Predictors of Risky Sexual Behavior among High School Students in the United States

ABSTRACT

Risky sexual behavior among teenagers in the United States is a noted public health concern. The purpose of this study is to examine the correlates and theoretical predictors of risky sexual behavior among American teens. Data from the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey was utilized with concepts from Routine Activities Theory guiding analyzes. Bivariate regression results indicated that components of Routine Activities Theory are moderate to strong predictors of using substances before sexual activity and having multiple sexual partners.     

Tymieniecka,Anna-Teresa and Evandro Agazzi,eds., Life: Interpretation and the Sense of Illness within the Human Condition: Medicine and Philosophy in Dialogue

Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics -     

Supportive and interpretative interventions in fostering mentalisation during counselling

ABSTRACT

This work analysed which profiles of counsellors’ supportive and interpretative actions emerged in two group counselling interventions designed to promote mentalisation in underachieving university students. The Psychodynamic Intervention Rating Scale was used to analyse this and the level of depth of defence interpretations. Two outcome measures were administered to analyse student mentalisation and their academic achievements. Process findings showed that supportive actions were used for the most part in both counselling interventions; however, only one group improved in terms of mentalisation and academic performance. In the good-outcome group, there were more defence interpretations, especially during the early sessions, and with a deeper level of elaboration. The innovative relevance of these findings and their implications for practice among counsellors are discussed.     

Reflective Writing: Enhancing Students Cognitive Complexity Through Ethics Education

ABSTRACT

Counselors will inevitably encounter ethical dilemmas. Since they are expected to practice within the code of ethics, the skills to make an appropriate decision are necessary. It is generally agreed that the best place to start this training is in graduate school. More than a standard didactic approach is desired to address student attitudes, values, and beliefs while developing cognitive complexity. Creative approaches can address the specialized goals inherent in ethics education. This article reviews the use of a reflective writing assignment to guide students’ exploration of their values and beliefs when confronted with a value based ethical dilemma. The students’ writings demonstrate an increase in cognitive complexity because of this assignment.     

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY TRAITS AND INTIMATE PARTNER AGGRESSION: AN INTERNATIONAL MULTISITE, CROSS-GENDER ANALYSIS

Although research has consistently shown that men and women use intimate partner aggression (IPA) at approximately equal rates, there is little empirical research on whether the predictors of IPA are the same for men and women. The current study investigated whether borderline personality (BP) differentially predicted the use of IPA for men and women across 67 university sites from around the world. Results showed that BP predicted several forms of IPA and that gender did not moderate the association between IPA and BP. Although the strength of the association between IPA and BP significantly differed across sites, it was in the predicted direction for the overwhelming majority of sites. Implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.