All posts by medical

Immunology

A mother’s blood may carry the secret to one type of autism – EurekAlert

Autism is a neurodevelopment condition affecting 1 in 44 children in the U.S. It has a wide range of characteristics with different intensities and causes. One type of autism is maternal autoantibodyrelated autism spectrum disorder (MAR ASD).

MAR ASD is marked by the presence of specific maternal immune proteins known as autoantibodies that react to certain proteins found in the fetal brain. The maternal autoantibodies (IgG) cross the placenta and access the developing brain. Once there, they may cause changes in the way the brain develops in the offspring, leading to behaviors linked to autism.

Two new UC Davis MIND Institute studies are expanding our understanding of this type of autism. They found support for predictive protein patterns in the blood of expecting mothers and links of MAR ASD to higher intensities of autistic traits.

MAR ASD patterns linked to autism before birth

The MIND Institutes Judy Van de Water and a team of researchers showed that autoantibody binding to nine specific combinations of proteins (known as MAR ASD patterns) successfully predicts autism in previously diagnosed children. They tested maternal blood samples collected during pregnancy to see if they could validate the identified patterns. They wanted to see if the patterns accurately predicted autism in the children. Their study findings were published in Molecular Psychiatry.

Previously, we identified nine patterns linked to MAR ASD. In this study, we wanted to check the accuracy of these patterns in predicting MAR ASD. To do that, we tested plasma from pregnant mothers, collected by the Early Markers for Autism (EMA) study, said Van de Water, the studys senior author. Van de Water is a UC Davis professor of immunology and neurodevelopment.

The study screened the plasma of 540 mothers of autistic children, 184 mothers of kids with intellectual disability but no autism, and 420 general population mothers of kids with no known autism or intellectual disability at the time of the study.

It found reactivity to at least one of the nine MAR ASD patterns in 10% of the autistic group. This is compared with 4% of the intellectual disability group for some patterns, and 1% of the general population group. Four patterns were present only in mothers whose children were later diagnosed with autism, making those particular autoantibody patterns highly predictive.

The study also found that a mother with reactivity to any one of the nine MAR ASD patterns has around 8 times the chance of having an autistic child.

Several MAR ASD patterns were strongly associated with autism with intellectual disability. Others were linked to autism without intellectual disability. The protein pattern most strongly linked to autism was (CRMP1+CRMP2). It increased the likelihood of an autism diagnosis by 16 times and was not found in the non-autism groups.

MAR ASD similarly present across states

Previous research found the MAR subtype of autism in 20% of a Northern California sample of autistic kids Yet, until now, this type of autism has not been studied in any state besides California.

A team of researchers led by Kathleen Angkustsiri explored MAR ASD in two new clinical sites: the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Arkansas Childrens Hospital and Research Institute (ACHRI). Their study, published in The Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, recruited 68 mothers of autistic children ages 2-12 years. The mothers provided blood samples and completed behavioral questionnaires about their children.

The study also included data from the children's clinical diagnostic assessments. It used established diagnostic measures known as ADOS (the autism diagnostic observation schedule) and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) to assess the childrens autistic characteristics.

MAR ASD was present in 21% of CHOPs and 26% of ACHRIs samples. Overall, 23.5% of the blood samples were considered MAR positive (+MAR), showing autoantibodies reacting to known MAR ASD protein patterns.

Our study showed similar MAR ASD frequencies in two other states similar to what we observed in Northern California, Angkustsiri said. Angkustsiri is an associate professor of developmental-behavioral pediatrics at UC Davis Children's Hospital and the UC Davis MIND Institute and the studys lead author. This suggests that the prevalence of MAR ASD is consistent across different demographics and geographic settings.

MAR ASD and autism characteristics

The study also examined the link between MAR ASD and autism severity. It showed that children of mothers with +MAR antibodies had higher autism severity scores than those of -MAR mothers. It did not find significant differences in their IQ, adaptive function or unusual behavior.

MAR ASD positivity may be linked to more severe autism behaviors, Angkustsiri said. Both the SCQ reported by parents and the ADOS assessed by clinicians supported these findings.

Further study is needed to understand why mothers develop these antibodies and how long these antibodies may persist. Testing for MAR ASD patterns can be used to assess the probability of a child having autism before characteristics are present. The researchers aim to develop an accurate clinical test to provide clinicians with more tools for an earlier diagnosis of ASD.

We hope our work can help develop better-tailored services based on the type of autism and the child's strengths and specific challenges, Van de Water said.

###

Co-authors on Van de Waters study are Alexandra Ramirez-Celis, Joseph Schauer and Paul Ashwood from UC Davis, Lisa Croen, Cathleen Yoshida and Stacey Alexeeff from Kaiser Permanente, and Robert Yolken from Johns Hopkins University. Funding was provided by the NIEHS Center for Childrens Environmental Health and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants (2P01ES011269-11, 83543201), the NIEHS-funded EMA study (R01ES016669), the NICHD-funded IDDRC (P50HD103526) and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACYT- UC MEXUS) Doctoral Fellowships.

Co-authors on Angkustsiris study are Jill Fussell, Amanda Bennett, Joseph Schauer, Alexandra Ramirez-Celis, Robin Hansen and Judy Van de Water. The study was funded by the DBPNet Young Investigator Award UT5MC42432 and the NICHD-funded IDDRC (P50HD103526)

The authors recognize that medical terms such as symptom and severity are pathologizing and are making efforts to move away from this historical terminology. In this paper, the analysis is based on the calibrated severity score generated from the use of the diagnostic test the ADOS, which is why theyre using them in this instance.

Molecular Psychiatry

Maternal autoantibody profiles as biomarkers for ASD and ASD with co-occurring intellectual disability

26-May-2022

Judy Van de Water has patents issued for this technology and has founded a UC Davis startup company to develop this technology. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest.

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Read the rest here:
A mother's blood may carry the secret to one type of autism - EurekAlert

Human Behavior

Types of Counseling Careers: Addictions Counseling – Troy Today – Troy University

Addiction impacts all areas of life. It contributes to public health challenges, mental illness, crime, and family and societal breakdown. Despite changing attitudes, the problem of addiction is still often perceived as a shameful flaw rather than the chronic illness it is. Its the job of anaddictions specialistto look beyond this prejudice and help clients rebuild their lives in recovery through varioustypes of counselingservices.

With more than 20 years of experience working in the mental health andaddictions counselingfield, Dr. Shelley Reed has worked with clients across various settings, including differenttypes of counselinggroups, hospitals, courts and prison systems.

As an assistant professor, clinical director and coordinator for theaddictions counseling graduate certificate at Troy University, Dr. Reed now helps counseling and psychology students develop their skills in diagnosing and treating addictions.

What Is Addiction?

According to Dr. Reed, addiction is typically defined as a compulsive and difficult to control use of a substance such as drugs or alcohol that negatively impacts the ability of the individual to function.

Dr. Reed was initially drawn to the field ofaddiction counselingby a general interest in human behavior.

My interest in human behavior turned into an interest in counseling, says Dr. Reed. I figured if I could understand the whys, then I could work out how to help.

Dr. Reed soon discovered that addiction was often a more complex issue that carried with it other serious challenges beyond the addiction itself.

When clients with addiction came along, it really intrigued me because it was common to have co-occurring mental health and substance use issues, says Dr. Reed.

Highlighting the prevalence of addiction, she describes addiction as an equal opportunities problem.

Ive never met anyone who didnt have some form of addiction in their family, says Dr. Reed.

According to Dr. Reed, many counselors have personal or family experiences that contribute to their desire to go into the counseling profession.

Many of the students in this certificate program have had the experience of addiction personally, either themselves or with their family, says Dr. Reed. Its very common to want to understand themselves or their family members. They also want to give back to help prevent it from happening to other people.

Models of Addiction

Dr. Reed explains that many different contributory factors can lead to addiction.

Theres a lot of debate in psychology regarding the nature versus nurture aspect of addiction, says Dr. Reed. Are you born with a predetermined risk of addiction, or is it a result of your environment or experience? There are genetic components of addiction. Its been strongly shown, particularly with alcoholism, that there is a big hereditary component.

This doesnt mean that addiction is automatically passed down through the generations.

It doesnt make you want to misuse drugs or alcohol from the get-go, says Dr. Reed. But it can contribute to becoming physically dependent on the substance, whereas others might use it socially or recreationally, go about their business and not necessarily become physically addicted.

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

The desire to break the cycle of addiction in the community is a common trait among many of Dr. Reeds students.

Dr. Tammy W. Montgomerygraduated from TROYscounseling and psychology masters program with a certificate in substance addiction in 2017 before studying for her Ph.D. and becoming a licensed counselor in the greater Columbus area.

Dr. Montgomery developed an interest in addiction counseling while working as an elementary educator.

I taught in public school as an elementary educator for 15 years, says Dr. Montgomery. During my time as an elementary educator, I witnessed several families needing mental health awareness and support. I also saw substance addiction and other impulsive behaviors as major factors that seemed to keep them in debilitating cycles.

Dr. Montgomery found herself spending significant time providing resources to meet her students basic needs before learning could take place.

Although I helped my students gain success academically and personally, I burned out and felt ineffective, says Dr. Montgomery. I was essentially working in two roles. First, I was an educator a role in which I was highly trained and skilled. But I also took on the role as a counselor without proper skills and tools.

She agrees that addiction and mental health go hand in hand. I believe it is vital for every incoming counselor to learn about substance addiction or abuse and its impact on a persons mental health and social well-being, she says. Understanding the unhealthy correlation between these factors might be the very ingredient needed to help a client reach and maintain stability.

What Is an Addictive Personality?

Dr. Reed explains that it is important to understand thepsychology of addictionbecause addicts often substitute one problem for another.

People do substitute one addiction for another, says Dr. Reed. They quit using alcohol and start using cocaine or vice versa. This is why thetreatment of addictionslike the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step program tells you to abstain fromallsubstance use.

The experience of co-occurring disorders is commonly seen in Dr. Montgomerys practice.

Many of my clients experience co-occurring disorders, mental illness and substance addiction or substance abuse, says Dr. Montgomery. As anaddiction specialist,I am always educating clients on how using substances will negatively impact their mental health and wellness. For example, for clients who smoke marijuana and experience anxiety, I usually share how the drug imposes positive and negative effects.

However, not all addiction counselors prescribe a zero-tolerance approach, and treatment strategies often need to be more nuanced.

I use an eclectic approach to therapy, explains Dr. Montgomery. Although my theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavioral therapy, I tend to incorporate techniques from mindfulness therapy, trauma-focused CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy], and dialectical behavioral therapy, to name a few.

The Changing Face of Addiction

Dr. Reed explains that addiction has always been a problem in society.

You could probably go back to any decade or century and see a particular epidemic of addiction at that point, she says. Right now, synthetic opiates are the most visible problem. Fentanyl terrifies me its just so dangerous. But I can remember when I was studying, it was heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Dr. Reed believes that widespread media coverage of the opiate crisis in the United States may have reduced some of the stigma related to addiction. However, she is also quick to highlight another recent event that has contributed to the problem of addiction.

The pandemic didnt help, she says. It contributed to isolation, loneliness, financial worries and health worries, all of which can increase the use of alcohol and drugs. Perhaps someone was trying to get better and begin their recovery. The pandemic certainly may have contributed to their not being able to continue that recovery.

When Dr. Reed considers the question, What does addiction mean?she primarily talks about substance-use disorders. However, she also points out that behavioral disorders can also be addictive.

We use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM] to identify all the substances and criteria to meet the diagnosis of addiction, says Dr. Reed. But they also list a behavioral disorder in the DSM, which is the gambling disorder.

Dr. Reed explains that research is being carried out to determine if other behavioral disorders should be included in the DSM.

Behavioral addictions absolutely need to be considered, says Dr. Reed, whether thats gaming or internet, sexual behaviors or compulsive buying. Theres additional research ongoing to see if they can be included in future diagnostic manuals, but currently, theyre not.

Both Drs. Reed and Montgomery are particularly concerned about addictions impact on young lives.

My clients come with diverse needs, says Dr. Montgomery. Some widespread areas that require constant focus include childhood trauma, depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior and unhealthy communication.

Reducing the Stigma ofMental Health and Addiction

Dr. Reed is an advocate of improving the general publics understanding of addiction and reducing the stigma commonly associated with the illness.

Im a strong believer in: The more we know, the better we can do, says Dr. Reed. Im also the president of our local affiliate of theNational Alliance on Mental Illness. One of our big imperatives is to reduce stigma. Because if we can reduce stigma, we can reduce some of the barriers associated with seeking treatment. I think that strongly applies to substance use as well.

Promoting awareness around mental health is also essential for counselors who must develop strategies for looking after their own well-being while performing a difficult job.

Self-care is so important, says Dr. Reed. Being able to take care of your own mental health so that you can take care of others is vital. Its like the safety talk on an airplane. You put your mask on first before you put on someone elses mask. With addiction specifically, it can be frustrating if youve worked with a client for a long time and theres a relapse.

According to Dr. Reed, relapse is often part of the journey to recovery.

We can be disappointed, blame ourselves, or think we just didnt do enough, she says. So weve got to be careful and understand its part of the journey. We just have to get back to it and regain that stability and continue to help with the recovery.

Dr. Montgomery amplifies Dr. Reeds advice.

Dont be afraid to seek therapy for yourself and engage in self-care consistently, advises Dr. Montgomery. Plan to become a lifelong learner. This profession is always changing and growing, and it requires each of us to continue educating ourselves to remain effective practitioners.

How To Get a Counseling Certificate

According to Dr. Reed, there are typically two ways a student can obtain anaddictions counselingcertificate from TROY.

They can be working on the certificate while theyre also getting their graduate degree in either clinical mental health counseling or rehabilitation counseling, says Dr. Reed. Or they can come back and get it post-masters.

She explains that the certificate program consists of three term-long courses. In addition, students are also required to complete two internships.

If youre a current clinical mental health counseling student, these three courses can count as your electives required as part of your clinical degree, says Dr. Reed. Then, if you do the internship at an approved site, those internships can count toward the clinical degree and addiction certificate. So really, there is no extra coursework, just specialized coursework.

Online Counseling Certificate Programs

The TROY counseling certificate programs are available online, making classes more accessible for adult learners.

Most of our students are working, have families and are doing this in the evenings online, says Dr. Reed. Many of them are already working in the field in some capacity. Maybe they are case managers or administrative assistants and want to progress in their careers. (While the coursework is entirely online, the two required internships that are part of the program require weekly in-person classes.)

The program is also popular with retired military personnel and their spouses.

Theres a correlation between PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome) and substance use, says Dr. Reed. PTSD can be common for veterans. A lot of individuals start using drugs to self-medicate for whatever reason that may be. So, absolutely, it can be a concern among veterans and those who have retired or have been discharged.

Where Do Addiction Counselors Work?

Dr. Reed explains that addiction counselors are employed in a variety of settings.

It varies greatly, says Dr. Reed. Many counselors find themselves working in community agencies that have residential programs, inpatient programs, day treatment programs and outpatient programs. Youll also find them working in crisis intervention, mostly in hospitals but also in the criminal justice system.

As demonstrated by Dr. Montgomery, there are also opportunities to follow an extremely rewarding career in private practice.

I enjoy helping people re-narrate their stories, says Montgomery, helping clients to challenge their negative thinking by reframing them, incorporating new perspectives on addressing their issues and managing unwanted moods.

According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors are set to grow by 23% through 2030, requiring an additional 75,100 qualified counselors across the United States.

Why TROY?

As a graduate of TROY herself, Dr. Reed is quick to highlight the quality of her experience studying at the University.

Most of our faculty here at TROY within the counseling division are currently or have long worked in the field, she says. I think that extra expertise and experience makes the information more real and demonstrates to our students how they can apply what they learn in real-world settings. I think that really helps us stand out.

Dr. Montgomery echoes the positive experience. As well as providing the skills and tools to make a career transition from educator or counselor, Dr. Montgomery cites the certificate program at TROY as a time of significant career skills development.

I am so glad I chose TROY, she says. It was a wonderful experience. It was where my leadership skills were enhanced and amplified.

Anaddictions counselingcertificate from TROY can help clinical mental health and rehabilitation professionals expand their careers and help clients with informed diagnosis and treatment plans. To learn more about how you can help clients with addictions re-narrate their life stories,visit thecounseling certificates program page on our website.

See more here:
Types of Counseling Careers: Addictions Counseling - Troy Today - Troy University

Human Behavior

Look to the Cloud to Improve Human-Robot Social Understanding & Behavior – Robotics Business Review

AMR BenefitsYour workers and customers will also miss out on the benefits AMRs offer them. And what are those benefits? Consider the results of a recent double-blind Warehousing Vision Study, recently commissioned by Zebra Technologies. In that study, 83% of warehouse associates who work alongside AMRs today claim the autonomous robots have helped increase their productivity and reduce walking/travel time a win-win for you and your front-line teams. Whats more, three-quarters of associates say AMRs have helped reduce errors, which is good for you and your customers, while nearly two-thirds (65%) credit AMRs with career advancement opportunities, which helps with employee retention.

So, it is critical we eliminate the biases that result from a me, myself and I mindset or preconceived notions. We must ensure neither AMRs nor human workers fall victim to sole agent syndrome. The best way to do that is to put our heads (together) in the cloud.

New Techniques for Teaching TrustworthinessFor as long as I can remember, robotics automation innovation has been driven by three things repeatability, scalability and increased throughput. Thats why many robotic arms, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and static robots have been built to complete tasks within enclosed work cells, along conveyor lines or in travel lanes.

It is also why most robots are programmed to complete tasks using pre-defined motions, with behaviors fully controlled by a person. Most robots do not need to figure things out. They just need to do what a person tells them to do.

AMRs are different, however. While they collaborate and interact with people, they are reliant on a person guiding their every move telling them when to stop, start or move in a different direction. They must be able to make both decisions and the right moves, on their own, without a person intervening.

Behaving Like PeopleAt Zebra Technologies, we use customer scenarios, simulation, and the cloud to understand current AMR behaviors, as well as the changes needed to achieve desired behaviors. We then develop navigation behaviors for the robots, which are based on heuristics/biases that we encode into their navigation and planning code.

These heuristics/biases help AMRs behave more like people socially. For example, robots will drive down the right side of hallways in the United States and the left side of hallways in Great Britain because those are the social norms in those countries. By encoding these behaviors into AMRs navigation and planning, associates have a better understanding of how the robots will behave as they drive around the facility, which results in trust, better collaboration and improved robot performance.

Because our AMRs are managed via the cloud, it is also easy to record data that helps us understand each robots performance in the facility. We use velocity and path conformance for low frequency and high frequency interactions as a baseline to understand how changes to the navigation code improve performance. This allows us to create a vibrant diagram of how each robot performed in different facilities and then make refinements. Using these techniques, we have been able to measure as much as a 54% improvement in robot velocity as it moves through the facility with improved robot social behaviors.

See original here:
Look to the Cloud to Improve Human-Robot Social Understanding & Behavior - Robotics Business Review

Human Behavior

The 5 Roadblocks of Security Culture and How to Avoid Them – CEOWORLD magazine

Experts predict that global businesses will spend a whopping $172 billion on cybersecurity this year (up from $150 billion in 2021). Despite such steep investments in cybersecurity systems, cyber-attacks continue to break new records. This is because most attacks have more to do with faults in human behavior rather than security technology itself.

Human behavior can neither be predicted, programmed, or controlled by technological defenses. Thats why security culture is becoming an increasingly important defense strategy. Security culture can be defined as a combination of beliefs (an internal feeling regarding cybersecurity which usually stems from ones own experiences and external influences), values (what employees consider important from a security perspective), attitudes (how employees perceive security and approach situations that result in a behavior), behaviors (actions that employees can do when they encounter a potential cyber threat) and social pressures (the shared expectations and modeled behaviors that comprise a groups unwritten rules) that are reflected in the daily actions of employees.

Sculpting human behavior is a complex process and even the most security-savvy organizations can find it challenging to sustain a robust security culture over the long term. Some of the roadblocks that organizations encounter while building a security culture include:

Keep in mind that security culture isnt something that can be built overnight. Having said that, sustained investments in security culture will bring better security ROI in the long run and help organizations build a human defense layer that every industry today desperately needs.

Written by Perry Carpenter.Have you read?Managing Cybersecurity in the Workplace.Positive Impact Through PhilanthropybyRon Book.The COO as a new CEO Revenue PartnerbyBrent Keltner.Out of the Destruction of the Pandemic, Healthier Businesses That Will Flourish Over the Long Run Will EmergebySteve Schwartz.Evvy Explains Its New Equal Research Day Initiative.The Joy of Achievement and the Thrill of Creative Effort: The exclusive interview with Evgeniya Kuzmina.

See the rest here:
The 5 Roadblocks of Security Culture and How to Avoid Them - CEOWORLD magazine

Human Behavior

What Emojis In Text Messages Actually Mean, According To Experts – Elite Daily

Is a text thread really a text thread without a few smiley face emojis? IMHO, the answer is no and Ive got scientific research on my side. Yes, emojis brighten up a message and make endless lines of text more readable, but they also reveal something about the person who sent them. People who are rated higher in agreeableness use more emojis in general, Lara Jones, associate professor of psychology at Wayne State University, tells Elite Daily. And no, its not just people-pleasing for the sake of avoiding confrontation using emojis in messages can actually help you make your points more effectively.

Jones researches the psychological aspects of emojis, looking at differences in how individuals and groups use them, how theyre positively or negatively perceived, and the interpretation of an emojis intended meaning. She says people process emojis similarly to facial expressions, so starting an interaction with an objectively positive emoji, like a smiley face, primes the receiver of the message for a positive interaction. They want to make sure that the positivity of the message comes through, and depending on the emojis used, they want to show their creativity and playfulness, Jones says of frequent emoji users.

As youre messaging, peppering in related emojis can help you get your point across: A study published by researchers at the University of Ottawa in Volume 119 of Computers in Human Behavior in June 2021 concluded that congruent emojis enhance comprehension of text messages. (Jones was not a part of this study.) This means that using plenty of relevant emojis in your messages helps the receiver better understand what youre trying to say and the person on the other end may even comprehend the message more quickly. This is true for both positive and negative messages: Positive messages with correlating emojis (like smileys and heart eyes) and negative messages with negative emojis (like a sad face) magnify their perceived emotional intensity, according to the authors of the study.

So, if youre happy and you (want other people to) know it, keep those smiley emojis comin. Plus, the study found that messages meant to convey something negative, like criticism or an insult, were seen by the receiver as less intense when a smiley emoji was added.

The authors of the study concluded that the results support the use of emojis, and in particular positive emojis, to improve communication, express feelings, and make a positive impression during socially-driven digital interactions. If your knee-jerk reaction is to simply respond with a smiley emoji when the group chat starts making plans, youre not being lazy, youre actually letting everyone know youre ready to have a good time. When you want to put in your two cents, you can add in some positive emojis to make sure theres no doubt about where you stand on the weekend plans.

In a February 2020 study published in Volume 108 of Computers in Human Behavior by Jones and researchers at Wayne State University, they looked at sex differences in emoji use, familiarity, and valence. Using the gender binary of male and female, the study concluded that women rated the negative emojis as more negative than the men did, and women were more familiar with and used emojis more often. However, there was no difference in valence (positivity/negativity) judgments for the positive emojis between men and women.

To keep the vibes immaculate in your most frequently used emojis, take a cue from the highest-rated positive emoji overall in the study: smiling face with heart-eyes, which was followed by face with tears of joy and face blowing a kiss. Smiling face with smiling eyes was the fifth most positive emoji, just behind smiling face with halo.

Not all emojis are created equal once youre out of smiley territory, so its best to make sure whoever you message is on the same emoji-meaning page. When Jones was tapped by WhatsApp as the messaging app introduced emoji reactions in May 2022, she revealed that the folded hands emoji, for instance, has a range of meanings across cultures. It can mean different things across different regions, different cultures, even just within the [United States], she tells Elite Daily, adding that it can indicate praying, humble gratitude, or showing thanks. It can vary by both the culture and the context.

But dont let ambiguity keep you from sending non-smiley emojis. If youre chatting with, say, your best friend or SO, you can free yourself up to get more creative. Youre more likely to have some emojis that are just meaningful to the two of you, Jones explains of the phenomenon called lexical entrainment. She says lexical entrainment is when you have the meaning developed from the conversation back and forth and just knowing each other from the relationship that exists. Messages you have with people you talk to the most might even have strings of emojis that make no sense to anyone but the two of you.

When youre not sure what to send someone you dont message as often, its best to keep it simple and send that yellow smiley face when in doubt, (positive) emoji it out.

Studies referenced:

Boutet, I., LeBlanc, M., Chamberland, J. A., & Collin, C. A. (2021). Emojis influence emotional communication, social attributions, and information processing. Computers in Human Behavior, 119, 106722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106722

Jones, L. L., Wurm, L. H., Norville, G. A., & Mullins, K. L. (2020). Sex differences in emoji use, familiarity, and Valence. Computers in Human Behavior, 108, 106305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106305

Experts:

Lara Jones, associate professor of psychology at Wayne State University, Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Georgia

Be the first to know what's trending, straight from Elite Daily

Go here to read the rest:
What Emojis In Text Messages Actually Mean, According To Experts - Elite Daily

Human Behavior

New Light on Why Some Psych Patients Don’t Respond to Therapy – Medscape

Although most psychiatrists have encountered patients who don't improve with treatment, novel research sheds some light on one possible explanation for this phenomenon.

Investigators found that among patients who were "stuck" many believed that they didn't deserve to get better and were significantly less likely to adhere to, or complete, a treatment program.

"To the best of my knowledge, this subject hasn't been written about or explored before because we operate under the assumption that someone coming for ambulatory treatment, of course, wants to get better and thinks that they deserve to get better," lead author Mark Zimmerman, MD, professor of psychiatry and human behavior, Brown University, Rhode Island, told Medscape Medical News.

"This issue is not something complicated that a clinician would need to explore by administering some scale or clinical rating instrument. All you have to do is ask patients if they think they deserve to get better, particularly patients who seem to be 'stuck,' and explore what's underlying that belief," added Zimmerman, who is also the director of the Outpatient Division at the Partial Hospital Program, Rhode Island Hospital.

The findings were published online June 8 in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Results from a study examining the prevalence of this belief in more than 400 patients admitted to a partial hospital program showed that 17% of the participants either did not believe they deserved to get better or weren't sure if they deserved to get better.

When compared with their peers, patients who felt they were undeserving were significantly less likely to complete the treatment program and missed significantly more days of treatment while in the program.

Of the patients who did complete the program, those who believed they were undeserving were in treatment for significantly longer periods of time than those who believed they deserved to get better.

The average length of stay for patients in the partial hospital program is usually about 2 weeks, the investigators note. However, a minority of patients end up in treatment for more than a month and during this prolonged period, some do not seem to improve in their symptoms or functioning despite "intensive psychotherapy and ongoing pharmacotherapy."

The researchers wanted to understand the reasons for some patients' lack of progress and examined whether those who did not believe they were worthy of getting better actually took longer to respond to treatment.

In the current research, Zimmerman wanted to focus on these patients and assess whether they did take longer to improve and what diagnoses might be associated with feeling undeserving.

Of the 405 patients in the study, the majority (83%) reported they believed they deserved to get better, 12.8% said they were unsure, and 4.2% reported they did not believe they deserved to get better.

The researchers combined those who were unsure and those who did not believe they deserved to get better and compared them with patients who believed they did deserve to get better.

Although there were no differences between these patients in gender, race, or marital status, those who did not believe they deserved to get better were significantly younger than their counterparts who believed they deserved to get better (mean age, 32.2 years vs 37.7 years, respectively; P < .01).

They also were diagnosed with a greater number of disorders at the time of the evaluation (mean, 3.6 vs 2.9; P < .01).

Participants who did not indicate they deserved to get better were significantly more often diagnosed with several conditions compared with their counterparts who indicated they did deserve to get better:

There were also significant differences between those who did not vs did believe they deserved to get better in program completion (52.3% vs 68.8%, respectively; P < .01), missed days (mean, 1.7 vs 1.3; P < .05), and length of treatment (mean days, 14.1 vs 11.8; P < .05).

Zimmerman called these preliminary findings "consistent" with his clinical experience.

He noted he was "surprised" that OCD had the highest odds ratio (OR, 3.5) of being associated with a sense of undeservingness. "But when I thought about it, I realized that it makes sense because people with OCD have insight and are often embarrassed by their symptoms," he added.

Zimmerman was not surprised that MDD was associated with this sense of undeservingness. A second study currently under review is focusing specifically on MDD.

"One of the things we found, not surprisingly, was that some of the cognitive symptoms of depression, such as guilt and sense of worthlessness, are associated with it," he said.

Commenting for Medscape, Ken Duckworth, MD, chief medical officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) called this a "novel, important, and creative study."

The "hypothesized role of shame squares with my experience. And the association with OCD, depression, and trauma are also consistent with what I have seen," said Duckworth, who is also an assistant clinical professor at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. He was not involved with the current research.

"The role of hopelessness, often seen as a core feature of depression and to some extent OCD and trauma, is an opportunity to see if treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] can make a difference. How to engage people in CBT, which works directly at changing one's automatic negative thoughts, is important," Duckworth said.

Describing the study as a "snapshot in time," he noted it would be interesting to follow patients longitudinally.

"I think a whole subset would look back and say, 'I remember feeling [undeserving] but now that I've gotten medication or CBT or therapy, I'm happy I got better," said Duckworth.

No source of study funding was listed. Zimmerman, his coauthor, and Duckworth report no relevant financial relationships.

J Clin Psychiatry. Published online June 8, 2022. Full article.

Batya Swift Yasgur MA, LSW, is a freelance writer with a counseling practice in Teaneck, New Jersey. She is a regular contributor to numerous medical publications, including Medscape and WebMD, and is the author of several consumer-oriented health books as well as Behind the Burqa: Our Lives in Afghanistan and How We Escaped to Freedom (the memoir of two braveAfghan sisters who told her their story).

For more Medscape Psychiatry news, join us on Twitter and Facebook.

Read the original:
New Light on Why Some Psych Patients Don't Respond to Therapy - Medscape

Human Behavior

Heading Back to Westworld with the Stars and Showrunners of Season 4 – The Nerds of Color

Black hats and white hats assemble. Its time to return to the Westworld. Westworld Season 4 is coming. And to celebrate our latest trip to the new world, we were given the opportunity to join the hosts and guests of the famed Delos park to discuss whats in store for their characters and what new mysteries will be unlocked for the shows return this coming Sunday, June 26 on HBO and HBO Max.

In attendance for the roundtable discussions were series mainstays Tessa Thompson, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Aaron Paul, Angela Sarafyan, and Luke Hemsworth, alongside co-creator/showrunner Lisa Joy and writer/showrunner Alison Schapker. Together they tackled serious questions regarding how Westworld as a show satirizes data mining issues, human consciousness, and moral ambiguity. Heres what the crew had to say about the upcoming season:

First up, Harris, Thompson, and Sarafyan were asked about whether or not at the end of the day, the hosts should prevail over humanity, or whether its possible for both sets of characters to co-exist with one another.

HARRIS: I dont know but it kind of seems like theyre becoming inseparable on some level. Maybe Im mistaken, but even the hosts being given the opportunity to be free among themselves seem to revert back to more or less the negative side of human behavior.

THOMPSON: Were trying to make this nirvana, this real great place for hosts to take off their host parts and just be bodies and consciousness. And theyre not interested. So I dont know. I dont know what that says about us.

HARRIS: For me it says that A.I. or not, the hosts are programmed by humans. Even if they were programmed by an A.I. that A.I. was programmed by a human, so that aspect of humanity whether negative or positive will come out in them.

SARAFYAN: Right. So the humans flaw would have to exist within the A.I. structure. So both the positive and negative qualities will dictate the future.

HARRIS: The show poses some very difficult questions.

Next, Wright and Hemsworth were asked about the time shift that occurs during the season, and what that implies for their characters.

WRIGHT: Its been a few years, several years. [Bernard] is dustier, dirtier, needs a bit of an oil can, hes been in that one position for a while. And he is, when we find him, hes a bit clearer than hes been in the past. And he continues to be in this pursuit for freedom for himself, his fellow hosts, and for the greater good. Hes still on this mission. But now hes empowered in this way weve never seen him been previously. Hes always been trying to break free of the shackles and dust the metaphorical dirt from his face and hes now a bit freer and a bit stronger. Well see how much trouble he gets into as a result of that?

Hemsworth was asked what Stubbs has been up to in the years Bernard has been sitting in that position getting dustier.

HEMSWORTH: Yeah we were talking about this before. He just walks about the perimeter of the room. Goes out to the door, shuts the door, goes back in. Theres a big pile of crumpled up newspaper over there. Hes been shooting hoops for several years. No, look, Stubbs has used his time very wisely. He hasnt done a lot of cleaning. But hes been evolving as a sentient being, and realizing that perhaps playing Bernards lackey is not all its cracked up to be. And so hopefully we get to see a little bit of Stubbs coming into his own.

WRIGHT: What do you mean? Its cracked up!

HEMSWORTH: Its cracked! No, I love this relationship. Its so fun. Its so easy. And it really mirrors mine and Jeffreys relationship in real life. Were very sardonic, and we like to take the piss out of each other. And I think that relationship bleeds through on the screen. And there are many jokes this season which are just us f**king around.

A bit later in the conversation, Paul, who began his journey at Westworld in Season 3, as human Caleb Nichols was asked what it was like getting to experience the park this season.

PAUL: As a crazy fan of the show, last season I had my own theories after reading scripts episode by episode. I was convinced we were living in the park. I thought were were in Futureworld. So I was very excited to dive into the park and choose a hat per se. It was very exciting. It was truly one of those pinching myself momentsIt was so fun to put on that costume and run around and play in that world. It was truly a dream come true.

Showrunner Joy was then asked about how the themes of consciousness and free will would be explored further this season.

JOY: In terms of free will, I think that our characters still grapple with how free they are. Both the hosts and the humans. For the humans, so much has changed. Theyre no longer at war. Theres ostensibly a time of peace. Yet so much has stayed the same. Caleb is still in a very similar job to the one he had. The world is no longer controlled by the algorithm anymore, but maybe there werent that many deviations in his possible path. So I think hes trying to figure out who am I and how does he fit in the real world. Similarly, the hosts that remain are questioning their own adherence to the more human aspects of themselves. Theres no reason why the hosts should look like a human Theres no reason they have to be bipedal. These are all traits theyve inherited from their flawed forefathers and foremothers. So I think its really a question that all of them are asking who am I and how much of it Ive inherited. How much of it is imposed on me by society, and whats left by which I can exert my control over the world?

Wood was asked about how she went about bringing a herself into the character of Dolores from the perspective of both the character and actress being trauma survivors.

WOOD: Thats always the dance you do with characters. Especially when you relate to the character so much. Sometimes youre at war with yourself separating the two experiences. But its one of the reasons why I love Dolores and the way theyve explored that character is that heroes arent perfect. Things are messy and there isnt a perfect victim or perfect survivor. Its all the lens at which we look at them. And the experiences that weve had that influence our perception. And so in that way, I relate to her. Im in no way shape or form perfect. But I may be optimistic like Dolores, in that evil never dies, but it also never wins. And it can seem hopeless to keep fighting, but you have to fight not to defeat the thing, but to maintain the balance.

And the fight rages on when the new season of Westworld hits HBO this Sunday, June 26!

Like Loading...

Related

Read this article:
Heading Back to Westworld with the Stars and Showrunners of Season 4 - The Nerds of Color

Human Behavior

Where 6th District Republicans stand on climate change, humanity’s role in it – Shaw Local News Network

Most of the Republicans running for Illinois 6th Congressional District seat said they believe humankind has a role in global climate change -- but not all are convinced.

The GOP candidates in the June 28 primary are energy consultant Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn, Rob Cruz of Oak Lawn, Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, lawyer Scott Kaspar of Orland Park, Oak Lawn real estate broker Catherine A. OShea and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau.

They discussed climate change in Daily Herald questionnaires and follow-up emails.

Cruzsaid he isnt sure if he has enough information to opine on whether humankind is affecting climate change. The government should support reliable sources of energy while working on realistic alternative energy sources, Cruz said.

Confortisaid she thinks human behavior is among the factors behind climate change. There may also be natural causes, she said.

Fully shifting to renewable energy sources isnt feasible, however, she said. Further innovation should be encouraged, she added, and the government should support more than wind and solar energy.

My position is that we need a multipronged approach to satisfying our energy needs, Conforti said.

Grassoalso believes humans have played a role in climate change, pointing to scientific studies on the subject.

The U.S. can and should strive over time to lessen (its) carbon footprint, Grasso said. But in the short term, the economy and energy independence take a priority.

A global commitment is needed to make any effective changes to the climate, he added.

Kasparsaid humanity may be a factor in climate change, but he noted the climate has been changing since the dawn of time.

He opposes Green New Deal ecological and economic proposals, saying they would bankrupt every American long before we would see any appreciable difference in the climate.

We need a long-term energy plan that continues to lift humans out of poverty, not drive Americans into it, Kaspar said.

Like Kaspar,Pekaunoted the earths climate has always changed. Still, he acknowledges that growing human population has played a role.

To solve climate-related challenges, Pekau said the U.S. must become more energy independent by: using coal in cleaner ways; producing solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power; and investing more in nuclear power.

OSheadidnt directly answer the question and didnt respond to requests for clarity. She said people must respect our land, water and all Gods creations.

The newly redrawn 6th District includes much of the West and Southwest suburbs in Cook and DuPage counties.

The winner of the GOP primary will face one of three Democrats in the Nov. 8 general election: incumbent U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove; U.S. Rep. Marie Newman of La Grange, who now represents the 3rd District but is running in the 6th after boundaries changed last year; and Chicagoan Charles M. Hughes.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220623/where-6th-district-republicans-stand-on-climate-change-humanitys-role-in-it

View post:
Where 6th District Republicans stand on climate change, humanity's role in it - Shaw Local News Network

Human Behavior

Everything You Should Know About Social Work Careers – Forbes

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

The field of social work is broad and offers career options for all education levels. If you are interested in social work and want to make a difference in the lives of families and children, many careers in social work can allow you to do so.

This article discusses some common social work careers, including salary information and education requirements. People who are empathetic and enjoy working with others are best suited for careers in social work.

Education requirements for social work jobs range from associate to doctoral degrees depending on your chosen career path. Below are explanations of the various degree options for those who want to work in social work careers.

A bachelors degree in social work provides graduates with the knowledge and skills required to work in entry-level social work roles, apply for state licenses and certifications and pursue graduate degrees, such as a masters in social work.

For this degree, expect coursework to cover social services, human behavior, alcoholism and chemical dependence and social work research. Most curricula also require a social work practicum.

A bachelors degree in social work typically takes four years to complete, and many universities offer online programs.

A masters degree in social work brings together clinical and community-based studies to create a comprehensive program for those who already have bachelors degrees. This masters degree helps students grow their leadership skills. Graduates go on to work in social work careers as case managers, researchers, clinicians and administrators.

In this degree, coursework may cover social welfare history and policy, diversity and social justice, human behavior and social work practice. Learners typically must complete a field practicum as well.

A masters degree in social work usually takes two years to earn, and many universities offer online programs.

A doctorate in social work is an advanced practice doctorate designed for agency and community leaders and entrepreneurs. This degree helps seasoned professionals broaden their knowledge as scholars, innovators and leaders. Doctoral programs typically require learners to have a masters degree and several years of post-masters work experience.

This degree explores leading public discourse, executive leadership, research and financial management for social change. Doctoral students must complete a capstone project, too.

A doctorate in social work typically takes at least two years to earn. Many universities offer online programs.

Median Annual Salary: $37,610 as of 2021

Education Needed: Social and human service assistants need at least a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Individuals entering this field typically have certificates or associate degrees in related subjects, which include human services, social or behavioral science and gerontology.

Career Overview: Social and human service assistants play an important support role for families. Job responsibilities may include:

Median Annual Salary: $48,860 as of 2021

Education Needed: Health education specialists should hold a bachelors degree in health education, social science or a related field. Employers may require certification. In some cases, candidates may need a masters or doctoral degree.

Career Overview: Health education specialists work to improve clients well-being by teaching principles and behaviors that contribute to wellness. Job responsibilities may include:

Median Annual Salary: $74,000 as of 2021

Education Needed: Social and community service managers should have at least a bachelors degree in social work or a related field. Some positions may require a masters degree.

Career Overview: Social and community service managers work with community organizations to help promote public wellbeing. Job responsibilities may include:

Median Annual Salary: $50,390 as of 2021

Education Needed: Social workers typically have a bachelors or masters degree in social work. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker involves additional training. Each state has its own licensing requirements.

Career Overview: Social workers work in a variety of settings to assist people in preventing and coping with mental, behavioral and emotional challenges. Licensed clinical social workers also diagnose and treat these conditions. Job responsibilities may include:

Average Annual Salary: Around $60,000 as of June 2022

Education Needed: LCSWs must hold a graduate degree. Just as the job title states, LCSWs must earn licensure as well.

Career Overview: Licensed clinical social workers and social workers have similar responsibilities. LCSWs also help clients manage mental health challenges through psychological counseling and therapy. Job responsibilities may include:

Average Annual Salary: Around $43,000 as of June 2022

Education Needed: Child, family and school social workers should hold at least a bachelors degree in psychology or another counseling-related field. These social workers typically need state certification as well.

Career Overview: Child, family and school social workers provide support to families and children who may be considered at risk. They may work with clients in their homes, at schools or in other environments. Job responsibilities include:

Compare rates from participating lenders via Credible.com

A bachelors degree in social work qualifies graduates for some job opportunities in the field. A masters degree qualifies professionals to diagnose and treat conditions and provide individual and group therapy. A masters degree equips you with the education you need to pursue a career in social work.

Pay rates for social work vary greatly depending on the field and specific job responsibilities. The median annual salary for social workers in the United States was $50,390 as of 2021.

The highest-paying careers in social work are in local government, education and hospitals. The median annual salary for social workers in local government was $61,190 as of 2021.

Read the original here:
Everything You Should Know About Social Work Careers - Forbes

Human Behavior

Utah mom shares her son’s story, hoping to curb teen driver crashes – KSL.com

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY It's been nearly a year since the crash, but for two Utah families, not a day goes by without feeling the impact of that horrific scene in Ogden that took the life of a teenager.

Teen drivers make up just 9% of licensed drivers in Utah but 21% of crashes, according to statistics from Road to Zero. So far this year, 13 have died on Utah's roads, and 20 people have died in crashes that involved teen drivers.

Since August 2021, Lindsey Favero has made it her mission to help curb those numbers.

"It's really hard to put into words, but it's just, it's life-altering in every way," Favero said.

On Aug. 6, 2021, Favero's 16-year-old son Parker who used to do autocross racing jumped in the car with his best friend Rylan. At an abrupt turn with a posted speed limit of 35, Parker sped around the corner and clipped another car, sending the car into a brick wall at an estimated 85 miles per hour.

"The look on my son's face when I approached is something, I wish I could portray that, the level of impact that's had on my life," Favero said. "Because I feel like that would ultimately make a difference for parents, too."

Parker and Rylan were both taken to the hospital, but only Parker walked out.

"Having to have that conversation with your child that they took a life because of their actions is really traumatic," Favero said. "As a mom too, recognizing the impact this decision had on another mother is horrific."

Favero said Rylan's mom is behind her push to help other parents and teenagers understand the responsibility that comes from holding a license and getting behind the wheel of a car.

"The most dangerous thing that most teens do in the day is get behind the wheel and adults," said Kristen Hoschouer, program manager at Zero Fatalities. "They need to know the seriousness of driving. They also need to know that it's good to learn and to practice and to get all that they can, because the more that they learn now, the better they'll get."

Hoschouer said nearly 94% of crashes are caused by human behavior and not weather, the state of the road, or other conditions.

Ninety percent of crashes that teens get into are within the first few months of getting their license. In fact, they are three times as likely to get into a crash within the first few months.

Hoschouer said parent involvement before, during, and after getting their license is key.

"When parents are really involved with their driving, and they understand what they should be doing and what they shouldn't be doing, they're half as likely to speed," she said. "They're more likely to go the speed limit, more likely to drive sober, more likely to wear a seat belt, and 30% less likely to get on their phones."

Having to have that conversation with your child that they took a life because of their actions is really traumatic. As a mom too, recognizing the impact this decision had on another mother is horrific.Lindsey Favero

Utah graduating driver licensing laws, or GDL laws, have helped with teen crashes, according to Hoschouer. Those laws include limits on when a new driver can get behind the wheel and who can be in the car with them.

She said teenage drivers are 45% more likely to get into a crash if they have a teen next to them and two times more likely to crash if they have two other teens in the car.

More than 10 months after the crash that took Rylan's life, Favero hopes her story will influence even one parent or one teen driver, even as she and her family struggle daily with the outcome of that day.

"It can happen to you," Favero said. "It's just not, it's just not worth it. It's not worth speeding and it's so important to have those conversations with your kids."

Visit link:
Utah mom shares her son's story, hoping to curb teen driver crashes - KSL.com