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PubMed1995

Psychological adaptation among residents following restart of Three Mile Island.

Psychological adaptation is examined in a sample of residents who remained in the vicinity of Three Mile Island following the restart of the nuclear generating facility which had been shut down since the 1979 accident. Findings indicate a lowering of psychological symptoms between 1985 and 1989 in spite of increased lack of control, less faith in experts and increased fear of developing cancer. The suggestion is made that reduced stress might have been related to a process of adaptation whereby a cognition of emergency preparedness was integrated by some of these residents as a modulating cognitive element. Findings also indicate that "loss of faith in experts" is a persistently salient cognition consistent with the "shattered assumptions" theory of victimization.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2006

Psychological adaptation after marital disruption: the effects of optimism and perceived control.

The present study explored the extent to which the two personality factors--perceived control and dispositional optimism--are related to psychological adaptation after marital disruption. A sample of 658 recently divorced individuals participated in the study by filling in an anonymous questionnaire. Bivariate findings revealed that perceived control and optimism were strongly related to psychological adaptation. However, when both predictors were included in a multiple regression analysis, optimism had a much larger effect than perceived control. The findings clearly indicate that personality factors account for a substantial proportion of the variance in adaptation to marital disruption.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

[Characteristics of cerebral hemodynamics and psychological adaptation of patients with myocardial infarction during period of rehabilitation and convalescence].

Cerebral circulation and psychological state of 93 myocardial infarction patients aged from 29 to 60 years have been studied. The comparison of data concerning cerebral circulation with psychological profile of these patients enables us to make a conclusion that there is interrelation between the state of cerebral hemodynamics which ensures brain homeostasis and psychological adaptation of patients with myocardial infarction at different stages of the disease

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Mixed-gender groups: coping strategies and factors of psychological adaptation in a polar environment.

The polar environment is often seen as a good analog for long-term space missions in terms of isolation and confinement. This paper focuses on the psychological adaptation of both the men and women in mixed-gender groups in the French polar station Dumont d'Urville. The first 49 expeditions to this station were composed of men only in groups of 25-30. In 2000, two women were included in the first mixed-gender wintering group, followed by five women in 2001. This study on coping strategies and psychological adaptation was included in an end-of-mission debriefing performed by a psychologist. Data were collected using a few quantitative tools and a semi-structured interview, and focused on adaptation to wintering, coping strategies, and information on interpersonal relationships. Including women in a wintering group seems to have had positive effects on the general climate of the group by reducing men's rude behavior, but it also seems to be an important stressor for both men and women when the females' average age is close to the males' because seduction behaviors appear and rivalry, frustration, and sexual harassment frequently result. The use of problem-oriented strategies helps women to adapt. There are strong arguments indicating that living in an isolated and confined environment magnifies the usual difficulties that arise in mixed-gender relationships. Difficulties may be magnified in space since the group size is smaller and the confinement more extreme. This implies the need for rigorous select-in criteria for both men and women, especially for relational criteria, and for group training after selection.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Another person's heart: magical and rational thinking in the psychological adaptation to heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to examine heart transplant recipients' psychological adaptation to another person's heart, with particular emphasis on recipients' attitudes toward graft and donor. METHOD: Thirty-five male heart recipients were examined by: the Symptom Distress Checklist (revised) (SCL-90-R); the Depression Adjective Checklist (DACL); a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire (PTSD-Q); a Heart Image Questionnaire (HIQ); and a Semi-Structured Interview (SSI), aimed at eliciting attitudes and fantasies regarding the transplanted heart. RESULTS: All instruments indicated high levels of stress even several years after the transplant, but, simultaneously, 73% of recipients felt that acquiring a new heart had had a dramatic influence on their lives with a new appreciation of the preciousness of life and a shift of priorities, toward altruism and spirituality. Sixty percent returned to work after the transplant but some had to adapt to a changed attitude from those around them who regarded them as anything from mystical creatures to vulnerable or still-sick individuals. While all recipients possessed a scientific knowledge of the anatomy and physiological significance of the heart (as revealed in the HIQ), many endorsed fantasies and displayed magical thinking: 46% of the recipients had fantasies about the donor's physical vigor and prowess, 40% expressed some guilt regarding the death of the donor, 34% entertained the possibility of acquiring qualities of the donor via the new heart. When asked to choose a most and least preferred imagined donor, 49% constructed their choices according to prejudices, desires, or fears related to ethnic, racial or sexual traits attributed to the donor. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the intuitive idea that heart transplant involves a stressful course of events that produces an amplified sense of the precariousness of existence. Simultaneously, it gives rise to rejoicing at having been granted a new lease on life and a clear sense of new priorities, especially with regard to relationships. Less expectedly, this study shows that, despite sophisticated knowledge of anatomy and physiology, almost half the heart recipients had an overt or covert notion of potentially acquiring some of the donor's personality characteristics along with the heart. The concomitance of the magical and the logical is not uncommon in many areas of human existence, and is probably enhanced by the symbolic nature of the heart, and maybe, also, by the persistent stress that requires an ongoing, emotionally intense, adaptation process.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1986

[Characteristics of the mechanisms of psychological adaptation of patients with ischemic heart disease and hypertension].

A fixed orientation principle was used for the examination of 203 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 123 patients with essential hypertension. Psychological adaptation mechanisms and variation therein were studied in relation to the form, severity, pattern and stage of the disease. The fixed orientation method is based on evoking illusory perception in a subject. Basic fixed orientation types are identified depending on the way one gets rid of the orientation. Variable-stable orientation mediating high motivation, dominance, impulsiveness and aggressiveness in prevalent in CHD irrespective of its form. In hypertensive patients, variable-labile orientation prevails that features impulsiveness, inconsistency, anxiety, psychasthesnia and depression. The occurrence of these parameters was unrelated to form, severity and stage of the disease. Premorbid nature of these features is postulated. The fixed orientation method is recommended as a highly informative way of identifying psychological adaptation mechanisms.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A model of psychological adaptation to migration and resettlement.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the implications of migration for emotional status over time. Analysis of interview data provided by 25 Polish immigrants, who resided in the United States ranging from 4 months to 39 years, allowed the construction of a model describing migrants' psychological adaptation. Loss and disruption, novelty, occupational adjustment, language accommodation, and subordination were described as predominant aspects of migration and resettlement. Psychological adaptation required the dual task of resolving grief over losses and disruption involved with leaving Poland and of mastering resettlement conditions associated with novelty, occupation, language, and subordination. The model provides assessment parameters and direction for intervening with migrants who are distressed. The model may also be generalized to other types of life change as well.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Symptoms of depression are important to psychological adaptation and metabolic control in children with diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: Sixty-two children (37 girls, 25 boys) between 9 and 18 years of age were enrolled to investigate: (1) the relationship between adaptation to diabetes mellitus (DM) and psychological functioning; (2) if adaptation or psychological functioning was related to metabolic control; and (3) if the patients' ability to cope with diabetes as assessed by physicians, was correlated to adaptation or psychological functioning. METHODS: Psychological functioning was measured by three general psychological instruments for depressive symptoms, self-esteem and fear. Diabetes adaptation was evaluated by questionnaires and coping with diabetes by an assessment of the physicians. Metabolic control was expressed by the individual HbA1c measured during the last year. RESULTS: Adaptation to diabetes correlated to psychological functioning (depression, P<0.001; self-esteem, P<0.01; and fear, P<0.01). Multiple regression analyses showed that metabolic control was predicted by adaptation (P=0.0013) with monitoring of diabetes as the only significant aspect of the adaptation (P < or = 0.0001). In turn, adaptation was predicted by symptoms of depression and metabolic control (P<0.0001). In support of this observation, a depressed (n = 9) and a non depressed (n= 53) group showed significant differences in metabolic control (P < or = 0.01), adaptation (P < or = 0.001) and self-esteem (P < or = 0.001). The only significant variable for the physicians assessment was metabolic control, which explained 35 % of the variance (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The major conclusion is that symptoms of depression affect both adaptation and metabolic control. It should be of concern to identify patients with depressive symptoms, offer treatment for their emotional difficulties and increase the support for taking care of their diabetes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2006

Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation of the nurses in a structured SARS caring unit during outbreak: a prospective and periodic assessment study in Taiwan.

To assess the rapidly changing psychological status of nurses during the acute phase of the 2003 SARS outbreak, we conducted a prospective and periodic evaluation of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation among nurses in SARS units and non-SARS units. Nurse participants were from two SARS units (regular SARS [N=44] and SARS ICU [N=26]) and two non-SARS units (Neurology [N=15] and CCU [N=17]). Participants periodically self-evaluated their depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, sleep disturbance, attitude towards SARS and family support. Results showed that depression (38.5% vs. 3.1%) and insomnia (37% vs. 9.7%) were, respectively, greater in the SARS unit nurses than the non-SARS unit nurses. No difference between these two groups was found in the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (33% vs. 18.7%), yet, three unit subjects (SARS ICU, SARS regular and Neurology) had significantly higher rate than those in CCU (29.7% vs. 11.8%, respectively) (p<0.05). For the SARS unit nurses, significant reduction in mood ratings, insomnia rate and perceived negative feelings as well as increasing knowledge and understanding of SARS at the end of the study (all p<0.001) indicated that a gradual psychological adaptation had occurred. The adjustment of nurses in the more structured SARS ICU environment, where nurses care for even more severely ill patients, may have been as good or better than that of nurses in the regular SARS unit. Occurrence of psychiatric symptoms was linked to direct exposure to SARS patient care, previous mood disorder history, younger age and perceived negative feelings. Positive coping attitude and strong social and family support may have protected against acute stress. In conclusion, the psychological impact on the caring staffs facing future bio-disaster will be minimized with lowered risk factors and a safer and more structured work environment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Evolutionary conflicts and adapted psychologies.

Animal information processing and decision making are often considered to be adaptations that allow individuals to behave optimally under particular ecological conditions. Numerous examples demonstrate how cues from the biotic and abiotic environments affect the ways in which animals process information and make decisions. Information gained from interactions with living organisms is the most complex because individuals have to respond to heterospecifics or conspecifics which may decide on what to do depending on the behaviour of a focal individual. Evolutionary conflicts of interest include: (i) interactions between hosts and parasites, predators and prey, and between competitors; (ii) sperm competition interactions between females, male mates and male non-mates, and (iii) interactions between mate-searching females and their potential mates. Brains may evolve particularly rapidly under the influence of evolutionary conflicts and they may enhance the importance of adapted psychologies in these contexts.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2005

[Genetic burden of psychosomatic diseases and exogenous risk-factors of cardiovascular diseases in healthy students with different physiological and psychological adaptation abilities].

Exogenous risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and genetic burden of psychosomatic pathologies have been studied in practically healthy students with various physiological and psychological adaptation abilities for differential analysis of the risk for development of cardiological diseases. The complex of genetic burden of psychosomatic pathologies and exogenous risk factors was significantly more frequent in practically healthy students with strong profile of adaptation mechanisms, increased circadian profile, zero type and weak persistence of fixated set.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Criteria for psychological adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia.

The purpose of this study was to test an ascent program for ideal psychological adaptation to high altitudes. A psychological approach was used to test a model describing a gradual step-by-step ascent. Seven subjects spent nine days between 3,500 m and 4,400 m altitude, followed by eight days climbing 500 m each day from 3,500 m to 5,400 m. They performed a cognitive-motor task three times, once under normoxia, once under acute hypoxia, and once under chronic hypoxic conditions. Durations for these subjects were compared with those obtained by a control group tested under normoxia. Subjects' emotional state was assessed by analyzing their remarks during an interview conducted at 5,400 m and by calculating from the answers given to the three questions, a mood index for each subject. Analysis showed that the performances of both groups improved on the second and third administrations of the test. There was, however, no interaction between the group and the time of administration. Mood indexes indicated that the majority of the subjects had no trouble in adapting to the situation and few cognitive or emotional disturbances were observed. These findings may be attributed to the ascent being well designed and planned thereby preventing various possible forms of mountain sickness and other pathologies from developing in the subjects.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed2006

Attachment and psychological adaptation in high exposure survivors of the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center.

This study examined the relationship between individual differences in adult attachment and psychological adaptation in a sample of high-exposure survivors of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression were assessed via self-report 7 and 18 months after the attacks. In addition, friends and relatives were asked to provide evaluations of participants' adjustment before and after the attacks. Findings indicate that securely attached individuals exhibited fewer symptoms of PTSD and depression than insecurely attached individuals and were viewed by friends and relatives as showing an increase in adjustment following the attacks. Highly dismissing adults were viewed by their friends and family as showing neither increments nor decrements in adjustment, despite the fact that highly dismissing people self-reported relatively high levels of PTSD and depression.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

The Life Closure Scale: a measure of psychological adaptation in death and dying.

The Life Closure Scale (LCS) is a measure of the multidimensions of psychological adaptation during the dying process and was developed in two phases. The first phase of instrument construction was based on a retroductive method utilizing: theoretical and empirical sources, a small qualitative study and analysis of concept definitions. Three subscales identifying dimensions of psychological processes and patterns of adaptation were defined: the self-reconciled, self-restructuring, and self-closing. A corrected content validity of .83 was established by a panel of experts. The LCS scale of 45 items was devised into a 5 point Likert scale with responses from 1 (not at all) to 5 (most of the time). Phase two began a study, with 45 hospice subjects, to determine internal consistency reliability and construct validity. On preliminary testing with 20 subjects, the self-closing subscale was found to interrelate with the other two subscales. An intercorrelation of r = -.10 defined the presence of two independent subscales: the self-reconciled and the self-restructuring. Internal consistency reliability coefficients of a = .85 for the self-reconciled subscale and a = .86 for the self-restructuring subscale. Construct validity is reported for the LCS. A Pearson correlation coefficient of r = .75 was found between the LCS and the convergent measure of quality of life and an r = -.60 substantiated discriminant validity with a depression tool. Plans for tool development include further testing.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Evaluating evidence of psychological adaptation: how do we know one when we see one?

Evolutionary psychologists argue that human nature contains many discrete psychological adaptations. Each adaptation is theorized to have been functional in humans' ancestral past, and empirical evidence that an attribute is an adaptation can come from showing it possesses complexity, efficiency, universality, and other features of special design. In this article, we present a tutorial review of the evidentiary forms that evolutionary psychologists commonly use to document the existence of human adaptations. We also present a heuristic framework for integrating and evaluating cross-disciplinary evidence of adaptation. Pregnancy sickness, incest avoidance, men's desires for multiple sex partners, and an easily learned fear of snakes are evaluated as possible human adaptations using this framework. We conclude that future research and teaching in evolutionary psychology would benefit from more fully utilizing cross-disciplinary frameworks to evaluate evidence of human adaptation.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1993

The role of social comparisons processes in the psychological adaptation of elderly adults.

Social comparison processes were investigated as mechanisms by which elderly women maintain or enhance their psychological well-being in the face of health-related threats or loss. In Study 1, a measure of social comparisons was tested, and a preliminary model of the effects of health and social comparisons on depression was examined (N = 42). In Study 2, a separate sample of elderly women (N = 243) completed self-report measures concerning physical health, upward and downward social comparison processes, and positive and negative aspects of psychological adaptation. As predicted, worse physical health status was linked to more frequent social comparisons; however, more positive social comparisons were related to better mental health outcomes, even for women in poor health. In fact, the effects of social comparisons were strongest for women in the poorest health, resulting in psychological outcomes similar to women in good health. Thus, social comparisons appear to play a significant role in psychological well-being in old age. The findings also point to the importance of distinguishing between frequency and consequences of social comparison processes.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Influence of one- and two-stage biopsy-mastectomy procedures on psychologic adaptation of patients.

To investigate the psychologic adjustment of women undergoing radical mastectomy for cancer, we compared drug consumption (analgesics and sedatives) in the postoperative period and the time lag between operation and the first spontaneous observation of surgical wound in two groups operated according to different procedures. Group 1 (52 patients; mean age, 47 years) underwent a two-stage surgical treatment consisting of biopsy (local anesthesia) followed after 2-4 h by mastectomy (general anesthesia); in the interval patients were informed about ongoing procedures by the surgeon, who also pronounced some key words such as tumor, malignant disease, cancer. Group 2 (66 patients; mean age, 47 years) underwent biopsy and mastectomy in a single stage under general anesthesia. The relative risk (RR) of Group 1 vs Group 2 patients was calculated as regards both drug consumption and time of the first self-observation of the surgical wound. Our results seem to suggest that the two-stage procedure through special care given by the surgeon may result in a positive coping pattern and thus better acceptance of the mutilation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗