Abstract This paper reports that the demonstrative research associated with post-abortion emotional distress is clouded by ideologically driven bias. The author points out that more balanced research indicates that there are relatively few cases of extreme emotional distress post-abortion and often those extremes occur because of secondary causation such as high risk factors for emotional distress. The paper indicates (1) that post-abortion emotional complications can be dealt with similar to any other serious life stress emotional response and (2) that abortion gives woman access to intervention thus reducing potential stress from an unwanted pregnancy. The paper includes several long quotations.
Table of Contents:
The Abortion Debate
Divergent Opinions
Extreme Ideologies
Research on Post-Abortion Emotional Distress Driven by Ideology
Consensus is Most Emotional Responses are Moderate
Post-Abortion Emotional Intervention
Environment of Abortion
Treatment should be as with Any Other Life Stressor
Unique Opportunity to Access
Conclusion
From the Paper "This trauma can then be dealt with in a logical and constructive manner, befitting any other stressful life event, such as the loss of a partner in a separation, being fired from a job or getting into a car accident. Depression, protracted grief or general feelings of guilt, when they occurs must be treated as a logical outgrowth of life stress not as a special case of social and emotional concern, because of the nature of the stress. Though this is not to say that the situation does not require consideration of emotions particular to the guilt, sadness and or feelings of abandonment that could be directly ..."
Abstract This paper presents a proposal for the treatment of the psychological distress experienced by the mother (Mrs. M) of an 11- year-old child (Rita) with asthma. It discusses how psychological distress is defined as an internal response to a stressor (i.e., having a child with a chronic illness) that is commonly associated with negative psycho-emotional aspects such as anger, anxiety, depression and sometimes guilt.
Outline
The Problem
Case History
The Intervention
Treatment Predictions
From the Paper "Given the foregoing, it seems reasonable to recommend cognitive therapy aimed at restructuring Mrs. M's thought patterns. Most likely Mrs. M should receive Rational Emotion Therapy which is based on the principle that irrational assumptions and patterns of thinking lead to psychoemotional problems. According to the Albert Ellis Institute (1999), this form of cognitive therapy postulates that how we emotionally respond at any moment depends on our interpretations---our views, our beliefs, our thoughts---of the situation. In other words, the things we think and say to ourselves, not what actually happens to us, constitute those factors that cause our positive or negative emotions."
Abstract This paper analyses Esther Greenwood's "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept" and Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar". In particular, the paper examines the two women in the stories and their problems in society. One may wonder, the paper proposes, to what extent people are responsible for their own happiness in life. In the case of Esther Greenwood and the woman from "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept", the paper proves, the different circumstances surrounding their distress play a crucial role in determining their emotional outcomes.
From the Paper "She feels that Doreen corrupts her and rejects her as a friend, AI decided I would watch her and listen to what she said, but deep down I would have nothing to do with her. Deep down, I would be loyal to Betsy and her innocent friends. It was Betsy I resembled at heart."
Tags: elisabeth, plath, smart, society, sylvia, women
Abstract Research has found that short-term, reality-based psychotherapies using cognitive or behavioral theories, focusing on changing an individual's thoughts in order to change his or her behavior and emotional state are both cost and outcome effective in cases of abuse, PTSD, etc. The purpose of this study proposal is to show that cognitive behavior therapy is the correct and more effective approach in treating distressed adolescents with a history of sexual abuse, with certain modifications of previous study designs.
Paper Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Specific Study Objectives
Methods
Discussion
References
From the Paper "The object of cognitive therapy is to make the patients aware of these distorted thinking patterns and change them. This process is called cognitive restructuring.(Enright, S 1997) This is followed by behavior modification,, helping individuals replace undesirable behaviors with healthier patterns. It is different from the previously common psychodynamic therapies used in cases of CSA that focused on uncovering or understanding the unconscious motivations that may lie behind the maladaptive behavior."
Abstract This paper examines how, in recent years, there has been a marked increase in litigation related to recovering damages for emotional distress -- a kind of damage that is not measured by the extent of physical harm to an individual, but instead, measured by the extent of emotional and psychological harm inflicted upon an individual. Unlike determining the extent of physical harm, determining the extent of emotional distress or pain and suffering presents its unique share of challenges - particularly with regard to determining if, indeed, an individual has been inflicted with emotional distress and if that individual merits relief from the defendant or defendants. This paper looks at how assessing the nature and amount of relief to be awarded to the plaintiff also presents challenges to the judicial system.
From the Paper "The United Kingdom's judicial system it appears has taken steps to clearly define the criteria for nervous shock. For example, it has been determined that "the plaintiff cannot recover for experiencing normal human emotions such as the grief experienced when a loved one dies." There must be more than just an emotional response to a sudden and saddening event. See MIM v. Pusey, [1970] 125 CLR 383 at 394-395. With the shift of judicial decisions on emotional distress cases in the U.S. toward a generally "moderate" stance, it seems that the courts in the United Kingdom are also ruling on such cases - in particular on nervous shock cases - with more leniency and flexibility."
From the Paper "Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome involves a pathophysiologic deficit of pulmonary surfactant. This complex mixture of phospholipids, neutral lipids, and protein normally increases lung compliance and facilitates gas exchange. Preterm infants born with this disorder often develop life-threatening complications.
During the 1970s and 1980s, significant advances were made in neonatology. As a result, the survival of very-low-birth-weight, premature infants improved from three- to sevenfold. Unfortunately though, this success gave rise to an increase in ventilator-dependent infants suffering from severe chronic lung disease.
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was originally referred ... "
Abstract This paper presents a summary and evaluation of an article on family adaptation during the postpartum period to low birth weight infants, entitled "Maternal Psychological Distress and Parenting Stress and Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants". The purpose of the article was to determine both the degree and the type of stress experienced over time by mothers of infants with varying degrees of prematurity and medical and development risk. The article, authored by Singer and associates (1999) is summarized in terms of its theoretical framework, hypotheses, methodology, sample, findings, and conclusions. It is then analyzed in terms of its strengths and weaknesses and its relevance to the practice of midwifery.
From the Paper "Results of the study were said to show that mothers of VLBW infants evidenced significantly more psychological distress than mothers of term infants at one mother of age. By two years of age, mothers of of low-risk VLBW infants did not differ in psychological distress from term mothers; however, mothers of high risk VLBW infants continued to show high levels of distress.
At three years of age, mothers of high-risk VLBW children did not differ from mothers of term children in distress symptoms, but parenting stress remained greater. Severity of maternal depression was found to be related to lower child developmental outcomes in both VLBW groups."
This paper examines the extent to which stereotypically feminine characteristics are associated with co-dependency and related aspects of psychological distress and dysfunction.
Abstract An investigation into the psychology of distress and codependency as a result of feminine behavior and characteristics. The writer looks at the classification within psychology and general society of women's behavior as pathological and addresses the issues related to this. The paper includes a review of relevant literature citing a number of references to the topic. The writer then looks at popular self-help books as relevant to this so-called pathology. The research is aimed at a validation of the construct "codependency" and uses a real experiment with analytical results to present the conclusions.
From the Paper "The goal of this investigation is to investigate the construct of "codependency." A literature review indicates that codependency is an imperfect construct, one that confounds traditional measures of femininity with judgments of varying degrees of pathology. The problem of classifying women's behavior as pathological is widespread in the field of psychology, as well as in the general public, and needs to be addressed. An assumption that feminine behavior is pathological automatically places women in a position of inferiority, which they must then make efforts to overcome."
Abstract The paper introduces the topic of palliative care for geriatric patients by explaining that the purpose of bringing attention to common problems in elderly patients is to avoid or alleviate some of the difficulties encountered prior to the final transition from life. The paper looks at elderly patients' propensity for being undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or under-treated in the areas of pain, confusion, satiety and anorexia, and gastrointestinal distress. The paper addresses the psychosocial issues of fears and depression and notes the importance of support systems to ease transition from life to death.
Outline:
Introduction
Altered Presentation of Health Problems
Psychosocial Issues
From the Paper "The geriatric population is gradually becoming the largest single demographic group worldwide. Ironically, efforts to address their special health care needs, especially with regard to palliative care, continues to progress at a slow pace to such a point that the present crop of health care professionals will be unable to adapt quickly enough to meet geriatrics' specialized needs (Besdine, Boult, Brangman, Coleman, Fried, Gerety et al, 2005; Swiss Academy of Medicine, 2004). The National Institute of Health (NIH, 2004) has reiterated this and the assessment that end-of-life care is particularly incoherent regarding its development and establishment as a science and have yet to develop consistent use of validated measures and explore further new interventions. The primary objective of this acute care nurse practitioner content development manuscript is to concisely consolidate salient features and issues regarding common clinical presentations of geriatric patients for use in a clinical setting. While this may drastically contrast from the approaches to palliative care, it is the contention of this paper that, through bringing attention these common manifestations in elderly patients, some of the difficulties encountered prior to the final transition from life can be avoided or at least alleviated."
Abstract The paper discusses the Good Samaritan statutes that assert that a person rendering aid to an individual in good faith will not be held liable in civil court if an injury occurs to the individual as a result of that aid. The paper explains that a primary reason for Good Samaritan laws is to encourage people to assist individuals in distress. The paper further explains that legislators wanted to ensure that these individuals could not be sued if they rendered assistance and an injury occurred as a result. The paper focuses on the Good Samaritan law in the state of Virginia.
Outline:
Introduction
Good Samaritan Laws
The Reason Behind the Creation of Good Samaritan Laws
From the Paper "Good Samaritan laws are designed to protect individuals that go to the aid of others in the case of an accident or an emergency. The Good Samaritan law is not a federal statute; instead the laws are developed and enforced by the states. The Good Samaritan laws differ from state to state but overall the statutes assert that a person rendering aid to an individual in good faith will not be held liable in civil court if an injury occurs to the individual as a result of the rendering of aid. Some states have very thorough laws concerning good Samaritans. One such state is Virginia."
Abstract This paper discusses the claim that something other than his father's tragic murder is the source of Hamlet's distress and the cause for his probing meditations throughout the play. Why does this other experience, awareness, or character affect Hamlet so powerfully? Mostly, it is believed that Hamlet's father's tragic murder is the source of his distress and the cause for his probing meditation throughout the play, but, for my part, that is not the actual reason. No doubt, his father's tragic murder was a strong reason causing his abysmal grief and agony, but, in fact, there were other causes that contributed more toward making Hamlet a totally distressed and anxious man throughout the play.
From the Paper "The women are a major source of Hamlet's grief and despair, and as such, they turn out to be the scapegoats allowing Hamlet to conceal his own resentment and fury at himself for allowing his father to die, and not living up to his own potential. He sees his mother living an outwardly happy life after his father is murdered, and this is a good deal for him to take, as another critic notes."
Abstract The following paper examines how psychotherapy can be used in many different situations, depending on the needs and desires of the patient. The writer examines several different approaches to psychotherapy based on different viewpoints or beliefs of the originators of the therapy. This paper examines the theories and approaches of Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler and Carl Jung. In addition the way in which the ideas of Albert Ellis and others were added to and developed into different approaches to psychotherapy, will also be examined. The writer examines and divides the psychotherapeutic approaches of the above theorists into three main categories- psychodynamic, behavioral and cognitive.
From the Paper "The term psychotherapy encompasses many different forms of therapy. The first modern form of psychotherapy was called the "talking cure". Psychotherapy had its early beginnings when psychologists, priests, etc. attempted to determine the causes of the person's emotional distress by talking, counseling, educating and interpreting dreams and behavior. These practices however fell into disrepute. The many varieties of therapy practiced today still are characterized by their common dependence on verbal exchange between the counselor or therapist and the client. Psychotherapy can be defined as a means of treating psychological or emotional problems such as neurosis or personality disorder through verbal and non-verbal communication."
Abstract The paper states that a correct assessment of moral and situational considerations in nursing largely depends on the nurse? own empathy and plays a critical role in minimizing moral conflicts in the handling of both the patient and the patient's family. The author focuses on patients facing serious or terminal illnesses. The paper states that, even under distressing work conditions, the code of ethics has no room for negative personal emotions that may lead to patient distress.
From the Paper "Nortvedt, too, puts forth the irrefutable argument that a correct assessment of moral and situational considerations in nursing largely depends on the individual's own empathic, emotionally rooted faculties. Nortvedt based his theory on the basis that an individual's feelings, founded on empathy, plays a critical role in minimizing moral conflicts in the handling of both the patient and the patient's family."
Abstract This paper examines how nicotine is a complex drug which can cause many positive effects in the body, such as reducing anxiety and depression and increasing cognition. It also has promising medical uses, such as preventing Alzheimer's disease. It also looks at how nicotine is considered a poison and how it causes high blood pressure, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal distress, and can even cause death by overdose. Furthermore, nicotine is an addictive drug with and its effects on some systems vary from person to person. While withdrawal from nicotine is difficult, the negative effects of nicotine use indicate that it should not be used recreationally.
Outline
Introduction
Nicotine Addiction
Positive Effects of Nicotine
Negative Effects of Nicotine
Nicotine's Effects by System
Withdrawal
Conclusion
From the Paper "While nicotine has a bad reputation, like almost anything else, nicotine is not all bad. There are some promising medical uses for nicotine. For example, nicotine has analgesic properties, which means that it can deliver the absence of pain while retaining the sense of touch. In addition, nicotine is an anti-psychotic drug. In fact, "the correlation between a diagnosis of untreated psychosis and smoking is very high--it appears that somehow the psychotic person 'knows' to self-medicate." In fact, nicotine works on the nervous system in a variety of ways: it lowers anxiety levels, enhances cognition, and causes cerebrovasodilation. Nicotine may also have some neuroprotective properties; "a history smoking seems to be protective against some of the neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease." "
Abstract This paper presents research on sibling care-giving to ailing parents. The paper gives voice to the experiences of both primary and secondary sibling caregivers. The author conducted focus group discussions on inequity in the sibling caregiver relationship, which indicated that the siblings who provide less care are highly sensitized to imbalanced care giving relationships. The author theorizes that siblings who provide less actual care try to redress inequitable care giving by using cognitive strategies to justify their under involvement, whereas those who provide more care use both behavioral and cognitive strategies to redress such inequities. This paper is intended to serve as a first step in identifying some of the rationalizations used by secondary as well as primary caregivers. The paper provides the author's own research, as well as a review of the field's literature. The paper analyzes the findings of her focus groups and then offers suggestions to bring equity into the sibling care giving relationship.
Outline
Introduction
Literature Review
Distress is Observed As A Result of Inequity
Efforts Are Made To Restore Equity As A Result of Distress Forging Actual Equity
Forging Psychological Equity
Methodology
Sample
Analysis
Results
Conclusion
From the Paper "Siblings may move apart both geographically and emotionally during their young adult years. However, the illness of an aging parent can signal a new phase in the relationships among adult siblings who must confront the issue of providing parent care (Connidis, 2001). Unfortunately, many siblings do not assume a fair share of the care giving tasks, and instead, one sibling typically provides more care than the others (Cicirelli, 1992; Suitor & Pillemer, 1996). More-involved siblings may experience frustration and anger toward those who are less involved in care giving (Strawbridge & Wallhagen, 1991), whereas the less-involved siblings may feel guilty about not assuming their fair share of responsibility (Brody, 1990). Both those who are more involved and those who are less involved may feel distressed and take steps to change the situation. In this paper, we examine inequalities in parent care responsibilities and illuminate ways in which siblings seek to redress this imbalance."
