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Biomedical subjects

M J Kupst

Publications and source records attributed to M J Kupst.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Modification of activity level through biofeedback and operant conditioning.

The biomotometer, an electronic device that simultaneously measures activity and provides auditory feedback to the subject, was used in combination with material reinforcers in two experiments attempting to modify activity level in children. In the first study the activity level of an 11-year-old highly active boy was decreased below mean baseline during conditioning in a classroom setting. His level of activity returned to baseline when feedback was withdrawn. In the second study, activity level of a 10-year-old hypoactive boy was increased over mean baseline level during conditioning in a free-play setting, and returned to slightly below baseline during five extinction trials. Results of these studies indicate that the biomotometer is a useful instrument for modification of activity level.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1977

A rating scale for the selection of internship applicants.

This study evaluated the utility of a rating scale for selecting clinical psychology interns. Forty-five applicants were rated by five staff psychologists. Variables rated included previous clinical experience, academic record, scholarly productivity, letters of recommendation, and intangibles. Majority agreement was found for 80% of the applicants for academic record and for scholarly productivity, for 73.3% of the applicants for clinical experience and for letters of recommendation, for 40% of the applicants for intangibles. Overall majority agreement was found for 64.8% of the candidates. All of the variables correlated positively and significantly with the total score. Scholarly productivity was weighted highest as a predictor of the applicant's total score followed by clinical experience, intangibles, letters of recommendation, and academic record. Advantages of the use of the rating scale by training centers in the selection of interns were discussed.

Child Psychiatry↗
PubMed1977

Helping parents cope with the diagnosis of congenital heart defect: an experimental study.

An experimental study was designed to help parents cope with the implications of the diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Intervention strategies involving clarification of medical information, discussion of psychological issues, and a combination of the two, were more effective than no intervention in helping parents to gain an accurate understanding of the diagnosis and other medical information. Regardless of the intervention strategy used, satisfaction was generally high, and parent anxiety did not appear to fluctuate during the course of the visit. The team approach was recommended for use in pediatric specialty clinics where time is often short, and more personal interaction may be needed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1975

Community mental health boards: a comparison of their development, functions, and powers by board members and mental health center staff.

Orientations toward citizens' board functioning in a community mental health setting were studied in an urban setting involving 18 community-based mental health centers. Four groups were interviewed: citizen board members, board chairpersons, center staff, and center directors. Groups generally agreed that the primary function of a board is to make certain that community needs are met. Board members and professionals differed in perceptions of reasons for joining boards and, more important, the degree of involvement board members should have. Board members saw their role as advisory, staff favored codecision or advisory, directors favored codecision, and charipersons wanted a stronger board role.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1975

Evaluation of methods to improve communication in the physician-patient relationship.

Parents of children with congenital heart disease participated in an experiment to assess effects of communication methods on retention, anxiety, and satisfaction in regard to information received from physicans. Restatement of medical information by parents was found to be most effective, especially over time, for retention; results were not significant for anxiety or satisfaction.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The psychological impact of pediatric bacterial meningitis on the family.

Twenty-eight families participated in a prospective study of family coping with childhood bacterial meningitis. Most of the parents were seen by physicians and nursing staff as exhibiting anxiety during the first week of treatment, and many mothers later reported their fear for the child's life. Depressive behavior was also commonly noted in mothers by physicians; however, both mothers and fathers were generally seen as cooperating with staff and communicating well with them. Most of the families were rated as coping well with the diagnosis and treatment by physicians, nurses and psychosocial staff. Nineteen families participated in a follow-up assessment 1 to 2 years after diagnosis. Coping was found to be relatively stable over time, and mothers' coping at the follow-up interview was significantly correlated with their coping at diagnosis. Most of them raised concerns about residual damage and fear of life-threatening illness. There were no significant differences between families who had received a psychological intervention and those who had not. Careful monitoring of parental knowledge and perceptions was recommended to prevent later problems.

Anxiety↗