Given recent attention to emotion regulation as a potentially unifying function of diverse symptom presentations, there is a need for comprehensive measures that adequately assess difficulties in emotion regulation among adults. This paper (a) proposes an integrative conceptualization of emotion regulation as involving not just the modulation of emotional arousal, but also the awareness, understanding, and acceptance of emotions, and the ability to act in desired ways regardless of emotional state; and (b) begins to explore the factor structure and psychometric properties of a new measure, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Two samples of undergraduate students completed questionnaire packets. Preliminary findings suggest that the DERS has high internal consistency, good test–retest reliability, and adequate construct and predictive validity.

/pdf/multidimensional-assessment-of-emotion-regulation-and-xwrpw05nqr.pdf

Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale

The authors examine the facet structure of mindfulness using five recently developed mindfulness questionnaires. Two large samples of undergraduate students completed mindfulness questionnaires and measures of other constructs. Psychometric properties of the mindfulness questionnaires were examined, including internal consistency and convergent and discriminant relationships with other variables. Factor analyses of the combined pool of items from the mindfulness questionnaires suggested that collectively they contain five clear, interpretable facets of mindfulness. Hierarchical confirmatory factor analyses suggested that at least four of the identified factors are components of an overall mindfulness construct and that the factor structure of mindfulness may vary with meditation experience. Mindfulness facets were shown to be differentially correlated in expected ways with several other constructs and to have incremental validity in the prediction of psychological symptoms. Findings suggest that conceptualizing mindfulness as a multifaceted construct is helpful in understanding its components and its relationships with other variables.

https://self-compassion.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/Baer-paper.pdf

Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness

There has been substantial interest in mindfulness as an approach to reduce cognitive vulnerability to stress and emotional distress in recent years. However, thus far mindfulness has not been defined operationally. This paper describes the results of recent meetings held to establish a consensus on mindfulness and to develop conjointly a testable operational definition. We propose a two-component model of mindfulness and specify each component in terms of specific behaviors, experiential manifestations, and implicated psychological processes. We then address issues regarding temporal stability and situational specificity and speculate on the conceptual and operational distinctiveness of mindfulness. We conclude this paper by discussing implications for instrument development and briefly describing our own approach to measurement.

/pdf/mindfulness-a-proposed-operational-definition-39h3glfkax.pdf

Mindfulness : A proposed operational definition

https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1085&context=psych_facpub

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes and outcomes

Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review.

Review of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change.

ABSTRACT Introduction The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of exercise on (i) the prevention of cancer-related lymphedema (CRL) and (ii) the treatment of CRL, lymphedema-associated symptoms, and other health outcomes among individuals with CRL. Methods An electronic search was undertaken for exercise studies measuring lymphedema and involving individuals at risk of developing or with CRL. The Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality scale was used to assess study quality, and overall quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate effects of exercise on CRL incidence, existing CRL status, lymphedema-associated symptoms, and health outcomes. Results Twelve studies (n = 1955; 75% moderate-high quality) and 36 studies (n = 1741; 58% moderate-high quality) were included in the prevention and treatment aim, respectively. Relative risk of developing CRL for those in the exercise group compared with the nonexercise group was 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72 to 1.13) overall and 0.49 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.85) for those with five or more lymph nodes removed. For those with CRL in the exercise group, the standardized mean difference (SMD) before to after exercise of CRL was −0.11 (95% CI, −0.22 to 0.01), and compared with usual care postintervention, the SMD was −0.10 (95% CI, −0.24 to 0.04). Improvements after intervention were observed for pain, upper-body function and strength, lower-body strength, fatigue, and quality of life for those in the exercise group (SMD, 0.3–0.8; P < 0.05). Conclusions Findings support the application of exercise guidelines for the wider cancer population to those with or at risk of CRL. This includes promotion of aerobic and resistance exercise, and not just resistance exercise alone, as well as unsupervised exercise guided by symptom response.

The Effect of Exercise for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

To the Editor: The attention to ongoing Relative to Opportunity (RTO) concerns by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the openness to trial gender parity initiatives are to be applauded.1-3 While we await the outcomes of initiatives currently being trialled, there remain scope for continued discussion about RTO policy and an imperative to ensure future refinements reach beyond addressing gender inequities. The RTO section of the recently closed NHMRC Investigator Grant Scheme provides an opportunity to describe RTO circumstances, beyond those that meet formal career disruption criteria.1 However, this is not the case across many other grant schemes. This is problematic. As was eloquently described recently, frequent disruptions of shorter duration (ie, < 90 days) may be just as relevant (we would argue, potentially even more impactful than a continuous absence), but would not be captured under current career disruption rules.4 Another concern presents when a grant scheme restricts RTO information to a predefined period (eg, the previous ten years only). This ignores known career trajectory patterns. Academic track records operate in a similar way to a positively performing superannuation fund, whereby one's balance grows through regular contributions and through compounded investment earnings. This means any and all disruptions can have a flow-on effect to direct career contributions for that year, and in the compounded “interest earnings” observed every year thereafter. Finally, although relevant, all of the above ignores the reality that listing career disruption in any form is potentially risky business. Findings in a 2022 study highlighted ongoing researchers’ concerns that listing career disruption may harm rather than improve chances of funding.5 A declared career disruption may introduce unconscious (or conscious) reviewer bias that brings into question the ability to achieve the proposed research. So where does this leave us? Removal of the 90-day continuous career disruption criterion and removal of any specific reporting period would allow for inclusion of all career disruptions as deemed important by the applicant. In addition, further research that seeks to better understand and quantify potential reviewer biases towards RTO is needed. It is well recognised that overcoming equity challenges in research will not be easy, but then nothing worth doing ever is. No relevant disclosures. 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.5694/mja2.52007

Towards gender equity in Australian health and medical research funding.

PURPOSE
To determine the safety, feasibility, and potential effect of an 18-week exercise intervention for adults with primary brain cancer.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eligible patients were 12-26-weeks post-radiotherapy for brain cancer. The individually-prescribed weekly exercise was ≥150-minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, including two resistance-training sessions. The intervention was deemed "safe" if exercise-related, serious adverse events (SAE) were experienced by <10% of participants, and feasible if recruitment, retention, and adherence rates were ≥75%, and ≥75% compliance rates were achieved in ≥75% of weeks. Patient-reported and objectively-measured outcomes were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, end-intervention, and 6-month follow-up, using generalized estimating equations.


RESULTS
Twelve participants enrolled (51 ± 19.5 years, 5 females). There were no exercise-related SAEs. The intervention was feasible (recruitment:80%, retention:92%, adherence:83%). Participants completed a median of 172.8 (min:77.5, max:560.8) minutes of physical activity per week. 17% met the compliance outcome threshold for ≥75% of the intervention. Improvements in quality of life (mean change (95% CI): 7.9 units (1.9, 13.8)), functional well-being (4.3 units (1.4, 7.2)), depression (-2.0 units (-3.8, -0.2)), activity (112.8 min (42.1, 183.4)), fitness (56.4 meters (20.4, 92.5)), balance (4.9 s (0.9, 9.0)), and lower-body strength (15.2 kg (9.3, 21.1)) were observed end-intervention.


CONCLUSION
Preliminary evidence support that exercise is safe and beneficial to the quality of life and functional outcomes for people with brain cancer.Registration: ACTRN12617001577303.

The safety, feasibility, and efficacy of an 18-week exercise intervention for adults with primary brain cancer - the BRACE study.

The aim of this systematic rapid review was to explore barriers, facilitators, perceptions and preferences of physical activity for people diagnosed with cancer, by cancer type and treatment stage. The search strategy, implemented through four databases, included terms relating to cancer, physical activity, barriers, facilitators, perceptions and preferences, and relevant study designs. Studies reporting the outcomes of interests for adults diagnosed with cancer and living in Western countries were included and grouped according to the Social-Ecological Model and the Health Belief Model, and pragmatically. A total of 118 studies, involving 15 cancers were included. Outcomes were most commonly explored within samples involving mixed cancers (32 studies) and breast cancer (31 studies), and at the post-treatment phase (52 studies). Across all cancers and during- and post-treatment, treatment- and disease-related side-effects were the most commonly identified barrier, social support and guidance was the most commonly identified facilitator, and promoting health and recovery was the most commonly identified perception of benefit of physical activity. Notable differences were identified in barriers, facilitators and perceptions across cancer types and treatment stages, with specific examples including: comorbidities were inconsistently reported as a barrier across cancers; time pressure was more commonly reported as a barrier post-treatment; and women with breast cancer reported inaccessibility of appropriate services more commonly during-treatment than post-treatment. Preference findings varied widely across cancer types and treatment phases. These findings can be used to aid efforts to improve physical activity levels post-cancer by providing healthcare professionals with information to facilitate individualised advice and services. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102255

Barriers, facilitators, perceptions and preferences influencing physical activity participation, and the similarities and differences between cancer types and treatment stages - A systematic rapid review

S. C. Hayes

Papers

Review of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change.

The Effect of Exercise for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

Towards gender equity in Australian health and medical research funding.

The safety, feasibility, and efficacy of an 18-week exercise intervention for adults with primary brain cancer - the BRACE study.

Barriers, facilitators, perceptions and preferences influencing physical activity participation, and the similarities and differences between cancer types and treatment stages - A systematic rapid review