published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

No description available.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / Rheumatoid arthritis, lithe great crippler" 1 has now established itself firmly in the category 'psychosomatic disease' and a psychosomatic approach is used when considering the aetiology of the disease and often the therapy and prognosis of the patient as well. The rehabilitation of the afflicted patient is the central concern of medical and para-medical personnel engaged in rheumatology. The patient's motivation for rehabilitation is generally considered to be the single most important factor affecting the rehabilitation process. The task of assessing this motivation falls to the psychologist...

The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between psychosocial and demographic characteristics associated with success among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike previous research which has predominantly focused on the limiting effects of rheumatoid arthritis, the present study sought to identify factors that were related to success. One hundred and ninety-eight individuals who met the criteria for this study, returned completed questionnaires. Success for people with rheumatoid arthritis was measured on the scales of self-esteem, social activity, and physical activity. Participants were categorized as either "high" or "low" on the success scales in order to see what demographic and psychosocial variables were related levels of self-esteem, social activity, and physical activity. Data analysis included reliability of the success scales, and analysis of variance to determine the relationship among the three scales and selected demographic characteristics. Discriminant analysis was used to explore what demographic and psychosocial factors were related to high (as opposed to low) self-esteem, social activity, and physical activity among 24 participants. The success scales were found to be reliable. There was no significant relationship among the success scales and sex, occupational level, and ethnicity. Results of the discriminant function identified that generally, individuals with high (as opposed to low) self-esteem were very motivated and had a positive outlook on life. People with high (as opposed to low) social activity had fewer physical limitations and a better view of themselves. High (as opposed to low) physical activity was found among people who generally were highly motivated and believed they had some control over their rheumatoid arthritis.

A series of five individual studies explored: (1) Whether a treatment focus emphasizing active anger expression would alter the subject's awareness of and ability to express anger and (2) Whether such a treatment focus would alter the subject's experience of illness in the form of her report of pain and stiffness as "better", "the same", or "worse" than yesterday's experience. The treatment strategy utilized general Gestalt principles and was further focused on specific techniques of Anger Therapy as an agent of change. Evaluation of outcome in this time-lagged multiple baseline design viewed the overall process from the beginning of a baseline observation period through a maximum of one week following the conclusion of the last six weekly treatment sessions; daily measurement of the process of change during treatment; and clinical description of the subjects and of the treatment process itself. The overall process was formally assessed in pre and post treatment testing which included the Novaco Anger Inventory, Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and FIRO-B. Daily telephone interview measured the frequency of anger awareness, anger expression; and ratings of anger intensity, overall daily mood, pain, and stiffness. Information from the treatment process was integrated with that obtained from other sources in discussing the outcome for each subject. It was concluded that intense anger expression appeared to effect temporary or transitory improvement in pain; that there was a relationship between each subject's perceived daily anger intensity and pain which appeared consistent for all subjects studied; and that issues of need for approval and control appeared related to anger awareness and expression as measured by the psychometrics utilized. These were recommended as potentially fruitful areas of future investigation. Background data revealed striking similarities in birth order and parenting practices which seemed worthy of further study as well.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1982. / Bibliography: leaves 349-358. / Microfiche. / x, 358 leaves, bound ill., maps 29 cm

published_or_final_version / Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

M.A. (Psychology) / Numerous amounts ofliterature has confirmed the positive correlation that exists between exercise and psychological well-being. With the increased interest in the associated psychological factors ofpain, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of chronic pain on rheumatoid arthritic and osteoarthritic patients, with the overall aim of reducing, and alleviating these factors. The psychological factors studied were depression, effects ofthe impact ofarthritis, for example, on the independent, physical and psychosocial aspects oftheir lives, as well as coping. It was hypothesized that by engaging in an aquatic exercise program there would be a reduction/alleviation ofpain, which in tum would demonstrate a reduction in the psychological components ofpain. Evidence was found to support the hypothesis, due to the fact that, after exposure to the aquatic therapy program, subjects demonstrated a reduction in pain followed by a reduction in depression, slight improvement in coping with their arthritis, and the impact of arthritis was partially alleviated. The need for a larger sample group, as well a longer period of investigation will be needed for future research.