Sex differences in childhood sexual abuse and suicide-related behaviors

Child sexual abuse and suicide-related behaviors are associated, but it remains unclear if the strength of this association differs in boys and girls. In a systematic review of this association in children and youth, we identified 16 relevant studies, all cross-sectional surveys of students. The association is stronger in boys specific to suicide attempt(s). Adjustments for potential confounding variables explained some, but not all of this sex difference. While additional research would strengthen causal inferences, this sex difference may be influenced by the nature and timing of child sexual abuse as well as the sex of the perpetrator, which in turn shapes the disclosure of these events.     

The epidemiology of the epilepsies in children

The epilepsies are a heterogeneous collection of neurological conditions and syndromes characterized by recurrent, unprovoked, paroxysmal seizure activity. There are several types of epileptic seizures and syndromes that are unique to children, including infantile spasms, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and absence seizures. Febrile seizures and neonatal seizures, while not epilepsy, are relatively common types of seizures in infants and children and are likely markers of risk of later epilepsy. Thus, it is important to consider the epidemiological features of the epilepsies as they occur specifically in infants and children. The purpose of this review is to summarize what is currently known about the epidemiology of the childhood epilepsies and to identify promising areas for further population-based studies. The epilepsies are an important cause of neurological morbidity in children. The average annual rate of new cases (incidence) of epilepsy is approximately 5-7 cases per 10,000 children from birth to age 15 years, and in any given year, about 5 of every 1,000 children will have epilepsy. There is evidence that the incidence of the epilepsies in some populations of children may be decreasing over time, and this possibility merits further investigation. Factors that are known to increase risk of the epilepsies in children include congenital malformations of the central nervous system (CNS), moderate or severe head trauma, CNS infections, certain inherited metabolic conditions, and genetic factors. However, these account for only 25% to 45% of cases, and thus, the etiology of most cases of the epilepsies remains obscure. The paucity of well-controlled etiological studies is due largely to formidable methodological problems in conducting epidemiological studies of the epilepsies. The prognosis for seizure control is generally good, although children with remote symptomatic seizures and those with additional neurological disabilities do less well.     

The epidemiology of cerebral palsy in term infants

Half of cerebral palsy (CP) arises in infants of normal birthweight; yet, many fewer studies seek to identify risk factors for CP in term and near-term infants than in those born very prematurely. There has been no net decrease in the prevalence of CP in term and near-term infants over recent decades. Potentially asphyxiating birth complications account for a small minority of CP cases. Recent studies suggest that disorders of coagulation and intrauterine exposure to infection or inflammation are associated with risk of CP, and that both can be accompanied by signs of neonatal encephalopathy, the best available predictor of CP in term neonates. Therapeutic interventions directed at preventing interruption of oxygen supply have not been shown to reduce the occurrence of CP. There have not yet been studies examining whether medical interventions directed at infection or coagulation disorder can reduce the frequency of CP.     

The epidemiology of developmental disabilities in low-income countries

Although most of the world's children live in developing countries and may be at high risk for disability, very little is known about the prevalence and causes of developmental disabilities in these countries. This paper discusses methodological difficulties contributing to this lack of knowledge, and provides an overview of what is known about the epidemiology of developmental disabilities in low-income countries. At least some forms of developmental disability appear to be more common in low-income countries than in wealthier countries, despite the probability of higher mortality among children with disabilities in low-income countries. For example, most studies of severe mental retardation in low-income countries report prevalences greater than 5 per 1,000 children, while prevalence estimates from industrialized countries are consistently below this. Major risk factors for developmental disabilities in some low-income countries include specific genetic diseases, a higher frequency of births to older mothers, consanguinity, and specific micronutrient deficiencies and infections. Trauma and toxic exposures are also important risk factors, but their contributions to the etiology of developmental disabilities in low-income countries are not well documented. Though many of the causes of developmental disabilities are understood and preventable, proven methods of prevention are not being fully implemented in developing countries. Epidemiologic studies are needed to raise awareness of the public health impacts of developmental disabilities in low-income countries and to provide a basis for setting priorities and designing efficient interventions.     

The epidemiology of adolescent sex-role attitudes

This study examines the epidemiology of sex-role attitudes among a national probability sample of 1,626 American adolescents. The results of this study generally corroborate earlier findings with more limited samples: More traditional sex-role attitudes are reported by male, lower-class, and minority respondents. The magnitude of the sex difference overshadows the remaining differences. In addition, the impact of sex-role attitudes on conventional and delinquent behaviors and values was assessed. Sex-role groups differ in their involvement in the conventional settings of family, school, religion, and work, as well as in minor forms of delinquency and in their values concerning conventional and delinquent behaviors. The findings are discussed in terms of their contribution to our general understanding of adolescent sex-role attitudes.This study was supported by Center for the Studies of Crime and Delinquency, NIMH (Grant # MH 27552) and the Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape, NIMH (Grant # MH 31751).     

The epidemiology of suicide and attempted suicide

Since more than one century suicides have been registered in national statistics of death causes. They thus furnish one of the few parameters of psychiatrically relevant behaviour by means of which trends, cohort, age-group and period effects can be studied over longer periods. Since the second half of last century, the suicide rates for Swiss males--similar to those found in England and Wales--show a decrease in consecutive birth cohorts up to males born in the decade 1930-1940, and a continued decline in the total trend until about World War II. From then on the suicide rates of males in consecutive birth cohorts have been slowly increasing in the majority of European and North American countries--but not so in Sweden. Opposite to this, the predominantly low rates for females display little change. Further to the considerable differences between nations and the predominance of suicides committed by females in some Asian countries and Cuba, the changes indicate the significance of cultural and economic environmental factors. Typical period effects are mainly the result of changes in conception and conditions of life. In attempted suicide they proceed in a more sensitive and more rapid way and are about ten times higher. Such a period effect showing increases by about 300% in younger age-groups followed by a decline, attaining its peak about 1976, was ascertained in large cities of the Federal Republic of Germany. By the example of the effects of a television serial, the study of causal processes turning collective environmental factors into individual suicidal behaviour, proved that regularities are effective in learning by a process of modelling. Besides, the epidemiological data give essential hints how to treat suicidal behaviour.     

The Practice of Psychotherapy in Mexico: Past and Present

This article explores the history of psychotherapy in Mexico and describes past and current practices of psychological services, training, and supervision for Mexican international students in the United States. Sample curricula, texts, and universities in Mexico are listed. Implications for training underscore the importance of collaboration and increased dialogue. Este artículo explora la historia de la psicoterapia en México y describe las prácticas pasadas y actuales de los servicios psicológicos, formación, y supervisión de estudiantes internacionales mexicanos en los Estados Unidos. Se presentan muestras de programas didácticos, textos, y universidades en México. Las implicaciones para la formación subrayan la importancia de la colaboración y un diálogo más profundo.     

The epidemiology and phenomenology of compulsive sexual behavior

Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is characterized by inappropriate or excessive sexual behaviors or cognitions that lead to subjective distress or impaired functioning. Both abnormal (paraphilic) and conventional (nonparaphilic) forms of sexual behavior are usually included in the definition. CSB is reported to affect 3% to 6% of the general population in the United States, occurring more frequently in men. It typically begins in the late teens or early twenties and is chronic or intermittent. The disorder has been described as a progression through four stages: preoccupation, ritualization, gratification, and despair. Men with CSB typically focus on physical sexual gratification; women focus on romantic or emotional aspects of sexuality. Psychiatric comorbidity is common, particularly substance use, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. CSB can lead to medical complications. Risk factors are thought to include family history and childhood abuse.     

Fear of victimization in Mexico

The aim of this study was to explore the influence on Mexican citizens of several variables that have been reported as being important in the literature on fear of victimization. Sociodemographic variables such as gender, age group and socioeconomic level, together with perceived risk of victimization, perceived seriousness in the face of different acts, experienced victimizations and perception of control of violence and crime are included among these variables. One hundred and eighty-one people were interviewed in a cross-sectional field study. Multiple regression analyses were carried out in three fear of victimization dimensions: personal, property and general situations. On the whole, the findings confirm the influence of the aforesaid variables. Being a woman, feeling at risk of being the object of violent attacks and the seriousness with which moderately violent acts are perceived were some of the major variables considered to predict fear of victimization.     

The Five Dimensions of Pay Satisfaction in a Maquiladora Plant in Mexico

We examined the dimensionality of pay satisfaction using a Spanish language questionnaire and a sample of 236 maquiladora workers in Mexico. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a five-factor solution has the best fit compared to alternative models. Thus, blue-collar Mexican workers were able to distinguish five distinct facets of pay satisfaction: pay level, pay raises, benefits, pay structure/administration, and bonuses. This study replicates the five-factor structure of pay satisfaction in a Spanish-speaking sample of production workers in a maquiladora plant in Mexico.
Nous avons examiné la satisfaction relative au salaire en utilisant un questionnaire en langue espagnole sur un échantillon de 236 travailleurs d'une industrie maquiladora au Mexique. Une analyse factorielle confirmatoire a indiqué qu'une solution à cinq facteurs semble être le meilleur ajustement comparé aux alternatives possibles. Ainsi, les cols bleus mexicains sont capables de distinguer cing facettes de satisfaction relative au salaire: le niveau de salaire, son augmentation, sa gestion/son administration et les primes. Cette étude reproduit la structure en cinq facteurs de la satisfaction relative au salaire sur un échantillon hispanophone de travailleurs à la production d'une usine maquiladora au Mexique.     

Applied psychology in Mexico

Two important issues must be made clear in the context of the development of psychology in Mexico. Psychology in general and applied psychology in particular are relatively new and fast-growing fields of study in this country. In 1940, there were only six students registered in the Department of Psychology at the National University of Mexico (the largest institution both for teaching and research in this country), and the first research papers in what at the time could be considered applied psychology appeared in the 1950s (e.g. Días-Guerrero, 1952, on the mental and social health of Mexicans living in the cities; and Gómez-Robleda, 1959, on industrial psychology).     

The epidemiology of suicide in Israel: international and intranational comparisons

A comparison of overall rates of completed suicide is made between Israel and selected European and North American countries. Rates for Israel are generally lower. A second comparison is made among different national-religious groups in Israel. Rates are higher for Jews than for the Muslim minority. An explanation is attempted for both sets of findings.     

When self-destructive thoughts flash through the mind: Failure to meet standards affects the accessibility of suicide-related thoughts

When individuals realize that they fail to attain important standards or expectations, they may be motivated to escape the self, which could lead thoughts of suicide to become more accessible. Six studies examined this hypothesis, mainly derived from escape theory (Baumeister, 1990). The results indicated that whenever individuals realize that they fail to attain an important standard, they experience increased accessibility of suicide-related thoughts (Studies 1-6). In line with the idea that such effects reflect motivations to escape from negative self-awareness, they were especially pronounced when associated with high levels of self-consciousness and escapist motivations (Study 1) and with a large discrepancy between self and standards (Studies 2-4). Moreover, failure to attain standards increased suicide-thought accessibility along with the desire for an altered state of consciousness (Study 5). Finally, increases in suicide-thought accessibility after failure were associated with simultaneous increases in accessibility of general concepts related to escape (Study 6). Implications of these findings for escape and terror management theories are discussed.