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Although the protective role of social support is well established in the health literature, antecedents of perceived social support are not well understood. Research on family experiential factors during early adolescence, an important psychosocial developmental period in the life course, represents a promising line of inquiry. Using a sample of young adults in Miami-Dade County, Florida (N = 1,267) involving longitudinal data spanning 8 years, we evaluated the importance of early adolescent family experiences (socioeconomic status, family structure, family support, family pride, parent derogation) on perceived family and friend support in young adulthood. Results indicated that early family experiences, especially negative experiences, were associated with lower perceived family and friend support in young adulthood. Moreover, these associations were independent of early childhood-adolescent behavioral disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct), psychological disorders (major depression, anxiety), substance use disorders, and lifetime social adversity. The importance of family experiences during early adolescence for later perceived social support is discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)

Depression often emerges early in the lifecourse and is consistently shown to be associated with poor self-esteem. The 3 main objectives of the current study are to (1) evaluate the association between a history major depression and self-esteem in young adulthood, (2) assess the relationship between timing of depression onset and young adult self-esteem, and (3) help rule out the alternative interpretation that the relationship between major depression and self-esteem is due to state dependence bias stemming from recent depressive symptoms and stressful life events. To address these objectives we use data from a 2-wave panel study based on a community sample of young adults in Miami-Dade County, Florida (n = 1,197). Results indicated that a history of major depression during sensitive periods of social development is associated with negative changes in self-esteem over a 2-year period during the transition to young adulthood. Among those with a history of depression, earlier onset was more problematic than later onset for young adult self-esteem, although the difference disappeared once the level of self-esteem 2 years prior was controlled. The linkages between the history and timing of depression onset with self-esteem were observed net of recent depressive symptoms and stressful life events and are thus robust to an alternative interpretation of state dependence. The findings support the argument that major depression, especially if it develops earlier during child-adolescent development, has negative consequences for one's self-esteem.

Objectives. Although evidence suggests that physical disability and depression may be reciprocally related, questions of causality versus spuriousness and the direction of causality remain to be confidently answered. This study considered the hypothesis of reciprocal influence; the possibility of spuriousness in relation to pain, stress, and lifetime major depression; and the possible mediating effects of pain and social stress. Methods. We analyzed data from a two-wave panel study of Miami-Dade County residents (n = 1,455) that included a substantial oversampling of individuals reporting a physical disability. Results. Results indicated that, although prior levels of physical limitations predicted changes in depressive symptoms, there was no evidence of the reverse association. Results also indicated that part of the association between prior physical limitations and changes in depressive symptoms was explained by intervening level of pain and, to a lesser extent, by the day-to-day experience of discrimination. Discussion. Much of whatever causation may be involved in the linkage between physical limitations and depressive symptomatology flows from limitations to depression rather than in the reverse direction. Results also make clear that this linkage is not an artifact of shared associations with pain, social stress, or lifetime major depression. Key Words: Physical limitations--Depression--Stress--Pain.

Few studies have investigated factors that contribute to the mental health of probation and parole officers (PPOs). Addressing the needs of supervisees with serious mental illness (SMI) can create unique challenges for PPOs, which in turn may increase job-related stress and impact PPOs' mental health. Using statewide survey data from 795 PPOs, we examine whether the number of supervisees with SMI on an officer's caseload is associated with depressive symptoms reported by PPOs and whether this relationship is mediated by work stress. In addition, we examine the mediating effects of role conflict and overload in the relationship between the number of persons with SMI on an officer's caseload and work stress. Findings reveal that PPOs supervising more people with SMI report significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and this relationship is mediated by work stress. Additionally, the association between the number of supervisees with SMI on an officer's caseload and work stress is completely explained away by role conflict and role overload. These findings highlight the mental health significance for parole and probation practitioners working with persons with SMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study employs the stress process model (SPM) to identify risk/protective factors for mental health among adult African American men. Method: Using a community-based sample of Miami, FL residents linked to neighborhood Census data, this study identifies risk/protective factors for depressive symptomatology using a sample of 248 adult African American men. Results: The stress process variables independently associated with depressive symptoms were family support, mastery, self-esteem, chronic stressors, and daily discrimination. While mastery and self-esteem mediated the relationship between neighborhood income and depressive symptoms, perceived family support served as a buffer for stress exposure. Collectively, the SPM explains nearly half of the variability in depressive symptoms among African American men. Discussion: The SPM is a useful conceptual framework for identifying psychosocial risk/protective factors and directing health initiatives and policies aimed at improving the psychological health of African American men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit difficulties with complex language and social communication. Direct Instruction (DI) is an empirically supported curriculum designed to teach complex language skills to children with and at risk of learning disabilities. Only recently, the effectiveness of DI has been evaluated among children with autism. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the DI Language for Learning curriculum among 18 children diagnosed with ASD. Immediate post-intervention language scores on curriculum post-tests were significantly higher than pre-intervention scores and remained significantly higher than pre-intervention scores up to 6 to 8 months following the intervention. Comparing language skills across groups, children already exposed to the intervention exhibited significantly higher language skills than their non-exposed waitlist counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ObjectivesThis study assesses socioeconomic status (SES) and race-ethnic differences in the extent to which coping resources (social support and self-esteem) buffer the negative impact of chronic stress on depressive symptoms. DesignWe analyze data from a large community-based sample of young adults (ages 18–23) living in Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA (N = 1411). ResultsStudy findings indicate that the stress-buffering effects of social support or self-esteem do not vary by SES. However, independent of SES and other study controls, non-Hispanic whites experience greater stress-buffering effects from social support than African-Americans and African-Americans experience greater stress-buffering effects from self-esteem than Cubans and Nicaraguans. ConclusionIn light of these results, we conclude that a greater understanding of racial and ethnic differences in mental health requires close attention to cultural transmissions of coping strategies within groups, which may be partly responsible for these differences in buffering effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]