Pornography Addiction and Mental Health Disorders

This study aims to understand the differences between mental health disorders in a sample of pornography users, addicts, and non-users. Participants in the study included males and females who visited a paraprofessional counseling center on a college campus (n=1048). Between non-users and users of pornography, one-way analysis of variance planned comparison results indicated that participants significantly differed in scores of Depression, Anxiety, and Global Severity Index as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI 18). Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious behaviors as measured by the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory; and Grandiosity/Narcissism as measured by the Spiritual Assessment Inventory. Independent sample t-test scores indicated that self-reported pornography addicts and non-addicted pornography users only differed in scores of Somatization as measured by the BSI 18

Cinematic Transmedia: A Physiological Look at Engagement with Marvel\u27s Cinematic Universe as Measured by Brainwaves and Electrodermal Activity

This study looks at engagement levels within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) at physiological and neurological levels, and with self-reported measures. One show or movie in each of three categories of Marvel media (a movie, television show, and streaming show) were shown to participants who then had their brainwaves and galvanic skin response recorded to determine whether or not they were engaged with the transmedia aspects of the MCU. Results showed that participants were consistently engaged with the transmedia throughout all three media types, with brainwaves varying only slightly between each content. The Marvel movie, “The Avengers” was most engaging to participants who had their brainwaves and galvanic skin response rates recorded, while participants in a control group consisting of only a survey agreed with the finding that movies in the MCU were the most enjoyable and were able to keep their interest the longest. There were significant findings between ratings of television shows and engagement with each of the three media types for participants in the control group

Cultivating Transmedia Storytelling: Real World Perceptions Derived From Popular Media

With continued interest in media convergence, transmedia storytelling is as prevalent to communication studies as ever. However, research into the effects of transmedia storytelling remains scarce. Looking at the difference between heavy and light viewers, cultivation theory purports that those who more frequently view violent programming on television are more likely to think the world is a violent place. As of writing, such effects have not yet been extended to transmedia storytelling. This dissertation fills in those gaps in research by examining the cultivation effects of transmedia storytelling usage on participants. First, the main themes or messages of content within the Harry Potter Universe (HPU) and Doctor Who Universe (DWU) were measured. Once the primary variables were identified, a questionnaire was developed addressing six of them. Participants were asked questions relating to media usage, transmedia storytelling usage (particular to the DWU and HPU) and cultivation variables consisting of Machiavellianism, Social Responsibility, Bullying, Ethnocentrism, Classism, and Heroic Violence. Independent sample t-tests were calculated to assess whether or not there was a significant difference between heavy and light transmedia storytelling users as well as between heavy and light media users for cultivation variable measures. A regression analysis with bootstrapping was calculated to measure the mediating effects of Familiarity and Identification with the DWU/HPU on these groups. Results indicate that transmedia storytelling usage has a significant impact on how people view the real world. Specifics are discussed within

An analysis of the HIV testing cascade of a group of HIV-exposed infants from birth to 18 months in peri-urban Khayelitsha, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Despite the reduction of HIV mother-to-child transmission, there are concerns regarding transmission rate in the breastfeeding period. We describe the routine uptake of 6 or 10 (6/10) weeks, 9 months and 18 months testing, with and without tracing, in a cohort of infants who received HIV PCR testing at birth (birth PCR) (with and without point of care (POC) testing) in a peri-urban primary health care setting in Khayelitsha, South Africa. METHODS: In this cohort study conducted between November 2014 and February 2018, HIV-positive mothers and their HIV-exposed babies were recruited at birth and all babies were tested with birth PCR. Results of routine 6/10 weeks PCR, 9 months and 18 months testing were followed up by a patient tracer. We compared testing at 6/10 weeks with a subgroup from historical cohort who was not tested with birth PCR. RESULTS: We found that the uptake of 6/10 weeks testing was 77%, compared to 82% with tracing. When including all infants in the cascade and comparing to a historical cohort without birth testing, we found that infants who tested a birth were 22% more likely to have a 6/10 weeks test compared to those not tested at birth. There was no significant difference between the uptake of 6/10 weeks testing after birth PCR POC versus birth PCR testing without POC. Uptake of 9 months and 18 months testing was 39% and 24% respectively. With intense tracing efforts, uptake increased to 45% and 34% respectively. CONCLUSION: Uptake of HIV testing for HIV-exposed uninfected infants in the first 18 months of life shows good completion of the 6/10 weeks PCR but suboptimal uptake of HIV testing at 9 months and 18 months, despite tracing efforts. Birth PCR testing did not negatively affect uptake of the 6/10 weeks HIV test compared to no birth PCR testing

The Dark Side of Teaching: Real World Faculty Safety in the Digitally Evolved Classroom

Even in a digital revolution, the real-world classroom is still the heart of higher education. Yet tragic headlines raise the question, how safe are faculty in today’s environment? This panel will present findings on: the link between student–faculty interpersonal communication, administration technological communication, and faculty safety; the relationship between institution size and faculty safety; FERPA and the legal environment for faculty safety; and special precautions for women faculty