Attention deficit disorder and allergy: A neurochemical model of the relation between the illnesses.

Empirical studies suggest that allergies play an etiological role in a small subgroup of children who suffer from attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research indicated that allergic reactions result in cholinergic hyperresponsiveness and beta-adrenergic hyporesponsiveness in the autonomic nervous system. Evidence is reviewed that similar imbalances in central nervous system cholinergic/adrenergic activity play a causal role in manic and depressive behaviors. It is hypothesized that allergic reactions engender cholinergic/adrenergic activity imbalances in the central nervous system, leading to poorly regulated arousal levels and ADHD behaviors in some children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity and the relation between depression and social skill.

Lewinsohn and his colleagues proposed an important theoretical relationship between subjects' social skills and their level of depression, and numerous studies have furnished support of a modest relationship between social skill and depression. The purpose of this article is twofold: first, to compare alternative methods for examining the relationship between two constructs, and second, to estimate the true relationship between social skill and depression. Sixty-eight subjects were assessed for levels of social skills and depression via multiple methods. When analyzed in the traditional manner, the results were consistent with previous research (correlations between the social skill and depression ranged from .11 to .42). When confirmatory factor analysis was used to estimate the theoretical relationship between social skill and depression (not attenuated because of measurement error), a correlation of .85 was found. Thus multitrait-multimethod data sets, analyzed via confirmatory factor-analytic techniques, can greatly enhance theory testing and development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical depression and weight change: A complex relation.

Based on previous research on the effects of emotional arousal on eating behavior, it was predicted that clinical depression would not result invariably in appetite suppression and weight loss. Normally restrained eaters were expected to show weight gain as a consequence of emotional distress, whereas normally unrestrained eaters were expected to show the traditionally predicted weight loss. Nine female and 3 male 21-44 yr old clinically depressed patients were designated as restrained or unrestrained eaters, and it was found that the former tended to gain weight (as indicated in self-reports) in conjunction with their depression while the latter tended to lose weight. It is concluded that weight changes bear a complex but systematic relation to emotional distress and well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A longitudinal look at the relation between depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.

Elementary school students (n?=?330) and their parents (n?=?228) participated in a 3-year longitudinal study of the temporal relation between anxiety and depressive symptoms in children. Every 6 months, children and parents completed depression and anxiety questionnaires for a total of 6 waves. Structural equation modeling revealed that individual differences on all measures were remarkably stable over time. Nevertheless, high levels of anxiety symptoms at 1 point in time predicted high levels of depressive symptoms at subsequent points in time even after controlling for prior levels of depression symptoms. These findings were consistent across self- and parent reports. Results support the temporal hypothesis that anxiety leads to depression in children and adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The functional relation between depression and problematic interpersonal behavior.

75 depressed patients (mean age 33.9 yrs) were compared with 69 nondepressed high MMPI controls (mean age 25.7 yrs) and 80 normal controls (mean age 29.9 yrs) on self-reported frequency and comfort of various interpersonal events, verbal and nonverbal behavior in group and dyadic interactions, and interpersonal style. Identified as uniquely associated with depression were (a) infrequent engagement, discomfort, and low levels of obtained reinforcement in social activity and in giving and receiving positive responses; (b) discomfort in being assertive and low levels of reinforcement obtained from such behavior; (c) discomfort experienced in conjunction with negative cognitions concerning personal interactions; and (d) self-, peer-, and observer-rated deficiencies in interpersonal style group interactions. On verbal and nonverbal behavior measures, no deficits uniquely associated with depression were identified. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Leisure-time physical activity and marital status in relation to depression between men and women: A prospective study.

Background: Previous studies have identified the preventive effect of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on depression. Women and men have different emotional vulnerabilities. The impact of LTPA on depression varies by gender. Little is known about the impact of LTPA on depression for people with different marital status. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effects of LTPA, changes in LTPA, and marital status on the risk of developing depression for general Canadians. Methods: Data from the biennial National Population Health Survey (NPHS) cycles conducted between 1994/95 and 2004/05 were analyzed in 2008. After excluding individuals with preexisting depression at baseline, respondents were classified as physically active or inactive and then followed up in subsequent cycles of the NPHS to look at risk of developing depression. Individuals who changed their activity level were also examined. Subgroup analyses by different marital status were performed to identify high-risk populations. Results: In 1994/1995, 17,276 participants were included in the NPHS longitudinal panel. Respondents who were inactive were more likely to be older, female, obese, widowed/separated/divorced, not working, low income, and lacking social support. After controlling for potential confounding factors, it was found that LTPA reduced the risk of developing depression for women. The modest risk reduction observed for men was not statistically significant. Women who were active at baseline and two years of follow-up were significantly less likely to report depression at four years of follow-up compared to women who were inactive at baseline and at two years of follow-up. A 51% greater probability of developing depression was observed after two years for women who changed their LTPA from active to inactive compared to women who remained active. No significant results were found for men. Divorced/separated/widowed women who stopped LTPA had 4.2 times the risk of developing depression after two years compared to those who remained active. The risk of developing depression after stopping activity did not vary according to marital status among men. Conclusions: LTPA has preventive effects on depression for women. Reduction in LTPA level is associated with subsequent depression for women. Divorced/separated/widowed women are at particularly high risk of developing depression if LTPA is stopped. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differentiation between depression and anxiety: A new scale.

Describes the development of the Paired Anxiety and Depression Scale which measures the relative balance between depression and anxiety but does not yield a quantitative measure of either. Results from undergraduates show that the amount of variance accounted for by the new scale was much greater than the Profile of Mood States and that all differences between Ss instructed to respond as "very depressed" or "very anxious" were significant. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A novel MPTP primate model of Parkinson''s disease: neurochemical and clinical changes

In the present study, substance P receptor binding was localized in the dorsal column nuclei (DCN) of the rat, cat, monkey, and human. Bolton-Hunter-labeled [125I]substance P binding was most concentrated in the cell nests of the core region, but was present throughout the DCN of each species. The distribution of substance P receptors may reconcile apparent mismatches between the widespread responsiveness of DCN neurons to substance P and the restricted distribution of substance P containing afferents.     

Dopamine and preparatory behavior: II. A neurochemical analysis.

Changes in the activity of dopamine-containing systems in relation to preparatory and consummatory feeding responses were investigated. In Exp 1 rats were conditioned to associate food delivery with the presentation of a conditional stimulus (CS+). When sacrificed after exposure to the CS+ alone on a test trial, the ratio of the dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid to dopamine ({dopac/da} ratio) was increased significantly in the nucleus accumbens. A similar trend in the ratio of homovanillic acid to dopamine ({hva/da} ratio) was also observed. Similar increases were observed in the striatum, but these were not statistically significant. In contrast, no increases were observed in the {dopac/da} ratio or the {hva/da} ratio in either brain region when rats were permitted to consume an unsignaled meal for 7 min. Findings suggest that activation of dopamine terminals in the nucleus accumbens occurs during the anticipation of a meal, at which times the rat is engaged in preparatory feeding behaviors, but does not accompany the performance of short bouts of consummatory feeding behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relation between adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use: A longitudinal random coefficients model.

Longitudinal latent growth models were used to examine the relation between changes in adolescent alcohol use and changes in peer alcohol use over a 3-year period in a community-based sample of 363 Hispanic and Caucasian adolescents. Both adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use were characterized by positive linear growth over time. Not only were changes in adolescent alcohol use closely related to changes in peer alcohol use, but the initial status on peer alcohol use was predictive of later increases in adolescent alcohol use and the initial status on adolescent alcohol use was predictive of later increases in peer alcohol use. These results are inconsistent with models positing solely unidirectional effects between adolescent alcohol use and peer alcohol use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation between loneliness and depression: A structural equation analysis.

Research on loneliness has been hampered by its strong association with depression. The 2 states frequently co-occur, and measures of the 2 states are substantially correlated. Inability to manipulate experimentally loneliness or depression makes it difficult to untangle the causal influence of one on the other. The combination of longitudinal design and structural equation methodology is proposed as a solution to this general problem. Measures of loneliness and depression (e.g., the Beck Depression Inventory and Profile of Mood States) were administered to undergraduates at 2 points 5 wks apart. Data from 333 Ss were correlated and analyzed under a succession of structural equation models. Results indicate that loneliness and depression were correlated but clearly different constructs; neither was a direct cause of the other, although both probably share some common origins; both were highly stable over the 5-wk period. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relation between specific and general dimensions of the psychotherapy process in interpersonal psychotherapy of depression.

This article examines the relation between general dimensions of the psychotherapy process, rated with the Vanderbilt Psychotherapy Process Scale (VPPS), and a type of manual-guided psychotherapy, Short-Term Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression (IPT). With the use of data from a training program in IPT, two types of analyses were performed. First, VPPS factors were correlated with IPT therapist competence ratings. This analysis showed that all VPPS-rated dimensions of patient and therapist behaviors were significantly correlated with IPT competence ratings. Especially strong correlations occurred between IPT competence ratings and the VPPS therapist factors of (a) Exploration and (b) Warmth and Friendliness. Second, to evaluate whether the general process features that influenced IPT competence ratings were also related to the therapy's effectiveness, correlations between VPPS process dimensions and patient outcome were performed. This analysis indicated that VPPS-rated therapist behaviors were significantly predictive of patient outcome, whereas patient behaviors were generally not significantly related to outcome. Taken together, the findings indicate the importance of general aspects of the psychotherapy process in therapist evaluation and efficacy of manual-guided psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A reexamination of the relation between halo error and accuracy.

The traditional assumption has been that halo error is negatively related to accuracy of ratings. W. H. Cooper (1981) evaluated this assumption by examining correlation coefficients between measures of accuracy and halo error from five earlier studies of performance and trait ratings. Because the correlation coefficients were typically positive, Cooper concluded that a "paradoxical" positive relation exists between halo error and accuracy. However, there is no paradox; some of these positive correlation coefficients were between halo error and inaccuracy, whereas others were based on analyses that did not take into consideration negative halo errors. When analyses that correct these problems were performed on two sets of data (R. Tallarigo, 1986, n?=?107; R. J. Vance, K. W. Kuhnert, & J. L. Farr, 1978, n?=?112), all significant (p?negative. The use of halo error measures, the possibility of negative halo errors, and implications of the results for rater training are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

基于加权阈值容差关系的不完备信息系统粗糙集模型

针对已有的不完备信息系统粗糙集扩充模型没有考虑属性的权重的缺点,提出基于加权阈值容差关系的粗糙集扩充模型.该模型根据给出的不完备信息系统信息量计算权重,不需引入系统外知识,权重确定比较客观;同时引入阈值来调整加权阈值容差类判定的严格程度,兼顾了人的主观要求,并能预先排除因自身不满足阈值条件而不可能与任何其他对象划为同一加权阈值容差类的对象,但不影响类的完整性.实例对比分析表明,与其他模型相比,基于加权阈值容差关系的粗糙集扩充模型符合不完备信息系统应用客观实际,具有更强的适应能力.     

A critical evaluation of the learned helplessness model of depression.

The 1st section of this article deals with ambiguities and confusion in writings on learned helplessness. It is observed that one major source of confusion has been the use of the term to refer indiscriminately to observed interference with performance, to specific deficits presumed to be responsible for the interference, and to the postulated belief that outcomes are noncontingent on responses. The 2nd section critically examines published research. The major findings are the following: (a) Failure on one task leads to interference on a 2nd task; instructions that noise is inevitable do not. (b) Recent studies disconfirm earlier reports of small expectancy changes in depressed or "helpless" Ss. (c) There is little evidence that learned helplessness is related to depression. The 3rd section discusses problems in drawing conclusions from analog studies and mentions alternative strategies for research on depression. (62 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Developmental change in the relation between simple and complex spans: A meta-analysis.

In the present meta-analysis the effects of developmental level on the correlation between simple and complex span tasks were investigated. Simple span–complex span correlation coefficients presented in 52 independent samples (7,060 participants) were regressed on a variable representing mean age of sample (range: 4.96–22.80 years), using analyses adapted for meta-analytic purposes. The results showed strong positive relations between mean age of sample and simple span–complex span correlation coefficients, suggesting that the relation between simple and complex span tasks became stronger with increasing age. These results could not be accounted for by study-related differences in measurement reliability, restricted range, or sample size. A new theoretical account explaining these findings is outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dimensionality of coping and its relation to depression.

The dimensionality of coping, as measured by 65 items from 3 commonly used instruments, and the relation of coping and stress to concurrent and future depression were studied in a community sample of 742 older (≥50 years old) adults. Measures of coping, stress, and depression were obtained at 2 time points over a 2-year period. Depression was assessed by symptom checklist and by diagnostic interview. Three coping factors—Cognitive Self-Control, Ineffective Escapism, and Solace Seeking—that had adequate psychometric properties and accounted for 25% of the total item variance were identified. Ineffective Escapism was associated with current depression and had a direct and interactive effect on future depression, exacerbating the negative impact of stress rather than acting as a buffer. Although Cognitive Self-Control was unrelated to either concurrent or future depression, Solace Seeking significantly buffered the effect of stress in predicting a future diagnosis of depression. Stress and initial depression level predicted both measures of future depression. Gender (being female) predicted the future diagnosis of depression but not the increase of depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relation between Type A behavior and chronic emotional distress: A meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis was conducted of studies examining the relation between Type A behavior and chronic emotional distress as measured by standard psychological scales. Aggregating across all studies, the average effect size was .27, indicating a positive association between Type A and chronic dysphoria; however, there was considerable variability in the size of the relation among studies. Partitioning by Type A measure revealed that Structured Interview-assessed Type A was unrelated to chronic dysphoric emotions; however, most of the self-report measures of Type A behavior were moderately correlated with upset. The Framingham Type A Scale and the Bortner Scale showed the strongest relations. Thus, contrary to the traditional view, Type A measured by self-report does have some emotional concomitants, although they are not in the pathological range. Also discussed are how the results bear on the proposal that the maladjusted personality confers coronary risk, the implications for reported associations between Type A and illness complaints, and for the study of the Type A as a social psychological construct. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluating the hopelessness model of depression: Diathesis-stress and symptom components.

The hopelessness model of depression posits that latent attributional diatheses combine with stressors to produce a specific subtype of depression characterized by a specific set of symptoms. Associations between attributional diathesis, stress, and symptoms were examined to test the prediction that hopelessness depressions are characterized by a specific symptom profile. 57 depressed outpatients were categorized into subgroups on the basis of whether or not they met the criteria of L. Y. Abramson et al (1988) for hopelessness depression, defined as a match in content domain between attributional diathesis and negative stressor. Support for hopelessness depression was mixed. The hopelessness subtype differed from other major depressions with respect to symptom profile. However, the differences in symptomatology were not wholly consistent with the predictions of the hopelessness model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)