Louise F. Pendry

Evaluation of primary prevention initiatives for skin cancer: a review from a U.K. perspective

To ensure effective primary prevention of skin cancer, aimed at changing behaviour in the sun, and ultimately at reducing the incidence and mortality rates from skin cancer, sufficient information needs to be known about the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer, the effectiveness of sun protection measures, and the acceptability and uptake of protective measures by the general public. This review specifically addresses the quality and outcome of studies designed to evaluate the impact of primary prevention initiatives in the U.K. Four main areas of concern are highlighted: (i) teenage behaviour in the sun is difficult to change; (ii) fashion, in part, dictates adult and adolescent behaviour in the sun; (iii) there are practical problems related to response rates, follow‐up and interpretation of self‐reported behaviour; and (iv) a strategy for primary prevention in the U.K. may be falsely based on the experience and results of Australian and American programmes. Standardized methods for monitoring general population behaviour are needed in the U.K. Evaluation of interventions targeting specific groups, especially parents and young children, and the relative costs of different strategies should be reported. Primary prevention messages and strategies should be adapted to the type of ultraviolet radiation exposure experienced, and the overall low risk of melanoma, while addressing controversies on the health effects of sun exposure and sun screens.

What the Disinterested Perceiver Overlooks: Goal-Directed Social Categorization

Previous research has suggested that initial categorization of a target is a rapid, automatic process that occurs relatively independently of attentional and motivational factors. Further processing requires both perceiver interest in the target and sufficient attentional resources. The present study investigated the effects of information-processing goals on the categorization process. With one of three information-processing goals in place-accountability to a third party, estimation of the targets height, or inspection of the videotapes clarity-subjects watched a videotape of a businesswoman. Target categorization was measured usinga lexical decision task. The results demonstrated that whereas subjects in aU conditions categorized the target at a superordinate level (i.e., woman), accountable subjects also categorized the target at a more differentiated subtype level (ie., businesswoman). The authors consider these findings in the context of contemporary models of stereotyping and impression formation.

Feasibility of targeted early detection for melanoma: a population-based screening study

The feasibility of targeted screening for cutaneous malignant melanoma in the UK using a postal questionnaire and invitation to screening by a consultant dermatologist was investigated in a population based cross-sectional survey. A total of 1600 people aged 25–69 years, stratified by the social deprivation score of wards within one general practice, were randomly selected from a population of 8000.1227 (77%) returned the questionnaire and 896 (56%) attended the screening clinic. Uptake was lower for men (P< 0.001), those aged under 50 (P< 0.001), people from deprived areas (P< 0.001) and skin types III and IV (men only, P< 0.001). Twenty per cent of women and 10% of men felt nervous about attending the clinic, but only 4% were worried by the questionnaire. The level of agreement between the self- and dermatologist’s assessments of risk factors was best for hair colour (Kappa = 0.67, sensitivity 73% and specificity 98%). People tended to under-report their level of risk. Over 95% knew about at least one major sign, but 54% reported incorrect signs of melanoma. Targeted screening for melanoma in the UK will be hampered by difficulties in accurately identifying the target population. Strategies to improve skin self-awareness rather than screening should be developed and evaluated.

Is targeted early detection for melanoma feasible? Self assessments of risk and attitudes to screening:

Objectives To study the feasibility of developing targeted screening for those at high risk of melanoma by examining how attitudes relate to (a) acceptance of an invitation for a free skin check and (b) self assessed and clinically assessed risk factors for developing cutaneous melanoma. Design A population based cross sectional survey. Setting A general practice with a broad mix of socioeconomic groups in one district health authority. Subjects A total of 1600 subjects aged 25–69 years stratified using the social deprivation score of wards were randomly selected from a population of 8000; 77% (1227) returned the questionnaire and 56% (896) attended for screening. Main outcome measures Questionnaire measures of confidence in own ability to self assess risk factors for melanoma, attitudes to seeking medical help for skin abnormalities, and self assessment of relative risk of developing melanoma. Results Clinic attenders were less confident in their ability to self assess risk factors (p<0.005), more favourable towards seeking help (p<0.001), and more pessimistic about developing melanoma (p<0.001) than non-attenders. Those from more affluent wards were more willing to seek help (p<0.001). Those clinically assessed as at higher risk were more pessimistic about developing melanoma (p<0.001) but clinical assessments were inconsistently related to help seeking attitudes and self assessment confidence. Conclusions Barriers to the uptake of screening included greater optimism about not developing melanoma, confidence in self assessment, and reluctance to seek professional help. Such reluctance was greater in more deprived social groups. Targeting screening at high risk groups cannot depend on self identification and self referral.

Mapping temporal constructs: Actions reveal that time is a place

Many languages employ metaphors that associate temporal constructs with locations in space (e.g., back in the old days). However, whether such space–time mappings extend beyond the linguistic domain has received little empirical attention. Noting that motor action represents a pathway through which the integration of spatial and temporal information can be revealed, the current work examined the dynamics of hand movements during a time-classification task. Results revealed that when participants were instructed to process information pertaining to the past (or future), their movements were drawn towards the left (or right). This affirms that spatiotemporal processing is grounded in the sensory-motor systems that regulate human movement.

When the mind is otherwise engaged : resource depletion and social stereotyping

This study investigated the effects of resource depletion on stereotyping. Participants were instructed to form an impression of a target, and whilst performing this task, they overheard a tape-recorded conversation. The conversation was manipulated so that it was more or less relevant to the participants. Results in general supported the prediction that when participants eavesdrop on a relevant conversation, attentional capacity will be diminished, and target evaluations will be stereotypic in implication. Findings are discussed in terms of contemporary treatments of stereotyping.

Environmentally friendly parenting: are cloth nappies a step too far?

Purpose – The present research aims to investigate parental attitudes towards using either cloth or disposable nappies, to better understand whether and how pro‐cloth initiatives might impact parental decisions.Design/methodology/approach – Focus groups were conducted with both cloth and disposable nappy users to gain a better understanding of the factors that underlie their choice. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.Findings – The paper finds that parents using disposable nappies believed they were marketed as offering a popular, efficient, healthy, good value system. They acknowledged the environmental impact but rationalised this by referring to the equivocal nature of these consequences, and the ability to off‐set this by engaging in other pro‐environment behaviours. Parents choosing cloth nappies did so initially because they were more environment‐friendly and cost‐effective and disposables were disliked. Once using cloth, parents noted additional benefits: performance, fashion, formati...

Five guiding principles to help to improve diversity training assessment

Diversity training (DT) is currently the main diversity-management tool inorganizations.ArecentsurveyofindividualsinUKorganizationschargedwith diversity-management responsibilities found that 94 per cent ofrespondents said their organization employed DT awareness training,and 77 per cent mentioned offering manager DT (CIPD, 2006). With ourcombined experience as both academics and DT practitioners, we havepreviously reported how little mainstream social science andmanagement theory and research finds its way into the development ofDT programmes (Pendry et al., 2007). In the present article, we turn ourattention to the topic of putting DT assessment into practice. In simpleterms, when and how can practitioners incorporate what we know fromthe social-science and management literatures to better assess theeffectsofDT?In discussing why assessment is not a more routine part of diversitymanagement, we provide a clear picture of hurdles that can deter apractitioner from including assessment in his or her work. We hope thatacknowledging some of these hurdles – and discussing how tocircumvent those hurdles that cannot be jumped – serves as an impetustopractitionerstotryassessment.Inthispaperwe: