Charles R. Carlson

The Link Between Religion and Spirituality and Psychological Adjustment: The Mediating Role of Optimism and Social Support

Although optimism, social support, religiousness, and spirituality are important predictors of adjustment, rarely have studies examined these variables simultaneously. This study investigated whether optimism and social support mediated the relationship between religiousness and adjustment (distress and life satisfaction) and between spirituality and adjustment. Findings indicate that the relationship between intrinsic religiousness and life satisfaction and between prayer fulfillment and life satisfaction was mediated by optimism and social support. Furthermore, the relationship between religiousness and adjustment varied depending on how religiousness was operationalized and whether positive versus negative adjustment indicators were used. That is, intrinsic religiousness and prayer fulfillment were associated with greater life satisfaction, but extrinsic religiousness was not associated with life satisfaction. These findings were significant even after accounting for covariates (age, gender, ethnicity, social desirability). Results suggest religiousness and spirituality are related but distinct constructs and are associated with adjustment through factors such as social support and optimism.

Social constraints, cognitive processing, and adjustment to breast cancer.

This cross-sectional study of 70 breast cancer survivors examined relationships among social constraints, behavioral and self-report indicators of cognitive processing, depression, and well-being. On the basis of a social-cognitive processing (SCP) model, it was predicted that social constraints would inhibit cognitive processing of the cancer experience, leading to poorer adjustment. Constraints were positively associated with intrusions, avoidance, and linguistic uncertainty in cancer narratives. Greater uncertainty, intrusions, and avoidance, as well as less talking about cancer were associated with greater depression and less well-being. Intrusions partially mediated the positive constraints-depression relationship. Talking about cancer partially mediated the inverse avoidance-well-being relationship. Findings support the SCP model and the importance of using behavioral indicators of cognitive processing to predict positive and negative psychosocial outcomes of cancer.

The Relationship Between Pain Sensitivity and Blood Pressure in Normotensives

&NA; Hypertension has been found to be related to decreased sensitivity to painful stimuli. The current study explored whether this relationship extends into the normotensive range of blood pressures. Resting blood pressures were assessed in 60 male normotensives. Subjects then underwent a l min finger pressure pain stimulation trial. Pain ratings were inversely related to resting systolic blood pressure. This relationship was unrelated to emotional state or coping styles. Multiple regression analyses indicated that over one‐third of the variance in pain ratings can be accounted for by resting blood pressure, coping style, and emotional state.

Posttraumatic growth and PTSD symptomatology among colorectal cancer survivors: a 3‐month longitudinal examination of cognitive processing

Introduction: The experience of cancer can be understood as a psychosocial transition, producing both positive and negative outcomes. Cognitive processing may facilitate psychological adjustment.

Cerebral activation during thermal stimulation of patients who have burning mouth disorder: an fMRI study.

Abstract The pathophysiology of burning mouth disorder (BMD) is not clearly understood, but central neuropathic mechanisms are thought to be involved. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the pathophysiology associated with BMD by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Areas of brain activation following thermal stimulation of the trigeminal nerve of eight female patients with BMD (mean age 49.1 ± 10.1) were mapped using fMRI and compared with those of eight matched pain‐free volunteers (mean age 50.3 ± 12.3). Qualitative and quantitative differences in brain activation patterns between the two study groups were demonstrated. BMD patients displayed greater fractional signal changes in the right anterior cingulate cortex (BA 32/24) and bilateral precuneus than did controls (p < 0.005). The control group showed larger fractional signal changes in the bilateral thalamus, right middle frontal gyrus, right pre‐central gyrus, left lingual gyrus, and cerebellum than did the BMD patients (p < 0.005). In addition, BMD patients had less volumetric activation throughout the entire brain compared to the control group. Overall, BMD patients displayed brain activation patterns similar to those of patients with other neuropathic pain conditions and appear to process thermal painful stimulation to the trigeminal nerve qualitatively and quantitatively different than pain‐free individuals. These findings suggest that brain hypoactivity may be an important feature in the pathophysiology of BMD.

psychological and physiological parameters of masticatory muscle pain

&NA; The objective of this research was to identify the psychological and physiological variables that differentiate persons reporting masticatory muscle pain (MMP) from normal controls (NC). This study examined the characteristics of 35 MMP patients in comparison to 35 age‐, sex‐, and weight‐matched NCs. All subjects completed a series of standardized questionnaires prior to undergoing a laboratory evaluation consisting of a psychosocial stressor and pressure pain stimulation at multiple body sites. During the evaluation, subjects’ emotional and physiological responses (heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, skin temperature, and muscle activity) were monitored. Results indicated that persons with MMP reported greater fatigue, disturbed sleep, depression, anxiety, menstrual symptoms, and less self‐deception (P’s<0.05) than matched controls. At rest, MMPs had lower end tidal carbon dioxide levels (P<0.04) and lower diastolic blood pressures than the NCs (P<0.02). During laboratory challenge, both groups responded to the standard stressor with significant physiological activity and emotional responding consistent with an acute stress response (P<0.01), but there were no differences between the MMPs and NCs. Muscle pain patients reported lower pressure pain thresholds than did NCs at the right/left masseter and right temporalis sites (P’s<0.05); there were no differences in pressure pain thresholds between MMPs and NCs for the left temporalis (P<0.07) and right/left middle finger sites (P’s>0.93). These results are discussed in terms of the psychological and physiological processes that may account for the development of muscle pain in the masticatory system.

Predisposing psychological factors in the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A review of the empirical evidence.

ObjectiveTo examine the literature for evidence that psychological factors predispose certain individuals to development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Data SourcesEnglish-language journal articles that described psychological data on patients diagnosed with RSD, identified through Medline search and bibliography reviews. Study SelectionAll studies reporting data on psychological factors in adult, adolescent, or child patients with RSD were included. Data ExtractionWe extracted data regarding psychological factors in patients with RSD and assessed validity of these studies through evaluation against seven basic research criteria. Data SynthesisOf the 20 articles reviewed, 15 reported the presence of depression, anxiety, and/or life stress in patients with RSD. However, the methodological quality of these studies was generally poor, with most meeting three or less of the seven validity criteria. In particular, the absence of prospective designs restricts conclusions concerning whether psychological factors are etiologically related to RSD. ConclusionsThe data reviewed are consistent with a theoretical model in which depression, anxiety, or life stressors may influence development of RSD through their effects on α-adrenergic activity. However, conclusions regarding etiological significance of these factors are not possible due to the dearth of high-quality studies. Suggestions for prospective research are described.

The effect of catastrophizing and depression on chronic pain – a prospective cohort study of temporomandibular muscle and joint pain disorders

Summary Catastrophizing and depression are shown to contribute to the progression of temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders. Abstract Although most cases of temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJD) are mild and self‐limiting, about 10% of TMJD patients develop severe disorders associated with chronic pain and disability. It has been suggested that depression and catastrophizing contributes to TMJD chronicity. This article assesses the effects of catastrophizing and depression on clinically significant TMJD pain (Graded Chronic Pain Scale [GCPS] II–IV). Four hundred eighty participants, recruited from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area through media advertisements and local dentists, received examinations and completed the GCPS at baseline and at 18‐month follow‐up. In a multivariable analysis including gender, age, and worst pain intensity, baseline catastrophizing (&bgr; 3.79, P < 0.0001) and pain intensity at baseline (&bgr; 0.39, P < 0.0001) were positively associated with characteristic of pain intensity at the 18th month. Disability at the 18‐month follow‐up was positively related to catastrophizing (&bgr; 0.38, P < 0.0001) and depression (&bgr; 0.17, P = 0.02). In addition, in the multivariable analysis adjusted by the same covariates previously described, the onset of clinically significant pain (GCPS II–IV) at the 18‐month follow‐up was associated with catastrophizing (odds ratio [OR] 1.72, P = 0.02). Progression of clinically significant pain was related to catastrophizing (OR 2.16, P < 0.0001) and widespread pain at baseline (OR 1.78, P = 0.048). Results indicate that catastrophizing and depression contribute to the progression of chronic TMJD pain and disability, and therefore should be considered as important factors when evaluating and developing treatment plans for patients with TMJD.

Efficacy of Abbreviated Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training: A Quantitative Review

A quantitative review was undertaken of recent research in which abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation training (APRT) was used as an intervention for psychophysiological and stress-related disorders. The strength of association between APRT and outcome measures was calculated for 29 experiments published after 1980. The average effect size across all experiments was moderate (r = .40). Moreover, for experiments that included a follow-up assessment, a similar effect size was noted at the first follow-up (r = .43). Additionally, experiments that used a prospective design (i.e., analyzed change) detected a stronger effect for APRT than those that used a cross-sectional design (i.e., compared groups). APRT was most strongly associated with improvement in experiments that delivered APRT on an individual basis and provided recipients with training tapes. Moreover, the treatment duration and number of sessions positively influenced the strength of association.

A Controlled Evaluation of Devotional Meditation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of devotional meditation (DM), defined as a period of prayer and quiet reading and pondering of biblical material, on physiological and psychological variables related to stress. It was hypothesized that religious persons engaging in DM experience physiological and psychological changes similar to those reported for persons using progressive relaxation (PR) exercises. Thirty-six participants, equally divided by sex into 3 groups: DM, PR, and a Wait List Control, underwent extensive psychophysiological assessment prior to and following a systematic introduction to either DM or PR. The hypothesis that DM could generate positive physiological and psychological effects similar to PR was partially confirmed. The results of the study are discussed in terms of the unique spiritual resources inherent among a Christian population that might foster physiological and psychological relaxation.