JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH最新文献

Studies of psychological morbidity and quality of life in ovarian cancer (OC) patients have largely relied on self-report measures despite substantial research questioning the confounding effects of denial and self-deception in self-report scores. This study investigated the use of the Early Memory Index (EMI) for detection of psychological distress among OC patients. Early Memory Index outcomes of 77 OC outpatients were compared with high and low distress scores on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form-Y (STAI-S, STAI-T). A higher percentage of participants scored as distressed on the EMI (51%) than the CES-D (30%), STAI-S (16%), and STAI-T (21%). A sizable percentage (up to 48%) of low distress respondents on self-report measures demonstrated illusory mental health on the EMI. Results support earlier research demonstrating self-report scales’ limitation detecting psychological distress and the possibility of the EMI as an alternative screening measure of psychological adjustment in OC patients.

Evidence indicates that our relationships with coworkers and supervisors significantly influence our health and well-being. The field of workplace health promotion—historically and currently—either ignores or fails to leverage insights from this evidence. In ways similar to individuals who look for a “magic pill” or diet to fix a health problem, employers also seek quick, external answers to health problems in their workforce. The current paper describes the development of an integral model to guide employers, researchers, and consultants in health promotion efforts. The paper is divided into three parts, from a broad perspective (Part 1) to the development of the model (Part 2) to providing specific empirical examples of the model in action (Part 3). Part 1 explains why integrative efforts are necessary and how they can work. Part 2 describes features of the model and shows how they are currently being utilized by employers but without integration. Part 3 reviews empirical interventions developed by my colleagues and I over the past 20 years. These are designed to impact one of five leverage points in work settings: leadership development; team training; well-being champions; climate assessments and surveys; and linking employee assistance (EAP) and wellness services.

This article introduces a SPECIAL ISSUE of the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research on Central Sensitization (CS). First, a general overview of CS is provided, including some historical perspective, the prevalence of CS in various chronic pain disorders, and common ways of measuring CS and related symptoms. Then a brief summary of each contributing article to this SPECIAL ISSUE is provided. Article topics include: CS-related neurobiology; diagnostic phenotyping; a biopsychosocial perspective of CS-related disorders; use of the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI); evaluation of CS and related symptoms in some specific disorders (including general chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and breast cancer survivors); and how the concept of CS has changed our current view of chronic pain.

The purpose of the study was to systematically assess demographic, occupational, and psychosocial factors associated with Anxiety Disorder in public school teachers. A sample of 3,361 public school teachers was given an online questionnaire, including questions about demographic, occupational, and psychosocial factors. Anxiety Disorder was based on the Patient Health Questionnaire. Univariate analyses and a hierarchical logistic regression were used to determine the key demographic, occupational, and psychosocial factors associated with Anxiety Disorder. Individuals with Anxiety Disorder were significantly more likely to report absenteeism and higher intent to quit (p < .001). The hierarchical logistic regression showed that the factors most associated with the Anxiety Disorder included being Hispanic (p < .01), taught fewer years (p < .05), teaching elementary school (p < .01), higher job involvement (p < .01), higher perceived stress (p < .01), lower physical quality of life (p < .01), major depression (p < .001), and somatization disorder (p < .01). The results from this study identify specific demographic, occupational, and psychosocial factors associated with the presence of anxiety disorder in public school teachers. Future research should examine how implementing changes in the workplace may improve occupational factors such as job control, satisfaction, absenteeism, and intent to quit, which, in turn, may be associated with a reduction in the presence of anxiety disorders.

Perceived dyscognition or fibrofog has been ranked as one major contributor of distress in fibromyalgia (FM). The Multidimensional Inventory of Subjective Cognitive Impairment (MISCI) was devised as a brief and comprehensive self-report measure of cognitive function in FM. The main objective of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the MISCI. One hundred and twenty patients with FM were included, and dimensionality, reliability, and validity of the MISCI were evaluated. Data from brain imaging (N = 61) were also used in validity analyses. Known-groups validity was evaluated by including a subset of 45 patients without FM in partial/total remission from depression. Sensitivity to change was assessed after a mindfulness-based intervention. Spanish version of the MISCI exhibited a one-factor structure, excellent internal consistency, and good convergent validity with symptomatology and gray matter volumes in anterior and middle cingulate cortices. Significant improvements in MISCI scores after a mindfulness-based intervention were reported. An additive effect of FM and depression regarding MISCI scores was also observed. Self-reported depression, anxiety, and problems in balance predicted the 38% of the MISCI variance. The Spanish version of the MISCI is a valuable instrument to include in FM research and clinical practice.

The Central Sensitization (CSI) Inventory was introduced in 2012. It was initially intended as a screener to help identify when presenting symptoms may be related to central sensitization or indicate the presence of a central sensitivity syndrome. It has now been translated and validated in a number of European, Asian, and South American languages. This article provides an overview of CSI rationale, development, recommended uses, and research results, including evidence of validity and reliability, in clinical and non-clinical subject samples.

The concept of health consciousness (HC), previously studied as a dispositional construct, holds promise for brief prevention training in work settings. The current study developed a more process-oriented model of HC. Employer’s increasing concerns about worker prescription drug (Rx) misuse represents an opportunity to study and improve HC. Two pilot studies delivered a brief training program and assessed short-term, pre- to post–self-reports of factors related to HC. The first pilot (n = 162) attempted to evaluate a stress/resilience program (“Raw Coping Power”) that sought to improve worker ability to recognize and correct unhealthy coping behaviors. A second pilot (n = 114) attempted to evaluate an Rx misuse prevention program that sought to enhance awareness of HC as a protective factor. Both pilots used a driver analysis to examine correlates of improved HC. These correlates included increased confidence in one’s ability to evaluate risks, and awareness of healthy alternatives. Many employees also found the concept of HC useful. Previous writings about HC, in combination with current results, informed the design of a new, process-oriented model of HC. The current paper offers this model and a driver analysis methodology that future researchers can use to further explore and more fully evaluate brief HC interventions in work settings.