published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

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

No description available.

No description available.

This study investigates the psychosocial aspects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA),a chronic debilitating disease. It explores the quality of life in a low socio-economic group of clinic-based adult RA patients. The aims of the study were as follows: (1) to assess the impact of both socio-demographic and psychosocial factors on RA health outcome, (2) to develop a multivariate, predictive model for RA, and (3) to assess the moderating role (or stress-reducing function) of psychosocial factors between the objective experience of RA and the subjective experience of RA. A sample of 186 RA patients with a mean age of 49.51 years and a mean duration of RA of 10.80 years were subjected to a series of selfadministering questionnaires to assess their subjective experience of the disease. Coping, social support, causal attribution, cognitive illness representation, pain and functional status were assessed. The objective experience of RA was based on those health status measures that included the following: firstly, ESR levels (a laboratory measure), and secondly, class (classified level of disability) and joint status (severity of joint inflammation) which were assessed and recorded by the rheumatologist. The data obtained were subjected to a systematic statistical analysis to assess the following: (1) the relationships between the socio-demographic factors, psychosocial factors and factors representing RA health outcome using correlational analysis (Pearson r), (2) the value of socio-demograhic and psychosocial factors in predicting subjective and objective RA health outcomes using step-wise hierarchical multivariate regression analysis, and (3) the moderating or stress-reducing effect of psychosocial factors between the objective and subjective health status measures using moderated regression analysis. Findings revealed that psychological factors, especially coping, were more significant predictors than socio demographic factors of RA health outcome (quality of life of RA individuals). Furthermore, the psychosocial factors coping, network social support, helplessness and causal attribution were found to play a moderating role in RA health outcome. The results of the study confirm both the health-sustaining and the stress-reducing function of psychological factors. Theoretically this study is located within the stress and coping paradigm of Lazarus and Folkman (1984). / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

This study offers a brief review of the literature on resilience. The review served as a basis for designing a qualitative study to observe how resilience develops in survivors of breast cancer. Survivors are those who lead productive, satisfying and/or inspirational lives, after their treatment has ended. By using qualitative data collection methods and post hoc data analysis, a purposive sampling of 11 women, in the Midwest, resilient survivors of breast cancer were studied. These women were asked to write brief autobiographies, detailing the important factors and contexts that were evidence of the development of resilience in themselves. Tape recorded interviews allowed participants to add to or delete from their autobiographies.The findings showed the eleven participants shared six common characteristics: (1) making a spiritual connection; (2) having meaningful work; (3) engaging in social activism; (4) being a self-directed learner; (5) living a healthy lifestyle; and (6) expressing a wide range of feelings. In addition, the taped interviews revealed the importance of creativity and authentic relationships. A resilience wheel illustrates the definition of resilience, i.e., as a positive attitude about one's body, mind, spirit and emotions, manifested by living a healthy lifestyle; engaging in meaningful work; forming and maintaining authentic relationships; and-expressing a wide range of feelings appropriately. The study demonstrated resilience is more than effective coping. It is observed and characterized by others as a zest for life.Among these participants, resilience/zest for life was found to have developed in their youth, when they identified with a positive role model/s, who modeled resilient attitudes/values. As children they internalized these values, acting on them in small ways, until adulthood when a life event triggered a shift. As adults they, then, claimed these internalized values as "my own philosophy."Although there was not sufficient evidence to discuss resilience as a developmental process in adulthood, the ages of the participants (40-77) imply the process of learning and growing continues throughout the life span.Suggestions for teaching resilience are offered along with recommendations for future research. / Department of Educational Leadership

Educational programs covering the technical, treatment and emotional aspects of a cancer diagnosis have been shown to reduce anxiety levels, boost compliance with treatment regimens and improve survival rates. This study was designed to evaluate whether newly diagnosed cancer patients, after reviewing an educational intervention, felt they experienced decreased stress levels and more informed decision making ability. A descriptive, evaluative study was designed. Seventy-five newly diagnosed cancer patient's evaluation forms were examined. Responses were reviewed to see if these patients placed an important versus unimportant value on the individual components of an educational packet. Their responses were tallied and the results showed that an overwhelming majority of the patients felt that the packet components were important in helping them feel decreased stress levels and more informed in their decision making regarding their diagnosis of cancer. It was also determined that the majority of patients felt that the packet components were easy to understand. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

Diskettes comprise Appendix N andO. / System requirements: IBM compatible, requires Word for windows 6 or higher. / Bibliography: leaves 400-428. / xix, 428 leaves ; 30 cm. + 2 diskettes (3 1/2 in.) / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Psychology, 1997?

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of belief in control and commitment to life to the adult cancer patient's inclination to use unproven cancer therapies. A convenience sample of 40 lung cancer patients completed the Wallston's Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, Crumbaugh's Purpose in Life Scale, Hiratzka's Alternative Therapy Scale, and a patient information sheet. The majority of participants exhibited a strong internal locus of control orientation and a strong commitment to life. Belief in control, commitment to life, and the degree of inclination to use unproven cancer therapies were not significantly associated. However, age was negatively correlated with inclination to use unproven cancer therapies. The majority of participants had heard of five or more unproven cancer remedies, and exhibited a strong inclination to use these unorthodox therapies. The most frequently used unproven therapies were anti-medicines - imagery, faith-healing, megadose vitamins, and taheebo. The rising popularity of these anti-medicines has been reported in the literature. The findings were discussed in relation to theoretical expectations, other research studies, and the methodological problems inherent in the study. Implications of the findings for nursing practice, theory, and education were suggested. Recommendations for further nursing research were made. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate