Ruby E. Johnson

Reasons for teachers' adaptation of substance use prevention curricula in schools with non-white student populations:

In this study we investigate reasons why teachers adapt substance use prevention curricula in the nations middle schools. We hypothesize that these reasons will be most salient in schools with racially and ethnically diverse student populations, for whom teachers may believe it appropriate to tailor their curricula. The study sample comprised a nationally representative sample of lead substance use prevention teachers in the nations middle schools. Respondents answered questions concerning eight student problems or needs that constituted reasons why they might adapt their prevention lessons. Controlling for a variety of school and teacher characteristics, we found that teachers in high minority schools were more likely to adapt curricula in response to three of the eight characteristics presented: youth violence, limited English proficiency, and various racial/ethnic or cultural groups. We suggest that curriculum developers make a systematic effort to understand how teachers are adapting their curricula in high minority schools and incorporate these modifications, if found effective, into their curricula.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Stigma Among Soldiers

Few studies have compared persons in treatment to those not in treatment with regard to perceived stigma. We surveyed soldiers to examine differences in stigma perceptions among those in treatment for substance abuse and/or mental health problems (n = 470) and those not in treatment (n = 966). Analyses revealed that soldiers in treatment perceived greater stigma regarding mental health treatment compared with soldiers not in treatment. These findings support the notion that personnel most in need of treatment perceive greater stigma associated with these services and as a result may be less likely to pursue them. We discuss the implications of our findings for theory, research, and practice.

Smoking and functional status among Medicare managed care enrollees.

BACKGROUND Smoking is a major determinant of health status and outcomes. Current smoking has been associated with lower scores on the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Whether this occurs among the elderly and disabled Medicare populations is not known. This study assessed the relationships between smoking status and both physical and mental functioning in the Medicare managed-care population. METHODS During the spring of 1998, data were collected from 134309 elderly and 8640 disabled Medicare beneficiaries for Cohort 1, Round 1 of the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. We subsequently used these data to calculate mean standardized SF-36 scores, self-reported health status, and prevalence of smoking-related illness, by smoking status, after adjusting for demographic factors. RESULTS Among the disabled, everyday and someday smokers had lower standardized physical component (PCS) and mental component (MCS) scores than never smokers (-2.4 to -4.5 points; p <0.01 for all). Among the elderly, the lowest PCS and MCS scores were seen among recent quitters (-5.1 and -3.7 points, respectively, below those for never smokers; p <0.01 for both), but current smokers also had significantly lower scores on both scales. For the elderly and disabled populations, MCS scores of long-term quitters were the same as nonsmokers. Similar patterns were seen across all eight SF-36 scales. Ever smokers had higher odds of reporting both less-than-good health and a history of smoking-related chronic disease. CONCLUSIONS In the elderly and disabled Medicare populations, smokers report worse physical and mental functional status than never smokers. Long-term quitters have better functional status than those who still smoke. More effort should be directed at helping elderly smokers to quit earlier. Smoking cessation has implications for improving both survival and functional status.

Spouse abuse and child abuse by army soldiers

This study analyzed data collected by the U.S. Army’s Family Advocacy Program, the group primarily responsible for family violence prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up on Army installations. Patterns of spouse abuse and child abuse perpetrated within a five year period (2000–2004) were examined in a sample of 10,864 Army Soldiers who were substantiated for family violence offenses. Three groups of family violence offenders were compared: (1) those who perpetrated spouse offenses only; (2) those who perpetrated child offenses only; and (3) those who perpetrated both spouse and child offenses. Results showed that the majority of substantiated family violence offenders were spouse offenders who had not committed child abuse (61%), followed by child offenders who had not committed spouse abuse (27%), and finally those who committed both spouse and child offenses (12%). The three groups of family violence offenders differed in terms of the types of abuse they perpetrated (neglect of children, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse), their experiences of being a spouse abuse victim, and sociodemographic characteristics. Twelve percent of all spouse abusers committed multiple spouse abuse incidents, and 10% of all child abusers committed multiple child abuse incidents.

Child Maltreatment and Substance Abuse Among U.S. Army Soldiers

Although substance abuse has consistently been linked to child maltreatment, no study to date has described the extent of substance abuse among child maltreatment offenders within the military. Analysis of U.S. Army data on all substantiated incidents of parental child maltreatment committed between 2000 and 2004 by active duty soldiers found that 13% of offenders were noted to have been abusing alcohol or illicit drugs at the time of their child maltreatment incident. The odds of substance abuse were increased for offenders who committed child neglect or emotional abuse, but were reduced for child physical abuse. The odds of offender substance abuse nearly tripled in child maltreatment incidents that also involved co-occurring spouse abuse. Findings include a lack of association between offender substance abuse and child maltreatment recurrence, possibly because of the increased likelihood of removal of offenders from the home when either substance abuse or spouse abuse were documented.

Substance Use by Soldiers Who Abuse Their Spouses

Data on 7,424 soldier spouse abuse offenders were analyzed to determine the prev alence of substance use during abusiv e incidents, and to examine differences between substance-using and non-substance-using offenders. Results showed that 25% of all offenders used substances during abusiv e incidents, with males and non-Hispanic Whites being more likely to hav e used substances. Substance-using offenders were more likely to perpetrate physical spouse abuse and more sev ere spouse abuse. These findings underscore the importance of educating military personnel (including commanders) about links between substance use and domestic v iolence, and of coordinating prev entiv e and therapeutic substance abuse and v iolence-related interv entions.

Simplified categorization of outdoor activities for male and female U.S. indoor workers - A feasibility study to improve assessment of ultraviolet radiation exposures in epidemiologic study questionnaires

Skin cancer studies depend on questionnaires to estimate exposure to ultraviolet light and subsequent risk but are limited by recall bias. We investigate the feasibility of developing a short checklist of categories comprising outdoor activities that can improve sun exposure questionnaires for use in epidemiologic studies. We recruited 124 working and retired U.S. radiologic technologists (52% women). Each subject was instructed to complete a daily activity diary, listing main indoor and outdoor activities between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. during a 7 day period. A total of 4697 entries were associated with 1408 h (21.1%) of the total 6944 h spent outdoors. We were able to classify the activities into seven main activity categories: driving, yard work, home‐maintenance, walking or performing errands, water activities, other recreational or sports activities and leisure activities or relaxing outside. These activities accounted for more than 94% of time spent outdoors both for working and retired men and women. Our data document the feasibility and guidance for developing a short checklist of outdoor activities for use in epidemiologic questionnaires for estimating sunlight exposures of working and retired indoor workers.

Male soldier family violence offenders: spouse and child offenders compared to child offenders.

Army data from 2000 to 2004 were used to compare two groups of married, male, Army soldier, first-time family violence offenders: 760 dual offenders (whose initial incident included both child maltreatment and spouse abuse) and 2,209 single offenders (whose initial incident included only child maltreatment). The majority (81%) of dual offenders perpetrated physical spouse abuse; however, dual offenders were less likely than single offenders to perpetrate physical child abuse (16% vs. 42%) or sexual child abuse (1% vs. 11%), but they were more likely to perpetrate emotional child abuse (45% vs. 12%). These findings may be, at least in part, explained in light of the Army Family Advocacy Program policy, which considers spouse offenders as also being emotional child abuse offenders since children may be traumatized by exposure to spouse abuse.

Child Maltreatment Within Military Families

Attention to child maltreatment within military families has grown in recent decades in response to the increasing numbers of children in military families, the broader evolution of child maltreatment policy and services, and the development of military policy on issues such as domestic violence. This chapter summarizes current understanding of child maltreatment in the military. Several characteristics of military populations and military life are likely protective with respect to child maltreatment. However, three aspects of military life may increase risks for child maltreatment: elevated rates of domestic violence among military families, increased prevalence of alcohol among service members, and deployment of service member parents.

Factors Affecting Residential Care Facility Charges

ABSTRACT Residential care facilities, known by a variety of names such as assisted living or group homes, offer assistance to people who find it difficult to live alone but who do not need or wish to enter a nursing home. There is substantial variation in the amount that residents are charged each month. Data from the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities were used to identify factors that affect the total monthly charges to residents. These findings can inform an individuals search for an appropriate, affordable option.