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Biomedical subjects

G H Christ

Publications and source records attributed to G H Christ.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Parental death: a preventive intervention.

The untimely death of a spouse and parent is extraordinarily painful and difficult. Whether a brief intervention such as the one we are exploring is enough to make a significant difference in the mourning process and future optimum survival has yet to be seen. To date we are gratified that the immediate response of most of the surviving spouses and children is that the intervention is a helpful experience.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

A preventive intervention program for bereaved children: problems of implementation.

A brief, standardized intervention program to facilitate children's adjustment to the terminal illness and death of a parent posed the following implementation problems: estimation of patient life expectancy; engagement of the family in crisis; adhesion to the parental guidance model; and termination of formal clinical intervention. Resolution of these issues is described, and adaptation of such programs to other high-risk populations is considered.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Patterns of change in sexual behavior among gay men in New York City.

In the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment for AIDS, health education remains the most effective strategy for stemming the spread of the epidemic. Among homosexual and bisexual men, who continue to account for the majority of AIDS cases, sexual practices have been identified as the principal risk factor. Consequently, public health efforts aimed at this population have focused on raising awareness of the potential risks of HIV infection associated with certain sexual practices. A sample of 162 asymptomatic gay and bisexual men were studied to examine patterns of change and stability in sexual behavior. The data reveal that while the large majority (84%) had adopted at least modification in their sexual behavior, primarily in the form of reducing their total number of partners and their number of anonymous partners, a significant proportion (48%) continued to engage in risky sexual behavior; this, despite high levels of knowledge concerning risk-reduction guidelines. The findings suggest that the mere transfer of information concerning safer sex practices is not sufficient to induce the desired behavior changes in a substantial proportion of gay men. Alternative strategies for achieving behavior change are suggested.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Social consequences of the cancer experience.

Increasing longevity of the cancer patient has brought about the need for mental health professionals to help patients and families cope with stresses not only at diagnosis and death but throughout the course of the illness and cure when the survivor experiences late effects and societal barriers. Patients, parents, mental health professionals, physicians, and the public all have differing perspectives on problems facing the survivor. The tendency is for physicians to minimize problems in light of curing a disease that was once fatal. The public may be reluctant to acknowledge problems out of a lack of awareness that cure is possible. Differences in points of view may account for disagreements about the significance of problems associated with survival. Acknowledgment and understanding of these various perspectives are prerequisite to resolving problems and facilitating the coordination of care and support survivors require in their pursuit of a normal life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Factors affecting coping of adolescents and infants on a reverse isolation unit.

This paper describes factors that affect the coping processes of adolescents with aplastic anemia and infants with severe combined immuno-deficiency disease treated on a reverse isolation unit. The adolescents demonstrated a rich diversity of coping styles depending on the interaction of a variety of factors. Special stresses to other family members, such as the reactions of the child donor, are also highlighted. For the infants, the dyadic relationship with the mothering figure, the feelings of the family about the fact of genetic transmission, and the impact of isolation on the infant's development are identified as important psychosocial variables in the infant's adjustment. A multidimensional perspective such as that provided within a systems framework, which encourages an appreciation of the interactive diversity of all factors, is presented as the most useful approach to interventions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗