Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B J Powell.
Investigated various demographic correlates of locus of control orientation in 123 male alcoholics. The social functioning of alcoholics was associated significantly with locus of control. It was suggested that conflicting results among similar studies probably are due to the differing social or demographic characteristics of the samples that were used.
The ambivalence about chronic alcohol abuse among health and related professionals can result in their failure to appreciate medical complications frequently associated with this disorder. Data from 81 male alcoholics are presented in this article to illustrate their increased risk of physical illness and premature death. The authors point to the need for more effective screening and monitoring procedures in alcoholism programs as well as improved training of professionals.
Clinical correlates of the PRF Andro were examined in an alcoholic population. Measures included the Sensation Seeking Scale, Eysenck Personality Inventory, Symptom checklist--90, the Cornell Medical Index and Rotter's Locus of Control. Of 28 possible relationships, only five measures were found to be weakly associated with androgynous subtypes. Androgynous subtypes appear largely unrelated to the psychological and physical health of alcoholics.
Alcoholics having a family history of alcoholism tended to drink at an earlier age and to have more social and personal problems than do alcoholics not having a family history of alcoholism.
The author describes a training program in diaster-relief agencies. The program is designed to improve their over-all understanding of disaster-relief work and to increase their sensitivity to the emotional needs of disaster victims. Based on the recommendations of a state task force report, it consists of a workshop that makes use of videotapes and learning exercises to help participants improve their listening skills, learn problem-solving techniques, become aware of behavioral signs that can alert them to victims' emotional reactions, and familiarize them with the work of other relief agencies.
In a study to evaluate the effectiveness of specific pharmacological treatment groups, former VA inpatients who have similar diagnoses and respond satisfatorily to drug treatment join a Prolixin group, a lithium group, or an affective disorder group. In monthly meetings patients learn about their illness, the importance of the taking medication as prescribed, and possible side-effects; they also receive psychological support. The 85 patients who joined the groups during the first 12 months attended 87.3 per cent of the sessions. Twenty per cent of them were rehospitalized, about half of them because they did not take medication as prescribed. The authors believe the groups are an economical and effective way to provide aftercare.
Scores on the Cornell Medical Index were not useful in distinguishing alcoholic patients who required medical attention from those who did not.
Consumption of morphine sulfate and d-amphetamine was studied in two groups of rats. In a choice situation, preference for both drugs remained low after 46 days of drinking. In two additional groups morphine and d-amphetamine solutions were prepared with 1% saccharine. Morphine drinking was significantly increased by saccharine adulteration, whereas drinking of amphetamine solutions decreased. Addition of saccharine to morphine solutions increased drinking in more than a simple additive way. Saccharine facilitates the acquisition of drug-directed behavior. The slope of the acquisition trials for the morphine-saccharine group was significantly different from horizontal (O-slope) and significantly different from the slope found for the morphine without saccharine group.
Twenty-six tornado victims were interviewed to determine the mental health consequences of a natural disaster. The results, based on retrospective accounts indicated that approximately three-fourths of the victims suffered increased psychological discomfort of a subjective nature five months later. This discomfort was characterized by anxiety, nervousness, and mild somatic complaints. Disruptions in interpersonal relationships among family members were less frequently reported. The disaster did not produce severe emotional impairment and few of the victims felt the need for professional mental health assistance.
Two groups of Wistar rats were reared in either enriched or impoverished conditions for 100 days postweaning. These two groups were further divided and tested for cocaine or morphine preference in a two-bottle choice (water alternative) for 16 days. Enriched and impoverished rearing has previously been found to alter emotionality, conditionability, and body weight of adult rats. Validating previous reports of differential rearing effects on body weight, the enriched animals in the present study weighed less than their litter mates reared in impoverished conditions. Animals reared in the enriched environment consumed significantly more cocaine than animals reared in an impoverished one. No significant differences were observed for morphine self-selection as a result of differential rearing.
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