This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the SMILE intervention (Sleep Mood Intervention – Live Effectively) on the quality of life and depressive symptoms among university students...Show moreThis study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the SMILE intervention (Sleep Mood Intervention – Live Effectively) on the quality of life and depressive symptoms among university students experiencing sleep difficulties. The SMILE intervention is a four-week group therapy program integrating elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and lifestyle guidelines. A total of 35 English-speaking participants were randomly allocated to either the SMILE intervention group or a waitlist control group in a 2:1 ratio. The study used a randomized controlled trial design and utilized the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for assessments at baseline and post-treatment. Contrary to our hypotheses, the SMILE intervention did not significantly improve Q-LES-Q or BDI scores compared to the waitlist control group. The influence of gender was not significant on either measure. Although alcohol consumption was found to be a significant covariate in BDI scores, it was not a significant predictor of post-intervention depressive symptoms when adjusting for baseline values. This suggests that while alcohol consumption is a confounder in the effectiveness of the intervention on depressive symptoms, its ability to predict changes in depressive symptoms due to the intervention itself is not statistically significant. These findings indicate that the SMILE intervention did not significantly impact university students’ quality of life or depressive symptoms. Future research may consider exploring additional or alternative interventions to improve quality of life and depressive symptoms among university students.Show less
Abstract Yearly, many patients get admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) worldwide, with even more admissions since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With the rising survival...Show moreAbstract Yearly, many patients get admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) worldwide, with even more admissions since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With the rising survival number, investigating the long-term Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) outcomes, which can be negatively influenced by depressive symptoms, became important. This study investigates whether there is a difference in depressive symptoms between COVID-19 and non-COVID patients that got admitted to the ICU; how depressive symptoms influence the HRQoL, and if there is a difference in HRQoL between COVID-19 patients and non-COVID patients; and if there is a relationship between the self-reported health, happiness, and satisfaction about the ICU stay and depressive symptoms. It was expected that COVID-19 patients would have a higher mean score on depressive symptoms than non-COVID patients, COVID-19 patients with depressive symptoms have lower HRQoL scores than non-COVID patients, and lastly, that there would be a negative relation between the self-reported health, happiness and satisfaction about the ICU stay and depressive symptoms. In this study, 278 patients participated. Approximately one year after ICU discharge, patients filled out a survey. For this study, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Euroqol Quality of Life (EQ6D), and general questions about the health, happiness, and satisfaction of the ICU stay were taken into account. An independent t-test demonstrated significant higher mean scores on depressive symptoms in COVID-19 patients than in non-COVID patients (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that depressive symptoms predicted HRQoL (p < .05), but HRQoL was not different between COVID versus non-COVID (p = .225). Regression analysis showed both health and happiness predicted depressive symptoms(p < .05), but not between satisfaction and depressive symptoms (p = .318). The results confirmed our hypothesis that there would be higher mean scores on depressive symptoms in COVID-19 patients than in non-COVID patients. Our findings are clinically relevant and can be used to provide better mental health care after ICU discharge. Follow-up studies should among other things focus on the length of ICU stay, the time during the pandemic that someone got admitted to the ICU, and the depressive symptoms two years after ICU discharge.Show less
