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Objective: Research indicates that coping styles mediate self-control and health outcomes. Emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies (eg, getting advice or planning) are used to address stressors. In contrast, avoidance-focused strategies (eg, substance use) are used to escape distress and are associated with greater alcohol problems. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between college students' levels of self-control, coping styles, and alcohol use and problems. Participants and Methods: 183 undergraduates completed questionnaires regarding self-control, coping styles, and alcohol consumption and problems. We hypothesized that self-control would be associated with alcohol problems through avoidance-focused coping, but not emotion- or problem-focused coping. Results: Our results were consistent with our hypothesis with and without controlling for alcohol consumption. Undergraduates lower in self-control who engage in avoidance-focused coping may experience greater alcohol problems. Conclusions: University programs dedicated to addressing substance use among undergraduates may develop workshops that promote problem- or emotion-focused coping strategies as alternatives to avoidance-focused strategies.

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BACKGROUND: Prior research indicates that difficulties in emotion regulation may contribute to the use of substances (e.g. alcohol and marijuana) to alleviate negative affect. Therefore, we hypothesized that coping motives for alcohol and marijuana use would serve as an intermediary in the relationship between emotion dysregulation and alcohol/marijuana-related outcomes. Methods: The sample comprised 241 college students who used both alcohol and marijuana and 378 college students who used alcohol only. Parallel indirect effects models were estimated to test the hypothesis that emotion dysregulation is associated with alcohol and marijuana use/problems through alcohol and marijuana coping motives. Results: Coping motives were consistently identified as the driving intermediary when it came to alcohol and marijuana problems, as well as marijuana consumption. Enhancement motives were only implicated in the relationship between emotion dysregulation and alcohol consumption among the alcohol-only group. Conclusion: Overall, the pattern of results suggests that, as hypothesized, alcohol and/or marijuana users higher in emotion dysregulation are more likely to use alcohol or marijuana to alleviate negative affect. Although further research is warranted, individuals who use substances for coping purposes may benefit from interventions designed to improve emotion regulation skills.

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The validity of the California Q-set measure of life history (LH) strategy was examined by conducting secondary analyses on longitudinal data that included the Q-sort measure of LH strategy at multiple ages (base year N = 106) and six measures of reproductive behavior. LH strategy Q-sort ratings showed stability from ages 14-23. Additionally, the ratings were found to be good prospective and age concurrent predictors of six reproductive behaviors. LH strategy as rated at age 14 was found to be a significant predictor of age of sexual debut, number of sexual partners, frequency of intercourse, number of abortions, age at birth of first child, and likelihood for having contracted venereal disease as measured up to age 32. Future research should test the further utility of the measure focusing on ways to reduce its cumbersomeness without reducing its ability to predict behavioral outcomes.

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The purpose of this research was to create two scales, one to measure the tendency to perpetrate sexual coercion and one the tendency to be a victim of sexual coercion (Study 1), and to provide data validating the scales (Studies 2 and 3). Using the rational method of scale construction, two 13-item scales were constructed: the Perpetrator of Sexual Coercion Scale and the Victim of Sexual Coercion Scale. Construct validity (Study 2) was based on significant correlations with measures of engaging in promiscuous sex and abuse of alcohol. Support was found for the hypothesis (Study 3) that sexual coercion, being a victim of sexual coercion, alcohol abuse, and sexual promiscuity were associated with the pursuit of immediate pleasure through alcohol and sex.

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Life history theory suggests that reproduction of the species involves three areas of investment: personal development, mating, and nurturing offspring. Using the rational method of test construction, a 29-item scale was constructed to measure investment in personal development, the Investment in Personal Development Scale. Scale scores were statistically significantly correlated with age, year in school, identity commitment, and conscientiousness.

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To investigate correlates of valuing physical attractiveness in a mate, it was hypothesized that valuing physical attractiveness in a mate would correlate with sex and valuing promiscuous sex, status, personal physical attractiveness, beauty, and order. Men and women college students completed measures of the extent to which they valued physical attractiveness in a mate and other variables. Valuing physical attractiveness in a mate was correlated with sex (men valued physical attractiveness in a mate more than did women) and valuing promiscuous sex and status, and, for women, valuing personal physical attractiveness. The results were explained in terms of evolutionary theory.

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The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that men view physical attractiveness as an index of a woman's health and her capacity to have children. 21 men and 26 women from an introductory psychology course were shown photographs from 1972 of men and women college students, judged in 2002 to be attractive or unattractive. Subjects were asked to rate the photographed individuals' current health, the probability that they were married, the probability that they had children, and whether they had reproductive problems. The hypothesis was generally supported; the men rated the photographs of attractive women as healthier, more likely to be married, and more likely to have children.

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In a classic study, Buss, Larson, Westen, and Semmelroth found that men were more distressed by the thought of a partner's sexual infidelity (labeled sexual jealousy) and women were more distressed by the thought of a partner's emotional infidelity (labeled emotional jealousy). Buss and his associates explained the results by suggesting that men are concerned about uncertainty of paternity, that is, the possibility of raising another man's child while believing that the child is their own. To test this explanation, the Desire for Children Scale was created. Its internal consistency and test-retest reliabilities were .86 and .89, respectively. Scores correlate with stated Number of Children Desired (convergent validity) but none of the Big-Five traits (divergent validity). It was hypothesized that for men scores on this scale would correlate positively with scores on sexual jealousy. The Desire for Children Scale and the two Sexual vs Emotional Jealousy items of Buss and his associates were given to 49 men and 55 women college students enrolled in psychology courses. Their average age was 19.9 yr. (SD= 3.7), and average year in school was 2.0 (SD= 1.2). Subjects volunteered to participate in the study in exchange for course credit. The hypothesis was confirmed and gives support to the uncertainty of paternity explanation.

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In a classic study, Buss, Larson, Westen, and Semmelroth reported that men were more distressed by the thought of a partner's sexual infidelity (sexual jealousy) and women were more distressed by the thought of a partner's emotional infidelity (emotional jealousy). Initially, Buss and his associates explained these results by suggesting that men are concerned about uncertainty of paternity, that is, the possibility of raising another man's child while believing the child is their own. However, later they explained the results in terms of men's preference for short-term sexual strategies. The purpose of this research was to test the explanation of short-term sexual strategies. Men and women subjects were instructed to imagine themselves in a relationship which was either short-term (primarily sexual) or long-term (involving commitment) and then respond to Buss's jealousy items. It was hypothesized that, when both men and women imagined a short-term relationship, they would be more threatened by a partner's sexual infidelity, and, when they imagined a long-term relationship, they would be more threatened by a partner's emotional infidelity. Support was found for this hypothesis.

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In a classic 1992 study, Buss, Larson, Westen, and Semmelroth reported that men were more distressed by the sexual infidelity of a partner and women were more distressed by a partner's emotional infidelity. Buss, et al. suggested that men are concerned about uncertainty of paternity, that is, the possibility of raising another man's child while believing that the child is his own. However, data can be explained in terms of men's greater preference for short-term sexual strategies. This research yielded support for the latter explanation for the samples in this present research.

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Buss and Schmitt's sexual strategies theory (1993) suggests that short-term mating represents a larger component of men's than women's mating strategies. Assuming this sex difference there is potential for conflict. Symons argued that, because men are more interested in copulation than women, this gives women greater power in establishing conditions (short- vs long-term) under which copulation takes place. The result is that the conflict in sexual strategies is resolved in favor of women's relatively greater interest in long-term sexual strategies. This research tested the hypothesis that across ages men would decrease in desire to employ short-term mating strategies in favor of long-term mating strategies. Specifically, in Study I, men and women in their teens, twenties, and thirties or older were given a measure of desire for a committed relationship. It was predicted that women, regardless of age, would score high on desire for a committed relationship. In contrast, teenage boys would score low on desire for a committed relationship while men in their thirties or older would score as high as the women. In Study II both sexes in their teens, twenties, and thirties or older were given measures of desire for promiscuous sex. It was predicted that the women, regardless of age, would score low on desire for promiscuous sex. In contrast, teenage boys would score high on desire for promiscuous sex while men in their thirties or older would score as low as the women. Support was found for both predictions.

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