Posttraumatic stress disorder and cannabis use in a nationally representative sample.

The present study examined the relations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cannabis use in a large representative survey of adults (N = 5,672) from the United States (Kessler et al., 2004). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables (i.e., age, marital status, ethnicity, education, income, and sex), alcohol use disorders, and nicotine dependence, lifetime and current (past year) PTSD diagnoses were associated with increased odds of lifetime history of cannabis use as well as past year daily cannabis use. Lifetime, but not current, PTSD diagnosis also was uniquely associated with increased risk for any past year cannabis use. Additional analyses revealed that the relations between PTSD (lifetime and current) and lifetime cannabis use remained statistically significant when adjusting for co-occurring anxiety and mood disorders and trauma type frequency. Overall, these findings add to the emerging literature demonstrating a possibly important relationship between PTSD and cannabis use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A behavior-genetic study of parenting quality, infant attachment security, and their covariation in a nationally representative sample.

A number of relatively small-sample, genetically sensitive studies of infant attachment security have been published in the past several years that challenge the view that all psychological phenotypes are heritable and that environmental influences on child development--to the extent that they can be detected--serve to make siblings dissimilar. Using the twin subsample (N = 485 same-sex pairs) of the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study--Birth Cohort, the authors provide evidence that parenting quality and infant attachment security observed at 24 months, as well as their covariation, are a product of shared and nonshared environmental (but not genetic) variation among children. In contrast, genetic differences between infants played a prominent role in explaining observations of temperamental dependency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adult attachment and history of psychotherapy in a normative sample.

The willingness to trust and self-disclose to others, key aspects in the decision to seek psychotherapy, is expected to vary across attachment classifications. The current study examined the association between internal working models of attachment and history of psychotherapy in a middle-class sample of 120 women, who were administered the Adult Attachment Interview (C. George, N. Kaplan, & M. Main, 1985/1996) and the Mental Health Survey (S. A. Riggs & D. Jacobvitz, 2002). Findings supported predictions that security of attachment is linked to history of psychotherapy. Specifically, adults classified as Dismissing were less likely than other adults to report a history of psychotherapy, whereas Secure adults reported the highest rates of couples therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social anxiety disorder subtypes and their mental health correlates in a nationally representative Canadian sample.

The present study aimed to assess the merit of subtyping social anxiety disorder by validating the nongeneralised subtype, differentiating the generalised and nongeneralised subtypes, and determining the role of feared social situations. Data came from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2 (N = 36,984) of adults aged 15 years and older. Social anxiety disorder was assessed with the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. In accordance with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM–IV) criteria, generalised social anxiety disorder was defined as fearing at least 7 (i.e., most) of 13 feared social situations, whereas nongeneralised social anxiety disorder as fearing 6 or fewer. Results indicated that the nongeneralised subtype was associated with increased odds of comorbid mood, anxiety, and suicidality compared with non-socially anxious adults. Conversely, the generalised subtype was not associated with increased odds of comorbid mental disorders and suicide attempts compared with the nongeneralised subtype after controlling for sociodemographic factors and other comorbid Axis I disorders. Finally, as the number of feared social situations increased, so did the odds of suffering from comorbid mood and anxiety disorders and suicidality. The present study has important implications for the DSM–5. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aspiration-job match: Age trends in a large, nationally representative sample of young White men.

Age trends in the match between vocational aspirations and actual jobs were studied in a nationally representative sample of 3,730 White males, 16–28 yrs old, who were interviewed yearly for 5 yrs. As the Ss aged, there was greater agreement between jobs and aspirations (classified according to J. L. Holland's typology [see PA, Vol 58:6452]). The distribution of both aspirations and actual jobs also differed with age. More of the older men were engaged in enterprising work, and the distribution of aspirations, which at age 16 diverged markedly from the distribution of jobs, resembled that distribution more closely by age 28. Implications for changing strategies of vocational counseling and research are discussed. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Factor structure and associations with psychopathology in a nationally representative sample.

This study examined the factor structure of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI), a measure used to assess severity of gambling behaviour in the general population. It subsequently looked at its associations with past-year psychopathology using a subsample (n = 742) of moderate-to-high-risk problem gamblers within the large, nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 1.2 sample. An exploratory analysis found support for a unifactorial model of the CPGI. Positive associations between problem gambling and various past-year disorders and mental health behaviours were found, with the strongest association being for suicide attempts. These findings help to define the range of maladaptive behaviours associated with problem gambling and their mental health correlates in the Canadian population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender differences in combat-related stressors and their association with postdeployment mental health in a nationally representative sample of U.S. OEF/OIF veterans.

Though the broader literature suggests that women may be more vulnerable to the effects of trauma exposure, most available studies on combat trauma have relied on samples in which women's combat exposure is limited and analyses that do not directly address gender differences in associations between combat exposure and postdeployment mental health. Female service members' increased exposure to combat in Afghanistan and Iraq provides a unique opportunity to evaluate gender differences in different dimensions of combat-related stress and associated consequence for postdeployment mental health. The current study addressed these research questions in a representative sample of female and male U.S. veterans who had returned from deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq within the previous year. As expected, women reported slightly less exposure than men to most combat-related stressors, but higher exposure to other stressors (i.e., prior life stress, deployment sexual harassment). No gender differences were observed in reports of perceived threat in the war zone. Though it was hypothesized that combat-related stressors would demonstrate stronger negative associations with postdeployment mental health for women, only one of 16 stressor × gender interactions achieved statistical significance and an evaluation of the clinical significance of these interactions revealed that effects were trivial. Results suggest that female Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom service members may be as resilient to combat-related stress as men. Future research is needed to evaluate gender differences in the longer-term effects of combat exposure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adult attachment style and narcissistic vulnerability.

Argues that, in adult relationships, insecure attachments reflect strategies for managing a greater level of narcissistic vulnerability than exists in secure attachment. Attachment theory (AT) has traditionally emphasized adaptive responses in the child–parent relationship. However, researchers have applied AT to adult love relationships. Both the child literature and the adult literature have explored individual differences in attachment behavior and have identified stylistic categories of secure and insecure attachments. Although the insecure categories are characterized by overt behavior that appears quite different (i.e., clinging vs distance), in adult relationships where attachment is reciprocal, these stylistic patterns may achieve a similar function. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applying an occupational classification to a representative sample of work histories.

Applied the J. Holland occupational classification to a national sample of 973 retrospective work histories to test the predictive efficiency of the classification and related hypotheses from Holland's theory of careers. Analyses were performed by organizing and reorganizing the work histories according to the classification. The classification appears to order lower level occupational histories in an efficient way, well beyond chance. Also all 3 letters in the Realistic code appear to have predictive validity. Results suggest that the theory can be applied to both adult work histories and vocational choices of high school and college students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Marijuana use and panic psychopathology among a representative sample of adults.

This study examined the relations between marijuana use and panic attacks and panic disorder using a large representative survey of adults (N = 5,672; 53% women; Mage = 45.05 years, SD = 17.9) conducted in the United States (Kessler et al., 2004). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables (age, marital status, income, education, race, and sex) and the presence of a lifetime substance use disorder, lifetime marijuana use was significantly associated with increased odds of a lifetime panic attack history. Lifetime marijuana use also was significantly associated with an increased risk of current (past-year) panic attacks; however, this relation was not significant when controlling for nicotine dependence. Lifetime marijuana use was significantly associated with increased odds of a lifetime diagnosis of panic disorder as well as a current (past-year) diagnosis of panic disorder. Current (past-year) marijuana use was significantly associated with both lifetime and current panic attacks, but not current or lifetime panic disorder. Results are discussed in relation to the novel information they offer in regard to understanding the putative marijuana use–panic psychopathology association(s). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalences of intimate partner violence in a representative U.S. Air Force sample.

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious health concern, but little is known about prevalence of IPV in the armed forces, as military members cope with the pressures of long-standing operations. Furthermore, previous prevalence studies have been plagued by definitional issues; most studies have focused on acts of aggression without consideration of impact (clinically significant [CS] IPV). This is the first large-scale study to examine prevalences of IPV, CS-IPV, and clinically significant emotional abuse (CS-EA) for men and women. Method: A United States Air Force-wide anonymous survey was administered across 82 bases in 2006 (N = 42,744) to assess IPV, CS-IPV, and CS-EA. Results: The adjusted prevalence of CS-IPV perpetration was 4.66% for men and 3.54% for women. Prevalences of IPV perpetration were 12.90% for men and 15.14% for women. CS-EA victimization was 6.00% for men and 8.50% for women. Sociodemographic differences in risk for violence were found for gender, race/ethnicity, pay grade, religious faith, marital status, and career type even after controlling for other demographic variables. Conclusions: Partner maltreatment is widespread in military (and civilian) samples. Men were more likely to perpetrate CS-IPV, whereas women were more likely to perpetrate IPV. Specific demographic risk factors were identified for different types of partner maltreatment (e.g., lower rank predicted higher risk for both perpetration and victimization across men and women). Other sociodemographic differences varied across severity (IPV vs. CS-IPV) and across gender. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sleep timing and quantity in ecological and family context: A nationally representative time-diary study.

Associations between demographic characteristics, school schedules, activity choices, family functioning, and sleep behaviors were estimated using nationally representative time-diary data from 2,454 children (ages 5.5 to 11.9 years) and adolescents (ages 12.0 to 19.1 years). For weekdays, African American adolescents, Asian children, and those with earlier school start times and longer travel times to school reported fewer sleep hours. More time spent watching television (for children), doing homework (for adolescents), and engaging in religious activities predicted fewer hours, whereas a longer time spent on meals predicted greater hours of weekday sleep. For younger children, greater parental warmth predicted more hours of weekday sleep, whereas for adolescents, stricter household rules were protective. On weekends, African American adolescents and Hispanic children slept less, and there were strong effects of activity choices including time spent on television, computer and videogames, sports, religious activities, socializing, and employment. In accounting for age-related decreases in sleep hours from childhood to adolescence, earlier school start times, greater hours of homework, greater paid employment, less time spent on meals, and fewer household rules were all significant mediators. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adult attachment and the transition to parenthood.

This study examined how a major life stressor—the transition to parenthood—affects marital satisfaction and functioning among persons with different attachment orientations. As hypothesized, the interaction between women's degree of attachment ambivalence and their perceptions of spousal support (assessed 6 weeks prior to childbirth) predicted systematic changes in men's and women's marital satisfaction and related factors over time (6 months postpartum). Specifically, if highly ambivalent (preoccupied) women entered parenthood perceiving lower levels of support from their husbands, they experienced declines in marital satisfaction. Women's ambivalence also predicted their own as well as their husbands' marital satisfaction and functioning concurrently. The degree of attachment avoidance did not significantly predict marital changes, although women's avoidance did correlate with some of the concurrent marital measures. These findings are discussed in terms of attachment theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adult attachment styles and group psychotherapy attitudes.

The current study examined the relationship between 63 intake clients’ and 28 college student’s attachment styles and their attitudes of group psychotherapy. The authors examined the relationship between attachment anxiety and avoidance and the subscales of the Group Therapy Survey-R (Carter, Mitchell, & Krautheim, 2001). Results revealed a significant relationship between attachment avoidance in adult romantic relationships and increased fears of being vulnerable in group psychotherapy. As hypothesized, avoidance in romantic relationships was related to fears of shame and humiliation in group therapy. Contrary to predictions, clients’ anxiety ratings were negatively related to negative myths of group psychotherapy. The greater the clients rated fears of being rejected and abandoned, the less they rated negative myths about group treatment. Neither attachment anxiety nor avoidance was related to ratings of group therapy efficacy. Implications of the findings for future research and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relative body weight and self-esteem among African Americans in four nationally representative samples

Since the emergence of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, its clinical applications have seen a logarithmic growth. The advantage of MR imaging is that it offers a vast amount of important clinical information with minimal risk to the patient, and promises to reduce the need for angiographic studies with their attendant morbidity and mortality. We review the applications and recent advances of MR imaging to include coronary imaging of native, bypassed and stented vessels, carotid arteries, peripheral arteries, and the aorta. In addition, we discuss issues of patient preferences and the future directions of MR imaging. We predict that the clinical utility of MR angiography will grow with refinements that will improve speed, resolution, and even the use of spectroscopy to characterize plaque.     

Adult attachment and the suppression of unwanted thoughts.

Dismissing-avoidant adults are characterized by expressing relatively low levels of attachment related distress. However, it is unclear whether this reflects a relative absence of covert distress or an attempt to conceal covert distress. Two experiments were conducted to distinguish between these competing explanations. In Experiment 1, participants were instructed to suppress thoughts of their romantic partner abandoning them. Relative to control conditions, suppression resulted in a decrease in the accessibility of abandonment-related thoughts for dismissing-avoidant adults. Experiment 2 demonstrated that attempts to suppress the attachment system resulted in decreases in physiological arousal for dismissing-avoidant adults. These experiments indicate that dismissing-avoidant adults are capable of suppressing the latent activation of their attachment system and are not simply concealing latent distress. The discussion focuses on developmental, cognitive, and social factors that may promote detachment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalence of civilian trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in a representative national sample of women.

Prevalence of crime and noncrime civilian traumatic events, lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PTSD in the past 6 mo were assessed in a sample of 4,008 US adult women. Random digit-dial telephone methods were used to identify study participants. Structured telephone interviews for assessment of specific crime or other traumatic event history and PTSD were conducted by trained female interviewers. Lifetime exposure to any type of traumatic event was 69%, whereas exposure to crimes that included sexual or aggravated assault or homicide of a close relative or friend occurred among 36%. Overall sample prevalence of PTSD was 12.3% lifetime and 4.6% within the past 6 mo. The rate of PTSD was significantly higher among crime vs noncrime victims (25.8% vs 9.4%). History of incidents that included direct threat to life or receipt of injury was a risk factor for PTSD. Findings are compared with data from other epidemiological studies. Results are discussed as they relate to PTSD etiology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship between parental attachment and eating disorders in an inpatient and a college sample.

The relationship between parental attachment and eating disorder symptoms was examined for an inpatient sample of women with eating disorders (n?=?68) and for a sample of college women (n?=?162). The college women described themselves as more securely attached to parents and reported lower levels of weight and dieting preoccupation, bulimic behavior, and feelings of ineffectiveness in comparison with the eating disorder women. Canonical analysis for the combined sample suggests that the presence of an affectively positive and emotionally supportive parental relationship, in conjunction with parental fostering of autonomy, is inversely associated with weight preoccupation, bulimic behavior, and feelings of ineffectiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child maltreatment polyvictimization: Rates and short-term effects on adjustment in a representative Hong Kong sample.

Objective: This article examines the unique effects of multiple forms of victimization, namely child abuse and neglect (CAN) and exposure to parental intimate partner violence (IPV), on children's self-blame, feelings of being threatened, self-esteem, and ability to control anger. Method: The cross-sectional study recruited a population-based sample of 2,062 children aged 12–17 years in Hong Kong. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the children. The prevalence rate of the co-occurrence of exposure to IPV and CAN in the Chinese population, and the unique impacts of exposure to IPV and CAN on children were examined. Results: The results show that 13.1% of the children had experienced CAN, and 6.5% had witnessed parental IPV. Among those families characterized by IPV, 61.1% were involved in child abuse in the preceding year of the study. Participants who had experienced both CAN and exposure to parental IPV reported lower levels of self-esteem and higher rates of being aggressive and violent, and feeling threatened. These children also reported the highest levels of feeling that their well-being was threatened and of blaming themselves for parental violence and parental discipline. Conclusions: The findings reemphasize the important need for public policy on child and youth victimization that encourages social workers and Child Protective Services to screen for child polyvictimization in cases of suspected/reported child abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)