Faculty Bibliography

Social support has been shown to act as a buffer for cardiovascular responses to stress. However, little is known about how social support and networks are related to cardiovascular responses to immigration stress recall. The current study evaluated the impact of structural and functional support on cardiovascular reaction following immigrant stress recall provocation as well as the moderation effect of interdependent self-construal among first-generation Chinese immigrants. One hundred fifty Chinese immigrants were recruited in the New York Chinatown area. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their levels of social support and networks, and interdependent self-construal. Following adaptation, participants recalled a recent post-immigration stress-provoking situation. Cardiovascular measures were taken during adaptation, stressor task, and recovery period. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed. Social network size and type, as well as perceived emotional support were positively predictive of systolic blood pressure (SBP) reactivity changes. Instrumental support seeking was a positive predictor of SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity. The moderation effect between instrumental support seeking and interdependent self-construal were significantly predictive of DBP reactivity and recovery, suggesting that perceptions about themselves in relation to others is a crucial factor for determining whether support seeking is beneficial or not. Social support was not a direct buffer on cardiovascular responses to stress among Chinese immigrants. Chinese values of interdependence and collectivism may partly explain the disconfirming results. Still, when interdependent self-construal was taken into account, Chinese immigrants who had less interdependent self-construal, but solicited more instrumental support, had faster adaptation to stress over the long term.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise has been proven to be an effective method for improving cognition and mood, but little is known about its benefits among individuals with traumatic brain injury. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study investigated the feasibility of a combined exercise and self-affirmation intervention (IntenSati) for enhancing cognition and mood in individuals with TBI. It was hypothesized that this intervention would improve individuals' cognition and mood following the completion of the program. METHOD: This intervention was held at an outpatient rehabilitation department in an urban medical center. A wait-list control design was conducted. Twenty-one adult participants-at least 12-months post-TBI-enrolled in the study. Twelve of them completed the study. Assessment was conducted at three time-points throughout the study using neuropsychological and self-report measures to evaluate participants' cognition and mood. Following initial evaluation, participants were assigned into either the immediate intervention group or the waitlist control group. During the intervention, participants attended the program twice a week over the course of 8 weeks. Debriefing was conducted following the completion of the program. RESULTS: Both independent t tests and paired t tests were utilized. Results indicated that the intervention group experienced less depressive symptoms following the completion of the IntenSati program compared to the waitlist control group. Participants also reported having less depressive symptoms, experienced more positive affect, and had a higher quality of life following the completion of the program. Moderate-to-large effect sizes were found on decrease in negative affect. However, results associated with cognitive benefits were mixed. The participants tolerated the program well and reported satisfaction with the program. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicated that the IntenSati exercise program is a feasible and beneficial intervention for individuals with TBI as supported by the positive impact on their mood and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Social support and coping strategies are important determinants of health, especially for those in the immigrant community adjusting to a new environment. PURPOSE: This study assessed the buffering effects of perceived social support and different coping styles on cardiovascular reactivity to stress among Chinese immigrants in the New York City Chinatown area. METHOD: Participants (N = 50, 76% women, and 22-84 years old) completed questionnaires assessing their perceived social support and coping strategy preferences. They were then asked to recall a stress-provoking event related to their immigration experience in a semi-structured interview format. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses confirmed the interaction effect between perceived social support and problem-focused, emotion-focused, or reappraisal coping on heart rate reactivity. Additionally, Chinese immigrants who upheld more Chinese values were highly correlated with stronger perceived availability of social support and were more likely to incorporate the use of problem-focused and reappraisal coping styles. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that high level of social support and the use of reappraisal coping strategies were associated with attenuated cardiovascular responses to stress.

This article reviews the available data on the study of iodine deficiency disorders in Hong Kong and to discuss the approach towards preventing such disorders in Hong Kong. The importance of iodine and iodine deficiency disorders is described, and the available data on the dietary iodine intake and urinary iodine concentration in different populations of Hong Kong are summarised and discussed. Dietary iodine insufficiency among pregnant women in Hong Kong is associated with maternal goitrogenesis and hypothyroxinaemia as well as neonatal hypothyroidism. Borderline iodine deficiency exists in the expectant mothers in Hong Kong. Women of reproductive age, and pregnant and lactating women should be made aware and educated to have an adequate iodine intake, such as iodised salt, as an interim measure. A steering group involving all stakeholders should be formed to advise on the strategy of ensuring adequate iodine intake, including universal iodisation of salt in Hong Kong. Continuous surveillance of iodine status in the Hong Kong population is necessary.