Disruption Of Social Life Research Articles

Symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia: impact on partners' quality of life.

Symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), besides affecting patients' quality of life through lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and related acute events, may affect their partners' quality of life as well. The present study was focused on exploring partner morbidity in cases of symptomatic BPH patients being evaluated for surgical treatment. The study group was comprised of 50 couples where male partners suffered from symptomatic BPH and was referred for further evaluation and, possibly, surgical treatment. Male subjects were asked to fill out the IPSS form, while the female partners were, separately, asked to fill out another structured questionnaire about 7 items (sleep disturbance, social disruption, performance of essential tasks, psychological impact, sex life, fear of cancer, fear of surgery). Data were analyzed in relation to the severity of symptoms (IPSS), patient's and partner's age, couple's age difference, marriage duration, mode and place of living. Partners' morbidity due to their husband's condition was comprised of sleep disturbance (28%); disruption of social life (30%) positively related to IPSS and negatively to the symptom duration; inability to take care of essential tasks outside and inside their house (8%); psychological burden (66%) positively related to the wife's age, the couple's age difference and the marriage duration; inadequate sex life (48%); fear of prostate cancer (62%); and fear of surgery (82%). Partners of patients with symptomatic BPH experience significant morbidity because of their husband's condition. The severity of patients' symptoms, however, is not always related to partners' morbidity. Partners should be adequately informed of the benign nature of the disease, as well as, the possible operating risks.

Psychologically Distressed Refugee Children in the United Kingdom

There are at least 50000 refugee children and adolescents in the UK, mostly living in London. These young people and their families will have been exposed to high levels of violence, disruption of social life and losses, all of which will increase their risk for psychiatric disorders. Up to 40% may have psychiatric disorders, mostly depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety related difficulties. Multi-agency support to refugee youngsters and families is important. Some refugee children and adolescents will require help from specialist mental health services that will need to be flexible in view of the refugees' cultural diversity, mobility and the need for the full range of treatments. Special efforts are required to reach this vulnerable group, and links with social services and schools in particular should be considered.

Psychologically Distressed Refugee Children in the United Kingdom

There are at least 50,000 refugee children and adolescents in the UK, mostly living in London. These young people and their families will have been exposed to high levels of violence, disruption of social life and losses, all of which will increase their risk for psychiatric disorders. Up to 40% may have psychiatric disorders, mostly depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety related difficulties. Multi-agency support to refugee youngsters and families is important. Some refugee children and adolescents will require help from specialist mental health services that will need to be flexible in view of the refugees’ cultural diversity, mobility and the need for the full range of treatments. Special efforts are required to reach this vulnerable group, and links with social services and schools in particular should be considered.

The Importance of the Social Environment in the Treatment of Mentally Retarded Adults with Psychiatric Disorders: An Outreach Treatment Programme

Due to their biological impairments, mentally retarded persons are for a large part dependent on their social environment (Edgerton, 1967; Helsel and Matson, 1988; Reiss, 1985; Reiss and Benson, 1985). Therefore, negative social-environmental conditions, such as frequent relocations (O’Connor, 1983; Reiss, 1985; Reiss and Benson, 1985), limited social support (Burchard et al., 1991; Reiss and Benson, 1985; Reiss and Trenn, 1984; Rosen and Burchard, 1990) and limited social integration (Burchard et al., 1991; Reiss and Benson, 1985; Rosen and Burchard, 1990), can play an important role in the development and continuance of psychopathology (Burchard et al., 1991; Carr and Durand, 1985; O’Connor, 1983; Reiss and Benson, 1985; Romer and Heller, 1983). Frequent relocations may cause disruption in social life (O’Connor, 1983; Reiss,

The cost of prescribing in general practice

Costs to the National Health Service and to the patients were determined for a sample of 77 patients who had consulted their doctor about back pain, depression or eczema. One of the main costs of the Health Service was for medication. Prescription forms were traced and costed after dispensing. Costs to patients included monetary aspects, side effects of medication and socio-emotional responses to illness. The Nottingham Health Profile was used to measure the latter on a time-scale series. Consultations with patients who had eczema were most likely to result in medication being prescribed. The mean cost of medication throughout the episode of illness was highest for those who had consulted about depression. Patients reported that 59 (61%) of prescribed items resulted in an improvement of the condition. This was likely to occur most often with treatment for eczema and least likely for patients who had back pain. Non-monetary costs, e.g. disruption of social life, were found to be highest in relation to depression.

Communitas and reflexive social theory

The article develops a critique of the notion that anomie invariably results from socio-cultural dislocation (sudden, rapid and wide-spread social change). In exploring and developing the concept of communality (communitas), the author argues that persons can and not infrequently do respond to serious disruption in social life by meaningfully reaffirming social bonds. Informed by this recognition, social theory is able to better clarify its potential contribution to the minimization of the socially and psychologically destructive consequences of structural and cultural dissolution.