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Biomedical subjects

L Kaufmann

Publications and source records attributed to L Kaufmann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Communication in functional and dysfunctional families with adolescent children. III. Evaluation of the relation of verbal and nonverbal communications].

This study analyzes communication in families with one or more adolescent children, thus undergoing a critical period of transition. Two groups are compared: a group of 11 "functional" families (no child referral for psychological problems) and a group of 11 "dysfunctional" families (one adolescent child referral for psychological problems). The analysis of relationships between verbal and non-verbal communication indicates that more inter-channel congruence is achieved in "functional" families; this holds for individual as well as for inter-partners interactions. The results of the previously published separate analysis of verbal and non-verbal communication are briefly resumed. The findings of the study as a whole are interpreted in terms of the General Systems Theory with regard to the function of "parental framing" of the child's development.

Adolescent↗

Usefulness of synovial fluid analysis in the evaluation of joint effusions. Use of threshold analysis and likelihood ratios to assess a diagnostic test.

This study applied threshold analysis and likelihood ratios to determine the usefulness of a diagnostic test. Eleven staff rheumatologists or rheumatology fellows provided probability estimates for the most likely diagnoses both before and after synovial fluid analyses were performed on 180 patients with joint effusions. They also indicated whether the planned therapy was altered by the test results. The therapeutic thresholds and log likelihood ratios were derived for the six most frequent diagnoses. Synovial fluid analysis was most useful for patients likely to have gout, pseudogout, or infectious arthritis. The derived therapeutic thresholds were consistent with recommended medical practice, for example, with a lower threshold for possible septic arthritis (20%) than for possible gout (65%). This study demonstrates that threshold analysis and likelihood ratios can be used to assess the clinical contribution of diagnostic tests.

Arthritis, Infectious↗

[Authority of the psychotherapist in the perspective of systems theory].

The authority of the therapist is described in reference to a model of the framing of development based on General Systems Theory, as an essential property of the therapist-patient relationship that insures the hierarchical structure of the therapeutic system. The hierarchically superior position of the therapist is based on the relatively great (long term) constancy of his/her functioning mode in therapy, securing the dynamic stability of the therapeutic system. To insure his/her own development (evolution), the therapist himself (herself) needs to be framed by hierarchically superior systems. The importance of the relative autonomy of the therapist in face of the risk of loosing or overdoing his (her) own authority is briefly discussed.

Authoritarianism↗

[Communication in "functional" and "dysfunctional" families with adolescent children. I. Verbal communication].

This research studies family communications during the critical period of change provoked by the puberty of one of the children. Two groups of families are compared: one group of 15 "functional" families (no psychological consultation has been requested) and one group of 15 "dysfunctional" families (a psychological consultation has been requested for one of the adolescents). The micro-analysis of the verbal communications reveals a few significant differences between the two groups of families. The results point to structural differences between the family systems.

Adolescent↗

[Chronicity and the family].

This paper's data are drawn from a follow-up study which points to a frequent coincidence of individual chronic psychopathological behavior and certain persistent particularities of family interaction. In a comment, based on a recently developed system model for the symptom as double-norm behavior, the author describes the vicious circle established between symptomatic behavior and stagnation in family system.

Chronic Disease↗