Patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) reported numerous sexual difficulties pretransplantation and at 1-and 3-years post transplantation. The most commonly reported problems pretransplant were a lack of sexual interest for men and self-perceived unattractiveness for women. At year 1, men reported more concern about physical attractiveness and increased problems with erection, ejaculation and orgasm. Women reported more sexual problems across all categories. At year 3, difficulties for men remained relatively consistent or decreased compared to year 1 with the exception of an increased concern about physical appearance. At year 3, women reported increased sexual interest; concerns about body appearance, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and orgasm remained higher than at baseline, although all had decreased from year 1. Half of patients at all time points reported no discussion of sexuality with their health care provider. Baseline level of depression was significantly and positively related to sexual functioning at year 3 post transplant. These results suggest that sexual problems are significant for BMT survivors and that treatment of depression and health-care-provider education are possible interventional targets for improving sexual function and quality of life following BMT.

Although long-term survivors report ongoing physical limitations, they also experience well-being in both physical and psychological domains. Posttraumatic growth is an area of well-being deserving of additional research and clinical attention. In particular, there may be reason to assist survivors to articulate growth as part of ongoing care.

This article examines current issues related to the topic of college student suicide and why it continues to be an issue of major concern. The nature/extent of the problem, risk and protective factors, responses to college student suicide, legal issues, and training issues are discussed. The importance of addressing the issue of college student suicide and its prevention on college campuses is emphasized as is the importance of protective factors. Although more is being done to address this issue than has been done in the past, it remains a major concern, and it is an issue that requires a strong national response.

Posttraumatic growth may follow the experience of being significantly hurt by another person. This study examines the roles of forgiveness and the importance of religion and spirituality in posttraumatic growth after a significant interpersonal transgression among a diverse sample of 146 adults. Results demonstrated that transgression severity was negatively related to forgiveness: the more distressing the event, the more revenge and avoidance were endorsed in response to the offender. Regression analyses revealed that benevolence toward the offender predicted growth in the area of relating to others. The positive relationship between forgiveness and posttraumatic growth was mediated by importance of religion and spirituality; however, the relationship between unforgiveness and lack of growth was not similarly mediated. Results suggest that religious and spiritual variables influence how individuals respond to significant interpersonal transgressions through positive processes.

Being diagnosed with and treated for cancer is a traumatic experience. Many cancer patients undergoing treatment manifest psychological distress and physical impairment. But this experience may also serve as a stimulus for positive growth. A growing body of literature addresses the possibility of positive growth through difficult events, a concept known as finding benefit. In the current study, the authors investigate finding benefit among 56 adult cancer patients over a period of 3 years, examining the role of optimism and the effects of finding benefit on later depression and physical functioning. The results demonstrated that finding benefit 1 year after treatment was related to both depression and physical functioning at a 3-year follow-up.