No abstract

In this study the applicability of two multidimensional instruments, the NHP and the RAND 36-item Health Survey 1.0, for measuring health status in population surveys was examined. A population sample of 1,063 persons aged over 17 years participated in the study. It was shown that, as compared with the NHP, the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 is a more reliable measure of health status. Second, within a group of subjects who scored 'zero' on the NHP, considerable dispersion in RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 scores was found. For the whole group, no significant differences were found in the amount of variance explained by the corresponding scales from both instruments in the prevalence of chronic diseases. However, among subjects with a zero score on the NHP, the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 scores were still predictive of the occurrence of chronic diseases. It was concluded that, compared with the NHP, the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 seems to be a more sensitive instrument for the use in population samples.

An overview is given of the strategies individuals use to overcome misfortune and to restore their subjective well-being. Using adaptation-theory as a frame of reference, three groups of adaptive mechanisms are described, i.e., shifting intrapsychic criteria, cognitive reconstruction, and future-time perception. The differences and similarities with related theoretical perspectives (for instance, 'coping' and 'control') are identified. Many other theoretical notions are briefly discussed and given a place in the presented framework. In the concluding section the possible role of moderating factors (e.g., social support) is discussed. Finally, some adaptational views on psychological dysfunctioning are presented.

A group of individuals who had granted or refused permission to have organs removed from a decreased relative for transplantation were interviewed. Organ donation was found to be a very delicate subject: the request for organ donation often comes unexpectedly and most relatives are not aware of the wishes of the decreased (donor codicil), which complicates the decision process. Some of the relatives who refused regretted their decision later. Remorse was also encountered in the group who gave their permission, although positive feelings were more common. The position of the member of staff who asks for permission is complicated. Suggestions are presented to improve the procedure.

No abstract