Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2003.

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The relative strength of both neuroticism and affect in predicting common physical symptoms was tested. An event-sampling design was used to overcome methodological limitations of past research in the area. Contrary to much previous research, neuroticism was not related to reports of physical symptoms, although it was related to unpleasant affect. Unpleasant affect bore a strong concurrent relation to the frequency of reported symptoms. Temporal relations between experiences of unpleasant affect and subsequent symptoms were found for some individuals, but wide individual variability was seen in both the strength and direction of this linkage. The findings suggest that when individuals are asked to report their subjective experiences of physical illness without the necessity to retrospect over significant periods of time, unpleasant affect is more strongly related to experience of symptoms than is neuroticism.

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It is well understood that psychoanalysis began with Freud’s encounter with hysteria and his work with illnesses of the mind which manifested in bodily terms. However, despite its close connection to the body and the understanding that psychoanalytic theory and practice develop hand-in-hand, psychological conflict that expresses itself in physical terms and more especially the role of the two bodies in the therapy room has received relatively little attention. The topic of this research project is captured in its title: “Minding the Body”, and the four journal articles it presents interrogate the relationship between the mind and body of both the patient and therapist. The thesis begins with two published papers which focus on the body of the patient, rehearsing and extending the psychoanalytic theory of bodily psychopathology and the implications that the different understandings of the relationship between body and mind in different forms of psychosoma have for clinical interventions. The second two papers examine what the analyst’s interpretation of her somatic responses to the patient, and the patient’s engagement with the analyst’s body, can reveal about the dynamics of the therapeutic dyad. The project concludes with a discussion of the clinical implications of a greater focus on the two bodies in the room, suggesting that the techniques developed to make sense of the patient’s physical symptoms can be usefully applied to decode the somatic countertransference as it manifests in a particular therapeutic dyad. That process, coupled with an awareness of the patient’s engagement with the therapist’s body, can create conditions under which the analyst’s body may become an analytic object and this can add significantly to the analytic repertoire.

Bibliography: leaves 363-416. / v, 416 leaves ; / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / A longitudinal observational study of hospital asthma patients, recruited from two different settings, has been conducted. The results show that failing to look at the patient in the context of their whole life and considering the socio-economic, psychological and attitudes and beliefs of patients, the current reductions in reductions in asthma morbidity and mortality may not continue. / Thesis (M.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Medicine, 1999

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of Psychology

Research in Logotherapy substantiates the influence of meaning on psychological health and Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) corroborates the effects of psychological health on physical health. This dissertation explores the relationship between meaning and physical health hypothesising that purpose affects physical health. Methodology Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), ANOVAs and stepwise regression were used to explore three possible models. Results EFA revealed four factors, purpose, fear, vitality and aggression. Significant correlations were found between purpose, vitality (0.42) and work application (0.53). Despite the significant relationship between purpose and vitality, the lack of Chi-square is significant, suggesting that additional variables should be introduced into the model. Conclusion People reporting high levels of purpose together with low levels of fear and aggression, can be characterised by high vitality and an absence of medical conditions. Future research should focus on evaluating meaning centred interventions on immunity and vitality. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The Behavioral Medicine Questionnare (BMQ) is a 44- item instrument administered via a computer CRT display or pencil and paper. The BMQ was designed to help primary care physicians treating spinal disorders to screen for emotional factors which warrant further psychological evaluation. The test is composed of three scales: Anxiety, Depression, and Somatization. Concurrent validity for each scale was determined through comparisons with subject (n = 133) scores on clinician judgement ratings, pain drawings, and the MMPI. The psychometric properties of the test were supported through statistical analysis. Significant correlations were found between the BMQ, MMPI, and clinician ratings, with the latter showing relationships of lesser strength. The only significant correlation to subject generated pain drawings was to the BMQ depression scale. Analysis indicated the need for seperate norms for males and females. Further research is needed to facilitate measurement and interpretation of the BMQ.