Publications by authors named "Marjorie Feinson"

Empirical studies have identified emotional abuse in childhood (CEA) as a risk factor with long-term implications for psychological problems. Indeed, recent studies indicate it is more prevalent than behavioral forms of abuse, (i.e.

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Recent studies reveal that childhood emotional abuse (CEA) is the trauma most clearly associated with adult eating pathology. Yet, relatively little is understood about psychological mechanisms linking these distal experiences. Anger's mediational role in the relationship between CEA and adult binge eating (BE) is explored in a community-based sample of 498 adult women (mean age 44).

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Background: Approximately half the patients seeking mental health (MH) treatment consult primary care practitioners (PCPs). Previous research indicates that patients often do not receive correct MH diagnoses or appropriate treatment from PCPs. The present study examines whether a specialization in family medicine compared to other or no PCP residency programs enhances physicians' ability to detect, diagnose and treat MH problems.

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Background: Cultural differences in serious eating problems among adult women have important treatment and prevention implications yet remain relatively unexplored. This is the first study to examine these issues among Israel's multi-cultural adult population.

Method: Disordered eating behaviors (DEB) are assessed with 14 DSM-related symptoms (including binge eating) in a multi-cultural sample of 485 women.

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Although childhood abuse is an established risk factor for mental health problems in adulthood, there is relatively little empirical evidence concerning intervening factors that may mitigate the risk. One potentially protective factor is religiosity. A unique opportunity to explore religiosity's relevance exists with a community-based sample of adult Jewish women that includes sizable subsamples of both rigorously devout ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) and nonreligious Secular Jews.

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Context: A dearth of data concerning eating problems among adult women from minority population groups leaves substantial knowledge gaps and constrains evidence-based interventions.

Objectives: To examine prevalence and predictors of disordered eating behaviors (DEB) among Arab Muslim women in Israel, whose eating behaviors have not been previously examined and to compare with second generation Israeli-born Jews of European heritage.

Design: Community-based study includes sub-samples of Arab Muslims and Israeli-born Jews.

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Objectives: The study examined attitudes of primary care patients toward mental health treatment and whether ambivalent or negative attitudes change after patients receive recommendations from their primary care physicians to seek treatment from a mental health professional.

Methods: Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with 902 Jewish patients aged 25-75 in eight primary care clinics in Israel. Measures included validated mental health instruments and a vignette eliciting patients' readiness to consider treatment and potential influence of a physician's recommendation.

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Objectives: The study examines the difference in characteristics between primary care patients who turn to "religious resources for medical purposes" (RRMP) and those who turn to "complementary or alternative medicine" (CAM) services to cope with a physical or mental health problem.

Design And Setting: Data were collected from eight primary care clinics in Israel and included 905 Jewish patients aged 25-75.

Main Outcome Measure: A self-report questionnaire with a battery of validated mental health assessment instruments and two questionnaires regarding use of unconventional therapies (RRMP and CAM services) were administered to the participants.

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Context: A dearth of data concerning eating problems among adult women from diverse cultural origins leaves substantial knowledge gaps and constrains evidence-based interventions.

Objective: To examine prevalence and predictors of disordered eating behaviors (DEB) among adult Jewish women (21+) from distinct cultural origins.

Design: Community-based study includes 175 Israelis born to parents from Muslim countries (aka Sephardic) and 108 second generation Israelis mostly of European ancestry.

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Are there differences in prevalence and predictors of eating disturbances among adult women (age 30+) from diverse cultural backgrounds? Most research has explored these issues with young age groups, although the results may also be relevant to adults. Fourteen community-based studies with culturally diverse samples are examined. A majority of studies (70%) reveals no significant group differences in prevalence rates.

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Objective: To broaden the socio-cultural context of eating disturbances by exploring religious observance and its presumed protective role for ultra-Orthodox women.

Method: Detailed telephone interviews with community sample of adult Jewish women in Israel, including 261 ultra-Orthodox. Frequency of 14 symptoms of disordered eating (DEB) assessed.

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Objective: Prevalence rates of mental health problems in primary care vary according to population and the type of measure used. This study examined the prevalence of a full range of mental health problems, including sub-threshold diagnoses, and the socio-demographic risk factors for psychiatric disorders among a population with low out-of-pocket expenditures for medical care.

Method: Four validated mental health assessment instruments, including the CIDI-SF, were administered to a sample of 976 users of primary care in Israel between the ages of 25-75 in eight clinics throughout the country.

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