The Festive State: Race, Ethnicity, and Nationalism as Cultural Performance

Book review of The Festive State: Race, Ethnicity, and Nationalism as Cultural Performance. David M. Guss. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000. ix + 240 pp., illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $18.95 (paper),$48.00 (cloth).ISBN 0-620-22331-4, 0-520-20289-9

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection among Women

It has been noted that women often place their own health care on the bottom of their priority lists. Many times, they ignore simple pain and dismiss symptoms that may be troubling to health care providers. Health care providers especially to young women may dismiss complaints of chest pain as heartburn or anxiety. Changes seen in pregnancy and with menses can mimic some of these same complaints. As both an female professional in health care and as a patient it is very easy to get busy with the day and not recognize simple signs and symptoms that may lead to serious health conditions. It is for this reason the topic of spontaneous coronary artery dissection in women. Reminding the provider to take the time to listen to the patient as well as themselves and to follow through as it may be life saving

Kalinago Ethnicity and Ancestral Knowledge

The Kalinago of Dominica have engaged in various efforts at cultural renewal in the past three decades. In this paper I examine one particular activity, recreated traditional dancing, and analyze how performers combine current and past cultural practices from their own community together with knowledge garnered from other indigenous groups to reinvent dance performances. Such performances represent a recent manifestation of successful cultural renewal in which community members use known resources to re-imagine and recreate meaningful tradition(s). Analysis of recreated traditional dance performances provides insight regarding how some members of the Kalinago community think about and utilize the ancestral knowledge base that forms the wellspring of their identity and reveals the regional and global exchanges that contribute to and enrich processes of cultural renewal. Performers interpret this type of cultural borrowing as a positive strategic maneuver because situating the community in a regional indigenous context bolsters claims to a strong, vibrant Kalinago identity. In this context, both the act of borrowing and the final product are expressions of indigeneity

Investigating the Role of Emotion Perception in the Adaptive Functioning of Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Cognitive functioning has historically been used to predict adaptive outcomes of individuals with autism spectrum disorders; however, research shows that it does not adequately predict these outcomes. Therefore, the current study explored the role of emotion perception in the adaptive functioning of individuals with ASDs. Emotion perception was assessed using the DANVA-2, which has audio and static face stimuli, and the DAVE, dynamic, audio-visual emotion movies. Adaptive functioning was assessed using the Vineland-II Socialization, Communication, and Daily Living domains. Results indicated that individuals with ASDs demonstrated significant impairments in both adaptive functioning and emotion perception compared to typical individuals. Findings did not demonstrate a relationship between emotion perception and adaptive functioning, controlling for IQ. Future research should broaden the approach when investigating possible mechanisms of change for adaptive outcomes to include exploration of social perception more broadly, of which emotion perception is one component, and its relationship with adaptive outcomes

The Impact of Friendship Closeness and Hegemonic Masculinity on Group Perpetrated Antigay Aggression

The purpose of this study was to empirically evaluate hypothesized risk factors for the perpetration of antigay aggression. Specifically, the independent and interactive effects of endorsement of hegemonic male role norms and peer group relational factors (i.e., closeness) were examined as individual and situational risk factors for antigay aggression, within the framework of the General Aggression Model (GAM). Dyads of friends were recruited for participation in the study. Participants completed questionnaires that included measures of hegemonic masculinity and friendship closeness. The dyads of friends then viewed a video depicting male-male intimacy and competed in the TAP together against a fictitious gay opponent. Results showed that endorsement of the toughness norm was associated with both higher average shock intensity and proportion of highest shock selected. However, neither measure of relationship closeness served as a significant moderator of this relation

Predictors of Caregiver Confidence in Caring for Their Hospitalized Child Following Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury

There is a robust body of research regarding outcomes following pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). However, these studies generally explore medium-term outcomes (i.e., 3 to 12-months postinjury), whereas functioning during acute stages following ABI is poorly understood. In particular, there is limited knowledge regarding caregiver functioning during a child’s hospitalization immediately after ABI. This study sought to identify and model caregiver and child predictors of ‘caregiver confidence’ in caring for their hospitalized child. Caregivers of 45 children with diverse types of new-onset acquired brain injuries completed self-report measures of their own psychological functioning, stress, and confidence levels, as well as their perceptions of their child’s stress and coping. Results showed that caregiver psychological functioning was negatively associated with caregiver confidence, and caregiver perceptions of child coping were positively associated with caregiver confidence. Child functional status did not serve as a significant mediator in this relationship as per the hypothesized model

Consuming Culture: Extralocal Exchanges and Kalinago Identity on Dominica

Tourism is a significant global force affecting indigenous residents of numerous destination locales worldwide. This paper considers the effects of tourism on Kalinago ethnicity in the Commonwealth of Dominica. In this particular case, tourist consumption of indigenous handicrafts reinforces Kalinago claims to a distinct ethnic identity. Extralocal exchanges that occur as a result of tourism strengthen identity in part by heightening awareness of the ethnic boundary that differentiates the community from outsiders and by stimulating participation in traditional handicraft production. In addition to tourism, other types ofinteractions with outsiders, such as land boundary disputes and cultural borrowing from other indigenous communities, also act as catalysts to strengthen ethnic attachments. I all three types of situations extralocal interactions provide an arena in which the Kalinago display, negotiate, and defend their identity. El turismo es una fuerza global que afecta a los indígenas residentes de varios destinos turísticos a nivel mundial. Este ensayo discurre sobre los efectos del turismo en la etnia Kalinago de la Mancomunidad de Dominica. En este caso específico, el consumo de artefactos indígenas por parte de los turistas refuerza el derecho de los Kalinagos a una identidad étnica distintiva. Los intercambios turísticos extra locales refuerzan en parte la identidad, destacando la conciencia de los límites étnicos que diferenican a la comunidad de los forasteros y estimulando la participación en la producción tradicional de trabajos artesanales. Además del turismo, hay otros tipos de interacción con foráneos, tales como disputas de límites territoriales y préstamos culturales de otras comunidades indígenas, que también actúan como catalizadores para fortalecer los accesorios étnicos. En las tres situaciones, las interacciones extra locales proporcionan un escenario en el cual los Kalinagos representan, negocian, y defienden su identidad

Determinants of Group Perpetrated Violence Based on Sexual Orientation

The purpose of this study was to examine group perpetrated antigay violence. Specifically, the effects of MGRS, peer dynamics, and increases in negative affect on antigay aggression were examined. The differential utility of aggression toward gay and heterosexual targets in relieving a state of negative affect (e.g., anger, fear) was also evaluated. Participants completed questionnaires that included a measure of MGRS, and then were assigned to one of three group conditions(individual, stranger, and friend). Participants then viewed a video depicting male-male intimacy and competed in the TAP against either a fictitious gay or heterosexual opponent. Results showed a main effect for condition, such that higher levels of aggression were observed in the group, relative to the individual, conditions. Analyses also revealed a significant positive relation between MGRS and aggression among participants competing with a stranger against a heterosexual opponent. Neither condition nor opponent differentially predicted changes in negative affect