Abstract This paper discusses a research experiment into whether alcohol use, regardless of environmental cues, is linked to increased likelihood to engage in unsafe sex - that is, to not use condoms. The paper analyzes whether alcohol intoxication, triggered by environmental cues, can result in riskybehavior. The paper presents the experiment design and how the research was conducted.
Table of Contents:
Experimental Design
Non-Experimental/Correlation Design
Conclusion
From the Paper "Alcohol is linked with risky behavior by researchers, the media and popular culture. Alcohol myopia theory has proven in a number of experiments that intoxicated individuals are not as susceptible to mild or submissive environmental cues, however, as much as suggestive cues. Nevertheless, alcohol consumption is a large part of social relaxation for many people, and the risky behavior and interpretative thinking intoxicated people engage in are therefore important fodder for study. The former study outlined above tests environmental cues associated with intoxication in the form of the subject matter of a movie; the latter experiment tests environmental cues in terms of public displays of acceptable, outlandish drunken behavior."
Abstract This paper summarizes a research proposal to determine what links exist between alcoholism as a learned behavior (rather than as a condition arising from any genetic predisposition) and self-esteem. This research is based upon the assumption that there is a direct connection between self-esteem and learned behaviors. Drawing from the recent work of a number of other researchers, this research argues that because alcoholism is, in large measure, a learned behavior it has a substantial negative effect upon the self-esteem of alcoholics who blame themselves for their drinking and, understanding the harm that they are doing to themselves and to those around them, suffer from lowered self-esteem.
From the Paper "Our attitudes about alcoholism have changed dramatically over the last fifty years as our conception of the condition ? which causes so much harm and so much grief to so many people, including both the alcoholics themselves and to others ? as one that was a matter of complete free will to a question of genetics. That pendulum is slowly swinging back now to viewing alcoholism as a learned behavior, although there is little doubt that there is some element of genetic predisposition to the condition. This research proposes to answer the question of whether the learned aspects of alcoholism are more significant than the genetic elements of it and, if so, how this fact should affect the way in which social workers treat alcoholics and their families."
Abstract The paper describes and provides a critique regarding an article that discusses the role of high-risk behaviors in those diagnosed with HIV, who also possess problems with substance abuse of a variety of types. The paper explains that it is expected that treatment options are a limited factor in the reduction of these riskybehaviors in HIV-infected adults.
From the Paper "The incidence of negative behaviors in individuals that have been diagnosed with HIV is quite extensive in many cases, particularly when there are many existing challenges that these individuals face, including alcoholism and other related problems (Palepu et al., 2004). A wide body of research suggests that there are many concerns regarding high-risk behaviors, such as sexual activity and drug use, which pose a number of problems for these individuals (Palepu et.al, 2004). The following discussion will evaluate the study objectives and the overall effectiveness of this study and its influence on research related to this topic. The proposed study attempted to identify the various risks associated with negative behaviors in those that had been diagnosed with HIV, based upon a prior history of alcoholism within the individual's life (Palepu et al., 2004)."
A literature review discussing the relationship between sexual motivation, erotophobia-erotophilia and depression with sexually riskybehaviors in men who have sex with men.
Abstract This paper presents a research analysis that aims to investigate the relationship between sexual motivation, erotophobia-erotophilia and depression with sexually riskybehaviors in men who have sex with men (MSM) who are frequent patients at a clinic. The study seeks to survey patients with two or more visits per year with or without sexually transmitted disease symptoms. It aims to identify the relationship between sexual motivation and the degree of sexual risk the participants are willing to accept. The paper contains tables listing specific studies and their findings.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 3: Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-gathering Method and Database of Study
Chapter 4: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "Not surprisingly, men with STDs may find reassurance and support from others similarly situated. In this regard, a growing body of literature has confirmed the direct beneficial consequences of social support on the psychological well-being of HIV-infected and at-risk gay men (Karus, Raveis & Siegel, 1997). According to these authors, "Perceived available social support has been found to be associated with less psychological distress and lower levels of depression in samples of gay and bisexual men at-risk of AIDS, asymptomatic HIV-infected gay men, and HIV-infected men at various stages of the disease progression. Perceived emotional support was also shown to be positively associated with global well-being, life satisfaction, and hopefulness in a sample of gay men who were long-term AIDS survivors" (p. 395). The satisfaction reported for the support received from these groups has also been found to be directly correlated with depression in samples of gay men living with HIV/AIDS (Karus et al., 1997)."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed discussion on the ways that alcohol impacts sexual behavior. Teenage drinking, unsafe sex, and date rape are all discussed in the context of how alcohol contributes to these problems. Also discussed are interventions and treatment programs.
Abstract This paper concerns the effectiveness of alcohol therapy programs, including but not limited to Alcoholics Anonymous, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, classical conditioning and community intervention programs. It first examines the history and statistics relating to alcohol therapy programs and then draws general conclusions from the evaluation of such programs. The paper discusses the best options available for alcoholics, but also shows that there are still many improvements to be made in this field.
From the Paper "The history of alcohol therapy programs remains unheralded. Alcoholics Anonymous may be one of the oldest therapy programs, but that does not make it the most successful. For example, the average member of AA has been dry for five years. However, this doesn?t include the alcoholics that went to their first meeting, and immediately afterwards stopped in at the nearest bar. Moreover, five years of abstinence might seem like a good start, but when combined with other programs, AA can be even more beneficial. For example, Montana, which ranks 9th in overall alcohol consumption, has recently raised its alcohol abstinence success rate above the national average. They have done so by consistently opening the door to new possibilities and new programs, some successful, some not. For example, once admitted to a hospital, a patient is not released until their counselor is satisfied with their improvement. Instead of unreliable drugs, they counsel each patient individually, with respect for their situation. Once released, a patient is sent to begin AA meetings, of which they now stand a much greater chance of continuing (Newhouse, 1999)."
Abstract The paper introduces alcoholism, defining it as a disease that is chronic, incurable and causes the person to need the alcohol in order to function. The paper discusses symptoms of alcoholism and then proceeds to study forms of treatment such as detoxification and AA. Finally, the importance of the social worker's role in alcohol treatment is discussed and stressed.
From the Paper "One thing that has not been spoken about is how differently a patient will react to treatment if the patient is also suffering from one of the aforementioned conditions. An alcoholic with an addiction to cocaine will certainly react differently in a detox situation than an alcoholic with a nicotine addiction. Not to mention the possible presence of some type of liver damage, or other serious medical problem that could harm the patient far more than the treatment may be prepared for. Caseworkers face many life-altering decisions when it comes to the management of such cases of alcoholism and their comorbidity. It seems to be so common that research is really needed in order to aid workers recognize all of the possible complications, as well as the more appropriate treatment plan for these patients. (NIAAA, 1991)"
Abstract This paper describes strategies for coping with the underlying health risk factors that have been deemed related to the high drug and alcohol abuse rates among the young women of Australia. The paper uses these strategies as a basis for the methods suggested for decreasing the riskybehaviors of these women. Finally, the paper also considers the role that general practitioners should have in identifying and preventing these behaviors.
Introduction
Identifying the Appropriate Media for Communicating with the Target Population
Strategies for Coping with the Depression-Based Risky Behaviours
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Australia's Teen Challenge Web site, ?Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia.? Unfortunately, because it can be used in socially acceptable ways, it is not often recognized as a drug, especially by those abusing it. So it is not surprising that a 1998 survey commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care found that the use of alcohol was of special concern in teenagers and young people up to the age of 25. The young adults described alcohol as a catalyst for social gatherings, although overall, fewer young adults were drinking (down from 77 percent in 1988 to 71 percent in 1998) but that those who were drinking were drinking more."
Abstract It is generally believed that males are less risk averse than are females in most situations. Additionally, it is commonly held that young adults and adolescents are generally more prone to engage in risk taking behavior than are older individuals. Most contemporary studies that assess risk taking behavior in young adults focus on sexual activity and confirm these beliefs. However, attitudes towards riskiness in more general, non-sexual situations are less often examined. This paper assesses the gender differences in risk taking attitudes in 15 separate situations of varying risk. Twenty participants (10 male, 10 female) took part in a survey on risk taking behavior by young adults. The results confirmed the belief that males are less risk averse generally, but also found a significant interaction between sex and situation, indicating that in certain specific situations females would be less risk averse. The paper includes tables.
From the Paper "The results of this study also indicate that alcohol use probably has little causal impact on risk taking. All of the respondents were alcohol free when taking the survey, and most of the situations to which they responded posited alcohol free decisions. Still, the general finding that males were less risk averse held. Some care should be taken in broadly applying the findings of this study. The few situations in which females were the less risk averse may indicate that, in the universe of all possible situations, the general findings could vary. Future iterations of this study should attempt to more fully catalogue risky situations to explore this finding more thoroughly. Other directions that future studies should take would include variables such as race or ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic status to how complex the interplay between personality and willingness to take risks is."
Abstract This paper explains that the theories of the causality of alcoholism have changed dramatically over the last fifty years from being a learned behavior to being genetic. But now, the pendulum is slowly swinging back to viewing alcoholism as a learned behavior, with some element of genetic predisposition to the condition. The author points out that, if alcoholism is a learned behavior, it would, in fact, influence the way in which social workers treat alcoholics and their families. The paper concludes that research insists on addressing the issue of alcoholism as a complex one that, in all likelihood, includes genetic, behavioral, social, and psychological elements.
From the Paper "A number of researchers have investigated the question of whether or not alcoholism has a genetic component and, if so, how powerful that component is. This literature review summarizes some of the most recent research in this area. In general, researchers have found that there is a genetic element to alcoholism but that this element is not as important as the learned-behavior element of alcoholism. Research, such as that performed by Dawes et.al. (1999), reinforces the fact that even highly dysfunctional behavior can be learned."
Abstract This paper discusses the cognitive symptoms associated with alcohol abuse, as well as short-term memory and learning problems that have been shown to be affected in people who chronically abuse alcohol. The paper describes the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model. It then goes on to describe behaviors associated with chronic alcohol abuse and the possibility of successful behavior change.
From the Paper "Alcoholism, which is characterized by cravings or compulsions to drink, the inability to limit alcohol intake, physical dependence and tolerance, currently affects nearly 14 million Americans while an additional several million engage in problem drinking that could lead to alcohol abuse. Thus, one in 13 American adults is a diagnosed alcoholic, while 53% of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their relatives have a drinking problem (Blume et al. 2004). University populations however, have higher prevalence rates of alcoholism than the general public, with binge drinking identified as the number one substance abuse problem in university life; 44% of students were classified as binge drinkers in large-scale university studies (Weschler, Dowdall, Davenport, & Castillo 1995)."
Abstract In this article, the writer maintains that any person who works in the area of domestic violence knows from experience that alcoholism is positively correlated with domestic violence. However, the writer notes that it is inaccurate to suggest that alcoholism creates domestic violence; the mere fact that many alcoholics are not violent belies that statement. The writer discusses that drinking can be a catalyst for assaultive behavior, though it does not cause that behavior; domestic violence and alcoholism are two separate problems, and that the resolution of them requires approaches specifically geared to each individual problem. The writer concludes that while alcohol abuse may be only one of many factors contributing to domestic violence in a home, it seems reasonable to suggest that treating alcohol addiction in either batterers or victims is likely to lead to an overall reduction in violence in the home. However, the because sobriety can increase violence in some batterers,and victim sobriety can increase the risk faced by each individual victim, the primary goal in intervention should be to ensure safety and then focus on sobriety.
From the Paper "Furthermore, if the victim is the alcoholic, then episodes of drinking may precede episodes of domestic abuse, because as the alcohol dulls inhibitions, the victim may engage in behavior that he or she knows is likely to result in domestic abuse. Finally, it is frequently the case that both partners are alcoholics, which exacerbates the problem even further.
"It is important to look at the impact of an alcoholic victim on domestic violence. The following is not mean to suggest that alcoholics are deserving victims of domestic assaults, but to inform people about the correlation between domestic violence and assaults. Substance abuse, predominantly alcoholism, is thought to contribute to at least half of all cases of intimate partner violence. Moreover, women with drinking problems are significantly more likely to be the victims of verbal and physical aggression by their partners than are non-alcoholic women."
Abstract This paper presents a literature review on programs available to educate young people about HIV/AIDS. The paper examines some of the approaches being taken today and how effective they have been. The paper also attempts to show some of the ways in which the efficacy of these program has been tested and to suggest where more study is needed to improve these programs and make them as effective as possible, with the ultimate goal being to change riskybehavior and so to reduce the incidence of HIV infection.
Outline:
Background
Objectives
Selection Criteria
Search Strategy
Methods of the Review
Description of Studies and Results
Methodological Quality
Discussion and Conclusions
From the Paper "The author analyzes recent literature investigating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behavior among street youth, finding that prevalence rates of both adolescent homelessness and HIV seropositivity are unknown but that data from a number of samples document a high prevalence of HIV risk behavior, sexually transmitted diseases, and alcohol/drug use among homeless adolescents. A number of individual and social factors are associated with street survival and may also propel adolescents toward high-risk behavior. Unfortunately, for some adolescents, testing HIV positive is seen as advantageous in the procurement of basic needs such as food and shelter. Any HIV risk-reduction interventions must consider the cause of homelessness, access to and participation in shelter services, and individual factors (such as the effects of sexual orientation and ethnicity) that often have not been systematically included in previous research. HIV risk for many homeless adolescents derives directly from their state of homelessness, and national policies and funding are therefore needed to address the health needs of these youth. How effective such programs may be depends on how they are shaped, how they are presented, and the precise nature of the social situation."
Abstract This paper details the effects that alcohol has on all body systems, including the brain, liver, heart and digestive track. Arguments for the moderation consumption of and abstinence from alcohol are presented, as well as information about alcoholism and its genetic cause. Next, the paper explains how alcohol is metabolized from the point of ingestion. Finally, the paper presents the long term cause of CDV, dementia, and diabetes. There are six figures to support the research, including charts of the chemical metabolization of alcohol, and the progressive effect of intoxication on body and behavior by BAC.
From the Paper "There are three phases in the metabolism of alcohol: absorption, distribution and elimination. Absorption is the phase in which the greatest level of intoxication is experienced, a state that may be quantified by assessing blood alcohol content (BAC). At any point in metabolism, a drinker's blood alcohol content measures grams of ethanol per 100 milliliters of blood. However, since metabolic rate varies in different individuals, BAC is not necessarily a direct indication of how many drinks were consumed. Instead, BAC is influenced by such factors as the amount of food in the stomach, sex, and body weight and composition. Generally speaking, females have a lower body weight and higher percentage of body fat, making them more sensitive to alcohol. "
Abstract This study focuses on the effects and consequences alcoholic parents have on adult children. A major part of this study is a comparison and analysis made on adult children with alcoholic parents and adult children with non-alcoholic parents. The paper also includes the result of a survey conducted on college students, which provides the data used for analysis. Furthermore, to demonstrate that parental alcoholism is a problem not specific to a particular society, and that it is a problem being faced by many families worldwide, multicultural aspects of the subject are included.
From the Paper "The effect of alcoholism is most visible in the adolescence period of a child with alcoholic parents. This is due to the fact that the period of adolescence is where the social ability of a child to interact and relate with others in a mature manner starts to develop. Also, it is the period where the viewpoint and attitude of a child towards the nature of other people and his environment starts to establish."
