Clinicians' Beliefs, Observations, and Treatment Effectiveness Regarding Clients' Sexual Addiction and Internet Pornography Use.

This study addressed how sex addiction and problematic IP use present to mental health professionals (MHPs), and how MHPs conceptualize and treat these issues. MHPs (N = 183) reported on beliefs about, experiences with, and treatment of problematic sexual behaviors (PBS). Most MHPs saw clients with PBS, but most do not feel competent to treat PBS. Specialized MHPs endorsed seeing more clients with PBS and feeling more effective than nonspecialists. Sexual addiction and problematic IP use share similarities, but differ in etiology and co-occurring problems. Diagnostic ambiguity, insufficient knowledge, and limited dissemination may hinder MHPs ability to assess and treat PBSs.

The relationship between religiosity and internet pornography use.

Internet pornography (IP) consumption has increased, resulting in functioning and psychological problems. Thus, understanding what variables affect IP uses is needed. One of the variables may be religion. College students (N = 223) completed questions on IP use and religion. About 64 % ever viewed IP and 26 % currently viewed IP, at a rate of 74 min per week. IP use interfered with their relationship with God and spirituality. Religious individuals were less likely to ever or currently view IP. Intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity and alignment of spiritual values were associated with ever use. Results suggest that religiosity matters in IP use and further research is needed.

Health-related quality of life in obese and overweight, treatment-seeking youth.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated health related quality of life (HRQOL) in obese children using obesity-specific HRQOL measures and examined potential race and sex differences. PARTICIPANTS: Two-hundred and four children aged 5.03 to 13.48 years (mean +/- SD = 10.18 +/- 1.95) and their parents participated. METHODS: All participants enrolled in a family-based weight loss intervention study. Their height and weight were measured before and after the intervention, and demographic information was collected. Participants also completed a weight related quality of life measure; children completed a self-report version, and parents completed a parent-proxy version. RESULTS: Higher child body mass index z-scores (BMIz) were related to poorer HRQOL per parent and child report. Males reported higher emotional functioning than females, and for race, African American parents reported higher physical functioning for their children than Caucasian parents. No difference in total HRQOL was found for race. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood BMIz is inversely related to quality of life. Compared with male children, females have more impairment in quality of life. However, HRQOL did not differ by race. Also, although parent and child reports do overlap in certain areas, they also each provide unique information. Future researchers and clinicians would be wise to capture both child and parent perspectives regarding quality of life among obese children.

Does perception of relationship type impact sexual health risk?

A sample of 327 men (age, 16-36 years) responded to self-completed questionnaires, which included questions regarding their most recent female sexual partner and specific behaviors pertaining to that partner. Analyses showed significant differences in several variables including condom use and sexually transmitted infection history, among the different relationship types.

Brief Online Intervention Model Promotes Sustained Helping Behavior Across 6 Months Following a Population-Wide Traumatic Event.

BACKGROUND: Following natural disasters, early helping behavior often dissipates despite remaining disaster-related suffering and affective vulnerability in the community. Interventions that have successfully increased helping behaviors have included components of motivational interviewing (MI) and mindful compassion; however, this research is limited by laboratory-based settings and lengthy training sessions. Brief, portable, and efficient intervention is needed to increase accessibility to large groups simultaneously. METHOD: The current study piloted a brief, online, self-administered MI and mindful compassion intervention administered 4-10 weeks post-Hurricane Harvey examining if it would sustain helping behaviors over the ensuing year. The study also examined potential moderators of the relationship between compassion for others and internalizing symptoms, and whether helping behaviors predicted post-traumatic stress symptoms. RESULTS: The intervention group sustained the use of helping behaviors more than an active control group after 9-12 months. Also, compassion satisfaction and burnout moderated the relationship between compassion for others and post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a potentially useful model of how an efficiently distributed intervention might sustain helping behaviors after a natural disaster and provide insight into possible longitudinal risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms among helping volunteers.

Parental Influence on Child Mental Health Post-Hurricane Harvey.

Purpose: Many children who face natural disasters experience significant mental health consequences. Parents play a prominent role in the likelihood of child mental health outcomes after a weather-related disaster. This study aimed to examine the relationship between parent risk factors and children's psychological well-being post Hurricane Harvey. Methods: Parents (n = 140) completed a survey that measured hurricane exposure, parental depression and anxiety, parenting behaviors, and assistance given and received during or after Hurricane Harvey. Additionally, parents were asked to complete questionnaires assessing one of their children's post-disaster psychosocial functioning and distress. Results: Results indicated that heightened parent anxiety was significantly associated with an increased risk for emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms in children. Additionally, inconsistency in parental discipline was significantly associated with an increased risk of child conduct problems. Further, higher numbers of assistance types received by parents-a proxy indicator of resource loss-was associated with higher child emotional distress scores. Conclusions: Broader systems-level interventions that address parents' physical and emotional needs may help mitigate maladaptive reactions in children and facilitate greater post-disaster psychosocial adjustment.

Understanding factors associated with intent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

INTRODUCTION: As of December 1, 2020, when the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices published their COVID-19 vaccine distribution and prioritization recommendations, health care workers (HCWs) and the elderly were deemed to be at greatest risk of contracting the coronavirus. Limited extant research suggests that most HCWs are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and findings from studies examining vaccine uptake in non-HCW samples also have reported high vaccination willingness. The health belief model (HBM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) suggest that beliefs about severity and susceptibility of disease, perceived benefits of and obstacles to vaccination, and normative beliefs of others affect vaccine uptake. Further, perceptions of safety, side effects, and demographic factors can uniquely impact COVID-19 vaccine uptake. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional design, we recruited 526 participants via social media, through snowball emailing methods, and from university settings. RESULTS: The present findings demonstrate that 37% of participants intend to get the vaccine, and 35% reported that they might get the vaccine. No relationships among demographic factors, willingness to receive the vaccine, and level of intent were observed. However, those who reported that they would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated fewer positive attitudes, less agreement, fewer normative views, and less anticipatory regret regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Also, perceptions of susceptibility, severity, and barriers were associated with participants' willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that factors related to the HBM and TPB might uniquely impact COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and could guide the crafting of interventions meant to encourage vaccine uptake. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Enrolment of young adolescents in a microbicide acceptability study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials of microbicides should include adolescent participants. There may be unique challenges including obtaining informed consent, meeting eligibility criteria and adherence to study demands. We report on our experience enrolling young adolescents in a microbicide surrogate acceptability study and the implication of our experience for other types of clinical trials. METHODS: Adolescent females were enrolled in a microbicide surrogate acceptability study for 6 months which required parental consent. They were asked to use the product every time they had coitus. They had face-to-face interviews at intake, 3 and 6 months, and completed weekly phone diaries. RESULTS: Of the 208 enrolled, 95 participants were between 14 and 17 years. Ten were pregnant at intake, and 15 did not have sex during the study. Of the remaining 70 adolescents, 46 (66%) used the product at least once during the 6-month period, and all but seven attended a face-to-face interview after intake. CONCLUSIONS: It will be possible to include young adolescents in clinical studies, even if parental consent is required. However, there will be challenges, and researchers need to anticipate those challenges and reduce barriers to enrolling young adolescents.

Attentional Avoidance of Historically Relevant, Task-Irrelevant Facial Affect: Past Depression, Interpersonal Characteristics, and Ethnicity.

Experiential background can influence how individuals respond to affective interpersonal information. For formerly depressed individuals, sad facial expressions are presumably salient. If so, when performing affectively neutral daily tasks, these individuals would find peripheral sad faces particularly distracting, and thus, they might shift their attention from them. The present study examined this hypothesis by comparing how euthymic formerly depressed and never depressed adults attended to sad and happy task-irrelevant emotional facial expression stimuli. The study also measured constructs linked to interpersonal functioning and depression and conducted exploratory analyses to examine whether Hispanic ethnicity status would moderate effects of study outcomes. Results of analyses indicated that formerly depressed individuals directed more attention away from sad faces than never depressed individuals. There were no significant between-group effects for happy faces and no moderation by ethnicity on attention to affective faces. However, irrespective of depression history, Hispanic individuals reported lower fear of negative evaluation compared to non-Hispanic Caucasian individuals. Findings are in line with hypothesized attentional avoidance among formerly depressed individuals and consistent with prior research suggesting that some Hispanic individuals experience protective mental health benefits through engagement with aspects of their culture. Directions for future research are discussed.

A qualitative analysis of the vaccine intention-behaviour relationship: parents' descriptions of their intentions, decision-making behaviour and planning processes towards HPV vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify factors influencing the vaccine intention-behaviour relationship. DESIGN: A total of 445 parents who received a brief intervention to promote HPV vaccination were categorized based on their intentions post-intervention (yes/unsure/eventually/never) and subsequent adolescents' vaccine status (yes/no). Fifty-one of these parents participated in qualitative interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Parents described their intentions, decision-making and planning processes towards vaccination. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Parents in the 'Yes/Yes' category were knowledgeable about HPV/vaccine, described strong, stable intentions, considered themselves the primary decision-makers about vaccination and said they vaccinated immediately. 'Yes/No' parents described strong intentions and thought their adolescent was vaccinated OR described hesitant intentions, seeking advice/agreement from others and noting barriers to vaccination without solutions. 'Unsure/Yes' parents described their intentions as strengthening with information from credible sources and identified strategies for overcoming barriers. 'Unsure/No' and 'Eventually/No' parents had misinformation/negative beliefs regarding vaccination, described being ambivalent or non-supportive of vaccination and cited barriers to vaccination. 'Never/No' parents held negative beliefs about vaccination, described strong, stable intentions to NOT vaccinate, deferring the decision to others, and reported no planning towards vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Intention characteristics and planning processes could moderate the vaccine intention-behaviour relationship, potentially serving as targets for future vaccine strategies.

Surviving the storm: Avoidant coping, helping behavior, resilience and affective symptoms around a major hurricane-flood.

BACKGROUND: As extreme weather events increasingly affect the global population, it is valuable to understand their impacts on mental health. Extending upon previous theory and research, the current study examined a hypothesized framework of direct and indirect pathways. Exposure and psychosocial resource factors at the time of the hurricane/flood were expected to help explain post-disaster behavioral responses, such as avoidant coping, positive coping, and helping behaviors, which, in turn, would help account for post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depressive symptoms (DS). METHODS: Survey data were collected from adult survivors (n = 801) of Hurricane Harvey 1-3 months post-disaster. PTSS, DS, and needing help were common, and loss/disruption and helping behavior were widespread. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized framework. RESULTS: Models accounted for substantial variance in PTSS (70%) and DS (61%), with immediate loss/disruption, low self-reported resilience, and avoidant coping showing the strongest associations with symptoms. As predicted, results provided support for several modeled indirect pathways through avoidant coping to PTSS and DS. Further, helping behavior was consistently associated with increased PTSS, but not DS. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design and online data collection methods precluded testing of causal directionality and confirming clinical diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The current study represents a step toward elucidating potential mediators of avoidant coping and how helping behavior might relate to post-disaster psychopathology. Individuals in heavily hurricane/flood-exposed areas who have low psychosocial resources (social support and resilience) might be most vulnerable and most in need of intervention.

Psychosocial development and puberty.

The context of adolescent development in which puberty occurs is briefly reviewed, along with the psychosocial impact on timing of puberty, girls' perception of puberty, and the impact of puberty on relationships with parents and on psychological health. This information can be integrated into clinical practice in order to provide the best care for adolescents, but, first, access to confidential and comprehensive care must be available.

Adolescents' reasons for using a microbicide-like product over time.

This study examined the reasons that adolescent girls used a product over time. Adolescent girls (n = 208; 14-21 years) participated in a six-month study in which they completed three face-to-face interviews and 24-weekly phone call interviews. Participants were given microbicide-like products (vaginal lubricants) and encouraged to use them with condoms when they had intercourse. Most of the reasons for use were endorsed by most of the adolescent girls, at some time during the study. Over time, the adolescents were significantly more likely to report the following reasons for use: did not think the product would leak out (z = 2.49; P < 0.01), the product felt comfortable (z = 2.41; P < 0.02) and the product was not messy to use (z = 3.11; P < 0.01). Although it appears that adolescents are interested in microbicides, they may worry about certain characteristics of the product. It will be important to develop anticipatory guidance that focuses on the experience of using the product, making sure adolescent girls continue to use over time.

Adolescents' descriptions of the physical characteristics of microbicide surrogates and experiences of use.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to describe adolescent girls' perceptions of microbicide surrogates and experiences of use, including impact on sexual pleasure. METHODS: Sexually experienced girls, 14-21 years, were recruited for a study examining microbicide acceptability. The girls were given vaginal moisturizers (gel or suppository) to use as if they were microbicides. Girls (n = 175) discussed their perceptions and experiences of use of these products in response to semistructured interviews. Girls were asked at weekly phone interviews about the impact of product use on their and their partners' sexual pleasure. These answers were averaged, and girls were categorized into those for whom the product predominantely made sex feel worse, better less than half the time, or better half the time or more. The relationship of demographics and sexual history to the impact on pleasure was evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, participants were positive about their experience with the products. More girls preferred the gel. Specific concerns about the suppository included the wait period, texture, and messiness of self-insertion. Many liked the lubricating quality of both of the surrogates. Girls discussed messiness, leakage, clumping, and the difficulties in communicating with partners. Over half reported an increase in pleasure most of the time for themselves and their partners. None of the demographic and sexual history predictors were significantly related to impact on pleasure. CONCLUSIONS: Anticipatory guidance should help girls initiate and sustain use. Future research should examine the best way to accomplish counseling about microbicide use with adolescent girls.

When adolescent girls say, "I don't know".

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To understand adolescent girls' use of "I don't know" within the context of discussing information related to sexual attitudes and behaviors. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of seven focus groups with adolescent girls. SETTING: Urban primary care clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent girls (n = 23) with a mean age of 16.4 years (range 14 to 18 years). Fifty-two percent were African-American, 26% were Caucasian, 17% were Hispanic/Latino, and 5% were Asian. RESULTS: The use of "I don't know" served three functions: (1) place holder, (2) lack of commitment to an opinion; and (3) reduction of commitment to an opinion or belief. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that girls use "I don't know" when asked about their thoughts and opinions related to sexual health, and that its use can have varying implications. Discriminating the intent may help providers respond appropriately. Responses should include providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment in which girls can express their feelings and opinions regarding their sexual health.

Intergenerational transfer of douching information.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To characterize the discussions on douching that female parents/guardians have with daughters. DESIGN: A questionnaire assessing personal douching history, beliefs on the practice of douching, and what they had discussed or intended to discuss about douching with their daughters was administered to women who were parenting females 11-21 years of age. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-seven women who had douched or currently douche completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifty-six of the women had discussed or planned to discuss the subject with their daughters. The girls with whom they had had a discussion were significantly older (16.2 years) than those with whom they planned to have a discussion (14.1 years). Most (73%) of the women had encouraged or planned to encourage douching, while only 18% had or planned to discourage it. Mothers had or planned to have the conversation in the context of menses (76%), sexual activity (40%), or when their daughter instigated the conversation (44%). Over 40% of the mothers had not or did not intend to discuss any negatives about douching. Only ten of the women stated that a health care provider had spoken to them or their daughter about the subject. CONCLUSION: Female parents/guardians are an important source of information about douching for their daughters. Health care providers need to educate girls as well as the women who parent them on the health risks associated with douching. Public campaigns aimed at decreasing douching should target this intergenerational transfer of information.

Adolescent girls' communication with "mothers" about topical microbicides.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Topical microbicides, a female-initiated method to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STI) and pregnancy, will only be effective if found acceptable. Mothers may have an influence on acceptability and use among adolescent girls. The current study examined the communication between girls and mothers to understand the potential predictors and nature of conversations regarding surrogate microbicide products. DESIGN: Sexually experienced girls, 14 to 21 years, were recruited for a 6-month study examining microbicide acceptability. During face-to-face interviews, qualitative data were collected regarding communication between girls and mothers. Two independent raters coded the responses, which were organized into themes. Themes were interpreted according to the conceptual understanding of mother-daughter communication. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the 171 girls with codable responses had a conversation with their mother. Higher levels of indirect parental monitoring were related to being more likely to have a conversation. Concrete events related to the study (i.e. receiving phone call from the researcher, having an appointment, or seeing the product) or inquiries by mothers appeared to promote conversation. Barriers to conversation included the private nature of the information and relationship issues between the mother and daughter. Conversations often addressed issues related to girls' participation in the study, although some conversations included global issues related to sexuality. CONCLUSIONS: Girls may talk to their mothers about new products for STI prevention, and such conversations may provide opportunities to promote use.

The effects of sexually explicit material use on romantic relationship dynamics.

Background and aims Pornography use has become increasingly common. Studies have shown that individuals who use sexually explicit materials (SEMs) report negative effects (Schneider, 2000b). However, Bridges (2008b) found that couples who use SEM together have higher relationship satisfaction than those who use SEM independently. A further investigation into various types of SEM use in relationships may highlight how SEM is related to various areas of couple satisfaction. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of SEM use related to different relationship dynamics. Methods The current study included a college and Internet sample of 296 participants divided into groups based upon the SEM use in relationships (i.e., SEM alone, SEM use with partner, and no SEM use). Results There were significant differences between groups in relationship satisfaction [F(2, 252) = 3.69, p = .026], intimacy [F(2, 252) = 7.95, p = <.001], and commitment [F(2, 252) = 5.30, p = .006]. Post-hoc analyses revealed additional differences in relationship satisfaction [t(174) = 2.13, p = .035] and intimacy [t(174) = 2.76, p = .006] based on the frequency of SEM use. Discussion Further exploration of the SEM use function in couples will provide greater understanding of its role in romantic relationships.

Parents and partners: enhancing participation in contraception use.

When adolescent girls choose to have sexual intercourse, it is important for them to have the knowledge, resources, and communication skills necessary to avoid unintended pregnancies. There are many barriers to contraceptive use that are specific to adolescents, and it is possible that parents and partners could help to support consistent and correct use of contraception. This paper reviews the existing literature on the role of parents and partners, and discusses the implications of this knowledge base for clinical practice. The specific recommendations in this manuscript are designed to aid health care providers in supporting the involvement of parents and partners in the lives of adolescent girls in order to promote the positive emotional and physical growth of adolescent girls.

Trust and a school-located immunization program.

PURPOSE: To determine variables associated with parental trust in a school-located immunization program (SLIP) and the effect of trust-building interventions on trust and participation in SLIPs. METHODS: Parents among eight schools randomized to a trust-building intervention or a control condition (four schools each) completed a five-item trust survey before SLIP implementation both in year 1 (fall 2012) and in year 2 (fall 2013). Mean trust scores were calculated. Associations between baseline demographic and experiential variables and mean trust scores were analyzed. Mean trust scores in intervention and control schools were compared before SLIP in years 1 and 2, and SLIP participation rates were noted. RESULTS: From year 1, 1,608 parent surveys were analyzed. Baseline mean trust score across schools was 3.59 of 5 (5 = highest trust). In a multiple linear regression model, annual household income, survey language version, participation in a previous SLIP, child's health insurance status, and perceived vaccine importance were significantly associated with parental trust in SLIPs (R(2)= .06, p < .001). There was no difference in mean trust scores between intervention and control schools (p = .8). In year 2, 844 surveys were analyzed, and a modest difference was observed between intervention and control schools (mean trust score = 3.66 and 3.57, respectively, p = .07). SLIP participation rates appeared higher in intervention (7.7%) versus control schools (4.3%) in year 1. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline trust in SLIPs among a low-income, largely Hispanic group of parents in Texas was moderately high. Factors associated with trust included demographic and experiential variables, and interventions aimed at increasing parents' perception of vaccine importance and participation in SLIPs may be effective in increasing parental trust in SLIPs.