Similarity of prior trauma exposure as a determinant of chronic stress responding to an airline disaster.

The cumulative effects of trauma were examined in 108 workers at the site of a major air disaster at 4 time points over a year following the crash. The influence of trauma history on chronic distress and physiological arousal associated with the crash were examined. Stress levels were expected to differ on the basis of the similarity of prior trauma exposure to work at the crash site.

Research in radiology residency programs: a survey.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are characteristics that typify research undertaken in diagnostic radiology residency programs, to determine how the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Residency Review Committee's scholarly activity requirement is met by those programs not requiring research, and to ascertain whether differences in research requirements exist between university-based residency programs and those in private facilities.

Materials And Methods: A one-page survey regarding research requirements during residency was mailed to the 203 program directors of accredited diagnostic radiology residency programs. Chief residents from programs that had not responded to the survey were interviewed at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Acute and chronic distress and posttraumatic stress disorder as a function of responsibility for serious motor vehicle accidents.

In this study on the effects of attributions of responsibility for traumatic events, stress, coping, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were measured, including intrusive thoughts among 130 victims of serious motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) 14-21 days and 3, 6, and 12 months after their accident. MVA victims and 43 control participants were categorized by accident and attribution of responsibility for their accidents (self-responsible, other-responsible, and control). Although initially all MVA victims reported higher levels of intrusive thoughts and were more likely to meet criteria for PTSD diagnoses, only other-responsible participants continued to demonstrate increased distress 6 and 12 months postaccident.

Managing stress and managing illness: Survival and quality of life in chronic disease.

Interest has been steadily building in the impact of stress on psychological and physiological functioning, in particular on immune system responses, furthering the concept of a strong connection between the mind and the body. Implications for prevention of disease onset or treatment of stress-induced illness or immunocompromised conditions have been explored through the implementation of stress management techniques. Cognitive behavioral stress management interventions, biofeedback, relaxation, guided imagery, hypnosis, individual and group psychotherapy, aerobic exercise, and guided self-efficacy treatment are briefly reviewed to identify possible treatment mechanisms that may affect immune function and promote quality of life.