Childhood physical abuse and differential development of paranormal belief systems.

This study compared paranormal belief systems in individuals with and without childhood physical abuse histories. The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale and the Assessing Environments III Questionnaire were completed by 107 University students. Psi, precognition, and spiritualism, which are thought to provide a sense of personal efficacy and control, were among the most strongly held beliefs in abused subjects, and were significantly higher in abused versus nonabused subjects.

The female condom: attitudes and experiences among HIV-positive heterosexual women and men.

The female condom is a potentially effective method for the prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted disease, and pregnancy. This study describes attitudes toward and experiences with the female condom of 89 HIV-positive individuals (n = 56 women; n = 33 men) reporting heterosexual behavior. Qualitative interviews were conducted to inform the design and implementation of a cognitive-behavioral risk-reduction and health-promotion intervention.