Margaret U. D'Silva

DRUG USE PREVENTION FOR THE HIGH SENSATION SEEKER: THE ROLE OF ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES

Research demonstrating links between sensation-seeking and drug use, and sensation-seeking and participation in leisure activities suggests designing substance misuse prevention projects that encourage substituting alternative activities for drug use. The current study uses factor analysis and discriminant analysis to provide comprehensive information on the kinds of activities high-sensation seekers participate in. Factor analysis of activity participation indicates an eight factor solution. Discriminant analysis of factor scores indicates that high-sensation seekers can be discriminated from low- sensation seekers on the basis of two factors, active-adventure and conflict-combat. Implications for prevention program design are discussed.

Towards a threat management model of upward communication: A study of influence and maintenance tactics in the leader‐member dyad

This paper presents a descriptive model of factors affecting subordinates’ use of upward influence tactics. The model is based on the notion that enduring patterns of relationship maintenance tactics used by subordinates both reinforce and gradually alter perceptions of leader‐member exchange quality. These relational perceptions are primary considerations when subordinates assess threats and subsequently make tactic choices during influence episodes (and other potentially risky encounters). Context factors, including influence goals, are thought to magnify or mute the threat associated with a given episode. A study of 194 working adults explored several model components. The data support the conclusion that upward influence tactic choice is most influenced by the quality of the relationship between a leader and his/her subordinates.

Individual differences and context: factors mediating recall of anti-drug public service announcements.

A sample of 597 participants was surveyed to examine factors that influence recall of antidrug public service announcements (PSAs). High sensation-seekers and polydrug users recalled somewhat more antidrug PSAs than low sensation-seekers and nonusers. Regression analyses indicated that total hours of television viewing did not predict recall of televised antidrug PSAs; instead, recall was predicted by preference for specific program genres, such as sports, news shows, action programs, sitcoms, and stand-up/comedy channel programs, and individual-difference variables such as sensation-seeking, drug use, and gender. The findings provide more evidence for the sensation-seeking targeting (SENTAR) approach and demonstrate the relevance of selective exposure and program contexts in reaching potential drug users.

Individual differences and choice of information source: Sensation seeking in drug abuse prevention

This study examined the relationship between sensation seeking and the information source an individual may select to (1) find exciting alternatives to drugs and (2) resist peer pressure to use drugs. Both high and low sensation seekers chose friends as the most preferred source of information. However, high sensation seekers, compared to low sensation seekers, were less likely to: talk with friends, parents or co‐workers; visit a drug counseling center; call an 800 hotline: contact a club, social group, or church group for prevention information. Low sensation seekers who used drugs, compared to high sensation seekers who used drugs, indicated a much higher preference for talking with parents. Implications for prevention efforts are discussed.

Criticism on the Internet: An analysis of participant reactions

This study examines the relationship among witnessing others being criticized on the Internet, being personally criticized on the Internet, and feelings of exclusion from participating on the Internet. The study also examines the extent to which witnessing criticism and being criticized increased ones likelihood of criticizing others. Results indicated that witnessing criticism and being criticized are largely unrelated to feelings of exclusion, but they are strongly related to ones likelihood of criticizing others. Additionally, women reported receiving more unfriendly criticism than men, yet there were no sex differences on feelings of exclusion.

Exploring Media’s Impact on African American Women’s Healthy Food Habits in Kentucky

This qualitative study employs the uses and gratifications framework to explore the perspective of African American women in Kentucky, specifically urban Louisville and rural Hopkinsville, to understand their use of media as potential sources for gathering information about healthy food habits. Key findings include how the participants used media for instrumental purposes to educate themselves about healthy food habits, and that the specific media personalities were very important to the participants as they decided to make healthier food selections.

Modeling message preferences: An adaptive conjoint analysis of persuasive messaging to increase fruit and vegetable consumption

Abstract Few past studies have used conjoint analysis to assess message design features and even fewer have looked at health issues. This research applies conjoint analysis to the quest to design motivational messages for African Americans at risk for diet-related adverse health outcomes (e.g., heart disease) in Kentucky. African American health in the state of Kentucky can benefit from a diet high in fruit and vegetable consumption, but little past research has been conducted with African American Kentuckians to explore the best message structure for communicating about increased fruit and vegetable consumption. This study reports on the outcome of the final phase of formative campaign research. We use an adaptive conjoint analysis to identify the most important elements of message design for this group of Kentucky residents. Results indicate that the messages source (i.e., the person delivering the message) is the most important design element for creating persuasive health messaging about fruit and vegetables for African Americans in Kentucky, followed by the stated benefit of eating more fruit and vegetables and the manner in which the behavior is described, respectively. To our knowledge, this study is the first to treat campaign message features as the subject of a conjoint analysis in order to identify which combination of features might be most motivating for a specific target audience. Recommendations for future health communication campaign application, as well as future research are discussed.