University of Massachusetts Boston

About: University of Massachusetts Boston is a education organization based out in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 6541 authors who have published 12918 publications receiving 411731 citations. The organization is also known as: UMass Boston.

Sources of iodine and iodine 129 in rivers

Abstract: [1] A spatial survey of iodine and its long-lived isotope, 129I, in 40 rivers of the USA, Canada, and western Europe, reveals that the ratio of 129I/I is a sensitive indicator for the influence of nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities Rivers with point sources for 129I in their watersheds are drastically affected, while all rivers sampled show evidence for atmospherically transported 129I from the world's major nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities Varying mixtures of oceanic cyclic salt and soil-derived iodine account for the observed spatial variation in iodine concentrations A comparison of 129I concentrations in river and rainwater reveals concentration effects due to evapotranspiration

A Preliminary Investigation of the Relationships Between Dispositional Mindfulness and Impulsivity

Abstract: Two studies examined the correlational relationships between self-reported mindfulness and impulsivity in samples of 347 and 227 university students. Using multidimensional measures of both mindfulness and impulsivity, results from both studies indicate that several aspects of mindfulness are negatively correlated with elements of impulsivity, even after controlling for trait-level negative affect in Study 1 and current general distress in Study 2. However, the relationships between different facets of mindfulness and types of impulsivity varied in strength and significance level. These results suggest that mindfulness skills may be related to the ability to refrain from maladaptive impulsive behavior in the presence of negative affect or distress and that specific mindfulness skills may be most helpful in addressing different types of impulsive behaviors.

Improving Parenting Skills for Families of Young Children in Pediatric Settings: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract: Importance Disruptive behavior disorders, such as attention-deficient/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, are common and stable throughout childhood. These disorders cause long-term morbidity but benefit from early intervention. While symptoms are often evident before preschool, few children receive appropriate treatment during this period. Group parent training, such as the Incredible Years program, has been shown to be effective in improving parenting strategies and reducing children’s disruptive behaviors. Because they already monitor young children’s behavior and development, primary care pediatricians are in a good position to intervene early when indicated. Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of parent-training groups delivered to parents of toddlers in pediatric primary care settings. Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized clinical trial was conducted at 11 diverse pediatric practices in the Greater Boston area. A total of 273 parents of children between 2 and 4 years old who acknowledged disruptive behaviors on a 20-item checklist were included. Intervention A 10-week Incredible Years parent-training group co-led by a research clinician and a pediatric staff member. Main Outcomes and Measures Self-reports and structured videotaped observations of parent and child behaviors conducted prior to, immediately after, and 12 months after the intervention. Results A total of 150 parents were randomly assigned to the intervention or the waiting-list group. An additional 123 parents were assigned to receive intervention without a randomly selected comparison group. Compared with the waiting-list group, greater improvement was observed in both intervention groups ( P Conclusions and Relevance Self-reports and structured observations provided evidence of improvements in parenting practices and child disruptive behaviors that were attributable to participation in the Incredible Years groups. This study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of parent-training groups conducted in pediatric office settings to reduce disruptive behavior in toddlers. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00402857

Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth among low-income mothers who survived Hurricane Katrina.

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) after Hurricane Katrina, and the role of demographics, predisaster psychological distress, hurricane-related stressors, and psychological resources (optimism and purpose) in predicting each. Method: Participants were 334 low-income mothers (82.0% non-Hispanic Black) living in the New Orleans area prior to Hurricane Katrina, who completed surveys in the year prior to the hurricane (T1 [Time 1]) and 1 and 3 years thereafter (T2 and T3). Results: Higher T2 and T3 PTS full-scale and symptom cluster subscales (Intrusion, Avoidance, and Hyperarousal) were significantly associated with higher T3 PTG, and participants who surpassed the clinical cutoff for probable posttraumatic stress disorder at both T2 and T3 had significantly higher PTG than those who never surpassed the clinical cutoff. Older and non-Hispanic Black participants, as well as those who experienced a greater number of hurricane-related stressors and bereavement, reported significantly greater T3 PTS and PTG. Participants with lower T2 optimism reported significantly greater T3 intrusive symptoms, whereas those with higher T1 and T2 purpose reported significantly greater T3 PTG. Conclusions: Based on the results, we suggest practices and policies with which to identify disaster survivors at greater risk for PTS, as well as longitudinal investigations of reciprocal and mediational relationships between psychological resources, PTS, and PTG.