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Biomedical subjects

Jan H Rosenvinge

Publications and source records attributed to Jan H Rosenvinge.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Resilience as a moderator of pain and stress.

OBJECTIVE: To study the predictive validity of the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) experimentally in relation to pain and stress. METHOD: The submaximum tourniquet method was used to induce ischemic pain and stress. Eighty-four subjects were randomized to a low- or a high stress group, and selected to a low- or a high resilience group according to their scores on the RSA. Measures of pain and stress were taken every 5 min. RESULTS: Perceived pain and stress increased significantly throughout the experimental session, but individuals scoring high on the RSA reported less pain and stress. This protection was more pronounced for the high stress group, thus supporting a protective effect of resilience as measured by the RSA. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive validity of the RSA was confirmed. Due to the positive role of these factors in pain and stress perception, it may also be a promising measure for studies on pain patients.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2006

Alcohol problems, mental disorder and mental health among suicide attempters 5-9 years after treatment by child and adolescent outpatient psychiatry.

Many studies report associations between alcohol problems, mental disorder, mental health and suicidal behaviour. Still, more knowledge is needed about possible differential characteristics of these factors in risk groups. This naturalistic and retrospective study included former patients who received emergency treatment in child and adolescent outpatient clinics for their mental health problems. One hundred patients were personally interviewed 5-9 years after treatment referral about alcohol problems and mental disorders. Also, they completed questionnaires about 11 indicators of mental health. At the follow-up, those who had attempted suicide during the follow-up period had more alcohol problems and mental disorders than the non-attempters. However, no association was found between suicide attempt in the follow-up period and the mental health indicators. Among the attempters, a high psychological burden as indicated by mental health disorders and poor mental health were associated with suicide re-attempt (lifetime) and an intention to die.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The interaction of personality disorders and eating disorders: a two-year prospective study of patients with longstanding eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the relation between personality disorders and symptoms of both eating disorders and general psychopathology over time. METHOD: Seventy-four patients, with a mean age of 30 years and admitted to a hospital for treatment of a chronic eating disorder, were assessed using the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II disorders (SCID-II) at admission, and after 1 and 2 years. RESULTS: At the 2-year follow-up, there was considerable reduction in both personality and symptoms (effect size = 0.83-0.94). Panel modeling using structural equation modeling techniques indicated that symptomatic changes generally preceded changes in the personality disorder. DISCUSSION: Eating disorder symptoms and general symptomatology had direct effects on a dimensional personality disorder index. Thus, personality disorders may be at least partially a consequence of general symptomatology in chronic eating disorders. Symptom improvement appears to precede changes in personality in this sample of patients with chronic eating disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Resilience in relation to personality and intelligence.

Resilience is a construct of increasing interest, but validated scales measuring resilience factors among adults are scarce. Here, a scale named the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) was crossvalidated and compared with measures of personality (Big Five/5PFs), cognitive abilities (Raven's Advanced Matrices, Vocabulary, Number series), and social intelligence (TSIS). All measures were given to 482 applicants for the military college. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the fit of the five-factor model, measuring 'personal strength', 'social competence', 'structured style', 'family cohesion' and 'social resources'. Using Big Five to discriminate between well adjusted and more vulnerable personality profiles, all resilience factors were positively correlated with the well adjusted personality profile. RSA-personal strength was most associated with 5PFs-emotional stability, RSA-social competence with 5PFs-extroversion and 5PFs-agreeableness, as well as TSIS-social skills, RSA-structured style with 5PFs-conscientiousness. Unexpectedly but interestingly, measures of RSA-family cohesion and RSA-social resources were also related to personality. Furthermore, the RSA was unrelated to cognitive abilities. This study supported the convergent and discriminative validity of the scale, and thus the inference that individuals scoring high on this scale are psychologically healthier, better adjusted, and thus more resilient.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

Suicide attempts and life events 5-9 years after referral for emergency psychiatric outpatient treatment.

The aim of this naturalistic and retrospective follow-up study was to identify putative predictors of suicide attempts among young adults at high risk with a particular view on adverse life events. One hundred young adults who had been given emergency treatment for mental health problems in child and adolescent outpatient clinics in Norway were assessed 5-9 years after referral. Suicide and suicide attempts in the follow-up period were registered as well as suicide attempts at referral and previous suicide attempts unrelated to the treatment referral. In addition, adverse life events during childhood and adolescence and social background factors were registered. Only one subject committed suicide during the follow-up period. However, suicide attempts were frequent (29/100) and equally distributed among those referred for suicidal or other reasons. Those who had attempted suicide experienced more adverse life events during adolescence, were more likely to be male, to have incomplete schooling and a record of psychiatric hospitalizations. Clinicians need to address the risk of future suicide attempts also among young emergency patients not referred for suicidal reasons.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Breast cancer: a manual for a proposed group treatment integrating evidence based resilience factors.

The paper presents the structure and content of a manual for a proposed treatment of breast cancer patients in groups. The proposed treatment is structured, time limited, and integrates elements from 1995 work of Spiegel and the Yalom 1995 theory of group therapy as well as empirically derived resilience factors. Addressing the psychological specificity of breast cancer, the overall treatment goals are to help patients to acquire new coping skills for relieving stress, to increase their personal and social competence and their use of available social support, to increase family coherence, to enhance optimism and quality of life, and to help patients develop new values and priorities that comply with their current and future life situation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

[Pathological overeating--an overview].

An eating disorder apart from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is "binge eating disorder" (BED): eating in a short period of time a large quantity of food and a feeling of lack of control over food intake. There is also an atypical rest category, "eating disorders not otherwise specified" (EDNOS). Diagnostic criteria for BED and EDNOS are incomplete, particularly with respect to the definition of "bingeing" relative to bulimia nervosa. More restrictive criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa skew the diagnostic distribution towards BED and EDNOS, though the total prevalence of eating disorders remains unchanged. For BED and EDNOS taken together the lifetime prevalence in women is about 6%. The relationship between BED, EDNOS and overweight has mainly been overlooked; further investigations are needed. Lasting treatment effects have been found for overweight people with BED. Other eating disorders apart from anorexia nervosa and bulimia are prevalent and clinically important, and research has opened up a potential for effective treatment.

Bulimia↗
PubMed2004

[Eating disorders--an overview].

This article gives an updated review of the history, epidemiology, etiology, and evidence-based treatment of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder), with specific reference to the Norwegian situation. In order to improve clinical skills there is an emphasis on the need for more treatment resources, particularly for the most serious cases, better implementation of evidence-based treatment and on continuous medical education. Given the somatic manifestations of eating disorders, medical doctors are essential in assessment and treatment. Many patients can be successfully treated by general practitioners provided that the general practitioner takes an interest in and is knowledgeable about eating disorders. The need to increase the number of general practitioners participating in ongoing Norwegian educational programmes on eating disorders is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Can we prevent eating disorders?].

This paper reviews experience and empirical findings with respect to preventing eating disorders. In essence, the evidence is quite disappointing; no studies have shown major and lasting effects. This is because of methodological flaws, errors in programme designs and imprecise or unrealistic outcome measures. Some developments stand out as more promising: first, developing universal, preventive strategies that take into account knowledge about how to change attitudes and behaviour; second, replacing short-lived classroom educational programmes with strategies involving parents and the community at large. Within such an ecological and health promoting paradigm the focus is not to prevent serious eating disorders, but to modify the culture of body dissatisfaction. This focus can be integrated into preventing obesity in order to reduce the risk of conflicting public messages.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Is information about eating disorders experienced as harmful? A consumer perspective on primary prevention.

Empirical studies showing harmful side effects such as symptom learning have led to the abandoning of symptom information in school-based prevention programs on eating disorders. However, little is known about how students themselves experience information about eating disorders, and how they believe information about eating disorders may affect students in general. A positive experience may be expected because information may reduce student's worry and concern about an eating disorder for themselves and their peers. This survey of 107 15-16-year-old students in a junior high school showed that students, and girls in particular, found information about eating disorders provided in school-based prevention programs useful, meaningful, and interesting. Also, they believed that information may help students in general better understand the nature of eating disorders in order to support peers and friends. Interviews still showed that information was poorly related to their own situation as many reported dieting to be thinner to acquire prefection, and that they could diet without loosing control. Interviews also showed that students wanted more interactive classroom discussions about eating disorders. Discussion may facilitate elaboration and a better personal integration of information. It is suggested that integrated information based social support, and not information per se might be the preventive agent,and that the provision of information can then be defendable within a health promotion paradigm. Replacing the school teacher with a specialist prevention team to improve the credibility of information could be a useful strategy that needs further investigation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

A new rating scale for adult resilience: what are the central protective resources behind healthy adjustment?

Resources that protect against the development of psychiatric disturbances are reported to be a significant force behind healthy adjustment to life stresses, rather than the absence of risk factors. In this paper a new scale for measuring the presence of protective resources that promote adult resilience is validated. The preliminary version of the scale consisted of 45 items covering five dimensions: personal competence, social competence, family coherence, social support and personal structure. The Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) were given to 59 patients once, and to 276 normal controls twice, separated by four months. The factor structure was replicated. The respective dimensions had Cronbach's alphas of 0.90, 0.83, 0.87, 0.83 and 0.67, and four-month test-retest correlations of 0.79, 0.84, 0.77, 0.69 and 0.74. Construct validity was supported by positive correlations with SOC and negative correlations with HSCL. The RSA differentiated between patients and healthy control subjects. Discriminant validity was indicated by differential positive correlations between RSA subscales and SOC. The RSA-scale might be used as a valid and reliable measurement in health and clinical psychology to assess the presence of protective factors important to regain and maintain mental health.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

Trust in health Websites: a survey among Norwegian Internet users.

Whether consumers feel able to trust the information presented on a health-related Website is as important a quality criterion as more objective criteria. We investigated whether trust was related to five aspects of health Websites: the involvement of health professionals, a facility for interactive communication, information about those responsible for the site, a picture of those responsible for the site, and the impression of site update frequency. A polling agency invited, by email, a sample of 600 Norwegian users of e-health information to participate in the study and 476 subjects did so (a 79% response rate), by completing a questionnaire online. Their mean age was 41 years and 53% were female. All five aspects of health Websites were related to the trust placed in the site but they were not consistently related to gender or age. Trust in Websites that were frequently updated was related to being a frequent e-health user, while those who trusted interactive e-health sites were low-frequency users who tended to order drugs and health products from the sites. The probability of taking action as a result of e-health information was related to the frequency of visits to health Websites but not to the five aspects of them investigated in relation to trust. However, respondents who trusted sites that were perceived as being frequently updated and to have health professionals involved were more likely to be frequent users of e-health information.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Treatment of bulimia nervosa--results from Modum Bads Nervesanatorium].

BACKGROUND: Hospital admission for bulimia nervosa is rather uncommon, but may be indicated in cases of psychiatric comorbidity, long duration of treatment and previous treatment failures. We describe a multicomponent inpatient treatment programme consisting of cognitive-behavioural group and individual therapy, physical training and steps to normalize eating patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 47 patients treated between 1998 and 2000 were studied. Patients were interviewed and completed self-report instruments at admission and discharge. RESULTS: At discharge, a significant improvement with respect to bulimic as well as general psychiatric symptoms had occurred. INTERPRETATIONS: The results may indicate that improvement occurs even for severe bulimia with personality disorders, and that hospital treatment may be needed to accomplish this kind of change. Follow-up studies are necessary in order to corroborate these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Eating disorders--how should treatment be organized?].

BACKGROUND: Well controlled normal population studies show no sharp increase in the incidence and prevalence of eating disorders. However, more individuals seem to seek treatment, and there is a need for more precise estimates of the expected patient load at various levels of care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total number of potential patients was estimated on the basis of data on the number of women aged 15-44 years, the number of hospitals and outpatient clinics per county in Norway, working hours per year for general practitioners, and the prevalence of eating disorders. RESULTS: In total, about 50,000 Norwegian women may suffer from eating disorders; about 600 may need highly specialized services. At the most, each outpatient clinic may expect about 80 annual referrals for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and each hospital may expect 10-20 patients with bulimia nervosa. On average, each outpatient clinic and hospital may expect 8-9 referrals of patients with anorexia nervosa. INTERPRETATION: There is a need for increased treatment capacity, better clinical skills and better organization of treatment services for patients with eating disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Improvement and recovery from eating disorders: a patient perspective.

This study presents a patient perspective on improvement and recovery from eating disorders. Forty-eight women recruited from patient organizations and a university eating disorder unit participated in the study. Participants completed standard questionnaires and a qualitative interview. "A wish to change," professional treatment, nonprofessional care, and important persons in the women's lives were identified as important recovery factors. Recovery included improved acceptance of oneself, interpersonal relations, problem solving, and body satisfaction, which was not entirely dependent on symptom absence. The patient perspective concurred with clinical reasoning about recovery.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Social support in a wired world: use of online mental health forums in Norway.

This study explored the use of the four major Norwegian mental-health-related online discussion forums; who participate, why, and what implications use may have. The objective was to provide a basis for proposing relevant research questions and issues for public policy attention. A total of 492 responses to a web-based questionnaire were received. The respondents, predominantly women (78%) in the age range 18--35 years, found forum participation useful for information, and social contact and support. A majority (75%) found it easier to discuss personal problems online than face-to-face, and almost half say they discuss problems online that they do not discuss face-to-face. A majority would not have participated had they not had the option of using a pseudonym. Respondents perceive discussion groups as a supplement rather than a replacement of traditional mental health services, reporting no change in the amount or type of service used. A clear majority want professionals to take an active role in these types of forum. Comments from respondents indicate that forums may have an empowering effect. We believe that online interaction can have unique benefits for people suffering from mental disorders. Professionals will need new knowledge and perceptions of their roles, and public authorities will have to decide their role in influencing the quality of services offered, and the social values conveyed, to those who seek help through the Internet.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

The effect of exercise, cognitive therapy, and nutritional counseling in treating bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this treatment study on bulimia nervosa was (i) to examine the effect of physical exercise as an experimental treatment condition against the well-documented effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and (ii) to compare the effect of CBT versus the effect of nutritional advice as one single treatment component of CBT. METHOD: Normal weight female bulimic patients aged 18-29 yr were randomly assigned to a physical exercise program (N = 15), CBT (N = 16), nutritional advice (N = 17), or a waiting list control group (N = 16). Seventeen healthy female control subjects were also included. Treatment effects were determined by the frequency of binge eating and purging, scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory subscales "Drive for thinness," "Bulimia," and "Body dissatisfaction" and by a clinical interview to measure symptom severity. Assessments were made before and after treatment and at 6- and 18-month follow-up after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Nutritional counseling did not prove more effective than CBT. Physical exercise appeared more effective than CBT in reducing pursuit of thinness; change in body composition; aerobic fitness; and frequency of bingeing, purging, and laxative abuse. CONCLUSION: Physical exercise is important in the treatment of normal weight bulimic patients. Further studies should address possible additive effects of CBT and physical exercise.

Adolescent↗