Merle A. Keitel

Predictors of distress in women being treated for infertility

Many studies cite infertility as highly stressful, yet womens responses to infertility are quite variable. Lazarus and Folkmans cognitive phenomenological theory of stress, coping, and appraisal may explain this variability. Gender role identity, career role salience, and societal pressure for motherhood are variables hypothesised to affect a womans cognitive appraisal of infertility, thus influencing distress level. Female participants (N = 119) were recruited through the NYU Fertility Clinic and Resolve, a support organisation for individuals faced with infertility. Participants completed questionnaires assessing gender characteristics, career role salience, social pressure for motherhood, cognitive appraisal, and distress. Many respondents (42%) reported clinically significant levels of distress. A path analysis assessed the effects of gender‐role identity, career role salience, social pressure for motherhood, and cognitive appraisal on distress. The model accounted for 32% of the variance in distress. Women experiencing social pressure for motherhood viewed infertility as more stressful, women identifying with more positively valued instrumental gender role traits reported less distress, and women who endorsed more negatively valued instrumental gender role traits and cognitively appraised infertility as stressful reported greater distress.

Salient Stressors for Mothers of Children and Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa

Salient Stressors for Mothers of Children and Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa Merle A. Keitel a , Melinda Parisi b , Jessica L. Whitney a & Lauren F. Stack a a Department of Psychological and Educational Services, Graduate School of Education , Fordham University , New York, New York, USA b Eating Disorders Program, University Medical Center at Princeton , Princeton, New Jersey, USA Published online: 23 Sep 2010.

Strengthening Families Facing Breast Cancer: Emerging Trends and Clinical Recommendations

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent form of cancer (after skin cancer) among American women, with one of eight women expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. Breast cancer not only impacts the patient, but also his or her family members. Family members commonly experience diminished psychological and physical well-being, particularly in the period following diagnosis, during active treatment, and in the terminal phase. Partners are vulnerable to distress because they often believe they need to be strong for the patient and other family members while simultaneously grappling with their own fear, sadness, and helplessness. There are many support systems for individuals with breast cancer (e.g., medical, friends and family, organizations, peer support groups), however, partners often provide rather than receive support. Families of breast cancer patients are healthier when each member of the couple is cared for and when the couple subsystem is supported. This chapter outlines common issues experienced by breast cancer patients and their family members, particularly intimate partners, during different phases of the cancer experience including diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence. When managed effectively, breast cancer can change families in surprising and positive ways. For example, family members of cancer patients have reported increased self-esteem, enriched relationships, and improved adaptability. It is suggested that future research studies focus on family members of male, LGBT, and racial-ethnic minority breast cancer patients. Effective psychological interventions for couples in which one member has breast cancer and clinical recommendations for strengthening the family during this stressful time are provided.