The purpose of this study is to examine how Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) history and details are associated with the expression of social/psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and social problems such as loneliness and peer acceptance. Exploring these variables is important as few studies have investigated how specific details of abuse effect the expression of these symptoms, which, if left untreated, can increase risk of suicidality, dissatisfaction with relationships, and further issues with self-esteem as CSA victims age (Mullen, et al., 1994; Li, et al., 2012). This study examines how the previously mentioned symptoms are affected by variables like the victim’s relationship to the perpetrator, type of abuse, and total number of times abused. Participants are approximately 300 children ages 7-17 and their caregivers who participated in treatment through a local Child Advocacy Center. Both children and caregivers completed behavioral questionnaires to determine the presence of the youth’s symptomology (Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self-Report, Children's Depression Inventory). Correlation analyses will be conducted to examine the associations between details of abuse, psychological symptoms, and presence of social problems. Regression analyses will be used to further examine the relationship of details of abuse and psychological symptoms along with the presence of social problems. The findings of this study will contribute to the greater understanding of how details of abuse are related to internalizing symptoms and social problems allowing children's needs to be met in a more specialized manner based on the individual’s history.

Psilocybin is the primary psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms” and belongs to a class of drugs known as psychedelics. Psychedelics have been shown to evoke profound psychoactive effects that impact information processing in the brain, however, the mechanisms for this are not well understood. Previous work has also demonstrated that psilocybin-occasioned mystical experiences can change personality structures long thought to be rigid and unchangeable in individuals. Because not much is known about how psilocybin changes the human brain, this study hopes to see what traits the psilocybin experience may alter. The subjective rating scales of the psychedelic experience were first developed in 1960, and have since been refined. There are several measures currently used in the psychedelic community, including the 5-dimensional altered states of consciousness questionnaire (5D-ASC), and the revised mystical experience questionnaire (RMEQ-30), which all aim to capture the subjective drug experiences of psychedelics like psilocybin. This study aims to test which domains of the subjective experience on psilocybin predict changes in personality structure measured by the “big 5” personality inventory (NEO-FFI). This study is part of a larger, ongoing clinical trial to test how psilocybin produces functional and structural neuroplasticity in the human brain (NCT04424225). Data from n=5 participants will be presented demonstrating the patterns of change after a psilocybin experience, and how that relates to changes in personality traits.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises following an ‘actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence,’ leading to distress reactions upon exposure to trauma reminders, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, persistent negative moods, cognitions, and chronic hyperarousal. PTSD leads to functional impairment and may contribute to poor health outcomes, marital instability, and unemployment. Primary care settings provide patients with an initial point of contact in the healthcare system to address basic health needs. Screening self-report tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7) are used in primary care settings to identify anxiety and depression and facilitate treatment. However, PTSD screening in primary care settings has been overlooked. The present project aims to assess the prevalence of PTSD and co-morbid anxiety and depression symptoms among adult patients served by a primary care clinic in New York City (N = 185). Participants will complete self-report screeners including Primary Care for PTSD screen (PC-PTSD-5) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) depression, anxiety and panic sub-scales. Co-occurrence between positive screens on the PC-PTSD and PHQ sub-scales will be examined. It is hypothesized that trauma endorsement via PC-PTSD will be associated with significant scores on PHQ sub-scales – suggesting presence of psychiatric co-morbidity. PTSD is often linked to depressive, anxiety, and panic symptoms and, if left undetected, psychiatric co-morbidities may mutually exacerbate each other. Implementation of PTSD screening can identify primary care patients who need further services and, through doing so, may moderate impact of trauma on health outcomes and reduce patients’ PTSD-related illness burden.

Introduction: Postmenopausal females who experience vasomotor symptoms (VMS, hot flushes, night sweats) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In past studies, researchers induced hot flushes in a laboratory setting by using a temperature-controlled water circulating (TCWC) pad and then measured the physiological responses to the hot flush. Previous studies have found similar responses in heart rate (HR) and skin conductivity (SC) during a spontaneous hot flush and induced hot flush; however, whether blood pressure (BP) response to an induced hot flush is similar to a spontaneous hot flush, is unknown. This study will determine if there are differences in HR, SC, skin temperature, and BP responses between spontaneous and induced hot flushes. We hypothesize that there will be similar responses between spontaneous and induced hot flushes, allowing for a predictable and consistent method of investigating the link between hot flushes and CVD. Methods: Ten postmenopausal female participants with at least three hot flushes a day will complete two study visits. Visit one: screening for eligibility and informed consent. Visit two: participants will report to the laboratory after a 12-hour fast and abstinence from caffeine, alcohol, and exercise. HR (electrocardiography), BP (finger plethysmography), SC via galvanic skin response (GSR), and skin temperature will be continuously monitored during two study periods: a two-hour spontaneous period and a 30 minute induction period while a TCWC pad is placed on the participant’s torso. Results and discussion: Results are pending, available by the end of Summer 2022.