Application of a family systems approach to working with people affected by HIV disease – two case studies

HIV infection, with its particular modes of transmission, affects relationships, interrupts the normal life-cycle and brings different challenges to patients and their contacts as they pass through the asymptomatic and symptomatic phases to the terminal stages of illness. This paper describes a family systems approach to therapy with people affected by HIV disease, illustrated by two case examples.     

Manifest values of eminent psychologists: A content analysis of their obituaries

Obituaries published in theAmerican Psychologist (from January 1979 to December 1990,N=161) were content analyzed to create a modal demographic profile of the deceased and a ranking of the most frequently occurring value themes. Virtually all of the eminent psychologists were highly productive academicians and researchers. Typically, they were also actively involved in other professional arenas (e.g., administration, service). The majority were male (87%), white (99%), and born in the United States (86%). Ninety-seven percent had obtained Ph.D.’s, most frequently from Columbia University (16%), Harvard (11%), and Chicago (6%). Median age at death was 76. The most frequently occurring value themes written about the deceased were that they were independent-minded (67%), a good friend (61%), hard-working (53%), a good teacher/mentor (51%), and a beloved family member (35%). The implications of these data are discussed.     

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