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On Social Equality and Perceptions of Insequrity: A Comparison Study Between Two European Countries : A comparison study between two European countries
(2007-01) Kristjansson, AL.; Department of Psychology
This study compares perceptions of insecurity and fear of crime in Scotland and Iceland and shows how these perceptions are related to social factors in the two countries. Independent samples t-tests and stepwise multiple linear regression models are used to analyse comparable data from surveys in the two countries. Scots report feeling significantly less safe than do Icelanders. The regression models show that social integration and smaller differences between households and neighbourhoods in terms of income and class are associated with greater perceptions of insecurity. The analysis therefore suggests that perceptions of insecurity are higher in Scotland than in Iceland because Iceland's population is more homogeneous, with stronger social integration, less pronounced class and income differentials, and less polarization between neighbourhoods. The wider implications for understanding perceptions of insecurity at different levels of analysis (macro and meso) are discussed.
Verk
Space mapping with adaptive response correction for microwave design optimization
(2009-02) Koziel, Slawomir; Bandler, John W.; Madsen, Kaj; Department of Engineering
Output space mapping is a technique introduced to enhance the robustness of the space-mapping optimization process in case the space-mapped coarse model cannot provide sufficient matching with the fine model. The technique often works very well; however, in some cases it fails. Especially in the microwave area where the typical model response (e.g., |S21|) is a highly nonlinear function of the free parameter (e.g., frequency), the output space-mapping correction term may actually increase the mismatch between the surrogate and fine models for points other than the one at which the term was calculated, as in the surrogate model optimization process. In this paper, an adaptive response correction scheme is presented to work in conjunction with space-mapping optimization algorithms. This technique is designed to alleviate the difficulties of the standard output space mapping by adaptive adjustment of the response correction term according to the changes of the space-mapped coarse model response. Examples indicate the robustness of our approach.
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A mixed methods study of sugar sweetened beverage consumption and sleep quality among university students in West Virginia
(2026-12) Pathan, Maryam; Dangpiaei, Saba; Kristjansson, Alfgeir; Department of Psychology
Objective: University students are at a higher risk of poor sleep quality due to academic and behavioral stressors. This study examined the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and sleep quality among university students in West Virginia, United States using a mixed-methods approach. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was administered among students aged ≥ 18 years enrolled at a university from April to December 2024. The survey collected information on demographics, daily SSB use (≥ 1/day), and sleep quality assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Students’ perceptions of the impact of SSBs on sleep were captured through an open-ended question. Quantitative data were analyzed using logistic regression, and qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. Results: Among 426 participants, 33.1% reported daily SSB use. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral covariates, daily SSB intake was associated with lower odds of good sleep quality (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–0.93, p = 0.03). Of the total sample, 304 participants responded to the open-ended question. Seven themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of which the most frequently reported themes were perceived effects of SSBs on sleep (36.2%), timing of consumption (17.1%), and avoidance strategies (15.1%). Conclusions: Daily SSB intake was associated with poor sleep quality among university students. Qualitative findings suggest that this relationship is complex and influenced by multiple behavioral and contextual factors. These results highlight the need for multifaceted health promotion strategies targeting multiple health behaviors to improve sleep quality among university students.
Verk
Externalized anger as a mediator of harsh parenting and substance use among Appalachian adolescents
(2026-06) Mills, Rosalina; Tebes, Jacob K.; Strambler, Michael J.; Kristjansson, Alfgeir L.; Department of Psychology
Adolescent substance use (SU) is a prevalent public health issue in the United States. Understanding how known risk factors such as harsh parenting and externalized anger may impact youth SU is crucial for structuring primary prevention efforts and interventions. This study examines the relationship between harsh parenting and both current SU and SU severity. We assess whether, and to what extent, externalized anger mediates the relationship between harsh parenting and the two SU outcomes. Two waves of a biannual prospective cohort study administered to adolescents between 10–16 years of age were used to test mediation models for SU outcomes. The sample was 44.5% female, 87.2% White, and 95.7% non-Hispanic. Significant direct effects (p ' 0.05) were observed between harsh parenting and externalized anger (Stand. β = 0.27); harsh parenting and current SU (Stand. β = 0.11); and externalized anger and current SU (Stand. β = 0.33). Significant indirect effects were also observed between harsh parenting and current SU (Stand. β = 0.09) and between harsh parenting and SU severity (Stand. β = 0.06). Results indicate a total effect between harsh parenting and adolescent SU of Stand. β = 0.198; about 44% of which is attributed to mediation via externalized anger. While no significant direct effect between harsh parenting and SU severity was found, significant mediation effects (Stand. β = 0.06) were found for the role of externalized anger. While harsh parenting is known to affect adolescent SU directly, we found that this relationship is emphasized by the presence of externalized anger. Implications for prevention and interventions are discussed.

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