Search

Alcohol control strategies vary between countries and reflect differences in drinking cultures. This study explored how perceived effectiveness of alcohol control strategies varies according to individual characteristics and country of residence. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 1910 university students in Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland. It assessed the perceived effectiveness of 11 alcohol control strategies. Correlates included sensation-seeking, alcohol outcome expectancies, drink refusal self-efficacy, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores. Bivariate analysis using mixed-measures MANOVA and Pearson correlations were followed by linear regression to identify multivariate correlates. These analyses revealed that educational strategies (e.g. teaching people skills to resist peer pressure) were considered more effective than restrictive strategies (e.g. raising the legal drinking age). Perceived effectiveness was greater among women and lighter drinkers. Country of residence also explained unique variance. The findings highlight the need to consider the potential impact of drinking culture in alcohol-related harm-reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way people perceive risks and make decisions about their health is regulated by two motivational systems—prevention of harm or promotion of pleasure. People more focused on prevention strive to avoid negative outcomes and enact more health-protective behaviors. In contrast, people more focused on promotion strive to attain positive outcomes and take more risks with their health. Building upon recent evidence extending this framework to sexual behaviors and health, we conducted a pre-registered online survey (OSF) with Portuguese and Spanish adults (N = 742; Mage = 31.42, SD = 9.16) to examine whether self-reported STI knowledge and sexual health practices differ based on predominant regulatory focus. This study was part of the Prevent2Protect project (OSF). Results showed that prevention-focused participants had heard about more STIs and retrieved more of their knowledge from scientific sources but had been tested for fewer STIs in the past. In contrast, promotion-focused participants indicated they had specific knowledge about more STIs, retrieved more of their knowledge from medical and peer sources, and had been tested for more STIs in the past. They also reported more frequent STI testing, using free testing facilities or asking their family practice doctor to get tested, more routine sexual health check-ups, and more use of other contraceptive methods, such as birth control pills. These results remained unchanged after controlling for demographic differences. Overall, our findings showed that different motives in sexuality shape sexual health knowledge and sexual health practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective: Research shows that personal relevance may affect the impact of alcohol-related health information. This study explored alcohol consumption during the UK Covid-19 lockdown, and whether a message emphasising the effect of alcohol on the immune system was more effective in altering intentions to follow low-risk drinking guidelines than other messages about the effects of alcohol on health. Methods & Measures: From April to June 2020, 953 drinkers completed an online questionnaire, and were randomly allocated to exposure to a control condition or one of three messages emphasising the impact of alcohol on: the immune system; mental health; or physical health. Outcome variables were: concern about alcohol intake, and intention to adhere to low-risk drinking guidelines. Results: Pre-post ANCOVAs revealed that participants in the immunity message group had significantly stronger intention to adhere to low-risk guidelines than the control group (after controlling for initial intention). Concern for the effect of alcohol on health was not significantly affected. Conclusion: During Covid-19 lockdown, a message emphasising the impact of alcohol on the immune-system had a greater effect on intention to observe low-risk drinking guidelines than other messages. Contextually relevant messages could be used for alcohol health campaigns and for improving alcohol labelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Remote Consultations (RCs) in primary care expanded rapidly during the Covid-19 pandemic: their ongoing use highlights a need to improve experiences of them. We interviewed 17 adults in the UK, including a sub-sample of five people with a First Language other than English (FLotE). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis identified five major themes: (1) RCs are convenient, but they require appropriate technology and appropriate conditions of use; (2) even those with good general eHealth literacy and connectivity may struggle with systems that are not user-friendly; (3) greater reliance on verbal communication was experience as limiting empathy, and also made RCs more difficult for people with a FLotE; (4) RCs are considered inappropriate for complex conditions, or those with major psychological components; (5) continuity of care is important, but is often lacking. Overall, interviewees emphasised the need for more user-friendly processes, and greater attention to patients’ preferences for consultation type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health-related behaviors including help-seeking are related to men's felt and perceived masculinity. This study explored whether findings from studies of links between masculinity and health-related behavior in developed 'western' contexts applied in the more strongly patriarchal cultural context of Pakistan. Online questionnaires were completed by male university students aged 17–30: 307 in Pakistan and 105 in the United Kingdom. Analyses revealed that compared to British men, Pakistani respondents had less egalitarian beliefs about gender relations, gave more importance to their own masculinity, considered non-traditional behaviors to have greater negative implications for men's masculinity, and were less willing to seek help. Among Pakistani men, lower willingness to seek help for physical and mental health was predicted by having less egalitarian gender beliefs, giving greater importance to personal masculinity, and considering non-traditional behaviors to have greater negative implications for men's masculinity. Among British men, greater perceived masculinity of help seeking predicted help seeking for physical concerns, and less importance of personal masculinity predicted help seeking for mental health. The results highlight a need for sensitivity to men's gender identity concerns when providing and encouraging use of health care, and to be aware of how cultural norms shape individuals' beliefs and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical and psychological changes during menopause can be especially tumultuous for autistic people: difficulties with sensory sensitivity and daily functioning may be exacerbated. Through individual interviews, we examined the language used by seven peri- or post-menopausal autistic people to construct their experiences, and to consider the implications for their wellbeing and identities. Our analysis, which utilised thematic decomposition, yielded three discursive themes. The theme "Uncertainty about Changes" addressed how limited awareness and understanding of menopause combined with difficulties recognising internal states. However, with "Growing Self-Awareness and Self-Care", some participants made conscious efforts to resist negative societal constructions of both autism and menopause. The theme "Navigating Support Options" addressed the interpersonal and systemic barriers participants faced when seeking support. There is a need for accessible information for autistic people experiencing menopause, and greater professional awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social role beliefs are important to study as they shape individual's pattern of thinking about their roles as categorized gender-specific or egalitarian in society. The present study investigated cross-cultural variations in individualistic versus collectivist cultures as well as underlying dimensions of the Social Roles Questionnaire using two independent samples of students (N = 1111). From United Kingdom, 108 men (Mage = 23.98, SD = 7.66) and 247 women (Mage = 22.40, SD = 6.15) and from Pakistan, 552 men (Mage = 23.90, SD = 3.27) and 204 women (Mage = 23.96, SD = 5.43) were conveniently sampled. Cross-cultural variations and underlying dimensions of the scale were investigated by establishing measurement invariance through a series of hierarchically nested confirmatory factor analyses models by increasing levels of cross-group equality constraints. Results confirmed original two factor model i.e., gender-transcendent (α =.82) and gender-linked (α =.96) with strong Cronbach's alphas. Measurement invariance results showed invariance on gender-transcendent (Δχ2 = 5.68(6), p > 0.05) whereas non-invariance for measurement (Δχ2 = 49.68(13), p < 0.01) as well as structural models (Δχ2 = 50.19(14), p < 0.01) related to gender-linked. The results were supported by significantly lower latent mean analysis of the UK students than those of the Pakistani students on gender-linked but there was no significant difference on gender-transcendent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Temporary alcohol abstinence conveys physiological benefits. Less well-known are its effects on well-being and general self-efficacy (GSE), and how use of support during alcohol abstinence challenges affects success rates. Methods: In this study, 4232 adults participating in 'Dry January' completed a baseline questionnaire and a 1-month follow-up questionnaire. Key follow-up variables related to whether respondents completed the abstinence challenge, their use of support provided by Dry January, and changes in well-being and GSE. Analyses also examined whether well-being and GSE explained variance in the likelihood of completing Dry January not accounted for by other variables known to be associated with successful attempts at Dry January. Results: Participation in Dry January was associated with increases in well-being and GSE among all respondents: these changes were larger among people who successfully completed the challenge. In multivariate analysis, greater use of email support was a significant independent correlate of completing Dry January. Conclusions: This paper adds to growing evidence that support provided through organised abstinence challenges is associated with changes in beliefs linked to harmful drinking. However, there is a need for further research to help us to understand what forms of support are most effective for different drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to increase understanding of factors that influence adoptive mothers' psychological and emotional well‐being. The aims were to compare mothers' self‐reported emotional state 12 months after child placement to the time of the interview and to identify factors that challenge and support maternal mental health. Background: Mothers who adopt children face unique challenges that put them at a heightened risk of negative mental health. There is a need for better understanding of the influences on their psychological and emotional well‐being. Method: This qualitative study involved nine in‐depth semistructured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: The themes offered broad insights, including the consistency of negative mental health across time associated with demands of "extreme parenting," strains within and across relationships, and deprioritizing self‐care. Factors associated with positive mental health included development of love; attachment and sense of family identity; learning, competence, and "therapeutic parenting," and the ability to "offload." Conclusion: The emotional and psychological well‐being of mothers who adopt children should be validated and recognized as important to the overall adjustment of adoptive families. Implications: Adoption agencies should take a proactive approach to addressing the mental health needs of adoptive mothers, providing comprehensive information, ongoing support, and regular assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas sexually dimorphic evolutionary models argue for clear sex differences in responses to jealousy-evoking scenarios, social cognitive models emphasize the importance of other factors. This paper explores variables associated with responses to a commonly-used jealousy-evoking scenario in a population-representative sample. Data from 8,386 Australian men and women aged 16–69 were weighted to match the population. The results provided some support for evolutionary models among heterosexual respondents, but findings contrary to evolutionary models were found among non-heterosexual respondents. Support for social cognitive models was provided by the identification of six variables that had significant independent multivariate associations with jealousy: sex, age, education, lifetime number of partners, relationship status, and attitudes toward infidelity. The results suggest that although men and women may tend to respond differently to sexual or emotional infidelity scenarios, the anticipated experience of jealousy in each context is strongly influenced by biographical and cultural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing distressing voices is a key feature of psychosis. The time between voice onset and disclosure may be crucial as voices can grow in complexity. This study aimed to investigate barriers and enablers to early voice disclosure. In total, 20 voice hearers were interviewed, and Thematic Analysis was used to identify themes. Beliefs about the effect of disclosure on self and others acted as a barrier and enabler to voices being discussed. Voice hearing awareness should be increased among young people, the public, and care services. To support earlier disclosure, measures should be taken to increase skill among those likely to be the recipients of disclosure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been argued that gay men who live in Western societies must negotiate masculine identities against a cultural backdrop where the most desirable and locally hegemonic masculinity is heterosexual. However, contemporary masculinity theories conceptualize masculinities as increasingly inclusive of gay men. The purpose of this study was to use a discourse-dynamic approach to studying masculine subjectivity to identify how gay men in England and Wales negotiated masculinity discourses to construct their masculine identities. One-to-one, semistructured interviews were undertaken with 6 younger gay men aged 20-24 years and 11 older gay men aged 30-42 years. Participants were asked to describe their subjective experiences of masculinity. The results of an interpretative phenomenological analysis indicated that discourses of hegemonic and alternative masculinities had implications for lived experiences of masculinity. Older participants in particular emphasized the attributes they associated with masculine dominance, including anti-effeminacy attitudes. The majority of younger participants did not feel masculine. Irrespective of age, many participants resisted hegemonic masculinity by highlighting the value of "gayness" at times. The findings suggested that hegemonic masculinity was the most readily available discourse for conceptualizing masculinity but that lived experiences of masculinity were not necessarily located within this discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In anal intercourse between gay men, men who are typically insertive (“tops”) are often perceived as, and may identify as, more masculine than those who are typically receptive (“bottoms”). “Versatile” men, who may adopt either position, may be perceived as more gender balanced and may transcend the gender-role stereotypes associated with self-labeling as top or bottom. The aim of this study was to explore how gay men’s beliefs about masculinity were associated with their beliefs about the gendered nature of sexual self-labels and their behavior in anal intercourse. Individual semistructured interviews were undertaken with 17 UK-based gay men. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) identified that perceptions of tops and bottoms as gendered social identities varied depending on the extent to which gay men subscribed to the mandates of hegemonic masculinity, the dominant masculinity in Western society. The findings also suggested that some gay men differentiated between top and bottom as social identities and topping and bottoming as gendered behaviors. This had implications for gay men’s behaviors in anal intercourse. It is suggested that future efforts to engage with gay men about their sexual behavior should account for their beliefs regarding the gender-role stereotypes associated with gay sexual self-labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims: Promoting the benefits of not drinking alcohol during social occasions where other peers may be drinking ('social non-drinking') may support more moderate drinking among young people. We analysed free-text responses from university students to gauge the frequency/focus of identified benefits of, and drawbacks to, social non-drinking. We also assessed whether/how identified benefits and drawbacks were associated with recent drinking behaviour and psychological correlates of harmful drinking.Design and Methods: Secondary data analyses were conducted on 511 free-text responses provided by students participating in a health intervention. Template analysis was used to identify potential benefits of social non-drinking. Links between responses relating to social non-drinking and behavioural/psychological measures were assessed.Results: 46.2% of female students and 42.0% of male students had engaged in social non-drinking in the previous week. Overarching benefits of social non-drinking included: improved physical and psychological health; increased self-esteem/agency; a higher quality social life and having a more stable/productive life. Hostility/ambivalence to social non-drinking was evident in 26.6% of responses. Among women only, endorsing higher self-esteem and agency as a benefit of social non-drinking was associated with increased intention to heed government drinking recommendations (β = 0.10, P = 0.036).Discussion and Conclusions: Focus on social non-drinking may help encourage more moderate drinking among young people by articulating positives of social non-drinking while raising awareness of a changing normative context in which non-drinking is increasingly more common among young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UK government guidance for alcohol consumption is expressed in ‘units’ of alcohol. This study employed semi-structured interviews to explore university students’ knowledge of, attitudes towards, and use of unit-based guidelines. Thematic analysis revealed that participants were not motivated to adhere to unit-based guidelines and that they lacked the skills required to apply them to reduce their own drinking. Instead, interviewees used individual strategies to monitor their drinking. The results suggest that public health interventions should include provision of information, efforts to motivate young people to change their behaviour and strategies to develop skills for managing alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Masculine capital" refers to the social power afforded by the display of traits and behaviors that are associated with orthodox, stereotypical masculinity. Men who are concerned with their masculine identity may utilize these traits and behaviors to increase their overall masculine capital, and to mitigate "failures" in other domains of masculinity. However, their success at accruing and trading masculine capital may be limited, because different traits and behaviors are not equal in the capital they convey, and their value may vary depending on the social context in which they are deployed. Research suggests that heterosexuality contributes more to masculine capital than other stereotypically masculine characteristics: The possibilities for gay men to accrue and trade masculine capital may therefore be particularly limited, especially in heteronormative contexts. Focus groups were undertaken with gay men, straight women, and straight men living in a coastal city in the south of England to explore discursive constructions of gay masculinity, and to examine gay men's possibilities for accruing and trading masculine capital. Discourse analysis identified constructions of gay masculinity in reference to hegemonic masculinity, where gay men may acquire masculine capital in similar ways to straight men. However, the meaning and value of this capital may also vary, because certain characteristics and behaviors may have different value for and between gay men than they do for straight men, and in heteronormative contexts. The analysis also identified discourses of gay masculinity where it was not constructed as a singular entity, but rather as complex, multiple, and diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The first aim was to explore whether university students possess the information, motivation and behavioural skills required to adhere to government guidelines for alcohol consumption expressed in “units” of alcohol. The second aim was to identify correlates of greater motivation to adhere to guidelines and greater capacity to monitor alcohol unit intake.Methods: An online questionnaire was completed by 614 university students aged 18–30 living in South-East England. Key outcome variables were motivation to adhere to unit-based guidelines and a novel measure of accuracy of estimating recent alcohol unit intake.Findings: Respondents had poor knowledge of unit-based guidelines and their motivation to adhere to them was low. Only half of the sample had the skills to accurately estimate the alcohol unit content of their recent alcohol consumption. Greater capacity to accurately estimate recent alcohol unit intake and greater motivation to adhere to unit-based guidelines were related to psychological traits of greater conscientiousness and less extraversion, greater familiarity with unit-based guidelines and more positive attitudes toward them, and more moderate alcohol use.Conclusions: Taking into consideration people's beliefs and psychological traits could increase the effectiveness of health behaviour change strategies to curb alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Like all other men, gay men may utilise stereotypically masculine attributes and behaviours in an attempt to accrue ‘masculine capital’, a term referring to the social power afforded by the display of traits and behaviours associated with orthodox, ‘hegemonic’ masculinity. Previous research findings suggest that gay sexual self-labels – conveying position preferences in anal intercourse between men – voice quality and muscularity may contribute to gay men’s masculine capital. This study examined the relative contribution to gay men’s masculine capital made by sexual self-labels, voice quality (deep/high-pitched) and physique (muscularity/thinness). It also assessed the beliefs gay men and straight people hold regarding the gendered nature of gay sexual self-labels in anal intercourse. Results from a survey of 538 participants showed that gay and straight people perceived the anally insertive sexual self-label as the most masculine and the anally receptive self-label the least masculine. The findings also revealed that voice quality and physique were more strongly associated with perceptions of gay men’s masculinity than their sexual self-label, although gay men who had masculine attributes and were anally receptive were perceived as less masculine than those who had the same attributes and were anally insertive. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: Disengagement from Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services is pronounced in individuals from racially minoritized or diverse ethnic backgrounds, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning individuals, and individuals from some religious or spiritual backgrounds. The Early Youth Engagement in first episode psychosis study (EYE‐2) is a cluster randomized controlled trial that tests a new engagement intervention. The current study aimed to (i) explore perspectives of service users from diverse backgrounds in relation to spirituality, ethnicity, culture and sexuality on engagement and the EYE‐2 approach and (ii) use an evidence‐based adaptation framework to incorporate their needs and perspectives into the EYE‐2 resources and training. Methods: This qualitative study used semi‐structured interviews to explore service users' experiences and perspectives on EYE‐2 approaches and resources. The study was conducted within EIP teams across three inner‐city sites in England chosen to reflect diverse urban populations. Topic guides covered participant's identity, perceptions of EYE‐2 resources, and experience of using mental health services. Transcribed interviews underwent thematic analysis. Results: In this study, 21 service users aged 18 to 35 (M = 25.4; SD = 5.5) participated in semi‐structured interviews. Seven key themes were identified across the four domains of the cultural adaptation framework: Differing cognitions and beliefs; multiple facets of culture; language as a barrier to engagement; stigma and discrimination; adaptations to EYE‐2 resources; trust in therapeutic alliance; and individual differences in therapeutic preferences. Conclusions: The emergent themes highlighted a need to cater to various aspects of cultural diversity when developing EIP materials and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In the UK, people tend to have poor knowledge of government guidelines for alcohol use, and lack the motivation and skills required to use them to monitor their drinking. The study aim was to determine whether using glasses marked with such guidelines would improve knowledge and attitudes, increase frequency of counting units and lower alcohol intake. Methods: A total of 450 adults in the UK participated in an intervention vs control study with 1-month follow-up. The intervention group was encouraged to use glasses supplied by the researchers that indicated the unit content of drinks of different strengths and volumes, and stated the intake guidelines. Data were collected online. A further more in-depth interview with 13 intervention group participants enquired into their experiences of using the glasses. Results: Analyses adjusted for baseline variables showed that the intervention improved the following: knowledge of unit-based guidelines, ability to estimate the unit content of drinks, attitudes toward the guidelines and frequency of counting unit intake. However, there was no significant difference in alcohol consumption between the groups at follow-up. Interviews suggested that the glasses encouraged people to think about their drinking and to discuss alcohol with other people. The design of the glasses was not appealing to all, and their initial impact did not always persist. Conclusion: Use of unit-marked glasses led to changes in people’s reported use of unit-based guidelines to monitor their drinking but, in the short term, no change in consumption. Qualitative data suggested that the glasses could have an impact at the individual level (on knowledge and attitudes) and at a broader level (by prompting discussion of alcohol use). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: In the UK, people tend to have poor knowledge of government guidelines for alcohol use, and lack the motivation and skills required to use them to monitor their drinking. The study aim was to determine whether using glasses marked with such guidelines would improve knowledge and attitudes, increase frequency of counting units and lower alcohol intake. Methods: A total of 450 adults in the UK participated in an intervention vs control study with 1-month follow-up. The intervention group was encouraged to use glasses supplied by the researchers that indicated the unit content of drinks of different strengths and volumes, and stated the intake guidelines. Data were collected online. A further more in-depth interview with 13 intervention group participants enquired into their experiences of using the glasses. Results: Analyses adjusted for baseline variables showed that the intervention improved the following: knowledge of unit-based guidelines, ability to estimate the unit content of drinks, attitudes toward the guidelines and frequency of counting unit intake. However, there was no significant difference in alcohol consumption between the groups at follow-up. Interviews suggested that the glasses encouraged people to think about their drinking and to discuss alcohol with other people. The design of the glasses was not appealing to all, and their initial impact did not always persist. Conclusion: Use of unit-marked glasses led to changes in people's reported use of unit-based guidelines to monitor their drinking but, in the short term, no change in consumption. Qualitative data suggested that the glasses could have an impact at the individual level (on knowledge and attitudes) and at a broader level (by prompting discussion of alcohol use). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Evaluations of “the prototypical nondrinker” and of “the prototypical regular drinker” have been demonstrated to hold associations with more harmful drinking behavior, yet the extent to which the relative evaluation of these prototypes is associated with drinking intention remains to be tested.Objectives:To explore whether relatively unfavorable nondrinker prototypes are associated with increased drinking intention and whether this relationship is moderated by personality variables.Methods:Among a student sample (n =543), alcohol-related sociability prototype measures were used to compute an index of the perceived sociability of regular drinkers relative to nondrinkers (“relative sociability prototypes”). Measures of drinking intention, conscientiousness, extraversion and sensation seeking impulsivity were also taken.Results:Most students perceived the prototypical nondrinker unfavorably relative to the prototypical regular drinker (91%,n= 493). Simple slopes analyses indicated that extraversion moderated the strength of the relationship between relative sociability prototypes and drinking intention such that relatively negative evaluations of nondrinkers were only associated with increased intention to get drunk among more extraverted students.Conclusions/Importance:Prospective data and behavioral measures are needed to substantiate these findings, which suggest links between relative evaluations of nondrinkers, harmful drinking intention and personality traits. Evidence suggests that by challenging prejudicial beliefs concerning nondrinkers (as “unsociable”) and by targeting more extraverted students, safer drinking plans might be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The psychosocial impact of infertility is affected by cultural factors. In this cross-cultural qualitative study we explored the experience of infertility among six women living in Pakistan and eight living in the UK. Although infertile women in the UK and Pakistan had many shared experiences related to their own desires for motherhood and the hopes of others, they also faced unique psychosocial challenges shaped by cultural context. Based on our findings, we suggest a need for further resources and networks to support women, particularly women living in cultures that allow women few fulfilling social roles other than motherhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The aim of this study was to understand how and why young people drink less or not at all when with their peers. Understanding the subjective experiences of moderate or non-drinkers may help identify protective processes facilitating resilience to cultural norm and influences that encourage excessive alcohol consumption among young people. Design:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 moderate- or non-drinkers aged 17–25 years (13 young women) living in South East England. Interviews explored recent experiences of social situations and encounters that did or did not involve alcohol. Transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results:Analysis identified six conceptually coherent themes clustering within a superordinate theme of a healthy experience of moderate alcohol use or abstention: ‘the sweet spot’. These themes were: feeling good in the body, feeling like you can be who you are, feeling like you belong, making a free choice, enjoying the moment, and feeling safe and secure. Conclusions:This resilience-based analysis showed how non-drinking and moderate-drinking may be experienced as a positive and proactive choice. Understanding the subjective experiences of young people may aid development of specific, realistic interventions to promote moderate drinking and abstention among young people in drinking cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Women using primary care vary in need for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and contraception. Psychosocial correlates of these needs may be useful for targeting services. We undertook a systematic review to identify psychosocial correlates of STI acquisition, unplanned pregnancy (UP), abortion and risky sexual behaviours in general population samples of women of reproductive age.Methods: We searched bibliographic databases for probability surveys of women aged 16-44 years in the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, UK or New Zealand undertaken January 1994-January 2014.Results: Eleven papers were included. Unplanned pregnancy was associated with smoking, depression, being single and sexual debut <16 years. Abortion was associated with lack of closeness to parents, leaving home at an early age, and relationship break-up. Multiple partnerships were associated with intensity of marijuana and alcohol use, and smoking. STI diagnosis was associated with relationship break-up and younger partners. Non-use of contraception was associated with smoking, obesity, relationship status, sedentary lifestyles, fatalistic pregnancy attitudes and lower alcohol use. Condom non-use was higher (at first sex) with partners 5+years older and lower (at last sex) in less stable partnerships.Conclusion: Psychosocial variables, particularly relationship status and smoking, may help identify women in primary care for STI testing and contraception advice and supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our article illustrates the importance of authenticity to student non-drinkers. Semi-structured interviews focussing on the lived experiences of five non-drinking students were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. We present four inter-related themes: 'Retaining authenticity by not drinking', 'Tainting the self by drinking alcohol', 'Feeling trapped by superimposition and self-exposition' and 'Doing what you want to do with your life'. Self-authenticity informed the decision not to drink, became relevant within conversations about non-drinking and underscored issues of choice and agency raised by alcohol consumption. Entrenched assumptions about alcohol's self-realising utility are challenged in our discussion, and future research recommendations are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the literature about bisexuality few studies consider bisexual people’s beliefs about bisexuality and none examine essentialist beliefs about bisexuality. In the present study 244 participants (bisexualn = 58, lesbian/gayn = 54 and heterosexualn = 132) from the UK were asked via online questionnaire about their attitudes towards bisexuality, homosexuality and heterosexuality, and how stable they perceived bisexuality, homosexuality and heterosexuality to be. They were also asked about their essentialist beliefs towards bisexuality. Bisexual respondents viewed bisexuality as significantly more stable than lesbian, gay and heterosexual respondents. Analysis also showed that less belief in the discreetness of bisexuality predicted more positive attitudes towards bisexuality, as did positive beliefs towards homosexuality and heterosexuality. Belief in the immutability of bisexuality did not, however, predict attitudes towards bisexuality. Therefore, discretenessappears to be an especially problematic essentialist belief about all sexual minorities, as it is consistently associated with negative attitudes. However, beliefs about theimmutabilityof sexuality are not consistently associated with negative attitudes for all sexual minorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diagnoses and symptoms of postnatal mental health problems are associated with adverse outcomes for women and their families. Current classification and assessment of postnatal mental health problems may not adequately address the range or combination of emotional distress experienced by mothers. This study aims to explore symptoms of mental health problems reported by new mothers and their experiences of being assessed for these.Methods: In-depth interviews with 17 women in southeast England with a baby under 1-year old who experienced a postnatal mental health problem. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results: Women described a lack of identification with the concept of postnatal depression and felt that other forms of emotional distress were not recognized by the healthcare system. Women felt that support seeking for postnatal mental health problems needed to be normalized and that support should be available whether or not women were diagnosed. Assessment needs to be well timed and caringly implemented.Discussion: Identification and recognition of symptoms and disorders other than postnatal depression need to be improved. Awareness of multiple types of distress needs to be raised both for women experiencing such distress, and for healthcare professionals, to enable them to support women at this time. Different approaches to assessment that include the range of symptoms reported should be piloted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to explore (a) how people interpret responsible drinking messages on alcohol product labels, and (b) the acceptability of including health information on labels. Design: Qualitative interviews. Methods: Face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 20 people aged 21–63; 18 were classified risky drinkers using AUDIT‐C. They were shown three sets of alcohol product labels: one including three responsible drinking messages (drink responsibly), one with three positively worded health messages (drinking less reduces risks) and one with three negatively worded health messages (drinking more increases risks). Health messages included information about cancer, liver and heart disease. Results: Thematic analysis identified three themes: ambiguity about alcohol labelling; identifying oneself as responsible; and acceptability of enhanced product labelling. Participants were critical of responsible drinking messages and wary of conflicting health information in the media. They positioned themselves as responsible, knowledgeable drinkers and distanced themselves from problem drinkers. They did not appear to support the inclusion of health information on labels; however, novel information was considered more impactful. Conclusions: Responsible drinking messages were seen by our sample as an alcohol industry ploy. Although health messages about cancer were seen as potentially impactful, the ability of consumers to position themselves as unproblematic drinkers means that they may not see the information on the label as relevant to themselves. Understanding factors that increase the personal relevance of messages is needed, alongside an exploration of a wider range of methods for alcohol health communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores contributors to the rapid growth of the annual UK alcohol abstinence challenge 'Dry January' and the benefits of registration. Evidence from four sources is presented: (i) registrations via the Dry January website, (ii) surveys of population-representative samples of drinkers, (iii) surveys of Dry January registrants and (iv) surveys of a control group of drinkers who wanted to change to their drinking behaviour but had not registered for Dry January. The data revealed that Dry January registrations increased 15-fold in 4years. Participants reported that encouragement received from Dry January helped them to avoid drinking. Comparisons of Dry January registrants to the control group suggest that registering for Dry January reduced problematic drinking and enhanced the capacity to refuse alcohol. The four sources of data suggest that 'social contagion' and 'diffusion' have aided the growth of the awareness, appeal and practice of Dry January. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of emotional intelligence, social support and contextual factors on the general health of infertile women. A sample of involuntarily childless women aged 25–45 living in the UK (n = 148) and Pakistan (n = 164) completed a self-administered questionnaire. Although there were no significant differences in total scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), British women reported greater anxiety, insomnia and social dysfunction, and Pakistani women reported greater depression and somatic symptoms. Important differences in putative correlates of GHQ scores were found between the samples. British women reported significantly greater emotional satisfaction, greater satisfaction with medical information, greater satisfaction with medical care, and greater actual received support Pakistani women reported greater emotional intelligence. Regression analysis to identify correlates of higher GHQ scores revealed that greater received social support was a common correlate of better GHQ scores among British and Pakistani women. Additional correlates of better GHQ scores among British women were greater emotional intelligence and more emotional satisfaction in their relationships (overallR2= 0.41). Additional correlates among Pakistani women were greater education, greater perceived available social support and a nuclear family system rather than an extended family (overallR2=0. 40). Results suggest that psychological facets of infertility should be addressed as part of a holistic approach to the care of infertile women. They highlight a need to improve social support and to incorporate emotional intelligence training in therapeutic interventions to improve the psychological well-being of infertile women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine whether – in terms of personality characteristics and beliefs – former-drinkers and people who have never consumed alcohol exist on a continuum that includes low-risk drinkers and hazardous drinkers, or are distinct groups. An online questionnaire hosted on a secure server was completed by 1418 young people (642 men and 776 women) aged 16–21 living in South-East England. Participants' scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were used to classify them as non-drinkers, former-drinkers, low-risk drinkers or hazardous drinkers. Multinomial logistic regression identified eight significant multivariate correlates that explained 39% of the variance in men's AUDIT category membership (χ 2 (24) =263.32, p<.01), and seven significant multivariate correlates that explained 41% of the variance in women's AUDIT category membership (χ 2 (21) =332.91, p<.01). The results suggest that non-drinkers and former-drinkers are more similar to each other than they are to both low risk and hazardous drinkers. We should not, therefore, treat these groups of young people as representing a drinking continuum. In particular, interventions for high risk young drinkers may be more effective if distinguished from general campaigns intended for all young people. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent research suggests that safer student alcohol consumption might be assisted by understanding how social occasions are managed by non-drinkers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with five 19 – 22 year old non-drinking English undergraduates were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. We present five inter-linked themes: ‘living with challenges to non-drinking’; ‘seeing what goes on in drinking environments’; ‘dealing with conversations about non-drinking (making excuses vs. coming out)’; ‘knowing which friends care about you’; and ‘the importance of minimising “legroom” for peer pressure’. Participants felt under persistent peer scrutiny (as a form of peer pressure) and could feel alienated in drinking environments. Talking about non-drinking was characterised by whether to ‘come out’ (as a non-drinker) or ‘fake it’ (e.g. ‘I’m on antibiotics’). Loyal friendships were reported as particularly important in this context. The decision not to drink was experienced as providing a successful buffer to peer pressure for former drinkers. Our findings unsettle traditional health promotion campaigns which advocate moderate drinking among students without always suggesting how it might be most successfully accomplished and offer tentative guidance on how non-drinking during specific social occasions might be managed more successfully. Findings are discussed in relation to extant literature and future research directions are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Efforts to discourage excessive alcohol use among young people can only be effective if the target audience is exposed to, attends to, and comprehends key messages. The aim of this study was to examine age and sex differences in drinking motives to better inform development of targeted interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm. Thirty individual interviews and 12 group interviews were conducted with English 13–25 year olds. Interviewees gave multiple motivations for drinking – especially those related to image and reputation, and played down the health implications of heavy drinking. Negative aspects of drinking – caring for drunk friends, being cared for when drunk and suffering through hangovers with friends – were considered to offer opportunities for closer interpersonal bonding than other social activities. Respondents distanced themselves from ‘problem’ drinkers, but disapproved of others’ problematic drinking or antisocial behaviour. Narrative messages demonstrating the social consequences of excessive consumption were preferred to single, static messages emphasising risk or harm. Interviewees noted that interventions must use an engaging tone or pitch: they considered many campaigns to be patronising or preaching. A lack of consensus between age and sex groups highlighted a need for multifaceted, multi-modal approaches that utilise mobile technologies and new media. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Efforts to discourage excessive alcohol use among young people can only be effective if the target audience is exposed to, attends to, and comprehends key messages. The aim of this study was to examine age and sex differences in drinking motives to better inform development of targeted interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm. Thirty individual interviews and 12 group interviews were conducted with English 13–25 year olds. Interviewees gave multiple motivations for drinking – especially those related to image and reputation, and played down the health implications of heavy drinking. Negative aspects of drinking – caring for drunk friends, being cared for when drunk and suffering through hangovers with friends – were considered to offer opportunities for closer interpersonal bonding than other social activities. Respondents distanced themselves from ‘problem’ drinkers, but disapproved of others’ problematic drinking or antisocial behaviour. Narrative messages demonstrating the social consequences of excessive consumption were preferred to single, static messages emphasising risk or harm. Interviewees noted that interventions must use an engaging tone or pitch: they considered many campaigns to be patronising or preaching. A lack of consensus between age and sex groups highlighted a need for multifaceted, multi-modal approaches that utilise mobile technologies and new media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopted a discursive approach to explore how not drinking alcohol (non-drinking) is construed in relation to masculine identity among 12 undergraduate interviewees. Three prominent discourses were revealed. First, non-drinking was constructed as something strange requiring explanation. Second, contradictory discourses constructed non-drinking as, simultaneously, unsociable yet reflective of greater sociability. Third, non-drinking was constructed as something which has greater negative social consequences for men than for women. Opportunities for challenging traditional gender role expectations are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of people are vegan, vegetarian, or reducing meat consumption. There has also been growth in campaigns such as Meat Free Monday (MFM) that encourage and support reduced meat consumption. We conducted a mixed-method exploration of the behaviour and beliefs associated with reducing or eliminating meat consumption. An online questionnaire was completed by an opportunistic sample of 655 people aged 18-82 who were registered on the MFM website, and were meat eaters at the time of registering. The key focus of quantitative analyses was comparisons between three groups: those who described themselves as "omnivores" who ate all meat at the time of completing the survey, those who ate only some meat, and those who had stopped eating meat since registering for MFM. The qualitative component entailed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of in-depth interviews with 18 people who had completed the questionnaire. The quantitative data revealed that people who had stopped eating meat since engaging with the MFM campaign had more positive attitudes toward being vegetarian or vegan, had been engaged with MFM for a longer time, and had used more elements of the MFM website. The qualitative data illustrated that individuals understood and appreciated MFM's aim of supporting people to make an initial change and then considering expanding on this. Interviewees highlighted the value and importance of campaign materials that helped them to turn their beliefs and motivation into enduring behaviour change. The observed associations between longer engagement with the campaign and greater behaviour change suggest that MFM and similar campaigns will maximise their impact if they can maintain people's active engagement: that this will necessitate deeper understanding of the forms of support and advice are most wanted and most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although drinking and drunkenness have traditionally been considered masculine behaviours, young women's alcohol consumption has increased in recent years. This mixed methods study was conducted to examine the extent to which young people endorse gender double-standards for alcohol use – i.e., less acceptance of drinking and drunkenness in women than men – and how these influence men's and women's alcohol consumption. A sample of 731 English university students completed an online survey of gender role attitudes, beliefs about the gendered nature of alcohol use and recent alcohol consumption. Sixteen participants were then purposively selected for individual interviews: eight women and men with the most egalitarian gender role beliefs, and eight women and men with the least egalitarian beliefs. The two sets of data revealed that although there were few sex differences in actual levels of drinking or drunkenness, gender double-standards for alcohol use persist: beer drinking, binge drinking and public drunkenness tended to be perceived as masculine, and even the most egalitarian respondents were more judgemental of women's drinking. Participants modified their drinking style so as to maintain a desired gender identity. Although gender double-standards could be a focus of interventions to encourage moderate drinking, such approaches could reinforce gender inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. If young people are to consume alcohol in accordance with government guidelines, they must possess the relevant knowledge and skills. No previous research has examined correlations between different forms of knowledge of alcohol guidelines or how they are related to personality variables and beliefs. Design and Methods. Two samples were recruited in South-East England: 309 secondary school students aged 16-18, and 125 university students aged 18-25. All participants completed a computer-administered survey of knowledge and beliefs. University students also reported their alcohol consumption and completed tasks in which they poured their 'usual' drinks, and what they believed to be 'units' of alcohol. Results. Most respondents lacked the knowledge and skills required to drink in accordance with government guidelines. Participants' usual drinks were substantially larger than one unit, and participants tended to underestimate the unit content of drinks. There was little evidence that possession of accurate knowledge of one aspect of alcohol units and guidelines was related to accurate knowledge in other domains. Discussion and Conclusions. Many young people may lack the knowledge required to monitor their alcohol consumption or give accurate self-reports in research. Future research should evaluate using a drink-pouring task as part of interventions designed to improve knowledge and skills and encourage moderate consumption of alcohol.[de Visser RO, Birch JD. My cup runneth over: Young people's lack of knowledge of low-risk drinking guidelines. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:206-212] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rupert Brown, Richard de Visser, Helga Dittmar, John Drury, Tom Farsides, Donna Jessop and Paul Sparks of the school of psychology at the University of Sussex make the case for including academic evidence from the world of social psychology in policymaking around some key contemporary public issues, from health and wellbeing to social cohesion and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years increasing attention has been given to how different masculinities are expressed in young men's health behaviour. To examine whether men can use competence in key health-related masculine domains to compensate for other nonmasculine behaviour, group discussions were conducted with men aged 18-21 living in London, England. The analysis revealed the ways in which competence in traditionally masculine health-related domains produces masculine 'capital', which can be used to compensate for non-masculine behaviour in other domains. However, the capacity to trade this capital is limited because different masculine and nonmasculine behaviours have different values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last fifteen to twenty years interest has been growing in the study of masculinities. This article presents a discussion of material from in-depth interviews with two men who took part in a larger study of masculinity and health-related behavior. These two young men spontaneously referred to themselves during in-depth interviews as not being a "manly man" or a "man's man." Consideration of what these men said provides interesting insights into the links between discourses of masculinity and subjective experiences of masculinity—particularly whether masculinity is perceived in binary or pluralistic terms. The experiences of these two young men give hope to young men who reject hegemonic masculinity but still desire to have a clear masculine identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. People with sexual interests in bondage and discipline, “sadomasochism” or dominance and submission (BDSM) have been seen by many professionals as damaged or dangerous. Aim. To examine sexual behavior correlates of involvement in BDSM and test the hypothesis that BDSM is practiced by people with a history of sexual coercion, sexual difficulties, and/or psychological problems. Methods. In Australia in 2001–2002, a representative sample of 19,307 respondents aged 16–59 years was interviewed by telephone. Weighted data analysis used univariate logistic regression. Main Outcome Measures. Self-reported demographic and psychosocial factors; sexual behavior and identity; sexual difficulties. Results. In total, 1.8% of sexually active people (2.2% of men, 1.3% of women) said they had been involved in BDSM in the previous year. This was more common among gay/lesbian and bisexual people. People who had engaged in BDSM were more likely to have experienced oral sex and/or anal sex, to have had more than one partner in the past year, to have had sex with someone other than their regular partner, and to have: taken part in phone sex, visited an Internet sex site, viewed an X-rated (pornographic) film or video, used a sex toy, had group sex, or taken part in manual stimulation of the anus, fisting or rimming. However, they were no more likely to have been coerced into sexual activity, and were not significantly more likely to be unhappy or anxious—indeed, men who had engaged in BDSM scored significantly lower on a scale of psychological distress than other men. Engagement in BDSM was not significantly related to any sexual difficulties. Conclusion. Our findings support the idea that BDSM is simply a sexual interest or subculture attractive to a minority, and for most participants not a pathological symptom of past abuse or difficulty with “normal” sex. Richters J, de Visser RO, Rissel CE, Grulich AE, and Smith AMA. Demographic and psychosocial features of participants in bondage and discipline, “sadomasochism” or dominance and submission (BDSM): Data from a national survey. J Sex Med 2008;5:1660–1668. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that, compared to other women, women who have been forced or frightened into unwanted sexual activity have poorer psychological, physical, and sexual health. However, it is not clear whether particular experiences of sexual coercion, such as younger age when coerced or number of times coerced, are more likely to lead to poorer health status. This study of a representative sample of Australian women aged 16–59 years was designed to examine such associations. Of the 9134 women recruited for the study, 885 (21%) had been sexually coerced, which was defined as being forced or frightened into unwanted sexual activity. This study showed that any experience of sexual coercion was associated with poorer psychological, physical, and sexual health. The data revealed no consistent associations between health status and particular characteristics of sexual coercion, such as the age when women were coerced, the number of times they had been coerced, or the time since being coerced. Two of the few significant findings were that women who had been coerced more than once reported significantly greater psychosocial distress, and that women first coerced when aged 13–16 reported poorer physical well-being than women first coerced at younger or older ages. There was no significant association between whether women had consulted a psychologist or other professional counselor and better health status. The absence of consistent associations between health status and particular characteristics of sexual coercion indicates a need for care and support services for all women who have been sexually coerced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concern about excessive alcohol consumption among young men demands an understanding of why some young men drink excessively while others do not. The aim of this study was to identify how young men's patterns of alcohol consumption are related to their beliefs about masculinity, and the importance of drinking to their masculine identities. Thirty-one individual interviews and five group discussions were conducted with an ethnically- and socioeconomically-diverse sample of men aged 18-21 living in London, England. Analysis revealed a variety of associations between masculinity and alcohol consumption. Some men believed that alcohol consumption is a marker of masculinity and behaved accordingly. Other men emphasised the importance of other behaviours to masculine identity. There was also evidence that men traded drinking competence with competence in other behavioural domains. The links between masculinity and health-related social behaviours such as drinking are not simple. Implications for health education and health promotion are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There is widespread concern about the health and social consequences of excessive alcohol consumption among young men. Interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm will be affected by ambivalence toward alcohol, because ambivalent attitudes are worse predictors of behaviour than are homogeneous attitudes. It is therefore important to identify aspects of alcohol consumption about which young men are not ambivalent. In-depth interviews were conducted with a socioeconomically diverse sample of 31 men, aged 18–21 living in London, UK. Ambivalence toward alcohol was widespread. None of the drinkers who were interviewed had uncomplicated positive evaluations of drinking: all mentioned compelling reasons not to drink. Most motives for drinking were also identified as reasons for not drinking if consumption became excessive. However, three motives for not drinking were not also motives for drinking: violence, alcoholism, and cost. These findings should be considered during the design of interventions to reduce the health and social consequences of excessive alcohol consumption amongst young men. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We analyzed data from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships, a national telephone survey (2001-2002) of sexual behavior and attitudes among a representative sample of 19,307 Australians aged 16 to 59. Respondents were asked whether at their last sexual encounter they gave or received manual stimulation and oral sex, had vaginal intercourse or anal intercourse, and whether they had an orgasm. Most encounters (95%) included vaginal intercourse. Of the 64 possible combinations of practices, 13 accounted for 93% of encounters; vaginal intercourse alone (12%), intercourse and manual stimulation of the man's and/or woman's genitals (49%), and intercourse, manual, and oral (32%). Men had an orgasm in 95% of encounters and women in 69%. Women were more likely to reach orgasm in encounters including more practices, especially cunnilingus. Demographic and sexual history variables were comparatively weakly associated with orgasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate the development of interventions to reduce health risk behavior among young people, we designed this study to compare risk behavior among young people and older people, to compare risk behavior profiles between young men and women, and to identify sociodemographic correlates of risk behavior among young people. Computer-assisted telephone interviews with a representative sample of 19,307 Australian men and women (response rate 73.1%) assessed alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, injection drug use, and unprotected intercourse. Respondents aged 16 to 24 reported less healthy behavior than older people. Although men and women aged 16 to 24 had similar profiles of health risk behavior, correlates of these behaviors differed for men and women. There were few consistent sociodemographic correlates of different risk behaviors. The results suggest that young women are now as important a priority as young men for interventions. Young people remain an important target group for health promotion, with nonheterosexual young people a particular high-risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the estimates of HIV-related risk derived from a sample drawn through random digit dialing and that component of the sample drawn from households listed in a telephone directory. Methods: The prevalence of key outcomes, and their 95% confidence intervals, was estimated for the total sample and for that component of the sample drawn from households listed in a telephone directory. Results: On all outcome measures the sample derived from listed households was more conservative. With few exceptions, the estimates derived from the overall sample and from listed households were not significantly different. Conclusion: A continued reliance on random digit dialing seems unwarranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]