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Repression is typically associated in literature with terms such as non-expression, emotional control, rationality, anti-emotionality, defensiveness and restraint. Whether these terms are synonymous with repression, indicate a variation,... more
Repression is typically associated in literature with terms such as non-expression, emotional control, rationality, anti-emotionality, defensiveness and restraint. Whether these terms are synonymous with repression, indicate a variation, or are essentially different from repression is uncertain. We have discussed the similarities and differences between these concepts elsewhere (Garssen, 2007). In addition, a multitude of questionnaires has been developed in this field, which presents yet another problem for evaluating studies. In the present review, we critically discuss the various questionnaires used for measuring repression and related constructs, and then present our assessment on which scales are reliable and valid and which are not. The most appropriate repression measure is the Marlow Social Desirability (MC SD) scale, or the combination of the MC SD and an anxiety/distress scale. The question whether the MC SD scale alone, or the combination measure is
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Literature on repression is abundant with terms such as repression, non-expression of negative emotions, emotional control, rationality, type C response style and defensiveness. However, it is uncertain whether these terms are synonymous... more
Literature on repression is abundant with terms such as repression, non-expression of negative emotions, emotional control, rationality, type C response style and defensiveness. However, it is uncertain whether these terms are synonymous with repression, denote a variation, or are essentially different from repression. In addition, a multitude of questionnaires has been developed in this field, which presents yet another problem for evaluating studies. Elsewhere we have discussed overlap of and differences between the various repression-related concepts (Garssen, 2007a) and critically reviewed eleven repression-related questionnaires (Garssen, 2009). The present study compares various repression questionnaires in two groups of women with breast cancer (N = 102 and 145). A secondary factor analysis yielded two factors, which were labelled: repression and anxious defensiveness. The relevance of this finding for future studies is that only scales belonging to the repression cluster are valid measures for measuring repression. The Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability scale is recommended as the most adequate repression measure.
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In order to study synchronization of respiration, three different videofragments were presented to 21 normal subjects. Each fragment showed a 'therapeutic interview' specially performed for this purpose, with a 'patient' breathing in a... more
In order to study synchronization of respiration, three different videofragments were presented to 21 normal subjects. Each fragment showed a 'therapeutic interview' specially performed for this purpose, with a 'patient' breathing in a particular way. The respiration of model 1 was deep, slow and clearly audible, the pattern of model 2 was rapid, superficial and slightly audible and that of model 3 was normal, and hardly perceptible. The fragments were presented in three different sequences and each sequence was followed by seven subjects. Respiration amplitude (Vt), respiration irregularity (SD of Vt), respiration frequency (RF) and frequency of skin conductance responses (SCRF) were measured. Changes in mean values of these variables were demonstrated during the fragments; an increase in RF was the most pronounced and reliable change. These 'overall' physiological changes did not support the synchronization hypothesis, nor were they at variance with it: they seemed to be effects of attention. A detailed (cycle by cycle) analysis did reveal a synchronization effect in fragment 1. The number of cycles in the subject which were in rhythm with the model's respiration was significantly larger than could have been expected by chance. The effect of synchronization, however, was small and transient as it did not affect the mean RF and V t of fragment 1.
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Research Interests: Cancer and Neuroticism
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This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with... more
This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright a b s t r a c t The immune system's efficacy in detecting and destroying cancer cells varies considerably throughout the stages of cancer development and its role may be critical particularly during the surgical period. Although surgery causes tumor cells to shed into the blood, immune cells have the capacity to destroy these tumor cells. However, surgery also suppresses cytotoxic capacity. It is particularly during this surgical period that psychological factors can have a significant dampening or strengthening impact on surgery-related immunomodulation response, thus exerting an effect on survival. This review describes the immune changes during the peri-surgical period and the influences psychological factors have on immune function, including the immune effects caused by psychological interventions in cancer patients. We recommend that future studies exploring the role of psychological factors on immune function and survival focus more on their influence during the peri-surgical period.
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Objective: This study evaluated the psychological effects of a pre-surgical stress management training (SMT) in cancer patients. Methods: Stress management training comprised four sessions in total: on 5 days and 1 day pre-surgery and on... more
Objective: This study evaluated the psychological effects of a pre-surgical stress management training (SMT) in cancer patients. Methods: Stress management training comprised four sessions in total: on 5 days and 1 day pre-surgery and on 2 days and 1 month post-surgery. Patients also received audio CDs with relaxation and coping skills exercises. Patients were randomly assigned to the SMT (N = 34) or a regular care condition (N = 36). Depression, anxiety, quality of life, perception of control, fatigue, pain, sleep problems, and surgery-related somatic symptoms were measured at Day 6 and Day 1 pre-surgery, and Day 2, 5, 30 and 90 post-surgery. Results: Depression and fatigue decreased in the intervention group and increased in the control group, leading to significant group differences at Day 2 (fatigue) and Day 5 post-surgery (fatigue and depression). It also appeared that surgery-related symptoms had increased more in the control group 3 months post-surgery than in the SMT group. No intervention effects were observed for anxiety, pain, and sleep problems. Conclusion: The use of a short psychological intervention is effective in reducing depression and fatigue in the post-surgical period, although the effects are of short duration.
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Het mitralisklepprolaps–syndroom is een cardiologische diagnose die in de literatuur vaak geassocieerd wordt met angst en paniek. De klinische symptomatologie die bij dit syndroom kan voorkomen toont een overlap met die van de... more
Het mitralisklepprolaps–syndroom is een cardiologische diagnose die in de literatuur vaak geassocieerd wordt met angst en paniek. De klinische symptomatologie die bij dit syndroom kan voorkomen toont een overlap met die van de paniekstoornis. In dit artikel wordt eerst een kort overzicht gegeven over het mitralisklepprolaps–syndroom. Vervolgens wordt nader ingegaan op de in de literatuur veronderstelde samenhang tussen het mitralisklepprolaps–syndroom en het optreden van paniekstoornissen.
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Little is known regarding the prevalence and course of fatigue in cancer patients after treatment has ended and no recurrence found. The present study examines fatigue in disease-free cancer patients after being treated with radiotherapy... more
Little is known regarding the prevalence and course of fatigue in cancer patients after treatment has ended and no recurrence found. The present study examines fatigue in disease-free cancer patients after being treated with radiotherapy (n = 154). The following questions are addressed. First, how do patients describe their fatigue 9 months after radiotherapy and is this different from fatigue
Research Interests: British, Quality of life, Radiotherapy, Fatigue, Humans, and 15 moreSleep Quality, Female, Male, Follow-up studies, Medical Diagnosis, Aged, Middle Aged, Psychological distress, Radiation Dose, Time Factors, Neoplasms, Cancer Patient, Multidisciplinary Approach, General Population, and Functional Disability
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semenvatting In dit artikel wordt de effectiviteit van ademhalingstherapie bij patiënten met het hyperventilatiesyndroom (HVS) en/of paniekstoornis besproken, alsmede het onderliggende werkzame element. De validiteit van het HVS als... more
semenvatting In dit artikel wordt de effectiviteit van ademhalingstherapie bij patiënten met het hyperventilatiesyndroom (HVS) en/of paniekstoornis besproken, alsmede het onderliggende werkzame element. De validiteit van het HVS als wetenschappelijk model wordt besproken en als onvoldoende beoordeeld. Geconcludeerd wordt dat ademhalingstraining en aanverwante technieken weliswaar therapeutisch effectief zijn, maar dat het effect waarschijnlijk toegeschreven moet worden aan andere factoren dan een
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Samenvatting De afgelopen jaren heeft er een explosieve groei plaats gevonden van het aantal publicaties over spiritualiteit in relatie tot gezondheid; het aantal artikelen is de laatste tien jaar zes maal zo veel geworden.1... more
Samenvatting De afgelopen jaren heeft er een explosieve groei plaats gevonden van het aantal publicaties over spiritualiteit in relatie tot gezondheid; het aantal artikelen is de laatste tien jaar zes maal zo veel geworden.1 Spiritualiteit lijkt vooral een belangrijke rol te spelen bij het omgaan met stressvolle gebeurtenissen, zoals een chronische of levensbedreigende ziekte.1-3 Het lijkt dan ook voor de hand
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Research Interests: Program Evaluation, Cancer, Quality of life, Evaluation, Happiness, and 17 moreLinear models, Distress, Multivariate Analysis, Patient education, Meditation, Humans, Female, Male, Follow-up studies, Patient Satisfaction, Goals, Aged, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Middle Aged, Adult, Neoplasms, and Cancer Patient
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Surgical procedures can cause tumor cells to disseminate into the circulatory system. Although this spread of metastatic cells will be limited by immune activity, immunosuppression tends to be the main effect resulting from surgery. The... more
Surgical procedures can cause tumor cells to disseminate into the circulatory system. Although this spread of metastatic cells will be limited by immune activity, immunosuppression tends to be the main effect resulting from surgery. The objective of this study is to assess hormonal and immunological changes induced by breast cancer surgery. Endocrine and immune responses to surgery were determined in 27 breast cancer patients. Blood samples were taken at 6 days and 1 day before surgery and 2 hr, 1 day, and 5 days after surgery. Changes in endocrine function, number of leucocytes and their subpopulations, enumerative immune expression, functional activity, and cytokine levels were determined. Breast cancer surgery induces a pro-inflammatory response and leucocytosis. Immunosuppression is indicated by decreased HLA-DR expression, decreased NKCA, and a Th2 response. A delayed Th1 response was also found 5 days after surgery. As no cortisol level change was observed, this hormone can be excluded as the mediator of surgery-related immunomodulation in breast cancer. Although breast cancer surgery is classified as minor surgery the surgical procedure produces substantial immunomodulation.
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Hyperventilation is considered an important factor in the production of a variety of somatic symptoms. This complex of symptoms is called the Hyperventilation Syndrome (HVS). Recognition of symptoms during the hyperventilation provocation... more
Hyperventilation is considered an important factor in the production of a variety of somatic symptoms. This complex of symptoms is called the Hyperventilation Syndrome (HVS). Recognition of symptoms during the hyperventilation provocation test (HVPT) is a widely used criterion for diagnosing HVS. The validity of this criterion is tested in the present study. Twenty-three patients suspected of HVS performed a HVPT (hyperventilation during 3 min) and a mental load task (Stroop Color Word Test; CWT). It appeared that about the same number of patients (61%) recognized symptoms during the HVPT as during the CWT (52%), despite severe hypocapnia in the first test and normocapnia in the second. Reporting of symptoms was significantly related to psychological state and trait measures (SCL-90 and STAI scores) and unrelated to the degree of hypocapnia. These data have far reaching consequences, as they not only undermine the validity of the HVPT, but also question the tenability of the concept of HVS.