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Biomedical subjects

H Golander

Publications and source records attributed to H Golander.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Which stress matters? The examination of temporal aspects of stress.

In this study, the impact of past experiences, present stressors, and expectations of future stress on psychological distress were explored. Participants were 38 male and 41 female spouses of patients hospitalized with non-life-threatening diseases. Participants completed questionnaires on which they appraised past, present, and future stressors and described their levels of psychological distress. Five models of the relationships between appraisals of past, present, and future stressors with psychological distress were examined. Only one model was confirmed by the data. It suggests that an appraisal of past stressors affects the appraisal of present stressors only indirectly, through its effect on the appraisal of future stressors. This model also maintains that only the appraisal of present stressors affects psychological distress directly. The implications of these findings for stress research are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological

The moderating effect of demographic variables on coping effectiveness.

In spite of the theoretical recognition regarding the role of coping as a moderator, empirical findings indicate that it has only a modest effect as such. This study was designed, therefore, to examine the moderating effect of demographic variables (DV) on coping effectiveness, i.e. active cognitive coping, avoidance coping and active behavioural coping. The study sample was comprised of 12 male and 65 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated in three outpatient clinics of large hospitals in Israel. Findings suggest that demographic variables do play an important, and somewhat surprising, role in the effectiveness of coping strategies to temper psychological distress. Of the various demographic variables studied, marital status was found to have a significant effect on active cognitive coping and avoidance coping, and adherence to a religious belief system was found to have a significant effect on avoidance coping. The implications of the results for coping effectiveness are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological

Social support: how does it really work?

This study examines social support effect on stress and adaptation through the mediating effect of control. Participants in the study were 12 male and 65 female rheumatoid arthritis patients who were being treated in the outpatient clinics of three large hospitals in Israel. Findings suggest that social support did have a significant effect on stress and adaptation, though this effect was through the mediating effect of control and not as a buffer as was suggested previously. Implications of the results for nursing science are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological

Stimulating research thinking: the case for mini-research.

1. Nursing faculty of Tel Aviv University developed a tool to improve care in geropsychiatric units. This resulted in the establishment of a national "forum" of geropsychiatric nurse practitioners, administrators, and educators. The forum conducts study days, publishes a journal, and encourages research activities. 2. A major achievement of the forum was the organization of more than 15 mini-research groups of grass-roots nurses guided by an academic adviser. The groups examined nursing interventions, such as dolls as therapy, and specific patient care problems, such as violence, interpersonal relationships among patients, and needs of families. 3. The meetings and mini-research have had a positive impact on quality of patient care, increased family involvement, enhanced self-image of personnel, new ways of thinking, and a model for cooperation between service and academia.

Creativity

The Gulf War: reaction and action in institutions for the aged in Israel.

In order to learn how geriatric centres were coping during the Gulf War (1991), questionnaires were distributed to 116 unit head nurses in 16 institutions in Israel. Additional information was obtained from the directors of nursing and national supervisors in a meeting 3 1/2 months after the cease-fire. Questions focused on organization of work, behaviour of staff, patients and their families, main problems, solutions and recommendations. Data showed a very high level of commitment by staff, flexibility, initiative and creativity in meeting the emotional, physical and safety needs of the aged. Stress level was highest in the 'Scud' areas and among the aged who are mentally alert. Families visited less but increased contact by telephone. Management was supportive with guidance, transport, child care facilities, etc. They also provided beds and food for spouses of the aged residents. Major problems related to safety measures (sealing rooms, moving patients during attacks), physical exhaustion and emotional stress of staff, and reorganization of care programmes. Recommendations included development of a master plan for non-conventional attacks, preparation of buildings with structural improvements, recruitment and training of volunteers, clarification of roles of staff and education for them.

Adaptation, Psychological

Evaluation of care for the aged: a multipurpose guide.

There is a growing recognition of the need to evaluate quality of care. As the aged are a particularly vulnerable group, often dependent on care-givers for their remaining years, it is important to control related services. An interdisciplinary workgroup prepared a tool which lists cues to be considered in determining the quality of care for the age in ambulatory services, home care programmes, short-and long-term institutions. The cues fall into six domains: physical environment, psychosocial environment, basic personal care, health care, family involvement and manpower. The tool can be used by clients and families for selecting placement for care; by caregivers in choosing or remaining in a place of work; by those administratively responsible for care, such as supervisors, or licensing bodies for controlling performance and policy; and by other involved persons, such as educators, researchers, volunteers or funding agencies for their specific purposes.

Aged