Interferon-gamma release assays piloted as a latent tuberculous infection screening tool in Canadian federal inmates.

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) may be useful in diagnosing latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) in inmates; however, published experience in these settings is limited. OBJECTIVE: To identify variables associated with IGRA positivity among Canadian federal inmates with positive tuberculin skin test (TST) results. DESIGN: On intake, TST-positive (≥10 mm) inmates were offered an IGRA (QuantiFERON(®)-TB Gold), and demographic and historical data were collected. IGRA-positive and -negative inmates were compared using the χ(2) test and multivariable logistic regression; the final model's goodness of fit was assessed using Hosmer-Lemeshow test and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: Of 96 TST-positive inmates, 31 (32.3%) were IGRA-positive. Variables associated with positive IGRA were age >45 years (11/20 vs. 20/75, P = 0.016) and previous LTBI treatment (9/20 vs. 13/55, P = 0.032) in univariate analysis, and being from a country with a moderate or high estimated tuberculosis (TB) incidence (OR 3.5, 95%CI 1.3-9.4, P = 0.013) and absence of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.2-9.0, P = 0.017) in multivariable analysis. The data fit the model well, classifying the group better than chance alone (AUC 0.67, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: High discordance with TST, particularly among BCG-vaccinated inmates and those from low TB incidence countries, suggest that IGRA may be useful in Canadian federal penitentiary screening programmes.

Zonal-flow dynamics and size scaling of anomalous transport.

Nonlinear equations for the slow space-time evolution of the radial drift-wave envelope and zonal flow amplitude have been self-consistently derived for a model nonuniform tokamak equilibrium within the coherent four-wave drift wave-zonal flow modulation interaction model of Chen, Lin, and White [Phys. Plasmas 7, 3129 (2000)]]. Solutions clearly demonstrate turbulence spreading due to nonlinearly enhanced dispersiveness and, consequently, the device-size dependence of the saturated wave intensities and transport coefficients.

Sexual harassment: early adolescents' self-reports of experiences and acceptance.

Considerable attention has been focused on sexual harassment experiences and attitudes of older adolescents and adults. Recently, educational and judicial institutions have recognized that harassment also occurs among junior and senior high school students. The primary aim of this project was to gather information regarding early adolescents' experiences with and acceptance of sexual harassment behaviors. Results indicate a considerable proportion of females (50%) and males (37%) have been victims of sexual harassment perpetrated by their peers, even though their acceptance of these behaviors is quite low. Suggestions for a sexual harassment educational program for early adolescents are presented.

Imaginary audience behavior in older adolescent females.

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent of imaginary audience behavior in older adolescent females to ascertain if such behavior continues beyond the years of early and middle adolescence. Subjects were 112 freshman females enrolled in a midwestern university during their first semester. Results indicated that college freshman displayed a greater degree of imaginary audience behavior than did younger adolescents when compared to scores reported by Elkind and Bowen (1979). Findings support the view that later adolescents' entry into new social environments results in greater protection of the self, a return to previous behaviors, and an increase in egocentrism as evidence in less willingness to reveal oneself to an audience.

AIDS: late adolescents' knowledge and its influence on sexual behavior.

Approximately 300 late adolescents were surveyed to assess their knowledge of AIDS, and to determine if and how their sexual behavior had changed as a result. Findings suggested that late adolescents were quite knowledgeable regarding AIDS and its transmission; however, only about one-third had altered their sexual behavior as a result of fear of the disease. Findings are discussed in terms of the need for AIDS education, and recommendations are presented.

PIP: The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge of late adolescents concerning AIDS, and to determine if and how their sexual behavior had changed as a result. Approximately 300 adolescents (undergraduate US college students) were surveyed with anonymous letters and questionnaires and the data was analyzed by descriptive and nonparametric procedures (chi-square analysis). The survey consisted of 3 sections: 1) 28 AIDS knowledge questions; 2) 10 demographic items and 3) an open-ended questionnaire concerning changes in sexual behavior as a result of a fear of AIDS. Findings suggested that the adolescents were quite knowledgeable about AIDS and its transmission; however, only about 1/3 had altered their sexual behavior as a result of fear of the disease, because as a group, adolescents do not believe that AIDS is the reason for change, the disease has subconsciously changed the way they perceive sex they are more selective in choosing their sexual partners. Perhaps they also already practiced safe-sex. Suggestions for changing behavior through education include: 1) giving explicit information via counseling and education; 2) use of developmental counseling; 3) provide information on testing for HIV; 4) making effective use of the relationship between counselor and student or client.

Defining child maltreatment: ratings of parental behaviors.

This study investigated adolescents' assessment of various forms of child abuse and neglect. Participants (N = 204) rated the seriousness of vignettes describing a variety of parental actions relative to the degree of harm each was perceived to have on a child's welfare. Adolescents' responses were compared to those of community members and professionals as reported by Giovannoni and Becerra (1979). Results indicated that adolescents were somewhat similar to community members in their ratings; however, they were more severe in their judgments of parenting behaviors on 52 of the 65 items. As a group, adolescents were very critical of the parents' actions, suggesting that they are highly idealistic regarding parental treatment of children and may maintain inappropriate expectations for those responsible for raising children.

Sibling violence and agonistic interactions among middle adolescents.

Two hundred seventy-two high school juniors and seniors were surveyed regarding their experiences as victims and perpetrators of sibling violence and agonistic interactions with their closest-spaced siblings. Findings support earlier reports that siblings engage in a variety of violent acts directed toward one another and that there are few differences between males and females as to the extent of the behaviors. Subjects reported experiences of negative physical and verbal interactions less frequently than did younger subjects in previous studies, suggesting the need to further examine age-related differences in sibling violence. Discussion focuses on the implications of the present findings and direction for future studies in this area.

Age-appropriate behaviors: a comparison of three generations of females.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in older adolescent and adult females' perceptions of age-appropriate behavior in adults. Subjects were three generations of maternally related females (95 older adolescents, 78 mothers, 83 grandmothers) who were administered a questionnaire designed to assess age-appropriate behaviors in three broad categories: recreation, occupation/career, and family. Major findings were that older adolescents were most tolerant of behaviors performed by individuals at varying ages while older women most closely ascribed to age constraints, and that the greatest agreement on appropriateness of age constraints concerned family relationships while least agreement concerned recreational activities. Results support the view that adolescents' values on family issues are consistent with those of their parents, and suggest that adherence to age norms increases throughout the life span or are the result of generational differences in socialization.

Loneliness among late adolescents.

The extent of loneliness among late adolescents was assessed by means of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Findings suggest that although moderate loneliness was reported by most participants, a number of young people evidenced a high degree of loneliness. A comparison of lonely and nonlonely adolescents yielded relatively few significant differences. Of particular interest, however, was the finding that lonely and nonlonely adolescents use different strategies to deal with feelings of loneliness. Implications for working with lonely adolescents are offered.

Dating infidelity: behaviors, reasons and consequences.

Older adolescents were surveyed concerning three issues: behaviors which constitute infidelity in a dating relationship, reasons for a dating partner to be unfaithful, and reactions to a dating partner's infidelity. Responses from 247 participants indicated more similarities than differences between dating infidelity and extramarital affairs with regard to behaviors, causes, and consequences. Results are discussed in terms of similarities between dating and marital infidelity, and the rationale for professionals to interact with adolescents concerning the potential long-term consequences of dating infidelity.

Conventional warfare and United States military involvement in Latin America: early adolescents' views.

Early adolescents' views concerning conventional war were assessed in order to better understand the thinking of today's youth, and to determine similarities and differences of the views expressed by adolescents 15 years ago. Three hundred sixty-two seventh-grade students were surveyed regarding conventional warfare in general and United States military involvement in Latin America specifically. Results suggest participants were somewhat more accepting of war in 1986, and that many were skeptical of President Reagan's honesty and wisdom on the issue of United States military involvement in Latin America.

Perceptions of conventional war: late adolescents' views.

Late adolescents' views concerning conventional war were assessed in order to better understand the thinking of today's youth and to compare their views with those of early adolescents previously reported in the literature. Three hundred ninety-nine college undergraduates from two universities were surveyed regarding conventional warfare in general and United States military involvement in Latin America specifically. Results suggest that attitudes toward war were related to sex, socioeconomic status, and political affiliation. Although two-thirds of the respondents believed wars were sometimes needed, there was little support for United States military involvement in Latin America and much skepticism of President Reagan's honesty on the issue. Overall, late adolescents' views were less positive and less extreme than were those of early adolescents.

Early, middle, and late adolescents' views on dating and factors influencing partner selection.

Two hundred ten adolescents were questioned regarding reasons they date, and the importance of various personality variables and prestige factors in selecting a dating partner. The primary focus of the investigation was to determine if there were significant differences in the views of early, middle, and late adolescents (i.e., 6th graders, 11th graders, and college students). Findings indicated that early and middle adolescents tended to perceive reasons for dating from an egocentric and immediate gratification orientation, while late adolescents placed greater emphasis on aspects of reciprocity in a relationship. Regarding factors for partner selection, early adolescents tended to weight the person's superficial features and their approval by others more heavily. Late adolescents were more concerned with potential partners' future plans. Results suggest that with maturity and increased dating experience, adolescents become more realistic and independent in their perceptions of dating and dating partners.

Profiles of mod revivalists: a case study of a reemerging adolescent group.

This exploratory study examined the characteristics and interpersonal relations of a relatively small group of adolescents who identified themselves as members of a revived "mod movement." In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 members (45%) of this peer group in order to: identify the main features of the members, determine their similarity to earlier British mods, and assess gains from group affiliation. Results suggested that adolescents who joined this unique and somewhat extreme group were more similar than dissimilar to their contemporaries in their efforts to establish an identity and be accepted as individuals. Implications for interacting with members of such adolescent groups, and suggestions for future research are presented.

Adolescents' views of intimacy: distinguishing intimate from nonintimate relationships.

Two hundred seventy-seven late adolescents were questioned regarding what they believed differentiated an intimate from a nonintimate relationship. Adolescents' responses supported Erickson's (1963) view of intimacy as being characterized by openness, sharing, and trust, with only minimal differences occurring between the sexes, and relative to current dating/relationship status. Their expressed views varied from Erickson's, however, as they included physical/sexual interaction as a critical component. An additional difference was the relatively few students who included self-abandonment and commitment as necessary elements of an intimate relationship. Explanations for these differences are presented.

Adolescents' knowledge of nuclear issues and the effects of nuclear war.

Three hundred fifty-seven college students were surveyed to assess later adolescents' awareness of the status of nuclear arms development and possible effects of a nuclear war on people and the environment. Chi-square analyses were performed to determine whether the frequency of correct responses differed with regard to participants' sex, political orientation, and position toward the United States' possession of nuclear weapons. Results suggest that later adolescents are extremely uninformed regarding the current status of nuclear issues and the consequences of a nuclear war. These data, coupled with findings from previous studies reporting children's and adolescents' concerns and fears about nuclear war, indicate that there is a strong need to educate young people concerning nuclear issues.

Child/pet maltreatment: adolescents' ratings of parent and owner behaviors.

This study investigated adolescents' ratings of various forms of child and pet maltreatment. Participants (N = 614) rated the seriousness of 20 vignettes (10 focusing on abuse; 10 focusing on neglect) on the potential harm each had to a child's or pet's welfare. Two instruments were administered. Half the adolescents completed the child maltreatment instrument first, while the rest completed the pet maltreatment instrument. Six weeks later all participants were administered the alternative instrument. Surveys were identical except that in one the victim was a three-year-old child and in the other it was a one-year-old pet dog. Results indicated adolescents were: highly critical of parental and owner acts which constitute maltreatment, more disapproving of abusive than neglectful acts, less tolerant of inappropriate actions directed toward a child than toward a pet, and more tolerant of the use of physical force toward a child if they had at some time been the person primarily responsible for the care of a pet.

Adolescents self-report of violence in families and dating relations.

The occurrence and forms of violence experienced by adolescents in families and dating relationships were investigated. Subjects were 204 juniors and seniors enrolled in a high school in central Michigan. A primary aim of the study was to examine similarities between adolescents' experiences with dating violence and those reported by college students. Findings indicate that high school students encounter a considerable amount of violence in their families. Results also reveal a remarkable similarity between their dating experiences and those of college students, suggesting that there is a pattern to "relationship violence".