Background: We are very individualistic in how we present ourselves to the world. Whilst we are healthy and self-caring we have control over the way we undertake self-groom. Once we need care the situation may change. In the setting of health and social care the emphasis has been on hygiene; aspects of personal grooming [PG] may be overlooked. Few studies exist in the health and social care literature that explore this crucial daily activity of living. Aim: This study aims to address the imbalance on what is known of PG. It seeks to thoroughly explore the concept of PG, identifying the normative activities involved, and the age-related behaviours that occur across the lifespan. Methods: Utilising a grounded theory [GT] methodology, an eclectic data collection approach was taken. Consequently a pilot group, four focus groups (child-focused; males 18-45; females 18-45; over-46), and a visual methodology formed the first phase of the study. The second phase consisted of a formal concept analysis, drawing on literature and data from the focus groups. The final phase of the study involved one-to-one semi-structured interviews with retired persons. A total of 26 participants took part in the study and both genders were represented. Analysis was undertaken using the range of coding consistent with a GT approach and the notion of constant comparison. Findings: New knowledge on PG emerged; an academic definition of PG; PG was found to have ‘four elements’: hygiene, appearance management behaviours, body modification and enhancement. There was a ‘spectrum’ of grooming recognised, which ranged from the wild, un-groomed state to that of being over-groomed. The term ‘allo-grooming’, which means grooming of another, was used to explore the part families play in social learning about PG. A timeline of PG behaviours was created to illustrate how PG changes over the lifespan. Additionally, information on grooming activities, other than those of hygiene, was recorded. Implications: PG is complex and the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach of concentrating on hygiene may not meet the needs of service users. Some body areas, for example, are not included in the published documents that help to guide care services. There appears to a gap in educational programmes of health and social care workers, in respect to PG. Recommendations for practice, policy, education and further research are proposed.

The effect of sustained Gz acceleration ("high G") upon endocrine function has been investigated in man using a human centrifuge. Five male volunteers were exposed to accelerations of up to 6Gz for one minute without G protection. No effect of acceleration was observed on the peripheral blood levels of growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotropin and the gonadotrophins. In contrast, cortisol levels increased in a "dose-related" manner following acceleration i.e. the higher the acceleration, the greater the response. The unusual specificity of these endocrine changes is discussed. In a second experiment on the same subjects exposed to 6Gz for one minute, the modification of this cortisol response by two methods of G protection, the anti-G suit and the reclined seat, was investigated. Noradrenaline, adrenaline and arginine vasopressin were also measured and shown to increase rapidly after acceleration. These endocrine changes were all reduced by the anti-G suit but reductions were not clearly observed with seat reclination until an angle of 80° from the vertical was reached. The mechanisms underlying the release of these hormones are discussed in terms of the circulatory disturbances produced by acceleration. Finally, the endocrine effects of positive pressure breathing (PPB), with and without counterpressure (CP) have been compared with the use of an anti-G suit alone in subjects exposed to +6Gz for one minute. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO[2]) was monitored continuously by ear oximetry. SAO[2] fell during +Gz acceleration with only anti-G suit protection but this was ameliorated significantly by PPB. Further benefit was obtained with CP. No differences in endocrine responses were observed between these three conditions which suggested that hypoxia was not the stimulus for hormonal responses to high G. This assertion was confirmed by the failure of hypoxia, induced by breathing a gas mixture of low oxygen content, to induce hormonal changes in the subjects.

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This thesis examined the structure and nature of the relationships between physical activity and three components of mental well-being (physical, work-related, and global) in corporate and University employees. The first study tested a hierarchically based model which specified the interrelationships between exercise participation and indicators of the three components of well-being in a sample of corporate employees. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), the results revealed a very good model fit. Exercise participation was directly related to indicators of physical well-being and enthusiasm at work, and indirectly with more global constructs of well-being (selfesteem, life satisfaction and job satisfaction). In order to examine the nature of these relationships further, Study 2 explored physical activity and well-being typologies using the same sample. A hierarchical cluster analysis revealed four distinct groups of employees, demonstrating the multi-dimensional nature of the relationship between physical activity and mental well-being. Using a qualitative approach, Study 3 sought to confirm the existence of the physical activity and mental well-being typologies, and explore potential psycho-social mechanisms linking physical activity participation with well-being. The results found general support for the existence of the profiles, and a range of possible psycho-social mechanisms, one of which was the regulation underlying the exercise behaviour. To explore the generalisability of the latter, Study 4 examined the role of exercise autonomy and its relationship with well-being using a large sample (N = 776) of University secretarial and administrative employees. The results provided support for the suggestion that the regulation underlying the exercise behaviour is important in understanding the relationship between physical activity and mental well-being. Finally, using the same sample, Study 5 examined well-being typologies of the physically inactive participants and performed a needs analysis for future exercise- and modular programmes in a new Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health in their workplace. This information may guide more cost-effective future interventions to promote activity and well-being in the workplace. The results of the present thesis are discussed in relation to implications for future practice and research directions.

A substantial body of research has addressed the continuing popularity of sunbed tanning despite increasing evidence of the associated risks. Much of this research has tended to be atheoretical or underpinned by theoretical assumptions which neglect the wider socio-cultural context in which sunbed tanning is positioned. There is a need to adopt a social psychological perspective to explore how this apparent conundrum is made sense of by those who use and do not use sunbeds. Informed by social representations theory as well as rhetorical psychology, the overarching aim of the thesis is to develop and obtain an extensive social psychological understanding of sunbed tanning. The thesis adopts a number of complementary methods. Firstly, an online survey was conducted which provided a starting point for exploration. Building upon these findings, interviews were conducted to enable more in-depth insight. Study three explored how sunbed tanning was being discussed in interaction in online forums. Findings revealed that sunbed tanning was consistently represented in two interrelated ways by those who had never used sunbeds: as a risky behaviour, and as a vain, aesthetically motivated practice. Inherent within these representations was considerable negativity. Findings revealed that the sunbed users’ discourse was dominated by attempts to manage and resist this negativity, enabling them to defend and negotiate positive identities for themselves. Finally, an ethnographic study of two sunbed salons was conducted in study four to explore how the wider negativity was influencing the actual behaviour of sunbed users. Despite discursive attempts to resist the negativity, findings of the final study revealed the influence of the disapproval through its internalisation at the behavioural level. Overall, this thesis demonstrates that sunbed users are engaged in a considerable amount of identity-work in light of the negativity surrounding their behaviour, which is essential for campaigners and researchers to take into consideration when designing interventions aimed at reducing sunbed usage. Implications for health psychology research and theory are discussed.

Deutschland ist im europäischen Vergleich ein Hauptzielland von Migration. Migration kann eine bestimmte psychosoziale Vulnerabilität mit sich bringen. Der Zusammenhang zwischen der psychischen Gesundheit von Patienten mit Migrationshintergrund und den Faktoren, die diese beeinflussen ist sehr komplex und vielseitig. Ziel der vorliegenden Querschnittsanalyse ist es zu einem besseren Verständnis der Risikofaktoren für die psychiatrischen Erkrankungen von Patienten mit Migrationshintergrund und den Erfolg der stationären psychiatrischen Behandlung beizutragen. Dafür wurde zum einen die psychische Gesundheit von Migranten und Asylanten, die sich in stationär psychiatrischer Behandlung in einem Bezirkskrankenhaus befanden, untersucht und mit der psychischen Gesundheit von Nichtmigranten verglichen. Zum anderen wurden Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund, die sich in stationär psychiatrischer Behandlung befanden, hinsichtlich ihrer Herkunftsländer und ihrer Lebensumstände charakterisiert sowie Daten hinsichtlich ihrer Integration, das Krankheitsempfinden und die Erwartungen an die Therapie erfasst. Außerdem wurde der stationäre Aufenthalt reflektiert. / In European comparison Germany is a main destination country of migration. Migraton can cause a certain psychosocial vulnerability. The connection between mental health of patients with migration background and the factors which have an influence on mental health is very complex and versatile. The aim of the present cross-sectional analysis is to make a contribution to the better understanding of the risk factors for psychiatric diseases of patients with migration background and thus to the success of inpatient psychiatric treatment. Therefore, on the one hand, the mental health of migrants and asylum seekers, who where inpatient in a district hospital, was investigated and compared to the mental health of non-migrants. On the other hand, people with migration backround, who were in inpatient psychiatric treatment, were characterised according to their country of origin and their living conditions. Furthermore, data concerning the integration, the feeling of illness and therapie expectations was collected. Finally, the inpatient stay was reflected.

Die Depression ist eine Erkrankung mit einer hohen Prävalenz, die mit einem hohen Risiko für Suizidalität assoziiert ist. Traumata während der Kindheit gelten als einer der Hauptrisikofaktoren für Depressionen und Suizide. Die Assoziation einer Hyperaktivität des adrenergen Nervensystems und sowohl Depressionen als auch Suizidalität ist gut belegt. Mit einer antidepressiven Behandlung können suizidale Handlungen verhindert werden, jedoch gibt es eine Subgruppe, in der Suizidgedanken während der Therapie neu auftreten oder sich intensivieren (TWOSI). Während bereits mehrere genetische Polymorphismen mit dem Auftreten von Suizidgedanken während der Therapie assoziiert werden konnten, gibt es noch keine geeignete Methode, diese Patienten vor Therapiebeginn zu identifizieren, um deren Krankheitsverlauf genauer zu überwachen. Im Rahmen unserer Studie untersuchten wir stationäre Patienten mit einer depressiven Episode mittels eines Langzeit-EKGs zur Messung der Herzfrequenz und verschiedener Herzratenvariabilitätsparameter. Außerdem wurde bei Studieneinschluss durch einen Selbstbeurteilungsfragebogen verschiedene Formen einer Traumatisierung in der Kindheit erhoben und sowohl bei Aufnahme als auch in den darauffolgenden Wochen eine Fremdbeurteilungsskala zur Erfassung der Suizidgedanken durchgeführt. Dabei zeigte sich, dass elf der insgesamt 89 Patienten ein Neuauftreten oder eine Verschlechterung von Suizidgedanken zeigten. Hierbei stellte sich heraus, dass TWOSI� Patienten schwerwiegendere emotionale Missbrauchserfahrungen in ihrer Kindheit erlebt hatten. Zudem zeigten diese Patienten eine höhere adrenerge Aktivität, widergespiegelt durch eine erhöhte Herzfrequenz und eine niedrigere Herzratenvariabilität. Somit könnte sich mit zunehmender Schwere der Kindheitstraumatisierung ein Überwiegen der sympathischen Aktivität ergeben, und daraus wiederum ein höheres Risiko für die Intensivierung der Suizidgedanken während der Behandlung. Messungen des autonomen Nervensystems könnten in Zukunft als Werkzeug dienen, Patienten mit einem erhöhten Risiko für TWOSI zu identifizieren. / Depression is a common disorder, which is associated with a high risk of suicidality. Among the many risk factors for both Major Depressive Disorder and suicidality are traumata during childhood. In addition, both conditions are associated with an increase of the adrenergic nervous system. Depression can be treated effectively with antidepressants and antidepressant medication is able to prevent suicide attempts. However, there is a long lasting discussion, if there is an emergence or an increase in suicidal ideation, called treatment emergent suicidal ideation (TESI) or treatment worsening suicidal ideation (TWOSI), caused by antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks of treatment or dose adjustments. Several genetic polymorphisms were identified to be associated with TWOSI, but yet, there is no suitable method to identify patients at risk before initiation of treatment . We recruited 89 depressed in-patients. Treatment Emergent or Worsening Suicidal Ideation (TWOSI) was defined as an emergence or an increase in the Columbia suicide severity rating scale in the first 4 weeks of treatment with antidepressants in a naturalistic setting. In addition, adverse events in childhood were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). We evaluated the adrenergic nervous system measuring heart rate and heart rate variability with a 24-h-ECG-recording in the first week after admission. 11 patients experienced TWOSI. These subjects had a higher score in the emotional abuse section of the CTQ. Patients with an increase in suicidal thoughts had a significantly higher heart rate and significantly lower heart rate variability parameters than the comparison group. Our findings suggest that adverse events in childhood lead to a higher adrenergic arousal and thus to a higher risk to develop suicidal ideation during multimodal treatment of depression including antidepressants. After replication in large studies HRV measures may be used to identify patients at risk for TWOSI.

Die WHO definiert Gesundheit als völliges körperliches, geistiges und soziales Wohlbefinden. Während diese ganzheitliche Betrachtungsweise seit Menschengedenken nahezu weltweit das Gesundheitswesen prägt, hat die Medizin in Europa mit der naturwissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisrevolution einen Sonderweg eingeschlagen. Hier wird der kranke Organismus in erster Linie als defekter Apparat gesehen, der mit ausgeklügelter Technik zu reparieren ist. Aber auch präziseste Qualitätsarbeit stößt dabei oft an Leistungsgrenzen, weil sie als seelenlos erlebt wird. Daher sehen heute viele Fachgebiete die Notwendigkeit, ihre Behandlungskonzepte zu beseelen und ihre Behandlungserfolge auch anhand der subjektiv von Patienten empfundenen Lebensqualität zu beurteilen. Für die Ermittlung dieses PRO kommen etablierte psychometrische Testverfahren in Frage, die sich auch für routinemäßige Verlaufskontrollen eignen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde am Beispiel der mHE geprüft, welchen Nutzen eine PRO-Bestimmung bei der Verlaufskontrolle haben kann. Dazu wurde eine prospektive Studie mit anfänglich 75 Patienten durchgeführt. Alle hatten eine mHE und waren entweder alkoholbedingt oder aus anderen Gründen schwer leberkrank. An vier Terminen im Abstand von sechs Monaten wurden die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit und der emotionale Status überprüft. Die Patienten zeigten anfänglich kognitive Einschränkungen, die sich im Verlauf der individuell abgestimmten Behandlung deutlich verbesserten oder ganz verschwanden. Die globale Testung mit dem MoCA ergab eine hochsignifikante Normalisierung im ersten Behandlungsjahr. Die MoCA-Werte am Studienanfang und -ende waren von der Erkrankungsursache unabhängig. Dieser Befund differenzierte sich in den Spezialtests TMT, PHES und NHPT. Hier zeigten die alkoholbedingt Erkrankten durchweg schlechtere Leistungen als die nicht-alkoholbedingt Erkrankten, erholten sich aber in der Regel auch deutlicher. Die seelische Gestimmtheit gemäß BDI-II und die mit dem SF-36 MCS ermittelte psychosoziale Befindlichkeit waren in beiden Patientengruppen von Anfang an vergleichsweise günstig. Dabei hatten die alkoholbedingt Erkrankten die besseren Werte, speziell der BDI-II zeigte bei ihnen nach einem halben Jahr eine zusätzliche und bleibende Stimmungsaufhellung an. Der SF-36 PCS zum Körpererleben zeigte hingegen, dass sich die alkoholbedingt Erkrankten zu Studienbeginn in einer deutlich schlechteren Verfassung befanden. Diese verbesserte sich aber kontinuierlich, sodass nach 1,5 Jahren kein Unterschied mehr zu den nicht-alkoholbedingt Erkrankten bestand. Aus diesen Befunden und dem reichhaltigen Erfahrungsgut zur Alkoholkrankheit wird geschlossen, dass der Genesungsprozess bei alkoholbedingtem Leberversagen viel komplexer ist als bei nicht-alkoholbedingtem Leberversagen. Er könnte wesentlich mehr Zeit erfordern und wird offensichtlich anders erlebt. Dieser Patientengruppe könnten besondere physio- und gesprächstherapeutische Angebote eine große Hilfe sein. Die Arbeit zeigt, dass es möglich ist, mit wenig Aufwand komplementär zu den klinischen Verlaufsbefunden einen informativen PRO-Bericht zu erhalten. Er hilft Angehörigen und medizinischem Personal, die persönlichen Nöte und Hoffnungen der Patienten besser zu verstehen und gegebenenfalls einen Korrekturbedarf im Umgang zu erkennen. Hinzu kam im vorliegenden Fall die Erkenntnis, dass die alkoholbedingt Erkrankten in ihrem Kranksein anders betroffen waren. Die Gründe dafür sind im Nachhinein plausibel, der Sachverhalt als solcher wäre aber ohne diese Spezialuntersuchung wohl nicht erkannt worden. Das Beispiel der PRO-Ermittlung bei der mHE macht den praktischen Wert einer Berücksichtigung des gesamtheitlichen Gesundheitskonzepts der WHO auch in der technikzentrierten „westlichen Medizin“ deutlich. / The WHO defines health as complete physical, mental and social well-being. While this holistic approach has characterized health care almost worldwide since time immemorial, medicine in Europe has taken a special path with the scientific knowledge revolution. Here, the sick organism is seen primarily as a defective apparatus that can be repaired with sophisticated technology. But even the most precise quality work often comes up against performance limits, because it is experienced as soulless. For this reason, many specialties today see the need to soul their treatment concepts and to assess their treatment successes also on the basis of the quality of life subjectively perceived by patients. Established psychometric test procedures can be used to determine this PRO, which are also suitable for routine progress monitoring. In the present study, we used the example of mHE to examine the potential benefits of PRO assessment in follow-up. For this purpose, a prospective study with initially 75 patients was performed. All had mHE and were either alcohol-related or severely liver diseased for other reasons. Cognitive performance and emotional status were assessed at four appointments six months apart. Patients initially showed cognitive impairment, which improved significantly or disappeared completely during the course of individually tailored treatment. Global testing with the MoCA showed highly significant normalization in the first year of treatment. MoCA scores at baseline and end of study were independent of disease cause. This finding was differentiated in the special tests TMT, PHES and NHPT. Here, the alcohol-related ill persons consistently performed worse than the non-alcohol-related ill persons, but generally also recovered more clearly. The mental mood according to the BDI-II and the psychosocial well-being measured with the SF-36 MCS were comparatively favorable in both patient groups from the beginning. The alcohol-related patients had the better values, especially the BDI-II showed an additional and lasting improvement of their mood after half a year. The SF-36 PCS on body experience, on the other hand, showed that the alcohol-dependent patients were in a significantly worse condition at the beginning of the study. However, this improved continuously, so that after 1.5 years there was no longer any difference to the non-alcohol-related sufferers. From these findings and the rich body of experience on alcohol-related disease, it is concluded that the recovery process in alcohol-related liver failure is much more complex than in non-alcohol-related liver failure. It could require much more time and is obviously experienced differently. This group of patients could be greatly helped by special physical and talk therapy services. The work shows that it is possible to obtain an informative PRO report complementary to the clinical course findings with little effort. It helps relatives and medical staff to better understand the personal needs and hopes of patients and, if necessary, to recognize a need for corrective action. In addition, in the present case there was the realization that the alcohol-related patients were affected differently in their being ill. The reasons for this are plausible in retrospect, but the facts as such would probably not have been recognized without this special investigation. The example of the PRO investigation in mHE makes clear the practical value of taking into account the holistic health concept of the WHO even in technology-centered "Western medicine".

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