A multifactorial model of phases in the development and progress of physical illness is described, and the model's utility is illustrated. The model consists of antecedent and concurrent conditions and consequences related to physical, psychological, and social factors and their interaction. The application of the model is illustrated by a…

This non-annotated bibliography focuses upon death and dying. Emphasis is placed upon the concerns and approaches of medical personnel in dealing with death. (JLL)

A report is given of research conducted to determine the relationship between the response of the human body to stress and the incidence of physical diseases. Seven areas of the nervous system were tested in the study: cardiovascular, electrodermal, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, piloerectors, pupilomaetric, and respiratory. The results of the…

A 17-year-old boy presented for treatment with chronic diarrhea that had proven refractory to medical treatment for a period of five years. The problem was sufficiently debilitating to cause highly erratic school attendance. Anamnesis revealed no precipitating event, though it was discovered that the patient's mother was a moderately compensated,…

It is indicated that the workshop was prompted by uneasiness among nurses about the impact of what they were doing (including the detection of symptoms as psychosomatic or real) by their requests for aid in improving their interviewing and counseling skills. The report states that the emphasis was on modern concepts in psychiatry and psychiatric…

Presents several research studies which investigate how emotional and psychological factors relate to the risk of getting cancer. The need for bringing psychologists, psychotherapists, biochemists and other specialists in team efforts to investigate psychosomatic aspects of cancer is recommended. (HM)

Preventive treatment is a health model based on the concept that relationships exist between health and social and interpersonal environment, and that using this knowledge (with an understanding of disease etiology and psychophysiological functioning) precursors to illness may be treated even before the stage of actual illness symptoms arises.…

A review of the literature on encopresis shows strong emphasis on father-absence as a dominant factor. Other characteristics of patients and their families are listed, and theoretical considerations discussed. (MS)

Assigned 50 healthy undergraduates the task of writing about either traumatic experiences or superficial topics for four consecutive days. Examination of cellular-immune system function and health center visits suggests that confronting traumatic experiences was physically beneficial. Discusses implications of such active confrontation of…

Children and adolescents with recurrent somatic complaints represent some of the most complex school health-related problems encountered by school officials and physicians. These complaints account for missed days and are often the primary reason for prolonged absences. A collaborative approach involving a school psychologist and physician team is…

This study examined how self-described "wounded school leaders" were being wounded by leadership itself. It grew out of three earlier studies that investigated the leadership crisis in U.S. schools, focusing on the similarities between the stories leaders were telling about crises in practice and those of individuals confronting medical…

Patients suffering from factitious illness present complex problems for themselves and hospital personnel. This article describes a multidisciplinary intervention through confrontation approach that has proved to be successful with such patients. (Author)

Results indicated among children in low social competence at initial clinic visit, higher levels of subsequent negative life events predicted higher levels of somatic complaints at follow-up. Life events and somatic complaints were also related to characteristics exhibited by patient's parents. (53 references) (BF)

Participants responded to a series of psychological, exposure and health questionnaires. Results suggest that effects of traumatic exposure on perceived health are partially mediated by increases in PTSD after exposure, supporting studies on the effects of stress on health. (BF)