Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a web-based stress management program among community college students

Background and Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a web-based stress management program among community college students that focused on increasing perceived control over stressful events. Design: Students (N = 257) were randomly assigned to a Present Control Intervention or a Stress-information only comparison group. Methods: Primary outcomes were perceived stress and stress symptoms; secondary outcomes were depression and anxiety. Self-report measures were completed online at preintervention, postintervention, and three-week follow-up. Intervention effects were estimated using linear mixed models. Seventy-five percent of the sample (n = 194) completed the pretest and comprised the intent-to-treat sample. Results: Participants in the intervention group reported significant increases in present control, and significant decreases in all four primary and secondary outcome measures from baseline to postintervention and follow-up. Within-group effect sizes were small to medium at postintervention (mean d = –.34) and follow-up (mean d = –.49). The mean between-group effect size on the four outcome measures was d = .35 at postintervention but d = .12 at follow-up, due to unexpected decreases in distress in the comparison group. Conclusions: Our online program is a cost-effective mental health program for college students. Limitations and future direction are discussed.     

Associations between miscellaneous symptoms and symptom dimensions in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition with a heterogeneous array of obsessions and compulsions. Although factor analytic studies have identified symptom dimensions comprising the clinical presentation of OCD, many frequently reported miscellaneous symptoms are not considered in factor analytic studies because they do not fit conceptually within a particular symptom category, despite being functionally related. In the present study, we examined the associations between miscellaneous symptoms and OCD symptom dimensions in a sample of 111 adults with OCD. Overall, most miscellaneous symptoms were associated with one or more symptom dimensions in previously identified four- (14 of the 22 symptoms) and five-factor models (12 of the 22 symptoms). In both models, Contamination/Cleaning was the only dimension not related to any miscellaneous symptom. The present results provide information about which miscellaneous symptoms may be related to particular symptom dimensions, which will assist in clinical evaluations and help planning behavioral psychotherapy (e.g., hierarchy development).     

Family emotion expressivity,emotion regulation,and the link to psychopathology: Examination across race

Research has established links between parental emotion socialization behaviours and youth emotional and psychological outcomes; however, no study has simultaneously compared these relations for White, Black, and Asian individuals. In this study, emerging adults identifying as White (n= 61), Black (n= 51), or Asian (n= 56) retrospectively reported on parents’ emotion socialization behaviours during childhood, existing emotion regulation (ER) skills, and current psychopathology symptoms. Asian participants reported fewer positive displays of emotions in their families during childhood than White and Black participants. Despite this difference, low expression of positive emotions in families during childhood did not relate to negative outcomes for Asian participants but was linked for White and Black participants. Overall, Asian participants reported more difficulties with ER than Black or White participants, and relations between ER difficulties and psychopathology varied by racial group. The findings emphasize the need to consider race when conducting research on emotion functioning with families and highlight emotion dysregulation as a potential treatment target for White, Black, and Asian individuals.     

A New Tactile Illusion: Temporal Limits on the Processing of Spatiotemporal Patterns

A novel illusion was observed when 12 tactile point-stimulators arranged in a circle were sequentially activated so that each quadrant was first traced in a clockwise manner, then counterclockwise, and again in a clockwise manner, after which the next quadrant was similarly traced. Under certain temporal conditions this stimulus pattern was experienced as a point moving through an overall circular path but looping inwardly about once per quadrant. The effects of variations in rate of presentation of such stimuli were investigated by having subjects make drawings of their perceptual experiences. Three skin surfaces were used (palm, fingers, and forearm), and all produced similar results except for lower confidence and reliability of drawings made from forearm stimulation. Pattern presentation rate, however, had a consistent and powerful effect, with the looping illusion most frequently observed at rates around 25 pattern points per s and with different perceptual organizations dominating as rates departed widely from this optimum. The illusory perceptual organizations were interpreted as compromises between past and present stimulation necessitated by the relative slowness of tactile processing of spatio-temporal patterns.     

The Best Years of Life: A Study in ranking

The relationship between temporal behavior (as measured by the method of reproduction) and the relative acquisition rate of discrimination-reversal learning was investigated in 52 sixth-grade students (22 boys, 30 girls).

The results indicate that (a) temporal performance tends to be less variable than learning performance, (b) a significant, negative correlation exists between mean time estimation scores and mean learning scores, (c) relatively fast learning is associated with relative overestimation of time, and (d) relatively slow learning is associated with relative underestimation of time. No sex differences were found.

These results are in contrast with results reported by Montare with adult Ss whose underestimation was associated with fast learning and overestimation with slow learning. It is theorized that perhaps these results represent a developmental pattern in learning which shifts from a predominance of inhibitory processes underlying relatively fast learning during childhood towards a predominance of excitatory processes necessary for relatively fast learning in adulthood.     

Trustworthiness Processing and Psychobiological Responses to Natural Disaster-Induced Distress in Adolescents

In this study, we examine the role of trust perceptions on psychological well-being and salivary cortisol levels of adolescents who were exposed to pervasive, noninterpersonal trauma, displacement, and relocation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Compared to demographically matched controls, affected adolescents reported higher perceptions of other people's trustworthiness, decreased externalizing behaviors, increased internalizing behaviors, greater desire for consolation from others, and lower cortisol activity. Follow-up analyses suggested that the relation between hurricane exposure and lower self-esteem might be mediated partly by increased trustworthiness perceptions. These results suggest that adolescents might respond to different types of stressors with varying patterns of distress and the manner in which the stressors alter trust processing might predict the development of internalizing or externalizing behaviors.     

Religious doubt,financial strain,and depressive symptoms among older Mexican Americans

A number of studies suggest that various positive aspects of religion help older people cope more effectively with stress. However, the literature further indicates that religion may have negative as well as positive influences in the stress process. This suggests that instead of enhancing coping efforts, religion may also exacerbate the effects of stress. The purpose of this study was to see if one negative aspect of religion (i.e., religious doubt) exacerbates the effects of financial strain on depressive symptoms among older Mexican Americans. A nationwide survey of 1005 older Mexican Americans was conducted. The findings suggest that the effects of financial strain on depressive symptoms are stronger for older Mexican Americans who have more doubts about religion. This study aims to contribute to the literature by assessing the negative aspects of religion with data provided by an ethnic group that has been largely overlooked in the literature.     

Older Mexican Americans and God-mediated control: exploring the influence of Pentecostal/Evangelical affiliation

A growing number of Mexican Americans are leaving the Catholic Church to join Pentecostal and Evangelical congregations. The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits that are associated with joining Pentecostal and Evangelical congregations. A latent variable model is specified that contains the following core relationships: (1) older Mexican Americans who affiliate with Pentecostal/Evangelical congregations will attend worship services more often; (2) older Mexican Americans who attend church more often will receive more spiritual support from their fellow church members; (3) older Mexican Americans who receive more spiritual support will develop a closer relationship with God; and (4) older Mexican Americans who have a close relationship with God will develop a stronger sense of God-mediated control. Findings from a nationwide survey of older Mexican Americans provide support for each of these linkages.     

Computerized Neurocognitive Testing in the Management of Sport-Related Concussion: An Update

Since the late nineties, computerized neurocognitive testing has become a central component of sport-related concussion (SRC) management at all levels of sport. In 2005, a review of the available evidence on the psychometric properties of four computerized neuropsychological test batteries concluded that the tests did not possess the necessary criteria to warrant clinical application. Since the publication of that review, several more computerized neurocognitive tests have entered the market place. The purpose of this review is to summarize the body of published studies on psychometric properties and clinical utility of computerized neurocognitive tests available for use in the assessment of SRC. A review of the literature from 2005 to 2013 was conducted to gather evidence of test-retest reliability and clinical validity of these instruments. Reviewed articles included both prospective and retrospective studies of primarily sport-based adult and pediatric samples. Summaries are provided regarding the available evidence of reliability and validity for the most commonly used computerized neurocognitive tests in sports settings.     

Walking on an Oscillating Treadmill: Strategies of Stride-Time Adaptation

Gains in mobility, balance, and gait quality have been observed in clinical populations after treadmill training. In our laboratory, we introduce healthy adults to treadmill training programs in an effort to boost their adaptive generalization skills. We hypothesized that some individuals are more naturally predisposed to gait adaptation than others. Stride-time data from 20 healthy adults were collected while they walked on a laterally oscillating treadmill for the first time. We predicted that the more plastic adapters would rapidly synchronize their stride frequencies to the treadmill's oscillation frequency. A treadmill mounted on a 6-degrees-of-freedom motion base platform was programmed to move laterally in a continuous, sinusoidal pattern for 20 min while participants walked at 1.1 m/s. Twenty-five percent of our participants showed a prolonged uninstructed entrained response. Those who did not entrain were still able to adapt to the novel locomotor challenge by applying various alternative strategies. Although entrainment was not required for adaptation, we report compelling evidence that the frequency of the support-surface motion influenced the adapted strategies of 80% of our participants.