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Biomedical subjects

M Gerrard

Publications and source records attributed to M Gerrard.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Predicting male and female contraceptive behavior: a discriminant analysis of groups high, moderate, and low in contraceptive effectiveness.

An exploratory, multivariate study was carried out to assess (a) whether three contraceptive-effectiveness groups (high, moderate, and low) could be differentiated on the basis of variables that have been theoretically and empirically associated with contraceptive behavior and (b) whether an identified set of discriminating variables could accurately classify sexually active college students into these groups. Three hundred sixty-five sexually active, never-married college students (211 males and 154 females) completed instruments measuring variables related to contraception. Four separate discriminant analyses were performed, one for each sex for both their initial sexual encounter and their current sexual interactions. Discrimination and classification of the three contraceptive groups for both males' and females' initial sexual experience was not very successful. Moderate discrimination was achieved for the female current sexual activity subsample and good discrimination and classification was made for the currently sexually active male subsample. The results are discussed in terms of the implications of the findings for understanding contraceptive behavior of males and females, problems with the dependent variable of contraceptive use, and the mounting evidence that emotional orientation to sexuality influences contraceptive behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Prevention of Unwanted Pregnancy.

These two studies explored the cognitive decision-making process which differentiate effective contraceptors form the ineffective contraceptors (Study 1), and applied these findings to the development and testing of educational and cognitive interventions aimed at a group of sexually active young women at risk of becoming pregnant (Study 2). The results identified factors related to unnecessary contraceptive risk-taking. The interventions changed attitudes and knowledge about contraception in the college population in general and increased effective contraception in the at-risk population of women who were initially using either ineffective methods of birth control or no methods at all.

Contraception↗
PubMed1982

Sex, sex guilt, and contraceptive use.

The Mosher True-False Sex-Guilt Inventory and questionnaires about sexual activity and contraceptive use were administered to a sample of 109 female college students in 1973 and a comparable sample of 111 female college students in 1978. Comparisons of these samples revealed an increase in sexual activity and a decrease in the use of effective contraception between 1973 and 1978. The data also confirmed the utility of the Mosher scale for predicting sexual activity and contraceptive use, while indicating that the level of sex guilt sufficient to inhibit sexual activity in 1973 was no longer sufficient in 1978. The discussion deals with clinical implications of these trends in contraceptive use among unmarried women and with methodological implications for use of the Mosher Sex-Guilt Inventory as a predictor of sexual activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Sexual experience, sex guilt, and sexual moral reasoning.

Two studies are described in which the relations between sexual experience, sex guilt, and sexual moral reasoning were examined. Subjects were asked to articulate their opinions on each of six sexual activities, and then choose one of six statements (corresponding to Kohlberg's six stages of reasoning) that most clearly reflected why they had, or had not, engaged in three of those activities. An analysis of the moral reasoning present in each of the six articulated responses indicated that level of reasoning was inversely related to sex guilt. Analysis of the preference data indicated that subjects endorsed reasoning (statements) at a higher stage than they had articulated, and that this "gap" between articulation and preference was much greater for less experienced subjects. Results are discussed in terms of the utility of using situation-specific moral dilemmas when assessing moral reasoning, and in terms of the possible role that lack of sexual experience plays in inhibiting sexual moral development.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Sex guilt and attitudes toward sex in sexually active and inactive female college students.

The Mosher Sex Guilt Scale was related to a number of sexual behaviors and attitudes in 47 sexually active and 72 sexually inactive female collage students. Sexually inactive subjects were found to have significantly higher sex guilt than sexually active students. The results also replicated previous findings of a relationship between sex guilt and religious affiliation and sexual experience. The data indicate significant relationships between sex guilt and attitudes toward abortion and permarital sex. These findings are interpreted as extending the construct validity of the Mosher scale and supporting the continued use of sex guilt as a theoretical construct in research on sexual behaviors and attitudes.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Graduate training in community psychology.

The results of a 1975 survey of graduate training programs in community psychology and community mental health are presented. For 62 programs offering master's or doctoral training, formal curriculum components in each of five content areas (community systems and behavior, prevention or promotion of effectiveness, practice of community mental health, research and evaluation, and administration) are reported. Availability of training in six sites (community mental health centers, state hospitals, schools, legal, public health, and social service systems) is also indicated for each program. The number of faculty primarily involved in community psychology or community mental health training and principal sources of financial support for graduate students are described. A list of the 62 programs is provided.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed1977

Fetal exposure to 1:8 dihydroxyanthraquinone.

A survey of 160 consecutive maternity cases showed that a high percentage of mothers had exposed their fetus to laxatives of the anthraquinone type at some stage during the pregnancy. Administration of 1:8 dihydroxyanthraquinone at the time of induction of labour with estimation of the substance in maternal urine, amniotic fluid and the first urine obtained from the baby, indicated that the substance is absorbed from the maternal gut, crosses the placenta and is excreted via the fetal kidney into the liquor. In mothers and babies most of the drug appeared as glucuronide. Fetal catharsis did not appear to occur and the reasons for this are discussed.

Anthraquinones↗