Journal of psychosomatic research
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This study aimed to evaluate the short-term psychological impact on family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients during their stay in the unit. ⋯ Family members of ICU patients exhibit high levels of distress that persist throughout their relatives' hospitalization. Women and individuals with high trait anxiety are at increased risk for developing such reactions. Severe early anxiety responses predicted the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Early case identification and intervention may prevent the full development of posttraumatic stress disorder.
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Anatomy training requires students to take courses involving the dissection of human cadavers. It is suspected that such tuition is stressful for some students more than for others. Terror management theory suggests that the mortality salience presented by cadaver dissections would heighten stress among those students with positive self-images. The present study sought to investigate the association between body esteem (BE) and cardiovascular stress reactivity to cadaver dissections. ⋯ As findings are consistent with theories linking BE with stress in occupations that require workers to view dead bodies, the consideration of BE may be an effective component in stress reduction interventions.
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Psychiatric disorders in HIV/AIDS are common, emerging soon after diagnosis or during the subsequent course of illness. However, there are few prospective studies on the rates of psychiatric disorders in HIV/AIDS, particularly in the context of the developing world. ⋯ The rate of psychiatric disorders in HIV/AIDS patients was consistent over time. These findings emphasize the importance of regular evaluation for psychiatric disorders in HIV/AIDS patients, not only at the commencement of treatment but also during subsequent follow-up visits.
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The aims of this study are to adapt two validated self-report questionnaires of deliberate self-harm and suicidal behavior to German, to investigate their psychometric properties and agreement with clinician-administered ratings, and to examine their psychopathological correlates. ⋯ The two questionnaire adaptations are reliable and valid self-report scales for the assessment of self-harm and past suicidal behavior.
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence rates of mental disorders in normal-weight individuals and obese individuals with and without weight loss treatment. ⋯ Unlike obese male individuals, obese female participants not currently in weight loss treatment did not differ from normal-weight participants with regard to comorbidity of mental disorders. However, obese female participants who were engaged in weight loss treatment exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates than normal-weight participants.