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F M Baker

Publications and source records attributed to F M Baker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Screening African-American elderly for the presence of depressive symptoms: a preliminary investigation.

Several authors have reported that older African-Americans with multiple medical problems and decreased activities of daily living are at an increased risk of reporting symptoms of depression. African-Americans were more likely to report symptoms of anger, irritability, denial of illness, and to spontaneously report symptoms that did not reflect a change in mood, but rather forbearance of a difficult time or somatic complaints. This paper describes the results of a study to assess the presence of depressive symptoms in older African-American community residents. A new instrument, the Baker Belief Scale, is compared with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and the association of medical illnesses, social network, and level of physical function in activities of daily living (ADL). Ninety-six African-American men and women, aged 60 years or older, with equal representation from urban and rural counties in western Tennessee comprised the sample. The sample was stratified, in each of the two counties, into three age categories; 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years and older. A screening battery consisting of the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, the CES-D, the Lubben Social Network Scale, and the Katz ADL were administered to the sample. Current medical illnesses were recorded with demographic data. There was a significant association between the CES-D score and the BBS score for those who screened positive for symptoms of depression. In addition there was a significant relationship between CES-D score and specific medical illnesses, social network, physical function in ADL, and residence (urban vs. rural). Residents who screened positive (N = 19) for depressive symptomatology with CES-D scores of 16 or higher exhibited a higher frequency of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and circulatory problems than those who tested negative (N = 77). More urban residents (N = 13) than rural residents (N = 6) screened positive for symptoms of depression. Approximately 21% (N = 20) of the 96 respondents had scores of 20 or less on the Lubben Social Network Scale, suggesting a group of "at risk" for social isolation.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1996

An overview of depression in the elderly: a US perspective.

This article is organized in seven sections. The first section presents a review of the existing epidemiologic data on the prevalence of depressive illness in different, elderly US populations (community residents versus the medically ill). Section two describes the US elderly population. Section three describes three presentations of depression in the elderly. Section four addresses the outcome of depressive disorder untreated or partially treated. In section five the data on suicide in the elderly is reviewed. An overview of specific considerations for the psychopharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatment of depression is presented in section six. Section seven provides a summary of the major points of the article.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

A pilot study of dementia in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The initiation of collaborative research involving investigators in developing and developed nations is a complex task. Four key areas to consider in collaborative, international research studies are discussed: administrative concerns, resources, understanding the research design, and problem solving. An example of a successful, international collaborative study of dementia in Ibadan, Nigeria is presented. Factors contributing to the successful outcome are detailed. The importance of the four key areas in the effective implementation of a research project are illustrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Mental health issues in elderly African Americans.

In order to provide a context for a discussion of the mental health issues of older African Americans, a brief overview of the demographic characteristics and psychosocial characteristics of African Americans aged 65 and older is presented. After a concise summary of the medical problems present in older African Americans, specific concerns regarding diagnostic bias are reviewed. Existing epidemiologic data on the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and disorders are summarized. Within this context, specific mental health issues affecting older African Americans is presented.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1995

Misdiagnosis among older psychiatric patients.

The first 13 consecutive referrals to a newly established Geriatric Psychiatry Research Division (GPRD) at a community mental health center (CMHC) in Baltimore, Maryland, were evaluated with the structured clinical interview (SCID) from the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Revised (DSM-III-R). Although the referring primary diagnoses were confirmed in 54% of patients (7 of 13), an average of three new diagnoses were made for each patient that had not been considered. Of the remaining six patients, four (67%) patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were found to have a diagnosis of affective disorder based on the SCID interview (two patients with bipolar disorder, depressed and two patients with schizoaffective disorder, depressed). In the remaining two (33%) patients, one patient had a diagnosis of mixed dementia due to longstanding alcohol abuse with a superimposed primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The remaining patient's initial diagnosis of dementia associated with alcoholism was changed to bipolar disorder, depressed. These results provide support for the hypothesis that older persons with psychiatric illness may have been misdiagnosed at a time of less diagnostic rigor.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Competency evaluations in a VA hospital. A 10-year perspective.

The authors reviewed all 228 competency evaluations performed at the Baltimore VA Medical Center during a 10-year period. Between 1980 and 1984 and 1985 and 1989, the rate of inpatients who had competency evaluations increased from 0.20% to 0.42%, and the average number of competency evaluations per year doubled from 12 to 24.6. The percentage of all psychiatric consultations which were for competency evaluation nearly doubled from 5% to 9.4%. The rate of competency evaluations was slightly but not significantly higher for patients over age 65 than the rate for younger patients (0.44% vs. 0.33%). However, older patients were significantly more likely to be judged incompetent.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Psychiatric treatment of older African Americans.

Older black Americans are increasingly seen in mental health settings, although prevalence rates of many psychiatric disorders in this group are unknown because black Americans are underrepresented in epidemiologic studies. Improved treatment of this population requires an understanding of the biopsychosocial context of their lives, including historic events that have affected them and the influence of African values emphasizing community and family. Risk factors for mental disorders among older black Americans include multiple medical problems and resulting polypharmacy as well as stressors such as living in high-crime areas. The author suggests using a reminiscence approach in initial interviews to learn the elder's personal history and to identify his or her coping capacities and important relationships and resources. Group psychotherapy can be effective with other elderly persons. Pharmacologic interventions should be used cautiously.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1994

A research agenda for the mental health concerns of African Americans.

An analysis of the life cycle of African Americans is presented. Biologic and psychosocial factors that predispose to the development of medical and psychiatric disorders are discussed. Factors affecting the presentation and diagnosis of psychiatric disorders are reviewed. Specific areas of research emerging from the existing and absent data are detailed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Geriatric psychopathology: an American perspective on a selected agenda for research.

The authors present an overview of research questions related to psychopathology in elderly patients. Specific research questions in the areas of organic mental disorders, affective disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance abuse are presented. Clinical investigators are encouraged to pursue some of these specific questions in order to facilitate diagnosis and to develop specific effective treatment strategies for psychopathology in older patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Black, middle-class women in San Antonio, Texas.

Fifty-six African-American women between the ages of 20 and 84 who had completed a minimum of 4 years of college and were employed in professional positions (eg, teacher, technician, lawyer, and physician) were identified in San Antonio, Texas. Specific information concerning marital status, income, home ownership, family of origin, presence of professional siblings, husbands' characteristics, medical and psychiatric health, and significant influences in their lives were obtained by a semistructured interview. This article summarizes the results of these interviews and presents the techniques used to identify this sample of African-American, middle-class women.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Relatives' recall of a psychiatric interview.

One hundred seventeen patients from the Burke Rehabilitation Center (White Plains, NY) with clinically diagnosed dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) were identified for a case-control study (CCS) designed to assess risk factors for DAT. A psychiatric evaluation was part of the Burke dementia workup. The study sample was composed of 96 relatives who (a) were present with the patient at the psychiatric evaluation and (b) were interviewed for the CCS. The data for this study were the relatives' responses to the question "Did your relative (patient with DAT) ever see a psychiatrist?" The recall of relatives, regardless of relationship category (spouse, adult children, and others) did not exceed the 50% recall predicted by chance. When the age of the relative and length of time between the two interviews were considered, they did not modify these results.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A contrast: geriatric depression versus depression in younger age groups.

A major depressive illness can occur at any stage of the life cycle. This article discusses the various presentations of depressive illness in older persons and contrasts these disorders with other age groups. A mnemonic based on the word "depression" provides a summary of several causes of depressive illness. The discussion concludes with a few comments on the diagnosis and screening for depression.

Adolescent↗