RESUMO
Sixteen patients who had a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were treated with radiation therapy were followed up after a median duration of 5.5 years and given a battery of neuropsychological tests. Results were compared with a comparable group of newly diagnosed NPC patients awaiting radiation therapy. The irradiated group was significantly poorer in overall IQ, non-verbal memory recall, and reported a substantially greater number of memory related complaints. These results contrast with the complacent general assumption that radiation therapy has a negligible effect on adult functioning.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas/radioterapia , Transtornos Neurocognitivos/psicologia , Lesões por Radiação/psicologia , Lobo Temporal/efeitos da radiação , Estudos Transversais , Seguimentos , Humanos , Inteligência/efeitos da radiação , Rememoração Mental/efeitos da radiação , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Estudos Prospectivos , Desempenho Psicomotor/efeitos da radiação , Tempo de Reação/efeitos da radiaçãoRESUMO
The breastfeeding rate in Hong Kong is low compared to the rates in Western countries. To understand the relative importance of different sources of influence on infant feeding practices, 714 Chinese mothers with infants aged 4 weeks to 6 months were studied. It was found that the bottlefeeding mothers were influenced more by the medical professionals who did not support breastfeeding. This influence was further reinforced by the mass media and particularly television advertisements on infant formulae. The successful breastfeeding mothers, on the other hand, were influenced more by their social networks through which they were told of the dangers of bottlefeeding. The failed breastfeeding mothers differed from the other groups in the lack of support they experienced from friends and relatives. Although they received professional encouragement to breastfeed, they were more sheltered from the influence of mass media and social networks. From these findings, it is suggested that different sources of influence are related to different feeding practices. However, to be able to continue with the practice that one has chosen, the availability of social support is essential. Implications of these findings are discussed and several recommendations to promote breastfeeding are made.
Assuntos
Alimentação com Mamadeira/psicologia , Aleitamento Materno , Mães/psicologia , Adulto , China/etnologia , Feminino , Hong Kong , Humanos , Lactente , Meios de Comunicação de Massa , Apoio SocialRESUMO
The pattern of psychopathology in Chinese leukemic children as compared to Chinese children with orthopaedic disorder was studied through analysis of their respective responses to the Children's Apperception Test. Leukemic children were found to exhibit a distinctly different pattern of psychopathology and psychological defenses. Isolation, detachment and denial were commonly used to defend against their insecurity, abstract fears and uncertainties. Themes relating to parental misunderstandings and maltreatment were also elicited. These findings are discussed in relation to the Chinese conception of death as a taboo subject. Recommendations are made for a better psychological management of fatally ill children and their parents.