Daily smoking is associated with elevated blood pressure, carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity, and impa... more Daily smoking is associated with elevated blood pressure, carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity, and impaired pulmonary lung functioning. The benefits of successful smoking cessation are readily apparent, given the health improvements associated with cessation, as well as the reduction of secondhand smoke to which non-smoking coworkers and family members are exposed. Previous literature indicates that providing personalized information to smokers (versus general base rates) without engaging in confrontational pressure to quit smoking, leads to increased interest in quitting smoking and willingness to enter smoking cessation programs. The goal of this study was to examine the pretreatment characteristics of the smokers entering a brief motivational enhancement intervention based on personally tailored health feedback. Participants (N = 28) were 88.2% Caucasian and 59% males, and they were an average of 23 years of age. On average, they smoked 20.08 cigarettes per day for a mean of 6.6 years, a mean Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score of 4.7, and obtained a mean breath CO reading of 19.1 ppm. Smoking-related adverse health outcomes were predictive of stages of change motivation to quit smoking. Implications for cessation programs are discussed.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Mar 1, 2012
Expectancies of alcohol's effects have been associated with problem drinking in undergraduates. I... more Expectancies of alcohol's effects have been associated with problem drinking in undergraduates. If subgroups can be classifi ed based on expectancies, this may facilitate identifying those at highest risk for problem drinking. Method: Undergraduates (N = 612) from two state universities completed a web-based survey. Responses to the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol scale were analyzed using kmeans cluster analysis separately within each university sample. Results: Hartigan's heuristic was used to determine that fi ve was the optimal number of clusters in each sample. Clusters were distinguishable based on their overall magnitude of expectancy endorsement and by a tendency to endorse stronger positive than negative expectancies. Subsequent analyses were conducted to compare clusters on alcohol involvement and trait disinhibition. A cluster characterized by endorsement of positive and negative expectancies ("strong expectancy") was associated with a particularly problematic risk profi le, specifi cally concerning diffi culties with self-control (i.e., trait disinhibition and impaired control over alcohol use). A cluster with higher positive and lower negative expectancies reported frequent heavy drinking but appeared to be at lower risk than the strong expectancy cluster in a number of respects. Negative expectancy endorsement appeared to represent added risk above and beyond positive expectancies. Conclusions: Results suggest that both the magnitude and combination of expectancies endorsed by subgroups of undergraduate drinkers may relate to their risk level in terms of alcohol involvement and personality traits. These fi ndings may have implications for interventions with young adult drinkers.
Objective-Postmenopausal women have substantial concerns about weight gain when quitting smoking,... more Objective-Postmenopausal women have substantial concerns about weight gain when quitting smoking, which may contribute smoking relapse. There is a need for smoking cessation and weight gain prevention programs effective in this population. Methods-Two formats of a smoking cessation/weight gain prevention follow-up intervention in postmenopausal weight concerned women were compared: a minimally-tailored group format and a highly tailored, multidisciplinary individual format. Effects on sustained abstinence and postcessation weight gain were assessed. Postmenopausal smokers received 6 sessions of behavioral counseling over a 2-week period, 8 weeks of the nicotine transdermal patch, and subsequent random assignment to receive follow-up relapse prevention sessions at 1, 3, 8, and 16 weeks postcessation in either group or individual format.
Previous studies have shown that smokers and substance-dependent individuals discount rewards tha... more Previous studies have shown that smokers and substance-dependent individuals discount rewards that are available after a delay more than individuals without a history of substance dependence. However, it is not clear whether delay discounting is similar among smokers and substancedependent individuals. Further, the influence of the combination of smoking and other substance dependence on delay discounting remains unknown. The present study compared the performance of four groups of individuals on a delay discounting task. The groups were (a) heavy smokers with comorbid substance dependence, (b) heavy smokers with no history of substance dependence, (c) never smokers withcomorbid substance dependence, and (d) never smokers with no history of substance dependence. Analysis revealed that individuals who smoked and/or were dependent on another substance discounted delayed rewards more than individuals with no history of smoking or other substance dependence. No differences in the task performance of heavy smokers and substance-dependent individuals were found. Notably, participants who were dependent on multiple substances did not discount delayed rewards more than those dependent on only one substance. Overall, findings indicate that smoking and other substance dependence are similarly related to delay discounting.
Weight concerns are common among female smokers and may interfere with smoking cessation. It is i... more Weight concerns are common among female smokers and may interfere with smoking cessation. It is imperative to identify protective factors to lessen the likelihood that smoking-related weight concerns prompt smoking and hinder cessation efforts. Mindfulness is one potential protective factor that might prevent weight concerns from triggering smoking. In the current study, relationships among facets of trait mindfulness, smoking-related weight concerns, and smoking behavior were examined among 112 young adult female smokers (70.5% daily smokers; 83% Caucasian; mean age 20 [SD = 1.69]). After controlling for demographic variables, the Describing facet of trait mindfulness predicted lower smoking-related weight concerns. The mindfulness characteristics of Acting with Awareness, Nonreactivity, and Describing moderated the relationship between smoking-related weight concerns and smoking frequency, such that smokingrelated weight concerns predicted greater smoking frequency in female smokers with low and medium levels of these mindfulness characteristics but did not in those with higher levels of
Mindfulness-based strategies show promise for targeting the construct of impulsivity and associat... more Mindfulness-based strategies show promise for targeting the construct of impulsivity and associated variables among problematic alcohol users. This study examined the moderating role of intervention (mindfulness vs relaxation vs control) on trait impulsivity and three outcomes examined post-intervention (negative affect, positive affect, and urge to drink) among 207 college students with levels of at-risk drinking. Moderation analyses revealed that the relationship between baseline impulsivity and the primary outcomes significantly differed for participants who underwent the mindfulness versus relaxation interventions. Notably, simple slope analyses revealed that negative urgency was positively associated with urge to drink following the mindfulness intervention. Among participants who underwent the relaxation intervention, analysis of simple slopes revealed that negative urgency was negatively associated with urge to drink, while positive urgency was positively associated with positive affect following the relaxation intervention. Findings suggest that level (low vs high) and subscale of impulsivity matter with regard to how a participant will respond to a mindfulness versus relaxation intervention.
The Gambling Task (GT) has demonstrated sensitivity to a type of decision-making that differentia... more The Gambling Task (GT) has demonstrated sensitivity to a type of decision-making that differentiates individuals manifesting substance use disorders from those without such disorders. However, studies have not yet compared the GT performance of "heavy smokers" to the performance of never-smokers. In the present study, the GT performance of "heavy smokers" (n = 39) and never-smokers (n = 32) recruited from the community was compared in an experimental design. Analysis of covariance showed that "heavy smokers" performance on the GT was significantly worse than that of never-smokers (p < .01). Implications, the study's limitations and future directions are discussed.
Maintaining treatment gains remains a challenge to smoking cessation programs. Smokers prone to n... more Maintaining treatment gains remains a challenge to smoking cessation programs. Smokers prone to negative affect are most likely to relapse. In an effort to improve maintenance, a standard cognitive-behavioral treatment was supplemented with the provision of computer-controlled audiotape players containing personalized therapeutic messages. Either the standard treatment alone, or the standard treatment plus 2 months use of the tape player were provided to 41 smokers. No outcome difference was found between the 2 conditions during the 1-year follow-up. (The combined 1-year abstinence rate was 61%, with 34% continuously abstinent.) The frequency with which participants used the device predicted both posttreatment coping skill use and smoking rate. Most notable was an interaction between treatment condition and negative affect. Provision of the devices negated or reversed the usual association between negative affect and poorer outcome.
• E-cigarette use is growing in popularity among college students. • This study explores the perc... more • E-cigarette use is growing in popularity among college students. • This study explores the perceived risks and benefits of e-cigs among this population. • The development of the Risks and Benefits of E-cigarettes (RABE), as a reliable measure is discussed.
Objective To identify physiological and psychosocial variables of young African American women th... more Objective To identify physiological and psychosocial variables of young African American women that may serve as a risk factor for heart disease and to assess their health promotion programme preferences. Method A descriptive design was used to assess the cardiovascular risk factors of 100 African American women ages 18 to 40 years, enrolled in a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the south. The instruments included four questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, Gieselman Food Preference Questionnaire (GFPQ), PBRC Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and the Personal Wellness Profile (PWP). Physiological data were obtained using a stadiometer, beam balance scale, Lifescan Blood Glucose Monitoring System, BioScanner 2000 Test System, sphygmomanometer, and carbon monoxide analyser. Results The mean age of the participants was 25.5 (SD=5.8) years. The overall PWP wellness score for the participants was 43 (SD=15) with a range from 10 to 74. Of the 100 participants, 55 per cent had increased body mass index (BMI); 66 per cent had increased waist-to-hip ratios; 49 per cent 'did not' engage in an exercise programme, and 45 per cent consumed a diet that was'mostly high' to 'high' in fat content. The majority of the participants (92 per cent) reported that they had a good social support system. Fifty-five per cent of the women reported an interest in the following health promotion programmes: weight management, nutrition, aerobics, and women's health. Conclusion Information obtained from this study can be useful in developing culturally-customised, gender-appropriate, interventions for this select population of women. Early interventions with young African American women that focus on diet, exercise and weight management may reduce the risk and incidence of cardiovascular disease. The college years is considered a time for adaptation, and as such, is an opportune time to educate individuals on health promoting behaviours and the long- term effect that health promoting behaviours can have on their lives. Research to gain new insights on factors that reduce cardiovascular risk behaviour in African American women is critical to advancing the health of African American women.
These individuals provided guidance at various parts of the graduate school process and are each ... more These individuals provided guidance at various parts of the graduate school process and are each responsible for my academic and professional development in some way. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends, including my lab members and internship cohort, for their consistent support throughout the years. Words cannot capture the continuous guidance and support they have provided in so many ways; without them, this journey may have not been possible.
, A.L. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of brief alcohol screening and intervention for colleg... more , A.L. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of brief alcohol screening and intervention for college students for heavy-drinking mandated and volunteer undergraduates: 12-month outcomes.
Elevated rates of cigarette smoking have been reported among individuals with Bulimia Nervosa. Ho... more Elevated rates of cigarette smoking have been reported among individuals with Bulimia Nervosa. However, little is known about eating disorder symptoms within non-clinical samples of smokers. The purpose of the present study was to compare the eating disorder symptoms of young adult female smokers (n = 184) and non-smokers (n = 56), to determine whether smokers were more likely to endorse bulimic symptoms and report greater body shape concern than non-smokers. Analyses indicated that smokers scored significantly higher than non-smokers on the Body Shape Questionnaire, p = .03, and the Bulimia Test-Revised, p = .006. In addition, a higher proportion of smokers than non-smokers scored ≥ 85 on the Bulimia Test-Revised, p = .05, suggesting the possibility that Bulimia Nervosa diagnoses were more prevalent among smokers. No differences were found between smokers and non-smokers on other measures of eating behavior. Overall, findings suggest that smoking is specifically associated with symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa and body shape concern among young adult females.
Daily smoking is associated with elevated blood pressure, carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity, and impa... more Daily smoking is associated with elevated blood pressure, carbon monoxide (CO) toxicity, and impaired pulmonary lung functioning. The benefits of successful smoking cessation are readily apparent, given the health improvements associated with cessation, as well as the reduction of secondhand smoke to which non-smoking coworkers and family members are exposed. Previous literature indicates that providing personalized information to smokers (versus general base rates) without engaging in confrontational pressure to quit smoking, leads to increased interest in quitting smoking and willingness to enter smoking cessation programs. The goal of this study was to examine the pretreatment characteristics of the smokers entering a brief motivational enhancement intervention based on personally tailored health feedback. Participants (N = 28) were 88.2% Caucasian and 59% males, and they were an average of 23 years of age. On average, they smoked 20.08 cigarettes per day for a mean of 6.6 years, a mean Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score of 4.7, and obtained a mean breath CO reading of 19.1 ppm. Smoking-related adverse health outcomes were predictive of stages of change motivation to quit smoking. Implications for cessation programs are discussed.
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Mar 1, 2012
Expectancies of alcohol's effects have been associated with problem drinking in undergraduates. I... more Expectancies of alcohol's effects have been associated with problem drinking in undergraduates. If subgroups can be classifi ed based on expectancies, this may facilitate identifying those at highest risk for problem drinking. Method: Undergraduates (N = 612) from two state universities completed a web-based survey. Responses to the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol scale were analyzed using kmeans cluster analysis separately within each university sample. Results: Hartigan's heuristic was used to determine that fi ve was the optimal number of clusters in each sample. Clusters were distinguishable based on their overall magnitude of expectancy endorsement and by a tendency to endorse stronger positive than negative expectancies. Subsequent analyses were conducted to compare clusters on alcohol involvement and trait disinhibition. A cluster characterized by endorsement of positive and negative expectancies ("strong expectancy") was associated with a particularly problematic risk profi le, specifi cally concerning diffi culties with self-control (i.e., trait disinhibition and impaired control over alcohol use). A cluster with higher positive and lower negative expectancies reported frequent heavy drinking but appeared to be at lower risk than the strong expectancy cluster in a number of respects. Negative expectancy endorsement appeared to represent added risk above and beyond positive expectancies. Conclusions: Results suggest that both the magnitude and combination of expectancies endorsed by subgroups of undergraduate drinkers may relate to their risk level in terms of alcohol involvement and personality traits. These fi ndings may have implications for interventions with young adult drinkers.
Objective-Postmenopausal women have substantial concerns about weight gain when quitting smoking,... more Objective-Postmenopausal women have substantial concerns about weight gain when quitting smoking, which may contribute smoking relapse. There is a need for smoking cessation and weight gain prevention programs effective in this population. Methods-Two formats of a smoking cessation/weight gain prevention follow-up intervention in postmenopausal weight concerned women were compared: a minimally-tailored group format and a highly tailored, multidisciplinary individual format. Effects on sustained abstinence and postcessation weight gain were assessed. Postmenopausal smokers received 6 sessions of behavioral counseling over a 2-week period, 8 weeks of the nicotine transdermal patch, and subsequent random assignment to receive follow-up relapse prevention sessions at 1, 3, 8, and 16 weeks postcessation in either group or individual format.
Previous studies have shown that smokers and substance-dependent individuals discount rewards tha... more Previous studies have shown that smokers and substance-dependent individuals discount rewards that are available after a delay more than individuals without a history of substance dependence. However, it is not clear whether delay discounting is similar among smokers and substancedependent individuals. Further, the influence of the combination of smoking and other substance dependence on delay discounting remains unknown. The present study compared the performance of four groups of individuals on a delay discounting task. The groups were (a) heavy smokers with comorbid substance dependence, (b) heavy smokers with no history of substance dependence, (c) never smokers withcomorbid substance dependence, and (d) never smokers with no history of substance dependence. Analysis revealed that individuals who smoked and/or were dependent on another substance discounted delayed rewards more than individuals with no history of smoking or other substance dependence. No differences in the task performance of heavy smokers and substance-dependent individuals were found. Notably, participants who were dependent on multiple substances did not discount delayed rewards more than those dependent on only one substance. Overall, findings indicate that smoking and other substance dependence are similarly related to delay discounting.
Weight concerns are common among female smokers and may interfere with smoking cessation. It is i... more Weight concerns are common among female smokers and may interfere with smoking cessation. It is imperative to identify protective factors to lessen the likelihood that smoking-related weight concerns prompt smoking and hinder cessation efforts. Mindfulness is one potential protective factor that might prevent weight concerns from triggering smoking. In the current study, relationships among facets of trait mindfulness, smoking-related weight concerns, and smoking behavior were examined among 112 young adult female smokers (70.5% daily smokers; 83% Caucasian; mean age 20 [SD = 1.69]). After controlling for demographic variables, the Describing facet of trait mindfulness predicted lower smoking-related weight concerns. The mindfulness characteristics of Acting with Awareness, Nonreactivity, and Describing moderated the relationship between smoking-related weight concerns and smoking frequency, such that smokingrelated weight concerns predicted greater smoking frequency in female smokers with low and medium levels of these mindfulness characteristics but did not in those with higher levels of
Mindfulness-based strategies show promise for targeting the construct of impulsivity and associat... more Mindfulness-based strategies show promise for targeting the construct of impulsivity and associated variables among problematic alcohol users. This study examined the moderating role of intervention (mindfulness vs relaxation vs control) on trait impulsivity and three outcomes examined post-intervention (negative affect, positive affect, and urge to drink) among 207 college students with levels of at-risk drinking. Moderation analyses revealed that the relationship between baseline impulsivity and the primary outcomes significantly differed for participants who underwent the mindfulness versus relaxation interventions. Notably, simple slope analyses revealed that negative urgency was positively associated with urge to drink following the mindfulness intervention. Among participants who underwent the relaxation intervention, analysis of simple slopes revealed that negative urgency was negatively associated with urge to drink, while positive urgency was positively associated with positive affect following the relaxation intervention. Findings suggest that level (low vs high) and subscale of impulsivity matter with regard to how a participant will respond to a mindfulness versus relaxation intervention.
The Gambling Task (GT) has demonstrated sensitivity to a type of decision-making that differentia... more The Gambling Task (GT) has demonstrated sensitivity to a type of decision-making that differentiates individuals manifesting substance use disorders from those without such disorders. However, studies have not yet compared the GT performance of "heavy smokers" to the performance of never-smokers. In the present study, the GT performance of "heavy smokers" (n = 39) and never-smokers (n = 32) recruited from the community was compared in an experimental design. Analysis of covariance showed that "heavy smokers" performance on the GT was significantly worse than that of never-smokers (p < .01). Implications, the study's limitations and future directions are discussed.
Maintaining treatment gains remains a challenge to smoking cessation programs. Smokers prone to n... more Maintaining treatment gains remains a challenge to smoking cessation programs. Smokers prone to negative affect are most likely to relapse. In an effort to improve maintenance, a standard cognitive-behavioral treatment was supplemented with the provision of computer-controlled audiotape players containing personalized therapeutic messages. Either the standard treatment alone, or the standard treatment plus 2 months use of the tape player were provided to 41 smokers. No outcome difference was found between the 2 conditions during the 1-year follow-up. (The combined 1-year abstinence rate was 61%, with 34% continuously abstinent.) The frequency with which participants used the device predicted both posttreatment coping skill use and smoking rate. Most notable was an interaction between treatment condition and negative affect. Provision of the devices negated or reversed the usual association between negative affect and poorer outcome.
• E-cigarette use is growing in popularity among college students. • This study explores the perc... more • E-cigarette use is growing in popularity among college students. • This study explores the perceived risks and benefits of e-cigs among this population. • The development of the Risks and Benefits of E-cigarettes (RABE), as a reliable measure is discussed.
Objective To identify physiological and psychosocial variables of young African American women th... more Objective To identify physiological and psychosocial variables of young African American women that may serve as a risk factor for heart disease and to assess their health promotion programme preferences. Method A descriptive design was used to assess the cardiovascular risk factors of 100 African American women ages 18 to 40 years, enrolled in a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the south. The instruments included four questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, Gieselman Food Preference Questionnaire (GFPQ), PBRC Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and the Personal Wellness Profile (PWP). Physiological data were obtained using a stadiometer, beam balance scale, Lifescan Blood Glucose Monitoring System, BioScanner 2000 Test System, sphygmomanometer, and carbon monoxide analyser. Results The mean age of the participants was 25.5 (SD=5.8) years. The overall PWP wellness score for the participants was 43 (SD=15) with a range from 10 to 74. Of the 100 participants, 55 per cent had increased body mass index (BMI); 66 per cent had increased waist-to-hip ratios; 49 per cent 'did not' engage in an exercise programme, and 45 per cent consumed a diet that was'mostly high' to 'high' in fat content. The majority of the participants (92 per cent) reported that they had a good social support system. Fifty-five per cent of the women reported an interest in the following health promotion programmes: weight management, nutrition, aerobics, and women's health. Conclusion Information obtained from this study can be useful in developing culturally-customised, gender-appropriate, interventions for this select population of women. Early interventions with young African American women that focus on diet, exercise and weight management may reduce the risk and incidence of cardiovascular disease. The college years is considered a time for adaptation, and as such, is an opportune time to educate individuals on health promoting behaviours and the long- term effect that health promoting behaviours can have on their lives. Research to gain new insights on factors that reduce cardiovascular risk behaviour in African American women is critical to advancing the health of African American women.
These individuals provided guidance at various parts of the graduate school process and are each ... more These individuals provided guidance at various parts of the graduate school process and are each responsible for my academic and professional development in some way. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends, including my lab members and internship cohort, for their consistent support throughout the years. Words cannot capture the continuous guidance and support they have provided in so many ways; without them, this journey may have not been possible.
, A.L. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of brief alcohol screening and intervention for colleg... more , A.L. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of brief alcohol screening and intervention for college students for heavy-drinking mandated and volunteer undergraduates: 12-month outcomes.
Elevated rates of cigarette smoking have been reported among individuals with Bulimia Nervosa. Ho... more Elevated rates of cigarette smoking have been reported among individuals with Bulimia Nervosa. However, little is known about eating disorder symptoms within non-clinical samples of smokers. The purpose of the present study was to compare the eating disorder symptoms of young adult female smokers (n = 184) and non-smokers (n = 56), to determine whether smokers were more likely to endorse bulimic symptoms and report greater body shape concern than non-smokers. Analyses indicated that smokers scored significantly higher than non-smokers on the Body Shape Questionnaire, p = .03, and the Bulimia Test-Revised, p = .006. In addition, a higher proportion of smokers than non-smokers scored ≥ 85 on the Bulimia Test-Revised, p = .05, suggesting the possibility that Bulimia Nervosa diagnoses were more prevalent among smokers. No differences were found between smokers and non-smokers on other measures of eating behavior. Overall, findings suggest that smoking is specifically associated with symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa and body shape concern among young adult females.
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