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Biomedical subjects

R A Hicks

Publications and source records attributed to R A Hicks.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Arousability and stress-related physical symptoms: a validation study of Coren's arousal predisposition scale.

Coren's Arousal Predisposition Scale was validated against 249 college students' self-ratings of stress-related physical symptoms and an item that assessed general level of health. As we predicted, the 126 high-arousability subjects were substantially higher in mean stress-related symptoms score and lower in general health than the 123 peers low in arousability. These data suggest that the Arousal Predisposition Scale may be a useful instrument in the study of human stress.

Adult

The incidence of sleep problems among type A and type B college students: changes over a ten-year period (1982-1992).

Ten years ago we reported that Type A scoring students were twice as likely as their Type B peers to report sleep problems. In an exact 1992 replication of that study, no Type A-B differences in the frequency of self-reported sleep problems were observed; however, the over-all incidence of sleep problems among the 753 college students had increased substantially.

Humans

Arousability and bruxism in male and female college students.

The relationship between arousability, as measured by the Arousal Predisposition Scale, and bruxism was computed for groups of 41 male and 75 female university undergraduates as a further test of the hypothesis that bruxism is a stress-linked disorder. Contrary to our prediction, arousability was not related to bruxism in men and the relationship between these variables for women was significant but relatively weak. When considered with other studies, these data provide a clearer focus for further study of the stress-bruxism hypothesis.

Arousal

Changes in the self-reported consistency of normal habitual sleep duration of college students (1978 and 1992).

Changes in the consistency of self-reported sleep habits within two large samples of 763 and 782 college students were assessed for 1978 and 1992. Noteworthy changes over the 14-yr. period included significant decreases in the percentage of students who claimed stable (> or = 5-year) sleep-duration habits and the percentage reporting satisfaction with their sleep.

Follow-Up Studies

Frequency of eating problems among Asian and Caucasian college women.

We compared the frequencies of Asian and Caucasian women who were classified by their responses to the EAT-26 scale as having eating problems. We noted that relative to their Asian peers, our sample of Caucasian women was 5.5 times more likely to score above the cut-off score for eating problems on this test. Two earlier studies which had reported opposite results for Asian and Caucasian women were discussed and reevaluated in the context of our data.

Adolescent

Coping with a major stressor: differences between habitual short- and longer-sleepers.

We compared the coping strategies of 39 short-sleepers and 33 longer-sleepers to the stresses associated with the October 17, 1989 San Francisco Bay Area earthquake using their responses to the eight scales of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Over-all, the short-sleepers scored significantly higher on this questionnaire and in general, the pattern of their responses was consistent with inferences that could be drawn from a 1972 paper by Hartmann, Baekeland, and Zwilling.

Adaptation, Psychological

The changing sleep habits of college students.

By collating and inspecting data from previously published studies (N=7,958), we noted that over a 20-year period, the median hours of sleep reported by college students had dropped by one hour.

Circadian Rhythm

REM sleep deprivation does not increase the sexual behaviors of male rats.

Using several measures of sexual activity, 24 male and 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a pretreatment test and 3 posttests (immediate and Recovery Days 4 and 7) following REM sleep deprivation in a water tank. With careful controls, sexual activity was not significantly affected by the sleep treatments. Data do not support motivational hypotheses.

Animals

Leisure and type A-B behavior.

Of 334 undergraduates, 152 scoring greater than or equal to 8 were classified as Type A and 182 scoring less than 8 as Type B. The groups did not differ in attitudes toward leisure activity, but Type A scorers claimed to spend significantly more time weekly in leisure activities than Type B scorers. This suggests Type A people live more intensely relative to type B scorers.

Adult

Increases in nocturnal bruxism among college students implicate stress.

While the etiology of nocturnal bruxism is unknown, three major categories of theories have been advanced to explain its cause(s), i.e., local-mechanical theories, psychological theories and systemic/neurophysiological theories. The recent report of a four-fold increase in the incidence of self-reported nocturnal bruxism in college students over the last 23-year period emphasizes the role that psychological variables may play in the development of this disorder and it is suggested that the personality traits which contribute to stress management are primary among these.

Adolescent

Type A-B behavior and the self-report of daily hassles and uplifts.

Fairly large groups of Type A and Type B college students were asked to respond to the Hassles and Uplifts Scale. The Type A students reported significantly more hassles and uplifts than their Type B peers. These data support the view that Type A people lead more intense, event-filled lives than Type B people.

Adaptation, Psychological

Relationship between habitual sleep duration and diet.

Speculation and indirect evidence have suggested a relationship between habitual sleep duration and food intake. We tested this hypothesis by asking groups of short- and longer-sleeping students to keep 21-day sleep and food-intake diaries. We found no reliable evidence that sleep habits are linked to any major dietary variables as measured in this study and concluded that the differences between our results and those of an earlier study may reflect differences in the methodologies used.

Adult

Type A-B behavior and self-reported health problems.

To measure the relationship between Type A-B behavior and stress-linked symptoms, a group of undergraduates were asked to respond to the Glass version of the Jenkins Activity Survey and a 25-item stress-linked symptoms checklist. Data from 472 students were analyzed. As predicted, the results indicated that Type A persons experience specific stress-linked symptoms more intensely than their Type B peers.

Adult