Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Do Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Addictions And Deaths Related To Pain Killers?, David Powell, Rosalie Pacula, Mireille Jacobson

David Powell

Domestic Violence Or Elder Abuse? Why It Matters For Older Women, Teresa Kilbane, Marcia Spira

Teresa Kilbane

Law enforcement and legal services are 2 systems that respond to reports of abuse against women through programs such as adult protective services (APS) and domestic violence (DV). APS and DV systems operate independently and define the cause of the abuse differently. The designation of a woman as having suffered domestic violence or having been abused often depends on which system she enters. This designation can lead to different options for women to obtain services. Aging may further complicate access and usability of these systems to respond to the needs of abused elderly. Using vignettes, this article explores the definitions …

Identifying And Describing Feelings And Psychological Flexibility Predict Mental Health In Men With Hiv, Jodie Landstra, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank Deane, R Hillman

joseph Ciarrochi

Early detection screening programmes have been well established for a variety of cancer types. More recently, anal cytological screening for anal cancer has been recommended (New York State Department of Public Health AIDS Institute, 2007). Population rates of anal cancer are 1.6 per 100,000 (Darragh & Winkler, 2011). However, men who have sex with men (MSM) and are HIV infected have considerably higher rates, estimated at between 42 and 137 per 100,000 (Darragh & Winkler, 2011). The psychological impact of cancer screening has been demonstrated in many different programmes and typically includes increased anxiety, reduced quality of life (QOL) and …

When Simplifying Life Is Not So Bad: The Link Between Rigidity, Stressful Life Events, And Mental Health In An Undergraduate Population, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank Deane, Terry Said

joseph Ciarrochi

Decades of research have generally shown that being more rigid is associated with poorer mental health. We investigated whether all aspects of what has been termed “rigidity” are harmful. In particular, we hypothesized that the desire for simple structure (DSS) will not be associated with poor mental health, and in some cases might be associated with better mental health. In contrast, the intolerance of uncertainty (IU) was hypothesized to be associated with a wide range of indices of poor mental health. We also hypothesized that people high in IU would be less resilient in the face of stressful life events. …

Cognitive Ability And Health-Related Behaviors During Adolescence: A Prospective Study Across Five Years, Joseph Ciarrochi, Patrick Heaven, Timothy Skinner

joseph Ciarrochi

Longitudinal research on the links between intelligence and health behaviors among adolescents is rare. We report longitudinal data in which we assessed the relationships between intelligence as assessed in Grade 7 and consequential health outcomes in Grade 11. The mean age of respondents (N=420; 188 males, 232 females) was 12.30 years (SD=0.49) in Grade 7and 16.17 years (SD=0.45) in Grade 11. They completed standardized verbal and numerical ability tests and a measure of conscientiousness in Grade 7 and health related questions in Grade 11. Results indicated that higher intelligence was associated with a number of healthy behaviors including delay in …

Disadvantages Of Being An Individualist In An Individualistic Culture: Idiocentrism, Emotional Competence, Stress, And Mental Health, Gregory Scott, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank Deane

joseph Ciarrochi

Based on past cross-cultural research, it was hypothesised that people who had strong individualistic values and beliefs within an individualistic culture would have smaller social support networks, lower emotional competence, lower intentions to seek help from a variety of sources, and poorer mental health. A total of 276 first-year students attending an Australian university completed an anonymous survey assessing individual differences in individualism (i.e., idiocentrism), social support, emotional competence, hopelessness, depression, and suicide ideation. As expected, idiocentrism was associated with smaller and less satisfying social support networks, less skill in managing both self and others' emotions, lower intentions to seek …

Emotional Intelligence Moderates The Relationship Between Stress And Mental Health, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank Deane, Stephen Anderson

joseph Ciarrochi

Despite a great deal of popular interest and the development of numerous training programs in emotional intelligence (EI), some researchers have argued that there is little evidence that EI is both useful and different from other, well established constructs. We hypothesized that EI would make a unique contribution to understanding the relationship between stress and three important mental health variables, depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. University students (n=302) participated in a cross-sectional study that involved measuring life stress, objective and self-reported emotional intelligence, and mental health. Regression analyses revealed that stress was associated with: (1) greater reported depression, hopelessness, and …

Relations Between Social And Emotional Competence And Mental Health: A Construct Validation Study, Joseph Ciarrochi, Gregory Scott, Frank Deane, Patrick Heaven

joseph Ciarrochi

Researchers working fairly independently of each other have created numerous measures of social and emotional competence (SEC). These measures tend to correlate (sometimes highly) with each other and with measures of stressful events, suggesting potential redundancy. We evaluated which, if any, SEC variables predicted unique variance in social and mental health after controlling for other SEC variables in the study and the impact of stressful events. Three-hundred and thirty-one university students participated in an anonymous, cross-sectional study. We measured stressful events, and a wide variety of SECs, including: social problem solving skill (effective problem orientation, automatic processing, and problem solving), …

Perfectionism, Personality, Parenting Criticism And The Unemployed, Richard Hicks, Veronica Midon

Richard Hicks

Abstract: Few studies have examined the role of perfectionism in the unemployed though extensive studies on perfectionism in the general and student populations exist. Maladaptive perfectionism, or the possession of self-imposed, unrealistic and excessively high standards, has been seen to be related to depression, anxiety and stress, to negative personality characteristics and to critical parenting styles. Would similar relationships be seen among the unemployed? Correlational and regression analyses were used to examine a sample of 100 unemployed adult jobseekers. Results indicated a strong positive correlation between maladaptive perfectionism, psychological distress, personahty factors, and an authoritarian style of parenting. In particular, …

Education Resources In Remote Australian Indigenous Community Dog Health Programs: A Comparison Of Community And Extra-Community-Produced Resources, Sophie Constable, Roselyn Dixon, Robert Dixon

Rose Dixon

Commercial dog health programs in Australian Indigenous communities are a relatively recent occurrence. Health promotion for these programs is an even more recent development, and lacks data on effective practices. This paper analyses 38 resources created by veterinary-community partnerships in Indigenous communities, to 71 resources available through local veterinary service providers. On average, community-produced resources used significantly more of the resource area as image, more imagery as communicative rather than decorative images, larger fonts and smaller segments of text and used images of people with a range of skin tones. As well as informal registers of Standard Australian English, community-produced …

Approaches To Dog Health Education Programs In Australian Rural And Remote Indigenous Communities: Four Case Studies, S Constable, R Dixon, R Dixon, J Toribio

Rose Dixon

Dog health in rural and remote Australian Indigenous communities is below urban averages in numerous respects. Many Indigenous communities have called for knowledge sharing in this area. However, dog health education programs are in their infancy, and lack data on effective practices. Without this core knowledge, health promotion efforts cannot progress effectively. This paper discusses a strategy that draws from successful approaches in human health and indigenous education, such as dadirri, and culturally respectful community engagement and development. Negotiating an appropriate education program is explored in its practical application through four case studies. Though each case was unique, the comparison …

Understanding Homelessness, Mental Health And Substance Abuse Through A Mixed Methods Longitudinal Approach, Rachel Rayburn

Rachel L Rayburn

This manuscript outlines the multiple methods utilized in a long-term follow-up of a non-traditional population: Homeless substance abusers in New Orleans. This article addresses qualitative mental health research by outlining steps taken to explore both qualitative and quantitative data sources. By way of qualitative and quantitative methods, this research examines the life course of a sample of New Orleans homeless substance abusers from the time they entered into treatment (1991) until the present and observes the quality of their social bonds and their long-term outcomes. By making use of mixed methods, this research gives a more thorough understanding of mental …

"…Is It Normal To Be This Sore?": Using An Online Forum To Investigate Barriers To Physical Activity., Tammy Toscos, Sunny Consolvo, David Mcdonald

Tammy R Toscos

The importance of regular physical activity to overall health has been well established, yet U.S. adults are leading increasingly sedentary lives. Research suggests that lowering perceived barriers to physical activity is a critical part of interventions that encourage physical activity. In this paper, we describe the top five barriers—two of which have not been reported as principle barriers in the literature—that emerged from our systematic qualitative coding of an online forum used to support a three month healthy lifestyle intervention. Based on our analysis, we identify design considerations for technologies that encourage and support physical activity. Understanding the needs of …

Environmental Justice And Health: An Analysis Of Persons Of Color Injured At The Work Place, Jennifer Schoenfish-Keita, Glenn Johnson

Glenn S Johnson

Occupational and environmental hazards have a direct impact on people of color lives. People of color are disproportionately employed in the dirtiest and low-paying jobs in the United States. This study investigates workplace safety for persons of color from the analysis of three personal injury cases. These personal injury cases include two African-American females and one African American male who were killed or severely injured as a result of their job or the type of transportation they used trying to get to their place of work. The authors use the Environmental Justice Framework to examine how persons of color are …

Self-Esteem Influences On Multiple Domains: Stress, Health, Mood, And Social Identity, Kymberlee O'Brien, Hannah Lapp, Stephanie Powers, Celia Moore

Kymberlee M. O'Brien

The present investigation assessed self-esteem effects on biological and subjective chronic stress measures, including cardiovascular parameters, health indicators, and mood. Moderators were examined, including vagal tone and social identity. High self-esteem was associated with higher baseline positivity, lower baseline negativity, and lower subjective stress across numerous domains including: city stress, chaos at home, and perceived stress (all p<.05). Vagal tone moderated the relationship between self-esteem and the chronic stress measure: hair cortisol (p<.05). The high self-esteem group showed lower cortisol, particularly when coupled with high vagal tone. Individuals with low vagal tone had the highest cortisol; for those …

Developing The Design Of A Continuous National Health Survey For New Zealand, Robert Clark, Robert Templeton, Anne Mcnicholas

Robert Clark

Background A continuously operating survey can yield advantages in survey management, field operations, and the provision of timely information for policymakers and researchers. We describe the key features of the sample design of the New Zealand (NZ) Health Survey, which has been conducted on a continuous basis since mid-2011, and compare to a number of other national population health surveys. Methods A number of strategies to improve the NZ Health Survey are described: implementation of a targeted dual-frame sample design for better Maori, Pacific, and Asian statistics; movement from periodic to continuous operation; use of core questions with rotating topic …

'Do More, Smoke Less!' Harm Reduction In Action For Smokers With Mental Health/Substance Use Problems Who Cannot Or Will Not Quit, Amanda Baker, Robin Callister, Peter Kelly, Kypros Kypri

Peter Kelly

Although smoking rates among mental health/substance abusing populations are very high, the focus of treatment and research has tended to be on substances other than tobacco.A range of harm-reduction strategies is needed, including long-term nicotine maintenance, smokeless tobacco and ‘clean’ nicotine products. For those who cannot or will not quit, assistance in reducing smoking should be given. Interventions for smoking among people with mental health/substance use problems may best be delivered by addressing multiple health-risk behaviours, especially physical activity, around the same time. [Baker AL, Callister R, Kelly PJ, Kypri K. ‘Do more, smoke less!’ Harm reduction in action for …

Establishing The Need For Multiple Health Behaviour Change Interventions Within Residential Substance Abuse Services: Results From A Participant Survey, Peter Kelly, A Baker, Frances Kay-Lambkin, Frank Deane, Billie Bonevski

Peter Kelly

No abstract provided.

Policy, Schools And The New Health Imperatives, Valerie Harwood, Jan Wright

Valerie Harwood

No abstract provided.

Violence Against Women: A Key Determinant Of Health And Wellbeing, Michael Flood, L Walker, K Webster

Michael G Flood

No abstract provided.

Why The Rich Drink More But Smoke Less: The Impact Of Wealth On Health Behaviors, Hans Van Kippersluis, Titus Galama

Titus Galama

Wealthier individuals engage in healthier behavior. This paper seeks to explain this phenomenon by developing a theory of health behavior, and exploiting both lottery winnings and inheritances to test the theory. We distinguish between the direct monetary cost and the indirect health cost (value of health lost) of unhealthy consumption. The health cost increases with wealth and the degree of unhealthiness, leading wealthier individuals to consume more healthy and moderately unhealthy, but fewer severely unhealthy goods. The empirical evidence presented suggests that differences in health costs may indeed provide an explanation for behavioral differences, and ultimately health outcomes, between wealth …

Coping Strategies And Health Among Call Centre Operators, Richard Hicks, Verity Stoker-Biersteker

Richard Hicks

One of the most demanding jobs that modern workers have to cope with is that of working in busy, noisy, call centres and coping with the requests, complaints, and often the frustration and rudeness of customers. This chapter reports on the results of a study on how Australian call centre operators survive such a hectic job. The study of 65 internet respondents emphasised the stresses they faced; the coping strategies that call centre employees used ’at work and at home’ indicated that they were under considerable stress and pressure at work. The results indicated that individuals used similar coping strategies …

Comprehensive School Health Education Programs, Lloyd Kolbe, Donald Iverson

Don C. Iverson

No abstract provided.

The Clinician’S Health Promotion Handbook, R Fried, Donald Iverson, J Nagel

Don C. Iverson

No abstract provided.

Program Principles Associated With Successful Health Education And Health Promotion Intervention, Donald Iverson, D Vernon

Don C. Iverson

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Health Education And Promotion Programs:, P Mullen, R Mccuan, Donald Iverson

Don C. Iverson

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Handbook For Health Education Programs In Alcohol And Substance Abuse, Walter Gunn, D Orenstein, Donald Iverson, P Mullen

Don C. Iverson

This handbook provides assessment tools for systematic evaluation of health education programs in the field of alcohol and substance abuse. Key fundamentals of systematic evaluation as applied to health education programs are reviewed. Explanations of the handbook's measures, their relationships, rationale, and procedures are given. Included are guidelines for using the measures with practical suggestions for their selection, administration, and scoring. The behavior, knowledge, skill, and affective outcome upon which the handbook is based are discussed. Newly developed measures not yet verified, with their test specifications, as well as existing measures are given. A nine-page annotated bibliography on evaluation methods …

Making A Case For Health Promotion., Donald Iverson

Don C. Iverson

No abstract provided.

Sonomaworks A Community Health And Welfare Program Evaluation: Moving People From Welfare Dependence To Employment And Independence, Peter Wales

Ned Wales

SonomaWORKS was a ‘welfare to work’ program that was evaluated through grant funding from the US Department of Justice in the late 1990's. The outcomes from the research show some indication of success in moving long term welfare dependant families into full time and part time work. The core objective of this community services program was to improve the quality of life of the participants and encourage participation in the workforce. This policy approach along with other economic rationalisation incentives have been duplicated in other parts of the world in recent years. The evaluation findings on this program highlight the …

Gatekeeper Training For Youth Workers: Impact On Mental Health Help-Seeking And Referral Skill, Coralie J. Wilson

Coralie J Wilson

The Youth Empowerment Series (YES!) Workshops (Wilson et al, 2000) were developed to improve gatekeepers' mental health literacy and skills for promoting effective help-seeking and social problem-solving among adolescents and young people. The curent study the skills of those attending the YES! Workshops 9 months after training.