The use of messages in altering risky gambling behavior in experienced gamblers

The present study was an experimental analogue that examined the relationship between gambling-related irrational beliefs and risky gambling behavior. Eighty high-frequency gamblers were randomly assigned to four conditions and played a chance-based computer game in a laboratory setting. Depending on the condition, during the game a pop-up screen repeatedly displayed either accurate or inaccurate messages concerning the game, neutral messages, or no messages. Consistent with a cognitive-behavioral model of gambling, accurate messages that correctly described the random contingencies governing the game decreased risky gambling behavior. Contrary to predictions, inaccurate messages designed to mimic gamblers' irrational beliefs about their abilities to influence chance events did not lead to more risky gambling behavior than exposure to neutral or no messages. Participants in the latter three conditions did not differ significantly from one another and all showed riskier gambling behavior than participants in the accurate message condition. The results suggest that harm minimization strategies that help individuals maintain a rational perspective while gambling may protect them from unreasonable risk-taking.     

Gut interpretations: how difficulties in emotion regulation may help explain the relation of visceral sensitivity with depression and anxiety among young adults with gastrointestinal symptoms

It is widely recognized that abdominal pain and discomfort are common problems in the United States and are often associated with negative quality of life. The prevalence of anxiety/depression elevations and disorders among persons with gastrointestinal disturbances (GI) is estimated to be at least two to three times the rate in the general population. Visceral sensitivity reflects anxiety about GI sensations and its accompanying contexts and often leads to worsening of sensations (e.g. bloating, upset stomach, diarrhea). Among individuals with GI symptoms, visceral sensitivity may be associated with interpreting common sensations as catastrophic which may be related to greater difficulties with emotion dysregulation (e.g. severe anxiety and depression). The current study evaluated the indirect association of visceral sensitivity via emotion dysregulation in relation to depression, anxious arousal, and social anxiety symptoms among 344 young adults with a current history of GI symptoms and problems. Results indicated an indirect effect of visceral sensitivity via emotion dysregulation. These findings provide novel empirical support for the association of visceral sensitivity with emotional distress symptoms among young adults with GI symptoms. Based on the results, targeting emotion dysregulation may be a promising health promotion tactic among young adults with GI symptoms and disorders.     

An electrophysiological study of the object-based correspondence effect: Is the effect triggered by an intended grasping action?

We examined Goslin, Dixon, Fischer, Cangelosi, and Ellis’s (Psychological Science 23:152–157, 2012) claim that the object-based correspondence effect (i.e., faster keypress responses when the orientation of an object’s graspable part corresponds with the response location than when it does not) is the result of object-based attention (vision–action binding). In Experiment 1, participants determined the category of a centrally located object (kitchen utensil vs. tool), as in Goslin et al.’s study. The handle orientation (left vs. right) did or did not correspond with the response location (left vs. right). We found no correspondence effect on the response times (RTs) for either category. The effect was also not evident in the P1 and N1 components of the event-related potentials, which are thought to reflect the allocation of early visual attention. This finding was replicated in Experiment 2 for centrally located objects, even when the object was presented 45 times (33 more times than in Exp. 1). Critically, the correspondence effects on RTs, P1s, and N1s emerged only when the object was presented peripherally, so that the object handle was clearly located to the left or right of fixation. Experiment 3 provided further evidence that the effect was observed only for the base-centered objects, in which the handle was clearly positioned to the left or right of center. These findings contradict those of Goslin et al. and provide no evidence that an intended grasping action modulates visual attention. Instead, the findings support the spatial-coding account of the object-based correspondence effect.     

An Exploration of Black Teens' Experiences of Their Own Racial Identity Through Photovoice: Implications for Counselors

Multiculturally competent counselors and researchers are called to understand individuals’ worldviews and experiences (Ratts, Singh, Nassar‐McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2016). Therefore, in this study, the authors explored Black teens’ experiences of their own racial identity using a qualitative participatory action research method called photovoice. Eight participants ranging in age from 14 to 17 took part in this study. Three themes emerged from the data: places you don't belong, comfort places, and strengths/concerns. The authors address implications for counselors. Consejeros e investigadores multiculturalmente competentes están llamados a entender los cosmovisiónes y experiencias de los individuos (Ratts, Singh, Nassar‐McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2016). Por lo tanto, en este estudio, los autores exploraron las experiencias de adolescentes negros sobre su propia identidad racial, usando un método cualitativo de investigación‐acción participativa llamado fotovoz. Ocho participantes de edades comprendidas entre los 14 y 17 años tomaron parte en este estudio. De los datos obtenidos surgieron tres temas: lugares a los que no perteneces, lugares de comodidad y fortalezas/preocupaciones. Los autores abordan las implicaciones para consejeros.     

Body Mass Index and functional impairment: the explanatory role of anxiety sensitivity among treatment-seeking smokers

Obesity and smoking are highly prevalent public health concerns in the United States. Data indicate that elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) is related to functional impairment. However, there is limited understanding of mechanisms that may explain their comorbidity among smokers. The current study sought to test whether anxiety sensitivity explained the relation between BMI and functional impairment among 420 (46.9% females; M_age = 38 years, SD = 13.42) treatment-seeking, adult smokers. Results indicated that BMI yielded a significant indirect effect through anxiety sensitivity for functional impairment, b = 0.01, SE = .01, 95% CI = [.002, .021]. These findings remained significant after controlling for participant sex, negative affectivity, tobacco dependence, psychopathology, and medical conditions (i.e. hypertension, heart problems, respiratory disease, asthma). Such data provide novel empirical evidence that, among smokers, BMI may be a risk factor for functional impairment indirectly through anxiety sensitivity. Overall, such findings could potentially inform the development of personalized interventions among this particularly vulnerable segment of the smoking population.     

New experimental test of strain-gradient plasticity theory: metal foil sandwich structures in flexure

Experimental tests of strain-gradient plasticity theory rely on studies of the size effect (smaller is stronger) in micromechanical testing. The plastic strain gradient is varied by varying the size of the specimen. This confounds the direct effects of the size and the effects of the strain gradient. We propose experiments on foil sandwich structures in which these parameters are separated. Preliminary results suggest that it is the foil thickness that determines the strength, not the strain gradient.     

Age-related emotional bias in processing two emotionally valenced tasks

Psychological Research - Previous studies suggest that older adults process positive emotions more efficiently than negative emotions, whereas younger adults show the reverse effect. We examined...     

Acculturative stress and experiential avoidance: relations to depression,suicide, and anxiety symptoms among minority college students

Although college campuses represent strategic locations to address mental health disparity among minorities in the US, there has been strikingly little empirical work on risk processes for anxiety/depression among this population. The present investigation examined the interactive effects of acculturative stress and experiential avoidance in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms among minority college students (n = 1,095; 78.1% female; M_age = 21.92, SD = 4.23; 15.1% African-American (non-Hispanic), 45.3% Hispanic, 32.5% Asian, and 7.1% other races/ethnicities. Results provided empirical evidence of an interaction between acculturative stress and experiential avoidance for suicidal, social anxiety, and anxious arousal symptoms among the studied sample. Inspection of the significant interactions revealed that acculturative stress was related to greater levels of suicidal symptoms, social anxiety, and anxious arousal among minority college students with higher, but not lower, levels of experiential avoidance. However, in contrast to prediction, there was no significant interaction for depressive symptoms. Together, these data provide novel empirical evidence for the clinically-relevant interplay between acculturative stress and experiential avoidance in regard to a relatively wide array of negative emotional states among minority college students.