Panel V: Adaptive health behaviors among ethnic minorities.

Race. ethnicity. and cultural attitudes and practices are among the variables that influence health behaviors. including adaptive health behaviors. The following discussions highlight the important role of social conditions in shaping health behaviors and the central role of family in promoting health across the Asian, Hispanic. Native American, and African American ethnic groups. Factors that may lead to health-damaging behaviors are also discussed. The need for additional research that identifies correlations among physiological, social. and behavioral factors and health behaviors, as well as underlying mechanisms, is called for. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Panel IV: Risk-taking and abusive behaviors among ethnic minorities.

The health status and health outcomes of many ethnic minorities have remained poor, or have deteriorated, despite massive health promotion campaigns. Multiple factors that encourage ethnic minorities to engage in high-risk behaviors and those that discourage health promotive behaviors must be closely examined before any health interventions are likely to be successful in decreasing substance abuse. high-risk sex, accidental deaths and injuries, and violence. Cultural and contextual factors may put some ethnic minorities in jeopardy and at higher risk for poorer health than their White counterparts (B. W. K. Yee, 1995, in press). This review article identifies contributing factors in high-risk behaviors and highlights research gaps for Americans of African. Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanic descent. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Methodological issues in assessment research with ethnic minorities.

Assessment research on ethnic minorities presents multiple methodological and conceptual challenges. This article addresses the difficulties in defining and examining ethnicity as a variable in psychological research. The authors assert that many of the problems stem from not making explicit the assumptions underlying the use of ethnicity as an explanatory variable and from inadequately describing cultural and contextual characteristics of ethnic minority samples. Also raised are common methodological problems encountered in examining race, ethnicity, and culture in assessment research, such as decisions regarding which populations to study, sampling methodologies, measure selection, method of assessment, and interpretation of results. Finally, some guidelines are offered for tackling some of the methodological dilemmas in assessment research with ethnic minorities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapeutic services for ethnic minorities: Two decades of research findings.

Considerable controversy exists over the effectiveness of psychotherapy for ethnic minority clients, especially when treated by White therapists. Some researchers and practitioners believe that ethnic clients are less likely to benefit from treatment. Others maintain the position that ethnic clients are as likely as Whites to show favorable outcomes from treatment and that ethnic or racial matching of clients and therapists is unnecessary. The available research findings fail to demonstrate that ethnic minorities achieve differential treatment outcomes, which tends to support the latter position. Explanations for the persistence of the controversy have included the lack of rigorous research on the issue and the social-political context of the controversy. This article argues that the issue has been misconceptualized. Ethnic or racial match in treatment is more of a moral/ethical concern, whereas cultural match is more of an empirical issue. Failure to differentiate between the two types of matches has prolonged an unresolvable question. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The quest for collective identity: The plight of disadvantaged ethnic minorities.

Argues that cultural difference theories, in the form of genetics, cultural deficit, and cultural discontinuity, are incomplete and misguided. A theory of "self" is proposed that focuses on collective identity as the primary psychological process, even taking precedence over self-esteem. Intergroup processes are applied to explain the problems confronting society's most disadvantaged groups. Specifically, the intergroup power differential between societal groups is explored, leading to a theory of valueless colonialism. It is the effects of valueless colonialism that leads to the destruction of collective identity for certain groups. The consequences of a poorly defined collective identity are difficulties with personal identity and self-esteem. Social problems and academic underachievement are the visible manifestations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Panel VI: Ethnic minorities, health care systems, and behavior.

This article presents an overview of research on health care use and provider behavior, on doctor–patient relationships, adherence to medical regimens, self-care, practices and avoidance health care behaviors, and attitudes of 4 ethnoracial groups: African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Latinos. Although issues within the groups varied, common themes between the groups emerged. It became apparent, after discussion, that whatever the issues and health problems, these can be resolved most effectively when addressed within the social contexts of each ethnoracial group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy research with ethnic minorities: Empirical, ethical, and conceptual issues.

There is an increasing demand for psychotherapy among ethnic minority populations. Yet, there is not adequate evidence that empirically supported therapies (ESTs) are effective with ethnic minorities. Ethical guidelines suggest that psychotherapies be modified to become culturally appropriate for ethnic minority persons. Conceptual approaches have identified interdependence, spirituality, and discrimination as considerations for culturally sensitive therapy (CST). However, there is no more empirical support for the efficacy of CSTs than there is for the efficacy of ESTs with ethnic minority populations. The chasm between EST and CST research is a function of differences between methods and researchers in these 2 traditions. Specific recommendations for research collaboration between CST and EST researchers are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Medications and chronic diseases as risk factors for falling injuries in the elderly

Diseases and medications associated with the occurrence of falls leading to medical treatment in elderly Finns (65 yrs or older) during a one-year period are presented. The design was that of a case-control study involving 380 fallers seeking medical treatment and 342 unmatched controls selected randomly from the population register. The occurrence of a fall was shown by logistic regression analysis to be related to advanced age, presence of benzodiazepine in the serum, hypertrophy of the prostate, poor mental capacity, presence of chronic lung disease and asthma, use of analgesics and use of digitalis in the men, and to advanced age, poor mental capacity, presence of benzodiazepine in the serum, use of analgesics and non-occurrence of lower limb arthrosis in the women. The corresponding log-linear models showed advanced age and the presence of benzodiazepine in the serum to be independent risk factors for falling both in the men and women. Furthermore, the use of analgesics was related to falling in the women with normal mental capacities. No disease was independently associated with falls. The results suggest caution in the use of benzodiazepines among the elderly.     

Referral patterns in ethnic-specific and mainstream programs for ethnic minorities and Whites.

The present study examined the referral patterns of 1,095 African, 2,168 Asian, 1,385 Hispanic, and 2,273 White Americans (18 years of age and older) in a public mental health system to determine whether group differences in help-seeking and referral patterns were related to participation in ethnic-specific versus mainstream programs. Results indicated that (a) ethnic minorities in both mainstream and ethnic-specific programs were more likely than Whites to have been referred by natural help-giving and lay referral sources (e.g., family or friends, health services, and social services) and (b) ethnic minorities in ethnic-specific programs were more likely than ethnic minorities in mainstream programs to have been referred by natural help-giving and lay referral sources if they were Asian and Hispanic Americans and self-referred if they were African Americans. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training in counseling ethnic minorities and race-based availability of graduate school resources.

Psychology interns were surveyed concerning their perceptions of training received on ethnic minority issues and the availability of resources during graduate training. Respondents reported mediocre preparation for counseling ethnic minority clients. Few had courses on counseling ethnic minorities and these issues were not incorporated into most core courses. The majority reported both encouragement to examine their biases regarding ethnicity (as defined by J. M. Casas, 1984) and the presence of experts in these issues during training. A few program type and internship setting differences were found. In terms of resources, both White students and students of other races reported having support for their dissertations and access to role models and mentors, with a few differences emerging in source of mentoring. Differences in funding between White students and students of other races were also identified. Implications for training programs are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examination of psychological distress in ethnic minorities from a learned helplessness framework.

Outlines L. Y. Abramson and colleague's (see record 1979-00305-001) reformulated model of learned helplessness, in which behavioral deficits result from a noncontingency between response and outcome. The helplessness sequence is illustrated in a case of a 55-yr-old Black male whose deficits were attributed to events involving racial discrimination. Locus of control and attributional styles are discussed in the context of minority mental health issues. An attributional style grid is proposed as a way in which the clinician can identify appropriate clinical and community interventions on the basis of the particular salient attributions operating for the patient. In this grid, problems such as a patient's lack of skills, employer prejudice, or the state of the economy are classified as being global or specific, stable or unstable, and internal or external. The value of cognitive therapy, exposure to a controlling type of experience, remediation of specific skills deficits, and social advocacy are discussed. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral intervention to reduce AIDS risk activities.

Behavior change can curtail the spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this study, 104 gay men with a history of frequent AIDS high-risk behavior completed self-report, self-monitoring, and behavioral measures related to AIDS risk. The sample was randomly divided into experimental and waiting-list control groups. The experimental intervention provided AIDS risk education, cognitive-behavioral self-management training, sexual assertion training, and attention to the development of steady and self-affirming social supports. Experimental group participants greatly reduced their frequency of high-risk sexual practices and increased behavioral skills for refusing sexual coercions, AIDS risk knowledge, and adoption of "safer sex" practices. Change was maintained at the 8-month follow-up. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

中国东北地区成人非传染性慢性疾病的流行病学调查及影响因素分析

目的:了解中国东北吉林省德惠市城乡居民高血压、糖尿病(DM)、血脂紊乱、酒精性肝病(ALD)、非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)、代谢综合征(MS)及肥胖(Obesity)等9种非传染性慢性疾病的流行病学现状,并对这些慢性病危险因素进行分析.方法:采用分层抽样方法,对德惠市11个居委会和9个村共6 043人进行问卷调查和体格检查.采用多因素Logistic回归分析对各疾病的相关危险因素进行分析.结果:东北地区德惠城乡居民的高血压、DM、血脂紊乱、ALD、NAFLD、MS、超重和中心型肥胖的患病率分别为28.67%、4.82%、51.00%、3.74%、15.5%、21.54%、58.22%和36.67%;不同疾病患病率性别间比较有差异,高血压患病率男性多于女性(P<0.001),中心性肥胖、血脂紊乱、MS和NAFLD患病率女性大于男性(P<0.05).高龄(OR=1.04,95%CI为1.03～1.05)、脂肪肝(OR=19.42,95%CI为11.62～32.4)、高血糖(OR=1.15,95%CI为1.06～1.26)、高胆固醇血症(OR=1.38,95%CI为1.19～1.59)、高甘油三酯血症(OR=1.32,95%CI为1.1～1.49)和高体重指数(OR=1.42,95%CI为1.3～1.47)是非传染性慢性病的主要危险因素.结论:中国东北部地区德惠市部分非传染性慢性病的发病率较高,且随着年龄的增长患病率逐渐增高;慢性病的发病和进展与本地区的生活、饮食习惯、经济水平、教育程度、地区差异有明显相关性.     

Behavioral activation sensitivity and resting frontal EEG asymmetry: Covariation of putative indicators related to risk for mood disorders.

Dispositional tendencies toward appetitive motivation have been hypothesized to be related to the development of psychopathology. Moreover, decreased left-frontal cortical activity has been reported in depression and has been related to low-trait positive affect and high-trait negative affect. The present study tested the hypothesis that relatively greater left- than right-frontal cortical activity would be related to heightened approach related dispositional tendencies. Resting frontal cortical asymmetrical activity, as measured by electroencephalographic activity in the alpha band, was examined in relation to the motivational response tendencies of a behavioral activation system (BAS) and a behavioral inhibition system (BIS), as measured by C. S. Carver and T. L. White's (see record 1995-00067-001) BIS-BAS self-report questionnaire. Results supported the hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Host differences in neoplastic risk: Behavioral and social contributors to disease.

Examines the behavioral and social variables that contribute to the development and course of cancer. Lifestyle factors that influence cancer initiation are discussed, including tobacco and alcohol use, occupation, dietary fat consumption, and stress effects on the immune system. Social factors that delay secondary prevention (i.e., seeking diagnosis, self-examination) are identified. The effect of behavioral-emotional factors on hormonally dependent tumors and patient noncompliance are discussed as factors affecting cancer progression. The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and treatment outcome is addressed. It is concluded that an understanding of modifiable differences in host risk for cancer is necessary for more effective treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sudden unexpected death in infancy: epidemiologically determined risk factors related to pathological classification

OBJECTIVE: Gestational diabetes is associated with increased risk of developing noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) later in life. By the time that a diagnosis of NIDDM is established, functional disturbances in the vascular system may be observed. This study was planned to assess macro- and microvascular function in nonpregnant women without signs of diabetes two to four years after a pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Vascular research laboratory in the obstetric unit of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen nonpregnant, healthy women with a history of gestational diabetes and 20 nonpregnant control women of similar age without previous diabetes. METHODS: For quantification of the mechanical properties in large arterial vessels the wall movements of the abdominal aorta and left common carotid artery were recorded with an ultrasonic tracking system. Microvascular perfusion in the skin of the hand and foot was recorded by a laser Doppler technique to assess the vasodilatory response induced by transcutaneous acetylcholine. RESULTS: Women in the gestational diabetes group showed evidence of increased wall stiffness in the common carotid artery and a lower maximum incremental velocity of the pulsatile vessel diameter change in both aorta and carotid artery compared with controls. Acetylcholine induced vasodilatation in both hand and foot was lower in women with previous gestational diabetes compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Abnormal vascular function was found in asymptomatic women with a history of gestational diabetes. It is speculated that these abnormalities might be early evidence of vascular complications associated with subsequent NIDDM.     

Behavioral effects of infectious diseases: Phlebotomus fever in man.

Employed the synthetic work technique to assess the behavioral effects of a self-limiting viral infection, Phlebotomus (Sandfly) fever. Average efficiency, as measured with the mean percentage of base line performance, fell about 18 and 25% with 2 groups of 8 experimental Ss each as compared with 4 uninfected controls. These are not as great as the 25-33% decrements in performance previously observed in more severe cases of bacterial infection with respiratory Pasteurella tularensis (Rabbit fever or tularemia). Ss differed greatly in their behavioral reactions to infection, ranging from essentially no decrement to maximum decrements of about 14% (Sandfly fever) and 20% (tularemia) of base line performance per degree rise in body temperature during the febrile period. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Isolating factors related to paraprofessional effectiveness.

In a precollege counseling program, 7 paraprofessionals (graduate students) received higher ratings than the 20 full-time professional counselors. A total of 1,769 entering freshmen participated in the program. It is hypothesized that the common bond of being students helped the paraprofessionals in counseling these students. There was inconclusive evidence concerning the contribution of naive enthusiasm to paraprofessional effectiveness. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality factors related to creativity in young scientists.

Male science majors designated as Higher Creative (HC) or Lower Creatives (LC) on the basis of scores on a creativity test battery were given personality tests. The HC group scored higher than the LC group on: composite personality originality; cognitive flexibility, time since first interest in science; dominance, sociability, social presence, and self-acceptance. The HC group scored lower on: socialization, self-control, desire to make a good impression, and affection. The HC group showed greater integration of nonconscious material as pertaining to concepts of self, father, and mother than did the LC group; the 2 groups differed in degree of conscious identification with mother (HC less than LC). (36 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)