Publications

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Among US veterans, more than 78% have a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight (≥25 kg/m2) or obese range (≥30 kg/m2). Clinical guidelines recommend multicomponent lifestyle programmes to promote modest, clinically significant body mass (BM) loss. Primary care providers (PCPs) often lack time to counsel and refer patients to intensive programmes (≥6 sessions over 3 months). Using peer coaches to deliver obesity counselling in primary care may increase patient motivation, promote behavioural change and address the specific needs of veterans. We describe the rationale and design of a cluster-randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of the Peer-Assisted Lifestyle (PAL) intervention compared with enhanced usual care (EUC) to improve BM loss, clinical and behavioural outcomes (aim 1); identify BM-loss predictors (aim 2); and increase PCP counselling (aim 3).METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We are recruiting 461 veterans aged 18-69 years with obesity or overweight with an obesity-associated condition under the care of a PCP at the Brooklyn campus of the Veterans Affairs NY Harbor Healthcare System. To deliver counselling, PAL uses in-person and telephone-based peer support, a tablet-delivered goal-setting tool and PCP training. Patients in the EUC arm receive non-tailored healthy living handouts. In-person data collection occurs at baseline, month 6 and month 12 for patients in both arms. Repeated measures modelling based on mixed models will compare mean BM loss (primary outcome) between study arms.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board and the Research and Development Committee at the VA NY Harbor Health Systems (#01607). We will disseminate the results via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and meetings with stakeholders.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03163264; Pre-results.

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Perceived discrimination is significantly associated with mental health symptoms among persons living with HIV (PLWH). However, little is known about the factors mediating this relationship. We aimed to examine the mediating role of social isolation and loneliness in the association between perceived discrimination and mental health symptoms among PLWH. A multicenter (Shanghai, Kunming, Nanning, Hengyang, and Changning in China) cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017. Data from 883 PLWH were used for statistical analysis. Perceived discrimination, mental health symptoms, loneliness and social isolation were assessed through self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed a satisfactory model fit (CMIN/DF = 2.676, GFI = 0.998, CFI = 0.997, NFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.985, RMSEA = 0.044 [0.000, 0.090]) and a significant total indirect effect (β = 0.058, SE = 0.009, Z = 6.444, p < 0.01). Both loneliness (β = 0.042, SE = 0.008, Z = −5.250, p < 0.01) and social isolation (β = 0.016, SE = 0.004, Z = −4.000, p < 0.01) were determined to be significant mediators of the association between perceived discrimination and mental health symptoms. Interventions that combat loneliness and social isolation may help ameliorate the adverse consequences of perceived discrimination on mental health.

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Perceived discrimination is associated with symptoms of cognitive dysfunction (SOCD) among middle-age and older persons living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to explore how the association between perceived discrimination and SOCD was mediated by mental health symptoms and social isolation. The sample included 321 PLWH, ages 45 years and older, for a multicenter cross-sectional study. Structural equation modeling showed an acceptable model fit and a significant total indirect effect between perceived discrimination and SOCD. All three indirect effect pathways were significant, suggesting that perceived discrimination could influence SOCD through mental health symptoms, through social isolation, or through mental health symptoms and then social isolation. Our study demonstrates that perceived discrimination is a concern for the management of cognitive function among middle-age and older PLWH. Both mental health symptoms and social isolation are critical elements in the design and evaluation of interventions for promoting cognitive health.

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Objectives: The current study aims to explore person-centered communication between health care professionals and COVID-19-infected older patients in acute care settings. Methods: The current qualitative study explored the communication between professionals and COVID-19-infected older adults in the acute care setting through 2 rounds of interviews with physicians and nurses who provided direct care and treatment for COVID-19-infected older patients in Wuhan, China. We explored the possibilities and significance of facilitating effective communication despite multiple challenges in the pandemic. Conventional content analysis was adopted to analyze the rich data collected from our participants. Results: It is possible and necessary to initiate and sustain person-centered communication despite multiple challenges brought by the pandemic. The achievement of person-centered communication can play significant roles in addressing challenges, building mutual trust, improving quality of care and relationships, and promoting treatment adherence and patients' psychological well-being. Discussion: It is challenging for health care professionals to provide care for COVID-19-infected older adults, especially for those with cognitive and sensory impairment, in acute care settings. Facilitating person-centered communication is a significant strategy in responding to the pandemic crisis and a core element of person-centered care.

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It is often difficult for medical students to understand the extent of the educational debt that they may incur. They often struggle with managing their finances during training and after they begin to practice medicine. Students make their choice of specialty without fully considering how their decision may affect their lifestyle and their ability to pay off their loans. This has led to a serious shortage in primary-care physicians. In addition, because physicians undergo an extensive training period, they are often late in planning for and funding for their retirement. Understanding the time-value of money and being able to make informed decisions regarding repaying loans versus meeting other financial obligations are important factors to addressing this problem. Financial literacy is not being taught in medical schools and residency programs, although there is a perceived need. Developing a financial plan that involves both paying off debt and saving for retirement is usually the best course of action.

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Physician burnout, as described in North America, is a multidimensional work-related syndrome that includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a low sense of accomplishment from work. More than 50% of physicians were reporting symptoms of burnout prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This silent epidemic of burnout is bound to become less silent as the pandemic continues. Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based discipline that describes how daily habits and health practices can affect overall health and well-being of individuals. Lifestyle Medicine can potentially play a significant role in preventing and ameliorating physician burnout. This article explores the burnout process, including the historical context, international definitions, symptoms, and imprecision of the clinical diagnosis. The systemic etiological issues are discussed, and the psychological underpinnings are explored, including physicians’ personal vulnerabilities contributing to burnout. The stress response and lifestyle medicine’s role in healthy coping are described. A prevention model for risk factor reduction is proposed, focusing on primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Lifestyle medicine clinicians’ role in prevention, treatment, and advocacy to ameliorate the potential for burnout is discussed along with specific recommendations.

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Background: Prior studies have documented associations between preterm birth and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) but the prevalence and correlates of dual burden are not adequately understood, despite significant family implications. Purpose: To describe the prevalence and correlates of the dual burden of SMM and preterm birth and to understand profiles of SMM by dual burden of preterm birth. Approach: This retrospective cohort study included all California live births in 2007-2012 with gestations 20-44 weeks and linked to a birth cohort database maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (n = 3,059,156). Dual burden was defined as preterm birth (<37 weeks) with severe maternal morbidity (SMM, defined by Centers for Disease Control). Predictors for dual burden were assessed using Poisson logistic regression, accounting for hospital variance. Results: Rates of preterm birth and SMM were 876 and 140 per 10,000 births, respectively. The most common indications of SMM both with and without preterm birth were blood transfusions and a combination of cardiac indications. One-quarter of women with SMM experienced preterm birth with a dual burden rate of 37 per 10,000 births. Risk of dual burden was over threefold higher with cesarean birth (primiparous primary aRR = 3.3, CI = 3.0-3.6; multiparous primary aRR = 8.1, CI = 7.2-9.1; repeat aRR = 3.9, CI = 3.5-4.3). Multiple gestation conferred a six-fold increased risk (aRR = 6.3, CI = 5.8-6.9). Women with preeclampsia superimposed on gestational hypertension (aRR = 7.3, CI = 6.8-7.9) or preexisting hypertension (aRR = 11.1, CI = 9.9-12.5) had significantly higher dual burden risk. Significant independent predictors for dual burden included smoking during pregnancy (aRR = 1.5, CI = 1.4-1.7), preexisting hypertension without preeclampsia (aRR = 3.3, CI = 3.0-3.7), preexisting diabetes (aRR = 2.6, CI = 2.3-3.0), Black race/ethnicity (aRR = 2.0, CI = 1.8-2.2), and prepregnancy body mass index <18.5 (aRR = 1.4, CI = 1.3-1.5). Conclusions: Dual burden affects 1900 California families annually. The strongest predictors of dual burden were hypertensive disorders with preeclampsia and multiparous primary cesarean.

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Background: Little is known about clinical staff's perspectives on preparedness for a pandemic. The purpose of this study was to obtain various clinical staff perspectives about preparedness to meet the demands for care during the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured in-person interviews from March 2020 to April 2020 at a large tertiary academic urban hospital center. Interview guides were informed by the Resilience Framework for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Results: Fifty-five clinical staff participated in the study. Three themes emerged from the data (1) Risk assessment and planning: “The powder keg,” (2) Innovative evolution of roles and responsibilities, and (3) Pandemic response and capacity. In the early phases of the pandemic, participants reported varying levels of risks for dying. However, most participants adapted to practice changes and became innovative in their roles over time. Hierarchies were less relevant during care delivery, whereas team collaboration became crucial in managing workforce capacity. Discussion: As the pandemic progressed, staff preparedness evolved through a trial-and-error approach. Conclusions: The pandemic is evolving as is clinical staff preparedness to meet the demands of a pandemic. In order to get a grasp on the crisis, clinical staff relied on each other and resorted to new workarounds.

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OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study is to evaluate the contribution of pre-pregnancy obesity and overweight to peripartum cardiomyopathy.STUDY DESIGN:  This population-based study used linked birth record and maternal hospital discharge data from live births in California during 2007 to 2012 (n = 2,548,380). All women who had a diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy during the childbirth hospitalization or who were diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy during a postpartum hospital readmission within 5 months of birth were identified as cases. Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) was classified as normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), obesity class 1 (30.0-34.9), obesity class 2 (35.0-39.9), and obesity class 3 (≥40). Because of small numbers, we excluded women with underweight BMI, and in some analyses, we combined obesity classes into one group. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) expressing associations between BMI and peripartum cardiomyopathy, adjusted for maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, health care payer, parity, plurality, and comorbidities.RESULTS:  The overall prevalence of peripartum cardiomyopathy during hospital admissions was 1.3 per 10,000 live births (n = 320). Unadjusted ORs were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.01-1.74) for women with overweight BMI and 2.03 (95% CI: 1.57-2.62) for women with obesity, compared with women with normal pre-pregnancy BMI. Adjusted ORs were 1.26 (95% CI: 0.95-1.66) for overweight women and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.04-1.84) for women with obesity. The ORs suggested a dose-response relationship with increasing levels of obesity, but the 95% CIs for the specific classes of obesity included 1.00.CONCLUSION:  Pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with an increased risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy. These findings underscore the importance of BMI during pregnancy. There is a need to recognize the increased risk of peripartum cardiomyopathy in women with high BMI, especially in the late postpartum period.KEY POINTS: · Pre-pregnancy obesity affects maternal health.. · Effects may extend to peripartum cardiomyopathy.. · The risk includes peripartum cardiomyopathy that emerges postpartum..

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Background: Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) and bariatric surgery are each risk factors for adverse birth outcomes. To date, no study has investigated their combined impact on birth outcomes. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes in women with an ARD. As a secondary comparison, we assessed the risk of bariatric surgery on the same outcomes in women without an ARD. Setting: Records maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Methods: This cohort study included infants born between 20–44 weeks of gestation in California between 2011–2018. Risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes were evaluated for women with a history of bariatric surgery as compared to women without a history of bariatric surgery, stratified by ARD, using log-linear regression with a Poisson distribution. Results: The study included 3,574,165 infants, of whom 10,823 (0.3%) were born to women who had an ARD and 13,529 (0.38%) to women with a history of bariatric surgery. There were 155 infants born to women (0.0043%) with both an ARD and a history of bariatric surgery. In women with an ARD and without bariatric surgery, the prevalence of preterm births was 18%, compared to 17.4% in women with both ARD and bariatric surgery; in women without ARD but with prior bariatric surgery, the prevalence of preterm births was 13.7%, compared to 8.2% in women without bariatric surgery. Except for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, women with an ARD and history of bariatric surgery were not at a statistically increased risk of having other adverse pregnancy outcomes as compared to women with an ARD and no history of bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Our study shows that women with ARD already have a high occurrence of several adverse birth outcomes, and this was not further increased by a history of bariatric surgery. The infants born to women with a history of ARD and bariatric surgery were admitted to the NICU significantly more than the infants born to women with an ARD and no history of bariatric surgery.

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Background Data on the prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in people with HIV are limited. This study sought to determine the prevalence of RLS, associated clinical correlates, and characterize sleep-related differences in men with and without HIV. Methods Sleep-related data were collected in men who have sex with men participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Demographic, health behaviors, HIV status, comorbidities, and serological data were obtained from the MACS visit coinciding with sleep assessments. Participants completed questionnaires, home polysomnography, and wrist actigraphy. RLS status was determined with the Cambridge-Hopkins RLS questionnaire. RLS prevalence was compared in men with and without HIV. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine correlates of RLS among all participants and men with HIV alone. Sleep-related differences were examined in men with and without HIV by RLS status. Results The sample consisted of 942 men (56% HIV+; mean age 57 years; 69% white). The prevalence of definite RLS was comparable in men with and without HIV (9.1% vs 8.7%). In multinomial regression, HIV status was not associated with RLS prevalence. However, white race, anemia, depression, and antidepressant use were each independently associated with RLS. HIV disease duration was also associated with RLS. Men with HIV and RLS reported poorer sleep quality, greater sleepiness, and had worse objective sleep efficiency/ fragmentation than men without HIV/RLS. Conclusions The prevalence of RLS in men with and without HIV was similar. Screening for RLS may be considered among people with HIV with insomnia and with long-standing disease.

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Objectives:This study describes prevention behavior and psychosocial health among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV-negative people during the early wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States. We assessed differences by HIV status and associations between social disruption and psychosocial health.Design:A cross-sectional telephone/videoconference administered survey of 3411 PLHIV and HIV-negative participants in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS).Methods:An instrument combining new and validated measures was developed to assess COVID-19 prevention efforts, social disruptions (loss of employment, childcare, health insurance, and financial supports), experiences of abuse, and psychosocial health. Interviews were performed between April and June 2020. Associations between social disruptions and psychosocial health were explored using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographics and HIV status.Results:Almost all (97.4%) participants reported COVID-19 prevention behavior; 40.1% participants reported social disruptions, and 34.3% reported health care appointment disruption. Men living with HIV were more likely than HIV-negative men to experience social disruptions (40.6% vs. 32.9%; P < 0.01), whereas HIV-negative women were more likely than women with HIV to experience social disruptions (51.1% vs. 39.8%, P < 0.001). Participants who experienced ≥2 social disruptions had significantly higher odds of depression symptoms [aOR = 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12 to 1.56], anxiety (aOR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.27), and social support dissatisfaction (aOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.26 to 2.60).Conclusions:This study builds on emerging literature demonstrating the psychosocial health impact related to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing context specific to PLHIV. The ongoing pandemic requires structural and social interventions to decrease social disruption and address psychosocial health needs among the most vulnerable populations.

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This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment and to identify its associated demographic, psychosocial and behavioural factors. Participants were recruited from 32 neighbourhoods using multistage sampling method in Xuhui District, Shanghai, China. A total of 1585 older adults were included who lived in community, were 75 years or older and without a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Based on the presences of frailty (using the modified frailty phenotype criteria) and/or cognitive impairment (using Chinese version Mini-Mental Status Examination stratified by educational level), the participants were classified into four groups: normal, cognitive impairment alone, frailty alone and co-occurrence. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the demographic, psychosocial (depression, social participation and social support) and behavioural (sedentary lifestyle and sleep problems) characteristics associated with the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment. The prevalence of frailty alone, cognitive impairment alone and the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment in the study sample were 7%, 26.94% and 7.19% respectively. The results of multinomial logistic regression show the following characteristics significantly associated with the co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment: advanced age (81–85 years old, Odds Ratio, OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.10–3.59; 86 years or older, OR = 6.43, 95% CI = 3.66–11.29), number of co-morbidities (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.01–1.77), depression (OR = 3.88, 95% CI = 2.39–6.29), social participation (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.39–0.96), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.66–4.34) and sleep problems (insomnia occasionally, OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.07–3.17; insomnia every day, OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.33–4.26). The co-occurrence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment is a prevalent health issue in oldest old community-dwelling older adults. Advanced age, co-morbidity, depression, sedentary lifestyle and sleep problems are risk factors for cognitive frailty while good social participation may have a protective effect on it.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the physical and psychological impact of high stress clinical environments and contributory factors of burnout in multidisciplinary healthcare workforce during the initial outbreak of COVID-19. Method: In-person qualitative interviews informed by an adaptation of Karasek's Job Demand-control model were conducted with a convenience sample of healthcare workforce from March to April 2020. Results: Themes emerging from interviews coalesced around three main areas: fear of uncertainty, physical and psychological manifestations of stress, and resilience building. Shifting information, a lack of PPE, and fear of infecting others prompted worry for those working with Covid-infected patients. Participants reported that stress manifested more psychologically than physically. Individualized stress mitigation efforts, social media and organizational transparency were reported by healthcare workers to be effective against rising stressors. Conclusion: COVID-19 has presented healthcare workforce with unprecedented challenges in their work environment. With attention to understanding stressors and supporting clinicians during healthcare emergencies, more research is necessary in order to effectively promote healthcare workforce well-being.

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Background: The use of mobile health (mHealth), including smartphone apps, can improve the HIV prevention cascade for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). In Malaysia, where stigma and discrimination toward MSM are high, the mHealth platform has the potential to open new frontiers for HIV prevention efforts. However, little guidance is available to inform researchers about privacy and confidentiality concerns unique to the development and implementation of app-based HIV prevention programs. Objective: Given the lack of empirical data in this area, we aim to understand the privacy and confidentiality concerns associated with participation in a hypothetical app-based research study for HIV prevention efforts. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted between June and July 2020 among 355 Malaysian MSM. The survey included demographic and sexual health questions and a series of short videos describing a hypothetical app-based HIV prevention program, followed by questions related to privacy and confidentiality concerns in each step of the app-based program (ie, recruitment, clinical interaction, risk assessment, and weekly reminder). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the correlates of willingness to use such an app-based program. Results: Most of the participants (266/355, 74.9%) indicated their willingness to participate in a hypothetical mHealth app–based HIV prevention program. Participants expressed concerns about privacy, confidentiality, data security, and risks and benefits of participating in all stages of the app-based HIV research process. Multivariate analyses indicated that participants who had a higher degree of perceived participation benefits (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.873; 95% CI 1.274-2.755; P=.001) were more willing to participate. In contrast, participants who had increased concerns about app-based clinical interaction and e-prescription (aOR 0.610; 95% CI 0.445-0.838; P=.002) and those who had a higher degree of perceived risks of participating (aOR 0.731; 95% CI 0.594-0.899; P=.003) were less willing to participate. Conclusions: Overall, our results indicate that mHealth app–based HIV prevention programs are acceptable for future research on Malaysian MSM. The findings further highlighted the role of privacy and confidentiality, as well as the associated risks and benefits associated with participation in such a program. Given the ever-evolving nature of such technological platforms and the complex ethical–legal landscape, such platforms must be safe and secure to ensure widespread public trust and uptake.

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The relationship between physicians and patients is unlike any other personal or working relationship in modern society. The patients must put their utmost trust in the abilities and intentions of their physicians, and in return, physicians must put the needs of patients above their own (described as a physician’s fiduciary duty). Often, the physician-–patient relationship crosses over boundaries that are present in other aspects of our lives. These so-called professional boundaries must be observed to avoid potential ethical or legal problems. Physicians ought to abide by the most conservative guidelines for professional boundaries established by their institution, state, and medical organization. Increased use of digital technology in medicine is blurring the lines of these boundaries. Physicians’ use of social media, email, and telemedicine all offer potential benefits as well drawbacks that should be considered before social media is incorporated into their practice.

Abstract

Background: Almost half of Veterans with localized prostate cancer receive inappropriate, wasteful staging imaging. Our team has explored the barriers and facilitators of guideline-concordant prostate cancer imaging and found that (1) patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer have little concern for radiographic staging but rather focus on treatment and (2) physicians trust imaging guidelines but are apt to follow their own intuition, fear medico-legal consequences, and succumb to influence from imaging-avid colleagues. We used a theory-based approach to design a multi-level intervention strategy to promote guideline-concordant imaging to stage incident prostate cancer. Methods: We designed the Prostate Cancer Imaging Stewardship (PCIS) intervention: a multi-site, stepped wedge, cluster-randomized trial to determine the effect of a physician-focused behavioral intervention on Veterans Health Administration (VHA) prostate cancer imaging use. The multi-level intervention, developed according to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Behavior Change Wheel, combines traditional physician behavior change methods with novel methods of communication and data collection. The intervention consists of three components: (1) a system of audit and feedback to clinicians informing individual clinicians and their sites about how their behavior compares to their peers’ and to published guidelines, (2) a program of academic detailing with the goal to educate providers about prostate cancer imaging, and (3) a CPRS Clinical Order Check for potentially guideline-discordant imaging orders. The intervention will be introduced to 10 participating geographically distributed study sites. Discussion: This study is a significant contribution to implementation science, providing VHA an opportunity to ensure delivery of high-quality care at the lowest cost using a theory-based approach. The study is ongoing. Preliminary data collection and recruitment have started; analysis has yet to be performed. Trial registration: CliniclTrials.gov NCT03445559.

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Chronic psychiatric disorders are associated with a significant burden of morbidity and disability and tend to be underdiagnosed in the population. Furthermore, gender appears to be a significant determinant of psychiatric disorders, yet the literature does not make a gendered distinction regarding the prevention and adjuvant treatment of psychiatric disorders. A gendered perspective of psychiatry holds great promise for more effectively preventing and treating psychiatric disorders in women, and it may be useful to view women’s mental health across the lifespan in order to do so. As of now, lifestyle interventions focused on nutrition, exercise, tobacco use cessation, stress management, healthy relationships, and sleep are evidenced-based modalities that are likely to be useful for reducing the prevalence and morbidity of psychiatric disorders.

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Objectives: This study investigated whether older adults with better relationships with their adult children have better subjective and objective sleep quality than older adults with less-positive relationships with their children. We also examined whether depressive symptoms and loneliness mediated the association between parent-child relationships and sleep among older adults. Methods: Data were used from the second wave of the National Social life, Health, and Aging Project, in which 548 respondents (aged 62-90) participated in the sleep survey to measure their actigraph sleep activity for three consecutive days. Respondents also reported sleep quality (i.e., sleep duration and insomnia symptoms), contact frequency, and emotional closeness with their children. Results: Results from structural equation modeling showed that greater emotional closeness with children was directly associated with better objective sleep characteristics (i.e., sleep fragmentation and amount of sleep). Also, more frequent contact with children was directly related to fewer insomnia symptoms among older adults. Moreover, emotional closeness with children was indirectly linked to insomnia symptoms via depressive symptoms among older adults. Discussion: This study provided evidence for psychological pathways linking parent-child relationships and older parents' subjective sleep. The findings have implications for health professionals and family counselors who help people with sleep problems and relationship difficulties.

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Purpose: To determine psychometric properties of the Caring Behaviors Inventory-24 (CBI-24) among Korean clinical nurses. Methods: A methodological design was used. Data were collected from 408 clinical nurses. Construct validity analysis was performed, including factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity. Internal consistency was tested by Cronbach's α coefficients, inter-item correlation, and corrected item-total correlation. Results: Exploratory factor analysis produced three factors: 'empathy and supporting', 'knowledge and skills', and 'providing comfort'. In confirmatory factor analysis results, model fit indices were acceptable (x2/df=3.50, RMR=.05, RMSEA=.08, CFI=.90). The values obtained for the AVE ranged from .53 to .68, and for the CR ranged from .53 to .68. Convergent validity coefficients were noticeably greater in magnitude than discriminant validity coefficients: .53 (AVE1 value) and .68 (AVE2 value)≥.45 (r12 2 value) and .68 (AVE2 value) and .63 (AVE3 value)≥.61 (r23 2 value). Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) of CBI-K was .95. Conclusion: The CBI-K was shown to have acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency. Study findings imply that CBI-K could be a useful instrument for clinical administrators and nursing researchers to assess caring behaviors among Korean clinical nurses. Utilization of CBI-K might contribute to the building of empirical knowledge and the understanding of caring behaviors from nurses' perspectives.