Predictors and outcomes of benefit finding, positive reappraisal coping, and posttraumatic growth were examined using interviews and questionnaires from a longitudinal study of women with early-stage breast cancer followed from primary medical treatment completion to 3 (n=92) and 12 months (n=60) later. Most women (83%) reported at least 1 benefit of their breast cancer experience. Benefit finding (i.e., identification of benefits, number of benefits), positive reappraisal coping, and posttraumatic growth had distinct significant predictors. Positive reappraisal coping at study entry predicted positive mood and perceived health at 3 and 12 months and posttraumatic growth at 12 months, whereas benefit finding did not predict any outcome. Findings suggest that benefit finding, positive reappraisal coping, and posttraumatic growth are related, but distinct, constructs.

The transition from the period of diagnosis and medical treatment of cancer to survivorship (i.e., the reentry phase) is an understudied phase in the cancer trajectory. The objectives of this report were 1) to illustrate several adaptive tasks of the reentry phase, 2) to provide examples of research on factors that predict positive adjustment during this phase, and 3) to discuss interventions that address the adaptive tasks of early cancer survivorship. Although the pertinent empirical literature is scarce, accounts from cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, and qualitative researchers converge to suggest several themes in adaptive tasks during reentry. Drawing from the authors' work and that of others, the authors have described common expectancies held by many individuals approaching reentry (e.g., "I shouldn't need support"), typical concerns during this phase (e.g., concern over cancer recurrence), and personal and contextual factors that can facilitate and

This study examined cognitive distortions and coping styles as potential mediators for the effects of mindfulness meditation on anxiety, negative affect, positive affect, and hope in college students. Our pre- and postintervention design had four conditions: control, brief meditation focused on attention, brief meditation focused on loving kindness, and longer meditation combining both attentional and loving kindness aspects of mindfulness. Each group met weekly over the course of a semester. Longer combined meditation significantly reduced anxiety and negative affect and increased hope. Changes in cognitive distortions mediated intervention effects for anxiety, negative affect, and hope. Further research is needed to determine differential effects of types of meditation.

Emphasizing research published in the past decade, this article presents a summary and evaluation of psychosocial investigations of women's reproductive health, with a focus on selected aspects of menstruation, pregnancy and birth, infertility, and menopause. In some areas, studies have focused on negative physical and psychological concomitants of these health issues. However, research reveals substantial individual variability, with most women adapting well to reproductive health changes. Although methodological and conceptual shortcomings have limited firm conclusions, research has advanced our understanding of the multivariate biological, psychological, and social influences on women's reproductive health and associated outcomes. Understanding and promoting women's reproductive health across the lifespan requires biopsychosocial approaches to research.PMS has been treated successfully with dietary change or nutritional supplementation (e.g.

Mindfulness, Meditation, Compassion, Assessment, Positive psychology,