Children's illness cognition: what mothers think.

This study examined the relationships between children's conceptions of illness etiology, treatment, and prevention and parents' estimates of their children's conceptions. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 194 children and their mothers or guardians. Responses were coded for conceptual complexity and developmental sophistication. Relative levels of illness etiology, treatment, and prevention understanding as well as agreement between mothers and their children were calculated. Three quarters of mothers were on target with their children's responses in the etiology and treatment domains while approximately 10% underestimated and 15% overestimated. Within the prevention domain, 50% of mothers were on target with the remainder split evenly between underestimation and overestimation. Mothers who underestimated their children's understanding believed them to be much less sophisticated than how on target mothers viewed their children and overestimating mothers believed their children to be more sophisticated than on target mothers (Fs > 13.25; p < 0.001).

Developing conceptions of chronic disease: a comparison of disease experience.

We predicted that children's conceptions of various self-care behaviors and social relations would be related to their degree of experience with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). A total of 55 children were recruited for this study in three experience groups: children with IDDM (high experience), children having a sibling with IDDM (low experience), and normal healthy children (no experience). In line with our model, children with IDDM had a more developed and sophisticated understanding of concepts associated with disease management than did either siblings of children with diabetes or the comparison group; surprisingly, experience with the disease (children with IDDM) was associated with more complex conceptions of social relations as well.

Cholesterol-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in a low-income, urban patient population.

To determine knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and self-reported cholesterol measurement in a low-income, urban patient population, we conducted an interview survey of users and potential users of primary care services in a public health care system for low-income Harris County, Texas, residents. The response rate was 93%, with a final sample of 547 randomly selected subjects 18 years of age and older, who were Hispanic (54%), black (28%), non-Hispanic white (14%), and Asian, Native American, or other (4%). Results indicated that 76% had heard of serum or blood cholesterol, and 30% reported past cholesterol measurement. Knowledge that dietary saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol ranged from 11% in Hispanic men to 51% in non-Hispanic white men and women. A lower percentage of Hispanics correctly answered all knowledge questions, and Hispanics reported higher-fat food choices than blacks and non-Hispanic whites. More than 90% of the respondents expressed interest in more information on diet, 60% reported that they read nutrition labels, and 15% said they have been trying to reduce blood cholesterol levels. A lower percentage of Hispanics reported previous cholesterol measurement than blacks or non-Hispanic whites, a difference that persisted after adjusting for multiple factors associated with cholesterol measurement. Older age (older than 50) and more physician visits in the past year also were associated with past cholesterol measurement. Comparisons with national surveys show that cholesterol knowledge and actual measurement in this low-income sample lag behind those of the national population. Yet, despite gaps in knowledge and cholesterol measurement, respondents showed positive attitudes about and interest in cholesterol-lowering interventions.

Adolescent risk-taking: an analysis of problem behaviors in problem children.

In this study adolescent risk-taking is explored from several theoretical positions: Jessor's problem-behavior perspective, risk-taking as normal and adaptive, adolescent egocentrism, and a decision-making perspective. Adolescents (ages 11-17) referred to mental health clinics (N = 80) completed a risk involvement and perception questionnaire, the Jesness Personality Inventory, and a measure of adolescent egocentrism. For purposes of concurrent validity, a diagnosis was completed by the subject's clinic therapist. As predicted, both Benefit and Risk Perception were significantly correlated with Involvement (in opposite directions), supportive of a decision-making perspective. A configuration of social maladjustment personality correlates in conjunction with a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder showed a strong, positive correlation with Involvement, supporting a problem-behavior perspective. Egocentrism measures were not significantly related to Risk Involvement or Risk and Benefit Perceptions. Adolescent risk-taking is argued to be a multidimensional phenomenon involving personality correlates and cognitive aspects of decision-making.

Family versus individually oriented intervention for weight loss in Mexican American women.

Mexican Americans are more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites, yet little research has been conducted on the treatment of obesity in Mexican Americans. The purpose of this study was to compare a family-based intervention with a traditional program oriented to the individual for achieving weight loss by obese Mexican American women. A total of 168 obese women were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 served as a comparison group and received only printed materials on nutrition, exercise, and behavioral principles for weight loss. Subjects in the individual group (group 2) received the same printed information, but they also attended classes led by bilingual registered dietitians. Subjects in the family group (group 3) received materials and attended classes that emphasized a family-oriented approach to making changes in eating habits and exercise behavior. Spouses and children attended classes with subjects in this group. Results revealed a significant linear trend in both body mass index and weight reduction across the groups, with losses greatest in the family group, followed by the individual group, and least in the comparison group. Both the individual and the family groups lost significantly more weight than the comparison group, although the difference between these two groups was not statistically significant. The results suggest that a culturally and linguistically appropriate program can achieve significant weight reduction among Mexican Americans. More research should be conducted on the effects of family and other types of social support on weight loss by Mexican Americans.