Demythologizing the emotions: adaptation,cognition, and visceral representations of emotion in the nervous system

This article highlights four issues about the neurobiology of emotions: adaptation vs. dysfunction, peripheral and central representations of emotion, the regulation of the internal milieu, and whether emotions are cognitive. It is argued that the emotions evolved to play diverse adaptive roles and are biologically vital sources of information processing. They were not designed as pieces of pathology, though they certainly can underlie some psychophathologies. Emotions are, in part, appraisal systems that are operative at numerous level of the nervous system from the brainstem to the cortex. Like other information processing systems they are not perfect cognitive systems. Emotional systems often utilize somatic and visceral information for appraisals of events to facilitate decisions of whether to approach or avoid objects. The neural systems of emotions traverse the entire neural axis and are linked to the regulation of the internal milieu. Thus, in addition to the experiential aspects of emotions, emotions embody appraisal systems that are pervasive to all levels of the brain to facilitate function, adaptation, and survival.     

Effects of involuntary outpatient commitment on subjective quality of life in persons with severe mental illness

Recent evidence suggests that involuntary outpatient commitment (OPC), when appropriately applied, can improve adherence with psychiatric treatment, decrease hospital recidivism and arrests, and lower the risk of violent behavior in persons with severe mental illness. Presumably these are benefits that improve quality of life (QOL); however, insofar as OPC involves legal coercion, the undesirable aspects of OPC could also exert a negative effect on quality of life, thus offsetting clinical benefits. Involuntarily hospitalized subjects, awaiting discharge under outpatient commitment, were randomly assigned to be released or continue under outpatient commitment in the community after hospital discharge, and were followed for one year. Quality of life was measured at baseline and 12 months follow-up. Treatment characteristics and clinical outcomes were also measured.Subjects who underwent longer periods of outpatient commitment had significantly greater quality of life as measured at the end of the 1 year study. Multivariable analysis showed that the effect of OPC on QOL was mediated by greater treatment adherence and lower symptom scores. However, perceived coercion moderated the effect of OPC on QOL. Involuntary outpatient commitment, when sustained over time, indirectly exerts a positive effect on subjective quality of life for persons with SMI, at least in part by improving treatment adherence and lowering symptomatology.     

Assessment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

In spite of their prevalence and persistence, why are behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia difficult for clinicians to assess and manage? This paper provides an overview of the methodological challenges encountered in measuring behavioral disturbances of dementia. Specifically, conceptual constructs of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, the strengths and weaknesses of the currently existing rating instruments, analytic methodologies, and the utility of technological devices are outlined in the service of formulating future directions in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia assessment research.     

Musculoskeletal status and disability of MMPI profile subgroups among patients with low back pain

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles of 205 male and 157 female patients with acute and chronic low back pain (LBP) were studied for replicable homogeneous subgroups using three cluster-analysis procedures. Two normal and three clinically elevated profile subgroups were identified. The two normal subgroups were characterized by relatively normal musculoskeletal condition and were least disabled, but they differed somewhat from each other in duration of pain, presence of physical abnormalities, and daily functioning. The third subgroup had the following characteristics: an elevated neurotic triad, greatest duration of symptoms, most abnormal physical findings, greatest limitation of motion, most pain complaints during physical examination, and the fewest number of intact functional activities. The fourth subgroup, with an elevated neurotic triad plus subclinical elevations on other scales, had somewhat less musculoskeletal impairment but had extensive work disability, financial compensation, and previous surgeries. The fifth and most pathologic profile subgroup surprisingly consisted largely of acute-pain patients whose musculoskeletal condition and daily functioning were similar to those of the normal subgroups. Patients in the three abnormal MMPI subgroups were exposed to more LBP physical-risk factors in the workplace. Implications for psychological treatment with these different profile types are discussed.     

Assessing Changes in Counselor Trainees' Multicultural Competence Related to Service Learning

This mixed methods study examined changes in self‐reported multicultural competence and distress reactions of 32 counselor trainees engaged in service learning. Whereas 3 trainees significantly increased in self‐reported multicultural competence, 5 significantly decreased. Trainees who significantly increased in multicultural competence reported less distress; those who significantly decreased reported greater distress. However, changes in multicultural competence appeared to be unrelated to themes uncovered in the qualitative data. Implications for training and practice are discussed. Este estudio de métodos mixtos examinó los cambios en competencia cultural y reacciones de aflicción reportados por 32 consejeros en formación que realizaban prácticas para su aprendizaje. A pesar de que 3 consejeros en formación comunicaron un aumento significativo de su competencia cultural, 5 de ellos reportaron una disminución significativa. Los consejeros en formación que aumentaron considerablemente su competencia cultural reportaron un nivel menor de aflicción; aquellos que disminuyeron considerablemente reportaron mayor aflicción. Sin embargo, los cambios en la competencia cultural no tenían relación aparente con los temas desvelados en los datos cualitativos. Se discuten las implicaciones para la formación y prácticas.     

The sociology of adolescent drug and drinking behavior: A review of the state of the field: Part II

This is Part II of our general assessment of the state of sociological research on adolescent substance use. In Part I, presented in the previous issue of this journal, we analyzed the methodological issues in the field and summarized findings on extent and trends of use. Here, we summarize structural, interactional, and attitudinal correlates of teenage drinking and drug behavior. We characterize the field as being theoretically underdeveloped and argue that the place to look for theory to organize empirical generalizations and derive testable hypotheses is among the existing sociological theories of deviance, which have been given scant attention in the adolescent drug and drinking literature. The field of study is in need of primary data collected to test hypotheses from a single general theory that is capable of integrating structural, interactional, and attitudinal variables.     

Microscopic mobility in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract

A recent letter by Kakalios (1987) has criticized our suggestion that the microscopic mobility of hydrogenated amorphous silicon increases under high-level double injection. In this Letter, we show that Kakalios misinterpreted our model and misrepresented our data.     

THE END OF CONSENSUS: THE CRISIS OF THE 1980s AND THE TURNING-POINT IN ISRAELI PHOTOGRAPHY

Israeli photography in its broader sense began with the Zionist resettlement of the Land of Israel in the late nineteenth century. Israeli photography can be divided into two stages: the early one, in which it reflected solidarity with the Zionist cause, and the contemporary stage, in which it has become highly critical of it, at times with evident sarcasm. Yet, to date, the watershed separating the one stage from the other has not been defined. By analysing developments in Israeli public life and culture, the article shows that the first few months of the 1982 war in Lebanon, which shattered the Israeli national consensus, found their immediate reflection in Israeli photography. During the 1980s Israeli photography became transformed, as the iconic images focusing on the Zionist hero were replaced by the images of those who were generally overlooked, the Palestinians in particular. This new image is defined as a “reversed icon”.     

Brief Book,Software, and Test Announcements

This study extended previous cross-cultural work regarding the tripartite model of anxiety and depression by developing Serbian translations of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children (PANAS–C), the Physiological Hyperarousal Scale for Children (PH–C), and the Affect and Arousal Scale (AFARS). Characteristics of the scales were examined using 449 students (M age = 12.61 years). Applying item retention criteria established in other studies, PH–C, PANAS–C, and AFARS translations with psychometric properties similar to English-language versions were identified. Preliminary validation of the scales was conducted using a subset of 194 students (M age = 12.37 years) who also completed measures of anxiety and depression. Estimates of reliability, patterns of correlations among scales, and age and gender differences were consistent with previous studies with English-speaking samples. Findings regarding scale validity were mixed, although consistent with existing literature. Serbian translations of the PH–C, PANAS–C, and AFARS mirror the original English-language scales in terms of both strengths and weaknesses.