Correlates of psychological distress among mothers of children and adolescents with hemophilia and HIV infection.

Evaluated the correlates of mood state (psychological distress) in a multisite study of two groups: (a) mothers of HIV-positive children and adolescents with hemophilia (n = 91), and (b) mothers of HIV-negative children and adolescents with hemophilia (n = 92). Socioeconomic status, quality of family relationship support, and frequency of negative life events accounted for significant variance in Total Mood Disturbance (psychological distress) as measured by the Profile of Mood States in the overall sample. Severity of hemophilia was unrelated to distress.

Impact of the repressive personality style on the measurement of psychological distress in children and adolescents with chronic illness: an example from hemophilia.

Described the impact of the repressive personality style on the measurement of psychological distress among children and adolescents with hemophilia. Two groups were compared on parent and self-report measures of anxiety and depression: a nondefensive group (n = 34) with low distress; and a highly defensive group (n = 26) who were identified as having a repressive personality style and who also reported low distress. Consistent with hypotheses, highly defensive children reported comparable levels of anxiety and lower levels of depression than nondefensive children.

Psychological response to HIV positivity in hemophilia.

Objective: To compare the psychological and family adaptation of children and adolescents with hemophilia who were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with an HIV-negative group of comparable age, demographic characteristics, and disease severity in a multi-site study.

Design: Cross-sectional, controlled study.

Setting: Thirty-three hemophilia treatment centers throughout the United States.

Hemophiliac patient's knowledge and educational needs concerning acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The Patient Knowledge Assessment Study (PKAS) was conducted among 107 male hemophilic patients, aged 15 to 67 years, at 19 hemophilia treatment centers (HTC). Participants were given a 30-item questionnaire concerning the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the groups at risk, and modes of transmission. The questionnaire included questions on the participant's status in regard to antibody to human T-lymphotropic retrovirus, type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV), and the meaning of this test result.

The risk of AIDS: psychologic impact on the hemophilic population.

The psychologic impact of the risk of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was evaluated by questionnaire survey of 116 hemophiliacs, age 16 or older, and 40 mates and 94 parents of hemophiliacs. Although the mean group distress ratings indicate a lessening of emotional discomfort over time, ongoing distress as well as interference with life activities are reported. Parents indicate more distress than either hemophiliacs or mates.

Serum thyroid hormone abnormalities in psychiatric disease.

Psychiatric illness is a cause of "euthyroid sick syndrome" (ESS), defined as abnormal concentrations of circulating iodothyronines in euthyroid subjects with nonthyroidal illness (NTI). We describe a prospective study of 150 consecutive psychiatric admissions studied by endocrine and psychologic techniques. Based on 150 admission blood samples, we found a 7% incidence of ESS and with serial samples (74 patients) the incidence was 27%, demonstrating that ESS can develop after hospital admission.

Neurologic symptoms in a depressed woman. A medical-psychiatric case conference.

A 48-year-old woman with head and neck pain and upper extremity weakness demonstrated equivocal neurologic findings and otherwise essentially negative laboratory and x-ray evaluations. An interview at a case conference revealed significant depression, severe marital discord, and a poor self-image. The correlation of the onset of her physical symptoms with certain life events suggested that psychologic factors were important contributors to her disorder.

The effectiveness of sex therapy for chronic secondary psychological impotence.

This paper describes the treatment results of sexual therapy with 16 couples. The men had chronic secondary psychological impotence. They were evaluated, treated, and followed up by the same sex therapist.

Psychological aspects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This paper describes a number of psychological variables useful in the care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Attention to these factors does not replace destroyed lung tissue. Yet such efforts can lead to meaningful improvement in performance for many patients.

Survey of psychiatric treatment effectiveness in a medical student clinic.

Eighty patients, from four university-based psychiatric outpatient departments, were seen for four to six weeks by medical students. Eighty-two percent of the patients reported "some" to "marked" improvement. The four groups were studied to determine significant variables.