Age and sex differences in the mental health of older persons.

Administered the Trait Anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a depression scale, and a general well-being scale to 2,051 respondents (aged 55+ yrs) to explore the age and sex relationships in the scales and the effects of age and sex when other correlated variables are considered. Results show that mental health was curvilinearly related to age with high symptom scores obtained in both 55–59 and 85–89 yr olds and lowest in 60–69 yr olds. Sex interacted with marital status, with higher symptoms among males in the never-married category and in females among the widowed and the married categories. When data were adjusted for correlations among these and other variables, the relationships between mental health with age and sex changed. In males, symptoms were unrelated to age, and in females, symptoms decreased with age down to the 80–84 yr old group. In the adjusted data, married females had lower symptoms than males. (43 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure of the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale.

The Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is one of the most widely used measures of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms (W. K. Goodman et al., 1989). The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensions underlying the Y-BOCS by performing a confirmatory factor analysis of the scale using responses from a large sample of patients. The results support a 2-factor model of OCD symptoms. The first factor reflected the degree of disturbance caused by OCD symptoms, and the second factor reflected the severity of OCD symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of response styles on the report of psychological and somatic distress.

Assessed the impact of self-deception and impression management on the report of psychological and somatic symptoms among 94 male and 152 female undergraduates. Ss completed self- and other-deception questionnaires, a repression–sensitization scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Response styles were more predictive of psychological than somatic symptoms. Nevertheless, self-deception and repression–sensitization explained 13–25% of the variance in physical symptom reports over and above the effects of impression management. Self-deceivers and repressors reported significantly fewer symptoms of both types. Although females reported more symptoms of both types, no significant sex differences were noted in the effects of response style on symptom reporting. Both anxiety and depression were associated with a high rate of physical symptoms, particularly among females. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interactions between early parenting and a polymorphism of the child's dopamine transporter gene in predicting future child conduct disorder symptoms.

Mounting evidence suggests that genetic risks for mental disorders often interact with the social environment, but most studies still ignore environmental moderation of genetic influences. The authors tested interactions between maternal parenting and the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region of the dopamine transporter gene in the child to increase understanding of gene–environment interactions involving early parenting. Participants were part of a 9-year longitudinal study of 4- to 6-year-old children who met criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and demographically matched controls. Maternal parenting was observed during standard mother–child interactions in Wave 1. The child's conduct disorder (CD) symptoms 5–8 years later were measured using separate structured diagnostic interviews of the mother and youth. Controlling for ADHD symptoms and child disruptive behavior during the mother–child interaction, there was a significant inverse relation between levels of both positive and negative parenting at 4–6 years and the number of later CD symptoms, but primarily among children with 2 copies of the 9-repeat allele of the VNTR. The significant interaction with negative parenting was replicated in parent and youth reports of CD symptoms separately. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parent–child acculturation, parenting, and adolescent depressive symptoms in Chinese immigrant families.

Using a sample of 388 father–adolescent and 399 mother–adolescent dyads in Chinese immigrant families, the current investigation tested Portes and Rumbaut’s (1996) assertion that generational dissonance may indicate a family context that places children at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Study findings suggest that a high discrepancy in father–adolescent acculturation levels relates significantly to more adolescent depressive symptoms. The study further demonstrates that the quality of the parenting relationship between fathers and adolescents operates as a mediator between father–adolescent acculturation discrepancy and adolescent depressive symptoms. Specifically, a high level of discrepancy in American orientation between fathers and adolescents is associated with unsupportive parenting practices, which, in turn, are linked to more adolescent depressive symptoms. These relationships are significant even after controlling for the influence of family socioeconomic status and parents’ and adolescents’ sense of discrimination within the larger society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Work and Mexican American parent–adolescent relationships: The mediating role of parent well-being.

This study of Mexican American two-parent families (N = 246) examined the role of parents' well-being (i.e., depressive symptoms, role overload) as a potential mechanism through which parent occupational conditions (i.e., self-direction, hazardous conditions, physical activity, work pressure) are linked to parent–adolescent relationship qualities (i.e., warmth, conflict, disclosure). Depressive symptoms mediated the links between maternal and paternal work pressure and parent–adolescent warmth, conflict, and disclosure. For mothers, depressive symptoms also mediated the links between self-direction and mother–adolescent warmth, conflict, and disclosure; for fathers, role overload mediated the links between work pressure and hazardous conditions with father–adolescent warmth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal changes in the contribution of genetic and environmental influences to symptoms of depression in older male twins.

Genetically informative longitudinal data on self-reported symptoms of depression allow for an investigation of the causes of stability and change in depression symptoms throughout adult life. In this report, the authors investigated the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences to symptoms of depression in 83 monozygotic and 84 dizygotic male twin pairs from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Twin Study. Participants first completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression (CES—D) scale in 1985–1986 and again during 1995–1997. Mean age of twins at baseline was 63 years, range 59 to 70. From cross-sectional genetic analyses we estimated the heritability of CES—D to be 25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11%–39%) at baseline and 55% (95% CI, 40%–71%) at follow-up. Fitting longitudinal genetic models to the two-wave data, we found that stability of symptoms over the 10-year follow-up was due primarily to continuity of genetic influences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal findings from the normative aging study: I. Does mental health change with age?

Longitudinal changes in self-reported symptoms were investigated using the Cornell Medical Index (CMI) in a sample of 2,041 men. The average man completed 5 CMIs (range?=?2–8) over 17 (range?=?2–25) years. Using a two-stage growth model, we first regressed symptoms against time on study for each man. The average slope of physical symptoms showed a moderate increase over time, but the average slope of psychological symptoms showed little change. Next individual differences in change were examined using age at entry as an explanatory variable. Age accounted for 50% of the variance in physical symptoms at entry and 7% of the variance in slopes, but explained neither baseline level nor change in psychological symptoms. Rather, a U-shaped curve described the relation between age and psychological symptom change. These results, in concert with a developmental perspective, may help reconcile conflicting findings on aging and mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genetic and environmental contributions to depression symptomatology: Evidence from Danish twins 75 years of age and older.

The heritability symptoms of depression were investigated in a sample of 406 same-sex Danish twin pairs 75 years of age and older. Twins completed an interview assessment that included symptoms of depression, which were scored on the following 3 scales: Somatic, Affect, and Total. Heritability estimates (h–2) for the Total (h–2?=?.34), Somatic (h–2?=?.31), and Affect (h–2?=?.27) scales were all moderate and statistically significant. For not one of the scales did h–2 vary significantly over the age range sampled, and although the observed twin correlations were substantially smaller among men as compared with women, none of the sex differences in heritability were statistically significant. Multivariate analyses indicated that all of the heritable effects on the Affect and Somatic subscales could be attributed to a single genetic factor. Depression symptoms in older adults may thus be more heritable than indicated in previous studies, although nonshared environmental factors clearly account for a majority of the variance. The implications of these findings for understanding the nature of late-life depression symptomatology are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Blood glucose symptom beliefs of diabetic patients: Accuracy and implications.

Tested the accuracy of blood glucose (BG) symptom beliefs in 16 female and 10 male 16–64 yr old insulin-dependent diabetics. A within-Ss, repeated measures design was used to identify symptoms related to low and high BG levels for individual Ss. At the end of a year, Ss reported which symptoms they believed were related to their own low and high BG levels. Across Ss, the frequency of accurate beliefs (hits and correct rejections) was higher than the frequency of inaccurate beliefs (false alarms and misses). Female Ss' symptom beliefs yielded more hits, as well as more false alarms. Males missed more symptoms, especially low BG symptoms, than females. Symptom belief accuracy was greater if symptom–BG relationships remained stable across time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

It takes three: Selection, influence, and de-selection processes of depression in adolescent friendship networks.

The authors of this study tested a selection–influence–de-selection model of depression. This model explains friendship influence processes (i.e., friends' depressive symptoms increase adolescents' depressive symptoms) while controlling for two processes: friendship selection (i.e., selection of friends with similar levels of depressive symptoms) and friendship de-selection (i.e., de-selection of friends with dissimilar levels of depressive symptoms). Further, this study is unique in that these processes were studied both inside and outside the school context. The authors used a social network approach to examine 5 annual measurements of data in a large (N =847) community-based network of adolescents and their friends (M = 14.3 years old at first measurement). Results supported the proposed model: adolescents tend to select friends with similar levels of depression, and friends may increase each other's depressive symptoms as relationships endure. These two processes were most salient outside the school context. At the same time, friendships seemed to be ended more frequently if adolescents' level of depressive symptoms was dissimilar to that of their friends. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between personality characteristics and postconcussion symptoms in a nonclinical sample.

Postconcussion symptoms are relatively common in the acute recovery period following mild traumatic brain injury. However, for a small subset of patients, self reported postconcussion symptoms continue long after injury. Many factors have been proposed to account for the presence of persistent postconcussion symptoms. The influence of personality traits has been proposed as one explanation. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between postconcussion-like symptom reporting and personality traits in a sample of 96 healthy participants. Participants completed the British Columbia Postconcussion Symptom Inventory and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III (MCMI–III). There was a strong positive relation between the majority of MCMI–III scales and postconcussion-like symptom reporting. Approximately half of the sample met the International Classification of Diseases-10 Criterion C symptoms for Postconcussional Syndrome. Compared with those participants who did not meet this criterion, the PCS group had significant elevations on the negativistic, depression, major depression, dysthymia, anxiety, dependent, sadistic, somatic, and borderline scales of the MCMI–III. These findings support the hypothesis that personality traits can play a contributing role in self reported postconcussion symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in preschool children: Examining psychometric properties using item response theory.

Clear and empirically supported diagnostic symptoms are important for proper diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Unfortunately, the symptoms of many disorders presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM–IV–TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) lack sufficient psychometric evaluation. In this study, an item response theory (IRT) analysis was applied to ratings of the 18 attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in 268 preschool children. Children (55% boys, 45% girls) in this sample ranged in age from 37 to 74 months; 80.4% were identified as African American, 15.1% as Caucasian, and 4.5% as other ethnicity. Dichotomous and polytomous scoring methods for rating ADHD symptoms were compared and psychometric properties of these symptoms were calculated. Symptom-level analyses revealed that, in general, the current symptoms provided useful information in diagnosing ADHD in preschool children; however, several symptoms provided redundant information and should be examined further. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Etiology of obsessions and compulsions: A behavioral-genetic analysis.

It is unknown whether various types of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms have a common genetic or environmental etiology. For example, it is unknown whether hoarding is etiologically associated with prototypic OC symptoms, such as washing, checking, and obsessing. Also unknown is whether particular OC-related symptoms are etiologically linked to the general tendency to experience emotional distress (negative emotionality). To investigate these and other issues, a community sample of 307 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic adult twins provided scores on 6 OC-related symptoms (obsessing, neutralizing, checking, washing, ordering, and hoarding) and 2 markers of negative emotionality (trait anxiety and affective lability). Genetic factors accounted for 40%–56% of variance in the 8 phenotypic scores (M = 49% of variance for OC-related symptoms). Remaining variance was due to nonshared (person-specific) environment. More detailed analyses revealed a complex etiologic architecture, where OC-related symptoms arise from a mix of common and symptom-specific genetic and environmental factors. A general genetic factor was identified, which influenced all symptoms and negative emotionality. An environmental factor was identified that influenced all symptoms but did not influence negative emotionality. Each of the 6 types of symptoms was also shaped by its own set of symptom-specific genetic and environmental factors. The importance of genetic factors did not vary as a function of age or sex, and the architecture of general and specific etiologic factors was replicated for participants having relatively more severe OC symptoms. Gene–environment interactions were identified. Implications for an etiology-based classification system are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early identification of chronic offenders: Who is the fledgling psychopath?

In this article, the author highlights the need for early intervention for chronic offenders. He reviews evidence suggesting that children who manifest symptoms of hyperactivity–impulsivity–attention problems (HIA) and conduct problems (CP) are at the greatest risk for chronic offending. He reviews existing theories of the relations among constructs: (1) HIA increases risk in those already at risk and (2) HIA leads to symptoms of CP. In addition, he advances a third theory that children with symptoms of HIA and CP are afflicted with a virulent strain of conduct disorder best described as fledgling psychopathy. The author discusses treatment implications and supporting evidence for each model. Finally, he recommends that the subtype theory receive further consideration and examination. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Repeated dosing with oral cocaine in humans: Assessment of direct effects, withdrawal, and pharmacokinetics.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are thought to play a role in relapse; studies characterizing the symptomatology have yielded mixed findings. This study sought to examine the pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic profile of repeated high dose exposure to oral cocaine and characterize acute and protracted withdrawal in cocaine abusers. This study employed a repeated-dosing, single-blind design in which subjects (n = 9), resided for 40 days on a closed ward. They were maintained for two 4-day cocaine exposure periods (Days 1–4 & Days 9–12, cocaine 175 mg, p.o.; 5 hourly doses; 875 mg/day) separated by a 4-day matched placebo exposure period (Days 5–8). After these 12 days, an additional period of 28 days of placebo maintenance followed (Days 13–40). Test sessions were conducted during each phase; measures of mood, drug effects, sleep, pharmacokinetics, and prolactin were collected throughout the study. The dosing regimen produced cocaine plasma concentrations (Cmax of 680 ng/mL) two to threefold higher than typically seen in acute dose studies. Prototypic psychostimulant effects, including subjective ratings of euphoric effects (liking, high, good effects) and significant cardiopressor effects, were sustained during the active dosing periods, corresponding to the rise and fall of plasma cocaine. Withdrawal-like symptoms (i.e., disruptions of sleep, increased ratings of anxiety, irritability, crashing) were observed within 24-hr after cessation of dosing. Cocaine reduced prolactin acutely, but no sustained alterations were observed for this measure or for other signs or symptoms during the 28-day abstinence period. These findings indicate that exposure to controlled high doses of cocaine produces modest symptoms consistent with cocaine withdrawal within hours of cessation of dosing but provide no evidence of symptoms persisting beyond 24 hours. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptomatology in a sample of Gulf War veterans: A prospective analysis.

The authors examined the relationship over time of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in a sample of Gulf War veterans. A large sample (N?=?2,949) of Gulf War veterans was assessed immediately following their return from the Gulf region and 18–24 months later. Participants completed a number of self-report questionnaires including the Mississippi Scale for Combat–Related PTSD (T. M. Keane, J. M. Caddell, & K. L. Taylor, 1988) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (L. R. Derogatis & N. Melisaratos, 1983) at both time points and an extended and updated version of the Laufer Combat Scale (M. Gallops, R. S. Laufer, & T. Yager, 1981) at the initial assessment. A latent-variable, cross-lag panel model found evidence for a reciprocal relation between PTSD and Depression. Followup models examining reexperiencing, avoidance-numbing, and hyperarousal symptoms separately showed that for reexperiencing and avoidance-numbing symptoms, the overall reciprocal relation held. For hyperarousal symptoms, however, the association was from early hyperarousal to later depression symptoms only. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children's attributions in the family: The Children's Relationship Attribution Measure.

This study assessed children's attributions in parent–child relationships, examined their association with relationship positivity and behavior displayed toward the parent, determined whether depressive symptoms account for these associations, and investigated whether parent and child attributions are linked. Ten- to 12-year-old children (116 girls, 116 boys) completed several questionnaires and were observed during parent–child interactions. Children's attributions for parent behavior were related to positivity of the parent–child relationship and to self- and parent-reported conflict and observed behavior with the father. These associations were not due to children's depressive symptoms but potentially augment our understanding of the effect of depression on parent–child relationships. Finally, gender moderated the parent attribution–child attribution association. The results underscore the importance of children's perceptions of family processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multilevel data-analytic approach for evaluation of relationships between daily life stressors and symptomatology: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Four statistical strategies were used to evaluate whether occurrence of daily stressors increases lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in 44 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients (aged 22–58 yrs). Across-S concurrent correlations between weekly stress and symptoms were positive but causally ambiguous and obscured between- and within-S and occasion relationships. Multiple regressions assessing (weekly and daily) relations showed that prior symptoms predicted subsequent symptoms but that prior and concurrent daily stress had no consistent effects. Idiographic correlations also showed little evidence for a relationship between stress and symptoms. Daily stress did not appear to increase GI symptoms in IBS patients on a general basis. Daily recording methodology, in conjunction with within-S analytic strategies, is proposed as an innovative approach to examine relations between stress and physical symptomatology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of sexual abuse on children: A review and synthesis of recent empirical studies.

A review of 45 studies clearly demonstrates that sexually abused children have more symptoms than nonabused children, with abuse accounting for 15–45% of the variance. Fears, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), behavior problems, sexualized behaviors, and poor self-esteem occurred most frequently among a long list of symptoms noted, but no one symptom characterized a majority of sexually abused children. Some symptoms were specific to certain ages, and approximately one-third of victims had no symptoms. Penetration, the duration and frequency of the abuse, force, the relationship of the perpetrator to the child, and maternal support affected the degree of symptomatology. About two-thirds of the victimized children showed recovery during the 1st 12–28 mo. The findings suggest the absence of any specific syndrome in children who have been sexually abused and no single traumatizing process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)