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BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Feb 2002
Topics: Denial, Psychological; Female; Germany; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 11859048
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.324.7335.458 -
Psyche Sep 1988
Review
Topics: Adult; Denial, Psychological; Ego; Humans; Psychotic Disorders; Reality Testing
PubMed: 3051135
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Advanced Nursing Jun 1993Denial is typically viewed as maladaptive in clinical practice, despite ample evidence of its adaptive role in personal and health crises. The failure of health...
Denial is typically viewed as maladaptive in clinical practice, despite ample evidence of its adaptive role in personal and health crises. The failure of health professionals to embrace the positive aspects of denial lies deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, which have been reinforced in more recent times by misapplication of clinical theory. Denial is a form of self-deception that protects the individual from threats to the self and involves exaggerated perceptions of control and self-efficacy. Social-psychological research suggests that such biases in cognitive appraisal are the norm and not exclusive reactions to crises. It is proposed that denial has the following functions during crises: denial protects the integrity of the self-concept by distorting reality in a self-enhancing way, promoting a sense of mastery and control; this in turn leads to lower levels of anxiety, which may enhance decision-making under conditions of stress. Psychological health appears to be contingent, at least in part, on an ability to see the world through 'rose-tinted glasses'. Health professionals should be aware, therefore, that whilst trying to promote psychological well-being we do not ask patients to be unrealistically realistic.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Bereavement; Decision Making; Denial, Psychological; Health Personnel; Humans
PubMed: 8320389
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.1993.18060938.x -
The Hastings Center Report 2010
Topics: Adolescent; Anorexia; Body Image; Denial, Psychological; Female; Humans; Treatment Refusal
PubMed: 21140740
DOI: No ID Found -
Palliative Medicine Mar 2004It has become commonplace to say that contemporary western society is 'death-denying'. This characterization, which sociologists have termed the 'denial of death...
It has become commonplace to say that contemporary western society is 'death-denying'. This characterization, which sociologists have termed the 'denial of death thesis', first arose in the social science, psychological and clinical medical literature in the period between 1955 and 1985. During the same time period, the hospice and palliative care movements were developing and in part directed themselves against the perceived cultural denial of death in western society. While the denial of death has been taken for granted by the lay public as well as by clinicians, in the sociological literature it has been increasingly questioned. In this paper we use sociological critiques of the denial of death thesis to raise critical questions about the theory and practice of contemporary palliative care. In particular, we argue that the emphasis of palliative care should not be on extinguishing the denial of death but on the relief of suffering.
Topics: Attitude to Death; Denial, Psychological; Humans; Palliative Care; Public Opinion; Thanatology
PubMed: 15046408
DOI: 10.1191/0269216304pm858oa -
Medical Decision Making : An... 1988
Topics: Consumer Behavior; Decision Support Techniques; Denial, Psychological; Emotions; Humans
PubMed: 3054398
DOI: 10.1177/0272989X8800800412 -
CBE Life Sciences Education 2012
Topics: Biological Evolution; Communications Media; Decision Making; Denial, Psychological; Global Warming; Humans; Internet; Journalism; Schools; Science
PubMed: 22665586
DOI: 10.1187/cbe.12-03-0029 -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Aug 2000
Topics: Denial, Psychological; Depression; Humans; Mental Disorders; Sports
PubMed: 10953912
DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.34.4.315-b -
Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal Feb 1976
Topics: Adult; Child Rearing; Denial, Psychological; Emotions; Female; Humans; Infanticide; Life Style; Mother-Child Relations; Personality Disorders; Social Conformity
PubMed: 1268800
DOI: 10.1177/070674377602100106 -
The American Journal of Psychiatry Aug 1979Recent research has shown that patients with life-threatening illnesses have improved chances of survival if, rather than recognizing the serious consequences of their...
Recent research has shown that patients with life-threatening illnesses have improved chances of survival if, rather than recognizing the serious consequences of their illness, they employ the psychological defense mechanism of denial. Reexamination of these data suggests that unexamined psychological factors which promote a positive view of health are of equal or greater importance in explaining those results. Health care professionals, concerned with diagnosis and treatment, primarily focus attention on illness and its denial or recognition. To expand this perspective to include factors for health, the author presents a four-cell paradigm of illness, health, denial, and affirmation. The paradigm is illustrated with examples of common problems in medical care.
Topics: Adult; Attitude to Health; Awareness; Consciousness; Denial, Psychological; Female; Humans; Hypochondriasis; Male; Middle Aged; Sick Role; Stereotyped Behavior
PubMed: 464127
DOI: 10.1176/ajp.136.8.1026