Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J G Ingham

Publications and source records attributed to J G Ingham.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

The concept of prevalence applied to psychiatric disorders and symptoms.

Statements about prevalence, of the type 'x% of the general population are mentally ill', imply a concept of prevalence that is difficult to define operationally. It requires the specification of a cut-off point, a level of severity from which the presence of an illness can be inferred, and this is largely arbitrary. A more generally useful type of statement compares the frequency distribution of severity for declared cases with that for the rest of the population. This avoids the need for a defined cut-off point. We are still left with the problem of defining a dimension of severity and a declared case, but these should follow easily from a clear statement of the purpose of any specific inquiry. The argument is illustrated from the results of a study of self-referrals to general practitioners.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Life events and the onset of affective disorder. A longitudinal general population study.

This paper examines the relationship between life events (ascertained by the Bedford College method) and the onset of affective disorder (defined according to the RDC scheme) in a longitudinal general population survey of women. Fall-off in the reporting of minor events is examined and discussed. Event rates, proportions of women challenged by events, and measures of the risk of RDC disorder associated with the experience of particular events are reported. The results based upon data from an initial interview were largely consistent with those based upon follow-up data, and underpinned earlier work. For both data sets, major difficulties were associated with illness onset. Severe dependent events showed stronger effects than severe independent events but both categories were rare. New substantive findings arising from short-term general population event research are unlikely.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Life events and other factors implicated in onset and in remission of psychiatric illness in women.

Life stressors for 574 Edinburgh women were assessed for uncertain outcome, impaired relationships and other characteristics. Thirteen weeks were covered either with no illness present or before a transient episode of Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC)-defined anxiety/depression (duration less than 13 weeks) or before a longer episode or before illness remission or during continuing illness. Exploratory analysis suggested that stressors of uncertain outcome preceded longer illness onset. Impaired relationships went with continuing illness. Stressors with neither of these, and with fewer than two other characteristics, preceded transient illness. Remaining stressors predicted remission, as did ending of long-term difficulties. Self-esteem, support, coping, previous illness and marital status also discriminated between the groups.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-esteem, life stress and psychiatric disorder.

Using a special subsample from a survey of women in Edinburgh investigations were carried out into (a) which types of life event are associated with lowered self-esteem; (b) the role of life events and self-esteem in onset of psychiatric disorder; and (c) the additional significance of prior psychiatric consultation in determining onset. Stressors involving impaired relationships with others were the only ones clearly associated with lowered self-esteem. Minor psychiatric illness was predicted by stress of uncertain outcome, and, to a lesser extent, by impaired relationship stress. Onset of major depression was best predicted by an interaction between total stress experienced and low self-esteem. There was evidence that such onset involves a pre-existing low level of self-esteem on which life stress impinges, rather than life stress generating low self-esteem and then onset. A small group of subjects characterised by low self-esteem, prior psychiatric consultation and maladaptive coping seemed to be fluctuating in and out of psychiatric illness irrespective of stress.

Adjustment Disorders↗