Nathaniel N. Wagner

Psychosocial Factors in Athletic Injuries: Development and Application of the Social and Athletic Readjustment Rating Scale (SARRS)

The possible role of psychosocial factors in athletics, namely football injuries, is examined. Initially Holmes and Rahes Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) was modified to the Social and Athletic Readjustment Scale (SARRS). Additions to the scale and differences in football players from the general population are discussed. Life change scores over one- and two-year intervals were obtained for college varsity football players. Players suffering major time loss injuries had significantly higher predictive scores than noninjured players.

Therapy groups for women sexually molested as children

A neglected class of sexual assault victims consists of women who were molested as children. In response to their unmet needs, therapy groups composed solely of women who were sexually abused in their childhood have been established. The goals of these groups are twofold: (1) the alleviation of sexual guilt and shame and (2) the clarification of emotional and behavioral consequences of molestation. Ten groups have been conducted, each containing four to six members, comprising an overall total of 50 women. In 97% of the cases, a prior relationship had existed between perpetrator and victim. Treatment consisted of a four-session format. During session I, each group participant described her molestation experiences in detail. Sessions II and III focused on how these experiences have affected the women. Session IV dealt with individual stages of recovery and further treatment plans. Clinical findings included feelings of guilt and depression, negative self-image, and problems in interpersonal relationships associated with an underlying mistrust of men, inadequate social skills, and difficulties in sexual functioning. Evaluations of the therapy groups by the participants indicated that the primary curative component was the sense of identification and emotional closeness instilled by a warm and supportive environment where a common bond was shared.

A comparison of males and females who were sexually molested as children

A 45-item questionnaire was administered to 952 college students. The questionnaire covered the frequency, components, and adult consequences of child molestation in a non-clinical population and provided the basis for comparisons between molested females with and without current sexual problems, and molested females vs. molested males. The male molestation rate was 4.8% with a 3:2 ratio of hetero:homosexual molestation. The female molestation rate was 7.7%. The single significant difference between the two female groups was the negative effect of positive coercion. Significant differences between molested males and females included greater positive coercion and homosexual molestation in males and greater familial molestation and negative consequences of molestation in females. The results were discussed with respect to the role of guilt and the sexual socialization of males and females.

Sexual Behavior in Pregnancy

This chapter reports on a study of the sexuality of pregnant women. In general, the results showed a linear decrease in sexual interest, frequency of coitus, and frequency of orgasm over the course of pregnancy. These results should be viewed with caution, however, for a number of reasons. First, this is a retrospective study. Within a few days of delivery, women were asked to recall their sexual patterns over the course of their pregnancy. Such retrospective reports of events in the distant past are often distorted by selective memory and by the active memory of more recent events. Since the subjects were generally physically uncomfortable and therefore uninterested in sex during the ninth month of their pregnancy, their reports of decreased sexual activity during the first months of pregnancy may have been influenced by this recent memory. Secondly, the interviewers were all young males. It is reasonable to expect that many women, immediately after delivery, would be reluctant to describe themselves as highly interested in sex to young male strangers.

Written descriptions of orgasm: A study of sex differences

It has generally been assumed that a males experience of orgasm is different from a females experience of orgasm. In this study, a questionnaire consisting of 48 descriptions of orgasm (24 male and 24 female) was submitted to 70 judges. These professionals (obstetrician-gynecologists, psychologists, and medical students) were to sex-identify the descriptions to discover whether sex differences could be detected. The judges could not correctly identify the sex of the person describing an orgasm. Furthermore, none of the three professional groups represented in the sample of judges did better than any of the other groups. Male judges did no better than female judges and vice versa.These findings suggest that the experience of orgasm for males and females is essentially the same.

Conceptions of Mental Illness among Asian and Caucasian-American Students:

The attitudes and beliefs of 62 Asian American and 81 Caucasian college students toward mental illness were examined. After controlling for demographic and background variables between students, a number of significant ethnic differences emerged. These results were interpreted in the context of Asian subcultural values and implications for psychotherapeutic practice were drawn.

Sexual dysfunction in women who were molested as children: one response pattern and suggestions for treatment

A common pattern of women who were sexually molested as children and seek treatment for sexual dysfunction is described. The arousal, rather than the orgasmic, component is involved. The reasons for the evolution of this particular dysfunction are discussed. Treatment should extend the period of sensate focus and address the issues of the womans anger, her need for control, and her guilt. Excellent results can be achieved in helping the patient to experience physical intimacy and the pleasure of sexual arousal.

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale: A Cross-Cultural Study of Malaysians and Americans

Two hundred sixty-six Malaysian medical students were compared with 195 selectively matched Americans on the Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire. There was a remarkable concordance (Spearmans rho ranged from. 97 to. 91) between the Malaysian and American samples as well as between discrete subgroups in the Malaysian sample in the manner in which they established a relative order of magnitude to changes in life events. Some interesting and profound differences resulting from cultural variations were also observed. Attitudes of the Malaysians toward infringement of laws, the idea of romantic love and thus relationship between spouses seem to differ significantly from the American sample. Malaysians scored significantly higher on items pertaining to personal habits, religious activities, attitudes toward work, and financial security. Differences among Malaysian subgroups (race, religion, sex, year of medical class, and generation Malaysian) were discussed.

Contraceptive use among single college students

Abstract The extent and type of contraceptive use among 446 single college students was investigated. Since few systematic data have been gathered on premarital contraception, relative adequacy of contraceptive use is difficult to assess. However, the results demonstrate that many students in this sample are using inadequate or no contraception. Action by physicians is cited.

Prematurity and Orgasmic Coitus During Pregnancy: Data on A Small Sample

Nineteen mothers of premature infants were interviewed in an attempt to determine a possible relationship between prematurity and orgasmic coitus during pregnancy. Although the limited number of subjects precludes tests of statistical significance and definite conclusions, the findings do suggest possible associations. While there appeared to be no relationship between prematurity and coitus per se during pregnancy, the association of frequent or intense orgasm with prematurity does raise some questions that further investigation might answer. Because of the hazard of prematurity to the subsequent development of the child, further exploration of the possible relationship of prematurity to orgasmic coitus during pregnancy appears warranted.