ABSTRACT
Stressful life events such as losing a spouse can enhance inflammation. Responses to loss may depend, in part, on individual differences in attachment anxiety and avoidance. An individual's attachment orientation (i.e., an individual's levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance) reflects how an individual relates to others-- specifically, whether they feel their trusted others will reliably be there for them, and whether they feel comfortable opening up to and depending on their relationship partners. This study investigated the association between attachment orientations and poor loss adjustment in recently bereaved individuals (Nâ¯=â¯100). Poor loss adjustment was operationalized as greater levels of inflammation and grief symptoms, as well as poorer self-reported mental and physical health. Attachment anxiety was associated with increased stimulated monocyte IL-6 and CCL4 production, but not TNFα. Likewise, attachment anxiety was associated with greater grief symptoms as well as poorer mental and physical health. In contrast, attachment avoidance was not associated with inflammation; it was, however, associated with less grief symptoms as well as better self-reported mental and physical health. Our findings provide evidence that attachment orientations may be associated with loss adjustment and adverse health outcomes following the recent loss of a spouse.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Avoidance Learning , Behavioral Symptoms/psychology , Bereavement , Cytokines/blood , Inflammation/blood , Object Attachment , Spouses , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anxiety/psychology , Female , Health Status , Humans , Life Change Events , Male , Middle Aged , Spouses/psychologyABSTRACT
Snowmobiles represent the second most common cause of trauma related to motorized vehicles in northern Wisconsin. The epidemiology of these injuries is evaluated. Specific comparisons between snowmobiles and other vehicles are made. We conclude that snowmobiles represent a controllable etiology for injuries and death. Our data suggest some interventions to prevent injuries and improve treatment.
Subject(s)
Off-Road Motor Vehicles , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Wisconsin/epidemiology , Wounds and Injuries/mortalityABSTRACT
60 children, 6 to 8 yr. old, with below-average scores on three balance tests were divided into four equal groups: active vestibular stimulation (Preston Vestibular Board), passive vestibular stimulation (rotating chair), and a control group for each. Vestibular groups were given 14 sessions of stimulation over a 5-wk. period. Balance scores for all groups, including controls, improved significantly on one or more of the tests. Improvement could not be related to vestibular stimulation.
