University of Scranton

About: University of Scranton is a education organization based out in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Population. The organization has 1129 authors who have published 1967 publications receiving 52489 citations. The organization is also known as: The University of Scranton & St. Thomas College.

In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviors.

Abstract: How people intentionally change addictive behaviors with and without treatment is not well understood by behavioral scientists. This article summarizes research on self-initiated and professionally facilitated change of addictive behaviors using the key transtheoretical constructs of stages and processes of change. Modification of addictive behaviors involves progression through five stages—precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance—and individuals typically recycle through these stages several times before termination of the addiction. Multiple studies provide strong support for these stages as well as for a finite and common set of change processes used to progress through the stages. Research to date supports a transtheoretical model of change that systematically integrates the stages with processes of change from diverse theories of psychotherapy.

In Search of How People Change: Applications to Addictive Behaviors

Abstract: How people intentionally change addictive behaviors with and without treatment is not well understood by behavioral scientists. This article summarizes research on self-initiated and professionally...

Stages of change

Abstract: The transtheoretical model, in general, and the stages of change, in particular, have proven useful in adapting or tailoring treatment to the individual. We define the stages and processes of change and then review previous meta-analyses on their interrelationship. We report an original meta-analysis of 39 studies, encompassing 8,238 psychotherapy patients, to assess the ability of stages of change and related readiness measures to predict psychotherapy outcomes. Clinically significant effect sizes were found for the association between stage of change and psychotherapy outcomes (d = .46); the amount of progress clients make during treatment tends to be a function of their pretreatment stage of change. We examine potential moderators in effect size by study outcome, patient characteristics, treatment features, and diagnosis. We also review the large volume of behavioral health research, but scant psychotherapy research, that demonstrates the efficacy of matching treatment to the patient's stage of change. Limitations of the extant research are noted, and practice recommendations are advanced.

Phenol antioxidant quantity and quality in foods: fruits.

Abstract: The free and bound phenols have been measured in 20 fruits commonly consumed in the American diet. Phenols were measured colorimetrically using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent with catechin as the standard after correction for ascorbic acid contribution. On a fresh weight basis, cranberry had the highest total phenols, and was distantly followed by red grape. Free and total phenol quality in the fruits was analyzed by using the inhibition of lower density lipoprotein oxidation promoted by cupric ion. Ascorbate had only a minor contribution to the antioxidants in fruits with the exception of melon, nectarine, orange, white grape, and strawberry. The fruit extracts' antioxidant quality was better than the vitamin antioxidants and most pure phenols, suggesting synergism among the antioxidants in the mixture. Using our assay, fruits had significantly better quantity and quality of phenol antioxidants than vegetables. Fruits, specifically apples and cranberries, have phenol antioxidants that can enrich lower density lipoproteins and protect them from oxidation. The average per capita consumption of fruit phenols in the U.S. is estimated to be 255 mg/day of catechin equivalents.

Phenol antioxidant quantity and quality in foods : Vegetables

Abstract: Fruits and vegetables in the diet have been found in epidemiology studies to be protective against several chronic diseases. Epidemiological evidence suggests that flavonoid consumption in the diet is protective against heart disease. Phenols in 23 vegetables have been measured by extraction with and without acid hydrolysis to determine the percent of conjugated and free phenols. Phenols were measured colorimetrically using the Folin−Ciocalteu reagent with catechin as the standard. The extracts' antioxidant quality was assayed by the inhibition of lower density lipoprotein oxidation mediated by cupric ions. Vegetables had antioxidant quality comparable to that of pure flavonols and were superior to vitamin antioxidants. The phenol antioxidant index, measuring both the quantity and the quality of antioxidants present, was used to evaluate 23 vegetables. Isolated lower density lipoproteins from plasma spiked with two vegetable extracts were enriched with phenol antioxidants and showed decreased oxidizabilit...