Endometriosis is a pervasive, widespread disease that affects millions of women worldwide. The number of women affected by endometriosis is increasing at a staggering rate. Endometriosis impacts women in a variety of ways; it often gradually strips away their resistance to pain, their emotional strength, their concept of femininity and their ability to cope with challenges. This study aimed to provide a voice for women diagnosed with endometriosis. The study allowed the participants to share their experiences from diagnosis through to treatment and to explain the ways in which endometriosis influences their daily lives. In this research report the psychological impact of this disease is discussed, and factors that are not currently addressed by medical professionals treating women with endometriosis are highlighted. Social constructionism provided the theoretical framework for the study. One-on-one, in-depth interviews were conducted with five women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis by a gynaecologist through means of laparoscopic surgery. The method of analysis involved thematic network analysis. The participants’ narratives were converted into interview transcripts. These transcripts were analysed by the researchers and themes were identified. Themes that repeated were elaborated and were linked to available literature. The researcher hopes that this dissertation will contribute to existing knowledge regarding the psychological effects of endometriosis. It is hoped that it will help both the medical community and future and existing patients understand this disease and the effect that it has on the lives of women around the world, but particularly the lives of women in South Africa. / Psychology / M. Sc. (Psychology)

Endometriosis is a pervasive, widespread disease that affects millions of women worldwide. The number of women affected by endometriosis is increasing at a staggering rate. Endometriosis impacts women in a variety of ways; it often gradually strips away their resistance to pain, their emotional strength, their concept of femininity and their ability to cope with challenges. This study aimed to provide a voice for women diagnosed with endometriosis. The study allowed the participants to share their experiences from diagnosis through to treatment and to explain the ways in which endometriosis influences their daily lives. In this research report the psychological impact of this disease is discussed, and factors that are not currently addressed by medical professionals treating women with endometriosis are highlighted. Social constructionism provided the theoretical framework for the study. One-on-one, in-depth interviews were conducted with five women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis by a gynaecologist through means of laparoscopic surgery. The method of analysis involved thematic network analysis. The participants’ narratives were converted into interview transcripts. These transcripts were analysed by the researchers and themes were identified. Themes that repeated were elaborated and were linked to available literature. The researcher hopes that this dissertation will contribute to existing knowledge regarding the psychological effects of endometriosis. It is hoped that it will help both the medical community and future and existing patients understand this disease and the effect that it has on the lives of women around the world, but particularly the lives of women in South Africa. / Psychology / M. Sc. (Psychology)

Bakgrund: Isolering innebär att en patient som är smittbärare eller har en smittsam sjukdom tas om hand på ett sådant sätt att andra skyddas från att bli smittade. I hälso- och sjukvårdslagen beskrivs målet för hälso- och sjukvården som vård på lika villkor för hela befolkningen och en god hälsa. Studier poängterar vikten av patienters livskvalitet och hur isolering kan innebära en risk för försämring av denna. Det finns en okunskap hos sjukvårdspersonalen när det gäller smittspridning vilket skapar en utsatthet för patienter som blivit smittade. Syfte: Syftet med litteraturöversikten är att belysa patientens upplevelse av isolering vid smittorisk.  Metod: En litteraturöversikt enligt Friberg (2012) utfördes. Tio artiklar användes i resultatet, vilka hittades i CINAHL Complete, PubMed, PsycINFO samt Nursing & Allied Health database. Resultat: Litteraturöversiktens resultat visade tre huvudteman vilka var negativa upplevelser av isolering, upplevelser av att vara smittsam och positiva upplevelser av isolering. Negativa upplevelser av isolering var mer framträdande än positiva. Patienterna upplevde negativa upplevelser som ensamhet, tristess och frustration. Upplevelsen av att vara isolerad kunde vara stigmatiserande och gav en oro och rädsla hos patienter. Isolering kan även upplevas positivt då rummet kan vara en plats för avslappning och utrymme till att få vara privat. Diskussion: Sister Callista Roys adaptionsmodell användes i resultatdiskussionen där patienternas förmåga att anpassa sig till isoleringen diskuterades. Författarna diskuterar personalens roll i denna adaption samt vad som ger upphov till att ensamhet upplevs positivt eller negativt. / Background: Isolation is the practice whereby a patient who carries an infection or a contagious disease is taken care of in such a manner that other individuals are protected from likewise becoming infected. The aim of healthcare law is to provide both equal care and good health for the entire population. Research that has focused on the importance of the patient's quality of life has also shown how isolation runs the risk of undermining or diminishing such quality of life. Moreover, patients who become infected are more vulnerable due to the lack of knowledge among some medical staff concerning how infections are spread. Aim: The aim of the literature review is to highlight how the contagious patient experiences isolation. Method: A literature review was carrid out in accordanse with Friberg (2012). Ten articles, accessed in th databases CINAHL Complete, PubMed, PsycINFO and Nursing and Allied Health, were identified for the results. Results: The literature review showed three main themes that were negative experiences of isolation, experiences of being contagious and positive experiences of isolation. Negative experiences of isolation were more prominent than positive. Patients experienced negative feelings like loneliness, sadness and frustration. The experience of being isolated could be stigmatizing and gave patients anxiety and fear. Isolation can also be perceived as positive when the room can be a place for relaxation and privacy. Discussion: Sister Callista Roys adaptation model was used in the discussion where patients' ability to adapt to the isolation was discussed. The authors discuss the role of the staff in this adaptation as well as what causes loneliness to be perceived as positive or negative.

<p> </p><h2>Sammanfattning</h2><p> </p><p>Studien syftade till att belysa hur vuxna patienter som isolerats på en infektionsavdelning upplever sin vårdtid. Den ville även utröna om patienterna från sitt perspektiv kunde ge några förslag på hur vårdprocessen skulle kunna förbättras. Fem informanter valdes ut genom bekvämlighetsurval och intervjuades utifrån en strukturerad frågeguide innehållande både faktafrågor, åsiktsfrågor och känslolägesfrågor. Den insamlade informationen bearbetades genom innehållsanalys. Denna process ledde fram till sex kategorier av vikt. Av dessa handlade tre om patienternas känslor och uppleveler – vilka var instängdhet, långtråkighet och fördelar av att vara isolerad – och tre berörde områden som informanterna ansåg kunde förbättras – bättre miljö, hjälp med tidsfördriv samt förbättrad information. Informanterna upplevde överlag att sjukvården tog väl hand om deras somatiska behov emedan det psykosociala omhändertagandet hade något större behov av förbättring. Slutsatsen blev att isolering kan ge upphov till både positiva och negativa känslor och att patienter ofta kan uppleva fluktuationer mellan dessa. Studien visade att behovet av god information inte kan anses vara tillfredsställt. Vidare önskade informanterna bättre hjälp från vårdpersonalen att hantera den tristess som uppkom under tiden som isolerad. Tristessen ökades av en ostimulerande miljö. Kvaliteten på omvårdnaden av isolerade patienter kan därmed ökas genom att öka resurserna inom dessa områden.</p><p> </p> / <p> </p><h2>Abstract</h2><p> </p><p>The study aimed to enlighten how adult patients isolated in an infection ward experienced their stay. A further object was to explore if the patients from their point of view could suggest any improvements in the nursing process. Five informants were chosen by convenience sampling and were interviewed using a structured questioning guide containing questions about facts, opinions and emotions. The collected information was processed with content analysis. This process resulted in six categories of importance. Three of these were about the informant’s feelings and experiences – which were a feeling of being shut in, boredom and advantages of being isolated – and the other three concerned areas that the informants thought could be improved – better environment, help with recreation and improved information. The total experience of the informants was that the medical service handled their somatic needs well while improvements can be done considering the psychosocial care. The conclusion is that isolation care can bring both positive and negative feelings and that the patients often experience fluctuations between these. The study showed that the need of information is not satisfactory fulfilled. Furthermore the informants wished for better help from the hospital staff to counteract the boredom brought on by isolation. This boredom was increased by an uninspiring environment. The quality of care of isolated patients can be improved by increased resources in these areas.</p><p> </p>

Sammanfattning   Studien syftade till att belysa hur vuxna patienter som isolerats på en infektionsavdelning upplever sin vårdtid. Den ville även utröna om patienterna från sitt perspektiv kunde ge några förslag på hur vårdprocessen skulle kunna förbättras. Fem informanter valdes ut genom bekvämlighetsurval och intervjuades utifrån en strukturerad frågeguide innehållande både faktafrågor, åsiktsfrågor och känslolägesfrågor. Den insamlade informationen bearbetades genom innehållsanalys. Denna process ledde fram till sex kategorier av vikt. Av dessa handlade tre om patienternas känslor och uppleveler – vilka var instängdhet, långtråkighet och fördelar av att vara isolerad – och tre berörde områden som informanterna ansåg kunde förbättras – bättre miljö, hjälp med tidsfördriv samt förbättrad information. Informanterna upplevde överlag att sjukvården tog väl hand om deras somatiska behov emedan det psykosociala omhändertagandet hade något större behov av förbättring. Slutsatsen blev att isolering kan ge upphov till både positiva och negativa känslor och att patienter ofta kan uppleva fluktuationer mellan dessa. Studien visade att behovet av god information inte kan anses vara tillfredsställt. Vidare önskade informanterna bättre hjälp från vårdpersonalen att hantera den tristess som uppkom under tiden som isolerad. Tristessen ökades av en ostimulerande miljö. Kvaliteten på omvårdnaden av isolerade patienter kan därmed ökas genom att öka resurserna inom dessa områden. / Abstract   The study aimed to enlighten how adult patients isolated in an infection ward experienced their stay. A further object was to explore if the patients from their point of view could suggest any improvements in the nursing process. Five informants were chosen by convenience sampling and were interviewed using a structured questioning guide containing questions about facts, opinions and emotions. The collected information was processed with content analysis. This process resulted in six categories of importance. Three of these were about the informant’s feelings and experiences – which were a feeling of being shut in, boredom and advantages of being isolated – and the other three concerned areas that the informants thought could be improved – better environment, help with recreation and improved information. The total experience of the informants was that the medical service handled their somatic needs well while improvements can be done considering the psychosocial care. The conclusion is that isolation care can bring both positive and negative feelings and that the patients often experience fluctuations between these. The study showed that the need of information is not satisfactory fulfilled. Furthermore the informants wished for better help from the hospital staff to counteract the boredom brought on by isolation. This boredom was increased by an uninspiring environment. The quality of care of isolated patients can be improved by increased resources in these areas.

This dissertation analyses long-term intergenerational psychological effects of political trauma. According to trauma psychology and studies of impacts of political repression, it was presumed that the long-term psychological effects of political repression are felt not just by the survivors, but also by their adult children. The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term psychological effects of Soviet and Nazi repression to repressed second generation, and to establish intergenerational links of mental health between survivors of political repression and second generation. Altogether three groups of second generation were surveyed: children of survivors of Soviet and Nazi repression, Holocaust second generation and children of not-repressed Lithuanian citizens. According to the thematic analyses of qualitative data, various long-term psychological consequences of parents’ political repression were identified, second generation connect some of their hardship with these experiences. Path analysis revealed relationship of posttraumatic reactions of parent and child. On the other hand statistical analysis disclosed that current posttraumatic reactions of second generation in general, hopelessness and sense of coherence of second generation of survivors of political repression in Lithuania are the same as in two comparison groups. These results are in line with Holocaust second generation research trends – there are long-term consequences, but second generation does not differ... [to full text] / Disertacijoje analizuojamas ilgalaikis tarpgeneracinis politinių traumų psichologinis poveikis. Remiantis traumų psichologijos žiniomis ir politinių represijų poveikio tyrimais, keliama prielaida, kad ilgalaikes psichologines politinių represijų pasekmes jaučia ne tik išgyvenusieji šias represijas, bet ir jų suaugę vaikai. Šio darbo tikslai yra įvertinti ilgalaikes politinių represijų pasekmes nuo sovietų ir nacių nukentėjusių antrosios kartos atstovams ir, į analizę įtraukus išgyvenusiųjų, tai yra jų tėvų, duomenis, nustatyti tarpgeneracines psichinės sveikatos sąsajas. Iš viso tyrime apklaustos trys antrosios kartos atstovų grupės: išgyvenusių sovietų ir nacių represijas atstovai ir dvi palyginamosios grupės – išgyvenusių holokaustą ir nenukentėjusių vaikai. Remiantis atlikta temine kokybinių duomenų analize nustatytos įvairiapusės ilgalaikės psichologinės tėvų politinių represijų pasekmes, antroji karta su šiuo patyrimu sieja patirtus sunkumus. Tako modeliavimas atskleidė tėvų ir vaikų potrauminių reakcijų sąsajas. Kita vertus, statistinė analizė parodė, kad antrosios kartos atstovų dabartinė psichinė sveikata, tai yra potrauminės reakcijos bendrai, nevilties lygis ir vidinės darnos jausmas, nesiskiria nuo palyginamųjų grupių atitinkamų psichinės sveikatos rodiklių. Šie rezultatai atitinka holokausto antrosios kartos tyrimų tendencijas – nustatomos ilgalaikės pasekmės, tačiau antroji karta neišsiskiria savo psichopatologija.

Sextortion is a phenomenon that has made an impact on the digital technology domain. Sexting is a transmission of sensual messages or performances, provocation, and schemes exhibited through an array of sexual behaviors. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the psychological effects experienced of sextortion and to uncover the willingness to seek help and report the incident to authorities. Arnett's emerging adulthood theory provided the framework for this study. The sample consisted of N = 27 responders between 18-24 years of age who have engaged in sexting behaviors and may or may not have experienced sextortion. Simple and multiple regressions were performed using convenience samples to test predictor variables, emotional distress, self-esteem, general help-seeking, reasons for calling the police, disclosure expectations, and self-stigma to seek help and outcome variable, sextortion. Statistically significant correlations existed among variables. Overall, the results displayed insignificant effects of the predictor variables on the outcome variable. The effect of sextortion on the difference in the level of emotional distress revealed no significance, F(1, 25) = 1.96, p = .174. The effect of sextortion on self-esteem exhibited no significance, F(1, 25) = .054, p = .818. The effects of sextortion on general help-seeking, reasons for calling the police, disclosure expectations, and self-stigma to seek help collectively uncovered no significance, F(1, 25) = 3.105, p =.109. The sample size used based on the respective predictor variable, presented challenges to achieve significance at acceptable levels. This study provided a foundation for the implementation of mental health services, prevention programs, and support for those who were found to have experienced sextortion.

Introduction : Le traitement de la dialyse entraîne de nombreux bouleversements dans la vie du patient et nécessite d’adhérer à nombreuses recommandations. L’éducation thérapeutique, prise en charge en plein essor dans la maladie chronique, consiste à accompagner les patients dans leur parcours de soin et à les aider à acquérir des connaissances et des compétences pour vivre au mieux leur vie avec leur maladie. Ainsi, l’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer l’impact d’un programme d’éducation thérapeutique mis en place auprès de patients en auto-dialyse. Méthode : Le programme était composé de cinq interventions collectives (représentations et vécu de la dialyse, alimentation, protection de l’abord vasculaire, prise des médicaments et satisfaction). 125 patients ont participé à l’étude (64 dans le groupe expérimental et 61 dans le groupe contrôle). Plusieurs issues (adhésion thérapeutique, qualité de vie, état anxio-dépressif) et variables médiatrices ont été mesurées (connaissances, sentiment d’auto-efficacité, stratégies de coping, etc.) avant le programme, à la fin du programme éducatif et trois mois après. Résultats : Les résultats n’ont pas montré d’effet direct du programme sur l’adhésion thérapeutique, la qualité de vie et l’anxiété. Par contre, une augmentation des symptômes dépressifs a été observée dans le groupe expérimental, sans induire d’état dépressif. Des analyses de médiations ont précisé que l’augmentation des connaissances sur l’abord vasculaire expliquait l’effet de l’éducation thérapeutique sur les symptômes dépressifs. Les résultats ont également montré que le sentiment d’auto-efficacité vis-à-vis du suivi des recommandations alimentaires diminuait chez les patients du groupe expérimental à la fin du programme. Des analyses supplémentaires ont indiqué que ce changement prédisait d’autres évolutions comme la diminution de l’adhésion thérapeutique et une augmentation de l’anxiété. Conclusion : Ces principaux résultats montrent la nécessité d’améliorer les interventions d’éducation thérapeutique auprès des patients en dialyse en adaptant la transmission des connaissances au quotidien et en travaillant davantage sur l’amélioration du sentiment d’efficacité personnelle et aussi les stratégies de coping, c’est-à-dire d’avoir une action plus ciblée sur les variables médiatrices. / Introduction: Dialysis entails numerous alterations in the life of the patient and requires adhering to many recommendations. Therapeutic Patient Education helps patients acquire knowledge and skills to manage their life with a chronic disease in the best possible way. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a therapeutic educational program for dialysis patients in an out-center. Methods: The program consisted of five group sessions concerning the representations and personal experience of the dialysis, dietary regimen, protection of vascular access, taking of medicines and satisfaction about the program. The study included 125 subjects (64 in the experimental group and 61 in the control group). Several criteria (adherence, quality of life, anxiety, depression) and mediating variables were measured (knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, coping strategies, etc.) before the program, at the end and three months after the end of the program. Results: The program had no effect on adherence, quality of life and anxiety. On the other hand, an increase in depressive symptoms was observed in the experimental group, without inferring a depressive state. Analyses of mediations showed that the increase in knowledge regarding vascular access explained the effect of therapeutic education on depressive symptoms. The results also showed that self-efficacy decreased in the experimental group after the five sessions. Additional analyses indicated that this change predicted other changes such as a decrease in dietary adherence and increased anxiety.Conclusion: These main results show the need for improving educational interventions with patients in dialysis by adapting the transmission of knowledge about everyday life, and especially by working more on improving the feeling of self-efficacy and the use of coping strategies.

<p>The purpose of this thesis was to develop novel ways to study tinnitus, to investigate the course of tinnitus, and to study the effects of cognitive-behaviour therapy on tinnitus related distress. Data from 377 tinnitus patients were collected.</p><p>A group of 216 patients completed audiological measures and were assessed in a structured interview. The Klockhoff and Lindblom's grading system was used and its inter-rater reliability assessed in a subsample showing a high degree of correspondence. A discriminant analysis showed that a substantial proportion of patients could be correctly classified into grade II or III, by measures of pitch, minimal masking level of tinnitus, avoidance of situations because of tinnitus, and tolerance in relation to onset.</p><p>Using tests developed in cognitive psychology, it was found that tinnitus patients had impaired performance. There was no evidence for an attentional bias towards tinnitus related words using a computerized emotional Stroop task, but masking sounds of an "on-and-off" character were more disruptive than constant masking when patients performed the digit-symbol test. It is suggested that tinnitus distress may be increased by the 'changing-state' character of the tinnitus signal, or alternatively by intermittent masking sounds.</p><p>In a case-study a patient received an i.v. injection of lidocaine while Positron Emission Tomograpy was conducted. The brain activity associated with tinnitus included the left primary, secondary and integrative auditory brain areas, as well as right paralimbic areas related to negative feelings. The precuneus (Brodmann area 7) might be a brain area involved in the aversiveness associated with tinnitus.</p><p>Using a tinnitus questionnaire as the dependent measure it was found that tinnitus maskability at admission predicted distress at follow-up for an average of five years following admission. Some improvement in tinnitus occurred over time, but this was more evident in patients who had received a cognitive-behavioural treatment program.</p><p>The effect of an Internet based cognitive-behavioural self-help treatment program for tinnitus was investigated showing a high dropout rate, but with positive results in that the treated patients improved.</p>

The purpose of this thesis was to develop novel ways to study tinnitus, to investigate the course of tinnitus, and to study the effects of cognitive-behaviour therapy on tinnitus related distress. Data from 377 tinnitus patients were collected. A group of 216 patients completed audiological measures and were assessed in a structured interview. The Klockhoff and Lindblom's grading system was used and its inter-rater reliability assessed in a subsample showing a high degree of correspondence. A discriminant analysis showed that a substantial proportion of patients could be correctly classified into grade II or III, by measures of pitch, minimal masking level of tinnitus, avoidance of situations because of tinnitus, and tolerance in relation to onset. Using tests developed in cognitive psychology, it was found that tinnitus patients had impaired performance. There was no evidence for an attentional bias towards tinnitus related words using a computerized emotional Stroop task, but masking sounds of an "on-and-off" character were more disruptive than constant masking when patients performed the digit-symbol test. It is suggested that tinnitus distress may be increased by the 'changing-state' character of the tinnitus signal, or alternatively by intermittent masking sounds. In a case-study a patient received an i.v. injection of lidocaine while Positron Emission Tomograpy was conducted. The brain activity associated with tinnitus included the left primary, secondary and integrative auditory brain areas, as well as right paralimbic areas related to negative feelings. The precuneus (Brodmann area 7) might be a brain area involved in the aversiveness associated with tinnitus. Using a tinnitus questionnaire as the dependent measure it was found that tinnitus maskability at admission predicted distress at follow-up for an average of five years following admission. Some improvement in tinnitus occurred over time, but this was more evident in patients who had received a cognitive-behavioural treatment program. The effect of an Internet based cognitive-behavioural self-help treatment program for tinnitus was investigated showing a high dropout rate, but with positive results in that the treated patients improved.