ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The project "Stigma Management - StigMa" aims on the evaluation of an adaptive therapy program for patients with psychiatric illness to help them in managing internalized stigma and self-stigmatization. METHODS: The patients for this pilot-study were recruited in day-hospitals of pro mente tirol. 26 patients participated in 11 group sessions, following 6 modules: "Education", "Activation of Resources", "Social Network", "Self-Esteem", "Social competence in public places" and "My personal stigma management". The control group consisted of 20 patients who did not participate in StigMa. Pre-post-evaluation was done by the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness-Scale 1. RESULTS: No significant interaction effects could be observed, although in the treatment group, the burden of perceived discrimination was significantly less pronounced after training than before it. The program, however, was evaluated as being extremely positive by the participants. CONCLUSIONS: The program StigMa will be adapted in accordance with the suggestions of the participants and reevaluated taking into consideration methodological optimization.
Subject(s)
Social Stigma , Stereotyping , Germany , Humans , Patient Education as Topic , Pilot Projects , Self ConceptABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psycho-educational, coping-oriented therapy programme for patients with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder. METHOD: Controlled, prospective study design. In the experimental group the Therapy Manual for Psycho-education and Coping with Illness (PKB) was used, providing targeted information on the illness, medical treatment, prodromal symptoms, and health behaviour. Controls participated in supportive dialogues or in an occupational rehabilitation programme. Psychopathology, re-hospitalisations, knowledge, functional outcome and coping strategies were assessed before, directly after and 12 months post therapy. RESULTS: 82 patients participated. In both groups (experimental, control) a significant improvement in psychopathology and general functioning level were observed. Specific advantages for patients of the experimental group were limited to a few aspects, including rehospitalizations in the first year and certain coping strategies. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of schizophrenia different forms of psycho-social intervention (experimental, control) can be effective. Identification of subgroups profiting specially from certain types of intervention should be subject of future research.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Patient Education as Topic , Psychotherapy, Group , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Schizophrenia/therapy , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Patient Readmission , Prospective Studies , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of psychological factors on the recovery of surgical patients and to explore whether there are any psychological variables other than anxiety that have a significant influence on recovery from surgery. METHODS: The participants were 112 adult patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures. On the day prior to surgery, the Freiburg Personality Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a coping schedule and the Questionnaire of Social Support were used to measure psychological parameters including personality, anxiety, coping and social support. The quality of the surgical outcome was rated by two independent and blinded surgeons by the length of hospital stay and analgesia and sedation requirements. The ratings controlled for the diagnosis, type of operation, intraoperative complications, postoperative medical problems and health limitations independent of the surgical procedure. RESULTS: Patients who had a complicated recovery were found to have reduced life satisfaction and lower situation-specific self-control expectations. Structural equation modeling revealed direct relationships between recovery from surgery and personality dimensions with the strongest correlations to life satisfaction, extraversion and attainment orientation. CONCLUSION: The data from this study suggests that valid predictions of the course of postoperative recovery need to take into account personality and coping behaviour orientated data as well as clinical variables. No direct influence on recovery could be predicted from preoperative state anxiety, but it seems likely that state anxiety may influence coping behaviour and that it is this that appears to have a significant impact to surgical recovery.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Patient Satisfaction , Quality of Life , Surgical Procedures, Operative/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Personality , Personality Assessment , Postoperative Period , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to make a precise analysis of social network and social support to patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (CEDE) in comparison with healthy controls. METHODS: 35 patients with colitis ulcerosa and 47 patients with Morbus Crohn were interviewed using the questionnaire for investigating social network and social support (SONET). Medical data on disease activity were also assessed. CEDE patients were compared with healthy controls, and patients with active disease were compared with those whose disease was in remission. RESULTS: In comparison to healthy controls, the patients demonstrated a significantly smaller network, comprising fewer extra-familial persons but more relationships to the closest core family members. CEDE patients also reported a significantly smaller number of persons from whom they received social support. Patients with active disease were generally more unsatisfied with the support received than those whose disease was in remission. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the closest family members are usually responsible for the patient's social support. Further investigation is necessary to assess the needs of the core family in this stressful situation.
Subject(s)
Colitis, Ulcerative/psychology , Crohn Disease/psychology , Sick Role , Social Support , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Family Relations , Female , Humans , Interview, Psychological/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Personal Satisfaction , Psychometrics/statistics & numerical data , Reference Values , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
Fear of flying is a widespread phenomenon and therefore, there is no clear-cut borderline between "normal" and "pathological" fear. People who seek help are those whose lives are severely affected by their avoidance behaviour. Fear of flying can be treated, and in particular, procedures for coping with fear, as developed in behavioural therapy are employed in the course of treatment. 'Systematic desensitization' is particularly suitable for dealing with specific flying phobia. 'Exposure according to the reaction management model' is indicated in the case of patients in whom fear of flying is an expression of panic attacks. A variety of pharmacological therapy measures are available which aim at influencing the vegetative reaction to phobic situations (benzodiazepine, antidepressants, beta-blockers). However, the effectiveness of such medications is subject to controversy.
