Thomas K. Pinhey

The Fighting Behavior of Asian-Pacific Males in Guam: Do High School Extracurricular Activities Matter?

Objective. We predicted that the social integrative effects resulting from participation in high school extracurricular activities would reduce the physical fighting behavior of Asian–Pacific males in Guam, a population that is known for excessively high levels of physical fighting. Methods. Using ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis we tested the hypothesis with a probability sample of Guam’s Asian–Pacific high school students. Results. Controlling for age, ethnicity, gender, and a number of risk and protective factors, males who participated in extracurricular activities were found to be less likely than others to participate in physical fighting, and extracurricular activities buffered the effects of males’ participation in physical fights. Conclusions. Males who participate in extracurricular activities are integrated into their school environment such that they are less likely to report participation in physical fights. The implications of our findings for theory and future research are discussed.

exploring the purging behavior of asian-pacific adolescents in guam: does heavy television viewing make a difference?

This study explored the effects of heavy television viewing on the purging behavior of Asian-Pacific adolescents in Guam. We argue that Westernized television in Guam presents thin, tall, and athletic bodies as the only acceptable images for adolescents. Using logistic regression, we tested the television-purging connection using a probability sample of Asian-Pacific Islander high school students. The results of the analysis support the hypothesis that heavy television viewing is associated with male purging behavior, which is a form of self-directed deviance. Being overweight is also associated with purging for male and female adolescents. We discuss the implications of the findings for theory and future research.

Recounting the wages of self-appraised sinfulness: a research note on divorce, cohabitation, and guilt

This study examines the conditional effects of self-appraised sinfulness for divorce and cohabitation on feelings of guilt among Guams predominantly Roman Catholic, Asian-Pacific population. Self-appraised sinfulness is a form of stigma resulting from ones internalization of religious doctrine and also indicates the strength of an individuals theological belief. Due to Guams apparent acceptance of cohabitation and the non-acceptance of divorce by the Catholic Church, we predicted that the effects of sinful self-appraisal would result in greater feelings of guilt for divorced respondents and significantly lower feelings of guilt for cohabiting respondents. Our tests supported our predictions. The implications of our findings for theory and future research are also discussed.This study examines the conditional effects of self-appraised sinfulness for divorce and cohabitation on feelings of guilt among Guams predominantly Roman Catholic, Asian-Pacific population. Self-appraised sinfulness is a form of stigma resulting from ones internalization of religious doctrine and also indicates the strength of an individuals theological belief. Due to Guams apparent acceptance of cohabitation and the non-acceptance of divorce by the Catholic Church, we predicted that the effects of sinful self-appraisal would result in greater feelings of guilt for divorced respondents and significantly lower feelings of guilt for cohabiting respondents. Our tests supported our predictions. The implications of our findings for theory and future research are also discussed.

The wages of self‐appraised sin: A research note on emotional well‐being and marijuana use in Guam

This article explores the potential links between religious beliefs, deviant behavior, and negative self‐perceptions in Guams Asian‐Pacific community. In contrast to earlier reports, the results of multiple regression analyses of Behavioral Risk Factor Survey data (N = 398) suggest that traditional religious beliefs concerning sin may diminish rather than enhance emotional well‐being and that individuals who appraise themselves as sinful may experience participation in deviance (i.e., using marijuana) as far more emotionally devastating than others. The implications of these results for theory and future research are also discussed.

The Health Status and Characteristics of Hypertensives in Guam

Studies of Asian Pacific American populations are of ten flawed because while the population is quite heterogeneous, researchers usually collapse them into a single category, making it impossible to assess the health status or needs of individual Asian Pacific American ethnic groups. Using a probability sample of Guam residents, the analysis reported here addresses the problem by documenting the health status and characteristics of Chamorro and Filipino hypertensives. In contrast to predictions from the literature, Chamorros have a higher prevalence of hypertension than Filipinos. Additional results show that hypertensive Chamorro men and women are from lower socioeconomic status levels than their Filipino counterparts, while hypertensive men and women of both ethnic groups appear equally likely to be overweight and to suffer diabetes. Male hypertensives are at greater risk for psychological distress than normotensives, and have a greater chance of heart failure. Compared to Filipinos, hypertensive Chamorros are more likely to evaluate their overall physical health as poor.