Family Dynamics in Sleep Health and Hypertension

Social relational quality and ethical climate as the predictors of sleep quality in employees of the operating room: a hierarchical linear regression analysis

INTRODUCTION

Sleep quality is a crucial aspect that can affect the health, job performance, and safety outcomes of operating room employees. However, the social and work-environmental factors that predict sleep quality remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of social relational quality and ethical climate as the predictors of sleep quality in employees of the operating room using hierarchical linear regression analysis.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and multi-center study was conducted on 232 operating room employees. Data were collected using the social relational quality scale, Hospital Ethical Climate Survey, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Pearson's correlation coefficient, ANOVA, t-test, and hierarchical multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The mean scores of social relational quality and standardized ethical climate were 54.80(SD = 6.35) and 3.40(SD = 0.68) in the operating room employees. The mean score of sleep quality was 6.70(SD = 3.66) which was in the poor range. The last step of regression analysis showed that profession (β=-0.22, p = .02) and social relational quality (β=-0.20, p = .03) had a significant proportion of the variance of sleep quality. Based on the model, work experience, profession, social relational quality, and ethical climate accounted for 15% of the changes in sleep quality in the operating room employees.

DISCUSSION

This study indicated that more than half of the operating room employees reported poor sleep quality. Moreover, profession and social relational quality were the predictors of sleep quality. Conducting interventions to improve social relational quality might enhance the sleep quality of operating room employees.

Utility of a Wearable Tracker to Assess Sleep Quality in Nurses and Their Spouses: A Prospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Sleep disturbances among nurses engaged in night duty and their spouses need to be improved to ensure their ability to provide care and perform daily tasks. Therefore, an objective investigation is needed to establish a sleep improvement strategy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the utility of a sleep tracker to assess sleep quality in nurses and spouses.

METHOD

Nurses (n = 30) and spouses (n = 30) wore a sleep tracker for 14 days to investigate sleep scores. Sleep quality and number of steps were evaluated by Fitbit. They responded to the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting sleep quality.

RESULTS

Factors affecting sleep scores in nurses were hypnotic medication, night duty, and steps, while those in spouses were mental instability, hypnotic medication, alcohol, night duty, and steps. Factors affecting the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire in nurses were household chores, night duty, and steps, while those in spouses were hypnotic medication and steps.

CONCLUSION

The sleep quality of nurses was affected by household chores, hypnotic medication, night duty, and steps. Besides the factors of nurses, spouses were affected by mental instability and alcohol. Night duty affected negativity in both nurses and spouses. Steps exerted positive effects in both the sleep tracker and the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire. The sleep tracker may be useful for identifying factors that improve sleep quality.

Exposure to maternal experiences of IPV in early childhood and sleep health in adolescence

BACKGROUND

Half of US women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV), and nearly all children in families experiencing such violence will be exposed. The negative effects of IPV exposure on children's mental and physical health are well-documented; however, less is known about effects on children's sleep health, a key marker of well-being.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the associations of early childhood exposure to maternal experiences of IPV with sleep health in adolescence, focusing on multiple dimensions of sleep health and differences by child sex.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

We rely on data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a population-based study following 5000 children in large US cities, from birth to age 15. Analyses are based on 2687 adolescents interviewed at the year-15 follow-up.

METHODS

Early childhood exposure to IPV is based on mothers' reports of her experiences of IPV from the child's birth to age 5. Adolescent sleep health is measured using 6 items approximating the BEARS sleep problem scale, at age 15. We estimate multivariate linear regression models to examine associations of early childhood IPV exposure with adolescent sleep health and stratify models by child sex.

RESULTS

Early childhood IPV exposure is associated with worse overall sleep health (β = 0.08; p < 0.001) and multiple dimensions of poor sleep health in adolescence. Associations are notably stronger among girls than boys.

CONCLUSIONS

The strong and lasting associations of early childhood exposure to IPV with adolescents' sleep health, particularly among girls, has important consequences for addressing adolescent health disparities.

Dyadic sleep intervention for adult patients with cancer and their sleep-partner caregivers: A feasibility study

OBJECTIVES

Sleep disturbances are common among adult patients with cancer and their caregivers. To our knowledge, no sleep intervention to date has been designed to be provided to both patients with cancer and their caregivers simultaneously. This single-arm study aimed to pilot test the feasibility and acceptability, and to illustrate the preliminary efficacy on sleep efficiency of the newly developed dyadic sleep intervention, My Sleep Our Sleep (MSOS: NCT04712604).

METHODS

Adult patients who were newly diagnosed with a gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and their sleep-partner caregivers (n = 20 persons: 10 dyads, 64 years old, 60% female patients, 20% Hispanic, 28 years relationship duration), both of whom had at least mild levels of sleep disturbance (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] ≥ 5) participated in this study. MSOS intervention consists of four 1-hour weekly sessions delivered using Zoom to the patient-caregiver dyad together.

RESULTS

We were able to enroll 92.9% of the eligible and screened patient-caregiver dyads within 4 months. Participants reported high satisfaction in 8 domains (average 4.76 on a 1-5 rating). All participants agreed that the number of sessions, interval (weekly), and delivery mode (Zoom) were optimal. Participants also preferred attending the intervention with their partners. Both patients and caregivers showed improvement in sleep efficiency after completing the MSOS intervention: Cohen's d = 1.04 and 1.47, respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

Results support the feasibility and acceptability, as well as provide the preliminary efficacy of MSOS for adult patients with GI cancer and their sleep-partner caregivers. Findings suggest the need for more rigorous controlled trial designs for further efficacy testing of MSOS intervention.

Psychosocial and environmental risk factors of obesity and hypertension in children and adolescents-a literature overview

Childhood obesity has become a worldwide epidemic in the 21st century. Its treatment is challenging and often ineffective, among others due to complex, often not obvious causes. Awareness of the existence and meaning of psychosocial and environmental risk factors seems to be an essential element in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications, especially arterial hypertension. In this review, we will discuss the role of that risk factors linking obesity and increased cardiovascular disorders including the role of nutritional factors (including the role of unhealthy diet, inadequate hydration), unhealthy behaviors (e.g. smoking, alcohol and drugs, sedentary behavior, low physical activity, disrupted circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, screen exposure), unfavorable social factors (such as dysfunctional family, bullying, chronic stress, mood disorders, depression, urbanization, noise, and environmental pollution), and finally differences in cardiovascular risk in girls and boys.

Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis Using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS Reveals Metabolic Changes Associated with Hypertension in Children

The mechanism of hypertension in children remains elusive. The objective of this study was to analyze plasma metabolomics characteristics to explore the potential mechanism of hypertension in children. Serum samples from 29 control children, 38 children with normal body mass index and simple hypertension (NBp), 8 children overweight with simple hypertension (OBp), 37 children with normal body mass index and H-type hypertension (NH) and 19 children overweight with H-type hypertension (OH) were analyzed by non-targeted metabolomics. A total of 1235 differential metabolites were identified between children with hypertension and normal controls, of which 193 metabolites including various lipids were significantly expressed. Compared with the control group, 3-dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, oleic acid and linoleic acid were up-regulated, and gamma-muricholic acid was down-regulated in the NBp group; 3-dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 4-acetamidobutanoate and 1-hexadecanoyl-2-octadecadienoyl-sn-glyero-3-phosphocholine were up-regulated in the OBp group, whereas adenosine and 1-myristoyl-sn-glyero-3-phosphocholine were down-regulated; in the NH group, 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, phenol and 3-methoxytyramine were up-regulated, while pentadecanoic acid was down-regulated; in the OH group, NG,NG-dimethyl-L-arginine, 1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and monoethyl phthalate were up-regulated, while phloretin and glycine were down-regulated. The results showed that the children with hypertension had obvious disorders of lipid metabolism (especially in the overweight hypertension group), which led to the occurrence of hypertension. Additionally, the concentration of NO production-related NG, NG-dimethyl-L-arginine, was significantly increased, which may play an important role in H-type hypertension in children.

The influence of routine and leisure family activities on the ability of young Asian Americans to maintain a healthy lifestyle: findings from a nationwide survey

Family is uniquely influential in the health of young Asian Americans (AAs), yet little is known on the impact of specific shared family activities. This study explores different types and frequencies of AA young adult shared family activities on perceived familial influence on the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle (diet, physical activity, sleep, social relationships, stress, and risky substances). A nationwide sample of 18-35-year-old AAs was surveyed in March 2021 on a list of 30 shared family activities with mothers, fathers, siblings, or extended family. Overall, 984 unique family relationships reported by 616 young AAs were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis synthesized a reliable two-factor (routine, leisure activities) 10-item Shared Activities with Family (SAF) scale. Mothers were most influential (mean 3.25, SD = 1.14), although shared activities among South Asians or with extended family were most associated with changes in perceived influence. Routine shared activities were more strongly associated with perceived influence on sleep, diet, and risky substances, while leisure shared activities were more associated with influence on developing healthy social relationships. Family-based, dyadic interventions for young AAs may incorporate shared activities (both routine and leisure) to promote healthy behaviors, although further research to explore mechanisms and directionality of influence is needed to inform action.

The Predictive Effects of Family and Individual Wellbeing on University Students' Online Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed university students' life routines, such as prolonged stay at home and learning online without prior preparation. Identifying factors influencing student online learning has become a great concern of educators and researchers. The present study aimed to investigate whether family wellbeing (i.e., family support and conflict) would significantly predict university students' online learning effectiveness indicated by engagement and gains. The mediational role of individual wellbeing such as life satisfaction and sleep difficulties was also tested. This study collected data from 511 undergraduate students (Mean age = 20.04 ± 1.79 years, 64.8% female students) via an online survey. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed positive effects of family support on students' learning engagement and gains through the mediational effects of life satisfaction and sleep difficulties. In contrast to our expectation, family conflict during the pandemic also positively predicted students' learning gains, which, however, was not mediated by individual wellbeing. The findings add value to the existing literature by delineating the inter-relationships between family wellbeing, individual wellbeing, and online learning effectiveness. The study also sheds light on the unique meaning of family conflict, which needs further clarification in future studies.

Bidirectional spillover across days between family assistance and physical health experiences during adolescence

Helping the family may either promote or undermine adolescents' physical health and well-being. Adolescents (N = 396, 58% female, Mage = 14.57 years) completed diary checklists for 14 days, reporting whether they provided instrumental assistance (e.g., tangible tasks) and emotional support (e.g., listening, giving advice) to family, as well as their amount of physical activity, sleep, and physical symptoms (e.g., headache, backpain) each day. After providing emotional support, adolescents slept more that night and experienced fewer physical symptoms the next day, over and above prior day levels. When adolescents provided instrumental assistance on school days (but not nonschool days), they engaged in less physical activity that day. These results were consistent across individual differences in gender, age, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. In addition, bidirectional associations emerged such that adolescents were more likely to provide instrumental assistance on days after they slept more. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Protecting Families: A Qualitative Study on the Implementation of Protective Measures to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission

BACKGROUND: Health protocol compliance among family members can help curb the spread of COVID-19. However, not all families or family members can easily navigate the changes brought about by the pandemic; hence, minimizing virus transmission remains a challenge. AIM: Therefore, observing how families implement health protocols in daily life will reveal the challenges and opportunities, and inform public health policies. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study by collecting data through phone interviews from November 2020 to February 2021. Eighteen families with a total of 30 individuals participated in this study. The interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The analysis shows that participants were actively involved in implementing protective measures to prevent transmission among their family members. Five themes emerged from the data, namely fundamental concerns, restraints and constraints, pandemic roles, compromises, and intergenerational attitudes. The themes described the families’ lives during the pandemic, their efforts in protecting family members, and the dynamic within the families related to the implementation of COVID-19 protective measures. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that families could play a key role in both protecting and compromising the health of their family members. Families respond to the health crisis actively, but at times increase the risk to virus exposure because they have to continue going about their daily lives.

The Military Service Sleep Assessment: an instrument to assess factors precipitating sleep disturbances in U.S. military personnel

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Military personnel frequently experience sleep difficulties, but little is known regarding which military or life events most impact their sleep. The Military Service Sleep Assessment (MSSA) was developed to assess the impact of initial military training, first duty assignment, permanent change of station, deployments, redeployments, and stressful life events on sleep. This study presents an initial psychometric evaluation of the MSSA and descriptive data in a cohort of service members.

METHODS

The MSSA was administered to 194 service members in a military sleep disorders clinic as part of a larger study.

RESULTS

Average sleep quality on the MSSA was 2.14 (on a Likert scale, with 1 indicating low and 5 indicating high sleep quality), and 72.7% (n = 140) of participants rated their sleep quality as low to low average. The events most reported to negatively impact sleep were stressful life events (41.8%), followed by deployments (40.6%). Military leadership position (24.7%) and birth/adoption of a child (9.7%) were the most frequently reported stressful life events to negatively impact sleep. There were no significant differences in current sleep quality among service members with a history of deployment compared with service members who had not deployed.

CONCLUSIONS

The MSSA is the first military-specific sleep questionnaire. This instrument provides insights into the events during a service member's career, beyond deployments, which precipitate and perpetuate sleep disturbances and likely chronic sleep disorders. Further evaluation of the MSSA in nontreatment-seeking military populations and veterans is required.

Family as a health promotion setting: A scoping review of conceptual models of the health-promoting family

BACKGROUND

The family is a key setting for health promotion. Contemporary health promoting family models can establish scaffolds for shaping health behaviors and can be useful tools for education and health promotion.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this scoping review is to provide details as to how conceptual and theoretical models of the health promoting potential of the family are being used in health promotion contexts.

DESIGN

Guided by PRISMA ScR guidelines, we used a three-step search strategy to find relevant papers. This included key-word searching electronic databases (Medline, PSycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL), searching the reference lists of included studies, and intentionally searching for grey literature (in textbooks, dissertations, thesis manuscripts and reports.).

RESULTS

After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the overall search generated 113 included manuscripts/chapters with 118 unique models. Through our analysis of these models, three main themes were apparent: 1) ecological factors are central components to most models or conceptual frameworks; 2) models were attentive to cultural and other diversities, allowing room for a wide range of differences across family types, and for different and ever-expanding social norms and roles; and 3) the role of the child as a passive recipient of their health journey rather than as an active agent in promoting their own family health was highlighted as an important gap in many of the identified models.

CONCLUSIONS

This review contributes a synthesis of contemporary literature in this area and supports the priority of ecological frameworks and diversity of family contexts. It encourages researchers, practitioners and family stakeholders to recognize the value of the child as an active agent in shaping the health promoting potential of their family context.