Howard L. Miller

Sexual Differences in Physical Attractiveness as a Determinant of Heterosexual Liking

A questionnaire study of sexual differences in the importance of physical attractiveness to heterosexual liking disclosed that 177 men ranked physical attractiveness significantly (but only slightly) higher than 177 women. Different degrees of intimacy and permanency in the relationship also affected the importance of physical attractiveness in partners. There was no significant interaction between sex and type of relationship.

Supercharging the rectus abdominis muscle to provide a single flap for cover of large mediastinal wound defects.

Mediastinitis continues to be a devastating complication of open heart surgery. Supercharging the rectus abdominis muscle through revascularisation of the deep inferior epigastric vessels in the neck adds another safety factor in the management of these difficult problems. Large mediastinal wound defects that would usually require more than one muscle for cover can be covered adequately with this technique. Viability of the entire rectus abdominis is assured and permits use in its entirety. Details of the technique are presented as well as a review of the reconstructive options for mediastinal wound infections.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in women undergoing reduction mammaplasty

Women with mammary hypertrophy who present for reduction mammaplasty have several well-described musculoskeletal complaints, but a high prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome has not been reported. We identified 151 patients from a plastic surgery practice who underwent reduction mammaplasty from 1994 to 1996. To this group we added a convenience sample of 64 women volunteers with relatively smaller breasts (brassiere cup size B or smaller). We questioned the entire group about specific symptoms and examined them using standard provocative tests. Carpal tunnel syndrome was defined as the coexistence of symptoms and at least two physical examination findings. We examined its association with breast size, age, race, and body mass index. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine which physical characteristics were predictive of the condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome was found in 30 patients (19.9 percent) (95 percent confidence interval, 13.8 to 27.1) and in none of the women in the convenience sample. Breast size and, to a lesser degree, body mass index were found to be highly significant predictors of carpal tunnel syndrome. After controlling for breast size, race was also significant. Breast size displayed an independent risk ratio of 6.67 when comparing the upper quartile of size to the lower quartiles. There is a markedly higher prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in women who present for reduction mammaplasty than in those with smaller breasts. Breast size was a significant predictor of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Surgical Treatment of an Aggressive Metastasized Eccrine Poroma

We report the successful surgical treatment of a 24-year-old male with an aggressive metastasized eccrine poroma. The primary lesion was on the left plantar surface and resembled a pyogenic granuloma. Two months after we excised this lesion, the patient presented with a mass on the left groin, apparently a metastatic occurrence related to the tumor. We performed a radical lymph node dissection with no adjunctive treatment. Five years later, the patient is apparently free of any related disease.

Relation of sexual behaviors, values, and conflict to avowed happiness and personal adjustment.

A questionnaire study of 68 male and 64 female college students inquired about sexual behaviors (a) experienced, (b) deemed acceptable on a date, (c) deemed acceptable if experienced previously by a fiance(e), (d) revealed to peers, and (e) revealed to parents. High scores on these measures were viewed as indicative of liberality and differences among them as indicative of conflict. These measures of sexual liberality and conflict did not correlate with measures of adjustment, avowed happiness, or religiousness. Tables indicate the per cent of Ss endorsing each item under each set. Ss reported far more sexual experiences than they had ever revealed to a peer or a parent.

Behavior and Traditional Therapy Applied to Pedophiliac Exhibitionism: A Case Study

A 36-year-old male, who was hospitalized or imprisoned from the age of 12 yr. primarily for sexual deviancy, was treated with combined aversion, aversion relief, social and sexual skill training, and traditional support and insight-oriented therapy. The clients major symptom was pedophiliac exhibitionism both in compulsive practice and in almost constant obsession. At the conclusion of a 3-mo. therapeutic program (and after a 1½-yr- follow-up) all symptoms were remitted and the client was able to maintain himself in the community for the first time in his adult life.

Validation of Gilberstadt and Duker's 8–6 Profile Type on a Black Sample

The procedure employed by Gilberstadt and Duker (1965) with a Midwestern sample to determine the characteristics of the 8–6 MMPI profile type was replicated with a Southeastern black sample. The cardinal features of paranoid schizophrenia seemed remarkably similar in both groups but significant differences were found in traits, symptoms, and MMPI scale scores. In general, the Southeastern black sample showed a somewhat greater surface manifestation of pathological traits and admitted to more experiences that are viewed in the while culture as odd and bizarre. The differences were interpreted as probably reflecting different baseline personality characteristics between Southeastern blacks and Midwestern whites. The more apparently pathological symptoms and traits in the black population are interpreted as a manifestation of truly adaptive behavior for this subgroup in an aversive social environment.

Effects of social support on depression following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract The influence of emotional social support on depression following coronary artery bypass graft surgery was examined in 75 patients. Immediately following surgery, social support was significantly associated with a decline in depression. Subsequently, post-surgery chest pain and perceptions of poor health emerged as the best predictors of continued depression. During the first weeks after surgery it may be that discomfort and pain are expected and tolerated well such that depression is ameliorated by social support. However, after three months, beliefs about physical recovery became the most important determinants of patient psychological status. Clinical implications of these findings are briefly discussed.

The Transtheoretical Model of Change Applied to Developing Suicidal Behavior

The Transtheoretical Model of Change (TMC) is investigated as a tool for explaining and diagnosing suicidal behavior. Investigators found in a sample of 42 hospitalized suicide ideators and attempters, that most patients had progressed through the stages of change as predicted by the TMC, and that ten change processes (psychological states or experiences) defined by the TMC, were used systematically in association with specific stages of change. Women were more likely to report using the change processes than men. Investigators conclude that the TMC holds promise as a tool for understanding suicidal behavior and for designing appropriate interventions.

CAUSE AND CORRELATION: ONE MORE TIME '

The distinction between correlational studies and correlational statistics is crucial to an understanding of the type of inferences that can be drawn from research. The complementary nature of correlational and experimental research in theory building is discussed.