Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study examines a possible theoretical mechanism through which health information seeking as well as health information exposure through routine use of media (called scanning) may affect cancer-related prevention and screening behaviors. Data came from a survey conducted among a list-assisted, national random digit dial-recruited panel of adults, ages 40-70 (N = 1,753). Outcomes were intentions to perform cancer prevention (exercise, diet, fruit and vegetable consumption) and screening behaviors (PSA test, colonoscopy, mammogram) The proposed theoretical mechanisms for the relationship between the seeking and scanning measures and the outcomes is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Our results showed that seeking and scanning behaviors were associated with intention to perform each preventative or screening behavior. Furthermore, these relationships were substantially (in the case of seeking) and almost completely (in the case of scanning) mediated by attitude, social norm, and perceived behavioral control. The implications of the findings for future research in this area were discussed.

Publication Type: Individual Poster
Abstract: Background and Aims: In low-risk cohorts, positive ratings of infant behavior are predictive of better ratings of behavior and cognitive performance in childhood. Behavioral problems, attentional problems, and below average IQs have been reported in both children who were prenatally exposed to cocaine and their SES-similar controls. In the current analysis we investigated predictive relations in a cohort including both cocaine-exposed children and their controls. Collapsing across exposure groups, we explored correlations between ratings of infant behavior and early childhood behavior ratings, selective attention performance and IQ.

Methods: Recruited at birth, the cohort consisted of 374 children (48% cocaine exposed) who participated in laboratory assessments in infancy(6, 12, & 24 months), as well as in childhood (4 & 6 years of age). In the infancy, the Bayley Scale of Infant Development(2nd Edition) was administered, including the Behavioral Rating Scale which required the examiner to report on behaviors during the assessment. The standardized Orientation/Engagement and Emotional Regulation factors were extracted.
At 4 & 6 years of age, the WPPSI-R IQ assessment and computerized continuous performance tasks designed to assess selective attention free from commission errors were performed. The examiner rated behavior during the visit on an assessment of ADHD symptoms and associated behaviors standardized for teachers (CTRS-R-S, ADHD index).
In this exploration, unadjusted correlations of Orientation/Engagement and Emotional Regulation ratings at 6, 12 & 24 months with behavior ratings, selective attention and IQ at 4 & 6 years of age were examined.

Key Results: Higher ratings of Orientation/Engagement at 6, 12, & 24 months were associated with higher IQ (range r=.13 to .33) at both 4 & 6 years visits and better behavioral ratings at 6 years (r=-.10 to -.16). Emotional Regulation ratings at 12 & 24 months were also predictive of higher with IQ (r= .12 to.42) and better behavior (r= -.10 to -.24) at both 4 & 6 years. Higher ratings of both Orientation/Engagement and Emotional Regulation at 12 & 24 months were associated with better selective attention at 4 years (-.12 to -.18).

Discussion: There are broadly-positive, small-to-medium sized associations between infant behavioral ratings and early childhood assessments of attention, ADHD behavior ratings, and IQ in a high-risk cohort.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The two newly democratized post-Soviet giants, Russia and Ukraine, share a host of post-communist parallels. The long dominance of the CPSU in both countries denied them a legacy of open, democratic politics. Based on these parallels, one would expect their patterns of legislative behavior to mirror each other. Commonalities exist in the legislative behavior of both chambers; however, in at least one area, they are not analogous: the level of parliamentary party discipline among SMD deputies.the Ukrainian SMD deputies of the first mixed-member Rada (1998-2002) voted with the majority position of their parliamentary party at higher rates than their Russian brethren did in the first mixed-member Duma (1994-1995). In this paper, I attempt to find an answer for this conundrum by analyzing the roll-call voting behavior of SMD deputies in both legislatures. I argue that the higher level of discipline among SMD deputies in the Rada is a function of a more pronounced social cleavage found in the Ukrainian electorate. While both Russia and Ukraine feature a pro-reform/anti-reform cleavage, only Ukraine features a reinforcing regional cleavage built on ethnic and linguistic differences between eastern and western Ukraine. The presence of this reinforcing cleavage helps solidify behavior in the Rada, while Russia, lacking such cleavages, features a more fluid legislature.

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: The focus of this study will be to identify the patterns and characteristics of sexual offense behavior by examining the actions of offenders at rape crime scenes using adjudicated police files. To fully examine consistency patterns and to differentiate between types of offenders, this study will examine both single and serial offenders and compare the groups to determine if these offenders can be distinguished by their behaviors at the crime scene according to offense occurrence.
One hundred and five variables were selected for analysis of frequencies of crime scene behaviors to determine what behaviors could be useful for differentiating between offenders based on theories of behavioral consistency. All 105 variables were selected for chi-square analyses to determine if distinguishable differences between single offense rapists and serial offense rapists are identifiable. Results indicated distinct differences between single and serial offenders on approach methods, violent actions, and sexual behaviors, but not on control methods, weapon behaviors, or certain types of theft behaviors.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In this study we explored the relationship between risk-taking behavior, including disordered eating, and the meanings that individuals assign to those behaviors in a sample of incoming college freshmen. The overall goal of this research is to extend research in problem behavior theory by not only looking at the cooccurrence of problem behaviors, but to determine whether common symbolic meanings are associated across those correlations. Overall, there were 2 distinct factors of risk taking. The first included smoking, alcohol use, marijuana use, drinking and driving, and risky sex. The second included use of diet pills, amphetamines and other drugs, and dieting to lose weight. We also examined the meanings that individuals associate with risk taking as it related to their own risk taking. Overall, 2 roots emerged: pleasers and independents. The former included more risk taking, such as smoking, drinking, binge drinking, marijuana use, sex without condoms, restricting food, purging (via vomiting or laxatives) and taking diet pills. In addition to these risks, these individuals believed that those who fasted are independent, those who engaged in the risky weight loss behaviors are relaxed, care what others think and get credit for their actions. This pattern suggests people who believe in the social benefits of risk taking. The latter root includes nonsmokers who drink, but do not binge drink. They are nondieters who believe that high risk dieters are independent. This pattern suggests individuals who admire independent behavior.