University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

Information satisfaction in breast and prostate cancer patients: implications for quality of life

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to assess information needs and levels of information satisfaction in breast and prostate cancer patients. It further examined relationships between information satisfaction and multi-dimensional quality of life (QoL). Methods: An adapted Information Satisfaction Questionnaire (ISQ, 2004) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy QoL questionnaire (FACT-G, 1993) were randomly distributed to cancer patients during oncology clinic visits (breast cancer, n ¼ 102; prostate cancer, n ¼ 112). Hierarchal regression analyses examined information satisfaction as a predictor of global QoL and its four dimensions (i.e. physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being). Results: High levels of information needs and desire for decision involvement were identified, with patients expressing a considerable degree of information satisfaction. After controlling for demographic and illness factors, information satisfaction explained 21% of the variance in global QoL, 12% in physical well-being, 13% in social well-being, 8% in emotional well-being, and 10% in functional well-being (all p50.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of information satisfaction for perceived QoL in individuals with cancer. It is clearly important to identify specific information requirements during the diagnosis and treatment process in order to provide information that is congruent with patients’ needs. Copyright # 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Negotiating Identities through Disability Sport

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the multiplicity and complexity of identity construction for elite disabled athletes within the arena of disability sport. This involved in-depth semistructured interviews that explored the experiences of 21 British and Taiwanese elite disabled athletes from the sports of powerlifting and track and field. The results indicate that both societal perceptions based in the medical model of disability and the participants’ impaired bodies play a key role in their identity formation and sense of self-worth. The study also highlights the role that success in international disability sport can have by offering potential for positive subjectivity, a changed self-understanding, and an increased sense of personal empowerment. Finally, the notion of multiple identities also appears to be supported by the research participants’ narratives.