Bilesha Perera

Childhood Characteristics and Personal Dispositions to Sexually Compulsive Behavior Among Young Adults

This study explored possible associations between two personal tendencies “sexual compulsivity” and “sexual sensation seeking,” and self-esteem, family environmental conditions and sexual abuse experiences during childhood in a sample of 539 young adults in a mid-western university. A cross-sectional survey design was employed and data were collected using self-report, anonymous questionnaires. Men scored higher on the measures of sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking than women. Mean scores on the measure of sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking in this young adult college sample were lower when compared with high risk groups such as men living with HIV. Sex abuse experiences and poor family environment during childhood were associated with sexual sensation seeking and sexual compulsive tendencies. Neither sexual compulsivity nor sexual sensation seeking was associated with childhood self-esteem. Further, the results of this study suggest that sexual compulsive behavior compared to sexual sensation seeking, has much stronger connection with childhood etiological factors investigated in this study. Thus, as suggested by other sex researchers, those who are challenged by compulsive behaviors may need long-term treatment, but sensation seekers could possibly be effectively treated with short-term behavioral interventions. Causal relationships between childhood etiological factors and out-of-control behaviors, and subsequent risky sexual behaviors, as well as their implications for health promotion programs targeted at young adults, need to be investigated using longitudinal and qualitative research methods.

A theory‐based approach to understanding sexual behavior at Mardi Gras

Using the Triandis Model of Interpersonal Behavior (TIB), we considered the unique context of Mardi Gras, the annual festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, and how it might influence sexual behavior. This study utilized a two‐stage, qualitative and quantitative methodological framework. Focus groups of past Mardi Gras participants were held to gather data to inform the development of the study instruments, and data were subsequently collected from 300 Mardi Gras participants in February 2004 using a pencil‐and‐paper questionnaire. For women, the TIB model did not significantly predict intentions to engage in sexual behavior at Mardi Gras. Cognitive beliefs and subjective social norms predicted intentions to engage in oral and vaginal sex among male participants. For men and women, peer sexual activity, intentions, and previous sexual experience predicted engaging in sexual behaviors at Mardi Gras. Situational conditions related to Mardi Gras culture predicted anal sex behavior. The TIB, as a guiding framework for the study, makes apparent the importance of cultural context when developing interventions related to sexuality that are to be implemented in a specific setting like Mardi Gras.

Alcohol use, related problems and psychological health in college students

Abstract This study examined the prevalence of alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, psychological distress, anxiety and depression mood and the relationship between these variables in a sample of 534 college students in the USA. In college men, 91% were current alcohol users (those who use alcohol at least once a month) and in college women 80% were current alcohol users (p<0.01). Current users were further divided into two groups, moderate and heavy, considering the amount and frequency of alcohol use. Beer was more popular among moderate users than heavy users in both sexes. Over 90% of both moderate and heavy users in both men and women had used hard liquor in the 30-day period preceding the survey. College men had more alcohol-related problems than did college women. Blackouts, getting into fights and not being able to meet school responsibilities were the common alcohol-related adverse outcomes reported by the participants. No associations were found between alcohol use and distress and between alcohol use and depressive mood. Mean values of the anxiety scores, however, were higher in moderate users in the male sample compared to that of the female sample. The findings have implications for theories of alcohol-related psychological health in college students.

Sexual behavior of young adults in Sri Lanka: Implications for HIV prevention

While many Asian countries have been challenged by an increasingly high incidence of HIV infection, Sri Lanka has not been among those most impacted to date. However, little is known about sexual behaviors in this country, particularly those of young adults and, as the population of youth grows and becomes more sexually active, there could be implications for the incidence of HIV in this country. Using a two-staged clustered sampling method to achieve a geographically representative sample of young adults in Sri Lanka, data related to sexual behaviors were collected from 3,134 individuals aged 18-20 years. Over half of the males and approximately one-third of the females reported that they were sexually active at the time of the study, with penetrative sexual experiences reported by 20.1% of males and 3.1% of females. Only 26.5% of males and less than 10% of females reported having ever used a condom when participating in vaginal, anal or oral intercourse. The findings of this study suggest that unique partnerships between both governmental and non-governmental entities, both within and outside Sri Lanka and particularly those that involve young adults, may help to maintain this countrys low HIV incidence.

Caregiving expectations and challenges among elders and their adult children in Southern Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT The elderly population in Sri Lanka is growing rapidly. Elders are traditionally cared for in the homes of their adult children, but the shifting socio-economic environment in Sri Lanka challenges this arrangement. This paper describes the dynamics of elder–care-giver relationships in Southern Sri Lanka. Data included four focus group discussions and five in-depth interviews with elderly, and ten in-depth interviews with adult children of the elderly. Discussion guide topics included care-giving arrangements, and roles/responsibilities of elders and care-givers. Using a grounded theory approach, a comprehensive analytic memo was developed and discussed to explore emerging themes on the care-giver dynamic. Both elders and care-givers felt that elders should be taken care of in the home by their children. They pointed to a sense of duty and role modelling of parental care-giving that is passed down through generations. Even as elders desired support from their children, they feared losing their independence, and saw financial autonomy as important for maintaining relationship balance. Care-giving challenges included: households where both the adult child and his/her spouse worked outside the home; households where elders had a disproportionate amount of household work; economically stressed households; and lack of direct communication between elders and care-givers regarding conflicts. Results point to strong values around caring for elderly in the home, but identify challenges to this arrangement in the future.

Motivations for Alcohol Use among Men Aged 16-30 Years in Sri Lanka

Psychometric properties of a new scale that measures motivations towards alcohol use were examined using a sample of 412 male alcohol users in Sri Lanka aged 16–30 years. In addition, associations between drinking motives and drinking frequency were explored. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a 3-factor model consisting of the factors personal enjoyment, tension reduction, and social pressure fit the data well. Overall, tension-reduction motivation was found to be prominent in the context of young males’ drinking behavior in Sri Lanka. Associations between stress and alcohol use among young males warrant further investigations.

Contribution of Generative Leisure Activities to Cognitive Function in Elderly Sri Lankan Adults

To examine the unique contribution of generative leisure activities, defined as activities motivated by a concern for others and a need to contribute something to the next generation.

Neighborhood environment and self-rated health among adults in Southern Sri Lanka.

The prevalence of different neighborhood environmental stressors and associations between the stressors and self-rated health are described in a representative sample of 2,077 individuals, aged 18–85 years, in southern Sri Lanka. Mosquito menace (69.4%), stray dog problems (26.8%), nuisance from neighbors (20.3%), and nuisance from drug users (18.7%) were found to be the most prevalent environmental stressors. None of the stressors investigated were associated with self-rated physical health, but nuisance from neighbors, nuisance from drug users, shortage of water and having poor water/sewage drainage system were associated with self-rated mental health among the respondents.

Impact of a Traditional Dietary Supplement with Coconut Milk and Soya Milk on the Lipid Profile in Normal Free Living Subjects

Background. The effects of coconut fat and soya fat on serum lipids are controversial. This study was designed to investigate the lipid effects of coconut milk and soya milk supplementation on the lipid profile of free living healthy subjects. Methods. Sixty (60) healthy volunteers aged 18–57 years were given coconut milk porridge (CMP) for 5 days of the week for 8 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period, subsequent to which they received isoenergetic soya milk porridge (SMP) for 8 weeks. Results. The LDL (low density lipoprotein) levels decreased with CMP and reached statistical significance in the total study population and in the >130 baseline LDL group. The HDL (high density lipoprotein) levels rose significantly with CMP supplementation (P = 0.000). Conclusions. We conclude that coconut fat in the form of CM does not cause a detrimental effect on the lipid profile in the general population and in fact is beneficial due to the decrease in LDL and rise in HDL. SMP will be of benefit only in those whose baseline LDL levels are elevated.

Correlates of HandGrip Strength and Activities of Daily Living in Elderly Sri Lankans

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