POINT OF VIEW

No abstract available for this article.     

Slave systems in verbal short-term memory

Background: The model of performance in short-term memory (STM) tasks that has been most influential in cognitive neuropsychological work on deficits of STM is the “working memory” model mainly associated with the work of Alan Baddeley and his colleagues.

Aim: This paper reviews the model. We examine the development of this theory in studies that account for STM performances in normal (non-brain-damaged) individuals, and then review the application of this theory to neuropsychological cases and specifications, modifications, and extensions of the theory that have been suggested on the basis of these cases. Our approach is to identify the major phenomena that have been discussed and to examine selected papers dealing with those phenomena in some detail.

Main Contribution: The main contribution is a review of the WM model that includes both normative and neuropsychological data.

Conclusions: We conclude that the WM model has many inconsistencies and empirical inadequacies, and that cognitive neuropsychologists might benefit from considering other models when they attempt to describe and explain patients' performances on STM tasks.     

Allostatic load in early pregnancy is associated with poor sleep quality

BackgroundAllostatic load (AL) measures the cumulative impact of chronic stress and is associated with adverse health outcomes. A novel scoring system has previously been developed for AL in early pregnancy that is associated with pre-eclampsia. It was hypothesized that AL, as identified by the present model, is associated with psychosocial stressors and, specifically, poor sleep quality.MethodsWomen were selected from a low-risk, community-dwelling study population who enrolled at <15 weeks gestation. Nine physiologic components were divided among the domains of cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory function. Spearman's rank correlations were used to examine the association of AL with age, income, the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ), Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (IDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare AL by race and educational attainment.ResultsA total of 103 women were identified, with: a mean age of 29.8 ± 5.0 years, 17.5% black, and mean gestational age 12.2 ± 1.1 weeks. Allostatic load was positively correlated with the PSQI (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.018). There were no associations with age, income, prenatal distress, race, or depression scores. College-educated women had lower AL compared with those with less education (0.57 ± 0.43 vs 0.81 ± 0.55, p = 0.045).ConclusionHigher AL, measured by the pregnancy-specific model, was associated with poorer sleep quality and lower educational attainment, both of which were considered to be chronic stressors. These relationships were consistent with previous findings in non-pregnant populations, and suggest that AL may be useful for capturing the physiologic impact of chronic stress in early pregnancy.     

Measurement of partner compatibility: further validation and refinement of the CQ test

Abstract

The Compatibility Quotient (CQ) was developed to assess the degree of similarity within an established or potential couple across domains likely to be important in determining long-term happiness. Validity was supported by correlations with Locke–Wallace Marital Adjustment scores and norms presented that enabled CQ scores to be arranged on a normal curve similar to that used for IQ (intelligence) ratings. Here we replicate the validity findings with an independent, larger and more representative sample of British couples (N = 204), compare item validities with ratings of perceived importance of the various issues, and consider the claims of five new items for inclusion within the CQ. A revised (Mark 2) CQ questionnaire consisting of 25 revised items is recommended for future use.     

Previsit Multidomain Psychosocial Screening Tools for Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review

Adolescence and young adulthood constitute a period when exploratory behaviors can evolve into risky behaviors. Most causes of adolescent ill health are preventable; therefore, it is a priority to detect them early before they turn into health problems. Previsit multidomain psychosocial screening tools are used by professionals to detect and prioritize potentially problematic issues. In conjunction with appropriate clinician training, these tools have improved clinician screening rates in several areas of adolescent health. This article reviews existing multidomain previsit psychosocial screening tools developed in the 21st century and describes their characteristics using a systematic methodology.We reviewed 10,623 records to identify 15 different tools in use since 2000 and described their characteristics. Results show that all tools were developed in high-income countries. The tools provide sufficient coverage of many psychosocial domains relevant to young people's health. However, some psychosocial domains such as screen use and strengths are seldomly addressed. Furthermore, the tools rarely focus on young adults as a target population. Future research should assess the effectiveness, acceptability, and psychometric properties of validated psychosocial screening tools and examine how to expand their use in low- and middle-income countries.     

Social Adjustment of Women With and Without a Substance-Abusing Partner

Little normative information is available about the psychosocial functioning of women who have a substance-abusing intimate partner. This study examined whether the social adjustment of women who indicate that they have a substance-abusing partner (n=69) is compromised relative to that of women who indicate that their partner does not abuse substances (n=68). Women with a substance-abusing partner reported compromised social adjustment relative to a comparison sample both overall and in five of six life domains (work, social/leisure, primary relationship, parental, family). Results suggest the potential benefit of expanding the focus of research and treatment to include effects and outcomes for these women and to influence treatment-related policy.     

Prognostiske prediktorer og langtidsforløpet for nevroser og andre psykiske lidelser: 20 års follow-up fra en psykiatrisk spesialistpraksis

Den psykiatriske solopraksis gir muligheter for utvikling av et nÆrt lege-pasientforhold. Vestfold er Norges minste fylke med en befolkning på ca. 174 000 i 1960 stigende til ca. 187 000 i 1980. Forfatteren har arbeidet som psykiatrisk spesialist i Vestfold i hele dette tidsrommet og har således hatt muligheter for å følge mange av pasientene gjennom et langt avsnitt av deres liv. Han har på den måten fått et inntrykk av langtidsforløpet ved psykiske lidelser og likeledes en formening om hvilke kategorier pasienter sorn klarer seg godt eller dårlig. Hensikten med denne undersøkelsen er å objektivisere forløpet og dokumentere bakgrunnsfaktorer med relasjon til prognosen. Ifølge Strømgren (1980) er dette to av flere mulige målsettinger for longitudinelle studier, som ellers stort sett har hatt sitt utgangspunkt i hospitaliserte pasienter og som oftest i endogene psykoser. Foreliggende arbeid omhandler imidlertid et diagnostisert uselektert poliklinisk klientell, og diagnostisk består materialet hovedsaklig av nevroser, men med innslag av psykoser, krisereaksjoner, karakteravvik og misbruksproblematikk.

Forfatteren er takknemlig for finansiell støtte fra Anders Jahres fond til vitenskapens fremme og for verdifull veiledning ved dosent dr. med. Ole Bratfos.     

Dynamically adjustable foot-ground contact model to estimate ground reaction force during walking and running

Human dynamic models have been used to estimate joint kinetics during various activities. Kinetics estimation is in demand in sports and clinical applications where data on external forces, such as the ground reaction force (GRF), are not available. The purpose of this study was to estimate the GRF during gait by utilizing distance- and velocity-dependent force models between the foot and ground in an inverse-dynamics-based optimization. Ten males were tested as they walked at four different speeds on a force plate-embedded treadmill system. The full-GRF model whose foot-ground reaction elements were dynamically adjusted according to vertical displacement and anterior-posterior speed between the foot and ground was implemented in a full-body skeletal model. The model estimated the vertical and shear forces of the GRF from body kinematics. The shear-GRF model with dynamically adjustable shear reaction elements according to the input vertical force was also implemented in the foot of a full-body skeletal model. Shear forces of the GRF were estimated from body kinematics, vertical GRF, and center of pressure. The estimated full GRF had the lowest root mean square (RMS) errors at the slow walking speed (1.0 m/s) with 4.2, 1.3, and 5.7% BW for anterior–posterior, medial–lateral, and vertical forces, respectively. The estimated shear forces were not significantly different between the full-GRF and shear-GRF models, but the RMS errors of the estimated knee joint kinetics were significantly lower for the shear-GRF model. Providing COP and vertical GRF with sensors, such as an insole-type pressure mat, can help estimate shear forces of the GRF and increase accuracy for estimation of joint kinetics.