Society of Pediatric Psychology Workforce Survey: Updated Factors Related to Compensation.

OBJECTIVE: The 2017 Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) Workforce Survey provides self-reported compensation by pediatric psychologists, identifies predictors of compensation, and establishes a better understanding of compensation within the context of gender and race/ethnicity minority status. METHODS: SPP members who attended the SPP Annual Conference (SPPAC; April 2017) were invited to complete the survey at the conference through electronic tablets provided on-site by the Workforce Survey Committee. The survey was subsequently distributed online to SPP members who did not complete the survey at SPPAC. The statistical analyses used for this salary data employed flexible semi-parametric models, cross-validation, and prediction models for both the overall sample and academic rank subgroups. RESULTS: Of 27 potential demographic and employment-related predictors from the 2017 SPP Workforce Survey, significant predictors of salary emerged within this sample: academic rank, time since obtaining doctoral degree, managing internal and external funds (of at least $50,000), years in primary employment position, obtaining Fellowship status in the American Psychological Association (APA), and managing other employees (at least 10 people). Given low response rates for males and individuals who identify as belonging to racial and ethnic minority subgroups, only limited, exploratory results are reported for these subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that not only is longevity in one's career important but managing funds/personnel and obtaining professional designations are also predictors of higher salaries for pediatric psychologists, in general. Specific implications of salary according to the psychologist's academic rank, gender, and racial/ethnicity group status are also explored.

Alfalfa Responses to Gypsum Application Measured Using Undisturbed Soil Columns.

Gypsum is an excellent source of Ca and S, both of which are required for crop growth. Large amounts of by-product gypsum [Flue gas desulfurization gypsum-(FGDG)] are produced from coal combustion in the United States, but only 4% is used for agricultural purposes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of (1) untreated, (2) short-term (4-year annual applications of gypsum totaling 6720 kg ha-1), and (3) long-term (12-year annual applications of gypsum totaling 20,200 kg ha-1) on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth and nutrient uptake, and gypsum movement through soil. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using undisturbed soil columns of two non-sodic soils (Celina silt loam and Brookston loam). Aboveground growth of alfalfa was not affected by gypsum treatments when compared with untreated (p > 0.05). Total root biomass (0-75 cm) for both soils series was significantly increased by gypsum application (p = 0.04), however, increased root growth was restricted to 0-10 cm depth. Soil and plant analyses indicated no unfavorable environmental impact from of the 4-year and 12-year annual application of FGDG. We concluded that under sufficient water supply, by-product gypsum is a viable source of Ca and S for land application that might benefit alfalfa root growth, but has less effect on aboveground alfalfa biomass production. Undisturbed soil columns were a useful adaptation of the lysimeter method that allowed detailed measurements of alfalfa nutrient uptake, root biomass, and yield and nutrient movement in soil.

Prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with cystic fibrosis and parent caregivers: results of The International Depression Epidemiological Study across nine countries.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with chronic diseases and parent caregivers are at increased risk for symptoms of depression and anxiety. Prevalence of psychological symptoms was evaluated in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and parent caregivers across nine countries. METHODS: Patients with CF, ages 12 years and older, and caregivers of children with CF, birth to18 years of age, completed measures of depression and anxiety across 154 CF centres in Europe and the USA. Psychological symptoms were compared across countries using χ(2). Logistic regression examined extent of comorbid symptoms, predictors of depression and anxiety, and concordance between parent and adolescent symptomatology. RESULTS: Psychological symptoms were reported by 6088 patients with CF and 4102 parents. Elevated symptoms of depression were found in 10% of adolescents, 19% of adults, 37% of mothers and 31% of fathers. Elevations in anxiety were found in 22% of adolescents, 32% of adults, 48% of mothers and 36% of fathers. Overall, elevations were 2-3 times those of community samples. Participants reporting elevated anxiety were more likely to report depression (ORs: adolescents=14.97, adults=13.64, mothers=15.52, fathers=9.20). Significant differences in reports of depression and anxiety were found by patient age and parent respondent. Concordance between 1122 parent-teen dyads indicated that adolescents whose parents reported depression were more likely to be elevated on depression (OR=2.32). Similarly, adolescents whose parents reported anxiety were more likely to score in the elevated range on the anxiety measure (OR=2.22). CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of depression and anxiety were elevated in both patients with CF and parents across several European countries and the USA. Annual screening of psychological symptoms is recommended for both patients and parents.

The relationship between delusions and violence: findings from the East London first episode psychosis study.

IMPORTANCE: Psychotic persons who are violent often explain their violence as being due to delusions. However, research has failed to confirm associations between delusions and violent behavior. OBJECTIVES: To investigate which delusional beliefs and characteristics are associated with violent behavior during a first episode of psychosis and whether these associations are mediated by affect due to delusions. DESIGN: Population-based epidemiological survey of first-episode psychosis during a 2-year study period. SETTING: Three inner-city boroughs in East London, England. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 458 patients with first-episode psychosis who were 18 to 64 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were clinically assessed (using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and the Maudsley Assessment of Delusions Schedule) and interviewed about their displaying violent behavior while experiencing psychotic symptoms during the 12-month period prior to interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Violence was classified at 2 levels of severity: minor and serious violence. RESULTS: The prevalence of violence was 38% during the 12-month period, and 12% of the sample engaged in serious violence. Distinct sets of demographic and comorbid risk factors were associated with minor and serious violence. These were adjusted for in subsequent analyses. Anger was the only affect due to delusions that was positively associated with violence. The population-attributable risk percentage was 30.8% for minor violence and 55.9% for serious violence. A small number of uncommon delusional beliefs demonstrated direct pathways leading to minor violence. Three highly prevalent delusions demonstrated pathways to serious violence mediated by anger due to delusional beliefs: persecution (z = 3.09, P = .002), being spied on (z = 3.03, P = .002), and conspiracy (z = 2.98, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Anger due to delusions is a key factor that explains the relationship between violence and acute psychosis. A subset of delusional beliefs may be causally linked to violence, and certain uncommon beliefs demonstrated a direct association with minor violence. Highly prevalent delusional beliefs implying threat were associated with serious violence, but they were mediated by anger.

Raised incidence rates of all psychoses among migrant groups: findings from the East London first episode psychosis study.

CONTEXT: Certain black and minority ethnic groups are at increased risk for psychoses. It is unknown whether risk for second- and later-generation black and minority ethnic groups in the United Kingdom is universally increased or varies by ethnicity, population structure, or diagnostic category. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether excess risk in black and minority ethnic groups varies by generation status and to determine whether this is explained solely by an excess of broadly defined schizophrenia. DESIGN: Population-based epidemiological survey of first-onset psychoses during a 2-year study period. SETTING: Three inner-city boroughs in East London, England. Patients Four hundred eighty-four patients with first-episode psychosis aged 18 to 64 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nonaffective or affective psychoses according to the DSM-IV. RESULTS: Raised incidence of both nonaffective and affective psychoses were found for all of the black and minority ethnic subgroups compared with white British individuals. The risk of nonaffective psychoses for first and second generations varied by ethnicity (likelihood ratio test, P = .06). Only black Caribbean second-generation individuals were at significantly greater risk compared with their first-generation counterparts (incidence rate ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.2) [corrected]. No significant differences between first and second generations were observed in other ethnic groups. Asian women but not men of both generations were at increased risk for psychoses compared with white British individuals. Patterns were broadly upheld for the affective psychoses. CONCLUSIONS: Both first- and second-generation immigrants were at elevated risk for both nonaffective and affective psychoses, but this varied by ethnicity. Our results suggest that given the same age structure, the risk of psychoses in first and second generations of the same ethnicity will be roughly equal. We suggest that socioenvironmental factors operate differentially by ethnicity but not generation status, even if the exact specification of these stressors differs across generations. Research should focus on differential rates of psychoses by ethnicity rather than between generations.