Undesirable Life Research Articles

Reconfiguration of the charge density difference of nitrogen-doped graphene by covalently bonded Cu-N4 active sites boosting thermodynamics and performance in aprotic Li-CO2 battery

The slow kinetics of the CO2 reduction and evolution reactions in the Li-CO2 battery result in a high overpotential, low energy efficiency and undesired life. Exploring the durable electrocatalysts with high activity for CO2 reduction and evolution processes in aprotic Li-CO2 batteries is of great significance for CO2 capture and utilization. Herein, single-atom copper uniformly anchored on nitrogen-doped graphene (SA-Cu-NG) was demonstrated as a durable catalyst for the rechargeable Li-CO2 battery. The resulting Li-CO2 battery shows a remarkable specific capacity of 29033 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, an ultra-long life up to 538 cycles (over 2730 h), and a low overpotential of 1.47 V (1000 mA g−1), outperforming the reported Li-CO2 batteries. The X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of SA-Cu-NG unravels that the covalent effect between Cu and N, which exists in the form of Cu-N4 in nitrogen-doped graphene. Further, it is theoretically elucidated that the covalent effect of Cu-N4 leads to the reconfiguration of the charge density difference on nitrogen-doped graphene, thereby improving the adsorption of CO2 and weakening the decomposition barrier of the discharge products on the surface single-atom copper, thus optimizing the nucleation decomposition process. In conclusion, the exceptional performances of Li-CO2 battery are attributed to the superior catalytic activity on Cu-N4 sites and the excellent electronic conductivity of nitrogen-doped graphene, activating the reversible process of discharge product formation and decomposition.

Identification of distinct clinical profiles and trajectories in individuals at high risk of developing psychosis: A latent profile analysis of the north American prodrome longitudinal study consortium-3 dataset.

People at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis are a heterogeneous population in regard to clinical presentation and outcome. It is unclear, however, if their baseline clinical characteristics can be used to construct orthogonal subgroups that differ in their clinical trajectory to provide early identification of individuals in need of tailored interventions. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) to determine the number of distinct clinical profiles within the CHR population using the NAPLS-3 dataset, focusing on the clinical features incorporated in the NAPLS psychosis risk calculator (including age, unusual thought content and suspiciousness, processing speed, verbal learning and memory function, social functioning decline, life events, childhood trauma, and family history of psychosis). We then conducted a between-profile comparisons of clinical trajectories based on psychotic and depressive symptoms as well as substance use disorder (SUD) related features over time. Two distinct profiles emerged. One profile, comprising approximately 25% of the sample, was significantly older, displayed better cognitive performance, experienced more types of traumatic and undesirable life events, exhibited a greater decline in functioning in the past year, and was more likely to have relatives with psychosis. This group showed worse positive symptoms and SUD-related features over time, although groups did not differ in the proportion of individuals who developed psychosis. LPA results suggest CHRs can be segregated into two profiles with different clinical trajectories. Characterizing individuals within these clinical profiles may help understand the divergent outcomes of this population and ultimately facilitate the development of specialized interventions.

Predicting Major Decline in Older Adults: The Role of Time Spent Out of Home.

For older adults in community settings, predicting undesired outcomes (needing higher levels of care or death) is important for advancing preventative care and achieving successful aging. We examined whether a combination of baseline characteristics (demographic, clinical) and a continuous digital measure of general mobility and socialization (time-out-of-home) would be predictive of transitions of care and mortality. Longitudinal data from community-dwelling older adults in the Collaborative Aging Research using Technology (CART) Study was examined for occurrences of undesired life transitions: moving residences due to needing more assistance, receiving non-temporary in-home assistance, and death. In-home sensor data (passive infrared motion and contact sensors) was used to create an algorithm for time when no one was home (TOH). For homes with a transition recorded, a 90-day window preceding the transition was used to calculate average TOH per day; for homes that did not have transitions, a 90-day window was randomly selected. Logistic regression was used to predict whether mean duration of TOH (hours), age, gender, Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB), and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) could predict undesired transitions in single-resident and dual-resident homes of older adults. 177 participants residing in 123 homes were included in the analysis: 56.1% of the homes were single-resident homes. Mean age in years was 72 (6.4), 52% of participants were women, mean CDR-SOB = 0.30 (0.46), and mean CIRS = 22 (3.9). Transition to needing greater assistance or death was significantly associated with less TOH (OR 0.66 [95% CI 0.44-0.98]) after controlling for known risk factors that included age, CIRS, CDR-SOB and gender. Older age (OR=1.07 [CI 0.98-1.16]), higher CDR-SOB (OR=2.66 [CI 0.80-8.87]), higher CIRS (OR=1.05 [CI 0.90-1.21]), and being male (OR=0.55 [CI 0.19-1.64]) were associated with a major transition or death with wide CI's among these mediating factors. Less duration of TOH (likely reflecting mobility and motivation) is predictive of major decline in older adults after controlling for known demographic and clinical risk factors. Digital behavioral biomarkers assessing older adults' day-to-day behaviors may provide valuable information in addition to clinical assessments.

Predicting Major Decline in Older Adults: The Role of Time Spent Out of Home

AbstractBackgroundFor older adults in community settings, predicting undesired outcomes (needing higher levels of care or death) is important for advancing preventative care and achieving successful aging. We examined whether a combination of baseline characteristics (demographic, clinical) and a continuous digital measure of general mobility and socialization (time‐out‐of‐home) would be predictive of transitions of care and mortality.MethodLongitudinal data from community‐dwelling older adults in the Collaborative Aging Research using Technology (CART) Study was examined for occurrences of undesired life transitions: moving residences due to needing more assistance, receiving non‐temporary in‐home assistance, and death. In‐home sensor data (passive infrared motion and contact sensors) was used to create an algorithm for time when no one was home (TOH). For homes with a transition recorded, a 90‐day window preceding the transition was used to calculate average TOH per day; for homes that did not have transitions, a 90‐day window was randomly selected. Logistic regression was used to predict whether mean duration of TOH (hours), age, gender, Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR‐SOB), and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) could predict undesired transitions in single‐resident and dual‐resident homes of older adults.Result177 participants residing in 123 homes were included in the analysis: 56.1% of the homes were single‐resident homes. Mean age in years was 72 (6.4), 52% of participants were women, mean CDR‐SOB = 0.30 (0.46), and mean CIRS = 22 (3.9). Transition to needing greater assistance or death was significantly associated with less TOH (OR 0.66 [95% CI 0.44‐0.98]) after controlling for known risk factors that included age, CIRS, CDR‐SOB and gender. Older age (OR=1.07 [CI 0.98‐1.16]), higher CDR‐SOB (OR=2.66 [CI 0.80‐8.87]), higher CIRS (OR=1.05 [CI 0.90‐1.21]), and being male (OR=0.55 [CI 0.19‐1.64]) were associated with a major transition or death with wide CI’s among these mediating factors.ConclusionLess duration of TOH (likely reflecting mobility and motivation) is predictive of major decline in older adults after controlling for known demographic and clinical risk factors. Digital behavioral biomarkers assessing older adults’ day‐to‐day behaviors may provide valuable information in addition to clinical assessments.

New media use and the belief in a just world: awareness of life events and the perception of fairness for self and injustice for others

ABSTRACT The disclosure of life events is among the most common behaviors on social media and is part of the everyday activities revealed through the use of many other new media. This paper explores the awareness of major life events through these media as they relate to a person’s belief in a just world for themselves and others. Using survey data, we find that text messaging, commenting on Facebook, and having more Facebook friends are associated with awareness of desirable events. Passive modes of communication, e.g., the use of the ‘like’ interaction on Facebook, are related to an awareness of both desirable and undesirable life events across a greater range of social ties. Awareness of undesirable events in the lives of strong ties fosters a lower perception of equity and justice for others, whereas an awareness of desirable experiences in the lives of strong ties is related to greater, perceived, personal justice. We discuss the implications of the awareness of major life events through new media in terms of the psychological benefits that can come from the vicarious joy and comfort one receives from other’s experiences; what we call mudita and comfort from others (MACO). We argue that the long-term, cumulative effects of greater awareness of undesirable life events may lend support to social movements that seek to reduce injustices experienced by disadvantaged groups.

Addressing the Burden of Non-communicable Diseases: Saudi Arabia’s Challenges in Achieving Vision 2030

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose critical challenges in achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. This paper provides an overview of NCDs in Saudi Arabia and identifies various critical issues and challenges in reducing the burden of NCDs. All relevant data for this paper was extracted from existing published literature in various database including Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect and PubMed. Google Scholar search engine was used to identify papers and reports on relevant literature published after the year 2000. NCDs account for about 73% of all deaths in Saudi Arabia. Deaths due to cardiovascular diseases account for 37% of all deaths, cancers 10%, diabetes mellitus 3% and other NCDs cause 20% of all deaths. Economic costs of NCDs likely to increase with the undesirable life style of youths and increasing share of old population. Further, the shortage of local health workforce, lack of primary health care focus and covid-19 pandemic are likely to affect the government efforts to prevent and control NCDs. Ministry of Health (MOH) needs to play a catalyst role in raising awareness of population through multi-sectoral linkages and policies to reduce the exposure to NCD risk factors. There is a need to review all relevant policy documents to ensure consistency of these policies with prevention and control measures of NCDs.

Advances and Perspectives of Cathode Storage Chemistry in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have captured a surge of interest in recent years as a promising alternative for scalable energy storage applications owing to the intrinsic safety, affordability, environmental benignity, and impressive electrochemical performance. Despite the facilitated development of this technology by many investigations, however, its smooth implementation is still plagued by inadequate energy density and undesirable life span, which calls for an efficient and controllable cathode storage chemistry. Here, this review focuses on the key bottlenecks by offering a comprehensive summary of representative cathode materials and comparatively analyzing their structural features and electrochemical properties. Then, we critically present several feasible electrode design strategies to guide future research activities from a fundamental perspective for high-energy-density and durable cathode materials mainly in terms of interlayer regulation, defect engineering, multiple redox reactions, activated two-electron reactions, and electrochemical activation and conversion. Finally, we outline the remaining challenges and future perspectives of developing high-performance AZIBs.

Stressful Life Events and Subjective Well-Being in Vocational School Female Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Depression and the Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support.

Stressful life events and subjective well-being are negatively related, but there is little research in the current literature exploring the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this association, especially for female adolescents in vocational schools who are subjected to undesirable life events. In the present study, we examined the mediating role of depression in the association between stressful life events and female adolescents’ subjective well-being, as well as the moderating role of perceived social support in the direct and indirect relations involved. The participants were 1,096 vocational school female adolescents, who completed the questionnaires regarding stressful life events, subjective well-being, depression, and perceived social support. The results showed that depression partially mediated the relation between stressful life events and subjective well-being. Importantly, perceived social support moderated the direct link between stressful life events and subjective well-being, and the indirect link between stressful life events and depression, but not the indirect link between depression and subjective well-being. Especially, female adolescents high in perceived social support displayed higher levels of subjective well-being and lower levels of depression in facing with stressful life events than those low in perceived social support. These findings highlight the mechanisms underlying the relationship between stressful life events and subjective well-being in vocational school female adolescents.

The Breaking Point: Family Dementia Caregivers’ Recognition of the Need to Intervene

Family dementia caregivers are an under-recognized and valuable geriatric workforce whose services have broad implications for health care systems. Family dementia caregivers may experience uncertainty, loss of role identity, involuntary role assumption, or undesirable life transitions. Subsequent unintentional mistreatment or abuse of their family care recipient may occur. Approximately 50% of caregivers admit to some form of mistreatment of their loved one who lives with dementia. Using Selder’s (1989) life transition theory, this qualitative study explored family members’ life transition process toward their new role identities as family dementia caregivers to better understand the personal and historical contexts of caregiving. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants to answer the questions: How does one acquire the role of primary family dementia caregiver?” and “How do personal and historical contexts inform the family dementia caregiver role?” Richness of data drove our sample size. Epistemological integrity ensured trustworthiness and rigor. A modification of Colaizzi’s (1978) analytic method was used for interpretative phenomenological analysis. The emergent themes uncovered by participants’ statements included: “It’s my turn”, “the breaking point”, and “a fine line” with the subtheme “balancing dignity and safety”. Participants described their introspective journeys toward a changed reality as family dementia caregivers. Our findings suggested the need for early recognition and vigilance to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of those with dementia. Rural agriculture-based family caregivers in our study described unique and challenging characteristics. Further research is needed to explore the implications of these contextual nuances for rural agriculture-based family dementia caregivers.

“An Undesired Life Event”: A retrospective interview study of Swedish women’s experiences of Caesarean Section in the 1970s and 1980s.”

BackgroundGiving birth is a transformative event. Memories of the birth often remain in a woman’s mind for the rest of her life. Key aspects of a mother's overall birth experience include concerns about the safety and health of the baby, and the first contact the mother has with her child. To the best of our knowledge, research has not yet been published relating to the ways in which women undergoing caesarean sections in the 1970s and 1980s experienced the birth of their baby and whether or not their mode of delivery has affected their reproductive health and their relationship to their child. ObjectiveTo describe women’s experience of undergoing a caesarean section in the 1970s and 1980s in Sweden. DesignA qualitative method using semi-structured questions and content analysis. ParticipantsTwenty-two women were interviewed who underwent caesarean section during the 1970s and 1980s in Sweden. ResultsThe overarching theme surrounding women’s experience of having undergone a caesarean section 30–40 years ago is that it is described as “undesired life event”. Four categories were established: vaginal birth as the norm; a total loss of control; acceptance and contact with the child. ConclusionUndergoing a caesarean section during the 1970s and 1980s was considered to be an undesired life events. The interlocuters who participated in this study had little knowledge about operative childbirth and were poorly prepared for a complicated birth and postpartum care. The women did not suffer any long-term physiological harm yet were harmed psychologically until they came to terms with their negative experience and reached acceptance of it.

Why Did I Share My Life With Glucio? A Life Course Approach to Explaining Pet Ownership Motivations in Late Adulthood

ABSTRACTThe main purpose of this study was to gain insight into the motivations for pet ownership in late adulthood using a life course approach. A qualitative research methodology based on deductive thematic analysis was applied to examine the accounts given by 21 pet owners living in Mexico: 14 women and seven men. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews. The motivation for pet ownership was found to be sensitive to situational circumstances involving life-stage transitions and role changes. Results indicate that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are associated with older adults’ willingness to share their lives with companion animals. However, extrinsic motivation plays an important role because pets provide instrumental value by helping older adults adapt to undesirable life changes. Thus, extrinsic motivations should be considered when developing interventions. Our findings also suggest that some social environments supplement sources of motivation for pet owners by providing financial and moral support, but that others do not support the owner–pet bond. Finally, the deteriorating health conditions characteristic of older adults was a demotivating factor to continue pet ownership.

Blurring Boundaries: Feral Rewilding, Biosecurity and Contested Wild Boar Belonging in England

Unsanctioned life is often categorised as ‘feral’, a value-embedded term that orders non-humans in relation to various temporal-spatial, genetic or behavioural logics. Such labelling is frequently used to marginalise risky, undesirable life and allow space for strategies of control and regulation. Feral natures, however, might also be understood as an important, though frequently ignored, form of rewilding situated where strategies of conservation and biosecurity converge. Using the example of (re)introduced wild boar (Sus scrofa) in England as ‘feral rewilding’ in action, this paper considers how the politics around their presence are contested by actors who hold different understandings of wild boar and human-nonhuman relations more broadly. After a multi-century absence, over the last three decades farmed wild boar have escaped and been deliberately released, occasionally establishing autonomous and self-sustaining populations. This is most visible in the Forest of Dean where their unfamiliar presence has increasingly reconfigured social relations. Being categorised as ‘feral’ as a strategy of governance is a contributing factor to a fraught political landscape where wild boar belonging is constantly questioned.

The possibility of using biopreparations based on nanoparticles of biogenic metals in crop production and plant protection

Modern agricultural production requires innovative technologies. For a labile technological process of grain growing the following things are necessary: precise (coordinate) farming, crops protection in the form of controlled coexistence with undesirable life forms and a single pre-treatment with biopreparations based on biogenic metal nanoparticles. Physical-chemical properties of nanoparticles contribute to biocompatibility and biological activity when interacting with wheat and other crops. The paper shows relationship between the size of metal nanoparticles and their effect on wheat seedlings at concentrations of 0.001-1.000 g/t. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the crops significantly decreased when maximum morpho-physiological parameters and increased sharply at concentrations above 100 g/t and 10 g/t, respectively, for nanoparticles sized 35-60 nm and up to 20 nm. For nanoparticles sized 35-60 nm the stability limit was the concentration of nanoparticles much higher than 100 g/t, and for those up to 20 nm it was 0.001-10 g/t. The content of hormone indole acetic acid increased under the action of nanoparticles, which increased energy efficiency of plant respiration, activity of enzymatic reactions and wheat yield and grain quality when strengthening the seedlings’ viability, reducing the effect of weeds to minimum.

Infrastructures of conservation: Provoking new natures with predator fencing

This paper examines the use of predator fences for conservation in Australia. It argues that these major infrastructures for enclosure act as a form of ‘provocative containment’ in which particular forms of nature are not simply protected but made to happen. The primary focus is Newhaven, a property in remote central Australia managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, a non-profit organization with the biggest estate of privately managed land for conservation in the nation. At Newhaven, the first stage of an ambitious and expensive predator fencing programme has recently been completed, with a second phase under construction that will see the property become the site of the largest feral cat-free enclosure on the planet. In analysing this significant material infrastructure, and the practices and discourses that the Australian Wildlife Conservancy deploys to both justify and attract funding for it, it is possible to see a new conceptualization of conservation emerging in which nature is not simply offered sanctuary but actively stimulated and simulated. The Newhaven fence is much more than a passive material boundary between desired and undesired life. It is a reality-generating device with complex and contradictory biopolitical effects. The concept of provocation highlights how the fence emerges as a deliberate intervention into the dynamics of life. We examine how this is done in four distinct ways: through the sociotechnical design and construction of the fence as ‘cat-proof’, by enrolling Indigenous labour and tracking skills to kill cats, through the use of ecological surveys and baselines to make some life calculable, and via the translocation of species in order to allow them to be both protected and flourish. Each of these practices is essential to making new natures at Newhaven through the complex dynamics of provocation and containment. The issue is: what sort of nature?

T13. THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND INFLAMMATION IN YOUTH AT CLINICAL HIGH RISK FOR PSYCHOSIS

Childhood adversity is strongly associated with increased risk for psychosis. Research on the relationship between childhood adversity and psychosis not only links childhood abuse and neglect to psychotic symptoms, specifically hallucinations, but also indicates that the relationship is causal, with a dose-effect. Preliminary evidence of this relationship has been replicated within the clinical high risk (CHR) population through the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS) where, relative to controls, individuals at CHR reported having experienced significantly more trauma and bullying, resulting in higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as poorer functioning. Indices of stressful life events, family history of psychotic illness, and trauma represent robust predictors for presence of CHR syndrome and are included as part of the NAPLS Individualized Risk Calculator for Psychosis. Despite clear evidence for an association between childhood trauma and psychosis, the biological mechanisms that mediate this relationship remain largely unknown. Previous research has implicated the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in development of both physical and mental illness. The HPA axis is highly responsive to environmental adversities both in childhood and in adulthood. Further, the HPA-axis is known to be a powerful modulator of inflammatory activity, as measured by peripheral markers of inflammation, and is in turn modulated by inflammatory processes. Immune system activation and dysregulation may serve as a biological mediator between childhood trauma and vulnerability for developing psychosis. The aim of this paper is to establish whether early-life adversity is associated with a pro-inflammatory phenotype in individuals at CHR for psychosis using a validated multiplex blood assay index previously established by Perkins et al. (2014). 35 healthy controls and 62 CHR subjects (N=117) that participated in the NAPLS2 study, ages 12–35, were included. 32 of the CHR subjects later converted to psychosis. Experience of trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma and Abuse Scale, a semi‐structured interview used to detect the occurrence of psychological bullying, physical bullying, emotional neglect, physical abuse, psychological abuse, or sexual abuse, before the age of 16. Experience and sensitivity to stressful life events was assessed using a modified version of the Life Events Scale (LES). Subjective stress for endorsed items is coded on a 7-point Likert scale. Inflammation and oxidative stress were measured using a 15-analyte blood biomarker index previously established to reliably distinguish between healthy control subjects, CHR subjects who developed psychosis, and CHR subjects who did not develop psychosis. Across subjects, the 15-analyte index was significantly correlated with total number of unique traumas endorsed. Increased trauma exposure was associated with a higher analyte index value (r= .26, p< 0.01). Additionally, the 15-analyte index was significantly correlated with total number of reported undesirable life events (r=.20, p<0.05), as well as subjective level of stress to events (r=.26, p=0.01). Higher incidence of stressful life events, and increased level of subjective stress were associated with a higher analyte index value. These results provide preliminary evidence for an association between blood-based markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and early-life adversity. Greater exposure to trauma, higher incidence of stressful life events, and increased levels of subjective stress to life events may be predictive of later life immune system activation.

A study of stressful life events in an urban setting

Background: Life events may be desirable, undesirable or ambiguous and will trigger highly individualistic reactions. These events, depending upon the nature of their occurrence, might propel an individual into working in a more productive way or they may negatively affect the person. Hence studying these life events, their interplay with human emotions is important.Methods: This is a community based cross sectional study done in the urban field practice area of a tertiary care hospital. Participants were included in the study using systematic random sampling.Results: Going on a pleasure trip or pilgrimage was the most commonly reported life event, followed by appearing for examination or interview. Financial problem was the most common undesirable life event as experienced by the participants.Conclusions: Total number of life events and undesirable events are major contributors to psychological distress.

Undesirable stressful life events, impact, and correlates during midlife: observations from the Seattle midlife women\u2019s health study

PurposeTo examine the undesirable stressful life events midlife women experience, including: 1) which life events midlife women reported most frequently; 2) which life events women rated as most undesirable; and 3) whether age, years of education, income, employment, race/ethnicity, marital status, being a parent, and the menopausal transition stage were associated with the impact scores of the life event categories.BackgroundIn addition to the menopausal transition, midlife is a time of increased responsibilities for women related to multiple roles such as taking care of children, caring for elderly parents, managing households, and working outside the home. These multiple roles put midlife women at risk for increased stress with little time for themselves in order to relieve stress.MethodsThe sample used in this study is part of a larger longitudinal study, The Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. Women (N = 380 for Occasion 1) completed the 77-item Life Events Scale on four occasions during the course of the SMWHS: Occasion 1 (1990), Occasion 2 (1992), Occasion 3 (1997), and Occasion 4 (2000). In addition to descriptive analyses of frequency of life events and the undesirable impact of life events, demographic correlates (age, education, income, employment, being a parent as well as marital status, race/ethnicity, and menopausal transition stages) were examined in relation to the stressful life event scores.ResultsHighest scores of undesirable life events were for categories of both Financial and Family/Friends over 3 of the 4 occasions. Health and Crime/Legal scores were among the highest for 2 occasions. Impact of the undesirable stressful life events was greatest for categories of Family/Friends; Personal/Social; Work; and, Health. Age, income, marital status, being a parent, and menopausal transition stage were each associated with specific categories of the stressful event impact scores.ConclusionMost commonly reported undesirable life events were not those women described as having the greatest impact. Impact of life event stress reflected women’s social roles and connections as seen in the categories with the highest impact scores: Family/Close Friends, Personal/Social, and Work. Menopausal transition stages were related only to undesirable health events.

Stressful life events and psychiatric comorbidity in acne–a case control study

Possibility of a causal influence of emotional stress, on the course of various skin diseases, has been postulated. However, it is still inconclusive about the role of stressful life events in acne. In this background, the present study was carried out to know its role in acne. Consecutive one hundred patients who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris in the age group of 12 to 45 years were included. Age and sex matched controls were taken. A semistructured proforma was used to collect sociodemographic details. Stressful life events were assessed using presumptive stressful life event scale. Anxiety was evaluated using Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale and Depression by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. There was no difference in total stressful life events in past one year between patients and controls. The undesirable life event was present in 65 patients and 50 controls, this difference was statistically significant. Getting married or appearing for exams were the most common stressful life event in patients. Forty patients had comorbid psychiatric illness whereas in controls comorbidity was in 24 and this difference was statistically significant. The undesirable stressful life events and psychiatric comorbidity were more in acne patients than in controls.

Using Evidence Based Home Visiting for Preventing Intergenerational Adverse Childhood Experiences

A body of literature has amassed in recent years examining risk factors and outcomes for children who have experienced various forms of trauma. Childhood maltreatment in various forms has commonly been termed adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which are severe enough to negatively impact mental and physical health in both childhood and adulthood, as well as lead to a variety of undesirable life outcomes for affected adults. Less has been studied regarding the cyclical nature of child maltreatment and the effects that parents’ own history of childhood trauma may have on their children’s experience of trauma. Recent research has evaluated intervention strategies such as evidence-based home visiting (EBHV) programs for mothers and infants/toddlers that address this phenomenon and aims to interrupt the cycle of maltreatment. The benefits of home visiting will be reviewed and policy and cost implications related to preventive intervention are discussed.

Life events in past one year in alcohol-dependent patients presenting with relapse

ABSTRACTObjective: Stressful life events may be an important factor in relapse in alcohol-dependent patients. This study was carried out to examine the life events in past one year in alcohol-dependent patients presenting with relapse.Methods: Thirty consecutive patients, aged 18 to 60 years, ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research for alcohol dependence syndrome, with current relapse were assessed on Severity Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) to measure alcohol dependence severity level and Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES) to identify life events in past one year prior to the relapse.Results: The mean number of life events among patients in past one year was 3.06 (SD 1.81). The mean number of undesirable life events was significantly higher than desirable events (p < .001). The most common life event was financial loss or problems (43%), followed by large loan and marital conflict (27%).Conclusion: There were a mean of three life events in the year preceding relapse in patients with alcohol dependence. Psychosocial treatment targeting stressful life events could be useful adjunct in the management of alcohol dependence.