The impact of SafeCare® Dads to Kids program on father maltreatment risk and involvement: Outcomes and lessons learned from an efficacy trial.

Child Maltreatment (CM) is a public health problem, and experts recommend parent training programs as a prevention method. Few programs target fathers, even though male caregivers are involved as perpetrators in approximately 45% of substantiated CM cases. This study examines the efficacy of an adapted version of SafeCare (Dad2K) with marginalized fathers. Participants include a convenience sample of fathers with children ages 2-5 years. Fathers (n=99) were randomized to an 1) intervention group (SafeCare Dad2K) or to a 2) comparison group (receiving parenting information in the mail). Quantitative data were collected at baseline, post-intervention (7-weeks post-baseline), and 3-months post-intervention. Qualitative data (semi-structured interviews) were collected from 11 intervention father completers following the second quantitative data collection timepoint. Multi-level modeling results indicated no statistically significant time-by-treatment findings for father involvement (b=0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.03, 0.08, p=0.38), total corporal punishment (b=-0.03, 95% CI: -0.47, 0.41, p=0.89), or neglect (b=-0.13, 95% CI: -1.93, 1.68, p=0.89). Qualitative findings indicated that Dad2K completers exhibited positive knowledge and behavioral change related to parenting. Study limitations, lessons learned from this formative work, and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Factors associated with small cigar use among college students.

OBJECTIVE: To assess small cigar use among college students in the southeastern United States. METHODS: Data from a 2010 online survey were analyzed to examine small cigar smoking and its sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates among 4388 college students, aged 18-30. RESULTS: Small cigar users were more likely to be younger, male, black, and current cigarette, cigar, hookah, or marijuana smokers (p's < .05). They reported lower perceived harm of smoking and greater sensation seeking and perceived stress. Menthol cigarette smokers were more likely to smoke small cigars. CONCLUSIONS: Small cigar use and the co-occurrence of other tobacco and substance use should be addressed among college students.

Correlates of continued smoking versus cessation among survivors of smoking-related cancers.

OBJECTIVE: We examined correlates of continued smoking versus cessation among a sample of survivors of smoking-related cancers who were actively smoking at the time of cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Participants with a history of smoking and a smoking-related cancer diagnosis (lung, oral, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, bladder, stomach, cervix, kidney, pancreas, acute myeloid leukemia) within the past 4 years were identified in the electronic medical record. We recruited 613 individuals to complete a mail-based survey and received 139 completed surveys (22.7% response rate). We focused on 105 participants who smoked at the time of diagnosis and dichotomized them to having either quit since diagnosis (48.6%; n = 51) or continued smoking (51.4%; n = 54). We assessed sociodemographics, type of cancer and treatment(s), and psychosocial factors (depressive symptoms, social support, hope, quality of life). We then conducted structured interviews with a subset of 21 survey respondents. RESULTS: Binary logistic regression indicated that, controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, and income, factors associated with continued smoking versus cessation included being diagnosed with other smoking-related cancers versus lung or head and neck cancer (OR = 11.21, CI 2.85, 44.02) and having significant depressive symptoms (OR = 1.25, CI 1.08, 1.45). Qualitative findings highlighted motivators for cessation (impact of being diagnosed with cancer, doctor advice to quit, social influences) and barriers to cessation (hopelessness, stress, addiction). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need to address depressive symptoms among cancer survivors, particularly those continuing to smoke and the importance of exploring messages cancer survivors are given regarding the need for cessation post cancer diagnosis.

Psychosocial Factors and Health-Risk Behaviors Associated with Hookah use among College Students.

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of hookah or waterpipe smoking is increasing in the United States, particularly among college-aged students. Little research has examined the relationship between hookah smoking, other risk-seeking behaviors, and specific personality factors. The current study aims to address this gap in the literature. METHODS: A random sample of 10,000 students at two southeastern state universities were recruited to complete an online survey containing 230 questions assessing sociodemographics, other substance use, and psychosocial factors. Of students invited to participate, 2,206 (22.1%) returned a completed survey. RESULTS: Past 30-day hookah use was found among 6.8% (n=141) of the sample. Binary logistic regression indicated that, after controlling for age, ethnicity, and highest parental education, hookah use was associated with being male (p<.001), being a nondaily or daily smoker versus a nonsmoker (p<.001), more frequent alcohol consumption (p<.001), greater sensation seeking (p<.001), lower levels of conscientiousness (p<.001), and greater openness to experiences (p=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the psychological and personality profiles of hookah users may allow public health practitioners and health care providers to identify high-risk individuals and design targeted interventions addressing users and those at risk for use.