Accidents related with atypical sexual behavior

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of autoerotism, in particular, to sexual asphyxia. Published research data and independent observations were used to describe lethal and non-lethal incidents of forensic-and-medical importance.     

Criteria for expert evaluation of mechanism of lower jaw fractures

A short analysis of 565 cases of fractures of the lower jaws is presented in the article with due regard for a mechanism of their formation. Criteria of the expert evaluation of an impact point and direction of action of a traumatic force are depicted with due respect for a type, specific features and fracture location.     

Prevalence and postmortem diagnosis of hemocontact infections in intravenous drug abusers based on forensic medical research data

The spread of viral hepatitis C and B and of HIV was studied among the intravenous drug consumers (IDC) on the basis of 42 forensic-medical autopsies. The enzyme immune-assay (EIA) of blood serum showed, in 95.2% of cases, antibodies to hepatitis C virus, antibodies to HbsAg and HIV were registered in 11.9% in both cases. The possibilities of using the autopsy-blood serum for EIA-diagnosis of viral hepatitis and HIV were demonstrated. Morphological examinations of IDC showed, in them, chronic hepatitis (CH) of minimal, weakly-pronounced and moderate activities. Viral CH in HIV infected IDCs is characterized by a minimal and small-pronounced activity of the process and it is not different, according to its activity, from viral CH in IDCs without HIV.     

Forensic medical specificity of death in atypical sexual behavior: asphyxiophilia, autoerotism

The diagnosis of death of autoerotic asphyxia has not been virtually stated by Russian forensic medical expert. All such cases were interpreted as mechanical asphyxia entailing suicide, and "accidental" or "fatal" death. The authors observed, during the recent 5 years, 10 lethal cases in different-type autoerotic practice. Strangulation asphyxia was the death cause in 7 cases. Compression asphyxia, inhaling of glue vapor and electric shock caused death, each in one case. Death of asphyxia seizes to be exceptional; it is rather a regular phenomenon in the present-day life, which needs a proper research from 2 standpoints--etiopathogenesis, and forensic medical diagnosis.     

Forensic and medical expertise of sexual transmission of venereal diseases and HIV infection

Although, there is a steady growth in the total number of sexually transmitted infections (STI), the forensic medical method is a rare expertise type as applicable to venereal and HIV infections. Since sexually abused persons are an STI risk category, they must be diagnosed as soon as possible. A micro-trauma of sexual violence, if detected, is an important finding because it is an open entry gate for STI. The specialist in skin and venereal diseases must examine all victims and all suspected of raping or of sexual violence to rule out the possibility of venereal disease infection.     

The relationship between the quantity of alcohol consumed and the severity of sexual assaults committed by college men

Researchers have suggested that intoxicated perpetrators may act more violently than other perpetrators, although empirical findings have been mixed. Past research has focused on whether or not alcohol was consumed, rather than the quantity consumed, and this may explain these inconsistent findings. The authors hypothesized that the quantity of alcohol consumed would have a curvilinear relationship to the severity of the assault. Data were collected from 113 college men who reported that they had committed a sexual assault since the age of 14. The quantity of alcohol that perpetrators consumed during the assault was linearly related to how much aggression they used and was curvilinearly related to the type of sexual assault committed. The quantity of alcohol that victims consumed during the assault was linearly related to the type of sexual assault committed. Strategies for improving assessment of alcohol consumption in sexual assault research are discussed.     

Government’s credible commitment in economic policy-making: Evidence from Singapore

Policy Sciences - Studies of participatory policy-making show citizens’ participation in policy-making yield better solutions and more successful policy performance. But studies of the Asian...     

Cultural Orientation as a Protective Factor Against Tobacco and Marijuana Smoking for African American Young Women

The present study examined cultural orientation as a protective factor against tobacco and marijuana smoking for African American young women (ages 18 to 25). African American college students (N=145) from a predominantly White university were administered subscales from the African American Acculturation Scale-Revised (AAAS-R); the shortened Individualism/Collectivism (INDCOL) Scale; a Tobacco and Drug Use Survey; and a background survey. Multiple logistic regression was conducted using cultural orientation variables as predictors and smoking status (i.e., tobacco and marijuana) as the criterion. It was expected that young women who endorsed traditional African American cultural characteristics (i.e., religious beliefs, health, family values, and socialization) and were collectivistic in their community (i.e., cultural interdependency) and familial (i.e., familial interdependency) interactions would be less likely to smoke. Results show that traditional religious beliefs and practice was protective against tobacco smoking for this sample of young women. Familial interdependency (e.g., supportive exchanges between friends, and consultation and sharing with parents), and traditional religious beliefs and practices surfaced as protective factors against marijuana smoking. Traditional health beliefs and practices was a risk factor for both tobacco and marijuana smoking. The implications signal the need for smoking prevention and cessation programs to focus on interpersonal factors which may strengthen African American young women’s religious and familial bonding. Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Dr. Nasim also serves as affiliate research professor in the Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention (CCEP), Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. He received his Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Howard University, Washington, DC. His primary research interests focus on the etiology of substance use behaviors among African Americans Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Director of the Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention (CCEP). She received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Her research and programmatic efforts focus on the role of culture, community, and context in psychological, physical, and social outcomes among African Americans Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her major research interests focus on minority youth adjustment, adolescent sexual health, and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Department of Psychology. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University. His research interest is in the area of African American culture and mental health. Institute for Innovative Health & Human Services at James Madison University. She received her B.S. in Psychology from James Madison University. Her research focuses on school-based interventions for adolescents.     

Depressive Symptoms, Stress, and Support: Gendered Trajectories From Adolescence to Young Adulthood

Stressful transitions in adolescence increase depressive symptoms, especially among girls. However, little is known about this risk as adolescents mature into young adulthood, especially about how parental support affects depression trajectories during this period. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this analysis investigates the role of gender in structuring the associations among stressful life events, parental support, and depression. Females reported more depressive symptoms at the outset of the study, a rank order that persisted along declining depression trajectories into young adulthood. In addition, stress accounts for the decline in trajectories for females but not males. Support from both parents has a salubrious effect on mental health, regardless of gender, but this effect dissipates as adolescents age into adulthood.