Approximately 36% of adults in the United States population are obese. Obese patients have an increased risk of mortality and morbidity, particularly related to hypertension, dyslipidemia, Type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and impaired psychosocial functioning. The popularity of bariatric surgery has seen significant increases in recent years as a cost-effective way to manage weight. Determining candidates' psychological suitability for bariatric surgery is complicated by the fact that research on psychosocial predictors of success and/or poor outcomes is lacking and results are inconsistent. Psychologists often develop their own guidelines to assist in deciding whether a candidate should be cleared for surgery; thus evaluation procedures and cited contraindications to surgery vary greatly among programs. This study investigated predictors of psychological evaluation recommendation status in a sample of 100 bariatric surgery candidates. The variables that were examined included demographics, Axis I and Axis II psychopathology, and data from the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD) (i.e., coping styles, stress moderators such as social isolation, and treatment prognostics such as interventional fragility, utilization excess, and problematic compliance). Number of Axis I diagnoses, social isolation, and educational level emerged as the strongest predictors of recommendation status. Multivariate logistic regression results suggest that for every additional Axis I diagnosis, the odds of being in the delayed group are approximately 5 times higher after controlling for the other factors in the model. Participants who reported greater social isolation on the MBMD have the odds of being delayed 6% times higher than those with higher social support. For those participants whose highest level of education is grade school, the odds of being delayed were 55 times higher than those participants who completed college or beyond. Additional research into predictors of success following bariatric surgery using large-scale, prospective, longitudinal studies is needed to better inform psychological evaluations. Efforts should also be made to review one's own bariatric psychological evaluation procedure to uncover which factors are most influential in the decision-making process.

Irrelevant sound is detrimental to performance on serial order recall for both adults and children. Many current models of the effects of irrelevant sound on serial order recall propose that the irrelevant sound interferes with rehearsal in adults. However a direct test of rehearsal on the irrelevant sound effect (ISE) had not been examined prior to the present study. Furthermore, the cause of the ISE in children remains unclear as children are less proficient at rehearsal, yet typically show larger effects. We examined how certain factors hypothesized to relate to the size of the ISE correlate to performance in both adults and children in order to investigate the underlying mechanisms causing the effect in the two populations. Results indicated that in adults, while rehearsal does significantly predict the size of the ISE, the size of the relationship is weak. In children, the relationship between rehearsal and the size of the ISE appears stronger, however further analysis leads to the conclusion that attention capture may be playing a unique role in causing the ISE in children despite being shown not to play a role in adults. The present study demonstrates the need for further investigation not only into the cause of the ISE, but also into developmental differences in auditory distraction.

With the release of the DSM-5, measures of ASD must be adjusted to take into account the new diagnostic criteria. In the present study, 337 adults with varying levels of intellectual disability who reside in a residential facility were studied. The present study identified potential cutoff scores on an established measure of ASD symptoms in adults, the ASD-A, and compared adaptive behavior levels between groups identified by DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5. The sample was divided into three groups: non-ASD, ASD according to DSM-5 and ASD according to DSM-IV-TR ASD along DSM-IV-TR was determined based on previous diagnoses, while DSM-5 diagnoses were determined based on an algorithm based on previous criteria and new criteria. The optimal cutoff scores for the ASD-D-A were computed using measures of central tendency and ROC analysis, and presented with corresponding considerations. A MANOVA was conducted to examine differences in adaptive behavior between the new ASD vs. non-ASD group, and the DSM-5, DSM-IV, and non-ASD groups using the VABS-II. Differences in adaptive behavior were not found to be significant between the new DSM-5 and non-autistic groups using the new criteria. Results were discussed in light of the sample and potential implications of the DSM-IV. The changes in diagnostic criteria pose concerns, particularly for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Changes with respect to new diagnostic criteria and their potential effects on individuals with ASD diagnoses were discussed.

<p> Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used substances among college students with prevalence rates estimated at 80% and 29% respectively. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for substance use so that prevention strategies and interventions can be targeted at the groups that show the highest risk for alcohol or marijuana use. The public National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 2013 dataset was filtered to include only college students between the ages of 18 and 24. Alcohol and marijuana use within the past 30 days was compared based on the following independent variables: ethnicity, gender, location, and student status (full-time vs. part-time). Male students, European Americans, and participants with multiple ethnicities reported the highest alcohol and marijuana use frequencies. Students from low population density areas used alcohol more than students from high population density areas. Full-time students engaged in binge drinking more frequently than part-time students, but part-time students reported using marijuana more frequently than full-time students.</p><p> Recommendations for further research and implications of the findings are discussed.</p>

Interest surrounding the investigation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased exponentially since it was initially described over a half-century ago. With this passage of time our conceptualization of the ASD diagnosis has undergone multiple changes. An increasing trend in research has been an emphasis on early identification and intervention. This trend has brought about the creation and adaptation of multiple measures designed to inform early ASD diagnosis. Recently, the ASD diagnostic category underwent significant revisions. In response to revisions, it is necessary to adapt preexisting measures to reflect these significant changes in order to maintain diagnostic accuracy. The Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT) is a triad of assessments specifically designed to assess infants and toddlers for ASD, comorbid conditions, and challenging behaviors. Initial investigations of each component of the BISCUIT have demonstrated that they are reliable and valid in the ASD population. However, the current scoring procedures include individuals diagnosed with both Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and autistic disorder. The recent restructuring of the ASD category has effectively combined the various ASD diagnoses into a single diagnosis. The current studies identified new cutoff scores that reflect recent changes to the ASD diagnosis and maximized diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for each component of the BISCUIT and their individual subscales. Participants were initially separated into two diagnostic groups before being further separated into one of three age cohorts based upon age at time of initial evaluation. This approach allowed for direct comparisons between those with ASD and atypically developing peers while also considering the variable role of development on symptom manifestation. The cutoff scores identified by the current analyses maximized diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results of the current analyses are an initial step to demonstrating the utility of the BISCUIT for early identification following the revisions implemented by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5).

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a heterogeneous brain disease with multiple interacting risk factors, suggesting equifinality. Research indicates that the pathophysiological processes involved in AD are evident years prior to disease onset with significant variability in neurocognitive functioning being apparent during preclinical stages. Identification of individuals in preclinical stages is vital, as earlier interventions may prove more effective at ameliorating ADs devastating effects. In this respect, clarifying relationships between risk factors and neurocognitive functioning in cognitively intact older adults can improve our understanding of mechanisms involved in preclinical AD, which may allow for earlier detection and intervention. The present study employed Latent Growth Curve modeling to longitudinally examine relevant risk factors relationship with neurocognitive functioning via neuropsychological assessment of executive attention, processing speed, episodic memory, language and working memory in 576 relatively healthy older adults over a three-year period. Results indicated on average Executive Attention/Processing Speed declined over time, while Memory and Language performance benefitted from practice effects over the three-year period. Substantial heterogeneity in initial levels of neurocognitive functioning and in linear changes in these processes were explained by individual differences in patterns of risk and resiliency variables. Specifically, differences in age, sex (men), and race (African Americans) respectively predicted worse neurocognitive functioning and Neurocardiovascular risk, while higher education and estimated intelligence predicted better neurocognitive functioning. Women were significantly higher in Depression/Endocrine risk. Neurocardiovascular and Depression/Endocrine risk factors emerged as unique predictors of worse neurocognitive functioning. Genetic risk for AD (apolipoprotein E genotype: APOE-e4) specifically associated with worse baseline Memory functioning, supporting episodic memorys role as a neurocognitive endophenotype for AD. APOE-e4 also associated with lower estimated intelligence and Depression but not Neurocardiovascular history. In sum, the present study found distinct yet identifiable cognitive profiles of risk for neurocognitive decline. These results support conceptual models that suggest individual differences in sex, genetic risk, cognitive reserve, medical and mental health comorbidities in combination influence cognitive decline with age. These data have important treatment implications as they strongly indicate that there are modifiable risk factors that influence neurocognitive decline that can be targeted early on through behavioral and/or medical interventions.

Universal screening for emotional and behavioral risk in schools facilitates early identification and intervention for students as part of multitiered systems of support. Because early intervention has the potential to mitigate adverse outcomes of emotional and behavioral disorders and schools are prime locations to reach at-risk youth, research on the technical adequacy and usability of universal screeners to identify students for available school-based supports is vital. The purpose of this study was to extend existing research by Cook et al. (2011) and Cook, Volpe, and Gresham (2012) on the technical adequacy and usability of two universal screening measures, the Student Internalizing Behavior Screener (SIBS) and the Student Externalizing Behavior Screener (SEBS). Findings provided evidence for the reliability, concurrent validity, short-term predictive validity, and usability of the SIBS and SEBS in a sample of elementary-school students and their teachers. As a secondary focus, the technical adequacy and usability of the SIBS and SEBS was compared to that of two well-researched universal behavior screening measures. Results indicated that, in general, the SIBS and SEBS as a combined measure performed similarly to the criterion screening measures.

The human memory system interacts with an ever-changing perceptual environment, and the perceptual properties of new information can shape that informationâs mnemonic fate. Experimentally, shifts in perception to a salient stimulus have been shown to enhance memorability of post-shift items (Murdock and Walker, 1969). Despite this work, the neural signals that reflect this enhanced memorability at perceptual boundaries remain to be characterized. Sederberg et al. (2006) described global shifts in the oscillatory topography elicited by studied items at early vs. late serial positions, and showed distinct subsequent memory responses for items of each type. In a scalp EEG experiment, we expanded on these findings by manipulating the presentation modality (auditory vs. visual) of studied material to elicit a mid-list perceptual shift that enhances the memorability of the post-shift item. These post-shift items elicited an oscillatory response which showed enhanced delta activity (2-4 Hz) and diminished alpha activity (10-14 Hz) relative to non-shift items from the same modality. We contrast these effects with the list position effects described by Sederberg et al. (2006), with an aim to further inform our understanding of the processes underlying the effects of contextual shifts on episodic memory.

<p> The present study was proposed to find out if there was a relationship between perceptions of exposure to infant-directed speech to children and their language development. This study contained 123 participants composed of undergraduate students. They were all asked to fill out the Language Development Questionnaire to measure their perceptions of the language skills of a child presented in a video. No significant relationship was found between use or non-use of infant directed speech and rating of language skills. Findings suggest that individuals may not necessarily perceive language skills as more inadequate due to a child&rsquo;s exposure to infant-directed speech.</p>

Cannabis-related problems are major public health concerns. Social anxiety appears to be a unique risk factor that contributes to the development of cannabis-related problems, including cannabis use disorders. Given this risk, identification of cognitive vulnerabilities that may contribute to the onset and maintenance of co-occurring social anxiety and cannabis-related problems remains an important research goal. Socially anxious individuals experience anxiety and negative affect in response to cognitively reviewing past social situations (i.e., post-event processing [PEP]) and are likely to use cannabis to cope with negative affective states, which may occur during PEP. Thus, PEP may be one cognitive vulnerability factor that contributes to the onset and maintenance of cannabis use and related problems. The current study sought to identify the influence of PEP on cannabis craving and use. Current (past three-month) cannabis-using undergraduates (N = 158) completed an online battery of self-report measures and were randomized to one of three conditions: (1) negative PEP, (2) positive PEP, or (3) control task. Participants provided ratings of cannabis craving before and after the task and completed measures of cannabis use one week later to examine if experimentally manipulated PEP influenced cannabis use and cannabis-related problem severity. Experimentally induced PEP was not related to subsequent cannabis craving, use, or use-related problems one week later, nor did PEP interact with social anxiety to predict cannabis outcomes at follow-up. However, at baseline, PEP mediated the relationship between social anxiety and cannabis-related problem severity, suggesting that the tendency to engage in PEP is a mechanism through which social anxiety influences cannabis-related problems. PEP may be a target of treatment and prevention efforts that address co-occurring social anxiety and cannabis-related problems.