Intrasexual competition as a potential influence on anabolic-androgenic steroid use initiation.

An estimated 293,000 people living in the United Kingdom have used anabolic-androgenic steroids. However, there is currently no intervention to reduce usage available in practice or academic circulation throughout the United Kingdom. This study aimed to test a novel hypothesis that increased levels of intrasexual competition may play an important influential role in the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Revisiting the rationale for social normative interventions in student drinking in a UK population.

Objectives: Social normative re-education interventions are based on the premise that harmful student drinking is caused by misperceptions of campus drinking norms. They have become dominant despite little evidence for effectiveness, especially with heavy drinkers. The objective of this study was to explore the relative importance of social norms and other key cognitive constructs in predicting single occasion alcohol consumption in undergraduates.

Evaluating a complementary therapies clinic: outcomes and relationships.

Background: There are few published examples of research examining the effect of massage, aromatherapy, and reflexology in clinic settings. In addition to measuring treatment outcomes, it may also be important to measure the quality of the relationship between the client and therapist and assess its contribution to outcomes.

Aims: To evaluate perceived changes in client quality of life following treatment; to determine whether the relationship between the client and therapist predicts the outcome of treatment; to assess the usefulness of the measures used.

The clients' perspective on change during treatment for an alcohol problem: qualitative analysis of follow-up interviews in the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial.

Aim: To develop a model of change during and following professional treatment for drinking problems, grounded in clients' accounts.

Participants: Subsets of consecutively selected clients of the UK Alcohol Treatment Trial (UKATT), followed-up at 3 months (n = 211) and 12 months (n = 198) after randomization. Location Five statutory and non-statutory alcohol problems treatment agencies in three areas of England and Wales.

The FAST Alcohol Screening Test.

Using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as the gold standard, the Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) was developed for use in busy medical settings. AUDIT questionnaires were completed by 666 patients in two London accident & emergency (A&E) departments. Using a principal components analysis, as well as sensitivity and specificity indices, a two-stage screening test was developed, using four of the AUDIT items.