Effects of monetary contingencies on smoking relapse: influences of trait depression, personality, and habitual nicotine intake.

Of 56 male smokers, 34 were randomly assigned (by 60% random odds) to quit smoking immediately, whereas the remaining 22 were assigned to quit after an additional 31 days. Compensation ($300) was contingent on abstinence for a minimum of 31 or 2 days (depending on random assignment) and completion of all experimental sessions. Contingencies for the immediate-quit group required 31 days of abstinence; those for the delayed-quit group required only 2 days of abstinence. Contingency duration (31 vs. 2 days) predicted days to relapse. All but 4 of the 31-day contingency participants maintained abstinence for at least 31 days, whereas only 3 of the 2-day contingency group abstained for 31+ days. However, 31-day contingencies did not result in longer postcontingency time to relapse. Higher trait neuroticism, depression, and psychopathic deviate scores predicted decreased time to relapse. Prequit cotinine concentrations and Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire scores failed to predict time to relapse.

The relationship between sexual insecurity, the alcohol expectation for enhanced sexual experience, and consumption patterns.

Alcohol expectancies have been shown to correlate with and predict a range of drinking behaviors. This investigation expanded on previous research by examining the differential reinforcement value of alcohol as a means of achieving enhanced sexual pleasure. Results from 303 participants showed that the expectation of enhanced sexual experience was a significant predictor of typical quantity, maximum quantity, and frequency of drinking by sexually secure men. For insecure men and women (both insecure and secure), the expectation that alcohol enhances sexuality was not a significant predictor of drinking patterns. Gender differences are highlighted and the clinical implications for intervention are presented.

Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy in a patient with prune belly syndrome and segmental atretic vas deferens.

Vasal atresia is thought to be a contraindication to the successful performance of the Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy. A patient with the prune belly syndrome and a high intra-abdominal testis with segmental vasal atresia was managed by incision and ligation of the internal spermatic vessels followed by orchiopexy without testicular atrophy.

Rural mental health appointment adherence: implications for therapy.

Appointment adherence is a significant concern for community mental health centers. In this investigation adherence, cancellations and non-adherence in a rural county was assessed. Overall, 69.3% of the scheduled appointments were kept, 13.7% canceled, and 17% failed. There were no significant differences found between individuals and couples, females and males, or initial and ongoing contracts. Results are encouraging since they are similar to rates reported for other settings and populations. The present findings highlight the importance of the client-therapist relationship and suggest the need for brief therapy in rural communities.

The relationship between assertiveness, alcohol-related expectations for social assertion and drinking patterns among college students.

Alcohol-related expectancies have been shown to correlate with and predict a wide range of drinking behaviors. Rotter's social learning theory asserts that behavioral prediction can be improved through the use of reinforcement value in addition to expectancies. The present investigation evaluated this assertion in comparing the ability of alcohol-related expectancies to predict alcohol consumption for low and high assertive college students. It was hypothesized that the expectation that alcohol would facilitate social assertion would be predictive of self-reported heavy drinking by low, but not highly assertive students. Results showed that the typical quantity, maximum quantity, and frequency of drinking by low assertive females were predicted only by the expectation of Social Assertion. For low assertive males, Social Assertion was predictive of frequency of drinking. Moreover, of the students, male and female, high in assertiveness, drinking patterns were not predicted by the expectation of enhanced Social Assertion.

Correlates of alcohol consumption: sex, age, and expectancies relate differentially to quantity and frequency.

Expectations of the effects of alcohol have been related to drinking behaviors for both problem and nonproblem drinkers. The present investigation expanded on previous research by considering age, sex, and alcohol expectancies as differential predictors of frequency and quantity of drinking. Subjects, 157 males and 168 females, completed alcohol expectancy, drinking habits, and demographic questionnaires. Results showed significant sex differences in predictors of drinking frequency. Males who reported most frequent drinking tended to have stronger expectations of increased Social and Physical Pleasure, Global Positive Changes, and Sexual Enhancement. On the other hand, frequent consumption among females was best predicted by stronger expectations that alcohol would reduce tension. The amount consumed per drinking occasion was predicted by the same two expectancy factors for males and females: Social and Physical Pleasure and Social Assertion. Age was an important contributing predictor of quantity and frequency for females only. Results indicated the importance of investigating the mediating role of expectancies (a) within sex and (b) with respect to frequency versus quantity of drinking behavior.

Personality characteristics of long and short sleepers.

College students categorized as either long sleepers (mean = 9.25 hours per day) or short sleepers (mean = 6.2 hours per day) were administered a variety of personality tests. With a multiple regression analysis the patterns on the MMPI of higher MA and F with a lowered PD and CI (number of critical items) most significantly differentiated the short from the long sleepers. Also of relevance was the finding that long sleepers were more likely to score in the pathological direction on most of the MMPI clinical scales.