bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Superstitious compulsions
Authors: Liddell Andrée , Morgan Georgina 
Published: July 2011

The degree of superstitious compulsion present in a sample of undergraduate students at North East London Polytechnic was measured in a two‐part study. Initially measurement was carried out using a questionnaire designed to investigate the effects of age, sex and home area (rural or urban) on the level of compulsion to indulge in superstitious behaviour. The subjects, 86 volunteer students, were asked to rate levels of superstitious compulsion retrospectively, and a highly significant difference was noted between three age ranges. The difference between sexes also showed similarly high significance with female students indicating a higher level of compulsion at all age levels. However, the home area differences failed to reach significance at any level. This parameter was, therefore, eliminated from the second study and replaced by a request for information about parent's or guardian's occupation for analysis of socio‐economic status. This second study was carried out on 96 volunteer undergraduate students who had not taken part in the first study. A questionnaire modified from that used in the first study was employed in combination with the Eysenck Personality Inventory Form A (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1964) and the Sandler & Hazari scales (Sandler & Hazari, 1960), in order to investigate a relationship between the degree of neuroticism, obsessionality and superstitious compulsions. The 20 items on the modified questionnaire were evenly divided between those requiring active avoidance (ritualistic) and those necessitating passive avoidance (phobic). The data received indicated that age, type of superstition (phobic or ritualistic) and personality factors were important variables.It did not confirm the results of the first study that women are, in general, more superstitious than men. However, there would appear to be some evidence that ritualistic compulsions in the early teens could predict later levels of neuroticism and that there may also be an association between obsessionality and phobic superstitions in young adults.
Personal construct theory and psychological well‐being*
Authors: Button Eric 
Published: July 2011

The concept of ‘psychological well‐being’ (as opposed to ‘psychological disorder’) is considered from the standpoint of George Kelly's personal construct theory (Kelly, 1955). It is argued that the origin of psychological disorder lies in a difficulty in ‘person construing’, with particular reference to ‘self‐construing’. For some (like schizophrenics) this may be a relatively permanent state of affairs, whereas for others it may reflect a temporary crisis or transition. It seems that the ability to maintain a relatively stable, yet flexible, self‐construction may be crucial. Social relationships, however, although potentially validating, also carry the risk of invalidating our self‐construction. An individual's particular response to ‘invalidation’ may be substantially determined by commonality of construing in his particular context, e.g. an adolescent female may turn to slimming whereas a young male may turn to alcohol.Although the theory has proved to be most useful at an explanatory level, it has been applied therapeutically only to a limited extent. It is argued that psychologists may make a greater contribution to the enhancement of psychological well‐being by applying constructive alternativism within a learning or educational context rather than the clinical setting.
Bion's ‘protomental system’ and psychosomatic illness in general practice*
Authors: Sanders K. 
Published: July 2011

The work of Wilfred Bion, developing the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Klein on the origins of anxiety in childhood, includes the hypothesis of a protomental system. This he defined as a matrix in the human organism in which physical and mental are at first undifferentiated. His postulate is that this system which equips human beings for life in a group is in conflict with their needs as individuals. The view of the world mediated by basic assumptions, relatively mindless, functioning by unconscious common consent, has a close association with psychosomatic illness. But individuals feel the need for a working relationship with others, where thought can be applied to problems before taking action. Within the family ‐ a special case of a work group ‐ the continuing experience by the infant of parental containment of its anxieties, through a process of projection and introjection, develops its capacity for thinking about frustration rather than evading it.The hypothesis is, that without this experience, frustration may lead to basic assumption mentality and psychosomatic illness rather than emotionality and thought. These ideas have been found useful in general practice as in the five cases described.
Depression in the young unemployed and those on Youth Opportunities Schemes
Authors: Branthwaite Alan , Garcia Sara 
Published: July 2011

Using interviews and psychometric measures, this study compared the experiences and opinions of unemployment of four small groups of young people who were: unemployed, on a Youth Opportunities Placement Scheme, on a Youth Opportunities Project Scheme, or employed apprentices.It was found by means of the Beck Depression Inventory, that there were significant differences between the groups, with the employed being less depressed than the other three groups. The two groups on Youth Opportunities Schemes were intermediate but not significantly different from the unemployed. No significant differences were found using the Neuroticism scale of the EPI.This measure of depression, and the general attitudes expressed in discussion, support the conclusion that although the Youth Opportunities Scheme tends to reduce depression from being unemployed, it does not provide the psychological benefits of permanent employment, as suggested by previous research. This discrepancy in findings is discussed and the question raised as to whether the positive benefits of training programmes are sustained over time.
Sharing psychological skills in the general practice setting
Authors: Weinman John , Medlik Lenka 
Published: July 2011

Three broad areas of work are described in this paper. The first is concerned with the nature of psychological processes within the general practice consultation and the indications these provide for skill sharing. In the second section there is an account of courses designed to develop skills in the recognition of psychological aspects of illness and in the detection of psychological problems. The third section outlines various courses for developing and improving the consulting and counselling skills of general practitioners.In addition to describing a range of skills developed by ourselves and others, two general themes emerge from this paper. The first concerns the appropriateness of the general practice setting for the sharing of psychological skills and the extent to which the psychologist may be able to complement the skills of the general practitioner. The second theme concerns the importance of helping general practitioners to identify their own learning needs as an essential first step in deciding how to structure courses to meet these needs.
Staff counter‐transference in the therapeutic milieu: Creating an average expectable environment
Authors: Szajnberg Nathan 
Published: July 2011

Counter‐transference, investigated and described as a powerful technique in individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy, has been less extensively studied in the psychodynamically oriented milieu therapy of more regressed patients. Features of the setting of the psychodynamic milieu are suggested which foster the use of the staff's counter‐transference (evoked feelings) as a therapeutic tool. Several clinical examples are given which highlight the features necessary (1) to create a moment of illusion for the patient; (2) to create an observational frame of reference for the staff; (3) to clarify when certain intra‐staff differences about the patient's therapy reflect the patient's re‐creation of intrapsychic lacunae or conflicts among the staff.The importance of action is discussed as a means of communication for regressed patients. This concept is reconciled with Loewald's stance that feelings and actions should be represented in words. A developmental hierarchy of interpretation is suggested which involves several levels of action, through levels of symbol. A review of the literature supports this hierarchy.Both in the consulting room and in the psychodynamic milieu, the phenomenon of evoked feelings (counter‐transference) offers an interface between two sets of internal laws: the therapist's and the patient's. The therapist's task is to treat these two sets of laws with mutual respect, offering the patient an opportunity to experience a successful autonomous act, that is, affecting his or her therapist. This concept, when extended to the psychodynamic milieu, treats the milieu as a social organism that requires ongoing observation and revision by all its participants.
Anxiety reaction of hospitalized children
Authors: Teichman Yona , Rafael Miriam Ben , Lerman Maya 
Published: July 2011

This study suggests that the child's emotional reaction to hospitalization is determined by personal, interpersonal and environmental factors. The personal attribute investigated was the child's predisposition to experience anxiety, namely, trait anxiety. The interpersonal influence was the perceived level of maternal anxiety, and the environmental influence was type of hospitalization ‐ traditional hospital or day clinic.We hypothesized that (1) hospitalized children with high trait anxiety would experience higher anxiety state than children with low trait anxiety; (2) hospitalized children who perceive anxious rather than calm mothers would experience more anxiety; (3) children in a traditional hospital would experience higher anxiety state than children in a day clinic; and (4) the most anxious children would be those who have high trait anxiety, are exposed to anxious mothers and are hospitalized in a traditional hospital.Results indicate that the child's level of trait anxiety predicted the level of experienced anxiety and so did perceived maternal anxiety. Type of hospitalization did not influence the level of anxiety, but children with high trait anxiety who attributed to their mothers a high level of anxiety reported more anxiety in the day clinic rather than in the hospital. The findings imply that, when helping children and families deal with hospitalization, personal, interpersonal and environmental factors have to be considered.
Expectant fathers: Emotional reactions, physical symptoms and coping styles
Authors: Teichman Yona , Lahav Yoram 
Published: July 2011

This study investigated emotional and physical reactions in two groups of expectant fathers: expecting a first child, expecting a second or subsequent child. These were compared with each other and with a control group of fathers whose wives were not pregnant.The hypotheses predicted that expectant fathers in general, and expectant fathers expecting their first child in particular, would report higher situational anxiety and would experience physical symptoms more frequently than the control group. It was also predicted that expectant fathers who reported high levels of emotional involvement with their wives' pregnancy would report high levels of anxiety and high frequency of physical symptoms while expectant fathers who reported active involvement would report a lower level of anxiety and lower frequency of symptoms.Contrary to prediction, expectant fathers, particularly those who were expecting their first child, reported lower levels of anxiety. The hypothesis about physical symptoms was confirmed. Expectant fathers reported experiencing physical symptoms more frequently than controls, and the highest frequency was reported by those expecting their first child. The correlations between types of involvement and anxiety or physical symptoms indicate that all types of involvement are negatively correlated with anxiety. Emotional involvement correlates with frequency of experiencing physical symptoms, and active involvement does not correlate with frequency of experiencing physical symptoms.
Reactive‐narcissistic character, obsessional personality and obsessive–compulsive behaviour: A study of the validity of Sandler and Hazari's typology
Authors: Trijsburg Rutger W. , Duivenvoorden Hugo J. 
Published: July 2011

Sandler & Hazari's (1960) questionnaire measuring reactive‐narcissistic character and obsessional personality was filled in by 120 medical students. Principal components analysis was applied to their scores. The resulting factor structure is highly similar to Sandler & Hazari's. Both reactive‐narcissistic character and obsessional personality can be measured in a reliable way. In support of the hypotheses, reactive‐narcissism is correlated positively with achievement motivation, but shows no correlation with traits reflecting lack of self‐confidence (external locus of control and negative fear of failure), nor with aggression. Contrary to expectation, a positive correlation was found with control uncertainty. According to expectation obsessionality is correlated negatively with achievement motivation and positively with traits reflecting lack of self‐confidence and with aggression. The hypothesis that obsessional subjects exhibit more obsessive‐compulsiveness in a decision‐making task than reactive‐narcissistic subjects could not be confirmed. Results are discussed in the light of previous findings.The conclusion is that the typology as measured by Sandler & Hazari's (1960) questionnaire has high construct validity. The question whether the typology is predictive of future obsessive–compulsive behaviour remains unanswered.
Defining dependence
Authors: Birtchnell John 
Published: July 2011

The need to define dependence arises out of accumulating evidence that it contributes to depression‐proneness. Its accurate definition is therefore a prerequisite for the development of valid methods of measuring it.Because dependence is more a feature of childhood than of adulthood, a dependent person may usefully be viewed as an adult behaving as though he were a child. Dependence is best understood therefore in terms of those developmental deficiencies from which it results. These are failure to separate successfully from the principal parent figure and from the family as a whole, failure to establish a secure personal identity, failure to acquire a general feeling of competence and a realistic assessment of self‐worth and failure to feel deserving of the status of adult and to feel on equal terms with other adults.Consequently, adult dependence is characterized by the need to stay close to others, the inclination to be primarily the recipient in interpersonal transactions and the tendency to relate to others from a position of inferiority and humility. The dependent person receives from others a borrowed identity, guidance and direction, compensation for those areas in which he is incompetent and, most important of all, acceptance, approval and affirmation of worth.
The will in psychoanalytic theory and practice
Authors: Gill Harwant S. 
Published: July 2011

In psychoanalytic treatment insight does not necessarily lead to change, because psychoanalysis has not yet integrated into its theory and technique the full significance of two determinants: (1) the resistances arising from the patient's environment, and (2) the role played by the patient's will in his/her analysis. This paper is focused on the second determinant.Freud's elucidation of repression and other defences challenged the assumption that the will operated in an uncomplicated, straightforward manner. When, however, neurotic fears, secondary gain, or guilt underlying the inhibited or misdirected will are thoroughly analysed, patients are enabled to strive for their long‐range aims, as clarified during the course of their analysis.Psychoanalytic theory has not recognized the will for two reasons. (1) Its theory is committed to determinism, which does not characterize its practice. Psychoanalysis does not predict outcome as required by philosophical determinism, but traces it backwards to find that it is meaningful, and not arbitrary or purposeless. (2) It attributes ‘willing’ to the ego, along with other multifarious functions, which confounds the development and operation of distinct functions, and distracts attention from the phenomenological investigation of each separate function.
The treatment of post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: McFarlane A. C. 
Published: July 2011

This report reviews treatment studies of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Much of the literature is descriptive and concentrates on particular treatment modalities without attempting to integrate these different approaches into the wider body of knowledge about PTSD. No study has randomly assigned patients to experimental and control groups.The treatment of 56 patients with PTSD is described, highlighting issues which influence the choice of approach and focus of therapy. These issues are seldom mentioned in the PTSD literature and include the unusual difficulties involved in developing a therapeutic alliance, the role of non‐specific elements and the treatment of coexistent psychiatric disorders which are frequently present. The need to consider separately the degree of disturbed attention and arousal, the nature of the traumatic preoccupation and the patient's social and occupational functioning are stressed.The lack of knowledge about the natural history of PTSD and the different effectiveness of treatments in the acute and chronic stages are other uncertainties about the treatment of PTSD. Consideration of these points has led to a series of recommendations for future studies of the treatment of PTSD.
Samson's complex: The compulsion to re‐enact betrayal and rage
Authors: Kutz Ilan 
Published: July 2011

A comparison of the life story of a psychotherapy patient to that of biblical Samson reveals that both men suffer from a behavioural disturbance, manifested in the compulsion to re‐enact the experience of betrayal by women, followed by destructive attacks of rage against others, and ultimately against their own tormented selves. The author tracks the origin of repetition compulsion to its proposed psychobiological foundations of attachment‐formation and its development. Samson's complex is viewed as a deep‐seated, characterological defect, stemming from faulty object relations and leading to existential despair and suicidal longing. The existence of a detailed psychopathological phenomenology embedded in timeless biblical lore denotes once more the alliance between myth and psychology.And if I ever lose my eyesI won't have to cry no more.Cat Stevens, from the song ‘ Moon Shadow ’
Coping resources and depression in the caregiving spouses of Alzheimer patients
Authors: Morrissey Elizabeth , Becker Joseph , Rubert Mark P. 
Published: July 2011

This study deals with the self‐rated impact of caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease at home. Impacts on the caregiver's marriage, work, recreation and mood were investigated as a function of the patient's disability level and of the coping resources which caregivers reported were available to and/or used by them.The patient's disability level had a more negative impact on the caregiver's marriage and recreation than did the coping resource variables whereas the reverse was true for work. The caregiver's work was the only life area in which the availability and mobilization of coping resources influenced the caregiver's level of depression. To clarify these results, additional regression analyses were conducted separately for homemakers and employed subjects. While mobilized coping resources (social activity level and homemaking activity level) were correlated with depression among homemakers, none of the indicators of mobilized coping resources was correlated with depression among workers. These findings suggest that the role in which stress occurs is an important factor in understanding stress and the coping process.
Psychosocial problems in families of disabled children
Authors: Singhi Pratibha D. , Goyal Lokender , Pershad Dwarka , Singhi Sunit , Walia B. N. S. 
Published: July 2011

Psychosocial problems faced by parents and other family members were studied in 50 families with a physically disabled child (PD group), 50 with a mentally retarded child (MR group) and 50 with a healthy child (control group). A semi‐structured questionnaire assisted interview and standardized scales were used to measure social burden, marital adjustment and maternal neuroticism.Families with disabled children perceived greater financial stress, frequent disruption of family routine and leisure, poor social interaction, and ill effects on their physical and mental health as compared to families of control children. The overall social burden scores were significantly higher in both the groups with disabled children as compared to controls (mean scores PD 17.8, MR 14.6, C 0.72, p <.001), and showed a significant inverse correlation with the socio‐economic and educational status of parents. The neuroticism scores were also significantly higher (PD 23.7, MR 19.0, C 9.6, p <.01), and the marital adjustment scores lower (PD 75, MR 79, C 86, p <.01) in families with disabled children. Appropriate management of these problems should be part of rehabilitation programmes.
A comparative study of psychotherapy referrals
Authors: Chiesa M. 
Published: July 2011

This retrospective study examines the effects of a change in policy in the method of offering appointments for assessment to patients referred to an out‐patient psychotherapy service. It was anticipated that the new system would reduce the frequency of non‐attendance (DNAs) at assessment interviews, increase the proportion of attenders judged suitable for psychotherapy and reduce the proportion of early dropouts amongst those commencing therapy.Results confirmed a reduction in DNAs, but suitability for therapy was not enhanced, nor did the rate of early dropouts diminish. With the new system, proportionately fewer referrals were assessed and fewer commenced therapy, suggesting that it has created a barrier to use of the service.
Psychotherapy with difficult patients
Authors: WILLIAMS RUTH M. 
Published: July 2011

Book reviewed in this article:Cognitive‐Behavioural Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. By M. M. Linehan.Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder. By M. M. Linehan.Self‐Management Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Therapist‐Guided Approach. By M. H. Langley.
Prediction and course of grief four years after perinatal loss due to congenital anomalies: A follow‐up study
Authors: Hunfeld J. A. M. , Wladimiroff J. W. , Passchier J. 
Published: July 2011

The emotional reactions of women (N = 29) after perinatal loss were evaluated over a four‐year period by means of standardized questionnaires and a semi‐structured interview. Eleven women (38 per cent) displayed a level of general psychological distress which is clinically significant. Grief reactions declined significantly during this period, except for difficulties with coping and despair concerning the loss, and a quarter of the women still showed a clinically significant high level of distress for intrusive images.The disposition for feelings of inadequacy (i.e. feeling anxious, insufficient, depressed and having low self‐esteem) was strongly and positively related to the intensity of stress, grief and general psychological distress after four years. Our findings emphasize the importance of psychosocial screening of those women identified as showing signs of inadequacy in the face of (threatened) pregnancy loss with the objective to offer them additional psychological support.