Predictors of hookup behaviors among Asian and Asian American college students in the United States

Objective: With the rapid growth in the population of Asian and Asian American college students in the United States, there is a need for research examining their participation in potentially risky sexual behaviors in order to expand understanding of this group's needs. This study focused on attachment orientation and hookup motives as predictors of hookup behaviors, which involve engaging in sexual behaviors without expectation of a long-term relationship.Methods: Participants included 169 Asian or Asian American college students ranging in age from 18 to 27 years who completed an online survey.Results: Results indicated that over half of participants reported engaging in hookup behaviors. The strongest predictors of hookup behaviors were increased age, liberal sexual attitudes, motivations to achieve excitement/sexual enhancement, and motivations to find a long-term partner. However, attachment orientations did not predict hookup behaviors. Results provide insight into a profile of Asian American college students increasingly exploring sexuality throughout young adulthood.

Animal welfare: the role of non-governmental organisations

The welfare of animals is of interest to many people in most parts of the world. Concern about the way that animals are treated will depend on many factors, including socio-economic conditions, culture, religion and tradition. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is committed to ensuring that all animal welfare standards are science-based, but recognises that these other factors must also be taken into account. The International Coalition for Farm Animal Welfare (ICFAW) was formed to represent the interests of non-governmental animal welfare organisations from most corners of the globe and opinions, comment and information from these animal welfare organisations will play a part in the OIE decision-making process. In coming together for this purpose it was recognised that the views of the various member organisations of ICFAW vary depending on which part of the world they come from. The authors provide information about the situation in three continents: Africa, North America and Europe. This information includes details of relevant legislation, farming practices, and educational and campaign programmes developed by both animal welfare non-governmental organisations and governments. The authors also look to the future to see what issues may influence the way that farm animals are reared, transported and slaughtered.

Physician beliefs about victims of spouse abuse and about the physician role

Our purpose was to measure the beliefs of physicians about victims of spouse abuse and to examine factors related to holding positive (e.g., supportive) and negative beliefs about providing services to victims of domestic violence. This was a total site sample of 150 physicians (76 responded; RR 51%), surveyed at one time, practicing in a large general hospital and the surrounding urban/periurban area. Four specialities are represented: emergency medicine, family practice, obstetrics-gynecology, and psychiatry. Three aspects of beliefs are measured: beliefs toward physician role in assisting victims of spouse abuse, beliefs about victims of spouse abuse, and beliefs about resources available to physicians to assist victims of spouse abuse. Almost all (97%) physicians believe it is part of their role to assist victims of domestic violence. Almost one third (30%) hold victim-blaming attitudes toward victims of spouse abuse, and the majority (70%) do not believe that they have the resources available to them to assist victims of domestic violence. Being female, younger, practicing obstetrics-gynecology, and having fewer years in practice are all significantly related to holding supportive (positive) beliefs. The majority of negative beliefs held are about resource availability. Hence, training programs may need to be developed locally for physicians and tailored to individual community characteristics. Training programs should also emphasize the importance of understanding the victims of spouse abuse and of not blaming the victims for the violence.

Focus groups among public, military, and private sector mothers: insights to improve the immunization process

The underimmunization of children younger than 2 years old is a major health problem in U.S. cities. Innovative methods to increase immunization rates are being researched and implemented. In 1993, six focus groups were conducted with 41 mothers (25 African Americans and 16 Caucasians) to discuss their views regarding immunizations and the services they received from health care providers in the public health (n = 27), military (n = 4), and private (n = 10) sectors. Participants viewed immunizations positively, but perceived many barriers to immunization. They suggested the following ways to improve the immunization process: enhancing knowledge acquisition, improving reminder and appointment systems, providing transportation and child care, decreasing waiting times, improving the clinic environment, and making the immunizations less traumatic. According to mothers in this study, obtaining an immunization on time is a complex task that requires planning and resources. The fewer resources that are available to mothers, the more difficult it is to succeeded. Health care providers must help mothers identify and remove barriers if immunization rates are to be increased.

The paranoid person: a biopsychosocial perspective

Paranoia is not a uniquely medical term. Articles on the subject appear in the literature of fields as diverse as psychology, sociology, linguistics, cognitive processing, and computers. Paranoia is also a human response to physical, psychical, interpersonal, and social ills and, as such, is a phenomenon of interest to nursing. The study of paranoia by several disciplines provides nurses with a variety of perspectives from which to understand the experiences of paranoid clients. Paranoia will be presented as a phenomenon that can be viewed from levels ranging from the suborganismic level to the sociocultural. Implications for nursing interventions geared to each level will be discussed.