Example PsycINFO Search
This shows an example search. You can create a search like this using Subject terms from the boxes to the right (illnesses) and below (impact variables).
Use the first line for the chronic illness.
Use the second line for words related to the impact.
You can use the word OR between synonyms or alternate terms on the same line.
Use "quote marks" to search for exact phrases.
PsycINFO Subject Headings for Biological Impact
biolog*
physiolog*
gene*
"drug therapy"
drugs
The * finds terms with alternate endings: physiolog* will find physiology and physiological.
PsycINFO Subject Headings for Social Impact
psychosocial
social
famil*
parent*
caregiver*
friendship
relationship*
"quality of life"
PsycINFO Subject Headings for Cognitive Impact
cogniti*
thinking
leraning
"decision making"
"problem solving"
memory
language
"executive function"
intelligence
achievement
PsycINFO Subject Headings for Psychological Impact
psycholog*
emotion*
personality
perception
anxiety
depression
stress
adjustment
affective
attachment
PsycINFO Subject Headings for illnesses
autism OR "pervasive developmental disorders"
"breast neoplasms"
"cystic fibrosis"
dementia OR "alzheimer's disease"
neoplasms OR leukemias
"sickle cell disease"
"down's syndrome"
hiv OR aids
"muscular dystrophy"
Opiates AND "drug abuse"
:
To search for Diabetes, Type 1
There is a PsycINFO Subject Heading for diabetes, but there is no subject heading specifically for type 1 diabetes.
Add Diabetes to the 2nd line as a Subject Heading, then use Add a row to search "Type 1" anywhere
To search for Congenital Heart Defects
You will need to combine subject headings related to heart problems with a subject heading for genetic disorders. You can just paste this phrase in the 2nd line:
("heart disorders" OR "cardiovascular disorders") AND "congenital disorders"
Be sure to include the "quote marks" and the parentheses () in your search phrase.
You are using the parentheses to create a subset of choices for the idea of heart problems.