Goal‐directed behaviors in patients with schizophrenia: Concept relevance and updated model

Goal‐directed behaviors are formulated to pursue a given objective by constructing a plan and selecting actions that lead to the intended goal, either immediately or over an extended period. This concept is important to the study of human behavior because of its involvement in the majority of complex or novel situations that an individual may encounter, regardless of the cognitive, affective, or social abilities required. In this paper, we aim to demonstrate the relevance of goal‐directed behaviors to our understanding of the cognitive deficits and other symptoms associated with schizophrenia. A systematic analysis of this relation may allow us to develop integrative hypotheses regarding positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms of schizophrenia rather than consider them to be distinct issues. In this article, we review previous studies of goal‐directed actions in patients with schizophrenia in order to clarify the relevant concepts and provide a theoretical basis for the integration of existing results. Based on available theoretical models and data, we propose an updated model to facilitate further investigation of schizophrenia‐related impairments in goal‐directed behaviors.     

Characterizing associations and dissociations between anxiety,social, and cognitive phenotypes of Williams syndrome

Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurogenetic disorder known for its “hypersocial” phenotype and a complex profile of anxieties. The anxieties are poorly understood specifically in relation to the social-emotional and cognitive profiles. To address this gap, we employed a Wechsler intelligence test, the Brief Symptom Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Salk Institute Sociability Questionnaire, to (1) examine how anxiety symptoms distinguish individuals with WS from typically developing (TD) individuals; and (2) assess the associations between three key phenotypic features of WS: intellectual impairment, social-emotional functioning, and anxiety. The results highlighted intensified neurophysiological symptoms and subjective experiences of anxiety in WS. Moreover, whereas higher cognitive ability was positively associated with anxiety in WS, the opposite pattern characterized the TD individuals. This study provides novel insight into how the three core phenotypic features associate/dissociate in WS, specifically in terms of the contribution of cognitive and emotional functioning to anxiety symptoms.     

Clinical characteristics and functions of non-suicide self-injury in youth

PurposeLittle is known about the clinical characteristics and motivations for engaging in non-suicide self-injury (NSSI) behaviors in adolescence. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, characteristics and functions of NSSI among adolescents in community settings, and to explore risk factors related to this behavior.Subjects and methodsTwo hundred and seventy-five adolescents aged 12 to 17 were recruited randomly from different High Schools in Israel. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing NSSI (Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory), depression (Children's Depression Inventory – CDI) and impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – BIS-II).ResultsIn the past year, 20.7% of the participants reported engaging NSSI at least once. Among them, 42.1% declared they are still engaging in NSSI at the present. Motives for NSSI were internal emotion regulation reasons, external emotion regulation reasons for social influences. In addition, the NSSI group reported significantly higher levels of depressive, impulsivity and suicidal ideations. Depressive symptoms were found as significant predictors of NSSI in the future.Discussion and conclusionsHigh rates of NSSI among community adolescents were found. Depression, impulsivity and suicidal ideation were found significantly related to NSSI. Mental health professionals in schools and in primary care should routinely assess NSSI among adolescents.     

Health behaviors and their determinants in multiethnic, active Israeli seniors

To assess factors that affect the adoption of healthy lifestyles among a variety of active Israeli seniors, a survey was conducted in 2002 at the Peiluyada, a physical activity-oriented health fair for seniors held annually in Israel from 1995 to 2002. A multi-language, self-administered questionnaire, assessing predisposing factors, barriers and health-protective behaviors, was fielded to potential participants. Response rate at the event was 51%. Hebrew and Arabic speakers generally characterized their health as good to very good, while Russian speakers' health was rated only poor to fair. Over 80% engaged in regular physical activity, were satisfied with their diet, and conformed to international nutritional recommendations. Vaccination coverage against influenza (81%) and pneumocccocus (58%) was highest among Arabic speakers, and lowest among Russian speakers (33.5% and 12%, respectively). Higher age (> or =75 years) was significantly associated with receiving a vaccination against influenza. Major barriers to exercise included low motivation and poor physical health or disability. Health-related dietary restrictions were the leading nutritional barrier. Prominent barriers to vaccination included concerns about vaccine effectiveness (39%) and side effects (29%). Leading cues to action were a recommendation from one's doctor (67%) and from a healthcare worker (51%).     

Associations of multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviors with overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity among Brazilian adolescents: A country-wide survey

Background and Aims

Physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking and heavy drinking are four key unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (ULB) that may influence body weight and obesity development. More recently, sedentary time has been recognized as another potentially emerging ULB related to obesity. We therefore investigated the association of multiple ULB with overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity among Brazilian adolescents.

Continuing Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Seropositive Chronic Drug Users in Miami, Florida

This study investigates continuing risk behaviors among HIV-seropositive chronic drug users in Miami, Florida. Data were collected on 490 injecting and noninjecting seropositive drug users. Results indicate that from baseline to follow-up, HIV-seropositive injectors and non-injectors reported significant decreases of approximately 50% in risky sexual and injecting practices (IDUs only) associated with transmission of HIV. However, our findings also indicate that approximately one third of HIV-positive injectors and one half of HIV-positive noninjectors continue to have unprotected sex and one third of HIV-positive injectors are continuing to engage in risky injecting practices. Change in one risk behavior was predictive of change in other risk behaviors. Women were more likely to change injection behaviors than sexual practices. Injecting drug users showed greater overall behavioral change than noninjectors. These findings underscore the need to develop, disseminate, and implement effective intervention models specifically targeting HIV-positive drug users.     

长期住院精神分裂症患者伴自杀意念的临床分析

目的：分析长期住院精神分裂症患者伴自杀意念的临床特征,并筛选相关影响因素。方法：依据有无自杀意念,将93名长期住院精神分裂症患者分成自杀意念组（N＝32）和无自杀意念组（N＝61）,比较2组人口社会学和临床特征的组间差异,并对自杀意念的影响因素进行Logistic回归分析。结果：自杀意念组的可支配月收入、共病躯体疾病、汉密尔顿抑郁－17项版本量表（ HAMD－17）、精神分裂症病人生活质量量表（ SQLS）和家庭关怀度指数量表（ APGAR）评分明显高于无自杀意念组（P＜0．05）。回归分析显示, HAMD－17总分（OR＝0．897,P＝0．005）、 SQLS总分（OR＝0．949,P＝0．030）和APGAR总分（OR＝1．411,P＝0．001）与自杀意念独立相关。结论：抑郁症状、生活质量和家庭功能是长期住院精神分裂症患者自杀意念的影响因素。     

HIV Prevalence and Correlates of Unprotected Anal Intercourse Among Men Who Have Sex with Men, Jinan, China

China’s HIV epidemic may be shifting towards predominantly sexual transmission and emerging data point to potential increases in HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM). There is particular need to assess the extent of risk behavior among MSM outside of China’s most cosmopolitan cities. We conducted a respondent-driven sampling survey (N = 428) to measure HIV seroprevalence and risk behavior among MSM in Jinan, China, the provincial capital of Shandong. HIV prevalence was 0.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1–1.0). Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the last 6 months (reported by 61.4%) was associated with buying or selling sex to a man in the last 6 months, syphilis infection, multiple partners in the last month, low HIV knowledge and migrant status. No participant had previously tested for HIV. Risk for HIV transmission is widespread among MSM throughout China; basic prevention programs are urgently needed.