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General practice attendance in women with psychosocial problems

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Summary

This intensive study of a cohort of women with identified psychosocial problems found two predisposing or “personality” variables to be associated with general practice attendance rates. These were: expressed reliance on the doctor, including the readiness to consult for personal problems and a high score on the “Powerful Others” Health Locus of Control measure; and an excessive concern with bodily functions as measured on the Clinical Interview Schedule. There was some evidence that low attenders were more likely to have among their social networks those with professional knowledge of health matters. There were no significant differences between low and recent attenders on the severity of psychosocial problems, as measured by the overall CIS score and the Social Maladjustment Schedule.

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Murray, J., Corney, R. General practice attendance in women with psychosocial problems. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 23, 175–183 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01794785

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