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Biomedical subjects

R Lansdown

Publications and source records attributed to R Lansdown.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A study of the psychological effects of facial deformity in children.

Anecdotal reports of the psychological effects of facial deformity suggest that the area around the mouth is of crucial importance. In the first of two studies, children in London and Amsterdam ranked drawings of facially deformed children; their ordering was consistent, with a hare lip or protruding teeth being the most commonly rejected. A second study followed up 24 children aged about 8 years who had had a hare lip repair. The results did not confirm the hypothesis that such children differ from their non-handicapped peers in overt behavior in school.

Attitude↗

The development of the concept of death in children aged 5-9 years.

105 children aged between 5 and 9 years were questioned on their concept of death following the reading of a story about an old lady who died. The results were analysed in terms of the components of the concept and it was shown that almost all had fully developed notions by the age of 8 or 9 years. Approximately 60% of the 5-year-olds had a complete or almost complete concept. The results are discussed in the light of clinical practice.

Attitude to Death↗

Practical and psychological problems for parents of children with epidermolysis bullosa.

Parents of children with epidermolysis bullosa were sent a questionnaire seeking information on problems associated with the condition; 45% replied and their responses are discussed in terms of reported needs. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is the name given to a group of distinct, inherited disorders which are manifest as an exceptional liability of the skin to blister and ulcerate following mechanical trauma. There are three principal groups: EB simplex, dystrophic EB and junctional EB. All forms of EB simplex are inherited as autosomal dominant traits. These diseases are generally relatively mild but some patients are sufficiently disabled to prevent their walking more than 200 yards at a time. Dystrophic EB is of variable severity; not unknown are problems such as fusion of the fingers, fixation of the tongue, shrinkage of the mouth and oesophageal stenosis. When severe this is an exceptionally disabling disorder associated with a significant reduction in life expectancy. Junctional EB is always serious and death within the first few years of life, often within the first few weeks, is usual. DEBRA, the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association, is a self-help group of sufferers and their families. A questionnaire aimed at eliciting problems associated with this condition was sent to 138 members and their replies form the basis of this paper.

Adolescent↗

Concepts of death, illness and isolation found in children with leukaemia.

In 1985 Lansdown and Benjamin published a study on the development of the concept of death in healthy children. The study reported here uses the same methodology but reports on the concepts of death of 21 children with leukaemia between 4 and 9 years of age. The leukaemic children's conceptual development was not overall significantly different from that of the healthy children although there were some differences in content. Two further areas were studied. The first was children's ideas about the causes of illness, in which the widely postulated notion of immanent justice was not found to be common. The second was an analysis of drawings of children's families which suggested that sick children perceive themselves to be isolated in hospital.

Attitude to Death↗

The development of a hypnotherapy service for children.

In September 1988, a Pain and Symptom Management Team was set up to offer hypnotherapy as part of the treatment of pain, discomfort and anxiety. Children are taught self-hypnotherapy skills. Of the first 51 cases referred, 36 were taken on for hypnotherapy and after two to three sessions 29 were rated as improved or much improved. An account is given of the approach of the team and of some of the possible pitfalls.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Facial deformity in childhood: severity and psychological adjustment.

This study examines the hypothesis that severe facial deformities may be less of a psychological burden than those that are more mild. Twenty-seven experimental children and 12 controls, plus 26 siblings of the experimental group and 12 control siblings, were assessed using tests of intelligence, self-concept and ratings of behaviour. The results provided some support for the hypothesis being considered.

Child↗