36044044
What does the Driving and Riding Avoidance Scale (DRAS) measure?
Driving anxiety can have a significant impact on everyday functioning and usually results in some kind of avoidance behaviour. The Driving and Riding Avoidance Scale (DRAS; Stewart, A. E., & St. Peter, C. C. (2004). Driving and riding avoidance following motor vehicle crashes in a non-clinical sample: psychometric properties of a new measure. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 859-879) shows promise in the self-report assessment of the degree of such avoidance. The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the DRAS in a sample of 301 university students. Internal consistency for the DRAS was 0.89 and temporal stability over two months was 0.71. The factor structure of the DRAS supported the use of the general and traffic avoidance subscales but not the weather and riding avoidance subscales in the present non-clinical sample. However, a significant limitation of the DRAS is that it does not assess the reasons for driving avoidance, and is therefore not a measure of avoidance that is due to driving anxiety. Some items may be rated highly for practical reasons, such as avoidance because of increasing fuel and other costs associated with driving. Modified instructions for the DRAS should ensure that it measures anxiety-related avoidance behaviour.
3392957
Driving-related fear: a review.
This article reviews the research on driving-related fear (DRF). Until recently, research has concentrated almost exclusively on the effect of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) on subsequent levels of DRF. However, recent findings have suggested that MVAs are not solely responsible for this fear reaction, and that non-MVA driving fear can be just as strong. Studies of the broader driving-fearful population have encountered difficulty with diagnostic conceptualisation of DRF, although some have investigated a possible typology of DRF. Driving skill has been a neglected issue in the DRF research, and may prove to be a useful part of assessment and remediation of this potentially debilitating problem. Issues of definitional inconsistency are highlighted, and suggestions are made for several directions that future research might profitably take.
33016184
Stability of driving fear acquisition pathways over one year.
The present study was conducted in response to increasing concerns about the potential unreliability of retrospective accounts in assessing the origins of fears and phobias. Some investigators [e.g. Menzies, R.G., & Clarke, J.C. (1993). The etiology of fear of heights and its relationship to severity and individual response patterns. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 31, 355-365; Kirkby, K.C., Menzies, R.G., Daniels, B.A., & Smith, K.L. (1995). Aetiology of spider phobia: Classificatory differences between two origins instruments. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33, 955-958; King, N.J., Gullone, E., & Ollendick, T.H. (1998). Etiology of childhood phobias: current status of Rachman's three pathways theory. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36, 297-309.] have questioned the reliability of retrospective reports at a single assessment point, although the test-retest reliability of such accounts has yet to be examined. The aim of the present study was to conduct a one-year follow-up of the subclinical driving-fearful sample studied by Taylor and Deane [Taylor, J. E., & Deane, F. P. (1999). Acquisition and severity of driving-related fears. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 37, 435-449.] to primarily investigate, the stability of fear onset ascriptions and fear severity over time. 85 respondents completed a questionnaire which assessed fear origins, anxiety response patterns, and additional fear-relevant events occurring over the year. The results suggest that retrospective accounts of fear onset may be quite unstable over time, although this instability does not clearly appear to be related to intervening events, and limitations of the study make these results inconclusive. Fear-relevant negative thinking worsened over time, while physiological reactions and general anxiety remained relatively stable. The theoretical, methodological and clinical implications of the findings are discussed, along with suggestions for future research.
24886138
Comparison and characteristics of motor vehicle accident (MVA) and non-MVA driving fears.
Prior research has revealed the diagnostic complexity among people who report driving fears. However, the focus on survivors of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and diagnostic samples may have inadvertently led to a relative neglect of the broader driving-fearful population. No studies could be located that compared MVA survivors with those who had not experienced an MVA. The aim of the present study was to address these deficits by comparing the characteristics of MVA and non-MVA driving-fearfuls and also exploring a range of characteristics associated with driving fears. One hundred and ninety media-recruited driving-fearfuls completed a questionnaire that assessed severity of anxiety and avoidance associated with a variety of driving situations. It was found that fear levels were similar to samples of driving phobics and MVA victims. There were no significant differences between MVA and non-MVA respondents on various measures of fear severity. In addition, the sample rated a high level of anxiety when driving with someone who criticizes their driving. Implications of the findings are discussed, along with suggestions for assessment and treatment of those with driving-related fears.
25161978
A meta-analysis of the effects of psychotherapy with adults sexually abused in childhood.
This paper presents the results of a meta-analysis of the treatment outcome studies of different types of psychotherapeutic approaches for adults sexually abused as children. There were 44 studies included comprising 59 treatment conditions, and most of the studies aimed to treat the psychological effects of childhood sexual abuse. Separate meta-analyses were conducted according to study design and outcome domain, in keeping with meta-analytic conventions. For most outcome domains, there was remarkable consistency in overall effect sizes across study design. Effect sizes were predominantly of moderate magnitude for post-traumatic stress disorder or trauma symptoms (g=0.72-0.77), internalizing symptoms (g=0.68-0.72), externalizing symptoms (g=0.41-0.53), self-esteem (g=0.56-0.58), and global functioning or symptoms (g=0.57-0.60). Studies measuring interpersonal functioning outcomes had inconsistent effect sizes across study design. Effects were largely maintained at follow-up, although relatively few studies provided follow-up data. A number of moderating variables were examined given the inherent heterogeneity of the studies. Moderator analysis revealed a variety of variables, particularly treatment characteristics, that were associated with better outcomes. However, different variables were identified for the diverse outcomes that were measured, emphasizing the importance of moderator analysis in looking beyond overall treatment effects to ascertain specific elements that confer additional benefit in therapy for the diverse psychological effects of child sexual abuse.
13643640
Driving anxiety and fear in young older adults in New Zealand.
BACKGROUND
driving anxiety and fear can have a marked impact on mobility and independence, although there is no data on the prevalence of this problem, and specific information about the rate of driving anxiety and fear in older adults is unknown.


METHODS
the present study examines the prevalence of self-reported driving anxiety and fear in a sample of 2,491 adults aged 55-72 from a longitudinal survey of health and ageing in New Zealand.


RESULTS
most of the sample (90%) described themselves as drivers who drove daily or weekly. Around 70% of the sample reported no driving anxiety or fear, yet 17-20% endorsed a mild and 4-6% rated a moderate to severe level of driving anxiety and fear. Women reported higher levels of anxiety and fear about driving than men, but there were no age differences. Those who reported some level of driving anxiety engaged various alternative modes of transport, and a small number (2.4%) reported that their driving anxiety had affected their usual activities or work for at least a day in the previous month. Duration of driving anxiety was highly variable, from relatively recent onset to being present for much of some participants' lifetimes.


CONCLUSION
driving anxiety and fear may be a significant problem for some young older adults that is likely to affect their independence and mobility. Further research to clarify the content and nature of driving anxiety, pathways to driving anxiety and the effect of factors associated with ageing on driving anxiety is needed in order to better understand this experience for older adults and develop effective interventions.
8695495
The Florida State Twin Registry: research aims and design.
Relatively little is known about the relationship of most personality disorders to executive cognitive functioning despite their associations with frontal cortex activity. Research on genetic influence is lacking for most personality disorders, and research on genetic influences associated with executive cognitive functioning is sparse and mixed. The Florida State Twin Registry was created to conduct a pilot twin study aimed at examining genetic influence on personality disorders and executive cognitive functioning. Measures included structured clinical interviews for symptoms and diagnoses of personality disorders (borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, obsessive-compulsive, avoidant, and dependent), depression, substance abuse/dependence, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Stroop Color-Word Test were administered to assess executive cognitive functioning. Self-report questionnaires were included to assess maladaptive personality traits. Data sharing and future directions for growing the Florida State Twin Registry are discussed.
21326002
Life events and peer substance use and their relation to substance use problems in college students.
Substance use disorders among college students are not well understood, and the present study examined the relationship of two environmental factors to alcohol and drug use problems in 616 (316 women) college students. Participants completed measures assessing substance use problems, life events, and substance use among peers. Alcohol use problems were significantly associated with higher drug use problems and regular use of illicit drugs among friends. Drug use problems were significantly associated with male gender, higher alcohol use problems, regular use of alcohol and drugs among friends, illicit drug use among romantic partners, and higher numbers of negative life events. Results extend previous research and suggest that college students who experience multiple negative life events and/or affiliate with substance using friends and romantic partners may be at risk for developing a substance use problem.
8674073
Children, health and gender: recognition in nursing research?
AIM
This paper examines the hitherto mostly unrecognised relationship between gender, health and children; its significance for nursing practice and how it has been considered in nursing research.


BACKGROUND
Holistic nursing practice with children requires adequate assessment and consideration of all potential influences on children's lives. Socioeconomic disparities have received widespread attention and gender inequalities in adult health have been studied in some depth. The links between gender, health and children, however, have received little consideration. The paper first considers this context in depth; it then applies the context to research in practice.


DESIGN
Systematic review.


METHODS
A systematic literature search was undertaken on four mainstream nursing research journals over 38 months up to February 2007. A total of 567 articles met the key word searches. Duplicates, opinion pieces and articles not focusing on children were removed. The remaining 23 nursing studies relevant to child health were examined for their gender sensitivity.


RESULTS
Full consideration of gender issues was found largely to be absent in nursing research on children. Eight studies gave specific consideration to gender relevance, where boys and girls may have responded differently to care. Only six studies specifically addressed gender sensitivity. Allowing children a voice, however, was a strength in these studies, with 18 reflecting children's views directly.


CONCLUSIONS
Major gaps still exist in research and theorisation relating to children, health and gender. These need to be acknowledged and investigated, particularly in relation to how they might impact on nursing care.


RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Nursing practice and research needs to account for all potential health issues, of which gender may often be important.
205268986
The persistence of flood-borne pathogens on building surfaces under drying conditions.
Previous research into microbial persistence on material surfaces following flooding has produced a wide range of results due to differing experimental conditions, including the temperature and humidity conditions of the experimental material and/or surrounding air. However, investigations to identify and quantify these factors and their links to the hygrothermal properties of building materials and the transient environmental conditions are rarely reported. This paper examines the viability of bacterial species on drying material surfaces that have been saturated with water or synthetic sewage. Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis were inoculated on brick, wood, or plaster and allowed to dry at the conditions intended to mimic the remediation environments commonly found in domestic dwellings following a flood event. The inactivation rates were compared between environmental conditions, water type and the material properties of the surfaces. Significant differences were found in the declines in E. coli according to water type, the surface relative humidity and air relative humidity and between drying rates for sewage floods. Simulations using hygrothermal software were performed to illustrate the wide variation in material drying rates under different scenarios, taking into account material size, wall composition, and ventilation. The significantly differing rates of microbial death on flooded building materials under different drying regimes suggest that building simulation models can be useful tools for predicting the level and duration of microbial contamination in buildings following a flood event. A better understanding of microbial survival on drying surfaces can be used to assess the health risks to occupants in flood affected properties.
19681079
Structure of borderline personality disorder symptoms in a nonclinical sample.
Relations among symptoms of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) borderline personality disorder (BPD) assessed using semistructured clinical interviews were examined using exploratory principal components analysis in a sample of 82 college men and women who were symptomatic for BPD (30.4% of whom met criteria for a BPD diagnosis at threshold or subthreshold certainty level). A three-component solution was found and, as expected, the first component was characterized by interpersonal instability and included unstable relationships, identity disturbance, and chronic emptiness. The second component reflected affective instability and low impulsivity. The third component reflected stress-related paranoia and low anger. Results highlight similarities in the structure of BPD criteria in clinical and nonclinical samples, and could inform future research on dimensional models of BPD.