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PubMed1998

Improved psychological well-being, quality of life, and health practices in moderately overweight women participating in a 12-week structured weight loss program.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of a 12-week weight loss strategy involving increased physical activity, self-selected hypocaloric diet, and group support on psychological well-being, quality of life, and health practices in moderately obese women. METHODS: Eighty women aged 20-49 years weighing between 20-50% above 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables were randomly assigned to a weight loss intervention (6279 kJ/week of physical activity, 33,258-41,462 kJ/week diet and weekly meetings) or served as controls. Subjects were tested pre and post 12-weeks. RESULTS: The intervention group lost significant (p<0.001) body weight (kg) and body fat (%) compared to controls (-6.07+/-4.01 kg vs. 1.31+/-1.28 kg; 36.8%-32.5% vs. 36.2%-36.0%). Intervention subjects vs. controls achieved significant improvements (p<0.001) in body cathexis (X Change 18.6+/-16.7 vs. 0.7+/-8.6) and estimation of ability to achieve physical fitness (X Change 8.1+/-7.1 vs. 0.9+/-5.9). Various quality of life indices also improved (p<0.01) in the intervention group compared to controls (physical function: X Change 13.5.2+/-16.7 vs. 1.4+/-9.5; vitality: X change 21.7+/-17.9 vs. 2.9+/-20.8; mental health: X change 10.4+/-16.0 vs. 2.3+/-10.1). Similarly, physical activity levels also improved significantly (p<0.0001) in the intervention group (4.4+/-2.3 vs. 0.6+/-1.3; on NASA 0-7 scale). CONCLUSIONS: Practical weight loss practices such as increased activity, self-selected hypocaloric diet, and group support are effective for weight loss and yield significant health and psychological benefits in moderately obese females.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The pregnant couple.

Although the husband's reactions to and feelings about his wife's pregnancy are frequently overlooked, his wife is always concerned about his perception of her. She often feels unattractive and is most interested in how satisfied her husband is with her pregnant body. The present study attempts to determine whether the husband or wife viewed the wife's body more positively, whether the husbands and wives could accurately predict each other's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body, and whether husbands' and wives' attitudes about important perinatal issues differed significantly. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance, comparing the husbands' and wives' satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body. The body cathexis scale was used to measure such satisfaction and Osgood's semantic differential measured attitudes toward "pregnancy", "spouse", "unborn baby", and "labor and delivery". Findings show that husbands were more satisfied with their wives' pregnant bodies than the wives themselves were. The wives were not able to predict their husbands' levels of satisfaction, although the men accurately predicted their wives' responses. Husbands also tended to hold more positive attitudes toward perinatal issues.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Inhibition and the control of behavior. From Gall to Freud via Phineas Gage and the frontal lobes.

In his On the Functions of the Brain and Each of Its Parts, Franz Joseph Gall proposed that significant behaviors resulted from certain independent, irreducible, and fundamental faculties or propensities. There seems to be nothing in his system for explaining how two or more faculties interact, especially how one comes to predominate over another, other than the implicit notion that the stronger will be manifested. This peculiarity of Gall's system is consistent with the predominately "excitatory" physiology of his time in which there was no place for an independent inhibitory process. Despite the experimental demonstration of inhibitory phenonema, the sensory-motor physiological theories in the last three quarters of the 19th century were similarly deficient. The lack is seen most clearly in the experimental and clinical literature on frontal lobe function, especially in relation to the kinds of changes seen in the Gage case. The deficiencies of sensory-motor physiology are also to be found in Freud's model of the mental apparatus and in his concept of inhibition via a lateral cathexis. In the paper an attempt is made to trace the historical sequence of these ideas and to make their experimental and theorectical basis explicit.

Austria↗
PubMed1988

Bulimics and restrained eaters: a personality comparison.

This study compared the psychological characteristics of restrained eaters and bulimics. One hundred and thirty six female undergraduates completed the Restraint Scale, the Bulimia Test, the Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale, a borderline personality disorder scale, the Body Cathexis Scale, and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale which yields six measures of self-esteem (physical self, moral-ethical self, personal self, family self, social self, and total self-esteem) and four measures of psychopathology (general maladjustment, psychosis, personality disorder, and neurosis). Stepwise regression analyses were done using restraint and bulimia as dependent measures and the other measures as predictor variables. Both the regression equation for bulimia and the one for restraint included physical self-esteem and narcissism as predictor variables. As a third variable, general maladjustment was entered in the bulimia equation and moral self-esteem in the restraint equation. The results indicate that both bulimics and restrained eaters are dissatisfied with their bodies and have narcissistic qualities. However, bulimics show an element of psychopathology which restrained eaters do not and restrained eaters perceive themselves as morally virtuous, whereas bulimics do not.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effects of tracheostomy on well-being and body-image perceptions.

OBJECTIVE: Quality of life after tracheostomy was addressed by measuring its impact on well being and body image perceptions. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A controlled study in a laryngotracheal clinic of a tertiary referral center. Three groups were studied: 24 cannulated, 19 decannulated, and 20 noncannulated patients. They filled up 3 conventional questionnaires. RESULTS: (1) Satisfaction-with-life scale: reduced scores were detected between cannulated and noncannulated patients. (2) Personality traits: neuroticism and extroversion: no differences were noted. (3) Body cathexis scale: both cannulated and decannulated patients scored less than noncannulated. In tracheostomy-specific issues, decannulated patients scored better than cannulated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced scores after tracheostomy indicate an overall diminished quality of life. These changes correlate with personality traits. Decannulated patients exhibited only slight improvement indicating an incomplete psychosocial recovery. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report on tracheostomy related quality of life in noncancer patients conducted with specific psychological questionnaires.

Body Image↗
PubMed2001

Specific body image pathology in acute schizophrenia.

Despite a wide phenomenological interest in body image pathology in schizophrenia, there has been little systematic empirical research. This study aimed at establishing the specificity of body image pathology in patients with schizophrenia, its changes during acute treatment, and its association with other symptom factors. Cognitive (thoughts/beliefs regarding the body--body concept), affective (body satisfaction--body cathexis) and perceptual (body size estimation--body schema) facets of body image and psychopathology were assessed in in-patients with paranoid schizophrenia (N = 60), schizoaffective disorder (N = 19), depressive disorder (N = 40) and anxiety disorder (N = 28) at admission, and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Body size perception was also assessed in a sample of healthy subjects (N = 44). Patients with paranoid schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder showed under-estimation of lower extremities at each time point. They expressed a higher degree of body concept disturbances at admission, but not at later stages. In a factor analysis, body perception and body concept loaded on distinct factors, which were separate from positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and anxiety. Patients with acute paranoid schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder seem to have a specific and consistent disturbance of body size perception, which might indicate a dysfunction of sensory information processing.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Changes in body image satisfaction during pregnancy: a comparison of high exercising and low exercising women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare ratings of body image satisfaction (BIS) from 6 months prepregnancy to 23-30 weeks' gestation for high exercising and low exercising pregnant women. The authors also aimed to assess and compare expectations of BIS for the post-partum period in high and low exercising women. DESIGN: A partial prospective approach was implemented. SAMPLE: A total of 71 healthy pregnant women (40 high exercisers and 31 low exercisers) participated. METHODS: Participants completed a series of questionnaires at 15-22 weeks' gestation and 23-30 weeks' gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: There were two main outcome measures. At 15-22 weeks' gestation there was an exercise inventory and two versions of the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) (retrospective prepregnancy BIS and current BIS). At 23-30 weeks' gestation there was an exercise inventory and two versions of the BCS (current BIS and projected post-partum BIS). RESULTS: At 15-22 weeks' gestation, high exercisers demonstrated significantly higher levels of BIS compared to low exercisers. There were no other significant differences between groups. Within groups, high exercisers were significantly more satisfied with their bodies at 15-22 weeks' gestation compared to 6 months prepregnancy, and expected to be less satisfied with their bodies at 6 weeks' post-partum than they were during pregnancy. Low exercisers demonstrated no significant changes over time. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that women are able to assimilate the bodily changes of pregnancy without a negative shift in BIS. However, women who exercise during pregnancy may respond more favourably to changes in their bodies at early pregnancy compared to women who remain sedentary.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The depression, anxiety, life satisfaction and affective expression levels in psoriasis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stressful life events on the onset and exacerbation of psoriasis, depression, anxiety, life satisfaction and affective expression levels in psoriasis patients and psychological risk factors related to psoriasis. METHOD: Fifty psoriasis patients were examined dermatologically and psychiatrically and then administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI I-II), Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS), Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) and Body Image Satisfaction Scale (BIS). Symptom severity was measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). RESULTS: Thirty-four patients declared that they had had a psychologically stressful life event in the last 3 months prior to the beginning of the illness. The mean PASI score was 1.75+/-1.65; BDI score 13.58+/-6.11; STAI-I score 39.54+/-9.18, STAI-II score 46.58+/-8.05; LSS score 9.18+/-4.39; CECS score 51.64+/-9.75; BIS score 93.74+/-16.67. CONCLUSION: Psoriasis patients reported significantly higher degrees of depression and more body cathexis problems than controls. In addition, the risk for developing psoriasis increased significantly in patients with moderate and severe depression. We also found a relationship between symptom severity and low affective expression and high BDI scores in this study. These findings suggest that the relationship between psoriasis and psychological problems can be reciprocal and requires further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Consensus paper on the terminological differentiation of various aspect of body experience].

In the past, phenomenological research on subjective body experience was characterised by vaguely defined terminology and methodological shortcomings. The term "body image" has been applied heterogeneously in literature in order to describe a variety of bodily phenomena. In this paper, the German terminology applied to the phenomenology of body experiences is described systematically. In developing a systematic terminology the authors refer to scientific evidence as well as recent reviews, and closely adhere to definitions commonly used in English literature. Different perspectives are utilised, particularly anthropological concepts and theories from developmental and self-psychology. Distinct aspects of body experience are described within the context of a network of external determinants and along a continuum between somatic and mental anchor points. Applying the term "body experience" as umbrella term, different aspects are defined: perceptive (body schema/-perceive), affective (body-cathexis), cognitive-evaluative (body-image, body-ego) and body-consciousness. It is emphasized, that the distinct description of functional levels has to be taken as an approximation of the reality of integrated body experience.

Body Image↗
PubMed1997

[Disturbances of body experience in schizophrenic patients].

Disturbances of body experience in schizophrenia patients occur frequently. They vary phenomenologically and lack exact and distinct definitions. Their theoretical and clinical relevance remains widely unclear. This review summarises the literature on clinically relevant symptoms such as coenaesthesis and body hallucinations, disturbances of pain perception, out-of-body-experiences, dysmorphophobia and self-injuries or self-mutilation. Empirical studies on the concepts of body schema, body concept and body cathexis are reported. Many of these studies have serious methodological shortcomings. The correlation of disturbances of body experience with other psychopathology is considered. Standardised methods for assessing these disturbances are listed. Effects of body-oriented psychotherapy have been suggested, but not empirically tested. Finally, the possible relevance of further research in this field is discussed.

Body Image↗
PubMed1990

New narcissism scales for the California Psychological Inventory and MMPI.

New Narcissism scales for the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were developed on the basis of DSM-III criteria and the writings of Akhtar and Thomson (1982), Kernberg (1975) and Kohut (1971, 1977). Self-report protocols from 152 adults and 198 college students were utilized. Rationally selected preliminary items were retained or discarded according to their alignment with the total score on these items. The resulting 49-item CPI and 39-item MMPI scales correlated .81 with each other, and significantly so at p less than .01 with ratings of narcissism, the Raskin-Hall Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and the MMPI Narcissism scale of Morey, Waugh, and Blashfield. Personological implications of the two new scales were examined in relation to other measures and to observers' adjectival and Q-sort descriptions. Intrascale factor analyses identified five common themes: Cathexis of Power, Risk-Seeking Propensity, Need for Attention, Disesteem for Others, and Impatient Willfulness.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Age differences in adolescent body satisfaction.

The purpose of this study was to explore differences in body satisfaction among female adolescents 14 to 18 years of age. Principal components analysis of a body cathexis measure completed by 751 high school cheerleaders indicated that six factors defined the adolescents' attitudes toward their bodies: satisfaction with the midsection and overall appearance, peripheral body parts, hair and face, mouth, hands, and height. An Age X Body Satisfaction multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted; a Bonferroni adjusted alpha of .007 was established for subsequent ANOVAs. Satisfaction with the mouth increased significantly as age increased, and a similar but nonsignificant trend was found for peripheral body parts. The findings contradict previous research reporting no age differences in the body satisfaction of adolescents. Role demands and physical maturation of the cheerleaders may explain differences based on age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The expression of primary affects in portraits drawn by schizophrenics.

In a psychiatric hospital setting, 15 patients under treatment for schizophrenia and 15 healthy persons were asked to draw (1) a human face, (2) another face that expressed their own feelings at that moment, and (3) afterward the facial expressions of rage, fear, disgust, joy, sadness and shame within a standardized egg-shaped face matrix. Both groups were matched for age, sex and education, and all drawings were coded independently. The schizophrenics drew fewer facial action units, and their facial drawings were more stereotyped than the control group's. Neutral faces without any affective expression were twice as frequent within the experimental group. According to Ekman and Friesen's table of emotion prediction, the accuracy was the same for both groups with the exception of sadness. Only 20% of the action units in the schizophrenics' sadness drawings were accurate compared to 51% in the control group. Based on observations during the drawing process, findings are discussed within the theoretical framework of cathexis defense as an attempt to reduce the impact of the affective stimuli the schizophrenics created themselves.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Psychosocial adjustment to a mastectomy.

Increasing attention is being given to treating the psychosocial as well as the physical needs of mastectomy patients. The present study investigated and endeavored to quantify the psychological, sexual, and social adjustment reactions to a mastectomy, the possible interaction of these reactions, and the role of environmental support in mediating these responses. Forty married and 37 unmarried mastectomy patients completed a battery of tests, including the Body-Cathexis/Self-Cathexis Scale, SCL-90, Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory, Social Adjustment Scale-Self-Report, Perceived Social Support Scale, and a Support Questionnaire. Overall findings indicated that a mastectomy has the potential for affecting psychological, sexual, and social adjustment for at least a limited time post-operatively. Specifically, significant correlations were found between psychological, sexual, and social adjustment. Significant differences were also demonstrated in the married/nonmarried comparison. Additionally, results emphasized the importance of environmental support for postoperative adjustment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Physical and psychological changes with vigorous exercise in sedentary primigravidae.

PURPOSE: The present study examined the effects of exercise on physical and psychological variables in sedentary primigravidae (PRA). METHODS: A total of nine women randomly assigned to an exercise (E) (mean age = 31.3 +/- 3.1 yr) and six subjects randomly assigned to a control (C) group (mean age = 27.8 +/- 3.1 yr) fulfilled all requirements for the study. Exercise included a variety of exercise activities performed to a target heart rate of 150-156 beats x min(-1), three times per week for 15 wk. RESULTS: Results showed no significant differences between E and C groups in physical characteristics initially. A repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant group effect (P < 0.05) and a significant group by time interaction (P = 0.001) with the E group showing a significantly longer amount of time on the PWC150 test than the C group. There was no significant group, time, or group by time interaction for lactate accumulation. This occurred, despite the fact that the E group spent 56% longer on the PWC150 test and the C group spent 30% less time on the same test at the conclusion of the study. Finally, the E group in comparison to the C group showed more favorable improvements in several items related to health and well-being on the Body Cathexis Scale. There were no significant differences between E and C groups in any pregnancy outcome measures. All babies were delivered healthy at term. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a vigorous exercise program can lead to significant improvements in aerobic fitness at similar lactate concentrations compared to a control group and can be well tolerated by low risk sedentary PRA without any deleterious effects occurring to herself or unborn child.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Shadowed reality or the 'Prometheus-complex': analytical psychotherapy after political imprisonment and persecution.

Traumatic experiences of violence like those that were brought about by the communist regime of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) are still present as if they happened yesterday, causing severe disadvantages in everyday life even after all those years. Consequently, in cases of extreme traumatization induced by political imprisonment, persecution and applied psychological methods of disintegration, regressive processes take place which corrode the ego. The breakdown of cathexis, i.e., the failure of empathic connection at the time of the trauma, is the strongest characteristic of severe traumatization. As a result of this destruction for the traumatized there is an inability to keep upright an inner empathic, emotional connection. As we try to grasp, from a Jungian point of view, the psychodynamics of severe traumatization, we can speak of a powerful pathogenous complex, which I call the 'Prometheus-complex'. Gustav Bovensiepen speaks of this complex as a sub-network, a limited fragment of the matrix of all internalized experiences, consisting of internal working models, feelings and patterns of anticipation which interact mutually. The human being, captured in such isolation and paralysis of the mind, can find himself 'in the therapist' on a mental level.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Assessing altered body image.

Like pain, altered body image remains highly personal, abstract and difficult to describe. It has taken nearly a century to define the concept of body image, and to construe a reasonable working definition of altered body image (ABI). During this time, the assessment of body image has focused upon the researcher and his/her needs, rather than the professional nurse, who must arrive at a practical means to understanding patients' distress, and identify possible solutions. In this paper the author suggests parameters for the assessment of ABI in the practical arena, based both upon ongoing asthma care research and the experience of practitioners developing body image counsellor roles. It is suggested that altered body image should be assessed as part of an integrated approach, and that the complicated risk or cathexis scales developed for psychological research have limited use within the clinical setting.

Body Image↗
PubMed1995

Body size perception and dissatisfaction in female subjects of different ages.

The relationships between age and both body size estimation and body dissatisfaction were assessed by Distorting Television Image Method (DTIM) and Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) in a sample of 96 female subjects of ages ranging from 7 to 65 years. We found that there were no significant body distortion differences between different age ranges, although the most accurate perception seemed to occur during adolescence. As far as DTIM assessment of body dissatisfaction was concerned, adolescents showed no significantly greater aesthetic preoccupation than subjects of other age groups. On the other hand, using BCS, body dissatisfaction appeared to increase proportionally with age. The low, although significant, correlations between these two techniques of measuring body dissatisfaction suggest that, in addition to evaluating aesthetic features, BCS also assesses the degree of satisfaction with functional body aspects which are exposed to unavoidable decline with ageing.

Adolescent↗