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Biomedical subjects

C R Pfeffer

Publications and source records attributed to C R Pfeffer.

78 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Psychiatric hospital treament of suicidal children.

Three phases of psychiatric hospital treatment of children, ages 6 to 12 years, admitted to the hospital because of suicidal threats or suicidal attempts are described. Suicidal behavior in young children must always be taken seriously. Although suicidal behavior usually ceases upon hospitalization, suicidal ideas may continue to be expressed in play fantasy. In addition to individual and milieu therapy, treatment must also include concomitant assistance of the parents. The treatment procedures are illustrated by suicidal case examples of a depressed girl, an acting-out boy, and a psychotic boy.

Child↗

Child survivors of parental death from cancer or suicide: depressive and behavioral outcomes.

Depressive symptoms, social competence, and behavior problems of prepubescent children bereaved within 18 months of parental death from cancer (57 families, 64 children) or suicide (11 families, 16 children) were compared. Most children reported normative levels of depressive symptoms. Children whose parents died from suicide, compared with those whose parents died from cancer, reported significantly more depressive symptoms, involving negative mood, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, and anhedonia. Parental reports of children's competence and behavior were similar to a normative sample of children and did not differ between the children bereaved by parental cancer or suicide. Additional research should focus on other factors, such as family psychopathology, stresses, and impact of stigma, which may influence the course of bereaved children.

Achievement↗

Co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders in child psychiatric patients and nonpatients: a circumplex model.

This study of 106 preadolescent psychiatric inpatients, 101 preadolescent psychiatric outpatients, and 101 preadolescent nonpatients examined the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and co-occurrence of psychiatric diagnoses. The inpatients and outpatients had significantly more co-occurring diagnoses than the nonpatients. For a given diagnosis there are varying frequencies of co-occurring disorders. The similar structure and prevalence among co-occurring diagnoses in this sample of children fit a circumplex model in which variation among disorders appears to be continuous in the form of a closed circle.

Borderline Personality Disorder↗

Adults mourning suicide: self-reported concerns about bereavement, needs for assistance, and help-seeking behavior.

This study empirically characterized the experiences of 227 adult next-of-kin as they mourned suicides that had occurred in New York City during 1997. Next-of-kin reported psychosocial problems including family difficulties, comorbid stressors, psychiatric symptomatology, and unresolved bereavement. Professional intervention was the most frequently reported need and the most frequently reported type of desired help. In terms of actual receipt of assistance, participants reported having received help from families, friends, and communities as well as from professionals. Although some next-of-kin had not sought help because they felt able to cope without assistance, others encounted barriers to receiving desired help. These findings warrant increased and sustained community outreach to this population. Recommendations include public education regarding de-stigmatization of suicide and the needs of the suicidally bereaved, enhancement of internal and external coping supports, facilitation of access to both professional and community help, and better coordinated and more culturally appropriate services.

Adult↗

Suicidal behavior in children and adolescents: a clinical and research perspective.

This overview presents the significant findings on suicidal risk in children and adolescents. Specifically, it outlines macroscopic domains of suicidal youth such as psychosocial, sociocultural, and philosophical features. A definition of youth suicidal episodes and descriptions of their component features are offered. Risk factors involving psychopathology in the suicidal youngster and family as well as other environmental, developmental, and physiological stresses are highlighted. Directions for clinical management and empirical research are offered.

Adolescent↗