Abstract
This portfolio is divided into three sections: 1. Academic 2. Clinical 3. Research Academic The academic section consists of two critical essays on (a) Psychosocial interventions in cancer; (b) Psychological interventions in the management of chronic pain. The first essay provides an overview of the various psychosocial problems experienced by people with cancer and critically reviews the current literature on Individual and Group psychotherapies. Both the psychotherapies are being widely used as a treatment modality for people with cancer but there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding its efficacy due to methodological problems. The second essay examines the various psychological factors in chronic pain and critically reviews the effectiveness of cognitive-behaviour therapy. The author concludes that although cognitive behavioural treatment can be useful in managing chronic pain, the studies are not without substantial methodological problems and limitations. Important issues for further research have been identified. Clinical The clinical section consists of the author’s curriculum vitae and the development of clinical psychology service in Sleaford. The details of a survey, carried out as a part of the service development, are also included. Initially, processes involved in the development of the clinical psychology service is described and discussed. This includes liaising with the GPs and other members of the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) which has highlighted few issues regarding the role of a clinical psychologist within a CMHT. Finally, result of the survey carried out in order to understand the G. Ps’ need for the clinical psychology service is discussed. Research The research ‘The development of eating psychopathology- a cross cultural study’ is included in the research section. The development of eating psychopathology in three different groups of Asian girls is explored. Various studies have highlighted the emergence of eating disorders among non-Caucasian population and non-Western cultures. Asian girls living in the UK are reported to have a greater eating psychopathology as compared to Caucasian girls. Acculturation and culture-clash have been described as the possible reasons for it. But concern have been expressed about the generalised use of the term ‘Asian’ and ‘culture’ without any operational definition. This study, therefore, included three groups of Asian girls who were culturally different from each other. The sample consisted of 44 Caucasian girls living in the UK, 42 Asian Muslim girls living in the UK, 36 Hindu girls living in the U.K., and 47 Indian girls living in India. All the girls aged between 14-16 years. The data was collected both quantitatively and qualitatively. All the hypotheses were rejected, however, the qualitative data have produced some interesting issues such as the relationship between experience of conflict and various coping strategies.