Associations of Collective Self-Help Activity, Health Literacy and Quality of Life in Patients with Tinnitus
Beteiligte Einrichtungen
Abstract
About 800 of the 13,000 members of the German Tinnitus Association (DTL) are active in self-help groups (SHGs). This study analyzes whether SHG-participation is associated with tinnitus-related Health Literacy (HLit) and Quality of Life (QoL).
METHODS:
In a cross-sectional study 1108 tinnitus patients in- and outside of SHGs administered a questionnaire containing tinnitus-related burden, QoL, tinnitus knowledge, self-management, assessment of SHGs, and socio-demographics. Participants were divided into four subgroups: (1) active SHG-members (19.6%), (2) former SHG-members (10.6%), (3) DTL-members, but not in SHG (57.9%), (4) neither DTL- nor SHG-members (11.9%).
RESULTS:
Participant were 59.7% male and 61.3 years on average. SHG-attendees are on average 5 years older than non-attendees, and have a lower education, while there are no differences in gender-distribution. Regression analyses show significant associations between SHG-participation and tinnitus knowledge, coping and self-esteem. QoL, however, is not associated with SHG-participation. SHG-members report considerable further benefits from SHG-membership.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the limitations through the cross-sectional design, it seems more likely that tinnitus-related HLit and other benefits are a result of SHG-participation than vice versa.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:
Health care providers should inform their patients about SHGs and encourage them to consider a SHG as a possible option for their self-management.
Bibliografische Daten
Originalsprache | Englisch |
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ISSN | 0738-3991 |
DOIs | |
Status | Veröffentlicht - 12.2018 |