College students' use of energy drinks, social problem-solving, and academic performance.

Energy drink (ED) use among college students to improve academic performance (AP) has skyrocketed. A growing body of literature indicates that the risks associated with ED use may outweigh the perceived benefits. In this study, 486 undergraduates were surveyed on their general substance and ED usage, Social Problem-Solving (SPS) ability, and AP.

The influence of uncertainty and social support on information seeking concerning illicit stimulant use among young adults.

Using the Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM) and the concept of desired informational support as a framework, this project examined factors in the information management process young adults employ in potential information seeking about illicit stimulant drug use with members of their social networks. One hundred and seventy-three individuals participated in the study. Results indicated that (a) uncertainty discrepancy and the desire for informational support covaried, and (b) uncertainty discrepancy, anxiety, and outcome expectancy had significant impacts on the efficacy judgments made by individuals with regard to potential information seeking with their social networks about their stimulant drug use.

After 9/11: goal disruption, emotional support, and psychological health in a lower exposure sample.

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were traumatic even for Americans who were not directly victimized or in the geographic vicinity. This study examined whether emotional support received through interaction with others buffered the association between terrorism-related stress and psychological health (depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms) for individuals with lower exposure to the attacks. Five hundred eleven college students from an eastern university completed measures of goal disruption (stress) from terrorism, received emotional support, and psychological health in the first 2 weeks of December 2001.

The Role of Expectations in Effective Genetic Counseling.

The goals for this investigation were to assess individuals' expectations for social support from genetic counselors, and to explore how these expectations influence perceptions of genetic counselor effectiveness. Two studies were conducted to address these goals. Results from the first study show that individuals most frequently expect genetic counselors to provide options and support following the disclosure of distressing test results, while data from the second study demonstrate that expectations play a significant role in individuals' assessment of genetic counselor effectiveness.