Presentations

Title: Paternal Alcohol Use, Maternal Warmth and Psychosocial Outcomes among Adolescents Participating in a School-Based Substance Abuse Intervention.

Presenter: Dr. Neta Peleg
Date: February 26, 2007

Children of Alcoholics (COAs) are at increased risk for a range of negative psychosocial outcomes, including substance use problems. Maternal warmth has been demonstrated to have a significant influence on substance related problems among teenagers. However, the effect of maternal warmth on substance use, specifically among adolescent COAs, has received much less attention in literature. The aim of the current study was to examine paternal history of alcohol use problems and maternal warmth as both independent and interactive predictors of psychosocial functioning among adolescents with substance use problems.171 students participated in this cross-sectional study of data derived from an NIAAA-funded randomized clinical trial of school-based group intervention for adolescents with alcohol use problems. Data was derived from the self-reports collected at baseline from the adolescent. Measurements included COA status, maternal warmth, adolescent substance use, psychiatric disorders, coping skills, and social skills. Results indicated that paternal alcohol use and low maternal warmth increased the risk for adolescent problems. The presentation will discuss theoretical and practical implications.

Presenter: Dr. Timothy Sim
Date: February 21, 2007

Description: This presentation begins with a brief overview of adolescent drug abuse and rehabilitation in Hong Kong Special Administration Region of Peoples’ Republic of China. The gap in understanding the family of adolescent drug rehabilitation in Hong Kong is highlighted. This presentation maps the dynamics of family relationship in adolescent drug rehabilitation in a Chinese context by specifically answering the question: “What are the salient aspects of family relationship in adolescent drug rehabilitation? Family interaction and emotional regard are found to be most pertinent to family functioning. Each dimension consists of both positive and negative aspects that call for a more dynamic and complex conceptualization of family strengths and stresses, with due consideration given to the culturally accepted roles and responsibilities of family members. While family relationship is found to improve through family-based intervention, parents are found to be significant figures in helping the adolescents in drug recovery, particularly in monitoring and supporting the adolescents in drug rehabilitation.

Presenter:  Dr. Anna Tkachenko 
Date:  June 7, 2006

Description:  This presentation gives a brief description of the drug use and HIV problem in Russia for the last several years and changes from the Soviet time.  The concentration is on the Russian Far East territory and Khabarovsk region, closest to the China border.

Presenter:  Dr. Gail Shor-Posner
Date:    April 19, 2006

Description:  This presentation gives a brief description of the plan of work and main goals of division of disease prevention with a concentration on healthy nutrition, alternative medical systems and mind-body interventions which are viewed as methods to prevent disease and improve immune status of the patient. There was International research collaboration and education plans between the University of Miami and colleagues from countries of Central and South America.

Presenter:  Dr. Margaret Byrne
Date:    April 18, 2006

Description:  This presentation raises the very important topic of payment to research subjects.  Both sides of the argument were discussed in relation to the ethical and practical aspects of the incentives given to research participants.

The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health will hold an open seminar on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., at the Architecture Auditorium, Coral Gables Campus.

Topic: "Climate variability, Aedes aegypti indices and epidemiology of dengue in Trinidad (2002-2004)"

Speaker: Dr. Dave D. Chadee, Lecturer in Medical Entomology and Parasitology, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies.

The following abstract provides additional details on the topic:

Between January 2002 and December 2004, a population-based study on the effects of climate and mosquito indices on the incidences of dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) was conducted in Trinidad, West Indies. The incidence of DF was 5.05 cases/1000 population in 2002, largely as the result of a major outbreak, but declined to 0.49 case/1000 in 2004. The monthly Aedes aegypti (L.) Breteau indices (BI) did not decline over the 3-year study period, however, but increased from a mean of 29 in 2002 to one of 36 in 2004, with seasonal variations (BI of 30-46 and 20-34 were recorded in the wet and dry seasons, respectively). No significant correlations were observed between temperature and DF or DHF incidence but rainfall was found to be significantly correlated with DF incidence, with a clearly defined 'dengue season', between June and November, in two of the study years. The apparent decline in dengue transmission since 2002 appears to be largely attributable to the development of 'herd immunity' in the general population and not to the attempts at vector control. Since the introduction of new serotypes or the fading of the herd immunity could lead to an explosive epidemic of dengue in Trinidad, there is clearly a need for continued surveillance.

Dr. Peleg-Oren completed her doctoral education at Tel-Aviv University in Israel. As part of her dissertation she investigated the psychological and social adjustment of school-aged children of fathers with substance use disorders. She also worked as a clinician with children and adolescents in prevention and intervention programs of alcohol and drug abuse. Dr. Peleg-Oren moved with her family to Florida and currently she is at C-BIRG, Florida International University. This month Dr. Peleg-Oren submitted a grant proposal to NIH entitled “Alcohol and other Drugs Use and Trauma in Middle School Adolescents”. She will present her current study on adolescents with substance use problems and will appreciate your feedback. Please join us Monday, February 26, 2007 at 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the CRB's 10the Floor Conference Room.

Download Dr. Peleg's Presentation.

We are very pleased to have Dr. Timothy Sim, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore join us, who will be making a presentation on "Idiosyncrasies of Adolescent Drug Treatment in a Chinese Context." You may view or download two of his publications here:  Dr. Sim 2005 and Dr. Sim 2006. Dr. Sim's presentation is scheduled for:

Wednesday, February 21
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
10th Floor Conference Room
Clinical Research Building
1120 Northwest 14 Street
Miami, Florida

Light lunch will be served

(Parking garage is adjacent to building)

Dr. Timothy Sim, Ph.D.

After obtaining his B.A (Hons) in the National University of Singapore, Dr. Sim continued his post-graduate training in family therapy at the Counselling and Care Centre & Institute of Family Therapy (UK), followed by a specialist training in Family Therapy at King’s College, University of London, UK. Subsequently, Dr. Sim completed his doctoral education at the University of Hong Kong in Family Studies. Drawing from his extensive experience as a practitioner since 1991, he is particularly interested in researching on individuals who have addiction problems, with a special focus on their social and cultural contexts. He certainly enjoys thinking about research and practice issues related to videogame addiction, drug abuse, rehabilitation of ex-offenders, and family-based treatment research.