Although many studies examine the biological phenomena that mediate the relationship between stress and illness, more research is needed regarding psychological variables that may mediate this relationship. Thus, the current study investigates the mediating effects of locus of control and self-efficacy in the relationships among stress, illness, and the utilization of health services in a sample of 159 college students. Results suggest that participants who endorse higher levels of stress also endorse higher levels of illness, higher levels of external locus of control, and lower levels of self-efficacy. In addition, structural equation modeling suggests that there are direct relationships between stress and illness and between illness and the utilization of health services. Further, locus of control appears to be a partial mediator in the relationship between stress and illness. Given the link established between stress and illness and the individual differences associated with reactions to stressful situations, it is important for future examinations to continue to identify potential mediators of the stress-illness link.

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As advancements in the treatment of childhood cancer have resulted in increasing survival rates, the psychosocial functioning of child patients has become an increasingly important issue. In this pilot study, we investigate the relationships among parents' characteristics, children's characteristics, and the quality of life experienced by children who are diagnosed with cancer. Forty-seven mothers, sixteen fathers, and nineteen children completed measures about their own psychological functioning as well as measures about the children's quality of life. Mothers' ratings of their children's quality of life were correlated positively with the ratings provided by both fathers and the children themselves. In addition, significant relationships were found between mothers' depression and parenting stress and children's quality of life as well as between mothers' and fathers' anxiety and children's quality of life. Finally, using regression analyses, mothers', fathers', and children's ratings of their own characteristics predicted significantly their ratings of the children's quality of life. The importance of examining the psychological characteristics of family members when assessing the quality of life of children who are diagnosed with cancer is discussed.

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The aim of the current study was to provide a detailed analysis of the practice patterns of an inpatient pediatric psychology consultation–liaison (CL) service over the first 5 years of development in order to further highlight the value of behavioral medicine in comprehensive, family-centered “medical home” models of care. A database was created detailing patient, referral concern and clinical intervention variables for all 1,749 consults completed during the 5-year period, and descriptive analyses were conducted. Referral concern and intervention data were examined separately for child versus caregiver targets, with referral concern data broken down further according to requesting medical team and intervention data broken down further according to referral concern. Financial data were also analyzed, particularly reimbursement rate and payment-per-full-time equivalent status. Consult demand and number of requesting medical teams increased over the 5-year period. Referral concerns differed across requesting medical teams. Primary interventions used reflected evidence-based care for both patients and caregivers. Payments per full-time equivalent also increased over the 5-year period. A CL service can provide components of evidence-based interventions to both patients and caregivers in the inpatient setting, and increasing capacity of behavioral health services can facilitate family-centered care approaches to comprehensive care provision, reflective of national trends in health care. Detailed analyses of practice patterns specific to medical teams and referral concerns can be used to strengthen business models supporting comprehensive care.