Psychosocial and social environmental factors as moderators in the relation between the objective environment and older adults’ active transport

In order to develop tailored interventions aiming to encourage active transport among older adults, it is important to gain insights into the modifiable moderators affecting active transport behavior considering the neighborhood in which one lives. Therefore, this study aimed to determine which objective physical environmental factors have an impact on the active transport behavior of Belgian older adults (≥65 years old) and which psychosocial and social environmental moderators influence those relationships. Data from 503 independent living older adults who participated the Belgian Environmental Physical Activity Study in Seniors were included. Multilevel negative binominal regression models (participants nested in neighborhoods) with log link function were fitted for the analyses. Our resulted indicated that older adults living in an environment with higher residential density, higher park density, lower public transport density, and more entropy index had higher active transport levels. Furthermore, different types of neighborhood in which older adults live can lead to different moderators that are decisive for increasing older adults’ active transport behavior. Therefore, based on our results some recommendations towards tailored interventions could be given to increase older adults’ active transport behavior depending on the environment in which one lives

Laparoscopic Assisted Fusion of the Lumbosacral Spine: A Biomechanical and Histologic Analysis of the Open Versus Laparoscopic Technique in an Animal Model

Study Design. An animal model for laparoscopic lumbosacral fusion. Objectives. To compare the biomechanical and histologic results of open to laparoscopic lumbosacral discectomy and fusion in an animal model. Background Data. Early clinical reports of laparoscopic lumbosacral fusions are encouraging, but animal experiments have not been reported. Methods. Ten pigs (50-80 kg) were divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent an open anterior lumbosacral discectomy and fusion at L7-S1 using autologous bone graft and a titanium MOSS (DePuy Motech) cage. Group 2 was identical to Group 1 except that a laparoscopic technique was used. The animals were killed at 3 months, and the lumbosacral spines were harvested for biomechanical and histologic testing. Results. Estimated blood loss and average length of operation, respectively, for the two groups were: Group 1, 50 mL, 2 hours 50 minutes; and Group 2, 40 mL, 3 hours 40 minutes. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications in either group. Motion analysis results showed less motion in lateral bending, flexion, and extension than in the intact specimen in both groups. Tensile testing showed that the stiffness was significantly greater in the open group than in the laparoscopic group (P \u3c 0.004). Histologic examination showed a less extensive discectomy and less bone growth in the implant in the laparoscopic group. Inadequate decortication of end-plates occurred in two animals who underwent laparoscopy. Conclusions. Although lumbosacral discectomy and implant insertion can be performed using the laparoscopic technique, the construct may not have the same biomechanical strength as that attained with the open procedure. Laparoscopic-assisted lumbosacral fusion surgery requires additional investigation before it is widely used in clinical situations

African American Extended Family and Church‐Based Social Network Typologies

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136022/1/fare12218.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136022/2/fare12218_am.pd

Health, disability, psychological well-being, and depressive symptoms among older African American women

This study examines the demographic correlates of psychological well-being (i.e., happiness and life satisfaction) and mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms and serious psychological distress) among older African American women. Addition- ally, the relationships between self-rated physical and oral health and disability and psychological well-being and mental health are explored. Analyses are based on a nationally representative sample of older African American women from the National Survey of American Life. Results indicate that psychological well-being (i.e., life satisfaction and happiness) and mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms and serious psychological distress) are associated with specific demographic factors. In addition, self-rated health and limited mobility due to disability exerted significant influences on psychological well-being, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress. Findings are discussed in relation to prior research on demographic and health factors and their unique associations with well-being and mental status among older African American women.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107409/1/Health, Disability, Psychological Well-Being, and Depressive Symptoms among Older African American Women.pdfDescription of Health, Disability, Psychological Well-Being, and Depressive Symptoms among Older African American Women.pdf : Main articl

Church-based social support and suicidality among African Americans and Black Caribbeans

This study explores the relationship between church-based informal social support and lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation and attempts within a representative national sample of African American and Black Caribbean adults. Characteristics of church-based social support networks, as well as emotional support and negative interaction with church members were examined in relation to lifetime suicide ideation and attempts. This study used data from the National Survey of American Life (2001–2003). Frequency of interaction with church members was positively associa- ted with suicide attempts, while subjective closeness to church members was negatively associated with suicide ideation. Emotional support, service attendance, and negative interaction with church members were unrelated to both suicide ideation and attempts. Findings are discussed in relation to research on church-based support networks, dif- ferent models linking church support and suicidality, and the mechanisms by which church-based networks deter suicide ideation and attempts.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107407/1/Church based social support Chatters et al 2011.pdfDescription of Church based social support Chatters et al 2011.pdf : Main articl

Measuring the Impact of Civic Engagement: Tracking Outcomes in Health, Education, and Economic Security

Describes the process of developing the Civic Engagement Measurement System to measure the impact of integrating civic engagement practices into human services programs in the areas of education, healthy living, and economic security. Includes the CEMS

Subjective well-being of older African Americans with DSM IV psychiatric disorders

This study examined demographic and mental health correlates of subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, happiness) using a national sample of older African Americans with psychiatric disorders. We used a subsample of 185 African Americans, 55 and older with at least one of thirteen lifetime psychiatric disorders from The National Survey of American Life: Coping with Stress in the Twenty-first Century. The findings indicated that among this population of older adults who had a lifetime psychiatric dis- order, having a lifetime suicidal ideation was associated with life satisfaction but not happiness. Further, having a 12-month anxiety disorder or a lifetime suicidal ideation was not associated with happiness. Having a 12-month mood disorder, however, was negatively associated with an individual’s level of happiness, as well as their life satisfaction. Additionally, there were two significant interactions. Among men, employment was pos- itively associated with life satisfaction, and marriage was associated with higher levels of happiness among men but not women. The overall pattern of findings reflects both simi- larities and departures from prior research confirming that well-being evaluations are associated with multiple factors.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107412/1/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10902-013-9470-7(1).pdfDescription of art%3A10.1007%2Fs10902-013-9470-7(1).pdf : Main articl

The relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and religious faith: Clinical characteristics and implications for treatment

This paper explores the relationship between religion and obsessive–compulsive dis- order (OCD), with particular interest in religion’s possible influence in the development of OCD and its impact on treatment outcome. The paper begins with a review of theoretical and research literatures concerning religious involvement, research evidence linking religious involvement and physical and mental health, and theoretical linkages supporting both positive and negative religious effects on health. Following this, we provide a general overview and description of OCD and information concerning the prevalence and incidence of religiously based OCD. Next, extant research linking religion and OCD is presented. Information relevant to the clinical treatment of OCD with religious content is discussed. Finally, practice implications for clinicians and clergy are provided.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107413/1/2011-11166-001.pdfDescription of 2011-11166-001.pdf : Main articl

Comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal behavior, and substance abuse among Black Caribbeans in the U.S.A.

The purpose of this study was to examine nativity and country of origin differences in comorbid mood (major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and bipolar I and II disorders) and anxiety (post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, agora- phobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disor- der) disorders among Black Caribbeans in the U.S.A. The paper also examines the relationship between comorbid psychiatric disorders and substance abuse disorders and suicidal behavior. Data are taken from the Black Caribbean sub-sample (N0 1,621) of the National Survey of American Life. Multinomial logistic regression and logistic regression analysis are used and odd ratios, relative risk ratios, and 95 % confidence intervals are presented. Seven percent (7.19 %) of respondents had comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, 8.66 % had a mood disorder only, and 11.46 % had an anxiety disorder only. First-generation Black Caribbeans were less likely than US-born respondents to have a lifetime mood or anxiety disorder and also less likely to have a lifetime substance disorder or a lifetime suicidal attempt. Black Caribbean men were more likely than Black Caribbean women to: (1) have anxiety disorders only versus neither mood or anxiety disorders, (2) to have a substance disorder, and (3) to have had a suicidal attempt. Lastly, Black Caribbeans with both mood and anxiety disorders have significantly higher rates of mental health services utilization. These and other findings are discussed in detail.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107408/1/10.1007_s12111-012-9237-y.pdfDescription of 10.1007_s12111-012-9237-y.pdf : Main articl

Juvenile Probation Officers Call for a New Response to Teen Drug and Alcohol Use and Dependency

Shares lessons learned from RWJF's Reclaiming Futures initiative from a juvenile justice practitioner's perspective. Discusses the need to reform the system's treatment services, the challenges faced at the ten project sites, and recommendations