Differential Item Functioning of Pathological Gambling Criteria: An Examination of Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Age

This study tested for the presence of differential item functioning (DIF) in DSM-IV Pathological Gambling Disorder (PGD) criteria based on gender, race/ethnicity and age. Using a nationally representative sample of adults from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), indicating current gambling (n = 10,899), Multiple Indicator-Multiple Cause (MIMIC) models tested for DIF, controlling for income, education, and marital status. Compared to the reference groups (i.e., Male, Caucasian, and ages 25–59 years), women (OR = 0.62; P < .001) and Asian Americans (OR = 0.33; P < .001) were less likely to endorse preoccupation (Criterion 1). Women were more likely to endorse gambling to escape (Criterion 5) (OR = 2.22; P < .001) but young adults (OR = 0.62; P < .05) were less likely to endorse it. African Americans (OR = 2.50; P < .001) and Hispanics were more likely to endorse trying to cut back (Criterion 3) (OR = 2.01; P < .01). African Americans were more likely to endorse the suffering losses (OR = 2.27; P < .01) criterion. Young adults were more likely to endorse chasing losses (Criterion 9) (OR = 1.81; P < .01) while older adults were less likely to endorse this criterion (OR = 0.76; P < .05). Further research is needed to identify factors contributing to DIF, address criteria level bias, and examine differential test functioning.     

Doctors as fiduciaries: do medical professionals have the right not to treat?

In the first part of the paper, the author discusses the origin and obligation of the medical profession and argues that the duty of fidelity in the context of a patient–professional relationship (PPR) is the central obligation of medical professionals. The duty of fidelity entails seeking the patient’s best interests even at the expense of the professional’s own, and refusing to treat a “risk-patient” infected by SARS is a breach of fidelity because the medical professional is involved in a situation of conflict of interests and places his/her own health interests ahead of the patient. The author attributes the failure to the fact that professional ethical codes are not legally enforceable, and this failure at the microethical level damages the integrity of the profession at the macroethical level. The author argues that professional autonomy must be subordinated to professional fidelity for the medical profession to survive as a social institution. In the second part of the paper, the author shows that the PPR has most of the important attributes of a fiduciary relationship, and analyzes several important court cases in some common law jurisdictions to illustrate the increasing importance of fiduciary law in adjudicating disputes between patients and medical professionals, and appeals to law courts and legislatures to apply more stringent fiduciary principles on the medical profession to ensure that the professional duty of fidelity is enforced and the goal of medicine fulfilled for the interests of members of the community who has established the medical profession in the first place.

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Zusammenfassung  Im ersten Teil dieses Beitrags diskutiert der Autor den Ursprung und die Verpflichtung des ärztlichen Berufsstands und argumentiert für die Treuepflicht in der patient-professional relationship (PPR) als zentrale Verpflichtung des Arztes. Zu dieser Treuepflicht gehören der absolute Vorrang des besten Patienteninteresses auch auf Kosten der Interessen des Arztes. Die Weigerung, einen an SARS erkrankten „Risikopatienten” zu behandeln ist also ein Bruch dieser Treuepflicht, da der Arzt/die Ärztin hier einer Konfliktsituation gegenübersteht und seine/ihre eigenen Gesundheitsinteressen über die des Patienten stellt. Der Autor führt dieses Versagen auf den Umstand zurück, dass die Einhaltung von Berufsethikleitlinien rechtlich nicht erzwingbar ist. Dieses Versagen auf mikroethischer Ebene schädigt die Integrität des Berufsstands auf makroethischer Ebene. Der Autor argumentiert, für den Ärztestand sei die professionelle Autonomie der professionellen Treue unterzuordnen, wenn der Ärztestand als gesellschaftliche Institution überleben soll. Im zweiten Teil des Beitrags zeigt der Autor, dass die PPR die meisten der wesentlichen Attribute eines Treuhänderverhältnisses aufweist, und analysiert einige wichtige Rechtsfälle vor Gerichtsbarkeiten bürgerlichen Rechts („common law jurisdictions”), um die wachsende Bedeutung des Treuhänderrechts bei Entscheidungen in Disputen zwischen Patienten und Ärzten aufzuzeigen. An Gerichte und Gesetzgeber wird appelliert, auf den Ärztestand strengere treuhänderische Prinzipien anzuwenden, um sicherzustellen, dass die professionelle Treuepflicht Geltung erhält und der Zweck ärztlicher Tätigkeit im Interesse der Mitglieder eben der Gemeinschaft erfüllt wird, die den Ärztestand ursprünglich ins Leben gerufen hat.

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Résumé  Dans la première partie de cette article, l’auteur discute de l’origine et des obligations de l’ordre des médecins, et soutient que le devoir de loyauté dans la relation patient-professionnel (RPP) est l’obligation centrale des professionnels de la médecine. Ce devoir de loyauté comprend la recherche du meilleur intérêt du patient, même aux dépens des intérêts du médecin, et le refus de traiter un « patient à risque » infecté par le SARS constitue une rupture de ce devoir de loyauté, puisque le professionnel de la santé se trouve dans une situation de conflit d’intérêts et place ses propres intérêts en matière de santé avant ceux du patient. L’auteur attribue cette défaillance au fait que le respect des codes d’éthique professionnelle ne peut être légalement imposé. Une telle défaillance au niveau micro-éthique porte préjudice à l’intégrité de la profession au niveau macro-éthique. L’auteur soutient que l’autonomie professionnelle doit être subordonnée à la loyauté professionnelle dans la profession médicale si celle-ci veut survivre en tant qu’institution sociale. Dans la deuxième partie de l’article, l’auteur montre que la RPP possède la plupart des caractéristiques majeures de la relation fiduciaire, et analyse quelques grands cas juridiques passés devant des juridictions de droit civil, pour illustrer l’importance croissante de la législation fiduciaire dans la sanction de litiges entre patients et médecins. Il en appelle aux tribunaux et aux législateurs pour appliquer des principes fiduciaires plus sévères à la profession médicale, afin que soit renforcée la valeur du devoir de loyauté professionnelle et que le but de la médecine soit rempli dans l’intérêt des membres de la communauté qui a précisément placé la profession médicale au sommet de sa hiérarchie.

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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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Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis: An important cause of encephalitis in young adults. A report of two cases

Encephalitis is a clinical syndrome which can include altered mental status, motor and sensory deficits, altered behavior including personality changes, speech and movement disorders and seizures. While the overall incidence of encephalitis is not known, it is common enough that most pediatric and adolescent medicine physicians will have seen at least one case. Peak times of risk include the newborn period and middle-to-late adolescence.¹ Dalmau J, Tüzün E, Wu HY, et al. Paraneoplastic anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis associated with ovarian teratoma. Ann Neurol. 2007 Jan;61(1):25–36. doi:10.1002/ana.21050. PMID: 17262855.[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] It is important for clinicians to have a working knowledge of the broad range of encephalitis etiologies: viral, post-viral, toxic, auto-immune, and paraneoplastic. We discuss two cases of encephalitis in young adult women with ovarian teratoma and production of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies.     

Development of an innovative process evaluation approach for the Families Improving Together (FIT) for weight loss trial in African American adolescents

This study demonstrates how a multi-theoretical, multilevel process evaluation was used to assess implementation of the Families Improving Together (FIT) for weight loss intervention. FIT is a randomized controlled trial evaluating a culturally tailored, motivational plus family-based program on weight loss in African American adolescents and their parents. Social Cognitive, Self Determination, Family Systems theories and cultural tailoring principles guided the conceptualization of essential elements across individual/family, facilitator, and group levels. Data collection included an observational rating tool, attendance records, and a validated psychosocial measure.ResultsAttendance records (0 = absent, 1 = present, criteria = ≥70%) indicated that 71.5% of families attended each session. The survey (1 = false, 6 = true, criteria = ≥4.5) indicated that participants perceived a positive group climate (M = 5.16, SD = 0.69). A trained evaluator reported that facilitator dose delivered (0 = no, 1 = yes, criteria = ≥75%) was high (99.6%), and fidelity (1 = none to 4 = all, criteria = ≥3) was adequate at facilitator (M = 3.63, SD = 0.41) and group levels (M = 3.35, SD = 0.49). Five cultural topics were raised by participants related to eating (n = 3) and physical activity (n = 2) behaviors and were integrated as part of the final curriculum.DiscussionResults identify areas for program improvement related to delivery of multi-theoretical and cultural tailoring elements. Findings may inform future strategies for implementing effective weight loss programs for ethnic minority families.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Young Workers from School to Work by D. N. Ashton and David Field. Discovering Suicide: Studies in the Social Organisation of Sudden Death by J. Maxwell Atkinson. Conflicts in the National Health Service by Keith Barnard and Kenneth Lee (eds.) Shop Stewards in Action: The Organization of Workplace Conflict and Accommodation by E. Batstone, I. Boraston and S. Frenkel Trade Unions and the Media by Peter Beharrell and Greg Philo (eds) Trade unionism in television by Peter Seglow The Worlds of Patrick Geddes: Biologist, Town Planner, Re-educator, Peace-warrior by Philip Boardman The Economic Identification of Social Classes by Guglielmo Carchedi Women Take Issue: Aspects Women's Subordination by Women's Studies Group, Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies The Images of Occupational Prestige by A. P. M. Coxon and C. L. Jones Churches and Churchgoers: Patterns of Church Growth in the British Isles Since 1700 by Robert Currie, Alan Gilbert and Lee Horsley The Nineteenth-Century Woman: Her Cultural and Physical World by Sara Delamont and Lorna Duffin (eds.) Economic Studies: Contributions to the Critique of Economic Theory by David P. Levine Family Formation in an Age of Nascent Capitalism by David Levine An Introduction to the Sociology of Rural Development by Norman Long Modern Greece: Facets of Underdevelopment by Nicos P. Mouzelis Putting ‘Reality’ Together: BBC News by Philip Schlesinger The Social and Political Thought of Herbert Spencer by David Wiltshire     

School bullying and health-related quality of life in Chinese school-aged children and adolescents

To explore the association between bullying and HRQoL among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents utilizing a cross-sectional survey design. Bivariate associations were used to determine the correlation between the experience of bullying and lower HRQoL, and multivariate logistic regressions were evaluated. A total of 2,155 participants, 32.57%, reported experiencing bullying: traditional bullying, 27.80% (n = 599) (β = −3.55, p < .001, SE = 0.41), and cyberbullying, 7.47% (n = 161) (β = −2.50, p < .001, SE = 0.71). The degree of traditional bullying (β = −10.28, p < .001, SE = 1.19) was negatively significantly associated with HRQoL. Other determinants of the impact of the bullying in this cohort were the children's school performance and their relationship with parents, teachers and classmates.     

Diabetes education program for people with type 2 diabetes: An international perspective

BackgroundIn the Palestinian community, lifestyle changes, rapid urbanization and socioeconomic development, stress, smoking, and changes in food habits has increased the risk of non-communicable diseases especially diabetes mellitus. Diabetes complications can be prevented if the glycemic status of patients with diabetes is maintained within a nearly normal range. Therefore, patient education is critical in controlling blood glucose levels within the normal range.ObjectiveThis study aimed at measuring the effect of diabetes educational intervention program for patients suffering from type 2 diabetes attending the Diabetes Clinic in Tulkarim Directorate of Health.MethodsA short duration observational study involving pre- and post-test educational intervention program was carried out on a relatively small number of type 2 diabetes patients at the Diabetes Clinic in Tulkarim Directorate of Health. In total, 215 patients attended a group-based 4 h educational intervention session about diabetes. The program included explaining diabetes mellitus-symptoms, risk factors, types, treatment and complications and main aspects of self-care of the disease (foot care, eye care, and blood glucose monitoring), main aspects of dietary management, weight reduction, blood pressure, smoking cessation, periodic investigations, home monitoring and importance of physical activity. Knowledge evaluation questionnaire were evaluated pre- and post-study. Anthropometric measurements such as body weight (WT), body mass index (BMI) and laboratory tests such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), cholesterol (Chol), and triglycerides (TG) were measured both at the beginning and at the end of the study. Significance of the results was assessed by paired t-test at 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe participant’s mean age was 51.07 that ranged between 31 and 70 years. For a total of 215 participants, 41.4% were males and 58.6% were females. The mean weight before educational intervention was 80.81 ± 14.95 kg (82.6 kg for males and 79.5 kg for females) that decreased to 78.9 ± 14.33 kg (81.1 kg for males and 77.3 kg for females) after educational intervention program. The BMI also decreased significantly after educational intervention. The mean fasting blood sugar was 188.65 ± 71.45 mg/dL before educational intervention that decreased to 177.7 ± 66.11 mg/dL after the educational intervention (p = 0.049). The mean glycosylated hemoglobin was 8.57 ± 1.21 before educational intervention that decreased to 7.95 ± 1.42 after educational intervention. The mean value of cholesterol before educational intervention was 183.27 ± 37.74 mg/dL that decreased to 169.57 ± 34.23 mg/dL after educational intervention. The mean triglycerides value decreased after educational intervention from 209.85 ± 171.04 mg/dL to 183.28 ± 152.4 mg/dL (p = 0.025). The mean score of knowledge questionnaire before educational intervention was 60.6 ± 20.65 that increased to 78.1 ± 13.4 after conducting educational intervention.ConclusionsDiabetes education was found to be effective on BMI, FBG, HbA1c, Chol, TG, and knowledge.RecommendationsDiabetes education is a cornerstone in the management and care of diabetes and should be an integral part of health planning involving patient’s family, diabetes care team, community, and decision makers in the education process.     

Sexuality Examined Through the Lens of Attachment Theory: Attachment,Caregiving, and Sexual Satisfaction

Attachment researchers have proposed that the attachment, caregiving, and sexual behavioral systems are interrelated in adult love relationships (Mikulincer &; Shaver, 2007 Mikulincer , M. , &; Shaver , P. R. ( 2007 ). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change . New York , NY : Guilford . [Google Scholar]). This study examined whether aspects of partners’ caregiving (proximity, sensitivity, control, compulsive caregiving) mediated the association between their attachment insecurities (anxiety and avoidance) and each other's sexual satisfaction in two samples of committed couples (Study 1: 126 cohabiting or married couples from the general community; Study 2: 55 clinically distressed couples). Partners completed the Experiences in Close Relationships measure (Brennan, Clark, &; Shaver, 1998 Brennan , K. A. , Clark , C. L. , &; Shaver , P. R. ( 1998 ). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview . In J. A. Simpson &; W. W. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46 – 76 ). New York : Guilford .[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), the Caregiving Questionnaire (Kunce &; Shaver, 1994 Kunce , L. J. , &; Shaver , P. R. ( 1994 ). An attachment-theoretical approach to caregiving in romantic relationships . In K. Bartholomew &; D. Perlman (Eds.), Advances in personal relationships (pp. 205 – 237 ). London : Kingsley . [Google Scholar]), and the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (Lawrance &; Byers, 1998 Lawrance , K. , &; Byers , E. S. ( 1998 ). Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire . In C. M. Davis , W. L. Yarber , R. Bauserman , G. Schreer &; S. L. Davis (Eds.), Sexuality-related measures: A compendium (pp. 514 – 519 ). Thousand Oaks , CA : Sage . [Google Scholar]). Path analyses based on the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) revealed that caregiving proximity mediated the association between low attachment avoidance and partners’ sexual satisfaction in distressed and nondistressed couples. Sensitivity mediated this association in nondistressed couples only. Control mediated the association between men's insecurities (attachment-related avoidance and anxiety) and their partners’ low sexual satisfaction in nondistressed couples. Attachment anxiety predicted compulsive caregiving, but this caregiving dimension was not a significant mediator. These results are discussed in light of attachment theory and their implications for treating distressed couples.     

The economics of gay and lesbian couples: Introduction to a special issue on gay and lesbian households

This article presents a simple conceptual framework integrating three couple-related outcomes analyzed in this volume: wage differentials in earnings related to couple formation, household formation (including cohabitation and registration as Registered Domestic Partnership), and intra-household allocation of income. It also discusses some of the articles’ main findings.

The replacement principle in bargaining

We investigate the implications of the principle of welfare-domination under preference-replacement or replacement in the context of bargaining. It requires that changes in the preferences of some agents, unaccompanied by changes in the resources, should affect all of the agents whose preferences have not changed in the same direction: all gain or all lose together. We begin with investigating the logical relations between replacement and two monotonicity axioms, weak monotonicity and population monotonicity. Then, we establish characterizations of the Kalai–Smorodinsky and egalitarian solutions on the basis of replacement. On the other hand, we obtain impossibility results if Pareto optimality and replacement are imposed together with either strong individual rationality or symmetry. This work was supported by the Brain Korea 21 Project in 2003. I am grateful to William Thomson, Hyungjun Kim, a referee, and an associate editor for their valuable comments.

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‘Reach Out,Rise Up’: The efficacy of text messaging in an intervention package for anxiety and depression severity in young people

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are among the most commonly experienced mental health issues faced by young people in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Considerable barriers exist that prevent young people from engaging with face-to-face mental health services. Young people's preference for technology-based counselling mediums such as text messaging opens up new pathways for intervention.ObjectiveA pilot text message-based intervention package was trialled for use by young people to evaluate the potential efficacy of the text package as an intervention for depression and anxiety symptoms.MethodThe text package was piloted using a 10-week longitudinal cohort pilot with 21 young participants (12–24 years) who demonstrated mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression symptoms.ResultsParticipants' post-package scores were significantly lower than their pre-package scores for both anxiety (Z = − 2.83, p = .005, r = − 0.65) and depression (Z = − 2.49, p = .013, r = −.056). ‘Feeling encouraged and supported’ increased as a result of receiving support from a trained supporter (Z = − 2.06, p = .039, r = − 0.45), but not from friends/family (Z = − 1.72, p = .130, r = − 0.37). Anxiety and depression scores did not change as a result of support from either trained supporters or friends/family.ConclusionsFindings support the potential efficacy of the text package, justify wider trials of the text package, and support the use of text message-based interventions as potentially effective therapies for young people.     

Koud Zyé: A glimpse into linguistic enregisterment on Kréyòl television in Guadeloupe1

This paper examines Koud Zyé, a Kréyòl‐language segment that was incorporated into the local nightly news in Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France located in the Caribbean. I argue that the variety of Kréyòl chosen for use in Koud Zyé illustrates a moment in a process of enregisterment. I demonstrate that the variety of Kréyòl used in Koud Zyé consciously draws on elements of basilectal creole and presents many similarities to a written variety developed by language planners for use in schools and in writing, thus distinguishing it from the Frenchified Kréyòl commonly heard in everyday conversation. I suggest that the ideological position that the writers of Koud Zyé hold toward Kréyòl influenced their choice of language on the program and, furthermore, that the program helped to concretize beliefs about and knowledge of the studied variety of Kréyòl that has been introduced into Guadeloupean schools by activists. Travay‐lasa ka dékatiyéKoud Zyé, on pati a jounal télévizé lokal ki fèt an lang kréyòl, an Gwadloup, ki sé on dépawtèman a Lafwans ka touvé‐y an Karayib‐la. Dapré mwen, modèl a Kréyòl‐la yo chwazi pou Koud Zyé, ka montré on moman adan évolisyon a ‘enregistrement’ a lang‐la (kivédi ki manyè on moun ka palé on lang ka fin pa rantré adan on larèl). An ka montré istil a lang‐la ki adan Koud Zyé, ni détwa éléman a gwo kréyòl‐la yo sèvi èvè‐y volontèwman, ka sanm on jan a kréyòl maké. Modèl lasa, sé tala yonndé mètamannyòk ka prévwa pou lang kréyòl‐la envanté, pou sèvi an lékòl‐la, é ki pa ka sanm tala moun ka palé touléjou. An ka pansé pozisyon idéolojik a sé moun‐la ki fèémisyon‐la, ni on enflians asi chwa a yo. An plis di sa, pwogram lasa rédé mèt déwò sa moun ka pansé asi kréyòl‐la, é fè yo pran konésans a modèl kréyòl sé militan‐la mété an lékòl‐la. [Kréyòl]     

Book reviews

Book reviewed in this articles: Radical Earnestness, English Social Theory 1880–1980 Fred Inglis, Martin Robertson That Noble Science of Politics S. Collini, D. Winch, J. Burrow The Analysis of Power: A Realist Approach Geoffrey Debnam War in the Modern Great Power System 1495–1975 Jack S. Levy Social Control and the State Stanley Cohen and Andrew Scull (eds) The Protection of Children: State Intervention and Family Life R. Dingwall, J. Eekelaar, T. Murray Capitalism, the State and Industrial Relations Dominic Strinati Mexico: Class Formation, Capital Accumulation, and the State James D. Cockcroft The Management of Scottish Society, 1707–1764 John Stuart Shaw Patronage, Power and Poverty in Southern Italy: A tale of two cities J. Chubb Black Gold: The Mozambican Miner, Proletarian and Peasant Ruth First Crime, Justice and Underdevelopment Colin Sumner (ed.) Power, Crime and Mystification Steven Box Marxism Structuralism Education Madan Sarup Family and School Daphne Johnson and Elizabeth Ransom Experiencing Comprehensive Education Robert G. Burgess Images of Welfare: Press and Public Attitudes to Poverty Peter Golding and Sue Middleton Youth and Leisure Kenneth Roberts The Traveller Gypsies Judith Okely Haruko's World; A Japanese Farm Woman and her Community Gail Lee Bernstein Women and the Public Sphere J. Siltanen and M. Stanworth Forever Feminine: Women's Magazines and the Cult of Femininity Marjorie Ferguson Writing and Sexual Difference Elizabeth Abel (ed.)     

A study exploring factors of decision to text while walking among college students based on Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study attempted to identify critical predictors of intention to both send and read texts while walking based on Theory of Planned Behavior in order to provide resources for practitioners and campaign designers to inform college students of the perils of texting while walking and dissuade them from such a risky behavior. Participants: Three hundred twenty-nine college students were recruited from a large public university in the Southwest in September 2014. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey design. Results: Subjective norm (sending: B = .17, p = .02; reading: B = .17, p = .04), personal norms (sending: B = ?.32, p = .001, reading: B = ?.35, p = .001), and self-efficacy (sending: B = ?.27, p = .001; reading: B = ?.24, p = .001) were significant predictors of intention to both send and read text messages while walking. Conclusions: For students who have greater intention of texting while walking, persuasive communication should utilize normative influence and self-efficacy to discourage texting while walking.     

Chinese Contract Law and the Economic Reform

China’s previous contract laws had many contradictions and failed to meet the needs of China’s developing market economy. Although some problems still need to be dealt with, the unified contract law is more advanced, systematic and plays an important role in fostering and encouraging transactions.