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Associations between juvenile delinquency and weight-related variables: analyses from a national sample of high school students.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined direct and conditional associations between juvenile delinquency and weight-related variables in a national sample of high school students. METHOD: Data from the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of 12,713 high school students aged 14 to 17 were examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated that juvenile delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to use fasting, vomiting, and drugs to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight. Multivariate analyses also showed that delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to perceive themselves as overweight, but the two groups did not differ in regard to actual overweight status. Tests of interactions in multivariate analyses indicated that the associations between delinquent status and specific, weight-related variables were stronger among younger than among older adolescents, as well as among female than among male adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should examine risk and protective factors for unhealthy weight control behaviors and perceptions among delinquents.

Adolescent↗

Management control of drug administration programs.

The relationship between type of drug administration (pharmacy technician versus nurse) and the efficiency and effectiveness of managerial control systems was studied. The sample included pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurses working at one hospital that used technicians for drug administration for 9 of 22 units. Pharmacists and technicians completed a questionnaire for a unit where technicians administered drugs and for a unit where they provided all pharmaceutical services except drug administration. Nurses completed one questionnaire regarding their patient unit. A total of 368 questionnaires were distributed; the response rate was 83.7%. Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, type of drug administration was the independent variable and complexity and variability of patient-unit technology were moderators of its effects on nine dependent variables. There was no main effect of type of drug administration or moderating effect of technology on number or percentage of medication errors. Pharmacists reported exercising more behavior control when supervising nurses than technicians. Nurses and technicians perceived that pharmacists exercised greater control on units where nurses performed drug administration tasks of low variability. While technicians and nurses provided drug administration services of similar quality, this study suggests that pharmacists can mange technicians more efficiently than nurses in drug administration tasks on units where the tasks are relatively routine.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Attachment representation and emotion regulation in adolescents: a psychobiological perspective on internal working models.

Attachment theory claims that inner working models of attachment substantially control behavioral and emotional regulation. There are different levels of organization of the attachment system following a developmental sequence from basic attachment behaviors at newborn age to a procedural organization in terms of behavioral strategies at the end of the first year to a representational organization later on. Also, the organismic systems underlying emotions and emotional regulation may occur and may be described on different organizational levels. Inner working models are seen as regulatory mechanisms for the interplay between the different organismic systems underlying emotions and emotional regulation. This paper will concentrate on biobehavioral organization. Combining assumptions of attachment theory with assumptions about biobehavioral function may provide the possibility of validating theoretically derived interpretations of the attachment system. Including the physiological processes in addition to the psychological processes enables us to test assumptions about the function of the inner working model with respect to processes that are not accessible by verbal communication and that are not expressed through overt behavior. The paper will provide theoretical and empirical evidence for the contribution of the inner working model of attachment to emotional perception, emotional expression and the coherence of inter-modal organization. The empirical findings suggest that from a developmental perspective the inclusion of different levels of regulation may provide possibilities of studying continuity and stability of individual differences of the attachment system during the life-course both within and across levels.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

The relationship between family functioning and demographic characteristics in an epidemiological study.

This paper reports on the characteristics of two dimensions (behavior control and communication) of the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MMFF) as assessed through the MMFF semi-structured interview in families of the normal nonclinical population of Quebec City (N = 118). Interrater reliability as well as scores distribution are reported. Particular attention is given to the absence of association found between family functioning and socioeconomic status. Exploratory data about the relationship between parental conflict and family functioning are also discussed in terms of future inquiries in child psychiatric epidemiology.

Child Behavior Disorders↗

Methylphenidate and caffeine in the treatment of children with minimal brain dysfunction.

In this double-blind, crossover study of 8 boys with minimal brain dysfunction, 20 mg of methylphenidate daily was significantly better than 160 mg of caffeine in controlling behavior, especially impulsivity and hyperactivity, and methylphenidate alone was superior to decaffeinated coffee and placebo. The tentative results of this study confirm the primary position of sympathomimetics in the pharmacotherapy of minimal brain dysfunction and, in addition, suggest the involvement of dopamine pathways in this disorder. The authors urge further study of this hypothesis.

Administration, Oral↗

Effects of tectal grafts on sound localization deficits induced by inferior colliculus lesions in hooded rats.

The goals of this research were to examine the role of the inferior colliculus (IC) in mediating sound localization behavior and the ability of tectal grafts to restore function after IC ablation in the Long-Evans rat. Previous work has suggested that the IC is a major center for processing of information used in localizing sound sources in space. Adult rats were trained on a lick suppression paradigm to discriminate the location of the second pulse in a noise burst pair presented in the horizontal interaural plane. Following baseline testing, rats received bilateral IC lesions, bilateral lesions followed in 1 week by bilateral tectal grafts, or were sham operated. Sound localization ability was then tested 15 to 30 days and 40 to 50 days following surgical procedures. Performance across experimental groups was statistically the same during baseline testing. During the first operative test period lesion-only and grafted animals showed deficits in sound localization ability relative to controls. By the second postoperative test period control and grafted animals did not differ statistically in sound localization ability and performance of both groups was superior to that of lesion-only animals. Histology revealed a similar extent of IC damage in lesion-only and lesion-graft animals and revealed the presence of implanted tectal tissue in all grafted animals. There was significant neuron loss in the dorsal nucleus of lateral lemniscus (DNLL) in lesion-only animals relative to grafted rats and sham controls. Behavioral results suggest that the IC of pigmented rat is important for sound localization ability. The sparing of DNLL neurons in grafted animals suggests that the tectal grafts may directly integrate into or aid intrinsic recovery of the host auditory pathway.

Animals↗

Pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a necessary link between phenomenology, neuropsychology, imagery and physiology.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive intrusive thoughts and compulsive time-consuming behaviors classified into three to five distinct symptom dimensions including: (1) aggressive/somatic obsessions with checking compulsions; (2) contamination concerns with washing compulsions; (3) symmetry obsessions with counting/ordering compulsions; (4) hoarding obsessions with collecting compulsions; and (5) sexual/religious concerns. Phenomenologically, OCD could be thought of as the irruption of internal signals centered on the erroneous perception that "something is wrong" in a specific situation. This generates severe anxiety, leading to recurrent behaviors aimed at reducing the emotional tension. In this paper, we examine how the abnormalities in brain activity reported in OCD can be interpreted in the light of physiology after consideration of various approaches (phenomenology, neuropsychology, neuroimmunology and neuroimagery) that contribute to proposing the central role of several cortical and subcortical regions, especially the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPC), the head of the caudate nucleus and the thalamus. The OFC is involved in the significance attributed to the consequences of action, thereby subserving decision-making, whereas the ACC is particularly activated in situations in which there are conflicting options and a high likelihood of making an error. The DLPC plays a critical part in the cognitive processing of relevant information. This cortical information is then integrated by the caudate nucleus, which controls behavioral programs. A dysfunction of these networks at one or several stages will result in the emergence and maintenance of repetitive thoughts and characteristic OCD behavior.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

Effects of late-afternoon methylphenidate administration on behavior and sleep in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects on behavior and sleep of methylphenidate (MPH) administered at 4 PM to children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODOLOGY: Twelve children admitted to a child psychiatric inpatient service with ADHD participated in a double-blind, crossover study in which they received a 4 PM dose of either 15 mg of MPH, 10 mg of MPH, or a placebo in random order for 12 consecutive days. Ratings of behavior, including ADHD symptoms, pertaining to the period from dose administration until sleep onset, were supplied nightly by hospital staff. Sleep latency and sleep adequacy were also assessed for each night. RESULTS: MPH resulted in markedly improved behavioral control compared with placebo; there was no difference between 15-mg and 10-mg MPH doses. MPH did not alter sleep latencies observed with the placebo. Children were more often rated as less tired on awakening after nights that they received 10 mg of MPH compared with 15 mg of MPH and the placebo. Weight loss was apparent among 83% of the patients, but dinner intake did not vary with third-dose condition. CONCLUSIONS: Morning and noon administration of stimulants to children with ADHD is a near-universal practice, but many clinicians avoid a third, late-afternoon administration for fear of inducing insomnia. This study's findings show that children with ADHD derive substantial symptom reduction from MPH administered in late afternoon, with no untoward effects on sleep. Therefore, three-times-a-day dosing should be considered for those children exhibiting ADHD symptoms in the evening. Adverse effects on sleep latency were not apparent in the sample overall. Nonetheless, monitoring for possible aggravation of sleep problems and weight loss remains sound treatment practice.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

The influence of cultural and racial identification on the psychosocial adjustment of inner-city African American children in school.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship and combined influence of racial identity and Africentric values on African American children's psychosocial adjustment. Participants were 104 (53 males, 51 females) African American fourth-grade students attending an inner-city public school in a northeastern city. Child and teacher ratings were used to assess the relationship between racial identity, Africentric values, and several indices of child psychosocial adjustment, including child behavior control, school interest, and teacher perceptions of child strengths and problems in the classroom. Child self-esteem and the effects of gender and cohort were used as covariates in several analyses in the study. Overall, findings from the study supported the usefulness of combining racial identity and Africentric values into a single model of ethnic identification for African American children. Implications for risk prevention and enhancement of psychosocial functioning among African American children are discussed.

Black or African American↗

The role of drinking restraint in alcohol dependence: validation of the temptation and restraint inventory in an alcohol dependent sample.

OBJECTIVE: The Temptation and Restraint Inventory (TRI) is commonly used to measure drinking restraint in relation to problem drinking behavior. However, as yet the TRI has not been validated in a clinical group with alcohol dependence. METHOD: Male (n = 111) and female (n = 57) inpatients with DSM-IV diagnosed alcohol dependence completed the TRI and measures of problem drinking severity, including the Alcohol Dependence Scale and the quantity, frequency and week total of alcohol consumed. RESULTS: The factor structure of the TRI was replicated in the alcohol dependent sample. Cognitive Emotional Pre-occupation (CEP), one of the two higher order factors of the TRI, demonstrated sound predictive power toward all dependence severity indices. The other higher order factor, Cognitive Behavioral Control (CBC), was related to frequency of drinking. There was limited support for the CEP/CBC interactional model of drinking restraint. CONCLUSIONS: Although the construct validity of the TRI was sound, the measure appears more useful in understanding the development, maintenance and severity of alcohol-related problems in nondependent drinkers. The TRI may show promise in detecting either continuous drinking or heavy episodic type dependent drinkers.

Adult↗

The perceived personal control (PPC) questionnaire as an outcome of genetic counseling: reliability and validity of the instrument.

The perceived personal control (PPC) questionnaire was developed by Berkenstadt and colleagues as an outcome measure for the evaluation of the process of genetic counseling. The present study aimed to further assess the psychometric properties of a Dutch version of the instrument. Data were used from two samples. A reproductive genetic counseling sample (n = 140), which included pregnant and non-pregnant women, and a cancer genetic counseling sample (n = 181), also consisting of women only. Counselees completed questionnaires before and following their first consultation. Besides the PPC these questionnaires addressed counselees' degree of concern, risk perception and satisfaction with the consultation. The following psychometric properties were assessed: acceptability, internal consistency, dimensionality, and validity. The instrument was well accepted as indicated by few missing items. The internal consistency was good for the total PPC (Cronbach's alpha: 0.79-0.81), reasonable for the original subscales of 'decisional' and 'behavioral control' (>0.60), but unacceptable for the subscale of 'cognitive control' (<0.60). The original three-factor solution was not confirmed; a one-factor solution proved most stable. Significant differences between pre- and post-counseling PPC scores support the PPC's construct validity. Concurrent validity was confirmed by positive associations with counselees' satisfaction although non-significant (concern) and unexpected (risk perception) results were also found. When used as a one-dimensional scale, the PPC has its value as an outcome measure in research addressing genetic counseling. However, the instrument's validity needs to be further assessed.

Adolescent↗

Self-perception of body weight among high school students in Taipei, Taiwan.

Self-perception of body weight and other weight-related factors were assessed among 2665 Taipei, Taiwan high school students. A high percent of the girls (70.7%) and boys (42.2%) reported that they were too fat and these percentages were much higher than those reported by U.S. students in a recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In addition, only 13.2% of girls and 22.0% of boys reported being completely satisfied with their weight and the level of dissatisfaction with weight appeared to be greater than among U.S. students. Yet, in comparison to U.S. students, the Taiwanese students were considerably less likely than their U.S. counterparts to engage in weight management practices (e.g., dieting, eating less food, using diet pills). Taiwanese students with a self-perception of being too fat were more likely than those with perceptions of being just right or too thin to engage in weight management practices, to be dissatisfied with their weight, feel that they were unattractive, estimate that their same-sex peers were trying to lose weight, and have a higher body mass index. The findings from this study showed a relationship between self-perception of body size and engaging in weight control behaviors was consistent with other research. It suggested that self-perception of body weight, more so than objective weight status, was predictive of weight loss behavior and also negative psychological outcomes associated with poor body weight image. As a result, self-perception of weight may be an important point of focus for the design and implementation of clinical and public health initiatives targeted at this adolescent population as well as others.

Adolescent↗

Pavlovian feed-forward mechanisms in the control of social behavior.

The conceptual and investigative tools for the analysis of social behavior can be expanded by integrating biological theory, control systems theory, and Pavlovian conditioning. Biological theory has focused on the costs and benefits of social behavior from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. In contrast, control systems theory is concerned with how machines achieve a particular goal or purpose. The accurate operation of a system often requires feed-forward mechanisms that adjust system performance in anticipation of future inputs. Pavlovian conditioning is ideally suited to subserve this function in behavioral systems. Pavlovian mechanisms have been demonstrated in various aspects of sexual behavior, maternal lactation, and infant suckling. Pavlovian conditioning of agonistic behavior has been also reported, and Pavlovian processes may likewise be involved in social play and social grooming. Several further lines of evidence indicate that Pavlovian conditioning can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of social interactions, thereby improving their cost/benefit ratio. We extend Pavlovian concepts beyond the traditional domain of discrete secretory and other physiological reflexes to complex real-world behavioral interactions and apply abstract laboratory analyses of the mechanisms of associative learning to the daily challenges animals face as they interact with one another in their natural environments.

Aggression↗

Interactions between RO 15-4513 and ethanol on brain self-stimulation and locomotor activity in rats.

Experiments were conducted to elucidate the behavioral effects of RO 15-4513, a putative alcohol antagonist, when administered alone or in combination with alcohol. Two groups of animals were trained to lever-press for brain self-stimulation (ICSS) on either a fixed ratio:15 or a fixed interval:15 second schedule of reinforcement. RO 15-4513 (0.1-3.0 mg/kg) reduced the rate of lever-pressing for ICSS in both groups. RO 15-4513 (1.0 mg/kg) further reduced rates when combined with alcohol (0.1-1.7 g/kg), and this effect was especially marked in the fixed ratio paradigm. Other groups of animals were tested in a locomotor activity apparatus. In contrast to the depression of lever-pressing in the ICSS experiments, RO 15-4513 produced a graded increase in locomotor activity. When combined with alcohol (0.1-1.7 g/kg), 1.0 mg/kg RO 15-4513 also increased locomotor activity. Thus, the depression in schedule-controlled behavior was not associated with a generalized behavioral depression. These results demonstrated that RO 15-4513 has potent behavioral effects of its own that are consistent with its classification as an anxiogenic compound.

Animals↗

Effects of men's subtle and overt psychological abuse on low-income women.

A social influence approach to the psychological abuse of women (Marshall, 1994; 1996) was expanded and tested. Distinctions are made between obvious acts (e.g., verbal aggression, controlling behaviors), overt acts which are easily recognized and described, and subtle acts which are least likely to be recognized as psychologically abusive. Men's violence and sexual aggression, and overt (dominating acts, indifference, monitoring, discrediting) and subtle (undermining, discounting, isolating) psychological abuse were examined as they related to women's psychological and emotional state and perceptions of their relationship. Results of regression equations with 834 low-income women in long-term heterosexual relationships are reported. In general, subtle psychological abuse had stronger and more consistent associations with women's state and relationship perceptions than did their partners' overt psychological abuse, violence, or sexual aggression. The importance of extending research beyond obvious acts was underscored by findings showing that subtle psychological abuse accounted for a small but significant proportion of the variance in outcome variables even after the effects of violence and sexual aggression (Step 1) and overt psychological abuse (Step 2) were controlled in eight of the nine regression equations. In contrast, when subtle and overt psychological abuse were entered first (in Steps 1 and 2, respectively), violence and sexual aggression (Step 3) made significant contributions in only two of the nine equations.

Adult↗

Beyond parenting practices: extended kinship support and the academic adjustment of African-American and European-American teens.

This study examined adolescents' perceptions of parenting practices and extended kinship support in relation to academic adjustment for 104 African American and 60 European American 9th and 10th graders (14 and 15 year olds). For African-American teens, parental acceptance was associated with school values, teacher bonding, and work orientation. Higher levels of behavioral control and lower levels of psychological control were associated with a stronger work orientation. After accounting for the demographic variables and the three parenting practices, higher levels of extended kinship support related to stronger school values, higher teacher bonding, and a stronger work orientation. For European-American teens, parental acceptance related to academic adjustment, including stronger school values, higher teacher bonding, and a stronger work orientation. European-American adolescents with stronger extended kinship networks reported higher teacher bonding and a stronger work orientation. Results indicate the importance of extended kinship support for both African-American and European-American adolescents.

Achievement↗

Isotropic-nematic phase equilibrium and phase separation of kappa-carrageenan in aqueous salt solution: experimental and theoretical approaches.

The behavior of chiral-nematic and isotropic phases of helical kappa-carrageenan in aqueous solution of sodium iodide was compared with that of the anisotropic biphasic phase that contains both these phases. On the basis of birefringence, rheology, chemical analysis, average molecular weight, and polydispersity index measurements, we derived a number of characteristic differences as well as similarities between these phases, over a range of polysaccharide concentrations obtained by the dilution of each phase. For example, we assessed the critical concentration of an isotropic-anisotropic transition (C(i)), the temperature of the anisotropic-isotropic phase shift during thermal heating-cooling cycles, and the viscosity changes due to the phase shift and due to the diminishing of the helical conformation. We also demonstrated how the different phases and their dilutions behave under the effect of shear and frequency of oscillation and how the viscoelastic properties vary in each phase and discussed the isotropic and anisotropic liquid crystal controlling behavior mechanisms. From a theoretical point of view, we propose to combine the wormlike chain model for semiflexible polyelectrolytes interacting via both hard-core and electrostatic repulsion to assess the concentration of isotropic-nematic transition, to assess the coexistence concentration range, and to determine the effects of charge by applying the effective diameter and a twisting effect.

Anisotropy↗

Effects of ethanol and NMDA antagonists on operant behavior in ethanol withdrawal seizure-prone and-resistant mice.

The acute effects of ethanol (EtOH) on fixed-ratio performance were studied in separate lines of mice selectively bred for differences in severity of handling-induced convulsions following withdrawal from EtOH. Because modulation of N methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been implicated in production of the acute and withdrawal-induced effects of EtOH, we also tested NMDA and three NMDA antagonists. Withdrawal seizure-resistant (WSR2) mice were more sensitive to the response rate-decreasing effects of EtOH than were withdrawal seizure-prone (WSP2) mice. Similar to EtOH, NPC 12626 (a competitive NMDA antagonist) and phencyclidine (a non-competitive NMDA antagonist) decreased responding in WSR2 mice at doses that did not affect responding in WSP2 mice. Although a second non-competitive NMDA antagonist, dizocilpine, produced line differences in the same direction as did PCP, these differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, NMDA produced nearly equipotent dose-dependent response rate decreases in both lines. Combined with the results of previous in vitro studies which showed that the number of NMDA receptors in the hippocampi of WSR2 and WSP2 mice differ, the results of the present study suggest that the interaction of EtOH with NMDA receptors may contribute to differences in the acute effects of ethanol on schedule-controlled behavior in WSP2 and WSR2 mice.

Journal Article↗