All About Life - Lifestyle and other news you can use

[Dentists Watch for Abuse]

Dentists urged to watch for signs of abuse
May 8, 2006

More than 90 percent of domestic violence victims suffer head, neck and facial injuries, placing dentists at the forefront of health care professionals positioned to recognize signs of abuse.

Two studies published in the May issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) focus on the dentist’s role in helping curb domestic violence and assisting the estimated two to four million women who are abused physically each year.

In one study, a research team at the University of California San Francisco tested the effectiveness of a tutorial designed to educate dentists in identifying and responding to domestic violence.

They found that a four-stage intervention process called AVDR (Asking, Validating, Documenting, Referring) improved dentists’ willingness and ability to intervene in suspected cases of domestic violence.

“The first step, asking about abuse, often is the hardest for any health care provider,” researchers noted. “Dentists in our study reported that after the tutorial, they felt empowered to get through the first step and open the door for their patients.”

A second study in May JADA explores a “predictive model” for identifying women likely to report injuries related to “intimate-partner violence,” or IPV.

Conducted by researchers at the Harvard school of Dental Medicine, the study involving more than 300 women looks at such variables as age, race and the “risk of self-reporting” IPV-related injuries to help identify victims.

“Older subjects were less likely than younger subjects to report IPV-related injuries,” the researchers noted. “Nonwhite subjects were almost four times more likely than their white counterparts to report IPV-related injuries.”

JADA, a monthly journal, is the ADA’s flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry.

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 153,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's Web site at http://www.ada.org

[What is Cool?]

MEDIA RELEASE | MAY 10, 2006
UBC students decode essence of cool

What constitutes cool?

A three-year UBC psychology study reveals that young adults today see it more as fitting in and caring about others than its original meaning of detachment, irony and rebelliousness.

"Parents will be relieved to know that the popular understanding of cool
suggests a Hallmark greeting card more than a gangster orgy," says Ian
Hansen, a UBC psychology PhD student.

Since 2003, Hansen and fellow psychology graduate students Ilan
Dar-Nimrod and Travis Proulx have been studying coolness as a personal
project in addition to other research for their PhD degrees. UBC
Psychology Prof. Darrin Lehman has also contributed to the research.

To date, their research has involved more than 800 study participants,
mostly UBC students.

"One of our main findings is that people see coolness predominantly in
terms of socially desirable qualities," says Dar-Nimrod. "These desirable
traits include confidence, drive for success, friendliness,attractiveness and holding communal values: being honest, caring, sincere
and loving."

"In the mainstream university population," says Dar-Nimrod, "people value
being emotional more than being cool in the traditional sense.Ironically, they associate being warm, sentimental and passionate with 'coolness,' and brand being detached and cold as uncool."

But while many used cool as a bland synonym for "socially desirable," the
researchers found evidence that a distinctly edgy understanding of cool,
closer to the original understanding, still survives.

Dar-Nimrod says, "There is a less dominant factor of coolness that is
closer to the historical meaning of the word - rebelliousness, emotional
control, irony, roughness - and rejection of socially desirable values like 'virtuous' and 'industrious'."

The researchers are currently analyzing a part of their study where
participants ranked famous people such as Johnny Depp, Britney Spears,
George W. Bush and Adolf Hitler on various traits as well as coolness.

"This is not to find out who is currently considered cool or uncool, but
what characteristics drive the evaluation," says Hansen. The researchers hope to expand their study population beyond university students. Hansen plans to conduct further research when he travels to New
York City this summer.

- 30 -

CONTACT

Ilan Dar-Nimrod
E-mail: Ilan Dar-Nimrod
Tel: 604.822.3007
604.822.2442 (lab)
604.730.6778
E-mail: ilan@psych.ubc.ca

Ian Hansen
Tel: 604.221.6672
Cell: 604.315.8696
E-mail: ihansen@psych.ubc.ca

[Smoking and Babies]

Smoking and Babies . . .
May 2006

When mom or dad puffs on a cigarette, their infants may inhale the resulting second-hand smoke. Now, scientists have detected cancer-causing chemicals associated with tobacco smoke in the urine of nearly half the babies of smoking parents.

“The take home message is, ‘Don’t smoke around your kids,’” said Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., professor and Wallin Chair of Cancer Prevention at The Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota.According to a study of 144 infants, published in the May issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, Hecht and his colleagues found detectable levels of NNAL* in urine from 47 percent of babies exposed to environmental tobacco carcinogens from cigarette smoking family members. NNAL is a cancer-causing chemical produced in the human body as it processes NNK**, a carcinogenic chemical specific to tobacco.

“The level of NNAL detected in the urine of these infants was higher than in most other field studies of environmental tobacco smoke in children and adults,” Hecht said.

“NNAL is an accepted biomarker for uptake of the tobacco-specific carcinogen NNK. You don’t find NNAL in urine except in people who are exposed to tobacco smoke, whether they are adults, children, or infants.”

A previous study by Hecht and his colleagues indicated that the first urine from newborns whose mothers smoked during pregnancy contained as much as one-third more NNAL compared to the babies in the current study. The newborn infants, however, took in the carcinogen directly from their mothers through their placentas rather than by breathing second-hand smoke in the air in their family homes and cars.

In the current study, when babies had detectable levels of NNAL, Hecht said that family members smoked an average of 76 cigarettes per week, in their home or car while the babies were present. In children of smokers whose babies had undetectable levels of NNAL in their urine, the average number of cigarettes smoked by family members was reported at 27 per week.

“With more sensitive analytical equipment, the NNAL from urine of babies in lower frequency cigarette smoking households would most likely be detectable,” Hecht said.

While studies have not determined how the long term risk of exposure to cancer-causing tobacco smoke affects the genetics of babies during their early years when they are growing rapidly, Hecht said that this study demonstrated substantial uptake of NNK and its metabolite NNAL in infants exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

“These findings support the concept that persistent exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in childhood could be related to cancer later in life,” he said.

Hecht conducted his study in collaboration with Steven G. Carmella, Ky-Ahn Le, Sharon E. Murphy, Angela J. Boettcher, Chap Le, Joseph Koopmeiners, Larry An, and Deborah J. Hennrikus from the Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center and The Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.

* 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol
** 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone

American Association for Cancer Research
http://www.aacr.org

The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 24,000 basic, translational, and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 60 other countries. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special Conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment, and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication, CR, is a magazine for cancer survivors, patient advocates, their families, physicians, and scientists. It provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship, and advocacy.

[Effects of Verbal Abuse]

Invisible scars: Verbal abuse triggers adult anxiety, depression
http://www.fsu.com

May 23, 2006

BY JILL ELISH

A new study by Florida State University researchers has found that people who were verbally abused as children grow up to be self-critical adults prone to depression and anxiety.

People who were verbally abused had 1.6 times as many symptoms of depression and anxiety as those who had not been verbally abused and were twice as likely to have suffered a mood or anxiety disorder over their lifetime, according to psychology Professor Natalie Sachs-Ericsson, the study's lead author.

"We must try to educate parents about the long-term effects of verbal abuse on their children," Sachs-Ericsson said. "The old saying about sticks and stones was wrong. Names will forever hurt you."

Sachs-Ericsson co-authored the study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, with FSU psychology Professor Thomas Joiner and researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The researchers studied data from 5,614 people ages 15 to 54 - a subset of the National Comorbidity Survey. The average age of the multiethnic sample was 33.

The findings are significant because of the clear implications for clinical treatment. Research has shown self-critical people can benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy, an approach that helps people identify their irrational thought patterns and replace them with more rational thoughts, Sachs-Ericsson said. In addition, they are taught new behaviors to deal with uncomfortable situations.

The high percentage of study participants who reported that they were sometimes or often verbally abused by a parent - nearly 30 percent - surprised the researchers, Sachs-Ericsson said. Verbal abuse included insults, swearing, threats of physical abuse and spiteful comments or behavior.

Parents may have learned this style of parenting from their own parents, or they simply may be unaware of positive ways to motivate or discipline their children, Sachs-Ericsson said. They may also have a psychiatric or personality disorder that interferes with their parenting abilities.

Over time, children believe the negative things they hear, and they begin to use those negative statements as explanations for anything that goes wrong. For instance, a child who does not get invited to a party or does poorly on a test will think the reason is because he or she is no good if that is the message conveyed by a parent. This pattern of self-criticism continues into adulthood and has been shown to make an individual more prone to depression and anxiety.

To assess self-criticism, researchers asked participants to respond to statements such as, "I dwell on my mistakes more than I should," and "There is a considerable difference between how I am now and how I would like to be." Those who had been verbally abused were more likely to be self-critical than those who were not.

Those who suffered parental physical abuse (6.6 percent) or sexual abuse by a relative or stepparent (4.5 percent) also were more self-critical, but the researchers determined that self-criticism may not have been as important a factor in the development of depression and anxiety for physically and sexually abused participants as it was for those who experienced verbal abuse.

"Childhood abuse of any type has the potential to influence self-critical tendencies," she said. "Although sexual and physical abuse don't directly supply the critical words like 'You're worthless,' the overall message conveyed by these kinds of abuse clearly does."

[Just One Cigarette?Yikes!]

May 2006

The compulsion to smoke after having tried just one cigarette can lie dormant for more than three years, indicating a “sleeper effect,” reveals a study of teenage smoking habits, published in Tobacco Control.

Young teens who smoked just one cigarette at the age of 11 were twice as likely to take up smoking within the next few years as their peers who resisted the urge, the study shows. This was despite not having smoked in the intervening period.

In 2004, 14% of 11 year olds and 62% of 15 year olds in England said they had experimented with cigarettes.

The researchers base their findings on annual surveys of almost 6000 eleven to 16 year olds attending 36 representative schools across South London, and measurements of salivary cotinine, a biochemical indicator of nicotine intake.

Full information for each of the five years was available for just over a third of the entire sample.

By the age of 14, pupils who had given smoking a go just once at the age of 11 were twice as likely to have become regular smokers as their peers who had not tried out smoking. This was the case even after a gap of three years or more.

These findings held true irrespective of gender, ethnicity, and deprivation, all factors known to influence the likelihood of taking up smoking.

Other influential factors, such as whether the parents smoked. or whether the pupil was a bit of a rebel, also had no bearing on the results.

The researchers say that their findings provide the first clear evidence of a “sleeper effect” or period of “dormant vulnerability,” for teenagers who experiment with smoking just the once.

Just one cigarette could change the reward pathway in the brain, which might then be activated by triggers, such as stress, depression, or the school environment, suggest the authors.

Alternatively, trying out a cigarette might simply break down the social barriers that prevent teens from smoking, such as fear of displeasing adults or insecurities around how to smoke, they say.

Click here to view the paper in full: http://press.psprings.co.uk/tc/june/205_tc14894.pdf

Vulnerability to smoking after trying a single cigarette can lie dormant for three years or more. . .
J A Fidler, J Wardle, N Henning Brodersen, M J Jarvis, R West

May 2006

Objective: To examine the development of smoking behaviour among adolescents who, at age 11, had tried cigarettes just once.

Design: A five-year prospective study.

Setting: 36 schools in South London, England.

Subjects: A socioeconomically and ethnically diverse sample of students completed questionnaires annually from age 11–16. A total of 5863 students took part, with an annual response rate ranging from 74–85%. 2041 (35%) provided smoking status data every year.

Main outcome measures: Current smoking (smoking sometimes or more often) for the first time. Cotinine assays provided biochemical verification of smoking status.

Results: Students who at age 11 reported having tried smoking cigarettes just once, but were not smoking at the time, were more likely to take-up smoking at a later age than those that had not tried smoking, even after a gap of up to three years of not smoking. The odds of starting to smoke at
age 14 were 2.1 times greater in the age 11 ‘‘one time triers’’ than the ‘‘non-triers’’, even once sex, ethnicity, deprivation, parental smoking and conduct disorder were adjusted for.

Conclusions: This is the first clear demonstration of a ‘‘sleeper effect’’ or period of dormant vulnerability. Our findings have implications for understanding the development of cigarette use and for policies to
reduce smoking in young people. Preventing children from trying even one cigarette may be important, and the design of interventions should recognise adolescents who have smoked just once, several years
previously, as potentially vulnerable to later smoking uptake.

Cigarette use is typically initiated in adolescence.

In 2004 in England 14% of 11 year olds and 62% of 15 year olds reported ever having tried cigarettes, a large number of whom will go on to smoke for many years.

The damage to health caused by these years of smoking is well known, therefore understanding the process of progression from non-smoking to smoking uptake is of considerable importance.

[Snakes as Therapists?]

Social Workers Using Snakes, Sheep, Other Animals To Connect With Patients . . .

June 2006

Imagine showing up to a therapy session and one of your therapists is slithering on the ground, staring at you with small black eyes, a pronged red tongue protruding from its mouth.

If deemed appropriate, one of your therapists could be a snake.

The University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work initiated a revolutionary program last year involving animals in social work settings.

In the Animal-Assisted Social Work (AASW) Certificate program, believed to be the only of its kind in the country, students are taught how to include animals in their effort to help a client cope with an issue.

The social worker-animal-client triad can be an effective way to manage a broad scope of issues, according to Jennifer Fitchett, co-director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver. “Whether you’re talking about managing an organization, community work, nursing homes/assisted living, mental health treatment, child welfare, medical settings, correctional facilities, developmental disabilities programs, or schools, animal-assisted interventions can help people move forward toward wellness.”

Any species may be considered for animal-assisted interventions including dogs, horses, rabbits, birds, cattle, sheep, and snakes—the important thing is that the animal compliments the client’s needs, and that welfare of both the animal and the people are protected.

Fitchett uses the example of why a friendly and loyal dog would not be an appropriate choice for a client who is trying to understand how his or her behavior pushes people away. “Instead, an animal that is more wary and cautious and reactive will, by its natural responses, give the right message to the client so that he/she must learn to see with new eyes how his/her behavior causes this reaction in the animal.”
A snake might be a better fit for a case on youth identity development. “The practitioner could bring in a snake (with the appropriate welfare concerns attended to) to help the youth think about their own identity, how people judge and prejudge them, how there are many dimensions to their personalities, all by first working through these issues with the snake.”

Why use a human-animal team as opposed to traditional therapy? “People are often more able, and/or more willing, to understand these things when working with an animal instead of a just a person—they tend to feel less threatened,” says Fitchett.

Part of the school’s theory behind animal-assisted intervention is that animals should be considered as a component of our everyday living system. Whether or not AASW students include an animal during a particular client’s therapy, they are taught to ask how pets or any other animals clients interact with regularly play a role in their lives. Fitchett maintains that breakthroughs that may not have been achieved otherwise may occur when you incorporate the role of animals in the routine questions.

“One of our AASW students always asks these questions, and one day a client answered, ‘Yeah, I have a dog, and I wish I could train my wife as well as I’ve trained him!’ So she seized upon the opportunity to address his interactions with his wife, through how he worked with and related to his dog and results [were] much more effective in this case than addressing the spousal issue directly.”

As of now students are required to take two classes in animal-assisted social work practice as well as a field internship, which is their main opportunity to get hands-on practice with the animals. The school is currently looking for ways to expand on the program. “We are exploring the creation of a human-animal team training component to the AASW certificate for next year,” says Fitchett.

[Secondhand Smoke Effects]

Smoking Kills - Even If You Don't Smoke Cigarettes Yourself. . .

The scientific evidence now supports the following major conclusions:

1. Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and in adults who do not smoke.

2. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children.

3. Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease and
lung cancer.

4. The scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

5. Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial
progress in tobacco control.

6. Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. Separating smokers from nonsmokers,
cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposures of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.

The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the U.S. Surgeon General. . . http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 27, 2006

New Surgeon General’s Report Focuses on the Effects of Secondhand Smoke

U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona today issued a comprehensive scientific report which concludes that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. The finding is of major public health concern due to the fact that nearly half of all nonsmoking Americans are still regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.

The report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, finds that even brief secondhand smoke exposure can cause immediate harm. The report says the only way to protect nonsmokers from the dangerous chemicals in secondhand smoke is to eliminate smoking indoors.

“The report is a crucial warning sign to nonsmokers and smokers alike,” HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt said. "Smoking can sicken and kill, and even people who do not smoke can be harmed by smoke from those who do.”

Secondhand smoke exposure can cause heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults and is a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory problems, ear infections, and asthma attacks in infants and children, the report finds.

“The health effects of secondhand smoke exposure are more pervasive than we previously thought,” said Surgeon General Carmona, vice admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service. “The scientific evidence is now indisputable: secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance. It is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and nonsmoking adults.” Secondhand smoke contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemicals, and is itself a known human carcinogen. Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke inhale many of the same toxins as smokers.

Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and increases risk for heart disease and lung cancer, the report says.

In addition, the report notes that because the bodies of infants and children are still developing, they are especially vulnerable to the poisons in secondhand smoke.

“The good news is that, unlike some public health hazards, secondhand smoke exposure is easily prevented,” Surgeon General Carmona said. “Smoke-free indoor environments are proven, simple approaches that prevent exposure and harm.”

The report finds that even the most sophisticated ventilation systems cannot completely eliminate secondhand smoke exposure and that only smoke-free environments afford full protection.

Surgeon General Carmona noted that levels of cotinine -- a biological marker for secondhand smoke exposure -- measured in nonsmokers have fallen by 70 percent since the late 1980s, and the proportion of nonsmokers with detectable cotinine levels has been halved from 88 percent in 1988-91 to 43 percent in 2001-02.

“Our progress over the past 20 years in clearing the air of tobacco smoke is a major public health success story,” Surgeon General Carmona said. “We have averted many thousands of cases of disease and early death and saved millions of dollars in health care costs.” He emphasized, however, that sustained efforts are required to protect the more than 126 million Americans who continue to be regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home, at work, and in enclosed public spaces.

To help communicate the report findings as widely as possible, the Surgeon General unveiled an easy-to-read guide with practical information on the dangers of secondhand smoke and steps people can take to protect themselves.

Copies of The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General and related materials are available on the Surgeon General’s Web site at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke

[Smoking and Toddlers]

A University of Illinois at Chicago study reveals a link between smoking during pregnancy and very early child behavior problems.
July 2006

The research, published in the July/August issue of the journal Child Development, found that 2-year-olds regularly exposed to cigarette smoke in utero were nearly 12 times more likely to show clinical levels of behavior problems compared to toddlers who were not exposed.

"The ability to identify these disruptive behavior patterns in exposed children, even at this young age, is very striking," said Lauren Wakschlag, associate professor of psychiatry at the UIC College of Medicine's Institute for Juvenile Research and lead author of the study.

Researchers evaluated 93 children between their first and second birthdays. Forty-four children were exposed to cigarette smoke before birth, and among those exposed, nearly half of their mothers reported smoking more than half a pack a day.

The behaviors of exposed and non-exposed toddlers were compared to determine if early signs of disruptive behavior were evident in young children.

According to Wakschlag, toddlers prenatally exposed to cigarette smoke showed markedly different behavior patterns. Although many toddlers exhibit mild behavioral problems during this period, known as the "terrible twos," the behavior problems of exposed toddlers significantly increased between 18 and 24 months of age compared to the milder, more stable patterns of non-exposed toddlers.

Wakschlag and her colleagues had previously reported links between prenatal smoking and antisocial behavior in older youth. Discovering that these patterns are evident as early as the first years of life has important implications for understanding the origins of psychiatric disorder.

"These findings suggest that for some children the roots of problem behavior may occur before they are born," said Wakschlag.

Disruptive behavior is multi-faceted, according to Wakschlag, and includes aggression, irritability, rule breaking and poor social skills.

To test which aspects of behavior are problematic for exposed children, the researchers also observed the toddlers' behavior in the laboratory. They found that exposed toddlers were more defiant, aggressive and had poorer social skills, but were not more irritable. This is important because different components of disruptive behavior reflect functioning within different areas of the brain.

While the study highlights increasing evidence of long-term problems associated with smoking during pregnancy, Wakschlag cautions that it does not prove smoking during pregnancy causes behavior problems.

"This study is another piece to this complex puzzle," said Wakschlag. "It moves us one step closer to figuring out whether smoking during pregnancy plays a causal role in the development of behavior problems. By pinpointing which behaviors are involved, it sets the stage for the next set of studies which can more precisely characterize the relevant behaviors and their associated brain regions in exposed children."

Wakschlag and colleagues are currently conducting a follow-up study, funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, of behavioral patterns in prenatally exposed teenagers and how prenatal smoking may interact with genetic risk to contribute to problem behaviors.

"By the time parents seek help for children's disruptive behavior problems, these problems have often caused significant pain and suffering to the children, their families and society at large. Whether or not smoking during pregnancy causes behavior problems, this study highlights the importance of early identification and prevention.

"If we can detect problem patterns even at this young age, we should use this as an opportunity to help children get back on track rather than waiting until more serious problems develop," said Wakschlag.

Co-authors include Bennett Leventhal at UIC, Daniel Pine at the National Institute of Mental Health, Kate Pickett at University of York, and Alice Carter at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

The study was funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, with additional support from the Walden & Jean Young Shaw, Irving B. Harris, and Children's Brain Research foundations.

Wakschlag directs the Preschool Program of the Disruptive Behavior Clinic at the UIC Institute for Juvenile Research. For more information about the clinic, call (312) 996-7723.

UIC ranks among the nation's top 50 universities in federal research funding and is Chicago's largest university with 25,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, 15 colleges and the state's major public medical center. A hallmark of the campus is the Great Cities Commitment, through which UIC faculty, students and staff engage with community, corporate, foundation and government partners in hundreds of programs to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas around the world.

For more information about UIC, visit http://www.uic.edu

- - - - - - -

Also of interest and previously reported here. . .

Research on behaviour of children, provides insight into impact of exposure to drugs, alcohol and tobacco, while in the womb. . .
April 29, 2006
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =6891#6891

Second-hand Tobacco smoke and babies
May 2006
http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/ ... =6944#6944

[Internet Lifestyle]

Statistics Canada report

General Social Survey: The Internet and the way we spend our time
August 2, 2006

Heavy Internet users lead a considerably different lifestyle than
individuals who do not surf the Web, according to a new study examining
its impact on Canadians.

The findings come from the 2005 General Social Survey on time use,
which asked respondents to provide a detailed account of all of their
activities over a 24-hour period.

Heavy users (those who spent more than an hour on the Internet during
the day) devoted less time to socializing with their spouse or partner,
as well as their children and friends. And they tended to stay at home,
showing less interest in outdoor activities than non-users.
______________________________________________________________________

Note to readers

This release is the last in a series of four on time use based on data
from Cycle 19 of the General Social Survey conducted in 2005. Previous
such surveys were conducted in 1998, 1992 and 1986.

Today's article analyzes the impact of the Internet on how Canadians
spend their time.

Previous articles analyzed the time that Canadians spent commuting
from home to work and back (July 12), paid and unpaid work done by men
and women (July 19) and the time spent in both leisure and work by
Canadians aged 55 and over (July 26).

In the 2005 GSS, nearly 20,000 individuals aged 15 and over were asked to keep a diary over a 24-hour period recording details on the time they spent on various activities. These included everything from caring for
children to participating in cultural or sporting activities to running
errands. The survey covered all the provinces.

Definitions

Internet use covers personal use of the Internet over a 24-hour period
and does not include use of the Internet for other reasons (e.g., work or
school).

Non-users are those who did not spend at least five minutes on the
Internet at any one time during the day (respondents in the survey were
asked not to report activities that were less than five minutes in duration).

Moderate users are those who spent between five minutes and one hour
on the Internet during the day.

Heavy users are those who spent more than one hour on the Internet
during the day

The General Social Survey focuses on relationships between time spent
online and other aspects of the regular lives of Canadians over a 24-hour
period. Additional information about the characteristics and online
activities of Internet users, rates of Internet access and frequency of use will be available from the 2005 Canadian Internet Use Survey,
scheduled for release in August 2006 in the Daily. Together, these surveys provide a better understanding of Internet use in Canada and its possible social impacts.
______________________________________________________________________


They also devoted significantly less time than non-users to paid work
and chores around the home, as well as less time sleeping, relaxing,
resting or thinking.

What is striking is the amount of time they spent alone. Moderate
Internet users (those using the Internet for five minutes to one hour
during the diary day) spent about 26 more minutes by themselves than
non-users during the diary day. But heavy Internet users were alone
nearly two hours (119 minutes) longer than non-users, even when comparing people from similar-sized households.

Despite the reduced face-to-face contact, Internet users were interacting in other ways. Some users, particularly the heavy users, spent a considerable amount of their time on the Web using email or chat groups. They were also more likely to spend time conversing with others over the phone.

The study also found that heavy Internet users during the diary day were nearly eight years younger on average than non-users, while 6 out of every 10 heavy users were men. Just under one-half worked at a paid job, and students and the unemployed constituted a higher proportion of heavy users than non-users.

To take into account these socio-economic differences, time use estimates in the study were adjusted so that comparisons were made among people with similar characteristics. This approach compared people of the same age, sex and education, for example.


Heavy users spent half an hour less on domestic chores than non-users


Internet use takes away from the time that its heavy users devote to both family life and chores around the house, the study found. For example, heavy Internet users spent an average of 33 minutes less time each day than non-users on domestic work, such as child care and housekeeping.

They also devoted less time to a variety of social activities. For example, non-users shared their time equally with household members and people from outside the household. Heavy users spent about one hour less with both sets of people.

Spouses and children in particular bore the brunt. Heavy users spent about half an hour less with spouses and with children than did non-users.

The timing of Internet use also mattered. Weekend use of the Web was
associated with even greater declines in time spent with friends and other people outside the household than use of the Internet on weekdays.

Heavy users were less likely than non-users to say they knew "most" or
"many" of the people in their neighbourhood. They were also more likely
to describe their sense of belonging to their community as "somewhat" or
"very" weak.

Although Internet users spent less time with others generally, they
identified having about the same number of close relationships with people outside the household as non-users.

Heavy Internet users also devoted less time to participating in active sports, engaging in civic and volunteer activities, and attending sports
events, movies and other events.

They did, however, express greater enjoyment for participating in clubs and social organizations.


Internet users avid consumers of other media

Despite the fact that the Internet potentially competes with other sources of information and entertainment, Internet users remained interested in traditional media.

Heavy Internet users and non-users spent about the same amount of time, just over two hours, watching television during the day.

Internet users spent more time reading books than non-users, and
moderate users were also likely to spend more time reading newspapers
than non-users.


Heavy users report being less stressed


In general, the survey found no difference reported between Internet
users and non-users regarding their perceived general health. But there
were differences in their levels of stress.

Heavy users stood out because they were less likely to consider
themselves to be stressed, rushed or workaholics.

However, many of the differences in stress levels had more to do with the personal characteristics of Internet users than Internet use itself. The study showed that once people with similar demographic backgrounds,
work status and income were compared, differences in stress levels
between heavy Internet users and non-users disappeared.

In fact, it was the moderate users (those who spent five minutes to an
hour on the Internet) who were less likely to be stressed.


Spending time with family and friends a priority for both Internet users
and non-users

Given the choice about how they would spend more time if the
opportunity arose, Internet users and non-users tended to share similar views.

However, moderate and heavy Internet users were less interested than
non-users in spending more time doing outdoor activities. But they were
more likely to want to spend time on their crafts and hobbies.

Heavy users were also more likely than non-users to want to spend more time on their studies, but this was linked with the fact that a greater
proportion of these users were students.

Although Internet users spent substantial time alone, particularly the heavy users, they did not differ significantly from non-users in their desire to spend more time with family and friends.

In fact, this was the most popular choice for all three groups. More than one-quarter of individuals in each group singled out time with family and friends as their number one priority for spending additional time.

Similarly, even though heavy users spent less time participating in sports, they were no more likely to want to spend more time on sports than were non-users, given the choice.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4503.

The new issue of the Connectedness Series: The Internet: Is It
Changing the Way Canadians Spend Their Time? (56F0004MIE2006013, free) is now available online. From the Publications page, choose Free Internet publications then Communications.

For more information about the analysis contained in this report, contact Ben Veenhof (613-951-5067; ben.veenhof@statcan.ca), Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division.

To enquire about concepts, methods or data quality pertaining to the
General Social Survey on time use, contact Client Services and
Dissemination Section (613-951-5979; fax: 613-951-4378;
sasd-dssea@statcan.ca), Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division.

[Speaking in Tongues]

Perhaps God is in Control!

“From a new brain imaging study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, SPECT scans were taken of subjects while worshiping versus speaking in tongues. The speaking in tongue images primarily show a decrease of brain activity in the frontal lobes, which is what normally makes us feel as if we’re in control . . .”

October 30, 2006

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine research

Glossolalia, otherwise referred to as “speaking in tongues,” has been around for thousands of years, and references to it can be found in the Old and New Testament. Speaking in tongues is an unusual mental state associated with specific religious traditions. The individual appears to be speaking in an incomprehensible language, yet perceives it to have great personal meaning. Now, in a first of its kind study, scientists are shining the light on this mysterious practice -- attempting to explain what actually happens physiologically to the brain of someone while speaking in tongues.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered decreased activity in the frontal lobes, an area of the brain associated with being in control of one’s self. This pioneering study, involving functional imaging of the brain while subjects were speaking in tongues, is in the November issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, the official publication of the International Society for Neuroimaging in Psychiatry.

Radiology investigators observed increased or decreased brain activity - by measuring regional cerebral blood flow with SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) imaging - while the subjects were speaking in tongues. They then compared the imaging to what happened to the brain while the subjects sang gospel music.

“We noticed a number of changes that occurred functionally in the brain,” comments Principal Investigator Andrew Newberg, MD, Associate Professor of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Religious Studies, and Director for the Center for Spirituality and the Mind, at Penn. “Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice of speaking in tongues is fascinating because these subjects truly believe that the spirit of God is moving through them and controlling them to speak. Our brain imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centers during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues.”

Newberg went on to explain, “These findings could be interpreted as the subject’s sense of self being taken over by something else. We, scientifically, assume it’s being taken over by another part of the brain, but we couldn’t see, in this imaging study, where this took place. We believe this is the first scientific imaging study evaluating changes in cerebral activity -- looking at what actually happens to the brain -- when someone is speaking in tongues. This study also showed a number of other changes in the brain, including those areas involved in emotions and establishing our sense of self.”

Newberg concludes that the changes in the brain during speaking in tongues reflect a complex pattern of brain activity. Newberg suggests that since this is the first study to explore this, future studies will be needed to confirm these findings in an attempt to demystify this fascinating religious phenomenon.

This preliminary study, done only at Penn, examined five subjects in a laboratory setting. The study, set for publication in the November issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, can now be accessed on-line at http://www.sciencedirect.com. The article is titled, “The Measurement of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow During Glossolalia: a Preliminary SPECT Study.” Co-authors include: Nancy Wintering, Donna Morgan, and Mark Waldman.

Dr. Newberg is the director of the new Center for Spirituality and the Mind at PENN.

To learn more, go on-line to: http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/radiology/CSM/index.html

or email mindreligion@uphs.upenn.edu.

Through the collaboration of distinguished scholars from the University of Pennsylvania, the interdisciplinary group works to promote future research and scholarly dialogue on the mind, religion and ethics.

PENN Medicine is a $2.9 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and high-quality patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Penn's School of Medicine is ranked #2 in the nation for receipt of NIH research funds; and ranked #3 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's most recent ranking of top research-oriented medical schools. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System includes three hospitals, all of which have received numerous national patient-care honors [Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center]; a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network

[No Kidding!]

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Medical Clowning
November 2006

A new program at the University of Haifa will award a Bachelor's degree in medical clowning. The program's goal is to turn medical clowns into better caregivers and pave the way for their entrance into the health system.

A new program for medical clowns, the first of its kind in Israel, opened this year in the Department of Theater at the University of Haifa. The medical clowns will study for a BA degree in Theater and will participate in specially-designed courses in the field of nursing – with the goal of providing them with a range of skills that will enable their integration into the field of healthcare in hospitals throughout the country.

"The program will teach medical clowns things you don't learn in acting school like the relationship between caregiver and patient or the psychological state of a patient in pain. I believe that ultimately this program will create better medical clowns," said Dr. Atay Citron, head of the Department of Theater at the University of Haifa.

The idea for the program began at a chance meeting in Switzerland between Prof. Ada Spitzer, Vice President for External Affairs and Resource Development, and researcher in the field of nursing, and a group of medical clowns, where they proposed the idea that medical clowning become part of academic studies. Less than five months later, medical clowning has become an academic part of the University of Haifa.

"Clowning enables the opening up of avenues of communication with patients that the medical staff doesn't succeed with or doesn't know how to connect with. When a clown arrives, he uses skills that open up gates, cross boundaries, and reach places that most people don’t allow themselves to go to in a hospital setting. Clowning engages in different areas than any other paramedical field. We reach other places, create experiences. We create distraction, so the patient won't feel his pain and can fly with us to fantasy lands. This is actually a type of therapy – clown therapy," says Herzl Tziony, a member of the group "Dream Doctors" and a student in the new program at the University of Haifa.

According to Tziony, the past few years have given rise to an understanding of the importance of the profession of the medical clown, and while a few years ago their work was funded by private donations, today hospitals all over Israel share the cost of their salaries. Although hospitals understand their importance, the health system does not. "Academic training will help to create standards as to who can treat patients and who cannot. There is a tendency to see the profession of medical clowning as something not serious and temporary, but the profession requires consistency and investment. Academic training of clowning will bolster the idea that this is not a passing phenomenon and will advance the professionalism of the clown, enabling him to use of the tools of clowning as an accepted form of treatment," Tsiony stressed.

Dr. Citron elaborated, "They have already studied the profession of clowning. We want to expand their understanding in the realm of theater and in the field of nursing. In addition to the studies that each student in the department completes, specific courses have been specially designed for these students. For example, they will be offered a course on the Sociology of Humor and Clowning, a course that is not given anywhere else in Israel."

"There is an entire field of study within nursing that relates to the relationship between patients and caregivers," Dr Citron continued. "A caregiver needs to understand the psychology of a patient in a hospital setting, a patient in pain or with a serious disease. A medical clown needs to understand his role within this context and therefore we believe that at the end of their studies they will not only know more about the theoretical aspects, but will also be much better clowns. "

In this year's program there are 19 students from the "Dream Doctors" group studying medical clowning, but according to Dr. Citron, since beginning the program numerous requests have been received to expand the program in the coming years. His personal goal is much higher. "Today we accept students who are already medical clowns and build on their knowledge. My goal is to open a complete course of study at the University of Haifa that will include both the practical aspects of medical clowning and the academic aspects

[You and Your BigBadBoss!]

December 4th, 2006

The abusive boss has been well documented in movies (“Nine to Five”), television (Fox’s “My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss”) and even the Internet (http://HateBoss.com).

Now, a Florida State University professor and two of his doctoral students have conducted a study that shines some light on the magnitude of the problem and documents its effects on employee health and job performance.

“They say that employees don’t leave their job or company, they leave their boss. We wanted to see if this is, in fact, true,” said Wayne Hochwarter, an associate professor of management in FSU’s College of Business.

Working with doctoral students Paul Harvey and Jason Stoner, Hochwarter surveyed more than 700 people who work in a variety of jobs about their opinions of supervisor treatment on the job. The survey generated the following results:

• Thirty-one percent of respondents reported that their supervisor gave them the “silent treatment” in the past year.

• Thirty-seven percent reported that their supervisor failed to give credit when due.

• Thirty-nine percent noted that their supervisor failed to keep promises.

• Twenty-seven percent noted that their supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.

• Twenty-four percent reported that their supervisor invaded their privacy.

• Twenty-three percent indicated that their supervisor blames others to cover up mistakes or to minimize embarrassment.

According to the researchers, “Employees stuck in an abusive relationship
experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed mood and mistrust.

They also were less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and were generally less satisfied with their job. Also, employees were more likely to leave if involved in an abusive relationship than if dissatisfied with pay.”

Apparently, employees are willing to leave their supervisor after all.
Hochwarter suggests several ways that employees can minimize the harm caused by an abusive supervisor.

“The first is to stay visible at work,” he said. “It is common for the employee to blame himself or herself for the abuse, causing embarrassment. Hiding can be detrimental to your career, especially when it keeps others in the company from noticing your talent and contributions. In most cases, others know who the bullies are at work — they likely have a history of mistreating others.”

Hochwarter also recommended keeping an optimistic outlook.

“It is important to stay positive, even when you get irritated or discouraged, because few subordinate-supervisor relationships last forever,” he said. “You want the next boss to know what you can do for the company.”

Finally, he said, “No abuse should be taken lightly, especially in situations where it becomes a criminal act (for example, physical violence, harassment or discrimination). The employee needs to know where help can be found, whether it is internal (i.e., the company’s grievance committee) or external (i.e., formal representation or emergency services).”

The results of the study have been scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of The Leadership Quarterly, a journal read by scholars, consultants, practicing managers, executives and administrators, as well as those who teach leadership.

[The Medically Unexplained]

The Unexplained!

The Daily
Statistics Canada
Friday, January 12, 2007

Study: Medically unexplained physical symptoms
2002 and 2003

A substantial number of Canadians report symptoms of conditions that cannot be definitively identified through physical examination or medical testing.

These are known as "medically unexplained physical symptoms," and they characterize conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and/or multiple chemical sensitivity.

This new Health Reports study, "Medically unexplained physical symptoms," reveals that in 2003, 5% of Canadians aged 12 or older, an estimated 1.2 million people, had at least one of these three conditions.

About 1.3% of the population reported chronic fatigue syndrome, which is characterized by extreme tiredness.

About 1.5% reported fibromyalgia, which involves pain lasting three months or more in at least 11 of 18 specified areas.

About 2.4% reported multiple chemical sensitivity. People with this disorder develop a variety of symptoms when they are exposed to synthetic chemicals in doses that usually have no noticeable effect.

Among individuals with medically unexplained physical symptoms, about 14% had at least two of the three conditions.

Data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey show the percentage of women with each of the three conditions was about double that of men.

As well, the proportion of people reporting at least one of the three conditions rose from 1.6% at ages 12 to 24 and peaked at 6.9% at ages 45 to 64. Among seniors, 6.0% were affected.

Each of the three conditions was more common among people in lower income households than among those in the highest income households.

According to the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey, 21% of people with medically unexplained physical symptoms had at least one psychiatric disorder, such as depression, bipolar I disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia. In contrast, only 8% of people who did not have these unexplained symptoms had one or more psychiatric disorders.

The prevalence of mental disorders was particularly common among people reporting chronic fatigue syndrome.

More than one-quarter (27%) of people with medically unexplained symptoms needed help with activities such as meal preparation, everyday housework, getting to appointments and running errands. This was four times the proportion of only 7% among people who did not report any of the conditions.

Relatively large proportions of people with medically unexplained physical symptoms sought assistance from conventional and alternative health care providers.

In 2003, 22% of people with these conditions reported having consulted general practitioners more than 10 times in the year before the survey, compared with just 7% of people who did not report these conditions.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3226
http://www.statcan.ca/english/sdds/3226.htm
and 5015.
http://www.statcan.ca/english/sdds/5015.htm


The article "Medically unexplained physical symptoms" is included in the latest edition of Health Reports, Vol. 18, no. 1 (82-003-XWE, free), now available from the Publications module of our website.
http://www.statcan.ca/cgi-bin/IPS/displ ... 82-003-XWE

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this article, contact Jungwee Park (613-951-4598; Jungwee.Park@statcan.ca), Health Statistics Division.

For more information about Health Reports, contact Christine Wright (613-951-1765; Christine.Wright@statcan.ca), Health Statistics Division.

[Mind Over Weight Loss?]

Many of the beneficial results of exercise are simply due to the placebo effect . . .

News Release

January 29, 2007

For Immediate Release

Mind-set matters: Why thinking you got a work out may actually make you healthier

As the commitment to our New Year's resolutions wanes and the trips to the gym become more infrequent, new findings appearing in the February issue of Psychological Science may offer us one more chance to reap the benefits of exercise through our daily routine. Harvard University psychologist Ellen Langer and her student Alia Crum found that many of the beneficial results of exercise are due to the placebo effect.

The surgeon general recommends 30 minutes of daily exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While this may be harder for those who are required to sit behind a desk for eight hours, other jobs are inherently physical, like a hotel housekeeper. On average, they clean 15 rooms per day, each taking 20 to 30 minutes to complete. According to the study, the housekeepers might not perceive their job as exercise, but if their mind-set is shifted so that they become aware of the exercise they are getting, then health improvements would be expected to follow.

The researchers studied 84 female housekeepers from seven hotels. Women in 4 hotels were told that their regular work was enough exercise to meet the requirements for a healthy, active lifestyle, whereas the women in the other three hotels were told nothing. To determine if the placebo effect plays a role in the benefits of exercise, the researchers investigated whether subjects' mind-set (in this case, their perceived levels of exercise) could inhibit or enhance the health benefits of exercise independent of any actual exercise.

Four weeks later, the researchers returned to assess any changes in the women's health. They found that the women in the informed group had lost an average of 2 pounds, lowered their blood pressure by almost 10 percent, and were significantly healthier as measured by body-fat percentage, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio. These changes were significantly higher than those reported in the control group and were especially remarkable given the time period of only four weeks.

Langer writes, "Whether the change in physiological health was brought about directly or indirectly, it is clear that health is significantly affected by mind-set." This research shows the moderating role of mind-set and its ability to enhance health, which may have particular relevance for treating diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Psychological Science, published by the Association for Psychological Science, is ranked among the top 10 general psychology journals for impact by the Institute for Scientific Information. For a copy of the article "Mind-Set Matters Exercise and the Placebo Effect" and access to other Psychological Science research findings please contact Catherine West at cwest@psychologicalscience.org

[Teen Mood Swings]

March 11, 2007

SCIENTISTS FIND HORMONE ACTIVITY EXPLAINS ADOLESCENT MOOD SWINGS

If your teenager doesn't act the way you expect--blame GABA

The “raging hormones” of puberty are known to produce mood swings and stress for most teenagers, making it difficult to cope with this period of life.

Until now, the specific causes of pubertal anxiety have not been identified, making it harder to understand and treat adolescent angst.

In the current edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience, researchers led by Sheryl S. Smith, PhD, professor of physiology and pharmacology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, report findings demonstrating that a hormone normally released in response to stress, THP, actually reverses its effect at puberty, when it increases anxiety.

This hormone normally acts like a tranquilizer, acting at sites in the brain that “calm” brain activity. In the adult, this stress hormone helps the individual adapt to stress, with a calming effect produced half an hour after the event.

Specifically, the GABA-A receptor is the target for steroids, such as THP (or allopregnanolone), which reduce anxiety. GABA-A receptors calm activity in the brain. As such, they are the targets for most sedative, tranquilizing drugs.

One sub-type, GABA-A receptors containing the delta subunit, such as alpha4-beta2-delta, has the highest sensitivity to steroids. In order to study its role in puberty, the researchers used a mouse model that reliably predicts the human condition. In this rodent model, the alpha4-beta2-delta receptor normally has very low expression, but increases dramatically at the onset of puberty in the part of the brain that regulates emotion. Paradoxically, THP reduced the inhibition produced by these alpha4-beta2-delta GABA-A receptors, increasing brain activity to produce a state of increased anxiety. Stress also increased anxiety at puberty, due to the paradoxical effects of this hormone that is released by stress.

Dr. Smith and colleagues identified the site on human recombinant alpha4-beta2-delta GABA-A receptors that produced the anxiety response, and were able to mutate the site to prevent the novel effect of the stress hormone. In contrast, neither the receptor nor the necessary conditions exist for this anxiety-producing effect of the stress hormone before puberty, because the expression of the receptor is dependent upon hormonal transitions, such as those that occur at puberty.

This new finding of a change in the effect of a stress hormone sheds new light on the “mood swings” of puberty.

SOURCE: SUNY Downstate Medical Center
http://www.downstate.edu