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Biomedical subjects

S L Becker

Publications and source records attributed to S L Becker.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Psychosocial predictors of goal orientations in youth soccer.

Little is known about the nature of task and ego orientations that are key motivation constructs. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine the extent to which perceived social, contextual, and personal factors predicted the goal orientations of youth sport participants. The sample consisted of 166 male and female adolescent soccer players, who completed self-report measures at the end of a 7-week competitive season. A canonical correlation analysis revealed that the set of predictor variables accounted for 24% of the variance in player goal orientations. Higher scores on perceived soccer competence, perceived parent task orientation, and particularly perceived parent ego orientation were primarily associated with higher scores on player ego orientation. In addition, higher scores on perceived soccer competence, perceived parent task orientation, and perceived mastery climate, as well as lower scores on perceived performance climate, were associated with a higher level of player task orientation. These findings are interpreted and discussed in terms of future research directions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Surveying smokeless tobacco use, oral lesions and cessation among high school boys.

We surveyed 821 Iowa teenage boys to establish patterns of smokeless tobacco use, occurrence of oral lesions and the effect of lesions on attitudes about quitting, current use and plans for future use. Results suggest that young ST users who currently have a lesion or have experienced lesions may be particularly receptive to discussion of quitting options and other information about ST health effects. Dentists and other oral health professionals should initiate ST intervention when establishing a lesion history or on discovering a lesion at examination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Risk factors for adolescent cigarette smoking. The Muscatine study.

Smoking among adolescents is a developmental phenomenon with several factors exerting an influence on cigarette use at different times. We examined the longitudinal influences of several behavioral and social variables on the smoking status of 443 students followed from early to late adolescence. Of the factors examined, association with friends who smoke and previous smoking status were consistently associated with an adolescent's future smoking status. Other factors, such as attachment to father or to mother, parental supervision, extracurricular activity, perceived negative and positive effects of smoking, and academic involvement, were all related to late adolescent smoking status. These observations suggest that strategies that influence smoking behavior need to be directed not only to the individual child but also to influences within the child's home and school environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiology and pathogenesis of HIV infection. Approaching the second decade.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that can be transmitted through sexual activity, blood products, and perinatal exposure. The virus is composed of core, transmembrane, and envelope proteins. Cells of the immune system are the primary target of HIV, and destruction of the immune response is characteristic of end-stage disease. Although male homosexuals continue to represent the largest population of persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), transmission among intravenous drug users accounts for the rapidly growing incidence of pediatric and heterosexual AIDS patients. Control of the epidemic among intravenous drug users is the major challenge in the US today.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Community programs to enhance in-school anti-tobacco efforts.

This article presents theoretical bases for the development of community-wide anti-tobacco programs to reinforce school-based programs, discusses the problems involved in translating these theoretical bases into practice, and suggests means for minimizing those problems. Spiral of silence theory, diffusion theory, and expectancy value theory are covered. Special attention is given to the importance of a community program based in and "belonging" to the community, the need for high visibility, maximum participation by community individuals and organizations, mechanisms for program self-perpetuation, and explicit and visible ties to school-based anti-tobacco programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence and predictors of smokeless tobacco use: Iowa's program against smoking.

Data from surveys of adolescents were analyzed so that we could determine the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use and identify and compare the concurrent correlates of its use and cigarette smoking. Panel data from seventh through eleventh and eighth through twelfth graders between 1980 and 1984 and cross-sectional data from seventh graders in 1980 and 1985 suggest that boys are more likely to use SLT than are girls and that the boys' use has increased with age and over time. Concurrent correlates of seventh-grade boys' and girls' SLT use and cigarette smoking were identified with discriminant analyses. Predictors of smokeless tobacco use were compared with those of weekly smoking for boys and girls separately. Predictors of use by boys were also compared with those by girls. Trying alcohol and the other form of tobacco were the only predictors that related to the use of either form by boys and girls. Differences among other predictors were noted and their implications for prevention are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Leber optic atrophy low vision case report.

Leber optic atrophy (LOA) is a familial disorder primarily affecting males. We report the case of a 44-year-old male for whom the prescription of low vision aids was an important rehabilitative factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The short-term effects of competition and rewards in an adolescent smoking prevention program.

This study evaluated whether interventions involving competition and rewards would enhance a school-based educational curriculum on tobacco use. Written pre- and post-tests were used to assess the relevant knowledge of 1068 seventh grade students in three comparable communities. The students' smoking beliefs, intentions, and behavior were assessed by questionnaires before and after the educational unit. Students in two communities participated in interventions designed to enhance knowledge acquisition, social activism, and non-use of tobacco; students in one community served as controls. Students in competitive and control communities did not differ prior to intervention. The interventions influenced respondents' concern about their health and the health of their family and friends and increased the likelihood that they would associate smoking with maturity and short-term bad effects, regardless of their pre-intervention smoking behavior. Experimenters' and regular smokers' knowledge about smoking and its consequences, and concern about the amount of substance use in their town were increased by the competitions. The competitions were also more likely to reduce their intentions to smoke. The interventions did not affect smoking behavior. Fortunately, competition losers and winners were not differentially affected by the interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Social disaffection, friendship patterns and adolescent cigarette use: the Muscatine Study.

This study was undertaken to determine if adolescent social disaffection with school and family not only would be a significant predictor of cigarette use but would explain a significant amount of the association with friends who smoke. Eleven hundred and eighty ninth-12th grade students in Muscatine, Iowa, were surveyed in Spring 1984. Multiple regression analyses indicated several social disaffection variables were significant predictors of association with friends who smoke, explaining 20% of the variance. The combination of association with friends who smoke and social disaffection variables explained 48% of the variance in adolescent cigarette smoking. Variables related to adolescents' participation in school and related activities suggest prevention programs should recognize the impact of social disaffection on adolescents cigarette use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The home as a site for teaching gerontology and chronic illness.

The care for the chronically ill elderly is a major national health problem. Considerable concern and attention have been focused on the shortcomings of medical education in this area of care. Research findings have demonstrated the relevance of a home care experience for teaching the interactions of the social, psychological, environmental, and biological factors which characterize chronic illness. The value of such an experience has taken on added significance in light of the federal government's prospective payment system for reimbursing health care costs under the Medicare program, a system that encourages early discharge of patients from the hospital. To manage these patients successfully, physicians need to understand and appreciate the influence of social, psychological, and environmental factors in the course of a disease. The home setting is an appropriate place for teaching about these factors, just as the hospital ward is appropriate for the understanding required of acute illness.

Aged↗