By Gaby Leslie | Yahoo! News – 7 hours ago
A teenage girl thought by her father to have been possessed by an ‘evil spirit’ died from suffocation during an exorcism, it has been reported.
Tomomi Maishigi’s father and a monk performed a ‘waterfall service’ on the 13-year-old where she was allegedly bound to a chair by a belt and placed face-up underneath a water pump for five minutes at a Buddhist church in Kumamoto, south Japan.
The pair – 56-year-old monk Kazuaki Kinoshita and the girl’s 50-year-old father Atsushi Maishigi – were arrested yesterday on charges of inflicting injury resulting in death.
According to the Mainichi Daily News, her father held the girl down under the falling water while the monk chanted sutras in the early hours of 27 August.
When the victim fell unconscious, they called an ambulance but she was later pronounced dead.
Kumamoto Prefectural Police said the teenager died of suffocation and that she had undergone the ritual a hundred times before.
Mr Maishigi reportedly claimed that his daughter was possessed and found the monk to perform the ritual to exorcise the demons so she could get better. But she resisted and became violent.
“Our actions were aimed at exorcising evil spirits from her and were not physical abuse,” the men were quoted as telling investigators.”
Tomomi had suffered from mental and physical illness since she was a senior-grade primary school student, and had not attended school since April.
A spokesperson for the Nakayamashingoshoshu’s (a sect of Buddhism) main temple in Kiyama said: “The water rite is done to bring one’s wishes to reality, but of course you cannot exorcise with it. We also do not instruct to bound the arms and legs when doing the ritual.”
Source:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/teenager-died-from-%E2%80%98suffocation%E2%80%99-in-exorcism.html
By Paul Nelson
September 26th, 2011 @ 7:35am
SALT LAKE CITY — The transition from high school into being part of “the real world” can be hard for most people. It can be overwhelming for kids with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. But, a new support group is trying to change that.
Young adults with these disorders struggle for a number of reasons. Judith Zimmerman with the Jordan Family Education Center says they live in a literal world and don’t have the social skills many of us take for granted.
“Maybe their communication skills are poor. They have difficulty maintaining eye contact. Those things don’t go over well,” she said.
She says these social problems can keep someone with either of these disorders from finding a job or dating, and they can become overwhelmed, feeling like a failure.
“Some kids get frustrated and angry, but I do see a lot of them withdrawing to mom’s basement and hanging out there and just being OK with that,” Zimmerman said. “Then, they don’t have to deal with these problems. As a parent, that’s not what you want to see.”
The Jordan School District offers classes that help elementary and middle school students. But Zimmerman says many parents wanted more.
“The request came out of the parents’ needs, saying, ‘Gee, too bad you don’t offer something for my kid who just graduated from high school but continues to struggle.”
Read in Full:
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=17376268&nid=148
Published: Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 8:44 AM Â Â Â
Updated: Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 8:49 AM
Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism being diagnosed in a growing number of children, may soon disappear from the official psychiatric diagnostic manual.
Under a proposed revision, Asperger’s would be eliminated as a diagnosis and be replaced by autism spectrum disorder — a label that would apply to all types of autism, from the mildest form to the most severe. The proposal also would eliminate another autism diagnosis — pervasive development disorder — not otherwise specified.
The proposed change is generating controversy. Experts revising the manual for the American Psychiatric Association say the Asperger’s diagnosis is confusing and that the distinction between Asperger’s and “high-functioning” autism is often meaningless. Some patients and their families, however, want Asperger’s to remain in the manual because they believe the diagnosis is part of their identity and differentiates them from more severely disabled autistic people.
“I see lots of young adults who enjoy this label and diagnosis,” says Dr. Kevin Antshel, a clinical psychologist at Upstate Medical University. “They say, ‘So what if I’m quirky? I’m an Aspy.”
The revised edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual is due out in 2013.
The various forms of autism affect about 1 of 110 U.S. children, according to federal estimates.
There are now three different autism diagnoses:
*Autistic disorder or classic autism, characterized by significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests. Some individuals in this category also have intellectual disabilities.
*Asperger’s, characterized by milder symptoms of autism, but typically no problems with language or intellectual disability.
*Pervasive developmental disorder — not otherwise specified. Individuals in this category have some, but not all of the symptoms that accompany the other two diagnoses.
Under the proposed revision, clinicians making the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder would rank the symptoms by severity.
Asperger’s has been an official diagnosis since 1994, 50 years after the condition was first described by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger.
Antshel believes getting rid of the Asperger’s diagnosis is a good move. Research shows there’s a lot of overlap between the different forms of autism, he says. “Some people who have an autism diagnosis eventually morph into Asperger’s and vice versa,” Antshel says. “I think it would help reduce some confusion.”
The autism spectrum disorder diagnosis may make it easier for some youngsters with Asperger’s to get services in school. “There are a lot of individuals with Asperger’s I see who are not getting services in school because they are considered too high functioning,” he says. “They may be doing well academically, but they are not functioning well socially.”
Marylee McClaskey of Baldwinsville has 13-year-old twin sons — one with Asperger’s, the other with autism. She believes getting rid of the Asperger’s diagnosis would be a big mistake.
Read in Full:
Related Articles
“Asperger’s May Be Dropped From Diagnostic Manual”:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/22/aspergers-may-be-dropped-from-diagnostic-manual/
“Fwd: Please Take Action – The DSM-V – An Opportunity For Improved Practice”:
“You do make a difference in the DSM-Vâ€:
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/05/30/you-do-make-a-difference-in-the-dsm-5/
“Autism’s Enfolding of Aspies”:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/22/autisms-enfolding-of-aspies/
“A Look at the DSM-V Draft”:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/22/a-look-at-the-dsm-v-draft/
Freddie Mac, a leading mortgage finance company, is partnering with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) to create a more inclusive workplace. Starting next year, Freddie Mac will be offering 2-3 internships for young adults on the autism spectrum with backgrounds in statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science or information technology. ASAN will be working with Freddie Mac to provide employer training on accommodation needs and recruiting qualified applicants on the autism spectrum. We’re looking for resumes from recent college graduates on the autism spectrum with the following qualifications:
- *Degree or background in mathematics, computer science, statistics, economics, or information technology;
- *Some experience with statistical modeling software, particularly SAS, SPSS, Stata, R, or SPlus;
- *A strong work ethic;
- *A willingness to work in a collaborative fashion to craft a job description that is both accessible and meets Freddie Mac’s business needs;
- *Applicants must either be currently in the DC Metro area or be willing to relocate to the DC Metro area for the duration of the internship;
These internship opportunities will be paid and may lead to further opportunities with the company. All internships will be based in the DC Metro area. Please email your resume to resumes@autisticadvocacy.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a non-profit organization run by and for Autistic people, fighting for disability rights in the world of autism. Working in fields such as public policy, media representation, research and systems change, ASAN hopes to empower Autistic people across the world to take control of their own lives and the future of our common community.
 
Genetic Mutation Links Inherited Narcolepsy With Multiple Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Article Date: 11 Sep 2011 – 0:00 PDT
Narcolepsy is a rare disorder characterized by an excessive urge to sleep at inappropriate times and places. Narcoleptics are also often subject to “cataplexy,” a sudden muscle weakness that is triggered by strong emotions. Although most cases of narcolepsy are thought to be caused by complex mechanisms, a small percentage of cases are associated with unidentified inherited mutations. Now, a new study published by Cell Press in the American Journal of Human Genetics uncovers a mutation that causes narcolepsy in a large family affected by the disorder. The research sheds new light on the genetics of inherited narcolepsy and provides intriguing insight into other complex neuropsychiatric disorders.
Read in Full:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/234158.php
Insomnia Exhausts US Productivity
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on September 2, 2011
Have trouble sleeping at night? If so, you are not alone as new research shows that insomnia is costing the average U.S. worker 11.3 days, or $2,280 in lost productivity every year. That’s $63.2 billion for the nation as a whole; 252.7 days.
“We were shocked by the enormous impact insomnia has on the average person’s life,†said lead author Ronald C. Kessler, Ph.D.
“It’s an underappreciated problem. Americans are not missing work because of insomnia. They are still going to their jobs but accomplishing less because they’re tired. In an information-based economy, it’s difficult to find a condition that has a greater effect on productivity.”
Read in Full:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/09/02/insomnia-exhausts-us-productivity/29138.html
Is the Circadian Rhythm Less Effective with Age?
Women, sleep, and age
- 1. Difficulty falling asleep
- 2. Trouble staying asleep
- 3. Problems with daytime alertness
In addition to difficulty with nightly sleep, as we age we’re less likely to be able to cope with disruptions to our night-day routines, including difficulty adapting to time-zone changes, or working non-traditional hours, late at night or early in the morning.
Sleep is a critical factor in our long-term health and well being:studies show that it can play an important role in extending health and longevity and lack of sleep, in turn, can pose serious health consequences as we age.
Women face particular challenges to sleep throughout their lives. Research shows they are more likely than men to experience difficulty sleeping. Evidence also suggests that over time, sleeplessness can have a more serious impact on women’s overall health than on men’s. Some of the sleep challenges for women are a matter of physiology, and others can be a matter of the many roles and responsibilities that women so often take on, particularly as mothers.
Read in Full:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleep-newzzz/201108/is-the-circadian-rhythm-less-effective-age
Will chats about Anne Droyd, The Feeling’s Unmutual, Doctor Who and Asperger Syndrome in this interesting and not to be missed interview with host John S. Drew.
Will published his debut children’s novel Anne Droyd and Century Lodge in 2002. It was later republished as an “Asperger adventure†in 2004 alongside Will’s autobiography The Feeling’s Unmutual. The latter was endorsed by Doctor Who actor Colin Baker and Tripods author John Christopher.
In 2008 Will published Anne Droyd and the House of Shadows. The third instalment, Anne Droyd and the Ghosts of Winter Hill, is due in February 2010.
His latest book, a teen novel entitled The Blueprint, will be released this Fall.
To Tune in:
http://chronicrift.com/
September 20, 2011
When I unwrapped my New York Times on Sunday, I was met with a surprise: A front-page, above-the-fold story about a young adult with autism. The story — a must-read, which you can do here — follows Justin Canha, a 20-year old with autism as he stretches towards adulthood and aspires to an independent life. The feature, written by Amy Harmon, who won a National Academies communication award last week for her  “Target: Cancer†series, is beautifully wrought and a joy to read. It’s already been praised as a brilliant and insightful piece of medical journalism on blogs and twitter.
But I want to praise it for something else. Many articles about autism focus on the highest-functioning people on the spectrum, who certainly struggle socially, but who are brilliant beyond average academically or in some other quirky way. (Often they have Asperger’s syndrome, which will no longer be a diagnosis with the publication of the fifth edition of the psychiatric handbook,  the DSM-5, in May 2013, merging into the broader autistic spectrum.) Instead, Harmon celebrates Justin, a young man with a knack for cartooning, but whose autism is more familiar to me than in any profile I’ve read thus far.
And I am quite familiar with autism, as my youngest brother, Jonah, is on the autistic spectrum. There was a point in my life when I had to explain what autism was nearly every time I spoke about him. But I rarely have to do that anymore. As soon as I mention his diagnosis, acquaintances sigh with recognition, as if they know what that means. And, no doubt, they know more than they once did: autism awareness has never been higher, with one in 110 children born now diagnosed. But I wish I were still given the chance to explain. Too frequently, they follow-up with statements about his intellectual gifts — “Oh, he must be really smart then.†— a sign of the influence of the stories about those with high-functioning autism.
I usually laugh, and respond, “ah, yes, he is smart.†But I don’t mean ‘smart’ in any way that society currently values. At nearly 16-years old, Jonah can’t count change or multiply. He has favorite books, but he flips through them too frantically to actually absorb the text. I swell with triumph whenever we have a conversation that lasts longer than 30 seconds, an actual exchange rather than repetitions of his favorite topics, which include pasta shapes, wheeled vehicles, and what we’re having for dinner that night. What I see as his ‘smartness’ is his view of the world, little influenced by the social and societal pressures that feed my own insecurities.
In her article, Harmon gets at that smartness in her descriptions of Justin. It’s very difficult to articulate but, given the expanse of a feature, she was able to do it through dialogue and his interactions with others. And my eyes teared up as I recognized Jonah, the kind of autism that I know and love so dearly, in an autistic character portrayed elsewhere.
Read in Full:
Sep 21, 2011 03:14 ET
The software testers at Aspiritech are a collection of characters. Katie Levin talks nonstop. Brian Tozzo hates driving. Jamie Specht is bothered by bright lights, vacuum cleaners and the feel of carpeting against her skin. Rider Hallenstein draws cartoons of himself as a DeLorean sports car. Rick Alexander finds it unnerving to sit near other people.
This is the unusual workforce of a U.S. startup that specializes in finding software bugs by harnessing the talents of young adults with autism.
Traits that make great software testers — intense focus, comfort with repetition, memory for detail — also happen to be characteristics of autism. People with Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism, have normal to high intelligence and often are highly skilled with computers.
Aspiritech, a nonprofit in Highland Park, Ill., nurtures these skills while forgiving the quirks that can make adults with autism unemployable: social awkwardness, poor eye contact, being easily overwhelmed. The company’s name plays on the words “Asperger’s,” “spirit” and “technology.”
Clients, nine companies in Aspiritech’s first two years, have been pleased.
“They exceeded my expectations,” said Dan Tedesco of Shelton, Conn.-based HandHold Adaptive, which took a chance on Aspiritech to test an iPhone application. “There is a pride in their product you don’t usually see in this type of work.”
Aspiritech was founded by Moshe and Brenda Weitzberg after their son, Oran, now 32, was fired from a job bagging groceries. Oran was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was 14. He now works at Aspiritech.
“He went from failing at bagging groceries to being one of the best software testers on our team,” said Brenda Weitzberg.
The Weitzbergs modeled Aspiritech on a successful Danish company called Specialisterne, or “the Specialists.” Specialisterne also employs software testers with autism. Its satisfied clients include Oracle and Microsoft.
Read in Full:
http://www.salon.com/wires/health/2011/09/21/D9PSOSQO0_us_autism_at_work/index.html
Sep
18
Along life’s journey, we all face challenges that are seemingly sent to test us and our ability to cope and grow. We may be sent reeling, brought to our knees, rendered obsolete for a time, minus life’s compass after the death of a loved one, regardless of faith. Hopefully, we emerge stronger given time. One of the hardest challenges in life is that of death, the coming to terms, the letting go, and eventual re-emergence of our ‘self’. Sometimes, we may have time to prepare ourselves for its coming, other times it may creep up on us, all too abruptly, leaving us fighting for breath, struggling to cope from one day to the next.
For some, there may be a sense of relief, especially if this loss involved significant suffering over time. Our reactions and our grief, may differ significantly in expression, from one person to the next and from one day to the next. The rollercoaster ride is very real and very much a part of the grieving process. Some may feel broken, withdrawing from life for some time as a part of ‘coming to terms’ with their loss, while others have a strong desire to talk and share.
Others may outwardly present as strong and ever resilient, whether they are in actuality or not. I’m aware of teenagers on the spectrum who have experienced loss of a parent and have veered dangerously off course onto a self destructive path, in desperate need of an anchor. Just as surely as each human being on the planet is unique and complex, so equally unique and complex may their reactions be.
It should be noted that the loss of a person, not necessarily through death, but as a significant presence in our lives may have the same impact as that of death. This is never more true than for that of an autistic person who tends to be referenced to others. An autistic person may feel emotion far more intensely than one who is not on the autism spectrum. (See “Asperger’s Theory Does About Face – A groundbreaking study suggests people with autism-spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s do not lack empathy – rather, they feel others’ emotions too intensely to cope.http://www.thestar.com/article/633688)
A strong sense of bereavement may be experienced, even for young children on the spectrum, at changes in for example, school settings(the move from one known and learned environment to another), the loss of a friend or perceived friend(due to moving or otherwise).
It is not unusual for a child or adult on the spectrum to laugh or giggle in circumstances where one would anticipate an expression of embarrassment, discomfort, pain or sadness. Unusual reactions toward a death in the family, such as laughter or mania as studied by Berthier(1995) are by no means uncommon for those on the spectrum. This is likely due to the inability to express appropriate and subtle emotions. This is by no means evidence of mental illness or callousness. Understanding and tolerance of idiosyncratic ways of expressing grief is needed. ~Julie
The following compilation of articles and resources will be updated as time allows.
ARTICLES
“Death, Bereavement and Autism Spectrum Disordersâ€:
“Grief Reactions Subside In Most Children & Teens Whose Parent Dies Suddenly, But May Persist Or Increase In Some Casesâ€:
“Losing a Parent Can Be Fatalâ€:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/04/01/loss-grieving-losing-a-parent-can-be-fatal/
“On Losing a Childâ€:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/22/loss-grieving-on-losing-a-child/
“Surviving the Suicide of Someone You Love/Dealing With Grief & Loss(Post Fort Hood)â€:
“Living While Dying – Learning To Live In The Face Of Cancerâ€:
“Can Mindfulness Alter The Power That Death Holds Over Us?â€:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/03/01/can-mindfulness-alter-the-power-that-death-holds-over-us/
“Grief Versus Depressionâ€:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/22/grief-versus-depression/
“The Holiday Season: When SAD and Grief Occurâ€:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/22/the-holiday-season-when-sad-and-grief-occur/
“Loss on Holidays & Special Daysâ€:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/22/loss-grieving-loss-on-holidays-special-days-2/
“Grieving: 7 Tips To Get You Through The Holidaysâ€:
https://www.aspie-editorial.com/2011/01/09/grieving-7-tips-to-get-you-through-the-holidays/
“Improved ‘Prolonged Grief Disorder’ Criteria Would Help Bereavedâ€:
“Working Through Grief: It’s Different For Everyoneâ€:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174916.php
“Managing Anxiety and Grief Made A Little Easierâ€:
http://www.grief-healing-support.com/anxiety-and-grief.html
“Mind Hacks: The Evolution of Death and Dyingâ€:
http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2010/01/the_evolution_of_dea.html
Books: Review of “The Other Side of Sadness†by George A. Bonanno
The findings of George A. Bonanno, a clinical psychologist who interviewed hundreds of grieving people, were different from those of Freud and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/health/29book.html?ref=science
Fact Sheet “Death in the Familyâ€
BOOKS
“When Dad Diedâ€:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/booksbeyondwords/bbw/1904671047.aspx
“When Mum Diedâ€:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/booksbeyondwords/bbw/1904671039.aspx
“When Somebody Diesâ€:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/booksbeyondwords/bbw/1901242900.aspx
“Bereavement, Loss and Learning Disabilities: A Guide for Professionals and Carersâ€
Robin Grey
http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781849050203
“Autism and Lossâ€
Rachel Forrester-Jones and Sarah Broadhurst
http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843104339
RESOURCES
Cruse Bereavement Care
Able to talk about any form of bereavement (not autism or disability specific).
Helpline: 0870 167 1677
Email: helpline@crusebereavementcare.org.uk
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
RD4U
Website designed by young people for young people (not autism or disability specific). It is a part of Cruse Bereavement Cares Youth Involvement Project. Private messages can be sent to trained volunteers through the website, or you can speak to them direct through the free Helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm)
www.rd4u.org.uk
Resources for Grieving Families
GriefShare:
GriefNet:
Compassionate Friends/Salem, Or:
Compassionate Friends, Portland, Or:
Crisis, Grief & Healing for Men:
Lamenting Sons: Fathers & Grief:
http://lifegard.tripod.com/index-4.html
Grief Watch:
Silent Grief:
Alive Alone: Loss of Only Child:
Grandparent Grief:
http://missfoundation.org/family/grandparents.html
Books for Grieving Families:
http://astore.amazon.com/journalinthro-20?node=2&page=2
Resources for Siblings
The Dougy Center, Portland, Or:
Me, Too. & Company: supporting children and families in grief:
http://www.oregonhospice.org/metoo_and_company.htm
Adult Sibling Grief:
http://www.adultsiblinggrief.com/
Sibling Survivors of Suicide:
http://www.connect.legacy.com/inspire/sibling-survivors-of-suicide?&sn=flint
KIDSAID:
Books on Helping Children & Teens with Death & Grief:
http://www.carefordying.org/mainwebsite_html/books/bookHelp.html
Infant Loss
Mend:
http://www.mend.org/support/home.asp
Hannah’s Prayer:
http://www.hannahscupboard.com/hannahs-prayer.html
Brief Encounters, Oregon:
http://www.briefencounters.org/home/
M.I.S.S. Foundation:
http://www.missfoundation.org/
First Candle(S.I.D.S. Loss):
CLIMB(Center for Loss in Multiple Births):
Multiplicity(Loss of Twins or other Multiples):
http://www.synspectrum.com/multiplicity.html
After the Loss of Your Baby: A Book For Teen Mothers:
http://www.aplacetoremember.com/pdshop/shop/item.aspx?itemid=37
Someone Came Before You: A Book for Subsequent Siblings:
http://www.amazon.com/Someone-Came-Before-You-Schwiebert/dp/0972424156
Miscarriage Loss
A Place to Remember(incl. birth/death announcement cards):
http://www.aplacetoremember.com/
The Forgotten Grief:
http://forgottengrief.blogspot.com/
La Belle Dame memorial jewelry:
My Forever Child memorial jewelry:
Child Death: Specific Causes
First candle(S.I.D.S. Loss):
SUDC(Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood):
SADS(Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome):
Parents of Suicide:
http://www.parentsofsuicide.com/
Suicide.org:
POMC(Parents of Murdered Children):
Victim Assistance: National Center for Victims of Crime:
http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_VictimAssistance207
The Hope Foundation(homicide survivors):
http://www.opentohope.com/special-topics/traumatic-deaths/homicide/
Military Death Resources
TAPS(Tragedy Assistance Program):
Military OneSource:
http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS.aspx
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) bereavement counseling:
http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/Bereavement_Counseling.asp
American Gold Star Mothers Inc:
Gold Star Wives of America Inc:
Society of Military Widows:
http://www.militarywidows.org/
United Warrior Survivor Foundation:
Travis John by Kate Power, free MP3 download:
http://qualityfolk.com/music/travisjohn.html
Operation Remembrance: free Memory Boxes:
http://www.operationremembrance.org/
GriefNet war and combat losses email support groups:
http://griefnet.org/support/sg2.html#war_combat
Kids-to-Kids: GriefNet’s Child and teen survival support:
http://griefnet.org/support/sg2.html
Survival Resources For Those In Crisis
Alcoholics Anonymous Group Finder:
http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=28
Sober24:
Narcotics Anonymous Group Finder:
http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLoc/
National Suicide Hotlines USA:
Befrienders Worldwide Support Group:
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on September 16, 2011
Researchers have identified a genetic connection to optimism, self-esteem and perceived control over one’s life – factors that are critical for coping with stress and depression.
While researchers are confident they found a genetic connection to psychological states, they point out that while genes may predict behavior, they do not determine it. That is, environmental factors, family, friends and even other genes all interact to determine behavior.
In the current investigation, researchers were surprised when they pinpointed this particular gene.
“I have been looking for this gene for a few years, and it is not the gene I expected,†said Dr. Shelley E. Taylor, a distinguished professor of psychology at UCLA and senior author of the new research. “I knew there had to be a gene for these psychological resources.”
The research is currently published in the online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Read in Full:
http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/09/16/gene-may-impact-self-esteem-and-optimism/29486.html