Zahra Taheri-Kharameh

Bio: Zahra Taheri-Kharameh is an academic researcher from Qom University of Medical Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cronbach's alpha & Construct validity. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 27 publications receiving 181 citations.

Religious Coping and Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer.

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of religious coping in quality of life of breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from October 2014 to May 2015. A total of 224 women with breast cancer completed measures of socio-demographic information, religious coping (brief RCOPE), and quality of life (FACT-B). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 47.1 (SD=9.07) years and the majority were married (81.3). The mean score for positive religious coping was 22.98 (SD=4.09) while it was 10.13 (SD=3.90) for negative religious coping. Multiple linear regression showed positive and negative religious coping as predictor variables explained a significant amount of variance in overall QOL score (R2=.22, P=.001) after controlling for socio-demographic, and clinical variables. Positive religious coping was associated with improved QOL (I²=0.29; p=0.001). In contrast, negative religious coping was significantly associated with worse QOL (I²=-0.26; p=0.005). Conclusions: The results indicated the used types of religious coping strategies are related to better or poorer QOL and highlight the importance of religious support in breast cancer care.

Negative Religious Coping, Positive Religious Coping, and Quality of Life Among Hemodialysis Patients.

Abstract: Background Religious coping is known as a main resource influencing how individuals cope with the complications and stressors of chronic disease. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between religious coping and quality of life among hemodialysis patients. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Qom, Iran, from June 2012 to July 2013. Ninety-five end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis were selected via the convenience sampling method. Data were collected via a questionnaire comprising items on sociodemographic information, quality of life, the anxiety and depression scale, and religious coping. Following this, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Results The mean age of patients was 50.4 (standard deviation [SD] = 15.7) years, and most were male (61%). The mean score for positive religious coping was 23.38 (SD = 4.17), while that for negative religious coping was 11.46 (SD = 4.34). It was found that 53.6% of patients had higher than the mean score of positive religious coping, while those with negative religious coping made up 37.9%. Negative religious coping was associated with worse quality of life, including physical functioning (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; P = 0.009), role physical (OR = 0.79; P = 0.04), vitality (OR = 0.62; P = 0.005), social functioning (OR = 0.69; P = 0.007), and mental health (OR = 0.58; P = 0.01) after controlling for sociodemographic, clinical, and anxiety and depression variables. Conclusions The results indicated that patients with negative religious coping abilities were at risk of a suboptimal quality of life. Incorporating religious support in the care of hemodialysis patients may be helpful in improving quality of life in this patient population. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these associations are causal and the direction of effect.

Predictors of Fall Protective Behaviors Among Iranian Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Application of the Protection Motivation Theory.

Abstract: Purpose The protection motivation theory (PMT) is a common framework understanding the use of protective behaviors. The aim of this study was to assess the predictors of fall protective behaviors among community-dwelling older adults, Iran. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted in Qom, Iran, from May to October 2018. Three hundred older people were selected from retirement centers via stratified sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire containing items on socio-demographic information, Falls Behavioral (FaB) Scale, and PMT constructs scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. Results The mean (SD) age of the participants was 64.6 (5.5) and the majority were male (77.7%). Level of perceived fall threat was lower than perceived efficacy of fall protective behaviors. There was a significant relationship between protection motivation and fall protective behaviors (β= 0.515, t-value= 13.650). Coping appraisals (β= 0.409, t-value= 7.352) and fear (β= 0.194, t-value= 2.462) were associated with motivation. The model explained approximately 27% of the variance in fall protective behaviors. The goodness of fit index of 0.48 indicating the model good fit. Conclusion The results indicated that protection motivation, coping appraisals and reasonable fear are considered as the strongest predictors of fall protective behaviors among older people. The results can help health care providers to develop appropriate interventions to fall prevention among older people.

Validity and Reliability Evaluation of the Persian Version of the Heart Failure-Specific Health Literacy Scale

Abstract: Background: Health literacy (HL) has important implications for health outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. Studying health literacy requires culturally appropriate and valid instruments. The aim of the study was validation of the Persian version of the heart failure-specific health literacy scale (HF-Specific HL Scale). Methods: One hundred patients with heart failure were selected in Qom, Iran in 2017. The ‘forwardbackward’ procedure was applied to translate the questionnaire from English into Persian. Content validity, face validity, construct validity have been employed to validate the prepared scale. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients and the test-retest were used to assess the scale reliability. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 16, and Smart PLS 3.0 software. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis completely supported the three-factor model of the HL scales. Convergent validity was satisfied in that all factor loadings and the average variance extracted exceeded 0.5. The divergent validity was verified using Fornel and Larcker method. R-square and path coefficient were higher than 0.43 and 0.65 respectively, indicating the good structural model. Composite reliability and Cronbach’s α coefficient for all of the constructs were over the recommended threshold of 0.70, ensuring adequate internal consistency of the scale. The test-retest reliability ranged from 0.78-0.90, which indicated a good level of stability. Conclusion: The findings indicated that the Persian HF-specific HL scale is reliable and valid for measuring health literacy among heart failure patients. Further research is required to measure the sensitivity and specificity of the scale. © 2019, Shriaz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.

Relationship between stress coping strategies, psychological distress, and quality of life among hemodialysis patients.

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between coping strategies and psychological distress on quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis patients. Design and methods The study was conducted with 100 patients undergoing hemodialysis. Data collection instruments were SF-36, HADS, and JCS. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and descriptive statistical analysis. Findings Emotive coping style to be a significant independent determinant of lower QoL in the MCS domain (β = -0.41; p = 0.024), while anxiety was found to be a determinant of lower scores in both the MCS (β = -0.47; p = 0.006) and the PCS (β = -0.55; p = 0.001) domains. Practice implications Anxiety and emotive coping style negatively affect QoL in dialysis patients. More attention could be paid to its role to deal with the inevitable sources of stress in the care plan.

Application of the protection motivation theory for predicting COVID-19 preventive behaviors in Hormozgan, Iran: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract: The high prevalence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have made it the most important health and social challenge around the world. However, this disease can be largely prevented by adherence to hygienic principles and protective behaviors. It seems that identifying the processes involved in protective health behaviors can be effective in planning and implementing suitable interventions to encourage the community toward protective behaviors. Therefore, the present study aimed to predict the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 according to the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). This cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months in Hormozgan Province, Iran. The study population consisted of all citizens above the age of 15 years. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire link was available to the participants through social networks. The questionnaire consisted of two sections, including the demographic information and the PMT constructs. All statistical calculations and hypothesis testing were performed in SPSS Version 21 and AMOS Version 21. The significance level was considered to be 0.05 for hypothesis testing. A total of 2032 subjects, with the mean age of 34.84 ± 9.8 years (r = 15–98), participated in this study. Most of the participants were 31–40 years old, female (60.4%), married (72%), urban residents (87.3%), and employed (58.8%). The majority of them also had a bachelor’s degree or higher (58.8%). Significant positive correlations were observed between the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 and the perceived vulnerability (r = 0.192, P < 0.001), perceived severity (r = 0.092, P < 0.001), response efficacy (r = 0.398, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (r = 0.497, P < 0.001), and protection motivation (r = 0.595, P < 0.001). On the other hand, significant negative correlations were found between the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 and maladaptive behavior rewards (r = − 0.243, P < 0.001) and perceived costs (r = − 0.121, P < 0.001). The present findings showed that maladaptive behavior reward and fear negatively predicted the protective behaviors. On the other hand, response efficacy and self-efficacy positively predicted the protective behaviors; the impact of self-efficacy was the strongest. Overall, the information provided in this study can contribute to health policymaking in Iran.

Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients: The Association with Religiosity and Religious Coping.

Abstract: There is a lack of studies looking into religiosity and religious coping in cancer patient. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the religiosity using Duke University Religion Index, religious coping using Brief Religious Coping Scale, anxiety and depression based on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale among 200 cancer patients. The association between religiosity and religious coping with anxiety and depression was studied. The findings showed that subjects with anxiety or depression used more negative religious coping and had lower non-organization religiosity. Hence, measurements in reducing negative religious coping and encouraging religious activities could help to reduce psychological distress in cancer patients.

Coping Well with Advanced Cancer: A Serial Qualitative Interview Study with Patients and Family Carers.

Abstract: Objectives To understand successful strategies used by people to cope well when living with advanced cancer; to explore how professionals can support effective coping strategies; to understand how to support development of effective coping strategies for patients and family carers. Design Qualitative serial (4-12 week intervals) interview study with people with advanced cancer and their informal carers followed by focus groups. The iterative design had a novel focus on positive coping strategies. Interview analysis focused on patients and carers as individuals and pairs, exploring multiple dimensions of their coping experiences. Focus group analysis explored strategies for intervention development. Participants 26 people with advanced (stage 3-4) breast, prostate, lung or colorectal cancer, or in receipt of palliative care, and 24 paired nominated informal/family carers. Setting Participants recruited through outpatient clinics at two tertiary cancer centres in Merseyside and Manchester, UK, between June 2012 and July 2013. Results 45 patient and 41 carer interviews were conducted plus 4 focus groups (16 participants). People with advanced cancer and their informal/family carers develop coping strategies which enable effective management of psychological wellbeing. People draw from pre-diagnosis coping strategies, but these develop through responding to the experience of living with advanced cancer. Strategies include being realistic, indulgence, support, and learning from others, which enabled participants to regain a sense of wellbeing after emotional challenge. Learning from peers emerged as particularly important in promoting psychological wellbeing through the development of effective ‘everyday’, non-clinical coping strategies. Conclusions Our findings challenge current models of providing psychological support for those with advanced cancer which focus on professional intervention. It is important to recognise, enable and support peoples’ own resources and coping strategies. Peer support may have potential, and could be a patient-centred, cost effective way of managing the needs of a growing population of those living with advanced cancer.