Psychological sequelae of hate-crime victimization among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

Questionnaire data about criminal victimization experiences were collected from 2,259 Sacramento-area lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (N = 1,170 women, 1,089 men). Approximately 1/5 of the women and 1/4 of the men had experienced victimization because of their adult sexual orientation. Hate crimes were less likely than nonbias crimes to have been reported to police. Compared with other recent crime victims, lesbian and gay hate-crime survivors manifested significantly more symptoms of depression, anger, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. They also displayed significantly more crime-related fears and beliefs, lower sense of mastery, and more attributions of their personal setbacks to sexual prejudice than did nonbias crime victims and nonvictims. Comparable differences were not observed among bisexuals. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing hate-crime survivors' special needs in clinical settings and in public policy.

Psychological sequelae of hate-crime victimization among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

Questionnaire data about criminal victimization experiences were collected from 2,259 Sacramento-area lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (N = 1,170 women, 1,089 men). Approximately 1/5 of the women and 1/4 of the men had experienced victimization because of their adult sexual orientation. Hate crimes were less likely than nonbias crimes to have been reported to police. Compared with other recent crime victims, lesbian and gay hate-crime survivors manifested significantly more symptoms of depression, anger, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. They also displayed significantly more crime-related fears and beliefs, lower sense of mastery, and more attributions of their personal setbacks to sexual prejudice than did nonbias crime victims and nonvictims. Comparable differences were not observed among bisexuals. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing hate-crime survivors' special needs in clinical settings and in public policy.

Culturally sensitive AIDS educational videos for African American audiences: effects of source, message, receiver, and context

The importance of using culturally sensitive educational materials in HIV-related interventions with racial and ethnic minority groups is widely recognized. However, little empirical research has been conducted to assess the relative effectiveness of different techniques for creating culturally sensitive AIDS educational videos. Two field experiments with three samples of African American adults (N = 174, 173, and 143) were conducted to assess how source characteristics (race of communicator), message characteristics (multicultural message vs. culturally specific message), and audience characteristics (racial distrust and AIDS-related distrust) influence proximate (perceptions of the message's credibility and attractiveness) and distal (AIDS-related attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions) output variables for AIDS educational videos. In Study 1, an AIDS video with a culturally specific message was rated as more credible, more attractive, and of higher quality than was a video with a multicultural message. The multicultural message was rated less favorably when delivered by a White announcer than when the announcer was Black. In Study 2, the same pattern was replicated with a second community sample and a campus-based sample. Study 2 also indicated that a multicultural message might be more effective if delivered in a culturally specific context, namely, after audience members watch a culturally specific video. Minimal changes were observed in distal outcome variables. It is argued that influencing proximate output variables is necessary, though not sufficient, for effecting long-term change in AIDS-related attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

HIV testing, behaviors, and knowledge among adolescents at high risk

PURPOSE

We examined HIV testing behavior and its predictors among adolescents considered at high risk for HIV.

METHODS

Self-reports of HIV testing, knowledge, attitudes, and high-risk acts were examined among 272 adolescents aged 13-23 years (M = 18.7; SD = 2.3) attending community-based agencies that serve youth at high risk for HIV in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco.

RESULTS

Evidence of adolescents' risk for HIV is reflected in a rate of 4.8% seropositivity, 24% injecting drug use, a mean of 4.3 (SD = 11.6) sexual partners during the previous 3 months, and 71% condom use during vaginal/ anal sex. HIV testing was common (63%) and often repeated (M = 3.6, SD = 4.0). Knowledge of the meaning and consequences of testing was high (84% correct). Contrary to service providers' expectations, youth were likely to return for their test results (90% returned). Youth who were older, labeled themselves gay or bisexual, lived in Los Angeles or San Francisco, and those who injected drugs were significantly more likely, compared to peers, to get tested for HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a need for more detailed observational studies of HIV testing behavior that include evaluation of characteristics of the youth, the testing site, and the attitudes and beliefs of providers offering HIV testing.

Demographic predictors of treatment attendance among adolescent suicide attempters

The relationship between age and gender and treatment attendance was prospectively examined among a consecutive series of 143 adolescent emergency room attendees referred for outpatient therapy after a suicide attempt. Consistent with previous reports, nonadherence was high. Over 40% of patients had their cases terminated because of nonattendance; on average, however, patients received almost 6 sessions of treatment and 91% attended at least 1 therapy session. Adolescents terminated from treatment for nonadherence were significantly older than those completing treatment. Younger male patients were scheduled for significantly more therapy sessions than older male patients and kept significantly more scheduled sessions than did older male and female patients. Vigorous case-tracking procedures may have a significant impact on treatment attendance. Nevertheless, therapists must design strategies to increase treatment adherence among older adolescent, especially male, patients.

Demographic predictors of treatment attendance among adolescent suicide attempters

The relationship between age and gender and treatment attendance was prospectively examined among a consecutive series of 143 adolescent emergency room attendees referred for outpatient therapy after a suicide attempt. Consistent with previous reports, nonadherence was high. Over 40% of patients had their cases terminated because of nonattendance; on average, however, patients received almost 6 sessions of treatment and 91% attended at least 1 therapy session. Adolescents terminated from treatment for nonadherence were significantly older than those completing treatment. Younger male patients were scheduled for significantly more therapy sessions than older male patients and kept significantly more scheduled sessions than did older male and female patients. Vigorous case-tracking procedures may have a significant impact on treatment attendance. Nevertheless, therapists must design strategies to increase treatment adherence among older adolescent, especially male, patients.

Validity of the M Test: simulation-design and natural-group approaches

The utility of the M Test (Beaber, Marston, Michelli, & Mills, (1985) as a screening measure for malingering was assessed using simulation-design (subjects asked to fake mental illness) and natural-group (forensic assessment cases suspected of malingering) approaches. A total of 318 subjects from community, clinical, and correctional settings completed the M Test under instructions to respond honestly or to simulate a major mental disorder. A factor analysis of the M Test items supported the original rationally based scale assignment, and the scales were found to have adequate internal reliability. To examine the predictive validity of the M Test, results revealed that sensitivity using the cutting scores suggested by Beaber et al. (1985) was much higher for simulating subjects (79.8%) than for the suspected malingerers (40.0%). The findings emphasize the danger of exclusive reliance on simulation studies for validating measures of malingering. It was concluded that, in its present form, the M Test does not constitute a good screening measure for assessing malingering.

The clinical presentation of command hallucinations in a forensic population

In a forensic population, patients with command hallucinations (N = 25) were compared to two groups of psychotic patients: those with noncommand hallucinations (N = 24) and those without hallucinations (N = 16). The three groups did not differ in overall impairment as measured by the Global Assessment Scale and the Social Behavior Rating Schedule. However, the group with command hallucinations differed in the content of their hallucinations (more aggression, dependency, and self-punishment themes), and nearly one-half did not report or denied their command hallucinations to the assessment team. Many patients (N = 11, 44%) reported that they frequently responded to hallucinatory commands with unquestioning obedience.

AFGL atmospheric absorption line parameters compilation: 1982 edition

The latest edition of the AFGL atmospheric absorption line parameters compilation for the seven most active infrared terrestrial absorbers is described. Major modifications to the atlas for this edition include updating of water-vapor parameters from 0 to 4300 cm(-1), improvements to line positions for carbon dioxide, substantial modifications to the ozone bands in the middle to far infrared, and improvements to the 7- and 2.3-microm bands of methane. The atlas now contains approximately 181,000 rotation and vibration-rotation transitions between 0 and 17,900 cm(-1). The sources of the absorption parameters are summarized.

Atmospheric ozone profiles from high resolution UV spectra obtained with a balloon-borne spectrometer

High resolution solar spectra at high and low sun angles in the 3200-3400-A region were obtained during balloon flights on 9 Feb. 1977 (altitude 41 km) and 17 Feb. 1977 (altitude 29 km). These data were analyzed using a layer-by-layer three-wavelength differential absorption method. Ozone volume-mixing ratio profiles, which agree with standard profiles, were derived. Suggestions are made for improving the accuracy of the results in future measurements.

AFGL trace gas compilation: 1980 version

A new edition of the AFGL trace gas compilation is now available. Absorption line parameters of positions, intensities, and halfwidths are given for the major bands of thirteen gases covering the spectral region from 0 to 10,000 cm(-1). In addition to updating the original gases (NO, SO(2), NO(2), and NH(3)), the molecules HNO(3), OH, HF, HC1, HBr, HI, CIO, OCS, and H(2)CO have been added to the compilation. The sources for the additions and modifications are described.

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus Parasitism in Shigella Species

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus was capable of parasitizing Shigella boydii, S. flexneri , and S. sonnei . The bdellovibrio was able to produce plaques on lawns consisting of heat-killed or ultraviolet-irradiated S. boydii .

Synchronous growth and sporulation of Bacillus megaterium

Filtration of late log-phase cultures of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 19213 grown on defined sucrose salts medium (SS) or SS plus glutamate medium (SSG) through nine layers of Whatman no. 40 filter paper in a fritted-glass disc Büchner funnel resulted in filtrates containing cells which showed synchronous growth and proceeded to sporulation. SS cells completed one synchronous division after filtration; sporulation ensued after the cessation of growth. SSG cells completed two synchronous divisions and sporulation occurred during the second division. A high degree of synchrony of vegetative growth of SSG cells was evident by the stepwise pattern of growth, by the doubling of cell numbers at each division, the high division index, and by the rapid formation of sporulation cell types and homogeneity of cell types in the filtered cultures when compared with asynchronous cultures. Because the described system gives both good growth and sporulation synchrony, the method should be useful in delineating early events in sporulation and their regulation.