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Biomedical subjects

M E Bennett

Publications and source records attributed to M E Bennett.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

An empirical method for assessing social problem solving in schizophrenia.

The development of a multimethod social problem-solving battery for schizophrenia is described. The battery is unique in that empirical methods were used throughout its development. The battery includes components that tap skills for response generation and response evaluation. The behavioral components of social problem solving are assessed in an extended role-play format. Individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as nonpatient controls, completed the social problem-solving battery and cognitive measures. Subjects in the schizophrenia group performed more poorly than controls on measures of the ability to generate and evaluate response alternatives, as well as on the role-play test. The two patient groups did not differ in performance on any of the social problem-solving components. Appropriateness of affect was the most powerful predictor of problem-solving effectiveness.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Dentists' attitudes toward the treatment of HIV-positive patients.

The authors studied the attitudes of 1,000 U.S. dentists toward the treatment of HIV-positive patients. Using a random-sample mail survey, they measured dentists' professional attitudes toward treating HIV/AIDS patients, fear of contagion and negative emotions toward HIV-positive patients. The results indicate that 68 percent of the respondents would treat an HIV-positive patient, even if the possibility for a legitimate referral exists.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Assessing and tracking family histories of alcoholism.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to (1) determine the rates of family history of alcoholism among a community sample, using both specific questions and structured interviews, (2) document conversions from negative (FH-) to positive (FH+) alcoholism diagnoses among parents and grandparents of subjects, and (3) investigate the concordance between interview and questionnaire methods in assessing alcoholism in family members. METHOD: Information concerning alcoholism among relatives of a sample of 1,201 (620 female) probands was gathered longitudinally over a 13-year period, spanning adolescence into adulthood. At Times 1 through 3 of the study, information was gleaned from personal interviews with subjects, medical health forms and information from subjects' parents, which was used to determine a "best estimate diagnosis." At Time 4, the Family History Research Diagnostic Criteria (FH-RDC) interview was used. RESULTS: The number of subjects having an alcoholic relative increased at each test time with the largest rise occurring at Time 4. Over 80% of subjects whose parent converted to FH+ at Time 4 had previously described that parent as a heavy or problem drinker. CONCLUSIONS: The higher than previously seen escalation in FH+ status occurring at Time 4 is speculated to be the result of one or more of the following: an actual increase in the number of relatives becoming alcoholic, a newfound awareness on the part of probands about alcohol-related problems, the fact that a global judgment or single behavior observation provides an inadequate indication of familial alcoholism, or that the FH-RDC may include a more global measure of "alcohol-related problems" or "problem drinking."

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Stress, anticipatory stress, and psychologic measures related to sleep bruxism.

This study examined (1) the relationships between electromyographic-measured nocturnal bruxism, self-reported stress, and several personality variables, and (2) the relationship between belief in a stress-bruxism relationship and self-reported stress. One hundred adult bruxers completed a battery of personality questionnaires, indicated whether they believed in a stress-bruxism relationship, presented for a dental examination, and had dental impressions taken. Subsequently, electromyographic measurements of bruxing frequency and duration were recorded for fifteen consecutive nights. Prior to each night's measurements, subjects indicated their levels of stress for the immediately preceding 24 hours. No overall relationship was established between electromyographic measures and the personality variables nor between electromyographic measures and self-reported stress. Correlations between electromyographic measures and self-reported stress were statistically significant for eight individual subjects. Further, subjects with high levels of stress reported more anxiety, irritability, and depression, and less denial. Subjects who believed in a stress-bruxism relationship reported greater stress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Desire to treat HIV-infected patients: similarities and differences across health-care professions.

OBJECTIVES: To determine attitudinal predictors of health-care providers' willingness to treat HIV-infected patients. We also tested the hypothesis that differences between dental and medical students in their expressed desire to treat HIV-infected patients result from differences in their clinical exposure to bloodborne pathogens and their clinical training. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used to administer a self-report questionnaire format to preserve subject anonymity. METHODS: A questionnaire was used to assess attitudes, knowledge, and behavior associated with the care of HIV-infected patients. Both bivariate statistics and logistic regression techniques were used to determine factors related to the desire to treat HIV-infected patients. RESULTS: Compared with dental students, medical students expressed a greater desire to treat HIV-infected patients. However, the attitudinal predictors of a desire to treat were similar across both groups. The two most important predictors were the degree to which respondents perceived a personal risk of HIV exposure and their sense of professional obligation to treat all patients. Furthermore, knowledge levels were unrelated to desire to treat. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that educational interventions aimed simply at increasing a provider's knowledge of HIV may not be effective in changing behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Subtype by comorbidity in young adult substance abusers.

Comorbidity of psychiatric and substance use disorders is prevalent in adult substance abusers and influences the outcome of substance abuse treatment. To study the impact of comorbid disorders, adult subjects are subtyped into primary and secondary abusers. This study assessed comorbidity in young adult substance abusers involved in treatment, and evaluated the utility of the primary/secondary distinction in this population. Over half of the sample met criteria for at least one current psychiatric diagnosis. Subtyping resulted in 20 primary and 34 secondary abusers. The groups differed on gender, age of first problem due to substance use, depressive symptomatology, and reasons for use of alcohol. Secondary abusers reported more severe family and psychiatric problems than did primary abusers. The groups did not differ in the severity of alcohol or drug problems. These results indicate that comorbidity must be evaluated and addressed when treating young adult substance abusers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Changes in students' attitudes toward HIV-infected patients as the students progress through medical school.

PURPOSE: To examine how medical students' attitudes and intentions toward the treatment of persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) changed as the students progressed through medical school. METHOD: Similar 44-item self-administered questionnaires, to be completed anonymously, were given to 394 medical students at the University of Michigan Medical School in February 1989, when the students were in their first or second years, and to 378 of the same students in February 1991, when they were in their third or fourth years. Seven subscale variables were created, and their effects on students' willingness to treat HIV-infected patients were assessed. Bivariate statistics and logistic regression were used to relate the dependent and independent variables. RESULTS: In 1989, 201 (51%) of the students responded; in 1991, 208 (55%) responded. The students showed a high--but declining--degree of willingness to care for patients infected with HIV or at high risk of infection. Homophobic attitudes decreased, but so did the students' intentions to follow infection-control guidelines. The students who expressed a career interest in surgery specialties indicated less willingness to provide care for HIV-infected patients, presumably because these students felt that they would be at a higher risk of exposure. CONCLUSION: Overall, the students' responses indicated that over the two years of the study they became more restrictive in their attitudes toward HIV-positive patients, felt less personal obligation toward caring for these patients, and were less likely to use appropriate infection-control methods to ensure their own safety.

Attitude↗
PubMed1993

Identifying young adult substance abusers: the Rutgers Collegiate Substance Abuse Screening Test.

Substance abuse is a serious problem in the young adult population, yet there exists a lack of reliable screening measures for use in identifying problem users in this age group. The Rutgers Collegiate Substance Abuse Screening Test (RCSAST) is a 25-item, true/false questionnaire that was created to provide a reliable means of identifying young adult substance abusers. Three groups completed the RCSAST: a clinical sample of 84 young adult, problem substance users; a group of 33 young adults who were referred to an assistance program but were judged not to have a substance use problem; and a control sample of 87 young adult, nonproblem substance users. The RCSAST correctly classified 94% of the clinical subjects as problem users, and 89% of the control subjects as nonproblem users. The difference between the average total scores for the two groups was highly significant. In addition, the RCSAST was able to distinguish between problem and nonproblem users within the sample of subjects who were referred for evaluation. The findings support the use of the RCSAST in identifying young adult substance abusers.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Psychotherapy for persons with craniofacial deformities: can we treat without theory?

In recent years, increasing numbers of experts have recommended that psychological support be available for cleft children and their parents. Few cleft palate centers however offer comprehensive psychological services. This paper presents some conceptual factors which may contribute to the paucity of psychological treatments available to cleft children and their families. Shortcomings in current concepts of emotional dysfunction in cleft children are discussed, and the effects of conceptual confusion on options for psychotherapy are outlined. Suggested directions in psychotherapy research for cleft children are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Predictors of dental students' belief in the right to refuse treatment to HIV-positive patients.

We examined predictors of dental student's belief that they should be allowed to refuse treatment to HIV-infected persons. We surveyed 181 first; second-, and fourth-year dental students at a large urban university using a 44-item, self-administered anonymous questionnaire and a measure of dispositional optimism. Several composite measures were created and their relationship to belief in the right to refuse treatment was assessed. Regression techniques were used to describe the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Results indicated that non-professional attitudes, low optimism scores, low levels of comfort with homosexuality, and gender were the best predictors of belief in the right to refuse treatment to HIV-infected patients. Neither knowledge of HIV, year in dental school, or fear of contagion reliably predicted belief in the right to refuse treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treating college substance abusers. The New Jersey Collegiate Substance Abuse Program.

University students with serious substance use disorders may require specialized treatment. The New Jersey Collegiate Substance Abuse Program (NJCSAP) was a treatment center developed for this population that allowed students to receive treatment while remaining in the university environment and continuing school. NJCSAP was structured into three levels of care so that clients could be matched to treatment of appropriate intensity. In addition, NJCSAP helped students develop a network of supportive recovering peers and activities on the Rutgers University campus. An evaluation of the client population revealed a group of students with a history of severe substance use and related problems. Implications of the evaluation results are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An intensive program for collegiate substance abusers. Progress six months after treatment entry.

The New Jersey Collegiate Substance Abuse Program (NJCSAP) provided intensive substances abuse treatment to college students requiring treatment for severe substance use disorders. This study reports the progress of students who received 6 months of treatment of NJCSAP and participated in a research evaluation of the program. Overall, 74.5% of participants who completed the follow-up were abstinent at the 6-month assessment. Including participants who did not complete the follow-up as user yielded a 52.6% rate of abstinence. Students who completed the follow-up experienced decreases in the number of current psychiatric diagnoses met, depressive symptomatology, alcohol and drug problem severity, and family and psychiatric problem severity over the 6 month period. Most students rated the program components as very or moderately helpful and most were attending AA at the 6-month assessment. Result are compared to findings from other programs for adolescents and young adults.

Adolescent↗