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Bisexual behavior in the male rat: influence of masculine sexual activity on the display of lordosis behavior.

Sexually inexperienced male Wistar rats (strain WI in our colony) known to very infrequently display spontaneous lordosis behavior (Schaeffer et al., 1990b) were used. A first group was tested four times at 5-day intervals for lordosis with vigorous stimulus males (heterotypic sexual behavior), immediately following testing for masculine sexual activity with highly receptive females (homotypic sexual behavior). A small number of animals displayed lordosis during the first test, but more and more animals displayed this behavior from the first to the fourth test. There was no relationship between the degree of masculine sexual activity--intromission without ejaculation or ejaculation--and the occurrence of lordosis behavior. A second group was tested only once for both masculine sexual activity and lordosis behavior as above and afterwards three times at 5-day intervals for lordosis behavior in the absence of any previous testing for masculine sexual activity. A few animals displayed lordosis during their first test. As compared to the first group, the animals which had not displayed lordosis in the first test never showed lordosis responses in the following tests. It is concluded that both homotypic and heterotypic sexual interactions are required for the display of lordosis behavior in the strain of Wistar rats used in this study.

Animals↗

A reinterpretation of schedule-induced behaviors based on a systematic analysis of behavior.

Confusion exists regarding the criteria to be used in determining whether or not particular behaviors are schedule-induced. Four critical characteristics of schedule-induced behaviors are suggested and a comparison made of the complete range of behaviors exhibited by body weight-reduced rats drinking in response to one of three stimuli. These were (1) a fixed-time food reinforcement schedule, (2) a meal of dry food, and (3) 24 hour water deprivation. Drinking, locomotion, rearing and oral and perioral behaviors occurred in accordance with the defining characteristics of schedule-induced behaviors. Rats in the fixed-time reinforcement condition also deposited significantly greater numbers of fecal boli. Sniffing and food bowl related behaviors occurred as terminal responses for this group. It is concluded that animals which receive reinforcers intermittently maintain high levels of arousal for extended periods, and that the presence of the schedule may mimic conditions experienced by wild rats in non-laboratory settings. In such conditions ambulatory behaviors may be particularly adaptive. In contrast, reinforcing sensory feedback and a stress reducing role may be particularly important in the mediation of oral behaviors (such as drinking) which occur during intermittent reinforcement.

Animals↗

Assessment of the components of observed chronic pain behavior: the Checklist for Interpersonal Pain Behavior (CHIP).

This article describes the development of the Checklist for Interpersonal Pain Behavior (CHIP), an observation scale which assesses overt pain behavior. The study is an extension of an earlier study in which the dimensions and components of observed chronic pain behavior were examined. A broad definition of pain behavior is chosen (interpersonal pain behavior), namely the interaction between the pain patient and his/her direct environment. The list of pain behaviors, taken from the earlier study, has been transformed into a 78-item global rating scale to be used by nurses to quantify observed pain behavior in a clinical setting. Six studies examine the factor structure and the psychometric properties of this behavioral observation method. In the first study, 6 internally reliable factors are derived using factor analytic techniques from a sample of 152 chronic pain patients. They are labeled as: 'distorted mobility,' 'verbal complaints,' 'non-verbal complaints,' 'nervousness,' 'depression' and 'day sleeping.' Internal consistency of all factors, except 'day sleeping' was excellent. The following studies show that the CHIP is sufficiently reliable and valid. After a discussion on the advantages of this observation scale, the conclusion seems justified that the CHIP is a useful tool in pain assessment that can easily be used by nurses.

Adult↗

Pain behavior in industrial subacute low back pain. Part I. Reliability: concurrent and predictive validity of pain behavior assessments.

The reproducibility of overt pain behavior ratings was shown to be reliable between independent observers. In the clinical evaluation of 103 blue collar workers with subacute low back pain (LBP), concurrent validity was high between Behavioural Signs (Waddell et al. 1980) and UAB Pain Behavior Rating scale (Richards et al. 1982). Correlations with pain rated on visual analogue scales (Scott and Huskisson 1976) were generally lower. Behavioural Signs correlated separately with covert pain behavior (general convictions concerning back strength and general health). It seems that subacute LBP patients do not behave as a homogenous group since pain behaviors predicted occupational handicap (absenteeism) in a non-linear fashion. Return to work was best predicted by UAB and covert pain behavior, absenteeism up to 2 years by covert pain behavior. The findings emphasize the potential social implications of overt pain behaviors and the importance of covert pain behavior in maintaining the sick role. The conclusion is that, in secondary prevention, where the main targets are to interfere with somatic deconditioning and sick-role development, a more diversified primary approach may be possible, based on supplementary use of relatively easy observational tests and quick self-reports.

Absenteeism↗

The cognitive impact of past behavior: influences on beliefs, attitudes, and future behavioral decisions.

To study the processes by which past behavior influences future behavior, participants were led to believe that without being aware of it, they had expressed either support for or opposition to the institution of comprehensive exams. Judgment and response time data suggested that participants' perceptions of their past behavior often influenced their decisions to repeat the behavior. This influence was partly the result of cognitive activity that influenced participants' cognitions about specific behavioral consequences and the attitude they based on these cognitions. More generally, however, feedback about past behavior had a direct effect on participants' attitudes and ultimate behavioral decisions that was independent of the outcome-specific cognitions. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for biased scanning of memory, dissonance reduction, self-perception, and the use of behavior as a heuristic.

Adult↗

From automatic antigay prejudice to behavior: the moderating role of conscious beliefs about gender and behavioral control.

Two experiments tested whether the relation between automatic prejudice and discriminatory behavior is moderated by 2 conscious processes: conscious egalitarian beliefs and behavioral control. The authors predicted that, when both conscious processes are deactivated, automatic prejudice would elicit discriminatory behavior. When either of the 2 processes is activated, behavioral bias would be eliminated. The authors assessed participants' automatic attitudes toward gay men, conscious beliefs about gender, behavioral control, and interactions with gay confederates. In Experiment 1, men's beliefs about gender were heterogeneous, whereas women's beliefs were mostly egalitarian; men's responses supported the predictions, but women's responses did not. In Experiment 2, the authors recruited a sample with greater diversity in gender-related beliefs. Results showed that, for both sexes, automatic prejudice produced biased behavior in the absence of conscious egalitarian beliefs and behavioral control. The presence of either conscious process eliminated behavioral bias.

Adult↗

The association of current smoking behavior with the smoking behavior of parents, siblings, friends and spouses.

AIMS: To examine the association of current smoking behavior of adolescents and young adults with the smoking behavior of their parents, siblings, friends and spouses. DESIGN: Using survey data from a large twin-family sample, the association between the smoking behavior of participants and that of their family members, friends and spouses was investigated by calculating the relative risk. To disentangle sex and age differences, calculations were carried out separately for males and females and for three different age groups: 12-15, 16-20 and 21-40 years old. FINDINGS: The smoking behavior of the participants was significantly influenced by the smoking behavior of parents, siblings and friends, but all relative risks decreased with age. No differences in relative risk were found between having older or younger smoking siblings. Within each age group, the relative risk to smoke when having a smoking friend was comparable to the relative risk to smoke when having a smoking same-age and same-sex sibling. For the older participants, the relative risk to smoke was higher for monozygotic (MZ) twins with a smoking co-twin than for dizygotic (DZ) twins with a smoking co-twin. Most findings were sex-dependent: same-sex smoking family members influenced smoking behavior more than opposite-sex family members. The significant association of the smoking behavior of spouses decreased with age, which suggests that assortment for smoking is based on similarity at the time dating began. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the importance of both social and genetic influences on smoking behavior, with genetic influences increasing with the age of the participant.

Adolescent↗

Longitudinal associations between externalizing behavior and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors: a community-based study.

This study investigated longitudinal associations between externalizing behavior and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors. Participants were girls drawn from the community-based Minnesota Twin Family Study and assessed at ages 11, 14, and 17. Cross-sectional correlations indicated that the strength of the associations between externalizing behavior and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors increased over time. Mixed-model analyses indicated that earlier externalizing behavior predicted increases in weight preoccupation, body dissatisfaction, and use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors. Earlier use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors predicted increases in externalizing behavior.

Adolescent↗

Daily behavior ratings among child and adolescent inpatients: the abbreviated Child Behavior Rating Form.

OBJECTIVE: Child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient facilities are in need of standardized behavior rating scales to assess continuous change in patient behaviors. This study used daily staff ratings to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of an abbreviated version of the Child Behavior Rating Form (CBRF-A). METHOD: Three hundred eighty-seven inpatients, aged 3 to 17 years, were rated daily by unit staff. Subsamples of patients and/or their parents completed additional measures of behavior problems (Child Behavior Checklist, Functional Impairment Scale for Children and Adolescents) to assess the instrument's validity. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses identified 5 behavior problem dimensions (Oppositionalism, Attention Problems, Overactivity, Withdrawal/Depression, and Anxiety), a second-order Externalizing dimension, and 2 positive behavior dimensions (Positive/Adaptive Social and Compliance/Self-Control). The scales were found to be internally consistent and showed expected age differences, and the scale factor structures were relatively stable over 1- and 2-week intervals. The scales correlated meaningfully with parent ratings of child behavior problems and functional impairment and were predictive of total hospital days. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of the CBRF-A appear adequate for daily inpatient rating; additional research is needed to determine the usefulness of the CBRF-A in assessing treatment and medication effects over the hospital stay.

Adolescent↗

Does measured behavior reflect STD risk? An analysis of data from a randomized controlled behavioral intervention study. Project RESPECT Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Many studies measure sex behavior to determine the efficacy of sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV prevention interventions. GOAL: To determine how well measured behavior reflects STD incidence. STUDY DESIGN: Data from a trial (Project RESPECT) were analyzed to compare behavior and incidence of STD (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV) during two 6-month intervals. RESULTS: A total of 2879 persons had 5062 six-monthly STD exams and interviews; 8.9% had a new STD in 6 months. Incidence was associated with demographic factors but only slightly associated with number of partners and number of unprotected sex acts with occasional partners. Many behaviors had paradoxical associations with STD incidence. After combining behavior variables to compare persons with highest and lowest risk behaviors, the STD incidence ratio was only 1.7. CONCLUSION: Behavioral interventions have prevented STD. We found people tend to have safe sex with risky partners and risky sex with safe partners. Therefore, it is difficult to extrapolate the disease prevention efficacy of an intervention from a measured effect on behavior alone.

Adolescent↗

What should non-US behavioral health systems learn from the USA?: US behavior health services trends in the 1980s and 1990s.

Several countries, such as the USA, inadvertently created a different behavioral health payment system from the rest of medicine through the introduction of diagnostic-related group exemptions for psychiatric care. This led to isolation in the administration and delivery of care for patients with mental health and substance abuse disorders from other medical services with significant, yet unintended, consequences. To insure an efficient and effective health-care system, it is necessary to recognize the problems introduced by segregating behavioral health from the rest of medical care. In this review, the authors assess trends in behavioral health services during the last two decades in the USA, a period in which independently managed behavioral health care has dominated administrative practices. During this time, behavioral health has been an easy target for aggressive cost cutting measures. There have been no clinically significant improvements in the number of adults receiving minimally adequate treatment or in the percentage of the population with behavior health problems receiving psychiatric care with the possible exception of depression. While decreased spending for behavioral health services has been well documented during this period, these savings are offset by costs shifted to greater medical service use with a net increase in the total cost of health care. Targeting behavioral health for reduction in health-care spending through independent management, starting with diagnostic procedure code or diagnostic-related group exemption may not be the wisest approach in addressing the increasing fiscal burden that medical care is placing on the national economy.

Behavior Therapy↗

New behavioral mutant rat exhibiting circling behavior (clx) controlled by a sex-linked recessive gene.

A male rat showing intermittent circling behavior was discovered among the Jcl:Wistar rats in our laboratories, and among its backcross offspring individuals showing the same behavior were found. The abnormalities in these animals were characterized by intermittent circling behavior (walking and/or running in circles) and head tossing with the neck twisted. No abnormalities were observed in fertility, delivery or pup mortality. The results of mating experiments indicated that the circling behavior phenotype is controlled by a single sex-linked recessive gene, and the mutant was named "circling behavior linked to X-chromosome (gene symbol: clx)." This circling behavior mutant is considered to be different from the previously reported mutants, the behavior in all of which has been found to be autosomally inherited. Sib-mating is continuing to produce an inbred strain with this newly discovered circling behavior mutant gene.

Animals↗

Self-injurious behavior: a review of the behavior and biology of self-mutilation.

OBJECTIVE: The authors describe the clinical characteristics of self-injurious behavior, giving special emphasis to self-injurious behavior occurring among individuals with character disorders. DATA COLLECTION: They review data suggesting the involvement of serotonergic, dopaminergic, and opiate neurotransmitter systems in the expression of self-injurious behavior. FINDINGS: Self-injurious behavior occurs among mentally retarded individuals, psychotic patients, prison populations, and individuals with severe character disorders. Although theoretical psychological models of self-injurious behavior are helpful in understanding the patient's experience of self-injury, no generally useful therapeutic approach has yet evolved from these models. Data derived from animal models and treatment studies suggest the involvement of opiatergic and dopaminergic mechanisms in self-injury among the mentally retarded. Serotonergic influences on self-injurious behavior may be present in varying forms of this behavior. The scientific literature on the benefits of pharmacological agents for mentally retarded individuals is beset with a number of problems. Support is emerging, however, for the use of lithium and carbamazepine with self-injuring mentally retarded patients, and some behavioral interventions appear to be successful for mentally retarded individuals. Self-injuring patients with borderline personality disorder may benefit from milieu treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although no form of treatment has yet been demonstrated to be of general benefit, the literature suggests that therapeutic trials with dopamine antagonists, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and opiate antagonists may be of value.

Adolescent↗

From psychological need satisfaction to intentional behavior: testing a motivational sequence in two behavioral contexts.

The present study tested a motivational sequence in which global-level psychological need satisfaction from self-determination theory influenced intentions and behavior directly and indirectly through contextual-level motivation and situational-level decision-making constructs from the theory of planned behavior. Two samples of university students (N = 511) completed measures of global-level psychological need satisfaction, contextual-level autonomous motivation, and situational-level attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and behavior in two behavioral contexts: exercise and dieting. A structural equation model supported the proposed sequence in both samples. The indirect effect was present for exercise behavior, whereas both direct and indirect effects were found for dieting behavior. Findings independently supported the component theories and provided a comprehensive integrated explanation of volitional behavior.

Adult↗

Prolactin (PRL) regulation of maternal behavior in rats: bromocriptine treatment delays and PRL promotes the rapid onset of behavior.

Recent findings indicate that PRL helps stimulate the onset of maternal behavior in inexperienced hypophysectomized steroid-treated female rats. In a series of five experiments we have further examined the involvement of PRL in maternal behavior using nonhypophysectomized ovariectomized rats treated concurrently (type I) or sequentially (type II) with progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) and administered either bromocriptine (to suppress endogenous PRL secretion) or bromocriptine plus ovine PRL. In Exp 1 plasma PRL concentrations were measured in ovariectomized rats treated for 2 weeks with a combination of E2 and P Silastic implants. Type I steroid-treated (2mm E2, days 1-24; three 30 mm P, days 3-13) rats exhibited elevated plasma PRL levels throughout the sampling period compared with nonsteroid-treated controls. In contrast, PRL concentrations in type II steroid-treated (P, days 3-13; E2, days 13-24) females were low (similar to controls) from days 3-13 when the type II steroid-treated females were exposed to P only. Like type I treated rats, PRL levels in type II steroid-treated rats were elevated from day 13 onward after E2 capsule insertion. In Exp 2, treatment of both type I and type II steroid-treated rats with bromocriptine (2 mg/kg, sc) twice daily beginning on treatment day 13 suppressed basal PRL concentrations and prevented the estrogen-induced diurnal PRL surge. Whereas PRL was effectively suppressed by bromocriptine in both steroid-treated groups, the absolute levels of PRL were lower in rats treated with the type II steroid regimen. Behavioral analyses in Exp 3, 4, and 5 revealed that bromocriptine administration, while failing to interfere with the onset of maternal behavior in rats treated with the type I concurrent steroid regimen, disrupted the onset of maternal care in rats treated with the type II sequential steroid regimen. When a separate set of type II steroid-treated rats was given both bromocriptine (2 mg/kg) plus ovine PRL (0.5 mg, sc) twice daily, maternal behavior rapidly appeared. Thus, suppression of endogenous PRL secretion delays the onset of maternal behavior in nonhypophysectomized steroid-primed rats, an effect prevented by concurrent administration of ovine PRL. In addition to providing further experimental support for PRL's role in maternal behavior, the development of this endocrine regimen provides researchers with a potentially fruitful model to examine neural sites and mechanisms of PRL regulation of maternal behavior in mammals.

Animals↗

Observation of marking-like behavior, marking behavior, and growth of the scent gland in young Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) of an inbred strain.

A marking-like behavior (defined by authors), a marking behavior, and growth of the scent glands were observed in young Mongolian gerbils of an inbred strain. In males and females, a marking-like behavior, in which animals rub their abdominal scent glands on the floor, began to be seen at the age of 19 days and could be seen in almost all the gerbils at 22 days of age during the suckling period. The frequency of this behavior was highest at 60 days of age (males: 17.9/10 min, females: 15.4/10 min) and there was no sex difference. Marking behavior, in which animals rub their abdominal scent glands on small protruding objects, began to be seen at the age of 40 days in males and 50 days in females. The frequency of this behavior tended to increase until 90 days of age in males (13.7/10 min), but the levels were low (2.5-5.0/10 min) in females. The values in the male group therefore tended to be higher than that in the female group. Macroscopic scent gland pads were clearly observed at the age of 30 days in males, but not until 45 days of age in females. At the age of 45-90 days, the length of the scent gland pad in males and females was 2.1-2.8 and 1.6-1.7 cm, respectively and the width was 0.3-0.5 in males and 0.2-0.3 cm in females. During this period, the length and depth of the pads in males were significantly greater than those in females (p < 0.05). Histological examination of the structure of the scent glands after the age of 45 days showed that the development of clusters of acinar cells in females occurred much later than that in males, but the basic structure of these glands was similar in both sexes. These results suggest that the marking-like behavior was manifested although during the period when the scent glands had not yet developed, whereas true marking behavior first occurred when the glands were moderately well developed.

Aging↗

Sexual behavior change among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents with hemophilia. Adolescent Hemophilia Behavioral Intervention Evaluation Project Study Group.

PURPOSE: To determine the factors associated with the adoption or maintenance of consistent safer sexual behaviors among human immunodeficiency virus-positive adolescents and young adults with hemophilia. METHODS: One hundred eleven adolescents at 10 hemophilia care sites participated in an intervention program designed to increase safer sexual behaviors (abstinence, condom use, or nonpenetrative behavior). The theory-based intervention spanned 1 year. Adolescents attended individual sessions, small group activities, and an intensive group retreat. RESULTS: Patients who maintained or improved safer sexual behaviors were compared with those who relapsed or did not improve. Logistic regression analyses found that improvement and maintenance of safer sexual behavior were significantly associated with perceived peer support for outercourse (odds ratio [OR]: 5.47; confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-20.8), perceived peer support for abstinence (OR: 5.08; CI: 1.2-20.1), and decreased general emotional distress (OR: 4.65; CI: 1.04-20.6). Perceived health status and previous sexual behavior were unrelated to change in safer sexual behavior. CONCLUSIONS: These longitudinal data indicate that improvement and maintenance of safer sexual behavior among adolescents during an intervention is strongly associated with perceptions of peer support for safer sex and lesser degrees of emotional distress. Programs for human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents may require developmentally appropriate social and psychological approaches to impact peer norms and emotional well-being.

Adolescent↗

Generating hypotheses about the function of student problem behavior by observing teacher behavior.

We examined whether, as predicted by research on child effects, we could generate hypotheses about the function of student problem behavior by observing the amount of attention teachers provided to students. In the first phase of the study, we observed the amount of attention teachers distributed among small groups of students who exhibited problem behavior in individual or small-group instructional settings (problem behavior presumably maintained by attention or escape). Based on the amount of attention each student received, we generated hypotheses about the function of his or her problem behavior. In the second phase of the study, we determined the accuracy of these predictions by conducting a brief functional assessment with each student. Results confirmed that, for 14 of the 15 students, we were able to generate accurate hypotheses about the function of their problem behavior. These results suggest the potential efficacy of using the amount of attention teachers distribute among groups of students to generate empirically based hypotheses about the function of student problem behavior maintained by attention and/or escape. These results also illustrate the efficiency of this procedure; by observing teacher behavior, we were able to generate hypotheses about the function of problem behavior for several students at one time.

Attention↗