Browsing by Author "Huang, Chiu-Mieh"

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Correction to: Evaluation of the effects of a designated program on illegal drug cessation among adolescents who experiment with drugs
(2019-10-30) Chang, Chiu-Ching; Liao, Jung-Yu; Huang, Chiu-Mieh; Hsu, Hsiao-Pei; Chen, Chih-Che; Guo, Jong-Long
Following publication of the original article [1], we have been notified that some data in the text should be changed.
Evaluation of the effects of a designated program on illegal drug cessation among adolescents who experiment with drugs
(2018-01-16) Chang, Chiu-Ching; Liao, Jung-Yu; Huang, Chiu-Mieh; Hsu, Hsiao-Pei; Chen, Chih-Che; Guo, Jong-Long
Abstract Background Studies indicate that adolescent-onset drug users experience a greater likelihood of dependence that continues into adulthood. The importance of early intervention was evident in treating adolescents before their substance use progressed. We examined the effectiveness of an intervention program that prevents students who experiment with drugs from reusing them. Methods The study was based on 10 out of 18 invited schools that were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (5 schools, n = 43) or the comparison group (5 schools, n = 41). The intervention group received an E-course program that comprised a main intervention course (12 sessions) and a booster course (2 sessions). By reducing the burden of teaching content during the 14 sessions, the in-class counselor had opportunities for face-to-face discussions with students on their ambivalence toward quitting illegal drugs. The comparison group received the conventional didactic drug prevention course (2 sessions). Outcomes in terms of stress management, refusal skills, pros of drug use, cons of drug use, and drug use resistance self-efficacy were measured via structured questionnaires conducted thrice: at baseline, after the main intervention sessions, and after the booster sessions. A linear mixed model (LMM) was employed to investigate the effects of time and groups on the outcome variables with group, time, and group × time as fixed effects. Subjects and schools were selected as random effects in order to consider both within-subject and within-school correlations. Results There was a significant group × time interaction with regard to stress management, refusal skills, pros of drug use, and drug use resistance self-efficacy, excluding cons of drug use. The intervention group displayed better stress management compared to the comparison group after the booster intervention. Similar between-group differences were identified in that the intervention group displayed better refusal skills and drug use resistance self-efficacy compared to that of the comparison group. The intervention group favored using drugs less (a decrease in the pros of drug use score) compared to the comparison group after the booster intervention. Conclusions Our program provided an example of the results of early intervention among students who experiment with illegal drugs.
New partnerships among single older adults: a Q methodology study
(2019-03-06) Huang, Su-Fei; Huang, Chiu-Mieh; Chen, Shueh-Fen; Lu, Li-Ting; Guo, Jong-Long
Abstract Background The social structure is changing with an increase in the ratio of the older population, resulting in a growing number of older people being faced with singlehood. This study identified and described single older adults’ differing perspectives on new relationships. Method We used a Q methodology approach for data collection and analysis, following in-depth interviews with 10 participants. Q statements were developed through content analysis of the interview data, which were then subjected to Q sorts performed by 49 older adults. A factor analysis was then completed on the collected data using PQ Method software. Results Five factors regarding common attitudes toward pursuing a new partner, which accounted for 53% of the total variance, were obtained in the final model: (1) being single, a companion, and already acquainted with the other person/potential partner; (2) high spiritual compatibility and a caring disposition; (3) an emphasis on physical intimacy and companionship; (4) easily influenced by others’ comments and highly concerned about being alone; and (5) physical and financial independence. Conclusions Clustering older adults according to their attitudes can help in acknowledging their expectations about new relationships in later life. Implications Practitioners can engage in successful consultations based on the recognition.
Prison sentencing increases the risk of unemployment among illegal heroin users in Taiwan
(2020-10-12) Lee, Charles T; Huang, Chiu-Mieh; Chang, Li-Chun; Wang, Shih-Wen; Hsu, Hsiao-Pei; Liao, Jung-Yu; Guo, Jong-Long
Abstract Background Previous studies have rarely explored the effect of type of sentencing on employment status among illegal heroin users, therefore, we aims to examine the association of the sentencing types and employment outcomes among illegal heroin users in Taiwan. Methods Participants with illegal heroin use were identified through the national prison register system and deferred prosecution system: 2406 with deferred prosecutions, 4741 with observation and rehabilitation, 15 compulsory rehabilitation and 1958 sentenced to prison in calendar 2011. Logistic regression models were built to estimate the effect of sentencing type on unemployment status at 2 years after release. Stratification analysis was conducted to determine the effect of sentencing type based on the offender’s employment status before sentencing. Results Illegal heroin users receiving a prison sentence were more than twice as likely to be unemployed 2 years later than those receiving deferred prosecution. The unemployment rate was also higher for those with observation and rehabilitation and compulsory rehabilitation than deferred prosecution in the 2 years following sentencing. Males, older users, without a job before sentencing, divorced or widowed and higher prior drug use criminal records were also higher risk of unemployment. Subgroup analysis by prior employment status revealed that being sentenced to prison, observation and rehabilitation and compulsory rehabilitation affected the subsequent employment status only for those heroin users with a job before sentencing. The strength of associations showed dose-dependent relationship between different sentencing types (sentenced to prison> compulsory rehabilitation> observation and rehabilitation) and employment outcomes. Conclusions Illegal heroin users who receive a prison sentence have a much higher risk of unemployment than those who receive deferred prosecution after controlling potential confounders, especially those who had a job before sentencing. The implication is the stronger freedom of punishment, the higher risk of unemployment outcomes. Our study support that illegal heroin user is legally regarded as a patient before being regarded as a criminal, so giving priority to quit addition rather than imprisonment.
The validity and reliability of the Mandarin Chinese version of the drug abuse screening test among adolescents in Taiwan
(2017-06-06) Liao, Jung-Yu; Chi, Hsueh-Yun; Guo, Jong-Long; Huang, Chiu-Mieh; Shih, Shu-Fang
Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Mandarin Chinese version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20) among adolescents, as well as examining the test’s predictability with regard to the actual level of drug abuse. Method A total of 100 adolescent participants were recruited with their consent, in which 49 were current drug users and 51 were non-users. Based on the frequency of their drug use, participants who had used drugs at least once every week during the past year were classified as regular users (34 participants); participants who had not reached the regular use frequency of once every week during the past year were classified as occasional users (15 participants). All of the participants were required to answer a sociodemographic questionnaire, and undergo a DAST-20 (Mandarin Chinese version). Results The DAST-20, which has a high reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88, and a construct validity accounting for 61.87% of the variance. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was 0.96 between the users and nonusers, and 0.93 between the occasional users and non-occasional users. A cut-off of three points could identify 93.5% of the drug users and 88.9% of nonusers, whereas a cut-off of six points could identify 85.3% of the regular users and 92.4% of non-regular users. Conclusions The DAST-20 was the strongest predictor of adolescents who were regular users, occasional users, and non-users after controlling for other potential covariates. The Mandarin Chinese version of the DAST is simple to use and has a satisfactory validity and reliability. It is an effective screening tool for drug users among adolescents.
國小學童菸害防制多元計畫介入成效評估：整合行為改變模式之應用
(2018) 黃素妃; Huang, Su-Fei
背景：預防學童避免菸品危害是公共衛生優先議題，本研究應用整合行為改變模式評量國小學童菸害防制介入之成效。方法：採準實驗研究設計，立意取樣新北市2行政區8所偏遠國小3-6年級學童為研究對象，其中 4所學校進行菸害防制多元介入計畫，另4所學校對照組則持續常規活動。以自填式問卷蒐集介入前(T1)、介入後(T2)，並探討6個月後(T3)的延宕效果。結果：共510位參與研究，94.1%學童從未吸菸(即使一口都沒)，有64.5%學童暴露二手菸。以GEE分析菸害防制多元介入計畫之成效，結果顯示進步的有：學童的菸害知識(T2: β = 0.65, p< 0.001, T3:β = 0.41, p = 0.027)，不吸菸的行為意圖(T3: β =0.50, p = 0.045)，拒吸二手菸自我效能(T2: β =4.55, p = 0.010)。然而學童在吸菸決策利益、決策障礙、社會模範、社會壓力、不吸菸的自我效能、二手菸暴露、拒吸二手菸的行為意圖則無統計上顯著差異。結論：在幾乎所有學童不吸菸，但二手菸暴露仍高的情況下，本菸害防制多元介入計畫仍具部分成效，本研究有助於提供未來推動菸害預防教育多元介入計畫之參考。