Attitudes about addiction: a national study of addiction educators

The following study, funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), utilized the Addiction Belief Inventory (ABI; Luke, Ribisl, Walton, & Davidson, 2002) to examine addiction attitudes in a national sample of U.S. college/university faculty teaching addiction-specific courses (n=215). Results suggest that addiction educators view substance abuse as a coping mechanism rather than a moral failure, and are ambivalent about calling substance abuse or addiction a disease. Most do not support individual efficacy toward recovery, the ability to control use, or social use after treatment. Modifiers of addiction educator attitudes include level of college education; teaching experience; licensure/certification, and whether the educator is an addiction researcher. Study implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.     

Community-based addiction treatment staff attitudes about the usefulness of evidence-based addiction treatment and CBO organizational linkages to research institutions

This national study of community-based addiction-treatment organizations' (CBOs) implementation of evidence-based practices explored CBO Program Directors' (n=296) and clinical staff (n=518) attitudes about the usefulness of science-based addiction treatment. Through multivariable regression modeling, the study identified that identical factors were associated with directors, and staff attitudes about the usefulness of science-based addiction treatment. For both directors and staff working in an organization that was affiliated with a research institution, working in an organization with better internet technology (measured through TCU-ORC scores) and having higher levels of education were all significantly associated with having more positive attitudes regarding science-based addiction treatment. Implications: government policy that promotes the hiring of addiction treatment clinical staff with professional degrees and encourages the development of linkages between addiction treatment researchers and treatment staff may positively impact attitudes and use of evidence-based addiction treatment practices (EBPs) in CBOs.     

A migration channels approach to the study of professionals moving to and from Hong Kong

"This article evaluates the concept of migration channels, identifying the strengths and weaknesses that have emerged from use of a migration channels framework in international migration research. Using professional migration to and from Hong Kong in the 1990s as an empirical lens, it is argued that the meso-scale understanding offered by examining the effect of migration channels is valuable. This is illustrated in terms of the contrasting channels used by different professions, as well by migrants motivated to move by citizenship as opposed to career reasons."     

The importance of user centered design methods applied to the design of a new workstation: a case study

This paper presents a case study of the application of user centered design methodologies in the product development for a line of ergonomic office furniture. The study aimed to analyze the experience of using a workstation from the perspective of two groups of users, installers and end users. The observation of users in their natural context of use not only allowed the development team to identify key needs and strategies of the users, transforming them into design solutions, but mainly it warned them of the importance and impact of user involvement in the product development cycle.     

Determinants of compensation: A study of pay,performance, and gender differences for fundraising professionals

This study examines the determinants of compensation for fundraising professionals by addressing the following research questions: (1) Is there a significant pay‐performance relationship? (2) What are the factors that affect bonus and salary? (3) Is there a gender‐pay gap for individuals who are in the role of fundraisers? Data were collected over a four‐year period from a national sample of fundraising professionals employed across all industry classifications. Amount of money raised was the primary performance variable of interest. Bivariate tests for differences between males and females, as well as two‐stage simultaneous regressions, were used to determine the effects of fundraising performance on the pay of fundraisers. Results indicated a significant and positive pay‐performance linkage across all fundraising positions, particularly for chief development officers, as well as a consistent gender‐pay gap across fundraising positions.     

Resolving design issues in developing a nutrition app: A case study using formative research

Mobile phone apps have become ubiquitous in health, but they often fail to demonstrate effectiveness in achieving behavior outcomes among intended users. A failure to conduct formative research on app content or functions may contribute to some of this shortfall. We describe simple research procedures we followed when building a nutrition app for low-income household cooks. Our studies improved the placement and design of key screen controls, helped select and guide an illustrator who created graphic support for textual content, and tested whether adding secondary users to the primary audience would attract additional app use.Whether because of these preliminary tests, or for other reasons, our app has generated heavy use by its intended market and has demonstrated desired effects on client behavior. We offer our experiences in formative evaluation as potential tools for other app developers to adapt to their circumstances.     

Training family therapists to work with children and families: a modified Delphi study

This study examined child inclusion issues and training marriage and family therapists (MFTs) to treat children. This modified Delphi study utilized a panel of experts, and gathered data through questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Panelists believe children should participate in family therapy sessions for both child and adult problems, except when parents are discussing sex or sensitive issues. Child-focused courses should emphasize developmental issues, engaging techniques, theoretical issues, play therapy theory, MFT treatment for child disorders, and specific child/family problems. Panelists suggest numerous child-focused references, but reached consensus for only one. Key therapist attributes and skills were identified. Deductive and inductive training methods and the role of supervision were highlighted. Although therapist playfulness and creativity were emphasized, few play techniques were included in the final profile.     

Internet gambling in relation to Internet addiction,substance use,online sexual engagement and suicidality in a Greek sample

Research has found gambling to be related to a variety of other addictive behaviours. The study objective was to evaluate the association of Internet gambling with Internet addiction, online sexual engagement, suicidality and substance use, in a sample of Greek adults. The study sample consisted of 789 military personnel. During their annual medical examination the study participants anonymously completed a series of self-reported questionnaires in relation to socio-demographic data, Internet gambling practices, online sexual engagement, Internet addiction, suicidality and psychoactive substance use. We found that Internet addiction significantly predicted engagement with online gambling, followed by substance use in general, and, in particular, the use of cocaine or heroin. Finally, two other predictive indicators were self-reported suicide attempts and engagement with online sex. Online gambling is associated with various behaviours related to impulsivity such as Internet addiction, online sexual engagement, suicidality and substance use. Future research will increase our knowledge on the contribution of new technologies and the Internet in Internet gambling dimensions, as well as on the associations with other high-risk behaviours such as substance use, pornography and suicidality.     

Trajectories of heroin addiction: growth mixture modeling results based on a 33-year follow-up study

This study investigates trajectories of heroin use and subsequent consequences in a sample of 471 male heroin addicts who were admitted to the California Civil Addict Program in 1964-1965 and followed over 33 years. Applying a two-part growth mixture modeling strategy to heroin use level during the first 16 years of the addiction careers since first heroin use, the authors identified three groups with distinctive profiles: stably high-level heroin users (n = 278), late decelerated users (n = 149), and early quitters (n = 44). Study findings empirically demonstrate the chronic nature of heroin addiction and subsequent adverse consequences including mortality, mental health, and employment.     

The critique of intelligent design: Epicurus,Marx, Darwin,and Freud and the materialist defense of science

A new version of the age-old controversy between religion and science has been launched by today’s intelligent design movement. Although ostensibly concerned simply with combating Darwinism, this new creationism seeks to drive a “wedge” into the materialist view of the world, originating with the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus and manifested in modern times by Darwin, Marx, and Freud. Intelligent design proponents thus can be seen as challenging not only natural and physical science but social science as well. In this article, we attempt to explain the long history of this controversy, stretching over millennia, and to defend science (especially social science) against the criticisms of intelligent design proponents – by defending science’s materialist roots.

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A multidimensional approach to the generation of helmets' design criteria: a preliminar study

The design and development process of helmets incorporates systematically design criteria related to safety to accomplish European and local standards for the commercialization. However, there are few studies focused on user's comfort and adaptation. Present study tackles a multidimensional approach to gain better understanding of the interaction between helmet and user to generate design criteria for the internal helmet surface. Morphological characteristics of the target population, pressure distribution over head and subjective perception of fitting and discomfort are the factors considered to establish the criteria that assure a proper fit. Ten men corresponding to helmet size M and usual drivers of motorbike wore two helmet models in three sizes (S, M and L). The head shape of participants was acquired using the head scanner of I-Ware laboratory and an instrumented pad was used to measure pressure in five head regions. After wearing the helmet, users filled in a perception questionnaire about fitting, comfort and usability considering the five regions. Users' fitting perception provided the relation between pressure levels and the comfort felt in the five regions. This study constitutes a first approach to a new methodology to generate criteria to improve the design of helmets under a multidimensional approach.     

Effectiveness and tolerability of parenteral testosterone undecanoate: a post-marketing surveillance study

This observational post-marketing study of parenteral testosterone undecanoate (TU) in a non-selected population aimed to: examine the effectiveness of TU as treatment of hypogonadism; record adverse drug reactions (ADR) quantitatively particularly regarding polycythemia, prostate safety and cardiovascular-related metabolic risk factors; and verify whether recommended injection intervals apply to routine clinical practice. Eight hundred and seventy subjects from 259 outpatient units scheduled to visit the clinic six times were included. Effectiveness and tolerability of TU administration were assessed on a 4-point scale. Body weight, waist girth, blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and digital rectal prostate examination were assessed. Over 90% of subjects completed the observational duration of 52.8?±?9.7 weeks (mean?±?SD) and 56% judged effectiveness as very good, 30.8% as good. 63.1% judged tolerability as very good, and 24.4% as good. No adverse effects on indicators of cardiovascular risk were observed. Polycythemia occurred in one subject and a supranormal hematocrit in one subject. Four subjects developed supranormal PSA levels. Prostate carcinoma was found in one subject, one subject had recurrence of a previously surgically treated prostate carcinoma, and the other two showed no indication of malignancy. Parenteral TU is safe, effective, and well-tolerated in clinical practice proving a good therapeutic option for hypogonadism.     

An investigation of the endowment effect using a factorial design

The endowment effect is interpreted as evidence that we may ‘over value’ objects we already own. In this study we introduce a novel approach to investigating the endowment effect, the factorial survey design, which enables manipulation of variables potentially influencing the endowment effect. We consider the value and uniqueness of the possession, whether it is a gift from a close friend and whether the trade is with a stranger. We find a higher endowment effect for possessions received as gifts from a close friend and this effect is entirely due to responses from women. Furthermore, we find significantly higher endowment effects for valuable possessions. Our results suggest there is ample scope for broadening the range of methods applied to this area of economic research.     

Effectiveness of continuing care interventions for substance abusers. Implications for the study of long-term treatment effects

Substance-abusing patients are frequently urged to participate in lower intensity continuing care interventions, also known as "stepdown care" or "aftercare," following an initial phase of treatment. Since 1988, 15 controlled studies of continuing care for alcohol or drug abuse have been published, with follow-up data on substance use presented in 14 of these studies. In the studies that featured an active control condition, only 1 of 7 yielded positive findings. In the studies that featured a minimal- or no-treatment control, 3 of 7 studies yielded positive findings. The relative paucity of continuing care studies, coupled with the lack of stronger evidence of clinical effectiveness, provides a convincing rationale for conducting evaluations of continuing interventions, as well as evaluations of combinations of various primary and continuing interventions. Methodological issues in the evaluation of continuing care and potential research questions that could be addressed in long-term follow-up studies are outlined and discussed.