Abstract
Two lay articles on health psychology are critiqued. While both are informative in the sense that they provide the reader with apparently new concepts and insights that they can easily relate to and apply in their daily lives, they somewhat lack the credibility of an article from more specialized publications. While their insights are readily applicable, they also lack the benefit of alternative explanations of certain facts that are presumed to be solid facts.

From the Paper
"The first article "How Americans Are Living Dangerously" tells about the ways Americans perceive risks and the biopsychological underpinnings of such. The article goes on to relate our risk assessments to the balance between the more developed, rational cortex to the more primitive, emotion-driven amygdala. Concepts that the writer use such as "dread factor," "optimism bias" and "probability neglect" are introduced into the article. This is done in order to further explain our propensity to misinterpret threatening situations, ignore very prominent threats while emphasizing trivial, yet vivid ones and distorting them in the process."

Tags:health, psychology, reaction

Abstract
This paper explains that the long-term healthcare of Iraq veterans and their families is requiring more and more integrative efforts from many health disciplines especially in the area of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related syndromes. Selecting the best model to improve both their mental and physical healthcare, the author states, has created a vigorous debate. The collaborative or integrative models, which recommend merging many health fields and the integration of science, technology and the mental-health profession, are analyzed. A complete anecdotal interview of an Iraq war veteran is also included.

Table of Contents:
What Studies Suggest About Personal vs. Environmental Causes
The Debate over Problems and the Problems of Debate: Barriers to Care and the Collaborative/Integrative Model
One-Size-Fits-All Approaches to Military Healthcare: Population-based and Collaborative Models
Barriers to Treatment
Personal, Familial and Communal Impacts of Deployment
Adolescents Reactions to a Military Oriented Family
Appendix: Interview with Mike Harrel, Army Reserve

From the Paper
"Studies on the first Iraq war in 1991 provide helpful information as to the prevalence and range of disorders suffered by military personnel, particularly those stationed in the war zone. These personnel had higher frequency of impairments both physical and psychological, occurrences of somatic symptoms, general health decline, and "psychosocial functional impairment". Research has shown that upwards of 12%-13% of those veterans within the first few months of ending their service suffer from PTSD."

Tags:perceptions, psychological counseling, syndromes barriers adolescents

Abstract
The paper discusses how components of social psychology provide insight into criminal tendencies, as well as into various aspects of tactical procedures and the interrogation of suspects. The paper then details the importance of the psychology of human stress reactions in the realm of operational tactics and in terms of providing a perspective for understanding the psychological effects of stresses. Finally, the paper looks at how police administrative policies are designed to promote the long-term health and safety of officers working in a stressful environment.

Outline:
Introduction
Social Psychology in Law Enforcement Tactical Training and Criminal Investigations
Understanding Stress Reactions in Law Enforcement

From the Paper
"Prior to the evolution of modern law enforcement, the industry emphasized little beyond the capability of brute force under color of authority to achieve its main objectives of maintaining civil order and crime prevention. By the turn of the 20th century, law enforcement had begun to develop extensive investigational methods that greatly increased the ability to solve past crimes through the use of forensic evidence.
"More recently, law enforcement started recognizing the strong link between its operational objectives and the psychological sciences. Social psychology plays an important role in understanding the criminal mind and its tendencies; and the psychology of human stress reactions is crucial, both in the realm of operational tactics and in terms of providing a perspective for understanding the psychological effects of stresses associated with law enforcement as a career choice on law enforcement agents."

Tags:stress, tactical, training, crimes

Abstract
The paper examines the literature that reveals that reactions to natural disasters are, in general, severe, and in some cases even life-threatening. The paper identifies common reactions and examines the manner in which children in particular react to disasters. The paper notes that people who are already suffering from a preexisting mental disorder may experience some exacerbation of these conditions as well as developing the other symptoms typically associated with such experiences. Finally, the paper points out how the research was consistent in emphasizing the need for further studies concerning how people react to natural disasters.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In fact, PTSD appears to be a more common reaction to natural disasters than previously believed, due in large part to the changing definitions and diagnostic criteria that have been applied to the disorder in recent decades. For example, researchers studied the impact of a natural disaster that occurred in 1972 in Buffalo Creek, West Virginia, when a dam collapsed and flooded the entire community with significant loss of life and property. Not surprisingly, almost everyone in the community suffered psychological consequences, with fully 90 percent of the survivors being symptomatic 2 years following the disaster and more than 33 percent continuing to suffer from disabling psychiatric symptoms even 5 years later (Myers and Wee)."

Tags:PTSD, resilience, mental, health, stress, depression, children

Abstract
The paper looks at the research of McNally on posttraumatic stress disorder and relates that it is the psychological reaction by the individual that will determine if he or she is impacted by posttraumatic stress disorder or not. The paper then argues that because posttraumatic stress disorder impacts some individuals and not others, occurs immediately or after a long period of time and affects those that are directly and indirectly involved in a traumatic event, levels of prevention to address PTSD must be created throughout the nursing community in a comprehensive health program.

From the Paper
"McNally (2003) states that following the Vietnam War the concern for soldiers that suffered from stress related psychological symptoms became evident (p 229). Some of the soldiers that were exhibiting signs of stress trauma did so immediately following their return home, while others experienced a delayed reaction to traumatic events often years later (McNally, 2003, p. 229). McNally (2003) contends that the inclusion of posttraumatic stress disorder in the DSM III initially occurred with the DSM III concentrating on posttraumatic stress disorder as the result of..."

Tags:nursing, ptsd, soldiers

Abstract
This paper explains that vision impairment increases with age; therefore, the eyesight of senior citizens over the age of sixty-five should be tested. The author points out that reflexes, range of motion, overall physical health and potential problems from prescription medication must be evaluated. The paper relates that memory loss, disorientation, confusion and ability to react to unexpected situations difficulties also should be tested.

From the Paper
"As many as four million Americans are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and some of them do not know it (or do not want to admit it). Many refuse to accept the fact that we are getting older, but not being responsible and admitting that it may not be safe to drive a vehicle should not be an option. Testing a person's mental capability would eliminate the possibilities of an absent-minded person at the wheel. Overall, one can see that mental awareness plays a key factor in proving whether senior citizens over the age of sixty-five should be tested in their ability to operate a motor vehicle."

Tags:capability, reaction, vision, perscription, reflexes

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the health concerns of a 29 female of Aboriginal descent. The writer points out that although she is in generally good physical condition, she suffers from macular degeneration, which is an inherited genetic disability that runs in her family. The writer discusses that this disability tends to be most common in seniors, and results in a gradual decline in visual acuity over time, with blindness being the end result. The writer notes that while this has not manifested itself significantly to date, it is the predominant health anxiety in her life and has shaped her plans for the future (i.e., she will not have children as they will inherit the condition).

From the Paper
"The subject of this essay is a friend of the author, Mary (not her real name) - a female of Aboriginal descent - who is 29 years of age and in generally good physical condition. She drinks in moderation, and is a smoker but has been trying to quit for several years. She does have some problems with her weight, which is often in considerable flux, and is concerned about diabetes. She also possesses a disability - macular degeneration - which is an inherited genetic disability that runs in her family."

Tags:health, diet, disease

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth examination of the field of abnormal psychology and the treatment of mental illness. This paper examines the many different components of this field, including the historical treatment and explanation of mental illness, the role of the criminal justice system as a tool used to treat the mentally ill and the benefits and dangers of using labels in mental health. The author also looks at different models that have been applied in this field and presents both the advantages and disadvantages to their use. Also examined in detail is the treatment of children, uses and abuses of medication and child's rights when being treated by a therapist.

The following is a table of contents for the paper:
Historical Treatment and Explanation of Mental Illness
Criminal Justice System as Treatment for Mentally Ill
The Benefits and Dangers of using Labels in Mental Health
What is Concordance?
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Medical Model Approach to Mental Disorders
Inter-Rater Reliability of the DSM-IV
Why has ADHD's prevalence recently increased so dramatically?
Who should have control over the treatment of children?
The right of the mentally ill to have children
What are: Mental Retardation, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, and Learning Disorders?
There is a bibliography, but no footnotes or endnotes.

From the Paper
"The advantages of this view include getting faster results, attaining functionality, and avoiding stigmatization through labeling. The medical model's approach of treating the behavior can often achieve much faster results because it does not spend time searching for an often difficult to find, underlying cause. It treats what is already obvious, the behavior, and thus can attain much faster results. The medical model is also capable of restoring a person to a level of functionality much faster than the non-medical model. By treating the behavior problems, a person can become able to function within their daily lives. The medical model would advocate teaching coping skills rather than trying to cure the unconscious causes of behavior, which they may not even admit exist. Another advantage of the medical model is that it avoids the labeling associated with the traditional diagnoses offered by the DSM-IV. By only treating the behavior, the medical model does not provide a label for the patient and thus avoids the associated stigmatization of labeling."

Tags:adhd, criminal, diagnostics, disorders, dsm, health, hippocrates, illness, justice, labels, medical, mental, model, treatment, children, system, medical, drug

Abstract
This paper discusses the different ways that an individual's life can be either positively or negatively affected by stress. The author defines stress as being both physical and psychological and then breaks down the responses that are associated with these two different factors. According to this paper, the general adaptation syndrome is the means by which the human body deals with stress and this can be broken down into three stages, the alarm stage, the resistance stage and the exhaustion stage. Each of these stages involved has a different impact on a person's health, both physically and emotionally. In addition to examining these negative affects of stress, the author also presents some of the positive affects that stress can have on a person's success in the workplace.

From the Paper
"The effect of stress on social life is similar to that on work life. Prolonged or excessive stress can result in major problems such as marital problems, spousal abuse and psychological conditions such as anorexia, depression and compulsion disorders. At the same time, a certain level of stress and change is required, with a consistent social life that offers no challenge rarely satisfying to an individual. A reasonable level of stress allows a person to grow psychologically. This growth can also occur by major stresses. Major stresses may cause an immediate breakdown in an individual. The coping process will see the individual come to terms with the cause of the stress, with the end result being personal growth."

Tags:social, work, health, psychological, abuse, problems, syndrome, adaptation, stages, alarm, resistance, exhaustion, cope, breakdown, body, reaction, physical, performance, excessive, negative

Abstract
This paper delves into the topic of employee stress in the correctional field. The paper explains that the field of corrections is an inherently stressful environment, and often the individual is charged with mitigating stress on his or her own without the benefit of open acceptance of the problem or functional systems to resolve stress. This frequently results in lost potential that further taxes an already resource limited system, the paper asserts; lost work, absenteeism, and staff shortages increase stress, and unresolved stress in the body can result in a domino effect of ill health, which can also result in institutional ill health. Therefore, the paper concludes, the administration must acknowledge the need to change environmental elements that add to stress, most notably role ambiguity, uncertainty, and fundamental infighting for preferential work.

Outline:
Introduction
Physical, Social and Psychological Stress Reactions
Stress and the Corrections Field
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"One of the most trying aspects of correction that is difficult for staff to resolve and rarely mentioned is that they are also under constant scrutiny, as Fix notes, emergency incidents can often play out into experiences that inmates might opportunistically use, even if they instigate them, to create litigation to gain from and the staff is then required to answer for nearly every action, from every angle."

Tags:prison, guard, jail, environment, abuse