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Biomedical subjects

J W Worden

Publications and source records attributed to J W Worden.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Children's reactions in the early months after the death of a parent.

The reactions of a nonclinical group of 125 dependent children aged 6-17 years were examined within four months of the death of a parent. Focus was on normative behavior in the domains of the children's reactions to the death itself, their affective experience, their efforts at remaining connected to the deceased, their social network and support system, and changes in their families resulting from the death.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Detachment revisited: the child's reconstruction of a dead parent.

During the year following a parent's death, children in a community-based sample were found to have developed an inner construction of the dead parent. This continued, though altered, relationship appeared to facilitate their coping with the loss and with accompanying changes in their lives. Implications for understanding the bereavement process and for interventions focusing on detachment are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Grieving a loss from AIDS.

The determinants of the nature of an AIDS death and their likely effects on the survivors are identified. Specifically discussed with illustrative case examples are stigma, lack of social support, contagion, untimely death, protracted illness and disfigurement, and neurological complications. Strategies for intervention are suggested.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Bereavement.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1978

Ego strength and psychosocial adaptation to cancer.

This study investigated a patient's ego strength (Es) at the time of an initial cancer diagnosis and its relationship, over time, to mood disturbance, vulnerability, self-reported physical symptom totals, current concerns, coping strategies, and effectiveness in the resolution of problems. The subjects were 163 newly diagnosed male and female cancer patients representing five primary tumor sites. All patients were seen for an initial evaluation, at which time they completed Barron's Es scale, the Profile of Mood States, the Inventory of Current Concerns, and a semistructured interview. Ratings on patient vulnerability, coping strategies, and problem resolutions were made at each of the five follow-ups. Results showed that psychosocial adaptation to cancer was related to a patient's ego strength. Es correlated positively with a patient's use of effective coping strategies. The concept of Es and problems with Es assessment were discussed within a cognitive-ego analytic frame of reference.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The fallacy in postmastectomy depression.

The prominence of postmastectomy depression and loss of self esteem, together with its reputed relation to symbolism or sexual significance of the breasts, has been investigated. Neither could be confirmed. Forty newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were compared with 50 women with other types of cancer. Only 20 per cent of breast patients and 18 per cent of others reported the syndrome of depression, lowered self esteem, increased health concerns, and loss of energy. Peak emotional distress did occur in breast patients about two to three months after mastectomy, a finding which may be influenced by the treatment, as well as by return to regular responsibilities. Few women ascribed psychosocial problems primarily to losing their breast. While the postmastectomy syndrome is not common, the frequency of breast cancer itself means that a substantial number of women may still be affected. But other variables are better predictors or concomitants of emotional distress than are problems about damaged body image.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The existential plight in cancer: significance of the first 100 days.

The Existential Plight in cancer is a poorly recognized but significant period. It starts with the definite diagnosis and continues for two to three months into the illness, approximately 100 days. The chief signs are the predominance of life/death concerns, e-en over worries about health or physical symptoms. One hundred and twenty newly diagnosed cancer patients were interviewed, tested, and followed from about ten days after diagnosis at four to six week intervals until three to four months had elapsed. Plight was analyzed from the viewpoint of coping strategies, resolution of problems, vulnerability, total mood disturbance, and predominant concerns. Patients who had higher emotional distress during this period had many regrets about the past, were pessimistic, came from a multiproblem family, and had marital problems. The widowed or divorced had higher vulnerability, as did patients who anticipated little or no support from significant others. Although vulnerability increased with advanced staging and many symptoms, at the time of diagnosis psychosocial distress crossed diagnostic and prognostic boundaries, enabling investigation to predict within limits those patients who will cope effectively or fail to cope with cancer and its ramifications.

Adaptation, Psychological↗