Moderators of Response to Motivational Interviewing for Partner-violent Men

Careful attention to motivation for change may enhance the effects of interventions for partner-violent men. The present study tested predictions about differential response to a two-session motivational intake (MI) for partner-violent men, which was compared to a structured intake (SI) control. For those who were initially reluctant to change, MI produced greater forward movement in stage of change. For those who claimed to have already solved their problems with partner abuse, MI produced greater backward movement in stage of change and greater homework compliance in subsequent group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). MI led to a stronger collaborative working alliance for those high in contemplation of change, and greater group session attendance for those with high trait anger. Contrary to hypotheses, analyses of post-CBT partner assault revealed a differentially greater benefit of MI for participants with lower levels of pretreatment contemplation and trait anger. The findings provide qualified support for the expectation that MI has the greatest beneficial effects on those who appear initially reluctant to change.     

Characteristics of victims of sexual abuse by gender and race in a community corrections population

The purpose of this study was to examine how victims of sexual abuse in a community corrections population differ as a result of their sex and race. Of the 19,422 participants, a total of 1,298 (6.7%) reported a history of sexual abuse and were compared with nonabused participants. The sample was analyzed by race-gender groups (White men, White women, African American men, and African American women) using univariate and logistic regression analyses, which were conducted separately for each group. White women were the most likely to report a history of sexual abuse (26.5%), followed by African American women (16.0%), White men (4.0%), and African American men (1.1%). For all groups, histories of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were associated with a history of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse was associated with substance abuse problems for women but not the men. Cannabis dependence was associated with sexual abuse for the White women while cocaine dependence was associated with sexual abuse for the African American women. Several other variables were associated with sexual abuse for women but not men, including lower education (White women only), a history of violent offenses (White women only), and living in a shelter (African American women only). African American men tended to have higher levels of education; this was the only variable uniquely associated with either male group. Receiving psychiatric medications was associated with sexual abuse for all groups except African American men and a history of sex for drugs was associated with sexual abuse for all groups except White men. Consistent with national sample, women, particularly White women, were more likely to be victims of sexual abuse. The gender-race differences for the sociodemographic factors associated with sexual abuse, particularly the risk of substance abuse for women, suggest the need for tailored interventions for sexual abuse prevention and treatment.     

Intersectional Coalitions: The Paradoxes of Rights‐Based Movement Building in LGBTQ and Immigrant Communities

Over the past decade, inter‐ and intra‐movement coalitions composed of organizations within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) and immigrant rights movements have formed at the local level. These coalitions speak to a massive organizing effort that has achieved some rights campaign successes. However, coalition unity that culminated in “wins” like marriage equality came at a cost. While both movements expanded and unified, they simultaneously ossified around goals that matter to the most privileged segments of their respective communities. The result is a paradox: coalitions do sometimes form within and across movements, promote enduring unity across seemingly divergent movements, and facilitate rights campaign “wins.” However, coalitions simultaneously reinforce hierarchical exclusions through the continued marginalization of issues that uproot conventional power dynamics, like police violence, economic inequality, and gender justice. This essay argues that the construction of a common “civil rights past” identity within coalitions can help to explain this paradox. The development of this collective identity expands movements, occasionally thwarting the power dynamics responsible for the centering of the interests of the most privileged constituencies within social movements. However, the episodic nature of rights‐based campaigns simultaneously contains and undermines the formation of this collective identity, reinforcing movement divisions based on race, gender, and class.     

The new EMTALA regulations and the on-call physician shortage: in defense of the regulations

This Article examines the new Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) regulations, focusing on the on-call provisions, in light of the practical realities of the on-call physician shortage. It provides an historical account of issues surrounding the delivery of emergency care by on-call physicians and the legal background of EMTALA insofar as it relates to on-call physicians. Ultimately, the author concludes that, although the current shortage of on-call physicians has caused hospitals to anticipate EMTALA liability and advocate for more specific regulations, a closer look reveals that hospitals' fears are overstated. As long as hospitals have proper procedures in place, the new regulations will not put them in violation of EMTALA.     

Individual Motivation and Parental Influence on Adolescents’ Experiences of Interest in Free Time: A Longitudinal Examination

Time spent in freely chosen leisure activities offers a distinct developmental context that can support positive youth development; however this potential for growth depends in part on adolescent interest and engagement in their free time activities. Research indicates that many adolescents report experiencing boredom, instead of interest, in their free time. This study utilized longitudinal data from 354 rural middle school students to investigate how parenting practices and adolescent motivational styles influence adolescents’ experience of interest in their free time. Findings indicated that adolescent self-regulated motivation and parental knowledge related to the free time context were positively associated with experiences of interest, while adolescent amotivation and parental control were negatively associated with interest in free time. The effect of parental knowledge and parental control on adolescents’ experiences of interest was mediated by adolescent motivational styles. These results were similar across grade level and gender. Implications for interventions promoting positive youth development are discussed.

Recovery of single source DNA profiles from mixtures by direct single cell subsampling and simplified micromanipulation

Deconvolution of forensic DNA mixtures into their individual component DNA (geno)types is of great investigative value, though often complex and difficult. Two-person mixtures comprising a major and minor contributor are often easily interpreted although, when the DNA ratio of the two individuals is approximately equal (~1:1), deconvolution and interpretation becomes much more difficult. To address this issue, a physical separation of individual-, two- or three- cell subsamples prior to autosomal STR analysis was performed using a simplified micromanipulation technique paired with a decreased reaction volume and increased cycle number PCR. Using this method, single and multiple buccal epithelial cells were collected from a 1:1 two-person mixture (i.e. from individual 'A' and 'B') and directly amplified, omitting standard DNA extraction and purification steps. Single cell subsamples resulted in partial single-source profiles for both contributors while, in accordance with expectations of a quasi-binomial sampling schema, two- and three-cell subsamples resulted in single source informative partial profiles of individual A and individual B as well as complete consensus profiles, and equally mixed 1:1 (2-cell subsamples) and 2:1 (3-cell subsamples) admixed profiles of individual A and B. This proof-of-concept approach shows promise in permitting the DNA deconvolution of mixed samples where the individual contributors are present in similar amounts that would otherwise be difficult to interpret, resulting in an increase in evidentiary value. The subsampling approach can be readily investigated for DNA casework applications without additional investment in costly, new equipment, requiring only a stereo microscope and a tungsten needle.     

More than Pathological Formalization: Understanding Organizational Structure and Red Tape

Most research has conceptualized red tape as being a pathological subset of organizational formalization. This article argues that focusing on a single dimension of organizational structure as a red tape driver is unrealistically narrow. Specifically, the article advances hypotheses as to how organizational centralization and hierarchy affect perceived red tape, in addition to formalization. This reasoning is tested using survey data from employees of three local government organizations in the southeastern United States. All three hypotheses are supported: higher levels of organizational formalization, centralization, and hierarchy are associated with more red tape. Open‐ended comments also indicate that red tape is not solely perceived as related to formalization. The findings imply that red tape is a multifaceted perception of organizational structure rather than perceived pathological formalization.