Search

Objective: To understand college students' experiences with substance use at electronic music events (EME), including harm-reduction strategies and receptivity to educational intervention. Participants: A purposeful sample of undergraduate students at a private Southeastern university was recruited from April 2019 to May 2019 using online advertising and in-person tabling. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive research design utilizing semistructured focus groups. Results: Five focus groups were conducted (n = 18). A thematic analysis revealed three main themes: substance use is commonplace; substance use and protective behaviors; and universities' role in substance education. Additional categories and subcategories were identified within each theme. Conclusion: Substance use at EME is a common experience for college students. Several challenges and opportunities exist for universities working to promote harm reduction practices. Prevention efforts should be event-specific, incorporate student input to engage learning more effectively, and work to reduce barriers that deter students from taking safety precautions when using substances.

Objective: US Hispanics have several health disparities, greater tobacco/nicotine-related illnesses, lower access to smoking cessation, and lower rates of cessation. Understanding cultural constructs linked to tobacco/nicotine use may provide a greater understanding of future cultural adaptations of cessation interventions. This study used a multidimensional acculturation framework, with cultural practices, identity, and values, to test links between measures of acculturation stress, multidimensional acculturation (language-based enculturation and acculturation, cultural identity, familism), and tobacco/nicotine use, and interactions with gender. Design: Participants were 391 adult Latin American immigrants (69% women); 12% self-reported tobacco/nicotine use in the past six months. Results: Path analysis showed acculturative stress, β =.16, and acculturation, β =.20, were positively related to tobacco/nicotine use. Enculturation, familism, and Hispanic cultural identity were not related to tobacco/nicotine use. There were no significant acculturation by enculturation or gender interactions, but women were less likely to use tobacco/nicotine than men, β = −.36. Conclusion: Findings suggest that tobacco/nicotine cessation interventions for Latino immigrants may be enhanced with an emphasis on the mitigation of acculturative stress, attention to the adoption of US cultural practices, and gender. Future research should examine specific sources of acculturative stress or social norms related to tobacco/nicotine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acculturative stress is an important factor that affects health for Latinx immigrants in the US, with multiple studies identifying a link between depression and acculturative stress in this population. However, far fewer studies have examined the specific role and relationship of acculturative stress on mental health service use in this population. Through the lens of Yang's 2016 Model of Immigrant Health Service Use, this study aimed to examine the role of acculturative stress in predicting mental health service use in a sample of Latinx immigrants in the Southeast US. We conducted a secondary data analysis from a longitudinal study of Latinx immigrant health (n = 391). Our study found that while total acculturative stress was not significantly associated with mental health service use in this sample, parenting stress was a significant predictor of mental health service use in the past six months when controlling for covariates (OR: 1.043, 95% CI [1.009, 1.078]). Additionally, important Predisposing and Need for Healthcare factors were significantly associated with mental health service use, specifically: males were less likely to utilize mental health services than females (OR: 0.401, 95% CI [0.166-0.968]), English language acculturation was positively associated with mental health service use (OR: 1.953, 95% CI [1.130, 3.377]), and depression was positively associated with mental health service use (OR: 1.107, 95% CI [1.027, 1.194]). These findings support the need for more culturally sensitive mental health services, and the need to develop strategies to engage males and less acculturated individuals in mental health services to promote health equity among Latinx immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual assault is prevalent among undergraduates in Greek-letter organizations (GLO). Prevention efforts promote sexual consent, though few explicitly employ theoretical constructs known to positively influence behavior. This study evaluated theory-informed educational posters promoting sexual consent seeking. Forty undergraduate GLO students (20 female, 20 male) were recruited through in-person, email, and social media solicitation. Data collection was completed March–November 2019 during the spring and fall semesters. A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Intervention participants viewed theory-informed educational posters promoting sexual consent. The intervention group demonstrated more favorable consent intention (p =.024; η2 = 0.131) and consent subjective norms (p =.040; η2 = 0.109). Intervention group males showed a greater improvement in one of four consent attitudes (p =.045; η2 = 0.211). Brief exposures to theory-informed messaging may help to improve subjective norms and behavioral intent to seek sexual consent among undergraduate GLO members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young adult college students experience a high risk for heavy alcohol use and resulting consequences. Symptoms of anxiety and depression increase this risk. Coping style has been associated with alcohol use and consequences, with approach coping being inversely related to use and consequences, and avoidance coping being directing related to use and consequences. The purpose of this study is to examine whether coping style moderates or mediates the relationship between anxiety/depression and alcohol use and consequences. 250 young adult college students ages 18 to 25 years (Women = 85, 34%) anonymously self-reported anxiety, depression, coping style, alcohol use and consequences. Path analysis showed that avoidance coping was positively related to alcohol use (β = 0.33, p < 0.05), social consequences (β = 0.39, p < 0.05), and personal consequences (β = 0.26, p < 0.05), while approach coping was inversely related to use (β = −0.20, p = 0.005). Coping did not moderate the relationship between anxiety and depression and alcohol use or consequences. Avoidance coping mediated the relationship between depression and alcohol use (β = 0.14, p < 0.05), social consequences (β = 0.16, p < 0.05), and personal consequences (β = 0.11, p < 0.05). Findings build on alcohol use and consequences research, and support further research into implementing coping-based alcohol use interventions. Interventions aimed at reducing avoidance coping and increasing approach coping may be beneficial for young adult college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study adapted the Structural Family Systems Ratings (SFSR), an observational measure of family interactions, for dementia caregivers. This article presents the development of the SFSR-Dementia Caregiver adaptation (SFSR-DC) and examines relationships between specific family-interaction patterns and caregiver distress. Design and Methods: The families of 177 Cuban American and White non-Hispanic American caregivers of dementia patients were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Structural family theory and clinical experience were used to identify family interaction patterns believed to be related to caregiver emotional functioning. Factor analysis was used to refine subscales and develop a multiscale measure. Results: Six reliable subscales were related to caregiver distress and included in the SFSR-DC. There were two second-order factors. The SFSR-DC was provisionally cross-validated and showed invariance across the two ethnic groups. Implications: The SFSR-DC provides a method for examining specific and multiple interaction patterns in caregiver families and thus can advance knowledge regarding the role of the family in the stress processes of caregiving. These findings support the relevance of family interactions in caregiver distress and suggest that a treatment approach aimed at supporting family closeness and conflict resolution and reducing negativity might enhance caregiver well-being.

Background: Young adult college students have high rates of substance use, theoretically related to social norms. Behavioral norms refer to the quantity of substances that students think others use, and attitudes refer to how much students or others approve of substance use. Prior research has shown a relationship between behavioral norms, student attitudes, and perceived parental attitudes and alcohol and marijuana use. However, the relationship between social norms and use of club drugs (e.g., MDMA) has not been studied.Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to expand knowledge about young adult college student social norms and club drug use.Methods: 200 young adult undergraduates (Women = 97, 49%) were recruited from a campus recreational facility on a large private Southeastern university in April 2019. Students self-reported behavioral norms, student attitudes, parental perceived attitudes, club drug use during a typical week and during music week, and substance use consequences.Results: Logistic and negative binomial regressions showed that student attitudes were significantly related to club drug use in a typical week (OR = 2.07, p =.005), during music week (OR = 2.08, p =.001), and consequences of use (RR = 1.23, p <.001), but behavioral norms and perceived parental attitudes were not.Conclusions: Findings build on social norms research with alcohol and marijuana use. Attitudes may be more important to consider than behavioral norms or perceived parental attitudes for interventions to reduce club drug use. Young adults (18-25 years old) have a high risk for substance use; both alcohol and drug use increase throughout adolescence and peak in young adulthood.1–3 Young adults have high heavy episodic drinking (35% past month) and illicit drug use (25% past month), with greater MDMA use (10% vs 7%) and marijuana use (35% vs. 15%) than other adults.4 Alcohol and marijuana use has been linked to many negative consequences, such as blackouts, physical injuries, unprotected sex, and even death.5,6 Club drug use is also linked to negative consequences, such as memory lapse, headaches, loss of energy, trouble sleeping, depression, confusion, anxiety, irritability, nausea, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.7,8 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand college students' experiences with substance use at electronic music events (EME), including harm-reduction strategies and receptivity to educational intervention. Participants: A purposeful sample of undergraduate students at a private Southeastern university was recruited from April 2019 to May 2019 using online advertising and in-person tabling. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive research design utilizing semistructured focus groups. Results: Five focus groups were conducted (n = 18). A thematic analysis revealed three main themes: substance use is commonplace; substance use and protective behaviors; and universities' role in substance education. Additional categories and subcategories were identified within each theme. Conclusion: Substance use at EME is a common experience for college students. Several challenges and opportunities exist for universities working to promote harm reduction practices. Prevention efforts should be event-specific, incorporate student input to engage learning more effectively, and work to reduce barriers that deter students from taking safety precautions when using substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested relationships between three substances – alcohol, marijuana, and club drugs (hallucinogens, LSD, and MDMA) – and willingness to intervene as bystanders in potentially high-risk situations. Self-reported substance use was assessed during a typical week and during a week with multiple electronic music events. Two hundred undergraduate students were asked about substance use during specific days with a calendar method to promote recall. Willingness to intervene within peer group was measured with a 5-item scale. Willingness to intervene was relatively high (M= 4.27, SD = 0.74, range 1–5). Multiple linear regression showed heavy drinkers or club drug users had lower group willingness to intervene than non-users of either substance (β = −.16, −.21, respectively). Gender and event attendance were not related to willingness to intervene and did not moderate links with heavy drinking or club drug use. Although overall undergraduates reported being willing to intervene to protect group members, heavy drinkers or club drug users had lower willingness to intervene. Future research should assess actual behavior. Programs addressing high-risk situations and bystander interventions might benefit from adding strategies that focus on heavy drinkers or club drug users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study adapted the Structural Family Systems Ratings (SFSR), an observational measure of family interactions, for dementia caregivers. This article presents the development of the SFSR-Dementia Caregiver adaptation (SFSR-DC) and examines relationships between specific family-interaction patterns and caregiver distress. Design and Methods: The families of 177 Cuban American and White non-Hispanic American caregivers of dementia patients were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Structural family theory and clinical experience were used to identify family interaction patterns believed to be related to caregiver emotional functioning. Factor analysis was used to refine subscales and develop a multiscale measure. Results: Six reliable subscales were related to caregiver distress and included in the SFSR-DC. There were two second-order factors. The SFSR-DC was provisionally cross-validated and showed invariance across the two ethnic groups. Implications: The SFSR-DC provides a method for examining specific and multiple interaction patterns in caregiver families and thus can advance knowledge regarding the role of the family in the stress processes of caregiving. These findings support the relevance of family interactions in caregiver distress and suggest that a treatment approach aimed at supporting family closeness and conflict resolution and reducing negativity might enhance caregiver well-being. Key Words: Alzheimer's, Measurement, Relations, Cohesion

Background: Mothering in the context of mental disorders presents with multiple challenges. However, this phenomenon is poorly understood: It is not known how child caregiving affects the health of their mothers. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between child caregiving load and health indicators in mothers receiving outpatient behavioral health services for mental or substance use disorders. Method: A total of 172 mothers (80% Hispanic/Latina) completed surveys on their mental and physical health, and children's behaviors and medical problems. Child caregiving load consisted of number of children living with the mother, and presence of children's internalizing, externalizing, or medical problems. Results: Child caregiving load had significantly positive associations with mother's psychological distress, fatigue, pain, and body mass index. Child internalizing and medical problems were associated with mothers' poor health status. Conclusions: Hispanics/Latinos experience health disparities, and Hispanic/Latina mothers who are already at risk due to their mental disorders experience an additional health burden associated with caring for children with emotional or health problems. Psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioners should assess child caregiving impact on mothers with mental disorders and seek to mitigate their caregiving burden and maintain their health. Further research is needed to clarify child characteristics and the mechanisms associated with maternal caregiver burden, suboptimal self-care, and adverse health outcomes. Structural Ecosystems Therapy for women in Recovery (SET-R) study/Healthy Home; Clinical Trial ID NCT02702193 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting stress is common and may lead to worsening health, particularly in the context of other risk factors such as mental disorders or a history of abuse. This study investigated how parenting-related stress impacts the effect of abuse experiences on health among mothers with mental health disorders. Survey data was analyzed from 172 predominantly Hispanic mothers receiving outpatient behavioral health services. Most (80.2%) mothers had experienced abuse. Those reporting childhood abuse had 3.82 greater odds of experiencing abuse in adulthood. Findings demonstrated worse health outcomes among those experiencing abuse in both childhood and adulthood and those with a greater number of abuse experiences. Caregiving load intensified the relationship between abuse and anxiety and sleep disturbance. Parenting self-agency intensified the relationship between abuse and cigarette use. These findings have important implications for mental health nursing practice by identifying parenting-stress as an important target for interventions to improve health among women with histories of abuse and mental health disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]