Carol Miller

Assisting the psychosocial problems of cancer patients: A review of current research

Abstract The discovery that one has cancer is typically viewed by the individual who makes such a discovery as a stressful traumatic event. It is likely that all individuals who are diagnosed as having cancer have some sociological and psychological problems in coping with the situation. This article brings together current research concerned with (1) the nature of the reactions and the defense mechanisms employed by cancer patients in coping with the stress produced by the diagnosis, and (2) the available successful methods for assisting cancer patients with their psychosocial problems.

Personality factors of the hypertensive patient.

Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, U.S.A. In this study the authors attempt to describe the patterns of personality attributes of those people with hypertension. Within this framework, a group of heterogeneous patients were compared with a group of apparently normal subjects and a standardized population given by Cattell and Eber (1962). The hypertensive patients were examined to describe personality factor differences between the control groups based on sex, age and race. Diagnostic categories within the hypertensive group itself were examined for differences in their personality traits. Even though hypertensive patients may have symptoms related to their disease or its treatment, this socio-psychological study broadens the traditional approach of the biochemical and symptomatic versions of hypertension. The 16 Personality Factor test (16PF) was used in conducting the research on hypertensive patients after they were diagnosed. There has been much confustion in the study of hypertension, involving many factors for consideration in the etiology of this disease. Various factors such as age, diet, race, sex, disease, obesity and heredity have been reported to be associated with high blood pressure. Researchers have explored personality traits for inclusion in this list of associated factors. Psychoanalytic and experimental studies of man and animals revealed that the blood pressure becomes higher when unresolved conflict or negative stimuli are perceived. (Binger, Ackerman, Cohn, Schroeder and Steele, 1945; Liberman, 1974). These authors noted that, although a specific psychological profile has not been found, a correlation exists between blood pressure variations and emotional tension. Furthermore, no consistent trends have emerged from the available soc Genest, Koiw and Kuchel, 1977; Henry and Cassel, 1969; Howard and Holman, 1970; Kasi and Cobb, 1966). Nevertheless there have been consistent trends to implicate personality as a contributor to the development of hypertension (Binger et al., 1945; MacCulloch, 1972; Saslow, Gressel, Shobe, Dubois and Schroeder, 1950). Henry and Cassel(l969) reported that evidence is presented suggesting that obesity and dietary factors such as salt or fat intake may not be as significant in explaining variations in blood pressure levels in different populations as is the organism’s perception of events in the social environment. These authors argued that animal and human studies indicate

Selected National League for Nursing achievement test scores as predictors of state board examination scores.

In a study to formulate regression equations which could be used lo predict performance on the licensing examinations of graduates of an associate degree nursing program, selected sets of National League for Nursing achievement test scores were found to be effective predictors of state board examination (SBE) scores. When test score records of graduates for the years 1969–1974 were subjected lo stepwise multiple regression analysis, prediction equations were empirically validated by correlation of predicted SBE scores with actual SBE scores obtained by graduates of the program.

Factors in graduate nursing student performance

Decisions based on criterion measures are needed to appraise students for admission to a post-baccalaureate doctoral program in Nursing Science. The tools for measurement with a reasonably accurate determination of an entrant are needed for an admission process. In an endeavor to develop a performance measure for each doctoral applicant from his major professor in his past nursing program, a critical incident is initiated to define, empirically, a set of criterion dimensions. Reilly (1976) used the critical incident technique to collect faculty ratings of graduate student performance in departments of chemistry, English and psychology. Factors were labeled independence and initiative, conscientiousness, critical facility, enthusiasm, research and experimentation, communication, teaching skills, and persistence. The results described this set of potential criteria which might be used in studying graduate student performance. Cleland (1976) discussed within her article the admission criteria of students in a developing doctoral program. As a part of the applicant’s interviewing process, 10 personal characteristics were estimated by the interviewers using a 7-point scale. These items included academic motivation, intellectual capacity, self-direction, acceptance of responsibility, frustration-tolerance level, self-confidence, leadership potential, flexibility, comportment and interpersonal sensitivity. Thus, an approach should be taken to develop rating scales of the behavioral expectation type to measure these constructs for the Doctoral Committee to estimate the degree of fit between the applicant’s and the program’s goals for the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) degree. The purpose of this study was to conduct the pilot testing of a criterion rating scale to measure performance for a doctoral program applicant in nursing and examine the factor structure of the critical incidents when used to describe the performance of actual graduate student performance. Reilly’s 46 incidents (1976) collected from the fields of chemistry, English and psychology were decided as the pool of specific behavior examples. Faculty members and students needed to provide some indication as to the impor-

Personality and emotional stress measurement on hypertensive patients with essential and secondary hypertension

This study attempts to identify the relationship between personality factors and emotional stress items as measured on standardized tests with a group of heterogeneous patients after they were diagnosed. It also expects to reflect what differences, if any, occurred among the psychological variables by attempting to separate patients with essential hypertension from those with secondary forms of hypertension based on personality factors and emotional stress items. The current study is based upon earlier research conducted by the authors and Stein (1978; 1978). The first earlier study attempted to identify the patterns of personal attributes between the essential and secondary forms of hypertension among white males and females in various age groupings. The 16 Personality Factor test (16 PF) was used in conducting the research, This questionnaire was mailed to the patient’s most recent forwarding home address. Two-hundred-and-twenty-nine patients returned their completed form (Miller et al. 1978). The second earlier study sought: (1) to identify factors associated with physical and psychological symptoms of a group of heterogenous hypertensive patients and (2) to determine which, if any, physical and psychological symptoms were of value in discriminating the essential from the secondary hypertensive patients. The Cornell Medical Index (CMI), a health questionnaire, was completed by 236 patients in their homes. The same patients were the subjects in both of these earlier studies, but nine of the 236 patients did not return their 16 PF form (Miller et al. 1978). Grim et al. (1977) concentrated on an efficient way for the medical practitioner to examine and accurately diagnose the hypertensive patient for renal artery stenosis and primary aldosteronism. They concluded that of the 236 hypertensive patients evaluated, their comprehensive protocol permitted identification of patients with renal artery stenosis, with primary aldosteronism, and with high, normal and low renin essential

Guided study student achievement

Abstract The purpose of this study was to measure change in student achievement, in a National League for Nursing accredited Associate Degree Nursing Program for Guided Study nursing students from 1971 to 1974, as this was contrasted to other Associate Degree nursing students in the same program. The study suggested that the grouping of students admitted with Scholastic Aptitude Test Verbal scores below 400 or High School Rank below 50 percentile or both of these scores would be appreciably enhanced if they were included in the group receiving remediation treatment.