University of Montevallo

About: University of Montevallo is a education organization based out in Montevallo, Alabama, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Social work & Compassion fatigue. The organization has 243 authors who have published 351 publications receiving 6601 citations. The organization is also known as: Alabama College.

Why do people need self-esteem? Converging evidence that self-esteem serves an anxiety-buffering function.

Abstract: Three studies were conducted to assess the proposition that self-esteem serves an anxiety-buffering function. In Study 1, it was hypothesized that raising self-esteem would reduce anxiety in response to vivid images of death. In support of this hypothesis, Ss who received positive personality feedback reported less anxiety in response to a video about death than did neutral feedback Ss. In Studies 2 and 3, it was hypothesized that increasing self-esteem would reduce anxiety among individuals anticipating painful shock. Consistent with this hypothesis, both success and positive personality feedback reduced Ss' physiological arousal in response to subsequent threat of shock. Thus, converging evidence of an anxiety-buffering function of self-esteem was obtained.

Health-related Support Groups on the Internet: Linking Empirical Findings to Social Support and Computer-mediated Communication Theory:

Abstract: This literature review of research on health-related computer-mediated support groups links features of these groups to existing theory from the areas of social support and computer-mediated communication research. The article exams computer-mediated support groups as weak tie networks, focuses on how these support groups facilitate participant similarity and empathic support and identifies changes in supportive communication due to characteristics of the medium.

A novel proteolytic cascade generates an extracellular matrix-derived chemoattractant in chronic neutrophilic inflammation.

Abstract: Chronic neutrophilic inflammation is a manifestation of a variety of lung diseases including cystic fibrosis (CF). There is increasing evidence that fragments of extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagen and elastin, play an important role in inflammatory cell recruitment to the lung in animal models of airway inflammation. Unfortunately, the association of these peptides with human disease and the identification of therapeutic targets directed toward these inflammatory pathways have remained elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel extracellular matrix-derived neutrophil chemoattractant, proline-glycine-proline (PGP), acts through CXC receptors 1 and 2 on neutrophils, similar to N-acetylated proline-glycine-proline (N-α-PGP). We describe the specific multistep proteolytic pathway involved in PGP generation from collagen, involving matrix metalloproteases 8 and 9 and prolyl endopeptidase, a serine protease for which we identify a novel role in inflammation. PGP generation correlates closely with airway neutrophil counts after administration of proteases in vivo. Using CF as a model, we show that CF sputum has elevated levels of PGP peptides and that PGP levels decline during the course of CF inpatient therapy for acute pulmonary exacerbation, pointing to its role as a novel biomarker for this disease. Finally, we demonstrate that CF secretions are capable of generating PGP from collagen ex vivo and that this generation is significantly attenuated by the use of inhibitors directed toward matrix metalloprotease 8, matrix metalloprotease 9, or prolyl endopeptidase. These experiments highlight unique protease interactions with structural proteins regulating innate immunity and support a role for these peptides as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for chronic, neutrophilic lung diseases.

Internet Use and Depression Among Retired Older Adults in the United States: A Longitudinal Analysis

Abstract: Method. Analyzing data from four waves (2002–2008) of the Health and Retirement Survey, we assess whether an available and commonly used index of a depression state was affected by prior values of the index and Internet use. The sample includes 3,075 respondents observed over 4 waves of data, yielding a total of 12,300 observations. We analyzed the effect on depression of Internet use and past depression in a full sample and a matched sample. We also conducted informal tests for confounders. Finally, we tested a basic mediation model to determine whether Internet use affected depression through its relationship with loneliness and social isolation. Results. Across methods, we found a positi ve contribution of Internet use to mental well-being of retired older adults in the United States, where Internet use reduced the probability of a depression state by one third. We found no evidence of confounding. Some evidence of mediation was found. Discussion. Our dynamic probit model indicates that for retired older adults in the United States, Internet use w as found to reduce the probability of a depressed state by about 33%. Number of people in the household partially mediates this relationship, with the reduction in depression largest for people living alone. This provides some evidence that the mechanism linking Internet use to depression is the remediation of social isolation and loneliness. Encouraging older adults to use the Internet may help decrease isolation and depression.