Life History Analysis And Individual Differences In Humans: A Test Of The Application Of An R/k Analysis

A number of psychologists have begun to apply principles from evolutionary biology to their domains in an attempt to provide an integrated model of human behaviour. One such application, a theory based on the r/K continuum of reproductive strategies, postulates that a single heritable reproductive dimension underlies a broad range of individual differences in life histories, physiological functioning, and social behaviour (Rushton, 1985). The two experiments reported here provide a test of this theory. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine if such a reproductive dimension exists and the extent of its heritability. Numerous reproductive and other variables from a sample of 7620 twins were subjected to principal component analyses. The obtained solutions for both male and female twins revealed factors which resembled the proposed dimension. Comparisons of aggregated standard scores for monozygotic twin pairs and same-sexed dizygotic pairs indicated that the dimension was moderately heritable. The second experiment replicated and extended the first study using a broader range of variables from a sample of 250 university undergraduates. In both experiments, strongest support for the theory was found for the physiological and sexual-reproductive variables, with the findings for personality variables being less supportive. The results were generally interpreted as providing initial support for the application of r/K theory to humans

Bipolar disorder in the postpartum period: Management strategies and future directions

Bipolar I and II disorder are chronic and severe psychiatric illnesses that affect many women. Furthermore, women are at increased risk for mood episodes during the postpartum period compared with non-postpartum periods. Unfortunately, identification of clinically significant depressive or (hypo)manic episodes can be challenging. Delays in detection, as well as misdiagnosis, put women at risk of many negative consequences, such as symptom exacerbation and treatment refractoriness. Early and accurate detection of bipolar I or II disorder in the postpartum period is critical to improve prognosis. At this time, limited recommendations can be made due to a paucity of research. Further research on postpartum bipolar I or II disorder focusing on its identification, consequences and treatment is urgently needed to allow for empirically informed clinical decision-making

The hormonal sensitivity hypothesis : a review and new findings

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by ScienceDirect in Medical Hypotheses on March 6, 2017, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2017.03.012Previous women’s health practitioners and researchers have postulated that some women are particularly sensitive to hormonal changes occurring during reproductive events. We hypothesize that some women are particularly sensitive to hormonal changes occurring across their reproductive lifespan. To evaluate this hypothesis, we reviewed findings from the existing literature and findings from our own lab. Taken together, the evidence we present shows a recurring pattern of hormonal sensitivity at predictable but different times across the lifespan of some women (i.e., menarche, the premenstrual phase, hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause). These findings provide support for the hypothesis that there is a subgroup of women who are more susceptible to physical, psychological, and sexual symptoms related to hormonal shifts or abrupt hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout the reproductive lifespan. We propose that this pattern reflects a Hormonal Sensitivity Syndrome

Examen préliminaire d’un traitement axé sur les forces destiné aux adolescents ayant des troubles liés à la toxicomanie

Adolescent substance use disorders are a major public health concern. Given the many challenges associated with treating this population, ongoing research in this area is imperative. The purpose of the current study was to provide a preliminary examination of the substance use outcomes associated with an adolescent residential treatment program that utilizes a strengths-based approach. The current study examined treatment outcomes in 61 adolescents (aged 14 to 18 years) who completed a 5-week strengths-based residential treatment program for adolescent substance use issues. Results showed significant reductions in frequency of alcohol and marijuana use from pretreatment to 3 and 6 months posttreatment, and in opioid use frequency from pretreatment to 3 months posttreatment. In addition, changes in self-reported substance use goal progress scores indicated significant improvements in goal progress from pretreatment to 3 months posttreatment; these improvements were maintained at 6 months posttreatment. Finally, depressive symptomology was also found to decrease significantly from pretreatment to posttreatment, and this decrease was found to be predictive of better substance use outcomes at 6 months posttreatment. These findings add to the literature by providing preliminary data that support the utility of the strengths-based approach in the treatment of adolescence substance use issues.La toxicomanie chez les adolescents représente un enjeu majeur en santé publique. Étant donné les nombreux défis que comporte le traitement de cette population, la recherché continue en ce domaine est indiquée. La présente étude a pour objet de fournir un examen préliminaire des effets sur la consommation de substances illicites en lien avec un programme de traitement résidentiel de la toxicomanie chez des adolescents, qui mise sur une approche axée sur les forces. L’étude en cause a porté sur les résultats du traitement chez 61 adolescents (âgés de 14 à 18 ans) qui ont terminé un programme résidentiel de traitement de 5 semaines axé sur les forces et conçu pour des adolescents ayant des troubles liés à la toxicomanie. Les résultats ont révélé des réductions significatives dans la fréquence de consommation d’alcool et de marijuana lorsqu’on compare les periods antérieure au traitement et postérieure de 3 à 6 mois; on a observé des résultats similaires pour la fréquence de consommation d’opioïdes lorsqu’on compare les périodes antérieure au traitement et postérieure de 3 mois. De plus, d’après les résultats de réalisation des objectifs de consommation rapportés par les participants, on a noté des ameliorations significatives lorsqu’on compare les périodes antérieure au traitement et postérieure de 3 mois, et ces améliorations se sont maintenues pour la période de 6 mois suivant le traitement. Enfin, on a aussi observé une diminution significative des symptômes de depression entre les périodes antérieure et postérieure au traitement, et cette diminution permettait de prédire de meilleurs résultats quant à la consommation pendant la période de 6 mois suivant le traitement. Ces observations viennent enrichir la littérature en fournissant des données préliminaires appuyant l’utilité de l’approche axée sur les forces pour le traitement des troubles liés à la toxicomanie chez les adolescents

Primacy of (hypo) mania in the postpartum period: a concept worth considering

The traditional system of classifying postpartum psychiatric disorders into maternity blues, postpartum depression, and puerperal psychosis overlooks the clinical significance of hypomanic, manic, or mixed symptoms in the postpartum period. Although common after childbirth, episodes of hypomania or non‐psychotic mania, as well as mixed states, are generally not included in the traditional nomenclature. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) first acknowledged the role of childbirth in the triggering of manic episodes 25 years ago with the publication of its fourth edition. The official recognition that episodes of hypomania can occur during or after pregnancy came in 2013 with the publication of DSM‐5. Unfortunately, this endorsement by the DSM has not resulted in increased awareness of the common occurrence of hypomania or mania during the postpartum period

Primacy of (hypo) mania in the postpartum period: A concept worth considering

The traditional system of classifying postpartum psychiatric disorders into maternity blues, postpartum depression, and puerperal psychosis overlooks the clinical significance of hypomanic, manic, or mixed symptoms in the postpartum period. Although common after childbirth, episodes of hypomania or non‐psychotic mania, as well as mixed states, are generally not included in the traditional nomenclature. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) first acknowledged the role of childbirth in the triggering of manic episodes 25 years ago with the publication of its fourth edition. The official recognition that episodes of hypomania can occur during or after pregnancy came in 2013 with the publication of DSM‐5. Unfortunately, this endorsement by the DSM has not resulted in increased awareness of the common occurrence of hypomania or mania during the postpartum period