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Southeast > News > Prevention News > Jan 05 News this Month |
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New this Month - January 2005 Below are citations/abstracts of recently published articles and publications that have been authored and/or co-authored by Pacific Institute staff. Berkeley – Mallie Paschall Paschall, M.J.; Fishbein, D.H.; Hubal, R.C.; Eldreth, D., Psychometric properties of virtual reality vignette performance measures: A novel approach for assessing adolescents' social competency skills. Health Education Research: Theory and Practice, 20(1):61-70, 2005. Abstract: This study examined the psychometric properties of performance measures for three novel, interactive virtual reality vignette exercises developed to assess social competency skills of at-risk adolescents. Performance data were collected from 117 African-American male 15–17 year olds. Data for 18 performance measures were obtained, based on adolescents' interaction with a provocative virtual teenage character. Twelve of the 18 performance measures loaded on two factors corresponding to emotional control and interpersonal communication skills, providing support for their factorial validity. The internal reliability coefficients for the two multi-item measures were 0.88 and 0.91, respectively. Additional analyses with established measures of three psychosocial factors (beliefs supporting aggression, aggressive conflict-resolution style and hostility) and behavioral criteria (e.g., self-reported behavioral misconduct and drug use) provided limited support for the construct and criterion-related validity of the performance measures. Study findings suggest that the virtual reality vignette exercises may represent a promising approach for assessing adolescents' social competency skills.
Calverton- Jo Birckmayer Birckmayer, J.D.; Holder, H.D.; Yacoubian, G.S.; Friend, K.B., A general causal model to guide alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug prevention: assessing the research evidence. Journal of Drug Education, 34(2): 121-153, 2004. [with H.D. Holder, G.S. Yacoubian, and K.B. Friend of PIRE]. Abstract: The problems associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) extract a significant health, social, and economic toll on American society. While the field of substance abuse prevention has made great strides during the past decade, two major challenges remain. First, the field has been disorganized and fragmented with respect to its research and prevention practices; that is, there are often separate ATOD prevention "specialists." Second, both the prevention researchers who test the efficacy of specific prevention strategies and the practitioners who implement prevention efforts often lack an overall perspective to guide strategy selection. To address these limitations, we present an ATOD causal model that seeks to identify those variables (Domains) that are theoretically salient and empirically connected across alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. For the researcher, the model demonstrates important commonalities, as well as gaps, in the literature. For the practitioner, the model is a means to recognize both the complexity of the community system that produces ATOD problems and the multiple intervention points that are possible within this system. Researchers and practitioners are thus challenged to work synergistically to find effective and cost-effective approaches to change or reduce ATOD use and associated problems.
Debbie Fisher Fisher, D.A., Hill, D.L., Grube, J.W., & Gruber, E.L., Sex on American television: An analysis across program genres and network types. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 48(4): 529-553, 2004. [with D.L. Hill and J.W. Grube of PIRE]. Abstract: As part of a larger study on television exposure, 1,276 shows from the 2001-2002 television season were coded for sexual content. Compared to previous research, this study sampled more networks targeted to adolescents and examined differences across additional program genres. A unique feature is the assessment of sexual content across network types. Three genres were distinguished by high percentages of shows with sexual behavior and talk and greater explicitness. This pattern characterized premium cable movie channels compared to broadcast and other cable networks. Few genres consistently offer programming that is free of sexual content during peak times for teen viewing.
Eduard Zaloshnja Zaloshnja, E.; Miller, T.R.; Lawrence, B.A.; Romano, E., The costs of unintentional home injuries. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(1): 88-94, 2005. [with T.R. Miller, B.A. Lawrence and E. Romano of PIRE/Calverton]. Abstract: Background: Unintentional home injuries impose significant, but little reported, costs to society. The most tangible are medical and indirect costs. A less-tangible cost is the value of lost quality of life due to impairment or death. Methods: A societal perspective was adopted in estimating unintentional home injury costs. All costs associated with the injuries are included in the analysis-costs to victims, families, government, insurers, and taxpayers. The costs are incidence based, meaning all costs that will result from an injury over time are counted in the year that the injury occurs. Results: Unintentional home injuries cost U.S. society at least $217 billion in 1998. The cost of fatal unintentional injuries alone was $34 billion, with nonfatal injuries accounting for the remaining $183 billion. The largest cost was the value of lost quality of life at $162 billion. Medical costs and indirect costs were $22 billion and $33 billion, respectively. Conclusions: These estimates indicate that unintentional home injuries, especially falls, are a major problem in the United States . Falls are a particular problem in need of more attention.
Chapel Hill - Denise Hallfors Khatapoush, S.; Hallfors, D., "Sending the wrong message": Did medical marijuana legalization in California change attitudes about and use of Marijuana? Journal of Drug Issues, 34(4):751-770, 2004.Abstract: This study was designed to assess the affect of legalization of medical marijuana on drug-related attitudes and use among youths and young adults in selected communities in California and other states. Telephone survey data, collected as part of a study of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Fighting Back initiative, was utilized to examine reported attitudes about and use of drugs in California and other states before and after Californians passed Proposition 215 in 1996. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were used to examine attitudes and use among 16 to 25 year olds in California and 10 other states. This study found that although some marijuana-related attitudes changed between 1995 and 1999, use did not increase. These findings suggest that recent policy changes have had little impact on marijuana-related behavior. New Library Acquisitions The following materials have recently been added to the PIRE Library collection. Please contact Andrew Wahl or Terry Kemper if you would like to borrow and/or obtain reprints of these materials. Clark , D.B.; Cornelius, J.R.; Kirisci, L.; Tarter, R.E., Childhood risk categories for adolescent substance involvement: a general liability typology. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 77: 13-21, 2005. Abstract: Childhood risks for adolescent substance involvement include parental substance use disorders (SUDs), psychological dysregulation and early tobacco and alcohol experimentation. This study was designed to identify childhood risk categories predicting accelerated adolescent substance involvement across drug types and stages. The index subjects were 560 children recruited from high risk (n=266) or low risk (n=294) families based on fathers' SUDs. Assessments were conducted at approximately ages 11 (baseline), 13, 16, and 19 years. Childhood predictors included parent SUDs, early tobacco or alcohol use (i.e., substance use), and neurobehavior disinhibition (ND) as determined by indicators of cognitive, affective and behavioral disinhibition. A cluster analysis defined five risk categories based on baseline characteristics as follows: (1) High (n=31; 100% had both parents with SUDs, 100% had early substance use, and the mean ND score = 58.9); (2) Intermediate-High (n=76; 45% had one parent with SUD, 100% early substance use and ND = 51.9); (3) Intermediate (n=76; 100% both parents with SUDs, 0% early substance use and ND=51.4); (4) Intermediate-Low (n=161; 100% with one SUD parent; 0% early substance use and ND = 49.9) and; (5) Low (n=216; no parental SUD, no early substance use and ND = 47.5). Compared with all other groups, children in the High risk group had significantly accelerated substance involvement across all substance types and stages. The ordering of risk categories from low to high was also consistent for all substance involvement outcomes. The findings indicate that these five risk categories constitute general liability classes for adolescent substance involvement, and may identify homogeneous groups of children requiring distinct preventive interventions.
Hanlong, T.E.; Blatchley, R.J.; Bennett-Sears, T.; O'Grady, K.E.; Rose, M.; Callaman, J.M., Vulnerability of children of incarcerated addict mothers: implications for preventive intervention. Children and Youth Services Review, 27: 67-84, 2005. Abstract: This is a preliminary report on the characteristics, experiences, and behavior of 88 adolescent, primarily African-American, children of incarcerated urban addict mothers that examines the association of age, gender, and risk factor profiles with the children's adjustment status defined in terms of self-reported questionnaire information and selected personality/behavioral assessment inventories. In spite of the existence of adverse circumstances in their lives, including the incarceration of their substance-abusing mothers, results revealed that the majority of these children were neither especially deviant nor maladjusted, all but a small percentage having successfully avoided substance abuse and the adoption of a deviant lifestyle at this point in their development. In most cases, mother surrogates (usually a grandmother or other family member) had for many years functioned as primary caregivers of the children prior to the incarceration of their birth mothers, which may have attenuated the negative impact ordinarily associated with a mother's absence from the home. However, there was a general indication of problematic school behavior and vulnerability to deviant activity in such children. Also, in almost all cases, there was a readily observable need for the provision of caseworker support services to the current caregivers of the children.
Kawachi, I. ; Berkman, L.F., Neighborhoods and Health. New York : Oxford University Press, 2003. Abstract: Do places make a difference to people's health and well-being? The authors of this groundbreaking textbook demonstrate convincingly how the physical and social characteristics of a neighborhood can shape the health of its residents. Drawing on the expertise of a renowned cast of researchers, this book presents a state-of-the art account of the theories, methods, and empirical evidence linking neighborhood conditions to population health. Represented in the volume are contributions from the world's leading investigators in the field, including social epidemiologists, demographers, medical geographers, sociologists, and medical practitioners. This comprehensive textbook lays out for the first time the methodological approaches to conducting neighborhood research, including multi-level and contextual analysis, geocoding and the use of small area-based measures of deprivation, as well as the evolving science of ""ecometrics."" Substantive chapters present the case for the relevance of neighborhood effects on health outcomes throughout the life cycle, from infant mortality and low birthweight, to childhood asthma, adult infectious diseases, and disability in old age. The approaches covered in the book range from testing the linkages between community-level variables, such as social capital and residential segregation, and population health to designing and implementing community interventions and policies to improve the health of the public. The book is a timely companion volume to Social Epidemiology (Oxford University Press, 2000), edited by the same authors, and an indispensable manual on neighborhood research for students, researchers, and practitioners.
Laflamme, L.; Vaez, M.; Hasselberg, M.; Kullgren, A., Car safety and social differences in traffic injuries among young adult drivers: a study of two-car injury-generating crashes in Sweden . Safety Science, 43: 1-10, 2005. Abstract: Objective: The study examines whether socioeconomic and sex differences in road-traffic crashes leading to injury vary according to car-safety level. Method: Individuals records of subjects born 1970-1972 registered in the Swedish Census of 1985 (n=334,070) are linked to road-traffic-crash data for the period 1988-2000 for first police-registered two-car crashes leading to severe or fatal injury (n=4875). Injuries are split into categories according to level of car safety on a five-point scale, based on criteria related to crash safety. Account is taken of both how the car is constructed and the effectiveness of its safety equipment (such as airbags and seat belts). For each car-safety level, relative risks are computed considering socioeconomic groups of origin, educational level, and sex. Results: No substantial differences between drivers in different socioeconomic positions of origin is observed except for crashes involving cars 30% better than average with regard to safety. There are consistent risk differences across all car-safety categories according to educational level. Male drivers show an elevated risk of injury in all car categories, except for cars with the poorest safety where they are at significant under-risk
Loxley, W.; Carruthers, S., The prevention of substance use risk and harm in Australia : a review of the evidence: summary. Australia : Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, 2004.
Prevention in the News Links to prevention based news articles and stories. Please note that not all of the news web sites/sources listed below keep their links active, thus some of the article links are subject to become inactive without notice. If you are unable to access a news story listed below, please contact the library for assistance. December 29, 2004 - How alcohol toasts the body - The Oregonian December 28, 2004 - Tobacco Promotions Woo College Crowd - Healthcentral.com December 28, 2004 - Study: Enforcement of laws key to curtailing underage
drinking - OregonLive.com December 22, 2004 - Consumer watchdog group questions Bud Light ads
- Miami Herald December 22, 2004 - Advisory Board Looks at Teen Driving - Potomac Almanac
(VA) December 13, 2004 - New Studies Highlight Smokers' Lack of Understanding
About the Best Ways to Quit - PRNewswire.com December 13, 2004 - Supreme Court Hears Debate on Direct Wine Shipments
- JoinTogether.org December 09, 2004 - Changing the binge drinking culture - LaCrosse Tribune
(WI) December 8, 2004 - Survey finds underage drinking disapproval - The
Casper Star Tribune (WY) December 8, 2004 - Alcohol policies' impact discussed - Oklahoma Daily
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