ABSTRACT
In fall 1996, the University of Colorado at Boulder instituted a ban on beer sales at football games. To evaluate the effects of the ban, the authors collected two types of data: first, they examined the effects of the ban on game-day security incidents; second, they looked at survey data from season ticket holders and students. They administered the surveys after the first two postban seasons to assess ticket holders' attitudes about the new policy. The incident data they found indicated dramatic decreases in arrests, assaults, ejections from the stadium, and student referrals to the judicial affairs office following the ban. Survey data also indicated moderately negative attitudes about the ban among students and some season ticket holders. However, all fans were likely to renew their tickets regardless of their attitudes toward the policy. The study illustrates what can be achieved when alcohol is eliminated from a setting that frequently fosters disorderly and aggressive behaviors.
Subject(s)
Alcoholism/prevention & control , Universities/legislation & jurisprudence , Violence/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude , Colorado , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Sports , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Research has shown that the ill effects of stress can be mitigated through the use of appropriate coping strategies. In order to determine which coping strategies are most effective, it must be possible to measure coping strategies accurately. This study investigates the construct validity of 3 coping scales: The Coping Strategy Indicator (Amirkhan, 1990), the Ways of Coping-Revisited (Folkman & Lazarus, 1985), and the COPE (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, 1989). Findings from this study indicate that t he data fit the original factor structures reasonably well. In addition, adequate convergent and discriminant validity was found for the revelant scales from each of the 3 coping measures. Finally, these coping measures were correlated with a variety of external criteria, including hassles and uplifts, physical symptoms, satisfaction with life, positive affectively and negative affectivity. Each of these outcome measures was related to at least some of the coping strategies.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Life Change Events , Personality Assessment , Affect , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Male , Personality Inventory , Psychometrics , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A heterogeneous and representative sample of 323 homeless individuals in the metropolitan-Denver area with alcohol or other substance abuse problems received a comprehensive array of substance-abuse treatment services. Following treatment, these individuals showed dramatic improvement on average in their (a) levels of alcohol and drug use, (b) housing status, (c) physical and mental health, (d) employment, and (e) quality of life. Those who received more service improved more than those who received less service. These improvements are attributable, at least partly, to the treatment rather than to alternative hypotheses such as spontaneous remission. However, the rate of improvement generally slowed during the six-month follow-up period. A random half of the clients received intensive case management in addition to the other services. Case management marginally increased clients' contacts with addictions counselors, but had little effect on the level of other services received or on the tailoring of services to client needs. As a result, case management also had little, if any, effect on outcomes.
