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Associations of prenatal exposure to a mixture of persistent organic pollutants with social traits and cognitive and adaptive function in early childhood: Findings from the EARLI study

Literature suggests that maternal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may influence child neurodevelopment. Evidence linking prenatal POPs and autism spectrum disorder has been inconclusive and few studies have examined the mixture effect of the POPs on autism-related traits. To…

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Predictive modeling of adverse mental health outcomes following acute hospitalizations for serious illness: A machine learning approach with natural language processing

This study addresses predicting risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions following hospitalization for life-threatening conditions. We will use an existing, retrospective cohort of 408,377 patients hospitalized with severe illness, including sepsis, to develop and validate predictive…

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Contributions of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Stressors to Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mental Health During Pregnancy

This study aimed to identify racial and ethnic disparities in prenatal mental health and identify COVID-19 pandemic-related health/healthcare and economic contributors to these disparities, using an established framework for disparity investigation. This cross-sectional study includes 10,930 pregnant people at Kaiser…

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mHealth Mindfulness Intervention for Women with Moderate-to-Moderately-Severe Antenatal Depressive Symptoms: a Pilot Study Within an Integrated Health Care System

Traditional mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce depression symptoms in pregnant women, although in-person classes may pose significant accessibility barriers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile technology offers greater convenience, but little is known regarding the efficacy of self-paced,…

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COVID-19 Response Grant

Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities may be especially impacted by the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic changes in usual daily routines and the way healthcare encounters have been transitioned to virtual (video, telephone) visits. This project…

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Mental Health Research Network III

The Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) is a consortium of 13 health system research centers, embedded in large and diverse healthcare systems, dedicated to improving patient mental health through research, practice, and policy; with expertise in mental health research as…

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Family Environment, Neurodevelopmental Risk, and the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Initiative: Looking Back and Moving Forward

The family environment, with all its complexity and diverse components, plays a critical role in shaping neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Herein we review several domains of the family environment (family socioeconomic status, family composition and home environment, parenting behaviors and…

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Implementing electronic substance use disorder and depression and anxiety screening and behavioral interventions in primary care clinics serving people with HIV: Protocol for the Promoting Access to Care Engagement (PACE) trial

Substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric disorders are common among people with HIV (PWH) and lead to poor outcomes. Yet these conditions often go unrecognized and untreated in primary care. The Promoting Access to Care Engagement (PACE) trial currently in…

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Initiation of antidepressant medication and risk of incident stroke: using the Adult Changes in Thought cohort to address time-varying confounding

Depression strongly predicts stroke incidence, suggesting that treating depression may reduce stroke risk. Antidepressant medications, however, may increase stroke risk via direct pathways. Previous evidence on antidepressant medication and stroke incidence is mixed. We evaluated associations between antidepressant use and…

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Life After 90

Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affect 15 percent of those aged 65 and older, by age 90 and older this number increases to a startling 40 to 50 percent. The oldest-old, people aged 90 and older, are the fastest growing…

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Psychiatric comorbidity and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures of alcohol and other drug treatment initiation and engagement across 7 health care systems

Background: Psychiatric comorbidity is common among patients with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorders. To better understand how psychiatric comorbidity influences AOD treatment access in health care systems, the present study examined treatment initiation and engagement among a large,…

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Medical and non-medical marijuana use in depression: Longitudinal associations with suicidal ideation, everyday functioning, and psychiatry service utilization

Marijuana use is clinically problematic in depression, and non-medical and medical use may both contribute to barriers to care in this population. Among outpatients with depression, we examined the differential impact of medical or non-medical marijuana use, relative to no-use,…

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Fasting Glucose Variability in Young Adulthood and Cognitive Function in Middle Age: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

To determine whether intraindividual variability in fasting glucose (FG) below the threshold of diabetes is associated with cognitive function in middle adulthood beyond increasing FG. We studied 3,307 CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development Study in Young Adults) participants (age range…

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Factors associated with hazardous alcohol use and motivation to reduce drinking among HIV primary care patients: Baseline findings from the Health & Motivation study

Limited primary care-based research has examined hazardous drinking risk factors and motivation to reduce use in persons with HIV (PWH). We computed prevalence ratios (PR) for factors associated with recent (5) included: moderate/severe depression (PR: 1.43; 1.03, 2.00) and other…

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Occupational cognitive complexity in earlier adulthood is associated with brain structure and cognitive health in midlife: The CARDIA study

In line with cognitive reserve theory, higher occupational cognitive complexity is associated with reduced cognitive decline in older adulthood. How and when occupational cognitive complexity first exerts protective effects during the life span remains unclear. We investigated associations between occupational…

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Optimism, Pessimism, Cynical Hostility, and Biomarkers of Metabolic Function in the Women’s Health Initiative

Psychological attitudes reflecting expectations about the future (optimism, pessimism) and people (cynical hostility) independently predict incident cardiovascular disease and possibly diabetes, but underlying biologic pathways are incompletely understood. Herein we examined the cross-sectional relationship between optimism, pessimism, and cynicism and…

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Association Between Gender Confirmation Treatments and Perceived Gender Congruence, Body Image Satisfaction, and Mental Health in a Cohort of Transgender Individuals

Transgender individuals sometimes seek gender confirmation treatments (GCT), including hormone therapy (HT) and/or surgical change of the chest and genitalia ("top" and "bottom" gender confirmation surgeries). These treatments may ameliorate distress resulting from the incongruence between one's physical appearance and…

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Alcohol and Drug Use, Pain and Psychiatric Symptoms among Adults Seeking Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment: Latent Class Patterns and Relationship to Health Status

Substance use, psychiatric problems, and pain frequently co-occur, yet clinical profiles of treatment-seeking patients are poorly understood. To inform service and treatment planning, substance use and symptom patterns were examined in an outpatient psychiatry clinic, along with the relationship of…

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Specialty addiction and psychiatry treatment initiation and engagement: Results from an SBIRT randomized trial in pediatrics

Many adolescents needing specialty addiction or psychiatry treatment never access care. We examined initiation and engagement with addiction and/or psychiatry treatment among adolescents referred to treatment from a trial comparing two different modalities of delivering Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral…

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Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations of Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Inflammatory and Endothelial Function Markers in Women

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may contribute to heightened cardiovascular disease risk by promoting a proinflammatory state and impaired endothelial function. Previous research has demonstrated associations of PTSD with inflammatory and endothelial function biomarkers, but most work has been cross-sectional…

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Post-traumatic stress disorder symptom duration and remission in relation to cardiovascular disease risk among a large cohort of women

BACKGROUND: Prior studies suggest that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but effects of duration and remission of PTSD symptoms have rarely been evaluated.METHOD: We examined the association of time-updated PTSD symptom severity, remission…

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Depressive symptoms and adherence to cardiometabolic therapies across phases of treatment among adults with diabetes: the Diabetes Study of Northern California (DISTANCE)

Among adults with diabetes, depression is associated with poorer adherence to cardiometabolic medications in ongoing users; however, it is unknown whether this extends to early adherence among patients newly prescribed these medications. This study examined whether depressive symptoms among adults…

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Childhood Psychological Distress as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Early-Life Social Disadvantage and Adult Cardiometabolic Risk: Evidence From the 1958 British Birth Cohort

OBJECTIVES:Prior research on the relationship between early adversity and adult chronic disease has often relied on retrospective reports of a limited range of exposures and has not considered childhood psychological distress as a mediator. We investigate whether distress in childhood…

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Blood Pressure Reactivity to Psychological Stress in Young Adults and Cognition in Midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

The classic view of blood pressure (BP) reactivity to psychological stress in relation to cardiovascular risks assumes that excess reactivity is worse and lower reactivity is better. Evidence addressing how stress-induced BP reactivity in young adults is associated with midlife…

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Psychosocial Clusters and their Associations with Well-Being and Health: An Empirical Strategy for Identifying Psychosocial Predictors Most Relevant to Racially/Ethnically Diverse Women’s Health

Strategies for identifying the most relevant psychosocial predictors in studies of racial/ethnic minority women's health are limited because they largely exclude cultural influences and they assume that psychosocial predictors are independent. This paper proposes and tests an empirical solution. Hierarchical…

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Psychological Distress Across the Life Course and Cardiometabolic Risk: Findings From the 1958 British Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND:Research suggests cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are influenced by psychological distress in adulthood; however, this research is often limited to adult populations and/or a snapshot measure of distress. Given emerging recognition that cardiometabolic diseases have childhood origins, an important question…

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Effects of estrogen and venlafaxine on menopause-related quality of life in healthy postmenopausal women with hot flashes: a placebo-controlled randomized trial

This study aims to evaluate the effects of low-dose estradiol (E2) or venlafaxine on menopause-related quality of life and associated symptoms in healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of low-dose oral 17?-E2 0.5…

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Prevalence of behavioral health disorders and associated chronic disease burden in a commercially insured health system: findings of a case-control study

The objective was to examine prevalence of behavioral health disorders (BHDs) and co-occurring chronic medical conditions in a 3.4 million-member integrated health system. Clinical databases identified 255,993 patients diagnosed with the most prevalent BHDs (cases): depression, anxiety, substance use, bipolar…

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Associations Between Antidepressant Adherence and Shared Decision-Making, Patient-Provider Trust, and Communication Among Adults with Diabetes: Diabetes Study of Northern California (DISTANCE)

Depression and adherence to antidepressant treatment are important clinical concerns in diabetes care. While patient-provider communication patterns have been associated with adherence for cardiometabolic medications, it is unknown whether interpersonal aspects of care impact antidepressant medication adherence. To determine whether…

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Depression and All-Cause Mortality in Persons with Diabetes Mellitus: Are Older Adults at Higher Risk? Results from the Translating Research Into Action for Diabetes Study

To compare the strength of the association between depression and mortality between elderly and younger individuals with diabetes mellitus. A survival analysis conducted in a longitudinal cohort study of persons with diabetes mellitus to test the association between depression and…

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​Intensive residential treatment for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: characterizing treatment course and predictors of response.

​BACKGROUND:Intensive residential treatment (IRT) is effective for severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We sought to characterize predictors and course of response to IRT.METHODS:Admission, monthly, and discharge data were collected on individuals receiving IRT. We examined the association between baseline characteristics…

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Letter to the editor: Critique of Bahorik et al. (2013) — ‘Underreporting of drug use among individuals with schizophrenia: prevalence and predictors’ — a reply

​Comment onLetter to the editor: Critique of Bahorik et al. (2013)--'Under-reporting of drug use among individuals with schizophrenia: prevalence and predictors'.[Psychol Med. 2014]Under-reporting of drug use among individuals with schizophrenia: prevalence and predictors. [Psychol Med. 2014]

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Positive and Negative Interactions Observed Between Siblings: Moderating Effects for Children Exposed to Parents’ Conflict.

​This study investigated links between interparental conflict appraisals (specifically threat and self-blame), sibling relationship quality (positive and negative dimensions), and anxiety in sibling pairs comprised of an adolescent and a younger sibling close in age. Sibling relationship quality was measured…

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Characterizing the longitudinal patterns of substance use among individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness after psychiatric hospitalization

​AIM:To characterize longitudinal patterns of substance use across a large sample of psychiatric patients discharged from inpatient admission, followed for 1-year post-hospitalization.DESIGN:Prospective cohort study.SETTING:Kansas City, MO, USA; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Worcester, MA, USA.PARTICIPANTS:Eight hundred and one schizophrenia-spectrum (n = 204),…

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Health Literacy and Antidepressant Medication Adherence Among Adults with Diabetes; The Diabetes Study of Northern California (DISTANCE)

Previous studies have reported that health literacy limitations are associated with poorer disease control for chronic conditions, but have not evaluated potential associations with medication adherence. To determine whether health literacy limitations are associated with poorer antidepressant medication adherence. Observational…

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Does the association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular mortality risk vary by race? Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

OBJECTIVE:To test whether the association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is stronger among Blacks than Whites.DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:2,638 Black and 15,132 White participants from a prospective, observational study of community-dwelling Health and Retirement Study participants (a…

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Audio recordings of mindfulness-based stress reduction training to improve cancer patients’ mood and quality of life-a pilot feasibility study

PURPOSE: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), typically taught in eight weekly classes, helps patients cope with illness, including cancer. Current research is almost exclusively based on post-treatment class attendance. Research suggests that short courses and alternative delivery techniques may also be…

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Mood Patterns Based on Momentary Assessment of Positive and Negative Moods Over a Day and Coronary Artery Calcification in the CARDIA Study

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective assessments of negative mood have predicted coronary artery disease development and progression. Using momentary assessment, we evaluated associations between average positive and negative mood states and diurnal mood patterns, with prevalent and incident coronary artery calcification (CAC), a…

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Subdiagnostic alcohol use by depressed men and women seeking outpatient psychiatric services: consumption patterns and motivation to reduce drinking

BACKGROUND: This study examined alcohol use patterns among men and women with depression seeking outpatient psychiatric treatment, including factors associated with recent heavy episodic drinking and motivation to reduce alcohol consumption. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1,183 patients aged 18…

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Association between prior authorization for medications and health service use by Medicaid patients with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between a Medicaid prior-authorization policy for second-generation antipsychotic and anticonvulsant agents and medication discontinuation and health service use by patients with bipolar disorder. METHODS: A pre-post design with a historical comparison group was used…

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Psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunction among older, postmenopausal women: results from the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of depressive symptoms and selected psychiatric disorders in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) cohort and related them to cognitive syndromes. DESIGN: WHIMS was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled prevention clinical trial examining whether opposed…

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Mindfulness and experiential avoidance as predictors and outcomes of the narrative emotional disclosure task

​This randomized study examined whether narrative emotional disclosure improves mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and mental health, and how baseline levels of and changes in mindfulness and experiential avoidance relate to mental health. Participants (N=233) wrote repeated traumatic (experimental condition) or unemotional…

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Twelve-Step affiliation and 3-year substance use outcomes among adolescents: social support and religious service attendance as potential mediators

AIMS: Twelve-Step affiliation among adolescents is little understood. We examined 12-Step affiliation and its association with substance use outcomes 3 years post-treatment intake among adolescents seeking chemical dependency (CD) treatment in a private, managed-care health plan. We also examined the…

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Menopause transition stage and endogenous estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone levels are not related to cognitive performance: cross-sectional results from the study of women’s health across the nation (SWAN)

BACKGROUND: By one estimate, 60% of women experiencing the menopause transition perceive that they have memory problems, but most studies that have used cognitive function tests have not substantiated a relation between menopause stage and cognitive performance. We sought to…

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Adolescents with co-occurring substance use and mental conditions in a private managed care health plan: prevalence, patient characteristics, and treatment initiation and engagement

This study examined the prevalence, patient characteristics, and treatment initiation and engagement of adolescents with co-occurring substance use (SU) and serious mental health (MH) diagnoses in a private, managed care health plan. We identified 2,005 adolescents aged 12-17, who received…

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Incidence and duration of side effects and those rated as bothersome with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment for depression: patient report versus physician estimate

BACKGROUND: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used as the first-line treatment for depression. Information regarding their side effects is mostly based on controlled clinical trials. METHOD: Patients who received an SSRI for a new or recurrent case of…

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Collaborative care management of late-life depression in the primary care setting: a randomized controlled trial

CONTEXT: Few depressed older adults receive effective treatment in primary care settings. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of the Improving Mood-Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) collaborative care management program for late-life depression. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with recruitment from…

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Discontinuation of use and switching of antidepressants: influence of patient-physician communication

CONTEXT: Although current depression treatment guidelines recommend continuing antidepressant therapy for at least 4 to 9 months, many patients discontinue treatment prematurely, within 3 months. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between patient-physician communication and the continuation of treatment with antidepressants…

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