Are Facebook “Friends” Helpful? Development of a Facebook-Based Measure of Social Support and Examination of Relationships Among Depression, Quality of Life, and Social Support

Greater social support is predictive of lower depression and higher quality of life (QOL). However, the way in which social support is provided has changed greatly with the expanding role of social networking sites (e.g., Facebook). While there are numerous anecdotal accounts of the benefits of Facebook-based social support, little empirical evidence exists to support these assertions, and there are no empirically validated measures designed to assess social support provided via this unique social networking medium. This study sought to develop an empirically sound measure of Facebook-based social support (Facebook Measure of Social Support [FMSS]) and to assess how this new measure relates to previously established measures of support and two outcome variables: depression and QOL. Following exploratory factor analysis, the FMSS was determined to assess four factors of social support on Facebook (Perceived, Emotional, Negative, Received/Instrumental). The Negative Support factor on the FMSS was most strongly related to both depression and QOL with magnitudes (and direction of relationships) comparable to a traditional measure of perceived social support. However, two FMSS factors (Received/Instrumental and Perceived) were unrelated to both mental health outcomes. Contrary to expectations, elevations in one FMSS factor (Emotional) was associated with worse symptoms of depression and poorer psychological QOL. When taken together, only the absence of negative social support on Facebook is significantly predictive of mental health functioning. Consequently, those hoping to use Facebook as a medium for reducing depression or improving QOL are unlikely to realize significant therapeutic benefits.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140349/1/cyber.2014.0538.pd

Migration of cytotoxic lymphocytes in cell cycle permits local MHC I–dependent control of division at sites of viral infection

Virus-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are in cell cycle as they transit from lymphoid tissues to sites of infection

Is there a role for melatonin in fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, characterised by persistent pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction, is a central sensitivity syndrome that also involves abnormality in peripheral generators and in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. Heterogeneity of clinical expression of fibromyalgia with a multifactorial aetiology has made the development of effective therapeutic strategies challenging. Physiological properties of the neurohormone melatonin appear related to the symptom profile exhibited by patients with fibromyalgia and thus disturbance of it’s production would be compatible with the pathophysiology. Altered levels of melatonin have been observed in patients with fibromyalgia which are associated with lower secretion during dark hours and higher secretion during daytime. However, inconsistencies of available clinical evidence limit conclusion of a relationship between levels of melatonin and symptom profiles in patients with fibromyalgia. Administration of melatonin to patients with fibromyalgia has demonstrated suppression of many symptoms and an improved quality of life consistent with benefit as a therapy for the management of this condition. Further studies with larger samples, however, are required to explore the potential role of melatonin in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia and determine the optimal dosing regimen of melatonin for the management of fibromyalgia

Personality variables: Their impact on exposure to traumatic events and development of post-traumatic stress symptoms

In examining predictors of PTSD, researchers have focused almost exclusively on intensity of the trauma and failed to examine individual differences in trauma exposure and symptom development. Recent studies, however, suggest that personality traits and demographic variables influence the likelihood of experiencing a trauma, and the severity of PTSD symptoms that emerge following a trauma. Guided by these findings, the present study examined the relationship between trauma intensity and PTSD symptoms, and the role personality variables play in trauma exposure and symptom development. This study found that trauma intensity was the best predictor of PTSD scores, accounting for 40% of the variance symptom severity. However, it was not the only predictor of PTSD. As hypothesized, the personality trait Neuroticism acted like a lens magnifying the impact of trauma. This study also found that trauma exposure was not entirely random. Elevated levels of antisocial and borderline personality traits raise the risk of traumatization. This effect was especially pronounced for males. The findings support a diathesis-stress approach. Scholars are encouraged to look beyond trauma intensity to the role personality and demographic variables play in trauma exposure and symptom development. This is challenging since the influence of the former is substantial and can overshadow individual differences. However, only by examining individual differences is it possible to understand the rich interplay of factors influencing trauma victims

American Muslim immigrant mental health: The role of racism and mental health stigma

Researchers have found that many American Muslim immigrants (AMIs) suffer from mental health problems, and an array of studies have identified racism and mental health stigma as key factors that negatively impact AMI psychological wellbeing. To date, no one has synthesized this literature into a cohesive review. To address this need, we have reviewed literature on racism and mental health stigma using Bronfenbrenner\u27s (1977) Ecological Systems Theory as an intersectional framework. Our findings indicate that AMIs\u27 mental health is impacted by racism and mental health stigma that emanate from distal (i.e., macrosystem) and proximal (i.e., microsystem) settings. We highlight the interactions among these factors, identify gaps in the literature, and detail clinical implications. Specified future directions emphasize the need for more empirical research that considers AMI mental health through a transactional lens

American Muslim Immigrant Mental Health: The Role of Racism and Mental Health Stigma

Researchers have found that many American Muslim immigrants (AMIs) suffer from mental health problems, and an array of studies have identified racism and mental health stigma as key factors that negatively impact AMI psychological wellbeing. To date, no one has synthesized this literature into a cohesive review. To address this need, we have reviewed literature on racism and mental health stigma using Bronfenbrenner\u27s (1977) Ecological Systems Theory as an intersectional framework. Our findings indicate that AMIs\u27 mental health is impacted by racism and mental health stigma that emanate from distal (i.e., macrosystem) and proximal (i.e., microsystem) settings. We highlight the interactions among these factors, identify gaps in the literature, and detail clinical implications. Specified future directions emphasize the need for more empirical research that considers AMI mental health through a transactional lens

Longitudinal trajectory of exposure to psychological interpersonal violence

Psychological intimate partner violence (P-IPV) refers to verbal abuse from one partner to another and abuse of power or control from one partner to another. To date, no studies have examined the longitudinal course of P-IPV exposure among mothers or the effect that witnessing P-IPV can have on their children. Using latent class growth analysis, the current study identified five trajectory groups with the following intercept and growth characteristics: low stable, low-increasing, moderate-decreasing, high-decreasing, and consistently elevated. Membership in the four groups characterized by higher P-IPV exposure was predicted by maternal race and exposure to physical abuse. The children of mothers in the low-increasing and consistently elevated groups had elevated scores on the Internalizing and Externalizing scales of the Childhood Behavior Checklist. These findings remained after controlling for child sex, race, cumulative trauma exposure, and maternal depression