Psychology and social science.

Chair: David Swanson, University of California, Riverside 

Vice-chair: Carolyn Adams-Price, Mississippi State University 

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Holly

O11.01

1:15 THE LETTER SPAN AND WORD SPAN TESTS OF SHORT TERM MEMORY

Tiffany Smith, Heidi Smith, Reid Jones

Delta State University 

The Digit Span Test is widely used on IQ tests of intelligence as a measure of short term memory (STM). The task involves listening to a series of digits and then repeating them back. A more difficult variation occurs when the subject required to repeat the digits in reverse order. The researchers constructed analogous tasks using letters of the alphabet and one syllable words that began with the same letters. Participants warmed-up with a game of 'Simon', also based on STM. Then participants completed the Digit Span, Letter Span, and Word Span Tests. The last two tasks were counterbalanced. Participant responses to the three STM tasks were related.

O11.02

1:30 SHORT TERM MEMORY IN A PSYCHOMOTOR TASK

Heidi Smith, Tiffany Smith, Reid Jones

Delta State University

Using the popular 'Simon' game, participants listened to and watched a random pattern of sounds, colors, and locations. They were then required to replicate the patterns by pressing light panals on the game. Next, participants were presented with the Digit Span subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and analogous memory tasks using letters of the alphabet and one syllable words. The 'Simon' task was always presented first. The other three tasks were presented in counterbalanced order. Finally, participants filled out a brief demographic survey. Participants were also asked to describe any strategies they used to complete the memory tasks. High levels of performance on 'Simon' (the psychomotor task) were related to the other short term memory tasks and demographics.

O11.03

1:45 GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL AND TEACHER ACCEPTANCE ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA 

Shaila Khan, Linden Haynes, Alfredlene Armstrong

Tougaloo College 

This study explored gender differences in the influence of perceived parental and teacher acceptance/rejection on students' achievement in Mathematics, Science and English subjects in the Mississippi Delta. Parental (PARQ), Teacher (TARQ) Acceptance/Rejection Questionnaires, and Personal Information Form (PIF) were administered to 7th grade students of level 3, 4 and 5 schools (n=358, male=173, female=185). Teacher Evaluation of Student Conduct Questionnaire (TESQ) and students' achievement scores were obtained from teachers and school authorities. For males, results suggested that average grade was negatively correlated with teacher acceptance (r=-.241, p<.01) and teacher evaluation of student conduct (r=-.200, p<.05); and they had higher perceived feelings of teacher rejection (t=1.99, p<.05), and paternal rejection (t=1.82, p<.07). For females, average grade was only negatively correlated with teacher's evaluation of student conduct (r=-.208, p<.01). Teacher acceptance and teacher evaluation of student conduct were positively correlated (r=.231, p<.01). Females' performances in Mathematics (t=4.20, p<.001), Science (t=3.14, p<.01), English (t=4.79, p<.001) subjects and average performance (t=4.64, p<.001) were significantly higher than males. Compared to Level 5 schools, students in level 3 schools had significantly lower Mathematics, Science and average scores, perceived less acceptances from their teachers, and teachers rated their students more negatively. Relationship between teachers and students positively influence academic achievement of students and hence, a better environment for healthy teacher-student relationship should be promoted.

O11.04

2:00 ROLE IDENTITY AND SERVICE-LEARNING

Ann Marie Kinnell, Richard Conville, Mark Hamrick

University of Southern Mississippi

Practitioners of service-learning often notice that community partners, students and faculty members often seem unaware of each other's expectations and needs. When this happens the quality of student learning is damaged, university-community relations are damaged, and the community is not served. To understand the expectations of the parties involved, the investigators engaged in semi-structured interviews with 10 community partners, 10 students, and 10 faculty members involved in service-learning. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using standard procedures of analytic induction. Four themes emerged from the analysis: Control, Preparation, Oversight, and Involvement. Results show that: (1) Instructors indicated moderate levels of control in that they set the parameters of their projects within the context of the course but tended to leave up to the students the specific details of their work with the community partners. Many had low levels of site-based involvement and relied on the community partner for site-based oversight of the students; (2) Community Partners indicated that they would like to have more communication with instructors in setting up the projects and more involvement by the instructor during the project; and (3) Students who indicated that they were highly involved in their projects tended to be more satisfied with their experience. Using research on roles identities, the authors analyze how the roles identities of the involved parties affect the interactions between them in the areas of control, preparation oversight, and involvement.

2:15 Break

O11.05

2:30 PERCEIVED OBSTACLES TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS

Pamela G. Banks

Jackson State University 

Contradictory findings exist regarding the overrepresentation of African Americans in the mental health system and underutilization of mental health services. Underutilization can best be explained by a constellation of barriers that deter African Americans from seeking mental health services. A few studies have been conducted that identify these barriers, e.g., societal stigma, cost, fragmentation of services, lack of availability of services, mistrust, fear, racism and discrimination, etc. The present study, conducted in a university setting, assessed obstacles to seeking mental health treatment. One hundred, eighty-six African American college students (females=136; males=50) completed a survey evaluating preferences and attitudes about mental health services. The participants' ages ranged from 18-54 with a mean age of 23.9 years. Each participant listed their perceived obstacles. Three hundred and twenty-three responses were recorded and analyzed for the sample. The findings show that the most commonly identified obstacles (in rank order) were personal responsibilities/time(24%), social stigma (20%), personality characteristics (18%) and financial constraints (16%). Flaws in the mental health delivery system accounted for 9% of the responses while 10% of the responses indicated that no obstacles were believed to interfere with their seeking mental health treatment. As expected, stigma and cost were deemed obstacles. However, the study provides the unique examination of personal attributes such as pride, denial, fear, stress, motivation and depression as perceived obstacles to help seeking behavior. These findings provide evidence that strategies are needed to reduce these barriers.

O11.06

2:45 THE DEMOGRAPHIC IMPACTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA ON THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST: AN ANALYSIS OF SEX AND AGE GROUPS BY ZIPCODE

David Swanson

University of California Riverside

This paper provides an estimate of the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the populations of 20 selected zipcode areas in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, Mississippi that were at or near the epicenter. The examination of effects on the population proceeds by using 1990 and 2000 census data to develop "Cohort Change Ratios" (Smith, Tayman, and Swanson, 2001: 127-128), which are then adjusted to develop 2007 population estimates that account for the effects of Hurricane Katrina using data collected under the auspices of a study funded by the National Science Foundation and special "Katrina estimates" done by the US Census Bureau for 2006. These estimates represent the only ones available for these zipcodes that utilize "on-the-ground" data.

O11.07

3:00 EXTRAVERSION AND CELL PHONE USE

Jerry Scott, Johnny Hunsucker, Megan Jackson, Reid Jones

Delta State University

Persons who heavily use cell phones for social calls might be considered extraverts (who have high needs for social conversations) or possibly introverts (persons who avoid non-phone social interactions but may spend large amounts of time on the cell phone with only one or two persons). Surveys were developed for extraversion/introversion and cell phone usage. The surveys showed acceptable reliability and validity data. A ratio was constructed for the amount of time using a cell phone divided by the number of different persons usually called. That ratio was correlated to the extraversion score of the participating subjects.

O11.08

3:15 CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS AND PERSONALITY

Johnny Hunsucker, Megan Jackson, Jerry Scott, Reid Jones

Delta State University

A survey was developed to measure the degree to which a person's political viewpoints could be classified along a dimension from low conservatism to high conservatism. Some items were modified from the widely used "F Scale" for authoritarianism. Satisfactory measures of internal consistency and validity were obtained for the survey. Participants were asked to complete the survey as well as a nationally validated measure of the 'Big Five' personality traits. Profiles of likely personality traits for low and high conservative persons were compared.

O11.09

3:30 NARCISSISM AND PERSONALITY TRAITS

Megan Jackson, Jerry Scott, Johnny Hunsucker, Reid Jones

Delta State University

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical manual (DSM-IV-TR) as an exaggerated sense of self importance, abilities, or characteristics. Additionally, the person has strong needs to be admired. The DSM-IV-TR views this as a 'life-long' problem, and not as one that may occur because of important successes as an adult. For example, many professional musicians, athletes, and even medical doctors are believed to be narcissistic, although this differs from the personality disorder in that it was acquired later in life. By studying college students, it might be possible to detect early tendencies toward narcissism before the person has had many important successes as an adult. A self-report survey of narcissistic tendencies was constructed and showed preliminary ecvidence of reliability and validity. The survey was administered to college students along with a widely used survey of the 'Big Five' personality traits. Narcissism was interpreted in terms of each of these traits.

3:45 Division Business Meeting

6:00 Dodgen Reception and Poster Session (Please set up between 4:00 and 4:30p) Location: Grand Ballroom

P11.01

THE INFLUENCE OF GENDER ROLE ORIENTATION ON CHILDHOOD FRIENDSHIP PATTERNS

Ashley Durkee, Karen Christoff

University of Mississippi 

Gender role orientation (GRO) is an area of increasing interest with regard to social relationships. Some researchers posit that differences in GRO may more accurately describe phenomena that were previously thought to be sex differences, while others suggest androgynous individuals tend to be healthier psychologically. However, much of this research has focused on adults. Perhaps if we are able to learn more about the impact of GRO on social relationships in children, interventions can be developed in order to promote androgyny, and thus greater psychological health, from a young age. The purpose of this project was to investigate the ways in which GRO, and androgyny in particular, influences childhood friendship patterns. 103 children, age 7-8, participated in individual interviews, consisting of the Children's Sex Role Inventory (CSRI; Boldizar, 1991) and sociometric peer nominations. Children showed significant preference for androgynous friends, regardless of their own GRO. Furthermore, the children who were consistently rated as "most popular" among their classmates were significantly more likely to be androgynous. Roughly half of participants preferred friends who adhere to the same GRO as themselves. Of those who preferred friends of a different GRO, a significant proportion preferred androgynous friends. It appears that childhood androgyny may be associated with being liked. Perhaps this is due to the fact that androgynous individuals possess both masculine and feminine personality traits and therefore tend to have more in common with greater numbers of people.

P11.02

TO HEAR, OR NOT TO ADHERE: A FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON SISTERTALK ADHERE PARTICIPANTS

Keita Rouser (1), Thomas Lasater (2)

(1) Tougaloo College, (2) Brown University

Black women in the U.S. have obesity problems with a dramatically increased rate in the prevalence of overweight Black women. The SisterTalk ADHERE program was developed to help Black women decrease their weight and blood pressure by promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity. This study explores the adherence of the SisterTalk ADHERE participants to the nutritional suggestions and the overall effectiveness of the program among the participants of a clinical delivery group. A survey of 25 questions was asked to participants in the clinic group (the clinic group consisted of weekly meetings with a facilitator and other participants to watch SisterTalk videos and receive supplementary materials). Results from this study showed that participation in the SisterTalk ADHERE program helped participants develop ways to promote long-term healthy eating habits. The SisterTalk ADHERE program worked for the majority of these women in a way that they were able to take what they learned in their weekly sessions and remember to apply it to long-term dietary changes. Many of the participants still kept in contact with other participants and frequently exercised and shared healthy eating tips with each other.

P11.03

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CHILDREN'S AGGRESSION AND POPULARITY PATTERNS

Kristen Tyson

University of Mississippi

Children labeled by their peers as popular have shown an increase in aggressive acts, which can be used to obtain and maintain their status. Aggression is also most associated with males, whose masculine identity demands strength, power, and physical prowess, but girls have developed their own socially acceptable means of asserting their power through relational aggression (Rose et al., 2004). This study sought to measure and compare the amount and types of aggression exhibited by male and female 2nd graders through peer nominations in a sociometric questionnaire. Boys and girls were found to participate in equal amounts of gender-specific aggressive behavior. Girls, who according to their scores on the BSRI were classified as traditionally feminine, were more likely to use relational aggression. Acts such as excluding peers from participating in an activity, spreading rumors about a classmate, and getting even by keeping a classmate from being in their group of friends were all significantly correlated with popularity in girls, while overtly aggressive acts of hitting, pushing, and beating up another classmate were not significantly correlated with popularity in girls or boys. These findings illustrate that the covert mechanisms of relational aggression can be powerful tools of obtaining popularity in girls and can be detrimental to the psyches of all girls who utilize relational aggression and are abused by its use.

Rose, Amanda J., Swenson, Lance P., & Waller, Erika M. (2004). Overt and relational aggression and perceived popularity: Developmental differences in concurrent and prospective relations. Developmental Psychology, 40, 378-387.

P11.04

EFFECTS OF BILINGUALISM ON MEMORY ENHANCEMENT

Preeti Kumar

Mississippi College 

Bilingualism is a growing necessity for today's society. Much research has been conducted on the benefits of being bilingual. The purpose of the current study is to test the memory of monolingual and bilingual college-age students at a private college using digit span, picture-naming, and listening comprehension. It is hypothesized that bilingual participants will score better than their monolingual counter-parts in all three areas.

P11.05

PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

Bouchra Koussih, Bryman Willimas

Jackson State University

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived social support, depression and life satisfaction in elderly African-American residents of nursing homes. A survey design was used to study a convenience sample of elderly African-American adults (n=9) selected from two nursing homes in the state of Mississippi. The participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, The LSI-Z, The SSAS and the GDS. It was found that life satisfaction was significantly negatively related to perceived social support and to availability of close friends. Perceived social support and life satisfaction were not significantly related to depression and neither was involvement in church related activities. Regression analyses indicated that availability of friends and perceived social support from friends add to the prediction of depression while perceived social support from family does not. Non parametric analyses uncovered that females experienced a higher level of life satisfaction than males. Male residents perceived a higher level of perceived social support than females and unmarried residents (divorced, widowed or single) had a higher perception of social support than married residents. These results have implications for the development of interventions designed to improve the quality of life and psychological well-being of elderly African-American nursing home residents by increasing social activities and enhancing interpersonal relationships and interactions for the purpose of building a large network of friendships.

P11.06

RACE AND ITS EFFECT IN SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Pamela G. Banks, Joseph Hayes

Jackson State University

There is contradictory evidence about the utilization of mental health services by African Americans. Some researchers have reported that African Americans are overrepresented in the mental health care system while others report that African Americans tend to underutilize these services. The 2001 Surgeon General Report highlighted barriers that include race, poverty, stigma and cultural mistrust. A descriptive study based on preliminary data was conducted to assess the specific role that race may play in perceptions about seeking mental health services. A group of college students (N= 186, females=136; males=50) was asked the following question: "Do you think that your race (e.g. being an African American) would affect your seeking professional mental health services?" The participants' ages ranged from 18-54 with a mean age of 23.9 years. The results show that 80% of the participants did not think that race would affect their seeking mental health services, while 20% perceived that that race does have an effect. A look at the breakdown by gender showed that 82% of the females reported that race does not influence their help seeking behaviors. Similar to the overall sample, 18 % of the females perceived race to be a mediating factor. The male participants appear to have placed more emphasis on race; 28% believed that race was a determinant while 72% did not believe that race influenced their seeking mental health services. In this preliminary analysis, for a sizable proportion of the sample, race is still an influencing factor.

P11.07

EFFECTIVENESS OF A BRIEF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION QUESTONNAIRE FOR COMMUNITY SCREENING

Preeti Kumar, Shambhavi Chandraiah

University of Mississippi Medical Center 

The purpose of this pilot study was to analyze existing data obtained from voluntary female participants at a community health screening for depression and anxiety and to evaluate its effectiveness. It was hypothesized that both the depression and anxiety screening questionnaires would be an effective tool for community-wide screening. The screening was conducted in May 2004 for women in Jackson, MS at the National Women's Health Checkup Day Health Fair. Both NIMH questionnaires were intended for patient self-evaluation for possible depression (15 items) and anxiety(37 items). 28 women chose to be screened for depression and 40 women chose to be screened for anxiety. The questionnaires were evaluated by matching the items on the questionnaire with the criteria given for the respective disorders in the DSM IV TR. Analysis of results showed that 14% of the women screened positive for potential major depressive disorder, 11% for dysthymia, 31.7% for generalized anxiety disorder, 35% for panic disorder/attack, 4.9% for obsessive compulsive disorder, and 0% for post traumatic stress disorder. In the depression sample, Caucasians were the majority, and in the anxiety sample, African Americans were the majority. While some of the current study's results do support the results of similar studies done previously, it is likely the small sample size of this study causes differences with other existing results. Further suggestions on modifying this questionnaire for screening or ongoing progress of treatment, along with comparison with other available questionnaires will be discussed.

P11.08

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG CLINICALLY ADMITTED SAMPLE AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

Ashley Wilson, Shaila Khan

Tougaloo College

Substance abuse involves the excessive or repeated use of legal or illegal drugs to produce pleasure or escape reality. Growing evidence indicates that substance use disorders and mood and anxiety disorders are far more widespread among the general population than previously assumed. Past history of a mental disorder was associated with more than twice the risk of having an alcohol disorder and four times the risk of having another drug disorder. Research done by Grant, Stinson, Dawson, Chou, Dufour, Compton, et al., (2006) show that there are extremely high numbers of substance abuse disorders and mood and anxiety disorders in the United States population and confirm the strength of association between them. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between substance abuse disorders and mood and anxiety disorders among clinically admitted sample and college students. Using a convenient sample, data were collected from 40 clinically admitted participants and 40 college students. Three Questionnaires were administered which included Substance Abuse Questionnaire, Depression Questionnaire, and Anxiety Questionnaires along with a Demographic survey. Anxiety and depression was the independent variables and substance abuse was the dependent variable First it was hypothesized that if anxiety level and depression was found to be high participants will abuse substance more. Second, it was hypothesized that clinically admitted participants will have more anxiety, depression and history of substance abuse compared with college students. Correlation and t tests will be performed to test the hypothesis. The study is still on going.

P11.09

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Chaquina Griffin, Shaila Khan

Tougaloo College

Our psychological well-being plays a very important role in our everyday lives. It may also be related with how we react with others, such as our partner, lover, spouse, or whatever term one may prefer to use to describe that significant other. It is important to understand what the psychological basic needs are. There has been research showing that autonomy, competence, and relatedness all relate to emotional well-being (Reis, Sheldon, Gable, Roscoe, & Ryan, 2000). Emotional dependence is also connected with one's well-being (Reiss et al., 2000).

The purpose of the study was to find whether there was a positive correlation between better psychological well being and better interpersonal relationship. A convenient sample of 80 undergraduate college participants, (40 males, 40 females) were given a Demographical Informational Sheet, a Psychological Well-being survey and an Interpersonal Relationship survey (Snell, 1997). The independent variable was psychological well-being and the dependent variable was interpersonal relationship. The Psychological Well-being survey had 51 items. The response type was on a 7-point scale. Higher sore revealed better psychological well-being. The Interpersonal Relationship survey had 31 items. The response type was on a 5 point Likert type. Higher sore revealed better interpersonal relationship. It was hypothesized that participants who have better psychological adjustment will also demonstrate better interpersonal relationship. It was also hypothesized that the relationship between psychological well-being and interpersonal relationship will vary according to gender. Correlations and t tests will be performed to test the hypothesis.

P11.10

FFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON STRESS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Iman Abdelrahman, Shaila Khan

Tougaloo College

Physical activity or inactivity has been found as one of the most dominant precursors to stress related symptom in the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that rates of physical inactivity are more rampant in minority groups such as women, adults with lower income, African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians (Castro & Wilcox, 2000). However, little research has been done on these groups to understand the personal and environmental obstacles that make these groups such large targets. This study examined the attitudes and the occurrences of physical activity among college students and how this correlates with their level of stress, or anxiety. Eighty African American college students (45 female and 35 male) were asked to complete two questionnaires. These included the Physical Activity Questionnaire which measured things such as how much the individual was involved in vigorous intensity activities during the day to how much time they spend doing moderate intensity activities as part of their work or schooling and the Anxiety Rating Scale Questionnaire which measured things such as how tense or restless one feels throughout the day. It was hypothesized that those reporting a higher level of physical activity level will have a lower level of stress or anxiety. It was also hypothesized that men are involved in more physical activities compared to females. Correlation and t-tests will be performed to test the hypothesis. The study is still on going.

P11.11

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ROAD RAGE AND ANGER AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Jessica Lee, Shaila Khan

Tougaloo College

Road rage is when a driver or passenger attempts to kill, injure or intimidate a pedestrian, another driver, another passenger, or to damage their cars in a traffic incident (Smart, Mann & Goldbloom, 2005). Angry drivers are hostile in thinking; take more risks while driving; get angry easier; behave more aggressively; more likely to have more accidents; as well as have more anger, anxiety and impulsive traits (Dittman, 2005). The present study investigated the relationship between road rage and anger among African American college students. It was hypothesized that a positive correlation will be found among road rage and anger; (b) fresh-persons will demonstrate more road rage and anger compared to sophomores, juniors, and seniors; and (c) males will have a higher level of road rage and anger compared to females Eighty African American college students (40 men, 40 women) selected conveniently were given a questionnaire entitled: Road Rage Questionnaire and a Demographical information sheet. A significant positive correlation between road rage and anger (r=.609, p<.01) was found. ANOVA showed that road rage significantly varied according to classification [F(3,40)=4.62, p<.007]. Post hoc Tukey's tests showed that road rage for fresh-persons was significantly higher compared to juniors, and that for juniors was significantly higher compared to seniors. Males also showed significantly higher road rage compared to females [t(42)=1.77, p<.08]. Males also scored higher on anger scale compared to females [t(42)=3.16, p<.003].

P11.12

EFFECTS OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, SUPPORT, AND WARMTH ON STUDENTS' SELF-ESTEEM

Stephanie McGee, Shaila Khan

Tougaloo College

Parent-child interaction is substantial to child development. According to recent research, supportive parenting is linked to adolescent self-esteem (Dekovic & Meeus, 1997; Spoth, Redmond, Hockaday, & Yoo, 1996; Rice, 1990; Hoetler & Harper, 1987). Adolescents who receive positive parental support generally have higher self-esteem. They tend to be cheerful and social and do well in school while those with low self-esteem tend to be depressed and shy (Plotnik, 1999). Lack of parental support is cited as a strong correlate of adolescent substance problems and delinquent behavior (Barnes, Farrell, & Cairns, 1986; Hundleby & Mercer, 1987; Simmons, Lin, & Gordon, 1998). The present study investigated to see if parental involvement, support, and warmth have an influence on college and high school students' self-esteem. The participants were of both Africa American and Caucasian decent. There were a total of 80 participants (20 high school males and 20 high school females; 20 male college students and 20 female college students) who were given two questionnaires Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and another questionnaire which measured students perception of their parent/guardians which is composed of 42 questions and is rated on a 7-point scale. It was hypothesized that (a) students whose parents are more involved with their lives and give them emotional support and warmth have higher self-esteem; and (b) there will be gender and age differences in such relationships. T-tests will be performed to test the hypotheses. The study is still ongoing.

P11.13

RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND DIETARY HABITS AMONG OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE COLLEGE STUDENTS

Danielle Bogan, Madhu Singh

Tougaloo College

In the United States, obesity is increasingly considered an epidemic affecting the nation. Among the fifty states, Mississippi has the highest obesity rate with 30.6 percent of adults considered obese (Trust for America's Health, 2007). Obesity can be managed by both exercise and diet however, only 26 percent of adults engage in vigorous leisure-time and about 59 percents of adults do no vigorous physical activity at all in their leisure-time. (Weight-control Information Network, (WIN) 2007) and their eating habits are poor. This study was conducted to determine racial differences in physical activity and dietary habits among overweight and obese college students It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in the amount of physical activity undertaken by African-American and Caucasian overweight and obese college students, but there would be a difference in their eating habits. Further, males would be less physically active than females, and females more careful about their dietary habits. Data was collected on 80 college students recruited from both an African-American and Caucasian liberal arts institution, using convenient sampling. Surveys included Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ), Physical Activity Survey, which assessed the physical activity level, and a Fat-Related Diet Habits Questionnaire assessed the history of food choices in the past month. Participants were classified according to the body mass index (BMI) as normal weight, overweight, or obese. The data will be analyzed using the Statistically Package of Social Science (SPSS) software. Outcomes of this study are still being reviewed.

P11.14

REFINED ASSESSMENT OF MALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN RATS AFTER EARLY LIFE EXPOSURE TO SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITOR ANTIDEPRESSANTS (SSRIS)

Christopher Campbell (1), Spencer Bowley (1), Ian A. Paul (3)

(1) Base-Pair Program, Jackson Public School, (2) Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, (3) Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior

Early life exposure of male rats to tricyclic antidepressants as well as SSRIs results in lasting changes in behavior, including significant impairment of sexual behavior. Moreover, this is accompanied by sustained reductions in the expression of neuronal serotonin markers. This indicates that early maternal SSRI exposure may produce lasting neurobiological effects in infants. However, we have noted instability in this behavior in rats, particularly among controls, which has hindered our ability to relate the behavioral changes to the changes in neurochemical expression in serotonergic neurons. One possible source of instability may be the imprecision of the 4 behavior rating system initially employed in these experiments. To determine whether a more detailed system will result in a shift in the stability of the ratings, we began analyzing male sexual behavior using an 8 behavior rating system as well as evaluating the behavior of stimulus females. We noted both a reduced variability in data from males as well as that females were not uniformly sexually proceptive/ receptive. Failure of the stimulus females to emit appropriate sexual behaviors appeared to disrupt the male's sexual activity, particularly among control animals which increased experimental variability. IAP Supported by funds from RR-17701 to the Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience.

P11.15

THE EFFECTS OF ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS ON BODY IMAGE AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG COLLEGE WOMEN

Portia Bobbitt, Ena Knott-Scott

Tougaloo College

A romantic relationship is about finding companionship, commitment, emotional security, communication, happiness and it can play a role in one's identity. A friendship, which is often the first stage of a relationship, starts by wanting to know a person and involves happiness, companionship and emotional security, just as in romantic relationships. This study looks at issues women go through when in a romantic relationship regarding self-esteem, body image and value of one's self. A partner's self esteem can be the foundation of a relationship; it holds a good relationship together and can tear a relationship apart. This study is being conducted to explore the effects of romantic relationships on African American women's body image and self-esteem. It was predicted that women within a romantic relationship would have higher self- esteem levels and value their appearance more than women not in a relationship. Data collection is ongoing with an expected participant total of 80 female students enrolled in a southern historically black college. Participants will complete the Rosenberg self-esteems scale (Rosenberg, 1965) to determine low and high self esteem, The Body Image scale by Licazoli and Brannon-Quam (2000) and will be asked about their relationship status. Analysis will be done using t-tests to compare women in a relationship to those not in a relationship in regards to their self esteem and body image.