Variation in the human lipidome associated with coffee consumption as revealed by quantitative targeted metabolomics

The effect of coffee consumption on human health is still discussed controversially. Here, we report results from a metabolomics study of coffee consumption, where we measured 363 metabolites in blood serum of 284 male participants of the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg study population, aged between 55 and 79 years. A statistical analysis of the association of metabolite concentrations and the number of cups of coffee consumed per day showed that coffee intake is positively associated with two classes of sphingomyelins, one containing a hydroxy‐group (SM(OH)) and the other having an additional carboxy‐group (SM(OH,COOH)). In contrast, long‐ and medium‐chain acylcarnitines were found to decrease with increasing coffee consumption. It is noteworthy that the concentration of total cholesterol also rises with an increased coffee intake in this study group. The association observed here between these hydroxylated and carboxylated sphingolipid species and coffee intake may be induced by changes in the cholesterol levels. Alternatively, these molecules may act as scavengers of oxidative species, which decrease with higher coffee intake. In summary, we demonstrate strong positive associations between coffee consumption and two classes of sphingomyelins and a negative association between coffee consumption and long‐ and medium‐chain acylcarnitines.     

Job stress, social support, and burnout among counseling center staff.

We investigated the effects of stressful job experiences and social support on burnout among counseling center staff. A national sample of 169 doctoral-level staff completed a survey of job stress and social support; social support was assessed as provided by network members and as perceived by respondent. Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher amounts of job stress were associated with higher levels of burnout. Social support from supervisors and colleagues was associated with lower levels of burnout but did not serve a buffering function. We conclude that job demands need to be evaluated in terms of implications for the person who received certain forms of social support. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Job-related stress, social support, and burnout among classroom teachers.

In this study we examined the effects of job-related stressful events and social support on burnout among teachers. We conducted a mail survey of a random sample of public school teachers in Iowa. Consistent with findings in previous research, teacher characteristics such as age, sex, and grade level taught were predictive of burnout. We also found that the number of stressful events experienced and social support were predictive of teacher burnout. Some evidence of the stress-moderating role of social support was also found. Teachers who reported that they had supportive supervisors and indicated that they received positive feedback concerning their skills and abilities from others were less vulnerable to burnout. We discuss the implications of these findings for programs aimed at preventing teacher burnout. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of self-efficacy in rehabilitation outcome among chronic low back pain patients.

Examined the role of self-efficacy beliefs in the rehabilitation of 45 low back pain patients participating in a 3-wk rehabilitation program. Increments in self-efficacy beliefs during the rehabilitation program were not associated with improved patient functioning at discharge from the program. However, in support of the theorized role of self-efficacy in behavior change, these increments in self-efficacy significantly predicted better patient functioning and less reported pain at the 6-mo follow-up assessment. Implications of these findings for the rehabilitation of low back pain patients are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Employment status, social support, and life satisfaction among the elderly.

Relations among employment status, social support, and life satisfaction were examined in a sample of 292 community-living elderly (aged 65–97 yrs) as part of a larger investigation of the role of stressful life experiences and social support in the health of the elderly. Results of a path analysis suggested that the number of hours worked at a paying job, lower levels of depression, and greater perceived social support were directly related to higher levels of life satisfaction. Furthermore, social support mediated the effects of volunteer positions on life satisfaction. These findings are discussed in relation to previous research on vocational issues among the elderly. Limitations of this study are mentioned, and suggestions for future research are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A pilot investigation of variables associated with patient willingness to participate in psychosocial research.

Examined systematically the effect of 2 study characteristics and several selected demographic variables on cancer patients' willingness to participate in psychosocial research. 55 Ss (aged 19–96 yrs) provided demographic information and responded as to whether or not they would be willing to participate in a psychosocial study that varied in involvement and content. Ss' willingness to participate in psychosocial research was, overall, quite high and did not appear to be related either to patient characteristics or to study characteristics. Data are discussed as a means of facilitating rigorous psychosocial oncology research and in the broader context of general physical medicine. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pathways to posttraumatic growth: The contributions of forgiveness and importance of religion and spirituality.

Posttraumatic growth may follow the experience of being significantly hurt by another person. This study examines the roles of forgiveness and the importance of religion and spirituality in posttraumatic growth after a significant interpersonal transgression among a diverse sample of 146 adults. Results demonstrated that transgression severity was negatively related to forgiveness: the more distressing the event, the more revenge and avoidance were endorsed in response to the offender. Regression analyses revealed that benevolence toward the offender predicted growth in the area of relating to others. The positive relationship between forgiveness and posttraumatic growth was mediated by importance of religion and spirituality; however, the relationship between unforgiveness and lack of growth was not similarly mediated. Results suggest that religious and spiritual variables influence how individuals respond to significant interpersonal transgressions through positive processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Well-being and posttraumatic growth in unrelated donor marrow transplant survivors: A nine-year longitudinal study.

Objective: To study posttraumatic growth and psychological and physical well-being among 25 cancer survivors (12 men, 13 women) 9 years after receiving a hematopoietic stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. Measures: Participants completed measures of well-being (e.g., depression, physical function) and posttraumatic growth at the 9-year follow-up. Prior to treatment, optimism, social support, and well-being had been assessed. Results: Findings reveal high levels of physical and psychological well-being. Survivors reported posttraumatic growth in several domains, including increased personal strengths and enhanced interpersonal relationships. Higher levels of growth were significantly related to gender and age: Women reported more total posttraumatic growth, and older survivors reported more enhanced spirituality, one domain of growth. Posttraumatic growth and well-being after treatment were predicted by 2 psychosocial variables assessed prior to treatment: dispositional optimism and social support. Implications: Although long-term survivors report ongoing physical limitations, they also experience well-being in both physical and psychological domains. Posttraumatic growth is an area of well-being deserving of additional research and clinical attention. In particular, there may be reason to assist survivors to articulate growth as part of ongoing care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obituary: Ursula Marie Delworth (1934-2000).

Memorializes Ursula Marie Delworth, known for her work on outreach, community models of mental health and service delivery, and training and supervision. She coupled her research interests with a commitment to issues of justice and equality and to the advancement of unempowered and disenfranchised people. She advocated strongly for the promotion of women in academe, and as chair of a committee on the subject analyzed the climate for women in academe and developed significant concrete remedies that are still being implemented. She served as the third woman president of APA's Division 17 (Counseling Psychology). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analyzing data from experimental studies: A latent variable structural equation modeling approach.

This article illustrates the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) procedures with latent variables to analyze data from experimental studies. These procedures allow the researcher to remove the biasing effects of random and correlated measurement error on the outcomes of the experiment and to examine processes that may account for changes in the outcome variables that are observed. Analyses of data from a Project Family study, an experimental intervention project with rural families that strives to improve parenting skills, are presented to illustrate the use of these modeling procedures. Issues that arise in applying SEM procedures, such as sample size and distributional characteristics of the measures, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)