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PubMed1998

Drug identity change processes, race, and gender. II. Microlevel motivational concepts.

Events and experiences that are damaging and which sever young people from normative ideals and positively sanctioned statuses (marginalization) create feelings of alienation or social isolation within them and earn them undesired statuses and treatment from important others. An underlying premise of the drug-use identity change model is that individuals are motivated toward drug-related identity change because of such socially defined problems with existing ego identities (ego identity discomfort and lost control in defining an identity) in childhood and early adolescence and that certain macrolevel phenomena (e.g., social appraisal sources and social climate conducive to drug use) provide an opportunity structure for that change. Part 2 of this paper describes each of the three motivational concepts and how they vary by race and gender in the process of becoming a drug misuser. Part 3 discusses the two macrolevel opportunity concepts and how they vary by race and gender.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Effect of isolation-rearing on conditioned dopamine release in vivo in the nucleus accumbens of the rat.

Intracerebral microdialysis in conjunction with HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection was used to investigate the effect of isolation-rearing in the rat on extracellular dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in vivo, in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens, in response to footshock and in relation to a conditioned emotional response. Male Lister hooded rats were reared from weaning for 6-8 weeks in either social isolation or groups of five. In the training phase, rats were exposed to a novel environment for 10 min where they experienced mild footshock. Footshock caused an immediate increase in basal extracellular DA levels in both rearing groups relative to control rats. However, the increase in extracellular DA was prolonged in the case of the isolation-reared rats and significantly greater than in group-reared rats. Exposure to the novel environment without shock (control groups) did not significantly alter basal extracellular DA in the nucleus accumbens shell; 140 min later rats were returned to the testing box (contextual stimulus) without receiving footshock. The contextual stimulus increased basal extracellular DA in the nucleus accumbens of both groups of rats with respect to controls; however, this increase was significantly greater and more prolonged in isolates. Extracellular levels of the metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid did not differ between isolation- and group-reared rats, and they were not significantly affected by either footshock or the contextual stimulus. These results suggest that exposure to footshock and a contextual stimulus are associated with increases in basal extracellular DA levels in the nucleus accumbens shell. The results also support evidence in favour of an isolation-induced enhancement in dopaminergic activity in the nucleus accumbens, which probably underlies aspects of the behavioural syndrome associated with isolation.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

PubMed1991

Non-genetic mothers and their own children: infertility and IVF donor birth.

Over the 1980s in Western societies which have used new reproductive technologies, there has been intense argumentation about connected philosophical, ethical and economic issues. This research on I.V.F. donor egg (i.e. 'non-genetic') motherhood is based on qualitative data from partial life histories of twelve women having children by this technology through a Melbourne infertility programme. Methodology, interpretation, and discussion place it within both critical social and feminist personal identity theoretical frameworks. None of the respondent women but all except one of their respective partners are the biological parents of a total of ten children already born at the data collection stage, and in three well-established pregnancies. Two-thirds of the respondents used 'unknown' donor ova. 'Known' donors were typically the recipients' sisters. Many of these Australian births represent world 'firsts' in medical technical applications. In biographical accounts, the focus was on experiences of social pressure towards parenthood, of infertility and medical treatment, and attitudes of openness or secrecy about using donated ova. While socially and technologically acquired parenthood added a highly-desired dimension to their social identities, a sense of loss appeared to persist in most of the women's personal identities. Where a policy of secrecy towards relatives and friends about use of reproductive technology and gamete donation was maintained, this loss was reinforced by a feeling of social isolation.

Australia↗

PubMed1981

Schizophrenia: a network crisis.

The results of a study comparing the structure and function of the social networks of a group of first-admission schizophrenics with those of a group of multiple-admission schizophrenics are presented. Structurally, the networks of the first-admission patients are larger and more interconnected. Functionally, their networks have a greater percentage of multiplex and nondependent links. On the basis of these data, it is concluded that the most dramatic changes in social networks develop after the patient's first hospitalization. The dissolution of the patient's network is attributed to the antagonistic attitudes and reactions of those close to the patient, as well as to the patient's impaired social competence. Schizophrenia seemingly is a network crisis not only for the individual but for the network as a whole. It is suggested that active intervention at the time of the first psychotic episode may be helpful in avoiding network collapse and the patient's resultant social isolation.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Rat behavior in a light/dark chamber: place preference task].

After a 6-week social isolation (from 22nd to 70th day from birth) male Wistar rats (a sibship, 10 animals), were tested for 20 min in a light/dark box in order to reveal behavioral features of choice of their spatial localization in unknown conditions. Socially deprived rats significantly differed from control animals in longer time of the room choice, higher number of entries of the light section, and higher number of rearings, which was probably explained by their higher anxiety and lack of experience to estimate unexpected stimuli and select a response. The mean level of behavioral activity during exploration of the box defined by the number of elementary operations per minute remained constant and was significantly higher in the socially deprived rats than in the control animals.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

[Psychosocial events at risk].

The purpose of this workshop was to draw attention to one sector of research in modern psychosomatic medicine, "life events research". Nowadays it is relatively well documented that significant life events may increase an individual's susceptibility to the development of physical or psychic illness. "Life events research" is grounded on the stress concept, and in our practice is integrated into the bio-psycho-social approach. Bereavement, problems at work, disruption of deep rooted life habits, social isolation, family problems and poor socio-economic conditions are the most important of these events. Their impact depends on the real or symbolic meaning given to them, on the available coping mechanism, on the presence or absence of social support, and also on the stage in the life cycle at which the events occur. Some practical implications for the physician are discussed.

Humans↗

PubMed2002

Effects of isolation-rearing on serotonin-1A and M1-muscarinic receptor messenger RNA expression in the hipocampal formation of rats.

The aim of the present work was to investigate if isolation rearing could change 5-HT1A or M1 muscarinic receptors messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the hippocampal formation. Male Wistar rats were isolated either in single cages or in groups of six per cage soon after wearing during 30 days. After this period they were sacrificed and their brains removed for 'in situ' hybridization study using 32P-labeled oligonucleotide probes complementary to 5-HT1A or M1 muscarinic receptor mRNA. The results were analyzed by computerized densitometry. They showed a significant (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney test) serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) mRNA expression increase in the dentate gyrus and CA3 areas of isolated animals. The signal also tended to be higher (P < 0.10) in CA1 and CA4 regions. No significant change on M1 mRNA expression was found. These results may reflect up-regulation of 5-HT1A gene transcription in response to deficits in hippocampal serotonin neurotransmission induced by social isolation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Impact of shift work on the health and safety of nurses and patients.

Shift work generally is defined as work hours that are scheduled outside of daylight. Shift work disrupts the synchronous relationship between the body's internal clock and the environment. The disruption often results in problems such as sleep disturbances, increased accidents and injuries, and social isolation. Physiologic effects include changes in rhythms of core temperature, various hormonal levels, immune functioning, and activity-rest cycles. Adaptation to shift work is promoted by reentrainment of the internally regulated functions and adjustment of activity-rest and social patterns. Nurses working various shifts can improve shift-work tolerance when they understand and adopt counter measures to reduce the feelings of jet lag. By learning how to adjust internal rhythms to the same phase as working time, nurses can improve daytime sleep and family functioning and reduce sleepiness and work-related errors. Modifying external factors such as the direction of the rotation pattern, the number of consecutive night shifts worked, and food and beverage intake patterns can help to reduce the negative health effects of shift work. Nurses can adopt counter measures such as power napping, eliminating overtime on 12-hour shifts, and completing challenging tasks before 4 am to reduce patient care errors.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1998

Epidemiology of paranoid symptoms in an elderly population.

BACKGROUND: Elderly people with paranoid symptoms are a taxing group for medical and social services, but studies of the prevalence of these symptoms in the general elderly population are rare. This study aimed to estimate the community prevalence and to identify some associated variables. METHOD: A community samples of 1420 elderly people, was extensively examined by nurses and physicians. RESULTS: Paranoid ideation was found in 6.3% of the sample. The prevalence in people with cognitive dysfunction (n = 381, 12.1%) was higher than in those without (n = 1039, 2.6%). Once cognitive impairment had been controlled the associated variables were: being divorced, being female, having depressive symptoms, using psychotropic drugs, having no friends or visitors, using community care and being an immigrant. CONCLUSION: Paranoid symptoms in this elderly population were associated most strongly with cognitive impairment. Other associated variables pointed to a higher level of social isolation than others in the community.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Psychosocial factors related to perceived compliance with cystic fibrosis treatment.

The present research was designed to investigate the adjustment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families as well as the relationship between adjustment and physician perceptions of compliance with CF treatment. Patient and family adjustment was assessed by means of the Personality Inventory for Children as well as measures of marital adjustment, depression, and social isolation completed by mothers of CF patients. Results indicated no characteristic pattern of psychopathology or adjustment problems. However, higher levels of perceived compliance with CF treatment were found to be associated with less satisfactory marital relationships and with less frequent maternal social contacts. These findings are discussed in terms of achieving a balance between compliance and psychological adjustment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Unheard and unseen. Rural women and domestic violence.

Rural society and conditions can contribute to make domestic violence more difficult to escape. Physical and social isolation, the distance to and unavailability of services, and rural culture provide challenges to abused women and to health care providers that are different from the obstacles seen in better-studied urban areas. Heightened awareness can aid in identification of abuse. Social action is necessary to change communities and to interrupt the cycle of violence.

Community Participation↗

PubMed1998

Recent immigration and the misery of motherhood: a discussion of pertinent issues.

In this paper it is assumed that the high rates of misery experienced by most new mothers in contemporary Western society are socially and culturally induced. Women from non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) recuperate from the stress of birth, often further complicated by morbidity from intervention, frequently alone and without practical household help. They often embark on their new mothering role with little support or guidance. In a Western society which markets a romanticized Anglo image of motherhood, where happy, contented, smiling babies and glamorous mothers appear as the norm, it is not surprising that women from NESB find becoming a mother in Australia difficult. Their difficulties are exacerbated as they frequently come from cultures where women are nurtured, valued and supported at this time in their lives. These women are often socially isolated in their new country, within an alien health system and separated from their normal birth and postpartum practices. Their misery can only be imagined, as mostly it is hidden and suffered alone. Providing a diagnosis of depression in women who are unhappy, but not clinically depressed, is likely to be even less helpful and more damaging for NESB women than for Anglo-Australian women. A diagnosis of depression excuses Western society for accepting responsibility for alleviating the isolation of new mothers by labelling them as 'sick'.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed2003

Factors and motives associated with drop-out in an ambulatory service for patients with psychotic disorders.

The aim is to study motives and factors associated with treatment drop-out in an ambulatory psychiatric service, which integrates medical, social, familial and rehabilitation treatments. Only 9% of the psychotic patients dropped out, whose motives were non-compliance with medication and unawareness of illness, and the associated factors were comorbidity of substance abuse, social isolation and male gender.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Neighbourhood variation in incidence of schizophrenia. Evidence for person-environment interaction.

BACKGROUND: Neighbourhood characteristics may influence the risk of psychosis, independently of their individual-level equivalents. AIMS: To examine these issues in a multi-level model of schizophrenia incidence. METHOD: Cases of schizophrenia, incident between 1986 and 1997, were identified from the Maastricht Mental Health Case Register. A multi-level analysis was conducted to examine the independent effects of individual-level and neighbourhood-level variables in 35 neighbourhoods. RESULTS: Independent of individual-level single and divorced marital status, an effect of the proportion of single persons and proportion of divorced persons in a neighbourhood was apparent (per 1% increase respectively: RR = 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.03; and RR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.21). Single marital status interacted with the neighbourhood proportion of single persons, the effect being stronger in neighbourhoods with fewer single-person households. CONCLUSIONS: The neighbourhood environment modifies the individual risk for schizophrenia. Premorbid vulnerability resulting in single marital status may be more likely to progress to overt disease in an environment with a higher perceived level of social isolation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Effects of duration of separation on responses to mates and strangers in the monogamous titi monkey (Callicebus moloch).

Adult male and female titi monkeys form an intense social bond characterized by high levels of affiliative interactions between pairmates and agonistic responses to strangers. In natural settings, separation between mates can vary from brief periods, as when mates drift apart during feeding, to permanent separation, occasioned by desertion or death. In this study we asked how different durations of separation altered the behavior of male and female titi monkeys (Callicebus moloch). We compared the effects of brief separation such as might occur incidentally during feeding (1-2 h) with prolonged separation such as might occur if one partner died or deserted (5 days). Effects were observed during a 30 min reunion of pairmates or during a 30 min encounter with a stranger of the opposite sex. Following brief separation, interactions between mates and between strangers clearly differed in measures of affiliation, but not in behaviors indicative of arousal. Following prolonged separation, measures of arousal increased with both mated pairs and strangers. Females tended to interact more readily with a stranger following prolonged separation than after brief separation, but interactions between mates were essentially unchanged and differed substantially from those between strangers. The data suggest that the pair bond persists in titi monkeys after prolonged social isolation, despite increased interest in interacting with potential new partners.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Individually reared rats: alteration in noradrenergic brain functions.

The influence of social isolation in rats on postsynaptic alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors, on the cAMP generating system and on the presynaptic uptake mechanism in the central noradrenergic system was examined in different brain regions. Rearing rats in isolation from the 19th day of life for 12 weeks leads in all regions to a general tendency for a reduction in 3H-DHA binding, to an enhanced 3H-WB4101 binding and to a decreased responsiveness of the noradrenaline sensitive cAMP generating system. These changes reach significant only in the pons-medulla-thalamus region. Isolated rats showed an increased synaptosomal uptake of noradrenaline, most pronounced and significant in the hypothalamus. Our data provide further support for a disturbance in central noradrenergic function in isolated rats.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed2003

DMXB, an alpha7 nicotinic agonist, normalizes auditory gating in isolation-reared rats.

RATIONALE: Impaired auditory gating is common in schizophrenic patients. Evidence suggests that this deficit is related to a reduced number of alpha(7) nicotinic receptors and therefore treatment with alpha(7) nicotinic agonists may improve this condition. 3-(2,4)-Dimethoxybenzylidine anabaseine (DMXB; also known as GTS-21) is such an agonist and has shown efficacy in mice both orally and intraperitoneally. OBJECTIVE: Rats reared in social isolation post weaning have demonstrated a deficit in auditory gating similar to that seen in schizophrenia patients. The current study determined the effects of DMXB on auditory gating in awake, freely moving rats, comparing a group born and raised in-house and reared in isolation post-weaning (isolation reared) with a group shipped from the supplier as adults and housed in groups prior to surgery (controls). METHODS: Ten unmedicated, baseline recordings were obtained following surgical implantation of a recording electrode. All control group rats and the isolation-reared rats that showed deficient gating at baseline were treated with 1.0, 3.33, 10 or 33 mg/kg DMXB, IP, to determine the drug's impact on auditory gating. RESULTS: Isolation-reared rats had significantly improved auditory gating at the 3.33, 10 and 33 mg/kg doses, while control rats had a significant impairment in their auditory gating at the 33 mg/kg dose. CONCLUSIONS: DMXB improved the auditory gating deficit seen in isolation-reared rats. As previously observed in another model, the change was produced through a decrease in the test amplitude in isolation-reared animals. Control animals had a significant reduction in conditioning amplitude at the high dose, which produced the loss of auditory gating. The results in the isolation-reared rats are in concert with previous studies which found similar improvement in auditory gating following administration of DMXB to DBA mice, the only differences being in the duration of the effect.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Acquisition and extinction of an operant response in differentially reared rats.

Rats reared in either socially isolated or control environments were trained to bar press for food on a variable interval schedule of reinforcement, beginning at 125 days of age for 37 consecutive days. Following this phase the subjects were tested for response persistence during an extinction test. Next, the subjects were compared on measures of spontaneous recovery and the rate of response reacquisition when the reinforcement contingencies were once again reinstated. Though no differences were discerned between the groups on measures of acquisition, maintenance, and reacquisition, isolated rats emitted many more responses than the controls during extinction testing.

Animals↗