Interoception mediates the association between social support and sociability in patients with major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND Interoception dysfunction has an important impact on the onset and development of major depressive disorder(MDD).Social support serves as a protective factor against MDD,and sociability also plays a significant role in this condition.These interconnected constructs-social support and sociability-play pivotal roles in MDD.However,no research on the mechanisms underlying the associations be-tween social support and sociability,particularly the potential role of interocep-tion,have been reported.ception,social support,and sociability,respectively.A mediation analysis model for the eight dimensions of intero-ception(noticing,not distracting,not worrying,attention regulation,emotional awareness,self-regulation,body listening,and trust),social support,and sociability were established to evaluate the mediating effects.RESULTS A partial correlation analysis of eight dimensions of the MAIA-2,SSRS,and TSBI scores,with demographic data as control variables,revealed pairwise correlations between the SSRS score and both the MAIA-2 score and TSBI score.In the major depression(MD)group,the SSRS score had a positive direct effect on the TSBI score,while the scores for body listening,emotional awareness,self-regulation,and trust in the MAIA-2C had indirect effects on the TSBI score.In the HC group,the SSRS score had a positive direct effect on the TSBI score,and the scores for attention regulation,emotional awareness,self-regulation,and trust in the MAIA-2C had indirect effects on the TSBI score.The proportion of mediators in the MD group was lower than that in the HC group.CONCLUSION Interoceptive awareness is a mediating factor in the association between social support and sociability in both HCs and depressed patients.Training in interoceptive awareness might not only help improve emotional regulation in depressed patients but also enhance their social skills and support networks.

Mediating role of social support in dysphoria,despondency,and quality of life in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

BACKGROUND Dysphoria and despondency are prevalent psychological issues in patients undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis(MHD)that significantly affect their quality of life(QOL).High levels of social support can significantly improve the physical and mental well-being of patients undergoing MHD.Currently,there is limited research on how social support mediates the relationship between dysphoria,despondency,and overall QOL in patients undergoing MHD.It is imperative to investigate this mediating effect to mitigate dysphoria and despondency in patients undergoing MHD,ultimately enhancing their overall QOL.AIM To investigate the mediating role of social support in relationships between dysphoria,despondency,and QOL among patients undergoing MHD.METHODS Participants comprised 289 patients undergoing MHD,who were selected using a random sampling approach.The Social Support Rating Scale,Self-Rating Anxiety Scale,Self-Rating Depression Scale,and QOL Scale were administered.Correlation analysis was performed to examine the associations between social support,dysphoria,despondency,and QOL in patients undergoing MHD.To assess the mediating impact of social support on dysphoria,despondency,and QOL in patients undergoing MHD,a bootstrap method was applied.RESULTS Significant correlations among social support,dysphoria,despondency,and quality in patients undergoing MHD were observed(all P<0.01).Dysphoria and despondency negatively correlated with social support and QOL(P<0.01).Dysphoria and despondency had negative predictive impacts on the QOL of patients undergoing MHD(P<0.05).The direct effect of dysphoria on QOL was statistically significant(P<0.05).Social support mediated the relationship between dysphoria and QOL,and this mediating effect was significant(P<0.05).Similarly,the direct effect of despondency on QOL was significant(P<0.05).Moreover,social support played a mediating role between despondency and QOL,with a significant mediating effect(P<0.05).CONCLUSION These findings suggest that social support plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between dysphoria,despondency,and QOL in patients undergoing MHD.

Dysfunctional attitudes,social support,negative life events,and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents:A moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND Depression is a prevalent psychological issue in adolescents that is significantly related to negative life events(NLEs)and dysfunctional attitudes.High levels of social support can significantly buffer NLEs’effect on depression.Currently,there is limited research on how social support moderates the relationship between NLEs,dysfunctional attitudes,and depression in adolescents in China.It is imperative to investigate this moderating effect to mitigate dysfunctional attitudes in adolescent undergoing depressive mood,ultimately enhancing their overall mental health.AIM To investigate the relationship and underlying mechanisms between specific dysfunctional attitudes,social support,and depression among Chinese adolescents.METHODS This is a cross-sectional study which selected five middle schools in Shandong Province for investigation in March 2022.Participants included 795 adolescents(49.87%male,mage=15.15,SD=1.84,age range=11-18 years old).All participants completed the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale,Adolescent Life Event Scale,Beck Depression Inventory,and Social Support Rating Scale.A moderated mediation model was conducted to examine the relationship between specific dysfunctional attitudes,social support,and depression.RESULTS Results indicated that NLEs affected depression through the mediating role of specific dysfunctional attitudes(autonomy attitudesβ=0.21;perfectionismβ=0.25).Moreover,social support was found to moderate the mediating effect between NLEs,specific dysfunctional attitudes,and depressive symptoms(autonomy attitudes b2=-0.08;perfectionism b2=-0.09).CONCLUSION Dysfunctional attitudes mediated and social support moderated the relationship between NLEs and depression.Social support can buffer depression symptoms among adolescents with autonomy attitudes and perfectionism.

Optimism,Social Support,and Caregiving Burden among the Long-Term Caregivers:The Mediating Effect of Psychological Resilience

Background:As the elderly population grows,the demand for long-term care services is increasing.Despite significant investments in care quality and workforce training,long-term care workers often face challenges such as work fatigue,heavy workloads,and inadequate support.These issues can impact job satisfaction,mental health,and care quality,leading to staff turnover.This study examines how optimism,social support,and psychological resilience relate to caregiving burden,aiming to understand their effects on caregivers’well-being and performance to enhance the quality of long-term care services.Methods:The participants were 542 long-term care workers.Descriptive statistics,t-tests,one-way ANOVA,and hierarchical regression were used for data analysis.Results:(1)Optimism and social support were significantly and positively correlated with psychological resilience and significantly and negatively associated with caregiving burden.(2)Regarding differences in optimism,social support,psychological resilience,and caregiving burden among long-term care workers,females scored significantly higher than males in“social support;”married workers scored significantly higher than unmarried workers in“optimism,”“social support,”and“psychological resilience”;workers aged 45–65 scored significantly higher than those aged 25–45 in“optimism”;workers aged 25–45 scored significantly higher than those aged 45–65 in“caregiving burden”;social workers scored significantly higher than nursing staff in“optimism.”(3)Psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship between social support and caregiving burden concerning explanatory and predictive power.Conclusions:These findings suggest that optimism,social support,and psychological resilience are essential factors in reducing the caregiving burden among long-term care workers.The study highlights the importance of promoting psychological resilience and providing social support to alleviate the burden of caregiving.

Enhancing adolescent mental health through cognitive and social support:Insights from study on depression in Chinese adolescents

Adolescent depression is a growing global health concern,affecting 14%of adolescents and leading to severe consequences such as academic failure,substance abuse,and suicidal ideation.The study by Yu et al,investigates the cognitive and social factors influencing depression in 795 Chinese adolescents.Findings reveal that negative life events(NLEs)and dysfunctional attitudes are strongly associated with depressive symptoms,while social support moderates the impact of NLEs but not dysfunctional attitudes.The study highlights the need for cognitivebehavioural interventions targeting perfectionism and autonomy,and the importance of strengthening social support systems in schools and communities.Culturally sensitive,holistic approaches to adolescent mental health are crucial for addressing both the internal vulnerabilities and external pressures contributing to depression.Further research is needed to explore the roles of peer and parental support and the long-term effects of these factors across diverse cultural contexts.

Correlation among anxiety and depression,fear of disease progression,and social support in coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND The mental well-being of individuals with coronary heart disease(CHD)during the intensive care unit(ICU)transition period is a multifaceted and significant concern.In this phase,the individuals might encounter psychological challenges like anxiety and depression,which can impede their recuperation and potentially have lasting effects on their health.AIM To investigate the correlation among psychological factors in CHD patients in the ICU transition period.METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted with 119 patients admitted to the ICU after coronary artery bypass grafting between March and December 2023.Variations in Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)and Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form(Fop-Q-SF),and Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS)were collected and analyzed among diverse populations.We used Pearson’s correlation analysis to examine the correlation.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore whether these indicators influenced depression and anxiety in the patients.RESULTS The total scores for anxiety,depression,fear of disease progression,and social support were(7.50±1.41)points,(8.38±1.62)points,(35.19±8.14)points,and(36.34±7.08)points,respectively(P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that both the level of disease progression and social support affected the level of postoperative depression and anxiety in patients.CONCLUSION The anxiety and depression levels were positively related to each dimension of phobia disease progression and negatively related to each dimension of social support among patients with CHD.

Correlation Analysis between Self-Disclosure and Social Support in Patients with Breast Cancer

Objective: Describe the status quo of self-disclosure and social support in breast cancer patients and analyze the correlation between them. Methods: General data questionnaire, distress disclosure Index scale and Chinese version of medical social support scale were used to investigate the correlation between self-disclosure and social support in breast cancer patients by Pearson correlation analysis. Results: 1) The total self-disclosure score was (38.75 ± 9.18);the total score of social support was (70.57 ± 14.04) scores, including emotional information support dimension (28.39 ± 6.06) scores, practical support dimension (15.62 ± 3.31) scores, elastic support dimension (14.85 ± 3.23) scores, and emotional support dimension (11.70 ± 2.56) scores. 2) Self-disclosure was positively correlated with social support (r = 0.433, p Conclusion: Breast cancer patients had a moderate level of self-disclosure, and the higher the level of self-disclosure, the better the social support. It is suggested that improving the self-disclosure level of breast cancer patients can help them obtain more social support.

The Relationship between Mental Health Literacy and Subjective Well-Being of Young and Middle-Aged Residents: Perceived the Mediating Role of Social Support and Its Urban-Rural Differences

This study investigates mental health literacy among young and middle-aged urban and rural residents and the differences in mental health literacy,perceived social support and subjective well-being.From January to February 2022,620 participants(320 rural and 300 urban residents)from three provinces of China were selected by con-venience sampling.A general data questionnaire,mental health literacy scale,perceived social support scale and subjective well-being scale were administered.The mental health literacy scores of urban residents were 3.34±0.57 and those of rural residents were 2.73±0.79.The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the mental health literacy scores of rural residents were more significant than those of urban residents in terms of sex and age,while urban residents’mental health literacy scores were more significant than those of rural resi-dents in terms of monthly income.Mental health literacy,perceived social support and subjective well-being of young and middle-aged urban and rural residents were all positively correlated(P<0.01).While the level of mental health literacy is better among urban residents than rural residents,perceived social support plays a partial mediating role between mental health literacy and subjective well-being of both urban and rural residents,and should be the focus of researchers seeking to improve the level of well-being of residents.

Relationship between Moral Elevation and Prosocial Behavior among College Students: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support and Moderating Role of Moral Identity

Objectives:The present study examined the relationship between college students’moral elevation and prosocial behavior.As well as the mediating role of perceived social support and the moderating role of moral identity.Methods:A sample of 489 college students were recruited for the study.They were asked to complete a series of questionnaires,including Moral Elevation Scale(MES),Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS),Moral Identity Scale(MIS)and Prosocial Tendency Measure(PTM).As part of the data analysis,we used correlation analysis and the method of constructing latent variable structural equation model to explore the mechanism of action among variables.Results:After controlling for gender,discipline,the research found that:(1)Moral elevation positively predicted the prosocial behavior among the college students;(2)Perceived social support mediated the relationship between moral elevation and prosocial behavior;(3)Moral identity moderated the second half of the model(i.e.,the link between perceived social support and prosocial behavior).Specifically,the mediating effect of perceived social support was stronger for college students with high-level moral identity compared to those with low-level moral identity.Conclusions:Moral identity significantly moderates the mediating effect of perceived social support,and the mediating model with moderated is established.

Relationship between primary caregivers’social support function,anxiety,and depression after interventional therapy for acute myocardial infarction patients

BACKGROUND An acute myocardial infarction(AMI)is often treated with direct coronary intervention and requires home-based rehabilitation.Caregivers of patients with AMI need adequate social support to maintain high-quality care;however,their social support function is low,and relevant indicators for intervention must be identified.AIM To analyze the correlation between social support for primary caregivers,their anxiety,and depression,when caring for patients with AMI after interventional therapy.METHODS Using convenience sampling,we selected 300 primary caregivers of patients with AMI who had undergone interventional therapy.The Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)were used to assess the primary caregivers.A Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations between the SSRS,SAS,and SDS,and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing the low social support function of primary caregivers.The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve(AUC)were used to evaluate the predictive ability of the SAS and SDS for low social support function in primary caregivers.RESULTS Considering the norm among Chinese people,AMI caregivers’objective support,subjective support,support utilization,and SSRS scores were lower,while their SAS and SDS scores were higher.The SSRS scores of female caregivers were higher than those of the male caregivers(t=2.123,P=0.035).The Pearson correlation analysis showed that objective support,subjective support,support utilization,and SSRS total scores were significantly correlated with both SAS(r=-0.414,-0.460,-0.416,-0.535)and SDS scores(r=-0.463,-0.379,-0.349,-0.472).Among the 300 AMI caregivers,56 cases(18.67%)had a low level of support function(SSRS≤22 points).Logistic regression model analysis showed that SAS and SDS were independent risk factors for low social support function of AMI caregivers,regardless of adjustment for other variables(P<0.05).SAS and SDS predicted that the AUC of AMI caregivers with low support function was 0.84,sensitivity was 67.9 and 71.4,and specificity was 84.0 and 70.9,respectively.CONCLUSION The social support function of the primary caregiver of patients with AMI after interventional therapy was lower and negatively correlated with anxiety and depression in the primary caregiver.

Relationship between perceived social support and post-traumatic growth in coronavirus disease 2019 patients discharged from the hospital

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has affected mental health and physical health negatively in some individuals.Examining perceived social support and post-traumatic growth(PTG)in COVID-19 patients could facilitate our understanding of how patients maintain their mental health.AIM To examine the relationship between the level of perceived social support and PTG in COVID-19 patients discharged from the hospital.METHODS This descriptive study was carried out between August and September 2022 with patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 in a university hospital in Erzurum and who were discharged at least 3 mo prior to the beginning of the study.The study was completed by 196 patients.Study data were collected faceto-face using a personal information form,multidimensional scale of perceived social support and PTG inventory.RESULTS The total mean score of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support was 63.82±15.72.The PTG inventory total mean score was 47.77±19.85.In addition,a direct significant correlation was found between perceived social support in COVID-19 patients and PTG.CONCLUSION The study results showed that perceived social support variables affected PTG significantly.Therefore,it is recommended for healthcare professionals to implement interventions to promote social support from healthcare professionals and the patient’s family and friends.Considering the negative effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,it is very important and necessary to implement effective public health interventions to promote PTG to reduce mental health problems.

The Relationship between Rural Left-Behind Children’s Physical Activity and Hope:The Mediating Effects of Perceived Social Support

It has been confirmed in previous studies that there is a positive correlation between physical activity and hope.In this study,rural left-behind children in China was taken as the participants to investigate the impact of physical activity on hope in rural left-behind children and examine the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between physical activity and hope.797 valid copies of the questionnaire were collected from China.Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to analyze the relationship between physical activity and hope;SEM and Bootstrap were used to test the mediating effect of perceived social support.The results show that physical activity can not only directly and positively predict the level of hope in rural leftbehind children but can also predict the level of hope through perceived social support;perceived social support plays a mediating role in the relationship between physical activity and hope.These results highlight the necessity to pay more attention to the physical activity of left-behind children and the possibility to improve the level of hope by increasing their physical activity;at the same time,the acquisition of more material,emotional and psychological support from teachers and guardians is more conducive to improving the sense of hope in left-behind children.These findings can deepen the understanding of the sense of hope in left-behind children,and provide new methods for and enlightenments on improving the level of hope in left-behind children.

Preventing Health Anxiety:The Role of Self-Evaluation,Sense of Coherence,Self-Rated Health and Perceived Social Support

Background:Components of Self,completed with the perceived social support determine the individual differences in theevaluation of a stressor and the behavioral responses toward it,such as health-related anxiety.The study set as a goal theanalysis of associations between the components of Self,such as self-evaluation,sense of coherence,perceived social support,and reported health-related anxiety in an adult sample.Methods:147 adults from the 18–73 age group(mean age 37.5)voluntarily completed the questionnaire through Qualtrics online platform containing the Short Health Anxiety Inventory,Core Self-Evaluation Scale,Social Support Assessing Scale,and one Health Self-Evaluation Item.Results:ANOVA foundrelevant differences in total scores and subscales’scores of the health anxiety scale depending on the positive self-evaluation.Linear regression shows that the analyzed variables were responsible for the prediction of a higher value on the“Perceivedprobability of becoming ill”subscale in a proportion of 45.6%and for the“Perceived consequence of illness”subscale in aproportion of 20.2%The predictive value of the linear regression model for the total score on the health anxiety scale was46.3%.Our findings show that negative Core Self-Evaluation is linked with perceived health anxiety.Conclusions:Selfevaluation,sense of coherence and perceived social support influence the perceived health and can explain the differences inthe reported health-related anxiety.

Effect of Family Cohesion on Depression of Chinese College Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Chain Mediation Effect of Perceived Social Support and Intentional Self-Regulation

Individuals’perceptions,attitudes,and patterns of getting along with family members are important factors influencing Chinese people’s self-evaluation.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of family cohesion on depression and the role of perceived social support and intentional self-regulation in this association.A hypothesized model of the association of family cohesion,perceived social support,intentional self-regulation,and depression was examined.A convenience sampling method was used to survey 1,180 college students in Yunnan Province using self-report.Data were collected using the Family Cohesion Scale,the Perceived Social Support Scale,the Intentional Self-Regulation Scale,and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.The findings revealed low to moderate correlation between the variables studied.College students’family cohesion was a negative predictor of their depression.This association was also mediated by the knock-on effect of perceived social support and intentional self-regulation.These findings show how family cohesion affects college students’depressive status.Specifically,these results help demonstrate the importance of family cohesion,perceived social support,and intentional self-regulation in optimizing students’depression,which in turn can promote better psychological states.

Gender Differences in the Incidence and Related Factors of Low Social Support among Adolescents with Subthreshold Depression

Background:Social support is related to depression,but the gender differences and related factors that contribute to low social support among adolescents with subthreshold depression remain to be elucidated.This study explores the relationship between social support and depression,in addition to the gender difference in the incidence of low social support among adolescents with subthreshold depression and its related factors.Methods:A total of 371 Chinese adolescents with subthreshold depression were recruited.All subjects were rated on the Social Support Scale for Adolescents,the Response Style Scale,the Self-Perception Profile for Children,the Individualism-collectivism scale.Results:Binary logistic regression indicated that the stability dimension of cognitive style,the generality dimension of the Cognitive Style Questionnaire,and the social acceptance dimension of the Self-Perception Profile for Children scale were significantly correlated with social support level in male adolescents with subthreshold depression.In contrast,the total score of the Self-Perception Profile for Children scale,the social acceptance of the Self-Perception Profile for Children scale,total individualism,and total collectivism were significantly correlated with social support level in female adolescents with subthreshold depression.Limitations:This study is a cross-sectional study,and its effectiveness in explaining factors that influence levels of social support is limited.Conclusions:The gender difference between low social support among adolescents with subthreshold depression is related to cognitive style,self-perception,and collectivism–individualism.

A Clinical Investigation: Study on Psychosocial Characteristics, Social Support and Intervention Strategies of Outpatient Cancer Pain Patients

Background and Objective: The presence of pain in cancer patients is a prevalent concomitant symptom, exerting significant impacts on their physical, psychological, and social functioning. However, the psychological and social aspects are often overlooked. This study aims to explore the factors influencing the provision of psychological and social support for patients experiencing cancer-related pain while proposing intervention measures to enhance treatment compliance, confidence levels, and overall quality of life. Materials and Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 108 patients with moderate to severe advanced cancer pain who had received outpatient analgesia treatment for at least one month were selected as the study subjects. The psychological characteristics and social support of these patients were further examined using the Self-Rating Symptom Scale (SCL-90) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). The influencing factors were compared with the national norms. Results: The total score of SCL-90 was significantly different from that of the domestic norm (P < 0.05), and the total score of social support was significantly different from that of the domestic norm (P < 0.01). In addition to hostile symptoms, Somatic, obsessive, sensitive, depression, anxiety, terror, paranoia, psychosis and other symptoms were correlated with subjective support (P 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with cancer pain are more vulnerable to physical symptoms, psychological distress, lack of social support, and other contributing factors. Implementing standardized treatment protocols can effectively alleviate physical symptoms while also emphasizing the importance of psychosocial interventions to address negative emotions and enhance social support. By bolstering patient confidence through these measures, we can ultimately improve treatment outcomes and enhance patients’ overall quality of life.

Assessing the current situation and the influencing factors affecting perceived stigma among older patients after leukemia diagnosis

BACKGROUND Psychological problems are becoming increasingly prominent among older patients with leukemia,with patients potentially facing stigmatization after diagnosis.However,there is limited research on the stigma experienced by these patients and the factors that may contribute to it.AIM To investigate the stigma faced by older patients after being diagnosed with leukemia and to analyze the potential influencing factors.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical data obtained from questionnaire surveys,interviews,and the medical records of older patients with leukemia admitted to the Hengyang Medical School from June 2020 to June 2023.The data obtained included participants’basic demographic information,medical history,leukemia type,family history of leukemia,average monthly family income,pension,and tendency to conceal illness.The Chinese versions of the Social Impact Scale(SIS),Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)were used to assess indicators related to stigma,social support,and mental health status.We used Pearson’s correlation coefficient to analyze the strength and direction of the relationship between the scores of each scale,and regression analysis to explore the factors related to the stigma of older patients with leukemia after diagnosis.RESULTS Data from 120 patients with leukemia aged 65-80 years were analyzed.The total score on the SIS and PSSS was 43.60±4.07 and 37.06±2.87,respectively.The SAS score was 58.35±8.32 and the SDS score was 60.58±5.97.The stigma experienced by older leukemia patients was negatively correlated with social support(r=-0.691,P<0.05)and positively correlated with anxiety and depression(r=0.506,0.382,P<0.05).Age,education level,smoking status,average monthly family income,pension,and tendency to conceal illness were significantly associated with the participants’level of stigma(P<0.05).Age,smoking status,social support,anxiety,and depression were predictive factors of stigmatization among older leukemia patients after diagnosis(all P<0.05),with a coefficient of determination(R2)of 0.644 and an adjusted R2 of 0.607.CONCLUSION Older patients commonly experience stigmatization after being diagnosed with leukemia.Factors such as age,smoking status,social support,and psychological well-being may influence older patients’reported experience of stigma.

Unraveling the complexities of adolescent depression:A call for action

The adolescent years are a period of profound change,both physically and psychologically.For many,these years are marked by excitement and exploration,but for others,they are fraught with challenges that can lead to significant mental health issues.Depression,in particular,has become an increasingly prevalent concern among adolescents worldwide,and its multifaceted etiology requires a comprehensive approach to understanding and intervention.A recent study on the relationships among negative life events,dysfunctional attitudes,social support,and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between various factors contributing to adolescent depression.The authors explore a moderated mediation model to better understand how these factors interact with and contribute to the onset of depression.This article aims to delve into the key findings of the study,highlight its implications for clinical practice,and encourage further research in this critical area.

Suicide Ideation and Its Associated Factors among Men in Selected Compounds of Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Globally, it is estimated that more than 800,000 individuals die by suicide each year, making suicide one of the biggest causes of death worldwide. Additionally, suicide kills far more males than women, more so in developing regions that are characterized by economic distress due to low income. Although the number of suicide cases has been seen to increase from 2013 to date, limited studies provide information on the factors influencing the trend. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the prevalence of suicidal ideation and factors associated with suicide in males in selected compounds of Lusaka. Methods: The study used an analytical quantitative cross- sectional study design that involved 367 men in Mtendere and Kaunda Square townships in Lusaka district, Zambia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from participants, which was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. The Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to test relationships among variables at a five percent level of significance. Ethical approval and clearance was obtained from the National Health Research Authority. Results: Participants had a median age of 29 years (IQR, 27 - 32 years), 216 (58.9%) were single and 278 (75.8%) attained tertiary education. Under a quarter, 75 (20.4%) reported suicide ideations, and 97 (26.4%) reported low social support. For most participants, 347 (94.7%) experienced at least one stressful life event, and 359 (97.8%) experienced severe levels of stress. Under half, 170 (46.3%) were alcohol dependent, while 54 (14.7%) used alcohol harmfully. Suicide ideation was significantly associated with marital status (p Conclusion: Suicide ideation is relatively high among men in Mtendere and Kaunda Square townships, mainly influenced by marital status, education level, social support, stressful events alcohol abuse. Efforts must be channeled towards suicide awareness campaigns, and establishment of supportive environments in health facilities which can make it easy for men to open up about their struggles.

Health-related quality of life among congestive heart failure patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction

Objective:To determine factors that affect the health-related quality of life(HRQOL)of congestive heart failure(CHF)patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used for this study.The stratified random sampling was applied for each subgroup.HRQOL was measured with the Minnesota Living with Hear t Failure Questionnaire.The data were analyzed using chi-square,Spearman's correlation analysis,and independent t-test.Results:A number of 67 respondents participated in the recent study.The total mean scores of HRQOL were significantly different(P=0.001)between heart failure(HF)patients with reduced and preserved ejection fractions,41.07±7.54 and 54.97±4.36,respectively.It related with the physical(mean±standard deviation[SD]=10.4±2.14;t=-10.08,95%CI=-12.46 to-8.34;P-value=0.001)and psychological(mean±SD=3.5±0.5;t=-6.68,95%CI=-4.55 to-2.45;P-value=0.001)domain.Strong correlation was found between age(r=-0.898,P<0.05),NYHA functional classes(r=-0.858,P<0.01),duration of HF(r=-0.807,P<0.01),family support(r=0.927,P<0.01),and quality of life(Qo L).Conclusions:HRQOL in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction was higher than in those with preserved ejection fraction.Family suppor t is a fur ther determinant factor that has a positive correlation to the Qo L.