Differences in distress among adult children of alcoholics.

Investigated within-group differences in psychological distress, social support, and hardiness among adult children of alcoholics (ACAs). Members of ACA support groups (21 men, 58 women) were compared to ACA college students (27 men, 40 women) not involved in such support groups. Support group members reported higher levels of psychological distress, lower levels of hardiness, and less satisfaction with perceived social support than did the college student ACAs. Support group members also reported more negative feelings, attitudes, and behaviors with regard to parental alcoholism than did the college students. For both groups, hardiness and social support were negatively correlated with psychological distress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of identity and intimacy statuses in college students and alumni.

Previous research has shown that empirical tests of E. H. Erikson's (1963) psychosocial theory have yielded limited information on development after the college years. In the present study, the effect of college graduation on the identity and intimacy crises of 93 college seniors and 66 24–27 yr old alumni from the same university was studied. College graduation was regarded as a life transition that would stimulate growth in the areas of identity and intimacy. It was hypothesized that more alumni than students would be located in the more mature statuses. Ss were given measures of identity status and intimacy status. Four areas of identity were rated: achievement, moratorium, foreclosed, and diffuse. Intimacy status was rated in terms of the categories of intimate, merger, pre-intimate, pseudo-intimate, and stereotyped and isolated. Findings show that in all areas, alumni were in the identity achievement status more frequently than were college students, who, in turn, were more frequently foreclosed. Differences in the other 2 identity statuses varied by identity area. Alumni were more frequently in the intimacy statuses of intimate and merger, whereas more students were rated as preintimate or low in intimacy. Intimacy was related to identity status only for alumni. Results support the hypothesis and suggest greater commitment on identity than intimacy for students. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Suicide and depression among college students.

We surveyed 962 college students from three institutions in regard to their experiences with depression and suicide. Results indicate that incidents of depression and suicide are prevalent on college campuses and that there are a number of specific causes of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. Suicide attempters are compared with nonattempters, institutions are compared, and institutional implications for colleges and universities are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Studies on the mechanism of the ursodeoxycholic acid-induced increase in hepatic low-density lipoprotein binding

Previously, we have shown, in golden Syrian hamsters, that chronic feeding of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), in contrast to that of its 7α-epimer, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), produced a significant increment in hepatic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake, despite similar suppression of bile acid synthesis by both bile acids. Evidence for a direct effect of this bile acid on hepatic LDL metabolism was shownin vitro, with isolated hamster hepatocytes, suggesting that this effect was unique to UDCA and specific for receptor-mediated LDL catabolism. The aim of the present study was to define the cellular mechanism(s) associated with this phenomenon, using male golden Syrian hamsters. Regardless of chronic exposure of the liver to either UDCA or CDCA, acute incubation with UDCA consistently resulted in an increase of LDL binding to isolated hepatocytes by 15 to 40%. Furthermore, chronic treatment with either UDCA or CDCA did not result in alterations in lipoprotein particle composition. Likewise, incubation of hepatocytes with UDCA was not associated with a change of the membrane lipid composition. In isolated liver membrane fractions, UDCA increased both the maximum number of LDL binding sites and the affinity constant for LDL by around 35% suggesting an interaction of UDCA with the LDL receptor, at the plasma membrane level, independent of an effect on receptor cycling. The results of the studies support a role for UDCA in the recruitment of cryptic LDL receptors from a cellular membrane pool, possibly due to the unique localization of UDCA in the plasma membrane lipid bilayer.     

The effects of message framing on mammography utilization.

This experiment compared the effectiveness of gain- versus loss-framed messages to persuade women to obtain mammography screening. One hundred and thirty-three women 40 years and older and not adhering to current guidelines for obtaining mammography screening were assigned randomly to view either gain-framed (emphasizing the benefits of obtaining mammography) or loss-framed (emphasizing the risks of not obtaining mammography) persuasive videos that were factually equivalent. Attitudes and beliefs were measured before and immediately following the intervention. Mammography utilization was assessed 6 and 12 months later. Consistent with predictions based on prospect theory, women who viewed the loss-framed message were more likely to have obtained a mammogram within 12 months of the intervention. These findings suggest that loss-framed messages may have an advantage in the promotion of detection behaviors such as mammography. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor affecting adherence to rehabilitation interventions for individuals with fibromyalgia.

Examined treatment adherence of 87 Ss (mean age 43.96 yrs) with fibromyalgia syndrome enrolled in a rehabilitation clinical trial study and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) biofeedback, (2) exercise, (3) combination (biofeedback and exercise) or to an attention control condition. Ss completed a 6-wk training program, questionnaires, and a physical exam. Between-group differences on an adherence measure were examined, and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the best model for predicting adherence. Results show that adherence among people with fibromyalgia is multidetermined. Those in the biofeedback intervention were more adherent, suggesting that treatment factors impact adherence. Furthermore, the best model for predicting adherence suggests that subject characteristics like age and education also influence adherence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of prevention program effectiveness with clustered data using generalized estimating equations.

Experimental studies of prevention programs often randomize clusters of individuals rather than individuals to treatment conditions. When the correlation among individuals within clusters is not accounted for in statistical analysis, the standard errors are biased, potentially resulting in misleading conclusions about the significance of treatment effects. This study demonstrates the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method, focusing specifically on the GEE-independent method, to control for within-cluster correlation in regression models with either continuous or binary outcomes. The GEE-independent method yields consistent and robust variance estimates. Data from Project DARE, a youth substance abuse prevention program, are used for illustration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)