Risky Consumption Research Articles

Anxiety-related Endophenotypes and Hazardous Alcohol Use in Young Adults are Associated with a Functional Polymorphism in the SLC6A4 Gene

Background:A functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR, rs4795541) in the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene has been shown as an important candidate for several psychiatric and behavioral traits.Objective:The objective of this study was to examine the possible interaction of this polymorphism with physical neglect in childhood on the presentation of anxiety traits and hazardous alcohol consumption in young Colombian subjects.Methods:272 young adults (mean age: 21.3 years) were evaluated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale, the Big Five Inventory, the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale, the Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Genotyping for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was carried out using conventional PCR. A linear regression model, corrected by age and gender, was used.Results:We found that individuals with the L/L genotype showed higher scores on physical neglect (p=0.0047), anxiety symptoms (p=0.028), neuroticism (p=0.019) and perceived stress (p=0.035). L/L genotype was a risk factor for hazardous alcohol use in young adults (OR=3.06,p=0.0003). No GxE interactions were observed in our data.Conclusion:Our results provide novel evidence for the role of a functional polymorphism in theSLC6A4gene on the relationship of childhood trauma, anxiety-related traits and risky consumption of alcohol.

Harmless? A hierarchical analysis of poppers use correlates among young gay and bisexual men.

Poppers (alkyl nitrites) are recreational substances commonly used during sexual activity. The current legal status of poppers is complex and wide-ranging bans are increasingly under discussion. Research has identified disproportionate levels of poppers use in sexual minority men. While research on poppers use among sexual minority men exists, little is known about poppers use patterns and correlations with psychosocial and other factors among gay and bisexual young men. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 836 Australian gay and bisexual young men aged 18 to 35 years. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical segmentation analyses were conducted to identify poppers use patterns, and correlates of recent poppers use (past 3 months) with personal characteristics, use of other substances, as well as mental and psychosocial health including minority stress, LGBT-community connectedness and participation. High levels of lifetime (38%, n = 315) and recent (24%, n = 204) poppers use were reported. However, few participants reported dependency symptoms, risky consumption or problems arising from using poppers. The final model included three variables (visiting sex-on-premises venues, licensed LGBT venues, and using other substances) and predicted 85% (n = 174) of recent poppers use. No correlations with other concepts or characteristics could be identified. This analysis further supports the hypothesis that poppers may be substances with a comparably low-risk profile. A regulation of poppers with a harm reduction approach may present a valuable public health intervention.

Is there a link between BMI and depressive symptomatology, risky consumption of alcohol and anxious symptomatology? Study in a sample of university students

Is there a link between BMI and depressive symptomatology, risky consumption of alcohol and anxious symptomatology? Study in a sample of university students

The impact of an alcohol consumption intervention in community sports clubs on safety and participation: an RCT

Objective:Sports clubs have been identified as settings where high levels of risky alcohol consumption occurs. Settings characterised by such behaviour are likely to negatively impact on levels of safety, participation and amenity. Design:The study was part of a randomised control trial, designed to help community sports clubs responsibly manage the sale and consumption of alcohol; the primary outcome was reduction in alcohol consumption. This study examined the secondary effects of safety and participation. Methods:A multilevel analysis examining the pathways between the alcohol intervention, risky alcohol consumption, and safety and participation was undertaken. Results:It was identified that average overall risky consumption at the club level mediated the association between the intervention and increased participation; the intervention reduced overall hazardous consumption, which in turn increased participation at the club. Conclusion:Interventions that target responsible alcohol management can also increase club participation. Implications for public health:Given the number of individuals involved with sports clubs, responsibly managing alcohol will also ensure that sports clubs are health promoting settings that promote community participation and engagement.

Health Risks Assessment in Three Urban Farms of Paris Region for Different Scenarios of Urban Agricultural Users: A Case of Soil Trace Metals Contamination

Within the context of a worldwide emergence of various forms of urban agriculture, there is a growing awareness concerning the health risks associated to the presence of different pollutants influencing the urban products safety. Among the most common pollutants found in soils and vegetables grown in the city, Trace Metals (TM’s) are of major concern. This paper deals with risks assessment associated with the presence of TM’s in soil, via two main exposure path ways: soil and vegetables ingestions. Risks assessments were conducted for various types of real scenarios encountered in three forms of urban farms near Paris (Ile-de-France Region). The farms have soil TM’s levels in abnormally high concentrations (Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), Hg (Mercury), Cu (Copper) and Zn (Zinc) contents higher than geochemical backgrounds and threshold values for sludge spreading, often used as reference values in France). The results of the Hazard Quotient (HQ)-based risk assessment approach (HQ defined as the ratio of estimated daily intake/tolerable daily intake) show that the most risky scenarios concern urban farmers (HQtot = 1.02, because of the on-site working on a daily basis all year round), children gardeners (HQtot = 1.29) and regular children consumers (HQtot = 1.6 in maximalist scenario, where the consumer would exclusively consume the vegetables of the farm). Next would be the adult gardener scenario (HQtot= 0.9), while the least risky are adult consumer scenarios (HQtot = 0.62) and the farm workers (HQtot = 0.45). For the highest risk scenarios (urban farmers and children), specific and drastic measures may be considered, such as reducing the site frequentation by sensitive populations (child and pregnant women) or proceeding to control analysis of TM’s levels in blood for the most exposed peoples. The choice of parameters used in HQ-based method must be appropriated to the specificities of urban agricultural activities. The uncertainties in the choice of some parameters such as soil ingestion, vegetable intake and exposure frequency could result in an over- or under-estimation of the risk.

REDUCTION OF THE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG WORKERS USING A BRIEF INTERVENTION

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the effect of a brief intervention on the reduction of the alcohol consumption pattern among workers from the worker health perspective. Methods: a quasi-experimental study with a single sample of 36 workers, applying the positive (>8) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and sample selection and using data from the Worker Health Booklet in combination with the mentioned test. Participants had three weekly sessions of brief intervention with motivational interviewing and were reevaluated after three months. Data were analyzed quantitatively. The Wilcoxon test was applied to data on the reduction of the consumption pattern, and a significance p<0.05 was adopted. Results: risky consumption prevailed (61.1%), followed by probable dependence (27.8%) and hazardous consumption (11.1%). The score obtained in the test after three months of the brief intervention was lower than the initial result, with Z=-4.709 and p<0.000. Regarding sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, all the participants showed a significant reduction. Concerning Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test questions, there was a reduction, especially in the frequency (Z=-3.880 and p<0.000) and binge drinking (Z=-4.144 and p<0.000). Conclusion: the effect of brief intervention associated with motivational interviewing reduced the alcohol consumption pattern among workers at a public university.

Consumo de alcohol en estudiantes en tres facultades de la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de campo, transversal con el objetivo de analizar el consumo de alcohol en la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, de la ciudad de Riobamba, donde participaron 512 estudiantes de las facultades de Ciencias de la Salud, Ciencias Políticas e Ingeniería, en el año 2017. Entre los resultados obtenidos, se observa un alto índice de consumo de alcohol, en la población universitaria, en la cual el 70.2% ha consumido por lo menos alguna vez en su vida alcohol, siendo la Facultad de Ingeniería y el género masculino con más alto nivel de consumo perjudicial y dependencia respecta. La clase social baja presentó un alto nivel de consumo perjudicial, y en la alta se observó un alto consumo riesgoso y dependencia al alcohol. Se comprobó que el consumo de alcohol estaba generalmente asociado a variables inherenytes a los estudiantes universitario, constituyendo un problema que trae consigo consecuencias negativas no solo para el consumidor, sino también a su familia y su grupo social.

Scand-Ankle: Alcohol intervention in acute surgery of ankle fracture

Risky consumption of alcohol is a global burden. Patients who overuse alcohol are overrepresented in emergency departments and surgical wards. These patients have an increased risk of postoperative complications together with prolonged hospital stays and admissions to intensive care units after surgery. In elective surgery, preoperative alcohol cessation interventions can reduce postoperative complications. To date, no studies have investigated the effect of intensive alcohol cessation intervention at the time of acute surgical emergency procedures on postoperative complications. The purpose of this thesis is to establish new evidence on the prevention of complications in acute surgical patients with risky alcohol intake. ​ The thesis was based on two studies described in four papers. The first study was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) – the Scand-Ankle study – that aimed to evaluate the effects of a gold standard programme for alcohol cessation intervention (GSP-A) in the perioperative period on postoperative complications and alcohol intake, which are described in a protocol (paper I) and at 6-week follow-up (paper II) and 1 year follow-up (paper III). The second study was a systematic review with the objective assessing the effect of perioperative alcohol cessation interventions on the rate of postoperative complications and postoperative consumption of alcohol. In paper II, the GSP-A showed a significant effect on successful cessation of alcohol in the 6-week perioperative period (51% vs. 14%; p=0.001), but it did not significantly change the complication rate (42% vs. 34%; p=0.49) or costs (€8,279 vs. €9,320; p=0.63) after trauma surgery. In paper III, at the 1-year follow-up, the participants had relapsed to their previous drinking habits, and both the intervention and control groups reported a high complication rate of 46% in the GSP-A group versus 55% in control group (p=0.47). The systematic review (paper IV) included three RCTs. These RCTs evaluated intensive alcohol cessation interventions of four to twelve week duration given to participants undergoing different types of surgical procedures with the aim of complete alcohol cessation prior to surgery. All three studies showed a significant effect on the number of participants with alcohol cessation in the intervention groups. There was a moderate quality of evidence for the effect of the intensive alcohol cessation interventions on postoperative complications. Generalisation of the results of the Scand-Ankle study and systematic review should be considered carefully because they included relatively few participants, and the intervention studies were performed in a Danish population, which may differ from other populations in other countries. It is important that the surgical staff identify patients who are vulnerable during surgery to inform them of their increased risk of developing postoperative complications. We need to rethink the strategy for acute surgery in patients with risky alcohol intake to reduce their high risk of postoperative morbidity.

A workplace intervention to reduce alcohol and drug consumption: a nonrandomized single-group study

BackgroundThe consumption of alcohol and other drugs causes social and health problems in industrialized societies. Furthermore, alcohol and drug consumption in the workplace is associated with work accidents, absenteeism and low productivity. The aim of the current study is to reduce alcohol and drug consumption among workers in the service industry and, as a secondary aim, to improve their healthy habits through the reduction of alcohol and other drug consumption in their leisure time.MethodsThis nonrandomized, single-group study was conducted in 12 work centers. The intervention began in 2009 and emphasized 1) health promotion and health monitoring, which included a) alcohol and drug awareness and b) the evaluation and monitoring of alcohol and drug consumption through a semistructured interview designed to assess risky consumption; urine tests aimed at detecting alcohol, cannabis and cocaine use; an Alcotest based on expired air to test for the recent consumption of alcohol and a saliva exam to test for the recent consumption of six drugs; and 2) secondary prevention if risky consumption was identified. Risky alcohol consumption was defined as the ingestion of more than 28 standard drink units (SDUs)/week among men and more than 17 SDUs/week among women (taking into account both work and leisure time). Drug consumption was considered risky consumption.ResultsA total of 1103 workers participated, and each received 5 h of awareness training. Those who presented with risky consumption received secondary prevention training. The prevalence of risky alcohol consumption decreased by 4.1% (baseline: 14.7% reduced to 10.6% in the first year; p = 0.001), a reduction that was maintained over a 3-year follow-up period.ConclusionA comprehensive program of worker health surveillance that involves stakeholders and includes monitoring can be a means of potentially improving compliance with workplace promotion programs, resulting in the facilitation of such beneficial, desired behavior change in areas such as alcohol and drug consumption.

Perioperative alcohol cessation intervention for postoperative complications.

Perioperative alcohol cessation intervention for postoperative complications.

Factors associated with risky consumption of alcohol in a sample of university students

Introduction During the university period, student wellbeing is exposed to the negative effects of many stressful factors, including the use and abuse of alcoholic beverages. The aim of this study is to estimate the risky alcohol consumption within the student population of the University of Palermo. Material and methods An anonymous online questionnaire was provided to enrolled in the mailing list of the Regional Agency for the Right to University Study (ERSU) of the University of Palermo. the first section investigated demographic and social data, while in the second section the A.U.D.I.T. C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption) test was administered. Results 539 subjects agreed to the informed consent and completed the questionnaire. The average of the sample is 22.65 years (SD ± 2.95). Considering as dependent variable students with risky consumption of alcohol, the statistically significant independent variables associated were: age class ≤22 years old (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.18-3.44, p=0.019), don't live with own family (aOR 3.21, 95% CI 1.81-5.69, p&0.001) and I currently smoke (aOR 6.44, 95% CI 3.85-10.79, p&0.001). Conclusions The results of the study show that about 19% of experience risky alcohol consumption. This percentage seems not to be gender related. Information and training campaigns focused on alcoholism and related risks are of great importance in order to educate on the socio-economic costs of alcohol related diseases to public health; parents can play a crucial role in minimising the use of alcohol in their sons/children through dialogue if properly trained to address these issues. In fact, our study seems to show that those who no longer live in the household have a higher risk of alcohol consumption.

On the use of digital technologies to reduce the public health impacts of cannabis legalization in Canada

The imminent legalization of recreational cannabis represents a considerable public health challenge that requires proactive measures to ensure a responsible transition. The federal government recognizes the need for strict regulation to reduce cannabis-related health harms, notably among the youth. Additionally, the government plans to oversee a national public awareness campaign as part of a harm-reduction strategy. In light of the public health risks of cannabis legalization, this paper proposes the implementation of increasingly popular, evidence-based, preventive, and therapeutic digital interventions to minimize the harms of this policy among adolescents and young adults. These E-health interventions facilitate healthcare delivery, improve patient care, and overcome stigmatization, especially in the context of substance abuse. Therefore, we argue that a continuum of digital tools, including prevention programs, educational material, and therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing risky consumption of cannabis, should be embraced as part of a comprehensive public health strategy by the federal government in anticipation of legalization later this year.

Alcohol Consumption Reduction Among a Web-Based Supportive Community Using the Hello Sunday Morning Blog Platform: Observational Study.

BackgroundAlcohol misuse is a major social and public health issue in Australia, with an estimated cost to the community of Aus $30 billion per annum. Until recently, a major barrier in addressing this significant public health issue is the fact that the majority of individuals with alcohol use disorders and alcohol misuse are not receiving treatment.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess whether alcohol consumption changes are associated with participation in Hello Sunday Morning’s blog platform, an online forum discussing experiences in abstaining from alcohol.MethodsThe study reports on Hello Sunday Morning participants who signed up for a 3-month period of abstinence from November 2009 to November 2016. The sample comprised 1917 participants (female: 1227/1917, 64.01%; male: 690/1917, 35.99%). Main outcome measures were Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores, mood, program engagement metrics, and slip-ups.ResultsIndividuals who reported hazardous (preprogram AUDIT mean 11.92, SD 2.25) and harmful consumption levels (preprogram AUDIT mean 17.52, SD 1.08) and who engaged in the Hello Sunday Morning program reported a significant decrease in alcohol consumption, moving to lower risk consumption levels (hazardous, mean 7.59, SD 5.70 and harmful, mean 10.38, SD 7.43), 4 months following program commencement (P<.001). Those who reported high-risk or dependent consumption levels experienced the biggest reduction (preprogram mean 25.38, SD 4.20), moving to risky consumption (mean 15.83, SD 11.11), 4 months following program commencement (P<.001). These reductions in risk were maintained by participants in each group, 7 months following program commencement. Furthermore, those who engaged in the program more (as defined by more sign-ins, blogs posted, check-ins completed, and engagement with the community through likes and following) had lower alcohol consumption. Finally, those who experienced more slip-ups had lower alcohol consumption.ConclusionsParticipation in an online forum can support long-term behavior change in individuals wishing to change their drinking behavior. Importantly, reductions in AUDIT scores appeared larger for those drinking at high-risk and hazardous levels before program commencement. This has promising implications for future models of alcohol reduction treatment, as online forums are an anonymous, accessible, and cost-effective alternative or adjunct to treatment-as-usual. Further research is needed into the specific mechanisms of change within a Web-based supportive community, as well as the role of specific mood states in predicting risky drinking behavior.

Trends in alcohol use among young people according to the pattern of consumption on starting university: A 9-year follow-up study.

AimTo identify differences in Risky Consumption (RC) and Binge drinking (BD) trends in students who already followed these patterns of alcohol consumption on starting university and those who did not, and also to try to understand what leads students to engage in these types of behaviour at university.Material and methodsCohort study among university students in Spain (n = 1382). BD and RC were measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test at ages 18, 20, 22, 24 and 27 years. Multilevel logistic regression for repeated measures was used to calculate the adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs).ResultsThe prevalence rates of RC and BD were lower throughout the study in students who did not follow these patterns of consumption at age 18. For RC and BD, the differences at age 27 years, expressed as percentage points (pp), were respectively 24 pp and 15 pp in women and 29 pp and 25 pp in men. Early age of onset of alcohol use increased the risk of engaging in RC and BD patterns at university, for men (OR = 2.91 & 2.80) and women (OR = 8.14 & 5.53). The same was observed in students living away from the parental home for BD (OR = 3.43 for men & 1.77 for women). Only women were influenced by having positive expectancies for engaging in RC (OR = 1.82) and BD (OR = 1.96).ConclusionsThe prevalence rates of both RC and BD at age 27 years were much higher among university students who already followed these patterns of consumption at age 18 years, with the differences being proportionally higher among women. Focusing on the age of onset of alcohol consumption and hindering access to alcohol by minors should be priority objectives aimed at preventing students from engaging in these patterns of alcohol consumption at university.

The Credit Card Act and consumer finance company lending

Abstract The Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act (CARD Act) of 2009 restricted several risk management practices of credit card issuers. Using a quasi-experimental design with credit bureau data on consumer lending, we find evidence consistent with the hypothesis that the act's restrictions on risk management practices contributed to a large decline in bank card holding by higher risk, nonprime consumers but had little effect on prime consumers. Looking at consumer finance loans, historically a source of credit for higher risk consumers, we find greater reliance on such loans by nonprime consumers in states with high consumer finance rate ceilings following the CARD Act than by nonprime consumers in states with low rate ceilings or by prime consumers. That nonprime consumers in states with high consumer finance rate ceilings relied more heavily on consumer finance loans suggests that consumer finance loans were a substitute for subprime credit cards for risky consumers when rate ceilings permit such loans to be profitable. Consumer finance loans would not be available to many higher risk, nonprime consumers in low rate states because such loans would be unprofitable, and prime consumers would not need consumer finance loans because other less expensive types of credit would generally be available to them.

Funcionalidad familiar y factores de riesgo modificables para hipertensión arterial

La salud de la familia está ligada con su funcionamiento efectivo; por otra parte, la hipertensión arterial (HTA) es un proceso de gran prevalencia y una de las principales causas prevenibles de complicaciones cardiovasculares. El presente estudio transversal correlacional realizado con 414 participantes de 20 a 64 años de edad determina la relación entre funcionalidad familiar con factores de riesgo para HTA. La disfunción familiar constituye un factor de riesgo para presentar: nivel bajo de actividad física (OR: 1,61;IC&lt;sub&gt;95 %&lt;/sub&gt;: 1,03-2,52), consumo de tabaco (OR: 1,63; IC&lt;sub&gt;95 %&lt;/sub&gt;: 1,04-2,55), sobrepeso-obesidad (OR: 1,77; IC&lt;sub&gt;95 %&lt;/sub&gt;: 1,13-2,76), tensión arterial alterada (OR: 2,00; IC&lt;sub&gt;95 %&lt;/sub&gt;: 1,22-3,28) y consumo de alcohol de riesgo (OR: 5,69; IC&lt;sub&gt;95 %&lt;/sub&gt;: 3,59-9,01). El análisis de esta relación contribuye al avance del conocimiento y como base para delinear estrategias preventivas.

Social Marketing Through Social Media: The Effects of User-Generated Content

Purpose: To investigate the effect that interactions between social media user-generated images (UGIs) involving alcohol use, and social media safe-drinking advertising, have on young people’s intention to consume alcohol. Design/methodology/approach: Two empirical studies were conducted adopting experimental design. Study 1 collected questionnaire data from 495 young adults who participated in a 2 x 3 between-subjects experimental design, while Study 2 collected eye-tracking data and self-reports from 36 university students who participated in a 2 x 2 between-subjects experimental design. Findings: Intention to consume alcohol is positively associated with seeing UGIs of young people socialising with alcohol, and negatively associated with seeing a safe-drinking advertisement that has been judged to be effective. The presence of a safe-drinking advertisement moderates the effect of UGIs involving alcohol. The visual attention paid to the safe-drinking advertisement is negatively correlated with the intention to drink when alcohol-related UGIs are also present. Research limitations/implications: Gathering eye-tracking data can enrich a conventional survey-based approach when studying a phenomenon with high visual content, such as social media and advertising. Practical implications: The interaction between user-generated content and advertising content must be considered when planning social marketing campaigns conducted through social media. Originality/value (mandatory): User-generated content is an important influence on risky consumption behaviour. Social marketing communications to deter risky behaviour act as a moderator in the relationship between user-generated content and risky consumption behaviour. This helps to understand how priming works in a social media context.

Anxiety, depression and risk consumption of alcohol in a sample of university students

The university student is vulnerable to the adverse effects of many stress factors that can lead to depressive symptoms, anxiety and alcohol abuse, causing an increase in the burden of illness in young people. The aim of the study was to measure depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, and harmful alcohol consumption within the student population of the University of Palermo. An online questionnaire was sent by e-mail to the 8500 students enrolled in the (ERSU) Regional Office for the Right to University Study's mailing list in Palermo. It was evaluated the severity of depressive symptoms through the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report, anxiety symptoms using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and risky consumption of alcohol by using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption test. From the test it was possible to get individual scores that allow you to evaluate the risk by associating each individual with a category. The obtained variables were analyzed by Pearson square test (χ 2). The questionnaire answered 1102 individuals, 756 females (68.60%), with an average age of 22 years (± 3.28). 13.52% of the sample have a risky consumption of alcohol. 22.14% showed moderate depressive symptoms and 12.16% had serious and very serious symptoms. Respectively, 19.69% and 7.53% have moderate and high levels of anxiety. As for depressive symptoms (χ2 (4)=31.58, p<0.001) and anxiety (χ2 (2)=20.71; p<0.001), the female gender is assigned to more relevant reference categories than males. There are no statistically significant differences of risky consumption of alcohol in terms of gender or type or length of course. An analysis of the data shows that anxiety, depression and alcoholism risk have a similar distribution in all degree courses. Female students are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Active public health planning and implementation of structural and organizational measures would be very effective in reducing alcohol consumption and promoting health.

Patient Satisfaction as a Moderator of Risky Alcohol Consumers' Attitude Towards Screening and Brief Intervention: A Cross Sectional Survey.

Although shown to be effective, General Practitioners (GPs) tend to refuse the implementation of Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI). Their expectation of negative response by patients seems to contrast with the positive attitude towards SBI of these patients. This discrepancy may be resolved by regarding moderators such as drinking status and patient satisfaction. We hypothesized that the attitude towards SBI will be more positive for abstainers or low-level consumers in comparison to high risk consumers especially in case of low patient satisfaction. Ten GP offices in Germany received the questionnaires for a recruitment maximum of 30 patients each. Patient satisfaction was measured by the Koelner Questionnaire of Patient Satisfaction and drinking status was evaluated using the AUDIT-C. To assess the SBI attitude a pretested 8-item Likert scale was used. Questionnaires of 257 patients could be analyzed. Almost a third of patients were risky consumers (N = 78, 29.9%). They showed a more negative attitude towards SBI (M = 3.99, SD = 0.71) than abstainers or low-level consumers (M = 4.20, SD = 0.55). The main analysis revealed main effects for alcohol consumption, F(1, 252) = 4.31, P < 0.05, and patient satisfaction, F(1, 252) = 22.15, P < 0.001, as well as an interaction effect, F(1, 252) = 5.01, P < 0.05, showing that the SBI attitude of risky consumers was more negative than the SBI attitude of abstainers or low-level consumers only in case of low satisfaction. Risky consumers show a more positive attitude towards SBI when they are satisfied with their GP. Our results thus suggest the use of a supportive consultation style for the intervention of risky consumers. SBI attitude of general practice patients depends on their drinking status: abstainers or low-level consumers revealed a more positive attitude towards SBI than risky consumers. This effect is moderated by the patient's satisfaction. Risky consumers show a more positive attitude towards SBI if they are satisfied with their GP.

Preparing for the Attack: Mitigating Risk through Routines in Armed Self-Defense

AbstractPrior research has shown that owning firearms for self-defense can be motivated by perceived risks and a desire to mitigate those risks. Keeping and carrying guns for self-defense also introduces risks to owners and others. We examine ways that consumers mitigate these latter risks. We employ theories of practice and prior work on risky consumption to interpret observational, interview, and textual data gathered from a multi-sited ethnography of consumers of handguns for self-defense. We reveal that these consumers attempt to mitigate risks in three ways: through readiness practices with guns but no assailant, simulated scenario practices incorporating simulated assailants, and mental rehearsals incorporating imagined assailants. This research contributes a model of risk mitigation in risky consumption, explicates how social norms and mental activities foster a sense of security from specific risks, and shows that collaboration is required for development of practical understanding of risk-mitigat...