Negative Social Influences Research Articles

Fostering Well-being through Social Support: The Role of Evangelical Communities in the Lives of Dominican Women of Haitian Descent.

Women of Haitian descent living in the Dominican Republic experience oppression due to their gender, ethnicity, and economic status. They also exhibit high rates of participation in evangelical Christian communities, a paradoxical finding given the restricted roles women have traditionally played in these settings. The goals of this study were to explore the perceived benefits of participation in evangelical communities and the setting characteristics that lead to these benefits. The research team interviewed 19 current and former church participants aged 18-59. Thematic analysis revealed three perceived benefits of congregational life. Participants viewed their participation as: (a) an opportunity for personal growth and development; (b) protective against negative social influences; and (c) providing social support in the face of life challenges. In addition, dependable, expected, and reciprocal relational support was a key characteristic of evangelical communities. Findings extend the current understanding of how religious communities enhance well-being for marginalized women through social support networks. Findings also explore the dialectical nature of settings as both empowering and disempowering. Implications for future interventions are discussed.

Alfano, Mark. Nietzsche’s Moral Psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019. Pp. 314. $99.99 (cloth).

Alfano, Mark. <i>Nietzsche’s Moral Psychology</i>. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019. Pp. 314. $99.99 (cloth).

What influences practitioners\u2019 readiness to deliver psychological interventions by telephone? A qualitative study of behaviour change using the Theoretical Domains Framework

BackgroundContemporary health policy is shifting towards remotely delivered care. A growing need to provide effective and accessible services, with maximal population reach has stimulated demand for flexible and efficient service models. The implementation of evidence-based practice has been slow, leaving many services ill equipped to respond to requests for non-face-to-face delivery. To address this translation gap, and provide empirically derived evidence to support large-scale practice change, our study aimed to explore practitioners’ perspectives of the factors that enhance the delivery of a NICE-recommended psychological intervention, i.e. guided self-help by telephone (GSH-T), in routine care. We used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to analyse our data, identify essential behaviour change processes and encourage the successful implementation of remote working in clinical practice.MethodThirty-four psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) from the UK NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services were interviewed. Data were first analysed inductively, with codes cross-matched deductively to the TDF.ResultsAnalysis identified barriers to the delivery, engagement and implementation of GSH-T, within eight domains from the TDF: (i) Deficits in practitioner knowledge, (ii) Sub-optimal practitioner telephone skills, (iii) Practitioners’ lack of beliefs in telephone capabilities and self-confidence, (iv) Practitioners’ negative beliefs about consequences, (v) Negative emotions, (vi) Professional role expectations (vii) Negative social influences, and (viii) Challenges in the environmental context and resources. A degree of interdependence was observed between the TDF domains, such that improvements in one domain were often reported to confer secondary advantages in another.ConclusionsMultiple TDF domains emerge as relevant to improve delivery of GSH-T; and these domains are theoretically and practically interlinked. A multicomponent approach is recommended to facilitate the shift from in-person to telephone-based service delivery models, and prompt behaviour change at practitioner, patient and service levels. At a minimum, the development of practitioners’ telephone skills, an increase in clients’ awareness of telephone-based treatment, dilution of negative preconceptions about telephone treatment, and robust service level guidance and standards for implementation are required. This is the first study that provides clear direction on how to improve telephone delivery and optimise implementation, aligning with current mental health policy and service improvement.

Healthcare Professionals' Beliefs, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Around Vaping in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Qualitative Study.

Finding effective ways to help pregnant women quit smoking and maintain long-term abstinence is a public health priority. Electronic cigarettes (ie, vaping) could be a suitable cessation tool in pregnancy for those who struggle to quit; however, healthcare professionals (HCP) must be informed about these devices to offer appropriate advice. This study used the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore HCP attitudes towards vaping in pregnancy and postpartum; beliefs about the health risks of vaping; perceived barriers and facilitators of vaping in pregnancy; knowledge of current guidelines and policies; and training needs. Interviews (n = 60) were conducted with midwives (n = 17), health visitors (n = 10), general practitioners (n = 15) and stop smoking specialists (n = 18) across the United Kingdom. Interview transcriptions were analyzed thematically using the framework approach and the COM-B. Discussing vaping as a tool for quitting smoking in pregnancy was prevented by a lack of capability (limited knowledge of vaping, lack of training in smoking cessation); lack of opportunity (restricted by organizational policies and guidelines, lack of time and financial issues impacting on training), and negative social influences (sensationalist media and stigma associated with vaping in pregnancy); and lack of motivation (fear of future litigation and comebacks should adverse effects from vaping arise). Factors related to capability, opportunity, and motivation were identified that influence HCPs attitudes and behaviors towards vaping in pregnancy. Gaps in knowledge and training needs were identified, which could inform the development of targeted vaping training. Vaping could be suitable in pregnancy for those struggling to quit smoking. However, HCPs must be informed about these devices to offer appropriate advice. These data extend our knowledge of factors influencing HCP attitudes and behaviors towards vaping in pregnancy. Generally, vaping was perceived as safer than cigarettes, but a perceived lack of evidence, health and safety risks, dependency, and regulation issues were concerning. Considering our findings, greater efforts are needed to ensure HCPs are sufficiently informed about vaping and guidelines available. More importance should be placed on training for all HCPs who have contact with pregnant women.

Religion, faith, and spirituality influences on HIV prevention activities: A scoping review.

IntroductionStrategies to increase uptake of next-generation biomedical prevention technologies (e.g., long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)) can benefit from understanding associations between religion, faith, and spirituality (RFS) and current primary HIV prevention activities (e.g., condoms and oral PrEP) along with the mechanisms which underlie these associations.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Academic Search Premier, Web of Science, and Sociological s for empirical articles that investigated and quantified relationships between RFS and primary HIV prevention activities outlined by the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services: condom use, HIV and STI testing, number of sexual partners, injection drug use treatment, medical male circumcision, and PrEP. We included articles in English language published between 2000 and 2020. We coded and analyzed studies based on a conceptual model. We then developed summary tables to describe the relation between RFS variables and the HIV prevention activities and any underlying mechanisms. We used CiteNetExplorer to analyze citation patterns.ResultsWe identified 2881 unique manuscripts and reviewed 29. The earliest eligible study was published in 2001, 41% were from Africa and 48% were from the U.S. RFS measures included attendance at religious services or interventions in religious settings; religious and/or spirituality scales, and measures that represent the influence of religion on behaviors. Twelve studies included multiple RFS measures. Twenty-one studies examined RFS in association with condom use, ten with HIV testing, nine with number of sexual partners, and one with PrEP. Fourteen (48%) documented a positive or protective association between all RFS factors examined and one or more HIV prevention activities. Among studies reporting a positive association, beliefs and values related to sexuality was the most frequently observed mechanism. Among studies reporting negative associations, behavioral norms, social influence, and beliefs and values related to sexuality were observed equally. Studies infrequently cited each other.ConclusionMore than half of the studies in this review reported a positive/protective association between RFS and HIV prevention activities, with condom use being the most frequently studied, and all having some protective association with HIV testing behaviors. Beliefs and values related to sexuality are possible mechanisms that could underpin RFS-related HIV prevention interventions. More studies are needed on PrEP and spirituality/subjective religiosity.

Role of gender in perspectives of discrimination, stigma, and attitudes relative to cervical cancer in rural Sénégal.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of female cancer deaths in Sénégal which is ranked 17th in incidence globally, however, the screening rate there is very low. Nuanced gendered perceptions and health behaviors of both women and men play a significant role in women's health. Our study analyzed gender differences on perceptions of gender roles, discrimination, cancer attitudes, cancer stigma, and influences in healthcare decision making within our study population to inform ongoing cervical cancer prevention work in the rural region of Kédougou, Sénégal. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 158 participants, 101 women and 57 men (ages 30-59) across nine non-probability-sampled communities from October 2018 through February 2019. Bivariate analysis was conducted to assess gender differences across all variables. We also conducted analyses to determine whether there were significant differences in beliefs and attitudes, by screening behavior and by education. We found significant gender differences regarding the perception of a woman's role (P < 0.001) and a man's role (P = 0.007) as well as in the everyday discrimination questions of "decreased respect by spouse" (P < 0.001). Regarding cancer stigma, among women, 18.00% disagreed and 10.00% strongly disagreed while among men, 3.6% disagreed and 1.8% strongly disagreed that "If I had cancer, I would want my family to know that I have it." When making decisions about one's healthcare, women are more likely than men to trust social contacts such as their spouse (46.5% vs 5.3%, p < 0.001) while men are more likely than women to trust health service personnel such as a nurse (50.9% vs 18.8%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, men and women were both more likely to state that men have the final decision regarding the healthcare decisions of women (p < 0.001). Our data reveal structural disadvantages for women within our study population as well as gender differences in the adapted everyday discrimination scale and cancer stigma scale. Higher rates of both personal and perceived cancer stigma among women has profound implications for how population and community level communication strategies for cancer prevention and control should be designed. Efforts to advance the goal of the elimination of cervical cancer should, in the short-term, seek to gain a more profound understanding of the ways that gender, language, and other social determinants impact negative social influences and other barriers addressable through interventions. Social and behavior change communication may be one approach that can focus both on education while seeking to leverage the social influences that exist in achieving immediate and long-term goals.

Morality and Negative Social Influence Exceptions to Trade Mark Registration

National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC v Nanjing Daqun Medical Technology

Towards a new framework for mapping service brand avoidance: the moderating effect of gender and generation cohorts

This study aims to explore the effect of consumer animosity, brand hypocrisy, undesired self-congruence, negative past experiences, ideological incompatibility, negative social influence, and perceived risk on customer brand hate and subsequent brand avoidance. We also aim to examine the boundary conditions by investigating the moderating effect of gender and generation cohorts on these relationships. With this aim, we recruited N = 461 customers of service brands, and the structural equation modelling was used as a method to test hypothesised relationships using AMOS 24.0. Results show that consumer animosity, negative past experiences, ideological incompatibility, negative social influence, and perceived risk significantly increase service brand avoidance via brand hate. Our study further indicates that brand hates among male customers occurs significantly due to consumer animosity, brand hypocrisy, negative past experiences, and negative social influence, whereas, ideological incompatibility and perceived risk significantly increase brand hate among female customers. Our data also establish that consumer animosity, ideological incompatibility, and negative social influence cause brand hate to a greater extent among generation X-ers, whereas, brand hypocrisy, negative past experiences, and perceived risk cause greater brand hate among generation Y-ers.

Trajectories of Driving after Drinking among Marijuana-Using Youth in the Emergency Department: Substance Use, Mental Health, and Peer and Parental Influences

Background: The psychosocial correlates and longitudinal trajectories of driving after drinking (DAD) among youth remain understudied in at-risk populations. Objectives: We investigated the relationships of DAD trajectories and negative peer and parental influences, substance use, and mental health among predominantly marijuana-using youth seeking emergency department (ED) treatment. Methods: Data were from a 2-year prospective cohort study of drug-using patients (97.4% used marijuana) ages 14–24 seeking ED care for assault injury, or as part of a non-assaulted comparison group. Validated surveys measured DAD behaviors and correlates at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Latent class growth analysis identified characteristic DAD trajectory groups; baseline predictors were analyzed descriptively and using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Three DAD trajectory groups were identified among driving-age youth (n = 580): no DAD (NDAD; 55.2%), low-steady (LDAD; 29.0%), and high-declining (HDAD; 15.9%). In unadjusted analyses, HDAD youth were older, but otherwise similar to other groups demographically. Compared to NDAD, LDAD and HDAD group members had higher rates of drug and alcohol use disorders (p < .001). Further, HDAD group members had higher rates of anxiety symptoms and were more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD or depression than NDAD or LDAD youth (p < .05). Negative peer and parent influences were significantly higher in progressively more severe trajectory groups (p < .01). Adjusted effects from the multinomial model were analogous for peer and parental influences and substance use disorders, but not mental health. Conclusion: DAD is strongly associated with negative social influences and substance use disorders among marijuana-using youth, reinforcing their importance when developing interventions.

The Lived Experiences of Adult Crystal Methamphetamine Users: A Qualitative Study

Crystal methamphetamine, also known as “ice” or “crystal meth,” is a potent psychostimulant drug that can cause irreversible physical and psychological damage to users (Halkitis, 2009). This qualitative research investigated the lived experiences of users, the background of their addiction, and the effects of using this drug. Six men between 31 and 39 years of age participated in the research. Three main themes emerged from the data: context, aftermath, and recovery. Respondents identified an inability to cope with dysfunctional family environments and negative social influences as the main causes of their crystal methamphetamine addiction, which resulted in significant adverse effects on their physical and mental health, relationships, occupation, and behaviour. They expressed a need for integrated and family focussed services, as well as a decriminalised approach towards crystal methamphetamine usage to help individuals and their families in the recovery journey.

Barriers and facilitators of midwives' physical activity behaviour in hospital and community contexts in Scotland.

To investigate barriers and facilitators of physical activity in midwives in hospital and community environments. A sequential mixed-methods approach. Focus groups and subsequent questionnaire survey. Four focus groups were conducted in urban and rural areas with community and hospital-based midwives in Scotland in 2015. Topics were based on the behaviour change theories via the Theoretical Domains Framework. Findings informed development of a questionnaire, sent to midwives in 2016 in Scottish health boards via managers, or online survey. Thirty-three midwives participated in focus groups. Workplace environmental context and resources were both barriers and facilitators. Similarly, negative social influences were barriers, whereas positive social support facilitated physical activity. The questionnaire was completed by 345 midwives. Most (90%) were physically active with high levels of activity. Commonest activities included walking, swimming and housework. Physical activity facilitators included subsidized classes and protected breaks. Barriers included tiredness, stress, family responsibilities, unpredictable breaks and shift patterns. Interventions should address midwives' workplace context and resources and interpersonal factors such as stress and social support. Midwives' high levels of overweight/obesity and stress impact on their own health and delivery of patient care. More workplace physical activity could help. We found most were physically active but identified workplace barriers and facilitators, including resources, shift patterns and breaks. Findings could help midwifery managers to recognize and reduce barriers, thereby improving midwives' physical activity in the workplace, supporting weight management and enhancing their health and well-being.

FEATURES OF AGE DYNAMICS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS WITH NEUROSIS-LIKE STATE OF RESIDUAL-ORGANIC GENESIS

The study presents the identification and study of the characteristics of the formation and dynamics of various forms of deviant behavior in the clinic of neurosis-like states of residual-organic genesis, that is guided by the principles not previously used in the study of the studied pathology. Behavioral disorders were studied in a comparative aspect in two clinical variants, which are asthenohyperdynamic and astheno-adynamic manifestations of the cerebrastenic syndrome, which is a part of the structure of a neurosis-like state. The age dynamics of behavioral disorders was studied at different stages of ontogenesis, including childhood, prepubertal and puberty, by comparing the obtained data labeled by the subheadings "Period of the first age crisis", "Period of the second age crisis" and "Puberty period". The study found that age response forms reflect the low personal resources of adolescents and the massiveness of negative social influences. As the analysis of clinical material has shown, during puberty, violations in the sphere of cravings became more distinct. Disorders in the sphere of inclinations at this age are closely correlated with the features of the somato-endocrine metamorphosis and with the unfavorable influence of socio-psychological factors. Lack of sexual desire was in direct proportion with a pronounced delay in puberty. Violations in the sphere of sexual desire, reflecting the nondifferentiation of the sexual attitudes of adolescents with delayed puberty, were characteristic of those studied with pronounced volitional immaturity, in particular with such signs as suggestibility, a tendency to imitation. During puberty, the clinical picture of the studied adolescents revealed more clearly the qualitatively new pathological properties of the personality due to the development of excitable, unstable, less often labile and hysterical manifestations. In contrast to psychopathic behavior in sick children and adolescents, no correlation was found between the first signs of deviant behavior and cerebrastenic disorders. In all cases, behavioral disturbances are caused by unfavorable micro-social factors. Based on the follow-up data, the study has found that the studied group of sick children and adolescents is characterized by both favorable dynamics (22) and a negative outcome (20 patients). This suggests that the pubertal period is characterized by a polymorphism of behavioral disorders and is one of the decisive factors in the prognosis of the further development of the child.

Do identity-based perceptions lead to brand avoidance? A cross-national investigation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of identity-based consumer perceptions on the brand avoidance of foreign brands across multiple markets. Design/methodology/approach Focussing on general product category brands, the study was conducted across two countries, i.e. New Zealand (Study 1) and Pakistan (Study 2), using online surveys. Study 1 explores the perceptions of university students, whereas Study 2 evaluates the perceptions of a more heterogeneous population across the country. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling was used to analyse the model. Findings First, the results confirm that individual-level identity-based drivers (undesired self-congruence and negative social influence) consistently predict brand avoidance for foreign brands across both markets, whereas country-level drivers (consumer ethnocentrism and animosity) have inconsistent effects across the markets. Second, the study demonstrates that avoidance attitude fully mediates the relationship between antecedences and intentions to avoid foreign brands. Practical implications The finding that undesired self-congruence is the strongest predictor of brand avoidance across the markets reinforces the importance of brand image congruence with the target audience. Considering the negative effect of social influence, especially on social media (i.e. Facebook and Twitter), this finding cautions managers to constantly monitor the prevailing negative word of mouth (online or offline) about the brand to mitigate its potential effect. Originality/value Drawing on social identity theory, this study explores the identity-based pre-purchase determinants of brand avoidance at the country level and at the individual level. These determinants have never been explored yet in the context of brand avoidance.

РОЛЬ САМОРЕГУЛЯЦІЇ КОМБАТАНТІВ У ФОРМУВАННІ ПОСТТРАВМАТИЧНОГО СТРЕСОВОГО РОЗЛАДУ

Service and combat activity of military men qualifies as very tense, therefore, it requires the corresponding psychological support and training at all stages of their activity in order to reduce the rate of psychological traumatism.The analysis of scientific publications has shown that researchers focus their attention on the general features of psychological support for the training of military specialists in peacetime, and the issue of psychic self-regulation in view of their activities in the context of the danger to one’s life, are insufficiently developed and require more in-depth study.These and other insights on the importance of the problem became the starting point for a detailed study of the role of the components of the psychological self-regulation of the combatants in forming post-traumatic stress disorder.Since the reaction to stressful events as a starting point for the development of PTSD is accepted, it is associated with the peculiarities of internality, voluntary organization of a personality, coping strategies, styles of self-regulation and constant emotional, volitional, intellectual personality traits, and personality traits that determine the peculiarities of their attitude towards their environment, then in this study we used a set of psych diagnostic techniques.The results of these psych diagnostic techniques were processed using regression analysis, which allowed formulating the following regression equation, which describes the role of various components of the system of self-regulation in the development of PTSD.It has been determined that the development of PTSD is also caused by increasing the indicators of internality in the field of failures and high overall level of self-regulation, giving preference to such coping strategies as denial, referral to religion and the use of sedative; fear to express true feelings, to respond to stress in imagination, high sensitivity, anxiety, dependence on one’s social environment, and duration of the last assignment.The PTSD indicator is reduced by internality in the description of personal experience, internality in the professional-social aspect, by the competence in the field of interpersonal relationships, readiness to independently plan one’s own activities; the use of such copings as mental and behavioral avoidance of problems, humor, value and sense organization of personality, high self-esteem, non-conformism, restraint, straightforwardness, autonomy, radicalism, concentration.Our research makes it possible to state that the decline of PTSD indicators is associated with: the development of value-semantic regulation of activities; building relationships on the principle of not "a dependence", but "coping" with one’s social environment; the ability to independently make decisions in difficult situations; the ability to predict the emergence and development of stress situations; confidence in oneself, own values, in the correctness of own actions, optimism. The increase in PTSD indicators is associated with a tendency to excessive control; lack of experience to cope with a certain situation; low thresholds of protection against negative social influences.

The Association of Constraints, Negotiation, and Social Influences with Recreation Specialization among Recreational Baseball Participants

Recreation specialization is a progressive process that describes how recreationists engage in and view an activity over time (Scott & Shafer, 2001). This progression may be influenced by a variety of psychosocial factors behind an individual’s choice to engage in an activity. There have been calls for further studies that identify the antecedents which predict the specialization process (Scott & Shafer, 2001). To date, constraints, negotiation efforts and social influences have been examined separately across a variety of leisure and recreation contexts. However, less is known about the collective contribution of these factors in relation to recreation specialization, particularly with regard to social influences. The social relationships that recreationists build during their recreation careers may be an important predictor of recreation specialization. This study addresses this issue and examines the relationship between constraints, negotiation efforts, positive and negative social influences, and recreation specialization among a sample of recreational baseball participants. The sample consisted of 299 adult recreational baseball players in three cities across Korea. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS 22.0, and analysis indicated that negotiation efforts were the strongest predictor of recreation specialization. The more baseball players identified strategies to overcome constraints, the more specialized they were in their activity. We also revealed that negative social influences had direct negative effects on recreation specialization, whereas positive social influences were indirectly associated with recreation specialization through constraints and/or negotiation efforts. Both positive and negative social influences directly triggered baseball participants’ negotiation efforts. That is, increases in positive and negative social influences encouraged participants to use strategies to negotiate the constraints they encountered. Constraints had a negative effect on negotiation efforts, suggesting that perceptions of constraints inhibited people from engaging in efforts to negotiate constraints. On a practical level, results suggest that baseball clubs and program organizers who wish to promote increase specialization could provide club members with a variety of opportunities for minimizing negative social influences. Within each baseball team, role allocation among team members and regular team gatherings may help enhance group bonding and team cohesion and avoid conflicts between team members. Additionally, recreational baseball organizations should consider strategies to reduce the cost of equipment and clothing associated with the sport. To increase sport facility and field availability, we suggested allowing local recreational baseball clubs to use school grounds during non-school hours. Finally, local parks, recreation agencies, and participants should work together for more effective facility scheduling. Subscribe to JPRA

МІСІЯ І РОЛЬ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ПЕДАГОГА В РОЗБУДОВІ ОСВІТНЬОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА ЗАКЛАДУ ОСВІТИ

The last three years have been associated with a change in the status of social pedagogy as a branch of scientific knowledge and professional practice, as a result of which it was transferred from the pedagogical branch to the branch of social work. In addition, serious social changes in Ukraine, related both to the development of democracy in society, the implementation of humanitarian reforms, and the emergence of a number of social problems (war, population migration, poverty, the crisis of the family institution, etc.), indicate the need for changes in the field of professional assistance aimed at ensuring the psychological well-being of citizens. Today, there is some uncertainty regarding the main aspects of the profession of a social educator in society. But the content of this activity in the context of the deployment of professional practices in educational institutions, in particular in a secondary school, causes no less contradictions. The main idea is to autonomize the position of a social educator. A social educator should become a conductor of the philosophy and policy of the functioning of the educational environment, which is safe for the child, humanistically oriented, developing personal potential, providing appropriate material, physical, psychological, spiritual resources. His activities should be aimed at a critical assessment of the team's progress towards progress, a clear response to the negative social influences of the educational environment on the personality of the child, participation in planning the impact of events on the personality of the child and the acquisition of a positive socialization experience. His mission is to improve the quality of human life through the harmonization of human-environment relations, and the goal of the activity is to create conditions for positive socialization and effective integration of man in society.

What’s the influence of social interactions on substance use and treatment initiation? A prospective analysis among substance-using probationers

Introduction: A person's social environment greatly affects the likelihood of substance use, which in turn affects risk for criminal behavior. This study examined how people's social environment early in probation contributed to later substance use and treatment outcome, both of which predict probation success.Methods: Data were analyzed from a randomized controlled trial of substance-using probationers (N = 316). Moderation analyses assessed the relationship between social support near the start of probation and substance use and treatment initiation after 2 and 6 months.Results: Abstinence at 2-months was associated with better baseline measures of support quality (more positive support, fewer negative interactions, and reduced conflict). Similar associations were identified for 6-month abstinence including better baseline quality, more positive support, and less family and peer conflict. There were no significant associations between the baseline social support and treatment initiation at 2-months. However, poorer baseline quality support and more negative interactions predicted increased treatment initiation at 6-months.Conclusions: Social support and the quality of an offender's social network have important implications for substance use and treatment compliance. The criminal justice system emphasizes ways to minimize negative social influences among offenders (i.e., probation conditions that limit contact with other offenders). However, this study suggests that behavior change is a function of not only reducing negative influences but also increasing positive or good quality supports.

Positive and negative social influences and crime acceleration during the transition from childhood to adolescence: The interplay of risk and protective factors

Social influences are believed to play a vital role in delinquency development within the context of the child-to-adolescent transition. It was hypothesised that (a) positive social influences would be at least as important as negative social influences in shaping later offending behaviour during the child-to-adolescent transition; (b) parental social influences would be more prominent during childhood, and sibling and peer social influences would be more prominent during adolescence; and (c) parents would have a more positive influence than siblings or peers. Participants were 857 adult respondents (416 men, 441 women) from the 1942 and 1949 Racine birth cohorts. Most were White (87%), with 8% African Americans, and 5% Hispanics. Participants provided retrospective accounts of positive and negative social influences during childhood (ages 6-13) and offending both then and during adolescence (ages 14-18). These retrospective accounts, which were organised into positive and negative influence scales by the original researchers, were then subjected to multiple regression analyses. A range of positive and negative social influences, not confined to parenting, were associated with adolescent offending, after allowing for the effects of sex, race, education, family structure, and parental and peer criminality. Change was a predominant theme in these data; whereas parental and sibling influences peaked during childhood and were overwhelmingly positive, peer influences peaked during adolescence and were less preponderantly positive. These results support a risk model in which positive and negative social influences accumulate to determine a person's propensity for future offending. This propensity can be reduced by encouraging positive influences and discouraging negative ones during the child-to-adolescent transition.

Nature or nurture? A meta-analysis of the factors that maximize the prediction of digital piracy by using social cognitive theory as a framework

Digital piracy has permeated virtually every country and costs the global economy many billions of dollars annually. Digital piracy is the unauthorized and illegal digital copying or distribution of digital goods, such as music, movies, and software. To date, researchers have used disparate theories and models to understand individuals' motivations for stealing and sharing digital content. To establish a unified understanding of digital piracy research in order to set an agenda for future studies, we conducted a meta-analysis of the literature. We analyzed 257 unique studies with a total of 126,622 participants to examine all the major constructs and covariates used in the literature. Using social cognitive theory, we were able to resolve several contradictions and trade-offs found in the digital piracy literature. Further, our meta-analytic results suggest that four key sets of factors maximize prediction: (1) outcome expectancies (considerations of rewards, perceived risks, and perceived sanctions), (2) social learning (positive and negative social influence and piracy habit), (3) self-efficacy and self-regulation (perceived behavioral control and low self-control), and (4) moral disengagement (morality, immorality, and neutralization). Based on our results, we describe several patterns in the literature that suggest opportunities to further synthesize the literature and expand the boundaries of digital piracy research.

What's keeping people after stroke from walking outdoors to become physically active? A qualitative study, using an integrated biomedical and behavioral theory of functioning and disability.

BackgroundIn general people after stroke do not meet the recommendations for physical activity to conduct a healthy lifestyle. Programs to stimulate walking activity to increase physical activity are based on the available insights into barriers and facilitators to physical activity after stroke. However, these programs are not entirely successful. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore perceived barriers and facilitators to outdoor walking using a model of integrated biomedical and behavioral theory, the Physical Activity for people with a Disability model (PAD).MethodsIncluded were community dwelling respondents after stroke, classified ≥ 3 at the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC), purposively sampled regarding the use of healthcare. The data was collected triangulating in a multi-methods approach, i.e. semi-structured, structured and focus-group interviews. A primarily deductive thematic content analysis using the PAD-model in a framework-analysis’ approach was conducted after verbatim transcription.Results36 respondents (FAC 3–5) participated in 16 semi-structured interviews, eight structured interviews and two focus-group interviews. The data from the interviews covered all domains of the PAD model. Intention, ability and opportunity determined outdoor walking activity. Personal factors determined the intention to walk outdoors, e.g. negative social influence, resulting from restrictive caregivers in the social environment, low self-efficacy influenced by physical environment, and also negative attitude towards physical activity. Walking ability was influenced by loss of balance and reduced walking distance and by impairments of motor control, cognition and aerobic capacity as well as fatigue. Opportunities arising from household responsibilities and lively social constructs facilitated outdoor walking.ConclusionTo stimulate outdoor walking activity, it seems important to influence the intention by addressing social influence, self-efficacy and attitude towards physical activity in the development of efficient interventions. At the same time, improvement of walking ability and creation of opportunity should be considered.