Resilience among Cisgender and Transgender Women in Street-Based Sex Work in Baltimore,Maryland

IntroductionResilience represents adaptability and empowerment and can buffer against the consequences of traumatic events. Cisgender and transgender women in street-based sex work are at high risk for trauma, yet data on their resilience are sparse. A clearer understanding of resilience and its correlates is useful for informing sex worker-centered interventions.MethodsUsing the Connor-Davidson 10-item Resilience Scale (range, 0–40), we describe resilience among 165 cisgender and 42 transgender street-based women sex workers in Baltimore, Maryland. Longitudinal cohort data were used to examine correlates of resilience in each population. Analyses are conducted using multiple linear regression.ResultsThe mean resilience score was 24.2 (95% confidence interval, 23.6–24.8) among cisgender women sex workers and 32.2 among transgender women sex workers (95% confidence interval, 30.8–32.7). Among cisgender participants, positive correlates of resilience were being Black, Hispanic, or other race (ß = 2.7; p = .004), having housing (ß = 1.9; p = .034), social cohesion score (ß = 0.18; p = .047), and daily drug injection (ß = 3.7; p < .001); negative correlates of resilience were sexual violence (ß = –4.8; p = .006) and exposure to egregious police acts (ß = –0.6; p = .015). Among transgender participants, higher education level (ß = 8.8; p < .001), food security (ß = 3.5; p = .005), and housing stability (ß = 2.0; p < .001) were associated with increased resilience, and daily noninjection drug use (excluding marijuana; ß = –3.3; p < .001) and physical violence (ß = –2.9; p < .001) were associated with reduced resilience.ConclusionsThis study is the first to characterize factors that may influence resilience among cisgender and transgender women sex workers. Results highlight tangible intervention targets for promoting mental health and safety among a uniquely vulnerable population of women.     

Exploring the Impact of Racism on Black Youth: A Multidimensional Examination of Discriminatory Experiences Across Place and Time

PurposeCommunity violence disproportionally impacts Black youth. Experiences of racism and discrimination may create additional challenges for youth recovering from violence exposure. This study used ecological momentary assessment to elucidate how perceptions of racism and social support influence health and safety outcomes among Black youth following violence exposure.MethodsTwenty-five Black youth (14–19 years old, 60% female) who had witnessed violence within the past three months completed a baseline survey that assessed discrimination experiences, social support, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTS), and perceived safety. Youth completed ecological momentary assessments three times daily for two weeks about the place they were in, people they were with, their current emotional state, and in-the-moment racism perceptions. Multilevel models estimated the relationship between overall and time-varying perceptions of racism and social support, PTS symptoms, and perceived safety.ResultsOverall, 76% of youth reported at least one discrimination experience at baseline. Prior discrimination was associated with higher PTS (B = 1.86, p = .001) and depressive symptoms (B = 0.13, p = .013) at baseline. Youth who reported higher overall perceptions of racism in-the-moment reported higher PTS (B = 0.50, p = .002) and lower perceived safety (B = ?0.53, p = .001). In-the-moment perceptions of racism were associated with lower perceived safety in that place (B = ?0.09, p < .01). Emotional and instrumental support were associated with lower PTS and higher perceived safety (p < .05).DiscussionExperiences of racism and being in discriminatory places impacted youth’s depressive symptoms, PTS symptoms, and perceived safety. Interventions attuned to in-the-moment experiences of racism, and that leverage social support, are needed to support Black youth exposed to violence and discrimination.     

Racial and Ethnic Abortion Disparities Following Georgia's 22-Week Gestational Age Limit

IntroductionGeorgia's 2012 House Bill 954 (HB954) prohibiting abortions after 22 weeks from last menstrual period (LMP) has been associated with a significant decrease in abortions after 22 weeks. However, the policy's effects by race or ethnicity remain unexplored. We investigated whether changes in abortion numbers and ratios (per 1,000 live births) in Georgia after HB954 varied by race or ethnicity.MethodsUsing Georgia Department of Public Health induced terminations of pregnancy data from 2007 to 2017, we examined changes in number of abortions and abortion ratios (per 1,000 live births) by race and ethnicity following HB954 implementation.ResultsAfter full implementation of HB954 in 2015, the number of abortions and abortion ratios at or after 22 weeks (from last menstrual period) decreased among White (b_Number = –261.83, p < .001; b_Ratio = –3.31, p < .001), Black (b_Number = –416.17, p < .001; b_Ratio = –8.84, p < .001), non-Hispanic (b_Number = –667.00, p = .001; b_Ratio = –5.82, p < .001), and Hispanic (b_Number = –56.25, p = .002; b_Ratio = –2.44, p = .002) people. However, the ratio of abortions before 22 weeks increased for Black people (b_{LessThan22Weeks} = 44.06, p = .028) and remained stable for White (b_{LessThan22Weeks} = –6.78, p = .433), Hispanic (b_{LessThan22Weeks} = 21.27, p = .212), and non-Hispanic people (b_{LessThan22Weeks} = 26.93, p = .172).ConclusionThe full implementation of HB954 had differential effects by race/ethnicity and gestational age. Although abortion at 22 weeks or more decreased for all groups, abortion at less than 22 weeks increased among Black people. Additional research should elucidate the possible causes, consequences, and reactions to differential effects of abortion restrictions by race and ethnicity.     

Associations between intimate partner violence,violence-related policies,and HIV diagnosis rate among women in the United States

PurposeTo assess the association between state-level intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence and HIV diagnosis rates among women in the United States and investigate the modifying effect of state IPV health care policies.MethodsData on HIV diagnosis rates were collected from HIV surveillance data from 2010 to 2015, and IPV prevalence data were collected from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey from 2010 to 2012. States were coded for IPV health care policies on training, screening, reporting, and insurance discrimination.ResultsStates with higher IPV prevalence was associated with higher HIV diagnoses among women (B = 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.003, 0.04; P = .02). State policies were a significant effect modifier (B = −0.05; 95% CI = −0.07, −0.02; P < .001). Simple slopes revealed that the association between IPV and HIV diagnosis rates was stronger in states with low IPV protective health care policies (B = 0.09; CI = 0.06, 0.13; P < .001) and moderate IPV protective policies (B = 0.05; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.07, P < .001), but not in states with high IPV protective policies (B = −0.009; 95% CI = −0.04, 0.02; P = .59).ConclusionsHIV prevention programs should target IPV and link to community resources. IPV-related policies in the health care system may protect the sexual health of women experiencing IPV.     

Mortality After Adolescent Firearm Injury: Effect of Trauma Center Designation

PurposeTo determine the incidence and outcomes of firearm injuries in adolescents and the effect of trauma center (TC) designation on their mortality.MethodsThe National Trauma Data Bank (2010–2016) was queried for all encounters involving adolescents aged 13–16 years with firearm injuries. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine the association of covariates with mortality (α = .05). Propensity score matching was also used to explore the relationship between TC designation and mortality.ResultsA total of 9,029 adolescents met inclusion criteria. Patients aged 15 and 16 years compromised 77.8% of the cohort and were more often male (87.9% vs. 80.6%, p < .001), black (63.8% vs. 56.1%, p < .001), injured in the abdomen (25.4% vs. 22.4%, p = .007) or extremities (62.3% vs. 56.7%, p < .001), and incurred severe injuries (54.5% vs. 50.9%, p = .004) versus 13- and 14-year-old patients. Younger patients were more often injured in the head/neck (23.8% vs. 20.5%, p = .001). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated no difference in mortality between age groups. Poor neurologic presentation, severe injury, abdominal, chest, and head injuries were all associated with an increased odds of death. Odds of mortality were 2.88 times higher at adult TCs compared to pediatric TCs (CI: 1.55–5.36, p = .001). However, using a 1:1 propensity score matching model, no difference in mortality was found between TC types (p = NS).ConclusionsVariability exists in outcomes for adolescents after firearm injuries. Understanding and identifying the potential differences between pediatric and adult TCs managing adolescent firearm victims may improve survival in all treatment venues, but these data support patients being treated at the closest available TC.     

Physical Inactivity and the Role of Bullying Among Gender Minority Youth Participating in the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

PurposeEvidence from small-scale studies suggests that transgender youth are less physically active than nontransgender youth, putting them at risk for worse health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between gender modality and participation in physical activity, physical education (PE), and sports teams in a multistate sample of high school youth and assessed whether bullying impacted this relationship.MethodsMultiple regression was used to analyze data from the state and local Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 2017 to 2019 to examine the relationship between the gender modality and participation in physical activity, PE, and sports teams. The sample was stratified by sex and adjusted for demographics and in-school and online bullying victimization.ResultsTransgender participants who reported a male or female sex, respectively, reported lower odds of physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.46, p < .001; aOR 0.46, p < .001, respectively) but similar odds of PE participation. Female transgender students were less likely to participate in sports (aOR 0.55, p = .007); however, this relationship was not seen in adjusted models. Adjusting for demographics, male transgender students were significantly more likely to participate in sports (aOR 2.1, p = .002). Adjusting for bullying experiences did not significantly change these results.DiscussionTransgender youth are less likely to participate in physical activity but participate similarly or more than cisgender peers in PE and sports. Factors other than bullying may limit physical activity among transgender youth, and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey may not capture experiences of trans-specific victimization. Increased inclusion and safety may help increase physical activity and amplify its benefits for transgender students.     

Primary Care Providers with More Experience and Stronger Self-Efficacy Beliefs Regarding Women Veterans Screen More Frequently for Interpersonal Violence

BackgroundMilitary sexual trauma (MST) and/or intimate partner violence (IPV) are common experiences in the growing group of women veterans using the Veterans Health Administration health care system. And even though MST screening is closely monitored at the facility level, little is known about individual primary care provider (PCP) behavior with regard to screening women for MST and IPV.ObjectivesTo understand how PCP experiences and beliefs regarding women's health care influence PCP-reported screening for MST and IPV.Research Design and ParticipantsWe administered a cross-sectional online survey from September 2014 through April 2015 (supplemented by a mailed survey between April and May 2015) to 281 PCPs in 12 Veterans Health Administration medical centers.Measures and AnalysisSurveys measured PCP-reported screening frequency for MST and IPV, experience with women veterans, self-efficacy, gender-sensitive beliefs, and perceived barriers to providing comprehensive care for women. We used multivariable ordered logistic regression analysis to identify correlates of screening, weighted for nonresponse and adjusted for clustering.ResultsNinety-four PCPs (34%) completed the survey. Being a designated women's health provider (p < .05) and stronger self-efficacy beliefs about screening women for MST (p < .001) were associated with reporting more frequent screening for MST. Being a designated women's health provider (p < .01), seeing women patients at least once per week (p < .001), and self-efficacy beliefs about screening women for IPV (p < .001) were associated with reporting more frequent screening for IPV.ConclusionsVeterans Health Administration initiatives to enhance PCP opportunities to screen women veterans for trauma and to strengthen self-efficacy beliefs about comprehensive women's health care may increase screening of women veterans for MST and IPV.     

Differences in Resilience Mechanisms and Physical Activity among Women Experiencing Chronic Pain with Higher or Lower Resilience

BackgroundChronic pain is a public health issue, with women being disproportionately impacted. Progressing from light physical activity to the recommended moderate to vigorous intensities is effective for chronic pain self-management, yet participation is low among women experiencing chronic pain. Researchers studying resilience approaches to chronic pain contend that women with higher resilience, or functioning well despite adverse life stressors including chronic pain, should have better resilience mechanisms and more physical activity participation. The purpose of this work was to examine whether women experiencing chronic pain, reporting higher versus lower resilience, differed in resilience mechanisms (pain acceptance, self-regulatory efficacy to overcome pain and related barriers to activity, and self-regulatory efficacy to schedule and plan activity) and physical activity (light, moderate-vigorous).MethodsAdult women experiencing chronic pain (N = 269; M_age = 38.35, SD = 13.13 years) completed an online survey assessing study variables.ResultsA multivariate analysis of covariance comparing participants with higher (n = 131) and lower (n = 138) resilience, controlling for age and pain intensity, was significant (p < .001; η²_partial = .17). Participants with higher resilience reported significantly higher pain acceptance, self-regulatory efficacy beliefs, and moderate-vigorous physical activity (p's < .01; η²_partial = .03 to .14, small to large effects). Light activity did not differ.ConclusionsNovel findings illustrated that participants with higher resilience exhibited more favorable resilience mechanisms and participation in the recommended moderate-vigorous activity. If intervening among women with lower resilience to improve their resilience mechanisms and moderate-vigorous activity is effective, then intervention adoption and delivery across communities could promote improved pain self-management among women.     

Middle School Effects of the Dating Matters® Comprehensive Teen Dating Violence Prevention Model on Physical Violence,Bullying, and Cyberbullying: a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Few comprehensive primary prevention approaches for youth have been evaluated for effects on multiple types of violence. Dating Matters®: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships (Dating Matters) is a comprehensive teen dating violence (TDV) prevention model designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and evaluated using a longitudinal stratified cluster-randomized controlled trial to determine effectiveness for preventing TDV and promoting healthy relationship behaviors among middle school students. In this study, we examine the prevention effects on secondary outcomes, including victimization and perpetration of physical violence, bullying, and cyberbullying. This study examined the effectiveness of Dating Matters compared to a standard-of-care TDV prevention program in 46 middle schools in four high-risk urban communities across the USA. The analytic sample (N?=?3301; 53% female; 50% Black, non-Hispanic; and 31% Hispanic) consisted of 6th–8th grade students who had an opportunity for exposure to Dating Matters in all three grades or the standard-of-care in 8th grade only. Results demonstrated that both male and female students attending schools implementing Dating Matters reported 11% less bullying perpetration and 11% less physical violence perpetration than students in comparison schools. Female Dating Matters students reported 9% less cyberbullying victimization and 10% less cyberbullying perpetration relative to the standard-of-care. When compared to an existing evidence-based intervention for TDV, Dating Matters demonstrated protective effects on physical violence, bullying, and cyberbullying for most groups of students. The Dating Matters comprehensive prevention model holds promise for reducing multiple forms of violence among middle school-aged youth. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01672541

     

Male Perpetration of Teen Dating Violence: Associations with Neighborhood Violence Involvement,Gender Attitudes,and Perceived Peer and Neighborhood Norms

This study aims to examine the link between male perpetration of teen dating violence (TDV) and neighborhood violence, as well as associations with gender attitudes and perceived peer and neighborhood norms related to violence among a sample of urban adolescent boys. Participants of this cross-sectional study (N = 275) were between the ages of 14 and 20 years and recruited from urban community health centers. Crude and adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used to examine TDV perpetration in relation to (a) neighborhood violence involvement, (b) perceptions of peer violence, (c) perceptions of neighborhood violence, and (d) gender attitudes. Slightly more than one in four (28%) boys reported at least one form of TDV perpetration; among boys who have ever had sex, almost half (45%) reported at least one form of TDV perpetration. In logistic and linear regression models adjusted for demographics, boys who reported TDV perpetration were more likely to report involvement in neighborhood violence (odds ratio (OR) = 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.7–5.5), beliefs that their friends have perpetrated TDV (OR = 2.7; 95%CI = 1.4–5.1), perceptions of violent activity within their neighborhood (OR = 3.0; 95%CI = 1.4–6.3), and greater support of traditional gender norms (β = 3.2, p = 0.002). The findings suggest that efforts are needed to address boys’ behaviors related to the perpetration of multiple forms of violence and require explicit efforts to reduce perceived norms of violence perpetration as well as problematic gender attitudes (e.g., increasing support for gender equity) across boys’ life contexts.     

Predictors of intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: Results of a nationwide survey

BackgroundPublic polling indicates that vaccine uptake will be suboptimal when COVID-19 vaccines become available. Formative research seeking an understanding of weak vaccination intentions is urgently needed.MethodsNationwide online survey of 804 U.S. English-speaking adults. Compensated participants were recruited from the U.S. through an internet survey panel of 2.5 million residents developed by a commercial survey firm. Recruitment was based on quota sampling to produce a U.S. Census-matched sample representative of the nation with regard to region of residence, sex, and age.ResultsCOVID-19 vaccination intentions were weak, with 14.8% of respondents being unlikely to get vaccinated and another 23.0% unsure. Intent to vaccinate was highest for men, older people, individuals who identified as white and non-Hispanic, the affluent and college-educated, Democrats, those who were married or partnered, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and those vaccinated against influenza during the 2019–2020 flu season.In a multiple linear regression, significant predictors of vaccination intent were general vaccine knowledge (β = 0.311, p < .001), rejection of vaccine conspiracies (β = ?0.117, p = .003), perceived severity of COVID-19 (β = 0.273, p < .001), influenza vaccine uptake (β = 0.178, p < .001), having ≥ 5 pre-existing conditions (β = 0.098, p = .003), being male (β = 0.119, p < .001), household income of ≥ $120,000 (β = 0.110, p = .004), identifying as a Democrat (β = 0.075, p < .029), and not relying upon social media for virus information (β = -0.090, p 〈0 0 2). Intent to vaccinate was lower for Fox News (57.3%) than CNN/MSNBC viewers (76.4%) (χ2 (1) = 12.68, p < .001). Political party differences in threat appraisals and vaccine conspiracy beliefs are described.ConclusionsDemographic characteristics, vaccine knowledge, perceived vulnerability to COVID-19, risk factors for COVID-19, and politics likely contribute to vaccination hesitancy.     

Relationship between cyberbullying and health-related quality of life in a sample of children and adolescents

Purpose

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a well-known construct that refers to a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Its relationship with multiple forms of violence, including bullying, has been widely explored, but this is not the case for cyberbullying. The main objective is to analyze how HRQoL varies depending on the role played in cyberbullying, its temporal stability, and gender and age differences.

Method

An analytical and longitudinal study was conducted at two temporal moments. At Time 1 (December 2015), 920 Spanish students aged between 11 and 18 years participated (M_age?=?13.36, SD?=?1.83: 48.9% boys and 51.1% girls). At Time 2 (April 2016), there were 313 participants (M_age 12.81 years, SD?=?1.59: 53.4% boys and 46.6% girls). We used the Cyberbullying Test (technological scale) and the Spanish version of the KIDSCREEN-52.

Results

Cybervictims and cyberbully–victims present worse scores in all dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 (p?<?.001), compared to cyberbystanders or uninvolved individuals. There are gender differences only in cyberaggression and cyberbystanding. There are significant inverse correlations between all the dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 and cybervictimization, with Bullying (r?=???.603, p?<?.001), Mood (r?=???.329, p?<?.001), and School environment (r?=???.327, p?<?.001) being particularly relevant. There were statistically significant differences between T1 and T2 for cyberbystanding (lower scores at T2).

Conclusion

Cybervictims and cyberbully–victims have worse quality of life in all the dimensions than uninvolved individuals, especially in Psychological well-being, School environment, and Bullying.

     

Theory of planned behavior to promote physical activity of adults with physical disabilities: Meta-analytic structural equation modeling

BackgroundAdults with physical disabilities experience lower physical activity (PA) engagement. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been one of dominant theories in understanding and promoting PA. There is no previous meta-analysis examining the use of the TPB on PA of adults with physical disabilities.ObjectiveThe purposes of this review were 1) to conduct meta-analysis to examine predictive effects of TPB on PA behavior of adults with physical disabilities and 2) to investigate a possible moderator among components of TPB.MethodsOne-stage meta-analytic structural equation modeling was used to conduct meta-analysis. Type of physical disability was examined as a moderator.ResultsIntention had moderate effect on PA (β = 0.37, p < .001), attitude had a moderate effect on intention (β = 0.30, p < .001), SN had a non-significant effect on intention (β = 0.03, p = .75), and PBC had a moderate effect on intention (β = 0.43, p < .001) and a non-significant direct effect on PA (β = 0.09, p = .18). The studies conducted with only participants with SCI lowered the predictive effect (β = ?0.12, p = .02) of PBC on PA.ConclusionsPredictive effects of component of TPB were slightly different from those of individuals without disabilities. Type of physical disability can be a critical factor determining the impact of perceived control on PA behavior. Attitude and PBC can be targets for promoting PA of adults with physical disabilities.     

Sociodemographic and Lesbian-Specific Factors Associated with Physical Activity Among Adult Lesbians

BackgroundAlthough participation in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) results in health benefits, the majority of adult lesbians are not sufficiently active. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between sociodemographic factors (age, education level, body mass index [BMI], race, partner status, employment status, annual household income, general health status, diagnosis of chronic conditions, children under 18 years living at home) and lesbian-specific factors (connection with the lesbian community, public identification as a lesbian) to participation in MVPA.MethodsParticipants included 847 self-identified lesbians 18 to 74 years old (M_age = 40.5; SD = 11.6) who completed a 20-minute, web-based survey.FindingsThe binary logistic regression model that included the 10 demographic factors was significantly associated with MVPA, χ² (15, N = 847) = 105.62, p < .001. However, when the two lesbian-specific factors were added, the model did not improve significantly, χ² (2, N = 847) = 5.20, p = .07. BMI and general health status were significantly associated with MVPA (Wald χ² (2) = 19.5, p < .001) and (Wald χ² (4) = 41.2, p < .001). Obese participants had 54.5% lower odds than healthy weight participants to engage in sufficient amounts of MVPA. Participants who reported general health status as excellent compared with those who reported poor had 12.7 times greater odds of engaging in sufficient amounts of MVPA.ConclusionsFuture research should extend on this study by utilizing sampling methods that target the recruitment of lesbian women not actively involved in lesbian-related activities.     

The Influence of Relationship Power and Partner Communication on the Syndemic Factor among Hispanic Women

BackgroundThis study expands research on the substance abuse, intimate partner violence, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and depression syndemic theory for Hispanic women. We hypothesized relationship power and partner communication would be related to the syndemic.MethodsData were used from the baseline assessment of an effectiveness trial of SEPA (Salud/Health, Educación/Education, Prevención/Prevention, and Autocuidado/Self-care), an HIV/sexually transmitted infection risk reduction program for Hispanic women. Hispanic adult women (n = 320) completed measures (in Spanish or English) of relationship power, partner communication about HIV, and acculturation. The syndemic was defined with a factor model of substance abuse, intimate partner violence, risk for HIV/sexually transmitted infection, and depression using structural equation modeling.ResultsControlling for acculturation and education, relationship power was inversely related to the syndemic factor (β = −0.49, p < .001), but partner communication was not (β = 0.14, p = .054). Acculturation and education were also related to the syndemic factor. These variables combined accounted for more than one-half (53%) of the variance in the syndemic factor.ConclusionsFindings suggest the need to develop and test interventions that address the power dynamics of intimate relationships as a means of reducing health disparities among Hispanic women.     

Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anthropometric outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objectivesThe effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on anthropometrics remain obscure. This review quantitatively synthesizes the effects of MBIs on decreasing body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), weight, and percent body fat (%BF).MethodsSeven databases, including CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, and Sociological Abstracts were searched; studies with a comparison group were selected. Random-effects models were then applied to estimate the pooled effects (Hedge’s g), while exploratory moderation analyses with mixed-effects models were performed to explore potential moderators of MBIs on anthropometrics.ResultsThe pooled effect size was −0.36 (p < .001) on BMI, −0.52 (p < .001) on WC, −1.20 (p < .004) on weight loss, and −0.43 (p = .389) on %BF. The long-term effects from baseline to follow-up and from post-intervention to follow-up were sustained on BMI (−0.37, p = .027; −.24, p = .065) and weight loss (−1.91, p = .027; −0.74, p = .011) respectively. For weight loss, adding mindful movement had greater effects than those without (−2.65 vs −0.39, p < .001).ConclusionOur findings support the short-term MBI effects on BMI reduction, WC, weight, and %BF, and long-term effects on reducing BMI and weight. Future efforts should focus on sustaining effects on reducing WC and %BF.     

Associations Between Perceptions and Involvement in Neighborhood Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Urban,African American Men

Violence disproportionately affects African American men and their communities. Research is needed to inform programming efforts to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in violence exposure, involvement, and victimization. The current study examined involvement in and perceptions of neighborhood violence and relation to perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) among a sample of urban, African American men. Participants of this cross-sectional study were sexually active African American men (n = 703) between the ages of 18 and 65 years, recruited from urban community health centers. Age-adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess associations between neighborhood violence variables and perpetration of IPV. In age-adjusted logistic regression models, involvement with street violence in the previous 6 months (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.0; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.9–4.6), ever being involved with gangs (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3–3.2), and perceptions/beliefs that violence occurs in one’s neighborhood (ORs = 2.0–3.1) were found to be significantly associated with IPV perpetration. Findings demonstrate that involvement in neighborhood violence as well as perceptions/beliefs that violence occurs in one’s neighborhood are associated with increased likelihood of IPV perpetration among urban, African American men. While socioeconomics and substance use contribute to high rates of these forms of violence, the relation between these forms of violence and perpetration of IPV was significant beyond the influences of these factors. Findings suggest that future violence prevention and treatment efforts will be most successful by addressing multiple forms of violence.     

Association of Optimism With Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents

PurposeDispositional optimism is a psychological trait associated with cardiovascular disease outcomes in adults. However, it is not known whether these associations are present in adolescents. We attempted to determine whether an association exits between optimism and 9 biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk during adolescence. Because cardiometabolic risk differs by race and ethnicity, we also explored whether race and ethnicity moderated the optimism–cardiometabolic risk relationship.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 529 non-Hispanic white and 421 non-Hispanic black seventh through 12th graders living in greater Cincinnati in 2001–2002. We measured dispositional optimism with the Life-Orientation Test–Revised as a single continuum and as separate optimism and pessimism dimensions. Multivariable regression analyses tested for associations between optimism and nine biomarkers of risk (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, lipids, insulin, glucose, and fibrinogen), adjusting for age, gender, parent education, body mass index, smoking, and pubertal stage.ResultsDispositional optimism with the Life-Orientation Test–Revised as a single continuum was inversely associated with two risks (interleukin-6, β = ?.03, p = .02; insulin, β = ?.02, p = .01), but only among blacks. Optimism and pessimism were inversely related (R = ?.27, p < .001) and both were higher in blacks than whites (p < .001). Optimism was directly associated with high-density lipoprotein among all subjects (β = .42, p = .03), and among blacks (β = .74, p = .02) but not whites. Among blacks, optimism was also inversely associated with interleukin-6 (β = ?.07, p = .001) and triglycerides (β = ?.02, p = .04). Pessimism was inversely associated with glucose, but only in whites (β = ?.38, p = .03).ConclusionsAssociations between dispositional optimism and cardiometabolic risks are present in adolescence and vary by race and ethnicity. A better understanding of the natural history of these associations over the lifespan may help decrease disparities and prevent cardiometabolic disease.     

Intimate partner violence and academic performance: the role of physical,mental, behavioral,and financial health

Undergraduate students of all gender identities are at risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. It is known that IPV negatively affects academic performance, yet little is known about the role of health. This study examined if past-year IPV victimization was associated with an increase in students’ self-perception of health interfering with academic performance. Data were drawn from the 2011–2014 National College Health Assessment (N = 84,734). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship between a latent variable of IPV and health impediments to academic performance. The model was a good fit for the data (RMSEA = .012, CFI = .994, TLI = .981). Undergraduate survivors of past-year IPV – and transgender students – were more likely to report impediments to their academic performance: physical assault (0.66, p < .001), sexual assault (0.57, p < .001), sexually transmitted infections (0.42, p < .001), pregnancy (0.38, p < .001), depression (0.38, p < .001), disordered eating (0.36, p < .001), financial problems (0.33, p < .001), anxiety (0.32, p < .001), sleep problems (0.32, p < .001), chronic health problems (0.29, p < .001), drug use (0.29, p < .001), injury (0.25, p < .001), and alcohol use (0.25, p < .001). This demonstrates that IPV has a spiral effect, such that IPV’s impact on health is perceived by students as detrimental to their academics.