper presents findings from theoretically-driven formative research which explored the barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation in people with MHPs.

Sexually transmitted infection testing and self-reported diagnoses among a community sample of men who have sex with men, in Scotland.

Introduction: To examine sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and self-reported diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM), in Scotland.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of seven Glasgow gay bars in July 2010 (n=822, 62% response rate); 693 are included in the analyses.

Results: 81.

Just world beliefs moderate the relationship of pain intensity and disability with psychological distress in chronic pain support group members.

The impact of pain beliefs on coping and adjustment is well established. However, less is known about how beliefs unrelated to pain might impact upon this experience. In particular, just world beliefs could impact upon and be influenced by chronic pain, given that pain is not experienced in a vacuum but instead is experienced in a social context where justice issues are potentially salient.

Family caregivers of older relatives: ways of coping and change in distress.

The aim of this secondary analysis was to examine the relationships between the ways in which caregivers coped with caregiving stressors and their experience of distress over time. Three coping subscales were derived from the Carers' Assessment of Management Index (CAMI) coping scale: "maintaining balance", "focusing on caregiving" and "avoidance". A proportional (relative) scoring technique was applied.

'That was my old life; it's almost like a past-life now': identity crisis, loss and adjustment amongst people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The interviews centred on the experience of living with the condition from the participants' own perspectives. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Notification of syphilis test results by telephone: acceptability ratings in a community-based sample of Scottish gay men.

Notifying patients of the results of syphilis testing by telephone can be cost-effective for clinic staff. This study compared the acceptability ratings among potential patients of three methods of learning of syphilis test results: with a call to a mobile phone; with a call to a home phone; and with the patient phoning in for results. A questionnaire was distributed to male clients of gay venues in Glasgow, Scotland, during 2005 (n = 150).

A mixed method study to compare use and experience of hospital care and a nurse-led acute respiratory assessment service offering home care to people with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Over the past 10 years hospital at home schemes for the treatment of an acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease have proliferated throughout developed countries. For selected patients treatment at home is no less advantageous in terms of readmission rates and length of stay than treatment in hospital. Although care at home might seem to be a more desirable option than admission to hospital, little is known about care preferences and how people exercise service choice.

Effects of age on symptoms of anxiety and depression in a sample of retired police officers.

This study addressed the effects of age on anxiety and depressive symptoms. The analysis was based on the responses of 1,334 retired male Scottish police officers (34-94 years old) to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the partialed linear and curvilinear effects of symptoms of, separately, anxiety and depression on age and retirement variables.

The intentions of gay men in taking an HIV test.

The objective of this study was to determine the contributions of a range of psychosocial, demographic and behavioural variables to gay men's intentions to take an HIV test. A cross-sectional self-report survey was undertaken. Researchers approached patrons of all known gay bars in Glasgow and Edinburgh during May 2000.

Re-appraising HIV testing: an exploration of the psychosocial costs and benefits associated with learning one's HIV status in a purposive sample of Scottish gay men.

Objective: This study explored contemporary understandings of the psychosocial costs and benefits associated with learning one's HIV status within a purposive sample of Scottish gay men. It seeks to provide insight into the psychosocial factors associated with decision-making processes relating to the HIV antibody test.

Method: Transcripts of one-to-one interviews (N = 19) and four focus groups (N = 18) were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

The disclosure of a diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder: determinants of satisfaction in a sample of Scottish parents.

Satisfaction with disclosure of the diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder was investigated using a self-report questionnaire completed by 126 parents. On a rating of satisfaction, 55 percent indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the disclosure. Parents were more likely to be satisfied if they gave positive ratings to the manner of the professional and the quality of the information provided; if they had been given written information and the opportunity to ask questions; and if their early suspicions had been accepted by professionals.

Hearing disability: a source of distress for older people and carers.

Many older people develop hearing disability: however, only a small proportion who would benefit from a hearing aid own one. Communication is a shared experience that can be substantially limited by hearing difficulty, so this lack of hearing aid provision is likely to affect both individuals and those around them. This study, a randomized, controlled trial, was designed to examine the influence of hearing aid provision on dependent older people and caring family members who lived together within multigeneration households.