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Native Americans have higher rates of unemployment than other minority groups, and why this is so remains unclear. This study sought to determine demographic, physical health, mental health, and psychological symptoms predictive of employment for Native Americans in the Northeastern United States. The participants were 750 Native American men and women who ranged in age from 18 to 64 years. Using logistic regression, the findings indicated that Native Americans with greater education were more likely to be employed than those who were less educated (OR = 1.4, p < .000). Native Americans who rated themselves in better physical health were more likely to be employed (OR = 1.3, p < .003). Those who reported multiple psychiatric disorders were less likely to be employed (OR = 0.69, p < .001). Pervasive sadness was related to a lower likelihood of employment (OR = 0.51, p < . 000). Recommendations for tribal leaders and rehabilitation practitioners are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the meanings of smoking among Asian-America college students and the associations between those meanings and their smoking behaviors. Data were collected from two postsecondary institutions in southern California. A total of 460 students with 205 males and 255 females completed the survey. The odds ratio of each meaning to students' smoking behaviors was calculated. Spearman's correlational analyses were run to make comparisons between genders. Males who endorsed social meanings were more likely to smoke while females who endorsed personal meanings were more likely to smoke. Gender-tailored smoking prevention programs may be needed for Asian- American college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking on college campuses in the United States has increased at an alarming rate since the early 1980s. Smoking rates differ according to students' culture/ethnicity and are linked to levels of acculturation. Little is known concerning the determinants of smoking in college populations. To develop effective smoking interventions targeting college smoking, an understanding of why these populations are taking up tobacco is vital. The meanings with which adolescents imbue smoking have been related to smoking behaviors in adolescent populations. Meanings of particular behaviors are strongly influenced by cultural background and acculturation. Meanings of smoking have not yet been investigated in culturally diverse college-aged populations. This in-depth qualitative investigation examined the meanings of smoking among Chinese and Taiwanese students, who are among the fastest growing populations on U.S. college campuses. These groups were selected to attempt to trace why Asian American students are at higher risk for increased smoking prevalence than any other ethnic group. Personal, functional, and socially relevant meanings emerged as powerful factors that direct smoking behaviors. Because smoking is not accepted as readily in the United States as it is in China and Taiwan, subjects reported experiencing a profound shift in social norms after immigration, which led to a change in meanings of smoking. These changes in meanings precipitated changes in smoking behavior. Smokers reported reducing tobacco use or quitting altogether. Implications of these findings as they relate to patterns of smoking in Chinese American and Taiwanese American populations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent studies have expressed concern about the infrequent and declining use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the United States. However, it is not known whether the US experience reflects changing global practice or one that varies between countries. This observational study examined use of ECT in the largest psychiatric hospital in China's third largest city over a 4-year period, 2014 to 2017., Methods: Unduplicated electronic medical records concerning all inpatients with psychiatric diagnoses were examined. Electroconvulsive therapy utilization rates, correlates of ECT use, and its association with readmission within the 6 months following discharge were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses., Results: Of 13,831 hospitalized patients, 2460 (17.8%) received ECT. Logistic regression analysis showed ECT utilization was independently associated with being female, younger age, being employed, nonlocal residence, involuntary admission, having no health insurance, longer length of stay, and the diagnoses of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Use of ECT has increased since 2014 but was not significantly related to readmission 6 months after discharge., Conclusions: Electroconvulsive therapy use appears to be substantially higher in China than in the United States and is associated with indicators of higher rather than lower functioning as reflected by independent associations with youth, employment, and fewer past hospitalizations, but also with behavioral noncompliance as reflected by involuntary admission, and has increased in recent years. Understanding United States-China discrepancies may further international understanding of the diverse roles of ECT in psychiatric practice.