Personality characteristics of sexual addicts and pathological gamblers

Personality characteristics of three groups were compared: sexual addicts (N=32, 6 females, 26 males, ¯x age=36.37), pathological gamblers (N=32, 13 females, 19 males, ¯x age=46.15), and non-addicts (N=38, 13 females, 25 males, ¯x age=39.65). The sexual addict group was significantly more anxious, depressed, obsessive-compulsive and interpersonally sensitive than the non-addict control group. The sexuai addict group was significantly more depressed than the pathological gambler group. The pathological gambler group was significantly more depressed than the non-addict control group, but was not significantly more anxious, obsessive-compulsive, or interpersonally sensitive. Neither addict group scored higher on levels of sensation-seeking or self-defeating behaviors than did the non-addict control group. The results supported the view that sexual addiction can be explained as a means of coping with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsiveness and interpersonal sensitivity whereas pathological gambling may be used as an anti-depressant but there is no significant relationship between that addiction and the other above-mentioned personality characteristics.     

Peace and Conflict Resolution Organizations in Three Protracted Conflicts: Structures,Resources and Ideology

Guided by organizational and social movement theories, this study compares the structures, resource bases, ideologies, and strategies of nongovernmental organizations engaged in peace and conflict resolution (P/CROs) in three regions with extended violent conflicts: Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Israel/Palestine. Qualitative content analysis techniques are used to analyze 27 detailed case reports. We analyze the funding patterns and structural attributes of the P/CROs in our sample, with particular attention to how they obtain fiscal resources and membership in spite of the risks they may experience. We then explore the degree of formalization among P/CROs over time and, finally, we examine the ideological frames that P/CROs use and how these frames relate to their tactics. Throughout the analysis we pay attention to how the political context of each region influences P/CRO behavior.     

Does community violence exposure predict trauma symptoms in a sample of maltreated youth in foster care?

Previous studies find that childhood exposure to family and community violence is associated with trauma symptoms. Few studies, however, have explored whether community violence exposure (CVE) predicts trauma symptoms after controlling for the effects associated with family violence exposure (FVE). In the current study, CVE and FVE were examined in a sample of 179 youth with a recent history of maltreatment. CVE was associated with trauma symptoms after controlling for FVE, but FVE was not associated with trauma symptoms after controlling for CVE. In addition, negative coping strategies (e.g., self-harm, interpersonal aggression) partially mediated the association between CVE and trauma symptoms. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for interventions aimed at addressing the needs of children exposed to violence.     

APPLICATION OF A PRODUCTIVITY MODEL FOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS*

The performance evaluation of computer systems as they impact on final user requirements for services is a complex task. A management-oriented approach to the issue based on conventional economic theory was described in a previous report as an outgrowth of a joint university-industry research project. In this sequel we report our experience in estimating, testing, and applying this conceptual model.