In this study, we examined the association among perceptions of racial and/or ethnic discrimination, racial climate, and trauma-related symptoms among 289 racially diverse college undergraduates. Study measures included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version, and the Racial Climate Scale. Results of a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated that Asian and Black students reported more frequent experiences of discrimination than did White students. Additionally, the MANOVA indicated that Black students perceived the campus racial climate as being more negative than did White and Asian students. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that when controlling for generic life stress, perceptions of discrimination contributed an additional 10% of variance in trauma-related symptoms for Black students, and racial climate contributed an additional 7% of variance in trauma symptoms for Asian students.

Objective: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementia but are understudied in African Americans (AAs). We compared SMC endorsement in white and AA participants and evaluated predictors of diagnostic progression. Methods: Initial visit variables, including SMC and memory performance, were compared within a cognitively normal race-matched sample of white and AA participants ( N total = 912; 456each race) to assess the presence and predictors of SMC, the predictors of future diagnostic progression, and the change in memory performance over time. Results: More white (32.9%) than AA (24.3%) participants reported SMC ( P < .01, ϕ = −.10). Subjective memory complaint was predicted by memory performance ( B = −0.03, standard error [SE] = 0.013, odds ratio [OR] = .968, P < .05) and race ( B = −0.99, SE = 0.080, OR = .373, P < .001). Subjective memory complaints and memory performance were associated with progression, χ2 (3, n = 912) = 102.37, P < .001. African American race (−2.05 ± 0.24 SE) and SMC (−0.45 ± 0.21 SE) were associated with worse memory performance at baseline and over time, χ 2(3) = 13.54, P < .01. Conclusions: In contrast to previous research, our study found that SMC is associated with diagnostic progression and objective memory declines in both white and AA participants.

No abstract

Introduction: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use continues to be a significant public health challenge in the United States, particularly among young males in rural areas, where use remains disproportionately high. In support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's first nationwide SLT public education campaign, formative research was conducted to inform campaign strategy development and test creative concepts.Methods: Qualitative research methods were used to inform the strategic direction of the campaign, identify salient message themes, and refine creative concepts. Focus groups were conducted with 252 rural male youth ages 12–17 in seven states. Groups were organized by SLT status (i.e., at-risk for initiating vs. experimenting with SLT) and age group.Results: SLT use is culturally ingrained in rural communities, and rural youth are commonly exposed to SLT through close relationships. Among this group, “dipping” (SLT use) has strong cultural significance and is perceived as safe. Members of the target audience are receptive to straightforward facts delivered by authentic messengers about the potentially harmful consequences of SLT use, specifically those that leverage the progression of short-term consequences (e.g., white patches) to long-term health effects.Conclusions: This study addresses SLT literature gaps related to youth knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs by summarizing audience learnings from formative research that was used to develop the first national SLT public education campaign.

No abstract