The impact of breast cancer on the lives of middle-aged women: Results from the Australian longitudinal study of women's health

This article investigated the impact of breast cancer (BC) in middle-aged Australian women (45-50 years). Two waves of data collected 2 years apart from a longitudinal survey of 12,177 women identified 3 groups: (a) 11,933 (98%) who reported never having had BC, (b) 181 (1.5%) who reported a diagnosis of BC at Time 1, and (c) 63 (0.5%) who reported onset of BC between Time I and Time 2. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the 3 groups. Women with recent onset of BC experienced significant changes across a range of functioning compared with the other 2 groups. Compared with women with no BC, women with longer established onset of BC had significantly worse health and social outcomes, but these were associated with small effect sizes. Both groups of women with BC reported less impact on mental and emotional health than on other areas of functioning.

Quantifying aphasic people's social lives in the context of non-aphasic peers

Background: Developing the knowledge base on the impact of aphasia on people's social lives has become increasingly important in recent times to further our understanding of the broad consequences of communication disability and thus provide appropriate services. Past research clearly indicates that relationships and social activities with family members and others undergo change with the onset of aphasia in an individual, however more evidence of a quantitative nature would be beneficial. Aims: The current research furthers our knowledge by quantifying chronically aphasic older people's regular social contacts and social activities, and places them in context by comparing them with healthy older people of similar age and education. Methods & Procedures: A total of 30 aphasic participants aged 57 to 88 years, and 71 non-aphasic controls aged 62 to 98 years were interviewed by a speech and language therapist using self-report measures of Social Network Analysis (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987) and Social Activities Checklist (Cruice, 2001, in Worrall & Hickson, 2003). Demographic information was also collected. Descriptive statistics are presented and independent samples t tests were used to examine differences between the groups. Outcomes & Results: Participants with primarily mild to moderate aphasic impairment reported a considerable range of social contacts (5-51) and social activities (8-18). Many significant differences were evident between the two groups' social contacts and activities. On average, aphasic participants had nine fewer social contacts (mainly friend'' relationships) and three fewer social activities (mainly leisure'' activities) than their non-aphasic peers. The majority of controls were satisfied with their social activities, whereas the majority of aphasic participants were not and wanted to be doing more. There were some general similarities between the groups, in terms of range of social contacts, overall pattern of social relationships, and core social activities. Conclusions: Older people with chronic aphasia had significantly fewer social contacts and social activities than their peers. People with aphasia expressed a desire to increase the social activity of their lives. Given the importance of leisure activity and relationships with friends as well as family for positive well-being, speech and language therapists may direct their rehabilitation efforts towards two areas: (1) conversational partner programmes training friends to maintain these relationships; and (2) encouraging and supporting aphasic clients in leisure activities of their choice.

Branded lives:the production and consumption of meaning at work

'Branded Lives explodes the myth that a brand must, or even can stand for one unified, easily communicated message. While warning of the dangers of managing to preserve this myth, the book also celebrates the plurality of brand meanings generated by those employed to serve both the brand and the customer. I recommend reading this book in its entirety. If you are like me, your reading will bring a refreshing fullness to the experience of brands and branding and many new insights.' - Mary Jo Hatch, University of Virginia, US. © Matthew J. Brannan, Elizabeth Parsons and Vincenza Priola 2011. All rights reserved.