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Biomedical subjects

L Dahlin

Publications and source records attributed to L Dahlin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Intelligence and temperament as protective factors for mental health. A cross-sectional and prospective epidemiological study.

The Sjöbring system of personality dimensions measuring intellectual capacity, activity, impulsivity and sociability was used to study possible "salutogenic" (i.e. causes of health) effects. The study comprised 590 subjects investigated in 1947, 1957, 1972 and 1988-1989 in the Lundby project, an epidemiological study in Sweden. Psychiatric diagnoses were made in 1947, 1957 and 1972. Mental health was estimated in 1988-1989 using the concept "love well, work well, play well and expect well". The Sjöbring dimensions were clinically assessed in 1972. Both in the concurrent study in 1972 and in the prospective study in 1988-1989 "super capacity" (high intellectual function), "super validity" (high activity level) and "super solidity" (low impulsivity) were statistically associated with lower frequencies of certain psychiatric diagnoses and a higher frequency of positive mental health. These variables are proposed to increase coping capacity, and therefore increase stress resilience.

Adolescent

Long-term local corticosteroid application does not influence nerve transmission or structure.

The long-term effects of a locally applied depot form of a corticosteroid on the electrical properties and structure of nerves were investigated in an animal experimental model. The conduction in electrically stimulated A-fibres of the plantar nerve was monitored by a bipolar volley recording of the sciatic nerve whereas the conduction in C-fibres of the plantar nerve was measured through a C-fibre evoked segmental flexion reflex in the anaesthetized rat. Droplets of either methylprednisolone acetate or vehicle were placed under direct observation on the plantar nerve. Saline was used as a control on the contralateral side. One to two weeks after the application both the A-fibre volley of the sciatic nerve and the C-fibre evoked reflex discharge of flexor motoneurons were recorded. No difference was found between the nerves treated with corticosteroid, constituent vehicle or saline. Light and electron microscopic analysis of the nerves showed no changes in the nerve fibres or in the intraneural connective tissue in either the corticosteroid treated or the control nerves. It is concluded that locally applied corticosteroids in limited amounts have no long-term effects on the electrical and structural properties of peripheral nerves.

Administration, Topical

Coping with life span crises in a group at risk of mental and behavioral disorders: from the Lundby study.

The subjects belong to a prospective, longitudinal population study on mental health, the Lundby study, performed in 1947, 1957 and 1972. In 1988-1989, 148 individuals, then 42-56 years of age, raised in families with at least 3 risk factors for mental or behavioral disorders, were interviewed about their life span coping style. Twenty-two coping mechanisms were rated; optimism, substitution, wishful thinking, problem-solving, planning, self-reliance, humor, acceptance, resignation, social support, comparison with others, religion, catharsis, self-criticism, value reinforcement, alcohol and drug consumption, professional help, endurance, information-seeking, isolating activity, magic and minimizing. Together they contributed statistically significantly to mental health (explained variance 24%) and quality of life (explained variance 28%). Problem-solving, social support and optimism were frequently used and were statistically associated with positive mental health and lower frequencies of some mental disorders. Sense of coherence, a personal disposition factor, was also statistically associated (explained variance 22%) with the combined coping mechanisms.

Data Collection

Childhood vulnerability and adult invincibility.

This study is salutogenic, focusing on the people who cope successfully with the handicapping background of a high-risk childhood. Of those aged 0-15 in 1947 in a total population survey of 2 Swedish parishes, 221 persons with 3 or more childhood psychiatric risk factors were identified. Personal interviews were conducted with 148 of them in 1988-1989. Four measures were used: the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Symptom Distress Checklist, the Quality of Life Scale, and a qualitative overall measure of health status using all interview material. Data analysis focuses on stressing the considerable proportion who managed to overcome their handicapped backgrounds. The sense of coherence is proposed as a powerful explanatory variable in such success.

Adaptation, Psychological

Standard of living, health, and utilization of social and health services. A survey of the population of three districts in Malmö.

A survey of the social and medical conditions of the population in three well-defined districts in Malmö was made in order to obtain background data for the planning of open care. A random choice was made of 70 households from each of the three residential areas for interview purposes. Available data concerning actual individuals were collected from the social and health authorities. Wide variations existed between the three districts. The inhabitants of Kroksbäck, mostly young families with children, were comparatively healthy somatically, whereas many had social problems; mental troubles were common too. In Lorensborg, the inhabitants did not conspicuously deviate from the average, as regards complaints. In Ellstorp, with its elderly population, two in three had impaired health, mostly in the form of somatic complaints; moreover their teeth were in poor condition. One in three of all interviewees had felt ill in some respect during the fortnight preceding the interview, and more than half had some current health problem. Eleven percent of all interviewees had sought medical advice during this fortnight. One in three of the interviewees was using prescribed remedies at the time of the interview. Eleven percent of those in the gainfully employable age range had been sick-listed for some part of the fortnight. The need for a general practitioner service, continuity of care, health centres and integration of social and medical care is discussed.

Demography