Participant Characteristics (participant + characteristic)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Computer-delivered interventions to reduce college student drinking: a meta-analysis

ADDICTION, Issue 11 2009
Kate B. Carey
ABSTRACT Aims This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) to reduce alcohol use among college students. Methods We included 35 manuscripts with 43 separate interventions, and calculated both between-group and within-group effect sizes for alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Effects sizes were calculated for short-term (,5 weeks) and long-term (,6 weeks) intervals. All studies were coded for study descriptors, participant characteristics and intervention components. Results The effects of CDIs depended on the nature of the comparison condition: CDIs reduced quantity and frequency measures relative to assessment-only controls, but rarely differed from comparison conditions that included alcohol-relevant content. Small-to-medium within-group effect sizes can be expected for CDIs at short- and long-term follow-ups; these changes are less than or equivalent to the within-group effect sizes observed for more intensive interventions. Conclusions CDIs reduce the quantity and frequency of drinking among college students. CDIs are generally equivalent to alternative alcohol-related comparison interventions. [source]


Qualitative Data Analysis for Health Services Research: Developing Taxonomy, Themes, and Theory

HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 4 2007
Elizabeth H. Bradley
Objective. To provide practical strategies for conducting and evaluating analyses of qualitative data applicable for health services researchers. Data Sources and Design. We draw on extant qualitative methodological literature to describe practical approaches to qualitative data analysis. Approaches to data analysis vary by discipline and analytic tradition; however, we focus on qualitative data analysis that has as a goal the generation of taxonomy, themes, and theory germane to health services research. Principle Findings. We describe an approach to qualitative data analysis that applies the principles of inductive reasoning while also employing predetermined code types to guide data analysis and interpretation. These code types (conceptual, relationship, perspective, participant characteristics, and setting codes) define a structure that is appropriate for generation of taxonomy, themes, and theory. Conceptual codes and subcodes facilitate the development of taxonomies. Relationship and perspective codes facilitate the development of themes and theory. Intersectional analyses with data coded for participant characteristics and setting codes can facilitate comparative analyses. Conclusions. Qualitative inquiry can improve the description and explanation of complex, real-world phenomena pertinent to health services research. Greater understanding of the processes of qualitative data analysis can be helpful for health services researchers as they use these methods themselves or collaborate with qualitative researchers from a wide range of disciplines. [source]


The impact of training and demographics in WIA program performance: A statistical analysis

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 4 2009
Richard W. Moore
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) measures participant labor market outcomes to drive program performance. This article uses statistical analysis to examine the relationship between participant characteristics and key outcome measures in one large California local WIA program. This study also measures the impact of different training interventions on program outcomes while controlling for participant characteristics. The findings suggest that adjusting future performance measures for participant characteristics would create more valid performance measures. Further, we find that WIA training interventions do not yield consistent positive labor market outcomes after controlling for participant demographics. Finally, we recommend directions for future research. [source]


How do adolescents with bulimia nervosa rate the acceptability and therapeutic relationship in family-based treatment?

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 5 2008
Shannon L. Zaitsoff PhD
Abstract Objective: To describe therapeutic alliance and treatment acceptability ratings of adolescents with bulimia nervosa (BN) participating in family-based treatment (FBT-BN) and to explore how participant characteristics relate to these constructs. Method: Adolescents with BN (n = 80) in a randomized controlled trial comparing FBT-BN and individual supportive psychotherapy (SPT), completed the Eating Disorder Examination, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory prior to treatment. The Helping Relationship Questionnaire, patient expectancy for treatment, treatment suitability, and self-reported estimates of improvement ratings were obtained at multiple points throughout treatment. Results: Therapeutic alliance and treatment acceptability ratings were positive in both treatments and generally did not differ. Within FBT-BN, more severe eating disorder symptomatology pretreatment was related to lower alliance ratings mid-treatment (p < .05). However, reductions in binge and purge behaviors over the course of treatment were not related to alliance or acceptability for participants in FBT-BN (all p's > .10). Conclusion: Contrary to expectations of FBT-BN, adolescents receiving both treatments develop a strong alliance with the therapist. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008 [source]


Variation across the agricultural season in organophosphorus pesticide urinary metabolite levels for Latino farmworkers in eastern North Carolina: Project design and descriptive results

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 7 2009
Thomas A. Arcury PhD
Abstract Background Community Participatory Approach to Measuring Farmworker Pesticide Exposure, PACE3, used a longitudinal design to document pesticide biomarkers among farmworkers. This article presents an overview of PACE3 and provides a descriptive analysis of participant characteristics and one set of pesticide biomarkers, the dialkylphosphate (DAP) urinary metabolites of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides. Methods Two hundred eighty seven farmworkers were recruited during 2007 from 44 farmworker camps in 11 eastern North Carolina counties. Participants provided interviews, urine samples, blood samples, and saliva samples up to four times at monthly intervals beginning in May. A total of 939 data points were collected. Results Farmworkers were largely men (91.3%) from Mexico (94.8%) with a mean age of 33.7 years (SE 0.82); 23.3% spoke an indigenous language. Across all data points, frequencies of detection and median urinary concentrations were 41.3% and 0.96,µg/L for dimethylphosphate (DMP), 78.3% and 3.61,µg/L for dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), 33.3% and 0.04,µg/L for dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), 40.5% and 0.87,µg/L for diethylphosphate (DEP), 32.3% and 0.17,µg/L for diethylthiophosphate (DETP), and 8.09% and 0.00,µg/L for diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP). The frequencies of detection and urinary concentrations of the DAP metabolites increased during the season. Conclusions More PACE3 participants were from Mexico, male, migrant workers, and spoke an indigenous language compared to national data. PACE3 participants had comparable frequencies of detection and urinary metabolite concentrations with participants in other studies. Variability in the frequencies of detection and urinary concentrations of the DAP metabolites indicates the importance of longitudinal studies of biomarkers of currently used pesticides in farmworker populations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:539,550, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A national survey of training and current assessment practices in the schools

PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 6 2003
Michelle Kilpatrick Demaray
The primary purpose of this research was to survey school psychologists to investigate their training and current assessment practices for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the schools. The survey consisted of 38 questions regarding participant characteristics and three main areas relevant to ADHD: (a) training, (b) caseloads/referral patterns, and (c) assessment. The respondents reported receiving adequate training in the assessment of ADHD, with doctorate-level psychologists self-reporting being better trained than nondoctorate psychologists. Results confirmed a substantial caseload of ADHD referrals. In the assessment of ADHD, the results indicated school psychologists are using multiple informants, methods, and settings for the assessment of ADHD with rating scales, observations, and interviews the most common methods identified. Limitations of current practices will be discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 583,597, 2003. [source]


Validation analysis of informant's ratings of cognitive function in African Americans and Nigerians

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 7 2006
Jianzhao Shen
Abstract Objectives To examine informant validity using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSI ,D') both cross-sectionally and longitudinally in two very different cultures and to explore the effects of informants and study participants' characteristics on the validity of informants' reports. Methods Elderly African Americans age 65 years and older residing in Indianapolis, USA and elderly Yoruba Nigerians age 65 years and older residing in Ibadan, Nigeria were assessed on cognitive functioning using the CSI ,D' at baseline (1992,1993) and five-year follow-up (1997,1998). At baseline, the informant validity in both samples was evaluated against participants' cognitive tests using Pearson correlation and regular regression models. At follow-up, informants ratings on cognitive decline were assessed against participants' cognitive decline scores from baseline to follow-up using biserial correlation and logistic regressions. Results At baseline, informants' reports on cognitive functioning significantly correlated with cognitive scores in both samples (Indianapolis:r,=,,0.43, p,<,0.001; Ibadan:r,=,,0.47, p,<,0.001). The participant,informant relationships significantly affected the informants' reports in the two samples with different patterns (p,=,0.005 for Indianapolis and p,<,0.001 for Ibadan) at a given level of cognitive functioning. African Americans spouses reported more cognitive problems, while siblings reported more problems for the Yoruba Nigerians. At follow-up, informants' ratings on cognitive decline significantly correlated with the cognitive decline scores (Indianapolis r,=,0.38, p,<,0.001; Ibadan r,=,0.32, p,<,0.001). The characteristics of study participants and informants had little impact on the informants' ratings on cognitive decline. Conclusions Informant reports are valid in assessing the cognitive functioning of study participants both cross-sectionally and longitudinally in two very different cultures, languages and environments. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]