Analysis of driver characteristics, self-reported psychology measures and driving performance measures associated with aggressive driving.

Whereas aggressive driving mainly causes speed-related crashes, aggressive driving may be reduced to improve road safety by identifying aggressive driving behaviour, aggressive drivers' characteristics, and their underlying motivational and psychological processes. Previous studies show that both driving performance and self-reported measures of aggressive driving are effective means to identify aggressive drivers. However, these studies assessed aggressive driving patterns across only a limited number of events, did not relate driver characteristics to aggressive driving in each event, and used chiefly vehicle kinematics variables (e.g., mean speed), but not vehicle dynamics variables (e.g., brake pedal force) which better capture driver reaction and decision-making. To address these limitations, this study assessed driver characteristics, self-reported psychological measures, and driving performance measures associated with aggressive driving among 55 drivers' behaviours in 9driving events using a driving simulator and survey responses. The results of structural equation models showed that unique aggressive driving patterns and driver characteristics related to aggressive driving vary among different driving events. As such, we recommend road safety policies to reduce aggressive driving based on the findings in this study.

Words with weight: The construction of obesity in eating disorders research.

In current public health discourse, obesity is conceptualized as a disease epidemic, with treatment being weight loss. The pursuit of weight loss as a treatment for the "disease" of obesity is in direct contradiction to the history of research in eating disorders, which has demonstrated the risks for the development of eating disorders. In this study, we critically examined the eating disorder literature to explore this contradiction. We analyzed 30 of the top-cited articles in the eating disorder literature between 1994 and 2011, asking: how is the concept of obesity examined in eating disorder research? We identified tensions related to body mass index and the perceived associated risks of lower or higher body mass index, assumptions of the "causes" of fatness (i.e. overeating and inactivity), and the anti-diet voice challenging the prescription of dieting for those in fat bodies. In our analysis, we highlight the problematics of, for instance, prescribing a body mass index range of 20-24 in eating disorder recovery, how many studies in eating disorders do not problematize the presumption that a higher body mass index is necessarily associated with ill health, and a lack of cultural sensitivity and acknowledgment of intersectional spaces of belonging. We discuss these themes in the context of biomedical discourses of obesity contributing to the cultural thin ideal. We argue that biomedical discourses on obesity contribute to the thin ideal nuanced against discourses of healthism that permeate our society. Rather than an ideal of emaciation, it is an ideal of a healthy, productive person, often constructed as morally superior. The moral panic around obesity is evident throughout the eating disorder literature, which is a concern given that we would hope that the aim of eating disorder treatment would be to promote wellness for all-not only those who are thin.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Intimate Partner Violence, and Sexual Assault.

BACKGROUND: Sexual assault and intimate partner violence have never been examined in individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. The research is important, because prior studies show higher incidences of intimate partner violence and sexual assault in individuals with disabilities, and hidradenitis suppurativa meets criteria for a disability. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to examine whether individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa are at significantly higher risk of intimate partner violence and sexual assault compared with individuals who have acne, a recognised disability. METHODS: Participants who met criteria for hidradenitis suppurativa and acne were recruited from a mid-sized university and a dermatology clinic. Participants spoke English and were over the age of sexual consent. Group (hidradenitis suppurativa and acne) differences on intimate partner violence and sexual assault were analysed. Victimisation within the past 12 months was measured using the Checklist for Controlling Behaviours, a measure of intimate partner violence, as well as the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victim, a measure of sexual assault. RESULTS: In total, 243 participants (n = 128 for hidradenitis suppurativa; n = 115 for acne) were surveyed. Individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa were significantly more likely to report being victimised by intimate partner violence. CONCLUSIONS: Intimate partner violence was more frequently observed in individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. Health care providers should be aware of this issue when interacting with patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

Pre-drinking motives in Canadian undergraduate students: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Prepartying Motivations Inventory and examination of new themes.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-drinking is a risky, yet common activity among college students whereby they consume alcohol prior to going to an event where more alcohol may be consumed (LaBrie, Hummer, Pederson, Lac, & Chithambo, 2012). While general drinking motives have been studied extensively, attention to pre-drinking is recent, and deserves more attention. This study assessed the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Prepartying Motivations Inventory (PMI), and identified novel motivations through a thematic analysis. METHOD: A sample of 276 Canadian undergraduate students completed an online survey consisting of open-ended questions, drinking and pre-drinking questions, the PMI, and a brief demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that a four-factor model, similar to that of the initial PMI, fits well, but that improvements are made by eliminating an item related to being under the legal drinking age. Further, five new themes emerged that warrant further investigation, and possible inclusion in the current PMI. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the PMI could be refined to further understand students' motivations for pre-drinking, and might inform alcohol intervention programs on post-secondary campuses.

Preliminary Findings on the Association Between Symptoms of Depression and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Individuals Born Inside Versus Outside of Canada.

For optimal health, people living with HIV (PLWH) need to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We explored the relationship between symptoms of depression and ART adherence for PLWH born inside versus outside of Canada. PLWH taking ART (N = 57) completed self-assessments of depression and adherence to ART. Adherence rates did not differ significantly for PLWH who were born outside (66.7% were ≥95% adherent) versus inside Canada (51.6% were ≥95% adherent), but the relationship between symptoms of depression and ART adherence depended on the country of birth: for individuals born in Canada, depression was associated with lower ART adherence (ß = -.21, p = .005, 95% confidence interval -.35 to -.07); for PLWH born outside of Canada there was no association between symptoms of depression and ART adherence. Symptoms of depression may not universally affect ART adherence; country of birth may be one critical variable impacting this relationship.

The multidimensional mortality awareness measure and model: development and validation of a new self-report questionnaire and psychological framework.

For each of eight literature-identified conceptual dimensions of mortality awareness, questionnaire items were generated, producing 89 in all. A total of 359 participants responded to these items and to questionnaires measuring health attitudes, risk taking, rebelliousness, and demographic variables. Multivariate correlational analyses investigated the underlying structure of the item pool and the construct validity as well as the reliability of the emergent empirically derived subscales. Five components, rather than eight, were identified. Given the item content of each, the associated mortality awareness subscales were labeled as legacy, fearfulness, acceptance, disempowerment, and disengagement. Each attained an acceptable level of internal reliability. Relationships with other variables supported the construct validity of these empirically derived subscales and more generally of this five-factor model. In conclusion, this new multidimensional measure and model of mortality awareness extends our understanding of this important aspect of human existence and supports a more integrative and optimistic approach to mortality awareness than previously available.

Male RNs: Work Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction and Intention to Stay in the Profession.

Males represent approximately 6.8% of registered nurses in Canada and consequently constitute an untapped health workforce resource. The authors investigated environmental work factors in the acute-care setting and their influence on male RNs' job satisfaction and intention to stay in the profession. They conducted a cross-sectional study of male RNs employed in acute-care settings in the province of Ontario. Correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to examine career satisfaction and intentions. Nurses who were most satisfied with their career valued extrinsic rewards (pay, vacation, and benefits), control and responsibility, and opportunities for professional development; those who were least satisfied and voiced their intention to leave the profession tended to work part time, experience gender mistreatment, and be dissatisfied with extrinsic awards, scheduling, and organizational support. A unique finding of this study relates to the significant predictive relationship between gender mistreatment and males' intention to leave.

La profession infirmière compte environ 6,8 pour cent d'hommes au Canada, une main-d'œuvre qui constitue une ressource inutilisée dans le domaine de la santé. Les auteurs ont examiné les facteurs environnementaux reliés au travail dans des services de soins actifs et l'influence qu'ils exercent sur le degré de satisfaction professionnelle chez les infirmiers ainsi que leur intention de demeurer dans la profession. Dans le cadre d'une étude de prévalence chez les infirmiers œuvrant dans des services de soins actifs dans la province de l'Ontario, des corrélations ont été établies et des analyses de régressions multiples ont été réalisées. Les infirmiers dont le degré de satisfaction était le plus élevé accordaient une importance aux récompenses extrinsèques (traitements salariaux, vacances, avantages sociaux), au degré de contrôle et de responsabilité et aux possibilités de développement professionnel. Ceux qui étaient les moins satisfaits et qui ont exprimé leur intention de quitter la profession travaillaient surtout à temps partiel, vivaient des mauvais traitements à caractère sexiste et éprouvaient de l'insatisfaction concernant les récompenses extrinsèques, les horaires et le soutien organisationnel. Cette étude a révélé l'existence d'un important lien prédictif entre les mauvais traitements à caractère sexiste et l'intention des infirmiers de quitter la profession.

"Holy cow, does that ever open up a can of worms": health care providers' experiences of inquiring about intimate partner violence.

Primary care health care providers (HCPs) are likely to treat numerous women who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). In this study, we used interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyze semistructured interviews with nine HCPs (six family physicians and three nurse practitioners) in Ontario, Canada. Findings center on how HCPs interpret and make sense of their experiences inquiring about and receiving abuse disclosures. Overarching themes that we identified were asking and disclosure as a journey and disengaging in order to engage. Our findings underscore the importance of training HCPs to respond flexibly to sensitive situations.

Bullying in undergraduate clinical nursing education.

Although a limited number of studies have focused on bullying in nursing education to date, all of those studies demonstrate the existence of bullying in clinical settings, where nursing students undertake a significant amount of their nursing education. The purpose of this study was to examine the state of bullying in clinical nursing education among Canadian undergraduate nursing students (N = 674) in all 4 years of their nursing program. Results suggest that nursing students experience and witness bullying behaviors at various frequencies, most notably by clinical instructors and staff nurses. Third-year and fourth-year students experience more bullying behaviors than first-year and second-year students. Implications for practice include ensuring that clinical instructors are well prepared for their role as educators. Policies must be developed that address the issue of bullying within nursing programs and within health care facilities where nursing students undertake their clinical nursing education.

Patient perceptions of satisfaction following diabetes education: use of the mastery of stress instrument.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the conceptual congruency of scores from the Mastery of Stress Instrument (MSI) with qualitative data in an effort to identify patients for whom a specific educational intervention was sufficient. METHODS: A convenience sample of patients with diverse age and educational backgrounds was recruited from those who registered for a 4-session diabetes educational experience as new or refresher patients. All 57 patients completed the MSI before and after diabetes educational experiences, and half participated in before and after audiotaped interviews. All patients responded to a query about their perceptions of the educational experience. MSI scores were analyzed by demographic variables as well as compared to qualitative interviews for greater insights and explanation. RESULTS: Consistency was noted between the MSI scores and the information revealed in the interviews. Additional support for the use of the MSI to identify patients at risk and in need of additional educational interventions was realized. CONCLUSIONS: Further research to explore the use of the MSI with persons with different educational experiences and to standardize the MSI scores for adult persons taking diabetes or other patient education classes is needed before generalization can be achieved.

Breast health educational interventions. Changes in beliefs and practices of working women.

Health education programs supported by women's groups or workplaces have been successful in reaching large populations and changing intentions to perform breast health behaviors. This study examined the responses women working in the automotive industry had to two health education interventions, mailed pamphlets, and a combination of mailed material and classes at the worksite compared to a control group. A quasi-experimental design was used. Of the 948 women completing the pre-test, 437 also completed the post-test and were highly representative of the initial sample. The findings suggest that although the mailed information produced some change in practices and intentions, the classes in combination with the mailed pamphlets produced greater change. In addition, confidence in breast self examination as a method of detecting an existing breast lump increased from pre-test to post-test across all age groups. The reported influences on the women's decisions related to breast health varied across the life span. The results of this study can be used to support the development of effective health promotion programs for use at workplaces to increase the likelihood of women engaging in healthy breast practices.

Using the internet to identify women's sources of breast health education and screening.

Health professionals, women's groups, the media and the Internet have all played a role in educating the public about breast health and breast screening methods. Yet, with all the information that is available to women, their participation rates have been less than optimal. This paradox has resulted in the need to learn more about the sources that influence women to participate in breast screening. In an innovative study using the Internet, over 800 women, primarily from Canada and the United States, were surveyed about their knowledge, attitudes and influences regarding their breast screening practices. Current health status, screening practices and influences of various health professionals on women's health promotion activities were analyzed. Comparisons of the women's perceptions across age groups and national differences between Canadian and American respondents are presented. Women in the older age group reported receiving more encouragement for breast screening activities from physicians, nurses and others than did younger women. American respondents reported perceiving more support from nurses for breast screening than did their Canadian counterparts. A high number of American respondents reported having been diagnosed with breast cancer, while only a small number of Canadian respondents reported this diagnosis. The results from this study can be used in planning health promotion activities relevant to various populations of women. Benefits and limitations of using the Internet as a research medium are briefly discussed.

A national survey of Canadian women: breast health practices, influences, and satisfaction.

In an earlier survey of over 900 women in the local automobile industry, several influences and preferences for breast screening were identified. The purpose of the current study was to extend the survey population to women across Canada, as well as to ascertain women's satisfaction with organized (governmental) screening programs within their geographic areas. Using random-digit-dialing, 1,224 women 25 years and older were interviewed in French or English and their responses entered in a CATI system. The interviewers used a modified version of Health Care Practices: A Worksite Survey. Results were analyzed by age and geographic region. Results indicated support for earlier local findings, as well as high satisfaction, but low knowledge and usage of organized breast screening clinics.