Risk factors for self-injurious behaviours among children with autistic disorders

The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for self-injurious behaviours among children with autistic disorders. A descriptive exploratory design was utilized in this study. A sample of convenience of 50 autistic children were recruited from Out-patient Clinic in Institute for Postgraduate Childhood Studies-Center for Children with Special Needs [Autism Unit] in Ain-Shams University and Center for Social and Preventive Medicine [child psychiatry out-patient clinic] at Abu-EL-Rish University Hospital. Four tools were used to measure the current study variables, sociodemographic and medical data sheet, childhood autism rating scale, diagnostic self-injury behaviors scale and Vineland adaptive behavior scale. The results showed that, half of the studied sample had severe degree of autism, and severe degree of self-injury behaviors. Findings revealed that there is an association between severity of self-injury and higher degree of autism, higher communication delay, lower age and intelligent quotient. To conclude, SIBs represent a very common problem in children with autism. Further studies about SIBs on a larger number of autistic children from different geographical areas are recommended

Disease awareness and coping styles among schizophrenic out-patients

This study aimed to determine schizophrenia disease awareness as well as to assess and categorize the number and types of coping strategies among schizophrenic outpatients and examine the relation between the coping responses and the sociodemographic characteristics. A descriptive exploratory design was utilized in this study. A sample of 90 schizophrenic patients who were followed up in Outpatient Clinics were recruited. A sociodemographic/medical data sheet and psychiatric symptom questionnaires were used. During a semi- structured interview, the patient's description of strategies employed in order to cope with the various symptoms of his/her disorders and responses were monitored for each category. The findings of this study indicated that schizophrenic patients develop a variety of coping strategies to deal with different types of symptoms

Physical, psychosocial stressors and coping patterns of children under haemodialysis therapy: effect of nursing intervention study

This study sample involved 50 children under hemodialysis [HD] therapy. Tools of data collection were questionnaire, physical assessment sheet, psychometric assessment, hemodialysis stressor scale and Jalowiec coping scale. The study concluded that nursing intervention enhanced knowledge about renal failure and its care, decreased levels of anxiety and depression and increased self-esteem that consequently result in better coping patterns of the studied children with their illness and stressors imposed by its related therapy. The study recommended further interventions to larger study samples to acquaint children under HD therapy with the required skills to cope with their illness that consequently will improve the quality of their lives

Impact of a designed educational training program on stressors and quality of life of chronic renal failure patients undergoing haemodialysis

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a designed educational training program on psychophysiological stressors and quality of life [QOL] of chronic renal failure [CRE] patients undergoing hemodialysis. A quasi-experimental research design was utilized for this study. The sample consisted of 69 CRF patients undergoing hemodialysis. Three instruments were used to measure study variables, sociodemographic data sheet, hemodialysis stressors scale and sickness impact profile. The results indicated a significant improvement in QOL and stress after implementing a training program

Cognitive function of older adults in relation to psychological stimulating environment in community dwelling and geriatric home

This study aimed to assess cognitive function of older adults in relation to psychosocial stimulating environment in community dwelling and geriatric home. The sample consisted of 195 older adults, 100 subjects were living with their family at community dwelling and 95 were living in a geriatric home. The results showed that there was a statistical significant difference between the two groups in relation to psychosocial stimulating factors. Also, mental function and level of depression were negatively correlated with psychosocial stimulating factors and activities in both groups. Older adults living with psychosocially stimulating community environment had a greater survive rate than those living in non-stimulating environment

concept of self among psychotic patients

This research aimed at assessing the concept of "self" among psychotic patients. Data were collected from a convenient sample of 50 psychiatric patients hospitalized in both Kasr El Ainy psychiatric department and El Nil Sanatorium at Maedy. The tools used for data collection were a questionnaire that contains items related to the self-esteem, self-concept and body image, and an observation rating scale for the patient's general performance i.e. his responsibility for cleanliness and general appearance, his social interest, his cooperation, and his psychotic manifestations. Results showed that the psychotic patients are poor in their general performance, they have negative feelings toward their self-esteem, they also feel disintegrated and their body images are affected. They were also found to have hope for cure, but their hope is mixed with different fears. It was recommended that these patients should receive a nursing care that provides an accepting attitude that allows them security and freedom to examine all aspects of themselves and total being, beside experiencing different activities that make then aware of their body and increase their self-esteem