Social Exclusion: More Important to Human Females Than Males

Theoretical models based on primate evidence suggest that social structure determines the costs and benefits of particular aggressive strategies. In humans, males more than females interact in groups of unrelated same-sex peers, and larger group size predicts success in inter-group contests. In marked contrast, human females form isolated one-on-one relationships with fewer instrumental benefits, so social exclusion constitutes a more useful strategy. If this model is accurate, then human social exclusion should be utilized by females more than males and females should be more sensitive to its occurrence. Here we present four studies supporting this model. In Study 1, using a computerized game with fictitious opponents, we demonstrate that females are more willing than males to socially exclude a temporary ally. In Study 2, females report more actual incidents of social exclusion than males do. In Study 3, females perceive cues revealing social exclusion more rapidly than males do. Finally, in Study 4, females’ heart rate increases more than males’ in response to social exclusion. Together, results indicate that social exclusion is a strategy well-tailored to human females’ social structure.Human Evolutionary Biolog

Protocol Design for Utilizing Daily Assessments to Examine Daily Level Predictors of Impaired Driving Behaviors in Young Adults

Background: Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death among young adults (ages 18–25) in the United States. Many drivers implicated in these crashes are under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or the simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis. Extremely limited research has assessed impaired driving behaviors and their predictors at the daily level. Perceived norms and motives to use substances have empirical support suggesting they may impact impaired driving-related behavior. Novel approaches to assess these associations at the daily level are needed and may inform future intervention and prevention programs. Objective: The goal of the current study is to utilize electronic daily assessments to assess driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or simultaneous use and riding with a driver impaired by these substances to assess variability and predictors of these impaired driving-related behaviors at the daily level. This present manuscript details a protocol, measures, and a plan of analyses to assess how within-person differences in perceived norms and motives to use are associated with the likelihood of engaging in impaired driving-related behaviors. Methods: Participants include young adults in Washington State who report simultaneous use in the past month and either driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or simultaneous use, or riding with a driver under the influence of both substances in the past 6 months. Individuals who verify their identity and meet eligibility requirements will complete a baseline assessment after which they will be scheduled for training on the daily assessment procedure via Zoom. Next, they will be invited to complete daily surveys on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every other week for 6 months and a 6-month follow up assessment. Analyses will utilize multilevel models with days nested within individuals. Results: The study is currently recruiting participants. A total of 98 participants have been recruited and 16 have completed daily assessments. Data collection is expected to be completed in Summer 2022. Conclusions: This study utilizes a novel design to assess impaired driving and predictors at the daily level among young adults at high risk of impaired driving-related behaviors. Findings will provide unique data that will shape the knowledge base in the field of social science and public health substance use research and that may be helpful for future prevention and intervention efforts on impaired driving

When alcohol is only part of the problem: An event-level analysis of negative consequences related to alcohol and other substance use

While alcohol remains the drug of choice for most college students, national data show that 40% of college students also use other substances (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, etc.). Longitudinal studies indicate that students who report use of both alcohol and other substances experience more consequences (e.g., blackout, arrests). The current study expands upon this research by using a multilevel approach to examine average and event-level alcohol combined with other substance use (ALC+) and its role on consequences experienced. In addition, the research examined which substance combined with alcohol posed the most risk. A total of 461 students reported on alcohol use, substance use, and consequences experienced (e.g., Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire [YAACQ]) on 12 weekend nights (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) across 4 weekends in an academic year. Multilevel model analyses revealed a positive association between both average and event-level ALC+ use and the number of consequences experienced. A significant cross-level interaction was also revealed indicating students who typically combine alcohol and other substances experienced more consequences on occasions when they use more substances relative to students who typically use alcohol only. Finally, alcohol plus nicotine, or marijuana, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, or cocaine were all significantly positively related to increased consequences. These findings provide consistent evidence that ALC+ use is a highly prevalent behavior among college students that increases risk of problematic consequences. (PsycINFO Database Recor

Understanding Physicians ’ Challenges When Treating Type 2 Diabetic Patients’ Social and Emotional Difficulties

OBJECTIVE—To explore physicians ’ awareness of and responses to type 2 diabetic patients’ social and emotional difficulties. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We conducted semistructured interviews with 19 physicians. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS—Three themes emerged: 1) physicians ’ awareness of patients ’ social and emotional difficulties: physicians recognized the frequency and seriousness of patients ’ social and emotional difficulties; 2) physicians ’ responses to patients ’ social and emotional difficulties: many reported that intervening with these difficulties was challenging with few treatment options beyond making referrals, individualizing care, and recommending more frequent follow-up visits; and 3)the impact of patients ’ social and emotional difficulties on physicians: few available patient treatment options, time constraints, and a perceived lack of psychological expertise contributed to physicians’ feeling frustrated, inadequate, and overwhelmed. CONCLUSIONS—Recognition and understanding of physicians ’ challenges when treating diabetes patients ’ social and emotional difficulties are important for developing programmatic interventions

Corrected measures of predicted duration of distress, anger and heart rate as a function of type of aggression (social exclusion, physical aggression).

<p>Corrected measures of predicted duration of distress, anger and heart rate as a function of type of aggression (social exclusion, physical aggression).</p