Using the common sense model of illness perceptions to examine osteoarthritis change: A 6-year longitudinal study.

Objective: To examine the association between changes in common sense models and changes in functional status over a 6-year follow-up in patients with osteoarthritis. Design: At baseline and follow-up, osteoarthritis outpatients (N = 241) recruited from a university medical center completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire—Revised (IPQ-R), the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index, and the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Also, their physician-assessed pain intensity, and biomedical, and clinical measures of medical severity of osteoarthritis were recorded. Main outcome measures: Functional disability, pain intensity. Results: Over 6 years, functional disability and pain intensity increased. The IPQ-R dimensions of timeline, personal control, and illness coherence became more negative, and emotional representations became less negative (i.e., more accepting). Patients identified as sharing a similar profile of negative changes on the IPQ-R had significantly worse functioning on 2 of 3 outcomes, independent of objectively measured osteoarthritis severity. Conclusions: Changes in illness perceptions were associated with changes in outcomes. Interventions to prevent increasingly negative patterns of illness perceptions over time, with an emphasis on strengthening control cognitions, may benefit functional status outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosocial predictors of changing sleep patterns in aging women: A multiple pathway approach.

The authors of this investigation sought to examine changes in the sleep quality of older women over time and to determine whether dimensions of psychological well-being, health (subjective health and number of illnesses), and psychological distress (depression and anxiety) predict these changes. A secondary analysis was conducted with a longitudinal sample of aging women (Kwan, Love, Ryff, & Essex, 2003). Of 518 community-dwelling older women in the parent study, 115 women (baseline M age = 67 years, SD = 7.18) with data at baseline, 8 years, and 10 years were used for this investigation. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires and participated in in-home interviews and observations. Growth curve modeling was used to examine the overall linear trajectories of sleep quality. Growth mixture modeling was used to examine whether there were different patterns of change in sleep quality over time and to examine baseline predictors of each pattern. Sleep quality declined over time but not for all women. Two distinctly different sleep patterns emerged: good but declining sleep quality and disrupted sleep quality. Higher psychological well-being (positive relations with others, environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, and self-acceptance), fewer illnesses, and lower depression scores at baseline predicted reduced odds for membership in the disrupted sleep group. Future research is needed to examine whether interventions focused on maintaining or enhancing psychological well-being could minimize later life declines in sleep quality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Calculation of some costs of suicide prevention using certain predictors of suicidal behavior.

On the premise that successful suicide prevention demands the detection of potential suicides and the application of effective prevention procedures, a method is presented for calculating the cost per unit of prevented suicide. Analysis is made in terms of the detection errors inherent in several indicators of potential suicides. These errors are of 2 kinds: failing to identify actual suicides, and treating nonsuicides like potential suicides. The 2nd kind of error inflates the costs, and decreases the likelihood, of successful suicide prevention as the suicide rate of the target population declines. The 1st kind of error raises the cost of continuing suicide occurrence. The 3rd type of cost examined is the loss of suicides by failure of the prevention method. The cost situation might improve by (1) reducing detection errors of both kinds, (2) improving the effectiveness of prevention methods, and (3) concentrating prevention efforts on groups which have high suicide rates. The computation procedures presented permit the rigorous assessment of the efficiency of any alleged predictor of suicide. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using real-client perceptions to examine psychometric properties of the Counselor Rating Form.

In study 1, 110 clients of a university counseling center (mostly college students) were asked to participate in self-evaluation of services they received by completing the Counselor Rating Form (CRF) at the end of counseling (mean number of sessions was 7). Results of principal components analysis suggest the existence of only 1 major factor underlying Ss' perceptions of counselors. In addition, oblique and orthogonal 3-factor analyses did not produce factor structures similar to those from laboratory analog research. Study 2 was conducted with a subsample of 72 Ss to determine if the CRF as a 1-factor instrument could adequately discriminate client satisfaction with counseling as well as with the 3 CRF subscales. Ss completed an expectations-about-counseling scale before beginning an 8-wk counseling program and the CRF and Counseling Evaluation Inventory after completing counseling. Results suggest that actual clients at the close of counseling do not clearly distinguish among perceived counselor expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness. Discriminant and regression analyses revealed that the 1-factor model performed as well as the 3-factor one. Findings extend those of K. P. Zamostny et al (see record 1982-04514-001) by analyzing data on the CRF using clients at a later stage of counseling and by using discriminant and regression analyses to assess the relative predictive utility of 1- vs 3-factor solutions on the CRF. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosocial predictors of AIDS risk behavior and drug use behavior in homeless and drug addicted women of color.

The present study examined a causal model consisting of personal and social resources, threat appraisal processes, coping styles, and barriers to risk reduction as predictors of general AIDS risk and specific drug use behaviors among homeless African American (N?=?714) and Latina (N?=?691) women. The model, which was based on a stress and coping framework, supported many of the hypothesized relationships. Active coping was associated with fewer general AIDS risk behaviors for both groups and less specific drug use behavior among African American women. Specific drug use behavior was predicted by high threat appraisal and avoidant coping for both groups. Ethnic differences and implications for intervention are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the self-protective nature of inconsistency-negativity management: Using the person memory paradigm to examine self-referent memory.

How do individuals remember feedback that is inconsistent or negative? According to the inconsistency–negativity resolution model, individuals are motivated to reduce uncertainty and resolve inconsistency even when threat to self is potential. They more deeply process and better remember negative self- than other-referent information. According to the inconsistency–negativity neglect model, individuals are motivated to protect the self against threat. They engage in more shallow processing and remember less negative self- than other-referent information. Participants read and recalled either self- or other-referent mixed-valence information. The neglect model was supported in personality and minimal feedback settings. A chronometric exploration of processing mechanisms and the ruling out of a retrieval interference account clarified aspects of the model. Individuals are hypersensitive to threat potential: They will protect the self against even hypothetical threat. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An in vitro traumatic injury model to examine the response of neurons to a hydrodynamically-induced deformation

A novel in vitro system was developed to examine the effects of traumatic mechanical loading on individual cells. The cell shearing injury device (CSID) is a parallel disk viscometer that applies fluid shear stress with variable onset rate. The CSID was used in conjunction with microscopy and biochemical techniques to obtain a quantitative expression of the deformation and functional response of neurons to injury. Analytical and numerical approximations of the shear stress at the bottom disk were compared to determine the contribution of secondary flows. A significant portion of the shear stress was directed in the r-direction during start-up, and therefore the full Navier-Stokes equation was necessary to accurately describe the transient shear stress. When shear stress was applied at a high rate (800 dyne cm-2 sec-1) to cultured neurons, a range of cell membrane strains (0.01 to 0.53) was obtained, suggesting inhomogeneity in cellular response. Functionally, cytosolic calcium and extracellular lactate dehydrogenase levels increased in response to high strain rate (> 1 sec-1) loading, compared with quasistatic (< 1 sec-1) loading. In addition, a subpopulation of the culture subjected to rapid deformation subsequently died. These strain rates are relevant to those shown to occur in traumatic injury, and, as such, the CSID is an appropriate model for studying the biomechanics and pathophysiology of neuronal injury.     

Using the theory of planned behavior to predict gambling behavior.

Gambling is an important public health concern. To better understand gambling behavior, we conducted a classroom-based survey that assessed the role of the theory of planned behavior (TPB; i.e., intentions, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and attitudes) in past-year gambling and gambling frequency among college students. Results from this research support the utility of the TPB to explain gambling behavior in this population. Specifically, in TPB models to predict gambling behavior, friend and family subjective norms and perceived behavioral control predicted past-year gambling, and friend and family subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control predicted gambling frequency. Intention to gamble mediated these relationships. These findings suggest that college-based responsible gambling efforts should consider targeting misperceptions of approval regarding gambling behavior (i.e., subjective norms), personal approval of gambling behavior (i.e., attitudes), and perceived behavioral control to better manage gambling behavior in various situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nutritional influences on bone mineral density: a cross-sectional study in premenopausal women

The association between current and past dietary intake and bone mineral density (BMD) was investigated in 994 healthy premenopausal women aged 45-49 y. BMD was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Dietary intake was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Energy-adjusted nutrient intakes were grouped into quartiles and mean BMD at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), femoral trochanter (FT), and femoral Wards (FW) were calculated. With higher intakes of zinc, magnesium, potassium, and fiber, LS BMD was significantly higher (P < 0.05-0.006), and a significant difference in LS BMD was also found between the lowest and highest quartiles for these nutrients and vitamin C intake (P < 0.05-0.01). These results remained significant after adjustment for important confounding factors. LS BMD and FT BMD were lower in women reporting a low intake of milk and fruit in early adulthood than in women with a medium or high intake (P < 0.01). High, long-term intake of these nutrients may be important to bone health, possibly because of their beneficial effect on acid-base balance.     

Ethnic identity formation: From stage theory to a constructivist narrative model.

A constructivist narrative approach to ethnic identity development is proposed as an alternative to traditional stage models of ethnic identity. Instead of conceptualizing identity as a linear, sequential unfolding, ethnic identity is seen as a narrative, shaped by contemporary and historical exchanges with one's family, friends, institutions, and the broader culture. It is argued that a constructivist narrative approach is more effective than the stage-model approach in capturing the diversity of identity-shaping experiences that define the lives of people of color. Several guidelines are proposed for utilizing a constructivist approach to ethnic identity, also called the ethnic self-narrative, in psychotherapy. The proposed approach to ethnic identity is illustrated through a case study of a Korean American male client suffering from trauma related to interethnic conflict with African Americans. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Problem drinking and the workplace: An individualized approach to prevention.

The present study evaluated the efficacy of a brief, individualized, alcohol abuse prevention program designed to reduce problem drinking within the workplace environment. One hundred fifty-five randomly selected employees of a medium-sized company in the food and retail service% sector participated in a 6-month controlled worksite prevention trial. Female problem drinkers who received the intervention were more likely than those in the no-treatment control group to reduce alcohol-related negative consequences at follow-up. In addition, there was a significant multivariate treatment effect, suggesting that participants who received the intervention were significantly more likely to reduce drinking frequency at follow-up. Evaluation of attrition rates and reports of participant satisfaction suggest that the intervention was effective in engaging participants at all levels of alcohol consumption. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Delivery of dehydroepiandrosterone to premenopausal women: effects of micronization and nonoral administration

Previous molecular mechanics calculations suggest that strands of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and complementary oligonucleotides form antiparallel duplexes stabilized by interresidue hydrogen bonds. In the computed structures, the amide carbonyl oxygen nearest the nucleobase (O7') forms an interresidue hydrogen bond with the backbone amide proton of the following residue, (n + 1)H1'. Of the 10 published two dimensional 1H NMR structures of a hexameric PNA.RNA heteroduplex. PNA(GAACTC).r(GAGUUC), 9 exhibit two to five potential interresidue hydrogen bonds. In our minimized average structure, created from the coordinates of these 10 NMR structures, three of the five possible interresidue hydrogen bond sites within the PNA backbone display the carbonyl oxygen (O7') and the amide proton (n + 1)H1' distances and N1'-H1'-(n - 1)O7' angles optimal for hydrogen bond formation. The finding of these interresidue hydrogen bonds supports the results of our previous molecular mechanics calculations.     

Application of a computational decision model to examine acute drug effects on human risk taking.

In 3 previous experiments, high doses of alcohol, marijuana, and alprazolam acutely increased risky decision making by adult humans in a 2-choice (risky vs. nonrisky) laboratory task. In this study, a computational modeling analysis known as the expectancy valence model (J. R. Busemeyer & J. C. Stout, 2002) was applied to individual-participant data from these studies, for the highest administered dose of all 3 drugs and corresponding placebo doses, to determine changes in decision-making processes that may be uniquely engendered by each drug. The model includes 3 parameters: responsiveness to rewards and losses (valence or motivation); the rate of updating expectancies about the value of risky alternatives (learning/memory); and the consistency with which trial-by-trial choices match expected outcomes (sensitivity). Parameter estimates revealed 3 key outcomes: Alcohol increased responsiveness to risky rewards and decreased responsiveness to risky losses (motivation) but did not alter expectancy updating (learning/memory); both marijuana and alprazolam produced increases in risk taking that were related to learning/memory but not motivation; and alcohol and marijuana (but not alprazolam) produced more random response patterns that were less consistently related to expected outcomes on the 2 choices. No significant main effects of gender or dose by gender interactions were obtained, but 2 dose by gender interactions approached significance. These outcomes underscore the utility of using a computational modeling approach to deconstruct decision-making processes and thus better understand drug effects on risky decision making in humans. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of a psychoeducational approach to HIV risk behavior reduction.

The effectiveness of a psychoeducational treatment program for reducing high-risk HIV transmission behaviors was compared with that of an information only group evaluated in a sample of 127 inpatients (aged 22–62 yrs), mostly African-American, on a drug abuse treatment unit. Both treatments were effective in increasing factual knowledge about AIDS, proficiency at demonstrating correct procedures for needle cleaning and condom use, and perceived susceptibility to and response efficacy for avoiding HIV infection. At posttreatment, Ss in the psychoeducation condition obtained higher scores on the condom demonstration test; however, at 1-mo follow-up, the performance of both groups on this test was equivalent. In terms of HIV knowledge, the psychoeducation group was superior at follow-up, but not at posttreatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using a model to compute the optimal schedule of practice.

By balancing the spacing effect against the effects of recency and frequency, this paper explains how practice may be scheduled to maximize learning and retention. In an experiment, an optimized condition using an algorithm determined with this method was compared with other conditions. The optimized condition showed significant benefits with large effect sizes for both improved recall and recall latency. The optimization method achieved these benefits by using a modeling approach to develop a quantitative algorithm, which dynamically maximizes learning by determining for each item when the balance between increasing temporal spacing (that causes better long-term recall) and decreasing temporal spacing (that reduces the failure related time cost of each practice) means that the item is at the spacing interval where long-term gain per unit of practice time is maximal. As practice repetitions accumulate for each item, items become stable in memory and this optimal interval increases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dominance analysis: A new approach to the problem of relative importance of predictors in multiple regression.

Whenever multiple regression is used to test and compare theoretically motivated models, it is of interest to determine the relative importance of the predictors. Specifically, researchers seek to rank order and scale variables in terms of their importance and to express global statistics of the model as a function of these measures. This article reviews the many meanings of importance of predictors in multiple regression, highlights their weaknesses, and proposes a new method for comparing variables: dominance analysis. Dominance is a qualitative relation defined in a pairwise fashion: One variable is said to dominate another if it is more useful than its competitor in all subset regressions. Properties of the newly proposed method are described and illustrated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of urine biomarkers to evaluate menstrual function in healthy premenopausal women

A total of 403 healthy, premenopausal women, residing near Santa Clara, California, were recruited from a large health care plan in California for a study of menstrual function. After a telephone interview, participants collected daily urine samples and recorded bleeding and other information in diaries. Data were collected during 1990-1991. Urine samples were analyzed for creatinine and for estradiol and progesterone metabolites by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Computer algorithms were developed to derive menstrual segment length, ovulatory status, day of ovulation, and other parameters from the urine and diary data. (We use "segment" rather than "cycle" to avoid implying that normal cycling occurred.) The average length of participation was 141 (standard deviation, 45) days. The mean segment length was 28.8 (standard deviation, 4.4) days; follicular phase length, 16.0 (standard deviation, 4.4) days; and luteal phase length, 12.9 (standard deviation, 1.7) days; 19 (4.7%) women experienced anovulatory episodes. In exploratory multivariate analyses, important associations included the following: age of > or = 35 years with decreased segment and follicular phase lengths; heavier weight (upper quartile) with anovulation and increased follicular phase and decreased luteal phase lengths; Hispanic ethnicity with anovulation and increased segment length; and past difficulty in achieving pregnancy with anovulation and increased length and variability of segments and follicular phases. Urine biomarkers can be used successfully to evaluate menstrual function in epidemiologic studies.     

An empathy-supporting approach to the treatment of infertile women.

Applies recent theoretical writings on women's psychological development to the psychotherapy of infertile women. It is proposed that infertility can cause crises of empathy toward self and others, resulting in the loss of a self-affirming "voice" and of affirming relationships with others. A psychotherapy relationship which supports the establishment of empathic connections with self and others can help clients regain self-affirmative processes and coping mechanisms which they need to sustain themselves during infertility treatment. Clinical material and treatment models are included. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)