Life-events and psychiatric disorders Part 1: some methodological issues

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Brown ◽  
F. Sklair ◽  
T. O. Harris ◽  
J. L. T. Birley
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Methodological Procedures ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Depressive Patients

SynopsisThe paper focuses on recent criticisms of the study of the role of life-events in the onset of psychiatric conditions and suggests that measurement error and bias can be reasonably well controlled by various methodological procedures. Failure to comply with these may be expected, however, to increase rather than decrease the chances of establishing a ‘positive’ resuit. Three further factors to do with the design of studies and the analysis of data are discussed which are likely to mask real differences between patient and comparison group, and which therefore might explain the ‘negative’ results reported in the literature. They concern: (1) the choice of an appropriate comparison group; (2) specification of the length of the period between event and onset; and (3) specification of the event in terms of some measure of severity. Results from two London studies of schizophrenic and depressive patients are presented to illustrate the argument. The studies suggest that life-events do play an important causal role in bringing about both disorders.

The Holocaust as a Context for Telling Life Stories

2005 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian De Vries ◽  
Peter Suedfeld ◽  
Robert Krell ◽  
John A. Blando ◽  
Patricia Southard
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Life Stories ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
The Holocaust ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Future Events

Using a narrative approach, this study explores the role of the Holocaust in the life stories of Survivors, contrasted with two comparison groups (one Jewish and one non-Jewish) whose direct experiences did not include surviving the Holocaust. Using the technique of the life line and measures such as number and type of life events identified, as well as the events marking the beginning and ending of the life story, several differences were found between the three groups. Survivors identified an average of 10 life events, fewer than the non-Jewish comparison group (18) but more than the Jewish comparison group (7). Most of these events were positive, although less so for the Jewish comparison group, with very few future events identified by any of the groups.

A Realist Perspective on Contemporary "Economic Theory" (Foreword by O. Ananyin)

2006 ◽  
pp. 75-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Neoclassical Theory ◽  
Fundamental Feature ◽  
Major Powers ◽  
Realist Perspective

The author elaborates on methodological issues of current tendencies in neoclassical theory and demonstrates the necessity of an alternative model of science, which he calls "realist". According to this perspective, constant and regular conjunctions of economic life events should not be the main object of analysis. Rather, the author proposes to consider structures and mechanisms governing events in question. Instead of deductivism, which, as Lawson believes, is a fundamental feature of orthodox economics, the abductive method of economic explanation is proposed that entails investigation of major powers, on which any social phenomenon depends. Society is thereby regarded not as a closed, but rather as an open system.

Stressful life events induce graves' disease: further evidence for the role of stress as an inducing factor in graves' disease

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifigenia Kostoglou-Athanassiou ◽  
Lambros Athanassiou ◽  
Eleni Xanthakou ◽  
Panagiotis Spyropoulos ◽  
Thomais Kalogirou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Graves Disease

Role of the family focused technologies in the clinical course of pregnancy at women of high obstetric risk

2016 ◽  
pp. 64-66
Author(s):  
S.Yu. Vdovichenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Married Couple ◽  
Premature Births ◽  
Individual Support ◽  
The Family ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Individual Preparation

The objective: to show a role of the family focused technologies in depression of frequency of pathology of pregnancy at women of high obstetric risk. Patients and methods. For determination of efficiency of prophylaxis of pathology of pregnancy on the basis of use of the family focused technologies complex clinical-psychological and laboratory and tool examination of 300 women with factors of obstetric risk which were divided into two groups was conducted. In the main group – 182 women with motivation on partner labors to which provided training on system of individual preparation of married couple to labors. The comparison group consisted of 118 women who were not in prenatal training and had individual support in childbirth, with the traditional approach to pain management. Results. Use of the family focused technologies during pregnancy allows to reduce significantly the frequency of the main complications of pregnancy, especially not incubation and premature births. Conclusion. In our opinion, the technique is simple, available and can widely be used in practical health care at women with high obstetric risk. Key words: obstetric risk, the family focused technologies, prophylaxis.

EMDR as therapy for conditions other than PTSD: a systematic review.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Scelles ◽  
LUIS CARLO BULNES
Keyword(s):  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Adult Personality ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
Research Criteria ◽  
Positive Effect

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD). The technique is known to stimulate the capacity to reprocess maladaptive memoriesthat are thought to be central to this pathology. Here we investigate if EMDR therapy can be used in otherconditions than PTSD. We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. Wesearched for published empirical findings on EMDR, excluding those centred on trauma and PTSD,published up to 2020. The results were classified by psychiatric categories.   Ninety articles met our research criteria. A positive effect was reported in addictions, somatoformdisorders, sexual dysfunction, eating disorder, disorders of adult personality, mood disorders, reaction tosevere stress, anxiety disorders, performance anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), pain,neurodegenerative disorders, paedopsychiatry and sleep. The evidence was more consistent in pain, OCD,mood disorders, and reaction to severe stress.EMDR’s efficiency across numerous pathological situations, highlighted the central role of affectivememory in several psychiatric and non-psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, EMDR seems to besuccessful in usually uncooperative (e.g. Dementia) or unproductive cases (e.g. aphasia). Moreover, insome severe medical situations were psychologic distress was an obstacle, EMDR allowed thecontinuation of treatment-as-usual. Our review suggests that it is a safe and economical therapeuticoption, and its effect in non-pathological situations opens new avenues for translational research. Overallmore methodologically rigorous studies are needed.

Sleep Reactivity and Psychological Health in Normal Sleepers: the moderating role of stress

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason G. Ellis ◽  
Sarah Allen ◽  
Michael Perlis ◽  
Michael Grandner ◽  
Maria Gardani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Public Health Campaign ◽  
Health Campaign ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dysfunctional Cognitions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

The aim of the present study was to determine whether normal sleepers with vulnerability to insomnia, via high sleep reactivity, demonstrate more sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and behaviours and poorer psychological health compared to those who are not vulnerable. Further, the influence of stress on the relationship between sleep reactivity and psychological health was also examined. A cross-sectional survey of 737 young adult ‘normal’ sleepers from the general population was undertaken. Results indicated normal sleepers vulnerable to insomnia demonstrated more sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and behaviours as well as poorer psychological health compared to those not vulnerable. Furthermore, the relationship between sleep reactivity and psychological health was moderated by perceived stress over the previous month and life events over the previous year. Therefore, identifying and supporting those who are vulnerable to insomnia may be a fruitful avenue for preventative public health campaign to mitigate both insomnia and poor psychological health.

Long-term management of patients with multiple brain metastases after shaped beam radiosurgery

2004 ◽  
pp. 406-412
Author(s):  
Paul Okunieff ◽  
Michael C. Schell ◽  
Russell Ruo ◽  
E. Ronald Hale ◽  
Walter G. O'Dell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Multiple Metastases ◽  
Extracranial Disease ◽  
Successful Control ◽  
The Brain

✓ The role of radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage metastatic disease is currently under debate. Previous randomized studies have not consistently supported the use of radiosurgery to treat patients with numbers of brain metastases. In negative-results studies, however, intracranial tumor control was high but extracranial disease progressed; thus, patient survival was not greatly affected, although neurocognitive function was generally maintained until death. Because the future promises improved systemic (extracranial) therapy, the successful control of brain disease is that much more crucial. Thus, for selected patients with multiple metastases to the brain who remain in good neurological condition, aggressive lesion-targeting radiosurgery should be very useful. Although a major limitation to success of this therapy is the lack of control of extracranial disease in most patients, it is clear that well-designed, aggressive treatment substantially decreases the progression of brain metastases and also improves neurocognitive survival. The authors present the management and a methodology for rational treatment of a patient with breast cancer who has harbored 24 brain metastases during a 3-year period.

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