Biomedical subjects

G G Eakes

Publications and source records attributed to G G Eakes.

20 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

A study of the meanings assigned to the term psychosomatic among health professionals.

PROBLEM: Noting that many nurses tend to hold a narrow view of the term "psychosomatic," the authors explored the meanings assigned to the term psychosomatic among registered nurses (N = 189) employed in a variety of settings. METHODS: The Psychosomatic Attitude Scale (PAS) was used to categorize the meaning of psychosomatic as either imaginary, functional, structural, or holistic. FINDINGS: Although nurses theoretically espouse a holistic approach to client care, only 46% of the nurses sampled gave a holistic interpretation of the term psychosomatic. A holistic interpretation was more common among nurses who had an internal health locus of control and who were extroverted and intuitive in their personality profile. Further, nurses with a higher level of education and who practiced in maternity or psychiatric settings were more holistic in their understanding of the term psychosomatic. CONCLUSIONS: The authors advocate further study of how beliefs, values, and personality traits interact to influence the nurse's interpretation of the term "psychosomatic."

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Coping with chronic sorrow.

This qualitative study was designed to examine the presence of chronic sorrow in diverse populations of individuals with chronic or life threatening conditions and to identify strategies for coping with feelings of chronic sorrow. Chronic sorrow was defined as a pervasive sadness that is permanent, periodic, and progressive in nature. The sample comprised 5 infertile couples, 10 individuals with long-term cancer, 10 individuals with multiple sclerosis, 6 individuals with Parkinson's disease, and 4 spouse caregivers. Data were collected through audiotaped face-to-face or telephone interviews using the Burke/NCRCS Chronic Sorrow Questionnaire. The audiotapes were transcribed, entered into a computer analysis program, and collaboratively analyzed by the researchers. The findings indicate that 83% of the subjects experienced chronic sorrow. The four coping strategies that were identified by the subjects as being helpful to their situation were categorized by the researchers as interpersonal, emotional, cognitive, and action.

Adaptation, Psychological↗