Joanne Lavin

Actual and Imagined First Smoking Experiences and Resisted Smoking Opportunities of Asian American Adolescents

OBJECTIVE To explore the metamotivational states experienced during first smoking experiences of Asian American adolescents. DESIGN AND SAMPLE This survey research investigated the differences among the smokers, resisters, and smoking naives of a convenience sample of 328 Asian Americans, aged 16-19 in New York City (NYC). MEASURES The study used a demographic questionnaire, Temptation Episode Surveys (First Smoking Occasion, First Resisted Smoking Opportunity, and Opinions on First Smoking Occasion), the Telic/Paratelic State Instrument, and the Rebellious State Scale. RESULTS Statistical analyses revealed that Asian American adolescents smoked the first time when in paratelic, arousal-seeking states, and when the physical and social environments are permissive to smoking, initiation opportunities such as presence of peers and friends smoking and in places where adults are not present. CONCLUSIONS The first smoking experiences of Asian American adolescents parallel that of smoking cessation when individuals lapse in a highly tempting situation and when the environment is permissive to smoking. This study is the first to use reversal theory pairs as a framework for smoking initiation. Smoking prevention and intervention programs should consider the importance of the physical, social environment, and the psychological states of adolescents when they smoke the first time.

Designing Anchored Instructions via Virtual Role Playing

Authentic learning activities were anchored in a virtual hospital setting in our study. Students watched a 3D case study, role-played, and created concept maps to externalize their thoughts. Their knowledge and skills were measured via traditional multiple-choice questions, role playing, and concept mapping. Preand post-tests showed no significant difference between control and treatment groups. However, the analyses of the role-playing and concept maps demonstrated the treatment group gained significantly. Strengths and constraints of role playing are discussed and important issues implied are included to help understand effective situated learning instructional design strategies in an authentic learning environment.

Targeted Approach to Reduce Teen Smoking

The purpose of this article is to review current knowledge regarding teen smoking initiation and identify relevant strategies to reduce incidence. This evolved from research focused on differences among smokers, resisters, and smoking naives of a convenience sample of 328 Asian Americans aged 16–19 in New York City. This study identified that adolescents who smoke do so to be liked and fit in; to make friends, and because they are curious and want to experiment. The authors focused on identifying specific strategies focused on socialization, conformity and experimentation. Clearly more research involving this and other adolescent groups is needed to decrease smoking usage in the future.

Comparative Assessment of Married Women's Knowledge and Attitude Regarding MCH Services in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of District Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab

Maternal and infant mortality continues to be high despite the existence of National Programs for improving maternal and child health in India. Appropriate knowledge and attitude regarding maternal and child health care services encompass the most effective answer to reduction of maternal and infant deaths. Data related to rural/urban difference concerning awareness of women regarding MCH services in Punjab is inadequate. This comparative study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and attitude by structured interview method regarding MCH services among 120 married women selected through purposing sampling technique in Urban and Rural areas of District Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab. The findings of study revealed that majority of 53.33%, 63.33% married women had average knowledge in urban and rural area respectively. On other hand 78.33%, 86.67% married women had favourable attitude in Urban and Rural area regarding MCH services. Urban married women had more good knowledge (35%) than rural married women (28.33%) regarding MCH services but favourable attitude was more among rural married women than urban married women towards MCH services. There was positive correlation between knowledge and attitude of Urban and Rural married women regarding MCH services. In present study Educational status, income of family, husbands education, no. of children, occupation had significant impact on knowledge of urban and rural married women respectively and Family income, husbands education, husbands occupation, age of women, educational status, no. of children had significant impact on attitude of urban and rural married women respectively. Therefore it is imperative to create awareness regarding MCH services among married women in rural and urban areas to enhance MCH services utilization for promotion of their health.

Depression among Four Groups of Ethnic Asian American Adolescents in New York City

This descriptive, survey, cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the risk factors of depression among four ethnic groups of Asian American adolescents. Convenience sample of 316 adolescents, 16 to 19 years of age (M= 17.53 years, SD = 1.13), living in New York City, were recruited from members and friends of Asian American organizational sources. Adolescents receiving treatment for depression were excluded from the data analysis. Measures included Demographic, depression (CES-D scale), English language acculturation scale, and smoking opportunity survey questionnaires. Ninety percent of the participants were enrolled in school; 11th grade (29.3%), 12th grade (29%), and college freshman (20.1%) levels. Ninety-two percent spoke another language other than English. Analysis revealed that 50% (n = 158) of all participants scored at or above the cut-off point of 16 on the CES-D Scale (M=17.85, SD = 10.89). Significant risk factors found were English language acculturation, current enrollment in school and smoking status, as well as the interaction between ethnicity and smoking status. Depression may be prevalent among Asian American adolescents and it is important to focus attention on this significant health problem. Acculturation assessment must be integrated into clinical evaluations and smoking prevention programs should be culturally and ethnically sensitive to the needs of Asian American adolescents.

Enhance Learning in a Virtual Professional Environment via 3D Cases

The purpose of this research is to investigate the affordances and constraints of developing 3D teaching vignettes for effective case-based learning. It is built on the paradigm of case-based learning, which enhances higher-order thinking abilities. Sparse research explores both students’ engagement and learning outcomes via three-dimensional (3D) teaching vignettes or 3D cases. In this study, a quasi-experimental study confirms the authors’ earlier finding that learners overwhelmingly prefer 3D to text-based case studies. A paired samples t-test shows students demonstrate significant cognitive gains when studying a new domain subject via a 3D case study. In this paper, the authors describe a design-based research process of developing 3D case studies that capitalizes the affordances of 3D technologies. An in-depth discussion of important issues such as limitations and lessons learned is also included to explore the pragmatics of using 3D technologies to promote learning.