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Biomedical subjects

G Agostinelli

Publications and source records attributed to G Agostinelli.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Enhancing alcohol problem recognition: a self-regulation model for the effects of self-focusing and normative information.

OBJECTIVE: A self-regulation model for predicting alcohol problem recognition among heavy drinking college students (N = 72) was tested. METHOD: The effects of both self-focusing and normative information concerning alcohol use were assessed in a 2 (self-focusing information: present, absent) x 2 (normative information: present, absent) factorial design. RESULTS: A significant two-way interaction on both a Decisional Balance Measure (DBM) and the Contemplation subscale of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) revealed that relative to a control condition, either type of information presented alone increased negative evaluations of drinking and problem recognition, whereas presenting both types of information together had less effect on negative evaluations and even decreased problem recognition. The interaction obtained with DBM scores was further qualified by a three-way interaction that limited this pattern to participants scoring higher on self-deception. The same interactive pattern of self-focusing by normative information on problem recognition approached statistical significance on the Precontemplation subscale. Finally, a thinking-aloud procedure employed to obtain immediate reactions to the presentation of experimental information offered corroborative results, with the joint presentation of self-focusing and normative information triggering the most defensive reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Results and their clinical implications are discussed in terms of a self-regulation model for problem recognition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

College students' perceptions of the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour.

In contrast to previous research which has largely focused on students' perceptions of other students' risk for contracting HIV/STDs, this study assessed single heterosexual college students' (96 men, 121 women) perceptions of the prevalence of different sexual behaviours which increase a person's risk for HIV/STD infection (e.g. multiple sexual partners, unprotected sexual intercourse, one-time sexual encounters). Consistent with previous research which has demonstrated an overestimation bias in judging others' risk for HIV/STD infection, students' estimates about the prevalence of sexual behaviours increasing a person's risk for HIV/STD infection were similarly overestimated relative to reported base rates. Gender differences were also observed. Although women generally tended to give higher prevalence estimates than men, overall, participants gave higher estimates when judging the behaviour of men compared to women. Both motivational and cognitive explanations of our data are discussed. Our findings highlight the importance of developing sexual risk reduction programmes which (a) enable students to make more accurate personal risk judgements, (b) increase students' awareness of the riskiness of their own sexual behaviours, and (c) promote positive health changes (e.g. increased condom use) in normative sexual behaviour among college students.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of normative feedback on consumption among heavy drinking college students.

College students, particularly those who drink heavily, tend to overestimate the prevalence of heavy drinking among their peers. A self-regulation model predicts that feedback of undesirable deviation from normative standards would result in correction of behavior toward perceived norms. From a screening of 568 college students, sixty-four heavy drinkers were identified and offered the opportunity to participate in a survey study of drinking. Of these, twenty-six accepted and returned questionnaires with detailed information regarding their drinking practices. These were randomized to receive or not receive, by return mail, personal feedback of their drinking relative to population norms. At an independent follow-up interview, feedback subjects showed greater reduction in weekly consumption and typical intoxication levels, relative to controls. This simple feedback intervention, requiring no personal contact, may be a cost-effective strategy for reducing risky drinking.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Individual differences associated with high-risk sexual behaviour: implications for intervention programmes.

Simpson & Gangestad's (1991) sociosexual orientation inventory measures people's willingness to engage in uncommitted sexual relations. People with unrestricted sociosexual orientations report more casual sex encounters, and multiple and concurrent sexual partners, factors known to increase the risk for exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study investigated the relationship of sociosexuality to an 'impulsive' personality profile characterized by impulsivity in decision-making, general risk-taking tendencies, and greater responsiveness to situational cues. It was found that an unrestricted sociosexual orientation was associated with greater impulsivity in decision-making on Tellegen's (1982) multidimensional personality questionnaire (MPQ) Control subscale, greater risk-taking tendencies on Tellegen's (1982) MPQ Harm-Avoidance subscale, and a greater responsiveness to situational cues as measured on Snyder's (1974) self-monitoring scale. Although unrestricted individuals had more knowledge about safe sex behavioural practices, they were more likely to engage in unprotected sexual intercourse (i.e. no condom use). Implications for HIV risk reduction educational programs targeting this population are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Drinking and thinking: how does personal drinking affect judgments of prevalence and risk?

In two separate university samples, the effects of individual drinking habits on perceived riskiness and estimated prevalence of drinking practices were studied. In both populations, self-reported drinking behavior was inversely related to perceived riskiness of heavy drinking and drunk driving, but inconsistently related to prevalence estimates for these behaviors. Abstainers also overestimated the commonness of heavy drinking and drunk driving much more than did drinkers who similarly did not engage in these behaviors. These findings are interpreted as consistent with self-serving motivational biases in information processing. Relative to men, women in both populations provided higher estimates of prevalence and riskiness.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Detecting and identifying change: additions versus deletions.

The recognition of changes in the features of objects was examined as a function of the nature of the change (additions, deletions, no change). In two experiments we assessed both detection (noticing whether the stimulus had changed) and identification (specifying the exact nature of the change). Both detection and identification were expected to depend upon the subject's awareness of the subsequent recognition tasks while the original stimuli were encoded. In Experiment 1, subjects were not aware of subsequent detection and identification tasks while they initially viewed study slides of the to-be-changed stimuli. During the subsequent presentation of the test stimuli, detection and identification were superior for additions. On the other hand, in Experiment 2 when subjects were aware of the subsequent recognition tasks while viewing each study slide, a detection advantage for deletions obtained. Identification performance depended upon a further factor, whether the features of a stimulus were codable. Only in codable stimuli were deletions easier to identify than additions. The differences between the two experiments in detecting and identifying additions versus deletions are consistent with Tversky's (1977) research that stresses the importance of specifying which representation (the study stimulus or the test stimulus) is the subject of comparison in the comparative judgment.

Adolescent↗