Problems and research in space psychology.
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Adaptation, Physiological↗
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Results for “ADAPTATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL”
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The effectiveness of a peer support camp for siblings of children with cancer.
BACKGROUND: Siblings of children with cancer have higher levels of psychological stress and adaptational difficulties compared to siblings of healthy children and children with other chronic illness. This is the first study to report on the mental health of Australian siblings of children with cancer and examines the effects of a therapeutic peer support camp-Camp Onwards, as an intervention. PROCEDURE: A protocol, designed to reduce levels of distress, improve social competence, and improve knowledge about the impact of cancer and its treatment was developed. Siblings (n=26) 8-13 years were assessed using standardised self-report measures pre and post intervention and at -8 weeks follow-up with: the Behaviour Assessment for Children (BASC) (Reynolds & Kamphaus, 1992), Self Perception Profile for Children (SPP-C) (Harter, 1985), Sibling Perception Questionnaire (SPQ) (Carpenter & Sahler, 1991). RESULTS: Change was measured using paired t tests. At pre-test, 40% of the sample demonstrated increased levels of emotional distress when compared to the normal population. Post intervention, siblings reported lower levels of distress demonstrated by decreased anxiety (P=0.01) and positive changes in the Self Report of Personality [BASC] (P=0.00). Improved social competence was noted in the interpersonal domain of the SPQ (P=0.01) and also greater social acceptance scores on the SPP-C (P=0.01). Improved knowledge about the impact of cancer and its treatment was evidenced by significant reductions in the fear of disease domain on the SPQ (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Siblings who attended Camp Onwards demonstrated improved mental health outcomes that were sustained at follow-up, demonstrating its effectiveness as an intervention strategy in supporting sibling adjustment.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
The interaction of physiological and psychological processes in adaptation.
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General Adaptation Syndrome↗
Development of mental health dysfunction in childhood epilepsy.
A marked prevalence of mental health dysfunction in childhood epilepsy has been documented in the literature. While several individual risk factors have been identified, which are statistically associated with an impaired mental health outcome, there is a lack of knowledge on the pathways taken by these risk factors on disease development and treatment. The relevant literature of the last decade will be reviewed in this paper to provide evidence for the conceptual framework presented here. Thus, the emergence of mental health dysfunction in childhood epilepsy is analyzed under three levels. Pathogenetic causes: These involve both the underlying CNS pathology and the associated epilepsy disorder characterized by specific time of onset duration type and severity. Mediators and moderators connecting causes to outcomes: These comprise, firstly, the differentiation between the intervening role of anti-epileptic drugs and their positive psychotropic impact via suppression of seizure activity and transient cognitive impairments, as against their negative psychotropic side-effects; secondly, the psychological processes of adaptation which entail responding to three major demands (adherence to treatment requirements, exercising self-control and lifestyle modification to reduce seizure activity, and coping with the psychosocial stressors secondary to living with epilepsy); thirdly, the age-dependent level of neurocognitive and behavioral functioning; and, fourthly, contextual risks and protective factors within the family and social environment. Mental health outcome: This encompasses three major domains: risks for learning disability, for impairments of health-related quality of life, and for psychopathology. The proposed framework serves the development and validation of hypotheses and can be applied to testing procedures aimed at investigating the emergence of mental health dysfunction in childhood epilepsy. On the scientific level, it provides an appropriate tool to approach childhood epilepsy in general, whereas on the clinical level, it facilitates the assessment and management of individual patients.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
[From acute victimization at chronic victimization: socio-cognitive approach of differential tolerance threshold].
BACKGROUND: Work, for many years reduced to a purely instrumental dimension, proves to be a true microcosm of society, with its informal modes, its emotional networks and its series of evils and dilemmas. This human apprehension of the professional sphere tends to reveal a pole with multiple facets, some of which have long been concealed, but whose individual, social and economic extent can't let people ignore them. This social perception, which contributes to regard work as sacred and makes it impervious to any aggression, should be abandoned. Bearing this in mind, our study endeavours to show that "work" and "victim" are far more overlapping than antagonistic realities; it aims at determining the impact of two aggressive methods via the professional pole, namely: moral harassment at work and armed attacks within bank premises. Such an approach tends to unify health psychology, occupational psychology and victimology, thus opening a breach in the stereotyped view which crystallizes the professional sphere into a kind of representative noose devoid of the most human bases. We then suggest, as a first hypothesis, that the nature of the victimization process, resulting from specific aggressive scenarios, would determine different psychological, physiological and relational consequences, apprehended under the generic expression of tolerance threshold. In other words, "mobbing", through its proactive, intentional and obsessional dimension would tend to lower the victims' threshold more than hold-ups, which are characterized by a reactive aspect, and obey unfavourable socio-economic contingencies. Our research also aims at apprehending this dynamic relationship binding victimization types to tolerance thresholds through two analysing factors. These psychological mediators are derived from Lazarus and Folkman's "transactional model of stress", which postulates that stress would rise from the perception people get of the transaction between the requirements of the situation and their own resources. These modulators would correspond to the social evaluation of the stressor and the adjustment strategies adopted by the victims. We then postulate the fact that these interfering variables would determine a connection between the type of victimization and the series of signs and symptoms generated. In other words, the aversive modes would refer to a process of significance via these interpolated socio-cognitive factors, thus forming a trace of the traumatic event according to the tolerance threshold expressed. More precisely, our assumption consists in postulating that the insidious and latent aspect of harassment which is supposed to support a dispositional attribution of the harasser's intrigues as well as the preferential adoption of coping strategies centred on emotional control, would lower the victims' tolerance threshold further, than a visible and instantaneous hold-up which is supposed to condition an essentially situational perception and the adoption of strategies mainly directed towards the problem. METHOD: Since this study is the subject of a comparative research strategy, its required the constitution of three independent samples: ten harassment victims; seven armed attack victims; ten witnesses, all salaried employees; they had not been subjected to either type of attack but were questioned about a working life event seen as stressful. The three groups, set up according to sex and age considerations, agreed to be subjected to a semi-directive interview. Considering the exploratory nature of this present research, the process proved to be most suitable since, through the filter of the people's subjectivity, it clearly determined the meaning granted by the victim to the aversive situation. In order to comply with a standardization preoccupation, each interview was identically structured using a preset question grid and similar operating conditions. The data collected were then subjected to four levels of analysis. An analysis of contents, centred on a logic-semantic frequency dimension of speech, obtained a simplified representation of the whole of the data. This first level of analysis, supplemented by descriptive statistics, validated, in the second stage, the significance of the differences in the semantic categories. In the third stage, an "analysis of adjacency" associated with a factorial analysis of the correspondences, delineated the differentiating values of the three groups of subjects. A final stage of analysis, centred on a multiaxial dimension [DSM IV ], permitted the constitution of clinical pictures. RESULTS: In accordance with the general assumption, the results show that the victims reveal a dominating presence of mobbing signs related to depression and anxiety symptomatology with an acute emotional threshold. Hold-up victims also show undoubted but significantly less harmful consequences. These victims have turned out to be more centred on the anxious pole and the social and family fields. Moreover, while the victims of harassment unanimously evoke the emergence of a break-up in dynamics conveying a freeze of the social matrix, some of the victims of armed attacks express "secondary benefits" through the setting-up of gregarious dynamics on professional as well as on family level. DISCUSSION: Considering these results, there seems to be a double induction of such a difference. The social evaluation tends to be a first explanatory inference as for the expressed tolerance level. As a matter of fact, the frequential analysis reveals a different perception of the attacker. The supernumerary evocation of dispositional factors, supposing a personal motivation marked with intrigues concealed behind an apparent legitimacy, draws a very personological profile of the harasser. This majority of intrinsic determinants reveals an increase in the causal weight of the harasser; at the same time, it disregards the possible influence of extrinsic factors. In that respect, the harasser is seen as the only instigator of the attacks, which consequently worsens his/her responsibility and culpability. No difference appears between the harasser himself and the hypothetical causes of the aversive situation: the harasser is seen as the source of the attacks and the attacks as the concretization of the harasser's state of mind. On the basis of this report, the victims of harassment tend to amalgamate the personality and the situation. The victims of armed attacks, as for them, are characterized by a more situational evaluation of the stressor, revealing an apparent will to segment the aversive situation: on the one hand the act, and the other the attacker, as though, eventually, the latter was but one element depending on a specific situation. The majority enunciation of extrinsic factors supposes an obvious intention to diffuse the hold-up man's responsibility over contextual attributes. The second inference lies in the strategies used to adjust to the situation. Whatever the type of victimization, the passive coping system reveals as dominating. However, this tendency seems to be more moderate with hold-up victims, who tend to counterbalance the strategies centred on emotional control with strategies directed towards an active resolution of the problem. CONCLUSION: Considering these first results, which call for further study, our impression is that it seems to be relevant to consider the setting-up of psychological therapy programs adapted to the very nature of each victimization case.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Quality of life in chronic dialysis patients: a critical comparison of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis.
Thirty-three matched pairs of chronic continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and center hemodialysis (CHD) patients from three dialysis programs were studied cross-sectionally to assess their current medical, psychological, and social status. The CAPD and CHD groups were similar on matching and medical status variables. The CAPD subject group had a higher quality of life, lower illness and modality related stress scores, and nonsignificantly lower mood disturbance scores. The groups did not differ in self-esteem or health locus of control. CAPD subjects reported higher frequency of participation in community activities, better relationships with dialysis physicians and patients, and were more likely to be currently vocationally active. Dialysis modality likely exerts an independent effect on the quality of life of chronic dialysis patients, and CAPD is likely superior to CHD in this regard. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the relative role of patient-selection and modality-related factors in determining the psychological and social adaptation (quality of life) of chronic dialysis patients.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Physical functioning and mental health in patients with chronic medical conditions.
There is evidence to suggest that a decline in physical functioning with advancing age is independent of mental health, which appears to remain relatively stable. There is additional evidence to suggest that those with a chronic disease also experience a decline in physical function while the mental health remains relatively stable. Using a cross-sectional design, data from the US population norms for the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 are examined and compared to SF-36 data collected for four patient groups. Patient groups include kidney dialysis patients, multiple sclerosis patients, kidney transplant patients and patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip prior to total hip replacement. Overall scores and scores within 10-year age groupings are examined in order to compare the physical functioning and mental health scores of the general population with those of the four patient groups. Results support the hypothesis that physical functioning declines with advancing age and with the development of chronic disease, but mental health remains remarkably stable regardless of chronic disease and/or advancing age. This observation suggests a process of psychological adjustment or adaptation to the physical difficulties encountered with advanced age or disability, and implies that this adjustment process may in fact be quite strong.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
The psychotherapy of patients with complex partial seizures.
The direct neurological effect of complex partial seizures (CPS) is described, as is the psychological and interpersonal impact of the disorder, with emphasis on the iterative nature of the process. A model for the psychotherapy of CPS patients is presented that is based on an understanding of the neurological changes and continuous interaction between these changes and the psychological demands of adaptation.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
The healing circle: resiliency in nurses.
The concept of resiliency has been explored extensively in the fields of developmental psychology as an adaptive life process. Increasingly nurses have begun to study resiliency in a wide variety of settings and client populations. This article explores the concept of resiliency in nurses. Resiliency was described through the use of personal exemplar, tracing the author's odyssey of nursing homeless men in an emergency shelter. The author proposes that the traits of resiliency in nurses are widespread and largely unrecognized. There is a pressing need to cultivate and foster personal growth in nurses because we cannot give our patients what we do not possess ourselves.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Personality changes and social adjustment during the first three years of diabetes in children.
Two groups of 64 diabetic and 30 carefully selected and matched non-diabetic control children 4-17 years old were studied with regard to psychological and social adaptation. Four sets of psycho-social methods were used: (a) psychiatric assessment of the mental state, (b) evaluation of the social situation, (c) measurement of the intellectual capacity, and (d) a Rorschach test. A base-line study was done within 5 months after the onset of diabetes and a follow-up 3 years later with the same methods. The mental state was assessed with regard to 18 variables, and the Rorschach test utilized 12 variables. There were no significance differences as to mental state between diabetics and non-diabetics neither at base-line nor at follow-up. Within each group, however, the diabetics showed an increase with regard to symptoms of aggression while the non-diabetics showed a decrease in such symptoms. Diabetics with high or low glucosuria levels did not differ in this respect. When summarizing mental deviations from average in the two groups the diabetics showed more deviations both at base-line and at follow-up, and a tendency towards higher degrees of mental activity, emotional ability and social contact. In the Rorschach test the diabetics showed a higher level of anxiety concerning their own health than the non-diabetics, but there was a decrease in this variable over the 3-year period. However, in an attempt to summarize the degree of mental disturbance, as estimated in the Rorschach test, no significant differences were found between diabetics and non-diabetics. Nor were any significant differences found between the groups with regard to social problems or intellectual capacity. It is concluded that the few abnormal patterns of raction that were observed may well be explained by the traumatic experience of the onset of a serious chronic disorder such as diabetes, and that a relatively strict care given to diabetic children does not seem to disturb their own or their parents' coping ability or psycho-social adjustment. The strictness might even have a supportive effect.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Psychological factors in adaptation to hearing aids.
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Hearing Aids↗
Psychosocial impact of HIV-related caregiving on health providers: a review and recommendations for the role of psychiatry.
OBJECTIVE: The author considers current knowledge about the stresses of HIV-related care and assesses available evidence for the presence of major occupational, physical, and psychiatric morbidity in health care providers involved in intensive HIV-related caregiving. METHOD: The review is based on anecdotal reports of AIDS-care-related psychosocial distress and the literature concerning caregivers' attitudes toward people with HIV illness and HIV-related caregiving, the psychosocial impact of HIV work, and stress related to the ethical and philosophical challenges facing HIV caregivers. RESULTS: Few of the current publications concerning HIV caregiver stress come from the psychiatric literature. Psychiatry appears to lack a strong clinical, educational, research, or policy presence regarding psychosocial stress in HIV care providers. The numerous studies in the nursing, medical, public health, and health education literature do not include any controlled investigations documenting the incidence and prevalence of physical, psychological, occupational, or interpersonal symptoms or disorders in health care professionals who devote a substantial amount of their clinical activities to patients with HIV illness. CONCLUSIONS: Major HIV-related stress in conjunction with other psychiatric morbidity, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and relationship and occupational problems, seems likely in susceptible caregivers. Decisions about the structure and form of delivery of HIV-related care and programs for caregivers must be based on more carefully controlled psychiatric observations of occupational, physical, psychological, and social adaptation to HIV-related work. The author suggests several areas in which psychiatric clinicians, educators, researchers, and policy experts can make major contributions.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
A comparative study of Vietnamese Amerasians, their non-Amerasian siblings, and unrelated, like-aged Vietnamese immigrants.
OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the personal histories, levels of psychological distress, and adaptation to American life of Vietnamese Amerasians (N=140), their non-Amerasian siblings (N=71), and a group of unrelated, like-aged Vietnamese immigrants (N=118). METHOD: Subjects completed two self-administered symptom checklists and provided demographic and personal history data. RESULTS: Vietnamese Amerasians differed significantly from the other two groups on measures of alcohol use, number of hospitalizations, years of education, childhood trauma, perceived effects of trauma, and score on the Vietnamese Depression Scale. The Amerasians did not, however, differ on measures of social support or in their success at adapting to life in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Despite multiple disadvantages, Vietnamese Amerasians appear to be adapting to life in the United States as well as other like-aged Vietnamese immigrants.
Acculturation↗
Improvement in quality of life following jejunoileal bypass surgery for obesity.
Psychological and physical adaptation to jejunoileal bypass surgery for obesity was evaluated in 55 patients observed 15 months to 6 1/2 years postoperatively after a weight loss of about 50 Kg. The response to weight loss, as assessed by a comprehensive, structured questionnaire was an improvement in working capacity, interpersonal relationship, leisure time activity and adjustment to daily life. Sexual activity improved, particularly in men, and irregular menstruation normalized. Body image improved. Major postoperative psychiatric complications were not seen, which may be due to meticulous selection of the proper patients.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
Issues in life support and human factors in crew rescue from the ISS.
The design and development of crew emergency response systems, particularly to provide an unplanned emergency return to Earth, requires an understanding of crew performance challenges in space. The combined effects of psychological and physiological adaptation during long-duration missions will have a significant effect on crew performance in the unpredictable and potentially life-threatening conditions of an emergency return to Earth. It is therefore important that the systems to be developed for emergency egress address these challenges through an integrated program to produce optimum productivity and safety in times of utmost stress. Fundamental to the success of the CRV is the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which provides the necessary conditions for the crew to survive their return mission in a shirtsleeve environment. This article will discuss the many issues in the design of an ECLSS system for CRV and place it in the context of the human performance challenges of the mission.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
Human factors and life support issues in crew rescue from the International Space Station (ISS).
The design and development of crew emergency response systems, particularly to provide an unplanned emergency return to earth, requires an understanding of crew performance challenges in space. The combined effects of psychological and physiological adaptation during long duration missions will have a significant effect on crew performance in the unpredictable and potentially life threatening conditions of an emergency return to earth. It is therefore important that the systems to be developed for emergency egress address these challenges through an integrated program to produce optimum productivity and safety in times of utmost stress. Fundamental to the success of the CRV is the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which provides the necessary conditions for the crew to survive their return mission in a shirt-sleeve environment. This paper will discuss the many issues in the design of an ECLSS system for CRV and place it in the context of the human performance challenges of the mission.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
[Medicinal specialties; proposal for publicity less expensive and more adapted to the psychology of the physician].
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Advertising↗
Correlates of perceived physical appearance in children with congenital/acquired limb deficiencies.
Social support, daily hassles, marital discord, competence/adequacy, and psychological adjustment were investigated as hypothesized correlates of perceived physical appearance in 51 children with congenital or acquired limb deficiencies. Higher classmate, parent, and teacher social support were statistically predictive of higher perceived physical appearance. Higher daily hassles and marital discord were statistically predictive of lower perceived physical appearance. Higher peer acceptance, scholastic competence, and athletic competence were statistically predictive of higher perceived physical appearance. As a group, classmate, parent, and teacher social support, daily hassles, maternal and paternal perceived marital discord, peer acceptance, scholastic and athletic competence accounted for 78% of the variance in perceived physical appearance. Higher perceived physical appearance was in turn statistically predictive of lower depressive and anxious symptoms and higher general self-esteem. The findings are discussed in terms of the potentially modifiable predictors of perceived physical appearance and in terms of the role cosmetic differences play in psychological and social adaptation in children with visible physical handicaps.
Achievement↗