Paul T. Giblin

Effects of stress and characteristic adaptability on semen quality in healthy men

Semen from 28 healthy volunteers was assessed for basic semen measure and percent of abnormal morphologic forms every 2 weeks for 6 months. Concurrent self-reports were obtained on abstinence, frequency of ejaculation, health behavior and status, experienced stress, social support, and life events. A single assessment of characteristic adaptability (ego resiliency) also was obtained. Significant between-subject positive correlations were reported among selected semen measures, abstinence, and ego-resiliency. Stress was correlated negatively with semen measures of volume and percent normal morphologic forms.

Clinical applications of self-esteem and locus of control to adolescent health

Self-esteem and locus of control are two associated constructs representing, respectively, a generalized self-evaluation and an assessment of personal control. Measures representing these constructs generally rely on self-report. These measures have been applied to adolescent health as predictors and outcomes. Most studies rely on chi 3, t-test, and ANOVA analysis and report mixed results in attaining significant group comparisons on issues including contraceptive use, adolescent pregnancy, and substance abuse. Few studies employ multiple regression or discriminant function analysis assessing the relative influence or predictive accuracy and sensitivity of these measures. Studies using these analyses report limited or nonsignificant contributions of these measures to clinical issues (e.g., adolescent fatherhood, adolescent pregnancy, substance abuse, medical management) relative to variables such as patient age, social class, parental attitudes, and peer relationships. Our discussion of these results addresses the validity of self-reports of self-esteem and locus of control versus observation procedures assessing these constructs by verbal and nonverbal presentation of self, analytic procedures appropriate to clinical prediction of behavior by person and situation characteristics, and procedures to advance the clinical adoption of behavioral measures.

Effects of social supports on attitudes and behaviors of pregnant adolescents

The influence of social support on maternal attitudes and behaviors was assessed in 57 third-trimester adolescent women attending an urban prenatal clinic. Sociodemographic characteristics, social support, self-esteem, and feelings about pregnancy were measured by questionnaire. The support and influence of the adolescent father was emphasized. Social support was measured as a multidimensional construct derived by a priori and empirical procedures. The outcomes measured were the amount of prenatal care, attendance at scheduled postpartum appointments, and pleasure with the pregnancy. Stepwise multiple-regression analyses were used to assess the contributions of the predictor to criterion variables. Pleasure with pregnancy was positively associated with the receipt of assistance from the adolescents mother, favorable opinions of friends, and satisfaction with living arrangements. Attendance at postpartum visits was associated with high self-esteem. Notably absent as significant contributors were sociodemographic characteristics, receipt of emotional and tangible support from the adolescent father, and expectation of aid from social-assistance programs.

Effects of a home visiting program on prenatal care and birthweight: A case comparison study

Recent reports have stressed the importance of social support services to the health and well being of pregnant women and their newborns. The impact of paraprofessional support services on the amount of prenatal care received and birthweight was studied in a sample of 111 low-income women. Paraprofessionals were women who had been on public assistance and successfully attained health and human services for themselves and their infants. They were similar to the patients they served in educational background and ethnicity. A six-week training program prepared them to counsel and assist pregnant women with health and social services, housing, food, transportation and other basic necessities. Women attending a publically-funded prenatal clinic were randomly assigned to a paraprofessional. A comparison group matched for ethnicity, parity and trimester entering prenatal care was also selected. Women followed by a paraprofessional had significantly more prenatal appointments (8.0 vs 6.5 visits) and infants with average higher birthweight (3125 grams) over the matched comparison group (3273 grams). While intensity of contact with a paraprofessional contributed significantly to the amount of prenatal care received by patients of paraprofessionals, the mechanism for improvement in birthweight is unknown.

Affective behavior of abused and control children: comparisons of parent-child interactions and the influence of home environment variables.

Affective behaviors of 14 pairs of infant and preschool abused and control children matched on age, race, sex, and socioeconomic level were assessed in parent-child interaction. Subgroups of abused and control samples were formed by introduction of selected home environment variables chosen to represent properties of the parent-child dyad. Matched-pairs analysis showed few matched t-test comparisons to be significant. However, significant interactions were observed when two-way analyses of variance were performed with abused-control and status of home environment as factors. For positive affective behaviors, the abused group favored on home environment variables was higher than the favored control group. For negative affective behaviors, the abused group less-favored on home environment variables was higher than the less-favored control group. As a response to abuse, an increased sensitivity to the physical and social stimulation of the home environment is proposed.

Psychobiological determinants of pregnancy-induced hypertension

One hundred and twenty initially healthy primigravid women were evaluated during the seventh month of pregnancy for biological factors such as blood pressure, age, weight for height (Ponderal Index), as well as emotional states of anxiety and wellbeing (Trait At-Ease). Sixteen women developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) subsequently, while 104 remained normotensive. Discriminant analysis revealed that Ponderal Index and Trait At-Ease together accounted for 25.5% of the variance in the occurrence of PIH; other factors were not significant determinants. These results suggest that both psychological and physiological factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.

Primary care of adolescents: Issues in program development and implementation

Recent reviews of adolescent primary care urge the development of a dynamic program evaluation strategy. An action research evaluation model that combines service, training, and research to foster the development and implementation of primary care services is presented. The strategy includes description of patient populations, determination of patient health care needs, specification of service objectives, assessment of health care resources, and evaluation of service procedures and outcomes. Elements of the action research strategy are applied to evaluate two current issues in adolescent primary care: family-oriented versus adolescent-limited services and new morbidity.

Correlates of parenting on a neonatal intensive care unit: maternal characteristics and family resources.

The association of maternal characteristics, family resources, and receipt of prenatal care with parenting behaviors observed in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU; n = 383) was assessed. The parenting behavior of mothers not receiving prenatal care (n = 128) was compared to that of mothers of the preceding and subsequent admissions (n = 256) by retrospective chart review. Parenting variables included frequency of visits to the NICU and evaluative ratings of parents involvement with their infant. Parenting of the no-prenatal-care group was significantly less favorable than the control on all comparisons. Factor analysis supported a priori grouping of parenting variables. A stepwise multiple regression of maternal and family characteristics to the factor-derived variable, parenting, showed significant contributions for prenatal drug use and father involvement. Pediatric interventions assessing maternal social and behavioral characteristics are proposed.

Motor and Social Behavior in Abused and Control Children: Observations of Parent-Child Interactions

Motor and social contact behaviors of 13 matched pairs of abused and control children were observed in dyadic interaction with their mothers. Few distinctions were found between these groups. Using post hoc rationale, abused and control groups were further differentiated on the basis of the quality of mother-child interaction. Quality of interaction was inferred from three factors of Caldwell, Heider, and Kaplans Inventory of Home Stimulation. One factor (i.e., mothers use of restriction and punishment), in interaction with abause and control classifications, revealed a number of significant comparisons on motor and social behavior. Abused children employed more covert forms of communication while control children used more overt form. Results were discussed in terms of the identification of developmentally relevant aspects of the childs environment.

Effects of adult-caregiver's behaviors on the activities, social interactions, and investments of Nascent preschool day-care groups☆

Abstract Changes in 16 preschool childrens activities, social interactions, and degrees of initiative and investment are reported in the first and fourth weeks of shared day care experience. The effects of adult caretakers involvements with these children were compared in two day care centers (eight children from each center). Seven adult caregivers from these centers (A and B) were observed to assess their interactions with the children. Adults in center B displayed a significantly greater number of adult-initiated contacts of a more positive nature than did center A adults. Univariate ANOVAs of childrens behaviors reported significant time, center, and center-by-time differences. Between weeks 1 and 4 children displayed an increase in simultaneous involvement with peers, adults, and activities; an increase in the number of contacts with peers and adults; a decrease in time spent in transition between activities; and an increase in investment. The number of peer contacts decreased from weeks 1 to 4 in the center with fewer adult-initiated contacts and increased in the high adult-contact center. Descriptions of affiliated networks and a sequential analysis of state transitions further illustrated the effects of adult behavior on peer contacts and activity selections. Implications of the results are discussed for day care procedures and policies.