Depressive Symptomatology among HIV-Positive Women in the Era of HAART: A Stress and Coping Model

Objective: An enhanced stress and coping model was used to explain depression among HIV-positive women in healthcare and community settings where highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) was commonplace. Method: HIV-infected women in four cities (N=978) were assessed, cross-sectionally, for mental and physical health, stress, social support, and other background factors. Results: Self-reported level of depressive symptomatology was high. Number of physical symptoms, illness intrusiveness, and perceived stress were positively associated with depressed mood, while coping self-efficacy and social support were negatively associated. Stress mediated the effect of health status on depression and coping self-efficacy mediated the effect of psychosocial resources on depression. Our enhanced stress and coping model accounted for 52% of variance in depressive symtpomatology. Conclusions: Interventions focused on improving coping self-efficacy, bolstering social supports, and decreasing stress in the lives of HIV-positive women may help to reduce the negative effects of HIV disease on mood.     

A meta-analysis of the antecedents and consequences of pay level satisfaction

This study reports results from a meta-analysis of 28 correlates of pay level satisfaction involving 240 samples from 203 studies conducted over the past 35 years. Results are presented in 4 categories: primary determinants, antecedents, correlates, and outcomes of pay satisfaction. The authors controlled for pay in examining relations between correlates and pay level satisfaction, as suggested by theory and when primary studies were available to do so. The authors found support for many of the relations suggested by a theoretical model and also note some limitations in the research that has tested this model. The authors recommend changes and additions to the model and suggest additional primary research in specific areas.     

Research ethics for mental health science involving ethnic minority children and youths

In response to U.S. Public Health Service projects promoting attention to disparities in the outcomes of mental health treatments, in July 2001, the American Psychological Association, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Fordham University Center for Ethics Education convened a group of national leaders in bioethics, multicultural research, and ethnic minority mental health to produce a living document to guide ethical decision making for mental health research involving ethnic minority children and youths. This report summarizes the key recommendations distilled from these discussions.     

A room with a cue: personality judgments based on offices and bedrooms

The authors articulate a model specifying links between (a) individuals and the physical environments they occupy and (b) the environments and observers' impressions of the occupants. Two studies examined the basic phenomena underlying this model: Interobserver consensus, observer accuracy, cue utilization, and cue validity. Observer ratings based purely on offices or bedrooms were compared with self- and peer ratings of occupants and with physical features of the environments. Findings, which varied slightly across contexts and traits, suggest that (a) personal environments elicit similar impressions from independent observers, (b) observer impressions show some accuracy, (c) observers rely on valid cues in the rooms to form impressions of occupants, and (d) sex and race stereotypes partially mediate observer consensus and accuracy. Consensus and accuracy correlations were generally stronger than those found in zero-acquaintance research.     

The nature of adolescents' relationships with their "very important" nonparental adults

As part of a larger program of research on the nature of adolescents' relationships with very important nonparental adults (hereafter referred to as VIPs), a community sample of 243 eleventh graders (mean age = 16.6 years) was surveyed, and a subgroup of 55 adolescents and their VIPs were interviewed about the nature and quality of their relationships. Results showed that (a) adolescent–VIP relationships were a normative component of adolescent development, not a result of problems in adolescents' lives; (b) adolescent–VIP relationships were generally of high quality (e.g., high support, low conflict, and high mutuality); (c) there were significant differences between kin and nonkin VIPs in terms of the duration of relationships and frequency of contact, but not in the quality of relationships; and (d) VIPs whom adolescents designated as extremely important were distinguished from other VIPs in terms of providing a higher level of social support and a higher frequency of contact. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.     

An investigation of the line motion effect in a callosotomy patient

When a line is flashed instantaneously between two markers it can appear to propagate from one marker to the other. This illusion is known as the line motion effect. We investigated this effect in the two hemispheres of a callosotomy ("split-brain") patient. We found that both hemispheres perceived the line motion effect, and that flashing one of the markers biased the direction of motion away from that marker regardless of which hemisphere received the stimulus. In contrast, matching the width of the line to the width of one of the markers biased the direction of motion away from the marker only when it appeared in the left visual hemifield. This suggests that multiple mechanisms can contribute to the line motion effect, and that some of these mechanisms rely on different neural structures.     

Review Article: Chiari Type I Malformation with or Without Syringomyelia: Prevalence and Genetics

Chiari type I malformation has traditionally been defined as a downward herniation of the cerebellar tonsils of 5 mm through the foramen magnum and it is likely associated with a volumetrically reduced posterior fossa. Syringomyelia is commonly associated with Chiari type I malformation. We estimate the prevalence of these two conditions and determine that they are more common than previously expected. We identify the genetic syndromes associated with some cases of Chiari type I malformation, and we provide evidence in favor of a genetic hypothesis for at least a subset of the nonsyndromic cases.     

"You learn and learn and learn.... and then you are an adult": parental perceptions of adolescence in contemporary Swaziland

The developmental period of adolescence is explored in Swaziland from a multidisciplinary perspective. The study compares early anthropological research with contemporary interviews of Swazi parents. While the Swazi language, siSwati, does not have a term for "adolescent," there is evidence of a definite developmental period which could be defined as adolescence. Parents view this period as being qualitatively different from childhood and adulthood, but they also have gender-related interpretations of its nature and length. While biological maturation (especially menarche for females) is viewed as a vital step in becoming an adult, behaviors must be learned during this time (i.e., "adolescence") before one is completely of adult status.