Symptoms of depression and anxiety in children: specificity of the hopelessness theory.

The common etiology hypothesis proposes that depression and anxiety commonly co-occur because they share etiological factors. This study examined the specificity of the hopelessness theory in the development of depressive and anxious symptoms in children. Students in Grades 3 through 6 (N = 418, 47% boys) completed measures assessing inferential styles about causes, consequences, and the self, depressive symptoms, and anxious symptoms. Six weeks later, children completed measures of depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and hassles. All 3 inferential styles interacted with hassles to predict increases in depressive symptoms, although this relation only held for children with low levels of initial symptoms. Inferential styles about consequences and the self also predicted increases in anxious symptoms. Consistent with the common etiology hypothesis, after controlling for the association between depressive and anxious symptoms, the effects of inferential styles about consequences and the self persisted.     

Predicting likelihood of seeking the em ployee assistance salaried and union hourly help through program am ong em ployees

A bstract A im s. This research investigated belief, social support and background predictors of employee likelihood to use an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for a drinking problem . D esign. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was administered in the home. Bivariate analyses and simultaneous equations path analysis were used to explore a model of EAP use . Setting. Survey and ethnographic research were conducted in a unionized heavy machinery manufacturing plant in the central states of the United States . Participants. A random sample of 852 hourly and salaried employees was selected . M easurem ents. In addition to background variables, measures included: likelihood of going to an EAP for a drinking problem, belief the EAP can help, social support for the EAP from co-workers/others, belief that EAP use will harm employment, and supervisor encourages the EAP for potential drinking problems . Findings. Belief in EAP efficacy directly increased the likelihood of going to an EAP. Greater perceived social support and supervisor encouragement increased the likelihood of going to an EAP both directly and indirectly through perceived EAP efficacy. Black and union hourly employees were more likely to say they would use an EAP. Males and those who reported drinking during working hours were less likely to say they would use an EAP for a drinking problem . C onclusions. EAP beliefs and social support have significant effects on likelihood to go to an EAP for a drinking problem. EAPs may wish to focus their efforts on creating an environment where there is social support from coworkers and encouragement from supervisors for using EAP services. Union networks and team members have an important role to play in addition to conventional supervisor intervention.     

Divalproex Sodium Extended-Release for the Prophylaxis of Migraine Headache in Adolescents: Results of a Stand-Alone, Long-Term Open-Label Safety Study

Objective.— The objective of this long‐term open‐label study in adolescents was to assess the safety and tolerability of divalproex sodium extended‐release in the prophylaxis of migraine headaches. Background.— Two formulations of divalproex sodium have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of migraine headaches in adults. However, no medications are currently approved for this indication in adolescents, and long‐term safety data on agents for migraine prevention are lacking for this younger population. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the long‐term safety and tolerability of divalproex extended‐release in adolescents with migraine headaches. Methods.— This was a 12‐month, phase 3, open‐label, multicenter study of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with migraine headaches diagnosed by International Headache Society criteria. Divalproex sodium extended‐release was initiated at 500 mg/day for 15 days then increased to 1000 mg daily, with subsequent adjustments permitted within a dosing range of 250‐1000 mg daily. Study visits were conducted at days 1 and 15 and months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Safety was evaluated by adverse event collection, laboratory assessments, physical and neurological examinations, vital signs, electrocardiograms, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effect Rating Scale, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children. Efficacy was evaluated by following the number of migraine headache days reported in subjects' headache diaries over sequential 4‐week intervals for the duration of the trial. Results.— A total of 241 subjects were enrolled and treated. The most frequently reported adverse events were nausea (19%), vomiting (18%), weight gain (12%), nasopharyngitis (11%), migraine (10%), and upper respiratory tract infection (10%). Ten (4%) subjects experienced serious adverse events, and 40 (17%) subjects discontinued because of an adverse event. Increases in ammonia levels were observed. No other clinically significant changes were observed in laboratory values, vital signs, rating scales, or electrocardiograms. Median 4‐week migraine headache days decreased 75% between the first and the fourth months of the study (from 4.0 to 1.0) and remained at or below this level for the remainder of the study. Conclusions.— In this long‐term open‐label study of adolescents with migraine, the safety and tolerability profile of divalproex sodium extended‐release was consistent with findings from previous trials in adults, as well as 2 studies recently completed in adolescents. In general, divalproex sodium extended‐release was well‐tolerated in adolescents with migraine.     

Evaluation of Melbourne Edge Test contrast sensitivity measures in the visually impaired

AIM: Contrast sensitivity (CS) provides important information on visual function. This study aimed to assess differences in clinical expediency of the CS increment-matched new back-lit and original paper versions of the Melbourne Edge Test (MET) to determine the CS of the visually impaired. METHODS: The back-lit and paper MET were administered to 75 visually impaired subjects (28-97 years). Two versions of the back-lit MET acetates were used to match the CS increments with the paper-based MET. Measures of CS were repeated after 30 min and again in the presence of a focal light source directed onto the MET. Visual acuity was measured with a Bailey-Lovie chart and subjects rated how much difficulty they had with face and vehicle recognition. RESULTS: The back-lit MET gave a significantly higher CS than the paper-based version (14.2 +/- 4.1 dB vs 11.3 +/- 4.3 dB, p < 0.001). A significantly higher reading resulted with repetition of the paper-based MET (by 1.0 +/- 1.7 dB, p < 0.001), but this was not evident with the back-lit MET (by 0.1 +/- 1.4 dB, p = 0.53). The MET readings were increased by a focal light source, in both the back-lit (by 0.3 +/- 0.81, p < 0.01) and paper-based (1.2 +/- 1.7, p < 0.001) versions. CS as measured by the back-lit and paper-based versions of the MET was significantly correlated to patients' perceived ability to recognise faces (r = 0.71, r = 0.85 respectively; p < 0.001) and vehicles (r = 0.67, r = 0.82 respectively; p < 0.001), and with distance visual acuity (both r = -0.64; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The CS increment-matched back-lit MET gives higher CS values than the old paper-based test by approximately 3 dB and is more repeatable and less affected by external light sources. Clinically, the MET score provides information on patient difficulties with visual tasks, such as recognising faces.