The Importance of Incorporating Stroke Survivors' Health Perceptions in Addressing Health Care Disparities.

Patient-centered research in determining health care disparities among stroke patients is limited. Several studies have examined patient perceptions in stroke survivors and have utilized the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) and Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ), which are validated measures of illness beliefs. Yet, there are several domains these surveys could assess that warrant more investigation, including: perception of medication side effects; acceptance of the stroke diagnosis; consequence and long-term impact of symptoms; the importance of medications in long-term health maintenance; and perception of ease of access to equitable health care. Though these surveys are available, representation of diverse and under-represented groups within stroke surveys utilizing them is low. Also, only a limited number of studies of stroke patients' perceptions have focused on health disparities or specifically beliefs and attitudes of under-represented stroke survivors. Due to insufficient current research, future studies should focus on using these patient perception questionnaires with underrepresented populations. Improvements in this field may allow providers to offer patient-centered care among a diverse population, bridging gaps in health care equity.

Alcohol demand and supersized alcopop consumption among undergraduate college students.

Supersized alcopops are sugar-sweetened beverages with extraordinarily high alcohol content; consumption is highly prevalent among college students and is associated with a variety of negative alcohol-related consequences. However, few studies have examined risk factors for consumption of these products. The objective of this study was to examine, among a college student sample, whether the behavioral economic principle of alcohol demand was associated with self-reported lifetime consumption of Four Loko-the most popular brand of supersized alcopop among underage drinkers. Participants were 170 undergraduate students who were at least 18 years of age and reported at least 1 day of alcohol consumption within the past month. Study participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing demographics, Four Loko consumption and associated problems, and alcohol demand (using the Brief Assessment of Alcohol Demand). Hierarchical logistic regression analyses revealed that intensity (drinks they would consume if free) significantly predicted Four Loko consumption but not breakpoint (maximum expenditure per drink) or Omax (maximum expenditure for all drinks). Findings support that students who prefer consuming large quantities of alcohol when it is free are more likely to have consumed Four Loko. Interventions increasing price or reducing the availability of Four Loko may be especially protective for this at-risk population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing Specific Sexual Behavior: Instrument Development and Validation Techniques.

Through the use of multi-modal methods, the purpose of this study was to develop and assess measurement properties of an instrument evaluating specific sexual behaviors of college students and the role alcohol intoxication plays in one's intention to participate in these behaviors. A modified version of N. Krause's instrument development process was applied to create a behavior-specific instrument assessing oral, vaginal, and anal sex behaviors. The process included a review by expert scholars in relevant fields, cognitive interviews with the target population using screen-capture program Camtasia, piloting to assess measurement scales, and a formal investigation. The applied instrument development process employed screen capture software and web-based surveying in a cost-effective format suitable for mixed-method measurement development. The development and application of the instrument provides a clearer understanding of the relationship between alcohol use and sexual activity and aids in the development of effective public health interventions and policies.