Executive Functioning and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Executive functioning and happiness are each associated with successful learning and other desirable individual and societal outcomes; however, it is unclear whether a relation exists between them. Executive regulation of happiness pursuits in daily life, operationalized as hedonic (e.g., pursuing pleasure) and eudaimonic (e.g., pursuing personal growth) motives for action, may be a way the constructs relate to each other. In this initial investigation, we aimed to explore whether objectively measured executive functioning skills relate to happiness motives. A sample of 119 college students completed six objective neuropsychological measures of executive functioning and self-reported levels of hedonic and eudaimonic motives for action in daily life. Correlation and regression analyses examined the relations among temporal discounting and two latent executive functioning factors (inhibitory control and working memory) with hedonic and eudaimonic motives, as well as their interaction. Results suggested a possible association between higher levels of eudaimonic motives and preference for higher delayed rewards, as well as poorer working memory. Further analyses suggested that endorsing high levels of eudaimonic and hedonic motives simultaneously (i.e., the "full life") was associated with poorer inhibitory control and working memory performance, whereas endorsing low levels of both simultaneously (i.e., the "empty life") was associated with a preference for more immediate monetary rewards. Findings are discussed in the context of goal conflict and risk assessment among individuals who endorse the "full life". Overall, these findings suggest that complex relations may exist between executive functioning and trait-level happiness pursuits, and have implications for possible interventions aimed at enhancing happiness-related motives and cognitive processes to facilitate learning. Given the exploratory nature of the present study, further investigations are necessary.

Social identity and substance use interventions.

Substance use and misuse is a growing public health concern. Creating effective strategies for reducing substance use/misuse may require an understanding of the role and impact of the individual's social identity. In this issue of the Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community, we focus on the intersection of social identity, substance use, and implications for effective interventions. The six articles presented in this volume examine a variety of social identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, religion, substance-user status) across a variety of substance use problems (e.g., use of inhalants, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs). Together, these articles provide insight into who may benefit most from targeted substance use interventions and further suggest the need to incorporate culturally relevant elements into intervention and treatment protocols to increase successful outcomes. Clinicians, researchers, and theorists alike can use the results presented here to continue to refine their approaches.

The impact of content, frame and social identity on the effectiveness of smoking cessation messages in urban young adults.

The current study examined the impact of health versus economic content, as well as gain versus loss frame, in smoking cessation intervention messages on intention, motivation, and planning to quit smoking. Gender, race, Socioeconomic Status (SES), nicotine dependence, and smoker identity variables were investigated as moderators of the relationship between message content and outcomes. Self-identified smokers were randomly assigned to read a gain or loss framed message with economic or health content. Intention, motivation, and planning to quit smoking were measured before and after message exposure. Results showed average gains in intention, motivation, and planning to quit smoking, regardless of message received. However, change in motivation and intention was greater for participants exposed to the economic message. There were no effects of message frame. Years of smoking and race moderated the effects of message content on intention and motivation. Implications for developing tailored messages for smoking cessation in young adults are discussed.

How changes in population demographics will impact health psychology: incorporating a broader notion of cultural competence into the field.

U.S. population demographics are undergoing striking changes that will impact health care and the research and practice of health psychology. An increase in the number of people who are older; belong to an ethnic minority group; have disabilities; identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered; or live in poverty will influence definitions of aging, health, and illness, and will challenge current psychological and medical treatment models. The authors argue that health psychologists need to become context competent for the field to be relevant and viable over the course of this new century. Health psychologists need to become aware of the multiple, overlapping contexts in which people live and apply this knowledge on a regular basis to research, practice, education and training, and policy in health psychology.

Breast and colorectal cancer risk communication approaches with low-income African-American and Hispanic women: implications for healthcare providers.

BACKGROUND: Information on breast and colorectal cancer risk factors is widely available to women and the physicians who provide their healthcare; however, many women are unable to identify the major risk factors, continue to misperceive their personal risk of developing these cancers, and do not engage in routine early detection. METHODS: Qualitative methods were used to investigate breast and colorectal cancer risk knowledge, perceptions, behaviors, and risk communication formats with low-income African-American and Hispanic study participants in Harlem, NY, aged 40-60 years. RESULTS: Focus group results indicated strong participant interest in strategies necessary to understand and reduce the risk of developing breast and colorectal cancers. Preferred risk communication tools presented information about family history and personal risk in graphic and quantitative formats. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals who serve low-income African-American and Hispanic female populations should deliver information to them about the personal risk of developing targeted cancers and ways to reduce this risk in formats that are meaningful and effectively address the special needs of these populations.