Concurrent and Prospective Associations among Co-rumination, Adjustment, and Friendship in Emerging Adults

Rose (2002) first defined co-rumination as excessive problem-focused discussion. Co-rumination has been found to be associated both concurrently and prospectively with depressive symptoms and positive friendship quality. However, the emerging literature has focused almost solely on youth. Thus, the primary aim of the current study is to extend a longitudinal examination of co-rumination, depression, anxiety, and friendship quality to a sample of emerging adults to understand whether co-rumination contributes to change in adjustment and friendship quality over time or whether, instead, co-rumination is simply a correlate of these variables. Second, we examined gender differences in co-rumination and whether gender moderated the longitudinal relationships between co-rumination and depression/anxiety and friendship quality. Participants (56 women, 46 men; M=19.6 years) were recruited through introductory psychology classes, instructed to bring a same-sex close friend, and completed measures of co-rumination, friendship quality (FQ), and internalizing problems. Seventy-nine students (78%) participated again one year later. Expected concurrent relationships and gender differences were found. Longitudinal associations were not found, nor did gender moderate these relationships. With limited research on co-rumination, it is unclear whether unique sampling issues or a meaningful developmental shift from adolescence to adulthood explains the lack of prospective relationships. Longitudinal research that spans this developmental transition and collects observational data and includes peer context variables which may vary with age is sorely needed. Such designs promise to enhance our understanding of the unique ways in which co-rumination may change across developmental contexts and whether certain factors predict varying trajectories

Internal and External Factors Associated with Illicit Prescription Drug Use in College Students

With data suggesting emerging adulthood is a time of increased risk for illicit prescription drug use, it is essential that factors contributing to this be understood to guide prevention efforts. Internal factors (stress, GPA, gender) and external factors (type of institution, living situation) were assessed in tandem with perceptions of harm and illicit prescription drug use. In accordance with nationwide research (SAMSHA, 2006), 14% of our sample of Oregon college students reported illicitly using prescription drugs. While rates of use did not vary by gender, females held higher perceptions of harm. Perceived harm was high for our sample and inversely correlated with use. Those living on campus reported higher perceptions of harm and less use than those living off campus. Those attending private academic institutions reported higher perceptions of harm and less use than those attending public institutions. Previous studies suggest a heightened sense of community within schools, comparatively present within private institutions, can reduce drug use (Battistich, & Hom, 1997). Stress was positively correlated with use and GPA was negatively correlated with use. While numerous studies have examined various correlates of prescription drug use, few have sampled beyond a single institution, most within public universities. Thus, the inclusion of private institutions offers unique and a more holistic insight. As drug use continues to increase in college populations even with prevention programs in place, it is imperative to translate these findings into prevention targeting both genders, at times of stress, particularly those living off campus, at public universities, with lower GPAs

A Cross-Cultural Look at Co-rumination, Self-Disclosure, Friendship, Relational Concerns and Emotional Adjustment

Rose (2002) first defined co-rumination as extensive problem-focused talk, and it has been found to be associated with both depression/anxiety and friendship quality. However, our understanding of co-rumination is limited by an exclusive focus on Western samples of mostly children/adolescents. Thus, the primary aim of the current study is to investigate the construct validity of co-rumination in an Asian sample by examining associations among rumination, co-rumination, emotional adjustment, self-disclosure and friendship quality. We predict that Asians will report lower levels of co-rumination, and we expect gender differences in co-rumination to replicate cross-culturally. 224 Asian students (69 men, 153 women) from universities in Hong Kong and East China and 118 U.S. students (43 men, 75 women) from a private college in the Northwest participated in the study. Expected gender differences were found. Significant positive relationships emerged between co-rumination, self-disclosure, friendship quality, and rumination in both samples. Asian students reported significantly higher levels of co-rumination but lower levels of self-disclosure. Asians reported higher levels of relational concerns than U.S students. Relational concerns partially mediated cultural differences in self-disclosure but not in co-rumination. Surprisingly, co-rumination was unrelated to adjustment and did not predict unique variance in anxiety/depression beyond the effects of rumination. The current findings highlight the complexity of co-rumination as an interpersonal process vs. support-seeking functions in Asians. With limited research on co-rumination in emerging adults, it is unknown whether unique sampling issues or a meaningful developmental shift accounts for the lack of associations between co-rumination and anxiety/depression among U.S. students. Regardless, future longitudinal research should incorporate strategies (e.g., observational data, time sampling) that extend beyond self-report. These designs promise to sharpen our understanding as they more fully capture the dynamic forces at play in co-rumination that may vary across time and culture

Does a Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Program Work in a School Setting? Evaluating Training Outcome and Moderators of Effectiveness

The current study sought to evaluate the suicide prevention gatekeeper training program QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) among school personnel using a non-equivalent control group design. Substantial gains were demonstrated from pre- to post-test for attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs regarding suicide and suicide prevention. Exploratory analyses revealed the possible moderating effects of age, professional role, prior training, and recent contact with suicidal youth on QPR participants’ general knowledge, questioning, attitudes toward suicide and suicide prevention, QPR quiz scores, and self-efficacy. The need for replication using a more rigorous experimental design in the context of strong community collaboration is discussed

Parentification and Maternal HIV Infection: Beneficial Role or Pathological Burden?

Parentification, along with parenting and child adjustment were examined in 23 9-through 16-year-old youth from families affected by maternal HIV infection and 20 same-age peers whose mothers were not infected. Children whose mothers were HIV-positive reported to more often engage in parental role behaviors, relative to children of HIV-negative mothers. This difference remained even after controlling for the effects of current drug use, number of adults per child in the household, and marital status. Findings revealed a beneficial relationship between parentification and both child adjustment and parenting, particularly among families affected by maternal HIV infection. When relationships were examined separately by HIV status, the pattern of results suggested that parentification, which involves increased emotional closeness, rather than role-related tasks, which may involve increased responsibility of household maintenance, seems to foster an association with concurrent positive parenting and child adjustment among families coping with HIV/AIDS. Directions for future research, including the need for methodological advances in the field are discussed

Psychologists and Medications in the Era of Interprofessional Care: Collaboration is Less Problematic and Costly Than Prescribing

Increasing emphasis on interprofessionalism and teamwork in healthcare renders psychologists’ collaborations critical and invites reexamination of psychologists’ roles related to medications. The Collaboration Level outlined by the APA’s Ad Hoc Task Force is more achievable and in synch with health reform than prescription privileges (RxP). RxP remains controversial due to training and safety concerns, lacking support from health professionals, psychologists, and consumers. Differences in educational preparation of psychologists relative to prescribing professionals are discussed. Enactment of only three of 170 RxP initiatives reveals RxP to be a costly, ineffectual agenda. Alternatives (e.g., integrated care, collaboration, telehealth) increase access without risks associated with lesser medical knowledge. Concerns about RxP and the movement toward team-based care warrant reconsideration of the profession’s objectives regarding psychopharmacology

In the Wake of a Veto: What Do Oregon Psychologists Think and Know about Prescription Privileges for Psychologists?

Clinical psychology continues to grapple with a contentious debate surrounding prescriptive authority. With over half of all states having considered legislating prescriptive authority, an immense amount of time and money has been invested. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes of licensed psychologists in Oregon following a veto that prevented it from becoming the third state with prescription privileges for psychologists. From a list of 1,318 licensed Oregon clinical psychologists, 60% were randomly selected to participate. Of the 130 participants invited thus far, 83 have completed the survey, yielding a respectable response rate (64%). Perceived familiarity with current training models revealed lacking awareness with 75.2% and 72% expressing they were not familiar with the DOD and APA models, respectively. Only 5% knew which three states/territories currently have prescriptive authority and 77% were unfamiliar with any of the three prerequisites for postdoctoral training in psychopharmacology. Arguments in favor of prescription privileges garnering the most support related to perceptions of improved access and treatment enhancement. In contrast, the strongest arguments against prescription privileges involved professional issues (e.g., altered identity). Reflecting division, 43.9% were in favor, 20.7% were undecided, and 36% were in opposition to broadening privileges for psychologists. However, only 15.9% expressed interest in completing training and only 7.2% plan to pursue training and become a prescriber. Overall, these findings suggest legislative efforts should be mindful of the controversy within the field and the low numbers of professionals interested in pursuing prescription privileges, which undercut arguments for improved access and care

Data-Driven Change in Oregon Psychologists’ Knowledge and Attitudes about Prescriptive Authority

With over half of all states having considered legislating prescriptive authority, an immense amount of time and money has been invested. The literature is limited in terms of understanding if opinions toward prescriptive authority are grounded in knowledge and what implications that has for altering these opinions. Following a veto of a prescriptive authority bill in Oregon, 160 licensed Oregon clinical psychologists were surveyed regarding their attitudes and knowledge. In terms of knowledge, only 5.6% knew which three states/territories currently have prescriptive authority and 70.4% were unfamiliar with any of the prerequisites for postdoctoral training in psychopharmacology. Reflecting division, 42.8% were in favor, 20.1% were undecided, and 37.1% were in opposition to broadening privileges for psychologists. Further, only 15.1% expressed interest in pursuing training or 6.4% in becoming a prescriber. Data on access, training, and legislative costs were presented to participants in the education condition. These participants showed significant gains in their knowledge across all domains and their opinions shifted only in these specific areas leaving their general stance on the issue unchanged. In contrast to ardent supporters who argue that their “data should provide reassurance to psychologists spearheading legislative initiatives” because of high approval ratings (Sammons et al., 2000, p. 608), our data suggest disagreement amongst a group of professionals who are not particularly well-informed, nor interested in becoming prescribers. Future work should investigate whether expanding the data relevant to other facets of the argument contributes to further targeted change or an overall change in opinion toward prescriptive authority

Non-binary Living in a Binary World: The Unlabeled Experience

Both popular media and social science research suggest that gender/sexual identities and roles that have dominated western society are being challenged (Budgeon, 2014). Heteronormative assumptions and the gender binary are rapidly evolving to capture experiences that reflect greater diversity (Diamond, 2005; Nagoshi et al., 2012), including those that extend beyond labels. We surveyed 915 individuals regarding their gender identity, sexual orientation, and numerous psychological measures related to well-being, in order to understand the experience of those who choose to remain unlabeled. The data would suggest that those not ascribing to the gender binary have lower reported satisfaction with life across several axes when compared to cisgender participants. Explaining their ‘unlabeled’ status, participants described their primary identification as human, expressed discomfort with gender-based assumptions and rejected constrictions of the gender binary

Reducing Stigma toward the Transgender Community: An Evaluation of a Humanizing and Perspective-Taking Intervention

Transgender (TG) individuals are an understudied group at high risk of experiencing discrimination and associated adverse mental health outcomes (IOM, 2011). Although many studies demonstrate that contact reduces negative attitudes toward out-groups, few studies have examined the link between contact and attitudes toward the TG community (Hill & Willoughby, 2005; Walchet al., 2012). This study represents one of the first attempts to understand how to effectively reduce stigma toward the TG community. Results indicate that education alone is not enough to change attitudes; in fact, there is some evidence that associating transgenderism with psychopathology may heighten stigma. Consistent with prior research on stigma towards the mentally ill, the current study suggests that both exposure to intimate media depictions of the “other” (Reinke et al., 2004) and perspective-taking (Mann & Himelein, 2008) could strengthen educational campaigns designed to combat stigma