David W. Coombs

Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population

Mental health problems are endemic across the globe, and suicide, a strong corollary of poor mental health, is a leading cause of death. Classic psychedelic use may occasion lasting improvements in mental health, but the effects of classic psychedelic use on suicidality are unknown. We evaluated the relationships of classic psychedelic use with psychological distress and suicidality among over 190,000 USA adult respondents pooled from the last five available years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008–2012) while controlling for a range of covariates. Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a significantly reduced odds of past month psychological distress (weighted odds ratio (OR)=0.81 (0.72–0.91)), past year suicidal thinking (weighted OR=0.86 (0.78–0.94)), past year suicidal planning (weighted OR=0.71 (0.54–0.94)), and past year suicide attempt (weighted OR=0.64 (0.46–0.89)), whereas lifetime illicit use of other drugs was largely associated with an increased likelihood of these outcomes. These findings indicate that classic psychedelics may hold promise in the prevention of suicide, supporting the view that classic psychedelics’ most highly restricted legal status should be reconsidered to facilitate scientific study, and suggesting that more extensive clinical research with classic psychedelics is warranted.

Ready to die: a postmodern interpretation of the increase of African American adolescent male suicide

African-Americans have typically registered lower rates of suicide than other ethnic groups. In the last 20 years this pattern has changed, particularly among young African-Americans between the ages of 15 and 19 (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Mortality Statistics, 1998, Atlanta, GA). Today, young African-American males are as likely to commit suicide as their White counterparts. To date, the research conducted regarding this phenomenon has been inconclusive and existing suicide interventions appear to have no effect on reducing this behavior among young African-Americans. This paper synthesizes classical (Durkheim, Suicide, 1979, Free Press, New York) and postmodern (Beck, Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity, 1992, Sage, London; Bauman, Modernity and Ambivalence, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 1991) social theories in order to provide a more complete theoretical explanation for the increase in the suicide rate among adolescent African-American males. Postmodern society is typified by: (1) institutional deconstruction; (2) decreased collectivism; (3) increased normlessness and helplessness; and (4) exacerbated personal risk for stress. It is therefore possible to hypothesize that postmodernity characteristically loosens the bonds between the individual and society, thereby increasing vulnerability to depression, related pathologies (such as substance abuse), and suicide. African-Americans tend to be more affected/vulnerable because they are concentrated in resource-poor, low income areas, and institutions that provided social support (family, religious, community) and protected individuals from societal risk factors, have gradually been dissolving in postmodern societies. We argue that young African-American males of today are more exposed to stressors which increase psychological distress thus increasing depression and related pathological behaviors such as suicide. The main reason behind this increase is found in the inability of institutions to offer protection from psychological distress. Overall, this paper presents a postmodern, macro-level framework to explain the increase in suicide among African-American male adolescents.

Fetal alcohol syndrome: a growing concern for health care professionals.

OBJECTIVE To provide an integrated review of the literature on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE), focusing on the definition of FAS/FAE, their incidence and related problems, gestational research findings, FAS symptoms, the effects of prenatal alcohol consumption on offspring over time, and FAS/FAE preventive measures. DATA SOURCES Computerized searches of MEDLINE and Web sites, as well as reference lists from published articles on FAS/FAE from 1973 to present. STUDY SELECTION Literature was chosen from refereed journals and from current publications of the National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. DATA EXTRACTION Data were extracted using keywords relevant to FAS and FAS prevention. DATA SYNTHESIS The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can harm the fetus irreparably. Preventive measures can be helpful in decreasing or stopping the use of alcohol during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol is a definite teratogen. The amount of alcohol, if any, that can be safely consumed during pregnancy, the exact physiological mechanisms that make alcohol unsafe for the fetus, and the most effective prevention measures have yet to be identified. FAS/FAE is still increasing in the United States.

The Utility of a Board Game for Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever Health Education.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of an educational board game for increasing knowledge, positive attitudes‐beliefs, and self‐efficacy for dengue prevention in a sample of Philippine school children and adolescents. Effective board games are more advantageous than lectures because they are adaptable, inexpensive and foster learning independently of teachers or lecturers. Also tested were relationships between perceived fun by students playing the game and outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – A school‐based pre‐test/post‐test experimentally controlled design was employed in a Filipino primary and secondary school population.Findings – The lecture was more effective in increasing knowledge. But neither was more effective than the other in increasing positive attitudes‐beliefs and self‐efficacy. Both modes produced specifically significant increases in knowledge and self‐efficacy; only the lecture produced significant increases in attitudes‐beliefs. Also, there was a signific...

Alcohol Use and Alcoholism in Latin America: Changing Patterns and Sociocultural Explanations

Alcoholism and alcohol-related problems in Latin America constitute a serious problem that may be increasing despite variations by ethnicity, country, and other variables. Ethnographic studies since 1940 suggest that heavy, convivial drinking among adult males for recreational reasons is common and has been for some time. Epidemiological surveys and ethnographic research since 1960 suggest that social changes accompanying urbanization and modernization are introducing escapist/utilitarian motives for drinking that interact with traditional recreational motives to cause increasing alcohol use and alcoholism. A resource table on use patterns in Latin America is provided.

The GOOD-BYE TO DENGUE GAME Debriefing study

This study examined the use of postgame debriefing of a health educational board game activity on dengue fever in a Filipino student population. The debriefing used a series of specific open-ended questions, exploring students’ feelings about the game and game-related questionnaires, students’ perceptions of important information about dengue from the game, new information learned about dengue, areas of improvement on students’ dengue control skills, and suggested areas of improvement for the game. Eighty-one students in Grade 5, Grade 6, and High School Year 1 participated in the in-school debriefing, conducted by seven Filipino student teachers. Eighty out of 81 students indicated “liking” the game. Reasons for liking the game were divided among responses based on their learning about dengue, and also perceived fun. Dengue control and prevention yielded the greatest category response to the question on perceived important material covered by the game.

A Self-Help Program to Increase Breastfeeding among Low-Income Women

Abstract This project evaluated a self-help manual designed to motivate low-income mothers to breastfeed. The manual communicated simple breastfeeding skills as a low-cost extension of counseling. It was tested in a randomized, two-group pre-/post-test design among 151 low-income pregnant women. Seventy-three treatment women received the manual and standard breastfeeding information; 78 controls received only information. Sixty percent of treatment women initiated breastfeeding compared to 44% of the controls (p = .04). No significant differences in breastfeeding duration were found. Data suggest that the manual was positively associated with breastfeeding initiation, justifying the development of revisions to improve efficacy, especially for breastfeeding duration.

Child-invented health education games: a case study for dengue fever

The studys goal was to demonstrate the ability of an 8-year-old child to create educational games for the topic of dengue fever control. A naturalistic descriptive case study method was employed. The child had two dengue fever educational game creation activities. The study demonstrated that a child could develop functional games related to dengue fever control. The study however revealed knowledge gaps and mixed methods for dengue fever–related mosquito control. The game constructions were consistent to the childs cognitive level. The case study revealed that a child-centered educational game creation may be both diagnostic for a childs topical knowledge and cognitive development but also serve as a learning tool for children. This activity may also be an informational tool for formative research for dengue fever control.

Effects of social support on depression following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract The influence of emotional social support on depression following coronary artery bypass graft surgery was examined in 75 patients. Immediately following surgery, social support was significantly associated with a decline in depression. Subsequently, post-surgery chest pain and perceptions of poor health emerged as the best predictors of continued depression. During the first weeks after surgery it may be that discomfort and pain are expected and tolerated well such that depression is ameliorated by social support. However, after three months, beliefs about physical recovery became the most important determinants of patient psychological status. Clinical implications of these findings are briefly discussed.

The Transtheoretical Model of Change Applied to Developing Suicidal Behavior

The Transtheoretical Model of Change (TMC) is investigated as a tool for explaining and diagnosing suicidal behavior. Investigators found in a sample of 42 hospitalized suicide ideators and attempters, that most patients had progressed through the stages of change as predicted by the TMC, and that ten change processes (psychological states or experiences) defined by the TMC, were used systematically in association with specific stages of change. Women were more likely to report using the change processes than men. Investigators conclude that the TMC holds promise as a tool for understanding suicidal behavior and for designing appropriate interventions.