Jessica G. Irons

The reinforcing value of alcohol in a drinking to cope paradigm

BACKGROUND Alcohol use is often regarded as a means of coping with sadness and distress. The present research was conducted to explore the relation between negative mood and the reinforcing value of alcohol, while clarifying the role of coping motives. METHODS Participants with a history of recent alcohol use (N=44; 72% female) attended a laboratory session and were randomly assigned to either a negative (n=22) or a neutral (n=22) mood condition. A manipulation check confirmed that participants in the negative mood condition, but not the neutral mood condition, displayed a significant increase in negative affect. The multiple choice procedure (MCP) was used to measure the reinforcing value of alcohol after the mood manipulation. RESULTS Regression models employing the MCP crossover point as the dependent variable and mood condition (neutral or negative) and drinking to cope as predictors indicated that a model with an interaction term accounted for the most variance. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the relation between mood and the reinforcing value of alcohol is moderated by drinking to cope, and help clarify the conditions under which drinking to cope may lead to negative outcomes.

Exercise and coping-oriented alcohol use among a trauma-exposed sample

The present investigation examined the relation between exercise intensity and alcohol use coping motives among trauma-exposed adults. Participants were 114 adults (58 women; M(age)=22.31 years, SD=8.89) who reported exposure to at least one traumatic event (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) and alcohol use in the past 30 days. Partially consistent with expectation, engagement in vigorous-intensity activities (≥6 resting metabolic rate [MET] score) demonstrated a significant, incremental (negative) association with alcohol use coping motives. This incremental association was observed after accounting for current alcohol consumption, non-criterion alcohol use motives, anxiety sensitivity, posttraumatic stress symptom severity, as well as engagement in light- and moderate-intensity activities (<6 resting MET score). Results are discussed in terms of better understanding the association between vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise and coping-oriented alcohol use among trauma-exposed individuals.

Investigating Halo and Ceiling Effects in Student Evaluations of Instruction

Many measurement biases affect student evaluations of instruction (SEIs). However, two have been relatively understudied: halo effects and ceiling/floor effects. This study examined these effects in two ways. To examine the halo effect, using a videotaped lecture, we manipulated specific teacher behaviors to be “good” or “bad” based on specific items on the evaluation form (the Teacher Behavior Checklist). To examine ceiling/floor effects, we expanded the standard 5-point rating to either 7 or 9 points. Across three universities, 537 students watched and rated the videotaped lecture. Both biases were robust and remained despite characteristics of the measure designed to combat them. Instead, direct instruction regarding how to use the evaluation forms seems to be necessary to limit these biases on ratings.

Physical activity and cannabis cessation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Based on recent empirical and theoretical work suggesting that physical activity (PA) activates many of the same physiological systems as cannabis, the present study sought to investigate the impact of PA level (ie, low [including none] vs. moderate/high) on a cannabis cessation attempt during the first 7 days post-quit. METHODS The present study was a 2 time-point prospective study of 84 cannabis dependent military veterans (3 female) who responded to study flyers, within a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, seeking individuals interested in engaging in a self-guided cessation attempt. All study measures were self-report. RESULTS Though no baseline differences between those with low and those with moderate/high levels of physical activity were observed, results revealed that participants who reported low levels of physical activity, versus moderate/high levels, were significantly more likely to report a cannabis lapse during the week following a quit attempt, particularly within the first 4 days of the cessation period. Further, individuals with low levels of PA were also more likely to report greater mean cannabis use during the first 4 days of the cessation period. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Findings suggest that early interventions aimed at increasing physical activity may be useful among individuals with cannabis dependence who are engaged in a cessation attempt.

Anxiety Sensitivity as a Mediator of the Relationship between Moderate-Intensity Exercise and Coping-Oriented Marijuana Use Motives

The present study examined the working hypothesis that moderate-intensity exercise is associated with coping-oriented marijuana use motives through its association with the fear of somatic arousal (ie, anxiety sensitivity). Using data from 146 young adult current marijuana users, we found evidence consistent with this hypothesis. Specifically, moderate-intensity exercise was associated with coping-oriented use motives, even after controlling for frequency of current marijuana use and other co-occurring marijuana use motives. This relationship became nonsignificant after entering anxiety sensitivity as an additional predictor variable, denoting a putative mediational role for this cognitive factor. These findings extend previous work and offer support for the potential utility of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for the treatment of marijuana use problems.

A brief abstinence test for college student smokers: a feasibility study.

Cigarette smoking among college students is prevalent and correlated with other unhealthy behaviors. Reinforced abstinence (e.g., contingency management) has been demonstrated to be an effective method for reducing substance use in a variety of populations and across a variety of drugs, including cigarettes. Reinforced abstinence has seldom been used specifically targeting a college student population. A Brief Abstinence Test (BAT) has been used to effectively reduce cocaine use among methadone maintenance patients (Robles, Silverman, Preston, Cone, Katz, Bigelow, & Stitzer, 2000). However, no published studies have investigated the use of a BAT to reduce the use of cigarettes. The current study implemented a 3-week intervention (Baseline 1, BAT, and Baseline 2 weeks) for smoking abstinence among college students. Forty-two percent of the sample met abstention criteria during the BAT. Carbon monoxide and urinalysis scores decreased significantly from Baseline 1 to the BAT phase but did not differ significantly from BAT to Baseline 2. These results suggest that the BAT may have utility initiating abstinence in both clinical and research contexts.

The Scholarships of Teaching and Pedagogy: Time to Abandon the Distinction?

We surveyed the editorial board of Teaching of Psychology regarding their perspectives on the distinction between the scholarships of teaching and pedagogy. Respondents provided wide-ranging and divergent answers to our queries, suggesting that scholarship, its attendant activities, and distinctions among related terms are complex issues in need of further clarification. We suggest that the distinction between the scholarships of teaching and pedagogy is unclear and unnecessary.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day: Students' Expectations, Intent, and Behavior

ABSTRACT College students engage in risky alcohol use within a variety of contexts, including specific celebratory events. Student intentions and peer perceptions predict alcohol use; however, how these factors affect specific celebratory drinking may vary from typical alcohol use. The current study sought to better understand event-specific drinking among college students during St. Patrick’s Day, as compared to Spring Break. Undergraduate students (N = 82) at a campus with a unique traditional celebration of St. Patrick’s Day were surveyed. At Time 1, participants were asked to indicate how much alcohol they intended to drink and how much alcohol they expected other students to drink during St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break. At Time 2, students reported on actual alcohol consumption during both events. Results indicated that participants reported greater intent to consume, expectation of peer consumption, and actual alcohol consumption during St. Patrick’s Day as compared to Spring Break. Neither sensation seeking nor impulsivity predicted alcohol use during either event. Findings are discussed in the context of understanding, preventing, and intervening with event-specific drinking among college students.

Tobacco Use Among African-American Youth Receiving Behavioral Healthcare Services

African-American youth with behavioral health problems may be particularly vulnerable to tobacco use and dependence; however, little is known about overall prevalence and factors associated with tobacco use in this population. The present study compared rates of tobacco use for African-Americans (aged 13–17) receiving behavioral healthcare services to state and national prevalence rates. In addition, we examined whether tobacco use prevalence was related to treatment characteristics and services rendered. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted at an urban, public behavioral healthcare agency for youth admitted in 2009. Tobacco use rates among African-Americans receiving behavioral healthcare services were similar to, and in some cases, higher than statewide and national prevalence rates. While tobacco users were more likely to be enrolled in a substance abuse program than in a mental health program, only 2 of 55 youth reporting tobacco use had received documented tobacco cessation treatment. Future work should focus on implementing tobacco cessation prevention and treatment for these youth.

Contingency Management to Increase Grade Point Average Among Fraternity Members: A Feasibility Study

Contingency management is an incentive-based intervention strategy that has been demonstrated to be effective for inducing behavior change among a variety of populations and for a variety of behaviors. The current study examined whether contingency management techniques can help students change behaviors in an effort to raise their grade point averages. Members of a social fraternity participated in the study. We randomly assigned students to either a contingency management condition or a control condition. Throughout the entire semester, the contingency management students earned pulls from the fishbowl for reaching a grade criterion. For the first half of the semester, the control students were yoked to the contingency management group such that they earned pulls based on the other condition’s performance. For the second half of the semester, the control students began to experience the regular contingency management regimen. As hypothesized, the contingency management students’ GPA did increase during the semester and gains were maintained over time. Students in the control group did not show the same increase in grades. Contingency management appears to be effective in helping students raise their grades.