Description.
Defining Palliative Sedation and Its Context Palliative sedation (PS), often termed proportionate palliative sedation or continuous deep sedation until death, represents a critical intervention utilized in the terminal phase of life when intractable suffering cannot be relieved by conventional palliative care measures. Attitudes toward this practice are complex and multifaceted, heavily influenced by clinical necessity, […]
Stress and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic The Global Context of Psychological Distress The emergence and subsequent global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to the COVID-19 pandemic, represented an unprecedented global health crisis that profoundly impacted mental health worldwide. Unlike localized disasters or regional conflicts, the pandemic introduced a […]
Psychological Health and Well-Being During COVID-19 The onset of the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic instigated a global health crisis that extended far beyond virological concerns, precipitating a profound and pervasive psychological emergency. This entry examines the complex interplay between unprecedented societal disruption and individual well-being, exploring the immediate stressors, resultant psychopathologies, adaptive coping […]
Anticipated Psychological Response to Disease Outbreak The emergence and rapid spread of a novel infectious disease represent a profound challenge not only to global public health infrastructure but also to the collective and individual psychological equilibrium of affected populations. Understanding the anticipated psychological response is critical for effective planning, intervention, and mitigation strategies. This response […]
Definition and Phenomenology of Acute Panic Acute panic is defined clinically as an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, during which time four or more specific somatic and cognitive symptoms occur. This experience is fundamentally different from generalized anxiety, which is typically characterized by persistent, low-grade worry. An […]
Attitudes toward Pap Tests The Pap test, or Papanicolaou smear, stands as one of the most successful preventive screening tools in modern medicine, dramatically reducing incidence and mortality rates associated with cervical cancer. However, the efficacy of this screening procedure is entirely contingent upon population compliance, which is mediated significantly by individuals’ underlying psychological and […]
Introduction to Paranoia and Belief Systems Paranoia, often defined as a pattern of thinking characterized by pervasive and persistent suspiciousness and mistrust of others, represents a complex interplay between cognitive interpretation, emotional regulation, and social experience. The core of paranoid ideation lies in the belief that others intend harm or persecution, even in the absence […]
Attitudes toward Paranormal Phenomena The study of attitudes toward paranormal phenomena constitutes a significant and complex area within social and cognitive psychology, delving into how individuals perceive, accept, or reject concepts that defy conventional scientific explanation. These phenomena typically encompass categories such as extrasensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis, life after death, ghosts, astrology, and unidentified flying […]
Introduction to Parent Connectedness: Defining the Construct The psychological construct of perceived parent connectedness refers fundamentally to the subjective appraisal an adolescent holds regarding the quality, closeness, and emotional availability within the relationship with their primary caregivers. Unlike objective measures of interaction frequency or shared activities, connectedness centers on the adolescent’s internal experience of feeling […]