Condom use self-efficacy can be defined as expectations about one's ability to use condoms under a variety of circumstances. This investigation examined the factor structure of the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) in an 18- to 23-year-old college population (N = 339) and tested the ability of the factors to distinguish among three groups of condom users (nonusers, sporadic users, and ritualistic users). Emerging from a principal components analysis were four reliable factors labeled Mechanics, Partner's Disapproval, Assertive, and Intoxicants. Results from a discriminant analysis indicated that sporadic users were best distinguished from ritualistic users by number of sex partners, use of intoxicants, and intensity of alcohol use. The sporadic users had more sex partners, were less confident of their ability to use condoms when intoxicated, and were heavier drinkers than were the ritualistic users. Nonusers were best distinguished from ritualistic users by the factor labeled Assertive. Nonusers were significantly less confident in their ability to discuss condoms and to insist on their use with a sexual partner. Implications of the findings for improving campus-based programs to prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection and sexually transmitted diseases are discussed.
Previous research from independent laboratories has shown reduced electroencephalographic coherence in patients diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). This study added to this work by comparing interhemispheric and intrahemispheric coherence in nonmedicated DAT patients (n = 35) with that of a normal control group (n = 30), as well as with a data bank of population norms. Raw and Z-score transformed values showed reduced coherence, interhemispherically (in delta, theta, alpha, and beta bands) and intrahemispherically (delta and theta bands) in DAT patients with both comparison procedures. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 73% to 75% of patients. The results are discussed in relation to earlier research, "trait" versus "state" factors, the cholinergic system, and cognitive processes in dementia.
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