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Psychological Adaptation (psychological + adaptation)
Selected AbstractsORIGINAL RESEARCH,SEXUAL PAIN DISORDERS: The Association between Sexual Function, Pain, and Psychological Adaptation of Men Diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Type IIITHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2008Sylvie Aubin PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is known to have a negative impact on quality of life, especially on intimate relationships and sexual function. Information is, however, missing on the contribution of demographic and psychological variables to sexual variables. Aim., We compared the sexual function of men with CPPS to men without pain, and examined the relationship between the sexual, demographic, and psychological measures in men with CPPS. Main Outcome Measures., Self-report questionnaires assessing demographic, pain, sexual function, and psychological adaptation. Methods., The sample consisted of 72 men diagnosed with CPPS and 98 men without any pain condition. Self-report questionnaires measuring demographic, pain, and sexual function were completed once at the eligibility visit by all subjects. CPPS subjects completed additional questionnaires related to pain and psychological adaptation. Results., CPPS subjects differed from controls by reporting significantly less frequent sexual desire or thoughts, less frequent sexual activities, less arousal/erectile function, less orgasm function, and higher frequencies of genital pain during/after intercourse. When we adjusted for age and marital status, the difference between groups remained for thoughts/desire, frequency of sexual activity, and arousal/erectile function. Analysis of factors related to sexual function in CPPS subjects included pain status and psychological adaptation. Results showed that frequency of sexual activity decreased with increasing depression, whereas arousal/erectile function decreased with increasing pain symptoms and stress appraisal. Orgasm function decreased with increasing depression and pleasure/satisfaction decreased with increasing pain symptoms, stress appraisal, and decreasing belief of a relationship between emotions and pain. Conclusions., We found a differential sexual profile for men with CPPS when compared to men without pain. The results suggest that interventions addressing psychological factors affecting sexual responses should be further studied in prospective clinical trials as one possible way to improve sexual function and satisfaction in men with CPPS. Aubin S, Berger RE, Herman JR, and Ciol MA. The association between sexual function, pain, and psychological adaptation of men diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome type III. J Sex Med 2008;5:657,667. [source] Cultures of Childhood and Psychosocial Characteristics: Self-Esteem and Social Comparison in Two Distinct CommunitiesETHOS, Issue 1 2007Andrew M. Guest This mixed-methods study investigated self-esteem and social comparison during middle childhood in two distinct communities: a Chicago public-housing development and a group of refugee camps near Luanda, capital of the Republic of Angola. Building on separate bodies of existing research about childhood in marginalized communities, self-esteem, and social comparison, I present an interpretive account of how conceptions of childhood associate with psychosocial characteristics in these two communities. In the Chicago community, an intense emphasis on accelerating childhood toward adult characteristics corresponded with accentuating high self-esteem and extremely competitive social comparison. In contrast, the Angolan community conceptualized childhood as distinct from adulthood in ways that prioritized role achievement above self-esteem and encouraged integrative social comparison. The comparison of the cultures of childhood in these two communities, which shared relative poverty and were regularly targeted by external agencies for interventions, has implications for understanding child development and psychological adaptation in marginalized communities. [source] Testing for an economic gradient in health status using subjective dataHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 11 2008Michael Lokshin Abstract Can self-assessments of health reveal the true health differentials between ,rich' and ,poor'? The potential sources of bias include psychological adaptation to ill-health, socioeconomic covariates of health reporting errors and income measurement errors. We propose an estimation method to reduce the bias by isolating the component of self-assessed health that is explicable in terms of objective health indicators and allowing for broader dimensions of economic welfare than captured by current incomes. On applying our method to survey data for Russia we find a pronounced (nonlinear) economic gradient in health status that is not evident in the raw data. This is largely attributable to the health effects of age, education and location. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Adaptations for Nothing in ParticularJOURNAL FOR THE THEORY OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, Issue 1 2004Simon J. Hampton An element of the contemporary dispute amongst evolution minded psychologists and social scientists hinges on the conception of mind as being adapted as opposed to adaptive. This dispute is not trivial. The possibility that human minds are both adapted and adaptive courtesy of selection pressures that were social in nature is of particular interest to a putative evolutionary social psychology. I suggest that the notion of an evolved psychological adaptation in social psychology can be retained only if it is accepted that this adaptation is for social interaction and has no rigidly fixed function and cannot be described in terms of algorithmic decision rules or fixed inferential procedures. What is held to be the reason for encephalisation in the Homo lineage and some of best atested ideas in social psychology offers license for such an approach. [source] Sense of coherence in parents of children with different developmental disabilitiesJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2002M. B. Olsson Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to test if Antonovsky's theory of sense of coherence can facilitate understanding: (1) individual differences in psychological adaptation in parents of children with intellectual disability (ID); and (2) why parents of children with ID generally experience higher levels of stress and depression than parents of children who develop normally. Methods Sense of coherence (SoC) and depression were assessed using the short SoC scale (13 items) and the Beck Depression Inventory in 216 families of children with ID and/or autism, and in 213 control families. Results It is argued that: (1) parents of children with ID with low SoC are at increased risk for developing depression compared to control parents with low SoC not experiencing this stressor; and (2) the life situation of parenting a child with ID may have a negative impact on parents' SoC levels that, in turn, will make them more vulnerable to experiencing stress and depression. Conclusion The SoC theory is valuable in understanding individual differences in psychological adaptation in parents of children with ID. [source] Social Contingencies in Mental Health: A Seven-Year Follow-Up Study of Teenage MothersJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 3 2000R. Jay Turner This paper reports analyses from a 7-year follow-up investigation of women pregnant as teenagers who had been studied during their pregnancy and shortly following their child's birth. The objective of these analyses was to identify potentially modifiable factors that might influence or condition psychological adaptation within this high-risk population. Consistent with prior research, differences in social support and in personal resources or attributes effectively predicted depressive symptomatology, suggesting that such differences constitute crucial mental health contingencies and thereby represent promising intervention targets. Contrary to prior research, differences in stress exposure were found to be of substantial explanatory significance, with lifetime accumulation of major, potentially traumatic events representing the most significant element. These findings suggest the need to develop a greater understanding of socially or programatically modifiable determinants of stress exposure and to take seriously the prospect of developing interventions that reduce such exposure. [source] Research Issues in Genetic Testing of Adolescents for ObesityNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 8 2004Mary E. Segal Ph.D. Obesity is often established in adolescence, and advances are being made in identifying its genetic underpinnings. We examine issues related to the eventual likelihood of genetic tests for obesity targeted to adolescents: family involvement; comprehension of the test's meaning; how knowledge of genetic status may affect psychological adaptation; minors' ability to control events; parental/child autonomy; ability to make informed medical decisions; self-esteem; unclear distinctions between early/late onset for this condition; and social stigmatization. The public health arena will be important in educating families about possible future genetic tests for obesity. [source] Discrepancies between attainment and importance of life values and anxiety and depression in gastrointestinal cancer patients and their spousesPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Karin Nordin Patients' satisfaction with life, viewed in terms of the discrepancy between the perceived attainment and subjective importance of various life values, is a less often studied phenomenon for understanding the psychological adaptation in cancer patients. The main aim of the present study is to investigate the relation between the degree of attainment and importance of life values on the one hand, and anxiety and depression, on the other. A consecutive series of 85 newly diagnosed patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, 52 potentially cured and 33 with an advanced disease, and 26 spouses to the patients with an advanced disease participated. The patients and spouses of non-cured patients filled out questionnaires twice, close to the diagnosis and after 1 (non-cured patients) or 3 months. Overall, large discrepancies between the perceived attainment and importance of life values were associated with high anxiety and depression. For the patients (both cured and non-cured), the discrepancies decreased for several life values over time, as did anxiety and depression. For the spouses of the non-cured patients, there was no decrease either for life value discrepancies or for anxiety/depression. This suggests that patients, in contrast to their spouses, strive to achieve small discrepancies between the perceived attainment and importance of life values, as part of their adjustment to serious diseases, e.g. cancer. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Life values before versus after a breast cancer diagnosis,RESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 2 2002Claudia Lampic Abstract The main aim of this study was to investigate whether women's life values change with a breast cancer diagnosis. In addition, associations between life values and anxiety/depression ratings were investigated. Life value changes were prospectively studied in 517 women recalled for further examination after attending mammographic screening, 38 of whom were diagnosed with primary breast cancer. Life values were assessed by a study-specific version of a life value questionnaire, including ratings of the perceived attainment and importance of seven life value dimensions. Three months after being recalled, women diagnosed with primary breast cancer reported a reduction of the attainment and the importance of Health. In addition, these women reported changes in the perceived importance of Responsibility and Involvement. High levels of anxiety and depression in particular were associated with large discrepancies between attainment and importance for some life values. This suggests that changes in the perceived importance of some life values may constitute one part of women's psychological adaptation to a breast cancer diagnosis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 25:89,98, 2002 [source] Cognitive dissonance, status and growth of the underclass,THE ECONOMIC JOURNAL, Issue 498 2004Robert J. Oxoby We present a model of cognitive adaptation to examine the growth and behaviours of the underclass. In the model, individuals experiencing cognitive dissonance between status seeking and social recognition adapt their attitudes regarding what is deemed status worthy. This yields the endogenous formation of an underclass in which non-pecuniary social returns counteract the effect of traditional incentives (i.e. wages) in motivating behaviour. By gaining insight into the process of psychological adaptation of those living in poverty, the paper sheds light on economic policies that mitigate the disenfranchisement and hence the growth of the underclass. [source] Social contextual links to emotion regulation in an adolescent psychiatric inpatient population: do gender and symptomatology matter?THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 11 2009Molly Adrian Background:, The regulation of emotion is essential for adaptive functioning. However, delineating the pathways of emotion regulation (ER) processes that lead to psychological adaptation remains under-studied, with mixed evidence for the specificity vs. generality of ER deficits in relation to specific forms of psychopathology. To examine this issue, this study investigated links among ER, social-contextual factors (family, peer), and psychological adjustment (internalizing, externalizing). Method:, Participants were 140 adolescents (71% female, 83.3% Caucasian, M age = 16.03 years) who were consecutive psychiatric admissions over a one-year period. Adolescents completed measures on family environment and peer relationship experiences. Both adolescents and parents reported on adolescents' characteristic patterns of ER and psychopathology. Results:, Discriminant analyses revealed that two functions, ER skills and impulsivity/lability, differentiated among adolescents who were elevated in internalizing symptoms only, in externalizing symptoms only, in both domains, or in neither domain. Regarding social contextual variables, family cohesion was associated with adaptive ER behaviors for girls along the internalizing dimension and all adolescents reporting externalizing behaviors. Relational victimization predicted difficulties with ER in both symptom domains for all adolescents. Within the internalizing domain, friendship support was related to adaptive ER. Conclusion:, Facets of ER do differentiate between global indices of internalizing and externalizing behaviors and suggest that both general and specific factors contribute to adolescents' unique learning history with emotions and characteristic patterns for managing emotions. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,SEXUAL PAIN DISORDERS: The Association between Sexual Function, Pain, and Psychological Adaptation of Men Diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Type IIITHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2008Sylvie Aubin PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is known to have a negative impact on quality of life, especially on intimate relationships and sexual function. Information is, however, missing on the contribution of demographic and psychological variables to sexual variables. Aim., We compared the sexual function of men with CPPS to men without pain, and examined the relationship between the sexual, demographic, and psychological measures in men with CPPS. Main Outcome Measures., Self-report questionnaires assessing demographic, pain, sexual function, and psychological adaptation. Methods., The sample consisted of 72 men diagnosed with CPPS and 98 men without any pain condition. Self-report questionnaires measuring demographic, pain, and sexual function were completed once at the eligibility visit by all subjects. CPPS subjects completed additional questionnaires related to pain and psychological adaptation. Results., CPPS subjects differed from controls by reporting significantly less frequent sexual desire or thoughts, less frequent sexual activities, less arousal/erectile function, less orgasm function, and higher frequencies of genital pain during/after intercourse. When we adjusted for age and marital status, the difference between groups remained for thoughts/desire, frequency of sexual activity, and arousal/erectile function. Analysis of factors related to sexual function in CPPS subjects included pain status and psychological adaptation. Results showed that frequency of sexual activity decreased with increasing depression, whereas arousal/erectile function decreased with increasing pain symptoms and stress appraisal. Orgasm function decreased with increasing depression and pleasure/satisfaction decreased with increasing pain symptoms, stress appraisal, and decreasing belief of a relationship between emotions and pain. Conclusions., We found a differential sexual profile for men with CPPS when compared to men without pain. The results suggest that interventions addressing psychological factors affecting sexual responses should be further studied in prospective clinical trials as one possible way to improve sexual function and satisfaction in men with CPPS. Aubin S, Berger RE, Herman JR, and Ciol MA. The association between sexual function, pain, and psychological adaptation of men diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome type III. J Sex Med 2008;5:657,667. [source] Parasites, democratization, and the liberalization of values across contemporary countriesBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2009Randy Thornhill Abstract The countries of the world vary in their position along the autocracy,democracy continuum of values. Traditionally, scholars explain this variation as based on resource distribution and disparity among nations. We provide a different framework for understanding the autocracy,democracy dimension and related value dimensions, one that is complementary (not alternative) to the research tradition, but more encompassing, involving both evolutionary (ultimate) and proximate causation of the values. We hypothesize that the variation in values pertaining to autocracy,democracy arises fundamentally out of human (Homo sapiens) species-typical psychological adaptation that manifests contingently, producing values and associated behaviours that functioned adaptively in human evolutionary history to cope with local levels of infectious diseases. We test this parasite hypothesis of democratization using publicly available data measuring democratization, collectivism,individualism, gender egalitarianism, property rights, sexual restrictiveness, and parasite prevalence across many countries of the world. Parasite prevalence across countries is based on a validated index of the severity of 22 important human diseases. We show that, as the hypothesis predicts, collectivism (hence, conservatism), autocracy, women's subordination relative to men's status, and women's sexual restrictiveness are values that positively covary, and that correspond with high prevalence of infectious disease. Apparently, the psychology of xenophobia and ethnocentrism links these values to avoidance and management of parasites. Also as predicted, we show that the antipoles of each of the above values,individualism (hence, liberalism), democracy, and women's rights, freedom and increased participation in casual sex,are a positively covarying set of values in countries with relatively low parasite stress. Beyond the cross-national support for the parasite hypothesis of democratization, it is consistent with the geographic location at high latitudes (and hence reduced parasite stress) of the early democratic transitions in Britain, France and the U.S.A. It, too, is consistent with the marked increase in the liberalization of social values in the West in the 1950s and 1960s (in part, the sexual revolution), regions that, a generation or two earlier, experienced dramatically reduced infectious diseases as a result of antibiotics, vaccinations, food- and water-safety practices, and increased sanitation. Moreover, we hypothesize that the generation and diffusion of innovations (in thought, action and technology) within and among regions, which is associated positively with democratization, is causally related to parasite stress. Finally, we hypothesize that past selection in the context of morbidity and mortality resulting from parasitic disease crafted many of the aspects of social psychology unique to humans. [source] Coping styles, psychological functioning and quality of life in children with asthmaCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2007M. L. Marsac Abstract Background Previous research suggests that children dealing with the asthma are at a greater risk for experiencing psychological maladjustment than children without asthma. Research also suggests that coping is a factor in psychological adaptation to chronic stressors such as physical illnesses. The question as to how coping relates to psychological functioning and quality of life in the paediatric asthma population has not yet been answered. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationships among coping, psychological functioning and quality of life in children diagnosed with asthma and to investigate the relationship that mothers' quality of life has with these variables. Methods Forty-seven youths (aged 8,15 years) diagnosed with asthma completed measures of coping with asthma and quality of life. Each youth's mother completed measures of her child's coping, psychological functioning and her own quality of life. Results Mothers and children with asthma both reported that children used significantly more approach coping than avoidant coping when dealing with asthma. Three regression analyses indicated that avoidant coping negatively predicted psychological functioning, child's quality of life and mother's quality of life. Bivariate analyses also indicated a positive relationship between child's quality of life and mother's quality of life. Conclusions Results indicate that, in children with asthma, coping style plays an important role in the child's psychological functioning and quality of life and mother's quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended that type of coping be assessed when developing comprehensive treatment plans for children with asthma. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of focused coping interventions in improving quality of life and psychological functioning in children with asthma. [source] Trainee clinical psychologists' adaptation and professional functioning: a longitudinal studyCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 1 2003Willem Kuyken Clinical psychology training is a professionally formative period, which provides an opportunity to enable trainees to learn good self-care skills and mature approaches to learning. If realized, this can support lifelong learning and high levels of professional functioning. This study sought to use transactional coping theory and experiential learning theory to improve our understanding of what factors predict changes in psychological adaptation and professional functioning over the course of clinical psychology training. A mixed prospective within-persons and cross-sectional between-persons design was used. A sample of 183 trainee clinical psychologists (60.2% response rate) from 15 British clinical psychology training programmes participated at time one, 167 of whom participated at time 2 a year later (91.3% of the time 1 sample). They completed measures of appraisal, coping, social support and professional functioning at times 1 and 2. Path analyses suggested that trainees who appraised the demands of training as manageable, and reported greater access to appropriate support, engaged in less avoidance coping, reported fewer problems of psychological adaptation and were more likely to approach the task of learning and working appropriately and resiliently. Implications for clinical psychology training are suggested. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Personality style, psychological adaptation and expectations of trainee clinical psychologistsCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 4 2002Jeni Brooks The literature suggests that personality affects how individuals experience stress, cope, utilize social support and psychologically adapt. This study examined the personality style, psychological adaptation and expectations of 364 UK trainee clinical psychologists. Personality traits characterizing the sample were: enhancing, modifying, extraversing, outgoing, and agreeing. Mean overall personality adjustment was significantly better than the normal population. The sample scored significantly poorer on self-esteem, anxiety and depression, but well outside the defined range for poor adaptation. A small percentage (8%, n = 31) had ,poor' personality adjustment scores, scored worse on indicators of psychological adaptation and reported greater shortfall of course aspects compared with expectations. However, 41% scored as having a significant problem on one or more of: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and work adjustment. About one-third had a probable substance use problem. In regression analyses, poor personality adjustment, and different areas of expectation-shortfall, especially impact of training on life variously predicted anxiety, depression, and poor work adjustment. Satisfaction with social support was not predictive of adaptation after personality adjustment was accounted for. Implications for clinical psychology training include the need for enhanced expectation-management through pre-course marketing, and better attention to trainees' personal and professional development throughout training. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Attachment theory in adolescence and its relevance to developmental psychopathologyCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 1 2001Lucy Scott Brown The relationship between the quality of early attachment and later psychological adaptation is frequently emphasized. To date, the significance of attachment during infancy and adulthood has been a central focus in the literature, with remarkably little attention being given to adolescence. The aim of this selective review is to introduce and critically consider the key concepts of attachment theory, and to then discuss the relevance of attachment to the period of adolescence. More specifically, an emphasis will be placed upon the importance of early attachment experiences in the development of adolescent psychopathology. Theoretical explanations for this relationship are considered alongside implications for clinical practice and research. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Efficacy and Feasibility of a Novel Tri-Modal Robust Exercise Prescription in a Retirement Community: A Randomized, Controlled TrialJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 1 2007Michael K. Baker BAppSc OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility and efficacy of current guidelines for multimodal exercise programs in older adults. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Retirement village. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight subjects (14 men and 24 women) aged 76.6 ± 6.1. INTERVENTION: A wait list control or 10 weeks of supervised exercise consisting of high-intensity (80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)) progressive resistance training (PRT) 3 days per week, moderate-intensity (rating of perceived exertion 11 to 14/20) aerobic training 2 days per week, and progressive balance training 1 day per week. MEASUREMENTS: Blinded assessments of dynamic muscle strength (1RM), balance, 6-minute walk, gait velocity, chair stand, stair climb, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and habitual physical activity level. RESULTS: Higher baseline strength and psychological well-being were associated with better functional performance. Strength gains over 10 weeks averaged 39±31% in exercise, versus 21±24% in controls (P=.10), with greater improvements in hip flexion (P=.01), hip abduction (P=.02), and chest press (P=.04) in the exercise group. Strength adaptations were greatest in exercises in which the intended continuous progressive overload was achieved. Stair climb power (12.3±15%, P=.002) and chair stand time (,7.1±15%, P=.006) improved significantly and similarly in both groups. Reduction in depressive symptoms was significantly related to compliance (attendance rate r=,0.568, P=.009, PRT progression in loading r=,0.587, P=.02, and total volume of aerobic training r=,0.541, P=.01), as well as improvements in muscle strength (r=,0.498, P=.002). CONCLUSION: Robust physical and psychological adaptations to exercise are linked, although volumes and intensities of multiple exercise modalities sufficient to cause significant adaptation appear difficult to prescribe and adhere to simultaneously in older adults. [source] Envy and positional bias in the evolutionary psychology of managementMANAGERIAL AND DECISION ECONOMICS, Issue 2-3 2006Sarah E. Hill We propose that humans have evolved at least two specialized cognitive adaptations shaped by selection to solve problems associated with resource competition: (1) a positional bias by which individuals judge success in domains that affect fitness in terms of standing relative to their reference group; and (2) envy, an emotion that functions to alert individuals to fitness-relevant advantages enjoyed by rivals and to motivate individuals to acquire those same advantages. We present new data supporting the existence of design features of these hypothesized psychological adaptations and discuss implications for economists, organizations, marketers, and managers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||