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Biomedical subjects

A R Felthous

Publications and source records attributed to A R Felthous.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Psychosocial dynamics of child abuse.

The problem of child abuse warrants steadfast social concern and attentive study by social scientists, forensic scientists, and mental health professionals. What moves adults to physically abuse children entrusted to their care? In the present inquiry, an overview of a substantial body of the literature is organized by exploring three dimensions of abuse: the parental relationship, the psychopathology of abusive parents, and the psychodynamics of motivation. None of these dimensions taken alone provides a satisfactory understanding of the phenomenon of abuse. An integrative model is offered wherein child abuse is regarded as a function of three general factors: stresses on the parent, ego weaknesses of the parent, and vectors that direct the parent's violent impulses against the child.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

Crisis intervention in interpartner abuse.

Most of the literature on partner abuse deals with the pattern wherein one member, the aggressor, repeatedly assaults the other, the victim. In some cases of partner abuse, however, both partners are perpetrators and victims of reciprocal violence. These cases can present as the former, more familiar pattern, if one partner functions as the complainant. To intervene effectively, the professional should identify interpartner abuse at once. Barriers to intervention, on the part of both care providers and abusive partners, should be appreciated. The twofold challenge for the helping professional is to interrupt violence and engage partners in appropriate treatment or counseling. Techniques for accomplishing this are presented. Initial separation of partners is advised. Some important psychological issues can be profitably addressed during intervention. Ironically and simply, intervention should help abusive partners become acquainted with one another.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The value of exercise on a psychiatric hospital unit.

A number of reports in the literature have shown the value of exercise programs in reducing depression among psychiatric patients. Most of these papers have dealt with outpatients; this paper recounts a study of hospitalized inpatients who elected to participate in a six-week exercise program. After six weeks, participants showed significant decreases in their levels of reported depression, and nonsignificant trends toward a decrease in anxiety and an increase in their sense of accomplishment. The program did not ameliorate many disturbing feelings such as anger and fear, nor did it elicit a wide range of positive affects such as cooperation and feelings of acceptance. However, the authors conclude that a well-designed exercise program has enough potential benefit to make it a regular part of a psychiatric inpatient program.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Aggression against cats, dogs and people.

In order to investigate the nature of animal cruelty in childhood two groups of male psychiatric patients were compared: an Animal Cruelty Group and an Assaultive Group. Most in both groups showed other signs of aggression dyscontrol in childhood. Most in both groups were subjected to parental brutality. Emotional or physical unavailability of a father figure may be a common etiologic factor in childhood cruelty to animals. This may compare with the absence of a father figure noted by several investigators in boys who set fires.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Enuresis, firesetting, and cruelty to animals: the significance of two thirds of this triad.

The full childhood triad of enuresis, firesetting, and cruelty to animals is seldom reported by patients in acute care psychiatric facilities. Two of the three elements have been reported with greater frequency and constitute useful diagnostic information. Literature on the triad has been reviewed and data from three studies have been presented. The authors concluded that a history of two thirds of the triad is significantly associated with aggressive behaviours directed against people.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Approaching a comparative typology of assaultive female offenders.

This two-part study explores the potential for assaultive behavior in females. The first part compares assaultive and nonassaultive female offenders for the presence of specific historical variables, and finds several significant differences. In the second part, the total female offender sample is compared with a male offender sample for presence of the same variables. The nearly equal incidence of several variables in both samples, such as persistent enuresis and firesetting, suggests a need for reassessment of some traditional theoretical formulations.

Adolescent↗