Susanna Kola-Palmer

Gender differences and correlates of extreme dieting behaviours in US adolescents

This article examined correlates of and gender differences in extreme dieting behaviours among 15,425 US adolescents from the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Suicidal thoughts and plans and binge drinking were related to extreme dieting behaviours in females, but not in males. Suicide attempts, daily smoking and marijuana use were related to extreme dieting behaviours in males, but not females. Results suggest extreme dieting behaviours are associated with a range of negative psychosocial factors and substance use behaviours, and that these differ for boys and girls. Additional research is required to elucidate these relationships, and these results provide a focus for future research, prevention and intervention efforts.

Patients’ perceptions of colposcopy pain

This study aimed to examine the sensory descriptors used by women undergoing their first ever colposcopy examination as part of cervical cancer screening. Immediately following colposcopy, women were asked to provide detailed information about the sensory, affective, evaluative and intensity properties of the colposcopy examination using a validated, standardised questionnaire. Overall, 160 colposcopy patients with different management options were assessed [53 women underwent diagnostic colposcopy only, 76 had colposcopy plus punch biopsy, 31 women had colposcopy plus see-and-treat large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) treatment]. The results demonstrated that women report greater pain intensity with more intensive management options, such that women who have punch biopsy or LLETZ treatment report significantly more pain than women who have diagnostic colposcopy. In addition, with increasing intensity of treatment, the number of qualitative sensory and pain descriptors increase. This information can usefully be incorporated into colposcopy information leaflets, to ensure the sensory and affective experience of colposcopy is fully explained to women prior to attending. Expanding the preparatory information that women receive may serve to reduce anxiety, pain and distress associated with colposcopy.

Correlates of psychological distress immediately following colposcopy.

Women are at risk for prolonged psychological distress following attendance at colposcopy for cervical abnormalities, with potentially negative consequences. Little is presently known about the correlates of post‐colposcopy distress. The present study aimed to extend knowledge of correlates of post‐colposcopy anxiety and negative affect, and identify women at risk for elevated psychological distress.

Psychopathy, gang membership, and moral disengagement among juvenile offenders

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of psychopathy factors and gang membership on moral disengagement while controlling for age, ethnicity, having run away from home, family member and/or friend arrests, substance misuse, parental physical fights, violence exposure (victimization and witnessing), and maternal warmth and hostility. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on data collected from serious juvenile offenders (n=769) as part of the Pathways to Desistance Study. Findings – Six independent variables made a unique statistically significant contribution to the model: gang membership, age, gender, violence exposure, and psychopathy Factors 1 and 2. Psychopathy Factor 1 was the strongest predictor of moral disengagement. Originality/value – Results indicate that youth with heightened psychopathic traits make greater use of strategies to rationalize and justify their harmful behaviour against others. Implications in relation to theory and previous studies are discussed.

‘It’s not mind blowing really….it’s about keeping people happy’: the perceptions of player welfare managers in Rugby Super League

Abstract At a time when the welfare needs of individuals within powerful organisations, such as professional sport, are being scrutinised it is appropriate to look at what is being done to support athletes and what more may be needed. The RFL, in recognition of the need for welfare support, introduced player welfare managers to all Super League clubs in 2011. Using an interpretivist approach, we report the findings from a series of semi-structured interviews with player welfare managers (PWMs) that explored the PWMs’ perceptions of player welfare, what impact they believe they are having on player welfare, and what else is needed to enhance the service. The PWMs perceive that they have been an important resource for players, independent of the club and coaches, which has allowed players to seek support for a range of issues. The use of the services provided by PWMs increased over the time between interviews, this, it is thought, is due in part to a change of culture within the sport. The PWMs felt the head coach, along with the backing of the club, and the RFL structure were important in the services being accessible and accepted. The PWMs were struggling to meet the demands of their job roles, which were largely part time. However, since the results of this and other studies were made accessible to the RFL, large-scale changes to welfare provision have been made, including making the PWMs’ posts full-time. This is seen as an important contribution and commitment to players’ welfare needs.

Evaluating service user pedagogy in UK higher education: Validating the Huddersfield Service User Pedagogy Scale

BACKGROUND There is global recognition that the inclusion of service users in the education of health and social care students in higher education can lead to more compassionate professional identities which will enable better decision making. However, to date there is no systematic tool to explore learning and service user involvement in the curriculum. OBJECTIVES To generate and validate a psychometric instrument which will allow educators to evaluate service user pedagogy. DESIGN Construction and validation of a new scale. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS 365 undergraduate students from health and social care departments in two universities. RESULTS A two correlated factor scale. Factor 1 - perceived presence of service users in the taught curriculum and factor 2 - professionals and service users working together (correlation between factor 1 and factor 2 - r = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS The Huddersfield Service User Pedagogy Scale provides a valid instrument for educators to evaluate student learning. In addition, the tool can contribute to student reflections on their shifting professional identities as they progress through their studies.