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Biomedical subjects

N Heather

Publications and source records attributed to N Heather.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Issue of statistical power in comparative evaluations of minimal and intensive controlled drinking interventions.

An analysis of recent studies of minimal and intensive cognitive-behavioural treatments for problem drinking was undertaken to decide to whether a lack of statistical power explains the failure of the majority of studies to find a difference in outcome between these two types of treatment. Although the sample sizes have typically been small (n = 12-21), the analysis suggests that low statistical power is unlikely to be the explanation for the majority of null findings. It seems more likely that the difference in outcome between one positive study and the majority of null results reflects some combination of differences in the type of clients who were treated, the therapists' experience, and the type of intensive therapy that was provided. The low power of these studies demonstrates the desirability of researchers calculating the sample size required to an effect before commencing an outcome study. If they continue to undertake studies with small sample sizes, then they should refrain from inferring that the failure to reject a null hypothesis means that there is no difference between treatments.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1991

Australian Aborigines and alcohol: A review.

Following a summary of the relevant historical and legislative background, this article reviews the literature on: (i) rates of alcohol usage and problem drinking in Aboriginal populations; (ii) adverse effects of drinking; (iii) suggested causes of problem drinking among Aborigines; and (iv) treatment and preventive initiatives. The need to examine Aboriginal alcohol use in the wider context of socio-economic deprivation and rapid social change is emphasized. Key issues warranting further research attention are identified and, while recognizing the difficulties inherent in doing so, suggestions are made as to how the quality of research in the area might be raised. It is concluded that, without long-term planning and commitment of the necessary resources by government, little progress will be made in reducing the problems associated with Aboriginal use of alcohol.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

The reliability and validity of a scale to measure HIV risk-taking behaviour among intravenous drug users.

The initiation and maintenance of substantial behaviour change is required to reduce the spread of HIV infection among the intravenous drug-using population. In order to ascertain the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing HIV-related risk-taking behaviour among this population, valid and reliable (yet preferably short) instruments for measuring such behaviour are required. The HIV risk-taking behaviour scale (HRBS) is a brief 11-item interviewer-administered scale which examines the behaviour of intravenous drug users in relation to both injecting and sexual behaviour. This paper describes the construction of the scale, in addition to data evaluating its reliability and validity. Initial analyses indicate that the scale has satisfactory psychometric properties.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Estimating drug consumption in opioid users: reliability and validity of a 'recent use' episodes method.

The efficient and accurate measurement of recent drug use is an essential component of treatment and research among opioid users. Urinalysis results alone will not give sufficient information to either the clinician or researcher, due to limitations in detection and an inability to distinguish extent of use. The present paper describes a 'recent use episodes method', adapted from the measurement of alcohol consumption, for obtaining self-reported drug use in eleven different drug categories. Reliability and validity data indicate that the method provides a quick means by which accurate information may be obtained on the overall recent drug use of opioid users.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Calculating standard drink units: international comparisons.

Simple calculation rules are providing for converting alcohol consumption data among four standard units currently used by researchers and educators in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. A plea is made for the adoption of a common method for reporting alcohol consumption in research, using metric fluid volume units.

Alcoholic Beverages↗
PubMed1991

The Situational Confidence Questionnaire (Heroin).

This paper describes the derivation of a 22-item Situational Confidence Questionnaire for heroin users [SCQ (Heroin)]. Results revealed the SCQ (Heroin) to be an internally consistent scale with an acceptable level of test-retest reliability. Construct and discriminant validation were demonstrated through moderately significant correlations of all subscales with the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory. Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure which could be labeled: coping with or enhancing arousal states, casual or occasional usage, and coping with negative emotions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Cue exposure in the treatment of drug dependence: the potential of a new method for preventing relapse.

Cue exposure has been used successfully in the treatment of neurotic disorders. Its application to the treatment of drug dependence is founded on the premise that craving for drugs can become classically conditioned to internal and external drug-related cues and that such conditioned craving responses play an important part in relapse to drug use. This article reviews the theoretical background for the use of cue exposure, research on cue reactivity in samples of drug-dependent persons and the role of cue reactivity in relapse. What evidence exists on the clinical effectiveness of cue exposure is reviewed in some detail and a number of clinical issues relating to its practical application are discussed. It is concluded that controlled trials of the effectiveness of cue exposure treatment for drug dependence should be implemented without further delay.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Assisted natural recovery from alcohol problems: effects of a self-help manual with and without supplementary telephone contact.

One hundred and seven problem drinkers responding to a newspaper advertisement were randomly assigned to groups receiving: (1) a general advice and information booklet; (2) a behaviourally-based self-help manual; (3) in addition to the manual, an opportunity to make progress reports to a telephone answering service; and (4) in addition to the manual, an opportunity to make telephoned progress reports to an interviewer. Eighty-seven (81.3%) respondents were successfully followed-up and collateral information was available for 54 (61.1%) of these. Results showed a higher proportion drinking above recommended limits at six months follow-up in the control group (78%) than in the groups receiving the manual (53%). There were no significant differences due to presence or type of telephone contact and poor use was made of the opportunity for telephone contact. Findings justify the widespread promotion of self-help materials as a means of assisting the natural recovery process among problem drinkers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Problem drinking as a form of learned behaviour: a final rejoinder to Gorman and Edwards.

This article continues, and hopefully concludes, a dispute in this journal over the value of the learning paradigm of problem drinking, as outlined by Heather & Robertson. It is first reasserted that the idea that the problem drinking paradigm is nothing more than a bid by psychologists to take over the alcohol studies field is neither a useful nor serious proposition. Secondly, it is denied that our claim is that psychology has already succeeded in substituting a new paradigm for an old one, but conceded that the term 'general theory' may be more appropriate in some ways than 'paradigm'. Thirdly, the criticism that the general learning theory is as tautologous as the disease theory it aspires to replace is again rejected. Finally, the merits of a general theory of problem drinking, as opposed to a diversity of explanatory models, are expounded.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1989

Definitions of non-abstinent and abstinent categories in alcoholism treatment outcome classifications: a review and proposal.

Dispute about the relative frequencies of abstinent and non-abstinent outcomes following alcoholism treatment cannot be resolved in the absence of consensually-agreed definitions of such outcome categories. A review of influential outcome studies reveals wide differences in how controlled drinking and even abstinence have been defined and it is reasonable to suppose that this is partly responsible for striking variations in rates reported in the literature. Some requirements of a more satisfactory definitional scheme are described and a proposal made which, if accepted, might help to resolve issues relating to the frequency of non-abstinent outcomes.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1989

Psychology and brief interventions.

In this article, a discussion of the definition and description of brief interventions is followed by broad reviews of their effectiveness in the cigarette smoking and alcohol fields. It is then argued that brief interventions should not be justified only in terms of early intervention; that there is at present insufficient evidence to warrant the abandonment of conventional outpatient treatment for clinic attenders; and that the relative contribution of motivational and active behaviour-change components of brief interventions is an important area for research.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1988

Perceptions of drinkers and abstainers in a sample of Scottish adults.

Following Davies and Stacey's investigation (1972, Teenagers and Alcohol, HMSO, London) into perceptions of drinking and abstaining among Scottish teenagers, this study extended their general method to an investigation of the perceptions of 239 Scottish adults. Results showed that the stereotypes of the heavy drinker as 'tough and rebellious' and the abstainer as 'weak and cissy' persist into adulthood. Heavy drinkers were seen as low on 'sociability' and 'sexual attractiveness' and abstainers were seen as less 'sociable' than moderate drinkers. There was also some evidence of a 'double standard' in perceptions of male and female drinking roles. Other findings concerning the effects on perceptions of subjects' sex and drinking behaviour are compared to those reported in the earlier study and implications for the treatment of alcohol problems are discussed. It is concluded that the dimensions described by Davies and Stacey represent a relatively stable structure within future research where fresh initiatives in alcohol education may be located.

Adult↗