Lourdes P. Dale

Cognitive and psychological profile of males with Becker muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy are allelic X-linked disorders causing progressive muscle weakness in males. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by absence of dystrophin in muscle and brain; boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy have a static cognitive impairment with mean Full Scale IQ approximately 1 standard deviation below the mean. Less is known of the cognitive profile of males with Becker muscular dystrophy, which is associated with variable alterations in the amount or size of the dystrophin protein. The aim of this study was to describe the cognitive and psychological profile of males with Becker muscular dystrophy. This was a prospective cohort study. Clinical data collected included age at diagnosis and assessment, socioeconomic status, serum creatine kinase level, and site of gene deletion/mutation (by exon number). The following psychological tests were used to assess general intellectual functioning, academic achievement, incidence and nature of behavioral problems: The Wechsler Intelligence Scales, The Wide Range Achievement Test—Revised, The Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, The Child Behavior Checklist, and The Conners Parent Rating Scale. Twenty-four males were enrolled. The Wechsler Full Scale IQ was normally distributed with a mean of 95.6 (SD 23.3), which did not differ significantly from the population mean. The frequency of learning difficulties for reading was 21%, for spelling was 32%, and for arithmetic was 26%, significantly higher than the frequency in the general population. The frequency of total behavioral problems in the clinical range was 67%, and the frequency of autism was 8.3%. Patients with Becker muscular dystrophy demonstrate a less homogeneous cognitive phenotype than that seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Males with Becker muscular dystrophy have a high incidence of learning difficulties. Autism and behavioral and attention problems are also more common in Becker muscular dystrophy than in the general population.

Abuse History is related to Autonomic Regulation to Mild Exercise and Psychological Wellbeing

We investigated the potential impact of abuse history on autonomic regulation and psychological wellbeing in a sample of women who reported a history of abuse without Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. To measure autonomic regulation, heart rate data was collected before and after the participant rode a stationary bike for one mile. We found that abuse history was associated with less vagal regulation of the heart (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia) and an inability to rapidly re-engage vagal regulation immediately following mild exercise to support a calm physiological state. These findings are consistent with clinical impressions that abused individuals may have a lower threshold to express fight/flight behaviors in response to stress and have difficulty shifting from mobilization to calmness. We also found that abuse history was related to psychological wellbeing. Women with an abuse history reported a greater use of dysfunctional coping methods and lower self-concept. Further, analyses indicated that there was a cumulative effect, whereby women who reported more recent abuse reported using more dysfunctional coping methods, having more mood disturbance, and lower self-concept. The findings underscore the importance of evaluating both the psychological and physiological effects of trauma, even in the absence of a diagnosis of PTSD.

Infant regulatory disorders: temperamental, physiological, and behavioral features.

Objectives: Successful development during the first year of life is dependent on the infants ability to regulate behavioral and physiological state in response to unpredictable environmental challenges. Although most infants develop skills to self-soothe and regulate behavior, a subset lacks these skills and develops regulatory disorders (RD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the component features of RD by determining if infants with RD differ from typically developing infants on measures of temperament, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, heart rate, and mother-infant interactions. Methods: Parents of 50 9-month-old infants completed behavioral questionnaires that provided information necessary to complete the Regulatory Disorders Checklist, which evaluates for difficulties in self-regulation and hypersensitivities. Infants with difficulties in both domains were assigned to the RD group. Mothers and their infants were videotaped interacting for 10 minutes. Infant heart rate was monitored before and during the mental development test. Results: The RD group (n = 10) was more temperamentally difficult and exhibited atypical physiological regulation relative to infants with difficulties in either self-regulation or hypersensitivity (n = 25) or infants with no difficulties (n = 15). During the mother-infant interactions, the RD group exhibited more high-level withdrawal behaviors, including verbal and physical protests, although there were no differences in the quantity and quality of the maternal approaches. Conclusion: Infants with RD have both temperamental and physiological regulation difficulties and may be in a physiological state that makes it difficult to moderate behavior in response to social demands. Mothers of RD infants might be taught to modify their behavior to help their infants to regulate behavioral and physiological state.

Yoga Practice May Buffer the Deleterious Effects of Abuse on Women's Self-Concept and Dysfunctional Coping

Women who experienced abuse as children or adults can suffer from symptoms such as dissociations, physiological regulation difficulties, and mood disturbances that might not respond to traditional interventions. Given the benefits of yoga, we hypothesized that yoga practice would ameliorate the negative impact of abuse on psychological functioning. Our findings suggest that frequent yoga practice might ameliorate the negative impact of abuse history on self-concept and coping skills. In addition, our findings suggest that women who incorporate yoga into other areas of life could get the greatest psychological benefits. Given the preliminary nature of this study, further research into the benefits of yoga on women who have child or adult abuse histories is warranted.

Measures of infant behavioral and physiological state regulation predict 54‐month behavior problems

This study investigated whether measures of infant temperament, regulatory disorders, and physiological reactivity and concurrent measures of family environment were predictors of child behavior problems at 54 months of age. The sample consisted of 23 children-mother dyads. The sample recruitment strategy emphasized testing both typical and fussy/difficult infants at 9 months of age. Children were categorized into low and high behavioral problem groups at 54 months of age. The children in the high behavioral problem group were more likely at 9 months to have been temperamentally difficult, to have been classified as regulatory disordered, and to have displayed respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) regulation difficulties. These children also were more likely to come from families described as less cohesive and providing less focus on active/recreational activities when the children were 54 months old. A logistic regression analysis, including only the 9-month infant measures (i.e., difficultness, regulatory disorders classification, and RSA regulation), resulted in a significant model with 100.0% accurate classification into high or low behavioral problem groups. Data suggest that infant measures of behavioral and physiological state regulation may be early indicators of child behavior problems, especially internalizing problems.

Program Ratings Do Not Predict Negative Content in Commercials on Children's Channels

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of negative content in commercials airing on 3 childrens channels (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network). Method: The 1681 commercials were coded with a reliable coding system and content comparisons were made. Results: Although the majority of the commercials were coded as neutral, negative content was present in 13.5% of commercials. This rate was significantly more than the predicted value of zero and more similar to the rates cited in previous research examining content during sporting events. The rate of negative content was less than, but not significantly different from, the rate of positive content. Thus, our findings did not support our hypothesis that there would be more commercials with positive content than with negative content. Logistic regression analysis indicated that channel, and not rating, was a better predictor of the presence of overall negative content and the presence of violent behaviors. Commercials airing on the Cartoon Network had significantly more negative content, and those airing on Disney Channel had significantly less negative content than the other channels. Within the individual channels, program ratings did not relate to the presence of negative content. Conclusion: Parents cannot assume the content of commercials will be consistent with the program rating or label. Pediatricians and psychologists should educate parents about the potential for negative content in commercials and advocate for a commercials rating system to ensure that there is greater parity between childrens programs and the corresponding commercials.

Yoga Workshop Impacts Psychological Functioning and Mood of Women With Self-Reported History of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can lead to severe medical and psychological consequences. Traditional interventions may neglect some of the crucial elements of eating disorders, specifically mood and body awareness. Other modalities, particularly yoga, should be considered as an adjunct to traditional treatments. This pilot study explored the benefits of a 6-day yoga workshop for women with a history of eating disorders. Results indicated improvements in mood, psychological adjustment, physical and emotional awareness, and eating disorder symptoms. This study concluded that other modalities, such as yoga, may be efficacious in improving mood and psychological functioning for those with a self-reported history of eating disorders.

Perceived Racial Bias and Health-Related Stigma Among Youth with Sickle Cell Disease.

Objective: Little is known about the role of perceived racial bias and health-related stigma on the health of youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of perceived racial bias and health-related stigma among youth with SCD and its relationship with psychological and physical well-being. Methods: Twenty-eight youth with SCD, ages 13 to 21, were recruited from outpatient and inpatient settings at an urban childrens medical center. Participants completed measures of perceived racial bias, perceived health-related stigma, depression, quality of life, and pain burden. Results: Most participants endorsed occurrences of racial bias and health-related stigma. The findings indicate that greater perceived racial bias was associated with greater pain burden, and greater perceived health-related stigma was related to lower quality of life. Conclusion: Perceived racial bias and health-related stigma may be important to consider for future research investigating the psychological and physiological features of SCD for youth.

Princess Picture Books: Content and Messages.

ABSTRACT Because many girls develop their understanding of what it means to be a girl from books about princesses, the researchers coded the messages and content in 58 princess books (picture, fairy tales, and fractured fairy tales). Results indicate that gender stereotypes are present in the books—the princesses were more likely to be nurturing, in distress, naïve, and homemakers than the princes. Most princesses were valued for their beauty, gave up their lives for the princes, and did not gain status from the intimate relationships, which progressed quickly without an initial friendship. All books had prosocial content and had negative content. Although few books were generally positive, educational, appropriate for the intended audience, or realistic in problem resolution, books with a child princess received higher overall evaluations and lower negative content scores. The Disney books were not worse than the other books that included nonchild princess characters; however, they were more problematic because of their promotion of gender stereotypes. Educators and parents need to be concerned about the messages and content in princess books and pick books with child princess characters that focus on developmentally appropriate topics, rather than adult-related topics, such as finding a husband.

Describing Perceived Racial Bias Among Youth With Sickle Cell Disease

Objectives Sickle cell disease (SCD) predominately affects Black Americans. This is the first study of its kind to describe the racial bias experiences of youth with SCD and their reactions to these experiences. Methods Participants were 20 youth with SCD (ages 13-21 years) who were asked to describe any racial bias events they experienced, as recorded on the Perception of Racism in Children and Youth measure (PRaCY). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by two independent raters using a conventional content analysis approach. Results All participants reported at least one incident of racial bias. Content analysis of racial bias events (n = 104) yielded 4 categories and 12 subcategories as follows: Perpetrator (Peers, Authority Figures, and General Public), Type of Racial Bias (Explicit, Implicit), Behavioral Reaction (Approach, Avoidant), and Emotional Response (Dysphoria, Anger, Unconcerned, Inferior, Anxious). Discussion This study provides a description of racial bias experiences within community and medical settings and highlights the need for further evaluation of the impact of racial bias among youth with SCD.