8.1.3 Flashcards
What do Safer et al. (1979) suggest about people’s thinking when first experiencing a symptom?
People have different thinking and decision-making processes when first experiencing a symptom from when first suspecting illness.
This highlights the difference in perception and response to health-related issues.
What stigma-related concerns did Fernando et al. (2017) find in Sri Lanka regarding mental health treatment?
15 per cent of patients and carers reported delays in seeking help due to stigma-related concerns.
This indicates the significant impact of stigma on mental health treatment access.
What was the median duration of delay for mood disorders and anxiety according to Bruffaerts et al. (2007)?
The median duration of delay was one year for mood disorders, but 16 years for anxiety.
This suggests that anxiety disorders often go untreated for much longer than mood disorders.
According to the health belief model (HBM), what influences the speed at which people seek medical help?
People who feel threatened by their symptoms tend to see a practitioner more quickly.
This model highlights the psychological factors affecting health-seeking behavior.
What are the components of the health belief model (HBM)?
- Threat
- Susceptibility
- Seriousness
- Benefits
- Barriers
Each component contributes to understanding health-related decision-making.
What stages of delay did Safer et al. (1979) identify in seeking medical help?
- Appraisal
- Illness
- Utilisation
- Total
These stages help in understanding the decision-making process in health care.
What factors reduce the delay in seeking medical help according to Safer et al. (1979)?
Bleeding or severe pain reduces the delay in seeking medical help.
This indicates that more severe symptoms prompt quicker action.
What factors increase delay in seeking medical help according to Safer et al. (1979)?
- Negative imagery
- Concerns over costs
- Researching symptoms
- Believing symptoms are incurable
These factors contribute to hesitance in seeking treatment.
Define Munchausen syndrome.
Munchausen syndrome is when people seek excessive medical attention without any thought of gain, often traveling to obtain new diagnoses and treatments.
It is classified as a factitious disorder.
What distinguishes Munchausen syndrome from malingering?
Malingering involves feigning symptoms for obvious gain or incentive, while Munchausen syndrome does not involve any thought of gain.
This distinction is important in understanding motivations behind the behavior.
What are some diagnostic features of Munchausen syndrome identified by Aleem and Ajarim (1995)?
- Pathological lying
- Peregrination
- Recurrent feigned illness
- Equanimity for diagnostic procedures
- Evidence of self-induced physical signs
These features help in diagnosing this complex condition.
What methodological approach did Aleem and Ajarim (1995) use in their study of Munchausen syndrome?
They presented a case study of a 22-year-old female university student with symptoms indicative of Munchausen syndrome.
Case studies are often used for rare conditions where experimental methods are not ethical.
What validity issues were noted in Safer et al. (1979) regarding their data collection?
Safer et al. used retrospective data, which could lead to inconsistent memories, especially under stress.
This raises concerns about the accuracy of self-reported data.
What is the difference between reductionism and holism in the context of health beliefs?
Reductionism focuses on isolating specific variables, while holism considers multiple factors influencing health behavior.
This distinction affects the development of effective interventions.
Why is an idiographic approach appropriate for studying Munchausen syndrome?
An idiographic approach provides rich in-depth information, which is crucial for understanding this relatively rare condition.
Generalizing from small samples may not be valid in such cases.
