Physical aggression, compromised social support, and 10-year marital outcomes: Testing a relational spillover model

The purpose of the present study was to test a relational spillover model of physical aggression whereby physical aggression affects marital outcomes due to its effects on how spouses ask for and provide support to one another. Newlywed couples (n = 172) reported levels of physical aggression over the past year and engaged in interactions designed to elicit social support; marital adjustment, and stability were assessed periodically over the first 10 years of marriage. Multilevel modeling revealed that negative support behavior mediated the relationship between physical aggression and 10-year marital adjustment levels whereas positive support behavior mediated the relationship between physical aggression and divorce status. These findings emphasize the need to look beyond conflict when explaining how aggression affects relationships and when working with couples with a history of physical aggression who are seeking to improve their relationships

Social support in marriage: Translating research into practical applications for clinicians

How spouses support one another may be important in understanding and preventing marital distress, but has received relatively little attention. Instead, the behavioral model of marriage and corresponding treatment protocols have focused on the importance of good conflict management skills in preventing and treating marital distress. This paper outlines recent research indicating that couples social support skills predict marital outcome two years later, above and beyond conflict management skills. These results indicate that successful prevention and treatment programs may need to incorporate support skills training as well as conflict management training. Practical implications of this research are outlined, and specific techniques are recommended for teaching social support skills to couples

Conserving nature out of fear or knowledge? Using threatening versus connecting messages to generate support for environmental causes

Threatening and connecting messages are two types of appeals commonly used to encourage conservation behaviors, yet little research has examined their psychological impacts and behavioral outcomes. This paper describes two studies contrasting these approaches with a neutral comparison and testing their effects on state levels of negative affect, caring, and openness, psychological states which we expected in turn would encourage conservation behavior. Participants viewed visually identical nature videos with no text, connecting text or negative text. They then reported on their state experiences, and were asked to engage in conservation behaviors, including supporting conservation organizations. Findings showed that connecting messages increased caring and openness, and decreased negative affect, and by doing so elicited more conservation behaviors. On the other hand, threatening messages showed no beneficial effects above a neutral comparison without an appeal. Our findings, which we contextualize in motivational theory, can be used to inform the use of messages to promote conservation.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2015.04.00

Nature and Community Cohesion

Individuals may be losing touch with nature as their contact with it decreases worldwide. While the consequences for people’s personal well-being outcomes are becoming well documented, there is almost no research examining the social correlates of contact with nature. This paper used a large nationally representative sample to link objective (% greenspace) and subjective measurements of contact with nature, community cohesion, and local crime incidence. The perceived quality, views, and amount of time spent in nature were linked to more community cohesion, and in turn the perception of cohesive communities enhances individual well-being outcomes and contributions back to society through higher workplace productivity and environmentally responsible behaviors. Findings also indicated that local nature was linked to lower crime both directly and indirectly through its effects on community cohesion.This research was funded in part by the ESRC (project number RES-064-27-0019).This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Oxford University Press via http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biv15

Social support, problem solving, and the longitudinal course of newlywed marriage

Married couples (N = 172) were observed as newlyweds and again one year later while engaging in 2 problem-solving and 2 personal support discussions. Microanalytic coding of these conversations was used to examine associations between problem-solving and social support behaviors over one year and their relative contributions to 10-year trajectories of self-reported relationship satisfaction and dissolution. Results demonstrated that initially lower levels of positive support behaviors and higher levels of negative support behaviors predicted 1-year increases in negative emotion displayed during problem-solving conversations. Emotions coded from the initial problem-solving conversations did not predict 1-year changes in social support behaviors. Controlling for emotions displayed during problem-solving interactions eliminated or reduced associations between initial social support behaviors and (a) later levels of satisfaction and (b) relationship dissolution. These findings corroborate models that prioritize empathy, validation, and caring as key elements in the development of intimacy (e.g., Reis & Shaver, 1988), and they suggest that deficits in these domains foreshadow deterioration in problem-solving and conflict management. Implications for integrating support and problem-solving in models of relationship change are outlined, as are implications for incorporating social support in education programs for developing relationships

Read-across of 90-Day Rat Oral Repeated-Dose Toxicity: A Case Study for Selected 2-Alkyl-1-alkanols

2-Alkyl-1-alkanols offer an example whereby the category approach to read-across can be used to predict repeated-dose toxicity for a variety of derivatives. Specifically, the NOAELs of 125 mg/kg bw/d for 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 2-propyl-1-heptanol, the source substances, can be read across with confidence to untested 2-alkyl-1-alkanols in the C5 to C13 category based on a LOAEL of low systemic toxicity. These branched alcohols, while non-reactive and exhibiting unspecific, reversible simple anaesthesia or nonpolar narcosis mode of toxic action, have metabolic pathways that have significance to repeated-dose toxic potency. In this case study, the chemical category is limited to the readily bioavailable analogues. The read-across premise includes rapid absorption via the gastrointestinal tract, distribution in the circulatory system and first-pass metabolism in the liver via Phase 2 glucuronidation prior to urinary elimination. 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol and 2-propyl-1-heptanol, the source substances, have high quality 90-day oral repeated-dose toxicity studies (OECD TG 408) that exhibit qualitative and quantitative consistency. Findings include only mild changes consistent with low-grade effects including decreased body weight and slightly increased liver weight, which in some cases is accompanied by clinical chemical and haematological changes but generally without concurrent histopathological effects at the LOAEL. These findings are supported by results from the TG 408 assessment of a semi-defined mixture of isotridecanols. Chemical similarity between the analogues is readily defined and data uncertainty associated with toxicokinetic and toxicodynamics similarities are low. Uncertainty associated with mechanistic relevance and completeness of the read-across is reduced by the concordance of in vivo and in vitro results, as well as high throughput and in silico methods data. As shown in detail, the 90-day rat oral repeated-dose NOAEL values for the two source substances can be read across to fill the data gaps of the untested analogues in this category with uncertainty deemed equivalent to results from a TG 408 assessment

Characteristics and Treatments of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Referred to UK Vascular Clinics: Results of a Prospective Registry

BackgroundPeripheral arterial disease (PAD) is often associated with risk factors including cigarette smoking, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, and patients have a high risk of future vascular events. Good medical management results in improved outcomes and quality of life, but previous studies have documented sub-optimal treatment of risk factors. We assessed the management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with PAD referred to specialist vascular clinics.MethodsThis was a prospective, protocol driven registry carried out in UK vascular clinics. Patients who were first-time referrals for evaluation of PAD were eligible if they had claudication plus ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) ≤0.9. Statistical associations between key demographic and treatment variables were explored using a chi-squared test.ResultsWe enrolled 473 patients from 23 sites. Mean age was 68 years (SD 10) and 66% were male. Mean estimated claudication distance was 100m, and ABPI was 0.74. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 155mmHg, and 42% had a SBP >160mmHg. Forty percent were current smokers and half had tried to give up in the prior 6 months, but there was no evidence of a systematic method of smoking cessation. Mean total cholesterol was 5.4 (SD1.2) mmol/l and 30% had levels >6mmol/l. Antiplatelet therapy had been given to 70% and statins to 44%. Prior CHD was present in 29% and these patients had significantly higher use of antiplatelet therapy, statins and ACE-inhibitors.ConclusionsIn spite of attempts to raise awareness about PAD as an important marker of cardiovascular risk, patients are still poorly treated prior to referral to a vascular clinic. In particular, the use of evidence-based treatments is sub-optimal, while hypertension and cigarette smoking are poorly managed. More work needs to be done to educate health professionals about the detection and optimal medical management of PAD

Barriers and facilitators to health care professionals discussing child weight with parents: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Introduction: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious global public health challenges. However, obesity and its consequences are largely preventable. As parents play an important role in their children’s weight-related behaviours, good communication between parents and Health Care Professionals (HCPs) is essential. This systematic review provides a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies exploring the barriers and facilitators experienced by HCPs when discussing child weight with parents. Methods: Searches were conducted using the following databases; Medline (OVID), Psych INFO (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), Web of Knowledge and CINHAL. 13 full-text qualitative studies published in English language journals since 1985 were included. Included studies collected data from HCPs (e.g. nurses, doctors, dieticians, psychologists and clinical managers) concerning their experiences of discussing child weight-related issues with parents. An inductive thematic analysis was employed to synthesise findings. Findings: Emerging sub themes were categorised using a socio-ecological framework into intra/inter-personal factors, organisational factors and societal factors. Perceived barriers and facilitators most commonly related to intra/inter-personal level factors i.e. relating to staff factors, parental factors or professional-parent interactions. HCPs also attributed a number of barriers, but not facilitators, at the organisational and societal levels. Conclusion: The findings of this review may help to inform the development of future weight-related communication interventions. Whilst intra/inter-personal interventions may go some way to improving health care practice, it is crucial that all stakeholders consider the wider organisational and societal context in which these interactions take place