Constitutive activation of the G-protein subunit Galphas within forebrain neurons causes PKA-dependent alterations in fear conditioning and cortical Arc mRNA expression

Memory formation requires cAMP signaling; thus, this cascade has been of great interest in the search for cognitive enhancers. Given that medications are administered long-term, we determined the effects of chronically increasing cAMP synthesis in the brain by expressing a constitutively active isoform of the G-protein subunit Galphas (Galphas*) in postnatal forebrain neurons of mice. Previously, we showed that Galphas* mice exhibit increased adenylyl cyclase activity but decreased cAMP levels in cortex and hippocampus due to a PKA-dependent increase in total cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. Here, we extend previous findings by determining if Galphas* mice show increased activity of specific PDE families that are regulated by PKA, if Galphas* mice show PKA-dependent deficits in fear memory, and if these memory deficits are associated with PKA-dependent alterations in neuronal activity as mapped by Arc mRNA expression. Consistent with previous findings, we show here that Galphas* mice exhibit a significant compensatory increase in cAMP PDE1 activity and a trend toward increased cAMP PDE4 activity. Further, inhibiting the presumably elevated PKA activity in Galphas* mice fully rescues short- and long-term memory deficits in a fear-conditioning task, while extending the training session from one to four CS-US pairings partially rescues these deficits. Mapping of Arc mRNA levels suggests these PKA-dependent memory deficits may be related to decreased neuronal activity specifically within the cortex. Galphas* mice show decreased Arc mRNA expression in CA1, orbital cortex, and cortical regions surrounding the hippocampus; however, only the deficits in cortical regions surrounding the hippocampus are PKA dependent. Our results imply that chronically stimulating targets upstream of cAMP may detrimentally affect cognition.     

The effects of service participation, friendship networks, and family support on developmental outcomes: a study of young people from low-income families in Hong Kong

This research investigates the factors conducive to the success of young people growing up in low-income families. Many studies carried out locally and overseas focus on the risks and difficulties experienced by these young people; however, little attempt has been made to examine the factors that help them change their lives from failure, poverty, and social exclusion. Based on a quantitative survey of 405 young people recruited from schools and integrated youth service centers in Hong Kong, this research identifies a range of indicators of, and necessary conditions for, the positive development of young people with economic disadvantage. It also evaluates the way in which the functions of service participation, friendship networks, and various family factors support them to thrive in different areas. The study helps fill the gap of the existing literature and draws implications for policy and practice to address the needs of these youths. Future directions of research are also discussed.     

Treatment effectiveness of combined medication/behavioural treatment with chinese ADHD children in routine practice

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of a combined methylphenidate/behavioural treatment (BT) versus methylphenidate-only for Chinese children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was tested in routine clinical practice in Hong Kong. METHODS: A randomized group comparison design was adopted with two treatment conditions (methylphenidate-only; methylphenidate/BT), which lasted for 6 months. There were four assessment time points (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month and 12-month follow-ups), using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behaviours (SWAN) Rating Scale. Parental attitude toward different treatment options of ADHD was also assessed at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Participants included 90 Chinese ADHD children (mean age=8 years, SD=.95). RESULTS: The combination of BT and a low-dose methylphenidate was significantly more effective than methylphenidate-only in reducing ADHD and ODD symptoms at post-treatment. At follow-ups, the benefits of the combined treatment were maintained, while the methylphenidate-only group caught up in improvement in ADHD symptoms. Parents in both treatment conditions showed improved attitude toward medication after the 6-month treatment phase, while their attitude toward BT was positive all along. CONCLUSIONS: This study supported the added benefits of BT, on top of medication, for Chinese ADHD children in routine practice with treatments conducted by regular medical and paramedical staffs.     

Stereotype threat: effects on education

Numerous stereotypes exist regarding race and gender, and while all are difficult to eradicate, one still regnant throughout society is the notion that females are not as capable as males within the fields of math and science. In order to expose this belief as faulty, an in depth literature review was initiated, with special attention being placed on interventions considered helpful in eliminating stereotype threat. The paper’s primary purpose centered on how, and to what extent, stereotype threats affect the mathematics scores of females and minorities. In addition, case studies and a critical perspective regarding the research, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed.     

Relation of dispositional optimism with burnout among athletes

Optimism is important in enhancing human psychological and physical well-being; however, the association of optimism with burnout has received little attention in sport psychology. This study recruited 139 young volleyball players (M = 16.3 yr., SD = 0.8) to examine this relation. Athletes completed the Chinese version of the Life Orientation Test at Time 1 and 4 mo. later (Time 2). The Chinese version of the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire was also administered. Analysis showed scores on optimism were negatively related to athletes' burnout scores.     

Job stress and job performance among employees in Hong Kong: The role of Chinese work values and organizational commitment

This study investigates the direct and moderating effects of Chinese work values and organizational commitment on the stress‐job performance relationship. Chinese work values are the work‐related Confucian values of Chinese societies, and include collectivism, hardworking, endurance, and harmonious social relationships (guanxi). A three‐component (affective, continuance, and normative) conception of commitment (Meyer & Allen, 1991) is used. A self‐administered questionnaire survey collected data from two samples of Hong Kong employees during 2001. These samples included 386 (197 males, 179 females, 10 unidentified) and 145 (51 males, 94 females) respondents. The purpose of recruiting two samples was to replicate the stress‐performance relationship in a Chinese setting to enhance generalization of the results. The results consistently revealed that sources of pressure and self‐rated job performance were negatively related. Furthermore, organizational commitment and Chinese work values were positively related to job performance. A series of hierarchical regressions, while controlling for age, tenure, and job level, revealed that Chinese work values and organizational commitment were significant stress moderators. Chinese work values were found to be significant moderators of the stress‐performance relationship in both samples. However, those values only safeguarded performance when work stress was low or moderately high. When work stress was very high, employees with high levels of Chinese work values reported lower job performance. Organizational commitment, in contrast, protected employees from the negative effects of stressors and moderated the stress‐performance relationship in a positive direction, but for the first sample only. The implications of the study are that it is essential to nourish work values among employees and cultivate employees' commitment to their organizations. However, in very high stress situations, it is more appropriate to alter the work environment to reduce stressors at work, in order to enhance job performance. Cette étude visait à examiner les effets directs et modérateurs des valeurs de travail chinoises et de L'engagement organisationnel sur les relations entre le stress et la performance. Dans la présente étude, les valeurs de travail chinoises impliquent les valeurs confucéennes reliées au travail, lesquelles sont communément acceptées dans les sociétés chinoises. Elles comprennent le collectivisme, L'ardeur au travail, L'endurance et les relations sociales harmonieuses (guanxi). Une conception tripartite de L'engagement (Myers et Allen, 1991) fut utilisée. Celle‐ci inclut L'affectivité, la continuité et L'engagement normatif. Les données furent recueillies auprès de deux échantillons d'employés de Hong Kong, durant un intervalle de 7 mois, en 2001. Pour chaque échantillon, 386 (197 hommes et 179 femmes) et 145 (51 hommes et 94 femmes, 10 non identifiés) répondants, respectivement, ont complété un questionnaire d'enquête autorapporté. Le but de recruter deux échantillons était d'examiner les relations stress‐performance dans deux milieux chinois afin d'augmenter la générabilité des résultats. Les résultats révèlent que les sources de pression et la performance rapportée sont négativement associées. De plus, L'engagement organisationnel et les valeurs de travail chinoises sont positivement liés à la performance. Une série de régressions hiérarchiques, en exerçant un contrôle sur L'âge, le poste et le niveau d'emploi, révèlent que les valeurs de travail chinoises et L'engagement organisationnel sont des modérateurs significatifs du stress. Les valeurs de travail chinoises sont des modérateurs significatifs des relations entre le stress et la performance pour les deux échantillons. Cependant, elles favorisent la performance seulement lorsque le stress au travail est faible ou modérément élevé. Quand le stress au travail est très élevé, les employés dont les valeurs de travail chinoises sont fortes rapportent des niveaux plus faibles de performance. Concernant L'engagement organisationnel, celui‐ci protège les employés des effets négatifs des stresseurs et il modère la relation stress‐performance dans une direction positive, pour le premier échantillon seulement. Sur le plan des implications, cette étude soulève qu'il est essentiel de nourrir les valeurs de travail chez les employés et de cultiver L'engagement dans leurs organisations. Cependant, dans des situations hautement stressantes, il serait davantage approprié de modifier L'environnement de travail pour réduire les stresseurs, afin d'améliorer la performance des employés. Este estudio se propone investigar los efectos directos y moderadores de los valores chinos hacia el trabajo y el compromiso con la organización sobre las relaciones entre estrés y rendimiento en el trabajo. En este estudio, los valores chinos hacia el trabajo se refieren a los valores de Confucio relativos al trabajo, aquéllos sobre los que existe acuerdo entre las sociedades chinas, que incluyen el colectivismo, la dedicación al trabajo, la resistencia y las relaciones sociales armoniosas (guanxi). Se empleó una concepción de compromiso formada por tres componentes (Meyer & Allen, 1991), que incluye el compromiso afectivo, continuo y normativo. Se recogieron datos de dos muestras de empleados de Hong Kong con 7 meses de intervalo entre una y otra durante el 2001, de 386 (197 hombres, 179 mujeres, 10 no identificados) y 145 (51 hombres, 94 mujeres) respectivamente, mediante el empleo de un cuestionario auto‐administrado. La razón por la que se reclutó dos muestras fue llevar al cabo una réplica de las relaciones entre estrés y rendimiento en un contexto chino, para mejorar la generalidad de los resultados. Es más, se encontró una relación positiva entre compromiso con la organización y rendimiento en el trabajo. Los resultados de una serie de regresiones jerárquicas, después de controlar la edad, definitividad y jerarquía, revelaron que los valores chinos hacia el trabajo y el compromiso con la organización moderaban de manera significativa las relaciones entre estrés y rendimiento. Se encontró que los valores chinos hacia el trabajo moderaban de manera significativa las relaciones entre estrés y rendimiento en ambas muestras. No obstante, los valores chinos hacia el trabajo salvaguardan el rendimiento sólo cuando el estrés es bajo o moderadamente alto. Cuando el estrés en el trabajo es muy alto, los empleados con niveles altos de valores chinos manifiestan bajo rendimiento. Respecto al compromiso con la organización, éste protege a los empleados de los efectos negativos de los estresores y modera la relación entre estrés y rendimiento en una dirección positiva, pero sólo para la primera muestra. Las implicaciones de este estudio son: es esencial fomentar los valores hacia el trabajo entre los empleados y cultivar su compromiso para con sus organizaciones. Sin embargo, bajo situaciones de estrés extremo, será más apropiado alterar el ambiente laboral para reducir los estresores, y así mejorar el rendimiento en el trabajo.     

Commentary: Reintegrating psychology into an expanded biopsychosocial model of severe acute respiratory syndrome

The Special Issue highlights the importance of psychology in the research agenda on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The five articles examined relevant theories on social cognition and coping in the ecological context of the SARS outbreak. They provide preliminary tests to current psychological principles of coping and health psychology in a real crisis. The limitations of the studies are recognized. Other areas of psychological research on SARS are suggested. It is proposed that the biopsychosocial model of behavioral medicine could be expanded as a paradigm in public health to study and prepare for future emerging epidemics.     

Forming Life Satisfaction among Different Social Groups during the Modernization of China

Quality of life has become a notable concern in the modernization of China. However, there are no adequate data to chart the formation of quality of life, in terms of life satisfaction, and in relation to the societal conditions of modernization. Moreover, it is still a question concerning how life satisfaction forms among people of different social groups, differentiated by class, education, age, and gender. To answer the questions, the present study involved a random sample survey of 732 inhabitants in Beijing. Results indicate the contributions of income, age, perceived modern economic conditions in society, and satisfaction with societal economic conditions. In contrast, education and the ownership class appear to predict lower life satisfaction. Furthermore, there are significant variations in the effects of the factors in predicting the life satisfaction of people in different social groups. Notably, perceived economic conditions appear to be less important to people of higher class positions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.