摘要:

The present study examines depressive syrnptomatology among women in Puerto Rico, using data from an island wide population-based sample. We focus on single women heads of households (SWHH) defined as divorced, separated, widowed and never married women with no permanent mate who have the main economic responsibility for their households. The study aims to identify social factors such as family responsibilities, stressful life events, and reduced levels of social support, that may contribute to the risk for depressive symptoms in these women. This is a growing population: the 1990 Census reported that 23% of all households in Puerto Rico were headed by women, an increase horn 14% in 1970. The present study was based on a probability sample of adults (17-68 years), interviewed using a structured schedule, from which we analyzed the female subjects. Women were classified in three mutually exclusive groups: single women heads of households (SWHH, n = 138), single women not heads of households (SWNHH, n = 104), and married women not heads of households (MW, n = 275). Our finding that single women heads of households were especially vulnerable to depressive symptomatology is consistent with that of other studies in the United States. Also consistent with previous research, SWHH were found to be older, poorer, have less education and more often lived in urban areas, as compared to other women. Having children at home was associated with more depressive symptoms among both groups of single women, but not among married women. And the availability of emotional supporters had a weaker effect for SWHH. Furthermore, quality of support was found to be more important for these women than number of persons available for emotional support. The study has several implications for family policy and mental health prevention. Since SWHH are vulnerable for depressive symptomatology and their number is increasing, programs should be developed to attend the special needs of these women. These programs could include the provision of child care and the creation of self-help groups to build on their strengths and to combat isolation and loneliness.

ISSN:0363-0242    

DOI:10.1300/J013v23n03_01

出版商:Taylor&Francis Group    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of demographic characteristics, including ethnicity, socioeconomic status, marital status, and number of children, as well as menopausal status, physical symptoms, and psychological symptoms on midlife women's attitudes toward menopause. A random sample of 149 women, aged 35 to 65 and stratified by occupation, age, and race, was selected from employee lists. A 20-item, 7-point semantic differential Menopause Attitude Scale was admiislered. Menopausal status was determined by self-report and serum hormone levels of estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Symptoms were assessed by a 28-item Symptom Index, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Bradbum Affect Balance Scale. Overall the majority of women, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic status, had neutral feelings toward menopause. Postmenopausal women reported the most positive attitudes toward menopause, which may indicate that once women have gone through menopause they find it to be less troubling than they anticipated earlier in life. Negative attitudes toward menopause were related to psychological symptoms with higher scores on the depression scale, suggesting that these women may be at higher risk for a difficult midlife transition.

ISSN:0363-0242    

DOI:10.1300/J013v23n03_02

出版商:Taylor&Francis Group    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

This study is an examination of the relationship between disease severity, social role sinin, and psychological well-being among a group of women suffering from the chronic disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). In an attempt to explore the question of why chronic disease has a powerful negative impact on some people, causing them to become depressed or anxious, while leaving others relatively unaffected psychologically, we predicted that psychological distress would result in SLE patients when their illness affected their ability to perform valued social roles. Results confiied this mediator hypothesis, suggesting, in fact, that disease severity has little psychological effect apart from the distress engendered by role strain. This findig indicates the importance of safeguarding patients' social roles in the psychosocial management of the illness.

ISSN:0363-0242    

DOI:10.1300/J013v23n03_03

出版商:Taylor&Francis Group    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The use of biomedical testing and genetic counselling is usually framed as something an individual woman chooses, with little consideration given to the context in which women make these choices. In order to understand something of the context in which women (35 and over) undergo prenatal diagnostic tests, we have surveyed the contents of 10 major women's magazines. We found that the stories told about the "older" pregnant woman and the risks attached to her pregnancy are highly selective. The dominant rhetoric used in these narratives suggests that women "need" to be informed of the facts of being pregnant when older (through reading magazine articles), that this need incurs a further need to find out the state of the fetus (through biomedical intervention), and that the pregnant woman can meet these needs by "choosing" prenatal diagnosis. These results illustrate how a "need" for prenatal testing gets created and suggest that to "choose" to be tested may be to partake of, not challenge, the mainstream biomedical assumptions about how the "older" pregnant woman will and should behave.

ISSN:0363-0242    

DOI:10.1300/J013v23n03_04

出版商:Taylor&Francis Group    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

Fluid intake was measured at 3 phases of the menstrual cycle in twenty women with prospectively validated premenstrual syndrome and 8 women with prospectively validated absence of cyclic symptoms. There was no cycle related change in fluid intake in either group but fluid intake was significantly lower in women with PMS than in controls at all phases of the menstrual cycle. All subjects but one denied voluntary fluid restriction. The mechanism, therefore, appears subconscious and may be related to perceived increase in fluid retention.

ISSN:0363-0242    

DOI:10.1300/J013v23n03_05

出版商:Taylor&Francis Group    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

No abstract available for this article.

ISSN:0363-0242    

DOI:10.1300/J013v23n03_06

出版商:Taylor&Francis Group    

年代:1995

数据来源: Taylor