Showing papers by "Suffolk University published in 2023"

The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures and Assurance on Jurors’ Judgments

Abstract: SUMMARY This study examines whether management’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) motives and CSR assurance influence jurors’ negligence and punitive damages assessments using a 2 × 2 experiment. CSR activities can provide insurance-like protection from negative reactions during a corporate crisis if stakeholders perceive altruistic motives. However, it is not known whether this insurance-like protection applies during litigation. Findings suggest that the disclosure of altruistic CSR activities (i.e., without expectation of financial returns) improves jurors’ affective response to the defendant and perceptions of company behavior prior to a negative event compared to self-serving CSR activities (i.e., expectation of financial returns), which reduce negligence and punitive damages assessments. However, when disclosures are assured, the relationship changes. In this scenario, altruistic and self-serving CSR have similar influences on jurors’ judgments. Overall, results suggest that CSR disclosure and assurance may provide benefits during litigation by increasing jurors’ affective reaction to the defendant and perceptions of the company’s behavior.

Shifting behavioral intervention research to virtual methods: Challenges and solutions in practice, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract: Behavioral medicine researchers have rapidly adapted study procedures and interventions to telehealth modalities during the pandemic. We rely heavily on telehealth research methods to avoid study delays and mitigate risk to chronically ill patients our studies aim to support. We implemented methods to virtually recruit, enroll, and retain patients and their families on clinical trials, and virtually deliver study interventions. These adaptations are likely to become permanent amid ongoing virus variants and surges in cases. However, little has been written about how remote methods apply in practice. This paper documents these processes to maximize efficiency across our research studies and systems and highlights the strengths and challenges of transitioning our research protocols to telehealth. We outline solutions to using remote methods across the entire span of the research process, including study recruitment, data collection, and intervention delivery. We offer insight into the implications of these transitions on research staff and interventionists. In providing a transparent review of the advantages and challenges of implementing remote methods, we encourage discourse around remote methods implementation, share the lessons we learned, and inform the design of future trials. Further research is needed to review the clinical feasibility and acceptability of these procedures.

What is anxiety?

Abstract: Anxiety is common and is a typical aspect of development in children and adolescents (referred to as youth). In contrast, anxiety disorders, or clinical anxiety, are psychological disorders that are distressing and impairing. In this chapter we discuss the differences between non-clinical and clinical anxiety and describe the anxiety disorders listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual Version 5 (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013 ). We also summarize biopsychosocial factors that contribute to youth anxiety including those relating to individual differences, parenting, learning, biology, social interaction, culture, and the sociopolitical environment. These interacting factors inform the science underlying the development of evidence-based treatments (EBTs), as well as novel treatments with emerging evidence. The existence of a range of EBTs provides hope to the large proportion of youth with anxiety disorders and their families. An important challenge is to ensure that all segments of the population have access to these treatments.