Psychology and social science.

Chair: David Swanson, University of Mississippi 

Vice-chair: Ronald Cossman, Mississippi State University 

THURSDAY MORNING

Hunter Henry Brunson

Session 1: The Psychological and Social Impacts of Hurricane Katrina

8:30 HURRICANE KATRINA AS A NATURAL EXPERIMENT OF 'CREATIVE

DISTRUCTION': THE LONG-TERM SOCIOECONOMIC IMP ACTS TO THE GULF COAST

Ronald E. Cossman, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. 39762

Hurricane Katrina was both a natural disaster and a natural experiment of Joseph Schumpeter's 'creative destruction.' The water and winds destroyed existing geographically-anchored capitol in the form ofhomes, businesses, stock and human capital. It also reallocated that capitol, in the sense of radically changing property values through government and insurance payouts. The result was a "clean slate" for development at new price levels. However, the forces that are shaping the new Gulf Coast are governmental regulations and insurance policies as articulated through grants, insurance payout, building restrictions and infrastructure commitment. The newly available shore line is now transforming into an economically higher and better use in the form of McMansions, high rise condominiums and casino-hotels. Meanwhile the working class, who provide the labor to the hotel, casinos and condos, are being forced to occupy the interior hinterlands due to the newly revised economic cost of living on the Gulf Coast. The outcome is a measurable economic gradient from the Gulf Coast inland. This socioeconomic gradient will have fundamental implications for the demographic composition of communities, voting patterns, school enrollment, community involvement and transportation for decades to come. Each of these processes are demonstrated via primary data collection on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as well as through secondary data analysis.

8:50 COLLEGE STUDENTS' EXPERIENCES WITH HURRICANE KATRINA: A COMPARISON BETWEEN STUDENTS FROM MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY AND THREE NEW ORLEANS UNIVERSITIES

Duane A. Gill (1), Anthony E. Ladd (2), and John Marszalek (3), (1) Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (2) Loyola University, New Orleans, LA 70118, and (3) Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125

This paper examines differences between students from Mississippi State University (MSU) and three New Orleans universities (Loyola, Xavier, and the University of New Orleans). Using data from a web-based survey of college students conducted shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi and Louisiana, we compare students who were less affected (MSU) with students who were greatly affected. In particular, we focus on storm experiences, resource loss, psychological distress, educational impacts, satisfaction with response, and trust in institutions. As expected, students from the New Orleans universities were significantly more affected by the disaster than students from MSU. Our results suggest, however, that there are important steps all colleges and universities can take to become more resilient.

9:10 THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN THE RESILIENCE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE KATRINA

Arthur G. Cosby* and Bertta E. Sokura*, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762 and Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland

This study has been done at SSRC/Mississippi State University and the target organizations are three educational institutions. The aims of our study are to measure how the target organizations had prepared for continuation of studying activities in case of disasters, how they have succeeded in doing so, and what lessons they have learned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina? This study is a multiple case study, which took place at three Louisiana educational institutions. The participants were three department chairs or teaching professionals from each organization, a representative of IT Administration and a representative of the registrar's office from two institutions. The method used was telephone interviews. The interviews were conducted during June and July of 2006. The questions were semi structured and open-ended. There were three different questions set, one for each group. The questionnaires were sent forward to the participants and the interviews were recorded and transcribed. The captured data introduced to the major themes; Increasing Workload, Chaos, Technological Infrastructure and Human Dimensions of Disaster, which are discussed. Also three different roles of information and communication technologies are identified. For deeper understanding of this phenomenon, follow up studies are needed.

9:30 Discussion

9:45 Break

Session 2: Factors Affecting Student Performance

10:00 HOW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AFFECTS A STUDENT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Ann Marie Kinnell, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

In the spring of 2005, a large scale survey was carried out at The University of Southern Mississippi which examined 1) the extent to which students attending USM's Hattiesburg campus were affected by domestic violence, 2) the specific nature of this violence, and 3) the effect of this violence on their academic careers. In addition to the survey, interviews with students were collected to create a more detailed understanding of the student's experiences with domestic violence. An analysis of these interviews shows that domestic violence does affect a student's ability to maintain their academic program and that there is a lack of resources available to help students with this issue.

10:20 CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, PARENTAL ACCEPTANCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT OF YOUNG ADULTS

Shaila Khan (1*), Ronald P. Rohner (2), and Abdul Khaleque (2), (1) Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS 39174 and (2) University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269

Relationship among corporal punishment, perceptions of parental acceptance-rejection, and psychological adjustment of young adults was investigated. Earlier studies reported that effects of punishment on youths' adjustment depended on levels of perceived parental acceptance, and are influenced by cultural norms of society. Adult versions of Physical Punishment Questionnaire (PPQ), Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ), Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ), and Personal Information Form (PIF) (Rohner, 2005) were administered to 250 college students from a private university in Bangladesh, and 200 students from a HBCU institution in Mississippi. For Bangladeshi adults, results suggested that psychological adjustment was associated with their perceptions of paternal acceptance (r=.203, p<.01), maternal acceptance (r=.338, p<.001), and harshness of paternal (but not maternal) punishment (r=. 169, p<.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that only maternal acceptance ([^.a]=.146 t=1.62, p=.11) contributed significantly to youths' adjustment. Additionally, youths' adjustment was associated negatively with harshness of paternal punishment but positively with justness of paternal (but not maternal) punishment. Paternal punishment did not affect sons' psychological adjustment, but perceived paternal acceptance did. For daughters, harshness of paternal punishment and number of different types of punishment significantly affected their psychological adjustment. But perceived paternal acceptance did not. Maternal punishment had no significant effect on either sons' or daughters' adjustment. However, perceived maternal acceptance had a significant effect on both sons' and daughters' psychological adjustment. Different results were found for Asian and African American participants.

10:40 EFFECTS OF INTIMATE PARTNER ACCEPTANCE AND PARENTAL ACCEPTANCE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

Shaila Khan (1*), Ronald P. Rohner (2), Abdul Khaleque (2), (1) Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS 39174 and (2) University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269

Effects of intimate partner acceptance and parental acceptance on psychological adjustments of college students were investigated in this study. Adult versions of Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ), Intimate Partner Acceptance/Rejection Questionnaire (IPARQ), Personality Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ) and the Personal Information Form (PIF) (Rohner, 2005) were administered to 250 students from a private university in Bangladesh, and 200 African American students from a HBCU institution in Mississippi. For Bangladeshi students, results suggested that psychological adjustment is associated with paternal (r=.21, p<.05) and maternal acceptance (r=.42, p<.001), and with intimate partner acceptance (r=.50, p<.001). Analysis of variance showed significant difference between males and females in their psychological adjustment (F=5.31, p<.05); intimate partner acceptance (F=10.48, p<.01); and maternal acceptance (F=7.13, p<.01). Effect of intimate partner acceptance and both parental acceptance levels on psychological adjustment was tested by multiple regression analysis. Only intimate partner acceptance ([^.a]=.41, t=5.18, p<.001) and mothers' acceptance ([^.a]=.30, t=3.68, p<.001) were found to contribute significantly to psychological adjustment. Moderating influence of parental acceptance on this relationship was tested by comparing regression lines for two levels of parental acceptances (loving and rejecting). No interaction effect was found implying that the relation between psychological adjustment and their perceptions of partners' acceptance was not dependent on the level of perceived parental acceptance. These relations were found to be different for Asian and African American students.

11:00 ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN UNDERGRADUATES

Renita McMath*, Kristen Allen, Patricia E. Webster, Cassie Bradshaw, and Reid Jones, Delta State University, Cleveland, MS 38733

Three scales likely associated with academic success were drawn from the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). These scales and a measure of the 'Big 5' personality traits were completed by samples of 59 and 44 students. Reliable results were obtained on all scales with the short IPIP scales having Chronbach's alphas ranging from .682 to .811. These three scales were also significantly (p<.05) inter-correlated including 'Self-Efficacy' with 'Achievement Striving' ([r.bar] = .46); 'Self-Efficacy' with 'Intellect' ([r.bar] = .52); and 'Achievement Striving with 'Intellect' ([r.bar] = .29). Responses on these scales were aggregated into a single new scale called 'Academic Success'. The new scale was significantly correlated with 'Extraversion' ([r.bar] = .40), 'Conscientiousness' ([r.bar] = .65), 'Openness' ([r.bar] = .49), and 'Neuroticism' ([r.bar] = -.33). 'Agreeableness' was not significantly associated with 'Academic Success'.

11:20 Discussion

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Hunter Henry Brunson

Session 3: Internal and External Factors Affecting Behavior

1:30 A SURVEY OF TOBACCO USAGE AND INFLUENCE PATTERNS IN A HIGH SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Sandesh V. Shettar, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Ridgeland, MS 39157

Over the past two years, a demographic assessment of patients seeking smoking cessation was conducted. Data from 149 smokers were analyzed for: 1gender, 2race, 3age, 4marital status, 5education, 6employment, 7income, and 8recent cigarette use. These data were compared with nationa V state demographic data of current smokers. This year's research sought to study the initiation aspect of tobacco by analyzing the responses to an anonymous, voluntary questionnaire administered to an independent high school (HS) freshmen class and a local community college (CC) regarding their tobacco use and related information. The CC sample was largely Caucasian and female. Gender and Race of the CC sample against various demographic and other variables was done with Chi Square analysis. The CC sample w as largely Caucasian and female. 1/3 were current smokers with significantly more Caucasians trying tobacco and significantly less African Americans (AA) becoming regular smokers. While most wanted to quit, a few had been advised to quit (significantly less Caucasians) and most had made multiple failed attempts (only 5% succeeded). Withdrawal symptoms and craving were major deterrents in achieving abstinence. Most of the sample reported major media exposure to tobacco. Only 1/5 of the HS school sample reported current use with males having greater use. Very low medical professional enquiries about smoking and suggestions to quit were noted. Significantly more males saw media tobacco use and 2/5 recalled school education about the dangers of smoking. Therefore, prevention and cessation treatment efforts are needed to significantly impact the current high prevalence of tobacco use.

1:50 DEMOGRAPHICS AND LOCAL UNDERGRADUATE NORMS FOR THE 'BIG 5' PERSONALITY TRAITS AND IPIP SCALES

Patricia E. Webster*, Renita McMath, Cassie Bradshaw, Kristen Allen, and Reid Jones, Delta State University. Cleveland, MS 38733

Two samples of undergraduates (N=59 and N=44) completed personality self report measures. In the first sample, reliable results were obtained for the 'Big 5' personality traits with Chronbach's alphas ranging from .733 to .851. Nine additional scales were selected from the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) which also yielded reliable results (alphas ranging from .679 to .889). Significant (p<.05) associations were obtained between 'Conscientiousness' and 'Agreeableness' ([r.bar] = .35); 'Conscientiousness' and 'Openness' ([r.bar] = .28); 'Neuroticism' and 'Extraversion' ([r.bar] = -.27); and 'Neuroticism' and 'Conscientiousness' ([r.bar] = -.29). Results on the second sample and overall regression models demonstrated significant relationships with age of subject and among the IPIP scales.

2:10 PERSONALITY TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR IMPULSE CONTROL IN UNDERGRADUATES

Cassie Bradshaw*, Patricia E. Webster, Kristen Allen, Renita McMath, and Reid Jones, Delta State University. Cleveland, MS 38733

Three scales likely associated with poor impulse control were selected from the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). These scales and a measure of the 'Big 5' personality traits were completed by samples of 59 and 44 undergraduates. Reliable results were obtained on all scales with even the brief IPIP scales showing Chronbach's alphas ranging from .679 to .711. IPIP scales were significantly (p < .05) correlated for 'Recklessness' with 'Low Impulse Control', and 'Low Impulse Control' with 'Immoderation'. There was no significant relationship between 'Immoderation' and 'Recklessness'. The three IPIP scales were combined into an overall measure of Poor Impulse Control which was correlated with each of the 'Big 5' Personality Traits. The overall measure was significantly correlated with 'Neuroticism' ([r.bar] = .43) and inversely with 'Conscientiousness' ([r.bar] = -.52). The other three personality traits were not significantly associated with impulse control.

2:30 SOCIAL SKILLS AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN UNDERGRADUATES

Kristen Allen*, Cassie Bradshaw, Renita McMath, Patricia E. Webster, and Reid Jones, Delta State University. Cleveland, MS 38733

Three scales likely to be associated with social skillfulness were taken from the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). These scales and a self report form designed to determine the 'Big 5' personality traits were administered to two samples (N=59 and N=44) of undergraduate volunteers. Chronbach's alpha measures ranged from .719 to .889 were obtained on the IPIP scales. All three IPIP scales (Social Intelligence, Assertiveness, and Social Discomfort) were significantly (p < .05) associated with Pearson [r.bar]'s ranging from .44 to .53. The three scales were combined into a single measure of 'Social Skills' which was analyzed by Pearson [r.bar]'s and regression for their associations with the 'Big 5' Personality traits. The 'Social Skills' survey was significantly positively associated with Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Openness, and negatively associated with Neuroticism. Agreeableness was not associated with 'Social Skills'.

2:50 Discussion

3:00 Break

3:20 Poster Session (in room)

REVIEW OF CAREGIVER BURDEN INTERVENTIONS FOR CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH PTSD 

Nolan McIntyre, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216

This review examines important factors for treating caregivers of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for caregiver burden (CB) and contains suggestions for future treatment and research. These factors include caregiver interventions, measures for burden and depression, and common confounding variables. Despite there being many studies examining CB, very few investigate the implications of CB specifically relating to PTSD. The vast majority of research done on CB specific to PTSD has occurred within the last decade. For this reason, CB of caregivers of patients with dementia was also examined. The majority of the literature suggests multicomponent interventions as being the most effective. However, local research points in the opposite direction (targeted interventions for selected subgroups of caregivers). Problem solving interventions were frequently mentioned in the literature, but contain their own areas of concern for implementation. Another area of controversy was found in the area of burden measurement. The majority of research uses the Zarit Burden Interview, but it is not without criticism. Measurements for depression are not nearly as controversial, with the Beck Depression Scale and the CES-D scales being the most commonly accepted. The last important factor that this review examined was confounding variables (e.g., patient PTSD severity, caregiver psychological adjustment, caregiver psychiatric history, and socioeconomic status).

SURVIVING "JUNGLE FEVER": AN EXPLORATION OF INTERRACIAL COUPLES' STRATEGIES FOR COMBATING RACISM

Reginald K. Riggins* and Kerry Ann Rockquemore, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217 and University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607

Despite the rapid growth of interracial marriages, family therapists have paid little attention to the unique stressors these families experience. Faced with racially based disapproval, hostility, and aggression that are absent in same-race unions, interracial families members must develop strategies to cope with racism. Hill and Volker (2000) found that women in Black-White relationships use blocking, transferring and generating strategies to battle racism. In this study, I analyze and coded thirty in-depth interviews of individuals in Black-White relationships to explore the validity of Hill and Volker's framework. The findings presented in this article support Hill and Volker's framework. The results show that the three strategies do exist but interracial couples use them selectively. Depending on the setting (family, friends, co-workers, and social settings), interracial couples choose specific strategies to fit specific settings. The research suggests that the patterns of why specific strategies are used in specific places are a result of interracial couples choosing what they think is the best course of action to preserve their relationship. In conclusion, a more comprehensive understanding of successful and unsuccessful strategies used by interracial families can help therapists working with such families in their clinical practice by making visible the invisible labor of facing racism in a "colorblind" Post-Civil Rights America. This research was supported by NIHM-COR Grant MH 16926.

RELEASE OF ENDOGENOUS CYTOKINES IN RESPONSE TO FOOD RESTRICTION

Chrissie Faust, Camille Herman, and Andrew Thaw*, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS 39210

Past research has identified an excessive amount of the cytokines inter-leukin 1-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients seeking treatment for eating disorders. A return to normal levels of cytokines is seen once the patients return to a normal body weight. These cytokines are known to be potent appetite suppressants, thus the involvement of cytokines in the development of eating disorders is examined in this research project. Specifically, we demonstrate that cytokines are released in response to sudden weight loss and thus may contribute to the decreased appetite and further weight loss of patients with eating disorders. Juvenile Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed to eat ad libitum for 4 weeks. Following this initial acclimation period half of the subjects had their food reduced to 10 grams per day (a 50-60% reduction) for 3-4 weeks, or until they reached approximately 70% of the weight of the rats still on the ad libitum diet. This procedure mimics a sudden caloric restriction that might be imposed by someone beginning a strict diet. Once experimental weight was reached cytokine levels were examined in both groups using standard ELISA kits. Results demonstrate that cytokines are released in response to food restriction. This supports the hypothesis that such cytokines are present in excess amounts prior to cachexia and muscle wasting and may be a critical physiological factor in eating disorders.

3:50 Divisional Business Meeting