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This study examined the relationships of mindfulness, a form of focused self-awareness, with physical and psychological health. Mindfulness was measured in terms of four stable forms of awareness: Observe, an awareness of internal and external stimuli; Describe, an ability to verbally express thoughts clearly and easily; Act with Awareness, the tendency to focus on present tasks with undivided attention; and Accept without Judgment, the tendency to take a nonjudgmental attitude toward one's own thoughts and emotions. These aspects of mindfulness were explored in relation to both physical health, which consisted of heart rate variability, a measure of overall cardiovascular health, and psychological health, which consisted of flourishing, existential well-being, negative affect, and social well-being in a sample of 506 undergraduate students. Individuals high in mindfulness showed better cardiovascular health and psychological health.

Type D (or ‘distressed’) personality has shown success in predicting hard medical outcomes (e.g. morbidity and mortality) in cardiac patients. Little is known about the relationship between Type D individuals prior to disease, or the role that coping may play in individuals with the distressed personality. The present study examined the relationships among Type D Personality, coping strategies, and heart rate variability (HRV) in a non‐medical sample of young adults. Social supportive coping was found to moderate the relationship between Type D personality and HRV. Additionally, as compared to non‐Type Ds, Type D individuals more often relied on avoidant forms of coping, and they less often relied on positive/problem focused strategies or social support to cope. Implications for primary prevention and future research were discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Understanding how young adults manage their demands and cope with stress sets the stage for understanding the developmental process of CVD. Both coping strategies and lifestyle behaviors must be considered in appraising gender-related cardiovascular risk at an early age before the disease process has begun.

BackgroundU.S. veterans of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be at greater risk for sexual dysfunction due to injuries, mental health conditions, medications used to treat those conditions, and psychosocial factors.ObjectiveTo explore the perceptions of recent Veterans about sexual health and dysfunction, contributing factors, its impact and solutions.DesignQualitative study.ParticipantsEight men who screened positive for sexual dysfunction at initial presentation to a postdeployment clinic at a Veterans Affairs medical centerApproachPatients who screened positive for sexual dysfunction and indicated an interest in participating were contacted and scheduled for an in-person private interview with a researcher. Interviews were semistructured, utilizing open-ended and follow-up probe questions to elicit the individual's perspective about sexual dysfunction and its cause, impact and solutions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed for themes.Key ResultsThese heterosexual men discussed a range of sexual dysfunction in their activities including lack of desire, erectile dysfunction, delayed orgasm, premature ejaculation, and distraction. They also discussed the importance of setting or context and changes over time to their sexual health and function. The men shared their ideas about contributory factors, including normal aging, medication side effects, injury and a possible role for combat deployment more generally. Reported solutions for sexual dysfunction included medications, herbal remedies, and new positions and approaches to sexual activity. Participants reported discussing sexual dysfunction with their health-care providers and what was helpful. Finally, the men expressed in their own words the significant impact of sexual dysfunction on their self-perception, their partners, and their relationships.ConclusionsSexual dysfunction in recent combat veterans can have important negative effects on their health and relationships. Our findings elucidate perceived contributory factors and preferred solutions, which can be applied by health-care providers to improve the management of sexual dysfunction in these patients.