Attention deficit disorder in reading-disabled twins: Evidence for a genetic etiology

In order to assess the genetic etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the basic regression model for the analysis of selected twin data (DeFries & Fulker, 1985, 1988) was fitted to questionnaire data (DICA: Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents; Herjanic, Campbell, & Reich, 1982) for 37 identical and 37 fraternal twin pairs tested in the Colorado Reading Project. Results of this analysis suggest that ADHD is highly heritable. Moreover, adjusting DICA scores for either IQ or reading performance differences did not substantially change parameter estimates. In future analyses of larger data sets, distinguishing between possible subtypes of attentional problems (e.g., ADD with or without hyperactivity) may facilitate tests of more searching etiological questions.This work was supported in part by program project and center grants from NICHD (HD-11681 and HD-27802) to J. C. DeFries. This report was prepared while J. Gillis was supported by NIMH training grant MH-16880, and J. Gilger was supported by a Fellowship in Developmental Psychobiology through the University of Colorado (MH-15442). B. Pennington was also supported by NIMH grants MH-38820 and MH-45916. The invaluable contributions of staff members and families who participated in the Colorado Reading Project are gratefully acknowledged. We also acknowledge the expert editorial assistance of the late Rebecca G. Miles.     

Tactile spatial ability: Lateralized performance of deaf and hearing age groups

Hearing adults, 8- and 6-year-old children, together with deaf 9-year-old children, were tested on a unimodal haptic matching task. One additional group of adults was tested with a shorter stimulus presentation time. Data indicated that left-hand superiority was most evident in the performances of the older hearing children, and of the adults with the shorter presentation time. Hemispheric specialization was less noticeable for the younger hearing group, but the task may have been too difficult. A slight right-hand superiority was found in the performance of adults with long presentation time. This may reflect the simplicity of the task for these subjects. Deaf children did not show any clear hand differences, but were superior in overall performance to hearing children.     

Stanislas Breton's Use of Neoplatonism to Interpret the Cross in a Postmodern Setting

In the aftermath of the debate between Derrida and Levinas on Hebraism and Hellenism, Christian thought that retains a place for philosophy is often regarded as "Graeco-Christian", a monolithic system with an unfortunate history. The work of the French philosopher Stansilas Breton suggests that the reality is more complex. In Le Verbe et la croix (Paris, Desclee, 1981), he examines the function of the term logos staurou in Paul, arguing that this untranslatable term stands as a question mark in a world of language that could only speak "Jew" or "Greek". Far from being a sign of Christian superiority, the cross signals an imperative for dispossession intrinsic to Christian language. In its "nothingness" the cross functions as a principle of critique that makes innovation and engagement possible. Thus while the cross involves negation it moves beyond negative theology. Drawing upon neoplatonist philosophy, Breton delineates the way in which the cross makes possible "the writing of the self in the world". This paper draws upon Breton's understanding of the function of the cross to argue that the heritage of Athens endures and must be re-thought, always recognizing the limits of all human language. After examining Breton's understanding of the logos staurou , it relates this notion to his broader understanding of revelation as "writing". Finally it shows how Breton appeals to neoplatonist meonotology to speak in more universal terms of the need for a principle of dispossession at the heart of all religious language. For Christians the cross is this principle, enabling human beings to be causes of themselves who engender new being.     

Latino Foster Parent Health Perceptions of Chronic Conditions: A Qualitative Exploration

Prior work using nationally representative data of children in the child welfare system suggested that Latino foster parents were less likely to identify children in their care as having chronic conditions. Hispanics comprise over one-fifth of children in foster care, the majority of whom have special health care needs, and there is a growing need to recruit qualified Latino families into the child welfare system. Little is known about Latino parents’ health perceptions regarding chronic conditions, and potential reasons for differing identification rates of children with special health care needs. We conducted 17 home-based, in-depth interviews with Latino foster parents to explore health perceptions and cultural beliefs for children in their care around the concept of chronic illness. We found that Latino foster parents’ understanding of conditions that occurred “over and over again” related to emotional and behavioral health problems. In contrast, their perception of “chronic” was associated with terminal, biological conditions that had limited treatment options, such as cancer, HIV, and hepatitis. Latino foster parents did not interpret the survey question on chronic illness as it was intended, and their view of recurrent conditions did not reflect chronic health conditions. Developing survey questions that are culturally sensitive should improve accuracy in assessing chronic health conditions for this high-risk population. Sensitivity to cultural interpretation for this high-needs population is vital to enhancing communication between families and health providers caring for children in foster care.     

Cortisol and Children’s Adjustment: The Moderating Role of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity

We examined relations among cortisol, markers of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity (including salivary alpha-amylase and skin conductance level), and children's adjustment. We also tested the Bauer et al. (Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 23(2), 102-113, 2002) hypothesis that interactions between the SNS and cortisol would be associated with internalizing and externalizing problems. Saliva samples were obtained from 8- to 9-year-olds before and after a laboratory assessment battery, and were assayed for cortisol and alpha-amylase (sAA). Basal skin conductance level (SCL) was measured during resting conditions. Parents reported on child adjustment. Interactions between basal SNS and cortisol levels explained moderate amounts of unique variance in children's externalizing and internalizing problems. More specifically, higher basal cortisol levels were positively associated with higher internalizing and externalizing problems among children with higher SNS activity, as compared to children with lower SNS activity. Findings underscore the utility of including information about the coordination between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and SNS activity in biosocial models of atypical child development.     

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF LABELING A RAPE EXPERIENCE

Research has found that approximately half of women who report an experience that meets the legal definition of rape do not label it rape. It has been assumed that labeling the experience as rape is necessary and beneficial for recovery; however, conflicting findings have been reported. In the present study, a longitudinal design was utilized to examine the long-term consequences of being a rape victim and of labeling the experience as rape. Assessments were obtained at two time points approximately 10 months apart from females in their first year of college. Participants were classified as nonvictims, victims who labeled the experience as rape, or victims who did not label the experience as rape. Results showed that there were negative effects of being raped, such as more psychological distress and increased alcohol use; however, few differences were found at either assessment based on rape victims' labeling of the experience.     

Contextual determinants of mothers' interventions in young children's peer interactions

In this study, the role of context in mothers' interventions in their preschool children's peer relationship problems was investigated. Event theme (aggression, peer rebuff, or initiating play), the child's role in the event (actor or target), the child's age and sex, and the mother's emotional reaction were examined as predictors of the extent to which mothers (N = 71) said they would discuss peer relationships, encourage peer interaction, and use power assertion in response to a series of videotaped vignettes depicting common peer relationship problems. Mothers suggested using more discussion in aggressive situations and more encouragement in initiating play situations. Mothers said they would use more power assertion when the child was the actor (i.e., provocateur), rather than the target, in an aggressive situation. Findings are discussed in terms of (a) the importance of considering context in understanding how mothers intervene in their children's peer relationships and (b) the need to examine moderators of cross-contextual consistency in mothers' interventions.     

The Importance of Parents' Community Connections for Adolescent Well‐being: An Examination of Military Families

Drawing from the Social Organization Theory of Action and Change (SOAC), this analysis of 223 military families, including active duty (AD) military and civilian partners, examines how parents' sense of community and community engagement (two elements of community connections) are associated with their own resilient coping, and ultimately with important outcomes capturing their adolescent offspring's individual well‐being (depression, anxiety, and self‐efficacy) and family well‐being (family functioning and parenting quality). The roles of child gender and military context were also examined. Parents with stronger community connections, including greater sense of community and community engagement, reported more resilient coping when faced with adversity. The resilient coping of mothers, in turn, was particularly significant for more positive youth outcomes, when compared to that of fathers. While gender and military context were associated with individual and family well‐being, analyses of model invariance indicated that the model fit similarly for male and female adolescents and those experiencing high and low levels of military transitions. Indirect effects were also examined. These findings illuminate malleable dimensions of both community life and family life, primarily showing that community contexts matter for multiple family members.