Todd F. Lewis

Profiles of alcohol- and marijuana-impaired adolescent drivers

The aim of the study was to identify risk factors that distinguish alcohol-impaired and marijuana-impaired drivers from non-impaired drivers, among adolescents with a history of using these substances. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 6594 seventh- to twelfth-grade students in nine Ohio public school districts. Data analyses were conducted on the 11th to 12th grade sub-sample that had prior experience of alcohol (n = 1378) and/or marijuana use (n = 678). Logistic regression analyses confirmed that the involvements in alcohol-impaired and marijuana-impaired driving were both associated with higher levels of use of these two drugs. However, the profiles of these two risk behaviors were relatively distinct. Boyfriend/girlfriend alcohol use, hours spent at a job, race, family structure, and academic performance also had significant, independent relationships with the two driving practices. To effectively deter impaired driving among adolescents, prevention efforts must address the social context of adolescent alcohol and marijuana use.

Opening space for client reflection: A postmodern consideration

It is suggested in this article that perhaps during those occasions in which some distance exists between ourselves and our problems in life, we might experience an opportunity for reflective thinking. It is also suggested that opportunities for reflective thinking might be of benefit to clients in counseling. This article reviews selected literature addressing reflective thinking and it reviews selected literature that would seem to provide a perspective on facilitating “space” for reflective thinking during family counseling.

Using the PATHOS Questionnaire for Screening Sexual Addiction Among College Students: A Preliminary Exploration

Researchers posit that sexual addiction often develops in young adulthood (Goodman, 2005), the time when many individuals are in college. The PATHOS screening questionnaire (Carnes et al., 2012) may be a helpful resource for counselors working with collegiate populations to identify those in need of further assessment for sexual addiction. We collected data from 379 undergraduate students and found that 21.2% of males and 6.7% of females endorsed 3 or more items on the PATHOS, suggesting a need for additional assessment. We discuss implications and limitations of these findings and highlight the need for additional research on college populations.

Evidence Regarding the Internal Structure: Confirmatory Factor Analysis

ABSTRACT American Educational Research Association (AERA) standards stipulate that researchers show evidence of the internal structure of instruments. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is one structural equation modeling procedure designed to assess construct validity of assessments that has broad applicability for counselors interested in instrument development. Five steps in conducting CFA are provided, along with an illustrated example.

Psychosocial Correlates of AUDIT-C Hazardous Drinking Risk Status: Implications for Screening and Brief Intervention in College Settings.

The current study identified psychosocial variables associated with AUDIT-C hazardous drinking risk status for male and female college students. Logistic regression analysis revealed that AUDIT-C risk status was associated with alcohol-related negative consequences, injunctive norms, and descriptive norms for both male and female participants. Sociability and self-perception outcome expectancies predicted risk status for females. Cognitive and behavioral impairment expectancies predicted risk status for men in the sample. Implications for screening and brief intervention programming efforts are discussed.

Modeling Alcohol Use Intensity Among Students at a Historically Black University The Role of Social Norms, Perceptions for Risk, and Selected Demographic Variables

Drinking patterns and rates at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) are not well understood. Social norms and perceptions of risk are two explanatory mechanisms that have accounted for a significant amount of variance in college student drinking at predominantly White campuses. However, these models have not been examined among students who attend an HBCU. Two-hundred and four students from a historically Black university in the Southern region of the United States completed an anonymous questionnaire that assessed their alcohol related behavior, thoughts, and perceptions. Structural equation modeling confirmed the importance of social norms in explaining drinking among the study sample. The overall model accounted for 59% of the variability in alcohol use intensity. Implications for leaders of HBCU campuses and counselors are discussed.

Increasing Healthy Behaviors in Adolescents of Mexican Heritage in Rural Emerging Latino Communities: Results from a School-Based Health Intervention Pilot Study

The rapid Latino population growth in emerging Latino communities (EmLCs) presents a challenge to health care providers as most current health interventions and health promotion programs intended for Latinas/os are based on characteristics of established Latino communities (EsLCs). This study addresses the gap in the literature by modifying and testing the beginning efficacy of a school-based health intervention for adolescents of Mexican heritage in a rural EmLC. Seventy adolescents of Mexican heritage attending a rural middle school participated in the intervention. Paired samples t-tests were performed to determine differences between healthy behaviors at post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. Significant improvements in participants’ physical activity and healthy eating were observed between pre-intervention and post-intervention. A school-based health intervention designed to increase healthy behaviors of adolescents of Mexican heritage in a rural EmLC was successful.

Driving privileges facilitate impaired driving in those youths who use alcohol or marijuana.

The aim of this study was to determine whether possession of a drivers license increases the risk of impaired driving among adolescents who use alcohol or marijuana. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to secondary school students in northeast Ohio across multiple school districts. Logistic regression analyses revealed that after accounting for socio-demographic variables, legal driving privileges were independent risk factors for both alcohol- and marijuana-impaired driving, and more robust than substance use in distinguishing between impaired and non-impaired drivers. Prevention strategies must address conventional licensing policies in addition to social and contextual factors leading to adolescent alcohol and marijuana use and associated risks.

The Interaction Between Generation Status and Sex on Drinking Motives and Behaviors

Participants included 483 undergraduate drinkers who were assessed on drinking motives and alcohol behaviors. Results indicated differences in coping drinking motives and alcohol-related negative consequences between first-generation college students (FGCS) and continuing generation college students (CGCS) status depended on sex. Implications for prevention and intervention efforts with FGCS are discussed.

Binge-Drinking and Non-Binge-Drinking Student-Athletes: The Role of Proximal Norms, Negative Expectancies, and Selected Sociodemographic Variables

ABSTRACT Researchers have identified college student-athletes as a subgroup at risk for heavy drinking and associated consequences. Yet, few studies have examined multiple variables simultaneously to determine which stand out as most robust to explain drinking behavior among student-athletes. Student-athletes from 54 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions (N = 2,659) completed an online questionnaire as part of an online alcohol education program. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated a unique profile based on descriptive and injunctive norms and alcohol outcome expectancies among binge-drinking student-athletes compared to non-binge-drinking athletes. Gender differences also emerged within the sample. Implications for campus mental health, university, and athletic personnel are discussed.