Resilience in parenting among young mothers: Family and ecological risks and opportunities

The present study used a person-centered approach to examine resilience in parenting among a sample of young mothers (under age 21 at childbirth). Resilient functioning as a parent was defined as the lack of perpetration of child maltreatment (substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect) in the context of risk. Risk factors were assessed at multiple levels, including family (e.g., negative childhood histories in family of origin) and ecological (e.g., neighborhood poverty, mother's financial stress) levels. Analyses revealed a group of mothers who demonstrated resilience in parenting despite a context of substantial risks from their childhood histories (e.g., negative family relationships) and current ecologies (e.g., economic and neighborhood conditions). Mothers in the resilient group were less likely to a) live with their families of origin, and b) to rely on their own mothers as sources of emotional or caregiving support. Data also indicated that young mothers' resilient functioning as parents was associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms among these mothers, perhaps suggesting a “cost” or limit to resilient parenting functioning in young mothers. Results are discussed in a resilience framework.     

Job stress,burnout and substance use among urban transit operators: The potential mediating role of coping behaviour

Abstract

Urban transit operators, compared to other occupational groups, have higher rates of mortality and morbidity. A major risk factor is the highly stressful objective environment. This study used structural equation modelling to test a model hypothesizing that transit operators’ coping behaviours in responding to daily job hassles mediate the associations of work stress with burnout and substance use. The study sample consisted of 1231 transit operators who participated in the San Francisco MUNI Health and Safety Study. The results showed a direct and strong association between transit operators’ daily job stress and symptoms of occupational burnout even when a series of controls and coping behaviours were considered. In addition, use of “disengage-deny” and escapist strategies to cope with job stress was positively associated with burnout; the job stress–burnout association was partially mediated through such coping practices. Daily job stress was related to substance use only indirectly and mediated through burnout and use of “disengage-deny” and escapist coping strategies. “Disengage-deny” coping strategies might help reduce substance use whereas escapist coping strategies might increase such use. Overall, our findings suggest that coping behaviour may be an important correlate of transit operators’ ill health. Interventions enabling healthy coping behaviours may help reduce health risks for this occupational group.     

Perinatal factors related to post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms 1–5 years following birth

BackgroundThe relationship between perinatal variables and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was studied. However, the role of some variables in PTSD symptoms is unclear.AimDetermine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms after 1 year postpartum and their relationship with perinatal variables.MethodsA cross-sectional study with 1531 puerperal women in Spain. Data were collected on socio-demographic variables, perinatal variables (maternal characteristics, procedures during labour and birth, birth outcomes and time since birth) and the newborn. An online questionnaire was used, which included the Perinatal Post-traumatic Stress Questionnaire (PPQ). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated using binary logistic regression.Findings7.2% (110) of the women were identified as being at risk for probable PTSD symptoms. Protective factors were having a birth plan respected (aOR 0.44; 95%CI 0.19−0.99), use of epidural analgesia (aOR 0.44; 95%CI 0.24−0.80) and experiencing skin-to-skin contact (aOR 0.33; 95%CI 0.20−0.55). Risk factors were instrumental birth (aOR 3.32; 95%CI1.73−3.39), caesarean section (aOR 4.80; 95%CI 2.51–9.15), receiving fundal pressure (aOR 1.72; 95%CI 1.08–2.74) and suffering a third/fourth degree perineal tear (aOR 2.73; 95%CI 1.27–5.86). The area under the model’s ROC curve was 0.82 (95%CI 0.79−0.83).ConclusionsWomen who experience a normal birth, are psychologically prepared for birth (for example, through use of a birth plan), experience skin-to-skin contact with their newborn, and had a sense of physical control through the use of epidural analgesia, are less likely to experience childbirth as traumatic.     

唐君毅对荀子道论特点的分析

唐君毅对荀子道论的研究主要集中在《中国哲学原论·原道篇》一书中。他认为,荀子之道特指人道,是将人区别于一切自然之天地万物的关键性因素。天是人道产生的背景上之根据。人道乃能知能行之道,且能给人的认识提供止息处。人道包含用心之道和人文政治历史之道两个层次,是主观性和客观性的有机统一。在人文政治历史之道的层面上,它又包含理想和现实两个向度。同时,人道也是一人文统类之全体之道。     

书写一种“个别文化”——评黄青松长篇新作《毕兹卡族谱》

黄青松的长篇新作《毕兹卡族谱》,书写的是一种特殊的“个别文化”。小说不仅呈现出毕兹卡族的历史与文化,也将故事讲述与作者阐释同时在文本中展开,以一种综合的形式试探文学写作的限度。《毕兹卡族谱》在处理少数民族生存经验的“常”与“变”主题时,既显示出黄青松的文化自觉,也清晰地标识出这一题材的写作症候。     

Parenting stress and behavior among single mothers of preschoolers: The mediating role of self‐efficacy

Abstract

This study examines the role of perceived self‐efficacy in mediating relations between mothers’ parenting behavior and variables such as maternal employment status, depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and child behavior problems. Subjects were 93 employed and 95 nonemployed, single, black mothers of a 3–5‐year‐old child who were current and former welfare recipients. Using linear structural relations modeling (LISREL), the findings support a model whereby (a) the more behavior problems the child is perceived to have, the more depressive symptoms the mother feels; (b) the more depressive symptoms the mother feels, the more likely she is to rate herself high in parenting stress; (c) the more depressive symptoms and parenting stress the mother experiences, the lower is the mother's estimate of her self‐efficacy; and (d) the lower the mother's self‐efficacy, the less competent is her parenting. The findings for employment status are similar; i.e., maternal employment predicted a trajectory leading to somewhat better parenting. In addition, child behavior problems were associated with less competent parenting both directly and indirectly through their effect on parenting stress and self‐efficacy. These results suggest that self‐efficacy has import as a mediator of the relations between maternal parenting and other psychosocial variables. There is no evidence, based on these findings, that employment in the low‐wage market is harmful either for single black mothers or their preschool children. However, job availability and an increase in the minimum wage are important policy considerations.     

Efficacy of newer medications for lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of newer drugs used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The drugs were either Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or not FDA approved for BPH but have been evaluated for treatment of BPH since 2008. We searched bibliographic databases through September 2017. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) lasting one month or longer published in English. Outcomes of interest were LUTS assessed by validated measures. Efficacy was interpreted using established thresholds indicating clinical significance that identified the minimal detectable difference. Twenty-three unique, generally short-term, RCTs evaluating over 9000 participants were identified. Alpha-blocker silodosin and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor tadalafil were more effective than placebo in improving LUTS (moderate strength evidence) but these drugs had more adverse effects, including abnormal ejaculation (silodosin). Anticholinergics were only effective versus placebo when combined with an alpha-blocker. Evidence was generally low strength or insufficient for other drugs. Evidence was insufficient to assess long-term efficacy, prevention of symptom progression, need for surgical intervention, or long-term adverse effects. Longer trials are needed to assess the effect of these therapies on response rates using established minimal detectable difference thresholds, disease progression, and harms.     

Psychological Morbidity,Social Intimacy,Physical Symptomatology,and Lifestyle in Adult Children of Divorced Parents

This study assessed the relationships between psychological morbidity, social intimacy, perception of the parental relationship, lifestyle and physical symptomatology as well as the contributors of physical symptomatology, in adult children of divorced parents. Participants answered the Physical Symptom Questionnaire, the Anxiety, Depression and Stress Scale, the Lifestyle Questionnaire, the Social Intimacy Scale and The Perception of the Parental Relationship Scale. Results revealed that older participants showed lower levels of anxiety, depression and stress and that male participants perceived the parental relationship as better when compared to females. There was a negative association between depression and the duration of parental divorce. Adult children with greater physical symptoms and more anxious showed less social intimacy. The latter was associated with a less healthy lifestyle. As expected less physical symptomatology was associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Anxiety was the only variable that contributed to physical symptomatology. Intervention should be gender sensitive and focus early on on the identification of psychological morbidity, social intimacy, healthy behaviors, and physical symptomatology, in adult children whose parents are in the process of divorcing.     

Poster Abstracts

Objectives. To analyse the relation between results of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire for aging males, and of quality of life (QOL) questionnaire SF-12 and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods. 1,927 men aged 55–85 years were interviewed by 56 general practitioners. During the interview the men were asked to fill in the AMS scale and the QOL questionnaire SF-12.

Results. Of 1,927 men 1,806 men filled correctly the AMS questionnaire. The mean SF-12 mental index was respectively 55.9 in men with a total AMS score indicating no impairment, 50.9 mild, 42.8 moderate, and 32.8 severe impairment. The corresponding values for the physical index were 51.2, 46.7, 40.8 and 32.3.

A history of diabetes was associated with an increased risk of reporting moderate/severe impairment: in relation to the total AMS score the odds ratio, (OR), of moderate/severe impairment in comparison with no impairment was 1.6 (95%CI 1.2–2.1). A history of myocardial infarction and hypertension increased the risk (respectively OR 1.4 (95%CI 1.1–18) and 1.7 (95%CI 1.2–2.4)).

Conclusions. This study shows that higher AMS scores are associated with lower SF-12 indices and suggests that elevated values of the AMS score are associated with cardiovascular risk factors or diseases.     

An Empirical Investigation of the Envelope Theory

Abstract

The Envelope Theory stipulates that, if perceived and expended energy levels are kept relatively at the same levels, people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) will slowly gain strength and energy. Based on this theory, an intervention was developed that provided feedback to participants with CFS about discrepancies in perceived versus expended energy levels. As part of this intervention, a buddy was provided to help with household tasks in order to reduce excessive energy expenditures. Post-test results revealed a decrease in participants' fatigue severity ratings, and positive changes were recorded for five CFS somatic symptoms. Participants also reported increases in optimism regarding recovery, positive re-interpretation and growth, and information seeking behavior. The implications of these findings are discussed.