Publications by authors named "Karen M Zhang"
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian cancer patients, focusing on levels of distress and post-traumatic growth (PTG).
- A survey conducted from February to December 2021 revealed that significant portions of patients reported severe depression, anxiety, and emotional distress, while 43% experienced high PTG.
- Factors such as social difficulties, gender, education level, and safety behaviors influenced levels of distress and PTG, highlighting the need for tailored post-pandemic care strategies for cancer patients.
Background: Nurses' suboptimal physical activity (PA) levels place them at high risk for cardiovascular diseases. Little is known about the motivational factors that influence their PA behavior.
Purpose: This study drew on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to investigate whether associations between nurses' levels of mood disturbance, psychological need satisfaction (competence, autonomy, and relatedness), and self-determined motivation predict levels of objectively assessed PA.
Objective: To examine whether explaining causal links among endothelial pathophysiology, cardiac risk factors, symptoms and health behaviors (termed causal information) enhances patients' depth of knowledge about cardiovascular disease self-management and their perceptions of the cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention (CRSP) program.
Methods: Newly referred CRSP patients (N = 94) were cluster randomized to usual care (control; UC) or usual care with causal information (intervention; UC + CI). Depth of knowledge (factual vs.
Objective: To determine whether explaining the causal links between illness management and symptom reduction would help younger and older adults learn and apply health information.
Method: Ninety younger and 51 older adults read about a fictitious disease with or without explanations about the cause-and-effects (causal information) of illness management. A knowledge test (applied vs.
Objective: To describe the life goals of heart failure (HF) patients and to determine whether adherence is influenced by the extent to which these priorities are perceived as compatible with HF self-care regimens.
Method: Forty HF outpatients identified their top-five life goals and indicated the compatibility of HF self-care regimens (diet, exercise, weighing) with these priorities. HF knowledge, self-efficacy and reported adherence were also assessed.