Support for collective action against refugees: The role of national,European, and global identifications,and autochthony beliefs

To understand recent anti-refugee protests in Europe, we examined how different levels of inclusiveness of group identities (national, European, and global) are related to intentions to protest among native Europeans. We focused on the mediating role of autochthony (a belief that the first inhabitants of a territory are more entitled) and the moderating role of threat. Survey data from 11 European countries (N = 1,909) showed that national identification was positively associated with autochthony, and therefore, with the intention to protest against refugees. In contrast, global identification was related to lower protest intentions via lower autochthony. These paths were found only among Europeans who perceived refugees as a threat. European identification was not related to the endorsement of autochthony or to collective action. These findings indicate why and when majority members are willing to participate in collective action against refugees, and underscore the importance of global identification in the acceptance of refugees.     

Integrating Diabetes Self-Management Interventions for Mexican-Americans into the Catholic Church Setting

Churches provide an innovative and underutilized setting for diabetes self-management programs for Latinos. This study sought to formulate a conceptual framework for designing church-based programs that are tailored to the needs of the Latino community and that utilize church strengths and resources. To inform this model, we conducted six focus groups with mostly Mexican-American Catholic adults with diabetes and their family members (N = 37) and found that participants were interested in church-based diabetes programs that emphasized information sharing, skills building, and social networking. Our model demonstrates that many of these requested components can be integrated into the current structure and function of the church. However, additional mechanisms to facilitate access to medical care may be necessary to support community members’ diabetes care.     

An evaluation of mood states among first-year residents

To examine the need for preventive and treatment interventions, a prevalence study was conducted to ascertain the rate of depressive symptomatology and other negative mood states among 112 first-year residents. The participation rate was 54%. Subjects (N = 61) were administered the Beck Depression Inventory and Profile of Mood States in personal interview sessions. The Profile measures five negative mood states, namely, "tension-anxiety," "depression-dejection," "anger-hostility," "fatigue-inertia," "confusion-bewilderment," and one positive state, "vigor-activity." A 15.5% rate of depression was found, which is lower than a rate of 23.5%, also measured by Beck's inventory, among a sample of university undergraduates and 19.9% among an adult sample from the general population. No differences were observed among residency programs or sex on Beck's scale; however, significantly higher scores were found for women on the "depression-dejection" dimension of the Profile. The mean scores on all negative mood dimensions of the Profile were below the mean for university undergraduate norms. Neither sleep nor hours worked over the past week were associated with increased Beck scores. These results indicate that sleep deprivation and long work hours did not contribute to depression among the subjects who participated in the study. Female interns, however, appear to be at increased risk of depression, and adequate support systems need to be provided.