Background: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of psychodynamic and behavioral inpatient treatments of severely obese patients regarding weight and distress. Methods: In a longitudinal study obese patients (body mass index, BMI ≧35) were randomly assigned to behavioral or to psychodynamic inpatient treatment. Mostly female (n = 267; 85%) obese patients with psychiatric and somatic comorbidity (age 20–64 years, BMI 35–74) were examined with standardized self-report scales on distress (SCL-90R), interpersonal problems (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems), eating behavior (Fragebogen zum Essverhalten) and body image (Fragebogen zum Körperbild). Results: During 49 days (mean) of inpatient treatment, patients lost an average of 5.6 kg (4.4%) in the behavioral (n = 130) and 5.7 kg (4.4%) in the psychodynamic setting (n = 137). In both settings, eating behavior, well-being and body image also improved significantly. One year after discharge, return rate was 73%. Forty percent had further reduced their weight (by more than 5% compared to intake), 36% had regained weight, but were still below intake level, and another 24% had increased weight above intake. Conclusion: Behavioral and psychodynamic treatments were equally effective reducing weight and distress over 1 year.
PurposeCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is one of the most crucial phenomena of global capitalism at the beginning of the twenty‐first century. For this reason it is emphasized by many companies (especially transnational corporations and multinational companies) and in the European Union and its policy. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze how CSR exists in a transitional country and region – the Upper Silesian Industrial District and the Rybnik Coalmine Area in Southern Poland.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative and quantitative methodology was used to summarize the sociological research among entrepreneurs and businesses located throughout the region.FindingsThis research showed that the CSR model is a new phenomenon, relatively unknown to entrepreneurs and managers, although there are some examples of CSR practices which currently exist in the strategies of certain companies. These companies are enterprises with significant foreign capital, which proves the theory that CSR is a new kind of idea and consciousness coming into Poland (and Upper Silesia) from abroad. Small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) that belong to the Polish citizens are characterized by an unconscious mode of CSR. There are also examples of building a CSR model in the local perspective among SMEs through European projects. One project called “Inherit the Job” had a goal which was to have local companies recruit the long‐term unemployed for internships and practice and at the end of the program to employ them. To conclude, building a CSR model at the local/regional level depends on one's mentality and way of thinking and it will be a huge challenge in the coming years of transition.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the research is that companies are not very open to researchers and often would like to present themselves in a public relations manner and not reveal the true condition of the company.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the research are to create new programs focusing on CSR awareness and distribute them among SMEs and other companies.Originality/valueThe original value of the research is in showing how the model of CSR as a social phenomenon is implemented among entrepreneurs and companies in the Upper Silesian Industrial District.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.