Values and Vegetarianism: An Exploratory Analysis1

The American diet has changed substantially over the last few decades. These changes provide a test for social theory and have substantial effects on the demand for various food products, thus impacting U.S. agriculture. In this paper a rapidly growing dietary choice—vegetarianism—is explored. Prevalence of various forms of vegetarianism is estimated in a representative sample of a suburban population and factors that influence choice of a vegetarian diet are examined. About 7 percent of the sample report they are vegetarians. The prevalence of vegetarianism is not influenced by age, gender, or education, but individuals holding traditional values are less likely to be vegetarian than others. There also is some evidence mat individuals holding altruistic values are more likely than others to be vegetarians.     

Economic Impact of Accelerated Cleanup on Regions Surrounding the U.S. DOE's Major Nuclear Weapons Sites

The regional economic impacts of the U.S. Department of Energy's accelerated environmental cleanup plan are estimated for the major nuclear weapons sites in Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. The analysis shows that the impact falls heavily on the three relatively rural regions around the Savannah River (SC), Hanford (WA), and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (ID) sites. A less aggressive phase-down of environmental management funds and separate funds to invest in education and infrastructure in the regions helps buffer the impacts on jobs, personal income, and gross regional product. Policy options open to the federal and state and local governments are discussed.     

Management of the abnormal Papanicolaou smear

Since 1943, Papanicolaou (Pap) smears have been widely used to screen for cervical cancer. Over the past 25 years, new understanding of the natural history of cervical epithelial neoplasia has defined the existence and importance of dysplasia, also termed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and more recently, its probable link to human papilloma virus (HPV). Inflammatory atypia (IA) is a common cytological diagnosis whose significance is less understood. Current gynecological opinion strongly supports a practice of colposcopic evaluation for all women with cytology showing any degree of CIN. Data from studies in our health service and elsewhere establish that 15% to 30% of patients with IA will have CIN if evaluated by colposcopy. Although clinicians may choose to follow such patients with repeated Pap smears, there are strong arguments for offering colposcopic evaluation to patients with IA. Potential problems with false-positive cervical biopsy reports, however, may limit the utility of colposcopy in patients with IA cytology.     

Gambling Behavior and Pathology in Relation to Impulsivity, Sensation Seeking, and Risky Behavior in Male College Students

Sensation seeking and impulsivity are two constructs of personality that are generally believed to be associated with risky behavior, including gambling. Despite the fact that pathological gambling is classified as an Impulsive Control Disorder in the DSM-IV, relatively little empirical research has investigated the relationship between gambling and impulsivity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sensation seeking, impulsivity, risky behaviors and gambling. One hundred and forty-four male undergraduate university students completed several inventories measuring sensation seeking, impulsivity, gambling, and risky behaviors. Statistical analyses revealed a very high percentage of participants were classified in the pathological gambler range of scores. In addition, a significant difference was found between the relationships of sensation seeking, impulsivity, and risky behaviors with gambling scores in the pathological versus non-pathological groups. Pathological gambler's scores on measures of sensation seeking and impulsivity did not correlate with their degree of gambling pathology. In contrast, the sensation seeking and impulsivity scores of non-pathological gamblers did correlate with their scores of gambling pathology. These results have implications on Jacob's General Theory of Addiction. The findings of this study also suggest that the classification of gambling as an impulse control disorder rather than an addictive disorder needs to be reevaluated.     

A Comparison of Depression and Styles of Coping in Male and Female GA Members and Controls

Depression and maladaptive coping styles are important components of theories of pathological gambling and are frequently foci of treatment with individuals with gambling problems. The present study aimed to improve understanding and treatment of pathological gambling by comparing levels of depression and styles of coping in male and female members of Gamblers Anonymous (GA) to a group of non-pathological gambling controls matched according to gender, age, education, and income. Pathological gambling was measured by the South Oaks Gambling Scale, depression by the Beck Depression Inventory, and coping styles by the Problem-Focused Styles of Coping inventory. Results showed that GA members reported significantly higher levels of depression and more maladaptive styles of coping than controls. Pathological gamblers' greater use of maladaptive coping was evident even when variance attributable to depression was removed, suggesting that their coping deficits may be pervasive. Female subjects reported significantly greater levels of depression and maladaptive coping thantheir male counterparts. Implications for treating depression and coping styles in pathological gamblers are discussed.     

Gambling behavior of adolescent gamblers

An adolescent version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen was administered to 965 high school students, aged 14 to 19 years, in the city of Windsor, Ontario. Ninety percent of the adolescents were involved in gambling activities and a substantial proportion of these were engaged in underage gambling. High levels of problem gambling behaviors were found. Problem gambling behaviors were found to be related to the number of different gambling activities and the amount of money gambled. Problem gambling was defined as a score of five or more on the SOGS-RA screen utilizing a scoring method that paralleled the SOGS scoring method. Problem gambling levels were estimated to be 8.1%±1.8% of the adolescent sample. There were significant gender differences in the level of problem gambling, but no significant difference with age was found.