Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale in family caregivers of patients with Parkinson’s Disease: Spanish validation study

Psychosocial adjustment to a complex and disabling long-term condition like Parkinson´s disease is a complex, dynamic, cyclical and interactive process. Family caregivers, face multiple challenges that require a significant effort in terms of psychosocial adjustment, which must be considered by healthcare professionals in order to provide a holistic care. The patients’ self-report version of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS-SR), which has been validated in Spain for use in Parkinson's disease, is designed to evaluate the psychosocial adjustment of patients. Our purpose was to validate the Spanish PAIS-SR version for caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease. An open, national cross-sectional study with one point-in-time evaluation and retest was carried out in 450 family caregivers of patients with Parkinson's disease. Data were collected in Spain from April 2016 to September 2017. The psychometric analysis performed showed that the Spanish version of the PAIS-SR for caregivers presents adequate indicators of reliability, internal and external validity, and is structured according to the seven-domain model proposed by the author of the instrument.     

Parents of Children with Cancer: A Longitudinal Study of Emotional Distress, Coping Style, and Marital Adjustment Two and Twenty Months After Diagnosis

Evaluated emotional distress, coping style, and marital adjustmentin 84 parents (42 couples) of children with cancer 2 monthsafter diagnosis and again about 20 months after diagnosis. Asexpected, mothers' mean state anxiety and trait anxiety scoresdecreased to near normal levels over time. Fathers' scores werelower initially and did not change. Neither mothers' nor fathers'mean marital adjustment scores changed over time. Marital adjustmentat treatment follow-up was predicted by depression and the spouse'smarital satisfaction in mothers, and depression, child healthstatus, and spouse's marital satisfaction in fathers. In contrastto findings obtained 2 months after diagnosis, coping stylewas not related to marital adjustment at follow-up. Resultsare discussed in terms of possible gender differences in therole of social support in marital adjustment and the stabilityversus situational specificity of coping styles.     

Supportive and Negative Responses in the Partner Relationship: Their Association with Psychological Adjustment Among Individuals with Cancer

This study examined the association between positive and negative aspects of spouse responses and psychological adjustment among 15S individuals with cancer. Two contextual variables, gender and disease-related functional impairment, were taken into account when examining the association between spouse responses and patient psychological distress and well-being. Results indicated that negative aspects of close relationships played a comparatively stronger role than positive aspects in their associations with both psychological distress and well-being. For negative spouse responses, patient gender did not moderate the effects of these responses upon psychological outcomes. For positive aspects of spouse support, both gender and functional disability moderated the association between spouse support and psychological outcomes. These findings are integrated with the general literature on positive and negative aspects of close relationships. Implications for clinical interventions are also discussed.     

Aesthetics of feminizing the male face by craniofacial contouring of the facial bones

The forceful and macho look of a prototypical man may not be unduly appealing to others whom he meets. This forceful look might not even appeal to the individual himself. In order to soften this appearance, a series of operative procedures has been devised for use on the craniofacial skeleton. These surgical steps can be done in a single operation or as a series of multiple operative procedures. Moreover, the needs of some patients may require that only special segments of these procedures be performed. This article presents these operative procedures and describes the feasibility with which they can be performed. Complications and unfavorable outcomes, when they occur, are usually related to unrealistic expectations on the part of the patient. The surgical steps routinely performed are those that contour the forehead, orbits, malar eminence, cheeks, chin, angle of the mandible, and larynx. Three categories of patients are described: the female with a male face; the male with a forceful look; and the patient requesting a gender identity change. The psychosocial, psychological, and behavioral problems leading to the decision for surgery will be the basis of final patient selection.Presented at the 9th Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, New York City, October 1987     

Essentials of psychotherapeutic intervention for cancer patients

Psychosocial treatments, including group, individual and family psychotherapies, are of proven efficacy, and deserve inclusion as standard components of biomedical treatment for cancer patients. Anxiety and depression are very common (and treatable) problems among cancer patients, most of whom can benefit from intervention. Psychotherapy, both group and individual, employs three fundamental approaches: emotional expression, social support, and cognitive symptom-management skills. Psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in improving quality of life. Results of studies of various psychotherapies include reduction in depression, anxiety, and pain, and improved coping skills, and, in some cases, there is evidence of extended survival times.Presented at the Symposium Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Cancer Patients, Flims, Switzerland, 12–14 January 1995     

飞行员不成熟防御机制与心理健康、 个性、生活事件、社会支持的相关性研究

目的　探讨飞行员心理防御机制与心理社会因素的相关性。方法　对312 例飞行员进行防御方式问卷,卡特尔16 种个性因素问卷,症状自评量表,紧张性生活事件量表,社会支持评定量表测评。结果　揭示飞行员不成熟防御机制与心理健康水平,生活事件,社会支持显著相关,个性因素明显的影响不成熟防御机制;患病飞行员采用不成熟防御机制明显的多。结论　在飞行员心理卫生保健工作中,揭示并修正飞行员不成熟防御机制是十分必要的。     

Morbus sacer in Africa: some religious aspects of epilepsy in traditional cultures

Epilepsy when manifested as grand mal seizure provokes strong and ambivalent feelings in those witnessing it. Terms such as morbus sacer, denoting both a sacred and demoniac condition, or folk names indicating divine punishment, have expressed these feelings in European societies from antiquity to the Middle Ages and beyond. An atmosphere of fear, shame and mysticism surrounds epilepsy even in our days in many non-Western and also in Western cultures. In the course of work and studies in Tanzania, where I organized the Mahenge Clinic for Epilepsy in 1960, and in other parts of Africa, I found that epilepsy is conceived of as an "African' affliction, a manifestation of supernatural forces that makes it difficult to reach epilepsy sufferers with modern medical treatment. Epilepsy is traditionally looked on as caused by ancestral spirits or attributed to possession by evil spirits. It is also thought to be due to witchcraft, and "poisoning," and often taken to be contagious. Epilepsy may, under Christian missionary teaching, have come to be considered as due to demoniac possession or divine punishment for sins, in accordance with biblical examples. In many parts of Africa, syncretic amalgamation of indigenous traditions with Judeo-Christian doctrines influenced popular attitudes toward epilepsy. We demonstrated that persistent efforts at health education in the context of organized treatment of epilepsy can result in a change of popular notions about epilepsy and consequently lead to significant improvement in the quality of life of epilepsy sufferers.     

Benefits of training at moderate altitude versus sea level training in amateur runners

After more than 25 years of research on altitude training (AT) there is no consensus regarding either the training programme at altitude or the effects of AT on performance at sea level. Based on a review of the research work on AT, we investigated combined base training and interval training at moderate altitude and compared immediate and delayed effects on sea level performance with those following similar sea level training (SLT). The altitude group (AG, 10 male amateur runners) trained at 2315 m (natural altitude) and the sea level group (SLG, 12 male amateur runners) at 187 m. Both groups performed 7 days of base training (running on a trail) lasting between 60 and 90 min a day and 5 days of interval training (speed and hill runs) for between 10 and 45 min a day. Incremental exercise tests were performed 1 week before (t ₁), 3 days after (t ₂) and 16 days after (t ₃) the 12-day main training period. Within AG, exercise performance improved fromt ₁ tot ₂ by 8% (P<0.05) and fromt ₂ tot ₃ by 8% (P<0.05). Maximum oxygen uptake ( ) increased fromt ₂ tot ₃ by 10% (P<0.05). Within SLG exercise performance increased fromt ₂ tot ₃ by 8% (P<0.05). Att ₃, relative and absolute in AG were significantly higher in comparison with SLG (P=0.005 andP=0.046 respectively). The improved performance 3 days after AT may be explained in part by an increased oxygen uptake at submaximal exercise intensities without a change in . Further enhancement in performance 2 weeks after AT, however, seems to have been due to the clearly enhanced . Progressive cardiovascular adjustments might have contributed primarily to the time-dependent improvements observed after AT, possibly by an enhanced stroke volume overcompensating the reduced heart rates during submaximal exercise. In conclusion, our findings would suggest that training at a moderate natural altitude improves performance at sea level more than SLT. Combining base and interval training with regulation of intensity by training at constant heart rates during acclimatization at altitude would seem to be a successful training regimen for amateur runners. Most beneficial effects became apparent during the subsequent SLT around 2 weeks after return from altitude. Therefore, we are convinced that AT should be reconsidered as a potent tool for enhancing aerobic capacity, at least in non-elite athletes.     

Residents' perspectives of their first 2 weeks in a long-term care facility

• ? This study investigated residents' perspectives of their first 2 weeks in a long-term care facility (LTCF). Twelve residents were interviewed to determine their experiences during the first 2 weeks, their needs, priorities and expectations, and their views about how relocation from home could be facilitated. The constant comparative method of qualitative analysis (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) was used.
• ? Qualitative analysis of the audiotaped interviews revealed four main categories: emotional reactions, transition activities, reflecting on their situation, and connecting with a personal philosophy.
• ? Residents' responses indicated that if they had actively participated in the decision to be admitted, the adjustment to the LTCF was easier. Connecting with a personal philosophy was also a significant factor.
• ? Nursing implications include recognition of the importance of preparing residents for admission, involving them in the decision, and listening to their perspectives throughout the relocation experience.

     

Behavioural and School Adjustment of 12–13-year old Internationally Adopted Children in Norway: a Research Note

Rutter's scales for parents and teachers were used to assess the behavioural and emotional adjustment of 151 12-13-year old internationally adopted children. Additional questions about school adjustment were added to the teachers' questionnaire. The majority of the adopted children were found to be well adjusted. However, the adopted children were given higher mean scores both for the full scale and on a "hyperactive" subscale than a comparison group of non-adopted children. More adopted than non-adopted children had problems with arithmetic. Adopted boys had higher mean scores than adopted girls on both Rutter scales. Age at adoption was unrelated to outcome.