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Kinds of Respondents Terms modified by Respondents Selected AbstractsSELF-CONTROL, CRIMINAL MOTIVATION AND DETERRENCE: AN INVESTIGATION USING RUSSIAN RESPONDENTSCRIMINOLOGY, Issue 2 2005CHARLES R. TITTLE With data from respondents in Nizhni Novgorod, Russia, we address the generality of self-control theory. We also assess two hypotheses. The first focuses on the attractiveness of criminal acts, that is, motivation toward crime. The second concerns the contention that the mediating link between self-control and criminal conduct is the failure of those with less self-control to anticipate the long-term costs of misbehavior. Although the magnitude of associations between self-control and indicators of criminal behavior is about the same in this study as it is in others, which suggests that the theory is not culturally bound, those associations are largely overshadowed by criminal attraction. Consistent with that, failure to anticipate costly long-term consequences does not appear to be the mediating link between self-control and criminal behavior: the evidence shows no tendency for sanction fear to be greater among those with greater self-control. In fact, sanction fear is modestly and significantly related to the crime measures independent of self-control, though sanction fear also appears to be influenced by criminal attraction. The results suggest that in the production of criminal behavior, motivation may be more important than controls inhibiting criminal impulses. [source] The Hunt for the Last Respondent by I. StoopJOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES A (STATISTICS IN SOCIETY), Issue 4 2006Susan Nunn No abstract is available for this article. [source] Emergency Medicine Practitioner Knowledge and Use of Decision Rules for the Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: Variations by Practice Setting and Training LevelACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2007Michael S. Runyon MD Abstract Background Several clinical decision rules (CDRs) have been validated for pretest probability assessment of pulmonary embolism (PE), but the authors are unaware of any data quantifying and characterizing their use in emergency departments. Objectives To characterize clinicians' knowledge of and attitudes toward two commonly used CDRs for PE. Methods By using a modified Delphi approach, the authors developed a two-page paper survey including 15 multiple-choice questions. The questions were designed to determine the respondents' familiarity, frequency of use, and comprehension of the Canadian and Charlotte rules. The survey also queried the frequency of use of unstructured (gestalt) pretest probability assessment and reasons why physicians choose not to use decision rules. The surveys were sent to physicians, physician assistants, and medical students at 32 academic and community hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom. Results Respondents included 555 clinicians; 443 (80%) work in academic practice, and 112 (20%) are community based. Significantly more academic practitioners (73%) than community practitioners (49%) indicated familiarity with at least one of the two decision rules. Among all respondents familiar with a rule, 50% reported using it in more than half of applicable cases. A significant number of these respondents could not correctly identify a key component of the rule (23% for the Charlotte rule and 43% for the Canadian rule). Fifty-seven percent of all respondents indicated use of gestalt rather than a decision rule in more than half of cases. Conclusions Academic clinicians were more likely to report familiarity with either of these two specific decision rules. Only one half of all clinicians reporting familiarity with the rules use them in more than 50% of applicable cases. Spontaneous recall of the specific elements of the rules was low to moderate. Future work should consider clinical gestalt in the evaluation of patients with possible PE. [source] Science, Policy Advocacy, and Marine Protected AreasCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009NOELLA J. GRAY área marina cabildeo político; protegida; credibilidad; positivismo Abstract:,Much has been written in recent years regarding whether and to what extent scientists should engage in the policy process, and the focus has been primarily on the issue of advocacy. Despite extensive theoretical discussions, little has been done to study attitudes toward and consequences of such advocacy in particular cases. We assessed attitudes toward science and policy advocacy in the case of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the basis of a survey of delegates at the First International Marine Protected Areas Congress. Delegates were all members of the international marine conservation community and represented academic, government, and nongovernmental organizations. A majority of respondents believed science is objective but only a minority believed that values can be eliminated from science. Respondents showed only partial support of positivist principles of science. Almost all respondents supported scientists being integrated into MPA policy making, whereas half of the respondents agreed that scientists should actively advocate for particular MPA policies. Scientists with a positivist view of science supported a minimal role for scientists in policy, whereas government staff with positivist beliefs supported an advocacy or decision-making role for scientists. Policy-making processes for MPAs need to account for these divergent attitudes toward science and advocacy if science-driven and participatory approaches are to be reconciled. Resumen:,Mucho se ha escrito en años recientes sobre sí y hasta que punto deben involucrarse los científicos en el proceso político, y el enfoque ha sido principalmente en el tema del cabildeo. No obstante extensas discusiones teóricas, se ha hecho poco para estudiar las actitudes hacia y las consecuencias del cabildeo en casos particulares. Evaluamos actitudes hacia la ciencia y el cabildeo político en el caso de áreas marinas protegidas (AMP) con base en un muestreo de delegados en el Primer Congreso Internacional de Áreas Marinas Protegidas (1CIAMP). Todos los delegados eran miembros de comunidad internacional de conservación marina y representaban a organizaciones académicas, gubernamentales y no gubernamentales. La mayoría de respondientes consideraron que la ciencia es objetiva pero solo una minoría creyó que los valores pueden ser eliminados de la ciencia. Los respondientes mostraron apoyo solo parcial a los principios positivistas de la ciencia. Casi todos los respondientes apoyaron que los científicos deben ser integrados a la definición de políticas para las AMP, mientras que la mitad de los respondientes estuvo de acuerdo en que los científicos deben cabildear activamente a favor de políticas AMP particulares. Los científicos con una visión positivista de la ciencia apoyaron un papel mínimo para los científicos en política, mientras que el personal gubernamental con creencias positivistas apoyó un papel en el cabildeo y toma de decisiones para los científicos. Los procesos de definición de políticas para AMP deben considerar estas actitudes divergentes hacia la ciencia y el cabildeo sí se quiere reconciliar a los métodos basados en ciencia y los participativos. [source] Assessing the Risk of Introducing Exotic Species via the Live Marine Species TradeCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005SHANNON M. WEIGLE especies estuarinas; introducción de especies; mecanismos de transferencia de especies invasoras; prevención de especies invasoras; riesgo de invasiones Abstract:,Although the shipping industry has received considerable attention as a dispersal mechanism for aquatic nuisance species, many invasions have been linked to other mechanisms of transfer. The threat posed to coastal ecosystems by these alternative mechanisms, however, remains largely unquantified. We assessed the potential risks of introducing marine and estuarine species associated with seven mechanisms of transfer: seafood companies, aquaculture operations, bait shops, stores that sell marine ornamental species, research and educational organizations, public aquariums, and coastal restoration projects. For each, we compiled a comprehensive database of organizations in coastal Massachusetts. We then designed and administered a survey to a subset of organizations that inquired about (1) their proximity to saltwater and methods of handling live imports; (2) the type and quantity of marine species being imported; and (3) the organization's familiarity with marine invasions. Respondents in five of the seven categories acknowledged importing nonlocal live marine species to the area. Seafood companies handled the majority of individuals but relatively few taxa. This mechanism of transfer also had the most complex trade patterns and the greatest number of operations located near saltwater. In contrast, the other transfer mechanisms each had simpler trade pathways and fewer operations but varied in the quantity and taxonomic diversity of their imports. Significantly, no single mechanism of transfer stood out as presenting a primary risk. Rather, each had characteristics or used handling practices at different points in the importation process that could facilitate introductions. To prevent future marine invasions, better reporting requirements for live species imports are needed, and best-management practices and outreach strategies specific to the transfer mechanism should be developed and implemented. Resumen:,Aunque la industria de transportación marítima ha recibido considerable atención como un mecanismo de dispersión de especies acuáticas molestas, muchas invasiones han sido relacionadas con otros mecanismos de transferencia. Sin embargo, la amenaza de estos mecanismos alternativos a los ecosistemas costeros permanece en gran parte sin cuantificar. Evaluamos los potenciales riesgos para especies marinas y estuarinas asociados con siete mecanismos de transferencia: compañías de mariscos, operaciones acuaculturales, tiendas de especies marinas ornamentales, organizaciones de investigación y educativas, acuarios públicos y proyectos de restauración costera. Para cada uno, compilamos una amplia base de datos de organizaciones en la costa de Massachussetts. Luego diseñamos y aplicamos una encuesta a un subconjunto de organizaciones para obtener información sobre (1) su proximidad al agua marina y sus métodos para el manejo de importaciones vivas, (2) el tipo y cantidad de especies marinas importadas y (3) la familiaridad de la organización con invasiones marinas. Evaluamos los potenciales riesgos de introducciones de especies marinas y estuarinas. Los encuestados en cinco de siete categorías reconocieron importar especies marinas vivas no locales al área. Las compañías de mariscos manejaron a la mayoría de los individuos pero relativamente pocos taxa. Este mecanismo de transferencia también tuvo los patrones comerciales más complejos y el mayor número de operaciones localizadas cerca de agua marina. En contraste, cada uno de los demás mecanismos de transferencia tuvo canales de comercialización más simples y menos operaciones, pero variaron en la cantidad y diversidad taxonómica de sus importaciones. Significativamente, ningún mecanismo individual resaltó como un riesgo primario. Más bien, cada uno tenía características o utilizaba prácticas de manejo en diferentes etapas del proceso de importación que podían facilitar las introducciones. Para prevenir futuras invasiones marinas, se necesitan mejores requerimientos para reportar la importación de especies vivas, y se deben desarrollar e implementar prácticas de manejo óptimo y estrategias de extensión específicas para el mecanismo de transferencia. [source] Limited Opportunities for Paramedic Student Endotracheal Intubation Training in the Operating RoomACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 10 2006Bradford D. Johnston MD Abstract Background Paramedics, who often are the first to provide emergency care to critically ill patients, must be proficient in endotracheal intubation (ETI). Training in the controlled operating room (OR) setting is a common method for learning basic ETI technique. Objectives To determine the quantity and nature of OR ETI training currently provided to paramedic students. Methods The authors surveyed directors of paramedic training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. An anonymous 12-question, structured, closed-response survey instrument was used that requested information regarding the duration and nature of OR training provided to paramedic students. The results were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Results From 192 programs, 161 completed surveys were received (response rate, 85%). OR training was used at 156 programs (97%) but generally was limited (median, 17,32 hours per student). Half of the programs provided fewer than 16 OR hours per student. Students attempted a limited number of OR ETI (median, 6,10 ETI). Most respondents (61%) reported competition from other health care students for OR ETI. Other identified hindering factors included the increasing OR use of laryngeal mask airways and physicians' medicolegal concerns. Respondents from 52 (33%) programs reported a recent reduction in OR access, and 56 (36%) programs expected future OR opportunities to decrease. Conclusions Despite its key role in airway management education, the quantity and nature of OR ETI training that is available to paramedic students is limited in comparison to that available to other ETI providers. [source] Diabetes service provision: a qualitative study of the experiences and views of Pakistani and Indian patients with Type 2 diabetesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2006J. Lawton Abstract Aims To explore Pakistani and Indian patients' experiences of, and views about, diabetes services in order to inform the development of culturally sensitive services. Design Qualitative, interview study involving 23 Pakistani and nine Indian patients with Type 2 diabetes recruited from general practices and the local community in Edinburgh, Scotland. Data collection and analysis occurred concurrently and recruitment continued until no new themes emerged from the interviews. Results Respondents expressed gratitude for the availability of free diabetes services in Britain, as they were used to having to pay to access health care on the Indian subcontinent. Most looked to services for the prompt detection and treatment of complications, rather than the provision of advice about managing their condition. As respondents attached importance to receiving physical examinations, they could be disappointed when these were not offered by health-care professionals. They disliked relying on interpreters and identified a need for bilingual professionals with whom they could discuss their diabetes care directly. Conclusions Gratitude for free services in Britain may instil a sense of indebtedness which makes it difficult for Pakistanis and Indians to be critical of their diabetes care. Health-care professionals may need to describe their roles carefully, and explain how different diabetes services fit together, to avoid Pakistani and Indian patients perceiving treatment as unsatisfactory. Whilst linkworker schemes may meet patients' need to receive culturally sensitive information in their first language, work is needed to assess their effectiveness and sustainability. [source] Ready to drinks are associated with heavier drinking patterns among young femalesDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2008TAISIA HUCKLE Abstract Aim. To report patterns of use of ready to drinks (RTDs) and to assess if RTD consumers have heavier drinking patterns. RTDs were introduced in 1995. Method. Data from a general population sample of 7201 respondents aged 14,65 years, in New Zealand in 2004, were modelled. Results. Nineteen per cent of respondents consumed RTDs. Respondents aged 14,17 and 18,24 years and females were the largest consumers of RTDs. Compared to beer, wine or spirits, being an RTD consumer predicted (1) higher typical occasion quantities for respondents aged 14,17, 18,24 and 25+ years and (2) heavier drinking for those aged 14,17 and 18,24 years. When amounts of beverages consumed were modelled, quantity of RTDs predicted higher typical occasion quantities among females of all ages. Among males beer was more predictive. Similar results were found for the heavier drinking measure. For 14,17-year-old females, RTDs consumption predicted higher annual frequency, but for the other females and males the amount of wine or beer consumed predicted higher frequency. Conclusion. RTDs were most popular among young people aged 14,17 years, and females. RTDs predicted higher typical occasion alcohol consumption and heavier drinking better than any other beverage for females aged 14,17 years. For the other age and gender groups, other beverages predicted higher quantity and frequency consumption. [source] Increasing practice nurse access to alcohol trainingDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 3 2002ANN DEEHAN Abstract Policy makers have repeatedly placed emphasis on the role of primary care in screening for at-risk alcohol consumption and delivering public health messages to the general population. Research has pointed to primary care staff holding negative attitudes towards alcohol misusing patients. Training has traditionally been seen as the key to increasing the capacity of the medical field to engage with alcohol misusing patients but little work has been undertaken to examine the potential barriers to training take up. Consequently, the aim of this study was to explore the willingness of practice nurses to be trained in alcohol screening and brief intervention, and whether identifiable barriers to training exist and how they may be overcome. All practice nurses (n = 82) in an outer London (UK) Health Authority Area were twice mailed an invitation to an alcohol training seminar and a telephone invitation was made to all of those who did not reply to the mailings. Those who did not attend (n = 66) were contacted to take part in a short structured telephone interview ,89% (59/66) were contacted successfully and interviewed. Respondents were experienced in primary care and viewed health promotional activity as a valid part of their role. Few had undertaken previous alcohol training and as a group they were highly active in attending training events with training undertaken tending to be related directly to perceived practice needs and priorities: thus this group could not be characterized as unwilling to be trained. Barriers to training at alcohol events were found to be either personal or work-related, with most nurses interested in receiving further training or information. These data imply that the ways in which training is organized and delivered require sensitivity to identifiable barriers if it is to reach and effect changing practice among practice nurses successfully. A range of possibilities are identified as alternative approaches to the provision of elective training events which may be more acceptable to the target population of health-care staff. [source] Progression through early drinking milestones in an adolescent treatment sampleADDICTION, Issue 3 2010Kristina M. Jackson ABSTRACT Aims Research using nationally representative and community samples demonstrates a robust association between early onset of drinking and increased likelihood of numerous adverse outcomes. However, little is known about the subsequent drinking that occurs early in the drinking career. The present study dissects the transition from any alcohol use to treatment entry by taking a fine-grained approach to examining the attainment and progression of drinking events in a sample of adolescents in substance use treatment. Design/Setting Data were taken from the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study for Adolescents (DATOS-A), a multi-site, community-based study of adolescents entering treatment. Participants Respondents included 3331 youth aged 12,18 years (mean = 15.75) admitted to treatment in 1993,95 (74% male, 52% white, 24% African American, 20% Hispanic). Measurements Age of attainment was obtained for five drinking-related milestones, including first drink of alcohol, first time drunk, first monthly drinking, first drank five or more drinks/day on a weekly basis and first drank five or more drinks/day on a daily basis. Findings Most milestones were attained at a very early age, and average progression through adjacent drinking events was relatively swift, Movement through early drinking milestones was accelerated in girls and white youth. Youth who reported their first drink at an early age (age 10 or younger) showed slower progression, suggesting the existence of distinct processes underlying early use and drinking transitions within an individual. Conclusions This study provides data relevant to understanding drinking progression/natural history in a large clinical sample, especially for differences by gender and ethnicity. The findings have implications for the identification of intermediate stages that might benefit from selected intervention programs. [source] ,I have no interest in drinking': a cross-national comparison of reasons why men and women abstain from alcohol useADDICTION, Issue 10 2009Sharon Bernards ABSTRACT Aims To examine country differences in reasons for abstaining including the association of reasons with country abstaining rate and drinking pattern. Participants Samples of men and women from eight countries participating in the GENACIS (Gender Alcohol and Culture: an International Study) project. Methods Surveys were conducted with 3338 life-time abstainers and 3105 former drinkers. Respondents selected all applicable reasons for not drinking from a provided list. Analyses included two-level hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) regression. Findings Reasons for abstaining differed significantly for life-time abstainers compared to former drinkers, by gender and age, and by country-level abstaining rate and frequency of drinking. Life-time abstainers were more likely than former drinkers to endorse ,no interest', ,religion' and ,upbringing' and more reasons overall. Gender differences, especially among former drinkers, suggested that norms restricting drinking may influence reasons that women abstain (,no interest', ,not liking taste') while drinking experiences may be more important considerations for men (,afraid of alcohol problems', ,bad effect on activities'). Younger age was associated with normative reasons (,no interest', ,taste', ,waste of money') and possibly bad experiences (,afraid of problems'). Reasons such as ,religion', ,waste of money' and ,afraid of alcohol problems' were associated with higher country-level rates of abstaining. Higher endorsement of ,drinking is bad for health' and ,taste' were associated with a country pattern of less frequent drinking while ,not liking effects' was associated with higher drinking frequency. Conclusions Reasons for abstaining depend on type of abstainer, gender, age and country drinking norms and patterns. [source] Knowledge and attitude towards paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation among the carers of patients attending the Emergency Department of the Children's Hospital at WestmeadEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 5 2009Jonathan Cu Abstract The present study aimed to describe the knowledge and attitudes of parents and carers in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on infants and children. A self-administered questionnaire distributed to a convenience sample of parents and carers attending the Emergency Department of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia from February to March 2008. Main outcome measures were the prevalence of previous cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, willingness and confidence to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on infants and children compared with adults, and an objective assessment of knowledge of current resuscitation guidelines. A total of 348 parents and carers were surveyed; 53% had received previous cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, 75% prior to the previous year. There was no significant difference on their willingness to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an adult versus a child (75.6% and 75.8% respectively, P= 0.870). However, 81% were willing to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a relative whereas only 64% were willing to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a stranger (P < 0.001). Respondents were moderately confident in delivering cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a collapsed child; mean score of 2.9 on 5-point Likert scale. Only 11% of respondents knew the correct rate for chest compressions and the ratio of compressions to ventilations; 8% had performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a real situation. Parents and carers are willing to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, especially on family members. However, their knowledge of the current guidelines was poor. More public education is required to update those with previous training and to encourage those who haven't to be trained. [source] The Mexican migration to the United States and substance use in northern MexicoADDICTION, Issue 4 2009Guilherme Borges ABSTRACT Aims To examine the impact of migration to the United States on substance use and substance use disorders in three urban areas of northern Mexico. Design Cross-sectional survey of immigration-related experiences and life-time and past-year alcohol and drug use, in a representative sample of respondents aged 12,65 years. Setting Interviews were conducted in the cities of Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez and Monterrey during 2005. Respondents were classified into three groups: (i) ,return migrants', (ii) ,relatives of migrants' and (iii) ,others in the general population'. Findings A total of 1630 completed interviews were obtained for a response rate of 70.5%. ,Return migrants' were more likely to have used alcohol, marijuana or cocaine at least once in their life-time and in the last 12 months, more likely to develop a substance use disorder and more likely to have a 12-month substance use disorder compared with ,others in the general population'. Among ,return migrants', longer length of time in the United States and type of work performed as an immigrant were related to higher prevalence of substance use. Among ,relatives of migrants', migration experiences were not associated with increased prevalence of substance use compared with ,others in the general population'. Conclusion This study found a link between migration to the United States and the transformation of substance use norms and pathology in Mexico. Future research on pre-migration involvement in substance use and data on the timing of events among return migrants is needed. Public health measures are likely to require cross-border coordination of research and service development. [source] Evaluating Paramedic Comfort with Field Pronouncement: Development and Validation of an Outcome MeasureACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 6 2003Laurie J. Morrison MD Abstract Objectives: Interventions designed to improve cardiac resuscitation and the quality of field pronouncement need to consider outcomes on paramedic providers. The authors developed and evaluated the reliability and validity of a survey instrument measuring paramedic comfort with field pronouncement. Methods: A mail survey of 120 paramedics (EMT-Ps) was performed using the Modified Dillman survey methodology. Questions were sorted for analysis into subgroups assessing psychological comfort and technical skills. Sixty-five respondents were retested within two weeks. Results: The overall response rate was 96% (115). Respondents had an average age of 36 years (SD ± 5), with 5.2 years (SD ± 3.8) of out-of-hospital experience as an EMT-P, and were involved in a median of ten field pronouncements annually (range = 2,60). The face and content validity of the survey instrument was consistent with a content matrix derived by a focus group. The Cronbach's alpha for the survey instrument was 0.91. The retest response rate was 76% (46). The test,retest reliability coefficient was 0.84. Conclusions: This survey is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the paramedic psychological comfort with field pronouncement. The high response rate and intrareliability support its generalizability. This outcome measure may be helpful in evaluating the psychological impact of changes to emergency medical services (EMS) policy with respect to termination of resuscitation promoted by the National Association of EMS Physicians. [source] Quality of Life of People with Epilepsy in Iran, the Gulf, and Near EastEPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2005Gus A. Baker Summary:,Purpose: To study the impact of epilepsy and its treatment on the quality of life of people living in Iran and in countries in the Gulf and Near East. Methods: Clinical, demographic, and psychosocial details were collected through the use of a self-completed questionnaire distributed to patients attending hospital outpatient clinics. Results: Data were collected from 3,889 people with epilepsy from 10 countries. More than 40% of all respondents had frequent seizures, and reported levels of side effects from medication were high, the most commonly reported being nervousness, headaches, and tiredness. A significant number of respondents reported changing their medications because of side effects or poor seizure control. Respondents reported that epilepsy and its treatment had a significant impact on a number of different aspects of their daily lives. A significant number of respondents felt stigmatized by their epilepsy. Reported health status was reduced when compared with that of people without epilepsy, particularly for physical and social functioning and energy and vitality, as assessed by using a generic health status measure, the SF-36. Conclusions: This is the largest study to date documenting the impact of epilepsy and its treatment in Iran, the Gulf, and Near East regions. Differences were found between the quality-of-life profiles of respondents in this study and those who participated in an earlier parallel study in Europe. [source] The Influence of Comorbid Depression on Seizure SeverityEPILEPSIA, Issue 12 2003Joyce A. Cramer Summary:,Purpose: To determine the relation between depressive symptoms and seizure severity among people with epilepsy. Methods: A postal questionnaire was used to survey a nationwide community sample about seizures and depression. The Seizure Severity Questionnaire (SSQ) assessed the severity and bothersomeness of seizure components. The Centers for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale categorized levels of depression. Results: Respondents categorized as having current severe (SEV, n = 166), mild,moderate (MOD, n = 74), or no depression (NO, n = 443) differed significantly in SSQ scores (all p < 0.0001). People with SEV or MOD reported significantly worse problems than did those with NO depression for overall seizure recovery (mean, 5.3, 4.9, 4.5, respectively); overall severity (5.0, 4.5, 4.2); and overall seizure bother (5.3, 4.8, 4.4) (all p < 0.005). Cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects of seizure recovery also were rated worse among people with SEV than with NO depression (all p < 0.05). Symptoms of depression were significantly correlated with higher levels of all components of generalized tonic,clonic seizure severity (r = 0.33,0.48; all p < 0.0001), and partial seizures (r = 0.31,0.38; all p < 0.01). Conclusions: Clinically depressed people with epilepsy reported higher levels of perceived severity and bother from seizures, as well as greater problems with overall seizure recovery than did nondepressed people experiencing similar types of seizures. The pervasive influence of depressive symptoms on reports of seizure activity suggests that people with epilepsy should be screened for depression. These data highlight the importance of detecting and treating depression among people with epilepsy. [source] Alcohol abuse in a metropolitan city in China: a study of the prevalence and risk factorsADDICTION, Issue 9 2004Zhang Jiafang ABSTRACT Aims To investigate the prevalence of alcohol abuse in modern China and to explore the risk factors that may be associated with alcohol abuse. Design A face-to-face interview was carried out in a random sample with 2327 respondents. Setting Respondents were selected randomly from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, between May and June 2002. Participants Fifteen,65-year-old urban Chinese adults. Measurements Scores for alcohol abuse and related risk factors were the main measures. Findings (1) Nearly 15% of urban Chinese adults aged 15,65 were alcohol abusers. (2) Deviant drinking habits of mother, schoolmates, colleagues or friends all had a negative impact on the respondent's alcohol drinking behaviours, and higher economic status, current smokers, being male and being older were identified as risk factors related to alcohol abuse. In particular, if a drinker's mother used alcohol frequently then this drinker was more likely to become an alcohol abuser than those drinkers whose mothers did not use alcohol frequently (P = 0.0001). Fathers' drinking behaviours do not have a significant impact on the alcohol abusers. Conclusions In addition to common risk factors such as economic status, deviant peers' and fellows' drinking behaviours and negative attitudes to alcohol drinking, maternal alcohol drinking habit influenced significantly the offspring's drinking habits. Therefore, efficient intervention and education of healthy drinking habits in early motherhood is necessary for Chinese women. [source] Individual use of online-consulting for persons affected with eating disorders and their relatives,evaluation of an online consulting serviceEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 4 2006Martin Grunwald Abstract This paper describes an independent online consulting service for persons affected with eating disorders and their relatives (http://www.ab-server.de) which was developed by physicians and psychologists in Germany. This study aims to understand the individual use of the online consulting by affected persons and their relatives. In order to do this, two online questionnaires were developed: one for affected persons and one for their relatives. These questionnaires were sent digitally to those people who had posted an e-mail to the online consulting service between 1/1999 and 11/2003 (n,=,2760). Finally, 240 data sets of affected persons and 85 of relatives were included in the analysis. Respondents said that the online consulting had had important effects on their lives: (a) 22.5% of affected persons and 49.4% of relatives stated that the answers provided by the online consultants led to a better understanding of the disease; (b) 32.1% of affected persons and 52.9% of relatives experienced that they had been talking more about the disease since they had contacted the online consulting service; (c) 20% of affected persons went to see a therapist as a consequence of the online consultation. 55.4% of affected persons and 81.2% of relatives had not turned to professional help before they contacted the online service. The results of the evaluation sugest that people seeking help are made sensitive to their existing problem and that they have been encouraged by the online consultation to seek further professional help. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Physical assessment of patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: an international comparisonEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 6 2003D. Kovacs Abstract Objective: A questionnaire study was carried out to determine which investigations were carried out routinely on patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Method: A specially designed questionnaire was sent to 168 clinicians working in the field of eating disorders in 25 countries. Respondents were asked to supply information about how often they carry out specific investigations on new patients with AN and BN. The questionnaire covered the use of physical examination, biochemical and haematological tests and cardiac investigations. Results: 71,(42.3,per cent) questionnaires were returned. Biochemical investigations and full blood counts were carried out frequently. Significant differences were found between AN patients and BN patients in the measurement of calcium, phosphate and magnesium levels. In some cases, patients with BN were not routinely assessed for hypokalaemia. Micronutrient levels were measured rarely and only 40,per cent of respondents carried out routine electrocardiograms (ECGs) in AN. Discussion: Measurement of serum potassium should be routine in BN and other electrolytes should probably measured more often in both disorders. Detection of treatable micronutrient deficiencies should be given more emphasis and the ECG should become a routine investigation in AN. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Personality traits of Russians from the observer's perspectiveEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 7 2009Jüri Allik Abstract Data were collected by the members of the Russian character and personality survey from 39 samples in 33 administrative areas of the Russian Federation. Respondents (N,=,7065) identified an ethnically Russian adult or college-aged man or woman whom they knew well and rated the target using the Russian observer rating version of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, which measures neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness. Factor analyses within samples showed that the factor structure of an international sample combining data from 50 different cultures was well replicated in all 39 Russian samples. Sex differences replicated the known pattern in all samples, demonstrating that women scored higher than men on most of the neuroticism, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness facet scales. Cross-sectional analyses demonstrated consistent age differences for four factors: Older individuals compared to younger ones were less extraverted and open but more agreeable and conscientious. The mean levels of traits were similar in all 39 samples. Although in general personality traits in Russians closely followed the universal pattern, some reliable culture-specific effects were also found that future studies can help interpret. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Loving styles: relationships with personality and attachment stylesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 2 2004Patrick C. L. Heaven We investigated the ability of the major personality dimensions, some of their underlying facet scales, and attachment styles to predict primary and secondary loving styles, as conceptualized by Lee. Personality was assessed using the International Personality Item Pool, and attachment styles through an inventory devised by Collins and Read. Respondents were 302 undergraduate students (212 females; 90 males) who participated in the study in exchange for course credit. Results of regression path analysis showed that N was the only personality dimension without direct predictive links to loving styles. Instead, the influence of N was through an anxious attachment style. There were no personality predictors of Agape, and similarities were also observed between these results and those obtained in Hong Kong. The results are discussed with reference to previous studies and some suggestions for further research are also noted. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The frog pond beauty contest: Physical attractiveness and electoral success of the constituency candidates at the North Rhine-Westphalia state election of 2005EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008ULRICH ROSAR Since posters with photographs of these candidates are omnipresent on the streets during the election campaign, many voters are at least familiar with their facial appearance. As a consequence, the attractiveness of the constituency candidates substantially influences voter behaviour. This is shown by the example of the North Rhine-Westphalia state election of 2005. Judgments about the attractiveness of the constituency candidates were collected by means of a web survey among members of an online access panel. Respondents were confronted with portrait photographs of local candidates and asked to rate their attractiveness. According to the truth-of-consensus method, the attractiveness score of a candidate is computed by averaging across the different ratings he or she has received. Voter behaviour is captured by the real-life election results in the constituencies. [source] YOUNG ADULTS' PERSPECTIVES ON DIVORCE Living ArrangementsFAMILY COURT REVIEW, Issue 4 2000William V. Fabricius There is increasing consensus that the perspectives of children need to be taken into account in decisions made by divorcing parents and the courts and that young adults who have lived through their parents' divorces can be an important source of information about children's perspectives. In this study, the authors assessed the perspectives of 820 college adults from divorced families on the issue of children's living arrangements after divorce. Respondents wanted to have spent more time with their fathers as they were growing up, and the living arrangement they believed was best was living equal time with each parent. The living arrangements they had as children gave them generally little time with their fathers. Respondents reported that their fathers wanted more time with them but that their mothers generally did not want them to spend more time with their fathers. [source] Education for Self-Support: Evaluating Outcomes Using Transformative Learning Theory,FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 2 2001Suzanne Christopher This paper describes the use of transformative learning theory to evaluate a family-empowerment project focusing on life skills. The project was designed in response to welfare reform in Montana. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 34 participants. Results revealed evidence of transformative learning outcomes such as an empowered sense of self and new connectedness with others. Respondents also spoke of factors built into the program designed to foster transformative learning. Implications are presented. [source] Factors Influencing Dividend Policy Decisions of Nasdaq FirmsFINANCIAL REVIEW, Issue 3 2001H. Kent Baker G35 Abstract This study reports the results of a 1999 survey of Nasdaq-listed firms. Respondents provided information about the importance of 22 different factors that influence their dividend policy. Our results suggest that many managers of Nasdaq firms make dividend decisions consistent with Lintner's (1956) survey results and model. The results also show significant differences between the manager responses of financial and non-financial firms on nine of the 22 factors. This finding implies the presence of industry effects on dividend policy decisions. In general, the same factors that are important to Nasdaq firms are also important to NYSE firms. [source] Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Selecting Textbooks for College-Level Language ProgramsFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 3 2008John Angell Abstract: This article examines the process by which college-level foreign language programs evaluate and select instructional materials for beginning level courses. A review of the relevant literature reveals an ambivalent relationship with textbooks, often the default curriculum for language courses. Despite textbooks' apparent key role in language programs, there is a surprising lack of cohesive recommendations from the field on evaluating and selecting textbooks. Results of an informal survey illustrate how the textbook selection process, individuals involved, and individuals' satisfaction with the selection process varied across programs. Respondents with established selection processes involving more stakeholders tended to be more content with process and selection. The authors conclude that there is a need for greater transparency and a broader professional discussion of this critical matter in language learning and teaching. [source] Ethical evaluations and behavioural intentions of early career accountants: the impact of mentors, peers and individual attributesACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 3 2009Lisa McManus I20; M40; M41 Abstract This study examined how mentoring support, peer influence and individual attributes of early career accountants (ECA) influence their ethical evaluations and behavioural intentions. Respondents indicate that their evaluation of the seriousness of the ethical conflict is affected by the perceived standard of ethical conduct of their peers, their personal ethical orientation, the extent of ethics education at university, and gender. ECAs' evaluation of a senior colleague's unethical behaviour is affected by mentoring support and the perceived standard of ethical conduct of peers. In terms of ECAs' willingness to contact accounting professional bodies for ethical advice, the size of the accounting firm and the extent of their ethics education at university are significant factors. Furthermore, the likelihood of respondents choosing a more ethical decision is correlated with his or her individual ethical orientation and the extent of ethics education at university. [source] Carrier testing in haemophilia A and B: adult carriers' and their partners' experiences and their views on the testing of young femalesHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 3 2008N. F. DUNN Summary., This is a descriptive study, which aims to report adult carriers' and their husbands/partners' experiences of carrier diagnosis and their views as to how these issues should be handled for the next generation. Following an initial pilot, 105 carriers and husbands/partners responded to a postal questionnaire. Most of the adult carriers had been tested because either they or their parents wanted to know their carrier status or they had a son diagnosed with haemophilia. The respondents agreed that the main reasons for testing young potential carriers should be either a family history of severe haemophilia or that the young person or her parents wanted to know her status. Forty per cent (35/87) believed the earliest age for carrier testing should be 0,9 years, 44% (38/87) 10,15 years and 16% (14/87) ,16 years. Respondents aged 18,39 years were more likely to be in favour of testing <2 years. If parents and teenagers disagreed, the majority of parents thought that a test should not be forced, consent refused or results withheld. Genetic counselling provides an important opportunity for parents, who want a very early genetic test, to explore their motivations and balance their desire to prepare and protect their daughter with her right to decide as a teenager. [source] A Pivotal Moment in 50 Years of Headache History: The First American Migraine StudyHEADACHE, Issue 5 2008Stewart J. Tepper MD Objective., To describe the magnitude and distribution of the public health problem posed by migraine in the United States by examining migraine prevalence, attack frequency, and attack-related disability by gender, age, race, household income, geographic region, and urban vs rural residence. Design., In 1989, a self-administered questionnaire was sent to a sample of 15,000 households. A designated member of each household initially responded to the questionnaire. Each household member with severe headache was asked to respond to detailed questions about symptoms, frequency, and severity of headaches. Setting., A sample of households selected from a panel to be representative of the US population in terms of age, gender, household size, and geographic area. Participants., After a single mailing, 20,468 subjects (63.4% response rate) between 12 and 80 Years of age responded to the survey. Respondents and nonrespondents did not differ by gender, household income, region of the country, or urban vs rural status. Whites and the elderly were more likely to respond. Migraine headache cases were identified on the basis of reported symptoms using established diagnostic criteria. Results., In total, 17.6% of females and 5.7% of males were found to have 1 or more migraine headaches per year. The prevalence of migraine varied considerably by age and was highest in both men and women between the ages of 35 to 45 years. Migraine prevalence was strongly associated with household income; prevalence in the lowest-income group (less than $10,000) was more than 60% higher than in the 2 highest-income groups (greater than or equal to $30,000). The proportion of migraine sufferers who experienced moderate to severe disability was not related to gender, age, income, urban vs rural residence, or region of the country. In contrast, the frequency of headaches was lower in higher-income groups. Attack frequency was inversely related to disability. Conclusions., A projection to the US population suggests that 8.7 million females and 2.6 million males suffer from migraine headache with moderate to severe disability. Of these, 3.4 million females and 1.1 million males experience 1 or more attacks per month. Females between ages 30 and 49 years from lower-income households are at especially high risk of having migraines and are more likely than other groups to use emergency care services for their acute condition. [source] Designing sexual health services for young people: a methodology for capturing the user voiceHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 4 2009Sally Jerome MSc Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the suitability of the Thurstone paired comparison method for capturing the user voice, through a survey of young people's views on the most salient priorities for a sexual health service. A convenience sample of 161 12,24 year olds was used. A psychometrically robust questionnaire was developed from a review of the relevant literature and from the information provided by three focus groups. The data derived from both stages were distilled into seven themes, and adapted to a Thurstone paired comparison format, in which each theme was paired with every other theme, with an 8-point scale between each pairing (21 pairings in total). Respondents were required to indicate their preference for one theme over the other in each pairing. The questionnaire was completed by 161 young people between April and July 2007, and the results were analysed using the Kendall coefficient of concordance to establish the degree of within-group agreement. The results suggested that there was significant agreement as to the essential desirable features of a sexual health service, both within the whole sample as well as within sub-samples (i.e. gender, age group and previous sexual health service use). The priorities were privacy, and a dedicated service close to home, with a drop-in facility and male and female staff being next most important, and an informal service and young staff being lowest priorities. The feedback from the pilot study, the 40% return and absence of spoiled questionnaires together indicated that the respondents found the method acceptable, while the actual findings corroborated those from other studies. Taken together, these results suggest that the Thurstone method offers a quick and simple method of capturing the user voice, with the results having sufficient validity to inform the planning of a local sexual health service. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||