Personality and sexual anomalies

Test properties of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) were examined in a sample of 419 sex offenders and controls in three different settings. The offender group included sexual aggressives, pedophiles, incest perpetrators and miscellaneous cases. Nineteen of the 20 scales of the MCMI had alpha reliability over 0.60 and for 13 scales it was over 0.80. The scales showed satisfactory discriminant validity from age but 9 scales showed a moderate influence of intelligence scores and education. Criminal history did not influence scale results. The scales unfortunately did show significant correlations with MMPI validity scales. Although the scales were not susceptible to naive lying, they were influenced by social desirability especially. Four factors were extracted in principal axes factor analysis that accounted for 91.2% of the total variance. The first factor explained 58.2% of the variance and was labeled general psychopathology. The other three factors suggested psychotic tendencies, extraversion and the bipolar dependency-antisocial tendencies. When the groups were compared, almost all scales significantly differentiated them. When the MMPI F-K Scale was forced to enter a stepwise discriminant analysis first, five scales still were significant; Narcissistic, Schizoid-Asocial, Alcohol Abuse, Paranoid, & Dependent-Submissive scales. The MCMI taps important dimensions in sex offenders but suffers from validity problems.     

The health effects of moderate alcohol intake in humans: an epidemiologic review

A large body of scientific evidence associates the moderate intake of alcohol with reduced mortality among middle-aged and older people in industrialized societies. This association is due largely to a reduced risk of death from coronary heart disease, which appears to outweigh any possible adverse effects of moderate drinking. The regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol is more healthful than the sporadic consumption of larger amounts. No beneficial effect of moderate drinking on mortality has been demonstrated in young adults (premenopausal women and men who have not reached their forties). It is theoretically possible that moderate drinking in young adulthood might reduce the risk of later heart disease; however, this has not been clearly demonstrated. For some individuals (e.g., those who cannot keep their drinking moderate, pregnant women, and those who are taking medications that may interact adversely with alcoholic beverages), the risks of alcohol consumption, even in moderation, outweigh any potential benefits. Because even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgment and coordination, no one should drink alcoholic beverages, even in moderation, before driving a motor vehicle or performing other activities that involve attention and skill.     

Homeopathic constitutional type questionnaire correlates of conventional psychological and physical health scales: individual difference characteristics of young adults

This study examined associations between scores for 19 different remedies on the constitutional type questionnaire (CTQ) and scores on standardized psychological and medical trait and state scales from health psychology research. Subjects were 104 young adult American college students (mean age 20 years; 67% female). Scales included the chemical intolerance index (CII) for environmental sensitivity, the NEO personality inventory, Marlowe-Crowne social desirability (MCSD) Scale for defensiveness, Harvard parental caring scale (HPCS) for perceived mother and father traits, Profile of Mood State (POMS) scale, Pennebaker symptom checklist (PSC), and a 3-item global health rating scale. The majority of CTQ constitutional type scores correlated significantly with greater NEO neuroticism, lower MCSD defensiveness, and greater psychological distress on the POMS subscales. NEO Extraversion and Openness subscales correlated with specific CTQ scores in directions consistent with clinical remedy pictures. CTQ Carcinosin differed from other remedies, showing no significant correlations with other scales. As hypothesized (a) persons high on CTQ scores for Carcinosin and low in parental caring (HPCS) had the highest symptom score; (b) those high on CTQ scores for Sulphur and low on HPCS had the poorest global health ratings; (c) individuals high on four different CTQ type scores (Carcinosin, Lachesis, Nux vomica, Sulphur) and high on environmental sensitivity (CII) exhibited the highest symptom scores. Taken together, the data offer additional validation of the CTQ and provide a foundation for studying interactions of constitutional type with both psychosocial and physicochemical environmental factors in homeopathic provers and patients.     

Suicide ideas: Relationship to personality disorders on the MCMI

The relationship of suicide to depression has been documented, but fewer data have been gathered on the relationship between suicide and personality disorders. A recent, well-validated instrument, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), identifies personality disorders as well as clinical syndromes, but has not yet been used for identifying suicidal individuals. To determine this relationship, 36 drug and alcohol inpatients and 212 undergraduates completed the MCMI and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire. A stepwise multiple regression for both groups combined indicated that MCMI scales of Passive Aggressive-Negativistic, Dysthymia, and Paranoid accounted for a significant amount of variance in suicidality.     

Locus of control among alcoholics, recovering alcoholics, and non-alcoholics

An alcoholic's relapse to drinking is thought to be related to various interpersonal and intrapersonal factors. Drinking-Related Locus of Control (DRIE) scores among alcoholics, recovering alcoholics, and non-alcoholics were compared in this investigation. Each group consisted of 22 males similar in age and other socioeconomic factors. Results indicated significant differences among the three groups. The non-alcoholic group scored more internally than the alcoholic or recovering alcoholic groups; the recovering alcoholic group scored more internally than the alcoholic group. The findings suggest that assessment of the alcoholic's DRIE scores may be useful in planning and monitoring the treatment of this disease.     

Associations between young adult dating partners’ drinking and relationship satisfaction

Background: The link between drinking and relationship functioning is well documented among married couples, particularly by using survey methods of retrospective drinking focusing on negative relationship outcomes. However, few studies have examined the link between drinking in daily life and relationship satisfaction among young adult dating couples. Methods: This study used a 7-day daily diary method by drawing on dyadic data from 57 heterosexual couples. This study utilized the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model and dyadic hierarchical linear modeling. Results: Controlling for same day relationship satisfaction, a positive association was found between females’ number of alcoholic drinks and their own next-day relationship satisfaction. Males’ higher consumption of drinks across the study period was linked with their female partners’ lower daily relationship satisfaction ratings. Drinking behavior by either partner was not reliably linked with males’ relationship satisfaction. Conclusions: This study suggests differential implications of partners’ drinking for females in dating relationships. Findings encourage continued examination of young adult romantic relationships as a context for drinking behavior.     

Assessing the ties of socioeconomic background and gender on the frequency and the type of alcoholic beverages consumed by French adolescents

Background: This study investigates the association of gender and standard of living with the consumption of alcoholic beverages by French adolescents.

Methods: Data were examined from a national survey conducted in 2005 on a representative group of French 17-year-olds (n?=?29?393). Three outcomes were considered: the frequency of alcohol consumption during the month prior the survey; the 14 alcoholic beverage types consumed, recoded into four major types (beer, wine, strong liquor, and other); and the different types of alcoholic beverages consumed. Standard of living was assessed using family occupational status (FOS) to determine the highest parental occupational category.

Results: Boys reported consuming a more diverse range of alcoholic beverages than girls and showed a greater propensity for beer and strong liquor. The gender difference tends to narrow with wine and champagne. Adolescents from higher FOS were less exposed to frequent drinking but reported greater diversity in alcoholic beverages consumed. Results support the concept of a social gradient for all considered beverage types. Adolescents from higher FOS levels favor wine consumption, which tends to be moderate.

Conclusion: The patterns of adolescent alcoholic beverage consumption precociously reflect those observed in the adult population. Prevention policies should take both socioeconomic and beverage types into consideration.     

Alcohol use among young adults presenting to the emergency department

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of young ED patients at risk from hazardous alcohol consumption, to identify high‐risk patient subgroups and evaluate the feasibility of use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in this setting. Methods: We undertook a cross‐sectional survey of 336 ED patients aged 18–30 years, inclusive. All were breathalysed prior to self‐administering the AUDIT. A ‘positive’ AUDIT score (≥8) defined hazardous alcohol consumption. AUDIT scores were correlated with sex and trauma diagnosis. Results: One hundred and thirty‐one (39.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 33.8–44.5) patients were classified as AUDIT‐positive. Men were significantly more likely to be AUDIT‐positive (49%vs 23%, P < 0.001) and had significantly higher total AUDIT scores (P < 0.001) than women. Trauma patients were significantly more likely to be AUDIT‐positive (P < 0.001) and had significantly higher AUDIT scores than non‐trauma patients (P < 0.001). Of the six patients who recorded a positive breath alcohol reading, all were AUDIT‐positive. One hundred (76.3%, 95% CI 68.0–83.1) AUDIT‐positive patients did not report others being concerned about their drinking or had not been given advice to cut down. Conclusion: It is feasible to use the AUDIT screening tool in the ED to identify those at risk from hazardous drinking. In our ED there is a high prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption in young adult patients, many of whom have not previously received advice to cut down on their drinking.     

“She’s getting married; I’m getting drunk”: women’s risk and protective strategies at bachelorette parties

Objective: Bachelorette parties comprise a common setting where young, reproductive-aged women engage in high-risk drinking behaviors. This study examines drinking behaviors among bachelorette party attendees, and identifies the individual and party related characteristics that influence these behaviors. Method: 122 young women (Mean age = 25.1 ± 4.0 years) responded to an online survey assessing drinking-related behaviors associated with the most recent bachelorette party attended in the past 12 months. Results: More than 80% of our sample reported drinking at the bachelorette party they attended, with an average of five drinks consumed the day of the party. Drinking behaviors of party attendees bore a strong correspondence to their typical drinking behaviors. Parties organized in public locations and with larger sizes were more likely to be associated with heavier drinking than parties organized in private settings and with fewer attendees. Overall, the presence of safety plans was associated with a lower likelihood of drunk driving; however in the presence of underage attendees, safety plans were linked to greater alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Given the rise in bachelorette parties and the high costs associated with binge-drinking among women, there is a growing need to develop interventions that can reduce women’s involvement in risky drinking behaviors.     

Linkages between young adult dating partners’ daily alcoholic drinks: risk for alcohol problems as a moderator

Dating relationships during young adulthood provide an important interpersonal context for individuals’ health behaviors, including alcohol use. To better understand dating partners’ alcohol-use associations and implications, this study examined within-couple daily linkages between daily alcoholic drinks reported by males and females and further investigated the potential role of hazardous drinking as a moderator of the daily links. Dyadic data from 57 young adult, heterosexual couples were obtained across global self-report questionnaires and daily-diary methods. Multilevel modeling results indicated positive within-couple associations between dating partners’ reports of daily drinks, such that on days when males and females reported drinking more than their average number of daily drinks, their partner also drank more. In addition, both males’ and females’ elevated risks for hazardous drinking moderated these associations by weakening the positive within-couple links between partners’ daily drinks. The study extends our understanding of young adults’ alcohol use in the context of intimate relationships, shedding particular light on the implications of within-couple daily fluctuations in number of drinks and partners’ risks for hazardous drinking.     

The Relationship among Depressive and Alcoholic Symptoms and Aggressive Behavior in Adult Male Emergency Department Patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which depressive and alcoholic symptoms are related to aggressiveness in male emergency department (ED) patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was conducted in a Midwest urban ED. A convenience sample of 302 noncritical male patients completed the survey. Self-reported aggressiveness, anger problems, Zung depressive symptoms, CAGE alcoholic dependence, and demographics were collected. A conceptual causal model was tested with structural equation (SEQ) modeling. Regression analyses examined the extent to which the Zung scale, CAGE inventory, and demographics explained aggressiveness. RESULTS: The SEQ modeling found that both depressive and alcoholic symptoms linked significantly to aggressiveness. Depressive symptoms linked three times more strongly than alcoholic symptoms to aggressiveness. Model fit statistics suggested that depressive and alcoholic symptoms are plausible causal factors for male aggressiveness. Regression analyses revealed that four items from the Zung scale (irritable, can't sleep, "better off dead," indecisive) and two items from the CAGE inventory (annoyed when criticized about drinking, need to cut down) explained aggressiveness. CONCLUSIONS: In this urban ED population, depressive symptoms linked to aggressiveness three times more strongly than alcoholic symptoms. An abbreviated screening tool that could be used in EDs incorporating Zung and CAGE items may identify males who would benefit from further evaluation for depression, alcoholism, and aggressive behavior.     

Health education as prevention of alcoholism in young people

The close correlation between road accidents and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, as well as the lowering of the minimal age for alcohol drinking, prompted the Authors to examine the acute and chronic effects of alcohol on the human organism; therefore, they analyze the metabolic effects of alcohol and, after having described it's few beneficial effects, they furnish some suggestions to avoid above all "the havoc of Saturday evening", outlining in detail the causes and progressive states of alcoholic intoxication. The Authors, in agreement with the current views of prevention, professed by the scientific community, emphasize information and health education as the main tools that guarantee primary prevention in young people who, as it is well-known, belong to the most vulnerable segments of the population. To such purpose they created a poster, to which a CD will follow, that could be distributed and discussed in schools with the purpose to encourage social debate and constructive involvement of students, teachers and their parents.     

Neurotic traits and disease duration in headache patients

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that duration of illness is correlated with neurotic personality traits. Four hundred and eighteen patients with migraine, tension, and mixed headaches were studied. The MMPI was used to evaluate the patients' personality characteristics. Scales employed were: scale 1--hypochondriasis, scale 2--depression, scale 3--hysteria, and scale 7--psychasthenia. The MMPI scale scores were analysed with regard to sex, diagnosis, and duration of illness. Patients with mixed headaches showed significantly more elevated scores on the MMPI scales than those suffering from migraine and tension headaches. No correlation was found between any of the MMPI scale scores and the duration of illness. No interaction was found between duration of illness and the diagnostic categories of headache in determining the MMPI neurotic scale scores. It is hypothesized that the higher MMPI scores found in patients with mixed headache is characteristic of these patients.     

Moods and expectancies of female alcohol drinking – an exploratory study

Scand J Caring Sci; 2010; 24; 472–481
Moods and expectancies of female alcohol drinking – an exploratory study Gaining access to information concerning mood states and expectations of change preceding a typical drinking occasion is important for understanding the trigger factors for drinking, and for alcohol abuse treatment planning. The objective of the present study was twofold: (i) to explore self‐reported states of mood and expectancies preceding a typical drinking occasion vs. relations with parents and drinking outcome; and (ii) to investigate if vulnerability factors in terms of personality and health are related to severity of alcohol problems. The population consisted of 50 women attending a Swedish alcohol clinic. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted. A mixed‐methods design was used encompassing qualitative interview‐data and quantitative data from questionnaires and medical journals. Nine out of ten patients had a diagnosis of alcohol dependence, and four out of five had parents with dependency problems. As compared to a female norm group, the patients displayed significantly higher anxiety‐related traits and irritability. Moods were described by patients as mostly negative and expectancies of change were evenly distributed between reducing, enhancing or flight from feeling. An expectancy of flight when drinking was also related to a positive relation to mother. The findings pointed to the need for differentiating between coping with and expectancies of drinking. Further, a hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in two groups, indicating one group characterized by higher risk values on personality scales and more severe consequences of drinking. The contribution of a treatment design informed through a gender and culture perspective to treatment outcome was discussed.     

Construct Validation of the Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP) with Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to provide evidence of construct validity of the health enhancement lifestyle profile (HELP) by exploring its relationship with health-related quality of life. Method: Both the HELP and RAND-36 health survey were administered with a sample of 158 community-dwelling older adults. Pearson r and multiple regression were performed to analyze the correlations between different scales of the two instruments. Results: Bivariate correlations between the HELP scale scores and the overall RAND-36 ranged from low to high (r is from 0.39 to 0.69). Multiple regression revealed that five of seven HELP scales served as significant predictors for the RAND-36 (R² = 0.69, p < 0.0001). The patterns of the multiple correlations persisted even after the inclusion of two potential contributing factors, age and chronic conditions. Conclusion: The construct validity of the HELP was supported. The HELP holds promise as a comprehensive measure for monitoring health promotion and risk behaviors and determining the outcome of lifestyle interventions conducive to quality of life in older adults.     

A quantitative study comparing adjustment and acceptance of illness in adults on renal replacement therapy

Adjustment and acceptance of illness are major factors influencing quality of life in different modes of renal replacement therapy. A quantitative tool was used to compare adjustment and acceptance of illness in adult patients on maintenance dialysis to those with a functioning renal transplant. A questionnaire incorporating Felton's Acceptance of Illness Scale was sent to 273 patients receiving replacement therapy for end stage renal disease (ESRD) in Leicester, UK. The instrument examined the effects of a variety of clinical and social parameters on the Acceptance of Illness Scale Score (AISS). Patients with a functioning renal transplant had a significantly higher AISS than patients on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) (P < 0.0001). Patients in employment or full-time education had a higher AISS than other patients (P < 0.01). White/Caucasian ethnic origin had a higher AISS than Asian (P = 0.011). There were weak inverse correlations between age and AISS, and between AISS and perception of 'choice' in treatment modality. Health care professionals need to be aware of all variables that affect patient acceptance of illness in order to administer optimum clinical care.     

A cross-sectional study of alcohol consumption patterns and biologic markers of glycemic control among 459 women

OBJECTIVE: Little research has explored associations of drinking patterns with glycemic control, especially among women. Our objective was to determine the relationship of patterns of alcohol consumption-including average daily consumption, weekly frequency of consumption, drinking with meals, and beverage type-with biologic markers of insulin resistance in young women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was cross-sectional in design. The subjects consisted of a stratified random subpopulation of 459 U.S. normal-weight and overweight female nurses, 33-50 years of age, drawn from the Nurses' Health Study II and sampled for distinct drinking patterns. Women provided blood samples and detailed information on dietary and lifestyle factors between 1995 and 1999. The main outcome measures were fasting insulin, C-peptide, and HbA(1c). RESULTS: Adjusting for age, smoking, physical activity, television watching, BMI, and several dietary factors, average alcohol intake was inversely associated with HbA(1c) (units in percentage of HbA(1c)): 0 g/day (reference = 5.36%), 0.1 to <5.0 g/day (-0.04%), 5.0 to <15.0 g/day (-0.09%), 15.0 to <25.0 g/day (-0.10%), and > or =25.0 g/day (-0.17%) (P value, test for trend <0.001). We found an inverse association of alcohol intake and insulin, but only for women with a BMI > or =25 kg/m(2). Specifically, insulin levels were lowest for episodic drinkers consuming > or =2 drinks per day on 0-3 days per week. Consumption with meals and type of alcoholic beverage did not further influence these results. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate alcohol consumption of 1-2 drinks per day on a few to several days of the week may have a beneficial glycemic effect, particularly among overweight women.     

Relationship of age and sex to health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Although health-related quality of life is diminished among patients with chronic heart failure, few investigators have examined interactions of age and sex with health-related quality of life longitudinally. OBJECTIVES: To examine differences in health-related quality of life among 4 groups of patients with heart failure on the basis of age (< 65 years and > or = 65 years) and sex and to evaluate relationships of age and sex to changes in health-related quality of life during 6 months. METHODS: Patients from 2 outpatient clinics in an urban county hospital were interviewed at baseline and 26 weeks later Health-related quality of life was measured by using the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire and the Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients (52% women; mean age, 57.6 years) completed interviews at baseline and 26 weeks later. At baseline, patients younger than 65 years had poorer health-related quality of life scores on total scales and some subscales than did older patients. Women had poorer scores than did men on some scales, particularly the emotional subscales. At 26 weeks, patients younger than 65 had poorer total health-related quality of life on 1 scale than did patients 65 and older, and women had poorer scores than did men on 1 total scale. With demographic and clinical factors controlled for, women younger than 65 had improvements in health-related quality of life on some scales. CONCLUSIONS: Women younger than 65 years had relatively poorer initial health-related quality of life that improved after 26 weeks.     

Factors predictive of alcohol consumption among senior high school students in Phayao province,Thailand

Abstract

Objectives: To identify factors predictive of alcohol consumption among senior high school students in Phayao province, Thailand, where there is a high prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in which 317 grade 11 senior high school students participated in a survey during June 2012. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the factors predictive of alcohol consumption among the subjects.

Results: Over two-thirds of the students (66.9%) had consumed alcohol in their lifetime, 58.7% in the previous year and 17.4% in the previous month. Following univariate analysis, seven factors – gender, age, GPA, allowance, first age of drinking, peer drinking and alcohol knowledge were identified as being significantly associated with drinking (p?<?0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed four factors to be predictive of alcohol among high school students: peer drinking (OR?=?3.59, 95%CI?=?1.99–6.44), alcohol knowledge (OR?=?2.64, 95%CI?=?1.47–4.72), GPA?≥?2.5 (OR?=?0.32, 95%CI?=?0.16–0.64) and allowance (OR?=?0.15, 95%CI?=?0.04–0.58).

Conclusion: Peer drinking was the strongest predictor of adolescent alcohol consumption, while alcohol knowledge had negative correlation with alcohol consumption. Hence, peer influence and appropriate alcohol knowledge should be considered as key areas in attempts to reduce alcohol consumption among senior high school students.