Abstract:

Memory specificity training (MEST) or self-distancing (SD) has been associated with improving symptoms of depression. The aim was to compare the efficacy of group CBT with MEST and SD (group A) with group CBT with MEST (group B) in depressed adults and establish the relationships between memory specificity improvement and changes in low mood (BDI-II), rumination (RRS), problem solving (PSI) and suppression (WBSI). Method was to recruit participants from advertisements, 120 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, consented and block randomised to either group. Fifty-five participants from each group (N=110) completed treatment. Results from parametric tests showed group A was statistically significant on all dependent variables, memory specificity (AMS), BDI-II, RRS, PSI, WBSI compared to group B at post-treatment and three month follow-up. Group A was clinically significant on the BDI-II score sat post-treatment. Test of association at three months follow-up showed AMS improvements was independent of improvements in all the other dependent variables A multiple regression analysis confirmed that only RRS had a significant mediating effect on AMS changes. Discussion, group A was more effective for depression than group B, indicating that SD enhanced both MEST and CBT. That AMS may improve mood partly by directly improving rumination. Limitations, not fully blind, no independent therapists, low frequency of supervision checking manual adherence, no SCID, follow-up period short and reduced generalis ability. Future research could repeat this study by recruiting participants from mental health clinics, improve blinding, use SCID, frequent supervision and independent therapists.

Keywords: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Memory Specificity Training, Self-Distancing.

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Abstract:

Medical humanities (MH) has been defined as “an interdis­ciplinary and increasingly international endeavor that draws on the creative and intellectual strengths of diverse disciplines including literature, art, creative writing, drama, film, music, philosophy, ethical decision making, anthropology, and histo­ry in pursuit of medical educational goals” [1] There is a great need of a “humane” doctor, with the understanding, assisted by interpretative ability and insight, and governed by ethical sensitivity, to apply this scientific evidence and skills to the individual patient.[2].

Empathy is a term difficult to define and it is said that in encompasses ethics, professionalism, communication skills and is much more and beyond these. Empathy describes the ability of the doctor to visualize and understand the patient’s suffering, pain and perspective and then communicate back to him with the aim of healing him [3,4]. Empathy is a better understanding of and alleviation of human suffering and therefore it has cognitive, psychomotor as well as an affective component. It is essentially a quality which helps doctors gain an insight into the quality of pain being experienced by the patient and doing something active to allay his pain and solve his problem.

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Abstract:

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is generally associated with high medical morbidity, and poorer access to health care. A number of studies have investigated the relationship between SES and common mental disorders with differing results. Therefore, the author conducted a systemic review to evaluate such an association. The review included 17 studies. Socioeconomic inequality in common mental disorders is mixed and varies according to the approach mental disorder is accessed, to the definition and measurement scales of SES, and to background characteristics such as region and time. However, the analysis found convincing evidence for socioeconomic inequality in common mental disorders. Policies for tackling inequality in common mental disorders are necessary, particularly in relationship with the course of the disorders.

Keywords: Mental disorders, SES, depression, anxiety, level of education

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Abstract:

American Psychological Association defines alcoholism as:-

“an illness characterized by preoccupation with alcohol and loss of control over its consumption such as to lead to usually to intoxication if drinking is begun; by chronic to intoxication if drinking is begun; by chronicity, progression; and by tendency towards relapse” (Hoffman, 1975).

The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of mothers losing biological sons to death through alcoholism in njatha-ini village sagana - kirinyaga west county, Kenya. The target population was mothers with adult sons that have died through alcoholism. in Njatha-ini village Sagana area – Kirinyaga County. The study design was qualitative and non-probability design was used utilizing snow-balling sampling. According to Orodho and Kombo (2002) sampling is the procedure a researcher uses to gather people, places and things to study. It is a set of respondents from a larger population for the purpose of a study. Seven mothers from the Ndia ethnic community located in Njatha-Ini Village, Kirinyaga West County in Kenya, were interviewed through the Focus group discussion. A chunk of written notes audio taped were then transcribed, read and re-read then grouped items together. The information was placed into emerging themes; responses coded and conceptualized, attributed and searched for meanings from the data segmentation.

The mothers bio-data was based on four key descriptions, the age of the mothers, age of sons at time of dying, duration since the death of the son and the circumstances under which the son died through alcoholism. The mothers aged between 52 and 78 years old, the dying sons aged between 17 and 38 years, the sons were dead between 8 months and 10 years and although death causative was alcoholism, the circumstances of dying for the seven sons ranged from one poisoned while drunk, two sons from alcohol induced accidents, one suicide, two overdosed, and one murdered whilst drunk.

Keywords: Mother, Son, Death, alcoholism

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