Problems associated with three commonly used drugs: A survey of college students.

Surveyed 223 undergraduates and graduates regarding use of and problems with alcohol, aspirin, and marihuana. Alcohol and aspirin use during the previous year were both reported by 92.8% of the sample; marihuana use was reported by 65.5%. Nearly 75% of the alcohol users reported at least one problem behavior; 59.6% reporting drunk driving. Of the aspirin users, 5.8% reported daily use and 2.7% reported excessive dosages. A majority of the marihuana users reported problem behaviors, including 24.6% who reported use at least once a week, 11.2% who reported shortness of breath, and 2.2% who reported an auto accident or being stopped by the police while under the influence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Drug and alcohol use by Canadian university athletes: a national survey

To gauge the extent of drug and alcohol use in Canadian university athletes, we estimated the proportion of Canadian university athletes using social and/or ergogenic drugs through survey methods. A secondary purpose was to examine athletes' perceptions of the value of drug testing and drug education programs. Using a stratified random sampling procedure, 754 student athletes were surveyed in eight different sports from eight universities across Canada. Results showed that 17.7 percent of athletes have used major pain medications over the past twelve months, 3 percent reported use of weight loss products, 0.9 percent reported anabolic steroid use, 16.6 percent reported use of smokeless tobacco products, 94.1 percent reported use of alcohol, 65.2 percent reported use of caffeine products, 0.7 percent reported use of amphetamines, 1.0 percent reported use of barbiturates, 19.8 percent reported use of marijuana or hashish, 5.9 percent reported use of psychedelics and 0.8 percent reported use of cocaine/crack.     

Suicidal thoughts of women with HIV infection: Effect of stressors and moderating effects of family cohesion.

Associations of suicidality with sociodemographic characteristics, number of HIV-related symptoms, perceived stigma, depressive mood, emotional distress, and family cohesion were investigated in a sample of women with HIV infection. Of 214 women, 56% reported neither suicidal thoughts nor attempts since learning they were HIV infected, 31% reported thoughts but no attempts, and 14% reported both thoughts and attempts. Women who reported suicidal thoughts reported more HIV-related symptoms, more perceived stigma, greater depressive mood, more emotional distress, and less family cohesion than did women who reported no suicidal thoughts; women who reported both thoughts and attempts did not differ from women who reported only thoughts on these variables. Family cohesion moderated the effect of symptoms on thoughts. Those who reported suicidal thoughts reported more HIV-related symptoms only when family cohesion was relatively low. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of head injury in cognitive functioning, emotional adjustment and criminal behaviour

In two investigations, 50% of non-violent convicted felons, who avoided incarceration by participating in a day reporting programme, reported a prior history of head injury and current problems in cognitive and emotional functioning. Only 5% of a college sample in the first investigation and 15% of a community sample in the second investigation reported prior head injury. In a third investigation, 83% of felons who had reported a history of head injury also reported a date for their head injury that preceded the date of their first encounter with law enforcement. Some participants reported no trouble with the law until after experiencing a head injury that occurred in their late thirties. Considering the research reported here and elsewhere in the literature, it appears that many serious crimes follow a head injury. One implication of the findings reported here is that many crimes might not occur if people with head injury were given prompt and comprehensive treatment after the injury.     

Sociodemographic factors associated with nocturnal enuresis

This study examined the school nursing/medical examination records of 6206 national school children for sociodemographic factors associated with reported nocturnal enuresis. A point prevalence of 10.7% (n = 666) for nocturnal enuresis was reported by parents during 1970-1993 in children aged 4-14 years. Although a downward linear trend (from 11.5% to 10.7%) was seen for the reported prevalence of nocturnal enuresis over the 23-year period, this trend was not statistically significant. Age, as expected, large family size and low ordinal position in the family were all statistically associated with reported nocturnal enuresis. Gender was statistically associated with reported nocturnal enuresis only in the 6-14 years age group. Paternal social class was not statistically associated with reported nocturnal enuresis, although 15% of children in families where the father was absent were reported enuretic compared with only 10% of children whose father was in social class 1. These findings contribute to an understanding of the relationship between sociodemographic factors and enuresis as reported at school medical examinations and have implications for the planning and development of health services at local levels.     

Heart failure and echocardiographic changes during long-term follow-up of patients with sick sinus syndrome randomized to single-chamber atrial or ventricular pacing

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, physical and sexual abuse among incarcerated youth were examined with respect to sexual activity, contraceptive use, and pregnancy. METHOD: The self-report survey data were collected from 62 females and 334 males who were incarcerated in Nevada youth correctional facilities in the summer of 1994. Of the males, 46.8% (n = 156) reported a history of physical abuse and 9.9% (n = 33) reported sexual abuse. A surprisingly high 73% (n = 46) of the females reported a history of physical abuse and 68.3% (n = 43) reported sexual abuse. RESULTS: The analyses indicated that females who reported a history of sexual abuse had an earlier mean age of first intercourse than those who reported no sexual abuse. In addition, male and female respondents with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse reported using no method of contraception as compared to youth with no history of abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Implications of these results for detention-based counseling and prevention programming are discussed.     

Therapists as patients: A national survey of psychologists' experiences, problems, and beliefs.

A survey of 800 psychologists (return rate?=?59.5%) found that of 84% who had been in therapy, only 2 described therapy as unhelpful, 22% found it harmful, 61% reported clinical depression, 29% reported suicidal feelings, 4% reported attempting suicide, 26% reported being cradled by a therapist, 20% reported withholding important (mostly sexual) information, and 10% reported violations of confidentiality. Women were more likely than men to report sexual material in therapy; psychodynamically oriented respondents were more likely to report sexual material. Of those who had terminated, 63% reported recent consideration of resuming therapy. Most believed that therapy should be a requirement of graduate programs and licensure, but only about a third believed therapy mandated by licensing boards for resuming practice after violations of professional standards to be clearly or even likely effective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children of substance abusers: the life experiences of children of opiate addicts in methadone maintenance

We interviewed 70 substance abusers in methadone maintenance treatment regarding the life experiences of their 188 children. Sixty-four percent of the mothers reported using psychoactive drugs during their pregnancies. Eighty percent of parents reported an arrest during the time the child was growing up, 34% reported receiving treatment for an emotional disorder, and 14% were hospitalized. Four percent of the parents reported that their children had been placed in adoptive care, 9% in foster care, and 1% had a child in a group home. Forty-one percent of the parents reported that at least one of their children repeated a grade in school, 19% were involved in truancy, and 30% had been suspended from school. Twenty percent of parents reported their children's involvement with the law, and 17% reported drug or alcohol use. Problems with the law correlated highly with 1) being held back a grade, 2) truancy, 3) suspension from school, 4) expulsion from school, and 5) treatment for alcohol or drug abuse.     

The experience of "forgetting" childhood abuse: A national survey of psychologists.

A national sample of psychologists were asked whether they had been abused as children and, if so, whether they had ever forgotten some or all of the abuse. Almost a quarter of the sample (23.9%) reported childhood abuse, and of those, approximately 40% reported a period of forgetting some or all of the abuse. The major findings were that (1) both sexual and nonsexual abuse were subject to periods of forgetting; (2) the most frequently reported factor related to recall was being in therapy; (3) approximately one half of those who reported forgetting also reported corroboration of the abuse; and (4) reported forgetting was not related to gender or age of the respondent but was related to severity of the abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rabies surveillance in the United States during 1997

In 1997, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported 8,509 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals and 4 cases in human beings to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 93% (7,899) were wild animals, whereas 7% (610) were domestic species. The total number of reported cases increased 19.4% from that of 1996 (7,128 cases). Increases were apparent in each of the major species groups, with the exception of cattle. The relative contributions of these groups to the total reported for 1997 were as follows: raccoons (50.5%; 4,300 cases), skunks (24.0%; 2,040), bats (11.3%; 958), foxes (5.3%; 448), cats (3.5%; 300), dogs (1.5%; 126), and cattle (1.4%; 122). The 958 cases of rabies reported in bats represented a 29.3% increase over the total reported for 1996 and the greatest number reported since 1984, with cases reported by 46 of the 48 contiguous states. The epizootic of rabies in raccoons expanded into Ohio in 1997 and now includes 19 states and the District of Columbia. Thirteen states, where rabies in raccoons is enzootic, reported increases over 1996 in total numbers of reported cases. New York (1,264 cases), North Carolina (879), Virginia (690), and Maryland (619) reported the greatest numbers of cases [corrected]. Five states reported increases that exceeded 50%, compared with cases reported in 1996: Ohio (673.3%; 15 cases in 1996 to 116 in 1997). Massachusetts (144.3%; 115 to 281), South Carolina (97.9%; 96 to 190), Connecticut (97.4%; 274 to 541), and Maine (86.3%; 131 to 244). Cases of rabies associated with foci of rabies in foxes in west central Texas and in dogs and coyotes in southern Texas continued to decline, with this state reporting 78.3% fewer rabid foxes (13 cases), 26.7% fewer rabid dogs (11), and 63.2% fewer rabid coyotes (7) during 1997, compared with 1996. Reported cases of rabies in cats (300) and dogs (126) increased 12.8% and 13.5%, respectively, whereas cases in cattle (122) decreased by 6.9%. Thirty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported increases in rabies in animals during 1997, compared with decreases reported by 31 states and the District of Columbia in 1996. One state (Mississippi; 5 cases) remained unchanged. Hawaii was the only state that did not report a case of rabies in 1997. Four indigenously acquired cases of rabies reported in human beings were the result of infection with rabies virus variants associated with bats.     

A retrospective analysis of lingual nerve sensory changes after mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the patient-reported incidence, duration, and perceived deficit in daily activities associated with lingual nerve (LN) sensory changes after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) of the mandible and to compare them with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) sensory changes in the same study population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to 316 patients who had undergone BSSO procedures between 1980 and 1993. The patients were queried for perceived sensory changes in the distribution of the IAN and LN; duration of these sensory changes; and alteration in daily activities caused by these sensory changes. The same questionnaire was mailed to 47 patients who had undergone isolated genioplasty (GP) to control for the normal variance of non-BSSO surgery on perceived LN sensory changes. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of the BSSO patients and 38% of the GP patients returned the questionnaires. Within the BSSO group, 19.4% reported LN sensory changes, of which 69.3% reported that these changes resolved within 1 year; 88% reported altered daily activities. By comparison, 95.5% reported a perceived IAN sensory change, of which 27.3% reported that these changes resolved within 1 year; 57% reported altered daily activities. Within the GP control group, 11% reported LN sensory changes; none of the reported sensory changes lasted longer than 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: A small percentage of patients report LN sensory changes after BSSO. When compared with IAN reported sensory changes, LN sensory changes resolve more frequently and sooner, but they are associated with greater perceived deficits in daily activity. The interpretation of the reported incidence of LN change must be critically reviewed because control subjects also responded positively.     

Alcohol use and activity patterns following spinal cord injury.

Studied the relationship between predisability alcohol use and activity patterns in 103 persons with recent onset spinal cord injury. Ss reported biographic information, alcohol use, and number of drinking problems during the 6 mo prior to injury, completed a disability acceptance scale, and reported activities during hospitalization. Ss who drank more before injury and who reported more family drinking problems also reported a greater number of drinking problems; in turn, persons with more drinking problems reported spending less time in quiet activities such as sleeping and resting during rehabilitation hospitalization, but spent more time in quiet recreation (e.g., watching TV, reading). Furthermore, persons who drank more reported spending less time in productive activities such as rehabilitation therapies. Findings highlight relationships that may affect rehabilitation outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Positive and negative daily events, perceived stress, and alcohol use: A diary study.

Using daily diary methodology, the authors examined over 60 days the within-person associations among positive and negative daily experiences, perceptions of stress, desire to drink, and alcohol consumption in a sample of 83 regular drinkers. Multilevel regression analyses indicated that days on which individuals reported more positive and negative nonwork events were also days they reported higher levels of desire to drink and actual consumption. Days on which individuals reported more negative work events were also days they reported a greater desire to drink, and days on which individuals reported more positive and negative health events were also days they reported lower levels of desire to drink and actual consumption. Weak evidence was found for the mediating effects of perceived stress in these associations. Several of the within-person associations varied as a function of gender, neuroticism, and drinking to cope; no moderating effects were found for extraversion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Associations among caregiving difficulties, burden, and rewards in caregivers to older post-rehabilitation patients

The associations between self-reported rewards and difficulties of caregiving and burden were examined in a sample of 200 informal caregivers to older post-rehabilitation patients. Sixteen percent (16%) of caregivers reported that caregiving was physically difficult only, 15% reported emotional difficulties only, 11% reported social difficulties only, 17% reported multiple difficulties, and 40% had no difficulties. Each type of difficulty (e.g., social, emotional, and physical) was significantly associated with burden in univariate and multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for confounding characteristics. Caregivers reporting multiple types of difficulty experienced higher levels of burden than caregivers who reported only one type of difficulty. Caregivers who received more rewards from caregiving reported fewer difficulties. Caregiving rewards had no independent effect on burden but modified the associations between social and emotional difficulties and burden. In summary, caregiving rewards and difficulties were not mutually exclusive, and their relationship in turn affected burden.     

Gender differences in patterns of relationship violence in Alberta.

Gender differences in patterns of relationship violence were investigated in a sample of 356 men and 351 women. Respondents reported on their receipt and perpetration of violent acts in the year prior to the survey. Men and women, respectively, reported similar 1-yr prevalence rates of husband-to-wife violence and wife-to-husband violence. However, differential gender patterns of reporting were identified. On average, men reported that they and their female partners were equally likely to engage in violent acts and to initiate violent conflicts. In contrast, women reported lower levels of victimization than perpetration of violence, and they reported less male-only and male-initiated violence than did men. The majority of respondents in violent relationships reported a pattern of violence that was bidirectional, minor, infrequent, and not physically injurious. The discussion focuses upon the meaning of gender differences in reports of relationship violence, and the existence of distinct patterns of violence within intimate relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Figure mislocalizations as predicted from feature perturbation theory.

In 2 experiments, a large and a small rectangle were superimposed on a field of vertical colored strips on each exposure. The 12 undergraduates in Exp I, who reported the location of both rectangles relative to the strips, exhibited a response bias that depended on which rectangle was reported first and used a different strategy to localize the 1st and 2nd rectangles reported. The 16 Ss in Exp II reported the location of only 1 rectangle after each exposure. The small rectangle, when reported, was often mislocalized to the location of the large one, especially when it was immediately to the latter's periphery. Mislocalizations toward fixation predominated. Results are consistent with the predictions of perturbation theory. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Normal laboratory values in Beagle dogs of twelve to eighteen months of age

Analyses of several body fluids are reported on Beagle dogs and compared with previous studies. All of the spinal fluid data and most of the urine data have not been previously reported in Beagles. Values of creatine phosphokinase, urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and urine vanillymandelic acid are reported in the present study.     

Primary care providers' responsiveness to health-risk behaviors reported by adolescent patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinicians' responsiveness to health-risk behaviors reported by adolescent patients during a comprehensive clinical preventive services visit. DESIGN: Nonprobability sample of adolescent patients scheduled for a routine physical examination. SETTING: Seven clinical sites in the Chicago, Ill, area. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen primary care providers and 95 adolescent patients between 11 and 18 years of age. INTERVENTION: Providers delivered comprehensive clinical preventive services to adolescent patients using the Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services model. This model includes screening, guidance, a physical examination, and immunizations. Prior to the visit, adolescent patients completed a screening questionnaire that included a 52-item health-risk behavior profile. Responses on the screening questionnaire were discussed during the visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Each provider's responsiveness to reported health-risk behaviors was determined by comparing the adolescent patient's responses on the screening questionnaire with those reported during a debriefing interview with the adolescent about whether specific subjects were discussed. Responsiveness to highly sensitive behaviors was determined by comparing the screening questionnaire and the medical record. RESULTS: On average, each adolescent patient reported 10 risk behaviors, of which 7 were discussed. The severity of the reported risk behavior, the number of reported biological health concerns, and the adolescent patient's sex were significant predictors of the provider's responsiveness. The number of reported health-risk behaviors, visit duration, provider's professional role and sex, whether the adolescent was a new patient, and the adolescent patient's age were unrelated to responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Providers addressed most health-risk behaviors reported during a single visit, but responsiveness declined when 3 or more biological health concerns or relatively severe problems were reported. Steps can be taken to increase providers' responsiveness.