Predictors of Physical Competence in Adolescent Girls

Physical competence, comprising athletic competence and physical appearance competence, is positively related to feelings of self-worth in adolescent girls. This study compared the relationships of psychological, physiological, and maturational constructs with perceived physical competence in adolescent girls. Perceived physical appearance and perceived athletic competence, peer acceptance, body weight, body mass index (BMI), aerobic fitness (VO₂max), physical activity level, and menarcheal status were assessed. Global self-worth was highly correlated with peer acceptance, perceived physical appearance, and perceived athletic competence in this sample. Regression analyses indicated that peer acceptance was the best predictor of perceived physical competence. Additional predictors of perceived physical appearance and athletic competence are discussed. Results suggest that postmenarcheal and larger girls may be at risk for low perceptions of physical competence. Enhancing competence feelings among adolescent girls may be accomplished by emphasizing friendship and social interaction within physical activity.     

Police handling of domestic calls: The importance of offender''s presence in the arrest decision

Though much has been written about the correlates associated with the police decision to arrest when responding to domestic incidents, the current literature is almost completely silent about the effect of offender's presence on disposition. Using police records from one large jurisdiction in South Florida, this research investigates differences between offenders who are present when police arrive and those who are absent in terms of offender, victim, and situational characteristics. Consistent with prior research, this study found that 48 percent of domestic violent offenders were absent when police arrived. Furthermore, offender's presence was found to be the most powerful predictor of an arrest outcome.     

Renal Tubular Epithelial Vacuoles—A Marker for Both Hyperlipidemia and Ketoacidosis at Autopsy

Review of 15 cases of nephrotic syndrome found that eight had significant hyperlipidemia with serum cholesterol levels ranging between 10.59 and 18.60 mmol/L (mean 12.88) and serum triglyceride levels between 2.30 and 9.92 mmol/L (mean 4.58); all of these cases displayed basal lipid vacuolization. Seven of the 15 study cases had normal–mild hyperlipidemia with serum cholesterol levels ranging between 4.71 and 7.54 mmol/L (mean 6.02) and serum triglyceride levels between 0.65 and 4.1 mmol/L (mean 1.57). Six of the seven cases had basal lipid vacuoles (86%). Of these, five cases were hyperlipidemic and one case had borderline hyperlipidemia with a serum cholesterol level of 4.71 mmol/L. Although hyperlipidemia was associated with renal tubular epithelial vacuolization, the vacuoles appeared morphologically different to those found in ketoacidosis. This study has shown that while hyperlipidemia in isolation may result in basal lipid vacuolization within renal tubular epithelial cells, the phenotype differs from that observed in ketoacidosis.     

Psychiatric hospitalization history and parole decisions

The present study investigates the impact of a recent history of psychiatric hospitalization on obtaining parole for an exit cohort of male offenders. Legal variables (number of prior imprisonments, prior arrest for violent crime, use of violence in current offense, conviction for drug-related offense, history of drug use, and annual prison infraction rate), social and community support variables (marital status, education, area of conviction, family support, and occupation), and extralegal variables (race and age at release) are all examined, along with psychiatric hospitalization history, for their impact on the parole decision-making process and, ultimately, the percentage of maximum sentence served. The results from logistic regression and multiple regression indicate that psychiatric hospitalization history significantly reduces the likelihood of receiving parole and increases the percentage of maximum sentence served. This relationship persists once other variables have been controlled. Possible explanations and policy implications are discussed.     

Transforming the media: a cultural approach

Abstract

Mobile phone text messaging often is more affordable than voice messaging in the developing world. Its similarity to instant messaging and other Internet synchronous communication technologies suggests that overuse and addiction-like tendencies might be found among users, as has been identified with similar technology applications. Symptoms related to components of addiction diagnoses were found to be prevalent among 21respondents to a survey, all of whom completed questionnaires at the University of Mauritius. Between 6% and 11% of respondents showed symptoms of addiction related to tolerance, withdrawal, displacement of attention to school or work, and the inability to diminish use. Displacement of people was common among a higher percentage of respondents. The number of messages sent, and the perceived skill at using SMS technology were significant predictors of the number of addiction criteria exhibited by respondents. Among the small percentage who revealed symptoms of addiction, usage of text messaging was double to triple that found in most of the rest of the population sample studied. While gender had been shown to be a predictor of overuse tendencies in past studies, no gender differences were found for addiction measures, but males were heavier users of text messaging than females.     

A comparative analysis of some aspects of the training and visit system of agricultural extension in India

The article utilises recent farm survey data to assess the performance of the Training and Visit Extension system in one district in the state of Haryana (India) compared to a neighbouring district covered by an older extension system. The data show a significantly higher level of village‐level extension activity in the area covered by Training and Visit Extension, and this is compatible with the large number of staff and higher expenditure on extension under this system. The data also suggest that knowledge of improved practices, especially in wheat cultivation, diffused faster in the area covered by T & V extension.     

The Relation Between Intimate Partner Violence, Parenting Stress, and Child Behavior Problems

Parenting characteristics can have a significant influence on how children are affected by family violence. The purpose of this study was to explore the role women’s parenting stress plays in the relationship between exposure to physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) and children’s externalizing and internalizing behavior problems. Data for this study were taken from three waves of the Illinois Families Study. The final sample included 1,653 children from 805 families. Structural equation modeling analyses were conducted across two developmental stages in order to better understand the unique relationships based on child development. For children ages 6–12 years, parenting stress mediated the relationship between exposure to psychological IPV and internalizing behaviors. No direct or indirect pathways between exposure to IPV and children’s behavior problems were found among adolescents ages 13–17. Implications for social service interventions with children and families exposed to violence are included.