Biomedical subjects

Gerhard Schüssler

Publications and source records attributed to Gerhard Schüssler.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

[Coping and appraisal in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients].

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: In a cognitive framework appraisal and coping are seen as major factors in the adaptation of chronic pain patients. This study evaluates the differences between rheumatoid arthritis (N = 70) and fibromyalgia (N = 74) outpatients in regard to coping and appraisal, and the relationship between appraisal, coping and adaptation in general. RESULTS: In rheumatoid arthritis patients acceptance of illness and cognitive-reappraising coping prevails. In fibromyalgia patients, however, passive, emotion-focused coping and the judgement of illness as a "threat" or "punishment" (Lipowsky) was pronounced. A connection between individual appraisal of the illness and means of coping was observed. There was also a strong relationship between coping and adaptation, with one third of the variance of the mood variables explained by appraisal and coping. The presence of a psychic disorders played only a minor role. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed understanding of the relationship between appraisal, coping, and adaptation may contribute to improved treatment concepts in pain patients. One aim of psychotherapy in chronic pain patients should be to reduce passive, emotion-focused coping and to change maladaptative concepts of illness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

[EDITORIAL].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Editorial↗

PubMed2002

[A German version of the measure of parental style (MOPS)].

The "Measure of Parental Style" (MOPS, Parker et al., 1997) represents an internationally accepted self-assessment instrument. A German translation of the questionnaire, the "Fragebogen dysfunktionaler elterlicher Beziehungsstile"(FDEB), is presented and its construct properties are evaluated. In addition, characteristic parental styles in different diagnostic groups are assessed. Psychometric testing was performed in a sample of 108 psychotherapeutic outpatients and 109 students. Parental styles of different diagnostic subgroups were compared to the whole sample. Using discriminant analysis the predictive value of parental style for psychiatric diagnoses was evaluated. The internal consistency of the instrument and its subscales revealed to be satisfactory. The three-factor solution of the English version explaining 55% of variance could be replicated: "Indifference", "over-control", and "abuse". Compared to students patients scored significantly higher on all three factors. Within different diagnostic groups characteristic parental styles could be identified that correctly described 82.2% of psychiatric diagnoses. We conclude that the German version of the MOPS represents a useful and reliable screening and research instrument for the assessment of parental styles.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[The current conception of the unconscious - empirical results of neurobiology, cognitive sciences, social psychology and emotion research].

The influence of the unconscious on psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy: a comprehensive concept of unconscious processes based on empirical evidence. The theory of the Unconscious constitutes the basis of psychoanalysis and of psychodynamic therapy. The traditional description of the Unconscious as given by Freud is of historical significance and not only gained widespread acceptance but also attracted much criticism. The most important findings of neurobiology, the cognitive sciences, social psychology and emotion research in relation to the Unconscious are compared with this traditional definition. Empirical observations on defence mechanisms are of particular interest in this context. A comprehensive concept of unconscious processes is revealed: the fundamental process of brain function is unconscious. Parts of the symbolic-declarative and emotional-procedural processing by the brain are permanently unconscious. Other parts of these processing procedures are conscious or can be brought to the conscious or alternatively, can also be excluded from the conscious. Unconscious processes exert decisive influence on experience and behaviour; for this reason, every form of psychotherapy should take into account such unconscious processes.

Brain↗

PubMed1999

[Biographic risk factors and mental disorders in fibromyalgia]

Patients with fibromyalgia are compared with rheumatoid arthritis and coxarthrosis patients respecting biographic risk factors and comorbidity (mental disorders). As expected, in fibromyalgia there are higher biographic risk factors and more mental disorders than in the other groups. Moreover, there is a positive relation between mental disorders and biographic risk factors in fibromyalgia. Therefore patients with fibromyalgia are no uniform group, but can be divided in at least two subgroups: One subgroup with high biographic risk factors and mental disorders and another subgroup without increased biographic risk factors and without comorbidity (mental disorders). Consequences for psychosomatic theories are discussed.

Journal Article↗