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Biomedical subjects

S Saxon

Publications and source records attributed to S Saxon.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Legislative and humanitarian impetus for development of alcohol and other drug policy at an Australian university.

The rationale for comprehensive alcohol and other drug policy at a tertiary institution is presented here as a health promotion strategy for educating University policy makers. Particular emphasis is placed on a discussion of humanitarian issues, that is, the right to a healthy environment, and the potential for legal liability in an environment where alcohol is readily available and other drugs are present. There is little attention paid to drug use related legal issues in the University, but at the same time drawing the attention of policy makers to the organisation's vulnerability to lawsuits has been reported to be a motivating force for adoption of drug use policy. Universities do experience problems related to alcohol and other drug use by staff and students. Problem reduction, and better management of problems, are the major goals of policy in this area. Local initiatives, for example at the organisational level, make important contributions to the overall drug prevention efforts of the nation. Well-developed policy and procedures and effective implementation constitute an important structural health promotion strategy. Such policy would comply with the immediate requirements of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare legislation and provide some protection against wrongful dismissal claims and negligence lawsuits, as well as providing long-term educative effects. Situations for which policies are needed, range widely due to the University's unique environment and complex roles.

Adolescent↗

Neurologic sequelae of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Forty-two children who had Rocky Mountain spotted fever were seen for neurologic and psychologic examination at follow-up. The presence of sequelae was more common in children with severely impaired states of consciousness. Behavioral disturbances and learning disabilities were the most common problems. Seizures, although a common occurrence during acute disease, did not occur as sequelae to Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Acute Disease↗

Social skills training with mildly retarded young adults.

Described a social skills assessment and training model for use with mildly retarded young adults (N = 20). The assessment procedure examined social behavior in three types of social situations (e.g., conversational situation, cooperative task and assertive situation) with both male and female respondents. Group behavioral social skills training was compared with a no treatment control condition using various dependent measures collected in the in-vivo social situations. Group behavioral social skills training was more effective than the control condition in increasing positive social behavior, attention to the transaction, and degree of empathy. It was also more effective than a control condition in decreasing negative social skill behavior. A situation effect also was observed, which suggests a need for more focus on particular social skills and a need to address issues of generalization. A comprehensive social skills assessment and training model is discussed.

Adult↗

Economic viability of the mental health worker.

Lower salary costs and effective provision of services to specific community groups are counted among the advantages of the use of mental health workers in community programs. In a cost-benefit analysis of the value of health manpower, salaries and service provision are only two of several factors, yet the circumstances of funding, training, and role diffusion that surround the use of the mental health worker have precluded true cost-benefit analysis. The authors believe that the mental health worker program of the Orange County, California, community mental health program is developed and stable encough that the initial steps of an economic analysis are possible. The data from the analysis show that, in the outpatient program, mental health workers constitute 37 per cent of the clinical staff and provide 41 per cent of the direct services, yet account for 26 per cent of the direct peronnel costs.

Allied Health Personnel↗

Self-destructive behavior patterns in male and female drug abusers.

One hundred and fourteen male and female drug abusers were interviewed regarding their histories of self-destructive behaviors. The data were analyzed to determine if, and identify what, differences existed between males and females with respect to types and extent of self-destructiveness. The analyzed data indicate that male and female drug abusers present very different self-destructive portraits. These portraits and their component parts are presented along with possible explanations for the differences. The paper also presents some of the differences between drug abusers and the general population with respect to self-destructiveness.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Drug abuse and suicide.

This paper examines the relationship between drug abuse and suicide. It attempts to assess the extent of suicidal thoughts or behaviors among a group of drug abusers. The research examines variables related to self-destructive or self-endangering behaviors, such as accidental overdoses, arrests for driving under the influence, and auto accidents in which the subject was the driver. These data were examined in relation to reports of suicidal thoughts and actual suicide attempts. The results indicate a suicide attempt rate at least 12 times greater than expected for the general population. The results also indicate significant correlations between suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts and nonsuicidal overdoses, and arrests for driving under the influece of drugs or alcohol and nonsuicidal overdoses. The implications of these results along with the role of depression as discussed.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Compulsive heroin use and interpersonal orientation.

This research attempt to clarify and quantify the ways in which heroin addicts deal with interpersonal relations. A sample of heroin addicts on a methadone maintenance program were given the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B) scale. An accidental sample consisted of 35, approximately one-half, of the clinic's population. A mean interpersonal orientation profile is established and interpreted. An analysis of variance was performed for each of the six FIRO-B scores. Patients needs based on FIRO-B scores are discussed with regard to the descriptions of addicts life-styles as described in the literature. The possible etiological basis for these interpersoanl orientations is also discussed. Several therapeutic approaches, as indicated by FIRO-B scores, are explored.

Adult↗