Mary B. Short

A Review of Internet Pornography Use Research: Methodology and Content from the Past 10 Years

Internet pornography (IP) use has increased over the past 10 years. The effects of IP use are widespread and are both negative (e.g., relationship and interpersonal distress) and positive (e.g., increases in sexual knowledge and attitudes toward sex). Given the possible negative effects of IP use, understanding the definition of IP, the types of IP used, and reasons for IP use is important. The present study reviews the methodology and content of available literature regarding IP use in nondeviant adult populations. The study seeks to determine how the studies defined IP, utilized validated measures of pornography use, examined variables related to IP, and addressed form and function of IP use. Overall, studies were inconsistent in their definitions of IP, measurement, and their assessment of the form and function of IP use. Discussion regarding how methodological differences between studies may impact the results and the ability to generalize findings is provided, and suggestions for future studies are offered.

Children's symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression after a natural disaster: Comorbidity and risk factors.

BACKGROUND The current study examined rates of comorbidity among childrens symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) and depression after a natural disaster, Hurricane Ike. We also compared children with comorbid symptoms to children without comorbid symptoms, examining recovery, severity of symptoms, and risk factors. METHOD Children (n=277; 52% girls; 38% Hispanic, 28% White, 19% Black; grades 2-4) were assessed at 8 and 15 months postdisaster. Children completed measures of PTS and depressive symptoms at both time points and measures of exposure and recovery stressors at 8 months postdisaster. RESULTS At 8 months postdisaster, 13% of children reported elevated PTS-only, 11% depression-only, and 10% comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression. At 15 months postdisaster, 7% of children reported elevated PTS-only, 11% depression-only, and 7% comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression. Children with comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression had poorer recovery, more severe symptoms, and they reported greater exposure and recovery stressors. LIMITATIONS We lacked information on childrens predisaster functioning and diagnostic interview of psychological distress symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Children with comorbid symptoms need to be identified early postdisaster. Levels of stressors should be monitored postdisaster, as highly stressed youth have difficulties recovering and may need help. Interventions should be tailored for children with comorbid symptoms of PTS and depression.

Literature review of human papillomavirus vaccine acceptability among women over 26 years

Vaccines for the human papillomavirus (HPV) are currently licensed for females, ages 9 through 26 years old in the U.S., and for adult women up to 45 years in some countries such as Australia. As licensure for adult women, over 26 years, is sought in other countries, it will be important to determine the acceptability to them. We reviewed the available articles on adult opinions and acceptability of vaccinating women against HPV. Predictors of acceptability included barriers, knowledge, risk, age, and marital status. Overall, acceptability rates were high, if adequate information was given and the cost was affordable.

The Role of Sexual Compulsivity, Impulsivity, and Experiential Avoidance in Internet Pornography Use

Previous research has found that a significant proportion of individuals who use Internet pornography (IP) report that their use is problematic in some area of functioning. Problematic IP use has been conceptualized as an aspect of sexual addiction and as having components of impulsivity and compulsivity. Experiential avoidance also has been implicated in problematic IP use. The current study further examined the relationship between problematic IP use and these variables. Participants (N = 94), who were categorized as having problematic or nonproblematic IP use based on their responses to four questions, completed an online survey regarding their use of IP. Results indicated that there were significant differences between individuals with and without problematic IP use in hours of IP used per week, sexual compulsivity, amount of interference from sexual urges, experiential avoidance, and negative and positive effects of IP use. Results from the current study help clarify conceptualizations of problematic IP use, and implications for treatment are suggested.

Relationships between Tattling, Likeability, and Social Classification: A Preliminary Investigation of Adolescents in Residential Care.

Little research has been published on tattling, even less on its social impact, and we found none directly investigating tattling by adolescents. This study assessed the extent to which tattling, as perceived by peers and caregivers of adolescents in a residential care program, was associated with various dimensions of social status and other behavioral correlates. Eighty-eight adolescent participants rated their housemates on likeability, perceived rates of tattling, and other behavioral descriptors. In addition, caretakers also rated each youth in terms of perceived tattling. On the basis of likeability ratings, participants were classified into one of five categories: popular, average, controversial, neglected, and rejected. Results showed a significant negative correlation between likeability and perceived tattling rates. In addition, youth classified as socially rejected were more likely to be perceived by both their peers and care providers as engaging in high rates of tattling.

Research on adolescents and microbicides: a review.

Adolescents are an important target for microbicide research, as they are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections and currently are underrepresented in the microbicide research literature. Furthermore, adolescents are psychosocially and biologically different from adults, and findings from adult research cannot be assumed to apply universally to adolescents. Adolescents, to date have rarely been included in clinical trials and acceptability research for microbicides, in part because their participation requires attention to unique developmental issues, including parental consent and confidentiality. Despite these challenges, adolescents should be included in microbicide clinical research. If adolescents are ultimately expected to use microbicides, it is essential that we understand the developmental, contextual, and relationship variables that may influence use and acceptability. Accordingly, the goal of this paper was to examine the issues affecting the inclusion of adolescents in microbicide clinical research as well as review the existing adolescent-specific microbicide research, which highlights the various factors that may influence use and acceptability. It is hoped that this review can provide guidance for future work with this important, specialized population.

School-located influenza immunization programs: Factors important to parents and students ☆

PURPOSE To describe both parent and student perspectives on the importance of various programmatic factors when deciding to participate in a school-located immunizations program (SLIP) for influenza vaccine. METHODS Questionnaires were distributed to middle- and high-school students and their parents; the document assessed demographic data, influenza vaccination history, and the importance of various factors in their decision to participate in a potential SLIP for influenza vaccine. Factor analysis created six primary factors of importance related to programming: (1) safety/trust; (2) outbreaks (representing imminent threat of disease, an environmental factor associated with program timing); (3) issues of site implementation; (4) public health benefits; (5) record-keeping; (6) medical/emotional support. RESULTS Participants included 621 students and 579 parents; 566 student/parent dyads were included. Most respondents were female, felt it is important to be immunized against the flu, and received the influenza vaccine in the past. Fewer than 50% had received the intranasal vaccine. More parents (67%) than students (46%) expressed a general willingness to consent to utilizing a SLIP. The programmatic factors associated with public health were second only to safety/trust factors as the most important to parents and students when considering participation in a SLIP. Demographic variables were found to be associated with the importance ratings of program factors associated with participation in a SLIP. CONCLUSIONS When considering possible participation in SLIPs, parents and students consider programmatic factors associated with safety/trust and public health benefits to be of the greatest importance. Further study will be needed to develop effective and culturally sensitive messaging that targets and emphasizes these factors to potentially increase participation in SLIPS.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Patterns of Sexual Behavior and STI Risk Among Sexually Experienced Adolescent Girls

STUDY OBJECTIVE Racial/ethnic differences in prevalence and patterns of oral and anal sex were analyzed among girls participating in a microbicide acceptability study. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis SETTING Recruitment to participate in a 6-month study examining microbicide acceptability was conducted at a school-based health clinic and local colleges in Galveston, Texas and through snowball sampling. PARTICIPANTS Sexually experienced girls (n = 202) ages 14 to 21 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Girls reported on their demographic and sexual history at the intake interview. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Their mean age was 18.2 years; 26% were white, 43% African-American, and 31% Hispanic. African-American girls were significantly less likely than whites and Hispanics to have had oral sex; no differences were found for anal sex. African-American girls were significantly older than whites and Hispanics when they initiated oral sex. African-American girls had a greater difference between ages of vaginal and oral sex initiation than whites and Hispanics. Oral sex history was associated with a 6-factor increase and anal sex history was associated with a 3-factor increase in the likelihood of a history of sexually transmitted infection. Future studies should explore these differences in greater depth in order to develop culturally specific STI prevention efforts.

Topical microbicide use by adolescent girls. Concerns about timing efficacy and safety.

Background and Objectives Adolescent girls could benefit from topical microbicide use if the product is acceptable to them. Goal The goal was to evaluate girls’, mothers’, experienced healthcare providers’, and medical students’ views on timing of use, efficacy, and safety of topical microbicide use by adolescents. Study Design Focus groups were conducted with girls, mothers, healthcare providers, and medical students. All groups were videotaped, transcribed, and coded for relevant themes. Results A delay between insertion and coitus presented a problem, and pre- and postcoital use had advantages depending on the group. Efficacy was evaluated by timing of use, smell, ability to feel the product, and confidence that it would spread sufficiently. There were concerns about physical side effects and the impact on normal vaginal flora. Conclusion This study demonstrated the importance of understanding the unique needs and perspectives of adolescent girls and the adults who have an influence on their use.

Adult Women's Attitudes Toward the HPV Vaccine

AIMS Two human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have demonstrated efficacy in preventing HPV infection and are currently being administered to adolescent girls in several countries. Although the most efficient HPV prevention strategy is immunizing adolescents before there is any risk of exposure, adult women also may benefit from vaccination. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of women aged 27-55 years toward the HPV vaccine. METHODS Thirty-eight women were recruited from a university-based gynecological practice, completed a demographic questionnaire, and then were interviewed. RESULTS Most participants had heard about the vaccine and were positive about the HPV vaccine for adult women. Women advocated universal access to this vaccine, indicating that all women should have the option. They assessed their risk level in several ways, including level of monogamy, relationship status, previous sexual risk behaviors, history of an abnormal Pap smear, and family history. All but 2 woman described barriers to vaccination, including cost, side effects, and hassle factors. Most women did not believe the vaccine would change risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS The women from this convenience sample knew the HPV vaccine existed and in general found it acceptable. If an HPV vaccine becomes available to adult women, healthcare professionals will be faced with the challenge of providing accurate information, being sensitive and willing to help each individual woman make a decision, and being creative when developing new ways to eliminate barriers to getting the vaccine.