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Biomedical subjects

M Hautzinger

Publications and source records attributed to M Hautzinger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Psychosocial factors and follow-up of depressive disease].

In a one-year follow-up study 187 inpatients were studied using structured and semistructured interviews (Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Münchner Ereignisliste, Social Interview Schedule). In order to predict the course of depression we focused on psychosocial factors and their influence on the course of depression. The severity of depression at discharge and negative life events during the follow-up period could be identified as the main influence factors. Results suggest reciprocal influence between illness and social conditions, especially illness and marital relations. Marital dysfunctioning at follow-up was reported significantly more often by patients with unfavourable outcome, whereas patients who recovered did not differ from the control group in their marital conditions. The results suppose the value of social variables in the prediction of the course of illness. A few implications on these findings for therapeutic process are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The Beck Depression Inventory in clinical practice].

The German version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered to 477 depressed in- and out-patients, 180 patients with chronic pain and 86 matched healthy control subjects. Earlier studies have applied the German BDI successfully, but only on students and other non-clinical samples. The clinical use of the BDI was found to have good internal consistency and validity. Cronbach's alpha reached 0.88, the average item-total correlation was 0.47. With one exception (weight loss), all items showed significant item-total correlation with the overall severity of depression. Correlations with other self-rating scales were 0.72 and 0.74 and with the Hamilton rating scale 0.34 and 0.37. A factor analysis showed a general factor as the most appropriate solution. Age, sex, and diagnostic subgroups (e.g. endogenous depression) had no significant influence on these results. A score of 18 and higher indicates depressive symptoms severe enough to require further clinical consideration. The BDI is also sensitive to changes in symptomatology over one week or one month, and can be used for pre-post comparisons in psychological and/or pharmacological interventions. Altogether, the German BDI proved to be a useful psychometric instrument for measuring the intensity of depressive symptoms in clinical samples.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1991

[Sex differences in depression].

Women are more likely than men to show unipolar depression. A large body of epidemiological studies indicate across cultures these sex differences. Several explanations for these differences are examined and the empirical evidence for these methodological, sociological, biological, and psychological hypotheses is reviewed. Not one of these explanations adequately accounts for the magnitude of the sex differences in depression. In addition, most etiologic theories for depression do not take into account these sex differences. The need for more empirical and longitudinal research is obvious.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Psychological and social anhedonia. Evaluation of a research instrument for measuring a basic psychopathologic disorder].

Scales for the measurement of social and physical anhedonia, the lowered ability to experience pleasure, were investigated. Both scales were devised by Chapman et al. German versions of these two patient populations and two groups of normal subjects. The reliability and scale intercorrelation coefficients were acceptable for the scales overall, but not for the separate subscales. Patients scored higher on both scales than normal subjects, and patients with neurotic depression had higher scores than those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. A significant correlation with a chronic course was identified in the schizophrenic patients. Item analysis and factor analysis did not reveal any significant common dimensions in the 87 items in the original scales. Only 17 items in the physical anhedonia scale and 26 items in the social anhedonia scale met test-theoretical criteria of acceptability for inclusion in a German version of these scales. Discrepancies and congruencies between American and German studies were discussed, as were further criteria that might make it possible to improve research instruments of this kind.

Female↗
PubMed1984

[Age distribution of depressive episodes in a community sample].

The age of onset of a first episode of unipolar depression was investigated in a community sample. The question we wanted to answer was whether the age at which people develop their first episode of unipolar depression is randomly distributed over the adult age span. Our results show that between the age of 15 years of age and 30 years of age most unipolar depressions have their first onset. Beyond the age of 40 only a few episodes start. A life table analysis demonstrates that across the life span most depressive failures appear early in adult life. These findings are discussed in the framework of the few earlier studies about the onset and course of depressive psychosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Determinants of depressive reactions in the aged].

A community sample of older adults was investigated to test some of the current hypothesis about the etiology of depression in the elderly. Multiple regression analysis showed that cognitive disturbances (memory, concentration), previous depressive episodes, and somatic health problems accounted for most of the etiological variance. Other variables, like stressful life events, financial problems, social isolation, alcohol use, age, sex, and previous somatic illnesses are significant but their numerical values are very small. Etiological insignificant were the variables: physical activities, competency in daily living, and support by ones own children.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1982

Distressed couples with and without a depressed partner: an analysis of their verbal interaction.

Depression in married individuals can be seen as the result of a self-perpetuating interpersonal system in which the information processes between marital partners is distorted. In order to study this theoretical formulation, we used a category system to analyze verbal interactions in distressed couples with or without a depressed partner. Our results show that communication in depressed couples is more uneven, negative, asymmetrical and centred on somatic and psychological complaints. The non-depressed partners in these couples perceived themselves as positive, but evaluated their depressed partners negatively. In the non-depressed couples there were no negative asymmetries and their interaction was even, supportive and positive. The results are discussed in an interactional framework based on social learning theory.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Social relationship and depression among the elderly (author's transl)].

The relevance of social relationships to the phenomena of depression among the aged was examined. The study was based on the reduced reinforcement hypothesis which predicts a low rate of social relationships (i.e. the loss of positive reinforcement) for those individuals who are prone to depression. This hypothesis was both tested and confirmed among the residents in homes for the aged in Berlin. The senior citizens who reported a low rate of social activities had higher depression scores than those reporting a higher rate of such social involvement. These results were confirmed for various indicators of social participation. A further variable influencing the rate of depression was identified as the self-rating of personal health. The results are discussed within both a behavioral and a cognitive framework.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1980

Three-year follow-up data in overweight treatment.

Reassessed 3 years after the termination of a weight reduction program the body weight of former participants to control long-term efficiency of behavior-oriented weight reduction programs. Of 31 former participants, 21 could be rechecked. Most of the Ss stabilized their body weight or continued to reduce weight. Only 4Ss regained weight over the 3-year period. On an average, the group of former Ss lost 4.4 kilograms over the follow-up period. The whole reduction (therapy time and follow-up) resulted in 11.3 kilograms. Three results are encouraging, but difficult to discuss because no member of the former control group could be reassessed after 3 years and 10 Ss of the former therapy-groups could not be motivated to renewed collaboration. However, these results support the behavior-oriented approach to weight reduction and give evidence for the stabilizing function of such a therapy.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMed1979

[Depression and learned helplessness in humans].

The learned helplessness hypothesis as a model of human depression is rather unknown in the journals of german language. This article wants to remove that ignorance and make known that experimentalclinical model of depressive behavior. We want further to stimulate empirical and experimental research. In recent advances attributional and cognitive reflections and determinants got important. We introduce these new developments. Depressed persons attribute failures and negative experiences in an internal, global, and stabile way. A problematic cognitive circle develops and depression gets more intensive and chronically. Therapeutical and preventive implications are also discussed.

Depression↗