Applied Social Research Projects

Preadolescent friendship networks and cigarette smoking
Pat Aloise-Young
Funded by the Colorado Tobacco Research Program
Status: data collection completed; data analysis and publications ongoing
Abstract: This prospective study of preadolescent Mexican American and White non-Hispanic youth is designed to clarify the role of social networks in the etiological pathways to early tobacco use. There are substantiated and robust research findings that link adolescent cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use to peer use of tobacco. However, no research has addressed the nature and role of peer social networks in predicting cigarette use among preadolescents. In addition, little research has been directed at understanding the antecedents to the formation of problem-prone peer clusters. The proposed study will focus on changes in social networks and tobacco use from the 4th to the 8th grade in Mexican American and non-Hispanic White preadolescents.
The study will include a longitudinal survey of tobacco use, tobacco use attitudes, risk factors for tobacco use, and social network ties in an ethnically diverse sample that is primarily Mexican American and non-Hispanic White. Social network data will be used to identify cliques, isolates, and liaisons among social groupings, as well as identifying other characteristics of social networks. In addition to survey data collected from youth, parents and teachers will also complete survey instruments that assess personal and social characteristics of the youth. Both structural equation modeling and network analysis methods will be used to determine predictors of tobacco-using social groups and non-tobacco-using social groups. This project will enable us to delineate more fully the contours of social influence in the etiology of youthful tobacco use.

Cigarette smoking in children of Hispanic school dropouts
Pat Aloise-Young
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
Status: data collection continuing thru 2008; data analysis and publications beginning
Abstract: School dropout and drug use contribute to the health disparities that exist between different constituencies within the US. Wide ranging negative health, economic and social outcomes result both from school failure and from substance use, and they disproportionately affect disadvantaged, minority adolescents. In order to break this cycle, data are needed on the mechanisms of the intergenerational transmission of risk for school failure and substance use. To that end, the focus of the present study is on identifying characteristics that might put the children of Hispanic school dropouts at risk for school failure and drug abuse. Specifically, the primary aims of the proposed project are to study:
1: the relation between parental educational factors and parent participation in child’s schooling (i.e., school visitation, enrichment activities, and encouragement of child’s school success).
2: the relation between parental participation in the child’s schooling and the child’s (a) early use of cigarettes, alcohol and inhalants, and (b) academic performance
3: the mediating role of parental school involvement in the relation between parental educational factors and (a) early use of cigarettes, alcohol, and inhalants, and (b) child’s academic performance
4: the relation between parental drug use, parenting practices and children’s substance use
In the current study, parent-child dyads are measured at three time points, when the children are in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Longitudinal data analyses will be conducted using latent transition analysis, and latent growth modeling.

Reducing Alcohol Use: High School to College Transition
Pat Aloise-Young & Randy Swaim, in collaboration with Jeni Cross, Sociology Dept.
Status: If funded, will begin Fall, 2008
Abstract: This proposed research aims to conduct a longitudinal study, following students from their junior year in high school to their sophomore year in college, in order to test the efficacy of a social norms marketing campaign, including a cognitive behavioral classroom curriculum component, on reducing underage alcohol use and related harm in the first two years of college. This proposed study has one broad objective: to examine the potential of prevention activities begun in high school and reinforced in college to reduce underage alcohol use in the first two years of college. In addition, this research project is also designed to: examine the effect of a social norms intervention on various components of the Theory of Planned Behavior as applied to the problem of underage drinking, reduce rates of driving while under the influence of alcohol and riding in a car with a driver who is under the influence of alcohol among middle and late adolescents.

Developing a Navigation System for Latinos with Lung or Head-and-Neck Cancer
Evelinn A. Borrayo
Funded by the National Cancer Institute
Status: data collection will begin in January 2008
Abstract: This is a one year developmental study designed to provide the information necessary to prepare a successful grant application to conduct a multi-center trial to test the effectiveness of navigation to improve the outcomes of Latino patients with Lung and/or Head-and-Neck (H&N) cancers. Navigator programs are currently underway at Denver Health Medical Center (Denver Health) but there is still a need to create effective patient navigation programs that can better assist Latino patients and their health care team for Lung and H&N cancers. An in-depth interview design, augmented with medical chart reviews will be used to obtain information on key barriers from relevant health care professionals, lay-health workers, and Lung and H&N cancer patients at Denver Health. Six key informant interviews will be conducted with health care professionals from the divisions of primary care, pulmonary medicine, otolaryngology, surgery, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Focus group interviews of 6 members each will be conducted with at least four groups of individuals: 1) patients who have or had Lung cancer, 2) patients who have or had H&N cancer, 3) caregivers of patients who have or had Lung and/or H&N cancer, and 4) lay health-workers who are employed as patient navigators for other cancer patients at Denver Health. All interviews will assess barriers, unmet needs, and lack of services for Latinos with Lung and/or H&N cancers. The final outcome will be a protocol to be tested in a multi-site randomized, controlled trial of a navigation program for cancer treatment and recovery for these patients in various cancer centers across the country.

Older adult suicide: Beliefs about precipitants and protectors and perceptions of permissibility
Silvia Sara Canetto
Status: Data analysis and publications ongoing. Data collection with a new sample being planned.
Abstract: This study explores the cultural scripts of suicide in the U.S. Mountain West region. Specifically, it examines perceived precipitants and protectors of, as well as attitudes about older adult suicide in a Mountain West community with higher than national average rates of older adult suicide. Respondents read a fictional local obituary of an older male or older female who died of suicide. They indicate what they believe are the two most likely precipitants, the number of suicides due to those precipitants, and the three most effective protective factors. Participants also indicate their perceptions of the acceptability of suicide depending on the precipitant.

The role of friendships on suicidal ideation and behavior among female and male adolescents across ethnicities
Silvia Sara Canetto, Erin Winterrowd and Ernie Chavez
Funded in part via a SOPHE/CDC Student Fellowship to Erin Winterrowd
Status: Publications work in progress on the Mexican American data. Data analyses including the European American sample are being planned
Abstract: The first study examined the relationship between friendship and suicidality in Mexican-American adolescents, an understudied group at high risk for suicidal thoughts and nonfatal suicidal behavior. We found that friendship factors (e.g., friendship quality, association with deviant peers, and friends' school connectedness) were not independent predictors of suicidality for Mexican-American adolescents. Only one factor, school connection was inversely related to suicidal ideation, and only for girls. The second study will examine more questions of friendship and suicidality in both Mexican-American and European American adolescents.

The role of gender-conventionality and personality in reasons for living
Silvia Sara Canetto
Status: Study being planned
Abstract: This study aims at examining the role of gender-conventionality and personality in reasons for living among young adult women and men, in two nations.

Gender and sexual orientation in stereotypes of aging
Silvia Sara Canetto and Sara Wright
Status: Two studies completed and being prepared for publication; a third study is at the data analysis stage.
Abstract: This line of research expands the research on stereotypes of aging by considering how older adult stereotypes may vary depending on the age, sex as well as the sexual orientation of the older person. In one study we used open-ended questions to elicit young and older adult respondents’ categories of women and men in their sixties, the so called young old. In the second study we examined stereotypes of older adult lesbians and gay men among young adult respondents. In the third study we are exploring perceptions of older adult lesbians and gay men among older adult respondents.

Representation of gender/ethnicity in K-12 school science books
Silvia Sara Canetto
Funded by the National Science Foundation
Status: Data coding of narratives in elementary science books. Data analyses of pictures in elementary science books
Abstract: This study examines gender/ethnicity and science/technology messages in K-12 science media (e.g., school science kits or texts).

Assessing a decade (1995-2004) of the McNair program, a mentoring program for female and under represented ethnic minorities majoring in science and technology
David MacPhee and Silvia Sara Canetto
Funded by the National Science Foundation
Status: Data analyses
Abstract: This study aims at assessing aspects of the McNair undergraduate mentoring program. Data on the characteristics and experience of participants in the McNair program have been collected since 1995. These data provide information on the participants’ science career goals, including commitment, obstacles, resources, and alternatives.

Women and under-represented ethnic minorities in the science/engineering/technology career pipeline: Their aspirations, experiences and achievements in undergraduate programs, graduate school and early post-graduate years
Silvia Sara Canetto
Funded by the National Science Foundation
Status: The quantitative, descriptive study is being written up for publication. The interview study is at the data collection stage.
Abstract: This study aims at tracking the career trajectories (via student records and for a subset of participants, via interviews) and experience (via interviews, for a subset of participants) of science/engineering/technology female and male students/post-docs across ethnicities, from undergraduate to graduate school to the early post-graduate years.

A relationship-oriented model of HIV risk behavior
Jennifer Harman
Funded by National Institute of Mental Health
Status: Data collection completed. Data analysis and publications ongoing.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to 1) identify psychosocial HIV risk factors among recently released male inmates and their intimate partners, 2) use theory to enhance the quantitative understanding of these risk factors, and 3) develop a relationship-oriented model of HIV risk behavior. The first phase of the research involved elicitation research (focus groups) in New Haven, CT in order to identify relationship-specific HIV risk factors. The second phase involved developing a survey that was administered to men who had been released from prison within the last 6 months and their intimate partners. Advanced statistical techniques will be used to develop a relationship-oriented model of HIV risk behavior based on survey data collected from both members of each couple. The outcome of this research is one of the first HIV risk behavior models with a relationship focus that is analyzed on a dyadic level. The findings will also suggest effective strategies to intervene with this at-risk population.

Daily experiences and HIV risk behaviors among previously incarcerated males
Jennifer Harman
Status: Will begin in 2008, pending funding
Abstract: It is well-documented that prison inmates engage in high levels of risky sexual behavior both before and during (Krebs & Simmons, 2002) their incarceration. As a result, the prevalence of HIV infection is 5-6 times higher in prison than the general population (Lopez-Zetina, Kerndt, Ford, Woerhle, & Weber, 2001). Although thousands of these prisoners are released into the community each year, little is known about their tendency to engage in risky sexual behavior after their release from prison, so understanding HIV infection/transmission risk behavior within populations of recently released individuals is critical. Thus, the proposed project focuses on those behaviors that increase the risk that former inmates will contract and/or transmit the HIV virus. In addition, environmental and cognitive antecedents to these behaviors will be examined. Therefore, the purpose of the proposed research is to: 1) document daily stressors and challenges experienced by this population over a three week period, and 2) using hierarchical linear statistical modeling, assess how daily experiences and psychosocial and structural factors interact to predict HIV sexual and drug risk behaviors. Males within three months of release from jail in Colorado will be surveyed using computerized technology. Participants will also complete daily surveys administered by an automated telephone survey system for three weeks using cell phones. The proposed research will yield a more thorough understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by heterosexual men released from the criminal justice system that place them at increased risk for HIV infection.

Options/Opciones Colorado
Jennifer Harman
Status: will begin in 2008, pending funding
Abstract: The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a clinician-initiated risk reduction intervention with rural HIV+ clients in Northern Colorado. Because all new HIV adult infections originate with HIV+ individuals, primarily through exposure via risky sexual or injection drug use behavior, reducing HIV-risk behavior among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is an efficient and effective means for reducing the incidence of new HIV infections in Colorado. This demonstration project has two main objectives: 1) to train medical providers to implement the theoretically based empirically validated Options/Opciones Intervention (Fisher et al., 2004; Fisher et al., 2006) as part of clinical care with their HIV+ patients, and 2) to reduce HIV drug and sexual risk behaviors among HIV+ patients.

The impact of daily stressors, personality differences, and conflicts on HIV risk behaviors.
Jennifer Harman
Status: Data collection completed. Data analysis and publications beginning Fall 2007.
Abstract: The purpose of this project is to examine how personality differences, everyday stressors and conflicts influence HIV sexual and drug risk behaviors among adult college students. Young adults (18- to 24-year-olds) are at high risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for a combination of behavioral, biological, and cultural reasons. Recent estimates suggest that while representing 25% of the sexually active population, 15- to 24-year olds acquire nearly one-half of all new STIs (Centers for Disease Control, 2005). These young adults are at greater risk of infection because they frequently have unprotected intercourse, are biologically susceptible, and are often engaged in partnerships of limited duration. Previous research has found that individuals engage in risky sexual and drug use behaviors in order to satisfy personal needs and to maintain important relationship processes such as social acceptance among peers, intimacy and trust. Unfortunately, we do not know much about how these processes operate on a day to day basis because most studies in the past have only used retrospective, cross-sectional study methods. We anticipate that this project will help us to identify specific daily stressors and relational dynamics that lead to risk behaviors in order to develop more efficacious methods of HIV prevention and intervention. Based on past research in this area, it is hypothesized that the interaction between personality dimensions (such as attachment style) with negative mood states and interpersonal conflicts may lead to increased alcohol/drug consumption and unprotected sex. Understanding the specifics of these interactions will help researchers and interventionists target at-risk college students, and will generate hypotheses as to how these interactions operate in other populations at high risk for sexually transmitted infections. A diary methodology was used to collect daily experiences from college students over 3 weeks using Palm Pilots, and students also completed in-person surveys on a weekly basis over the same time-span.

Implicit attitudes and biological responses to sexual threats
Jennifer Harman
Status: Data currently being collected.
Abstract: The most effective method to prevent the spread of STIs is consistent condom use. However, among individuals in intimate relationships, research has shown that condom use is inconsistent (Bowen, Williams, McCoy & McCoy, 2001; Misovich, Fisher & Fisher, 1997). These findings suggest that even in intimate relationships, many factors may influence whether condoms are used consistently and one of those factors is attitudes towards condoms. Results of this study will help us determine whether implicit, or automatic attitudes or evaluations towards condoms are learned or evolutionary ("hard-wired") in nature. Because condoms serve as a barrier for reproduction, and these attitudes can be measured on an implicit/automatic level (Harman, Johnson & Marsh, under review), it is possible that such protective devices can be equated as protection against not only sexual threats (eg. male genetalia) but also general threats, such as towards reptiles or snakes. We hypothesize that if such attitudes are evolutionarily based, implicit attitudes towards condoms will be positive for women when paired with subliminally primed (outside of awareness) photographs of male genetalia and snakes than when paired with neutral photographs. However, if these implicit attitudes are learned, rather than hardwired responses due to evolutionary mechanisms, women should only exhibit positive attitudes when paired with male genitalia. Second, we hypothesize that there will be no effects for men; based on previous research (e.g., Harman et al., under review) men will have negative attitudes towards condoms, regardless of experimental conditions. We also expect no effect for attitudes towards birth control pills for either sex. We also hypothesize physiological responses to the threatening stimuli, which would indicate automatic responses as well. Therefore, we hypothesize that women will exhibit increased cortisol and α-amylase responses (common indicators of threatening stimuli exposure) for male genitalia and snake categories and that men will only exhibit cortisol and α-amylase response for snake categories. This information will help us better understand how to intervene to change implicit attitudes towards condoms. For example, if it turns out that negative implicit attitudes towards condoms are a learned response to a threat, it may be possible for this association to be re-taught.

The effects of jealousy in intimate relationships
Jennifer Harman
Status: Pilot data currently being collected. Experimental data to be collected Spring of 2008.
Abstract: The purpose of the proposed study is to examine how perceptions of jealousy influence aggressive feelings in intimate relationships. Jealousy is a common source of conflict in intimate relationships, and can often lead to forms of interpersonal aggression. Unfortunately, there has been little theoretical explanation for jealousy processes in interpersonal relationships. Guerrero and Anderson (1998) have proposed a componential model of jealousy, whereby perceptions of threat influence cognitive and emotional processing, which in turn activates goals and communicative responses. They propose that it is not so much the experience of jealous cognitions and emotions that affects relationships, but how jealousy is communicated. In a previous study, Harman & O'Grady (in preparation) tested one component of the model, the context in which jealousy is expressed. The primary focus of that analysis was to examine how individuals in intimate relationships perceive a jealous partner, and whether this perception can lead to aggressive feelings or behaviors. In the initial analysis, it was found that due to gender socialization, women responded to perceptions of partner jealousy with complacency, whereas male partners responded to such perceptions with verbal aggression. The data obtained in the study were only correlational, and the causal relationships in the model were not tested. Therefore, the purpose of the proposed study is to examine whether perceptions of a jealous partner's behaviors can lead to increased feelings of aggression. We hypothesize that men, and not women, would respond with increased aggression. The results of this study will help to understand the dynamical nature of jealousy and aggression in intimate relationships.

Updated Meta-analysis of ART medication adherence
Jennifer Harman
Status: Sample of studies collected and currently being analyzed. Analysis and publication in progress.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to conduct a follow-up review of published trials of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence interventions. A meta-analytic technique is being employed on ART adherence intervention outcome studies meeting inclusion criteria between 1996 and 2007.

Substance Use and School Disengagement
Kim Henry
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
Status: Ongoing through March 2009
Abstract: An adolescent's school context includes some of the most salient risk and protective factors for health-compromising behaviors. Research suggests that students who are disengaged from school are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; however, a paucity of work has been done to describe the relationship between school disengagement and substance use in a multivariate, longitudinal, and comprehensive model. This study addresses these understudied research questions by utilizing two existing longitudinal datasets (the Denver Youth Survey - P.I is David Huizinga, Ph.D., University of Colorado; and the Rochester Youth Development Study - P.I. is Terence Thornberry, Ph.D., University of Colorado) as well as a contemporary dataset of school record data collected from one large school district in the mid-West. This study also involves collaborative projects with community organizations in Colorado, including, for example, the Community Organizing to Reach Empowerment (CORE) Center (http://www.cahs.colostate.edu/CORE/) and the Colorado Families Education and Resource Training (CFERT) Center (http://cfert.colostate.edu/training_calendar.shtml).

The Challenge
Kim Henry (Associate Editor)
Funded by the Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (P.I., Del Elliott, Ph.D., University of Colorado)
Status: Ongoing through 2009
The Challenge is an official publication of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools and is distributed quarterly to over 60,000 schools across the U.S. It provides critical information and resources to help schools create safe and healthy environments. http://www.thechallenge.org/index.htm

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Applied Social Research Projects

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