Low perceived chances for success in life and binge drinking among inner-city minority youth

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between low perceived chances for success in life and binge drinking in a sample of economically disadvantaged, predominantly minority, urban adolescents. METHODS: A sample of predominantly black and Hispanic students (N = 774) from 13 inner-city schools completed confidential questionnaires in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Eight items measured students' estimation of achieving certain adaptive life goals. Students who reported that they typically drink five or more drinks per drinking occasion were identified as binge drinkers. RESULTS: Chi-square proportional analyses indicated that rates of binge drinking increased and perceived life chances decreased for both boys and girls from the 7th to 9th grade. A cross-lagged path analytic model revealed that higher perceived life chances in the 7th grade predicted less binge drinking in the 8th grade, whereas binge drinking in the 8th grade predicted lower perceived life chances in the 9th grade, controlling for change over time in both variables. CONCLUSIONS: Low perceived chances of success in life appear to play a role in the initiation and escalation of binge drinking during early adolescence, with a reciprocal relationship between the two factors developing over time.     

Die GSB-Ellbogen-Endoprothese

Zusammenfassung Die GSB-Ellbogengelenksprothese ist eine Neukonstruktion. Sie erlaubt eine minimale Knochenresektion, wird mit Knochenzement verankert und ermöglicht selbst im schlimmsten Fall (Infektion) einen sicheren Ausweg. Die mit dieser Totalprothese vorwiegend bei schmerzhaft zerstörten oder ankylosierten, polyarthritischen Ellbogengelenken erzielten Ergebnisse werden vorgestellt und die Vorteile gegenüber den bisher gebrauchten Methoden analysiert.

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Elbow arthroplasty with the new GSB-prosthesis

Summary The authors present a new artificial elbow hinge-joint (GSB prosthesis) whose main advantage is to allow a successful retreat (second line of defense Charnley) after a possible failure (i.e. infection). The indications, operative technic and after-care are discussed in detail and a case report is presented.

     

Optimism and Physical Health: A Meta-analytic Review

Background  

Prior research links optimism to physical health, but the strength of the association has not been systematically evaluated.     

Are Optimism and Cynical Hostility Associated with Smoking Cessation in Older Women?

Background

Optimism and cynical hostility independently predict morbidity and mortality in Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) participants and are associated with current smoking. However, their association with smoking cessation in older women is unknown.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test whether optimism (positive future expectations) or cynical hostility (mistrust of others) predicts smoking cessation in older women.

Methods

Self-reported smoking status was assessed at years 1, 3, and 6 after study entry for WHI baseline smokers who were not missing optimism or cynical hostility scores (n = 10,242). Questionnaires at study entry assessed optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised) and cynical hostility (Cook-Medley, cynical hostility subscale). Generalized linear mixed models adjusted for sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and medical and psychosocial characteristics including depressive symptoms.

Results

After full covariate adjustment, optimism was not related to smoking cessation. Each 1-point increase in baseline cynical hostility score was associated with 5% lower odds of cessation over 6 years (OR = 0.95, CI = 0.92–0.98, p = 0.0017).

Conclusions

In aging postmenopausal women, greater cynical hostility predicts lower smoking cessation over time. Future studies should examine whether individuals with this trait may benefit from more intensive cessation resources or whether attempting to mitigate cynical hostility itself may aid smoking cessation.

     

Common predictors of cigarette smoking,alcohol use,aggression, and delinquency among inner-city minority youth

The present study examined the prevalence rates and common predictors of substance use, aggression, and delinquency among inner-city minority youth entering middle school. A survey was administered to sixth grade students (N=5442) from 42 New York City schools. Aggressive behaviors were reported most frequently, followed by delinquent behaviors, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking. Across all behavioral outcomes, social and environmental influences explained the largest proportion of variance, followed by individual characteristics and skills, bonding to conventional institutions, and demographic variables. For the majority of predictor variables, there was substantial overlap in patterns of prediction across outcomes. These findings indicate that several factors that correspond to the predominant psychosocial theories of adolescent development explain variation across different problem behavior outcomes among inner-city minority youth.