bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identificação e Notificação dos Maus-tratos Infantis no Setor Educacional
Authors: Bazon Marina Rezende , Faleiros Juliana Martins
Published: December 2013

Este estudo teve como objetivos conhecer: (a) o que pensam os profissionais da educação com relação à notificação dos maus-tratos infantis; (b) o que fazem frente a esses casos; (c) suas alegações para não notificar. Participaram 22 diretores/coordenadores e 139 professores de escolas públicas de duas cidades do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Empregaram-se um questionário para a caracterização sociodemográfica e dos conhecimentos sobre o tema e uma questão aberta sobre o ato de notificar. A análise de dados, quantitativo-interpretativa, indicou que a maioria dos professores teve contato com casos suspeitos de maus-tratos que, majoritariamente, foram comunicados à direção; esta com maior frequência decidiu por não notificar, mas por tentar resolver a situação, conversando com os envolvidos e/ou encaminhando-os para tratamento. As principais razões para não notificar foram o medo e a falta de confiança no sistema de proteção. Desse modo, estão deixando de desempenhar o devido papel no sistema de proteção infantil.
Ludoterapia de Criança com Síndrome de Asperger: Estudo de Caso
Authors: Rodrigues Fernanda Pereira Horta , Sei Maíra Bonafé , Arruda Sérgio Luiz Saboya
Published: December 2013

Este estudo objetivou discutir o processo psicoterapêutico de um menino de 12 anos de idade com Síndrome de Asperger, um transtorno global do desenvolvimento, atendido em um ambulatório de psicoterapia de um hospital público. Osetting terapêutico e a caixa lúdica tiveram que ser modificados e flexibilizados para atender às peculiaridades da criança. São discutidos o vínculo terapêutico e a importância de se manejarem as diferenças entre eu/não-eu para a terapia. Percebeu-se que o atendimento, adaptado às condições do ambulatório público, contribuiu para a capacidade de comunicação e de interação da criança, fato que aponta para a importância do debate sobre a psicoterapia psicodinâmica com esta população e formas de realizá-la.
Intergenerational Solidarity and Satisfaction With Life: Mediation Effects With Emerging Adults
Authors: Coimbra Susana , Mendonca Marina Goulart
Published: December 2013

The increasing dependency of emerging adults (EA) on their family of origin and their lower future expectations challenge intergenerational family support exchanges and may affect their impact on satisfaction with life. This study aims to examine the mediation effect of familism, filial maturity, and relationship satisfaction between different directions of support (received, given and anticipated between both) and satisfaction with life. Data was collected through the administration of self-report questionnaires to a convenience sample of 243 EA (18-30 years old) of both genders, students and workers, of different socioeconomic statuses. Results corroborate the mediation effect of the study variables and suggest that the magnitude of this impact depends on the direction of the support: partial mediations are observed for the received support, whereas total mediations are observed for the given support.
Development of Instruments to Assess Shame and Guilt in Adolescents: Empirical Differences Between the Constructs
Authors: Laskoski Lorena Maria , Natividade Jean Carlos , Hutz Claudio Simon
Published: December 2013

Shame and guilt are terms easily mixed in everyday life and often used as synonyms. Although they are words of similar use, they represent theoretically different moral emotions. The aims of this study were to develop and validate instruments to assess shame and guilt and to test the empirical independence of the constructs. Five hundred and eighty high school students from three Brazilian states participated in this study, 55% of them female, with an average age of 16.0 years. The participants answered a questionnaire containing socio demographic questions and scales designed for this study in order to assess shame and guilt. The scales developed gave appropriate evidence of validity and reliability. A single factor was extracted to assess shame and two factors to assess guilt (recognition of mistake and regret). The constructs revealed to be correlated, but independent. It is considered that there is sufficient evidence to affirm that shame and guilt are emotions with distinctive peculiarities and can be measured using the instruments developed in this research.
Bender Gestalt Visual-Motor test – Sistema de Pontuação Gradual (B-SPG): A study with different samples
Authors: Noronha Ana Paula Porto , Rueda Fabian Javier Marin , Santos Acacia Aparecida Angeli dos
Published: December 2013

The aim in this study was to analyze differences between children’s performances on the Bender – Sistema de Pontuação Gradual (B-SPG) [Gradual Scoring System] in the states of Minas Gerais and Paraíba, and to compare them with the results presented in the test manual. The participants were 511 children, both sexes, aged 6-10 years ( M = 8.21, SD = 1.33), and 50.7% male. The children were from two states, Minas Gerais ( n = 298, 58.3%) and Paraiba ( n = 213, 41.7%). The SPG was administered collectively in classrooms. The mean B-SPG scores between the children from Minas Gerais and Paraiba were very similar and not statistically significant. Regarding the comparison between the two states and the normative sample, three results were significant, two of which favored the children from São Paulo and the other the children from Minas Gerais and Paraíba, showing little variation in the results of the B-SPG.
Multimodal Analysis of Estimated and Observed Social Competence in Preschoolers With/Without Behavior Problems
Authors: Dias Talita Pereira , Gil Maria Stella Coutinho de Alcantara , Del Prette Zilda Aparecida Pereira
Published: December 2013

Social skills compete with behavior problems, and the combination of these aspects may cause differences in social competence. This study was aimed at assessing the differences and similarities in the social competence of 26 preschoolers resulting from: (1) groups which they belonged to, being one with social skills and three with behavior problems (internalizing, externalizing and mixed); (2) types of assessment, considering the estimates of mothers and teachers, as well as direct observation in a structured situation; (3) structured situations as demands for five categories of social skills. Children’s performance in each situation was assessed by judges and estimated by mothers and teachers. There was a similarity in the social competence estimated by mothers, teachers and in the performance observed. Only the teachers distinguished the groups (higher social competence in the group with social skills and lower in the internalizing and mixed groups). Assertiveness demands differentiated the groups. The methodological aspects were discussed, as well as the clinical and educational potential of the structured situations to promote social skills.
A review of progressive collapse research and regulations
Authors: Byfield Michael , Mudalige Wjesundara , Morison Colin , Stoddart Euan
Published: December 2013

History has demonstrated that buildings designed to conventional design codes can lack the robustness necessary to withstand localised damage, partial or even complete collapse. This variable performance has led governmental organisations to seek ways of ensuring all buildings of significant size possess a minimum level of robustness. The research community has responded by advancing understanding of how structures behave when subjected to localised damage. Regulations and design recommendations have been developed to help ensure more consistent resilience in all framed buildings of significant size, and rigorous design approaches have been specified for buildings deemed potentially vulnerable to extreme loading events. This paper summarises some of the more important progressive collapse events, to identify key attributes that lead to vulnerability to collapse. Current procedures and guidelines for ensuring a minimum level of performance are reviewed and modelling methods for structures subjected to localised damage are described. These include increasingly sophisticated progressive collapse analysis procedures, including linear static and non-linear static analysis, as well as non-linear static pushover and linear dynamic methods. Finally, fully non-linear dynamic methods are considered. Building connections potentially represent the most vulnerable structural elements in steel-framed buildings; their failure can lead to progressive collapses. Steel connections also present difficulties with respect to frame modelling and this paper highlights benefits and drawbacks of some modelling procedures with respect to their treatment of connections.
Estimation of spectral acceleration based on neural networks
Authors: Bakhshi Hossein , Bagheri Abdollah , Ghodrati Amiri Gholamreza , Barkhordari Mohammad A.
Published: December 2013

This study presents an effective method based on artificial intelligence to predict spectral acceleration from the data of the ‘Next generation attenuation' project. The proposed method uses the learning abilities of artificial neural networks to expand the knowledge of the mapping from earthquake parameters to spectral accelerations, which results in spectral accelerations for special frequencies. In this paper, the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is applied for training neural networks. For each type of faults, considered earthquake parameters included in the input of the neural network are moment magnitude, distance from the recording site to epicentre, hypocentre depth and average shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m. To test the adequacy of the trained neural networks, they were examined through their training set and new data. The obtained results demonstrate that neural networks can be effectively and reliably employed in the estimation of spectral acceleration.
Mechanically laminated timber arched suspension bridge
Authors: Alonso Cecilia , Kermani Abdy , Porteous Jack
Published: December 2013

The potential of mechanical lamination of timber for bridge construction and its application in developing structural uses for low-grade, UK-grown timber is investigated. A mechanically laminated pedestrian bridge is designed as a half-scale of a 12 m span bridge and subjected to a series of experimental and analytical investigations. A flat, stress-laminated timber deck is formed by transversely post-tensioning short timber planks with steel bars. The resulting orthotropic solid plate is suspended from two screw-laminated slender timber arches, in which timber predominately acts in compression and end-bearing at the butt ends. The structure is subjected to a series of deck loading conditions up to failure loads. The bridge behaves elastically well beyond its design load, and shows a high level of ductility and recovery capacity. Failure of the structure arises from lateral instability of the arches under symmetrical deck loading. A commercial finite-element analysis programme is used to predict the behaviour of the structure. Close agreement between the analytical and experimental results demonstrates that the structural performance of mechanically laminated timber structures can be reasonably accurately predicted using linear elastic analysis. The study also shows that relatively large-span, stiff, strong structures can be constructed using means of short lengths of low-quality timber.
Influence of the Utilization Time of Different Manual Toothbrushes on Oral Hygiene Assessed During a 6‐Month Observation Period: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Schmickler Jan , Wurbs Susanne , Wurbs Sabine , Lange Katharina , Rinke Sven , Hornecker Else , Mausberg Rainer F. , Ziebolz Dirk
Published: December 2013

Background: The aim of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to investigate whether 6‐month continuous use of different manual toothbrushes (TBs) influences plaque removal and the degree of gingival inflammation compared to short utilization periods of 4 weeks each.

Methods: In total, 96 participants were randomly allocated into two groups: continuous use during 6 months (non‐renewal group) or a change in TB every 4 weeks during 6 months (renewal group). Each group was subdivided into four subgroups (groups A to H; n = 12 each) according to the head size (normal or short) and bristle hardness (medium or soft) of the TB used. The modified Quigley–Hein plaque index (QHI), papilla bleeding index (PBI), and gingival index (GI) were recorded at baseline and 2, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks after baseline. After 24 weeks, each participant received a new TB, and at week 26, the final QHI, PBI, and GI were determined. The statistical evaluation consisted of analysis of covariance (P <0.05).

Results: With time, QHI, PBI, and GI were significantly different between the renewal and the non‐renewal groups (QHI: P = 0.02; PBI: P = 0.04; GI: P <0.01), independent of subgroup. In the renewal group, QHI showed a significant decrease between baseline and each follow‐up visit (P <0.01). In the non‐renewal group, there was a significant decrease compared to baseline up to and including week 16 (P <0.01). PBI in the renewal group showed no significant differences between baseline and each follow‐up visit (P >0.05). In the non‐renewal group, only the normal head/soft subgroup exhibited a significant increase at week 24 (P = 0.02). The GI in the renewal group showed no difference between baseline and all follow‐up visits, whereas in the non‐renewal group, there was a significant decrease up to and including week 12 (P <0.05).

Conclusions: Six‐month continuous use reduced the effectiveness of the TB with respect to plaque removal, and gingival inflammation appeared to increase.
The Relation Between Health Insurance and Health Care Disparities Among Adults With Disabilities
Authors: Miller Nancy A. , Kirk Adele , Kaiser Michael J. , Glos Lukas
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We examined disparities among US adults with disabilities and the degree to which health insurance attenuates disparities by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods. We pooled data from the 2001–2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey on individuals with disabilities aged 18 to 64 years. We modeled measures of access and use as functions of predisposing, enabling, need, and contextual factors. We then included health insurance and examined the extent to which it reduced observed differences by race, ethnicity, and SES.

Results. We found evidence of disparities in access and use among adults with disabilities. Adjusting for health insurance reduced these disparities most consistently for emergency department use. Uninsured individuals experienced substantially poorer access across most measures, including reporting a usual source of care and experiencing delays in or being unable to obtain care.

Conclusions. Although health insurance is an important enabling resource among adults with disabilities, its effect on reducing differences by race, ethnicity, and SES on health care access and use was limited. Research exploring the effects of factors such as patient–provider interactions is warranted.
Cigarette Smoking and Mental Illness: A Study of Nicotine Withdrawal
Authors: Smith Philip H. , Homish Gregory G. , Giovino Gary A. , Kozlowski Lynn T.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We compared prevalence, severity, and specific symptom profiles for nicotine withdrawal across categories of mental illness. We also examined the influence of nicotine withdrawal on efforts to quit smoking among those with mental illness.

Methods. We analyzed data from 2 sources: wave 1 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, limiting the sample to current smokers (2001–2002; n = 9913); and a 2-wave cohort telephone survey of a national sample of adult smokers (2004–2006; n = 751).

Results. Mental illness was associated with a substantially greater likelihood of nicotine withdrawal syndrome; approximately 44% of nicotine withdrawal syndrome diagnoses were attributable to mental illness. Symptom profiles were highly comparable between mental illness categories, although anxiety-related symptoms were better markers of withdrawal for those with an internalizing disorder. Smokers with mental illness were motivated to quit but were less likely to be successful in their quit attempts, and both dependence and withdrawal independently accounted for this lower likelihood of success.

Conclusions. Nicotine withdrawal may be a particularly important target for intervention among those with mental illness who smoke cigarettes.
Sexual Orientation Disparities in Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors of Tobacco, Alcohol, Sexual Behaviors, and Diet and Physical Activity: Pooled Youth Risk Behavior Surveys
Authors: Rosario Margaret , Corliss Heather L. , Everett Bethany G. , Reisner Sari L. , Austin S. Bryn , Buchting Francisco O. , Birkett Michelle
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We examined sexual orientation disparities in cancer-related risk behaviors among adolescents.

Methods. We pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. We classified youths with any same-sex orientation as sexual minority and the remainder as heterosexual. We compared the groups on risk behaviors and stratified by gender, age (< 15 years and > 14 years), and race/ethnicity.

Results. Sexual minorities (7.6% of the sample) reported more risk behaviors than heterosexuals for all 12 behaviors (mean = 5.3 vs 3.8; P < .001) and for each risk behavior: odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2, 1.4) to 4.0 (95% CI = 3.6, 4.7), except for a diet low in fruit and vegetables (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5, 0.8). We found sexual orientation disparities in analyses by gender, followed by age, and then race/ethnicity; they persisted in analyses by gender, age, and race/ethnicity, although findings were nuanced.

Conclusions. Data on cancer risk, morbidity, and mortality by sexual orientation are needed to track the potential but unknown burden of cancer among sexual minorities.
Breaking the Blue Wall of Silence: Risk Factors for Experiencing Police Sexual Misconduct Among Female Offenders
Authors: Cottler Linda B. , O’Leary Catina C. , Nickel Katelin B. , Reingle Jennifer M. , Isom Daniel
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for trading sex with a police officer among women recruited from drug courts in St Louis, Missouri.

Methods. In 2005 to 2008, we recruited women into an HIV intervention study, which surveyed participants about multiple sociodemographic, lifestyle, and risk factors. Regression analyses assessed risk factors for trading sex, a form of police sexual misconduct (PSM).

Results. Of the 318 participants, 78 (25%) reported a lifetime history of PSM. Among women who experienced PSM, 96% had sex with an officer on duty, 77% had repeated exchanges, 31% reported rape by an officer, and 54% were offered favors by officers in exchange for sex; 87% said officers kept their promise. Only 51% of these respondents always used a condom with an officer. Multivariable models identified 4 or more arrests (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29, 5.97), adult antisocial personality (AOR = 9.0; 95% CI = 2.08, 38.79), and lifetime comorbid cocaine and opiate use (AOR = 2.9 [1.62, 5.20]) as risk factors; employment (AOR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.77) lowered the risk of PSM.

Conclusions. Community-based interventions are critical to reduce risk of abuse of vulnerable women by police officers charged with protecting communities.
Mandatory Influenza Vaccination for Health Care Workers as the New Standard of Care: A Matter of Patient Safety and Nonmaleficent Practice
Authors: Cortes-Penfield Nicolas
Published: December 2013

A growing body of literature defends the efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccination for health care workers in reducing the mortality of hospitalized patients. I review the evidence concerning influenza vaccination, concluding that universal vaccination of health care workers against influenza should be considered standard patient care and that nonvaccination represents maleficent care. I further argue that the ethical responsibility to ensure universal vaccination of staff against seasonal influenza lies not only with individual health care providers but with each individual health care institution.
Influenza and Seasonal Patterns of Hospital Use by Older Adults in Long-Term Care and Community Settings in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Gruneir Andrea , Kwong Jeff C. , Campitelli Michael A. , Newman Alice , Anderson Geoffrey M. , Rochon Paula A. , Mor Vincent
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We compared seasonal influenza hospital use among older adults in long-term care (LTC) and community settings.

Methods. We used provincial administrative data from Ontario to identify all emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions for pneumonia and influenza among adults older than 65 years between 2002 and 2008. We used sentinel laboratory reports to define influenza and summer seasons and estimated mean annual event rates and influenza-associated rates.

Results. Mean annual pneumonia and influenza ED visit rates were higher in LTC than the community (rate ratio [RR] for influenza season = 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.8, 4.0; for summer = 4.9; 95% CI = 4.8, 5.1) but this was attenuated in influenza-associated rates (RR = 2.4; 95% CI = 2.1, 2.8). The proportion of pneumonia and influenza ED visits attributable to seasonal influenza was 17% (15%–20%) in LTC and 28% (27%–29%) in the community. Results for hospital admissions were comparable.

Conclusions. We found high rates of hospital use from LTC but evidence of lower impact of circulating influenza in the community. This differential impact of circulating influenza between the 2 environments may result from different influenza control policies.
Smoking Initiation Associated With Specific Periods in the Life Course From Birth to Young Adulthood: Data From the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997
Authors: Chen Xinguang , Jacques-Tiura Angela J.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. Guided by the life-course perspective, we examined whether there were subgroups with different likelihood curves of smoking onset associated with specific developmental periods.

Methods. Using 12 waves of panel data from 4088 participants in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, we detected subgroups with distinctive risk patterns by employing developmental trajectory modeling analysis.

Results. From birth to age 29 years, 72% of female and 74% of US males initiated smoking. We detected 4 exclusive groups with distinctive risk patterns for both genders: the Pre-Teen Risk Group initiated smoking by age 12 years, the Teenage Risk Group initiated smoking by age 18 years, the Young Adult Risk Group initiated smoking by age 25 years, and the Low Risk Group experienced little or no risk over time. Groups differed on several etiological and outcome variables.

Conclusions. The process of smoking initiation from birth to young adulthood is nonhomogeneous, with distinct subgroups whose risk of smoking onset is linked to specific stages in the life course.
A Longitudinal Analysis of the Effect of Nonmedical Exemption Law and Vaccine Uptake on Vaccine-Targeted Disease Rates
Authors: Yang Y. Tony , Debold Vicky
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We assessed how nonmedical exemption (NME) laws and annual uptake of vaccines required for school or daycare entry affect annual incidence rates for 5 vaccine-targeted diseases: pertussis, measles, mumps, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and hepatitis B.

Methods. We employed longitudinal mixed-effects models to examine 2001–2008 vaccine-targeted disease data obtained from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. Key explanatory variables were state-level vaccine-specific uptake rates from the National Immunization Survey and a state NME law restrictiveness level.

Results. NME law restrictiveness and vaccine uptake were not associated with disease incidence rate for hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B, measles, or mumps. Pertussis incidence rate, however, was negatively associated with NME law restrictiveness (b = −0.20; P = .03) and diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine uptake (b = −0.01; P = .05).

Conclusions. State NME laws and vaccine uptake rates did not appear to influence lower-incidence diseases but may influence reported disease rates for higher-incidence diseases. If all states increased their NME law restrictiveness by 1 level and diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus uptake by 1%, national annual pertussis cases could decrease by 1.14% (171 cases) and 0.04% (5 cases), respectively.
Gender Abuse and Major Depression Among Transgender Women: A Prospective Study of Vulnerability and Resilience
Authors: Nuttbrock Larry , Bockting Walter , Rosenblum Andrew , Hwahng Sel , Mason Mona , Macri Monica , Becker Jeffrey
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We examined the social and interpersonal context of gender abuse and its effects on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition major depression among transgender women.

Methods. We conducted a 3-year prospective study (2004–2007) among 230 transgender women aged 19 to 59 years from the New York City Metropolitan Area. Statistical techniques included generalized estimating equations (logistic regression).

Results. We observed significant associations of psychological and physical gender abuse with major depression during follow-up. New or persistent experiences of both types of abuse were associated with 4- to 7-fold increases in the likelihood of incident major depression. Employment, transgender presentation, sex work, and hormone therapy correlated across time with psychological abuse; the latter 2 variables correlated with physical abuse. The association of psychological abuse with depression was stronger among younger than among older transgender women.

Conclusions. Psychological and physical gender abuse is endemic in this population and may result from occupational success and attempts to affirm gender identity. Both types of abuse have serious mental health consequences in the form of major depression. Older transgender women have apparently developed some degree of resilience to psychological gender abuse.
Avoiding Violent Victimization Among Youths in Urban Neighborhoods: The Importance of Street Efficacy
Authors: Gibson Chris L. , Fagan Abigail A. , Antle Kelsey
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We investigated how street efficacy—the perceived ability to avoid dangerous and unsafe situations—is related to violent victimization across different levels of neighborhood disadvantage.

Methods. We used 2 waves of self-report data collected between 1995 and 1999 from 1865 youths in the 9-, 12-, and 15-year-old cohorts of the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods to measure violent victimization, street efficacy, and risk factors for violent victimization. We also analyzed data from the 1990 US Census to measure categories of neighborhood concentrated disadvantage for which the cohorts of youths reside. We used logistic regression models to examine the association between street efficacy and violent victimization while we controlled for demographic, family and parenting, self-control, and behavioral and lifestyle variables.

Results. Logistic regression results showed that street efficacy had its strongest association with violent victimization in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods (odds ratio = 0.700; 95% confidence interval = 0.55, 0.89).

Conclusions. Our findings support the need to teach youths ways to successfully navigate potentially violent situations in environments that pose moderate to high risks for exposure to violence.
National and State-Specific Health Insurance Disparities for Adults in Same-Sex Relationships
Authors: Gonzales Gilbert , Blewett Lynn A.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We examined national and state-specific disparities in health insurance coverage, specifically employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) coverage, for adults in same-sex relationships.

Methods. We used data from the American Community Survey to identify adults (aged 25–64 years) in same-sex relationships (n = 31 947), married opposite-sex relationships (n = 3 060 711), and unmarried opposite-sex relationships (n = 259 147). We estimated multinomial logistic regression models and state-specific relative differences in ESI coverage with predictive margins.

Results. Men and women in same-sex relationships were less likely to have ESI than were their married counterparts in opposite-sex relationships. We found ESI disparities among adults in same-sex relationships in every region, but we found the largest ESI gaps for men in the South and for women in the Midwest. ESI disparities were narrower in states that had extended legal same-sex marriage, civil unions, and broad domestic partnerships.

Conclusions. Men and women in same-sex relationships experience disparities in health insurance coverage across the country, but residing in a state that recognizes legal same-sex marriage, civil unions, or broad domestic partnerships may improve access to ESI for same-sex spouses and domestic partners.
Envisioning an America Without Sexual Orientation Inequities in Adolescent Health
Authors: Mustanski Brian , Birkett Michelle , Greene George J. , Hatzenbuehler Mark L. , Newcomb Michael E.
Published: December 2013

This article explicates a vision for social change throughout multiple levels of society necessary to eliminate sexual orientation health disparities in youths. We utilized the framework of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory of development, a multisystemic model of development that considers direct and indirect influences of multiple levels of the environment. Within this multisystem model we discuss societal and political influences, educational systems, neighborhoods and communities, romantic relationships, families, and individuals. We stress that continued change toward equity in the treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths across these levels will break down the barriers for these youths to achieve healthy development on par with their heterosexual peers.
Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Young Adult Sexual Minority Bar and Nightclub Patrons
Authors: Fallin Amanda , Neilands Torsten B. , Jordan Jeffrey W. , Ling Pamela M.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We compared exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and attitudes toward smoke-free bar and nightclub policies among patrons of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and non-LGBT bars and nightclubs.

Methods. We conducted randomized time–location sampling surveys of young adults (aged 21–30 years) in 7 LGBT (n = 1113 patrons) and 12 non-LGBT (n = 1068 patrons) venues in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2011, as part of a cross-sectional study of a social branding intervention to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle and environment in bars and nightclubs.

Results. Compared with non-LGBT bars and nightclubs, patrons of LGBT venues had 38% higher adjusted odds of having been exposed to SHS in a bar or nightclub in the past 7 days but were no less likely to support smoke-free policies and intended to go out at least as frequently if a smoke-free bar and nightclub law was passed.

Conclusions. The policy environment in LGBT bars and nightclubs appears favorable for the enactment of smoke-free policies, which would protect patrons from SHS and promote a smoke-free social norm.
Dental Care Coverage and Use: Modeling Limitations and Opportunities
Authors:   Originally published as:, Manski Richard J. , Moeller John F. , Chen Haiyan ,   Dental Care Coverage and Use: Modeling Limitations and Opportunities. Am J Public Health. 2014;104:e80–e87. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301693.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We examined why older US adults without dental care coverage and use would have lower use rates if offered coverage than do those who currently have coverage.

Methods. We used data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study to estimate a multinomial logistic model to analyze the influence of personal characteristics in the grouping of older US adults into those with and those without dental care coverage and dental care use.

Results. Compared with persons with no coverage and no dental care use, users of dental care with coverage were more likely to be younger, female, wealthier, college graduates, married, in excellent or very good health, and not missing all their permanent teeth.

Conclusions. Providing dental care coverage to uninsured older US adults without use will not necessarily result in use rates similar to those with prior coverage and use. We have offered a model using modifiable factors that may help policy planners facilitate programs to increase dental care coverage uptake and use.
The Role of Public Health Advocacy in Achieving an Outright Ban on Commercial Tanning Beds in Australia
Authors: Sinclair Craig A. , Makin Jennifer Kay , Tang Anita , Brozek Irena , Rock Vanessa
Published: December 2013

Although many countries still face opposition to the legislation of artificial tanning beds, all Australian states and territories have announced a total ban on commercial tanning beds. A combination of epidemiological and policy-centered research, powerful personal stories, and the active advocacy of prominent academics, cancer organizations, and grassroots community campaigners contributed to the decisions to first legislate standards and then ban all commercial tanning beds. We have illustrated that incremental change can be an effective pathway to securing substantial public health reforms.
Unraveling R0: Considerations for Public Health Applications
Authors: Ridenhour Benjamin , Kowalik Jessica M. , Shay David K.
Published: December 2013

We assessed public health use of R0, the basic reproduction number, which estimates the speed at which a disease is capable of spreading in a population. These estimates are of great public health interest, as evidenced during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic.

We reviewed methods commonly used to estimate R0, examined their practical utility, and assessed how estimates of this epidemiological parameter can inform mitigation strategy decisions.

In isolation, R0 is a suboptimal gauge of infectious disease dynamics across populations; other disease parameters may provide more useful information. Nonetheless, estimation of R0 for a particular population is useful for understanding transmission in the study population. Considered in the context of other epidemiologically important parameters, the value of R0 may lie in better understanding an outbreak and in preparing a public health response.
A Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitators to Minority Research Participation Among African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders
Authors: George Sheba , Duran Nelida , Norris Keith
Published: December 2013

To assess the experienced or perceived barriers and facilitators to health research participation for major US racial/ethnic minority populations, we conducted a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies from a search on PubMed and Web of Science from January 2000 to December 2011.

With 44 articles included in the review, we found distinct and shared barriers and facilitators. Despite different expressions of mistrust, all groups represented in these studies were willing to participate for altruistic reasons embedded in cultural and community priorities.

Greater comparative understanding of barriers and facilitators to racial/ethnic minorities’ research participation can improve population-specific recruitment and retention strategies and could better inform future large-scale prospective quantitative and in-depth ethnographic studies.
Mental Illness and Violence: Lessons From the Evidence
Authors: Glied Sherry , Frank Richard G.
Published: December 2013

The debate about addressing mental illness and violence often ignores key facts. Many people experience mental illnesses, so having had a diagnosed illness is not a very specific predictor of violent behavior. This means that many proposed policy approaches, from expanded screening to more institutionalization, are unlikely to be effective. Expanded access to effective treatments, although desirable, will have only modest impacts on violence rates. Most people with mental health problems do not commit violent acts, and most violent acts are not committed by people with diagnosed mental disorders.
When Health Policy and Empirical Evidence Collide: The Case of Cigarette Package Warning Labels and Economic Consumer Surplus
Authors: Song Anna V. , Brown Paul , Glantz Stanton A.
Published: December 2013

In its graphic warning label regulations on cigarette packages, the Food and Drug Administration severely discounts the benefits of reduced smoking because of the lost “pleasure” smokers experience when they stop smoking; this is quantified as lost “consumer surplus.” Consumer surplus is grounded in rational choice theory. However, empirical evidence from psychological cognitive science and behavioral economics demonstrates that the assumptions of rational choice are inconsistent with complex multidimensional decisions, particularly smoking. Rational choice does not account for the roles of emotions, misperceptions, optimistic bias, regret, and cognitive inefficiency that are germane to smoking, particularly because most smokers begin smoking in their youth. Continued application of a consumer surplus discount will undermine sensible policies to reduce tobacco use and other policies to promote public health.
Disparities in Safety Belt Use by Sexual Orientation Identity Among US High School Students
Authors: Reisner Sari L. , Van Wagenen Aimee , Gordon Allegra , Calzo Jerel P.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. We examined associations between adolescents’ safety belt use and sexual orientation identity.

Methods. We pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (n = 26 468 weighted; mean age = 15.9 years; 35.4% White, 24.7% Black, 23.5% Latino, 16.4% other). We compared lesbian and gay (1.2%), bisexual (3.5%), and unsure (2.6%) youths with heterosexuals (92.7%) on a binary indicator of passenger safety belt use. We stratified weighted multivariable logistic regression models by sex and adjusted for survey wave and sampling design.

Results. Overall, 12.6% of high school students reported “rarely” or “never” wearing safety belts. Sexual minority youths had increased odds of reporting nonuse relative to heterosexuals (48% higher for male bisexuals, 85% for lesbians, 46% for female bisexuals, and 51% for female unsure youths; P < .05), after adjustment for demographic (age, race/ethnicity), individual (body mass index, depression, bullying, binge drinking, riding with a drunk driver, academic achievement), and contextual (living in jurisdictions with secondary or primary safety belt laws, percentage below poverty, percentage same-sex households) risk factors.

Conclusions. Public health interventions should address sexual orientation identity disparities in safety belt use.
The Land of 10 000 Tobacco Products: How Minnesota Led the Way in Regulating Tobacco Products
Authors: Freiberg Michael , Boyle Raymond G. , Moilanen Molly , St. Claire Ann W. , Weisman Susan R.
Published: December 2013

As state and local governments increase restrictions on cigarette smoking, tobacco manufacturers have shifted to marketing alternative tobacco products. Tobacco control laws need to be updated to reflect this shifting marketplace. With the 2010 enactment of the Tobacco Modernization and Compliance Act, Minnesota addressed regulatory gaps and created a model law for other states. We have detailed the updated definitions of tobacco and tobacco products and identified ways that future laws could be strengthened.
Identifying Sexual Orientation Health Disparities in Adolescents: Analysis of Pooled Data From the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005 and 2007
Authors: Mustanski Brian , Van Wagenen Aimee , Birkett Michelle , Eyster Sandra , Corliss Heather L.
Published: December 2013

We studied sexual orientation disparities in health outcomes among US adolescents by pooling multiple Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data sets from 2005 and 2007 for 14 jurisdictions. Here we describe the methodology for pooling and analyzing these data sets.

Sexual orientation–related items assessed sexual orientation identity, gender of sexual contacts, sexual attractions, and harassment regarding sexual orientation. Wording of items varied across jurisdictions, so we created parallel variables and composite sexual minority variables.

We used a variety of statistical approaches to address issues with the analysis of pooled data and to meet the aims of individual articles, which focused on a range of health outcomes and behaviors related to cancer, substance use, sexual health, mental health, violence, and injury.
Longitudinal Predictions of the Brooding and Reflection Subscales of the Japanese Ruminative Responses Scale for Depression
Authors: Hasegawa Akira , Koda Munenaga , Kondo Tsuyoshi , Hattori Yosuke , Kawaguchi Jun
Published: December 2013

The Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) is a measure of depressive rumination which has two subscales: Brooding and Reflection. This article examines the longitudinal predictions for depression and the test-retest reliability of the Brooding and Reflection of the Japanese RRS. Japanese university students ( N = 378) completed the RRS, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Inventory to Diagnose Depression, Lifetime Version (IDDL) which was modified to assess symptoms experienced in the 8-wk. follow-up period. The standardized betas of the initial Brooding and Reflection subscales for the IDDL scores were significant and positive after controlling for baseline CES-D scores, but those for the CES-D scores at Time 2 were not significant. Longitudinal predictions of Brooding were partially consistent with those of other language versions (significant in almost all studies); however, longitudinal predictions of Reflection were not consistent with those of other language versions (negative in previous studies). The test-retest correlations of both subscales were similar to those obtained in Western countries.
Generalizability of Delay of Gratification: Dimensionality and Function
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Wang Lei , Jiang Jing
Published: December 2013

There is a debate about the factor structure of adults' ability to delay gratification and mixed findings concerning the relationship between delay of gratification and achievement. Three studies were conducted to show that delay of gratification had two components. In Study 1, exploratory factor analyses showed that the Generalizability of Deferment of Gratification Questionnaire had two factors: Controlling-Impulse and Planning-and-Waiting. Study 2 verified the two-factor structure by confirmatory factor analysis and demonstrated acceptable reliability, construct and divergent validity. Specifically, Planning-and-Waiting was correlated with delay-discounting, self-control, uncertainty avoidance, Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and self-efficacy, whereas Controlling-Impulse was correlated with self-control, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness. Moreover, Planning-and-Waiting was the unique predictor of CFC-Future, but Controlling-Impulse predicted substantive variance in both CFC-Future and CFC-Immediate. Study 3, using multi-wave and multi-source data, further showed that only Controlling-Impulse was an important predictor of long-term performance and creative performance, supporting the distinctiveness of the two factors.
Gender Invariance of the College Student Stress Scale
Authors: Feldt Ronald C. , Updegraff Christina
Published: December 2013

Assessment of perceived stress may be an important prerequisite to deployment of effective coping in efforts to help college students adjust to academic and social demands of college. The study examined the extent to which a seven-item measure of the College Student Stress Scale is invariant across gender. Results indicated invariance of factor loadings, factor variance, and all but one item intercept. No statistically significant gender difference was observed between latent variable means.
National Intelligence Estimates and the Failed State Index
Authors: Voracek Martin
Published: December 2013

Across 177 countries around the world, the Failed State Index, a measure of state vulnerability, was reliably negatively associated with the estimates of national intelligence. Psychometric analysis of the Failed State Index, compounded of 12 social, economic, and political indicators, suggested factorial unidimensionality of this index. The observed correspondence of higher national intelligence figures to lower state vulnerability might arise through these two macro-level variables possibly being proxies of even more pervasive historical and societal background variables that affect both.
The Structure of Prosocial Behavior: A Comment on Richaud, Mesurado, and Cortada (2013)
Authors: Łaguna Mariola , Oleś Piotr
Published: December 2013

The question of how many factors are required to explain prosocial behavior in adolescents was examined. Richaud, Mesurado, and Cortada (2013) have tested two alternative models of prosocial behaviors. In this Comment we (1) discuss the theoretical basis for prosocial behavior models in adolescents and (2) propose possible alternative models as suggestions for further studies.
Psychometric Properties of the Achievement Goal Questionnaire-Revised Administered to Greek University Students
Authors: Apostolou Mary
Published: December 2013

This study examined the generalizability of the Achievement Goal Questionnaire–Revised (AGQ–R) in a different cultural and ethnic context than other published studies and across different levels of specificity in the academic domain. The study assessed the structural validity and reliability of the questionnaire as administered to 105 Greek University students in both a course-specific context and in a more general academic context. Six plausible alternative models with three- and two-factor structures were compared to the four-factor structure of the questionnaire. In the course-specific context administration, the four-factor structure of the AGQ–R was supported, but a three-factor structure model did not provide a worse fit. None of the remaining models provided a good fit. At the more general academic context, the four-factor structure of the questionnaire did not show adequate fit to the data. The same was true for each one of the six alternative models. The internal consistency reliabilities for the factors depicted in the four- and three-factor structure models were very good, ranging from .90 to .98.
People's Preference Patterns for Gains/Losses in Multiple Time Period Situations
Authors: Chang Shin-Shin , Chang Jung-Hua
Published: December 2013

Little research to date has been devoted to investigating whether people treat time differently from money when facing multiple gains or losses. This study tested the hypothesis that because time is characterized by perishability, fixed supply, and infungibility, people with strong motivation to obtain a long period of uninterrupted discretionary time would strive to trim the time needed for non-discretionary activities or to combine several non-discretionary activities. As a result, people prefer integration over segregation of multiple time losses or gains, which is not consistent with the prediction based on hedonic editing theory or the renewable resource model. This proposition is supported by results from four experiments.