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J N Stephenson

Publications and source records attributed to J N Stephenson.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Searching for the Magic Johnson effect: AIDS, adolescents, and celebrity disclosure.

The objectives of this study were to measure changes in AIDS-related attitudes and behaviors in adolescents in the 13 months following Magic Johnson's disclosure that he was HIV positive, and to test whether gender, race, age, sexual experience, and pre-existing HIV-avoidant behaviors would emerge as significant dependent variables. Adolescent clinic attendees (N = 181) ages 12-19 in four cities completed a questionnaire assessing change in AIDS-related attitudes and behaviors since Johnson's announcement. Respondents were divided into low-risk and at-risk groups. Sixty percent of respondents reported that Magic Johnson's announcement had increased their awareness of AIDS, 65.4% reported increased self-efficacy in a sexual situation, 37.2% reported that they had changed their perceived AIDS risk, 37.8% described increased resistance to peer pressure for sexual intercourse. The low-risk group was more likely to report increased self-efficacy and resistance to peer pressure but no change in perceived risk or increased AIDS awareness. Significant relationships were found between gender and increased AIDS awareness, gender and increased resistance to peer pressure to engage in sexual intercourse, race and increased AIDS awareness, and more lifetime sex partners and increased self-efficacy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Pregnancy testing and counseling.

Pregnancy testing and counseling are increasingly accepted as necessary services for adolescents within the primary care setting. For teenagers in need of a pregnancy test, the easy-to-perform, highly sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay analysis for measuring beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) is ideal. However, no single beta-HCG analysis should be taken as absolute evidence for the presence or absence of pregnancy. Instead, an integrated approach using all of the health care professional's skills in adolescent health care should be taken. In some cases a careful history and physical examination will confirm the pregnancy. At other times serial quantitative serum HCG titers, pelvic ultrasonography, and culdocentesis may be necessary to rule out the possibility of ectopic pregnancy or threatened abortion. For more than three quarters of pregnant adolescents the pregnancy is unplanned and may represent a major conflict for themselves, their partner, and their families. When such an event occurs the health care professional will frequently be sought as a resource. Successful pregnancy counseling has many components. The adolescent will need to visualize the counselor as an available, sensitive, nonjudgmental individual who believes in the right of the pregnant teenager ultimately to progress to her own decision. The counseling process should be firmly based on an understanding of adolescent psychosocial and biologic development, crises intervention techniques, and family dynamics. The counselor needs to be a reliable information source. If the adolescent decides to go to term, programs offering comprehensive prenatal services to teenagers should be identified. Information concerning high-quality, low-cost abortion services also will need to be available for those who wish to terminate. It is important to monitor the quality of care given in prenatal and abortion service referrals. Few adolescents currently choose to place their babies for adoption. Counseling in this area is especially needed. Several types of adoption procedures are available and at appropriate times during a teenager's neonatal care adoption should be presented as a reasonable alternative to parenthood. Throughout this process, the health care professional will have opportunities to discuss a wide variety of health related topics with the adolescent and often her partner and their respective families. Ideally, whatever her final decision, it is the goal of the counselor to make the experience a positive and maturing influence on her life and the lives of other persons involved.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1984

Treating the intoxicated adolescent. A need for comprehensive services.

Intoxicated adolescents seen in hospital emergency departments are frequently treated for their immediate complaints, but fail to have follow-up assessments for underlying alcohol/drug abuse and/or psychosocial problems. We undertook a prospective study of 171 acutely intoxicated adolescents (12 to 18 years of age) admitted to the emergency department of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison. A comparison group randomly selected from the community demonstrated that the emergency department patients were at a significantly higher risk for alcohol and polydrug abuse and psychological dependency. To adequately serve this potentially high-risk group, follow-up assessment must be done, including the gathering of in-depth information regarding legal, psychosocial, and alcohol/drug use status. This study indicates that the general hospital, with its 24-hour emergency department services and other resources, can play a vital role not only in the crisis management of intoxicated adolescents, but in their follow-up, assessment, and, when indicated, appropriate referral for treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1970

Cerebral gigantism.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1968

Cerebral gigantism.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗