Psychosocial adjustment to a mastectomy

Article Abstract:

In order to evaluate various psychological, sexual and social responses to mastectomy, 47 married and 30 unmarried patients who had undergone either a radical or modified radical mastectomy (29 and 48 women, respectively) were studied. The patients ranged in age from 30 to 77 years, with an average age of 45.8 years. They were given a battery of questionnaires designed to assess psychological adjustment in terms of body and self-image, psychological distress, sexual adjustment, postoperative social adjustment, perceived social support of friends (PSS-Friend), and perceived social support of family (PSS-Family). Analysis of the data revealed that younger women reported significantly more postoperative sexual experience and drive. Higher overall ratings of sexual satisfaction were found to be significantly related to better self-image and lower ratings of depression and anxiety. The married group demonstrated fewer psychological adjustment difficulties and better adjustment on measures of body and self-image. Divorced subjects were found to be significantly more depressed than single subjects. Women who perceived that they had strong social support demonstrated better functioning on all adjustment measures. Specifically, high PSS-Friend ratings were related to better functioning in social and leisure activities. High ratings on the PSS-Family scale were significantly associated with better self-image, less depression, less anxiety, good overall sexual adjustment, life satisfaction, and overall social adjustment. Findings indicate that psychological, sexual and social adjustment are interrelated and that environmental support, particularly family support, plays a major role in postoperative adjustment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Complications and side effects, Mastectomy

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Combat-related PTSD and psychosocial adjustment problems among substance abusing veterans

Article Abstract:

To assess the proportion of Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a population of substance abusers, and to investigate ways in which different war-related factors contribute to the development of PTSD, 269 Vietnam Veterans (with an average age of 39) from a Veteran Administration (VA) addiction treatment center were studied. While 116 had been exposed to combat (theatre veterans), the other 153 had not (era veterans). The veterans were of mixed ethnicity: 68 percent white, 22 percent black and 5 percent American Indian. They took several scales to assess addiction severity, combat experience, combat-related PTSD, and PTSD symptoms. Theatre veterans had significantly higher PTSD symptom scores than era veterans. Forty-six percent of the theater veterans were diagnosed with PTSD. Theatre veterans with PTSD had been significantly younger during war duty and more likely to have been wounded or stationed longer in war zones than non-PTSD theatre veterans. Extent of combat exposure was the strongest determinant of the severity of PTSD symptoms. Non-PTSD theatre veterans had fewer psychiatric problems than era veterans, suggesting resiliency among some combat exposed men. When theatre veterans with PTSD were compared with non-PTSD theater veterans, those with PTSD were more likely to be nonwhite, unemployed, and to have had more psychiatric treatment for aggressive and suicidal behavior. The finding that almost half of the theatre veterans had combat-related PTSD suggests that VA substance abuse centers are serving many clients at high risk for PTSD who require diagnostic screening and PTSD-related interventions in addition to substance-abuse counseling. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Study and teaching, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Vietnam veterans

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Role of theory in child psychosocial intervention and research: introductory comments

Article Abstract:

Theory is considered important in the field of child psychosocial intervention, but is rarely discussed in professional journals, which tend to focus instead on empirical research. The need for a special section dealing with theoretical issues is discussed.

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Clinical child psychology

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