scholarly journals An exploratory pilot study of mechanisms of action within normative feedback for adult drinkers

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Kuerbis ◽  
Frederick J. Muench ◽  
Rufina Lee ◽  
Juan Pena ◽  
Lisa Hail
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Affective Response ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Percentile Ranking ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Background. Normative feedback (NF), or receiving information about one’s drinking compared to peer drinking norms, is one of the most widely used brief interventions for prevention and intervention for hazardous alcohol use. NF has demonstrated predominantly small but significant effect sizes for intention to change and other drinking related outcomes. Identifying mechanisms of action may improve the effectiveness of NF; however, few studies have examined NF’s mechanisms of action, particularly among adults. Objective. This study is an exploratory analysis of two theorized mechanisms of NF: discrepancy (specifically personal dissonance—the affective response to feedback) and belief in the accuracy of feedback. Method. Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, 87 men (n = 56) and women (n = 31) completed an online survey during which they were asked about their perceptions about their drinking and actual drinking behaviors. Then participants were provided tailored NF and evaluated for their reactions. Severity of discrepancy was measured by the difference between one’s estimated percentile ranking of drinking compared to peers and actual percentile ranking. Surprise and worry reported due to the discrepancy were proxies for personal dissonance. Participants were also asked if they believed the feedback and if they had any plans to change their drinking. Mediation analyses were implemented, exploring whether surprise, worry, or belief in the accuracy of feedback mediated severity of discrepancy’s impact on plan for change. Results. Among this sample of adult drinkers, severity of discrepancy did not predict plan for change, and personal dissonance did not mediate severity of discrepancy. Severity of discrepancy was mediated by belief in the accuracy of feedback. In addition, viewing one’s drinking as a problem prior to feedback and post-NF worry both predicted plan for change independently. Conclusions. Results revealed that NF may not work to create personal dissonance through discrepancy, but belief in the accuracy of feedback may be important. It appears the more one believes the feedback, the more one makes a plan for change, suggesting practitioners should be mindful of how information within feedback is presented. Findings also indicate NF may work by validating a preexisting perception that drinking is a problem instead of creating concern related to discrepancy where none existed. Limitations regarding generalizability are discussed.

scholarly journals An exploratory pilot study of mechanisms of action within normative feedback for adult drinkers

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Kuerbis ◽  
Frederick J. Muench ◽  
Rufina Lee ◽  
Juan Pena ◽  
Lisa Hail
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Affective Response ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Percentile Ranking ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Background: Normative feedback (NF), or receiving information about one’s drinking compared to peer drinking norms, is one of the most widely used brief interventions for prevention and intervention for hazardous alcohol use. NF has demonstrated predominantly small but significant effect sizes for intention to change and other drinking related outcomes. Identifying mechanisms of action may improve the effectiveness of NF; however, few studies have examined NF’s mechanisms of action, particularly among adults. Objective: This study is an exploratory analysis of two theorized mechanisms of NF: discrepancy (specifically personal dissonance—the affective response to feedback) and belief in the accuracy of feedback. Method: Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, 87 men (n=56) and women (n=31) completed an online survey during which they were asked about their perceptions about their drinking and actual drinking behaviors. Then participants were provided tailored NF and evaluated for their reactions. Severity of discrepancy was measured by the difference between one’s estimated percentile ranking of drinking compared to peers and actual percentile ranking. Surprise and worry reported due to the discrepancy were proxies for personal dissonance. Participants were also asked if they believed the feedback and if they had any plans to change their drinking. Mediation analyses were implemented, exploring whether surprise, worry, or belief in the accuracy of feedback mediated severity of discrepancy’s impact on plan for change. Results: Among this sample of adult drinkers, severity of discrepancy did not predict plan for change, and personal dissonance did not mediate severity of discrepancy. Severity of discrepancy was mediated by belief in the accuracy of feedback. In addition, viewing one’s drinking as a problem prior to feedback and post-NF worry both predicted plan for change independently. Conclusions: Results revealed that NF may not work to create personal dissonance through discrepancy, but belief in the accuracy of feedback may be important. It appears the more one believes the feedback, the more one makes a plan for change, suggesting practitioners should be mindful of how information within feedback is presented. Findings also indicate NF may work by validating a preexisting perception that drinking is a problem instead of creating concern related to discrepancy where none existed. Limitations regarding generalizability are discussed.

scholarly journals An exploratory pilot study of mechanisms of action within normative feedback for adult drinkers

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Kuerbis ◽  
Frederick J. Muench ◽  
Rufina Lee ◽  
Juan Pena ◽  
Lisa Hail
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Affective Response ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Percentile Ranking ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Background: Normative feedback (NF), or receiving information about one’s drinking compared to peer drinking norms, is one of the most widely used brief interventions for prevention and intervention for hazardous alcohol use. NF has demonstrated predominantly small but significant effect sizes for intention to change and other drinking related outcomes. Identifying mechanisms of action may improve the effectiveness of NF; however, few studies have examined NF’s mechanisms of action, particularly among adults. Objective: This study is an exploratory analysis of two theorized mechanisms of NF: discrepancy (specifically personal dissonance—the affective response to feedback) and belief in the accuracy of feedback. Method: Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, 87 men (n=56) and women (n=31) completed an online survey during which they were asked about their perceptions about their drinking and actual drinking behaviors. Then participants were provided tailored NF and evaluated for their reactions. Severity of discrepancy was measured by the difference between one’s estimated percentile ranking of drinking compared to peers and actual percentile ranking. Surprise and worry reported due to the discrepancy were proxies for personal dissonance. Participants were also asked if they believed the feedback and if they had any plans to change their drinking. Mediation analyses were implemented, exploring whether surprise, worry, or belief in the accuracy of feedback mediated severity of discrepancy’s impact on plan for change. Results: Among this sample of adult drinkers, severity of discrepancy did not predict plan for change, and personal dissonance did not mediate severity of discrepancy. Severity of discrepancy was mediated by belief in the accuracy of feedback. In addition, viewing one’s drinking as a problem prior to feedback and post-NF worry both predicted plan for change independently. Conclusions: Results revealed that NF may not work to create personal dissonance through discrepancy, but belief in the accuracy of feedback may be important. It appears the more one believes the feedback, the more one makes a plan for change, suggesting practitioners should be mindful of how information within feedback is presented. Findings also indicate NF may work by validating a preexisting perception that drinking is a problem instead of creating concern related to discrepancy where none existed. Limitations regarding generalizability are discussed.

Perspectives of physicians on medical acupuncture in Lebanon: a preliminary study

2020 ◽  
pp. 096452842096883
Author(s):  
Fadila Bassem Naji ◽  
Kamal Wahab ◽  
Ghassan Hamadeh ◽  
Sani Hlais
Keyword(s):  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Medical Curricula ◽  
Chinese Acupuncture ◽  
The Future ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Medical Acupuncture ◽  
The Difference

Objectives: There are no regulations governing the practice of acupuncture in Lebanon as it is not yet registered as a profession. To our knowledge, no studies have ever been conducted in Lebanon regarding the practice of acupuncture. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the knowledge of Lebanese physicians about acupuncture, with the intent of conducting larger scale studies and developing strategies aimed at refining this knowledge in the future, and the ultimate goal of setting guidelines for acupuncture practice in Lebanon. Methods: An online survey looking into physicians’ knowledge of acupuncture, its mechanisms of action, effectiveness, indications and safety, and physicians’ understanding of its concepts, was circulated to 4651 physicians registered in the Lebanese orders of physicians. Results: One hundred forty-nine physicians (3.2%) completed the survey. Most study respondents stated that they were unaware of the difference between traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and Western medical acupuncture (WMA). Overall, 30% of respondents had personally used and/or referred patients for acupuncture. Physicians who had personally tried acupuncture were more likely to refer patients for acupuncture (p < 0.001). Those who know the difference between WMA and TCA were more likely to have tried or referred for acupuncture (p = 0.004). 72% believed that acupuncture and other integrative medicine modules should be introduced in medical curricula in Lebanon. Conclusion: Interest in acupuncture among physicians in Lebanon appears to be limited, based on the low response rate. Among respondents, physicians who had tried or referred patients for acupuncture appeared to be more well informed about different acupuncture styles.

scholarly journals The Association Between Social Media Use and Hazardous Alcohol Use Among Youths: A Four-Country Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iina Savolainen ◽  
Atte Oksanen ◽  
Markus Kaakinen ◽  
Anu Sirola ◽  
Bryan Lee Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Hazardous Drinking ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Aims To examine the continuing role of daily popular social media use in youth hazardous alcohol consumption in four countries across continents. Methods A web-based survey was given to youths aged 15–25 in the USA (n = 1212), South Korea (n = 1192), Finland (n = 1200) and Spain (n = 1212). Hazardous alcohol use (alcohol use disorders identification test-C) was the dependent variable. Main independent variables measured daily use of different social media services. Controls included compulsive Internet use, offline belonging, psychological distress, impulsivity, risk-taking, age and gender. Linear regression models and mediation analyses with bootstrapping were done for each country. Results Daily use of Facebook and Instagram was associated with higher hazardous alcohol use among youths in Finland, South Korea and Spain. Daily instant messaging was related to higher hazardous alcohol use among South Korean and Finnish youths. Daily YouTube use was associated with higher hazardous alcohol use among youths in South Korea, but lower hazardous alcohol use among youths in the USA and Finland. Daily Twitter use was related to lower hazardous drinking among youths in Finland but higher hazardous drinking among youths in Spain. The mediation analyses revealed that uploading pictures to social media is a possible facilitator of social media-related hazardous alcohol use among youths in the USA and Spain. Conclusion Certain social media platforms might inspire and/or attract hazardously drinking youths, contributing to the growing opportunities for social media interventions.

Alcohol Use by Australian Actors and Performing Artists: A Preliminary Examination from the Australian Actors’ Wellbeing Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
Marianna Szabó ◽  
Ian Maxwell ◽  
Mitchell L Cunningham ◽  
Mark Seton
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol Use ◽  
Performing Artists ◽  
Preliminary Examination ◽  
Hazardous Alcohol ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Occupational Background

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal and media reports suggest that actors and performing artists are vulnerable to high levels of alcohol use. However, little empirical research is available to document the extent and correlates of alcohol use amongst these artists, particularly in an Australian context. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated alcohol use in a sample of Australian actors and other performing artists and its associations with sociodemographic background, psychological wellbeing, and work stress. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to the Equity Foundation membership representing Australian actors and performing artists. The survey included questions on sociodemographic and occupational background and psychological wellbeing (DASS-21), as well as the AUDIT questionnaire to assess self-reported alcohol consumption. A sample of 620 performing artists responded to the survey, a large majority of whom were actors. RESULTS: Australian actors and performing artists appear to consume alcohol at levels that are higher than those found in the general Australian population. About 40% of men and 31% of women were classified as drinking alcohol at potentially harmful or hazardous levels. Alcohol use was not strongly associated with age, education, or income, but it had a relationship with poorer psychological wellbeing. About 50% of respondents reported that their alcohol drinking was related to work stress as a performer. This perception was more pronounced amongst those performers who reported drinking at harmful levels. CONCLUSIONS: Australian actors and performing artists appear to be an at-risk population for harmful or hazardous alcohol use.

Reliability of MTurk Data From Masters and Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
Steven V. Rouse
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Standard Samples ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Approval Ratings ◽  
Cognitive Abilities Test ◽  
Elite Status ◽  
Master Status ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Abstract. Previous research has supported the use of Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) for online data collection in individual differences research. Although MTurk Masters have reached an elite status because of strong approval ratings on previous tasks (and therefore gain higher payment for their work) no research has empirically examined whether researchers actually obtain higher quality data when they require that their MTurk Workers have Master status. In two different online survey studies (one using a personality test and one using a cognitive abilities test), the psychometric reliability of MTurk data was compared between a sample that required a Master qualification type and a sample that placed no status-level qualification requirement. In both studies, the Master samples failed to outperform the standard samples.

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