Real men don’t eat quiche: regulation of gender-expressive choices by men

From: Social Psychological and Personality Science

While it is recognized that Barbie dolls are perceived as feminine and Action figures as masculine, less is considered about the gender associations related to everyday items like the food we choose to eat. This series of studies reveal for instance that sour dairy products tend to be perceived as relatively feminine, whereas meat tends to be perceived as relatively masculine. Men are inclined to forgo their intrinsic preferences to conform to a masculine gender identity. Women, on the other hand, appear to be less concerned with making gender-congruent choices. This research attempts to provide insight into how gender links affect the decision making of men and women differently.

Revisiting gifted education myths

A special issue

From: Gifted Child Quarterly

A quarter of a century after first discussed, despite the fact the times have continued to be characterized by great change, in society as well as throughout education, the old myths surrounding gifted education remain. This special issue revisits the popular winter 1982 issue that focused specifically on the challenge of “Demythologizing Gifted Education”. 15 myths in gifted education were identified. This new issue reveals that the original ideas still persist and also some new ones have emerged. The hope is this new issue will stimulate lively discussion it concludes there is a need in the field for commitment to research and development, and highlights the importance of support from parents, educators, administrators, policy makers, and researchers.

Promising results suggest Ecstacy may be used to treat trauma

The safety and efficacy of _3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamineassisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study

From: Journal of Psychopharmacology

This study reveals how MDMA (Ecstacy) was used as a catalyst to psychotherapy to treat patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. The goal of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is to temporarily reduce fear and increase trust without inhibiting emotions, especially painful emotions, allowing these patients a window where psychotherapy for their PTSD is effective. This article identifies PTSD as a debilitating anxiety disorder currently considered as a major worldwide public health problem.  The lifetime prevalence of PTSD in the general population is between 6% and 10% for US soldiers returning from Iraq and/or Afghanistan the incidence of PTSD is as high as 18% and it is estimated that those with PTSD will number between 75,000 and 225,000. The promising results of this initial pilot study offer hope for treatment of the disorder, investigators have now received the go ahead from the US (FDA) for a protocol design.

Is heavy drinking an integral part of a sailor’s life?

The impact of occupational culture on drinking behaviour of young adults in the U.S. Navy

From: Journal of Mixed Methods Research

Although heavy drinking is widely perceived to be a fundamental part of Navy life, little has been known about specific elements of the U.S. Navy workplace that may influence alcohol consumption. Previous surveys have identified that rates of heavy drinking are consistently higher for young adults in the military compared to civilians, and in fact higher among military populations of all ages. It is observed there are several important features of the Navy that contribute to problem drinking, perhaps most importantly the Navy culture has emphasized drinking as a mechanism for male bonding, recreation, and stress relief.

This mixed method study offers a comprehensive understanding of the contributory factors crucial to designing effective interventions. Findings may heighten awareness that elements of organizational culture can put young adults entering the workplace at risk for unhealthy drinking patterns.

Can you hear me now? The experience of a deaf family member surrounding the death of loved ones

From: Palliative Medicine

It is well documented that good communication is a vitally important issue to family members of a dying person. The challenges for a Deaf person in this situation are therefore often considerably greater. Estimates of the size of the Deaf community range from 100,000 to 1.8 million in the USA alone.  American Sign Language is considered the third most commonly used language in the USA. It is clear Deaf people are a significant demographic and this case study highlights how their needs have been largely overlooked. There is limited research concerning healthcare for the Deaf community and even less regarding care at the end of life. This study offers a framework for future research and provides valuable guidance for clinicians.

A bleak prediction for the stability of Afghanistan and Iraq

Perfect Storms? Political Instability in Imposed Polities and the Futures of Iraq and Afghanistan

From: Journal of Conflict Resolution

How stable will the new democratic political systems be in Iraq and Afghanistan? This analysis offers a grim prognosis for domestic peace in these post-invasion states.  Some theorists look to the successes of the post–World War II democracies and market economies in West Germany and Japan as models of political development, other experts argue the differences between the past and present are too great to adopt the same approach. In addition, the large number of causal forces, such as militarily aggressive neighboring states, a faltering economy, and the presence of the imposing state, hinder domestic stability in Afghanistan and Iraq. This research examines the political challenges and offers policy insights.

Loss and grief in young children

From: Young Exceptional Children

Most of us faced with a grieving child are likely to feel quite helpless. At such a difficult time, there is limited research into how best to inform teachers and parents to support a child dealing with loss and grief in sensitive and healthy ways. The response of teachers and parents is important for the child’s positive emotional development and to shape reactions to future loss. This article explores the issue of loss to provide a framework to address the topic.

Immigrant volunteering a stepping stone to integration?

From: Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

It is common for immigrants to join religious and social organizations and associations in an attempt to connect and integrate. One less obvious avenue is volunteering.  This article recognizes immigrants have so far been an untapped resource for the volunteering sector, and explores the clear mutual benefits with many opportunities for immigrants to regain social and human capital lost in the migration process. The benefits of volunteering provide a stepping stone for the integration of immigrants into the host society.

Rethinking flood protection options and opportunities for New Orleans

From: Public Works Management & Policy

Over the past 15 years, the cost of natural disasters, not only in the United States but around the world, has noticeably escalated. This decade has already seen $420.6 billion in losses in the US alone. Despite their inadequacies in the face of Hurricane Katrina, federal flood protection and disaster assistance policies remain essentially unchanged today. This paper offers guidance for developing more rational, risk-based government policies for flood protection, approaches that could be less costly and place fewer people and their livelihoods at risk.

MRSA in the United Kingdom where science meets politics, and a sensationalist media produces a misinformed public

From British Journal of Infection Control

‘Hospital superbug claiming lives’, ‘Dirty NHS hospitals to blame for MRSA’, ‘Unclean wards killing patients’. These familiar UK newspaper headlines have terrified the public over recent years. However the author of this letter explains how their move from working on UK NHS wards to American hospitals revealed the superbug is not a problem left behind on British soil. In their experience the bug is just as prevalent in the cleanest US hospitals.  The author believes the great British public need to be made aware that MRSA is a truly global phenomenon plaguing large numbers of countries. The differences observed are less about the spread of the infection and more about the political handling and levels of media propaganda.