Religious and Spiritual Development from Adolescence to Early Adulthood in the U.S.: Changes over Time and Sexual Orientation Differences

Archives of Sexual Behavior - Adolescence is a critical time in the U.S. for religious development in that many young people eschew their religious identity as they enter adulthood. In general,...     

Disgusting disruptions: Capturing the everyday experience and burden of managing gastrointestinal infections in the home

Gastrointestinal (GI) infections exert a significant public health burden in the United Kingdom and the numbers of episodes are increasing. Younger children are considered particularly vulnerable to infection, and can experience 2–3 GI infections episodes per year, with consequences being more severe for more disadvantaged children, who are much more likely to be admitted to hospital. Few qualitative studies have explored the lived experience of GI infection in the community in the UK. The aim of the study reported here was to contribute to addressing this evidence gap, by examining the consequences of GI infection for ‘normal’ family life. Eighteen mothers with young children who had recently experienced a gastrointestinal infection were recruited from two socioeconomically contrasting neighbourhoods in North West of England. The findings demonstrated that GI infections were particularly disruptive: experienced as disgusting, laborious and stressful and significantly impacted normal family routines. Women felt burdened by the heavy physical and emotional demands of caring for a GI infection, resulting in feelings of isolation and insufficient support in their caring role from male partners. Tensions also arose from interactions with external community organisations, particularly in complying with their regulations on infection which often undermined caregivers knowledge and expertise of what was best for their children. This study challenges assumptions that managing GI infections in the home is unproblematic and experienced by caregivers as a ‘minor ailment.’ Infection control measures need to incorporate insights gleaned from the day-to-day realities of caring for sick children in the community.     

Adverse childhood experiences and the development of Down syndrome regression disorder

Down syndrome regression disorder (DSRD) is a clinical symptom cluster of acute or subacute neurocognitive regression in otherwise health persons with Down syndrome. The objective of this study was to evaluate if adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were more prevalent in children with DSRD than those with DS alone. A survey-based, cohort-based study was performed. Caregivers of individuals with DSRD with onset of symptoms between age 10 and 30 years and DS alone were administered the ACEs questionnaire via an online REDCap survey. A total of 159 responses were collected after excluding incomplete surveys and those not meeting criteria for DSRD. Individuals with DSRD were not more likely to experience ACEs (p = 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43–1.17). In those with ACEs prior to the onset of symptoms, the median time prior was 7 months (interquartile range: 5–10). Individuals with DSRD were more likely to report three or more ACEs (52, 33%) compared to those with DS alone (39, 22%) (p = 0.02, 95% CI: 1.08–2.87). Exposure to ACEs were not predictive of response to particular therapeutic interventions although those with multiple ACEs 3 months prior to the onset of symptoms was associated with lower response rates to benzodiazepines and immunotherapy (p = 0.02, 95% CI: −3.64–−1.13). This study provides preliminary data that individuals with DSRD experience ACEs at a similar rate to individuals with only DS alone, although three or more ACEs, often preceding the onset of symptoms, was more prevalent in individuals with DSRD.     

Being in charge: Older women and their younger female kin

Our cross-cultural study of the relationship between older women and their younger female kin examines women's hierarchies based on age and focuses on the exercise of authority by women, when such authority is traditional and accepted. Data were collected for two world-wide samples each consisting of 30 societies, varying in complexity, subsistence base, geographic location, and in customs related to women's lives. Three hypotheses were tested. The findings, which are statistically significant, suggest that the relationships between older women and their younger female kin are patterned and predictable, determined by the role of women in subsistence activities, by rules for post-marital residence, and by descent.When domination can only be exercised... directly, between one person and another, it can not take place overtly and must be disguised under the veil of enchanted relationships, the official model of which is presented by the relations between kinsmen.The gentle, invisible form of violence, which is never recognized as such... can not fail to be seen as the most economical mode of domination...The system is such that the dominant agents have a vested interest in virtue. (Bourdieu 1991191, 192, 194)