Jennifer S. Rose

Maternal socialization of adolescent smoking: the intergenerational transmission of parenting and smoking.

A longitudinal multigenerational design was used to examine the intergenerational transmission of smoking and the correlated transmission of parental support and control. Whether maternal socialization of adolescent smoking (both general parenting practices and smoking-specific strategies) would predict adolescent smoking both directly and indirectly by affecting peer affiliations was tested. There was strong evidence for the intergenerational transmission of cigarette smoking and for the relation between peer smoking and adolescent smoking. Both general parenting practices and smoking-specific discussion and punishment were significantly related to adolescents smoking, especially for adolescent-reported parenting. Support for the intergenerational transmission of parenting practices emerged only in mothers reports of support. Results suggest expanding current peer-focused prevention efforts to include parental socialization strategies.

Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Trajectories of Depressed Mood from Adolescence to Early Adulthood

This study used semi-parametric group-based modeling to explore unconditional and conditional trajectories of self-reported depressed mood from ages 12 to 25 years. Drawing on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 11,559), 4 distinct trajectories were identified: no depressed mood, stable low depressed mood, early high declining depressed mood, and late escalating depressed mood. Baseline risk factors associated with greater likelihood of membership in depressed mood trajectory groups compared with the no depressed mood group included being female, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino American, or Pacific Islander or Asian American; having lower socioeconomic status; using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs on a weekly basis; and engaging in delinquent behavior. Baseline protective factors associated with greater likelihood of membership in the no depressed mood group compared with the depressed mood trajectory groups included 2-parent family structure; feeling connected to parents, peers, or school; and self-esteem. With the exception of delinquent behavior, risk and protective factors also distinguished the likelihood of membership among several of the 3 depressed mood groups. The results add to basic etiologic research regarding developmental pathways of depressed mood in adolescence and young adulthood.

PROSPECTIVE PREDICTORS OF QUIT ATTEMPTS AND SMOKING CESSATION IN YOUNG ADULTS

This study examined prospective predictors of attempts to quit smoking and successful quitting among those who attempted to quit (n = 700), using a long-term longitudinal study of the natural history of cigarette smoking in a midwestern community sample. Participants, originally surveyed in 6th-12th grade (1980-1983), were followed up in 1987 and 1994. Results showed that amount of smoking, gender, education, health beliefs about smoking, value on healthy lifestyle, motives for smoking, reasons for quitting, and occupancy of young adult social roles were significant predictors of cessation. However, there were different predictors of attempts to quit and successful quitting among those who attempted to quit. From a public health perspective, both predictors of quit attempts and predictors of successful quitting among attempters are useful targets for intervention.

From adolescence to adulthood: age-related changes in beliefs about cigarette smoking in a midwestern community sample.

The current study used a cohort-sequential design to examine age-related changes in health-relevant beliefs from the middle school years through age 37 in a large, midwestern, community sample (N=8,556). Results suggest systematic age-related changes such that beliefs in the personalized risks of smoking declined in middle school and then increased, beliefs in generalized health risks increased beginning in the middle school years, and values placed on health as an outcome decreased in the high school years and then increased. These findings suggest that intervention programs must counter declining personalized risk perceptions among middle school students and declining values placed on health among high school age students.

Prevalence and Patterns of Sexual Assault Across the Life Span Among Incarcerated Women

This study investigated the prevalence of and associations among sexual assault by life stage (childhood, adolescence, or adulthood) and perpetrator (family, stranger, friend, or partner) via a survey of a statewide sample of incarcerated women (N = 484). Participants were 18 to 56 years old, and the majority were White (56%). Results demonstrate higher rates of sexual assault in childhood (35%) and adulthood (22%) as compared with adolescence (14%). Logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between childhood sexual assault by family and adulthood sexual assault by friend, stranger, and partner; adolescent sexual assault was not significantly associated with sexual assault in childhood or adulthood. These findings suggest that the lifetime sexual victimization pattern of incarcerated women differs from that seen in the general population.

Correlates of partner-specific condom use intentions among incarcerated women in Rhode Island.

CONTEXTnFew studies of incarcerated women have examined potential associations between risky sexual behavior and relationship context factors; thus, little is known about the correlates of intentions to use condoms with main and casual partners in this underserved population.nnnMETHODSnA sample of 221 women incarcerated in a Rhode Island Department of Corrections facility in 2002-2003 were interviewed. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess associations between selected demographic, psychosocial and behavioral variables and participants reported intentions to use condoms with main and casual sexual partners in the first six months after their release.nnnRESULTSnCondom use at last sex with a main partner, sexually transmitted disease (STD) history, no strong desire to currently be pregnant, belief that others influence ones health and perceived STD risk were positively associated with womens intention to use condoms with main partners. Pregnancy history was negatively associated with intention to use condoms with a main partner. Condom use at last sex with a casual partner was positively associated with intention to use condoms with casual partners, whereas binge drinking and believing in the role of chance in determining ones health were negatively associated with intention to use condoms with casual partners.nnnCONCLUSIONSnWhether incarcerated women define a partner as main or casual may influence their decisions about the need to protect themselves by using condoms. Programs that focus on the importance of condom use with all partners could greatly benefit incarcerated women and the communities to which they return.

Timing of Conception for Pregnant Women Returning to Jail

Approximately 6% to 10% of women entering jails are pregnant. Women entering jail are often poor, medically underserved, and at high risk for substance abuse and unplanned pregnancies. We hypothesize that many women who are pregnant when entering jail have had a prior incarceration and conceived soon after release. We reviewed charts of 269 pregnant women entering the Rhode Island jail between August 1997 and November 2002. Of these women, 52.4% had prior incarcerations. In addition, 117 women conceived within 1 year of a prior release (50% within 90 days, 24% within 91 to 180 days, and 26% more than 180 days postrelease). Women who conceived within 90 days were more likely to be incarcerated for more than 30 days while pregnant than women who conceived after 90 days (relative risk 2.38; 95% confidence interval 1.12 to 5.07). Providing contraceptive services at the time of release may help decrease the number of women who enter jail pregnant.

Levels of trauma among women inmates with HIV risk and alcohol use disorders: behavioral and emotional impacts

SUMMARY An increasing number of women are involved in the criminal justice system. Women in corrections are often of low socio-economic status, medically underserved and exposed to a variety of traumatic events. Programs and services provided in correctional settings should be informed by the unique profiles and needs of these women. This study sought to identify distinct sub-groups (classes) of incarcerated women based on differences in their qualitative (types of trauma) and quantitative (number of) trauma experiences. Demographics, psychosocial and behavioral characteristics were measured in 149 women entering jail, who reported recent hazardous drinking and HIV sexual risk behavior. Two classes based on trauma exposure of women were identified through latent class analysis. The classes did not differ with respect to qualitative differences in trauma exposure (both classes reported all forms of trauma), but did differ with respect to quantitative differences (Class 2 reported more exposure to trauma in all categories than Class 1). The classes also differed significantly on current psychological functioning, alcohol treatment, problems, and consequences, drug histories, sexual risk, medical conditions, and social group characteristics. In all areas, members of Class 2 were significantly more likely to report higher levels of measured variables. Nearly all women in our sample reported levels of trauma exposure, suggesting a need for intervention and attention. Through identifying these separate classes, limited resources for trauma survivors in the correctional setting could be most appropriately allocated.

Training Primary Care Clinicians in Maintenance Care for Moderated Alcohol Use

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether training primary care clinicians in maintenance care for patients who have changed their drinking influences practice behavior.n DESIGN: We randomized 15 physician and 3 mid-level clinicians in 2 primary care offices in a 2:1 design. The 12 intervention clinicians received a total of 2 1/4 hours of training in the maintenance care of alcohol problems in remission, a booster session, study materials and chart-based prompts at eligible patients’ visits. Six controls provided usual care. Screening forms in the waiting rooms identified eligible patients, defined as those who endorsed: 1 or more items on the CAGE questionnaire or that they had an alcohol problem in the past; that they have ‘made a change in their drinking and are trying to keep it that way’; and that they drank <15 (men) or <10 (women) drinks per week in the past month. Exit interviews with patients evaluated the clinician’s actions during the visit.n RESULTS: Of the 164 patients, 62% saw intervention clinicians. Compared with patients of control clinicians, intervention patients were more likely to report that their clinician asked about their alcohol history (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3, 5.8). Intervention clinicians who asked about the alcohol history were more likely to assess prior and planned alcohol treatment, assist through offers for prescriptions and treatment referral, and receive higher satisfaction ratings for the visit.n CONCLUSIONS: Systemic prompts and training in the maintenance care of alcohol use disorders in remission might increase primary care clinicians’ inquiries about the alcohol history as well as appropriate assessment and intervention after an initial inquiry.

Racial/Ethnic Sexual Health Disparities among Incarcerated Women

Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women in U.S. corrections facilities are higher than rates in community samples. Research that combines behavioral correlates of STI with STI history by race/ethnicity has not been done in incarcerated women. The purpose of this study was to compare by race/ethnicity self-reported sexual risk behaviors with self-reported history of STI in an incarcerated sample. An interviewer administered a questionnaire to 428 incarcerated women. Blacks were more likely to report consistent condom use in the three months prior to incarceration (47% vs. 28%, p < 0.05), and Hispanics were less likely to report sex work than were whites (16% vs. 39%, p < 0.05). Whites were more likely than blacks to report having had an unplanned pregnancy (88% vs. 67%, p < 0.05). Despite having lower self-reported risk on several measures, Blacks were more likely to report history of STI (65% vs. 40%, p < 0.05). The correctional setting is an opportune place to better understand and address the complex issue of sexual health disparities.