The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to grow and minorities have been affected at a disproportionate rate. Two factors that are hypothesized to be associated with HIV/AIDS stigma include ethnic identity and acculturation. The current study uses a diverse, gender-balanced sample (n= 201, aged 23-68) of African-Americans (54.2%), European Americans (31.8%), and Latinos/Hispanics (10%) to evaluate the relationship among the proposed variables. The study found that higher levels of ethnic identity and other group orientation were associated with lower levels of perceived HIV/AIDS stigma. A stepwise linear regression analysis (adjusted R2 = .13, F(11, 189) = 3.74, p < .001) revealed that as the level of inclusiveness of other ethnic groups (t = -4.263, p < .001) increases, the level of perceived HIV/AIDS stigma decreases. The results from this study suggest that the development of interventions that address stigma and inclusiveness of other ethnic groups may benefit people living with HIV/AIDS.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document Please cite as follows: Opperman JA, 2002, Die emosionele belewenis van 'n beenmurgoorplanting : 'n Maatskaplike Werk perspektief, MA dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd- 07252005-110248/ > / Dissertation (MA (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Social Work and Criminology / MA (Social Work) / unrestricted

Cognitive ratings that use bipolar constructs based upon similarity and contrast have been shown to be biased towards the similarity pole in approximately a 62/38 ratio. This bias has also been known to shift in the contrastive direction for individuals who have psychiatric problems. This quantitative measure of cognitive change has a potential for characterizing cognitive changes that occur during the disease process, including recovery from disease. The present study investigated changes in self-aspect ratings and bipolar construct use in adult male veterans who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Results indicated that treatment subjects' self-aspect and construct ratings were more negative than controls'. Results also indicated that all subjects rated core interpersonal self-aspects closest to the expected bias, while self-aspects related to cardiac recovery problems were rated in the most contrastive direction. The results finally suggested that the greatest degree of change for the treatment subjects were in emotionally generated constructs. The results suggested a preliminary validation for characterizing cognitive changes in the disease process by measuring shifts in bipolar construct ratings.

SAMMANFATTNING   Bakgrund: Trygghet kan beskrivas som en säkerhet som varje person kan lita på och som medför en skyddande känsla. Patientens upplevelse från ambulansen har en stor påverkan på välbefinnande och livskvalitet efter vårdtidens slut. Hur patienten känner är en av de största informationskällorna för att kunna avgöra hur upplevelsen har varit i ambulansen. Varje vårdsituation i den prehospitala vårdmiljön är unik, vårdmiljöns utformning har en direkt koppling till patientens hälsa.    Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva patientens upplevelse av trygghet i prehospital miljö.   Metod: Den valda metoden var en allmän litteraturöversikt med induktiv ansats där både kvalitativ och kvantitativ forskning använts. En strukturerad sökning genomfördes i databaserna PubMed och Cinahl. 15 vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderades efter att de analyserats och genomgått kvalitetsgranskning. Resultatet är främst baserat på kvalitativ forskning.     Resultat: Resultatet i studien syntetiserades till två huvudkategorier som beskrev patienters upplevelse av trygghet; mellanmänskliga faktorer och yttre faktorer. De mellanmänskliga faktorerna innefattar underkategorierna ambulanspersonalens yrkesskicklighet, deras förmåga till att ge information, skapa förtroende och bedriva en personcentrerad vård. De yttre faktorerna innefattar underkategorierna den prehospitala miljön i sig, patientens exponering av smärta och värme.   Slutsats: Litteraturstudiens resultat visade på patientens upplevelse av trygghet i prehospital miljö via huvudfynden mellanmänskliga faktorer och yttre faktorer. De mellanmänskliga faktorerna beskrivs i större omfattning med direkt påverkan på upplevelsen av trygghet genom ambulanspersonalens uppträdande. De yttre faktorerna beskrivs indirekt påverka upplevelsen av trygghet via frihet från lidande. Upplevelsen från ambulansen har påverkan på hur patienten upplever välbefinnande och livskvalitet efter vårdtidens slut. Hur patienten känner är en av de största informationskällorna för att kunna avgöra hur upplevelsen har varit i ambulansen. Hälso- och sjukvårdsbarometern ges ut årligen i Sverige för att inventera förtroendet för somatisk slutenvård, primärvård eller somatiska specialiserade mottagningar. Förtroende har i litteraturstudien identifierats som ett huvudfynd när det gäller upplevelse av trygghet. / Background: Safety can be described as a security that every person can rely on and that brings a protective feeling. The patient's experience from the ambulance has a major impact on well-being and quality of life after the end of the care period. How the patient feels are one of the biggest sources of information in order to determine how the experience has been in the ambulance. Every care situation in the prehospital care environment is unique, the design of the care environment has a direct link to the patient's health.   Purpose: The purpose was to describe the patient's experience of safety in the prehospital environment.   Method: The method chosen was a general literature review with inductive approach where both qualitative and quantitative research was used. A structured search was performed in the PubMed and Cinahl databases. 15 scientific articles were included after being analyzed and subjected to quality review. The result is mainly based on qualitative research.   Results: The results of the study were synthesized into two main categories that described the patient's experience of safety; interpersonal factors and external factors. The interpersonal factors include the subcategories of the ambulance staff's professional skills, their ability to provide information, create confidence and conduct a person-centered care. The external factors include the subcategories of the prehospital environment itself, the patient's exposure to pain and heat.   Conclusion: The results of the literature study showed the patient's experience of safety in the prehospital environment via the main findings of interpersonal factors and external factors. The interpersonal factors are described to a greater extent with direct impact on the experience of security through the behaviour of ambulance personnel. The external factors are described indirectly affecting the experience of safety through freedom from suffering. The experience from the ambulance has an impact on how the patient experiences well-being and quality of life after the end of care. How the patient feels are one of the biggest sources of information in order to determine how the experience has been in the ambulance. The health barometer is issued annually in Sweden to inventory confidence in somatic inpatient care, primary care or somatic specialized clinics. In the literature study, confidence has been identified as a key finding when it comes to experiencing safety.

Fifty percent of the diagnosed cases of coronary heart disease in the United States are of unknown etiology. This study proposed that five personality traits— achievement, dominance, aggression, succorance and Critical Parent—differentiate individuals with coronary heart disease manifestations. The ultimate goal of this research was to formulate a predictive profile of at-risk individuals of developing coronary heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation units' participants from across the United States were recruited as subjects. Randomly selected cardiac rehabilitation units were sent an initial letter inquiring whether their staff would be willing to participate in the study by administering the instruments to their participants. Eight units from each of the 50 states were contacted. A total of fourteen units agreed to participate. One hundred sixty-nine subjects completed the Demographic Data Questionnaire and the Adjective Check List. Five scale scores, representing the five personality differentials, were analyzed. Comparison of the male subject population (n=135) and the male normative population (n=198) revealed no significant differences in terms of the five traits. Comparison of diagnostic subgroups of the subject population also revealed no significant differences. It was concluded that the subject population did not differ significantly from the normative population in terms of the five traits assess by the instrument used. The goal of a predictive profile was not realized due to this lack of findings. / Master of Science / incomplete_metadata

This study addresses the importance of studies of human psychoneuroimmunology in understanding the role of psychological factors in cancer. Research trends in psychosocial aspects of cancer are reviewed, exploring the role of distress and the support group as an intervention which potentially reduces distress through enhancing interpersonal relationships, emotional adjustment and communication with health professionals, in these ways helping the patient to cope with the symptoms of treatment. In South Africa, most hospitals which treat cancer patients medically do not simultaneously have support groups for the newly diagnosed patient to join in order to discuss immediate fears and acquire more knowledge about their particular disease. Following an experimental cancer support group involving patients who had recently undergone a bone marrow transplant (some considerable time after their first cancer diagnosis) in Cape Town's Groote Schuur Hospital, the researcher, as one of the participants in the fortnightly meetings convened to dicuss psychosocial issues related to each patient's experience of the cancer and transplant process, transferred the themes, concepts and questions that arose in that scenario, to a cancer clinic in Pretoria where recently diagnosed patients were asked to volunteer to participate in such a group. It was felt that these patients would derive some benefit early in their treatment programme. Psychosocial concerns are left to the individual patient to seek therapy should it be required. Presently, it is reported in the body of knowledge about cancer, that interventions aimed at alleviating the psychosocial distress of cancer patients highlight hypnosis, guided imagery and relaxation therapy. It is contended that a more appropriate intervention for the majority of people with cancer in South Africa would entail a fellow-patient support group meeting on a regular basis. / Psychology / (M.A. (Psychology)

Abstract not available

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences