EFFECTS OF ATTACHMENT REPRESENTATIONS, RUMINATION, AND TRAIT DEPRESSION ON CO-RUMINATION IN FRIENDSHIPS: A DYADIC ANALYSIS

A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science-Psychology - Cognitive and Affective ScienceOver the past decade, researchers have learned a great deal about the outcomes of co-rumination, or dyadic tendencies in which two members excessively discuss and revisit problems while focusing on negative feelings (Rose, 2002). Research indicates that co-rumination is linked to closer friendship quality in youths, but also greater emotional disturbance (e.g., depression and anxiety; Rose, 2002; Rose, Carlson & Waller, 2007). Surprisingly, little is known about the predictors of co-rumination. The current study addressed whether attachment, rumination, and trait depression are predictive of co-rumination. In addition, this research evaluated co-rumination in relation to interdependence theory by proposing that it is subjected to the impacts from both the individuals' and their friend's attachment representations, rumination, and trait depression. It was hypothesized that more anxiously attached, depressive, and ruminative individuals would engage in more co-rumination with a close friend. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that having a friend who is more anxious, more depressive, or more ruminative may drive an individual to engage in more co-rumination. Results revealed that an individual's attachment avoidance was significantly related to their own (actor effect) and their friend's (partner effect) co-rumination. Also, an individual's attachment anxiety was significantly related to their friend's (partner level) co-rumination. Interestingly, gender moderated the effect of attachment avoidance on co-rumination at the actor and partner levels and gender moderated the effect of attachment anxiety on co-rumination at the partner level. Furthermore, an interaction emerged between friendship duration and trait depression on co-rumination at the actor level. Considering the adjustment trade-offs of co-rumination, it is important to understand the predictors of co-rumination as well as the consequences of it in order to effectively apply intervention efforts. Thus, the findings from the current study have significant practical implications. Furthermore, evidence from this study advances previous research that has primarily gathered information from only one friend, despite the dyadic nature of the construct

Interpreting \u3ci\u3eP\u3c/i\u3e Values in 2023

If recent experiences shared among the biostatistician community are indicative of a sea change in research, then a most-welcome culture shift in dialogue surrounding the proper use and interpretation of the P value, which measures statistical probability, is underway. This editorial strives to offer guidance for researchers who would like to incorporate more comprehensive reporting in their research, namely, a broader discussion that goes beyond looking at the P value by itself and includes effect size estimates, confidence intervals, and clinical implications when interpreting quantitative results. Another evolving development in clinical research is the preferred language when referring to results that were close to, but did not reach, strictly defined “statistical significance.” While all of this may seem simple, the details and nuances can be complicated; working closely with a biostatistician when reporting and interpreting study results is advisable and encouraged

The effects of dry needling on the thumb: A case report

Introduction: Dry needling has been identified as a potential intervention for a variety of diagnoses. Limited evidence exists to support the use of dry needling following surgical intervention of a distal radius fracture. This case report demonstrates the impact of dry needling in the thumb following a distal radius fracture. Methods: The patient was a 31-year-old healthy female who sustained a distal radius fracture and required surgical intervention. The patient required a volar plate removal and extensor tenolysis. The patient attended traditional occupational therapy with one session of dry needling to assist in improving range of motion and decreasing pain. Results: The patient benefited from the use of dry needling. The patient had no pain with functional grasping and pinching following dry needling and improved on the Kapandji score from eight to nine out of ten. The patient also reported a decrease in overall pain, from seven to two on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Discussion: The patient benefited from dry needling in the thumb to improve both range of motion and pain symptoms. While the evidence is limited, dry needling may be an appropriate intervention to assist in recovery and reduce thumb pain following distal radius fractures

Outcomes of an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program

BACKGROUND: Work rehabilitation programs were developed to help workers with an injury return to work (RTW). While studies have examined intervention characteristics, prognostic factors, and disability level, there is little or no research examining interdisciplinary interventions, lifting capacity/strength and the level of a patient\u27s RTW status (e.g., not working, new job, or ongoing restrictions) at the time of discharge. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes (RTW status and lifting capacity/strength changes) of an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program and examine whether time off work prior to the program and type of injury were related to RTW status and strength changes. METHODS: A retrospective database analysis was conducted with a sample of 495 participants (Mage = 44.44 years, SD = 10.13) of which 375 (76%) were male. Participants were workers with injuries who participated in an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program from 2006 to 2010. RESULTS: A significantly higher number of participants were working at the end of the program than at the beginning (83.9% vs. 31.6%, p \u3c 0.0001). Mean strength was higher at the time of discharge compared to at admission (p \u3c 0.0001). The participants that did not RTW had had significantly more days off work prior to the program (U = 11757, z = -3.152, p = 0.002). The type of injury was not related to strength at the time of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the interdisciplinary program is associated with positive outcomes and early intervention may be an important factor when treating patients with work-related injuries

The efficacy of work specialty rehabilitation programs for the injured worker

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of Aurora\u27s Work Specialty Rehabilitation Program and provides evidence confirming that the program produces the intended results by helping injured workers RTW [return to work] and significantly increasing their strength as well. Lastly, it was found that strength levels upon discharge were not dependent on the number of days of work prior to entering the program

An outpatient heart failure clinic reduces 30-day readmission and mortality rates for discharged patients: process and preliminary outcomes

BACKGROUND: The first outpatient heart failure clinic (HFC) in Western New York was developed within a large private cardiology practice with the objective of reducing 30-day all-cause rehospitalization and inpatient mortality. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the process and patient outcomes of this independent outpatient HFC. The specific aims were to (a) describe the outpatient care strategies employed and (b) determine whether the HFC reduced 30-day all-cause rehospitalizations and inpatient mortality by comparing HFC data with census data. METHODS: This study used a retrospective chart analysis of 415 adults who had been enrolled in the target HFC after hospitalization for HF. Data were summarized using frequency comparisons and descriptive statistics. One-sample chi-square tests were conducted to test the observed values in the study sample against census data. RESULTS: Patients in the HFC were less likely to experience a readmission to hospital within 30 days of discharge (69% reduction within the study period, p \u3c .001). Patients were seen acutely after discharge, had multiple medication adjustments, and received ongoing telephonic follow-up. The HFC had statistically lower inpatient mortality rates (1.2% vs. 11.6% national average, p \u3c .001), likely a result of the HFC care regimen and referrals for palliative care (17%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this analysis highlight the importance of developing an outpatient HFC in collaboration with hospitals that is aimed at reducing 30-day all-cause readmissions and inpatient mortality, with referral to palliative care when indicated

The usefulness of procalcitonin in aiding physician assessment and treatment of potential serious bacterial infections

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of serious bacterial infections (SBI). To date, studies have not compared PCT to clinical judgment and it remains unclear whether PCT adds to the physician’s clinical judgment when diagnosing SBI. Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of PCT in comparison to blood culture results and the physician’s clinical judgment in patients presenting to the emergency department with signs of SBI. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 400 patients suspected of having an SBI who presented to the emergency department at 2 community hospitals in Wisconsin from 2016 to 2018. PCT was performed on all patients in addition to the standard of care (SOC) for suspected SBI. PCT results were not available to the physicians throughout the duration of the study. Physicians completed a brief survey that asked if they thought the patient was septic upon ordering SOC labs and again after they reviewed the SOC lab results. Data were collected to determine if patients were diagnosed with an SBI during their stay. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with an SBI diagnosis. Results:Among the patients, 186 (46.5%) were diagnosed with an SBI during their hospital stay. High serum levels of PCT (≥0.25 ng/ mL) were an independently significant predictor for an SBI diagnosis in patients with signs of infection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.13–3.39; P=0.016). In addition, patients suspected of having an SBI are 2.62 times more likely to be diagnosed with an SBI when the blood culture result is positive (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.19–5.77; P=0.017) and 7.13 times more likely to be diagnosed with an SBI when the physician believes the patient is septic after reviewing the SOC lab results (OR: 7.13, 95% CI: 3.64–13.97; P Conclusion: Procalcitonin, blood culture results, and clinician judgment after reviewing standard-of-care labs provide important diagnostic value when diagnosing serious bacterial infections. Clinician judgment before reviewing SOC lab results was not associated with an SBI diagnosis; thus, SOC labs do have added value in aiding physician assessment of potential SBI. This study offers a unique perspective as, to date, no other studies have compared PCT results to clinical judgment