| 1. |
- Billinger, Stefan, 1961-, et al.
(författare)
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Symbolic behavior in regular classrooms : a specification of symbolic and non-symbolic behavior
- 2011
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Research Foundation. - 1664-1078. ; 2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Students’ capabilities to use symbolic information in classroom setting could be expected to influence their possibilities to be active and participating. The development of strategies for teachers to compensate for reduced capability need specific operational definition of symbolic behavior. Fifty-three students, aged 11–13 years old, 29 boys and 24 girls, from three classes in the same Swedish compulsory regular school participated in the current study. After a short training sequence 25 students (47%) were defined as showing symbolic behavior (symbolic), and 28 students (53%) were not (non-symbolic), based on their follow-up test performances. Symbolic and non-symbolic differed significantly on post-test performances (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, non-symbolic behavior deteriorated their performance, while symbolic enhanced their performance (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the operational definition used in the present study may be useful in further studies relating the capability to show symbolic behavior and students’ activity and participation in classroom settings.
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| 2. |
- Bood, Sven Åke, 1950-
(författare)
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Bending and Mending the Neurosignature : Frameworks of influence by flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) upon well-being in patients with stress related ailments
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overarching purpose of the current thesis was to assess the long term effects of a treatment program involving flotation-REST for the experience of pain, from the point of view of variables connected with Melzack´s neuromatrix theory, and to examine the extent of a potential attention-placebo effect in connection with flotation-REST.The first study (Paper I) aimed to investigate long-term effects of flotation-REST four months after treatment. Seventy patients participated, diagnosed as having stress-related pain. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or a flotation-REST group and participated in a total of twelve flotation REST or control sessions. Results indicated that pain areas, stress, anxiety and depression decreased, while sleep quality, optimism, and prolactin increased. Positive effects generally maintained four months after treatment. The second (Paper II) examined the potential effects of attention-placebo. Thirty-two patients who were diagnosed as having stress-related muscular pain were treated for a period of six weeks. Half of the patients were also given attention for a period of 12 weeks, while the remainder received attention for 6 weeks. Participants in both groups exhibited lowered blood pressure, reduced pain, anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affectivity, as well as increased optimism, energy, and positive affectivity. The third (Paper III) investigated whether or not 33 flotation sessions were more effective for stress related ailments as compared to 12 sessions. Participants were 37 patients with stress related ailments. Analyzes for subjective pain and psychological variables typically indicated that 12 sessions were enough to get considerably improvements and no further improvements were noticed after 33 sessions. Finally, the fourth study (Paper IV) aimed to examine whether and how the combination of therapy and flotation tank could be used to treat patients with severe stress problems. Two women on long-term sick-leave participated in the study, which was carried out over a period of one year. Four overarching themes were generated: the therapeutic work model, transformation of feelings, self-insight and meaning. These together constituted a “therapeutic circle” which after a while transformed in to a “therapeutic spiral” of increased meaning and enhanced wellbeing.It was therefore concluded that flotation tank therapy is an effective method for the treatment of stress-related pain.
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| 3. |
- Bäccman, Charlotte, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Military capacity and Civil adjustment : Assessments of the "re-usable" peacekeeping soldier for development of a selection system
- 2012
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Ingår i: International Journal of Selection and Assessment. - : Blackwell Publishing. - 0965-075X .- 1468-2389. ; 20:2, s. 171-181
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigated whether “re-usable” soldiers, that is, those who performed well during operations (Military capacity), and were able to readjust post-deployment (Civil adjustment), could be identified pre-deployment. Participants were 364 UN peacekeeping soldiers. Three hypotheses were posed: (a) the selection system for conscripts cannot identify soldiers with low Military capacity, (b) the selection system for conscripts cannot identify soldiers with poor Civil adjustment after deployment, and (c) the two aspects of “re-usability” (Military Capacity and Civil Adjustment) would be intertwined. Results showed that the selection system for conscripts was unable to identify soldiers’ Military Capacity and Civil Adjustment. Results also showed that these two aspects were unrelated, and did not interact. Indications on possible consequences, and improvements were discussed.
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| 4. |
- Edebol, Hanna, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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In search for objective measures of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder using the Quantified Behaviour Test Plus
- 2011
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Ingår i: Europe's Journal of Psychology. - Trier. - 1841-0413. ; 7:3, s. 443-457
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Clinical assessment tools for adult ADHD such as rating scales, interviews and behavior observations are often based on subjective judgments which enhance the risk of overlooking or misinterpreting symptoms. In search for objective measures of adult ADHD, the present study investigated levels of sensitivity and specificity for the Quantified Behavior Test Plus, QbTest-Plus, in adult patients (N = 19) awaiting clinical assessment for ADHD. QbTest-Plus report objective measures of ADHD core symptoms using an infrared motion tracking system and a continuous performance test. The measures were collected and evaluated previous to clinical assessment and compared regarding the diagnosis of ADHD. Sensitivity for detecting ADHD with QbTest-Plus was 83 % and specificity was 57 %. The results, possibly affected by confounding factors, suggest further examination of calibrated and objective measure for the QbTest-Plus with regard to ADHD in adults.
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| 5. |
- Edebol, Hanna, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Measuring Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder using the Quantified Behaviour Test Plus
- 2013
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Ingår i: PsyCh Journal. - : Wiley. - 2046-0260 .- 2046-0252. ; 2:1, s. 48-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, occurs in about 5 % of the adult population and includes cardinal symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that may be difficult to identify with clinical routine methods. Continuous performance tests are objective measures of inattention and impulsivity that, combined with objective measures of motor activity, facilitate identification of ADHD among adults. The aim of the present study was to examine sensitivity, specificity and a composite measure of ADHD using objective measures of the ADHD-cardinal symptoms in adult participants with ADHD and non-ADHD normative participants.Cardinal symptoms were measured in 55 participants having ADHD, 202 non-ADHD normative participants, as well as 84 ADHD normative participants using the Quantified Behavior Test Plus, QbTest-Plus. This test measures inattention and impulsivity with a continuous performance test and hyperactivity with a motion tracking system.A predictive variable for detection of ADHD called Prediction of ADHD, PADHD, yielded 86 % sensitivity and 83 % specificity. A composite measure of ADHD cardinal symptoms was developed with a Weighed Core Symptoms scale, WCS, that indicates the total amount of ADHD symptoms on a numeric scale from 0 to 100.The total amount of ADHD symptoms was measured on a scale and predicted with the categorical variable in a majority of the cases in the present study. Further studies are needed in order to confirm the results with regard to additional clinical and normative samples. Careful consideration of potential gender and diagnostic subtype differences are noteworthy aspects for future examinations of the new instruments.
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| 6. |
- Edebol, Hanna, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Objective measures of behavior manifestations in adult ADHD and differentiation from participants with Bipolar II disorder, Borderline personality disorder, participants with disconfirmed ADHD as well as Normative participants
- 2012
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Ingår i: Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health. - : Bentham Open. - 1745-0179. ; 8, s. 134-143
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The present study evaluated two psychometric instruments derived from the objective measurement of adult ADHD using the Quantified Behavior Test Plus. The instruments were examined in ADHD versus a clinical group with overlapping symptoms including borderline personality disorder and bipolar II disorder, and another clinical group with participants assessed for but disconfirmed a diagnosis of ADHD as well as adult normative participants.Methods: The Quantified Behavior Test Plus includes Continuous Performance Testing and a Motion Tracking System with parameters related to attention and activity operationalized as the cardinal symptoms of ADHD and then summarized into a Weighed Core Symptoms scale with ten cut-points ranging from 0 to 100. A categorical predictor variable called Prediction of ADHD was used to examine the levels of sensitivity and specificity for the Quantified Behavior Test Plus with regard to ADHD.Results: The Weighed Core Symptoms scale separated ADHD and normative participants from each other as well as from the two clinical reference groups. The scale reported highest levels of core symptoms in the ADHD group and the lowest level of core symptoms in the normative group. Analyses with Prediction of ADHD yielded 85 % specificity for the normative group, 87 % sensitivity for the ADHD group, 36 % sensitivity for the bipolar II and borderline group and 41 % sensitivity for the group with a disconfirmed diagnosis of ADHD.Conclusions: The Weighed Core Symptoms scale facilitated objective assessment of adult ADHD insofar that the ADHD group presented more core symptoms than the other two clinical groups and the normative group. Sensitivity for the Quantified Behavior Test Plus was lower in complex clinical groups with Bipolar II disorder, Borderline disorder and in patients with a disconfirmed diagnosis of ADHD. The psychometric instruments may be further evaluated with regard to well-documented and effective treatment programs for ADHD core symptoms.
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| 7. |
- Helldin, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Experience of quality of life and attitude to care and treatment in patients with schizophrenia : Role of cross-sectional remission
- 2008
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Ingår i: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice (Print). - : Informa UK Limited. - 1365-1501 .- 1471-1788. ; 12:2, s. 97-104
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective The concept of cross-sectional remission was investigated in a sample of patients with schizophrenia. A total of 243 patients were tested for quality of life, burden and handicap, insight and satisfaction with the care provided in an epidemiological study. The question addressed was if remission is of importance for outcome. Methods Cross-sectional remission was defined by applying the symptom criteria of remission, where none of eight selected PANSS items should exceed 3 points. Out of 243 patients, 38% were in met cross-sectional remission. Quality of life was assessed with the MOS SF-36 and the Rosser Index. The Patients' understanding of their illness was assessed based on symptoms and disorder insight. Finally, attitudes to care and, health service were assessed by the UKU/Consumer Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Drug Attitude Inventory. Results Patients who were in cross-sectional remission reported higher quality of life and reduced burden related to the disorder, a greater level of insight into their symptoms and the illness, and a more positive attitude to treatment, including drugs. Conclusion This study implies that remission, here expressed in terms of cross-sectional remission, is of importance for patients' well-being. Patients who had no interference from symptoms in their daily functioning found their life better, had a superior insight and were more positive to treatment.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Hjärthag, Fredrik, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Family burden and functional assessment in the Swedish CLIPS-study : Do staff and relatives agree on individuals with psychotic disorders' functional status?
- 2012
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Ingår i: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0933-7954 .- 1433-9285. ; 47:4, s. 581-587
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE:In this study, the individuals with psychotic disorders' daily life function was investigated on six dimensions considering their relations to family burden. Functional ratings carried out by relatives and staff were also compared.METHODS:Totally 88 relatives, to as many individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, participated in this study. Relatives were to rate their own perceived burden and their ill relatives' physical functioning, personal care skills, interpersonal relationships, social acceptability, activities, and work skills. The outpatient staff, in all 24 case managers also rated the patients' functional level on the same assessment tool as did the relatives.RESULTS:Most dimensions of patients' everyday functioning were highly correlated to relatives' burden. The two functional dimensions "interpersonal relationships" and "activities" were best at classifying burden when rated by relatives. Also, comparing independent functional ratings by relatives and staff showed that despite great agreements on most dimensions, they differed significantly on "social acceptability" where relatives rated the function to be poorer and "activities" where relatives rated the function to be better.CONCLUSIONS:Relatives, who perceive individuals with a psychotic disorder to be limited in their ability to interpersonal relationships and limited in their ability to activate in everyday life, are more likely to perceive a higher burden. Even though staff and relatives mainly agree on the patients' functional ability, they often differ in ratings regarding patients' social acceptability and ability to activate in everyday life. This should be worth considering in clinical practice as well as in future research.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Hjärthag, Fredrik, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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How is family burden correlated to the patients' symptoms, function, quality of life and attitude to medication?
- 2008
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Ingår i: European Neuropsychopharmacology. ; 18:4, s. 468-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Earlier research has concluded that symptom severity is an important factor for explaining family burden related to psychotic illness. Some studies also point out the impaired function of the ill person as a contributing factor to the burden. However, there are few investigations that also considerate the ill persons own view of his/her quality of life and attitude to medication. This study investigates how persons with psychosis symptom severity, functional disability, quality of life and attitude to medication, could be correlated to family burden.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Hjärthag, Fredrik, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Illness Related Components for the Family Burden of Relatives to Patients with Psychotic Illness
- 2010
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Ingår i: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. - : Springer. - 0933-7954 .- 1433-9285. ; 45:2, s. 275-283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Previous research has shown that symptom severity often implies an increased family burden. Few other illness related variables have, however, been investigated in this context. This study investigates how family burden is affected by symptom, function, and cognition, as well as how the patient perceives his/her illness and quality of life. Method: A total of 99 relatives, to as many patients diagnosed with psychosis and with their illness at a stable level, participated in this study. The relatives estimated their perceived burden, the patients rated the distress caused by their illness as well as the quality of their lives, and the care staff rated the patients’ symptom and function as well as tested their cognitive abilities. Results: Increased family burden can be tied to the patients’ increased symptom severity, to their impaired functioning as well as to the patients’ higher self ratings regarding distress. The family burden is also connected to the patient’s reduced working memory and reduced executive functioning, but this connection is not totally clear and should be further investigated. Of the variables that the patients were rated on, it was the overall functional ability measured with GAF that had the single most impact on perceived family burden. Conclusions: To control illness related variables such as symptoms, impaired functioning, impaired working memory and executive functioning, as well as the patients’ own experiences of distress, is important in order to lessen the burden for the relatives. All aspects of family burden are, however, not explained by these factors, which is why further research within this realm is required.
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| 16. |
- Hjärthag, Fredrik, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Psychometric Properties of the Burden Inventory for Relatives of Persons with Psychotic Disturbances
- 2008
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Ingår i: Psychological Reports. - : Ammons Scientific. - 0033-2941 .- 1558-691X. - 9789170632273 ; 103, s. 323-335
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Earlier studies have shown that close relatives are heavily burdened when a family member has schizophrenia. The current purpose was twofold, (1) to examine the psychometric properties for a test of the burden of family members, one used in Swedish clinical practice (the Care Burden Scale for Relatives) and (2) develop a shortened version with the same or better psychometric properties. Ninety-nine close relatives, 34 men and 65 women, of the same number of patients who had been diagnosed either with schizophrenia or with schizoaffective disorder, were studied. Participants completed the Care Burden Scale for Relatives and a visual analogue scale measuring perceived global burden on which the total burden was assessed. Patients of the close relatives were assessed on clinical tests often used in the psychiatric care, in an attempt to validate the external criteria, such as severity of symptoms and level of functioning. The resulting instrument, Burden Inventory for Relatives of persons with Psychotic disturbances, showed good psychometric properties which simplifies data collection from relatives of patients with psychotic disturbances. In this study, relatives of those patients not in remission evinced a significant greater family burden.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Ivarsson, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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Consumer satisfaction, quality of life and distress with regard to social funcion and gender in severe mental illness.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Open Journal of Psychiatry. - : Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.. - 2161-7325 .- 2161-7333. ; 1:3, s. 88-97
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE The relationships between subjective satisfaction, distress and quality of life for severely mental ill patients with different functional levels and gender was investigated in a multi-center cohort, using a balanced mix of subjective and clinician ratings in an outcome-informed model for a clinical management based on shared decision making, "The Quality star". METHODS Naturalistic data for 2552 persons, mainly with schizophrenia diagnoses, in long-term treatment and rehabilitation, were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS With increasing Social Function, rated with the split-GAF Disability/Functioning scale, the better were patients' Satisfaction, subjective Quality of life and Perceived Global Distress. Women were more satisfied with the care but also more distressed. CONCLUSION Main findings were in line with other studies. However, the gender differences are in line with some, but not with other, studies. This poses questions how patient factors, instrument constructs, and treatment, especially shared decision making, influence subjective reports.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Ivarsson, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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The self-assessment Global Quality of Life scale : Reliability and construct validity
- 2010
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Ingår i: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice (Print). - : Informa UK Limited. - 1365-1501 .- 1471-1788. ; 14:4, s. 287-297
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. The aim was to establish psychometric properties of the Global Quality of Life Scale (GQL) for people with severe mental illness. Methods. GQL is a stand-alone visual analogue scale included in "The Quality Star", a minimal platform for clinical follow-up and efficiency documentation of mental health services in eight dimensions widely used in Sweden. Validating instruments included MANSA, Inventory of Problem and Solutions, Consumer Satisfaction Rating Scale, Perceived Global Distress, health screening using UKU-Side Effect Rating Scale, GAF, and Perceived Global Burden (for next of kin). Test-retest reliability of the GQL was examined between ratings at quarterly intervals during 1 year. Results. There were three main results: test-retest reliability at quarterly intervals was very satisfactory, concurrent validity with the initial item of life satisfaction scale of MANSA, "Life as a whole", was demonstrated and finally content validity was clarified by associations with a number of validating measures from several contexts in three studies. Conclusion. GQL have acceptable psychometric properties and is valid for serious mental ill persons. Its use as easy-to-use instrument for screening of perceived global quality of life was supported.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Kjellgren, Anette, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Experiences of Encounters with Ayahuasca- : 'the Vine of the Soul'
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0279-1072 .- 2159-9777. ; 41:4, s. 309-315
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew used by the indigenous populations of the Amazon. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain insight into the experiences of western users of ayahuasca, as well as to ascertain the experienced meaning that participants felt by their participation. Twenty-five people from Northern Europe with experiences of group sessions with ayahuasca wrote anonymous descriptions of their experiences. The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method was used for this analysis. The analysis resulted in 33 categories which were assembled into six general themes: (a) motivation and aim, (b) contractile frightening state (c) sudden transformation of the experience, (d) limitless expansive states with transcendental experiences, (f) reflections, and (g) changed worldview and new orientation to life. These themes provided a new structure, called the transcendental circle. Participants reported many positive psychological and physical improvements that indicate that ayahuasca could be of potential interest in the development of new medicines and therapies.
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| 23. |
- Kjellgren, Anette, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of Life with Flotation Therapy for a Person Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Atypical Autism, PTSD, Anxiety and Depression
- 2013
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Ingår i: Open Journal of Medical Psychology. - : Scientific Research Publishing. - 2165-9389 .- 2165-9370. ; 2:3, s. 134-138
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this single-subject study was to report experiences from one and a half years of regular floating as described by a person with neuropsychiatric and mental health disorders. Floating, or Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique, involves relaxation and sensory deprivation by means of resting in a tank with highly salted and body-tempered water. The subject, a 24-year-old woman diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, atypical autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression floated regularly for one and a half years. Interviews regarding her experiences were analyzed and the main findings involved a subjective sense of improved quality of life, wellbeing and healthy behavior. There were no negative effects from treatment. Results suggest that floating may have beneficial therapeutic effects on mental health. Further studies that evaluate the efficacy and possible effects of floating with regard to mental health are needed.
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| 24. |
- Kjellgren, Anette, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Searching for placebo Effect: Do Sensitive Personality and Breathing Instructions Influence the Experience of Flotation-REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique)?
- 2009
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Ingår i: Individual Differences Research. - 1541-745X .- 2169-3951. ; 7:4, s. 212-221
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the experiences and effects of 45 minutes relaxation in flotation tank were influenced by breathing instruction or by a sensitive personality. A sample of 48 persons, 20 men and 28 females (mean age 27.40 years) were randomized into two groups; with or without a breathing relaxation instruction. The second independent variable was sensitive personality (low, high) derived from the Highly Sensitive Person Scale. Dependent variables were Subjective Flotation Experience (Kjellgren, Sundequist, Norlander, & Archer, 2001) and detection threshold and upper threshold pain endurance. Main results indicated that experiences during flotation with regard to comfort and stress reduction were not influenced by instructions or by sensitive personality. These results are in line with earlier findings indicating that flotation-REST is not particularly affected by expectancies, earlier experiences, personality or surroundings in the laboratory
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Stewart, Robert A. C., et al.
(författare)
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Looking forward to our 40th year of publication
- 2012
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Ingår i: Social behavior and personality. - : Scientific Journal Publishers Ltd. - 0301-2212 .- 1179-6391. ; 40:1, s. 1-4
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 27. |
- Svensson, Nina, 1975-, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of individual performance versus group performance with and without de Bono techniques for enhancing creativity.
- 2002
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Ingår i: The International Journal of Creativity & Problem Solving. - Daegu, Korea : The Korean Association for Thinking Development. - 1598-723X. ; 12:2, s. 15-34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Three experimental studies with high school students and university students as subjects were carried out in order to investigate the effects of different conditions on the performance of creative tasks. Study 1 investigated the effects of working individually (Single-work group) or in a Group (Group-work group) upon fluency, flexibility, and originality. It was found that although Group-work produced better results on the different measures of creativity, the total fluency score was higher for the Single-work group. Study 2 investigated whether or not two techniques for enhancing creativity, random word input and provocation, produced effects upon creative performance. It was shown that fluency after the manipulation was lower for the random word and provocation conditions, but not for the control condition. In Study 3, which differences in the creative process between subjects working during a period of three days under varying conditions, namely working as an individual versus working in a group (Assemblage condition) and working under control condition versus working with random word input (Technique condition). Group-work showed higher fluency and originality, although the Single-work group showed a greater mean value on fluency. Group-work produced also higher scores on thought change and incubation at all levels of the creative process, whereas the Single-work group produced higher scores on assertion for the original product and illumination on the final product. These results suggest that the Single-work group reached further in the creative process than the Group-work group. The participants in the random word condition showed a lower rate of flexibility than the participants in the control condition did, but also a higher level of thought change during the middle phase of the experiment.
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| 28. |
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