Increased Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Migratory Homeless Youth: Exploring the Role of Social Network Composition

Travelers are a migratory subgroup of homeless youth who may be especially prone to engaging in risky behavior. This study compared the substance use and sexual behavior of young homeless travelers and non-travelers to evaluate the extent and possible sources of travelers’ increased risk. Data came from face-to-face interviews with 419 homeless youth (36.6% female, 34.0% white, 23.9% African American, and 20.0% Hispanic) between the ages of 13 and 24 years (M = 20.1 years, SD = 2.5) who were randomly sampled from 41 shelters, drop-in centers, and street sites in Los Angeles. Travelers were almost twice as likely as non-travelers to exhibit recent heavy drinking, 37% more likely to exhibit recent marijuana use, and five times as likely to have injected drugs. Travelers also had more recent sex partners and were more likely to report having casual or need-based sexual partners and combining sex with substance use. Mediation analyses suggest that travelers’ deviant peer associations and disconnection to conventional individuals and institutions may drive their elevated substance use. Differences in sexual risk behaviors are likely attributable to demographic differences between the two groups. Overall, these differences between travelers and non-travelers suggest different service needs and the need for different service approaches.     

Forensic Facial Approximation: Study of the Nose in Brazilian Subjects

Forensic facial approximation is an auxiliary method for human identification and allows facial recognition. The midface, that includes the nose, is vital for the recognition of a familiar face. The purpose of this study was to set hard tissue parameters to estimate nasal width, to test the method to estimate nasal width of Brazilians, and to analyze the relationship between nasal profile and facial type. A total of 246 computed tomography scans (183 females and 63 males) of adults were analyzed in Horos. Bone tissue measurements and facial type classification were performed on the skull scan. Nasal profile morphology was accessed through the tool 3D surface rendering. There was a difference around 3 mm from real to predicted nose through the method to estimate nasal width in Brazilians. So, the method may be used in forensic practice. Straight nose was associated with long face type.     

Social Support and Self-Esteem Moderate the Relation Between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Portuguese Women

Psychological distress and alcohol abuse have been linked to intimate partner violence (IPV). However, not all victims develop these problems. This study analyses the impact of IPV severity, social support, and self-esteem on depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as on alcohol abuse, and tests social and personal resources as moderators of the abuse-psychological distress-substance abuse link in a sample of Portuguese women including victims and non-victims of IPV (N?=?209). IPV severity contributed significantly to depression and anxiety symptoms as well as to alcohol abuse, after controlling for socio-demographic factors. Both social support and self-esteem were found to moderate the relation between IPV and depression and anxiety symptoms. However, moderation did not occur for the association between IPV and alcohol abuse. This study shows the impact of IPV on mental health and on alcohol abuse, and highlights the need to design effective interventions that promote social and personal resources in victimized women.     

Allelic distribution of four tetranucleotide repeat loci (D3S1358, D18S51, D19S253, and FGA) in a population from Porto (North Portugal)

Allele frequencies for four short tandem repeat loci were determined in a population sample from Porto (North Portugal), using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in order to investigate possible genetic differences between populations from the center and north of Portugal. After denaturing PAGE electrophoresis, nine alleles were identified for D3S1358 (n = 256), 13 alleles for D18S51 (n = 235), 10 alleles for D19S253 (n = 238), and 15 alleles for FGA (n = 181). No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found. The allele frequencies observed are similar to those of the Portuguese population compared except for the D3S1358 system.     

“Fortunate enough to obtain and keep the title of profession”: Self-regulating organizations and the enforcement of professional monopolies

Abstract: This paper establishes a framework for examining self-regulating occupations and their relationships with government, the public and other occupational groups. It then examines one aspect of this regulative bargain, the tools used by self-regulating organizations to enforce their statutory monopolies, in order to maintain jurisdictional boundaries. Evidence of these strategies was found through a review of the literature on the pros and cons of self-regulation, and legislation, regulations, and by-laws sent to the author by self-regulating occupations in Canada. The paper concludes with a discussion of trends in occupational self-regulation that may affect professional monopolies. Sommaire: Dans cet article, on établit un cadre permettant d'examiner les professions auto-r églement ées, ainsi que leurs relations avec le gouvernement, le public et les autres groupements professionnels. Ensuite, on y examine un aspect particulier de cette entente r églementaire, » est-à-dire les outils qu'utilisent ces organismes pour faire respecter leur monopole statutaire afin de pr éserver leurs frontières juridictionnelles. Les éléments de ces stratégies ont été identifiés au moyen d'un examen bibliographique des avantages et désavantages de l'auto-réglementation, ainsi que par une analyse des lois, des règlements et des statuts sociaux envoyés à l'auteur par les professions auto-réglementées au Canada. En conclusion, l'auteur discute des tendances de I'auto-réglementation professionnelle qui risquent d'influer sur les monopoles professionnels.     

NARCISSISTIC BORDERLINE COUPLES: IMPLICATIONS FOR MEDIATION*

Suddenly my head begins to spin. I feel dizzy and confused. My head keeps going round and round. In front of me sits a married couple; they go on and on in circles, going nowhere. A feeling of despair overwhelms me as I think to myself, This couple needs to be in therapy. I then realize I am the therapist.