Compared the effectiveness of booster treatments and regular contact for enhancing maintenance in headache patients previously treated by biofeedback and relaxation. Diary records and patient interviews showed no major differences between the conditions, suggesting that regular contact may be an efficient procedure for maintaining treatment gains.…

Examined Shipley-Hartford Scale effectiveness in predicting Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Full Scale intelligence quotients (IQ) in hospital patients (N=156). Analyses revealed overestimation of below average Full Scale IQs, underestimation of above average IQs. Advanced age was associated with low conceptual quotients, suggesting that…

Followed eight male smokers with chronic pulmonary or cardiac disease through a smoking cessation program of gradual nicotine withdrawal, self-management, and relapse prevention. At one year, half remained abstinent, while relapsers smoked substantially less than before treatment. Reductions in carbon monoxide and thiocyanate levels were…

The Department of Teaching Hospitals of the Association of American Medical Colleges' 13th annual survey of financial and general operating data for the university-owned members of the Council of Teaching Hospitals is discussed. Nearly two-thirds of the hospitals reported they received some state appropriations. (MLW)

Examined the spiritual and religious concerns of 114 hospitalized adolescents using the Spiritual and Religous Concerns questionnaire. Results showed the majority believed in God, and half the seriously ill patients experienced a marked change in spiritual concerns. Sex, race, religion, and type of school were other variables. (BH)

Chronic psychiatric patients (N=7) who were enrolled in a partial-hospitalization program and had difficulty solving interpersonal problems received group skills training. Multiple-baseline design demonstrated training effectiveness through improved problem solving on trained situations and through skill generalization to novel, untrained…

Administered two scales for the evaluation of depression to two groups of medical inpatients: adults (N=201) and geriatric subjects (N=178). Results confirmed a high presence of depressive symptoms among patients with medical problems, particularly among geriatric subjects. Factors most predictive of depressive symptoms are identified. (JAC)

Stressed female students with gynecological problems showed reductions in anxiety, stress, and gynecological symptoms following anxiety management training. A two-year follow-up study showed continued change. (Author)

Presents goals, types of groups, and unique issues and considerations related to group counseling with nursing home residents. (Author)

Interviewed 140 elderly medical patients and found that the measured 22 percent prevalence of mental impairment was not reflected in the patients' utilization of mental health services or in their presenting complaints to their physicians. Subsequent interviews with their physicians revealed inadequate recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of…

Varied the reported age of patients (N=36) presented to clinicians for diagnosis. Results indicated the presence of a bias, with a greater attributon of organic symptoms reflective of senile dementia and fewer judgments of depression when a patient is described as elderly as opposed to middle-aged. (LLL)

Examined the relationship of helplessness, locus of control, depression, and voluntary participation in therapy. Results confirmed the relationship between helplessness, locus of control, and depression and suggested patients with greater degrees of helplessness were less likely to take an active role in treatment. (JAC)

Compared women who had sexual contact with their therapists with women who had sexual contact with other health care practitioners and with women who have not had sexual contact with their therapists. Participants who had sexual contact revealed greater mistrust of and anger toward men and therapists. (BH)

Investigated the meanings of work for rehabilitation clients with schizophrenic diagnoses, depressive diagnoses, or physical disabilities--and a control group of nondisabled participants (Total N=160). Results showed that schizophrenic clients rated social mastery as the least important factor, and those with physical disabilities rated this…

Examines between- and within-programs variations in treatment obtained by 412 depressed patients in one of six different programs. Between-programs differences remained significant after controlling for severity of depressive symptoms and the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, but there was little evidence of clinician bias. (JAC)