Description: This paper discusses research on whether anger expressions, coping strategies and interpersonal support dynamics relate to CD4 count in HIV-positive adults. Abstract: The expression of anger is associated with positive health outcomes (Iyer, Korin, Higginbotham & Davidson, 2010). Healthy immune function is salient for people living with HIV (PLH) and has been studied vigorously over the past few decades (Weeks & Alcamo, 2010). Suppression of anger has been known to lead to negative mental health outcomes for PLH (Daniel, Goldston, Erkanle, Franklin & Mayfield, 2009); therefore, finding alternative ways to express anger is critical for mental health professionals working with PLH. The aim of this investigation is to examine the relationships between expression of anger, active coping, social support and CD4 count, hypothesizing that expression of anger, active coping and social support contribute to the health of PLH, specifically via a physiological marker. The best predictor of immune function decline for this population is CD4 T-helper cell count (Kelly, 1992); as CD4 count decreases, disease symptoms increase. Social support, however, is related to decreased distress (Blaney, Goodkin, Feaster, Morgan, Millon, Szapocznik & Eisdorfer, 1997) and less self-reported HIV-related health symptoms over time (Ashton et al., 2005). Active coping is a ...

Description: This paper discusses research on the effects of trauma intensity on posttraumatic growth. Abstract: Research within trauma literature discussing the consequences following a traumatic experience has indicated that there is the capacity for both positive and negative consequences. Though there is more literature on the negative effects, there is growing interest in the positive results from trauma is posttraumatic growth (PTG), which can be described as the victim's ability to thrive and increase life resources (emotional, cognitive, psychological). Research in this area has been inconsistent and some results were unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the associations among posttraumatic growth, depression, social support, coping, and gender. This study also examines the effect trauma intensity has on the relationship between PTG and those variables. Correlations were completed for PTG with depression, coping, social support, and gender, with trauma severity used as a moderator. A median split was completed for PCL scores (trauma severity) and comprised two separate trauma groups (low/high). Correlations were completed between PTG and the outcome variables for each trauma group. For the median split, the statistically significant relationships in the high trauma group were stronger than those with the low trauma group, with increased negative ...

Description: This paper discusses research on the effects of mutual partner violence on women's mental health. Abstract: This study examines the effects of five patterns of violence between domestic partners on women's mental health: (1) unilateral female-dominated, (2) unilateral male-dominated, (3) symmetrical mutual, (4) mutual female-dominated, and (5) mutual male-dominated. A sample of 835 low-income, ethically diverse women in heterosexual relationships were interviewed. Violence was measured with the Severity of Violence Against Women/Men Scales, and mental health by the Hopkins Symptoms Check List. A majority of violent relationships were characterized by mutuality with most violence dominated by the male partner. Women in unilateral male-dominated relationships numbered 126, while 75 were in unilateral female-dominated relationships. Violence in mutually violent relationships was most predictive of women's mental health problems. Intimate partner violence is not simply unidirectional but characterized by mutual violence.