Describes the evaluation of various components of a self-help smokeless tobacco cessation manual that used relapse prevention, social contracting, and peer education to help high school seniors. Results suggest that use of the manual effectively helped reduce smokeless tobacco use. Recommendations for persons using the manual are included. (SM)

Reports a study that examined the interactive effects of smoking status and gender on shyness, sociability, loneliness, and hopelessness among 1,915 high school students in a Mississippi county. Results indicated smoking status significantly impacted with gender on each of the four psychosocial variables. Male smokers felt more lonely and hopeless…

Describes the development, validation, and testing of the Mexican American Attitude and Knowledge Scale (MAAKS) which measures knowledge of and attitudes toward traditional, less acculturated Mexican American culture among university students. The MAAKS was established as a valid, reliable instrument for use with college students. (SM)

To determine similarities and differences between concerns of adolescents and teachers' and parents' beliefs about adolescent concerns, data were collected from secondary students, teachers, and parents. Top 5 concerns of students were being successful, choosing a career, making good grades, what I'll be like in 10 years, and having friends. These…

Reports a study that examined the utility of health and exercise locus of control and health and exercise value in predicting exercise behavior in 86 adults. Survey results indicated that exercise locus of control was a better predictor of exercise behavior than a more general measure of health locus of control. (Author/SM)

Reports a study that evaluated the appropriateness and effectiveness of a self-help manual for postsecondary education students who used smokeless tobacco. Students participated in groups that received either two or four sessions of support for using the self-help manual. Results indicated both groups produced similar cessation rates. (SM)

Reports a study that examined acculturation and its association with smoking and other correlates of smoking for Latino seventh graders. Students completed surveys on demographics, smoking prevalence, parent attitudes, and acculturation. Results indicated that as young Latinos became more acculturated, psychosocial influences on smoking changed…

Analysis of data from the South Carolina School/Community Program for Sexual Risk Reduction among Teens looked at the effects of demographic and psychosocial factors on females' decisions to engage in premarital sexual intercourse. Age, family structure, peer influence, commitment to partner, and sexual attitudes directly affected premarital…

Current evidence suggests that the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) disturb cell homeostasis at very low intensities by influencing discrete intracellular magnetic fields. The article reviews current research about the health effects of EMF, examining historical implications, childhood studies, adult studies, and popular press reports, and…

This study investigated the prediction of the self-reported occurrence of 14 violent events among ethnically diverse eighth graders from psychosocial variables measured in the same youths in seventh grade (tobacco and alcohol use, and demographic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal variables). Data analysis provided support for an extension of…

The Postgraduate Institute on Comprehensive Health Education improved inservice training for health teachers, bringing them together with health researchers and expanding the coverage of health education topics and health skills. Pre- and posttest data indicated that participants increased the number of health topics and health skills taught in…

Survey investigated female college students' knowledge about toxic shock syndrome (TSS), noting relationships between knowledge, self-perceived risk of developing TSS, and menstrual product use. Data analysis indicated knowledge about TSS was inadequate, particularly among young females. Neither risk perception nor product use were mediated by…

There are strong theoretical and empirical rationales for believing that psychological processes are integral to the maintenance of smoking behavior. A comprehensive treatment program for chronic cigarette smokers must have, at its foundation, interventions addressing the psychological processes that maintain smoking. The article examines the…

Describes an initiative that offered smokers nicotine replacement along with smoking cessation and overall wellness interventions. The intervention included weekly smoking education sessions and round table discussions, dietary fat restriction, and nicotine replacement. Participant questionnaires indicated the program helped, but the decision to…

This second in a two-part article summarizes the preliminary findings of a worldwide survey on physical education in schools. This part focuses on: resources (i.e., finances, facilities and equipment, and qualified teaching personnel); issues and trends in physical education; concluding comments; and selected references covering both parts of the…