Among men and women in the ACLS, relative increases in maximal CR fitness and habitual physical activity are cross-sectionally associated with lower depressive symptomatology and greater emotional well-being. Prospective epidemiological studies and controlled clinical trials are needed to identify the minimal and optimal levels of physical activity and CR fitness associated with various mental health benefits in different segments of the general population.

Using a large (N = 387} national sample of psychology graduate students, we conducted a survey to examine Stressors, coping strategies, and barriers to the use of Wellness activities. Over 70% of graduate students reported a Stressor that interfered with their optimal functioning. Frequently endorsed Stressors included academic responsibilities, finances/debt, anxiety, and poor work/sehool-life balance. Common coping strategies used were support from friends, family, classmates, regular exercise, and hobbies. The leading barders to using Wellness strategies were lack of time and cost/money. Students in the health service professions (clinical/counseling/school) utilized psychotherapy more often than students in other areas of psychology (e.g., general, social, developmental); PsyD students reported cost as a barder to coping significantly more frequently than doctoral-level students. As hypothesized, univadate analyses suggest that ethnic/racial minodty students were more likely than White students to report discdmination as a Stressor and spidtuality as a coping strategy. Multivadate analyses suggest a relatively large overall effect of ethnic/racial group membership on stress and coping in psychology graduate students. Given the high percentage of psychology students expedencing disruptive levels of stress dudng graduate training, programs and faculty should take further steps to educate students about stress and to assist them in developing coping skills and addressing barders to their Wellness, making sure to attend to unique differences between diverse demographic groups. Based on our findings and the available literature, we provide recommendations for students, faculty, graduate programs, and policymakers.

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00076258.

It has become increasingly evident that bidirectional ("top-down and bottom-up") interactions between the brain and peripheral tissues, including the cardiovascular and immune systems, contribute to both mental and physical health. Therapies directed toward addressing functional links between mind/brain and body may be particularly effective in treating the range of symptoms associated with many chronic diseases. In this paper, we describe the basic components of an integrative psychophysiological framework for research aimed at elucidating the underlying substrates of mind-body therapies. This framework recognizes the multiple levels of the neuraxis at which mind-body interactions occur. We emphasize the role of specific fronto-temporal cortical regions in the representation and control of adverse symptoms, which interact reciprocally with subcortical structures involved in bodily homeostasis and responses to stress. Bidirectional autonomic and neuroendocrine pathways transmit information between the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery and facilitate the expression of affective, autonomic, hormonal, and immune responses. We propose that heart rate variability (HRV) and markers of inflammation are important currently available indices of central-peripheral integration and homeostasis within this homeostatic network. Finally, we review current neuroimaging and psychophysiological research from diverse areas of mind-body medicine that supports the framework as a basis for future research on the specific biobehavioral mechanisms of mind-body therapies.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are intended to improve mental, behavioral, and physical health by promoting clinical practices that are based on the best available evidence. The American Psychological Association (APA) is committed to generating patient-focused CPGs that are scientifically sound, clinically useful, and informative for psychologists, other health professionals, training programs, policy makers, and the public. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2011 standards for generating CPGs represent current best practices in the field. These standards involve multidisciplinary guideline development panels charged with generating recommendations based on comprehensive systematic reviews of the evidence. The IOM standards will guide the APA as it generates CPGs that can be used to inform the general public and the practice community regarding the benefits and harms of various treatment options. CPG recommendations are advisory rather than compulsory. When used appropriately, high-quality guidelines can facilitate shared decision making and identify gaps in knowledge.

Psychological assessment has been a defining area of practice, training, and research for professional psychologists since the field's inception. We conducted the present survey of professional psychologists as a follow-up to surveys conducted by the American Psychological Association in the 1990s to describe (a) current psychological assessment practices and trends; (b) demographic factors and beliefs associated with assessment use; (c) barriers discouraging assessment use; and (d) factors that may encourage psychologists to make assessments a larger part of their practices. Our survey supports the common perception that, in general, assessment represents a smaller part of the practices of professional psychologists than before managed care; however, for psychologists in some specialty areas and settings (e.g., forensic psychology, inpatient settings), assessment represents a significant portion of their work. Moreover, the large majority of psychologists believe psychological assessment is a valuable aid in making diagnostic decisions and treatment recommendations. Many psychologists identify that greater coverage by third-party payers, as well as having access to less costly assessment instruments, would enable greater use of assessment.

The TREAD study is uniquely designed to overcome sources of potential bias and threats to internal and external validity that have limited prior research on the mental health effects of exercise. The study is facilitated by the development of a multidisciplinary research team that includes experts in both depression treatment and exercise physiology, as well as other related fields.

Gentle Swedish massage applied postoperatively may have minor effects on short-term sensory pain, affective pain, and distress among women undergoing an abdominal laparotomy for removal of suspected malignant tissues.