Self-forgiveness is thought to play a meaningful role in the relationship between addiction and r... more Self-forgiveness is thought to play a meaningful role in the relationship between addiction and recovery. Scientific theories have been developed regarding the general nature of the forgiveness–health association and the forgiveness–addiction association and are supported by accumulating empirical evidence. However, scientific modeling regarding the explicit role of self-forgiveness in the process of addiction and recovery is much less developed. Based on the integration of a stress-and-coping model of self-forgiveness and health and a general model of the forgiveness–addiction association, we describe the development of a model addressing the self-condemnation–self-forgiveness–addiction/recovery association, including resentment and psychache as particularly relevant manifestations of self-condemnation. To this end, we provide an overview of the psychology of self-forgiveness as it pertains to addiction and recovery, ending with a discussion of clinical applications. In sum, the power of self-forgiveness to facilitate recovery from addiction may stem from its role as a uniquely effective coping mechanism to address the stressful effects of self-condemnation.
Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person-body, mind an... more Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person-body, mind and spirit. It is a broad discipline comprising a wide range of practices aimed at the overall health of the patient. More often than not, holistic medicine takes spirituality into account and incorporates practices like group therapy led by trained therapists. One problem, however, is that the words 'holistic' and 'medicine' are not specific, adding to the general confusion on what holistic medicine is. The aim of this review is to describe holistic medicine as a form of integrative medicine, combining both conventional and alternative medical practices. Furthermore, in light of the heterogeneous definitions and practices found in existing literature, we present arguments on the need for a proper terminology in order to create a system for fully evaluating the patient as a whole, which we call 'holology'.
To identify correlates of quality of life (QoL) measured with the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) in... more To identify correlates of quality of life (QoL) measured with the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) in participants of a multidisciplinary day hospital treatment program for fibromyalgia (FM). In this cross-sectional, observational study, “real world” data from 480 FM patients including socio-demographics, pain variables and questionnaires such as the SF-36, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Multiphasic Pain Inventory (MPI), SCL-90-R and others were categorized according to the components (body structure and function, activities and participation, personal factors, environmental factors) of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF). For every ICF component, a linear regression analysis with QOLS as the dependent variable was computed. A final comprehensive model was calculated on the basis of the results of the five independent analyses. The following variables could be identified as main correlates for QoL in FM, explaining 56% of the variance of the QOLS (subscale/questionnaire and standardized beta in parenthesis): depression (− 0.22), pain-related interference with everyday life (− 0.19), general activity (0.13), general health perception (0.11), punishing response from others (− 0.11), work status (− 0.10), vitality (− 0.11) and cognitive difficulties (− 0.12). Pain intensity or frequency was not an independent correlate. More than 50% of QoL variance could be explained by distinct self-reported variables with neither pain intensity nor pain frequency playing a major role. Therefore, FM treatment should not primarily concentrate on pain but should address multiple factors within multidisciplinary therapy.
Background: Hemodialysis patients (HDP) often suffer from kidney failure with comorbidities, such... more Background: Hemodialysis patients (HDP) often suffer from kidney failure with comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety and stress. Physical activity (PA) has a positive influence on these comorbidities. Objective: The purpose was to determine the current level of PA and identify potential correlates influencing PA in HDP to deduce prevention approaches. Material and methods: Data were collected in 13 dialysis centers in Bavaria. A standardized questionnaire was used to analyze PA (EHIS-PAQ) and influencing factors in 240 HDP. Gender differences were calculated using the t‑test and the Mann-Whitney U‑test (significance level p < 0.05). For correlation analyses with PA, Spearman’s correlation coefficient rs and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The results showed that HDP were on average moderately active for 76.31 min per week (standard deviation, SD 124.02 min). Male HDP were less active and showed significantly more depressive symptoms than female HDP (p < 0.05). The HDP who were more active assessed their subjective health condition on a higher level than HDP who were not active. Depression, stress, and age showed a negative association and sport-specific self-efficacy a positive association with PA (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that sport-specific self-efficacy increased the chance of becoming physically active while depression reduced the chance of achieving 150 min PA. Conclusion: The majority of HDP were barely active. The results reveal the necessity to further promote PA in patients with chronic renal failure. Physicians should be aware of patients’ self-efficacy as well as depressive symptoms and develop concepts that strengthen the self-efficacy and promote the positive effects of PA on health.
Self-forgiveness is thought to play a meaningful role in the relationship between addiction and r... more Self-forgiveness is thought to play a meaningful role in the relationship between addiction and recovery. Scientific theories have been developed regarding the general nature of the forgiveness–health association and the forgiveness–addiction association and are supported by accumulating empirical evidence. However, scientific modeling regarding the explicit role of self-forgiveness in the process of addiction and recovery is much less developed. Based on the integration of a stress-and-coping model of self-forgiveness and health and a general model of the forgiveness–addiction association, we describe the development of a model addressing the self-condemnation–self-forgiveness–addiction/recovery association, including resentment and psychache as particularly relevant manifestations of self-condemnation. To this end, we provide an overview of the psychology of self-forgiveness as it pertains to addiction and recovery, ending with a discussion of clinical applications. In sum, the power of self-forgiveness to facilitate recovery from addiction may stem from its role as a uniquely effective coping mechanism to address the stressful effects of self-condemnation.
Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person-body, mind an... more Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person-body, mind and spirit. It is a broad discipline comprising a wide range of practices aimed at the overall health of the patient. More often than not, holistic medicine takes spirituality into account and incorporates practices like group therapy led by trained therapists. One problem, however, is that the words 'holistic' and 'medicine' are not specific, adding to the general confusion on what holistic medicine is. The aim of this review is to describe holistic medicine as a form of integrative medicine, combining both conventional and alternative medical practices. Furthermore, in light of the heterogeneous definitions and practices found in existing literature, we present arguments on the need for a proper terminology in order to create a system for fully evaluating the patient as a whole, which we call 'holology'.
To identify correlates of quality of life (QoL) measured with the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) in... more To identify correlates of quality of life (QoL) measured with the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) in participants of a multidisciplinary day hospital treatment program for fibromyalgia (FM). In this cross-sectional, observational study, “real world” data from 480 FM patients including socio-demographics, pain variables and questionnaires such as the SF-36, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Multiphasic Pain Inventory (MPI), SCL-90-R and others were categorized according to the components (body structure and function, activities and participation, personal factors, environmental factors) of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF). For every ICF component, a linear regression analysis with QOLS as the dependent variable was computed. A final comprehensive model was calculated on the basis of the results of the five independent analyses. The following variables could be identified as main correlates for QoL in FM, explaining 56% of the variance of the QOLS (subscale/questionnaire and standardized beta in parenthesis): depression (− 0.22), pain-related interference with everyday life (− 0.19), general activity (0.13), general health perception (0.11), punishing response from others (− 0.11), work status (− 0.10), vitality (− 0.11) and cognitive difficulties (− 0.12). Pain intensity or frequency was not an independent correlate. More than 50% of QoL variance could be explained by distinct self-reported variables with neither pain intensity nor pain frequency playing a major role. Therefore, FM treatment should not primarily concentrate on pain but should address multiple factors within multidisciplinary therapy.
Background: Hemodialysis patients (HDP) often suffer from kidney failure with comorbidities, such... more Background: Hemodialysis patients (HDP) often suffer from kidney failure with comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety and stress. Physical activity (PA) has a positive influence on these comorbidities. Objective: The purpose was to determine the current level of PA and identify potential correlates influencing PA in HDP to deduce prevention approaches. Material and methods: Data were collected in 13 dialysis centers in Bavaria. A standardized questionnaire was used to analyze PA (EHIS-PAQ) and influencing factors in 240 HDP. Gender differences were calculated using the t‑test and the Mann-Whitney U‑test (significance level p < 0.05). For correlation analyses with PA, Spearman’s correlation coefficient rs and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The results showed that HDP were on average moderately active for 76.31 min per week (standard deviation, SD 124.02 min). Male HDP were less active and showed significantly more depressive symptoms than female HDP (p < 0.05). The HDP who were more active assessed their subjective health condition on a higher level than HDP who were not active. Depression, stress, and age showed a negative association and sport-specific self-efficacy a positive association with PA (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that sport-specific self-efficacy increased the chance of becoming physically active while depression reduced the chance of achieving 150 min PA. Conclusion: The majority of HDP were barely active. The results reveal the necessity to further promote PA in patients with chronic renal failure. Physicians should be aware of patients’ self-efficacy as well as depressive symptoms and develop concepts that strengthen the self-efficacy and promote the positive effects of PA on health.
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