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Biomedical subjects

C K Whalen

Publications and source records attributed to C K Whalen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Temporal analysis of the relationship of smoking behavior and urges to mood states in men versus women.

Epidemiological investigations of mood and smoking have relied largely on retrospective self-reports, with little research on real-time associations. We examined the relationship of mood states to contemporaneous smoking urges and to subsequent smoking and also assessed the effects of smoking on subsequent mood. For 2 days, 25 female and 35 male smokers aged 18-42 made three prompted diary entries per hour plus pre- and post-smoking entries (6882 entries). Data were analyzed with generalized estimating equations. We found significant positive associations between smoking urge and anger, anxiety, and alertness in women and men; fatigue in men only; sadness more strongly in men than women; and happiness in women only. Decreased alertness and increased anxiety predicted subsequent smoking in men only. Smoking was followed by decreased anger levels in men and women and decreased sadness in men only. In men with lower overall anger episodes, increased anger was associated with subsequent increased smoking. These findings suggest that smoking is related to negative affect and energy level, more clearly in men, and has palliative effects on sadness in men and on anger in men and women. These data demonstrate that ambulatory research can reveal targets for early intervention and smoking cessation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

ADHD treatment in the 21st century: pushing the envelope.

Required for optimal intervention for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is evidence-based matching of child, treatment, and situation. The landmark Multimodal Treatment Study (MTA) of Children with ADHD documented the superiority of pharmacotherapy for the vast majority of children with ADHD. Although this study could not address the problem of the match directly, it is generating important leads for research on the use of psychosocial strategies to enhance the scope and durability of treatment gains while decreasing the risks attendant upon long-term use of medication. Given the inherent distinctions between pharmacological and psychosocial treatments, conclusive answers to questions about comparative efficacy will continue to elude scientist-practitioners. Needed next is research examining ways to improve outcomes beyond the effects of medication, using systematically tailored and sequenced psychosocial approaches and exploring new treatment targets, agents, and modalities. To illustrate, some emerging findings from an ongoing experience sampling study and implications for online therapy are discussed.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed2001

Smoking and moods in adolescents with depressive and aggressive dispositions: evidence from surveys and electronic diaries.

Surveys and electronic diaries were used to examine depressive and extemalizing dispositions as they relate to smoking and moods in 170 early adolescents. Negative moods were prevalent, with anger and anxiety reported on 26%-60% and sadness on 16%-40% of occasions. The risk of smoking, urges to smoke, and alcohol intake were elevated in teens with aggressive and depressive dispositions, as were diary reports of feeling hassled, angry, and sad. Girls high in depression and aggression also reported more anxiety, stress, and fatigue and less happiness and well-being than did their peers. For boys, depression seemed to dampen the elevated smoking risks associated with externalizing behaviors. Discussion focuses on gender differences in personality-smoking linkages, adolescent negative affectivity, the unique contributions of survey and diary methods, and the promise of targeted preventive interventions such as affect regulation training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder children with a 7-repeat allele of the dopamine receptor D4 gene have extreme behavior but normal performance on critical neuropsychological tests of attention.

An association of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene located on chromosome 11p15.5 and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been demonstrated and replicated by multiple investigators. A specific allele [the 7-repeat of a 48-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in exon 3] has been proposed as an etiological factor in attentional deficits manifested in some children diagnosed with this disorder. In the current study, we evaluated ADHD subgroups defined by the presence or absence of the 7-repeat allele of the DRD4 gene, using neuropsychological tests with reaction time measures designed to probe attentional networks with neuroanatomical foci in D4-rich brain regions. Despite the same severity of symptoms on parent and teacher ratings for the ADHD subgroups, the average reaction times of the 7-present subgroup showed normal speed and variability of response whereas the average reaction times of the 7-absent subgroup showed the expected abnormalities (slow and variable responses). This was opposite the primary prediction of the study. The 7-present subgroup seemed to be free of some of the neuropsychological abnormalities thought to characterize ADHD.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Worldly and workday worries: contemporary concerns of children and young adolescents.

Top-of-the-head worries were elicited young people, grade 4 to 8, both before and after they completed quantitative risk assessments of specific health and environmental problems. Results revealed that many students carry a substantial worry burden that includes not only personal matters such as grades and social relations, but also concerns about death and about global issues such as homelessness and environmental degradation. The gender and grade differences that emerged were consistent with a developmental extension from self to societal perspectives. Differences in worry profiles from before to after the risk assessment interviews revealed some impact of recent exposure, as illustrated by a pre-post increase from 7% to 30% in students spontaneously expressing AIDS-related concerns. Implications of the breadth and severity of young people's concerns are discussed, as are the ambiguities inherent in standard assessment approaches.

Achievement↗
PubMed1994

Optimism in children's judgments of health and environmental risks.

Although optimistic bias has been well documented for adults, little is known about how children view their own risks vis-à-vis those of their peers. Two studies of 6th graders examined optimism and the degree of differentiation in perceived risks across diverse health, lifestyle, and environmental problems. The findings revealed perceptions of relative invulnerability and highly differentiated risk assessments. The strongest levels of optimism emerged for controllable and stigmatizing events such as illicit drugs, smoking, and AIDS. The effects of gender, assessment context, and methodological variations were minimal. Discussion focused on the implications for health-promoting interventions with school-age children, the need for developmental information about risk perception processes, and the difficulty of distinguishing realistic from biased optimism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Preadolescents' perceptions of AIDS before and after Earvin Magic Johnson's announcement.

Compared sixth graders' AIDS concerns before and after Magic Johnson announced that he tested HIV-positive. Examined perceptions of self/other vulnerability (optimistic bias) using questionnaires (Study A) and interviews (Study B). Also examined AIDS worries mentioned in open-ended interviews (Study C). Studies A and B revealed a substantial degree of optimistic bias. Study C showed that AIDS is a prime concern of school-age students, mentioned under free or context-cued conditions by about 50%. There was little detectable effect of the publicity; the sole before--after difference in three studies was one increase in self- and other-vulnerability to AIDS--an increase attributable, with marginal significance, only to girls. Discussed implications for health promotion and differences between assessment approaches.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Perceptions of methylphenidate effects on hyperactive children's peer interactions.

The behavioral constructs that emerge from observers' open-ended impressions of methylphenidate effects on the social behaviors of hyperactive children were examined. Ninety-six undergraduates observed videotapes of two different hyperactive "target" boys, each playing an interaction game with three peers. One target was taking methylphenidate and the other was taking placebo. The valence and content of observers' social perceptions were analyzed. Overall, more negative than positive behaviors were detected, a pattern more pronounced for the placebo than for the medication condition. Interestingly, placebo targets received negative evaluations for poorly controlled behaviors such as noncompliance, aggression, and disruption, but medicated targets received negative evaluations for social inhibition--passive and submissive behaviors. In contrast, the boys' medication state did not consistently influence observers' perceptions of positive social behaviors. Discussion focused on the extent and consequences of medication-related increases in social disengagement and on the ultimate impact of stimulant treatment on hyperactive children's social worlds.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Malleability of social impressions of hyperactive children.

The role of adults' social cognitions in mediating judgments of hyperactive children's medication-related behavior change was explored. Two hundred eight-eight undergraduates observed two videotaped excerpts of a hyperactive "target" boy playing a group game with two peers. Each target was taking either methylphenidate (0.6 mg/kg) during both excerpts, placebo during both excerpts, methylphenidate first followed by placebo, or placebo first followed by methylphenidate. Adults' cumulative social evaluations of the child were assessed after they viewed both video segments. Results indicated that observers combined their perceptions of the two behavior samples into composite impressions using an equal-weight averaging algorithm. Even for children whose behavior improved, adults' ratings of undercontrolled behaviors continued to meet or, in some cases exceed, research cutoff scores used to identify hyperactive children. The findings suggest that the actual behaviors of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) play a more influential role in shaping interpersonal impressions than do perceiver social-cognitive processes such as primacy, recency, or integration biases.

Aggression↗
PubMed1992

Prosocial behavior in hyperactive boys: effects of stimulant medication and comparison with normal boys.

To clarify the effects of stimulant medication on hyperactive (ADHD) children's prosocial as well as aversive behaviors toward peers, 19 hyperactive boys, aged 7-12, were observed as they acted as "leaders" for groups of 2-4 unfamiliar younger children. In a double-blind crossover design, subjects were observed twice, once on placebo and again on a moderate (0.6 mg/kg) dose of methylphenidate (Ritalin). Thirteen comparison boys, without problems in attention and behavior, were also observed in the same leader roles. Relative to comparison boys, hyperactive boys on placebo were more socially engaged, used more aversive leadership techniques, and were rated as less likable by the younger children in their groups. Aversive social behaviors were the strongest predictors of being disliked by the younger children. No differences were found between comparison and unmedicated hyperactive boys for any aspect of prosocial behavior. Stimulant medication had a general dampening effect on social behavior, significantly reducing social engagement and increasing (mild) dysphoria relative to the placebo condition. The implications of these findings for understanding and treating the peer relationship difficulties of hyperactive children are discussed.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1991

Social impact of stimulant treatment for hyperactive children.

Most children diagnosed with ADHD have extensive and enduring problems in the social arena. Despite its limitations, the standard stimulant treatment regimen for children with ADHD is a useful therapeutic modality as well as an heuristic tool for increasing our understanding of both optimal and problematic interpersonal functioning. This article explores the social impact of stimulant treatment, delineating documented improvements, identifying elusive domains and puzzling patterns, and highlighting unintended and potentially undesirable outcomes. Medication-related changes in the behaviors and perceptions of the diagnosed child's adult caretakers are distinguished from those observed in peers, and the need to enhance our understanding of peer cultures is underscored. We present new findings on the effects of stimulant treatment on social cognition and affect, and then discuss the critical need to map the attributional sequelae of any treatment approach. The final sections explore contemporary controversies and improved strategies for balancing the costs, risks, and benefits of stimulant treatment in the service of enhancing interpersonal competence, satisfaction, and harmony.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1990

Social judgment processes in hyperactive boys: effects of methylphenidate and comparisons with normal peers.

Although there is consensus that ADHD children have serious social problems, there is little understanding of the mechanisms underlying or accompanying such problems. To examine the possibility of atypical or faulty social reasoning, we presented ADHD and normal boys with a social perception task that entailed evaluating the behaviors of unknown peers. ADHD "judges" participated under both methylphenidate and placebo conditions, and on each occasion they evaluated an unfamiliar ADHD "target" in each medication state. In contrast to placebo, methylphenidate appeared to dampen overall response rates in ADHD judges, but there was no effect on sensitivity to medication-related differences. Regardless of their own medication state, ADHD judges identified more undesirable behaviors in peers on placebo than in those taking methylphenidate. Judges with the most serious behavior problems tended to identify the greatest number of negative behaviors in peers, especially when both judge and target were unmedicated. There were no effects of target medication status on detections of positive behaviors and few differences in detection patterns of ADHD versus normal judges. Discussion focused on the need to distinguish general regulatory from specific social-cognitive processes.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1989

Hyperactivity and attention deficits.

Substantive progress has been made in our understanding of children considered hyperactive, especially in the interpersonal sphere. Evolving conceptualizations of hyperactivity and attention deficits are reviewed briefly, including changes in clinical diagnostic practices and in knowledge about developmental course. The hypothesis is advanced that the cognitive and social difficulties of hyperactive children may be better understood in terms of motivational and self-regulatory processes than as deficiencies in basic information processing. The role of stimulant medication is emphasized, both as a controversial treatment approach and as an adjunct to research on the children's problems.

Attention↗
PubMed1989

Does stimulant medication improve the peer status of hyperactive children?

Although stimulants improve the social behaviors of hyperactive children, analogous changes in peer status have not been previously demonstrated. We compared peer appraisals of hyperactive boys (N = 25) after placebo, 0.3 mg/kg, and 0.6 mg/kg methylphenidate (Ritalin). With the higher dose generally producing stronger effects, methylphenidate enhanced social standing, increasing nominations of hyperactive boys as best friends, cooperative, and fun to be with. These medication-related improvements, although important, did not normalize peer appraisals, and there was marked interindividual variability in medication response.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1989

Externalizing behavior disorders, situational generality, and the type A behavior pattern.

Measures of the Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP) in children have demonstrated good sensitivity but problematic specificity. Using the most popular measure of childhood TABP, a teacher rating scale called the MYTH, we sought to (a) replicate earlier findings of extensive overlap between TABP and externalizing behavior problems, (b) further distinguish between and extend the empirical networks for the positive (Competition) and negative (Impatience-Aggression) components of TABP, and (c) explore cross-situational generality. Normal boys and those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were assessed on multiple instruments in diverse contexts. ADHD boys obtained higher TABP Total and Impatience-Aggression scores than normal boys, and these scores were associated with a wide array of behavior problems and peer difficulties. In contrast, the Competition subscale was related to popularity and athleticism and, inversely, to internalizing problems. Discussion focused on the construct validity of the MYTH, the heterogeneity of boys identified by the MYTH as showing the TABP, and the need for distinguishing research uses of the measure from applications of the TABP concept.

Aggression↗
PubMed1987

Peer perceptions of hyperactivity and medication effects.

This study focused on peer sensitivity to differences in social behaviors between hyperactive and normal comparison peers and, especially, to medication-related behavioral differences. In Study 1, normal sixth graders rated videotapes of normal and hyperactive boys playing a social interaction game. Half of the hyperactive boys were taking methylphenidate, and the other half placebo. In Study 2, fourth- and sixth-grade children rated a different sample of hyperactive boys (seen on both methylphenidate and placebo) playing the same interaction game. Hyperactive boys taking placebo were perceived as exhibiting more externalizing problem behaviors than either medicated hyperactive boys or comparison boys. The medication effects were robust, spanning many behavioral domains and emerging consistently across the 2 studies. There were few grade or gender differences. Discussion focused on children's detection of treatment-related differences in the social behaviors of their peers, as well as on the imperfect relation between social behavior and social standing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Type A behavior in normal and hyperactive children: multisource evidence of overlapping constructs.

1 goal was to identify correlates of the Type A "coronary-prone" Behavior Pattern (TABP) in children. A second was to examine the overlap between hyperactivity and TABP. In Study 1, a diverse set of measures reliably distinguished boys classified as Type A versus Type B on the basis of the MYTH, a teacher rating scale. The MYTH Competition subscale was related to perceived leadership, athleticism, and--when age and IQ were partialed out--to task attention in the classroom. The Impatience-Aggression subscale showed a different and more extensive configuration of correlates, including staff and peer assessments of problematic behaviors as well as classroom observations of noisemaking, verbalization, and social (particularly negative) contact. Hyperactive boys received higher Type A scores than did their comparison peers, a difference attributable to higher scores on the Impatience-Aggression subscale. Study 2, a partial replication conducted with a different group of hyperactive children, yielded a similar configuration of correlates. Discussion focused on the implications of the overlap between TABP and hyperactivity and, more generally, the heterogeneity of children designated Type A.

Achievement↗