Suicidal Ideation and Comorbid Disorders in Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome: A Population at Risk

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of suicidal ideation and comorbid disorders (major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) among adolescents and young adults with diagnosed Asperger's syndrome (AS). A cross-sectional study using a self-administrated mail questionnaire and a Web-based questionnaire were used. Two samples were selected for this study. The first sample used snowball sampling, starting with parents of adolescents and young adults with diagnosed AS who participated in a qualitative study conducted in 2002. The second sample consisted of a volunteer sample of parents who visited Web sites for parents and individuals with diagnosed autism spectrum disorder. The sample included 10 adolescents and young adults with diagnosed AS. Fifty percent of the sample had a clinically significant level of suicidal ideation, 20% met criteria for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, and 30% met criteria for generalized anxiety disorder.     

Effects of fear of negative social evaluation in interaction with potential partners: experimental study of first encounters / Efectos del temor a la evaluación social negativa en interacción con parejas potenciales: estudio experimental de los primeros encuentros

Abstract

This study used an experimental procedure to evaluate the effects of fear of negative social evaluation (FNSE) on courtship strategies and the ability to interact with the opposite sex. 108 university students participated in this study with a mean age of 19.6. Prior to the experimental procedure, FNSE levels were measured. Then two photographs of people of the opposite sex were shown, one more attractive than the other, and the participants were informed that they would meet one of them. Levels of anxiety and self-presentation motivation (SPM) were measured before the planned interaction. Results show that people with low levels of FNSE have positive expectations of reciprocity when they are about to meet a person that they find attractive. Women, but not men, with high levels of FNSE report higher SPM with less attractive people than with more attractive people. High levels of FNSE are associated with a loss of calm in the situation of meeting a person of the opposite sex. Implications of these results are discussed in the context of courtship strategies.     

Examining Depression,Anxiety, and Foster Care Placement as Predictors of Substance Use and Sexual Activity in Adolescents

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impact of anxiety and depression on sexual activity and substance use behaviors in a sample of 56 community- (traditional living arrangements) and foster care-dwelling adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. It was hypothesized that higher levels of anxiety and depression would be related to higher rates of risky sexual activity and substance use. Regression analyses were used to examine impact of the internalizing predictors on the risky behaviors. Results of the sample were presented with group membership emerging as a robust predictor of both sexual activity and substance use. Results suggest that adolescents within out-of-home care are at increased risk for engaging in these behaviors when compared with community-dwelling peers, and they may benefit from specific interventions aimed at decreasing participation. Future research may focus on assessing the effectiveness of interventions for these youth.     

Anxiety and Related Symptoms in Older Persons With Dementia: Directions for Practice

Anxiety disorders and related symptoms commonly occur in older people with cognitive impairment or dementia, significantly worsening functioning and reducing quality of life. This review of the literature outlines the extent of the problem, and focuses on current best practices in psychosocial interventions anxiety in persons with dementia. Discussion follows on promising nonpharmacological interventions that are recommended for further consideration and future research.     

Sleep and psychological well-being

Although many studies have linked sleep problems with symptoms of psychopathology, fewer studies have examined the relationship between sleep and dimensions of psychological health as well as depression. To fill this gap, 502 community residents were surveyed about sleep habits, symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as Ryff’s six dimensions of psychological well-being. Using cut-offs suggested by epidemiological research, participants were classified as either optimal sleepers (those reporting an average of 6 hours or less than 8.5 hours per night) or suboptimal sleepers (those sleeping less than 6 hours or 8.5 or more hours per night). After controlling for demographic differences (i.e., sex, age, education, ethnicity, employment status, marital status, presence of children), the Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) suggested that optimal sleepers reported fewer symptoms of depression, and anxiety, and reported higher levels of environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self acceptance. Differences between optimal sleepers and non-optimal sleepers in depressive symptoms, positive relations with others, purpose in life and self-acceptance remained significant when people with mild to moderate symptoms of depression were eliminated from the data set. These results are consistent with a theoretical framework that defines sleep as a resource related to stress management and self-regulation.     

取消民族成份作假考生录取资格的合法性质疑

对于民族成份作假骗取高考加分的考生,教育行政部门作出的取消录取资格的处理,在性质上属于行政处罚,应当遵守《行政处罚法》的有关规定。有关行政规范性文件不属于法的渊源,民族成份作假考生的行为不是应当受到行政处罚的违法行为,对考生实施行政处罚缺乏事实根据。行政规范性文件无权设定行政处罚,依据有关行政规范性文件取消考生录取资格,缺乏法律依据。有关部门取消考生录取资格也没有遵循《行政处罚法》规定的程序,不具有合法性。     

大学生男子篮球运动员竞赛焦虑状态及调控

运用运动心理学的相关理论与方法对河北省大运会男子篮球赛的部分运动员竞赛焦虑状态的影响因素进行问卷调查,得出影响程度由大到小为：挫折、冲突、比赛、失误、自我评价、实力和身体状态。针对具体情况,提出了教练员在赛前、赛中以及日常训练时的心理调控和培养对策。     

现代性焦虑与日常生活批判——论王跃文官场小说的审美立场与艺术价值

王跃文的官场小说为我们构造了一个巨大的官场日常生活世界。通过回到官场生活世界和人的本身,王跃文的官场小说在意义和价值层面展开了对官场人物的灵魂探寻和生命叩问。在其对官场充满生活气息的叙述中,凸显着的是一个有着责任和担当意识的现实主义作家的思维空间和审美立场,以及在现代性焦虑中发出的对官场现实的质问和对官场文化的质询。王跃文官场小说独特的艺术创造,开辟的是当代官场小说精神重建的努力方向。     

鲶鱼效应：外语课堂教学中的博弈

讨论了鲶鱼效应的工作机制及其对外语课堂教学的指导作用。由于鲶鱼效应主要实现为博弈,因此合理把握博弈中的对抗强度是成功实施课堂教学鲶鱼效应的关键;以心理学和力学原理为依据,解释了鲶鱼效应与博弈在课堂教学中的可行性。