Personal and appearance-based rejection sensitivity in body dysmorphic disorder

Although rejection sensitivity may be an important feature of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), no studies have examined rejection sensitivity in a clinical sample and compared types of rejection sensitivity in individuals with BDD. Personal and appearance-based rejection sensitivity scores in forty-six patients diagnosed with BDD were compared with published norms. Associations between rejection sensitivity, BDD severity, and other clinical variables were examined. Personal and appearance-based rejection sensitivity scores were 0.6 and 1.1 standard deviation units above published norms, respectively. Greater personal rejection sensitivity was associated with more severe BDD and depressive symptoms, poorer mental health, general health, and physical and social functioning. Greater appearance-based rejection sensitivity was associated with more severe BDD and depressive symptoms, and poorer general health. Appearance-based rejection sensitivity contributed more unique variance to BDD severity than personal rejection sensitivity did; however, personal rejection sensitivity contributed more unique variance to general health than appearance-based rejection sensitivity did.     

Reflections on Psychoanalysis,Peer Review and Evidence

During these times, when society wants "evidence" that treatments are effective, ethical and cost effective, quality assurance and evidence-based medicine have become catchwords. The powers that be place their hopes on them when they find that they have to prioritize forms of treatment. There are different attempts to define these concepts and there are different approaches, most of them based on quantitative studies. This article describes a different approach. It also discusses how you can use the model for peer review among psychoanalytical colleagues as a qualitative study and a base for both quality assurance and a learning process. It also has its place in any formulation of 'evidence' for psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.     

Relationship Quality,Commitment, and Stability in Long‐Distance Relationships

Using a nationally representative sample (N = 870), the present study compared long‐distance romantic relationships to close‐proximity romantic relationships in terms of relationship quality, commitment, and stability. Individuals in long‐distance relationships generally reported higher levels of relationship quality on a number of relationship quality variables, as well as higher levels of dedication to their relationships and lower levels of feeling trapped (i.e., felt constraint), but were similar to individuals in close‐proximity relationships in terms of perceived and material constraints. Although individuals in long‐distance relationships perceived a lower likelihood of breaking up with their partner at the initial time point, they were as likely as the individuals in close‐proximity relationships to have broken up by the follow‐up assessment.     

The Coping Strategies Questionnaire – Swedish Version: Evidence of Reliability and Validity in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a Swedish version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire in patients with fibromyalgia. A total of 275 patients from 4 sites in Sweden filled out the questionnaire and other health status and quality of life instruments at the beginning of treatment programs. A total of 28 subjects at 1 site served as wait-listed controls for 12 weeks. Cronbach's Alpha for the subscales ranged from 0.3 3 to 0.86. Coping Strategies Questionnaire subscales correlated significantly with other scales. The treated group had significant positive changes on several Coping Strategies Questionnaire subscales. Principal components analysis found a 3-factor solution consisting of cognitive coping/suppression, pain control/rational thinking and behavioral activity. Analysis by item replicated 4 of the 8 subscales. A further principal components analysis using 27 items replicated an earlier 6-factor solution. The Swedish version of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire has subscales that are reliable, valid and sensitive to change in patients with fibromyalgia.     

The feasibility,reliability and validity of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in assessing the quality of life of patients with a symptomatic HIV infection or AIDS (CDC IV)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, reliability and validity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (the QLQ-C30) in a longitudinal study of the quality of life (QoL) of patients with a symptomatic HIV infection or AIDS. The OLQ-C30 is a 30-item questionnaire composed of five functional subscales. 3 symptom subscales, an overall QoL subscale, and a number of additional single item symptom measures. The questionnaire was administered serially to a sample of 156 Dutch patients. The average time to complete the questionnaire was less than 11 minutes, with most patients requiring no assistance. With one exception (role functioning subscale), the data supported the hypothesized scale structure of the questionnaire. Eight of the 9 subscales met or approached the minimal criterion for reliability (Cronbach's alpha ≤ .70) at baseline and/or follow-up. The validity of the QLQ-C30 was supported by 3 findings: (1) the correlations observed among the subscales. while statistically significant, were of only a moderate magnitude, indicating that distinct components of QoL are being assessed; (2) a number of the subscales could discriminate clearly between patients differing in stage of disease and in Karnofsky Performance Status; and (3) significant changes in QLQ-C30 scores in the expected direction, were observed over time. These results lend support to the QLQ-C30 as a reasonably reliable and valid instrument for assessing the QoL of patients with HIV infection. Additional research is needed to improve the role functioning subscale. to evaluate the QLQ-C30's concurrent validity by comparing it with other available QoL instruments, and to examine more thoroughly its responsiveness to clinically important changes in patients' health status over the entire disease and treatment trajectory.     

Changes in health status after one year for persons at-risk for and with HIV infection

Abstract

Health status is an important component of the evaluation of patient outcome in HIV infection where disease is chronic, progressive, and debilitating. This paper compares patient self-report for 9 dimensions of health status for patients followed in ATHOS (AIDS Time-Oriented Health Outcome Study). We compared changes in functioning after 12 months for 1, 524 patients with varying HIV disease severity: 238 asymptomatic, 447 symptomatic, 441 AIDS, and 398 HIV-negative individuals who are at-risk for infection.

Declines in health status were observed for all HIV-infected persons, including also asymptomatic patients. Individuals with symptomatic disease or AIDS had significant declines (p < 0.001) in physical functioning, energy, global health, pain, and increased disease symptoms, but no significant declines in health distress, cognition, or mental health. Persons with AIDS had greater declines than those with symptomatic disease. All HIV-infected individuals reported significantly fewer hours at work and more disability days than HIV-negative patients from similar risk pools. The adverse impact that HIV infection has on the health status of HIV-positive asymptomatic individuals is striking; HIV-negative individuals are more similar to HIV-positive individuals than to the general population.     

Subjective health complaints and health related quality of life in a population of health care workers

The aim of this study was to assess whether Subjective Health Complaints (SHC), demands and coping are associated with health-related quality of life in a population of health care workers. One hundred and nineteen employees in two nursing homes for the elderly filled in a questionnaire on health, exercise, psychological factors, and work conditions. Main outcome measures were SHC and quality of life measured by SF-36. High level of SHC was associated to low health-related quality of life. Low coping and high demands were related to low scores (low quality of life), and high coping and low demands to high scores on mental health. Pseudoneurological complaints (e.g. tiredness, sadness), high demands and low coping were associated with low mental health. The expected negative association between SHC and health-related quality of life was found. There was a positive association between coping and quality of life.     

Quality of Life,Treatment Adherence,and Locus of Control: Multiple Family Groups for Chronic Medical Illnesses

The Multiple Family Groups (MFGs) approach for patients with a chronic medical illness and their families is a structured psychoeducational program that unfolds in six weekly 90‐minute sessions. In the MFGs, patients and family members explore new ways to balance illness and nonillness priorities in family life (Steinglass, 1998; Steinglass, 2000 Cuadernos de Terapia Familiar, 44‐45, 11; Steinglass, Ostroff, & Steinglass, 2011 Family Process, 50, 393).     

Quantum information in an evolutionary perspective

An approach to quantum phenomena is reviewed that deals with the possibility of their realistic interpretation in the sense that they represent manifestations of hermeneutic circles between quantum “objects” and their experimental boundary conditions. Quantum cybernetics provides an evolutionary perspective in that all higher‐level organizations like molecules, cells, living systems, etc., can be discussed under one and the same systemic viewpoint: a hermeneutic circularity between a “core” (or “nucleus") and a relevant “periphery” (or “environment") which constitutes the systems’ organization and information potential.

Generally, in realistic theories, an individual quantum system is analyzable into a local “particle‐like” nonlinearity of a generally nonlocal “wave‐like” mode of some sub‐quantum structure of the vacuum ("Dirac ether"). In this view, a “particle” can be considered as being “guided” along one specific route by the (generally nonlocal) configurations of superimposed waves, which spread along all possible paths of an experimental setup. Moreover, in the approach of Quantum Cybernetics, an additional focus is given on the fact that the energy and momentum of a particle also determine the wave behavior. Thus, “waves” and “particles” are mutually and self‐consistently defined, and Quantum Cybernetics puts particular emphasis on the circular relationship—mediated by plane waves—between a quantum system and its macroscopically defined boundary conditions.     

The Body Image Quality of Life Inventory: further validation with college men and women

The Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI) was recently developed to quantify both the positive and negative effects of body image on one’s psychosocial quality of life. The current study was conducted to further validate the measure with both men and women and to evaluate its psychometric reliability and validity among college students (N=603). Results confirmed that the 19-item measure was an internally consistent and unidimensional measure for both sexes. A significantly more favorable body image quality of life was reported by men than women, by African American than White women, and by women with lower body mass indices. Significant body image correlates included body image evaluation, investment, and situational dysphoria. A better body image quality of life was also related to higher self-esteem, optimism, and social support for both sexes and to less eating disturbance among women. The potential utility of this construct and unique instrument in further research, especially with medical populations, is discussed.