Early parental adjustment to visible congenital disfigurement

Summary When a baby is born with a visible disfigurement, then parents need to adjust to the loss of the anticipated 'perfect' child and thus accept their baby. The impact of the birth on the parents is described in the context of a measure which identifies areas of potential difficulty. The two groups studied were parents of children with cleft palates and parents of children with congenital hand deficit. A wide range of adjustment was found. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of their overall adjustment, but there were individual differences in adjustment which did not relate to the severity or type of anomaly. The only significant variable found to relate to parental adjustment was perceived family support.     

乙肝病毒DNA阳性患儿家族成员的调查

本文对１４例ＨＢＶ－ＤＮＡ阳性患儿的家庭成员２３人进行血清学检测，并收集２２例正常人血清为对照组。２３例家庭成员中ＨＢＶ－ＤＮＡ阳性率为３４．８％（８／２３），明显高于对照组４．５％（１／２２），Ｐ＜０．０１。ＨＢＶ－ＤＮＡ阳性率在患儿的双亲为４０％（４／１０），而在其祖父母辈为３３．３３％（３／９），二者无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。提示乙肝病毒感染的家庭聚集性存在双亲或祖父母辈与患儿间的易感性相似。     

Independent learning among general practice trainees: an initial survey

Self-directed learning is a natural way for adults to learn. Vocational training for general practice is a preparation for unsupervised clinical work that will be supported, in the main, by continuing medical education. This study uses the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale to investigate factors influencing readiness for such learning among a sample of general practice trainees. Three principal factors emerged from analysis: enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning; a positive self-concept as a learner and a factor suggesting the possibility of a 'reproducing' orientation to learning. These factors may reflect approaches to learning in general rather than these adopted for professional learning, but offer helpful pointers for the development of both vocational training and of continuing medical education.     

青少年精神分裂症患者家庭因素的研究

目的:探讨青少年精神分裂症患者的发病和家庭因素的相关性.方法:采用父母养育方式评价量表(EMBU)及家庭环境量表中文版(FES-CV)对60名青少年精神分裂症患者进行测评并与60名健康青少年进行对照及相关分析.结果:青少年精神分裂症患者父母养育方式与正常组对照显示:其父亲惩罚严厉、拒绝否认因子分显著高于对照组,情感温暖、理解因子分显著低于对照组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);其母亲过分干涉过度保护、偏爱被试因子分显著高于对照组;母亲的情感温暖理解、过度保护、偏爱被试因子分高于父亲(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).家庭环境的亲密度、情感表达、文化性、娱乐性的因子分低于对照组,矛盾性和控制性均高于对照组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).相关分析显示:父亲过度保护与母亲拒绝否认,及母亲过度保护与父亲拒绝否认因子之间呈负相关(r≥0.8);父亲与母亲EMBU相同因子得分具有相关关系(r≥0.6).结论:不良的家庭环境和父母养育方式对青少年精神分裂症的发病起一定作用,具有相关性.     

Induced abortion in China and the advances of post abortion family planning service

<正>This is a review of current situation of induced abortion and post abortion family planning service in China. Induced abortion is an important issue in reproductive health. This article reviewed the distribution of induced abortion in various time, areas, and population in China, and explored the character, reason, and harm to reproductive health of induced abortion. Furthermore, this article introduces the concept of Quality of Care Program in Family Planning, and discusses how important and necessary it is to introduce Quality of Care Program in Family Planning to China.     

Through pragmatic eyes: philosophy and the re-sourcing of family nursing

Abstract   This paper explores the integral relationship between philosophy and nursing practice. The discussion begins by suggesting that philosophy is more than a set of abstract ideas or an intellectual activity; that it is a way of living and being in practice. The author contends that philosophical inquiry can improve the adequacy and relevance of family and nursing theories by promoting the examination and expansion of those theories in light of the experiences and intuitions of nurses. Offering a personal example the author exemplifies how philosophical activity can directly and experientially enhance everyday nursing practice.     

Familial and socioeconomic influences on children''s well-being: An examination of preschool children in Kenya

As patterns of family formation change, it is important to know how children's lives are affected by their parents' marital and socioeconomic circumstances. Using data from the 1993 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, this study shows that children of never married and formerly married mothers have significantly higher probabilities of polio dropout and acute undernutrition than those of monogamously married mothers. The number of male household members of working age greatly enhances the chances of full immunization and the nutritional status of children whose mothers were previously married. For children of never married mothers, the benefits of residing with males of working age are largely a function of ethnicity. The results also show that, although children are not disadvantaged nutritionally when their fathers have more than one wife, polygyny is associated with a higher probability of polio dropout and lower probability of full immunization than monogamy. Higher socioeconomic status is associated with a greater probability of full immunization and a lower probability of malnutrition but socioeconomic factors do not explain the effects of mothers' marital status. The findings underscore the complex realities of family interaction and the importance of the broader social context in accounting for variations in child welfare across diverse marital situations.     

Boundary Ambiguity in Parents With Chronically Ill Children: Integrating Theory and Research

Abstract: This article integrates theory and research related to boundary ambiguity in parents of children with a chronic health condition. We propose that boundary ambiguity is a risk factor for psychological distress in these parents. Clinical applications and a case example highlight how boundary ambiguity can be assessed and managed in clinical settings by professionals working with parents with chronically ill children. Questions are provided for assessing boundary ambiguity in clinical and research settings, and implications for research are discussed.     

Early separation and suicidal behaviour in the parental homes of 40 consecutive suicide attempters

Forty suicide-attempt patients who were consecutively admitted to an intensive-care unit, their significant others and treatment personnel were investigated by semistructured interviews. The patients were divided into neurosis (n = 14), abuse (n = 19) and psychosis (n = 7) groups. Twenty-one of the patients (52%) had lost contact with one or both parents before the age of 18, in 25% of cases owing to death and in 27% because of the parents' divorce or separation. Parents and/or siblings of 19 patients (47%) had shown suicidal behaviour in the form of attempted suicide and/or suicide. Differences between the groups were not significant. Alcohol abuse in the parental home was overrepresented in the abuse group compared with the other groups. The role of identification with the dead and suicidal parent in prompting suicidal actions in adulthood is discussed, as well as that of the impeded evolution of stable external object relations owing to parental losses.