Linking symptom-specific physiological reactivity to pain severity in chronic low back pain patients: A test of mediation and moderation models.

Symptom-specific reactivity to stress (lower paraspinal muscle reactivity) among chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients may exacerbate chronic pain. It was hypothesized that among CLBP patients (N?=?107) only stress-induced lower paraspinal reactivity, and not reactivity in other indexes, would predict pain severity (PS), and that lower paraspinal reactivity would mediate or moderate links between depression and PS. Electromyogram readings from lower paraspinal and trapezius muscles, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and heart rate were collected during mental arithmetic (MA) and an anger recall interview. The moderator hypothesis was supported: Only lower paraspinal reactivity during MA was related significantly to PS, but only among patients with high levels of depression. Thus, a profile of lower paraspinal hyperreactivity plus depressed affect may aggravate CLBP. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Helping men with the trauma of miscarriage.

Although much has been written about women and miscarriage, little has been researched or written about the partners of these women and their reactions to the pregnancy loss. The purpose of this paper is to review what is known about the subject and to suggest an approach to psychotherapy that is sensitive to the needs of these men and helps them make sense of their loss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attachment style and family dynamics in young adults.

This study examined the relationship between attachment style and family dynamics in a sample of 238 undergraduates. Participants who were securely attached reported significantly higher levels of adaptability, cohesion, and satisfaction in their family of origin than did avoidant and anxious–ambivalent participants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identifying, affirming, and building upon male strengths: The positive psychology/positive masculinity model of psychotherapy with boys and men.

The bulk of the extant literature on the psychology of boys, men and masculinity has been focused on the important challenges of: a) creating an awareness about the detrimental effects of constricted forms of masculinity on boys and men and their relationships with others; and b) developing remedial approaches to psychotherapy that are designed to help boys and men recover from dysfunctional masculinity. The purpose of this article is to expand this literature by introducing the positive psychology/positive masculinity (PPPM) framework, which emphasizes male strengths as the starting point for psychotherapy with boys and men. The central principles of the PPPM framework are described, and the application of the PPPM model with an adult man in psychotherapy is presented. The implications of the PPPM model for future practice and research pertaining to boys, men, and masculinity are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of stress inoculation training on anxiety, stress, and academic performance among adolescents.

The effectiveness of a preventive stress inoculation program for adolescents that consists of a blend of progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and assertiveness training was examined. Trainees were compared with an empirically derived control group on measures of anxiety, stress, and academic performance. Compared with controls, the training program participants showed significantly greater improvements on self-report measures of trait anxiety and stress-related symptoms at posttest. These improvements were maintained at a 4-wk follow-up assessment. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in academic achievement at either posttest or follow-up. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)