Background The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is one of most widely used instruments to measure a global level of perceived stress in a range of clinical and research settings. This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Simplified Chinese version of the PSS-10 in policewomen. Methodology A total of 240 policewomen were recruited in this study. The Simplified Chinese versions of the PSS-10, the Beck Depression Inventory Revised (BDI-II), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to all participants, and 36 of the participants were re-tested two weeks after the initial testing. Principal Findings The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.86, and the test–retest reliability coefficient was 0.68. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) yielded 2 factors with eigenvalues of 4.76 and 1.48, accounting for 62.41% of variance. Factor 1 consisted of 6 items representing “negative feelings”; whereas Factor 2 consisted of 4 items representing “positive feelings”. The item loadings ranged from 0.72 to 0.83. The Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated a very good fit of this two-factor model to this sample. The PSS-10 significantly correlated with both BDI-II and BAI, indicating an acceptable concurrent validity. Conclusions The Simplified Chinese version of the PSS-10 demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for evaluating stress levels. The results support its use among the Chinese population.

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Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale in policewomen.

Emotional eating is conceptualized as eating in response to negative affect. Data from a larger study of physical activity was employed to examine the associations among specific emotions/moods and emotional eating in an adolescent sample. Six-hundred and sixty-six students of diverse backgrounds from 7 middle schools in Los Angeles County participated. Cross-sectional analysis revealed no gender differences in emotional eating, and showed that perceived stress and worries were associated with emotional eating in the total sample. Gender stratified analyses revealed significant associations of perceived stress, worries and tension/anxiety to emotional eating for girls, while only confused mood was related to emotional eating in boys. These findings bear potential implications for the treatment and prevention of pediatric obesity and eating disorders because they suggest that interventions would benefit from incorporation of stress-reduction techniques and promotion of positive mood.

Psychological determinants of emotional eating in adolescence.

The efficiency and accuracy of the Test of Memory Malingering trial 1, errors on the first 10 items of the test of memory malingering, and five embedded measures in predicting invalid test performance.

Decades of research have reported only weak associations between the intakes of specific foods or drinks and weight gain and obesity. Randomized controlled dietary intervention trials have only shown very modest effects of changes in nutrient intake and diet composition on body weight in obese subjects. This review summarizes the scientific evidence on the role mental stress (either in or not in association with impaired sleep) may play in poor sleep, enhanced appetite, cravings and decreased motivation for physical activity. All these factors contribute to weight gain and obesity, possibly via decreasing the efficacy of weight loss interventions. We also review evidence for the role that lifestyle and stress management may play in achieving weight loss in stress-vulnerable individuals with overweight.

Does stress influence sleep patterns, food intake, weight gain, abdominal obesity and weight loss interventions and vice versa?

The relationship between stress, dietary restraint, and food preferences in women.

Perceived stress and eating behaviors in a community-based sample of African Americans †

Trial 1 of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) has been suggested as a screening tool, with several possible cut-off scores proposed. The purpose of the present study was to replicate the utility of previously suggested cut-off scores and to characterize neuropsychological profiles of persons who "pass" the TOMM but obtain Trial 1 scores < 45 and of persons with cognitive disorders. A total of 229 veterans were administered the TOMM as part of a neuropsychological evaluation. Trial 1 scores ≥ 41 and ≤ 25 showed good utility as discontinuation scores for adequate and poor effort, respectively, beyond which administration of additional trials were unnecessary. Findings suggest better Trial 1 performance is significantly related to better speeded mental flexibility and memory.

Use of Trial 1 of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) as a Screening Measure of Effort: Suggested Discontinuation Rules

There has been speculation that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) superimposed on mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may have synergistic, negative effects on cognitive functioning. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in processing speed, executive functioning, and memory of 82 veterans with mTBI and PTSD, mTBI, and another psychiatric condition, or mTBI alone. It was hypothesized that there would be no group differences in cognitive performances. Participants completed the Trail Making Test, Stroop, Rey Complex Figure, and California Verbal Learning Test-2. There were no significant group differences on any cognitive measure. Findings suggest that PTSD and other psychiatric disorders do not necessarily have a negative exacerbating effect on processing speed, executive functioning, or memory in veterans with mTBI.

No Effect of PTSD and Other Psychiatric Disorders on Cognitive Functioning in Veterans With Mild TBI

Background: Individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) display poorer cognitive functioning across various cognitive domains. This finding is particularly prevalent among older adults; however, few studies examine these relationships among younger adults or among African Americans. Purpose: The objective was to examine the relationships among 2 cardiovascular risk factors, elevated blood pressure and elevated triglycerides, and verbal learning in a community-based sample of African Americans. Methods: Measurements of blood pressure and triglycerides were obtained in 121 African-American adults and compared to performance on 3 domains of the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II). Results: Blood pressure was not related to CVLT-II performance. Triglyceride levels were inversely related to CVLT-II performance. Higher triglyceride levels were associated with poorer immediate, short delay and long delay recall. Conclusions: Consistent with studies involving older participants, the current investigation shows that in a nonelderly sample of African Americans, triglyceride levels may be related to cognitive functioning. Because early detection and intervention of vascular-related cognitive impairment may have a salutary effect, future studies should include younger adults to highlight the impact of cardiovascular risk on cognition.

Shalanda N. Gordon

Papers

Perceived stress and eating behaviors in a community-based sample of African Americans †

Use of Trial 1 of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) as a Screening Measure of Effort: Suggested Discontinuation Rules

No Effect of PTSD and Other Psychiatric Disorders on Cognitive Functioning in Veterans With Mild TBI

Relationships among blood pressure, triglycerides and verbal learning in African Americans.