Psychosocial Factors Predict Mask-Wearing: A Longitudinal Study Across 3 Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Determinants of mask-wearing during a pandemic range from the personal to the political. Using a repeated measures design, we examined psychosocial predictors of self-reported mask-wearing 3 times during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed surveys at baseline (summer 2020), 3 months (fall 2020), and 6 months (winter 2020-2021). The survey assessed the frequency of mask-wearing and psychosocial predictors from various theories, including fear of COVID-19, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, attitude, health locus of control, and self-efficacy. Results indicated that the strongest predictors of mask-wearing varied as a function of the stage in the pandemic. In the earliest phase, fear of COVID-19 and perceived severity were the strongest predictors. Three months later, attitude was the strongest predictor. Finally, another 3 months later, self-efficacy became the strongest predictor. Overall, the results suggest that the primary determinants of a novel protective behavior shift over time and with increased familiarity.

Personality antecedents of challenge and threat appraisal.

It has been suggested in personality and emotion theories that traits can influence emotional states and behaviour through interpretive processes such as cognitive appraisals. The present study investigated the relationships between Big Five personality dimensions and the cognitive appraisal processes associated with challenge and threat states in a large sample of municipal firefighters. The study assessed the Big Five traits and cognitive appraisal tendencies using a new measure of challenge-threat appraisal that measured appraisals directly and aggregated both across stressful situations and within six specific stressor domains. The results indicated that the Big Five traits related to overall challenge-threat appraisal and their accompanying primary and secondary components in unique and compelling ways, with some traits related more strongly to primary appraisals of situational demands and others related more to secondary appraisals of coping abilities. Overall, the results provide insights into how personality traits are associated with stress-related emotional experiences.

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Alcohol-Related Outcomes Among Municipal Firefighters.

This study examined levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and relationships between PTSS and alcohol-related outcomes in a near census of municipal firefighters. The study also assessed substance-use coping and drinking to cope as potential mediators of such outcomes. Firefighters (N = 740) completed measures that assessed PTSS, alcohol risk behaviors, alcohol problems, drinking motives, and coping with stress. Results showed that 32.4% of firefighters reported significant levels of PTSS using National Center for PTSD (2014) screening cutoff scores. Correlational analysis showed that PTSS was related to at-risk drinking (r = .18) and alcohol-related problems (r = .33), as well as use of maladaptive coping strategies (r = .58) and substance use coping (r = .40). Structural analyses comparing multiple alternative models suggested that a model that included substance use coping and drinking to cope as mediators of the association between PTSS and problem drinking provided the best fit to the data. Tests of multigroup invariance confirmed this model. Overall, PTSS were common in this population and they predicted maladaptive coping patterns and alcohol-related consequences. One implication of these findings is that fire departments might consider adding or enhancing screening and treatment options for PTS, alcohol misuse, or both.

Transportation Matters: A Health Impact Assessment in Rural New Mexico.

This Health Impact Assessment (HIA) informed the decision of expanding public transportation services to rural, low income communities of southern Doña Ana County, New Mexico on the U.S./Mexico border. The HIA focused on impacts of access to health care services, education, and economic development opportunities. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from surveys of community members, key informant interviews, a focus group with community health workers, and passenger surveys during an initial introduction of the transit system. Results from the survey showed that a high percentage of respondents would use the bus system to access the following: (1) 84% for health services; (2) 83% for formal and informal education opportunities; and (3) 81% for economic opportunities. Results from interviews and the focus group supported the benefits of access to services but many were concerned with the high costs of providing bus service in a rural area. We conclude that implementing the bus system would have major impacts on resident's health through improved access to: (1) health services, and fresh foods, especially for older adults; (2) education opportunities, such as community colleges, universities, and adult learning, especially for young adults; and (3) economic opportunities, especially jobs, job training, and consumer goods and services. We highlight the challenges associated with public transportation in rural areas where there are: (1) long distances to travel; (2) difficulties in scheduling to meet all needs; and (3) poor road and walking conditions for bus stops. The results are applicable to low income and fairly disconnected rural areas, where access to health, education, and economic opportunities are limited.

Depression, Self-Esteem, and Childhood Abuse Among Hispanic Men Residing in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region.

Hispanics experience health disparities in mental health and HIV infection when compared to non-Hispanic Whites, which may be related to childhood abuse. The purpose of our cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between childhood abuse and depressive symptoms in a sample of Hispanic men (N = 103) living in a metropolitan U.S.-Mexico border area. Secondarily, we examined the role of self-esteem in mediating this relationship, and the moderating role of sexual orientation. Gay/bisexual men (n = 53) were more likely to report childhood abuse than heterosexual (n = 50) counterparts (47.2% vs. 32%). Self-esteem mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and depression for men who have sex with men, but not heterosexual men. Nurses should increase knowledge of mental health disparities that impact Hispanic men to ensure that appropriate treatment can be provided to reduce the risk of co-occurring health risks to these men, including risk for HIV infection.

Psychosocial determinants of intention to use condoms among Somali and Ethiopian immigrants in the U.S.

The study examined potential psychosocial determinants of male condom use in steady heterosexual relationships among Somali and Ethiopian immigrants in Minnesota in two sequential phases: the elicitation (Phase I) and cross-sectional quantitative studies (Phase II). Information from Phase I was used to develop the instrument for Phase II. Study participants who self-identified as Somali and Ethiopian immigrants (n = 205) responded to questions on demographic characteristics, attitudes (affective and instrumental), norms (subject and descriptive), perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, and intention to use male condoms. Hierarchical regression models were used to assess the relationship between the main independent variables (attitude norms, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy, and the dependent variable, the intention to use male condoms. Overall, participants showed low intention and slightly favorable (affective and instrumental) attitudes toward condom use; had experienced weak, but positive social influence as measured by injunctive and descriptive norms. Moreover, study participants had shown slight perceived behavioral control, but had fairly moderate positive self-efficacy. The Theory of Planned Behavior was moderately effective in predicting condom use; however, the Integrated Behavioral Model, explained nearly 40% of the variations in the intention to use male condoms. Among men, self-efficacy had the strongest influence (ß = .44, p < .001) on behavioral intention. Among women, descriptive norms (ß = .22, p < .05) exerted the strongest effect (model 3). Improving self-efficacy, specifically, among older men, and fostering desirable normative influence among women, are suggested as main components of public health interventions to promote condom use among Somali and Ethiopian immigrants.

Attitude as a Mediator between Acculturation and Behavioral Intention.

OBJECTIVE: Immigrants, specifically African-born black persons, are affected by the HIV epidemic in the U.S. The low level of condom use among immigrants is a risk factor for contracting HIV and STIs. Immigrants go through acculturation process in their new adopted countries-a process reported to influence many health risks and protective factors; however, the mechanism through which acculturation influences health behaviors is not well understood. Thus, study examined the mediating role of attitude in the relationship between acculturation and the intention to use male condoms in steady heterosexual relationships among Somali and Ethiopian immigrants in Minnesota. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: The study was a regression analysis and the method of data collection cross-sectional. Participants were (n = 205) Somali and Ethiopian immigrants in Minnesota who volunteered for the study. MEASURES: Study participants responded to questions on attitudes, behavioral intention, and acculturation levels. RESULTS: The indirect effect of acculturation through the mediator, attitude, was not significant, product coefficient (a × b) = 0.04, 95% CI: [0.00, 0.11]; hence attitude did not mediate the relationship between acculturation and the intention to use condoms in the study population. However, there were significant direct and total effects of acculturation (c' = .27, p < .05; c = .31, p < .05), respectively, on intention to use condoms. CONCLUSION: Results of the study may suggest that public health intervention strategies targeting condom use among immigrants should incorporate programs that improve English language training tailored to the cultural practices and values of the immigrants, and consider the effect of acculturation on condom use.

Correlates of Condom Use Among Somali and Ethiopian Immigrants in the U.S.

The study examined correlates of consistent condom use in steady heterosexual relationships among Somali and Ethiopian immigrants in Minnesota. Study participants (n = 205) responded to questions on attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and self-reported male condom use. Participants were neither for, nor against using condoms, and the same was true for social influence and self-efficacy; however, reported moderately favorable attitude toward condom use and little difficulties in using condoms. Self-efficacy emerged as the factor with the strongest direct influence on behavioral intention to use condoms. In turn, behavioral intention was a significant predictor of self-reported condom use. Increasing male condom use self-efficacy among Somali and Ethiopian immigrants is suggested as a main component of public health intervention seeking to curb the spread of HIV and other STIs in Minnesota.

Relationship between the Romberg test and the Wii Fit basic balance test and cognition in athletes with concussion.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of individuals with a sport-related concussion present with postural instability. Multiple clinical balance tests exist to diagnose postural instability; yet little is known about the potential relationship between these type of postural assessments and cognition post-concussion. AIM: The purpose of the current study was to assess the relationship between the Romberg test, the Wii Fit basic balance test (WBBT), and the composite scores on the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test in a sample of athletes with concussions. METHODS: Fifty five post-concussed athletes (40 males) completed the Romberg test (RT) (-/+), the WBBT, and ImPACT test. WBBT performance was operationalized as the number of successfully completed trials (of 5 trials of increasing difficulty) within 30 seconds. Pearson's and point-biserial correlations examined univariate associations among the variables. RESULTS: The RT and WBBT were not significantly related (r = - 0.029, p = 0.832). The RT weakly correlated with ImPACT impairment scores (r = 0.26, p = 0.041), whereas WBBT the number of trials did not (r = - 0.20, p = 0.155). The RT scores were significantly correlated with ImPACT Visual Processing Speed Score (r = 0.27, p = 0.036) and Reaction Time score (r = 0.34, p = 0.006). In contrast, WBBT trials were significantly correlated with the ImPACT Visual Memory Score (r = - 0.41, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the WBBT and RT assess unique aspects of postural control. The RT may relate directly to single sensory cognitive and motor processing, while the WBBT may relate to multi-sensory visually driven cognitive and motor processing. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Clinical balance tests could point to different cognitive impairments post-concussion.

Stress and coping mediate relationships between contingent and global self-esteem and alcohol-related problems among college drinkers.

This study examined the hypotheses that contingent self-esteem would be positively associated with alcohol-related problems and that global self-esteem would be negatively associated with such problems. It also examined the hypothesis that high stress and maladaptive coping would mediate these relationships. A sample of college students (n = 399) who were predominantly Hispanic (89%) completed measures of global and contingent self-esteem; stress and coping; and alcohol-related problems. Correlational and latent variable analyses indicated that contingent self-esteem positively related to alcohol-related problems, with maladaptive coping mediating this relationship. In contrast, global self-esteem negatively related to such problems, a relationship that was also mediated by maladaptive coping and stress. Overall, the results highlight the potentially harmful consequences of contingent self-worth and the adaptive nature of non-contingent self-esteem. They also demonstrate the important role that coping plays in mediating self-esteem's associations with alcohol-related problems.

An evaluation of the BASICS alcohol risk reduction model among predominantly Hispanic college students.

Although Hispanic college students consume alcohol in equal proportion to other ethnic groups, studies have not examined whether established alcohol-risk-reduction approaches are effective in this population. Accordingly, this study examined effectiveness of the brief alcohol screening and intervention for college students (BASICS) risk-reduction model for reducing alcohol consumption and related problems in two samples of predominantly Hispanic college students (N = 206 and 405). The study also examined whether factors such as gender, baseline risk level, and readiness to change moderated program impact. Students first participated in an in-depth assessment of drinking patterns followed by relatively brief intervention including psychoeducation and personalized normative feedback. Behavioral outcomes were assessed six months after the intervention and included alcohol-risk scores, alcohol consumption-related problems, consumption, drinking and driving frequency, and stage of change. Supporting the effectiveness of BASICS, both samples showed significant improvement across all these outcomes. Moderator analyses suggested greater program impact among heavier drinkers and among high in change contemplation at assessment. Overall, the results strongly support use of the BASICS intervention model among Hispanic students. The study's limitations are noted.

Using the web to increase physical activity in college students.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a theoretically based and Web-delivered intervention using common course technology for increasing physical activity in a college student sample. METHODS: One hundred four students randomly participated in either a Web-based intervention involving 7 theory-based learning lessons or a control group that received minimal physical activity information. Participants reported levels of physical activity and social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs at baseline and after 6 weeks of the intervention. RESULTS: Relative to controls, intervention participants reported increased days of moderate and vigorous physical activity, but few changes in SCT constructs. CONCLUSIONS: Web-based interventions can successfully increase physical activity among college students.

Relationship of leptin, resting metabolic rate, and body composition in premenopausal hispanic and non-Hispanic White women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate the relationships between fasting serum leptin, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and body composition in premenopausal Hispanic and non-Hispanic White (White) women. METHODS: Participants were 67 Hispanic and 43 White women who arrived at the laboratory in a fasted state for measurement of RMR by indirect calorimetry, bone mineral content measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and body density measured by hydrodensitometry. Serum leptin levels were determined by EIA. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed that body mass and lean body mass were the best predictors of RMR. Leptin was not a significant predictor of RMR. CONCLUSION: Further research needs to be done to examine the role of leptin on metabolism, especially in ethnic groups predisposed to development of obesity and related disorders.

Sexual victimization in female and male college students: examining the roles of alcohol use, alcohol expectancies, and sexual sensation seeking.

Alcohol and alcohol expectancies relate to sexual victimization. The present study examined these links in a sample of 407 predominantly Hispanic male and female college students, along the Mexico-US border. The study also examined the independent contribution of sexual sensation seeking to the prediction of victimization. Results showed that victimization was associated with alcohol risk, alcohol consumption-related problems, and positive alcohol expectancies. Importantly, sexual sensation seeking independently predicted victimization and did so after controlling for alcohol risk and expectancies. Our results suggest that associations among victimization, alcohol risk, and expectancies generalize to Hispanic women and men. The study's limitations are noted.

Perception of self-selected running speed is influenced by the treadmill but not footwear.

In this study, we examined whether self-selected overground running speed was consistent (1) with perceived overground speed on the treadmill and (2) among barefoot and three footwear conditions. Participants ran across a 20-m runway 10 times for each overground condition, with running speed calculated from kinematic data. For the treadmill condition, the participants were instructed to run at a speed that felt similar to their overground speed. This treadmill speed was chosen upon perception, with the display covered from the participant's view. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to detect differences in speed between overground and treadmill running, and also among barefoot and footwear conditions. Coefficient alpha (alpha) was calculated to determine repeatability of observations in each overground condition. The speed was higher during overground (3.65 +/- 0.40 m/s) than treadmill (2.25 +/- 0.75 m/s) running but did not differ among the barefoot and the three footwear conditions. Overall, overground speed was highly repeatable within an individual (alpha = 0.96-0.98). Researchers might consider using self-selected speed when investigating overground running mechanics with different foot-ground interface conditions. The influence of treadmill on the perception of speed may be related to shear force, running duration, joint load control, and/or other psychological factors.

Risk and protective factors among high school students on the US/Mexico border.

OBJECTIVE: To study risk and protective factors for alcohol-related problems among high schools students in El Paso, Tex. METHODS: A total of 1366 high school students from 16 different high schools in El Paso, Tex, participated in an anonymous questionnaire regarding alcohol use and alcohol-related behaviors. The sample was 70% Hispanic. RESULTS: Results showed that academic performance, peer influence, parental attitudes, and age at first consumption of alcohol were important predictors of drinking among border youth. CONCLUSION: Risk factors contribute to alcohol use among high school students.

The relation of social isolation, loneliness, and social support to disease outcomes among the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined relations between social isolation, loneliness, and social support to health outcomes in a sample of New Mexico seniors. METHOD: We used random-digit dialing to obtain a random sample of 755 southern New Mexico seniors. Participants answered questions pertaining to demographics, social isolation and loneliness, social support, and disease diagnosis including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, arthritis, emphysema, tuberculosis, kidney disease, cancer, asthma, and stroke. The sample allowed for comparison of Caucasian and Hispanic participants. RESULTS: Correlational and logistic analyses indicated that belongingness support related most consistently to health outcomes. Ethnic subgroup analysis revealed similarities and differences in the pattern of associations among the predictor and outcome variables. DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate the importance of social variables for predicting disease outcomes in the elderly and across ethnic groups.

The robust nature of the biopsychosocial model challenge and threat: a reply to Wright and Kirby.

This article responds to Wright and Kirby's (this issue) critique of our biopsychosocial (BPS) analysis of challenge and threat motivation. We counter their arguments by reviewing the current state of our theory as well as supporting data, then turn to their specific criticisms. We believe that Wright and Kirby failed to accurately represent the corpus of our work, including both our theoretical model and its supporting data. They critiqued our model from a contextual, rational-economic perspective that ignores the complexity and subjectivity of person-person and person-environmental interactions as well as nonconscious influences. Finally, they provided criticisms regarding possible underspecificity of antecedent components of our model that do not so much indicate theoretical flaws as provide important and interesting questions for future research. We conclude by affirming that our BPS model of challenge and threat is an evolving, generative theory directed toward understanding the complexity of personality and social psychological factors underlying challenge and threat states.

The association of coping to physical and psychological health outcomes: a meta-analytic review.

We performed a series of meta-analyses examining the associations between coping and health-related outcomes in nonclinical adult samples. Results revealed that problem-focused coping was positively correlated with overall health outcomes, whereas confrontive coping, distancing, self-control, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, avoidance, and wishful thinking were each negatively correlated with overall health outcomes. Neither planful problem solving nor positive reappraisal was significantly associated with overall health outcomes in our analyses. However, type of health outcome (i.e., physical vs. psychological) and situational characteristics (i.e., stressor type, controllability, and duration) moderated many of the overall associations.

Patterns of emotion-specific appraisal, coping, and cardiovascular reactivity during an ongoing emotional episode.

The authors examined emotion-specific patterns of appraisal, coping, and cardiovascular reactivity during real ongoing emotional episodes. In this study, 109 participants performed a neutral opinion-expression task, where a confederate elicited anger, shame, or pride using verbal and nonverbal behavior. The authors assessed cognitive appraisals, emotional reactions, coping, outcomes (state self-esteem and outcome satisfaction), and cardiovascular reactivity. Results indicated substantial and theoretically consistent differences between the 3 emotions (and differences from a nonemotion condition) for cognitive appraisals, self-reported coping, behavioral coping, self-esteem, and cardiovascular reactivity. The results are discussed in relation to their implications for emotion theory and for psychological and physical health. Overall, the results suggest that researchers can study emotion-related issues using authentic emotional reactions.