Prospective predictors of actual research participation among African-American adults

Aim Although several variables appear to be associated with reluctance of African Americans to participate in research, most research on this topic has utilized hypothetical study scenarios, and there is a need for empirical studies of factors that predict actual study participation. The purpose of the present paper was to assess five potential predictors of participation in an actual study of psychological stress and health. Subjects and methods African American adults (n = 236) completed the Barriers to Research Participation Questionnaire (BRPQ), which assesses attitudes toward research participation, and indicated whether they were willing to be contacted for involvement in a study of psychological stress and health. Results Respondents who declined to be contacted for further involvement (n = 191) scored significantly lower (less willingness/greater barriers) on the overall BRPQ, and on the health beliefs/fears, role overload/time demands, and perceived benefits subscales than respondents who were enrolled in the study (n = 45). Conclusion Investigators might enhance enrollment of African American adults by ameliorating health-related fears, increasing accessibility, or communicating benefits of the research

The Effects of Priming on a Public Health Campaign Targeting Cardiovascular Risks

Public health interventions are cost-effective methods to reduce heart disease. The present study investigated the impact of a low-cost priming technique on a public health campaign targeting cardiovascular risk. Participants were 415 individuals (66% female) ages 18 and older recruited through clinics and churches. The study consisted of three phases. In Phase I, participants completed a brief survey to assess knowledge of the cardiovascular health indicators. The survey served as the prime (intervention) for the study. At Phase II, participants were provided with access to a public health campaign consisting of an education brochure on cardiovascular health. Following the educational campaign, all participants completed a post-campaign survey in Phase III of the study. Participants who completed the surveys in both Phase I and III were placed in the intervention condition (26%) and those who only completed the Phase III survey were placed in the control condition (74%). Participants who were primed reported greater awareness of the public health campaign. Additionally, more intervention participants reported they had knowledge of their own and the normal ranges for cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index. For participants who were aware of the health promotion campaign, more participants in the primed group indicated they had knowledge of their own cholesterol and glucose levels and had made positive lifestyle changes as a result of the campaign. Results suggest the presence of a priming effect. Public health campaigns may benefit from the inclusion of a low-cost prime prior to intervention

The Relationship between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Sexual Risk: Examining Potential Mechanisms

Little is known about behavioral and psychological mechanisms that may explain relationships between posttraumatic stress and sexual risks. As rates of HIV infection among African American women remain significantly higher than for other female subgroups, research on sexual risk among African American women is needed. The present study examines the relationships of posttraumatic stress symptoms as measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version with sexual risk behaviors, sexual sensation-seeking, and sexual compulsivity in 30 undergraduate African American women with any reported history of sexual intercourse. Higher posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with more sexual partners, greater frequency of vaginal sex without a condom, and endorsement of sex while under the influence of a substance. Posttraumatic stress symptoms were negatively correlated with perceived sexual control, but were not significantly correlated with sexual compulsivity or sensation-seeking. Perceived sexual control was negatively associated with frequency of unprotected sex and sex under the influence. The preliminary evidence from this small sample suggests sexual control may mediate the relationship of the posttraumatic stress symptoms with unprotected sex. These results are generally consistent with previous findings suggesting posttraumatic stress is associated with sexual risk

Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Checklist among Young African-American Men and Women

Research has demonstrated the validity and reliability of the Posttraumatic Stress Checklist (PCL) in predominantly Caucasian samples. However, there has not been a study that examined the psychometric properties of the PCL specifically for African Americans. The present paper is an examination of the factor structure, internal stability, reliability, and predictive validity of the PCL among a sample of young African American men and women. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated better support for a two-factor model than for a three-factor model reflecting the three diagnostic symptom clusters of posttraumatic stress disorder. High internal consistency and marginal test–retest reliability were observed. The positive predictive power of the PCL in the present study was far lower than that observed in previous studies; several potential explanations for this finding are discussed

Hormones, Menstrual Distress, and Migraine Across the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

Objective—The primary objectives of the present study were to (1) contrast reproductive hormone levels and ratings of menstrual distress of female migraineurs with those of a control group in each menstrual cycle phase, (2) examine correlations between hormone levels and migraine frequency, severity, and migraine-related disability, and (3) examine correlations between menstrual distress and migraine frequency, severity, and migraine-related disability. A secondary objective was to evaluate the validity of a migraine disability measure modified to reflect 7-day recall. Background—Further controlled, prospective study is needed regarding the temporal relationships between reproductive hormones at each stage of the menstrual cycle and fluctuations in migraine activity across the cycle. Methods—Twenty-three women (17 with migraine, 6 control participants) completed laboratory hormone assays and measures of menstrual distress and disability at each phase of one menstrual cycle, and monitored their headache activity daily during the same cycle. Results—The migraine group evidenced lower premenstrual luteinizing hormone and more menstrual distress symptoms at each phase of the menstrual cycle. Hormones were associated with migraine activity and disability within cycle phases, and across phases in a time-lagged manner. Menstrual distress was associated with ovulatory phase migraine activity and with migraine-related disability across the menstrual cycle. A retrospective 7-day migraine disability measure appeared to be a consistently valid index. Conclusions—Both reproductive hormones and menstrually related distress appear to predict migraine activity and disability. These associations were evident not only for perimenstrual migraine, but also for migraine at each phase of the menstrual cycle

Spousal and Alcohol-Related Predictors of Smoking Cessation: A Longitudinal Study in a Community Sample of Married Couples

We investigated the longitudinal influence of spousal and individual heavy drinking and heavy smoking on smoking cessation among married couples. Couples' (N = 634) past-year smoking, alcohol problems, and heavy drinking were assessed. We used an event history analysis and found that spousal and one's own heavy smoking and one's own heavy drinking decreased the likelihood of smoking cessation. Heavy drinking and spousal behavior should be considered when developing public health interventions and policies for smoking cessation