Antal Bugán

Relational Intimacy and Sexual Frequency: A Correlation or a Cause? A Clinical Study of Heterosexual Married Women

Researchers and practitioners have noted the importance of using clinical samples in sex therapy research. This study investigated the relationship between perceived levels of marital intimacy, sexual frequency, and sexual functioning among heterosexual married women. A clinical sample of 67 women completed the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI), the Miller Social Intimacy Test (MSI), the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women (SSS-W), the Inclusion of the Other in the Self Scale (IOS), and the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI-6). Data analyses revealed that marital intimacy acted as a predictor in univariate relationships on sexual frequency and sexual functioning but did not act as a mediator on sexual frequency and sexual functioning. Overall, these findings may further the discussion in the treatment of relational intimacy, sexual desire discrepancy, and female sexual dysfunction.

Positive consequences of cancer: exploring relationships among posttraumatic growth, adult attachment, and quality of life.

Aims and Background Cancer can be a life-threatening illness; however, it can also be a source of positive life changes, the posttraumatic growth (PTG) that comes from struggling with this serious illness. This cross-sectional study examines the sociodemographic and cancer-related predictors of PTG following a diagnosis of cancer. In addition, the relationships among adult attachment, health-related quality of life, and PTG are investigated. Measuring adult attachment is important because it can greatly influence the response to a highly distressing event, like facing cancer. Methods and Study Design Immediately before undergoing radiotherapy, 152 patients with breast or prostate cancer (mean = 59.1 years old, SD = 10.7) who had received a positive diagnosis within an average of 3.5 months prior to treatment were tested for measures of PTG, adult attachment, and health-related quality of life. Patients also completed a questionnaire regarding medical and sociodemographic characteristics. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to reveal the significant predictors of PTG total score and PTG subscale scores. Results Younger age was a significant predictor of the PTG total score and New Possibilities subscale score. Subjective severity of cancer was positively associated with the PTG total score and scores on the Appreciation of Life and New Possibilities subscales. Regarding health-related quality of life, analyses indicated that greater social/family well-being significantly predicted greater PTG total score and higher scores on the New Possibilities, Spiritual Change, Appreciation of Life, and Relating to Others subscales. Finally, dismissive attachment style predicted fewer scores on the Personal Strength and Relating to Others subscales. Conclusions These findings suggest that in addition to quality of life and adult attachment, sociodemographic and cancer-related variables may significantly contribute to positive growth.

Body image and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

INTRODUCTION Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrine disease in women. Psychic consequences are significant; patients have difficulties to be pregnant and the disease disturbs the quality of life. Due to complications associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, studies on psychological state and disease perception of patients appear to be important. AIM The aim of the authors was to assess how the disease influences quality of life and changes in body image. METHOD The authors used the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale, Health-Related-Quality-of-Life Questionnaire for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and their own body image questionnaire. 121 women took part in the study. RESULTS There was a negative correlation between illness intrusiveness and quality of life (r = -0.353) and a positive correlation between body image and quality of life (r = 0.614). A significant difference was observed in body satisfaction between patients who had visible body changes and those who had metabolic disturbances (p<0.05). Overweight patients who lost weight with lifestyle changes had significantly better quality of life (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results appear to be convincing in that in addition to gynecological care, psychotherapy could be offered to patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The “HÍVÁS” Club: Social support in post cancer recovery

Abstract The mental and emotional state of the individuals have a strong effect on the course of their illnesses as well as the speed of recovery. Adequate quantity and quality of information and social support are a prerequisite for mental, and often for physical well-being. In our investigation at the DE OEC, we gathered data on the psychological and physical states of 100 breast cancer patients in order to reveal the role of a helping atmosphere in the recovery phase of their illness. The results suggested that patients attending the HIVAS support group could cope with their disease and its side effects better, and experienced a higher level of well-being.

Raynaud-szindrómás betegek életminőségének jellemzői

Absztrakt: Bevezetes: A Raynaud-szindroma az erek epizodikus spasmusaval es ischaemiajaval jaro korkep, amely az erintett teruletek fajdalmat, zsibbadasat es hidegseget okozza. A kronikusan jelentkező, komoly szubjektiv panaszok ellenere az eddigi kutatasokban a korkep eletminőseg szempontu vizsgalata eddig keves hangsulyt kapott. Celkitűzes: A szerzők celul tűztek ki annak vizsgalatat, hogy a betegseg fennallasa hogyan hat az eletminősegre. Modszer: Felig strukturalt interjukat keszitettunk es elemeztunk ki 28, Raynaud-szindromaval diagnosztizalt beteg bevonasaval. Eredmenyek: Az eletminőseg csaknem osszes terulete erintett. A betegseg szomatikus tunetei jelentős szenvedest okoznak, a vegtagok funkcioromlasaval jarnak, gyakori megelőző intezkedeseket igenyelnek, tovabba hatassal vannak a munkavegzesre, kozlekedesre es az alvasra is. Az erzelmi es a kognitiv terheltseg es a szemelykozi kapcsolatok negativ valtozasa is kimutathato volt. Kovetkeztetes: A vizsgalat megmutatta, hogy a betegseg jelentős teherk...

Patient Attitudes Toward Transplantation as Preferred Treatment Modality in Different Stages of Renal Disease

OBJECTIVE Kidney transplantation is generally considered to be the best treatment for end-stage renal disease. Not every patient can be operated, but many of suitable patients refuse this possibility. We aimed to explore the attitudes of patients with chronic kidney disease towards renal replacement therapies to recognize motives, thoughts, and feelings concerning accepting or refusing the treatment. We studied the attitudes towards the illness and the treatment, the appearance of depression, and the disease burden during different stages of the disease. METHODS For this study we implemented a questionnaire that we developed (which has been described in an earlier publication of this journal) with 99 pre-dialysis patients, 99 dialysis patients, and 87 transplantation patients. We completed the attitude questionnaire designed by our team to include disease burden and depression questionnaires. RESULTS We used discriminant analysis to describe different stages of the disease. There was a significant difference in the following factors between the three patient groups: accepting the new kidney, lack of confidence in transplantation therapy, fear of surgery, accepting self-responsibility in recovery, dependency on the transplanted kidney, confidence in recovery, subjective burden of dialysis, and denial of personal responsibility in maintaining the transplanted kidney. Significant differences were also detected in these three groups regarding the level of depression and disease burden: we measured the highest value among the dialysis patients, and the lowest value among the pre-dialysis patients. Comparing patients accepting and refusing transplantation, we found a correlation between the refusal of transplantation and the attitudes towards the illness and treatment. CONCLUSIONS Most patients remain unmotivated to change treatment modality and refuse transplantation. Misbelief about transplantation shows a correlation with the motive of refusal. Dissemination of information may facilitate a change in the situation.