[Differences in the psychological status of hysterectomy and non-hysterectomy women]. / Unterschiede in der psychischen Befindlichkeit zwischen hysterektomierten und nicht-hysterektomierten Frauen.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Despite numerous investigations on the well-being of hysterectomized women, this issue is still discussed controversially. The aim of the present study was to reveal differences between a group of hysterectomized women with a fairly long follow-up period (7.9 years) and a group of non-hysterectomized women with respect to their psychological well-being. RESEARCH METHOD AND MATERIAL: In a questionnaire study we compared a group of 216 women who underwent hysterectomy with a group of 90 non-hysterectomized women. Dependent variables were: body complaints, psychological well-being, dysphoria, socio-sexual assertiveness, and gender-role orientation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The group of hysterectomized women showed significantly higher levels of body complaints, depression, and unassertiveness in sexual situations, as well as decreased psychological well-being, and a more traditional gender-role orientation. Within the group of hysterectomized women, duration since hysterectomy, surgical techniques, and hormone substitution therapy seem to be unrelated to the psychological variables. The group differences cannot be causally attributed to the hysterectomy, since they may already have existed premorbidly. Nevertheless, the results suggest that a more thorough psychological examination prior to hysterectomy, as well as provision of support for the coping process after intervention is advantageous.

Autobiographical memories in women remitted from major depression.

Several studies show that depressed people tend to overgeneralize when asked to recall autobiographical memories (AM); in particular, they respond with categoric descriptions. The authors sought to find out whether this tendency also occurs after remission from depression. Two groups of women who were not depressed at the time of the study were compared; only 1 group had a history of major depression. With an AM test, women in remission from major depression retrieved significantly more categoric descriptions when responding to negative cue words than women without a major depression in their biography. These findings support the assumption that AM is a correlate and a consequence of depression.

[Differences in the ratings of valence and concreteness for verbal concepts between depressive and nondepressive persons]. / Unterschiede in den Valenz- und Konkretheitsurteilen von Begriffen zwischen depressiven und nichtdepressiven Personen.

This study tries to reveal differences in the valency and concreteness ratings for nouns, verbs, and adverbs between depressive (N = 20) and nondepressive (N = 20) persons. For the valency ratings the results show significant differences between the two groups and between the syntactical categories as well as an interaction between the factors group and syntactical categories. For concreteness ratings we found a significant main effect for the group factor, a significant interaction between group and syntactical categories, and also a significant three way interaction between group, syntactical categories, and word valency. From these results it follows that, before conducting experiments in clinical psychology, one must establish the participants' representation of words that are used as stimuli. Otherwise, results could easily be misinterpreted as specific experimental results.

[Analysis of the activity and effectiveness of lay persons as therapists in a psychiatric rehabilitation project]. / Tätigkeitsanalyse und Effektivität von Laien als Therapeuten in einem psychiatrischen Rehabilitationsprojekt.

A wealth of research indicates equal or even superior psychotherapeutic effects of lay-persons in comparison to professional therapists. Detailed analysis of process and effects however is needed. Results of the first period (4 months) of a longer controlled psychiatric therapy and rehabilitation project are presented. One out of four groups was run by psychiatrically unexperienced lay therapists. Objective behavior and subjective experiences as well of therapists as of patients were assessed by means of continuous observation, rating- and attitude-scales, sociographical methods and interviews. Results confirm the therapeutic change-potential of lay-persons and give interesting findings on the therapeutic process itselves.

[Research in county and district psychiatric hospitals]. / Forschung in psychiatrischen Landes- und Bezirkskrankenhäusern.

Scientific research in psychiatric county-hospitals could substantially contribute to the further development of the psychosocial practice. Although the hospitals in principle are open to scientific activities, a genuin integration of research into these institutiones has not yet come about. The study then goes on to discuss perspectives for research, methodological issues and advances organizational proposals regarding the overcoming of these obstacles.

[The behaviour therapy and sociopsychiatric model used in Salzburg (author's transl)]. / Das verhaltenstherapeutisch-sozialpsychiatrische Modell Salzburgs.

The article reports on a behaviour therapy ward of the psychiatric hospital department, its origin, difficulties in the initial stages, and current mode of function. The transitory residential quarters and pertaining recreation centre are also described. In the Salzburg model, the behaviour therapy ward and the transitory residential quarters are a functional unit.